The media was shocked by the casting choices in Director Lins movie. The male lead was a B-lister, and even though the female lead was at the peak of her poprity, wasn''t it too much to expect her to hold up the box office ratings?
Fortunately, the supporting cast were all award-winning veterans known for their acting skills, elevating the hype towards the cast.
Director Lin, was your choice of Ning Xi as the female lead driven by her poprity, which will help the movie at the box office?
Ning Xis appearance and acting skills were very suitable for the lead female character in the movie. Even if she was a rookie actress without any poprity, I would still give her the role.
The media: ...
Since they couldnt pry any news out of the director, the reporters started hounding Ning Xi instead. Since Ning Xi was so popr at the moment, they would not have to worry about readership as long as their articles had her name in it.
What made the reports most satisfied was the attitude that Ning Xi took when she spoke to them. She was cordial, respectful and mostly cooperative, apart from the time when she took on a strong stance on the issue of school violence.
Ning Xi, this is your first time taking on the female lead. Are you nervous?
Im definitely feeling jittery, but the opportunity to act in Director Lins movie is already something thats exhrating. Ning Xi smiled happily at the camera. Ill try my best to reach Director Lins standards, and not disappoint everyone.
Since it was themencement of filming, the reporters were smart enough to avoid controversial topics. The atmosphere was harmonious.
After the interviews had concluded, the makeup artist touched up Ning Xis makeup, then the first shoot began.
Having been in so many productions, Ning Xi was already familiar with the movements before the camera. Further, with Gao Lis immacte acting skills, the first day of filming progressed well.
When Chang Shi Gui reached the set, Ning Xi was already filming thest scene for the day. It was the scene where she would brutally hit her two-timing ex-boyfriend.
Cameras, standby. Action.
Cut. Ning Xi, your emotions are stillcking. Lin Shujies head popped out from behind the camera. Min Xue might be free-spirited, but she really loved her ex-boyfriend. Your gaze needs to be moreplex. Lets take a two minute break, then try again.
Ning Xi nodded, then bent down to speak to the actor ying her ex and said, Im sorry.
The male actor waved it off, and said casually, After this scene, Ill probably never dare to make my wife angry in future.
The crew at the sidelinesughed. It was an open secret that he was a henpecked man, but he had the look of a jerk, hence he was always cast as the antagonist, ex-husband, or ex-boyfriend.
Mr Chang. Zhang Qingyun turned and saw Chang Shi Gui walking over. He approached thetter and said, Ning Xis on her final scene already, please take a seat.
Im fine, thanks. Chang Shi Gui stood silently by the side. As he watched Ning Xis happy look, his expression softened.
Ok, lets try this again. Everyone get ready.
This time, the filming was much smoother. Zhang Qingyun used Camera 1 to zoom in on Ning Xis gaze, then nodded satisfactorily.
Great. Were done! Lin Shujie pped. Everyone, please be on time tomorrow.
Ning Xi walked out of the scene and saw Chang Shi Gui standing next to Zhang Qingyun. She smiled and passed the handbag in her hands to the crew. Why are you so early? Will we be toote if we set off now?
I ended work half an hour earlier. Chang Shi Gui looked at the time on his wristwatch. Theres still time. Remove your makeup first, Ill be here waiting for you.
Alright. Ning Xi nodded, then turned to the makeup room. In order to entuate her makeup onscreen, the makeup artist had piled on the makeup, and it wasnt appropriate for her to meet his friends with that look.
Once she was done, Ning Xi changed out into her own clothes, and applied a thinyer of makeup.
Half an hour had since passed. Zhang Qingyun saw that Ning Xi was still getting ready, so he stole a nce at Chang Shi Gui. Fortunately, he didnt look impatient.
When Chen Zhenzhen and Jiang Hongkai were together, she was extremely considerate of him, and would not even have made him wait outside the dressing room for so long. Perhaps the rtionship between Chen Zhenzhen and Jiang Hongkai had been unequal from the beginning, hence their rtionship ended that way.
As he recalled the scene of Chen Zhenzhens suicide, Zhang Qingyun shuddered.
Brother Zhang, are you alright? Ning Xi appeared in front of him, looking concerned. Youre looking pale. Not feeling well?
Im fine. Zhang Qingyun managed a small smile, then ced the cigarette that he had taken out back into its box. Youve a date with Mr Chang, so Ill leave first.
He wanted to add that his phone was always on, and she could call him anytime she wanted. However, he did not manage the words as they were in front of Chang Shi Gui.
Ning Xi looked suspiciously at Zhang Qingyun, but since he appeared fine, she then bade farewell to them.
Ning Xi only rxed after they entered the car. Im so tired.
Chang Shi Gui leaned over to help her fasten her seatbelt. The scene was well-filmed.
Did you feel scared? Ning Xi raised her brows. Hmm?
Whats there to be scared of? Chang Shi Gui suppressed augh, and said after a pause. Xixi, Im not like him.
