Chapter 0835: Visiting the Set

At a film studio in Huairou, the crew of Seventeen-Year-Old Bicycle was shooting.

Zhao Fusheng and Jiang Wen were getting out of the car.

“Distribute the stuff to everyone.”

Jiang Wen glanced at the approximate number of people and said to his assistant behind him.

Zhao Fusheng also nodded to Zhang Qian, signaling him to help carry the things.

“Okay.” The assistant and Zhang Qian naturally didn’t hesitate. The two of them carried the fruit, snacks, and drinks that Zhao Fusheng and Jiang Wen had bought, following behind them.

Since it was winter, there were few outdoor scenes; most were shot indoors. Zhao Fusheng had once asked Jiang Wen why Wang Xiaoshuai couldn’t just wait until spring to shoot.

The answer he got was: broke.

Well, Zhao Fusheng had nothing to say to that.

“Let’s get this straight: later, don’t tell Director Wang about me and Baobao. She doesn’t want anyone to know.” Zhao Fusheng lowered his voice as he walked, instructing Jiang Wen.

The suggestion to visit the set today had come from Jiang Wen. The purpose was simple: on one hand, he wanted to see his old friend Wang Xiaoshuai; on the other, he wanted to let Zhao Fusheng see his girlfriend, so he wouldn’t worry about Fan Baobao.

Hearing Zhao Fusheng’s words, Jiang Wen paused, his eyes flickering. After a moment’s thought, he nodded: “Alright, I understand.”

He actually understood Fan Baobao’s thoughts. In fact, this was something he had always wanted to say to Zhao Fusheng but couldn’t bring himself to say.

Sometimes, an actor’s skill really needs to be honed on set.

Just like now, even though he knew about his relationship with Zhou Yun, Jiang Wen wouldn’t interfere with Zhou Yun running errands and auditioning for other crews all day. Because he knew very well that if he wanted to improve her acting, being under his tutelage versus someone else’s were two completely different concepts.

In the original timeline, Zhou Yun had latched onto Jiang Wen after entering the entertainment industry. Even so, it was through Jiang Wen’s connections that she landed roles in multiple TV dramas and films, honing her acting skills, and eventually forging her own path.

Of course, Zhao Fusheng didn’t quite understand these things, and Jiang Wen couldn’t explain them to him either, since he knew Zhao Fusheng meant well for Fan Baobao.

But the problem was like someone liking apples, and you insist on giving them your favorite peach. Sometimes, loving someone isn’t about giving them everything you have, but giving them what they want.

…

…

“Camera one ready.”

“Camera two ready.”

“Lights ready.”

“Actors in position.”

Amidst the various voices, Zhao Fusheng saw someone in front of the camera lightly clap the clapperboard, which read the scene, take, and shot number.

“Hmm, looks pretty authentic,” Zhao Fusheng muttered to himself.

It wasn’t his first time watching a film shoot, but this time was different. Before, Fan Baobao had only been an extra or hadn’t participated at all, but this time, she was the lead actress.

Fan Baobao wore a black school uniform with a white shirt underneath, her hair cut to her ears. She stood there with a hint of shyness—youthful, playful, and cute.

“Cut!”

Wang Xiaoshuai’s sharp shout interrupted everyone’s thoughts.

“Too happy. You don’t look like a girl torn by love; you look like you’re shooting a commercial.

I don’t need you to pose or deliberately seek the camera. You’re an ordinary high school girl. Ordinary, understand what ordinary means!”

Wang Xiaoshuai glared, scolding Fan Baobao without giving her any face.

The crew around them looked indifferent, as if this were routine.

Zhao Fusheng frowned and was about to speak, but remembering what he had said to Jiang Wen earlier, he gritted his teeth and stopped.

Seeing this, Jiang Wen sighed inwardly.

He knew that for a good actor, this was a necessary ordeal, and for Zhao Fusheng, it was a process he had to learn to endure.

As for Fan Baobao, though her face flushed from the director’s reprimand, she still nodded and returned to her position to continue shooting.

“Cut!”

“Softer voice. You’re comforting your boyfriend now, not flirting with him.”

Take two, continue.

“Cut!”

Wang Xiaoshuai waved at Fan Baobao and pointed at her makeup: “Shiny and greasy, afraid no one can tell you’re wearing makeup, huh? I want a bare-faced high school girl, not a commercial actress!”

The makeup artist looked awkward and quickly went over to help Fan Baobao remove her makeup.

“Cut!”

“Expression, expression! At this moment, the girl’s heart is conflicted and reserved, not that kind of bright happiness. You’re playing a high school girl from the early ’90s. You need to learn to restrain your emotions…”

Wang Xiaoshuai, getting worked up, gestured angrily.

Zhao Fusheng had been wearing a smile, but as he watched Fan Baobao get chewed out time and again, his expression gradually faded, and he became serious.

Jiang Wen looked at Zhao Fusheng with some concern, afraid that he might lose it and go after Wang Xiaoshuai.

He had heard from Zhou Yun just how doting Zhao Fusheng was on Fan Baobao.

To get Wang Jinghua to take care of Fan Baobao back then, Zhao Fusheng had even mobilized resources from Future Advertising, not to mention writing scripts specifically for her.

Jiang Wen even thought that if Wang Xiaoshuai dared to utter a single curse word, Zhao Fusheng might just punch him in the face.

Fortunately, Wang Xiaoshuai was strict about the work, not the person. Every time he called cut, he pointed out Fan Baobao’s problems. Having followed a few crews himself, Zhao Fusheng could understand that Wang Xiaoshuai was explaining the scene to his girlfriend.

Even so, Jiang Wen still felt that Zhao Fusheng was about to explode.

At this point, anyone who dared to provoke him would definitely be beaten to a pulp by Zhao Fusheng.

“Ahem…”

Seeing that someone was about to blow up like a powder keg, Jiang Wen decisively announced his presence during a break in Wang Xiaoshuai’s shouting, to avoid a “bloody” incident.

“Huh? Old Jiang?” Wang Xiaoshuai, hearing the cough, was about to lose his temper but turned to see Jiang Wen, and then Zhao Fusheng. He was a bit surprised: “Xiao Zhao, what are you guys doing here?”

“Nothing much, just came to see how Director Wang educates his actors,” Zhao Fusheng said grumpily.

Wang Xiaoshuai looked confused, completely baffled. Jiang Wen laughed and smoothed things over: “You, you’re still so serious when shooting. If an actor isn’t in the right state, let them rest. If you keep them tense like this, do you think everyone is like Yu Nan?”

Yu Nan was a goddess-level actress in the art film world, with great acting skills and a good image, always sought after by everyone.

Wang Xiaoshuai shook his head helplessly: “Don’t even mention it. If this girl had even half of Yu Nan’s skill, I wouldn’t be so angry.”

Then he looked at Zhao Fusheng: “What, feeling sorry for the lady?”

Jiang Wen chuckled: “No kidding, I feel sorry for the girl too. You’ve been scolding her for over half an hour.”

Then he pointed at Zhao Fusheng: “Give him the script. Let him go explain the scene to her. Don’t forget, our brother Fusheng is a top-notch screenwriter.”

Zhao Fusheng’s expression changed slightly. He was about to refuse when Wang Xiaoshuai slapped his thigh: “Great, why didn’t I think of that!”

With that, he simply tossed the script to Zhao Fusheng, then waved at Fan Baobao, who was staring blankly at them: “Xiao Fan, come here.”

At that moment, Fan Baobao felt mortified, while Zhao Fusheng really wanted to kick Jiang Wen in the face.