Chapter 134: Best Rookie

One of the reasons why filming period dramas in Hong Kong is more arduous than modern dramas is undoubtedly the location shooting. Most of the designated filming locations are in relatively remote places, and getting there requires not only taking a car but also walking part of the journey.

Sometimes, if the film crew needs to bring a lot of things, the male actors in the crew will have to act as laborers, helping to move and carry things—at this point, forget about looking like a star; if they don't look like a junk collector from a distance, that's already considered good...

Although Li Sishi brought her own assistant, whether for personal reasons or for image purposes, she wasn't the kind of spoiled person who thought she was superior. So, before going up the mountain to film, she helped carry some light props, just like other female celebrities. Then, the group went up the mountain chatting and laughing.

If it weren't for the fact that everyone was dressed in ancient costumes, this group of young and beautiful women walking up the mountain together would have quite the leisurely feel of a spring outing.

Fortunately, the weather isn't too hot yet; otherwise, climbing up the mountain to the filming location in such layers would be truly exhausting.

Even so, the group couldn't help but break out in a light sweat. When they arrived at the photo location, they all took out their small powder compacts from their bags and touched up their makeup.

This is a method that Li Sishi "infected" a group of girls who were filming period dramas for the first time. The filming time and waiting time of period dramas are very random. Sometimes, after you finish your makeup, you will have to wait a long time before it is your turn. Naturally, your face will be a little oily or your makeup will come off. At this time, you need to touch up your powder at any time.

However, the number of makeup artists on set is limited, and when things get busy, they can't pay much attention to everything. Some less important things are just done casually, so they bring their own powder boxes and do it themselves whenever they have a spare moment. This is a skill that not only minor supporting actors have mastered, but also many leading actors have become quite adept at it.

Li Sishi was used to being self-reliant in her past life. During filming, she simply tucked the small pink box into her belt, so easily that she didn't even need an assistant's help. This earned her a lot of praise from the crew for her easygoing personality and lack of celebrity airs.

Of course, this trick of hiding the small pink box in her belt was only possible because of her naturally slim waist. Later, when people commented that Li Sishi had the best figure among the actresses in Hong Kong when wearing period costumes, she was often mentioned by those behind-the-scenes staff because of this trick. They said that even when she wore several layers of period costumes, she was still graceful and slender, and she could also hide small items such as pink boxes in her belt...

Even though TBL usually trains the actors in demeanor and manners before filming period dramas,

However, this also requires some talent and hard work. It is not uncommon for some celebrities who usually have good figures to become stiff and wooden after wearing several layers of period costumes.

In particular, apart from the supporting actors, most of the main actors in this production team were either newcomers to period dramas or had very little experience filming period dramas.

Li Sishi started training and learning early on. With her naturally slender waist, she still looked graceful and charming even in layers of ancient costumes. She was outstanding in both literary and martial arts scenes. As a result, she was like a catfish stimulating the sardines, prompting the other actors in the group to try their best to emulate her, afraid that if they were to show any weakness, they would fall out of sync with the rhythm of the entire main cast.

Seeing everyone working so hard to improve themselves, the director was genuinely happy about it. He was always cheerful and never scolded anyone for occasional NGs. This made the veteran actors who had been acting for many years marvel at how harmonious and pleasant the atmosphere was on set.

While high pressure can produce amazing works, everyone is just doing their job, and who wants to go home feeling frustrated?

And most importantly, harmony doesn't necessarily preclude good results, judging from the current filming progress and the visible filming situation.

These new actors all gave quite good performances, especially Li Sishi, who played the female lead.

As for Luo Xuan, the male lead, his acting skills are a bit immature in comparison, but he is making progress under the joint guidance of Li Sishi and the director.

Especially in terms of eye contact, when looking at Li Sishi, who plays Yunya Fairy, and other actresses who play beauties, it is obvious that she is looking at her "beloved" and her "confidante".

It would be perfect if he didn't laugh so easily and cause NGs when acting with Li Sishi—but it's okay, if he does NG, Li Sishi will give him a little lesson before the director does, so that he can be more focused and professional when acting with her.

She had almost finished building up her emotions for a heart-wrenching love story when the guy next to her suddenly burst out laughing. No one could maintain that poignant expression after all that effort!

Since we're all so familiar with each other, let's just consider this a lesson for him!

This kind of youthful playful bickering was something everyone loved to watch during the boring and long wait for their scenes. Sometimes, people waiting for their scenes would even come over to join in the fun, shouting things like, "As the apprentice, you should listen to the rules and be obedient," showing their love for the drama and helping to hold Luo Xuan back so that Li Sishi could more easily beat him in various ways...

As long as it doesn't embarrass them and affect subsequent filming, even the director and producer turn a blind eye.

After all, there were no smartphones or similar devices at that time, and even if there were, most people couldn't bring them with them when filming. During the long wait for their scenes to be filmed, besides continuing to study the script and gossiping quietly with others, they would bring their own newspapers, magazines, and books to pass the time.

Compared to others, Li Sishi, who is still studying, is in a worse situation. While others bring newspapers and magazines to entertain themselves, she brings textbooks thicker than bricks to preview, study, and review. Fortunately, she also has an assistant by her side to help with trivial matters, otherwise she would really be overwhelmed with work.

"Alright, alright, this world is really something, girls are getting more and more savage..." Luo Xuan, who had been whipped and scurried into the bushes with his head in his hands, came running back and winked at Li Sishi, who was tidying up her appearance. "Look, how's this look now? Isn't it affectionate enough? Isn't it restrained enough?"

