Chapter 107 Sabotage [VIP]

Chapter Summary: Don't disturb Teacher Mu's filming.

Minmin, who was standing nearby, felt that Director Hong Yan was being a bit unreasonable.

In recent years, many anthology films like "Role Models of the Times" have been made as tributes. Each one boasts a very strong cast, with stars appearing in every role, from lead actors to those with only a minute of screen time. These are all popular or well-known artists in the industry.

Several actresses have played the prototypes who needed to have short hair, and almost all of them wore wigs.

While wigs certainly can't match the naturalness of real hair and can look a little off, the role doesn't have many scenes, so it's not worth cutting off long hair for a role.

Minmin felt that this wasn't a matter of professionalism; not wanting to cut the hair could also be seen as another form of professionalism, since she still had to consider the character's appearance for the next film.

Director Hong Yan has spoken up, so this isn't a discussion. If the actors say "no," wouldn't they be seen as unprofessional and arrogant in the eyes of the director and the staff present?

Minmin put herself in Muzhi's shoes and realized that this wasn't just a matter of being caught in a dilemma, but rather having no other choice.

Just then, I saw Mu Zhi nod her head decisively, replying to the director:

For the sake of the role, it can be cut.

After the makeup trial, on the way back in the car.

Minmin sat next to Muzhi in the back seat. She looked at Muzhi's long, black, shiny hair, which was of excellent quality and had an enviable amount of volume.

She said with heartache, "Sister Zhizhi, your hair is so beautiful, it's such a pity to cut it off!"

After filming started, there were scenes requiring long hair to be shot, so Mu Zhi hasn't cut her hair yet today. She'll cut it after those long hair scenes are finished.

Mu Zhi picked up a small section of her long hair and combed the ends with her fingers.

It's a woman's nature to love beauty, and she's naturally reluctant to cut her beautiful long hair short.

But as an actor, cutting off long hair is nothing when it comes to serving a role.

Since she accepted this role, especially since it was based on a real person who was awarded the honor of "Role Model of the Times," she had to do her best to fulfill it.

Instead, he comforted Minmin, saying, "Your hair will grow back after you cut it."

There was another reason why Mu Zhi agreed so readily.

Her next project is "Escape from the Game," in which the female lead is described as a cold, glamorous, and cool older sister with short hair.

Isn't this perfect? ​​She plans to discuss with Xu Kuan about designing the character based on the description of the character in the original work.

So cutting her long hair was a win-win situation.

On January 3, filming began in Shanghai for the episode "The Most Beautiful Teacher" from the documentary series "Role Models of the Times".

The film crew will be shooting here for about a week.

Directed by Hong Yan, this chapter features Mu Zhi, along with other leading actors, several veteran actors, and popular celebrities.

I bumped into someone at the filming location.

Mu Zhi roughly guessed the role the other party was playing, and two words immediately popped into her mind: bad luck.

The other person seemed to have forgotten all past grievances, grinned as he walked towards her, and politely extended his hand to greet her.

"Hello, Teacher Muzhi, it's been a long time."

Mu Zhi glanced at Jin Ziqian standing in front of her and nodded slightly. "Hello."

Then he walked away with the staff.

Jin Ziqian wasn't annoyed. He still had scenes to film with Mu Zhi, so there was no rush.

After the opening ceremony, Mu Zhi, having finished her makeup and styling, arrived at the filming location.

On set, the crew members were busy setting up the set.

Mu Zhi sat down under the rest tent while waiting for her turn, and read the script.

Minmin is a staff member who has always been by Muzhi's side. She knows that Jin Ziqian once pursued Muzhi. She has no good feelings towards this playboy second-generation heir who is okay at appearing on variety shows but terrible at acting.

Judging from how Jin Ziqian greeted Mu Zhi just now, he's still up to no good.

Minmin knows that anthology films like to invite popular celebrities, which can bring popularity and attention to the film.

Popular celebrities are willing to act even in roles that are less than a minute or two long, hoping to enhance their acting careers through film and gain a positive boost.

I don't understand why someone like Jin Ziqian would be invited to act in this.

Mu Zhi: "His scenes in the movie might not even be a minute long in the final cut."

In a two-hour film, Jin Ziqian has less than 12 minutes of screen time; his presence is negligible.

While Jin Ziqian's acting skills are lacking, he has a fan base as a regular guest on many variety shows, and his fans will definitely support him when the movie is released, giving him some influence.

If a regular extra were to perform this role, the effect would obviously not be the same.

Movies are art, but some investors also see them as a business, aiming for box office profits.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

Jin Ziqian arrived with two staff members.

