Chapter 1: Starting from "Conquest

Spring, 2002.

The set of *Conquest*.

"I'm asking you, is this melon ripe?"

"Cut!"

"Director, why the cut? Was there something wrong with my acting?"

"Honglei... maybe you should tone it down a bit. The character Liu Huaqiang isn't as villainous as you're playing him..."

Taking advantage of the break during the retake, a vigorous figure hurried over to the lead actor and the director, carrying two bottles of mineral water.

"Director Gao, Brother Honglei, have some water and take a break."

As the two turned around, they saw Zhang Yuan’s handsome, smiling face.

Gao Qunshu: "Thanks."

Sun Honglei: "Thank you, little brother."

No sooner had they spoken than two notifications rang out in Zhang Yuan’s mind.

【Received thanks from Gao Qunshu, Director Skill +1!】

【Received thanks from Sun Honglei, Acting Skill +1!】

Comforting!

Two bottles of water traded for two skill points—a guaranteed profit.

Three days ago, a dump truck had sent Zhang Yuan back to the distant year of 2002.

In this year, housing prices in the capital were still under 5,000 per square meter.

In this year, the total national box office for films was only 900 million yuan.

In this year, the legendary Zhang Yimou’s *Hero* would be released at the end of the year, becoming the box office champion.

In this year, "Brother" Leslie Cheung’s final work, *Inner Senses*, was about to be released.

In this year, Zhang Yuan lived a second life, becoming a "Beipiao"—a drifter in Beijing—squatting at the gates of the Beijing Film Studio looking for work.

Accompanying him was something called the [Gratitude System].

This system allowed him to gain skill points from anyone’s thanks, appreciation, or gratitude.

The specific skills gained varied from person to person, and based on Zhang Yuan’s observations, they were primarily based on what the subject excelled at.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Possessing memories of two lifetimes, he quickly adapted to his new identity and began planning his life’s grand strategy.

There were too many opportunities in this era. Many future top-tier superstars and world-class directors were currently just students or obscure extras running bit parts.

After some calculation, Zhang Yuan decisively came to the *Conquest* set.

Living a second life, he decided to start from *Conquest* to conquer this blue ocean of film and television!

"Little brother, I see you're quite active. If you have any ideas, feel free to tell Director Gao." Sun Honglei took the water he offered, set it aside, and then smilingly gave Zhang Yuan an opening.

Don't let Sun Honglei’s masterful portrayal of thugs in film and television fool you; in real life, he always wore a smile and was exceptionally polite to everyone.

"Hehe, thanks, Brother Honglei." Zhang Yuan immediately put on a goofy grin and turned to look at Director Gao Qunshu.

"Director, my name is Zhang Yuan. I really want to improve!"

Director Gao Qunshu couldn't help but chuckle. This kid was quite direct, reminding him of himself in his youth, and he felt a sudden sense of favor toward him.

"Oh, it's good for a young man to have ambition." The director replied with a laugh, taking a moment to look him up and down: "Zhang Yuan, I'll remember that."

As the saying goes, it is easy to add flowers to embroidery, but hard to provide charcoal in the snow.

If Zhang Yuan had gone to a major production, an extra like him wouldn't even be able to speak to the director or lead actors, let alone get an autograph.

But the crew of this masterpiece, *Conquest*, had one very obvious characteristic.

They were poor!

So poor that even the extras' pay was 10 yuan less than big productions, at only 30 a day.

The lead actor, Sun Honglei, was only paid 1,000 yuan per episode.

Because the crew was poor, everyone from the actors to the staff had no airs and were very approachable.

Relying on this, he had already harvested quite a few skill points over the past few days just by delivering water.

After a few more pleasantries, Zhang Yuan tactfully stepped aside to return to his primary job: a human background board.

"Zhang Yuan, how's that water-boy gig going for you?" Back in the pile of extras, a mocking voice came from beside him.

Zhang Yuan didn't even bother to turn his head to know it was his roommate, Zhao Jin.

Like him, this guy was an extra who had arrived on set at the same time.

"The pay is already low, and you're even spending your own money to buy water for people. Are you stupid?"

"30 a day is only enough for food. What's the point of being so proactive?"

"I know this lead, Sun Honglei. Isn't he just a breakdancer? He's not a real actor at all."

"This director, Gao Qunshu, is also a fool. I heard he borrowed money himself to film this. Look at how pathetic and poor he looks."

"A show made by this crappy little crew probably won't even air. Just fake it and coast along."

Every school has that type of slacker—not only do they not work hard themselves, but when others do, they spout discouraging words to wear down their will, hoping to "infect" others with their own lazy, dog-like demeanor.

Zhao Jin was clearly one of these "slackers."

