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The siren of an ambulance pierced the evening sky over Qingdao, and the alternating red and blue lights cast hurried shadows on the asphalt road, like an anxious curse, tightly gripping the hearts of everyone in the film crew.

Teacher Guo lay on the stretcher, the dull pain in his ankle still throbbing. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, soaking his temples, but his gaze unconsciously drifted to the rapidly receding street scene outside the car window.

The calm look in that boy's eyes on the court just now is once again vividly appearing in my mind.

"Hang in there, Teacher Guo, the Municipal Hospital is almost here!" The voice of the accompanying medical staff brought him back to his attention.

The cool pain-relieving spray landed on my ankle, but it couldn't completely suppress the excruciating pain.

He gritted his teeth and nodded, his mind now occupied with only one thought: thank goodness, thank goodness that boy named Su Ning reacted quickly.

The incandescent lights in the emergency room were blinding. An elderly doctor with gray hair walked quickly in, his white coat still smelling of disinfectant.

He crouched down and gently touched Teacher Guo's ankle with his fingers. His movements were precise and gentle. Every press made Teacher Guo gasp, yet she also felt a strange sense of relief.

The old doctor's brows furrowed tightly at first, and he repeatedly checked the knuckles with his fingertips. After a moment, his furrowed brows relaxed slightly, as if he had solved a thorny problem.

"Fortunately, he was brought in in time, and the initial treatment was quite professional." The old doctor pushed up his reading glasses, his tone filled with obvious relief. He picked up a medical flashlight and shone it on Mr. Guo's ankle. "The joint was reset very precisely, without any deviation, which prevented secondary damage. If you had been delayed for another half hour, or if someone had moved it haphazardly on the way, the ligament tear in his ankle would have been more serious, and it might have left permanent damage, making it difficult to walk normally in the future."

As he spoke, he turned to the computer to generate a medical report. The sound of his typing was tinged with a hint of exasperation: "At your age, why are you still running around like a young man? Bumps and bruises are inevitable on the basketball court, but your bone density and ligament elasticity are not what they used to be. People have to accept getting old. It's not that you can't exercise, but you have to choose what suits you and not play games with your health."

Teacher Guo's cheeks flushed as she listened to the comments. Her usual composure, when she was respectfully addressed as "Teacher" on set, was now replaced by embarrassment and awkwardness at being called "old."

He opened his mouth but didn't refute; he just nodded repeatedly, his heart filled with the relief of surviving a disaster.

If this accident really delays filming, the entire crew's schedule will be affected, and he won't be able to explain it to Director Kong.

After all, Director Kong faced pressure when he chose him to play the male lead in this drama, since there was already a male lead who had been chosen beforehand for "Parents' Love".

Moreover, the screenwriter wasn't too satisfied with Guo's appearance, feeling that she was too different from the male lead in terms of temperament and looks.

While waiting for the test results, Teacher Guo leaned back on the chair in the corridor, her gaze falling on the crowd coming and going in the emergency room. The image of that Shandong boy resurfaced in her mind: seventeen or eighteen years old, tall and straight, wearing a simple white T-shirt. Even though he was facing a "big star," he was not intimidated at all. His eyes were as calm as an experienced doctor's, and the force and angle he used to reposition his finger were so professional that even the old doctor praised him.

A wave of gratitude washed over him, and he took out his phone to ask Chen Tao about the child's situation, but then, afraid of bothering him, he put his phone back in his pocket.

Half an hour later, the test report was handed to the old doctor.

He examined it carefully, then looked up and smiled at Teacher Guo: "The ligament is only slightly torn, and the joint dislocation has been corrected. There's nothing seriously wrong. I'll prescribe a brace for you. Wear it for two weeks, avoid strenuous exercise, and have regular check-ups. It definitely won't affect your subsequent filming."

"What a relief!" Director Kong, who had been standing by the side, finally breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. The wrinkles on his forehead caused by tension instantly smoothed out. He patted Teacher Guo on the shoulder, his voice full of relaxation, "I was just thinking that if you, the lead actor, were seriously injured and the crew had to stop filming, we would lose a lot every day just in terms of location rental and staff salaries. Now I can finally rest assured."

Teacher Guo leaned against the hospital bed and looked up at Director Kong.

The veteran director, who has been working in the film and television industry for decades, felt the same sense of relief as I did.

The two bigwigs in the film and television industry exchanged a glance, without saying anything more, but they already understood each other perfectly.

They all knew that today's events were all thanks to that complete stranger.

"Director Kong, that young man..." Teacher Guo began slowly, but before she could finish speaking, Director Kong took over.

