Chapter 83

Xilaiduo quickly released the trailer.

As soon as the trailer for "Legend of the Qing Dynasty" was released, it was widely reposted by various marketing accounts. Even Lao Mao from TK Short Video made a special video to promote it.

Old Cat is a grateful person.

Two years ago, he gained over five million followers by narrating "Empress Wu Zetian". Now that "Legend of the Qing Dynasty" is out, he certainly won't let it go.

Regardless of whether a show is good or bad, he can make videos about it; the only difference is whether it's an in-depth analysis or a hilarious critique.

Old Cat thought happily, "Maybe I can even gain a lot of followers then."

Just as the trailer for "Legend of the Qing Dynasty" was trending on social media, Xu Ying happened to visit the set of "Code Name: Dodder Flower".

"Sister Xiaoying, you've arrived."

Lin Zhongxu followed director Liu Mingchun. Everyone was gathered around the monitor watching the playback, and he was the first to notice Xu Ying coming over.

"Yes, you guys are watching the replay."

“Yes, screenwriter,” Qian Jingjing made room for her. “Screenwriter, come in and take a look.”

Xu Ying walked over.

The monitor was showing footage of the female lead feigning sadness.

At this point, Yang Boyuan had an ambiguous relationship with a spy employee in the bank, and the female lead had already decided to get rid of him. So she deliberately acted sad to show the male lead, wanting to use the male lead to get rid of Yang Boyuan, this potential danger.

To put it bluntly, she uses the male protagonist's affection for her to get rid of her husband.

Xu Ying found this to be a very exciting plot.

However, after looking at the monitor screen, Xu Ying felt that something was wrong.

Qian Jingjing is a veteran actress who has been in the industry for many years. Can't she even act out a scene where she's pretending to be sad? Why can't she show much sadness in the conversation between the male and female leads on the monitor?

Xu Ying turned her gaze to Qian Jingjing and Zheng Fan.

This scene was originally supposed to be a highlight for the female lead, but the current presentation completely focuses on the male lead, seemingly trying to steer the narrative in the direction that the female lead unintentionally aroused the male lead's murderous intent.

Although the results are the same, the process and the core are completely different.

Xu Ying was not satisfied. She calmly said, "Let's reshoot it."

“This…”, Qian Jingjing looked at the director and then at the screenwriter, caught in a dilemma.

Whom does she listen to?

Xu Ying didn't make things difficult for the actors. She said to Liu Mingchun, "Director, let's talk."

She thought she had convinced the director during their conversation at his home, but unexpectedly, he changed it again without saying a word during filming.

The two walked to a secluded spot.

Xu Ying sighed: "Director, didn't we agree on this before? Why did you change it again?"

Although the changes were minor, they still made Xu Ying feel very uncomfortable.

Liu Mingchun downplayed the issue, saying, "It's normal to make minor adjustments during filming."

“It seems I’ll have to come to the set more often from now on,” Xu Ying said without arguing with him. “That way, if there are any changes that need to be made, I can write the drafts for the actors in time, right?”

Liu Mingchun's face stiffened.

It's been a long time since a junior has spoken to him like that. Even the two big-name actors in the crew are very respectful to him.

However, Xu Ying was even angrier.

She had secretly vowed countless times that she would never again be obsessed with the aura of famous directors. Look at his self-centered personality, who could possibly get along with him?

Fortunately, Liu Mingchun still had some sense of shame.

He had previously promised Xu Ying not to change the script, but this time he secretly made changes behind her back. Knowing he was in the wrong, he finally promised, "Don't worry, I won't let them change the script arbitrarily again."

At his age, saying that was already giving Xu Ying a way out.

Xu Ying knew her limits; now was not the time to act impulsively. The script "Code Name: Dodder Flower" was still in their hands. If they got really angry and wanted to sever ties with her, the screenwriter, what could she do?

"I'm relieved just by hearing what Director Liu said."

A dozen minutes later, the two returned to the film set amicably.

Everyone in the crew breathed a sigh of relief.

Liu Mingchun sat back down in front of the monitor and said to Qian Jingjing and Zheng Fan, "You two act this scene again, according to the script."

The actors returned to the set to continue their performance. Lin Zhongxu secretly glanced at Xu Ying beside him and was relieved to see that she looked calm and not at all strained.

He helped out on set, so he naturally had some understanding of what the actors were filming each day.

In addition, he had read the original novel and was someone who went back and worked hard to learn how to draw storyboards himself, so he knew what was wrong as soon as the director started filming.

It was precisely because he realized this that he contacted Sister Xiaoying; otherwise, how could it have been such a coincidence that Sister Xiaoying happened to be on the set revising the script?

well.

Lin Zhongxu glanced at the director sitting in front of him again, Director Liu Mingchun, the great director he had been looking forward to for so long. But he was somewhat disappointed to actually learn from him.

Director Liu is a truly talented person, but he is also genuinely stubborn.

*

Filming of "Code Name: Dodder Flower" is progressing steadily.

Just as she had said that day, Xu Ying went to the film set on time every day. She would watch the actors perform from the sidelines to see who would dare to change the script.

Fortunately, the director kept his word this time, and no further trouble ensued.

