Video Editor

The glory and clamor of the Spring Festival Gala still lingered in their ears, but Suning, exhausted yet proud, quietly flew back to Qingdao.

To his parents' surprise, the person who accompanied him home was not his glamorous girlfriend Fan Lin from the screen.

Instead, it was Chen Xiaojun, who usually followed quietly behind him, but seemed a little reserved at the moment.

When Su Ning appeared at the door with Chen Xiaojun, carrying her luggage, the smiles on Su's parents' faces instantly froze, and they exchanged a look full of doubt and inquiry.

A subtle awkwardness filled the air.

“Dad, Mom, I’m back.” Su Ning naturally took in her parents’ reactions and, before they could ask any questions, calmly explained, “Jun Jun came back with me to work. We just finished with the Spring Festival Gala, and the next project is about to start. Time is very tight, and we need her, as our capable assistant, to handle a lot of the preliminary preparations.”

He spoke calmly, emphasizing the words "work" and "assistant," successfully nipping his parents' budding gossip in the bud.

Mother Su then realized what was going on and hurriedly invited Chen Xiaojun into the house: "Oh dear, so you've been busy with work! You've worked so hard! Come in and rest! It's the New Year, and you've really gone to so much trouble, Junjun."

Chen Xiaojun quickly followed up, obediently handing over the New Year's gift she had prepared: "Happy New Year, Uncle and Aunt. This is just a small token of my appreciation. I'm sorry to have bothered you during the New Year."

His proper and generous demeanor, and his appearance as a diligent and conscientious employee, completely dispelled the last bit of doubt from Mr. and Mrs. Su.

Most importantly, Chen Xiaojun was wearing a mask when she went in and out of Hangzhou People's Hospital, so Su Ning's parents did not recognize that Chen Xiaojun was the female driver who hit Su Ning.

Otherwise, the elderly couple would have been furious; they never dreamed that Su Ning would be with the female driver who caused the accident.

Chen Xiaojun felt very awkward inside, and suddenly had a very strange feeling.

Fortunately, the atmosphere at home quickly returned to normal, becoming as lively and warm as an ordinary family celebrating the Lunar New Year.

However, only Suning and Chen Xiaojun knew that this trip was far more than just "work".

Moreover, their relationship has become increasingly delicate, and no one can predict how things will develop in the future.

……

The second day of the Lunar New Year is still full of festive spirit.

Su Ning then took Chen Xiaojun and carried carefully prepared gifts to visit Director Kong Sheng to wish him a Happy New Year.

Before departing, in the hotel room, Su Ning refused the professional makeup artist and actually did Chen Xiaojun's makeup herself.

His movements were surprisingly skillful and focused, his fingertips applying warm pressure as he carefully outlined her eyebrows and eyeliner, emphasizing the heroic spirit and contours of her face that were originally concealed by light makeup.

Looking at Chen Xiaojun's increasingly handsome face, it was like admiring a top-notch work of art, with no attempt to hide the fondness and appreciation in his eyes.

"President Su, you can do this too?" Chen Xiaojun closed her eyes, feeling the gentle touch of the brush on her face, her heart racing a little.

She's not a block of wood; how could she be completely unaware of Su Ning's feelings for her all along?

"I know a little." Su Ning answered succinctly, but her eyes were extremely serious. "Don't move, make sure your lip liner is done."

After the makeup was done, he had Chen Xiaojun change into a fiery red female general costume that he had secretly prepared beforehand.

When Chen Xiaojun came out of the bathroom fully dressed, a look of undisguised amazement flashed across Su Ning's eyes.

The woman before him had eyebrows like distant mountains shrouded in mist, eyes like autumn waters and cold stars, and wore a red dress that fluttered in the wind, while her silver armor and wrist guards gleamed with a cold light.

Her usual gentleness and scholarly air were replaced by a sharp and heroic demeanor. Beauty and fortitude achieved a wonderful unity in her, as if she were a heroine who had stepped out of a historical painting. A single glance from her carried an aura of decisiveness and ruthlessness.

"Very good." Su Ning nodded in satisfaction. "This is exactly the effect I wanted."

Then Su Ning personally drove to Director Kong Sheng's home. After exchanging New Year's greetings and pleasantries, Su Ning brought up the topic at the right time: "Director Kong, I heard that the actress for Princess Nihuang in 'Nirvana in Fire' hasn't been finalized yet?"

