Chapter 74
With filming scheduled to begin the following week, Yu Wenqian decided to have Li Mo stay in Shanghai to prepare, instead of returning to Beijing. She got busy arranging Li Mo’s schedule and flew back to Pinnacle Entertainment’s headquarters in Beijing to finalize the details.
Li Mo, following the director’s instructions, participated in a series of promotional photoshoots. It was a hectic time, with little time for anything but work and sleep.
Fortunately, she and Fan Weiqi had good chemistry, making their collaboration smooth and enjoyable. Fan Weiqi’s playful personality and down-to-earth demeanor brought some much-needed levity to the busy schedule.
Meanwhile, Xu Dao, feeling neglected and heartbroken, returned to Beijing alone the day after Li Mo signed the contract. Song Ling and Mark, who were waiting for Li Mo in Beijing, learned about her packed schedule from Yu Wenqian and decided to wait until filming began before visiting her on set.
One morning, Song Ling received an email from Yu Wenqian. She opened it and saw a movie poster featuring Li Mo and Fan Weiqi. Her heart sank. The two women were gazing into each other’s eyes, their bodies close, Fan Weiqi’s arms wrapped around Li Mo’s waist, Li Mo’s hand gently cupping Fan Weiqi’s face. It was a picture of intimacy and affection.
Song Ling’s jealousy flared, and she almost smashed her computer screen. She grabbed her phone and called Wang Xinru, instructing her to summon Yu Wenqian to her office. Wang Xinru, sensing Song Ling’s anger, didn’t delay, immediately calling Yu Wenqian and telling her to go to the eighteenth floor.
Yu Wenqian put aside her work and went to Song Ling’s office. Wang Xinru, seeing her, gave her a subtle warning, indicating that Song Ling was in a bad mood. Yu Wenqian nodded, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door. Hearing a muffled “Come in,” she entered the office.
Song Ling was standing by the window, her arms crossed, her back to the door. Yu Wenqian closed the door and approached her.
“Ms. Song, you wanted to see me?”
Song Ling didn’t turn around. She continued to stare out the window for a moment before answering, her voice cold.
“What kind of film did you get Li Mo?”
“A tragic period drama set in the Warring States period.”
“What kind of tragic period drama requires two women to embrace so intimately?!” Song Ling finally turned around, her anger evident.
“Because they’re lovers in the film,” Yu Wenqian replied calmly.
“Lovers? This is a lesbian film?”
“Yes.”
“Wenqian, you know about my relationship with Li Mo, right?”
“I have my suspicions.”
“And you still accepted this script for her?! Even if you ignore our relationship, you know this kind of role isn’t good for a newcomer’s career. It could damage her image. Don’t tell me you don’t know that, with all your experience in this industry.”
“Ms. Song, first of all, as an agent, I don’t interfere in my artists’ personal lives unless their relationships are public. So, regardless of your relationship with Li Mo, as long as it’s not public knowledge, it’s none of my business.
Secondly, this film has a lot of potential. It’s likely to win awards, which would be beneficial for Li Mo’s career. Although the script is about a lesbian relationship, and it might affect her image, Li Mo has assured me that she’s not concerned about that. So, I don’t see a problem.”
“So you expect me to just watch her be intimate with another woman?”
“Ms. Song, I’m just doing my job. As an actress, she will inevitably have to portray intimacy with other people on screen. It’s unavoidable. If it’s not with a woman, it will be with a man. If you can’t accept that, then I suggest you advise Li Mo to choose a different career.”
“Don’t you think I’ve tried? It’s just… Sigh… Never mind. I don’t care. Cancel this film. I’ll pay whatever it costs.”
“Ms. Song, I can’t do that.”
“Why not?!”
“Li Mo loves this script. She won’t agree to cancel it. And the contract you signed with her gives her the final say in her work.”
“Then… Then have the director change the script!”
“That won’t work either. Director Wang is known for being stubborn. He won’t change his script just because I ask him to.”
“You! Fine! I’ll go to the set and talk to Director Wang myself! I’ll buy the film if I have to! Hmph!”