"If you could tone down that smile that shows at least sixteen teeth, I'd admit your eyes are quite affectionate." Li Sishi glanced at him, almost bursting out laughing at his melodramatic gaze paired with his silly, comedic laugh.

"Are you kidding me? I see you completely differently than I see anyone else. Aren't you satisfied yet?" Luo Xuan immediately started yelling again, with a pitiful expression of someone who had been wronged in their love.

Given his current handsome appearance as a young man, Yang Si, which could "make you fall in love at first sight," if a nosy paparazzi happened to take a picture, the two could be the subject of a scandal like "The King of Xiang has a dream, but the Goddess is indifferent."

However, Li Sishi certainly wouldn't be so narcissistic as to think that this difference in her gaze meant she had attracted a new admirer.

After all, she wasn't the kind of innocent girl who wasn't liked or admired; she was a beautiful girl who had attracted attention since childhood. So, if you think about it carefully, it's probably because the two of them were just too familiar with each other.

Furthermore, her personality is so diametrically opposed to that of "Fairy of Cloud Cliff," which is why Luo Xuan would frequently put on a show of getting into character and then out of character in front of her...

During the lunch break, Li Sishi withdrew the hand that had slapped Luo Xuan several times, walked to a flat area she had chosen, and then, together with her assistant Zuo Lili who was carrying lunch boxes, spread a large tablecloth on it and began to invite the actresses who were playing supporting roles in the same group that day to have lunch together.

She initially brought a tablecloth so she could sit and rest occasionally—in the wilderness, her white traditional clothing was prone to getting dirty, and even sitting on a small folding chair, the edges would easily get stained.

Since her costume was covered in dirt, Li Sishi simply brought a large tablecloth to use as a mat, so she wouldn't have to worry about getting her costume dirty while resting.

Afterwards, several female celebrities from the same group also came over, and then others followed suit and brought picnic tablecloths. If the filming schedule wasn't too tight, everyone would sit on the ground chatting and laughing while eating, which did have a unique picnic feel.

"Wow, you guys seem to be having a great time filming this scene. Are you filming or having a picnic?" A person emerged from the bushes, which were taller than the average adult male, and chuckled as he saw the harmonious scene.

"How did you get like this?" Li Sishi was quite shocked to see him covered in grass clippings and seeds.

"We were just filming a music video in the bushes on the other side. To get the best shot, I rolled around in there a few times..." Shang Hanyou sighed. As everyone tried to suppress their laughter and avoid him, he naturally sat down on the tablecloth next to Li Sishi. "But it's okay. We've already finished filming. We'll go down the mountain and work on it later."

"So you came here to say hello?" Li Sishi asked while eating, holding up her lunchbox.

"No, it's mainly because the wind carried the aroma of a certain type of bitter melon cake to me, so I followed it here..." Shang Hanyou looked at her lunchbox.

"Are you a dog?" Li Sishi put down her lunchbox with a speechless look, then picked up another insulated box and gestured for him to look at the two pieces of bitter melon cake that were left inside. "I went early today and only managed to buy the last small basket. I ate one piece from the basket, so here, I can only share one with you."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony." He picked up the chopsticks next to him with ease, quickly poked at one piece after another, and then stuffed the two pieces of bitter melon cake he had skewered into his mouth, completely ignoring Li Sishi's clamor that those were his chopsticks and bitter melon cake.

Seeing his ravenous, dog-like manner and Li Sishi's stunned, momentarily speechless expression, many bystanders who had initially thought the two had some hidden relationship could only sigh that the closer the friends are, the more cunning they become...

"Don't be angry, it's not like I'm eating your bitter melon cake for free..." Seeing Li Sishi's angry look, he quickly leaned closer to appease her and whispered in her ear, "Actually, there's another reason I came here—I just talked to Shengzai on the phone, and he said you have a good chance of winning the Best Newcomer Award in 1994 for 'Hero in My Heart'..."

“He knew I was filming a music video near where you were filming, so he specifically asked me to come and let you know in advance.”

Judging from his demeanor, which didn't seem fake, and looking at his current appearance as an adorable big dog who had just crossed mountains and was covered in dirt but still wanted to bring good news to his owner, Li Sishi thought for a difficult second, and then asked her assistant to bring over the insulated box that she had hidden in advance.

Upon opening the lid, a box full of six pieces of bitter melon cake was revealed...

Before Shang Hanyou could react, Li Sishi quickly grabbed a piece of bitter melon cake and stuffed it into his mouth: "Bitter melon is good for clearing heat... Calm down, I didn't mean to lie to you!"

"Then give me this whole box as compensation. You know this is my favorite." Shang Hanyou swallowed a piece of bitter melon cake and reached out to take the whole box away.

He couldn't even get his hands on it after trying to grab it. Shang Hanyou looked down at Li Sishi's tearful appearance, which he couldn't tell was real or fake, and couldn't help but laugh: "Come on, I just came to freeload and give you a heads-up. I didn't mean to empty your entire stash."

"You should have said so earlier, you scared me..." Li Sishi quickly pulled the box back, then grabbed a pair of chopsticks and started eating the pastries, acting as if she was afraid that if she ate too slowly, the people next to her would snatch them away.

Seeing her like this was so funny and cute. Shang Hanyou sat next to her, brushing grass clippings and seeds off his body, while silently apologizing to his photographer: Actually, what kind of genius would let their artist roll in the grass to film a music video?

However, he underestimated the "hardships" of this short journey, which is why he ended up in such a sorry state and had to make excuses to explain himself.

Consider this a lesson learned; next time, don't let lust cloud your judgment.