Director Kong took a sip of tea, sighed, and kept glancing at Chen Xiaojun: "Yes! This role is hard to find. She needs to have the nobility of a princess, the heroic spirit of a female general, and the tenderness of a daughter when facing Lin Shu. We've tried a few, but they all seem to be missing something."

Su Ning smiled slightly and stepped aside to let Chen Xiaojun, who had been quietly following behind, pass: "Director Kong, do you think Chen Xiaojun looks like the Princess Nihuang in your mind?"

Director Kong, who had noticed Chen Xiaojun long ago, focused his gaze on her appearance upon hearing this.

Having already been captivated by the fleeting glimpse of beauty, now that it was confirmed, she unconsciously sat up a little straighter.

Under the bright lights of the living room, her dazzling red makeup and silver armor were the first thing to catch his eye.

Then, he saw the face clearly...

It's not the currently popular delicate beauty, but rather a spirited and heroic air between her brows that rivals any man's. Her eyes are clear and firm, and just by standing there quietly, she exudes a calm and dignified aura that can withstand the weight of a thousand troops!

This image and this temperament almost instantly overlapped with the Princess Nihuang that he had sketched countless times in his mind!

"This..." Director Kong stood up in surprise, circled Chen Xiaojun carefully, and his eyes lit up with each look. "So alike! So alike! That whole demeanor... Chen Xiaojun, have you ever studied acting before?"

Suppressing her nervousness, Chen Xiaojun gracefully bowed and replied, "Hello, Director Kong. I graduated from the Zhejiang Academy of Arts with a major in opera and previously worked in a theater troupe in Hangzhou."

"She's got formal training! Great! Great!" Director Kong clapped his hands and laughed, his face full of the joy of discovering a gem. "Su Ning! Su Ning, where did you find such a treasure? I always thought she was a supervisor you sent. This image, this talent, she's practically tailor-made for Nihuang!"

He eagerly pulled Chen Xiaojun aside and asked her some more questions about her understanding of the character. Chen Xiaojun's answers, though not perfect, were insightful, drawing on her behind-the-scenes experience and script study. This greatly pleased Director Kong.

Although the final decision still requires a formal audition process, director Kong Sheng's attitude speaks volumes.

He patted Su Ning on the shoulder, his voice excited: "That was a great New Year's greeting! You gave me such a big surprise! Chen Xiaojun, you absolutely have to come to the official auditions after the New Year! I have high hopes for you!"

"Thank you, Director Kong."

“Su Ning, you should also be mentally prepared. The production team feels that you are quite suitable for the role of Prince Yu.”

"Prince Yu?"

"Yes, especially after your solo dance at this year's Spring Festival Gala went viral, Shandong Film Group and the production team are quite inclined to support you."

"Okay! I understand, I will get familiar with the role as soon as possible."

After leaving Director Kong's house and getting back into the car, Chen Xiaojun still felt like she was dreaming, her heart pounding with excitement.

She looked at Su Ning, who was driving steadily in the driver's seat, the lights sweeping across his sharply defined profile.

"Mr. Su, thank you," she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude and an indescribable emotion.

Su Ning looked ahead, but a faint smile appeared on his lips, as if he had everything under control.

"No need to thank me. I've given you the opportunity; whether you seize it or not ultimately depends on you. However..." He paused, his tone resolute, "I trust my judgment, and I trust you too."

Outside the car window, the winter street scenes of Qingdao flashed by, and a new year and a new chapter were slowly unfolding before them.

……

On February 13, 2014, the chill of early spring had not yet completely faded from Hengdian World Studios, but the opening ceremony of the "Nirvana in Fire" crew was already in full swing.

Incense and candles swirl around the scene, and red silk is laid out on the ground, signifying the official launch of this grand epic.

The finalization of the cast and crew caused quite a stir internally.

The role of Princess Nihuang was originally being actively approached by other actresses of considerable stature, including Liu Tao, who was poised to join the cast with her own investment and was currently enjoying great popularity.

However, after that impressive New Year's visit, the scales in the hearts of the director Kong Sheng and the production team had already tipped.