“His name is Su Ning, he's Chen Tao's cousin.” Director Kong pulled up a chair and sat down, recounting what he'd heard from Chen Tao. “I heard he used to be a top university student, but he was in a car accident right after the start of the semester this year. He lost his memory after waking up and can't remember anything from before, so he can't go back to school and has to go back to his hometown of Qingdao to recuperate. Chen Tao thought he was bored at home, so he brought him into the crew, hoping he could help out on set and broaden his horizons, but unexpectedly…”

"A college student?" Teacher Guo raised an eyebrow in surprise, her tone full of disbelief. "But his reduction technique was so professional, it didn't seem like that of an amateur at all. He was even more skilled than some young orthopedic surgeons. Did he study medicine before?"

Director Kong shook his head, a look of doubt on his face: "Chen Tao said he had never studied medicine and couldn't even remember his former hobbies after losing his memory. I also find it unbelievable, but no matter what, he is our benefactor today. We must remember this favor."

Teacher Guo looked out the window. Night had completely fallen, and the night sky over Qingdao was tinged with a faint orange by the city lights. The hospital building was brightly lit, and behind each window lay a different story.

He sighed softly, his voice full of seriousness: "Yes! If it weren't for him, my foot might be ruined, and this movie wouldn't be able to be filmed. Once I'm better, I must thank him properly; I can't just let it go like this."

……

Around 8 p.m., the nurse put a brace on Mr. Guo. The light blue plastic brace wrapped around his ankle was a bit bulky, but it made him feel extremely safe.

The commercial vehicle sent by the film crew was already parked at the hospital entrance. Director Kong helped Teacher Guo slowly walk out of the emergency room and get into the car.

The car drove smoothly away from the hospital. Director Kong took out his phone and dialed Chen Tao's number. "We really owe a lot to your cousin Su Ning today,"

His tone was exceptionally sincere, without a trace of director's airs. "Teacher Guo's injury was treated very promptly. The doctor said it was just a minor tear, and he'll be fine after wearing a brace for two weeks. It won't affect filming at all. Please thank Su Ning for us. When the crew has a dinner later, I'll personally toast him."

Chen Tao, in the passenger seat, had the phone on speakerphone. Upon hearing Director Kong's words, he immediately beamed with joy, his voice filled with excitement: "Director Kong, you're too kind! Su Ning just helped out with a small favor, there's no need for you to be so formal. It's his honor to be able to help Teacher Guo and you!"

Sitting in the back row, Su Ning listened quietly, her fingers resting lightly on her knees, her face expressionless, as if the person on the phone wasn't talking about her, but just an insignificant stranger.

He gazed out the car window at the dazzling night view of Qingdao, the light show at May Fourth Square particularly radiant in the night, but his heart felt empty.

He didn't know why he knew that reset technique, nor could he remember if he had helped anyone before. He only felt that when he saw Teacher Guo injured on the court, his body reacted instinctively.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Tao excitedly patted the steering wheel, turned to look at Su Ning, his eyes shining like stars: "Did you hear that? Director Kong called to thank you personally! Now you're quite famous on set, and I'm sure many people will want to be your friend!"

Su Ning smiled faintly and said softly, "I just did what I was supposed to do. There's nothing to brag about."

Despite saying that, he was not entirely unmoved.

Since losing his memory in the car accident, he has lived in a state of confusion every day, not knowing who he is or where he should go, like a lonely island floating at sea, unable to find his way.

But today, when he saw that Teacher Guo's pain had been relieved because of his help, and heard Director Kong and Chen Tao's gratitude, a feeling he had never experienced before welled up in his heart.

It was the satisfaction of being needed and valued, like a faint but warm ray of light, quietly illuminating his blank and gloomy inner world.

The night view outside the car window continued to change, and the neon lights reflected on Suning's face, sometimes bright and sometimes dim.

Looking at this city that was both familiar and strange, he had a different thought for the first time: perhaps, in this new life where he had lost his memory, he was not entirely useless; perhaps he could find his place here and find meaning in living.

Meanwhile, back in the hospital, Teacher Guo had just returned to her hotel room and earnestly instructed her assistant: "Please write this down in your memo. Once this film wraps up, we must properly thank Su Ning. It's not just about saying thank you verbally; we need to take concrete actions—if he wants to go back to school, we can help him contact schools; if he wants to find a job, we can also help him inquire. In short, we can't let him think we don't know how to be grateful."

"Okay." The assistant nodded quickly and wrote it down.

Seeing Mr. Guo's serious expression, I knew in my heart that this matter had indeed been remembered by this veteran actor.

That ordinary night in Qingdao, without any earth-shattering events, planted a seed of gratitude in the hearts of two film industry giants because of a boy's kindness.

No one knows what unexpected turning point this seed will bring to Suning's fate in the future; all that is known is that the Qingdao night sky is exceptionally bright because of this warm kindness.

……

As the morning light shone through the set at the Qingdao Film and Television Base, the crew members were already busy at work.

