Showbiz: Released from Prison, Playing a Gangster for Real

Shen Lang transmigrates to a parallel world and is released from prison in place of a convict who served ten years. Every one of his old brothers is in dire straits: their restaurant is about to go under, and they scrape by hauling bricks or running street stalls. Just as he is about to sigh, the Great Director System pops up, and its newbie gift drops a complete production plan for Young and Dangerous.

He slaps the table on the spot. "Make a movie with me!" His brothers are utterly baffled. They only know how to slash people with watermelon knives. What do they know about cameras? Shen Lang immediately starts telling them the story instead. Ten minutes later, more than a dozen burly men have red-rimmed eyes. Third Brother smashes a bottle. "I'm closing this place. I'll take a chance with you!"

Shen Lang recruits Wu Jiajia, a professionally trained actress. When she pushes open the door and sees a room full of tattooed tough guys, she is frightened into tears. He gives her his only savings, sells his property in the city center, and pours all four million into the production.

On the first day of filming Young and Dangerous, a group of men with an unmistakable underworld air carry knives onto the street. They need no acting skills: they are portraying the lives they have actually lived.

A reporter asks, "Have the artists at your company studied acting?"

Shen Lang lights a cigarette. "No. They're just laying their lives bare for you to see. Also, we're always hiring actors."

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.