With the strong support and recommendation of one of the main investors, "Guangguai Luli," and based on the final consideration of the suitability for the role, the production team ultimately declined other options with remorse and entrusted this important task to the relatively unknown Chen Xiaojun. This decision undoubtedly carried a certain degree of risk at the time.

Another decision that sparked heated debate fell to one of the major villains, "Prince Yu".

This character is cunning and ambitious, yet possesses both royal bearing and personal charm, making it an extremely challenging role for the actor.

Suning was not on the list at first, but after the Spring Festival Gala, the energy and attention represented by the name Suning have exploded.

As a shrewd production company, Shandong Film & Television knew that inviting Suning to join would bring immeasurable benefits to the series' popularity, market appeal, and overseas distribution.

Missing out on Suning's explosive growth in traffic would undoubtedly be a huge loss.

Thus, a sincere invitation, along with the script for "Prince Yu," was delivered to Suning.

After careful evaluation, Suning accepted this role, which was quite different from his own temperament but extremely challenging.

Thus, Su Ning and Chen Xiaojun, these two "eccentric" key figures, officially joined the "Nirvana in Fire" production team.

The first major scene after filming began was the initial confrontation between Prince Yu and Princess Nihuang under the palace corridor.

When the curtain of the dressing room was lifted and Su Ning and Chen Xiaojun, who were fully dressed, walked out one after the other, the previously noisy film set fell silent for a moment.

Su Ning wore a jade crown, a red prince's robe embroidered with gold python patterns, and a jade belt around his waist. His face was as beautiful as jade, yet his eyes and brows naturally revealed a deep and unfathomable majesty and a profound and unfathomable shrewdness.

He didn't deliberately make a fierce expression; he simply stood with his hands behind his back and slightly raised his eyes, and the oppressive aura and hidden ambition of a superior were immediately apparent, as if he were the real Prince Yu who had stepped out of a book.

Meanwhile, Chen Xiaojun, dressed in a red dress and silver armor, with her ponytail tied high, had shed all her soft makeup, emphasizing only the sharpness of her eyebrows and eyes and the heroic spirit of her features.

Her eyes were clear and firm, and her posture was as upright as a pine tree. She possessed both the noble and graceful demeanor of a princess and the imposing aura that came from her experience on the battlefield.

She stood side by side with Su Ning, one in the light and one in the shadow, one strong and one gentle. Their outward strength and inner gentleness created a picture that was both extremely harmonious and full of tension.

"Great! Excellent!" Director Kong and Director Li both slapped their thighs, their faces filled with barely suppressed excitement and admiration. "That's exactly the feeling! Prince Yu and Princess Nihuang should be like this!"

The assistant directors, screenwriters, cameramen, and other actors around them also recovered from their shock, their eyes filled with amazement and approval.

"Teacher Su's aura is amazing. She didn't even say a word, but I felt a chill down my spine..."

"Teacher Chen's portrayal of Nihuang is so cool! She's both beautiful and sassy!"

"These promotional photos don't even need retouching; they could be used as posters!"

"No wonder Director Kong and the investors highly recommended it; the image is just too perfect! He's practically the character from the book!"

All doubts and discussions vanished at that moment.

Su Ning proved with his powerful presence and accurate understanding of the character that the success of the Spring Festival Gala was by no means accidental, and that he was fully capable of handling such a complex villain.

Chen Xiaojun, with her highly convincing appearance and natural temperament, declared to everyone that she was the one and only Princess Nihuang.

As the director yelled "Action!", the camera focused on Prince Yu and Princess Nihuang meeting under the palace corridor.

Su Ning wore a gentle yet distant smile, her eyes deep and unfathomable; Chen Xiaojun, on the other hand, had an open and honest gaze, responding with neither arrogance nor servility.

A tapestry of court intrigue and martial arts, ambition and loyalty, unfolds slowly in the springtime of Hengdian World Studios, thanks to the brilliant performances of these two "eccentric" actors.

……

Hengdian World Studios is not just a world of martial arts on screen, but also a place of interpersonal relationships, undercurrents, and fame and fortune off screen.

The production team of "Nirvana in Fire" was large in scale and had a complex composition, and it was no exception.

Once the official photos of Chen Xiaojun as Princess Nihuang were released, her stunning look, which combines heroism and beauty, immediately caused quite a stir in the industry.