But little did he know that the "breakdancer" he spoke of would leap to become a top-tier male star because of this show.

And this "pathetic, poor director" would go on to direct the legendary spy thriller *The Message* a few years later!

The most impressive part was this "crappy little crew."

Scenes like "Huaqiang Buys a Melon," "Night Scene with Feng Biao," and "Song Laohu Hosts a Banquet" would remain popular among fans even after twenty years, becoming legendary internet memes.

Besides, he was harvesting a pile of skill points just from a few bottles of water; what did Zhao Jin know?

Zhang Yuan just smiled at his roommate and didn't say anything more.

The rest of the time passed as usual. Zhang Yuan had prepared two full cases of Nongfu Spring in advance, and whenever the actors were resting, he would proactively go up to deliver water.

The crew was so poor they didn't even have a tea station, so everyone was naturally happy to see someone offering water and thanked him repeatedly.

【Received thanks from He Tiehong, Acting Skill +1!】

【Received thanks from Bai Hongbiao, Alcohol Tolerance +1!】

【Received thanks from Liu Weiwei, Charisma +1!】

……

The afternoon was fruitful, and he had become a familiar face on set.

Around five o'clock, the extras prepared to finish work and head home.

"See what I told you? You wasted two cases of water and got nothing for it."

Zhang Yuan couldn't be bothered to pay him any mind, even as Zhao Jin kept yapping.

Just then, the actor who played Zhou Guoquan, He Tiehong, walked toward them. He also served as the crew's on-site producer.

"You're Zhang Yuan, right? The director wants to see you."

Hearing this, Zhang Yuan smiled, turned back to his roommate, and said

"I've got something to do, you go ahead."

He then swaggered off with the man, leaving Zhao Jin standing there alone, his face gradually darkening.

He didn't fear his brother's hardship, but he feared his brother driving a Range Rover. Zhao Jin was filled with mixed emotions, wondering if he should prepare a few cases of water for tomorrow.

But as soon as he thought about the money he would have to spend, he hesitated. Being this stingy, he was destined for nothing great.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yuan arrived at Director Gao’s side. The director had a cigarette constantly in his hand, smoking one after another, clearly worried.

"You're here, kid." As one cigarette reached its end, he used the dying butt to light the next one and stuck it in his mouth: "You said earlier you wanted to improve; well, an opportunity just came up."

After a brief explanation, Zhang Yuan understood: a supporting actor couldn't make it to the set at the last minute.

"You and Tiehong run through a scene. If it works, the role is yours. If it doesn't, don't blame me."

This was an unexpected opportunity, but if he hadn't recommended himself earlier, even if a pie fell from the sky, it wouldn't have hit his head.

"No problem!" Zhang Yuan immediately made a solemn promise.

Just today, he had harvested over 10 points in acting; he wasn't afraid of such a small supporting role.

Taking the thin page of lines, Zhang Yuan spent ten minutes reading it carefully to fully understand the character.

This supporting character was named Gao Erlin, the top henchman of the villain Feng Biao. He appeared multiple times in the show, and his screen time wasn't insignificant.

After preparing, He Tiehong, who played Zhou Guoquan, acted out the scene with him. The content involved Zhou Guoquan being ganked by Zhang Yuan while taking a sauna at a bathhouse.

Picking up the prop knife, Zhang Yuan’s aura shifted. With a flick of his wrist, he held the knife against the other man’s neck.

"I'm telling you, learn your lesson! Don't be ungrateful!"

Zhang Yuan’s eyes turned red, his face twisted, and with every word he spat out, the muscles in his cheeks trembled. His originally handsome face now looked incredibly vicious.

That look in his eyes was as if it could speak—*If I don't draw some blood from you today, nobody is leaving this door!*

The actor playing Zhou Guoquan was stunned by Zhang Yuan’s intensity, his foot slipped, and he actually fell off his stool.

"That's it." Director Gao immediately called a stop when he saw this.

*This kid's acting is clearly much better than I imagined...*

Laymen watch the excitement, experts watch the technique.

Originally, he thought this young man was just good at socializing and likable, so when he was short on people, he thought of this diligent kid.

He hadn't held any hope for Zhang Yuan’s acting. If tonight’s scene hadn't been so urgent, he would have preferred to wait for a professional actor.

But he never expected that Zhang Yuan’s performance would give him such a surprise!

"Go to the second-floor dressing room to change. After dinner, we have a scene tonight. Here is the script."

Zhang Yuan was overjoyed; the opportunity had come faster than he imagined.

After taking the script and reading it roughly, a strange smile appeared on Zhang Yuan’s face.

Because the scene about to be filmed was one of the three most famous scenes in the show.

Liu Huaqiang’s night confrontation with Feng Biao!

(End of chapter)