His casting in this role was somewhat serendipitous. The director of a regular variety show was an old friend of the producer of "The Most Beautiful Teacher," and Jin Ziqian got the role through this connection.

The director, Hong Yan, turned a blind eye to the fact that the role was a minor one with very few scenes and that the actor was paid nothing.

Jin Ziqian starred in this film primarily because of Mu Zhijie.

He met Mu Zhi today and couldn't help but feel that the trip was worthwhile. He was still smitten the moment they met!

Now, Mu Zhi, dressed in her role, has two braids and is wearing a white dress. She is looking down at the script, looking every bit the elegant, intellectual, gentle, and charming talented woman.

No matter which side of Mu Zhi you look at, she's captivating.

It seems the saying is true: what you can't have always seems more alluring.

After sitting down next to Mu Zhi, Jin Ziqian first apologized to Mu Zhi in person: "Teacher Mu Zhi, I was ignorant before, I'm sorry. If you would do me the honor, would you like to have dinner together after work tonight?"

"It's on me. Tell me what you and your staff would like to eat, it's on me."

"No need." Mu Zhi didn't even raise her head, nor did she give him a glance.

Jin Ziqian was thoroughly humiliated. If it were before, he would have felt disgraced and would definitely have tried to force Mu Zhi to change her attitude towards him.

Mu Zhi is now a first- or second-tier celebrity, much more famous than him.

They have the arrogance to ignore him.

After thinking for a moment, Jin Ziqian had no choice but to bring up He Zhiyue.

"Teacher Mu, I swear I am truly apologizing to you sincerely. Your company's boss, Brother Yue, is a friend of mine who often gets together with me in private, eating meat and drinking."

Upon hearing the boss's name, Mu Zhi raised her head.

Are He Zhiyue and Jin Ziqian just fair-weather friends? Then she needs to re-evaluate her impression of her boss.

Unaware of what was happening, Jin Ziqian was overjoyed to see that Mu Zhi had finally responded to him. He continued speaking, apologizing once again for offending Mu Zhi with the content of the message he had sent her.

She also tried to clear her name, saying, "I originally wanted the production team to cut your scenes, but Brother Yue persuaded me to stop, and I immediately gave up the idea. I am essentially a good person."

Mu Zhi: ? She had deleted Jin Ziqian from her friends list, mentally prepared for her scenes to be cut.

When the show aired later, her scenes weren't cut. It seems Jin Ziqian still has some professional ethics, not seeking personal revenge; it appears she was overthinking it.

I was thinking of letting bygones be bygones, and considering Jin Ziqian's sincere apology, let's just finish filming our show and make sure we have no further contact in the future.

Now, Mu Zhi withdrew her gaze and continued to look down at the script.

Jin Ziqian: Did I say something wrong?

Seeing that Mu Zhi didn't seem to care about him and had gone back to focusing on the script, he reluctantly took out his phone, found He Zhiyue's WeChat profile picture, and sent her a few voice messages, hoping that she would say a few good words for him.

Lately, all the messages he sent have been ignored.

The reply came quite quickly this time, starting with a simple "okay".

Then a 10-second voice message was sent.

Jin Ziqian didn't have time to think much about what the message was. He sent the message aloud, held the phone up to Mu Zhi's face, and opened it.

He Zhiyue's deep and pleasant voice came through.

Jin Ziqian, you are not allowed to disturb Teacher Mu's filming.

There was a two-second pause, followed by another sentence:

I'm not familiar with him.

The next sentence was clearly meant for Mu Zhi.

Jin Ziqian's face darkened: Damn it, you can't just ruin things like that.

But then she saw Mu Zhi smile gently, and her smile was so beautiful that she was instantly mesmerized.

At this moment, Director Hong Yan walked over and saw Jin Ziqian surrounding Mu Zhi. He could tell at a glance that this actor had a cunning mind.

With a serious expression, he asked in a deep voice, "Have you memorized all your lines? We'll be rehearsing soon."

Jin Ziqian's forehead was covered in sweat: "...I, I'll memorize it right away."

After filming began.

Jin Ziqian's face clearly showed two words: regret.

He plays the role of Zhou Rong's boyfriend. After graduating from university, he wants Zhou Rong to study abroad with him, but Zhou Rong tells him that she wants to go back to her parents' hometown to become a teacher.

Her boyfriend couldn't understand and broke up with Zhou Rong.

The first scene of filming is the meeting between the two. He asks Mu Zhi if she has changed her mind, or if she still insists on going back to that wretched rural village to teach and bury her talent.