She is not a well-known A-list actress, yet she holds such an important role, which undoubtedly touches a nerve with some people and attracts the attention of many with ulterior motives.

Soon, some self-proclaimed influential figures began to frequently appear around the film crew under the guise of visiting the set, exchanging ideas, and discussing collaborations.

Their goals were clear, and their words more or less revealed their "appreciation" and "special care" for Chen Xiaojun. Some even used their connections to send her a substantial banquet invitation, implying that "further resources can be discussed during the banquet."

Chen Xiaojun could sense these undercurrents to some extent. Although she remained vigilant and kept to herself, the pressure of taking on such an important responsibility and these potential disturbances still bothered her greatly.

However, none of these underhanded actions escaped Su Ning's notice.

He is not only the unassuming "Prince Yu" in the drama, but also a "prince" who truly holds capital and power outside the drama.

On one occasion, a representative of an investor with considerable influence once again tried to pressure Chen Xiaojun through the assistant director of the production team, inviting her to a "private dinner party" in a rather arrogant tone.

The assistant director, Lao Wang, was in a dilemma and had no choice but to bite the bullet and tactfully explain the situation to Su Ning.

Upon hearing this, Su Ning merely raised her eyes slightly, toying with Prince Yu's jade pendant prop in her hand. Her tone was calm yet carried an undeniable chill: "Old Wang, go back and tell them that Chen Xiaojun is a core partner of 'Bizarre and Unusual,' and the company is fully responsible for all her business arrangements. As for the banquet, she's unavailable, and I forbid her from attending. In the future, simply decline such invitations on our behalf; there's no need to notify them again."

He didn't even raise his voice, but the assistant director felt an invisible pressure, quickly nodded in agreement, and left.

But this is just the beginning.

Suning also understands the principle that to cut the weeds, you must nip them in the bud.

So he went directly to directors Kong Sheng and Li Xue, as well as the main people in charge of Shandong Film and Television, and got straight to the point:
"Director Kong, Director Li, and all the teachers, we at 'Guangguai Luli' are investing in the 'Nirvana in Fire' project with the attitude of creating a high-quality product. Everything should be based on the creative state of the work and the actors."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, his tone resolute, "I'm making this clear: now and in the future, if any investor, because they can't get someone to join their project, or because their unreasonable demands aren't met, uses the threat of withdrawing their investment to blackmail the production team and disrupt normal filming..."

Suning smiled slightly, but his smile carried the confidence and sharpness unique to investors: "For every amount they withdraw, we at 'Guangguai Luli' will invest proportionally, or even fully cover the shortfall. In short, we will never allow these dirty tricks to affect the creative autonomy of the production team or the normal working environment of the actors. I hope that what 'Nirvana in Fire' leaves behind is the power struggles within the drama, not the filth and chaos outside the drama."

These words were powerful and resounding, like a powerful sword, instantly giving Director Kong Sheng and the entire core creative team confidence.

Their biggest concern is that capital will dictate the creation of art. Now, with the strong endorsement of Suning, a rising star in the capital market and a top-tier artist, they can finally put aside their worries and devote themselves wholeheartedly to their creative work.

The news quickly spread within certain circles: the new actress Chen Xiaojun was someone that Su Ning and "Guang Guai Lu Li" were protecting, and she was not to be touched.

Suning not only boasts unparalleled popularity, but also has the powerful backing of "Da Ning Capital." When it comes to real money, ordinary speculators simply cannot compete.

Most importantly, Suning and Chen Xiaojun did not give them any opportunity to take advantage of the situation, so those petty scoundrels naturally left disappointed.

The ambiguous "attention" and "invitations" that had been surrounding Chen Xiaojun quickly vanished.

The production team restored its proper order, and the focus returned to the creative process itself.

Chen Xiaojun sensed a significant change in her surroundings, and she knew very well who was protecting her from all the hardships behind the scenes.

She glanced at Su Ning, who was earnestly discussing his scenes with the director not far away. He was dressed in the magnificent robes of Prince Yu, and his profile, illuminated by the lights, appeared both focused and powerful.

An indescribable sense of security and excitement quietly spread through her heart.

She knew that in this complex world, she had the strongest backing.

This allows her to immerse herself more fully and wholeheartedly in Princess Nihuang's world.

...(End of chapter)