Abstract Art Award Winner

The first rays of morning sunlight gently fell on the disheveled bedding, outlining the figures of two people sleeping in each other's arms.

Tian Xi's long eyelashes trembled slightly as she slowly opened her eyes.

What came into view was Zhou Le's sleeping face, so close to his.

Lacking the contradictions brought about by his usual sharpness and abstractness, he appeared exceptionally calm and composed at this moment.

Tian Xiwei's heart was instantly filled with a warm feeling called happiness.

There's a saying that goes something like this.

I want to sleep with you, which is being a pervert, but if I want to wake up with you, it's full of romance.

She leaned closer, her nose almost touching Zhou Le's chin, her breath gently brushing against his skin like willow leaves teasing him.
"Brother Le... Happy New Year!"

Her voice was light and cheerful, yet carried a hint of barely perceptible sweet shyness.

Zhou Le opened his eyes almost simultaneously. Although still sleepy, he smiled when he saw Xiao Tian's bright eyes.
He tightened his arms around her waist, pulling her closer, and nuzzled her soft hair with his chin, his voice gentle:
"Happy New Year."

He paused, remembering what happened last night.

"I think I said that yesterday."

Tian Xiwei's face flushed red again, and she buried her face in his warm neck, protesting in a muffled voice, "Brother Le! Don't mention it!"

Because yesterday, the way they greeted each other was "Happy New Year".

Basically, all they said was "Happy New Year."

The two snuggled together in the warm bed for a while, enjoying the unique laziness and sweetness of the New Year's morning.

The occasional sound of firecrackers outside the window serves as a reminder of the New Year's atmosphere.

"What are your plans for today?" Zhou Le asked, stroking her soft, long hair.

Tian Xi raised her head slightly, her eyes clear yet with a hint of taken-for-granted dependence: "No, it's Chinese New Year, and my family knows I'm busy with work, so they understand I won't go back. In Beijing... I'll just follow you." She blinked, her tone slightly playful, "Wherever you go, I'll go. I'm happy to be my brother Le's little shadow."

Zhou Le's heart softened, and he pinched the tip of her nose: "Okay, then I'll take you to visit relatives for the New Year today."

At 10 a.m., a low-profile black sedan drove into a quiet courtyard on the outskirts of Beijing.

This is the home of Uncle Yu Qian, and it's also a place where people in the entertainment industry often visit during the Lunar New Year. The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable, with no formalities.

As soon as she got out of the car, Tian Xiwei curiously looked around the courtyard, which had a lively atmosphere. There was even a small pigeon coop in the corner, with several pigeons cooing.

She tugged at Zhou Le's sleeve and exclaimed softly, "Wow, Brother Le, Uncle Yu's house even has pigeons!"

Zhou Le smiled and took her hand: "Grandpa loves playing this."

Hearing the noise, Yu Qian, dressed in comfortable loungewear, came out to greet them with her signature smile, exuding a warm and approachable charm: "Oh! Director Zhou! What a rare guest! Xiao Tian is here too? Come, come, come in and have a seat!"

He greeted them warmly, his gaze lingering for a moment on Zhou Le and Tian Xi's clasped hands, his smile deepening, as if he knew everything.

The room was warmly heated and filled with the faint aroma of tea and the sweet scent of pastries.

Guo Degang was not there; only Yu Qian and a few close apprentices and friends were chatting.

Just as Zhou Le had predicted, the atmosphere was relaxed and lively.

Tian Xiwei was a little reserved at first, but Yu Qiantai was a good conversationalist and made her laugh in just a few words. In addition, everyone else was very easygoing, so she quickly relaxed and listened curiously to them talking about interesting things in the crosstalk circle. Occasionally she would chime in, and everyone would support her.

"Xiao Tian is a good girl, she has a good personality." Yu Qian privately gave Zhou Le a thumbs up.

We had lunch at Qianjia Restaurant, enjoying authentic Beijing-style home-cooked meals. The portions were generous and the food was affordable, exuding a genuine sense of honesty and sincerity.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was even more lively. Zhou Le chatted with Yu Qian about the latest news in the entertainment industry and their plans for the New Year while eating.

After dinner, Zhou Le went inside.

Yu Siyang still enjoys playing games as always.

He quickly picked up Zhou Le's phone and started playing with it.

Tian Xiwei stared in disbelief.

"Do you have such a good relationship?"

"Of course, we're like brothers. Although we're not blood-related, our relationship is closer than that of blood relatives. And Guo Qilin is the same."

In the afternoon, Zhou Le, carrying warm clothes and Yu Qiansai's bags of New Year's goods and snacks, returned to their small apartment in the city.

Outside, the wind was biting cold, but inside, it was warm and cozy.

The next few days seemed to be slowed down, filled with the festive atmosphere that Zhou Le hadn't felt in a long time.

They didn't go anywhere; they just stayed at home.

In the evenings, Zhou Le would find some classic movies or documentaries, and the two of them would wrap themselves in blankets and snuggle up on the sofa to watch them. When Tian Xiwei saw a touching part, she would shed tears, and Zhou Le would silently hand her tissues; when she saw a funny part, she would laugh without any restraint and roll into Zhou Le's arms.

Moreover, Tian Xiwei developed a strong interest in making dumplings while cooking, and dragged Zhou Le to try it a few more times. Although the finished product was still "abstract", the chance of the skin breaking was greatly reduced.

In addition, she also learned to cook a few simple home-style dishes, which actually tasted pretty good. Zhou Le always ate them all.

After lunch each day, the two of them would squeeze into the beanbag chair on the balcony, basking in the sun and chatting casually.

Tian Xiwei would tell her funny stories from shooting commercials and complain about a difficult client; Zhou Le would talk to her about movie ideas and listen to her wildly imaginative thoughts.