Although Guo Degang needed to rest for several days due to an ankle injury and could only film dramatic scenes upon his return, the filming progress of "Parents' Love" did not come to a standstill.

The props team was busy adjusting the furniture arrangement, and the lighting technician was adjusting the angles on the set-up tracks. The air was filled with a tense yet orderly atmosphere.

When Su Ning followed her cousin Chen Tao into the film set, the first thing she noticed was the subtle change in the air.

In the past, as a temporary production assistant, his main job was simply serving meals. He was like a shadow in the corner of the set, and the eyes of the lead actors and the core team never lingered on him.

They had to keep an eye on the script, rehearse their lines, and follow the camera, so busy that they barely had time to drink water and had no time to notice these "invisible people" who were quietly doing odd jobs.

But today, as soon as he walked to the equipment truck, someone greeted him. "Xiao Su, you've come at the right time!" The assistant director looked up from behind the monitor, holding a stack of script supervisor sheets, his tone warmer than usual. "Take this document to Team B. They're setting up the set in the old house on the west side."

“Okay.” Su Ning quickly stepped forward and took the document.

Just as her fingertips touched the paper, the executive director added, "No rush! Drive carefully on the road, and don't trip over the electrical wires on the ground."

These words startled Su Ning slightly.

In the past, when passing documents, people would only tell each other to "hurry up" and "don't lose them." This is the first time they have given such detailed instructions.

Then, clutching the script supervisor's sheet, he walked briskly toward Group B. As he passed the dressing room, he bumped into Mei Ting coming out of it.

Just then, Teacher Mei finished her makeup and was wearing the blue overalls from the play. When she saw Su Ning, she stopped and smiled warmly, nodding to him: "Thank you so much for yesterday, young man. Teacher Guo even called me last night to say that your reduction technique was particularly professional, even more stable than the orthopedic doctors he knew before."

Su Ning quickly stopped and returned a clean smile, her tone sincere: "Teacher Mei, you're too kind. I just happen to know a little bit, and I'm glad I could help."

His smile contained not a trace of flattery or excitement, nor the awkwardness one would show when facing a celebrity.

His 183-centimeter-tall figure stood in the morning light, his shoulders and back as straight as a young poplar.

Those eyes were bright and clear, so honest that they reflected the surrounding backdrop, instantly making people feel good towards them.

Of course, he wouldn't say that his "technique" was actually something he learned a few days ago when he was setting the bones of his neighbor's husky.

Chen Tao had already instructed that this matter should not be discussed publicly, lest people perceive it as unprofessional.

When they arrived at the props area, production manager Sister Li was distributing breakfast from a thermos. Upon seeing Su Ning, she immediately took out an extra sandwich and hot milk from the thermos and quickly handed it to her, saying, "Little Su, haven't you had breakfast yet? Take this. Young people are growing, so you need to eat more to have the energy to work."

"Thank you." Su Ning accepted the warm milk and thanked him repeatedly.

In the past, he was the one who delivered meals to the crew, and no one really cared whether he had eaten or not.

Moreover, it was obvious that Sister Li made these breakfasts herself, showing that she had really started to pay attention to this temporary stagehand.

During a break in the morning shoot, lighting technician Lao Zhang was adjusting the softbox when he saw Su Ning standing next to him, looking around curiously. He then offered to explain, "We're simulating natural light at seven in the morning. Look at this angle; it illuminates the actor's profile without making the shadows too harsh, resulting in a softer look."

As he spoke, he adjusted the height of the light fixture. "If you're interested, you can come and take a look sometime. There's a lot to learn about lighting."

Suning listened attentively, nodding occasionally, and would ask a question or two in a low voice, such as "Why not use cool light?" or "What is the wattage of this lamp?" He asked questions in a clear and organized manner, not at all like a layman.

Old Zhang couldn't help but get interested in the question, so he pulled him aside and talked for a while longer. Even the sound engineer next to him couldn't help but chime in and tell Su Ning some tips on how to position the microphone.

Even Director Kong, who is usually serious, has paid more attention to Suning.

In the afternoon, while filming a scene of a couple reuniting after a long separation, Director Kong was instructing the actors in front of the monitor. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Su Ning standing behind the crowd, watching intently. So, he made an exception and called out to him, "The key to this scene is the emotion. You have to portray the excitement of a long-awaited reunion, but also the restraint of everyday life. You can't be too outward; you have to hold back to make it real."

These words sound like they were spoken to the actors, but also like they were specifically addressed to Suning.

The staff around him saw it all and gradually began to truly "see" this young man who had once been invisible.

"I didn't expect Chen Tao's cousin to be so handsome," makeup assistant Xiao Liu whispered to her colleague during a break from touching up makeup, gesturing with a powder puff in her hand. "I was so busy the other day that I didn't notice. If he were given a makeover, he could debut right away."

