Leaning back on the bench in the rest area, Li Ling rested and drank water while thinking to himself: "Today I have four action shots. After deducting my commission, I can get 800 yuan in wages. In total, my monthly salary will be a little over 25,000 yuan."
It's almost the beginning of the month again, and Dad's medical bills are due, plus my younger siblings' living expenses for next month. I'll send 22,000 yuan home at the end of the month, leaving only 3,000 yuan for my own living expenses.
As Li Ling thought this, the pain from the fall seemed to lessen considerably.
"Li Ling, get ready for the next shot." The crew member's shout interrupted Li Ling's thoughts.
"Hey, here I come!" After quickly finishing the rest of his water, Li Ling stood up, took a deep breath, and strode towards the center of the field.
...
As night fell, Li Ling, who had worked all day, returned to her rented apartment.
Li Ling rented a shared apartment, a three-bedroom, one-living room apartment. The master bedroom was rented to a couple who worked at an internet company in the area.
Li Ling and another male stuntman from the film crew each rented the remaining two bedrooms.
The couple had already returned and were watching TV on the living room sofa.
I greeted them and looked around, but I didn't see the stuntman. He probably hadn't returned yet.
Back in my room, I turned on the light. It was a small room of just over ten square meters. The monthly rent, plus utilities and internet, was less than seven hundred yuan, which was quite reasonable.
In the room, a bed takes up more than half of the space.
With heavy steps, Li Ling walked to the bedside and sat down. He reached under the bed and took out a bottle of medicinal wine and a small white porcelain bowl. He deftly unscrewed the bottle, poured some of the wine into the bowl, and tore off a piece of toilet paper.
He took out a lighter, lit it, and threw the lit toilet paper into the small bowl, instantly igniting the medicinal liquor.
Li Ling casually pulled out a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes, lit one, and took a deep drag.
Li Ling rarely smokes, only one cigarette when he comes home at night. He carries these good cigarettes with him to give to the stagehands and action directors, as he often needs them to learn from his seniors. In this society, you can only go far if you know how to conduct yourself.
Taking a deep drag of his cigarette, letting the smoke swirl in his lungs before exhaling, Li Ling felt a slight relief from his exhaustion.
With great effort, Li Ling took off his clothes, leaving only his underwear. Looking at the several new bruises on his body, he smiled bitterly.
He skillfully dipped his right hand into the lit medicinal liquor, quickly pulled it out, and his four fingers were stained with the lit liquor.
He blew out the flame in his right hand and, while it was still warm, rubbed the medicated wine onto the bruises on his body. He continued rubbing, allowing the wine to seep into the wounds, which was very helpful in relieving the bruises.
This method is common in rural areas and is very helpful for the recovery of sprains and bruises.
As for why you don't take a shower before applying the medicated wine, it's because if you apply the medicated wine, it will stain the bedding when you sleep at night, so the bedding will need to be washed frequently.
Li Ling is exhausted after working every day, so she should take more time to rest.
"Hiss~"
The hot medicinal wine was rubbed onto the bruise, and the pain transmitted to the brain made Li Ling keep gasping for breath.
Frowning, Li Ling's hands didn't stop; he rubbed vigorously to allow the medicinal wine to penetrate the wound and help it heal faster.
"call!"
Finally, he was all better. After applying the medicated wine to all the bruises on his body, Li Ling breathed a sigh of relief. The ash from the Zhonghua cigarette he was holding in his mouth had grown quite long. He flicked the ash into the trash can and exhaled a smoke ring.
The smoke rings dispersed under the light, like the beautiful dreams of youth fading away with time.
After finishing his cigarette, Li Ling took out his phone, checked the time, and saw it wasn't even ten o'clock yet. He decided to go for a walk.
...
"The stars are exceptionally bright tonight!"
Walking on the wide road, Li Ling looked up at the sky, where the starlight in early autumn was particularly brilliant.
A gentle breeze felt wonderful on my skin.
Li Ling sighed, "Hmm, the wind feels so refreshing today."
With a gentle breeze blowing, Li Ling walked to the side of the artificial lake.
In the evening, there were quite a few people out for a walk, mostly couples.
Under the lights illuminating both sides of the lake, couples strolled hand in hand along the lakeside path, chatting and laughing about their day and work. Some couples even slipped into the shade and began kissing.
"Sigh, being single is tough," Li Ling said, turning her gaze away from the kissing couples with a hint of envy.
Li Ling is tall and handsome, with a sunny and rugged temperament. He was definitely a campus heartthrob in college and had two relationships. However, his good looks couldn't compete with sports cars and designer bags, and his fantasies were defeated by reality.
Fortunately, they all broke up amicably. If you can't give someone what they want, then just let them go and let them pursue it themselves.
"Life is so stressful and difficult these days, I'm not hoping for love right now."
I walked to the roadside rest area and, all by myself, lay down on the bench in the pavilion, folded my hands under my head as a pillow, enjoying the cool breeze and looking up at the bright stars in the sky.
The stars twinkled, shining exceptionally brightly.
Just then, a shooting star streaked across the sky. Li Ling's eyes lit up slightly, and he murmured to himself:
"Shooting star, oh shooting star, people say that if you make a wish upon a shooting star, your wish will be fulfilled, but when will it change my life?"
I hope my life will be different in the future, and I hope to have the power to change the fate of myself and my family.
"As you wish!"
"Ding! 'Wish Star of Myriad Realms' has found a suitable host. Binding will now begin." A mechanical voice announced.