Chapter 50: Ruthlessly Inhuman

The lighting technician from Director Wang’s team was highly professional; the equipment list Mo Fei requested was sent to him promptly. At the end, the technician added, “If you have a friend who wants to join this line of work, just tell them: run fast.” Mo Fei stared at that “run fast” for two seconds, then decisively ignored it.

For ordinary people, choosing a job is a big deal, but for the wealthy, it’s just a way to experience life.

He looked up the prices of the lighting equipment recommended and recited them to Ji Xingyu, who was driving.

None of the lights cost less than four figures, and with all the accessories and lampshades, it added up to—

Mo Fei sorrowfully realized that these very expensive lights might still not be worth as much as the helmet Ji Xingyu casually tossed in the back seat.

“These aren’t too bad, really,” Ji Xingyu said with a smile after listening.

It stung, it stung deeply.

Mo Fei clutched his chest, unwilling to speak.

Ji Xingyu took Mo Fei to look for Xiao Qian first.

After all, as the director, he had the responsibility to oversee everything, rather than just gathering a group of seniors and classmates, throwing all tasks at them, and then letting himself rot among a pile of overly avant-garde art pieces.

Xiao Qian still looked as though his energy had been drained. Upon seeing Mo Fei, he greeted him, “Last time was really unfortunate. I thought you wouldn’t come back.”

Ji Xingyu asked curiously, “What happened?”

“After he left me, he ran into some criminals and got injured,” Xiao Qian sighed. “That’s why I say, staying home is safest.”

Mo Fei shook his head with a mysterious air. “If you keep a cat, even home isn’t safe.”

“The odds of being killed by a cat are low, but not zero.”

Xiao Qian couldn’t refute. “Fair enough, that’s why I don’t have a cat.”

“Let’s not talk about that now,” Ji Xingyu, knowing his classmate’s tendency to let topics spiral endlessly, cut straight to business. “How’s your prep for the crew?”

“Tremendous progress,” Xiao Qian reported seriously. “Script finalized, male lead chosen, screenwriter, lighting technician, photographer, costume designer, and makeup artist all in place. Locations are set.”

Mo Fei translated mentally—every task had been delegated, and Xiao Qian was ready to start.

As the male lead and screenwriter, Mo Fei felt obliged to remind him, “This film will need a lot of luxury items and costume props. Are you sure that’s okay?”

Xiao Qian nodded, “All bought.”

Mo Fei skeptically scratched his ear. “All bought?”

“Yes,” Xiao Qian nodded earnestly. “Bought some, got some from Brother Ji—all brand new.”

Brand new luxury fashion.

And a lighting technician ready to buy a new set of lights.

Mo Fei’s perception of the crew’s wealth was once again refreshed.

“For the office scenes, we’ll shoot in the Twin Towers downtown,” Xiao Qian continued.

Ji Xingyu nodded, “That’s good. If I remember, one floor belongs to your family, so you can use it.”

Mo Fei’s face was numb.

A whole floor in the city center.

Ha, is there anyone poor in this crew?

There is—him.

“I have a question,” Mo Fei raised his hand. “How much are you planning to pay me? Including for the screenplay.”

Xiao Qian pondered for a moment. “I checked the current basic pay for male leads. How’s this for you?”

He gestured the number eight.

Mo Fei asked carefully, “Eighty thousand?”

If it really was that much, he could order delivery every day.

Both Xiao Qian and Ji Xingyu were stunned.

“I think he means—” Ji Xingyu also gestured eight. “Eight hundred thousand.”

Xiao Qian nodded in agreement. “Eight hundred thousand for acting, two hundred thousand for the script, a total of one million.”

“If you have any concerns—”

“No concerns, none at all!” Mo Fei jumped up, shaking Xiao Qian’s hand enthusiastically. “Director Qian, Boss Qian, Lord Qian! If you ever need someone for a film, remember Mo!”

He’d only gotten ten thousand for a supporting role in Director Wang’s film, but here, it was one million in one go—he’d never earned so much in any year combined.

Xiao Qian smiled and nodded, “Alright, if there’s an opportunity, definitely.”

Ji Xingyu watched, a little perplexed.

Mo Fei’s eagerness was almost sycophantic, clashing with his impression of Mo Fei as kind, clever, and quick-witted.

But thinking that Mo Fei was simply happy because work was going well, Ji Xingyu persuaded himself.

Mo Fei was purely joyful for his own impending fortune.

A million!

He and Lü Chunqiu together had never had that much in their accounts.

With such high pay, Mo Fei’s soul was practically floating.

Next, Xiao Qian and Ji Xingyu started preparing various equipment: forty-thousand-yuan lights, tens-of-thousands cameras, monitors bought without blinking.

Mo Fei, once his excitement faded, suddenly realized he hadn’t asked Xiao Qian why he was making this film.

Clearly, from his attitude, he wasn’t in it for the money.

And given his penchant for passing the buck, it wasn’t for ideals either.

So what was it for?

“Because my mother forced me,” Xiao Qian sighed gloomily. “Her biggest dream before marrying was to become a famous actress.”

Mo Fei felt something was off. “Then shouldn’t she want you to be an actor?”

“Auntie’s idea is, becoming a famous actress is hard, but if he becomes a famous director first, then casts her, she’ll become famous by proxy,” Ji Xingyu explained.

Xiao Qian nodded. “I’m making this film to show her that I’m not cut out for mainstream directing.”

“I just want to focus on my own creative ideals and ambitions.”

Xiao Qian spoke passionately, but Mo Fei, thinking of all those odd props, couldn’t empathize.

As always, the wealthy have the privilege to be capricious; as long as he did his job, that’s all that mattered.

“So, for this shoot, we’ll be as sharp as possible,” Xiao Qian slapped his thigh. “Everyone loves stories of heroes slaying dragons, but I’ll show the hero getting beaten down, learning humility, and finally quitting to farm at home.”

“Authentic workplaces, authentic fashion circles, authentic dog-bosses.”

“I don’t believe people who’ve suffered enough in society will go online to watch someone else suffer more.”

Xiao Qian was full of confidence.

Mo Fei applauded instantly. “Well said! Clear thinking, definite goals—you’ve surpassed ninety-nine percent of suppliers. Keep at it!”

As for whether anyone would watch the film—

That was none of Mo Fei’s concern.

He only cared about getting paid. As for fame, that ephemeral thing—it was up to fate.