Huayu Chunqiu, starting from being adopted by a fairy mother

Chapter 437 Hollywood in the East

Qiu Manor!

When Liu Jing came back again, he almost wondered if he had come to the wrong place.

He had the life of a young master and the status of a big shot, so he left early.

The staff are not destined for that; they are treated like cattle and horses, doing the hardest work for the least pay, and having to watch everyone's faces.

They set up the venue, tested the equipment, and rehearsed the process until the wee hours of the morning.

They sleep later than the chickens and wake up earlier than the chickens. At six o'clock, when it's just getting light, the oxen and horses get up to work. The recording only lasts one day, time is tight and the task is heavy, there's no time to stay in bed.

Everything Liu Jing sees is the result of the hard work of dozens of employees.

Summer has arrived, and the air conditioning is on full blast. In addition to the cool air, there is also a faint smell of orange soda in the lobby.

Qiu Manor had been abandoned for a long time and was filled with a musty smell, so air fresheners had to be used.

It wasn't Liu Jing's idea to film here; it was suggested by the production team, who felt it would be more attention-grabbing.

The recording venue was not only well-arranged, but also packed with audience members. Some held up signs that read "Brother Chen Kun", some that read "Goddess Zhou Xun", and others that read "I love Zeng Li". Even more outrageous, Liu Jing saw a light sign that read "Liu Rijing, look here".

These audience members were all selected in advance, including university students from Shanghai, fans of the guests, and lucky viewers drawn from the official website of "The Message".

The official recording time was 10 o'clock. Liu Jing arrived at the venue at 9:30, which was not late. The audience had already entered the venue.

He could have arrived earlier; Zhang Min had given the nanny and housekeeper the day off to welcome Liu Jing. Early in the morning, Xiao Xue was being fussy, and Zhang Min was in a flurry of activity. Liu Jing couldn't bear to just leave.

"Where's Yuanyuan?" Liu Jing arrived backstage, where his assistant greeted him.

"She said she's taught everything she needed to and prepared everything she needed to, so there's nothing more for her to do below. Rather than getting in the way here, she'd rather find a quiet place." The assistant carefully observed her boss's expression, not her facial features, but whether or not she needed to put on makeup.

"speak English."

"She was worried that Sister Min would be too busy, so she came here this morning to give a few instructions and then left. She should be at Sister Min's house by now," the assistant explained.

Liu Jing sighed inwardly, thinking how thoughtful Gao Yuanyuan was. Zhang Min trusted her implicitly, and she reciprocated by opening her heart to Zhang Min as well.

"Xiao Tao, do the director's makeup. It doesn't need to be too heavy, just a little touch-up. His eyebrows are a bit sparse, fix them. And the sides of his nose..." The assistant called over the makeup artist, giving instructions one by one, and personally oversaw the makeup process.

Liu Jing was putting on makeup when Zeng Li walked over. "Wujiapo is pretty good. You're more suited to songs with a Peking Opera style. How did you come up with that idea?"

My brain isn't as efficient as a system!

Liu Jing muttered to himself, glancing at Zeng Li. Her outfit today, dressed in a light purple dress, was anything but casual. It accentuated her graceful curves. Her exquisite makeup and every gesture exuded an air of sophistication and confidence—she was the epitome of a mature, powerful woman.

"Both are mature and sophisticated women, but Tang Yan should learn more from her senior in terms of posture," Liu Jing muttered to himself. However, Zhang Min's judgment was still good; Zeng Li's temperament was indeed suitable for the role of Queen Jiang.

"And then there's 'The Night the Comet Came,' which I watched several times before I could even get a glimpse of what was going on. I really wanted to open your head and see what was inside," Zeng Li remarked.

She had always despised Liu Jing's character.

She was completely in awe of Liu Jing's talent.

My mind is filled with thoughts of you.

Liu Jing wanted to say that, but didn't. The makeup artist was styling his beard, but her skills weren't as good as Gao Yuanyuan's.

"The boss must be thinking about Sister Zeng Li the whole time." Bai Bing became Liu Jing's mouth double.