Privately, Xu Ying treated Lin Zhongxu to several lavish meals.

"Thanks to you on set, I don't know when I would have found out they changed the script."

By the time she realized it, it was too late!

Those scenes that have already been filmed cannot be reshot just because of her words. She has that much self-awareness. It's just fortunate that she discovered it in time.

"cheers!"

Xu Ying raised her glass and clinked it with Lin Zhongxu's.

She initially only wanted Lin Zhongxu to join the crew for some training, but he unexpectedly ended up playing the role of a spy, which was definitely worth the money.

Lin Zhongxu smiled sheepishly: "Sister Xiaoying, I'll be your director from now on, and I promise I won't change the script..."

"You'll graduate next year, right?"

"Well, I'm a junior now, and I'll be a senior next semester. I don't really have many classes to do internships then."

Xu Ying made a mental calculation.

She has two years left on her contract with Fei Hong, which means she can't write a script for him to film immediately after Lin Zhongxu graduates, as this involves copyright issues.

But it's not a big problem.

It's only a year; they can afford to wait.

If all else fails, we can buy a cheaper script first and let Lin Zhongxu practice directing on his own.

And then there's Zhou Xingyun's side.

She quite enjoyed working with Zhou Xingyun, at least he respected her opinions on the script and casting.

If Liu Mingchun hadn't secured the copyright first, Zhou Xingyun would have actually considered this book, codenamed "Dodder Flower," after "Legend of the Qing Palace" ended.

Recently, Zhou Xingyun called her, urging her to start writing her next book as soon as possible.

"It's been so long since the Lunar New Year, why haven't you started writing yet?"

Zhou Xingyun had a long break after filming "Legend of the Qing Dynasty".

After being idle for a long time, she began to miss the days when she had a job.

However, she was used to working with Xu Ying and was now too lazy to look for other novels. She just wanted to wait for Xu Ying to write a new novel so that she could quickly acquire the copyright.

"Why don't you start a pre-order? As soon as you do, I'll go to Fei Hong's place to negotiate terms."

Xu Ying was greatly shocked.

Has she reached the point where she can sell copyrights simply by offering pre-orders?

"Since you're so supportive of my novel writing career, how about I write a custom story for you?" The book was bought without even being written, so the subject matter was entirely up to the sponsor.

"Is this for real?" Zhou Xingyun was somewhat tempted. "Let me think about it carefully. I need to come up with a subject that is both visually appealing and easy to film."

Because of Zhou Xingyun's words, Xu Ying has not started pre-orders yet.

Why?

Of course, it's because Zhou Xingyun is too slow. She wants to pass on one thing after another, and hasn't decided on anything for Xu Ying yet.

Xu Ying is enjoying her leisure time. These days, all she has to do is supervise the production of "Code Name: Dodder Flower" every day, and she's living a very comfortable life.

But what's meant to happen will happen.

Xu Ying finally received a call from Zhou Xingyun, who had already decided what topics she wanted to discuss.

"I want to see the story of the protagonist revitalizing his family."

The statement "the protagonist revitalizes his family" is too broad.

Xu Ying asked, "What kind of story background do you want?"

"You can decide for yourself. I don't understand those Tang Dynasty, Qing Dynasty and other dynasties, so I won't set any limits for you."

"So, what about the protagonist's profession? Is that something I can decide for myself?"

"Yes, I just want to see an inspirational story of someone climbing to the top step by step through their own hard work. As for what the protagonist does, I haven't decided yet."

After racking her brains for days, Zhou Xingyun has fully realized that she has no talent for screenwriting. Even when Xu Ying asks her to come up with a story outline, she feels extremely pained.

“Alright, I’ll handle it myself,” Xu Ying nodded. “But I have to remind you, if you don’t say it now, you can’t say it later once I start writing. I don’t like others interfering with my writing.”

"Do you think I'm that kind of person? Don't worry, I definitely won't give you any random advice. Do you think I have the ability to give you advice? You're kidding!"

Xu Ying smiled.

"I'll go back and think about it. Once I've made up my mind, I'll release the pre-sale funds."

"Okay, I'll wait for you."

Even before the pre-orders for Xu Ying's new book were released, a group photo was taken after the filming of "Code Name: Dodder Flower".

The filming of "Code Name: Dodder Flower" was very quick, and the crew finished filming in three months. However, Xu Ying had no worries about the quality of the series.

Although she and Director Liu were not very compatible in temperament, she still trusted his filming skills.

"Filming has finally wrapped up."

Xu Ying stood in the crowd, clapping along with the crowd, her heart overflowing with uncontrollable joy.

I'm finally free.

No matter how talented Director Liu is, or how famous the actors in the crew are, Xu Ying doesn't care at all. The only thing she cares about in this crew is the script she painstakingly wrote.

Thankfully, it hasn't been drastically altered.

"Director, let's watch the movie together after the TV series is finished editing," Xu Ying said to Liu Mingchun with an expectant look on her face.

In reality, she was reminding the other party not to use tricks in editing.

Editors are magical creatures; they can turn anything into something amazing. Xu Ying was truly afraid of Director Liu and had to remind him of this time and time again.

Whether the other party understood her implied meaning or not, they agreed very readily.

"Okay, you and the lead actors will all come then."