Zhou Rong shook her head and said directly, "Let's break up." She then turned and left resolutely.

This is a scene with very simple dialogue.

Jin Ziqian thought he had finished reciting his lines, and that all he had to do was show a "disappointed" expression after Mu Zhi broke up with him.

The director criticized him, saying his acting was too superficial.

In the end, this scene was only completed after 13 takes.

This completely destroyed what little confidence Jin Ziqian had left in acting...

Originally, after this scene was filmed, Jin Ziqian's scenes would be over.

Hong Yan plans to add a scene for Jin Ziqian: Four years later, Zhou Rong's ex-boyfriend returns from studying abroad and comes to the village where she is teaching to find Zhou Rong and ask her if she regrets her choice.

"We've filmed this part of the story, but it's hard to say whether it will be cut later."

Jin Ziqian desperately didn't want to be scolded by the director again, but even with his spoiled attitude, he dared not refuse the director's "Schrödinger's additional scenes," otherwise he would be seen as acting like a diva.

Even if he stops acting, he still has to maintain his public image as an artist.

I could only agree through tears.

Mu Zhi didn't want to see Jin Ziqian on set again, nor did she want to act with him anymore. However, seeing Jin Ziqian's miserable state was quite satisfying.

I believe Jin Ziqian will have to be more careful about his abilities when he takes on roles next time. He shouldn't just take on any role he feels like on a whim without putting in the effort or treating it with a perfunctory attitude, only to end up embarrassing himself.

Filming in Shanghai for a week.

The film crew moved to a small village in Guicheng to shoot scenes.

Guicheng is Zhou Rong's hometown, so we made a special trip here to film.

Mu Zhi plays Zhou Rong, a role model of our times. After graduating from university, she disregarded the objections of her family and boyfriend and resolutely chose to return to her parents' hometown to teach. The teaching conditions there were poor, and many children could not receive an education.

Teacher Zhou Rong taught here for a full 10 years, dedicating the best years of her youth. In the end, she sacrificed her life one winter while saving a student who had fallen into the water. One of the students she nurtured and sponsored was admitted to a top university in China and later became a teacher like Zhou Rong, choosing to return to her hometown to teach.

There is a spirit of inheritance in...

The film crew stayed at a hotel in the town and traveled to and from the small mountain village to shoot in the mornings and evenings.

After filming here for three days, Mu Zhi had to cut her long hair.

The production crew hired a professional hairstylist to cut Mu Zhi's hair at the hotel, and Minmin recorded the whole process on her phone.

The director was also there when she was getting her hair cut, and he kept communicating with Mu Zhi and the hairstylist about the length of the hair and the bangs.

"Her bangs are now so long they cover her eyebrows, she still looks too pretty, too young and immature."

Mu Zhi: "Then let's cut it even shorter so that our eyebrows are showing."

Director Hong Yan's impression of the young actress grew stronger as he saw how cooperative Mu Zhi was.

During the past week or so of filming, Mu Zhi not only demonstrated excellent acting skills, but also captured the essence of the character to a great extent, seizing the soul of the role.

Also, she's not delicate at all.

After getting her hair cut, Mu Zhi looked at herself in the mirror. She had short hair, was wearing her character's costume, and exuded a heroic air between her brows. Her demeanor had become more mature, and she looked almost 10 years older than her character in Shanghai.

Director Hong Yan, who was standing to the side, said with satisfaction, "Very good."

Mu Zhi has temporarily shed the aura of a female celebrity, losing her glamorous appearance and instead being imbued with the true texture of a character. In layman's terms, she has become down-to-earth, transforming into a vivid, authentic, and believable character.

After filming the video, Minmin picked up the hair that had fallen on the ground, clutched her chest, and asked, "If the fans knew, they would feel as sad as I do about the hair you cut off, Sister Zhizhi! Sister Zhizhi, should we take this hair back to Beicheng?"

Mu Zhi: "...No need, just throw it away."

The day after I got my hair cut.

Mu Zhi left the hotel early in the morning to start work. To keep her character's look a secret, she wore a black fisherman's hat, and her assistant held an umbrella to try to block the view of the fans waiting at the door. Logically, they shouldn't have been able to see her hair.

But the fans, with their keen eyes, still managed to spot a clue from the photos of him at work.

Holy crap! Zhibao got a haircut?

[Author's Note]

Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 23:20:15 on August 1, 2022 and 23:11:03 on August 2, 2022!

Thank you to the little angel who watered the nutrient solution: Jiu 1 bottle;

Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!