“What kind of question is that? Can’t I come see you if I have nothing better to do?” Ling Fei feigned displeasure.
But Liu Yifeng didn’t want to engage in pleasantries: “It’s fine, just tell me what you need to say directly!”
Seeing Liu Yifeng’s directness, Ling Fei dropped the pretense. He smiled and said, “It’s really not a big deal. I just wanted to ask you, why don’t you want to be a star?”
For people in their profession, a little fame could earn them more in a single film than an ordinary person could make in a lifetime. It was rare for someone to be uninterested in this line of work, unless they were already wealthy and disdained making money from it.
But judging by Liu Yifeng’s mention of growing up in the countryside, he certainly wasn’t rich.
If he had seen the Rolex on Liu Yifeng’s wrist when he arrived, he wouldn’t have thought that way.
That watch had been put away with his clothes when Liu Yifeng changed.
Liu Yifeng replied, “Everyone has different dreams. Isn’t it perfectly normal not to want to be a star? If you absolutely must have a reason, it’s mainly because I feel being a star offers less freedom than being an ordinary person. I don’t like being the center of attention everywhere I go, having to constantly watch what I say and do. What’s the point of living like that?”
This was the answer Ling Fei most wanted to hear. He immediately said, “If you don’t want to become famous, I think you could be a stunt double. If you’re willing, I’d like to hire you as my stunt double, with a salary of twelve thousand a month, plus travel expenses. What do you think?”
He didn’t believe Liu Yifeng would refuse. Twelve thousand a month in those days was a salary even high-ranking executives in ordinary companies might not earn, and with greater pressure. But being his stunt double was different. He wouldn’t need a stunt double every day; perhaps he could even have half the month off, yet still receive his full salary. Where else could he find such a high-paying job that also wouldn’t worry about losing freedom due to fame!
Hearing Ling Fei’s offer, Liu Yifeng was stunned. He must have misheard. Twelve thousand a month. The money he made selling vegetables daily already exceeded twelve thousand. Moreover, he had established greenhouses, and his agritainment business was nearing completion. At that point, earning a fortune daily wouldn’t be impossible. Why would he then seek a job paying twelve thousand a month? It would be like hitting his head! Besides, how would he then take care of Tongtong?
Seeing Liu Yifeng’s daze, Ling Fei assumed he was overwhelmed by the salary. He continued, “If you work for me, I won’t mistreat you. Besides the twelve thousand salary, you’ll receive an additional bonus at the end of the year.”
Just as he thought Liu Yifeng would immediately accept, Liu Yifeng’s next words stunned him: “I’m sorry, I don’t think I can accept your offer!”
“Why? Do you think the salary is too low? For typical stunt actors, their fees are calculated by appearance, which is not guaranteed and very dangerous. But if you’re my stunt double, I won’t have you do any high-risk fight scenes. If it’s still not enough, how about I add another five hundred a month?”
In his opinion, Liu Yifeng’s refusal could only be due to dissatisfaction with the pay. Adding five hundred or a thousand would be acceptable. But any more than that, he felt, wouldn’t be worth it.
Liu Yifeng shook his head expressionlessly. “You’ve misunderstood. It’s not because I think the pay is too low. It’s mainly that I’m not interested in acting. I also have a child to take care of at home and can’t spare the time. Thank you for your recognition, but I cannot accept.”
He didn’t mention that the salary was simply not appealing to him, primarily because he didn’t want to appear ostentatious or make people think he was showing off his wealth. Furthermore, it was genuinely due to Tongtong that he wasn’t considering this industry. Why had Yun Duo’er abandoned Tongtong in the first place? It was to become a star. How could he let Tongtong experience being abandoned twice? Although he chose this path, he wouldn’t abandon Tongtong, but his time with the child would be reduced. In Tongtong’s eyes, wouldn’t it feel like his own father was also abandoning him?
“What? You have a child?” Ling Fei exclaimed in surprise! Looking at Liu Yifeng, he seemed no older than twenty-three or twenty-four, like a recent university graduate. He hadn’t expected him to have a child already.
Liu Yifeng nodded. “Yes, so I’m sorry. I hope you find a satisfactory stunt double soon!”
Ling Fei knew it was unlikely Liu Yifeng would become his stunt double, so he didn’t press further. “Alright, but if you change your mind in the future, feel free to call me anytime. After dinner, let’s exchange phone numbers.”
Liu Yifeng didn’t refuse this. However, changing his mind was impossible.
After dinner, they exchanged phone numbers. Ling Fei then left, planning to rest in his RV.
Liu Yifeng checked the time; it was 12:30 PM. He figured Tongtong should have finished eating by now and decided to call Xia Qianqian to chat with Tongtong, lest the child think his father didn’t miss him at all.
They walked towards the parking lot one after another. Ling Fei’s assistant reminded him that Liu Yifeng was following behind. Ling Fei turned around and saw Liu Yifeng behind him. He assumed Liu Yifeng had regretted his decision and changed his mind, so he stopped and asked with a smile, “Yifeng, have you thought it through?”
“What?” Liu Yifeng didn’t immediately understand what he meant by “thought it through.”
The assistant reminded him, “It’s about what Brother Ling was talking to you about, being a stunt double. If you’ve made up your mind, we can sign the contract right away!”
Seeing that they had misunderstood, Liu Yifeng quickly clarified, “I’m sorry, I was planning to go to my car to rest for a while, not because I want to be a stunt actor!”
“You want to go to my RV to rest with me?” Ling Fei didn’t believe Liu Yifeng could afford a car and assumed he was coming over to freeload since Ling Fei had been friendly. Just as he was contemplating how to politely refuse, Liu Yifeng shook his head again, “I have my own car!”
“Oh, I see. I was thinking if you didn’t have a car, you could come to mine and rest for a bit. Since you have a car, I’ll head over there first!” Ling Fei said. He could say such polite words without batting an eye. After all, he didn’t know that he didn’t actually want Liu Yifeng to rest in the same car, and this way he could leave a good impression.
Liu Yifeng was unaware of his ulterior motives. Seeing Ling Fei’s words, he immediately said thank you and also walked towards his car.
Whether by coincidence or not, the RV Ling Fei was traveling in and Liu Yifeng’s Porsche were parked in the same row, with only Director Wang’s Audi in between. Just as Ling Fei was about to get into his car, he heard a car door close and turned to see Liu Yifeng stopping beside the Porsche, opening the door, and getting in, clearly the owner of the car.
At this sight, he froze. He had noticed the Porsche earlier and assumed it belonged to some celebrity. He never imagined it would be Liu Yifeng. Now he finally understood why the man wouldn’t be his stunt double. Someone driving a million-dollar Porsche wouldn’t possibly be interested in a job paying ten thousand a month!
Thinking back to their earlier conversation, he felt a surge of awkwardness. However, Liu Yifeng hadn’t stated his reason for refusal as looking down on the salary, but rather used the excuse of taking care of his child, thus saving Ling Fei’s face. This made him feel more favorably towards Liu Yifeng and regret not having proactively invited him to rest in his RV, which might have fostered a closer relationship.
“I really didn’t expect him to be driving a Porsche. He didn’t flaunt his wealth all morning. He’s truly low-key!” the assistant behind him couldn’t help but remark.
“Get in the car, I need to lie down for a while. Take any calls for me,” Ling Fei said as he got into the RV.