Old Zhou, the production manager, happened to be passing by and nodded in agreement when he heard this: "Whether he's handsome or not is secondary. The key is that he's down-to-earth. Look at him organizing the props. Whether he's folding costumes or putting away small ornaments, he does it meticulously. Unlike some young people nowadays, who complain about being tired after doing a little work and always think about taking shortcuts."

Despite the sudden attention, Suning remained unchanged, maintaining its original simplicity and humility.

Whether greeting lead actors like Teacher Mei and Teacher Guo, or helping stagehands move equipment, he always wore the same sincere smile and remained serious in his work, never slacking off even slightly because of others' praise.

During lunch break, most people gathered in the rest area to browse their phones and chat, but Su Ning sat alone on a pile of prop boxes, holding a thick book called "Basic Tutorial of Film and Television Production" in his hands, reading with great concentration.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the canvas canopy, falling onto the pages of the book and casting a soft halo around his profile.

Ms. Mei, carrying a thermos, passed by and saw this scene. She stopped and asked curiously, "Do you like this job? You seem so focused on it."

Upon hearing the voice, Su Ning quickly closed the book, stood up, and politely replied, "I wouldn't say I like it, but I feel that since I'm working here, it's always good to learn more so that I can better understand how things work on set and make my work easier in the future."

His eyes were clear and earnest, without a trace of utilitarian calculation, only pure curiosity and desire for new knowledge.

"I heard from Chen Tao that you are still a student at Zhejiang University?" Teacher Mei couldn't help but ask, recalling what Chen Tao had mentioned before.

“Yes,” Su Ning nodded, adding calmly, “I had to take a leave of absence due to an accident and am still recovering.”

"I see," Teacher Mei said with a hint of surprise, then smiled and praised, "Zhejiang University is a prestigious university. You are really amazing, so outstanding at such a young age."

"Teacher Mei, you flatter me," Su Ning said, scratching his head somewhat embarrassedly. "I was just lucky to get into my ideal school."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Teacher Mei looked at the humble and down-to-earth young man in front of her and suddenly suggested, "Su Ning, how about we exchange numbers? If I need anything else in the future, I can ask you for help. After all, you definitely know this place better than I do."

Su Ning paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded: "Okay! Just let me know if you need anything."

……

As the sun set, the day's filming was drawing to a close.

Director Kong sat in front of the monitor, reviewing the footage from the daytime. His fingers tapped unconsciously on the table, but his gaze inadvertently fell on the equipment area not far away.

Suning was helping the staff pack up the tripod. Fine beads of sweat on his forehead shimmered in the afterglow of the setting sun. His profile was distinct and three-dimensional, exuding the unique vigor of a young man.

"Old Li," Director Kong suddenly turned to the producer beside him and said in a low but very clear voice, "give that young man a raise later, as a thank you for helping Teacher Guo last time, and also as encouragement for his hard work these past few days."

Producer Lao Li smiled and nodded: "These are all minor matters, no problem. But to be honest, I think this young man is quite interesting. He's not only down-to-earth, but also seems very talented."

"Oh? How is it interesting?" Director Kong raised an eyebrow, signaling him to continue.

“Look at Jiang Weimin, the youngest son of the male and female leads in our play. Isn’t he a kind and honest character?” Old Li pointed to the screen on the monitor and analyzed seriously. “Su Ning looks simple and honest with a clean look in his eyes. If we let him play Jiang Weimin, it might have an unexpected effect.”

Upon hearing this, Director Kong frowned and began to think carefully.

After a long while, he shook his head: "No, he's a bit too old, and too tall and handsome. He doesn't quite fit the image of Jiang Weimin when he was young in the play."

“Hey, what’s wrong with that?” Old Li immediately retorted. “The son of a Shandong big man, how could he be short? Besides, we can let him play the adult Jiang Weimin! Adult roles are more forgiving in terms of age and height, and his temperament is more in line with the down-to-earth feeling of the adult Jiang Weimin.”

Director Kong fell silent, his gaze turning back to Suning, as he began to seriously weigh the options in his mind.

After a moment, he slowly spoke: "Okay, your suggestion makes sense. I'll discuss it with the assistant director, Lao Wang, to see if we can adjust the casting. We also need to get the screenwriter's approval; she's the most difficult one to deal with in this production."

"Haha, yes."

As night slowly falls, the lights of the Qingdao Film and Television Base gradually illuminate the set, making it as bright as day.

After packing up the last piece of equipment, Su Ning looked up at the set room with its lights on in the distance and suddenly felt a sense of belonging she had never felt before.

During the confused and empty days after losing his memory, he never imagined that he would be recognized and needed in a film crew in this way.

In this world of interplay of light and shadow, this once-forgotten soul is quietly winning a place in everyone's hearts with his most authentic self, and the turning point in his life has only just begun.

...(End of chapter)