Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Filming

“Who’s looking for Xiao Jin to endorse?” Mu Ran thought it was already impressive for Xiao Jin, a young kid, to have endorsements with two major international brands, and now there’s another?

“The endorsement fee is quite substantial. I’m asking for your opinion—should we let Xiao Jin take it?” Feng Qikuo sounded a bit envious.

Why hadn’t her company cultivated such an effortless artist?

Minimal PR expenses, and the big shots just come throwing money at you!!!

“You should ask Xiao Jin; he can decide for himself,” Mu Ran said.

“Alright, I’ll ask him later. By the way, do you know about Wu Jiaquan’s situation?” Feng Qikuo couldn’t help but laugh: “He got his ribs broken, his leg too, and he’s currently clinging to life in the hospital.”

“Who hit him?” Mu Ran asked knowingly.

“No idea, probably someone who couldn’t stand Wu Jiaquan. It’s one thing for him to be arrogant in the country, but now he’s out of control abroad. Of course someone would find that intolerable. I heard Wu Jiaquan’s parents are furious.”

“They’re even suspecting you did it, going as far as to find your brother. Your brother told them you wouldn’t do such sneaky stuff; if you wanted to hit Wu Jiaquan, you’d just do it openly. Oh, and I also heard you slapped Wu Jiaquan a few times abroad, is that true?”

Mu Ran gave an affirmative hum.

Reflecting on how useful a reputation can be.

“Hahaha, that’s so you! Anyway, I’ve got nothing else, you go ahead and focus on filming,” Feng Qikuo said as she hung up.

Mu Ran then began preparations for the start-of-production ceremony.

The new producer had arrived.

Everything was running smoothly again.

For the start-of-production ceremony, Mu Ran didn’t invite media or spend money on publicity; she was used to waiting until the film was about to be released before promoting it. That was more economical.

The producer had initially wanted to discuss some promotional plans with Mu Ran.

But with Li Shusen as a newcomer playing the male lead, the film was already attracting attention.

The first scene of the shoot.

A pair of small feet, round toes, with toenails painted a pale pink, like ten tiny flower petals. The tops of the feet were fair, as smooth as jade and as soft as satin, the flesh on the feet so translucent it seemed transparent.

A pair of rough, large hands cupped the small, tender white feet, making them appear even pinker. The big hands gradually withered, the bones protruding until they turned into a dead body.

The camera slowly moved upward. The woman with the small feet had red lips, smiling gently, caressing the corpse tenderly with a look of maniacal intent in her eyes, “Are my feet beautiful enough?”

The woman’s voice was hoarse.

Like an old lady.

“Cut!”

Mu Ran frowned slightly: “Make your voice a bit softer, and your expression a bit more tender. You’re the hunter who’s just caught her prey, and satisfaction and ridicule coexist.”

“Got it.” Mao Ziyang adjusted and continued.

Everyone hoped for smooth sailing on the first day of shooting. The scenes Mao Ziyang was shooting today were ones she’d been practicing, so overall it went quite well.

Mu Ran watched the monitor, sketching movements continuously with her hands.

Everyone was busy with their own tasks.

Li Shusen, joining the crew for the first time, was anxious about his movements not being precise and practiced diligently.

But his scenes were slated for ten days later. For the next week, he had to be a vegetarian and chant Buddhist scriptures.

During those ten days, it was non-stop Buddhist scriptures, posture training, and martial arts practice, with fifteen-hour days.

Finally.

The male lead made his appearance.

In a white cassock, with skin as clear as jade, his eyes possessed an ethereal elegance devoid of impurities, so clear one could almost see through them at a glance; yet, those eyes held a hint of fox-like allure, tinged with desire amid purity.

His eyebrows were naturally arched, eyelashes long and curly, his lips a rosy pink, lightly pressed into a graceful arc, as if inviting a kiss.

He was breathtakingly beautiful, a beauty to save all beings.

The cassock bestowed a halo of sanctity upon him, as Li Shusen began his first acting scene.

His first scene.

Was facing a short, plump County Magistrate: “You’re finally here! You have no idea—a female ghost in my region kills seven people a month, turning each into a dried corpse, and most of them are young men. This has been going on for nearly three years. We initially thought someone was committing murders, but later found out it was a female ghost. You must destroy her, send her back to the Eighteen Layers of Hell.”

“Amitabha Buddha, please don’t worry, good sir,” Li Shusen said, slightly bowing. His seductive fox-like eye corners tempered the sanctity, yet made it hard to look directly at him.

The County Magistrate, feeling as if an Immortal graced his presence, quickly stepped aside: “You are an Enlightened Monk; we hope you can exorcise this calamity for the people of the entire county.”

“Cut! Hui Chi, you need to be calmer. You’re addressing a County Magistrate you have no emotional ties with, so don’t show so much trembling in your eyes. This isn’t your tension moment yet.” Mu Ran frowned, “Your character is an Enlightened Monk; handling a small-town female ghost should be an easy feat for you, understand?”

Li Shusen pressed his lips. Even if he was mentally prepared to be scolded, being berated while under that scrutiny felt like a first for him in this lifetime.

But he knew the director was right—he was too tense now when he should be calm.

“I understand.”

“Let’s do it again.”

“Action——”

A scene that shot from morning to night.

The crew was used to it, but by the end, Li Shusen was on the verge of tears, really about to cry.

He knew he was lacking.

But didn’t realize how lacking he was—seeing Mao Ziyang finish a scene in about twenty takes while he took over fifty was disheartening.

Mao Ziyang, noticing his fatigue, brought him a cup of coffee to comfort him: “What happened to our Enlightened Monk Hui Chi? Here, have a cup of coffee to perk up.”

“Thanks, sis.” Li Shusen took it, unable to resist saying, “Director Mu is so harsh. She’s tough as nails even normally, and on set it’s like she carries a cloud of doom overhead. Her gaze is so sharp, just hearing her voice makes my whole body tremble—it’s terrifying.”

“It’s okay, take it easy. I’ve got some good news for you.”

“What?”

“I’m going to shoot a variety show with Mu Ran. You’ll get a three-day break, good luck.” Mao Ziyang made a cheering gesture.

Li Shusen’s smile was tinged with bitterness, “Wish you successful filming.”

“Mm.”

Mao Ziyang returned to her trailer.

She hadn’t reached the stage where she could bond with Li Shusen yet, besides she had classes to attend.

Todays Li Shusen.

He was a reflection of herself over the past ten days or so.

Daily, he was mired in self-doubt.

Director Mu doesn’t console people, nor does she tell you how well you are performing. Only Vice Director Chen, like a gentle elder, constantly encourages and pushes everyone to work hard, saying the director is doing it for their own good.

Everyone persevered thanks to the motivational speeches from the vice director.

Without Vice Director Chen.

They wouldn’t have been able to face each day of filming with such vigor!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep