Chapter 337: Visiting the Set
Looking at the receding back, Yu Linna did not chase after her. Was this the right thing to do? she had also asked herself, but she felt that doing so was the best. If she gave her hope, and then gave her despair, that would be the cruelest. She firmly believed that doing so was the right thing.
To not face oneself squarely, to always hesitate, would only make one’s path narrower and narrower, until there was no way to go. The male protagonists in those harem manga were also like this, always hesitating, always unwilling to move forward, and in the end, it was everyone who was hurt. After all, reality was different from fairy tales. No one would have a harem ending. That would be disrespectful to the person who had given their feelings, and also disrespectful to oneself.
She shook her head, turned, and left, never looking back.
…
The summer vacation started just like that. Besides the events of the first few days, it seemed that nothing particularly special had happened. The rest of the time was just as she had originally planned, working hard, writing her manuscript at home every day, and not going out. Huo Ningning, of course, did not look for her, and it was even more impossible for her to reply to her. It seemed she needed time to be alone. After all, she had been rejected by someone. After resolving the matter with Huo Ningning, Yu Linna had to think about how to deal with Xiao Yanhan. This person was not that easy to deal with either.
Mmm, I have to think of a good way to reject her.
Sigh, I feel more and more like a scumbag girl, Yu Linna thought with a heavy heart.
And with the arrival of the summer vacation, Ye Zhiyun had also started her new work. Ever since she had taken on the job of a director, she had a lot of things to be busy with. The company was temporarily managed by Dai Wenqian and Zendaya together. She was in charge of the filming, and besides that, she had to attend meetings every two days to discuss work, as well as the financial operations.
As for school, she had already completed the procedures for a leave of absence. Now, it was equivalent to not studying.
“Director Ye.”
This day at noon, Ye Zhiyun had just let the crew rest and eat their box lunches. As soon as she sat down, she wanted to find a bottle of water to drink, but her butt hadn’t even warmed up when a staff member called her.
“Coming. What is it?”
She could only helplessly stand up and return to the set.
“Director Ye, the cinematographer has heatstroke. How should we shoot the A-group’s scenes?”
“Let him rest first. Find a replacement. If he can’t return to his post after the lunch break, then transfer the A-group’s photography work to me.”
“Alright.”
Filming was not as easy as she had imagined. She sat down, opened a bottle of water, and drank it in one go.
A new director. The road ahead is still long, Ye Zhiyun thought with a headache.
I hope their company can operate well, Ye Zhiyun took off her glasses, wanting to rest a little. She now had a wish: if she could have a vacation, she would definitely sleep for a few days.
…
At the same time, in the hot summer, on the distant African continent, there were also people filming, and they were filming in extremely high temperatures. And it was an action film. The hardship could be imagined.
Hu Qing was directing the crew members to start filming, asking the cinematographer to aim the camera, and also asking the action director to be in charge of the actors’ scenes. He himself also had to take care of his own leading role, so he had multiple jobs. And filming under such harsh conditions, An Xiayue almost got heatstroke. She was used to being pampered, and it was her first time filming such a hard film. She almost cried. But fortunately, she persisted. After all, her salary was so high. It would be unreasonable if she didn’t persist.
“Xiayue, are you still okay? Do you want to rest for a while?”
“It’s fine, Brother Qing. I can handle it. I’m coming now.”
“Not bad, you have perseverance.”
Although she was very happy to be praised like this, in fact, An Xiayue was also complaining endlessly. She really hadn’t expected it to be so hard. It was fine when she was filming in the country, but after arriving in Africa, it was a world of difference. Not to mention that it was all real-life filming, and it was also dangerous. Her life was also being threatened.
Hollywood’s filming is very advanced. They set up a shed, arrange a green screen, act in front of the air, and add special effects in post-production. It’s very convenient. But in China, it’s not possible. The investment is too big, and they can’t do it at all, so they can only use this method.
An Xiayue could drink a lot of water in a day, but she still felt thirsty. The thought of having to stay for so long made her stomach hurt. She just hoped that the filming would end soon, and then they could quickly do reshoots. She didn’t want to stay in Africa anymore. Even if she had the chance, she didn’t want to come again. The conditions here were too harsh.
“Belia, someone’s here to visit the set. It’s your friend.”
During a break, An Xiayue also heard that someone had come to visit the set. She thought in confusion, her friends in Hollywood couldn’t possibly have come all this way. Later, she seemed to have thought of something, and gently patted her palm with her fist. She quickly asked the staff to let her in.
“Hey, Yumeng, long time no see! You actually came to such a distant place. It’s amazing that you could come.”
With the help of the staff, she saw the first friend she had met in the country, Tang Yumeng, and excitedly gave her a hug.
Tang Yumeng was 22 this year, only a year younger than her. She had already come out for an internship and would be graduating next year. But for her, it didn’t make much difference now. Anyway, she was already an actress in the entertainment industry.
“Mmm, my scenes are almost finished. I asked for leave to come over, because I also wanted to see this place.”
“Africa is very hot. Aren’t you afraid of dying of heat?”
“What’s there to be afraid of? It’s not like I came alone. Director Hu’s friends also came to visit the set. What’s there to be afraid of?”
