If directors could be categorized, Zheng Bohan would be a free spirit, unable to control either the crew or the actors, relying entirely on Qin Tianye and his group of old friends to maintain order. Although Zheng Bohan has never lost an online feud, he rarely criticizes the crew, because he can't bring himself to do so. When faced with setbacks, he simply sulks alone, letting the crew continue to run wild like sheep.
Xu Hanwen, on the other hand, is known for his outspokenness. He's adept at unleashing the most scathing Chinese profanities on the entire production crew. The entire "Half a Day" crew was driven to flee in terror by his outbursts. But that's not the worst part. The worst part is when he doesn't even bother to curse anymore. In that case, the show is basically done for.
Gu Wenhua is a man who uses others' power to intimidate others; he's young and can't really command respect. His advantage lies in luck; both of his films were invested in by Qingping Entertainment. Whenever trouble arises, he invokes the powerful Ji Juntao to scare people. And it's quite effective.
Luo Yao is an effective communicator. Her linguistic talent is something Ye Chu can't emulate; in short, she can get others to work efficiently with minimal words. Everyone willingly serves her like a slave, even feeling treated specially. Her organizational skills are also top-notch; she rarely makes anyone work overtime.
Shao Guangji is the culmination of these four individuals, possessing Zheng Bohan's eloquence, Xu Hanwen's meticulousness, Gu Wenhua's shrewdness, and Luo Yao's operational abilities. He could perhaps be described as the "Emperor of the Film Set." Shang Yechu chooses to keep her distance from this type of director. Today, however, is the first time she's blurted out her true feelings in front of Shao Guangji.
Shao Guangji was still standing there, motionless, it was unclear whether he had taken another grudge or what. Shang Yechu couldn't just leave him there lost in thought. But his face! His face! His face was practically bleeding from being strangled!
Just as I was considering how to steer the conversation back on track and subtly ask Director Shao not to get in my way, a voice suddenly rang in my ears.
"Slap, slap, slap."
Shang Yechu turned her head and saw that it was Ai Xiaodong standing outside the crowd, clapping dryly.
"Teacher Ai?" Shang Yechu felt as if she had been granted a pardon, as if she had seen the light at the end of the tunnel. "When did you arrive?"
“I’ve been on set all morning,” Ai Xiaodong said cheerfully as he walked up. “I even spent half the day watching the monitor with Lao Shao. Not bad, you did a great job.”
Whether Ai Xiaodong's words were sincere or flattering, Shang Yechu accepted them with a smile. Just as she was about to take advantage of the situation and say a few words of flattery, she suddenly remembered that Yang Huanyi had said that Shao Guangji did not like her, so she changed her words: "Teacher Yang is indeed a good actress. Thanks to her, I was able to get into character immediately."
Yang Huanyi has a few more scenes to come, and Shang Yechu hopes to maintain a good impression on her in front of Shao Guangji.
Ai Xiaodong, completely oblivious to the situation, said, "That mother? I didn't really pay attention, since I didn't write about her in my book."
Shao Guangji snapped out of his daze and noticed Ai Xiaodong: "Why are you back again? Weren't you going to—"
She didn't say the rest, but just glanced at Ai Xiaodong's feet.
“It’s alright, she’s seen me before.” Ai Xiaodong grinned. “I was originally going to change my dressing, but my doctor caught a cold, so I had to come back. Better late than never, how about I mooch a meal?”
Shang Yechu seized the opportunity and said, "In that case, let the two teachers talk first..."
"What are you busy with?" Ai Xiaodong chuckled. "What you said earlier was quite interesting. Tell me more. I was busy drawing during the reading session and didn't listen much. I still don't know how the script has been revised."
Only Ai Xiaodong in the whole world has the audacity to openly and confidently admit that he was daydreaming during the reading session.
The opportunity to communicate with the original author is precious, and Shang Yechu couldn't be happier. Forgetting for a moment that her face was almost ripped in two by the pressure, she said in a muffled voice, "That's fine, but we're short on time at noon, and we might not make it to the restaurant in time."
“Let’s eat here,” Shao Guangji glanced at his watch. “I’ll have Mark bring the boxed lunches over.” He turned to Shang Yechu, frowning. “I almost forgot, take this off, don’t get it dirty.” He pointed to Shang Yechu’s face.
The assistants then stepped forward and hurriedly helped Shang Yechu get free. Because it had been so long, four red marks appeared on Shang Yechu's cheeks, as if she had been scratched by a ghost.
A peculiar scene unfolded on the set of "The Heavenly Emperor." The pillars of the domestic directing world, the leading figures in science fiction, and the most popular A-list celebrities in the entertainment industry were sitting in a circle on small stools, discussing something with great enthusiasm, like three elementary school students.
Unbeknownst to Shang Yechu, while she, Shao Guangji, and Ai Xiaodong were discussing the movie over and over with their lunchboxes, a thin and haggard figure had appeared behind her.
Carrying an exquisite three-layer insulated lunchbox, Yang Huanyi tiptoed to Shang Yechu's location. Her pinpoint accuracy was so precise, it was as if she had been secretly observing him all along.
When Yang Huanyi saw the three of them sitting around eating, she was stunned and stopped in her tracks.
Shang Yechu was listening intently to Ai Xiaodong's words and naturally didn't notice whether anyone was coming from behind. Of the three people, only Shao Guangji noticed Yang Huanyi.
Shao Guangji raised his eyes and met Yang Huanyi's gaze for a second, as if reminding her on behalf of someone.
Yang Huanyi was stung by that stern gaze. She gently covered her mouth, picked up the food box, and turned to leave, as if she had never been there at all.
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