Administrator Li Qing, whose administrator tools were intact but whose useful functions were all unavailable, stared at the Dungeon Instance NPC, who had no idea this was a Dungeon Instance. The NPC stared back.
After a long moment, Li Qing finally spoke. "...I'm a new stagehand. Here's my Work ID."
Thank goodness. Although he couldn't directly alter NPC data, simple functions like forging a Work ID still worked.
It was perfectly normal for a stagehand to be in the prop room. Director Li didn't suspect a thing and immediately instructed him, "Li Qing-Qing-the opening ceremony is about to start. Go get the actors and tell them to come downstairs for the ceremony."
Li Qing nodded and walked out of Director Li's sight.
The instant he opened the door, his white work coat, shirt, and black trousers, which looked completely out of place here, vanished. A beige casual sweatshirt and sweatpants replaced them.
He produced a pair of black-framed glasses from somewhere and put them on, instantly transforming from an aloof "researcher" into a young man who could be found anywhere in this world.
A printed document appeared in his hand, listing the location of each actor's dressing room.
Before this, Li Qing had already skimmed through the plot synopsis of "The King of Hell Is Here."
They were currently at the film's first location, an old castle on the outskirts of K City, shooting the opening scene: seven men and women having a fun party in a castle, with a little haunting and death on the side.
Perhaps because the film crew numbered over a hundred and had made such a commotion, this supposedly haunted castle didn't feel remotely eerie or frightening.
Dusty stagehands, smartly dressed celebrity managers, and assistants bustled up and down the corridor. They couldn't help giving Li Qing a few extra looks when they saw him.
Li Qing simply hung his Work ID around his neck, sparing himself any unnecessary questioning.
According to the room numbers, the nearest dressing room belonged to Meng Tian, the second female lead.
Li Qing was just about to knock when the door opened from inside.
The woman with big, wavy curls and immaculate makeup was startled by Li Qing. Then her gaze shifted to his Work ID, and she smiled warmly.
"Is it time to start filming?"
Li Qing said, "Yes. The director sent me to get you."
As he answered, the woman's information appeared before his eyes:
[Name: Meng Tian] [ID: P-F325W221] [Status: Roleplaying] [Bound system: B70015] [Character introduction: A second-tier actress whose popularity is gradually fading. The original female lead of "The King of Hell Is Here."]
While he was checking Meng Tian's information, the young assistant beside her spoke up. "Hey, why are you so rude? You should address her as Ms. Meng!"
Li Qing corrected himself without much emotion. "Ms. Meng."
Meng Tian smiled. "It's fine. You can call me anything. We'll head down right away. You... Qing, thank you!"
Although Meng Tian would be playing a bossy, domineering second female lead in the film, she herself lived up to the sweetness of her name.
Li Qing nodded and headed for the next room.
A door nearby suddenly opened, and a rather short, ordinary-looking man hurried out. Without so much as glancing at Li Qing, he went straight up to Meng Tian with great enthusiasm. "Miss Meng, what a coincidence! Let's head down together!"
Li Qing glanced back.
[Name: He Li] [ID: P-QB9020AA] [Status: Roleplaying] [Bound system: B09020] [Character introduction: A perpetual extra who has spent years drifting from one film crew to another.]
Li Qing turned around and knocked on the next door, his face expressionless.
Three seconds passed without a reply.
Li Qing knocked again, then turned the handle and opened the door-
A young woman was sunk into the sofa, engrossed in a game on her phone.
[Name: Yu Xiaohe] [ID: P-ZD458290] [Status: Roleplaying] [Bound system: C88010] [Character introduction: An obscure actress, introverted and insecure.]
Li Qing said, "Ms. Yu, filming is starting. The director wants you downstairs."
Yu Xiaohe snapped, "What are you yelling for? Can't you see I'm playing a game? **! ***!"
Yu Xiaohe irritably put away her phone. When she looked up and saw Li Qing, she froze for a moment, then gave him a bashful smile. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I'll head down right away."
Li Qing left Yu Xiaohe's room and silently crossed out that inexplicable "introverted and insecure."
In the room opposite Yu Xiaohe's, the female lead An Ya's assistant looked at Li Qing impatiently. "An Ya says she knows. She'll come down once her makeup is done!"
Li Qing glanced inside. The beautiful actress sat in front of the dressing mirror, playing on her phone, with no intention of moving.
[Name: An Ya] [ID: P-D92KD901] [Status: Roleplaying] [Bound system: A07710] [Character introduction: A popular rising star who debuted this year! The last-minute replacement female lead of "The King of Hell Is Here"!]
The door slammed shut in front of Li Qing. He stared at the wooden door, barely a centimeter from the tip of his nose, then turned and headed for another dressing room.
An assistant opened the door this time as well. Li Qing saw an exceptionally handsome young man sitting inside.
He stared at himself in the mirror, his face blank, an air of lifeless gloom hanging over him.
"Mr. Bai?" Li Qing said. "The director wants you downstairs for the opening ceremony."
The young man remained dazed for a long moment before slowly shifting his gaze to Li Qing.
He stared at Li Qing for a while, then suddenly looked incredulous. "Who are you??"
Li Qing pushed up the black-framed glasses on his nose. "I'm a stagehand with the crew. My name is Li Qing."
"I've never seen you before."
"Yes, I'm new."
The young man eyed him suspiciously, then said, "Got it," and walked out with his assistant.
Li Qing watched him leave and looked at his character information.
[Name: Bai Cha] [ID: P-RAND4040] [Status: Roleplaying] [Bound system: F00023] [Character introduction: A second-tier young heartthrob. This film may be his chance to break into the movie industry.]
An F-rank player? How did he get sent into a B-rank Dungeon Instance?
"Qing!" Director Li called from behind him. "Why are you just standing there? Hurry downstairs and help!"
Li Qing said, "Mr. Tao Lele and... Mr. Gong Yao still haven't come down."
"Oh, they're coming straight from the city! Those two put on plenty of airs. Don't bother with them."
Not having to meet Gong Yao face-to-face made Li Qing breathe a silent sigh of relief. He only hoped Gong Yao wouldn't cause him any more trouble this time.
He carried props downstairs with the other stagehands and arranged them in front of the castle, instantly giving the old building a festive air.
Just then, a somewhat deep male voice, tinged with amusement, came from behind him. "What a lively crowd. Were we the only two missing?"
The corner of Li Qing's eye twitched, and he looked back.
A young man in a striped suit sauntered over with his hands in his pockets, followed by a tall man in a black leather jacket.
The man wore sunglasses, leaving his sharply defined jaw and thin, smiling lips exposed.
Who else could it be but Gong Yao!
Li Qing pushed up his glasses and slowly edged into the crowd.
But Gong Yao let out another "Oh?"
He lowered his sunglasses slightly. One gold eye and one black eye fixed on Li Qing as though he had spotted prey.
"Who's this? A new actor?"
Li Qing: "?"
He tilted his head slightly and studied Gong Yao's eyes for a long while, finally confirming that Gong Yao wasn't pretending.
It had only been a week since they last met, yet not only had his whole manner changed considerably, he didn't even recognize Li Qing.
Wait...
Li Qing suddenly understood what the "Roleplaying" status on these players meant.
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