No way to seek help
Filming for "We Can Never Wait for Dawn Again" began in City B.
Director Qian adjusted the shooting order, staying in City B to film while the actors' condition was still unstable in the early stages, in order to facilitate the work of screenwriter Chen Xiaojing.
"Screenwriter, this way." Director Qian accompanied her to the front row of the opening ceremony. The male and female leads were getting their makeup and costumes done for the first scene, and the staff were all in place beforehand.
It was a very simple stage covered with a red cloth, and a huge backdrop with promotional posters. The words "Opening Ceremony" were written in beautiful cursive script in the center.
"Here, be careful with the incense ash."
Director Qian handed Chen Xiaojing three lit incense sticks: "For good luck, screenwriter."
Chen Xiaojing dressed very modestly: "No need to call me screenwriter teacher, my surname is Chen, and my name is Chen Xiaojing."
Director Qian seemed somewhat surprised that she told him her real name: "I thought that people who became famous online using pen names wouldn't like others calling them by their real names."
“I only reveal my real name to people I trust.” Chen Xiaojing’s gaze met Director Qian’s through his glasses. “I wonder if Director Qian would be willing to reveal your real name.”
“Qian Luchang. All I can say is that I am very grateful for Professor Chen’s trust.”
Just as the two were about to start a conversation, Yu Yan and Song Qing, who had finished their makeup and styling, came over. The staff consciously reserved the first row center position for the male and female leads. Chen Xiaojing took half a step back, leaving the position for a few assistant directors who had just carried a camera covered with a red cloth.
Following Qian Luchang's actions, they held incense sticks and bowed to the camera, praying for a safe and smooth filming process.
"The two teachers, the male and female leads, and Director Qian put the incense into the incense burner, and then together with our teacher, Shangshui Luoying, lifted the red cloth."
The host continued the presentation, and Song Qing and Yu Yan stepped forward with incense sticks. Following the principle of giving priority to ladies, Yu Yan gave her the first opportunity to insert the incense.
"how."
The incense stick was clearly the most common type, but Song Qing couldn't get it in. Yu Yan quickly took it from him and inserted it into the incense burner along with the one he was holding.
Chen Xiaojing watched the whole process from beside the camera, and couldn't help but frown.
My first impression of Song Qing wasn't good. Had she done something heinous that even the gods didn't want to accept her offerings?
Before she could think further, Director Qian grabbed a corner of the red cloth, and the four of them lifted the red cloth in the same direction, signifying the successful conclusion of the opening ceremony.
"Everyone, get ready for the first scene. Everyone to your positions. Ms. Chen, this way." Qian Luchang led her to the monitor, which was her seat as the screenwriter.
The crew members were busy doing their jobs, and Chen Xiaojing, sitting among them, always felt a sense of unreality.
Why should you help me?
“You are the first screenwriter I’ve worked with as the lead director.” Qian Lu often wears a director’s jacket. “I need ‘No More Dawn’ to show the entire entertainment industry that I’m good enough.”
"That's it?" Chen Xiaojing said, puzzled. "Then you didn't need to help me like this."
“I entered the industry seven years earlier than you, Mr. Chen. There are all sorts of speculations in the industry about what you want to do. Shang Shui Luo Ying is using her identity as a screenwriter to bravely enter the entertainment industry. This is not just about becoming a slash youth.”
Chen Xiaojing felt like she was being seen through: "So, Director Qian, why do you think I became a screenwriter?"
He did not give a direct answer: "I can only tell you that your intentions are good, but do not act until the people around you can threaten national security."
It is both a lesson and a warning.
"Alright, everyone to your positions, action!"
Filming is progressing steadily, but Director Qian is too busy to chat with Chen Xiaojing, so she wanders around the set alone.
Cries and screams came from not far away.
Without thinking twice, she went over to check the situation. There was an elderly woman in her seventies kneeling on the ground, crying and shouting something like "Give me back my son, give me back my son," while clutching a torn piece of paper in her hand.
"Why didn't you help her up?" Chen Xiaojing scolded the staff members coming and going. "Didn't you see she's quite old?"
A kind-hearted extra grabbed Chen Xiaojing's arm to stop her from going over: "She is Yang Ning's mother, and she's here to see Sister Song Qing."
Chen Xiaojing paused for a moment, but then ran off again, bending down to help the old woman up: "Come on, the crew is busy here, come with me to my break room to talk."
"Who are you?" The old woman didn't immediately lower her guard.
"I am someone who really wants to help your son overturn his conviction."
One sentence was enough to disarm the old woman, and she followed Chen Xiaojing into the rest room where she was alone. After confirming that there were no eavesdroppers on the other side of the wall, she knelt down.
“Young lady, I really have no other choice. My son definitely didn’t fall from the building by accident. He never gets drunk, and he’s always been very moderate with his drinking.” Chen Xiaojing was startled by her commotion and quickly helped her up. “Don’t worry, tell me slowly. I’m different from those people.”
“Song Qing, that Song Qing threatened me that if I didn’t sign the settlement agreement, she wouldn’t let me see my son one last time. But my son’s body has so many injuries, how could it be from falling to his death? I… the police are biased towards them and won’t even let me file a lawsuit. I really have no other choice.”
Chen Xiaojing calmly looked at the old woman in front of her who had nowhere to turn, and handed her a bottle of mineral water that had been unscrewed: "Don't worry, as Yang Ning's only direct relative, your opinion is crucial. As long as you persist, he will eventually have his case overturned."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com