I wont ever treat you like this. His voice was maic and seductive. I cant bear for you to be upset."
Ning Xi smiled, then ced her head on his shoulder without a word.
After a while, Chang Shi Gui turned to look at Ning Xi, who was leaning on his shoulder without moving. She had actually fallen asleep. As he recalled the physical intensity she underwent from filming, he said to the driver softly, Drive slowly and steadily.
Yes, boss. The driver looked through his rearview mirror, and saw that his boss was leaning towards the right, and Miss Nings head was on his shoulder, in a deep sleep.
When the driver saw the traffic in front, he slowed down.
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Shenyan, now that you are back, are you intending to expand locally? Bai Lu poured a ss of wine for herself, and sipped it slowly.
Yes. Tao Shenyan noticed that Bai Lu didn''t look well, but he was considerate enough not to expose her. He just looked down at his watch and said, My cousin is actuallyte today. Thats new.
Among the few here, Chang Shi Gui was the one who was most punctual. Hence, he didnt expect that two yearster, his cousin would also bete.
Hearing Tao Shenyans mention of Chang Shi Gui, Bai Lus face looked ufortable. She put down her ss, then said nonchntly, He might have been dyed.
The gathering was a wee party for Tao Shenyan. Hence, the people in the private room were all familiar with one another. One of them said cheerfully, Maybe Brother Chang is bringing his girlfriend over, so he iste.
The friend closest to him pped his back saying, What rubbish. When did Brother Chang have a girlfriend?!
This person was really making a senselessment. After all, it was an open secret that Bai Lu was interested in Brother Chang!
The lively atmosphere suddenly wasced with an unfounded sense of awkwardness. Tao Shenyan feigned ignorance, then looked down at his phone.
Among the people here, he was cousins with Chang Shi Gui, and they were the closest. These people were speaking so carelessly, who knew if they were truly careless, or trying to trick him into saying something?
In their circle, everyone appeared to be friends, but no one in the business world were friends for life. If they identally revealed any business secrets of their family, then their losses would not just be a small sum of money.
He might have just returned from overseas after two years. They might still appear friendly, but peoples hearts would change, and he could not afford to be careless.
Mr Chang, pleasee in. The door was opened, and the server led two people in.
Tao Shenyan saw Chang Shi Gui entering, and a smile appeared on his face. He immediately stood up from the sofa, saying, Brother Chang. You have finally arrived. He then noticed that Chang Shi Gui was holding the hand of a beautiful woman. This is cousin-inw?
Cough! Chang Shi Gui let out a dry cough. What are you saying? Even though he said those words, he was grinning widely. Let me introduce you, this is my girlfriend, Ning Xi.
A look of surprise shed across Tao Shenyans face when he heard Chang Shi Guis admittance of his rtionship. Hi Sister Xixi, my name is Tao Shenyan. You can call me Xiaotao, Im biological cousins with Brother Chang.
Ning Xi looked at the man who was smiling radiantly in front of her, and recalled a memory from seven years ago. That afternoon after school, a young man had ran to her and passed her a love letter with both hands.
Hello, Im from the next ss. This is a letter from my cousin. After cing the letter in her hands, he ran away blushing. She didnt even have the chance to ask his name.
Afterwards The other students ridiculed her for having a love letter. Some of the female students even snatched the letter and her bag, and locked her into the storeroom beside the toilets.
Ning Xis expression becameplicated as she thought to that point. I recognise you.
Hmm? Tao Shenyan looked at Ning Xi in shock. He didnt expect his cousins girlfriend to suddenly say something like this.
You were in the next ss when I was in high school. Ning Xi suddenly turned to look at Chang Shi Gui. Im sorry. I never had the chance to see the contents of the letter that you gave me.
The letter was originally from Chang Shi Gui to her. So, he had already prepared to confess to her seven years ago, but no one would have expected that things would progress in that direction.
Chang Shi Gui intentionally refused to bring up the past because he did not want Ning Xi to be upset. He didnt think that Ning Xi would recognise Tao Shenyan after so many years.
He shook his head. If I had been slightly braver and came personally to confess, and not ask Shenyan to pass the letter, then perhaps
Perhaps things would have been different.
He often regretted why he didnt appear personally in front of Ning Xi that year. If he had, then Ning Xi might not have lost her parents, and wouldnt have had to endure so much hardships.
You you were the female student from that time?! Tao Shenyan looked at Ning Xi in astonishment, then looked at Chang Shi Gui again. Why did you suddenly withdraw from school that year?
He distinctly remembered that his cousin had asked him for a favour because he needed to go on a trip. His cousin entrusted him to hand a letter to a female student from the next ss. After so many years, he had long forgotten this girls name. All he remembered was that this girl had suddenly withdrawn from school, and his cousin had been upset for a very long time.
As he thought about this, he couldnt help butugh, Fate is a miraculous thing.
After so many years, for these two to end up together, if this wasnt fate, what else could it be?