Yu Wenqian left Song Ling’s office. Song Ling called Wang Xinru in and instructed her to arrange their travel plans. She and Mark would fly to Shanghai in two days.
Filming had begun in Shanghai. It was the first day of shooting, and the cast and crew were gathered in front of a roasted pig for the opening ceremony. They each placed their hands on the large knife used to cut the pig, with Director Wang, Qiang Ge, Yang Yichen, and the two female leads, Fan Weiqi and Li Mo, standing in the center.
Under the watchful eyes of the entertainment reporters, they sliced the pig, completing the traditional ceremony. Everyone wished for a smooth and successful shoot.
After the reporters left, the director and actors began filming the first scene. As it was the first day of shooting, Director Wang had chosen a simple scene, hoping for a good start and avoiding any complicated shots.
The scene they were filming was the one where the two female leads, after escaping from their homes, set up a food stall on the street. Li Mo and Fan Weiqi had already rehearsed this scene during their audition, so it should be straightforward.
They went to their respective dressing rooms to have their makeup and hair done. As they emerged from their dressing rooms, Fan Weiqi saw Li Mo and rushed over to her.
“Mo Mo, you look so beautiful! Even in these plain clothes, you still look amazing! Unlike me, I look awkward in this outfit.”
“No, you look great too, Qiqi.”
“Really? But I think this hairstyle makes me look old.”
“No, it looks good on you.”
“Hee hee, you’re so sweet. Come on, let’s not keep Director Wang waiting.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
Director Wang, seeing them approach, smiled and beckoned them over. He was in a good mood, patiently explaining the scene to them. They listened attentively, nodding in understanding, and then filming began.
“Scene one, take one, action!”
Li Mo crouched in front of a wooden tub, her sleeves rolled up, washing dishes. She placed the clean dishes in another tub beside her. She looked up at the sun beating down on her and wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. Fan Weiqi approached her, carrying another tub of dishes. Seeing Li Mo washing dishes, she hurried over and put down the tub.
“Xiaoru, stop washing. Let me do it.”
“Susu, it’s okay. I can handle it.”
Su Su took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from Yang Xiaoru’s forehead. Xiaoru smiled, enjoying Su Su’s care. She took Su Su’s hand and looked at her.
“Susu, you can’t keep doing all the work. I know you’re worried about me, but I’m worried about you too, you know?”
Su Su smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. She reached out and stroked Xiaoru’s hair.
“I know, but you hurt your finger the other day, and it’s still not healed. I don’t want it to get infected. I want you to rest and recover. Let me handle the dishes for the next few days. You can help me with other things, okay?”
Yang Xiaoru, knowing she couldn’t argue with her, gave in. She picked up a rag and went to the front of the stall, wiping down the wooden counter they had painstakingly acquired.
She looked back at Su Su, who was washing dishes, and couldn’t help but smile. Their eyes met, and they both smiled at each other, their love and affection evident.
“Madam, do you have any wonton noodles left?”
A man in a long robe approached the stall and asked Yang Xiaoru. Yang Xiaoru turned to him, her expression apologetic.
“I’m sorry, sir, we’re sold out. Come back tomorrow morning, and I’ll save you a bowl.”
“Okay, I will.”
The man left, and Yang Xiaoru bowed to him. After he left, she quickly cleared the counter and went to help Su Su with the dishes. Seeing that Su Su was almost done, she helped her dry the dishes and put them away in the cabinet under the counter.
Once they were done, Su Su locked up the stall with a small chain, and they left, their arms linked.
“Cut! Perfect! Next scene!”
Li Mo and Fan Weiqi, hearing the director yell “Cut,” smiled and walked away from the camera, going over to Director Wang to watch the playback while the makeup artists touched up their makeup.
The crew applauded. In the film industry, a smooth first take on the first day of shooting was considered a good omen, a sign of a successful production. Seeing Li Mo and Fan Weiqi nail the first scene, everyone relaxed, their mood upbeat.
