Chapter 16: I Gave a Warning
The film city was divided into areas inside and outside the city proper. After getting off at the stop, Qin Hongfei began consulting the map once more.
The villager, who seemed to have been here before and was quite familiar with the place, exclaimed excitedly, “I know the way from here! Girl, let me lead you. You’re looking for your sister, aren’t you?” She had relatives running a business here, supplying boxed meals to celebrities, and she herself was here to apply for a job.
Having someone who knew the way made things much easier. Qin Hongfei felt grateful—indeed, good deeds are rewarded. She read the address from the small note aloud.
Though the villager was illiterate, she understood spoken directions perfectly. Without hesitation, she grabbed her luggage and led the way, while Qin Hongfei helped carry some of her things.
“By the way, that second bus line doesn’t come to the film city, so your aunt and the others must have taken the wrong bus,” the villager remarked.
“I did warn them,” Qin Hongfei replied. “But they chose not to believe me.”
The villager was speechless for a moment. Though not close to them, as a fellow townsman she knew a bit about the situation. That relative had been here a few times and spent the whole bus ride boasting about how well she knew the place and was showing everyone the way.
Luckily, Qin Hongfei hadn't followed her advice at the bus station and boarded the second line, or she would have been led astray.
The villager was delighted. After leading Qin Hongfei to her destination, she rummaged through her luggage, pulled out two pears, and pressed them into Qin Hongfei’s hands. “Thank you so much, girl. These pears are from my own orchard—sweet and juicy, take them to quench your thirst.”
Qin Hongfei accepted them without fuss, thanked her, bid her farewell, and then made her way to a small inn.
Most extras in the area stayed in such places because the price was right. Qin Hongfei entered the inn and went straight to the front desk, asking for someone named Duoduo, a friend of Qin Fei’s who had come here with her to work as an extra.
When Duoduo heard someone was looking for her, she came quickly. Upon seeing Qin Hongfei, her smile faded considerably. “Ah, you’re Qin Fei’s sister.”
Qin Hongfei was adept at reading people’s expressions and took note of this, but acted as if she hadn’t noticed. “Hello, Sister Duoduo. I’m here to find my sister. Do you know where she is?”
Duoduo responded coolly, “Qin Fei? I haven’t seen her in two or three days. I’m not really sure…”
Qin Hongfei asked in confusion, “Didn’t you come here together?”
Duoduo replied impatiently, “Just because we came together doesn’t mean I have to know everything about her. I’m busy working as an extra and making money. She got into trouble and can’t work anymore, so there’s not much future for her. I’m not like her. Do you need anything else? If not, I’ll be going.” After what happened with Qin Fei, she’d become a laughingstock, and now directors were wary of involving her. Even if she wanted to work for free, they’d think twice. Her prospects were bleak.
Duoduo had once hoped that Qin Fei’s looks might help her get ahead, and perhaps she could help her out too. Now, with that hope gone, she saw no reason to waste her time.
She turned hostile in an instant. Unable to get any information, Qin Hongfei searched the area but found little. Qin Fei wasn’t well-known, so few people had any news about her, and there was no way to contact her. Qin Hongfei decided to try asking Duoduo again.
Upon arriving at Duoduo’s inn, she ran into her aunt and uncle, who looked rather disheveled.
In stark contrast to her earlier attitude toward Qin Hongfei, Duoduo was all smiles with her aunt and uncle, calling them “Uncle, Auntie” with unceasing warmth. “You’re looking for Wanwan, right? She’s staying at a nearby hotel, rehearsing with the lead actor. I can take you to her—the roles keep coming to her now!”
As she spoke, she caught sight of Qin Hongfei approaching again, and her face immediately darkened.