Huayu: I really am a genuine top star.

Chapter 65 The Highest Level of Being a "Superior"

...Pah! I'm a man! What am I doing as a female extra?!

"But what if, what if I were a female extra... um, what if!"

Shen Li imagined herself as a beautiful, well-proportioned girl with a great figure, who could dance gracefully in a cheongsam.

"Following Sister Hua's path..."

The image flashed through Shen Li's mind:

She (the female version) was heavily made up and wearing ten-centimeter high heels, following behind Sister Hua, saying things like "Sister Hua is the most beautiful," "Sister Hua is awesome," and "Sister Hua, your lipstick is amazing today."

Sister Hua sat by the monitor, legs crossed, smoking. She glanced down at the monitor and snorted, "Hmm, not bad. You have a concubine job tomorrow, you go."

They were so grateful that they wanted to kowtow to each other on the spot.

and then?

Then I ended up on Sister Hua's "whitelist". I was given priority when there was work to do, and when there was no work, I was the "atmosphere group" in the group. I would like and comment on Sister Hua's posts on WeChat Moments as soon as possible, and I would also act as her "punching bag" when she was in a bad mood.

If you work your way up for a year or two, you might be able to climb from extra to featured actor, and from featured actor to minor supporting actor.

But what is the price?

The price is that you always have to look up to Sister Hua's expression. If she says you can't go west, and if she says you can't offend this assistant director, you have to smile and offer her a toast.

She has to immediately distance herself from any extra she has fallen out with, otherwise she'll be considered to have "chosen the wrong side."

If you do well, you can get a share of the profits; if you don't, you never know which of Sister Hua's sore spots you might cross, and you'll be kicked out of the circle with just a word, all the flattery you did before will be for nothing.

"Isn't this just... workplace PUA?"

Shen Li clicked her tongue. "It's high-class, but it's frustrating. With my temper, I can pretend to be a grandson every day. I can do it for a day or two, but for a year or two? I'm afraid I'll lose my temper and give her a stand-up comedy routine right there and then turn all her 'rules' into jokes."

He then switched to another route.

"Following in Sister Dong's footsteps..."

The scene changed. She (the female version) was bare-faced, with her hair in a bun, squatting in a corner of the set eating watermelon with Sister Dong.

Watermelon juice dripped down their chins as the two grinned, completely unconcerned about their image. Sister Dong handed them half a grilled sausage: "Try it, it's from that new place near the north gate, the taste is authentic."

She took it, took a bite, and gave it a thumbs up: "Amazing! Sister Dong, your foodie radar is more accurate than a fish finder!"

and then?

Then I gradually became one of Sister Dong's "one of her own." Not by flattering her, but by genuine friendship.

Sister Dong's voice became hoarse from shouting, so she quietly stuffed a box of throat lozenges into her mouth.

Sister Dong's foxtail grass had withered, so she got up early and picked a vibrant one from the roadside, casually handing it to her: "Sister Dong, I just saw this and picked it." Sister Dong didn't say anything, but she remembered it.

But when there's work to be done, Sister Dong won't call on herself first... She has to treat everyone equally, otherwise it would break the rules.

When she issues announcements, she might subtly reveal some "additional information" to herself: "For the period drama tomorrow, the director likes actresses with slim waists, so bring your fitted cheongsam." Or, "For the ancient costume drama the day after tomorrow, the stunt cop is from my hometown, so don't be nervous, he won't dare to make things difficult for you."

This information is far more valuable than being "called first".

"But this path..." Shen Li stroked her chin, "initially requires a large investment and is slow to yield results, but once you become 'one of us,' it's an unbreakable bond. It's not bound by interests, but by feelings. Interest-based relationships can turn sour in an instant, but feelings... as long as you don't do anything reckless, someone like Sister Dong will most likely keep protecting you."

He then thought about Sister Dong's WeChat Moments post titled "A Guide to Avoiding Scams for Extras in Film Studios".

"Moreover, Sister Dong has an advantage that Sister Hua doesn't... she's willing to teach newcomers. Sister Hua treats newcomers like 'expendable materials,' using them when they're obedient and discarding them when they're not. Sister Dong treats newcomers like 'potential talents,' and as long as you're willing to learn, willing to work hard, and don't try to be clever, she'll genuinely guide you. Damn it, in the long run, which one is more valuable?"

The more Shen Li thought about it, the more she felt that if she were really a female extra, she would most likely choose the path of Sister Dong.

Shen Li's deduction was not entirely useless.

I've figured out the dynamics of the female extras' circle. Now, if I ever get a job that requires me to act alongside female extras, I know how to get along with them... If I encounter the "Sister Hua" type, I'll be polite and not offend them; if I encounter the "Sister Dong" type, I can be a little more sincere, and maybe we can become friends.

This "Sister Hua VS Sister Dong" model is essentially a management philosophy of two different "superiors".

Sister Hua is an "authoritarian leader," while Sister Dong is an "approachable leader."

The film studio has Sister Hua and Sister Dong, the Beijing Film Academy has Lan Xiu and Ling Yingying, it's all the same everywhere.

Once you thoroughly understand this model, you'll be able to automatically develop a strategy to deal with similar people in the future.

Most importantly... he himself, if he were to become a "higher-ups" in the future, which path should he take?

"Sister Hua's route" or "Sister Dong's route"?

Shen Li thought about her "Lili Run" platform and the three "co-founders" in her dormitory who she had completely fooled.

Jingyang is a social butterfly, a drama queen, and loves to show off. You can't use Sister Hua's "condescending" approach with this kind of person... If you try to put on airs with him, he'll just turn around and leave.

You have to use Sister Dong's approach: become friends with him, make him feel that you're "a good friend," and he'll wholeheartedly support you.

Yang Yi is an honest and hardworking boy, but he lacks his own opinions.

For this kind of person, Sister Hua's "rules to establish authority" approach works better... You just need to clearly define the rules for him, and he can follow them without having to think about it.

When you open up to him, he doesn't know what to do.

Dai Xiao is a tech geek, a closet pervert, and rational to the point of being cold-blooded. Neither Sister Hua's nor Sister Dong's methods work on this type of person.

He is not swayed by "aura of dominance" or "emotional binding." He is swayed by "logic" and "interests."

You need to make him feel that collaborating with you is the optimal solution, both technically and in terms of returns. Don't waste time with small talk; just show him the data and the solution.

"So," Shen Li muttered to herself, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes.

"The highest level of being a 'higher-ups' is not to learn from Sister Hua or Sister Dong. It's to speak to people in a human way and to ghosts in a ghost way. You should act like an empress when you need to act like an empress and a heroine when you need to act like a heroine."

His smile was sly as he switched to the "Beijing Special Actor Exchange Group".

This group sends far fewer messages, only a dozen or so in the morning. But every single one is worth real money.

"The production team of 'The Longest Day in Chang'an' needs three extras next week to play border soldiers. There will be action scenes and lines. Requirements: Male, rugged appearance, those with martial arts background preferred. Daily wage 500 RMB. Submit your application with a model card and a self-introduction video."

"A modern urban drama needs a featured extra to play a company executive. Requirements: Male, 35-45 years old, with a refined and scholarly demeanor. Daily wage: 800."

"A period fantasy drama needs two extras to play sect disciples. Close-up shots and lines are required. Requirements: Male, 20-25 years old, handsome. Daily pay 600."