Stuntmen

Fish Head Xu took Yang Chu onto a film set inside an office building.

There were lots of people on set, along with all kinds of equipment. Yang Chu took a quick look around. From the signs hanging on the walls and the plaques on the doors, he figured the set had been dressed as a police station.

"Chu-zai, see those people over there? They're all big stars. They've come to support Big Brother and make cameo appearances."

Standing at the edge of the set, Fish Head Xu pointed toward a group of people on the other side and spoke to Yang Chu in a low voice.

Yang Chu followed his gesture. Several people in the crowd looked familiar, but after coming back to life in this world, he seemed to have lost some of his memories, and he couldn't recall who they were. He wasn't even sure whether Hong Kong Island in this world was the same as the Hong Kong Island from his previous life.

"Brother Xu, where have you been? Big Brother's about to blow his top!"

Just then, a young man with a baby face and slightly chubby cheeks—but a lean, capable build—hurried over from the busy crowd when he saw Fish Head Xu enter the set.

Unlike everyone else, the young man didn't call Fish Head Xu by his nickname. Though his tone carried a hint of complaint, he still addressed him as Brother Xu.

"Jia... Jia Le, I went to pick someone up. How are things now?"

Fish Head Xu smiled as the baby-faced young man approached and asked about the state of the set. He seemed quite close to him.

"Big Brother couldn't wait for your role, so he gave it to Brother Le when he showed up. Look, Brother Xu, you know Big Brother didn't make a film all last year. This time, he even called his junior back from Canada. He really wants to make a good movie, so he's under a lot of pressure."

Jia Le explained what had happened on set, then reassured him. "But don't worry, Brother Xu. There are plenty of roles later on. We'll definitely need your help."

"I know. Big Brother called all these people back because he wants to get back on his feet. It's just a small role, no big deal. Big Brother's not making any cop movies this year; he only started a racing film, just to make way for Big Brother. We've been with him for so many years—we've got to support him!"

Fish Head Xu nodded repeatedly. He didn't look the least bit upset that someone else had taken his role. This clearly wasn't the first time it had happened.

He introduced Yang Chu to the baby-faced young man beside him. "Jia Le, this is Chu-zai. He's got great skills and wants to join the crew and get some work."

"If you're the one introducing him, Brother Xu, he'll be fine." The baby-faced young man looked Yang Chu over. "You're Chu-zai, right? Call me Jia Le. I'm the stunt coordinator for this film. Come work with me in a bit."

"Okay." Yang Chu gave a slight nod and said nothing more.

Making movies was completely new to him. He'd just do whatever the others told him.

"Fish Head Xu, where have you been?"

As they spoke, a burly, heavyset man in his forties strode over from the office set being assembled.

Yang Chu noticed a scar at the corner of the man's mouth. His face looked honest and kind, but his confident, commanding air gave him an imposing presence.

"Big Brother."

Fish Head Xu and Jia Le both stepped forward to greet the burly middle-aged man.

They had called him Big Brother repeatedly while talking just now, but to his face, they addressed him as Big Brother.

Yang Chu didn't really understand all the different ways people used these forms of address, but it was clear the burly man had quite a bit of clout. He was probably more than just a director.

"Big Brother, sorry. I went to pick someone up."

Fish Head Xu bent forward slightly and repeated what he'd told Jia Le, explaining where he'd been.

"It's a small thing. You should've told me earlier. I'd originally planned to give you that ugly-guy role, but you weren't here, and Brother Le came to support me, so I gave it to him. He has to leave first, after all."

"I know, Big Brother. It's fine."

Fish Head Xu grinned, clearly unbothered by the casting change. He pulled Yang Chu over to his side. "Big Brother, this is Chu-zai. He helped me out and wants to join the crew for some work."

"Of course there's no problem if you're the one bringing him in. Have him work with Ah Le."

The middle-aged man looked Yang Chu over and gave a slight nod without saying much. Then he turned back to Fish Head Xu, whose back was somewhat hunched, and patted him. "My master taught me this: when you're young, you should hunch your back a little. It makes people feel comfortable around you. When you get older, you should straighten up and show people you've still got it. We came up together as stuntmen. Stand up straight."

"Got it, Big Brother." Fish Head Xu quickly straightened up.

With his crossed eyes and serious expression, his deliberately stiff posture struck people as funny for no apparent reason.

"Not putting you onscreen would be a real loss for this film."

The burly middle-aged man chuckled and pointed at Fish Head Xu. "All right, enough talk. Get ready to take your marks and shoot. Fish Head Xu, give me a hand."

"Sure. It's been a long time since I worked on a film with you, Big Brother."

Fish Head Xu nodded with a smile, then called out to Yang Chu. "Chu-zai, go with Jia Le. I'm going to help Big Brother."

Yang Chu nodded. From their conversation, he'd more or less figured out what had happened.

A role that had originally been set aside for Fish Head Xu had gone to Brother Le, who'd come to show his support and make a cameo.

It was hard to say whether the role had been recast because Fish Head Xu had gone to pick him up and wasn't around.

Even so, Yang Chu felt a little moved.

"Chu-zai, come with me for a moment."

After Fish Head Xu left with the burly middle-aged man, Jia Le, who'd been standing nearby, beckoned Yang Chu over.

"Okay."

Yang Chu had no idea what Jia Le wanted, but he immediately followed when he was called over.

When he reached Jia Le, Yang Chu noticed another young man standing nearby, handsome and dressed in a black suit and yellow shirt.

"Let me give you a quick rundown. Here's what happens: Brother Le's playing a mentally unstable cop who takes his superior hostage at gunpoint. Everyone outside the office is watching. Then, Wu Zai, you come in from behind here. First you step on Big Brother's shoulder, then launch yourself forward and kick through the office window to stop Brother Le."

Jia Le seemed to be giving Yang Chu an overview of the scene before continuing. "This is the first shot where Wu Zai's character appears, so we have to show off your skills. Because of the set, we can't use wires. Here's the move: you start on that raised platform, step on Big Brother's shoulder, then use the desk to push off and kick through the glass, flying diagonally into the office."

As he explained the moves they'd be filming, Jia Le pointed out the different positions around them.

"Jia Le, why don't I give it a try myself? That way, it'll look more convincing."

The handsome young man known as Wu Zai had listened to the explanation, and he looked eager to try.

"No, you're the lead. If you get hurt now, Big Brother's going to blow his top."

Jia Le shook his head and turned to Yang Chu instead. "Chu-zai, Brother Xu says you've got great skills. Can you do this move?"

The move he'd described wasn't complicated. Jia Le could have handled it himself without much trouble. But since Yang Chu wanted to work as a stuntman and earn money on set, he had to show them what he could do.