Huayu: I really am a genuine top star.

Chapter 57 is a perfect example of "extreme laziness + pay-to-win player".

If you happen to run into this Sister Dong's announcement in the future, don't waste any words. First ask what's in the boxed lunch, and then praise her for her spirit of being like a foxtail grass.

This is probably more effective than sending "Sister Dong, look at me" ten times.

He left "Sister Dong's" circle of friends and continued to stake out the situation.

After scrolling for a while longer, Shen Li noticed an even more subtle phenomenon.

There are a few IDs that appear under almost every announcement. But they never reply with "1" or try to get close to the group leader.

They only do one thing... after someone else gets a gig, they quietly give a like or send a "congratulations".

Shen Li didn't pay attention at first, but after watching it a few times, she suddenly realized what it meant.

These people aren't extras; they're middlemen.

They don't go to different production teams themselves; instead, they stay in the group chat and, when they see an extra get a gig, they message them privately to ask if they need a "substitute" or a "transfer."

Some extras who can't make it at the last minute will "transfer" the call to them, and they will take a cut from it.

"Holy crap, isn't this just 'scalpers selling extras'?" Shen Li exclaimed, her eyes wide with amazement.

The ecosystem of this film and television city is far more complex than he imagined.

Group leader, assistant director, team leader, star extras, cannon fodder extras, corpse specialists, extras scalpers... layer upon layer, link by link, it's practically a miniature version of the underworld.

He was about to continue flipping through the pages when he suddenly felt a gaze pierce him like a knife.

Looking up, he saw that the teacher, Mr. Ma Yuan, wearing thick glasses, was staring at him with the eyes of someone looking at a class enemy.

"That student,"

The teacher pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold light.

"Yes, you, the one in the last row wearing a baseball cap. Stand up and answer this: what are the four defining characteristics of 'alienated labor'?"

Shen Li's mind went blank.

Alienated labor? Four defining characteristics? Isn't this supposed to be the main focus of Marxist theory courses?

The teacher clearly explained it last week, but he didn't listen to a word... He was too busy taking attendance and browsing the group chat for extras.

What's worse, he's now wearing a baseball cap, non-prescription glasses, and a plaid shirt—he's in "disguise."

If the teacher remembers my face, how will I ever be able to do roll call?

Shen Li slowly stood up, her mind racing.

He cleared his throat: "Teacher, that's an excellent question. Let me explain the four defining characteristics of alienated labor..."

He deliberately dragged out his words while frantically searching his memory for fragments.

"...First, there's an alienation between the product of labor and the worker. That is to say, what the worker produces doesn't belong to the worker; instead, it becomes something that oppresses the worker. Don't you think that's absurd?"

The teacher frowned slightly.

"...Second, the labor process is alienated from the laborer. Workers do not feel like human beings when they work, but like livestock. No, they are worse than livestock. At least livestock do not feel anxious when they work."

A low chuckle rippled through the classroom.

The teacher frowned even more, but did not interrupt him.

"...Third, the essential nature of humanity is alienated from humanity itself. This is more philosophical; it means that humans should originally be free and self-aware beings, but under capitalist relations of production, humans have become animals that only know how to eat, drink, and excrete..."

"Alright, alright."

The teacher waved his hand, a complex expression on his face that seemed to say, "This kid may be a bit unserious, but he seems to have actually listened." "Sit down. Don't wear a hat to class next time."

"Okay! Thank you, teacher!"

Shen Li plopped down, feeling her back was completely soaked.

Holy crap, he actually got away with that rambling nonsense? He doesn't even know what he said!

A broadcasting major leaned over, lowered his voice, and gave a thumbs-up: "Dude, that's awesome. You made that up on the spot?"

Shen Li waved her hand modestly: "Hey, it was just a lucky break. My grandfather was an old worker, so I grew up surrounded by that kind of work."

While saying this, he secretly made a note of it: he really needed to find time to brush up on the content of the Marxist theory course.

What if I get caught off guard by the teacher one day? I can't just make it up every time. Besides, I need this for the postgraduate entrance exam. What if I ever do it?

Although his current goal is to make money, it's always good to have multiple options.

As soon as the bell rang for the end of the Marxist theory class, Shen Li sprang up as if she had a spring in her butt.

This awful class almost made his brain freeze. He dared not use his phone anymore. The teacher's voice sounded like chanting, and with a huge crowd of students in the class below, the hypnotic effect was better than any ASMR.

Shen Li was packing her things, preparing to leave quickly, when her phone vibrated.

A new order notification popped up on the "Flash Delivery Campus" app. Shen Li clicked on it and, wow, this order is interesting.

"Library, third floor, east reading room: 50 yuan for reserving a seat and waiting with someone! Note: Please save me a quiet spot by the window so I can wait for my friend to pick up something. My friend will arrive around 2 PM. Just sit there and don't let anyone else take the seat. Thank you! [heart][heart]"

Shen Li stared at the note, her eyes darting around.

Reserving a seat for someone and waiting with them? 50 yuan?

It costs twice as much as simply reserving a seat, but the workload... well, it's just sitting there, scrolling through your phone, and waiting for someone.

My muscles from my morning exercise are still sore, so I can rest while waiting for someone at the library. This money is like it's free!

He snatched it instantly.

The order was placed by a female user with a cartoon rabbit profile picture and the ID "Don't want to go out today".

Shen Li clicked in and took a look at the order history. Goodness, it was all errand running services... picking up packages, buying milk tea, reserving seats, delivering documents... averaging two or three orders a day, definitely a "late-stage lazy person + pay-to-win player".

"This lady, she's probably using 'Flash Delivery' like a personal butler."

Shen Li clicked her tongue in amazement, automatically labeling herself as: a rich woman, willing to spend money, and a potential long-term client.

After having lunch at the cafeteria, he strolled over to the library.

In the late September afternoons, the sun was so intense it felt like it would make you sweat. The girls walking around the campus were a refreshing and pleasing sight, full of vibrant energy.

A girl wearing a floral sundress walked past Shen Li. The thin straps hung on her round, fair shoulders, and the neckline was so low that her ample bosom rose and fell with her steps, making Shen Li's eyes almost pop out.

The skirt was incredibly short, barely covering her hips, and her two long, straight, white legs shone brightly in the sunlight.

There was another one wearing a sports bra and tight yoga pants, probably from the dance department. Her figure was amazing—curvy, with a full bust and hips, a waist so slender it could be encircled with one hand, and clearly visible abs.

The yoga pants accentuated her round, firm buttocks, making her sway gracefully as she walked. Her waist-to-hip ratio was simply amazing.

As Shen Li walked, she silently commented in her mind:

"The one in the floral dress, looks 8/10, figure 9/10, but walks a bit pigeon-toed, minus 0.5. The one in the yoga pants, figure 10/10, temperament 7/10, but her expression is too fierce, like someone owes her 200 yuan, minus 1 point."