That was also true. The one who had come to Africa to visit the set was not just her, Tang Yumeng, but also Director Hu Qing’s good friend, Feng Yuyan. They had all come to visit the set together. Director Hu Qing still had many friends in the entertainment industry. Although his fame was no longer there, and he was also a has-been action star, his popularity was very good, and many people had also come to support him. Even in his crew, there were also many friends from the industry who had come to make a guest appearance out of friendship.
Because it was break time, An Xiayue took her for a tour of the set, letting her see the environment here in Africa. Tang Yumeng, as expected, showed an unbearable expression. Compared to here, the crew of Soaring was a paradise. Although there was no air conditioning, at least there were fans. Here, there was really nothing. It was hot and there were many insects, and there might even be wild animals. She was really worried that a tiger would run out from somewhere.
She had followed An Xiayue’s updates on Weibo and knew that a lion had escaped its cage during their crew’s filming and had even bitten the zookeeper’s hand. She was a little worried if this young miss could stay here.
“I say, Yu Xia, can you persist? I heard your scenes are going to be filmed until August.”
“Are you looking down on me? I’m a big star. The scenes I filmed in Hollywood were much harder than this, you know?”
“Cut the crap. You guys just use green screens and CGI to film. Your TV series, I know, many of them are made with special effects.”
“There’s a saying in China: people who tell the truth will be isolated. And Yumeng, not all Hollywood movies are made with CGI. Special effects are very expensive, sister.”
“Still ‘sister’? You’re a year older than me, and you’re still calling me sister. You’re calling me old.”
“Giggle, stop it. I’m ticklish.”
The two girls played and joked, and their laughter made the crew members all smile. To be able to see the smiling faces of two girls under such high-intensity work, they suddenly felt that their work was not so tiring. Coincidentally, it was also a break now, so it was better to take a few more glances.
Tang Yumeng’s popularity was not bad now either. The Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actress, and countless film offers. She didn’t have to worry about not having any roles to play. Besides not having a leading role, she was basically invited by production companies.
“Yu Xia.”
“Mmm?”
“You came to China to film. Your mom doesn’t object? You’re her only daughter.”
An Xiayue sat on a chair, smiling, but didn’t speak immediately.
“I’ve already told her. In the beginning, she was quite opposed, but I persuaded her. I’ve filmed so many films, movies, and TV series, but I haven’t filmed a decent movie in my hometown yet. This time, returning to China, I want to film a Chinese movie. And I also have Chinese blood in me. Isn’t it normal to want to do something for this country?”
Tang Yumeng smiled.
It had been like this since she had known her. Her words were so pleasant to hear. But she didn’t hate it.
An Xiayue was always like this. Whenever she felt that she had no way to go, that she was at a dead end, she would tell you, “I’m not taking this path anymore. I’m changing paths,” and then she would move forward in the direction she had decided on without looking back. At least Tang Yumeng couldn’t do it. To be honest, she had gotten to where she was today because she had met a good director and had been able to shine in his hands. But what if she hadn’t? Could she still have such achievements? That was really unknown.
“I knew you were going to say these things. Here, Yu Xia, I brought you a gift. Look, it’s a whole box of chocolate I brought from the country.”
Tang Yumeng took out a whole box of high-end chocolate from her bag. At this, An Xiayue’s eyes went straight, and drool almost dripped down.
“Call me ‘big sister’, and I’ll give it to you.”
“Big sister.”
“Wow, you’re really shameless for food. Forget it, it’s all for you anyway.”
“Ah, such great chocolate. I can actually eat it in Africa. Ah, let me have one first. Mmm, so sweet.”
“I also brought other snacks. Potato chips and coke, and also chestnuts, bananas, sushi…”
“Yumeng, are you an angel sent by God? I feel like I’m dreaming.”
“This is real. Take it. You can’t get these here. Just treat me to a big meal after you get back to the country.”
An Xiayue gratefully accepted the gifts. So many snacks could let her be extravagant for a long time. When she had first come to Africa, she had thought it wouldn’t be so hard here and hadn’t brought any snacks. But she had soon regretted it. Now, Tang Yumeng had come and had brought her so much food. This was really great!
Seeing An Xiayue eating so happily, those high-calorie foods decreasing one by one, Tang Yumeng couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed.
“Yu Xia, I sometimes just want to know what your stomach is made of. Don’t you get fat eating so much?”
“I’ve never gotten fat.”
“It’s so good to have a constitution that doesn’t get fat. I’ve gained two layers of fat. Dammit, I have to go to the gym after I get back.”
Tang Yumeng said resentfully. Because she hadn’t been paying attention for a moment, she had gained weight again.
As they were talking, Tang Yumeng took out a cigarette, lit it, and held it in her mouth, letting out a puff of smoke. She couldn’t eat whatever she wanted, but she could still smoke.
“It stinks… Yumeng, you still haven’t quit smoking. Don’t blow it over here.”
An Xiayue covered her nose at the smell of smoke, a look of disgust on her face.
“Sorry, I’ll go smoke over there…”
“Come back after you’re done smoking.”
After driving Tang Yumeng to the side, An Xiayue continued to enjoy her delicious food, not holding back at all. And what about lunch in a bit? It’s fine. Sweets are stored in another stomach.