Liu Jing was shocked. What did his little assistant know? Zeng Li was a very good actress. Apart from Zhao Xiaodao, no one else knew about the secret between the two.

Although Zhao Liying has a sharp tongue, she is very tight-lipped and keeps her mouth shut. She will not tell anyone.

“I still feel it’s not enough,” Zeng Li said calmly.

"Sister Zeng Li, the boss helped you get the Magnolia Award, and then asked me to help you get the Flying Apsaras Award and the Golden Rooster Award. For the big-budget production 'Empresses in the Palace,' you were the first one cast. For the boss's 'The Night the Comet Came,' the resumes he received every day could fill a truck, and he gave you a role without hesitation. Several brands approached the boss for collaborations, and he directly gave you their endorsements. And that's not all; everyone else in the company would be green with envy if they heard that." Bai Bing felt increasingly uneasy; it seemed like the boss was being too kind to Zeng Li.

But then I thought about it again, and the boss was nice to all the older women, so Zeng Li wasn't the most special one.

There's nothing going on in the company, and Zeng Li is such an upright person, I must be overthinking it.

"That's true, I'm really greedy. I'll have to thank the boss properly after the show is over," Zeng Li said with a smile.

"How should I thank you?" Bai Bing asked.

"Hmm! I'll treat him to five meals," Zeng Li pondered.

"Sister Zeng Li, you're too stingy," Bai Bing complained.

"Five meals a day is not too many; I'm afraid I won't be able to handle any more."

"That's true, Sister Zeng Li is a vegetarian, but the boss can't live without meat."

Not stingy at all!

Liu Jing understood Zeng Li's meaning and kept the records five times.

After Liu Jing finished her makeup, the director gathered everyone together to introduce the recording information for the first segment.

As for the second part, there's a break in the middle, so it's not too late to go over the process then.

"Liu Jing, this is just for warming up the atmosphere. You're the director and the lead actor, so you'll have a lot of screen time. We don't have a fixed script, so there's a lot of improvisation. If you feel like you're not in the flow, just look at me. I'm pretty perceptive," He Jiong concluded.

"Okay, just watch my signals later." Liu Jing joked, then shook his head.

It's not a denial, but rather an attempt to get rid of some distracting thoughts.

While He Jiong was talking to him, a thought lingered in his mind: should he invite him to play the role of Tu Xingsun?
Liu Jing was only thinking about it; if he actually said it, even He Jiong, with his good temper, would lose his temper.

"Teacher He, Liu Jing is giving you a meaningful look. Don't mistake it for flirting and get completely infatuated with him," Xie Na said with a grin.

"I'm not a lovesick fool like you." He Jiong's face darkened.

"If he were to flirt with me, I'd definitely get so excited I'd forget my lines and my mind would go completely blank..."

“Your brain isn’t blank; it’s still full of water,” He Jiong said irritably.

"They also keep a flounder," Hai Tao interjected.

"Haha..." The guests laughed. They were a little nervous at first, but now they were not.

Hai Tao's words drew Xie Na's attention, and the two started chattering away.

He Jiong stood at the entrance, eyes closed, seemingly preparing for something.

Liu Jing looked at Zeng Li, who was as still as a virgin and had a very dignified demeanor. No wonder Zhang Min had chosen Queen Jiang as her consort.

After a night of hard work, there were some results. Zhang Min laid bare her ambitions: she wanted to create an Eastern Hollywood.

Even without Sister Li's financial assistance, Zhang Min had the confidence to say this. She was on the rich list, owned countless properties across the country, and controlled the Chunqiu Group; she had the right to speak like that.

Zhang Min talked to Sister Li, and Sister Li readily agreed. With both her children in the entertainment industry, how could she refuse?

Rather than seeing this as Zhang Min's own ambition, it's more accurate to say that Zhang Min was fulfilling Liu Jing's ambition. Liu Jing had always harbored such intentions: to perfect the upstream and downstream of the industry, to lay out his business empire, and to solidify his foundation.

Chen Jiashang is in charge of developing the "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" universe. Zhang Min believes that "Journey to the West" is more suitable than "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" because it has a wider circulation and there is a market wherever there are Chinese people.

