Trembling At A High Altitude

"Is everyone here?" asked Director Liu Shiyuan, dressed in a black tuxedo and wearing a top hat, as he walked out.

Though Li Teng had hoped the one to step forward would be Yao Xue wearing a mask, he knew that was impossible now.

Just a few scenes in, everything had already changed.

"Extra number 4145164 has registered to participate in the promotion performance from Extras to Minor Special Contract Extra, which will be held in one hour. That's why I've gathered everyone here to observe," he announced.

"Let's all wish number 4145164 a good fortune," Liu Shiyuan gestured for applause.

The others quickly clapped their hands together.

"Thank you!" Li Teng stood up and expressed his gratitude to Liu Shiyuan and the crowd.

"Later, I will take him to the troupe for the advancement performance. The rest of you stay in the café, where the live stream of this performance will be shown. Watching the live performance will also help you accumulate experience for future participation. Please don't miss this great opportunity," Liu Shiyuan added a few more words.

The crowd responded in unison.

It was best not to test the temperament of the new director, merely listen carefully and one could not go wrong.

After arranging for the others to enter the café, Liu Shiyuan and Li Teng departed in his black car.

"Don't be nervous, the performance for advancement is easy to pass; only one out of eight people will be eliminated," Liu Shiyuan, sitting next to Li Teng in the back seat, noticed Li Teng's rigid posture and spoke to him.

"Hmm, I'm not nervous," Li Teng smiled at Liu Shiyuan.

"Once you advance successfully, you can choose your own troupe. However, I hope you stay in my troupe. I excel at training actors. I have already produced two leading actors and five supporting actors," Liu Shiyuan added.

"Hmm, okay," Li Teng naturally agreed for the time being.

"I have high hopes for you," Liu Shiyuan patted Li Teng's shoulder.

"Thank you for your leadership and nurturing," Li Teng expressed his gratitude to Liu Shiyuan.

"Don't talk to me like that, it feels too distant. I am older than you; just call me Brother Liu," Liu Shiyuan corrected Li Teng.

"Alright, Brother Liu," Li Teng changed his form of address.

"As for the advancement performance, try to take first place if you get the chance; winning the wristwatch will be beneficial for your survival in the real world. But don't be too reckless; being overly aggressive in some scenarios might lead to being the first eliminated, which wouldn't be worth it," Liu Shiyuan continued advising Li Teng.

"Mm-hmm," Li Teng naturally listened attentively.

All along the way, Liu Shiyuan talked with Li Teng, appearing to be a very talkative person.

Having had little contact, Li Teng couldn't quite gauge Liu Shiyuan's temperament yet, so he just showed that he was listening seriously and didn't initiate much conversation.

As to whether he should continue staying in this troupe after advancing, Li Teng decided he would think about it then.

Since the new director had taken the initiative to keep him, it at least meant no harm was intended toward him, which was a good thing.

The car drove quickly through the Film and Television City, which had very quiet streets with few pedestrians, and they rarely encountered other vehicles.

About forty minutes later, the car stopped next to a teahouse, and after getting out, Liu Shiyuan handed Li Teng over to a staff member by the door of the teahouse and then left in the car.

Li Teng was then led by the staff member up the stairs of the teahouse.

The teahouse was by the river; if the car had continued forward, it would have entered the Great Iron Bridge spanning both banks.

As they ascended the stairs, the staff member handed Li Teng a badge marked with the number 6, instructing him to stick it on his chest.

"Are you from Liu Shiyuan's troupe?" a chubby man in a Floral Shirt standing by the railing at the top of the stairs asked Li Teng.

"Yes," Li Teng, not recognizing the man, nodded his head nonetheless.

"He is a freak," the man said with a meaningful smile and then walked downstairs.

Li Teng frowned and then continued to follow the staff member to the third floor of the teahouse.

Several people were seated around a large table on the third floor, drinking tea. Li Teng was also led to the table and took a seat.

"Here for the advancement performance?" the man next to him inquired.

"And you all?" Li Teng replied.

"Yes," the man nodded.

Li Teng glanced around at the few people by the table. Apart from himself, there were five other men.

Their numbers ranged from 1 to 5 on their chests, seemingly indicating just the order of arrival.

"I bet they're all men, no women."

"Where have all the female actors gone for advancement?"

"Women are grouped with women, right?"

"I suspect our competition might involve physical performance, so they don't group women with us; otherwise, it's too disadvantageous for them."

Everyone by the teatable chatted with one another while sipping tea, creating a rather harmonious atmosphere.

However, it was uncertain if this harmony would persist once the advanced performance began.

"I just met a fat man in a floral shirt on the second floor, does anyone know him?" Li Teng asked the group.

"Him? He's the director of the troupe I'm part of, do you need him for something?" a middle-aged man in his thirties looked at Li Teng.

"Nothing special, he just initiated a chat with me, and I didn't recognize him, so I asked," Li Teng casually dismissed it.

It seemed that Liu Shiyuan didn't have a good reputation among the directors.

Considering a change of troupe was indeed worth some thought now.

As they spoke, two more men were brought up by the staff from downstairs.

Eight men were now seated around the teatable, but no director or other staff appeared on the third floor.

After a long wait, still no one arrived.

The instruction everyone received was the same, to wait here.

"What's this supposed to mean? Are we just here to compete in drinking tea?" someone joked.

"Haha, then I'd win hands down—I drink the most," another person joined in.

"Brothers, take it easy later! Don't overdo it. It's just an advancement performance, nobody needs to die. Let's not make it a life-or-death struggle," one warned.

"What's your director like? After getting promoted we can change troupes, right? I don't want to stay in my current troupe."

"Same, same, but don't expect changing troupes to be any better. Nowadays, people use any small amount of power they have to look down on others, ordering us actors around."

"Where are you all from? When did you arrive? Getting promoted is just delaying the inevitable. Shouldn't we talk about how to leave this damned Film and Television City? I want to go back to my wife and kids!"

"You've made it to the advancement round and been in Film and Television City quite a while, right? Still dreaming of going back to hug your wife and kids? Give up that fantasy!"

"Exactly, I gave up struggling long ago, and I suspect that the real world no longer exists. We might never get to return."

"Better focus on earning more points; otherwise, we won't even have enough for food."

The third floor of the teahouse now resembled a meeting in a company in the real world, with a group of salesmen who'd never met before gathered together, each chattering about different things.

"It's the end of the world."

"Zombies have taken over all the streets, bridges, and buildings."

Suddenly, a voice narrating the plot filled the room of the teahouse.

Everyone quieted down together.

The whole teahouse, inside and out, fell into deep silence.

"Only those who successfully cross the Great Iron Bridge next to the teahouse can reach the safe house on the opposite bank."

"The first seven warriors to enter the safe house will advance as Minor Special Contract Extras; their rankings, and therefore their lottery for prizes, will be based on the order they entered the safe house! The first and second prizes are highly functional props, and the third prize is 100 points! The last one will be eliminated from the competition."

"Eight warriors, a big prize awaits you! Summon your courage and 'Wisdom,' and set off as soon as possible!"

The narrator's voice rang out again.