Havoc in Heaven, Three Battles with the White Bone Demon, The True and False Monkey King, The Battle of Wits with the Green Ox Demon, Falling in Love in the Women's Kingdom, The Battle of the Spider Cave, Borrowing the Banana Leaf Fan Three Times, The Great Battle with the Jade Rabbit Demon, Guanyin with the Fish Basket on the Tongtian River, Lion Camel Ridge, the City of Ten Thousand Demons...

There are many articles online that explain "Journey to the West," which are wonderful, imaginative, and can be incorporated into adaptations.

Big Beard was preparing for "Journey to the West" in a big way. Zhang Min didn't want to clash with him or add fuel to the fire, so she decided to test the waters with "Investiture of the Gods".

Filming TV dramas is relatively low-risk. First, the investment is small, and second, the TV station will cover the losses, so there's no way you'll lose money.

If the TV series is well-received, then we should hurry up and adapt it into a film or television series.

This was Zhang Min's plan, which Liu Jing fully approved of, and he thanked Zhang Min profusely.

"They're here, they're here..." The noise interrupted Liu Jing's thoughts, and the recording began.

Light shone through the side door, and He Jiong, dressed in a bright blue casual suit, first poked his head out and made a "shh" gesture to the audience, which caused the audience to cheer.

He Jiong laughed and walked to the center of the stage, jokingly saying, "Friends, hold it in, we're going to give them a surprise in a bit."

Xie Na, Hai Tao, Wei Jia, and Wu Xin, the four generals, followed behind He Jiong and waved to the audience.

"Friends, thank you for waiting. This is the first time we've ever recorded 'Happy Camp' like this," He Jiong said with emotion.

"I've been here for so many years, and I always thought our program could only be recorded in the station's studio," Xie Na chimed in.

"Sis, you've only been here a few years, and Professor Vega hasn't even spoken yet, and you're already overstepping your bounds," Hai Tao joked.

"I am guilty, drag me out and behead me!" Xie Na covered her mouth.

“No, beheading you would be too lenient. I have whipping, waterboarding, needle torture, electric shock, and rope torture. Which one do you choose?” Vega said sternly.

"Can I choose Liu Jing to carry out the execution himself?" Xie Na asked.

"You're talking a tongue twister, you're not some old ghost..." Before Wu Xin could finish speaking, the audience shouted loudly, and some of them were so excited that they wanted to run onto the stage. Fortunately, there were security personnel below.

Liu Jing led Chen Kun, Zhou Xun, Zeng Li, Tian Yu, and Zhao Xiaodao onto the stage. He had also changed his clothes backstage, wearing a light gray shirt with the cuffs rolled up to his forearms, and an old mechanical watch on his wrist, which was a prop from the filming of "The Message".

Chen Kun wore a beige knitted sweater, and his hair was even neater than yesterday, so shiny it looked like it had been combed strand by strand. He no longer had the effeminate look of Bai Xiaonian in the movie; his smile was gentle.

Zhou Xun was wearing a cheongsam, the same one she wore in the play, which made her look petite and delicate.

Xiao Dao wore a high ponytail and a nursing brooch on her denim jacket, making her look incredibly cute.

Liu Jing didn't find it cute; he only found it very impactful.

"Welcome to the 'The Message' crew!" He Jiong rushed over first and shook hands with Liu Jing. "Director Liu, we've been waiting for you for so long! Last time after you and Qianqian finished recording the show, I called you and you said you were incredibly nervous. A year later, are you no longer nervous?"

"I'm even more nervous now." Liu Jing scratched his head, glanced at the audience below the stage, and couldn't help but laugh. "This is even more exciting than the maze last time. I'm afraid I'll forget my lines later."

"Director, we've got you covered if you forget your lines." Xie Na popped out from behind He Jiong, imitating Bai Xiaonian's tone and mannerisms in the movie. "Director, if you forget your lines, I'll sing a Kunqu opera, and you'll definitely remember them."

"That's it, you yelled. Not only did I forget my lines, but I also forgot who I am and where I am." Liu Jing looked terrified.

This fear was half real and half fake. On set, Chen Kun's occasional shouts did indeed terrify everyone.

So when Liu Jing finished speaking, Zeng Li, Zhou Xun, and Xiao Dao all nodded and laughed.

I was terrified at the time, and it took me two months to get out of the movie. Now, thinking back, it's full of memories.

Chen Kun laughed too. He was so immersed in the role back then that he was in such a good state, which is hard to find now.

He pointed at Xie Na, recalling his state at the time, "Sister Na, your tone is not as good as mine. Bai Xiaonian's orchid finger gesture is like this."

Chen Kun gently lifted his fingertips, twisted his waist, and his eyes instantly softened, making him look exactly like a charming young woman.

Xie Na was stunned, startled, and didn't know how to continue.

The audience's screams saved the day. Once the noise subsided, Zhou Xun covered his mouth and laughed, "Chen Kun, you got into character way too quickly. You haven't gotten out of character in half a year, have you?"

“That’s right.” Zeng Li added with a smile, “When we were filming the last scene, he climbed out of the pool and sat on set in his costume, looking like he’d lost his soul. The crew had completely forgotten about him. Then he said to one of them, ‘Get me a bottle of Coke, not the room temperature one.’ The crew was stunned. Chen Kun had to say it twice before they finally understood.”

“Zeng Li, you’re wrong. That wasn’t my last scene. My last scene was playing a corpse. The director said he would give me a red envelope, but he only gave me the money, not the red envelope.” Chen Kun said, feeling wronged.

"Oh, the director paid you back. He didn't say anything when I died." Zhou Xun looked at Liu Jing and reached out his hand as well.

"You're not dead. In my heart, Gu Xiaomeng will always be there." Liu Jing dodged, this was not following the script.

"Haha, Liying, did the director give you a red envelope?" He Jiong saw Xiaodao standing there all alone and seized the opportunity to ask.

In the past, anyone who appeared on "Happy Camp" became famous, regardless of their status.

The nature of "Happy Camp" has gradually changed; now, whoever is popular is invited to appear.

Given Zhao Liying's status, the "Happy Camp" team really didn't take her seriously.

Since his debut, Xiao Dao has only had one notable role: Yin Li. He went from being a nobody to gaining a little recognition.

She had very few scenes in "The Message," and even though Liu Jing added two more scenes, she was still a pitiful character.

If Liu Jingqin hadn't chosen her, she wouldn't have been qualified to appear on "Happy Camp".

Zhao Xiaodao is not Yang Mi. Yang Mi is much more clever; even if she doesn't have the opportunity, she can create one and still get on camera.

Liu Jing had spoken to He Jiong beforehand, asking him to bring Xiao Dao along on stage to give her more screen time. Xiao Dao, for her part, craves this kind of attention.

"Teacher He, I'm not dead, there's no need to burn paper money for me."

As soon as Zhao Xiaodao finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter, except for Zhou Xun, whose smile vanished, meaning he had to burn paper money for him.

Vega, holding up the question board, came over and said, "Alright, alright, stop laughing and let's get down to business. Today's topic is 'Who is the Ghost?' To let everyone experience the spy atmosphere of 'The Message,' the director specially invited everyone to Qiu Manor to play a ghost-catching game."

“That’s right, the place we are in now is the filming location for ‘The Message’,” Xie Na quickly added.

"When will 'The Message' be released? My mom can't wait to see it," Haitao urged.

"September 29th, rain or shine, The Message awaits you!" the hosts shouted in unison.

"What? Didn't you hear me?" Zhou Xun picked at his ear.

"It's confirmed, Zhou Xun is indeed Lao Gui." He Jiong chuckled.

"Teacher He, the audience knows better than you do," Xie Na retorted.

"Hey, hey, hey, did we forget something? We haven't explained the ghost-catching game to the audience yet," Hai Tao shouted.

"Thanks for reminding me, you explain..."
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P.S.: I've run out of drafts and I haven't returned yet, so I'm taking a day off.

(End of this chapter)