Sometimes, while they were chatting, Tian Xiwei would fall asleep on his shoulder, her breathing light and shallow.

Zhou Le remained in that position, looking at the warm winter sun outside the window, feeling the warmth and tranquility in her arms, thinking that it would be wonderful if it could stay like this forever.

However, the festive atmosphere of the New Year gradually faded away amidst the languor and sweetness.

On the morning of the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, the air was already filled with a sense of parting.

Tian Xiwei quietly helped Zhou Le pack his luggage, her movements slow and deliberate.

"Is it really going to take that long?" she asked in a muffled voice, her head down, her fingers unconsciously twisting the zipper strap of her suitcase.

Zhou Le hugged her from behind and said, "Well, we've been preparing for 'All or Nothing' for so long. The sets in Yunnan are all set up and the actors are all in place. We can't delay any longer."

He kissed her earlobe. "I'll be back right after we're done filming, very soon."

Tian Xi turned around slightly, buried her head in his chest, sniffed hard, and said in a muffled voice, "Then you have to be careful, eat on time, don't overwork yourself, and remember to think of me!"

"I think about you every day, every moment." Zhou Le cupped her face, looked intently into her eyes, and stroked her cheek with his thumb. "You need to take good care of yourself too. Don't eat too many snacks, pay attention to exercising, and I'll check you out next time we meet."

"Okay!" Tian Xiwei was finally amused by him, and quickly pecked him on the lips on tiptoe. "Let's go, big director! Don't miss your flight!"

On the Yunnan border, the air carries the unique humidity of a tropical rainforest and an indescribable sense of tension.

The crew of "All or Nothing" is based near a meticulously constructed and realistically recreated "telecom fraud park" outdoor set.

Of course, the scenery here was also adapted from an abandoned school.

When Zhou Le arrived, the film crew was already up and running.

A huge photography studio, cramped dormitory set, and a gloomy "water dungeon".

The entire scene exuded an atmosphere of oppression and cruelty. Most of the actors had arrived early to conduct final script readings and adjust their performance.

Yi Yangqianxi was the first to see Zhou Le and immediately ran over.

He was a little fatter than during the Lunar New Year, and his skin was also deliberately tanned and made much whiter, but his eyes were unusually bright and sharp, with an almost obsessive sense of focus.

He was wearing the same T-shirt and jeans suit that Pan Sheng wore in the drama, and his entire demeanor had completely immersed him in the character.

"Director Zhou!" His voice was a little hoarse, deliberately imitating the voice of a character in the play who was in a state of fear and repression for a long time.

"Millennium, you're in good shape!" Zhou Le looked him up and down, very satisfied. "That's the right spirit! There's a glimmer of light that hasn't been completely extinguished amidst the despair; you've got the sense of struggle."

Yi Yangqianxi nodded vigorously, his eyes eager: "Director Zhou, I've practically worn out the script! Oh, right!" He suddenly remembered something, his tone tinged with excitement, "Didn't you say there were action scenes? I've practiced martial arts, when do we start rehearsing the moves? My physical fitness has been pretty good lately!"

He subconsciously flexed his wrist, eager to try.

As an ambitious young actor, he is eager to challenge himself with different types of roles, and action scenes are clearly an area he wants to break through in.

Looking at his energetic demeanor, Zhou Le smiled knowingly and said slowly, "Action scenes? Of course there are."

Yi Yangqianxi's eyes lit up even more: "Great! Is it a scene of resistance or a conflict during the escape? Who is the co-star? I..."

“It’s the scene where you get beaten up,” Zhou Le interrupted him calmly, his tone completely flat, as if he were commenting on the nice weather. “Lots of real scenes, scenes where you’re punched, kicked, beaten with sticks, dragged, and pushed into the water. Most of the torture Pan Sheng experiences in the script requires you to do it yourself, to feel it physically. Have you trained your resilience…?”

The excitement and anticipation on Yi Yangqianxi's face instantly froze.

He blinked, as if he hadn't heard clearly: "...Huh?"

He wondered if he had misheard. "An action scene? Was it... me... being hit?"

He pointed to himself, looking completely bewildered.

The air was quiet for a few seconds.

Looking at the expression on Zhou Le's face that was definitely not a joke, Yi Yangqianxi finally digested the information.

The bewilderment on his face quickly faded, replaced by an almost fierce determination and excitement!
"Act!" he declared resolutely, his voice suddenly rising with a fierce, reckless determination. "If I can't act like a dog, I will! I love acting like this! Director Zhou, don't worry! Tell the action team not to hold back! Make it as realistic as possible! Make it as painful as possible! That's the kind of real pain I want! I want to grow through pain!"

His eyes burned with intensity, as if he could already see himself beaten and bruised, burning with a pure sense of sacrifice for the role and the performance.

Zhou Le stared at his "asking for a beating" look for a moment, then burst into laughter and patted him hard on the shoulder: "Awesome! Qianxi, just based on what you said, this role is a sure thing! Okay, get ready to get beaten up!"

Several actors who had arrived earlier were also drawn to the commotion.

Zhou Ye wore a neat ponytail, no makeup, and simple sportswear, exuding a capable and efficient aura.

Looking at Yi Yangqianxi's "ready to die" appearance, she couldn't help but shake her head with a smile: "Little brother Qianxi, I really admire your awareness."

Of course, she was also aware of Yi Yangqianxi's style.

After all, Zhou Ye played a villain in "Better Days," so no one knows better than her how to bully others.

Unfortunately, she couldn't get anything out of Yi Yangqianxi in this movie.

Meng Ziyi, who plays Liang Anna, who is lured to the park with a high salary and later forced to become a croupier, has a lingering fear on her face. Wearing a dress that looks a bit gaudy in the play but is not yet covered by makeup, she pats her chest and says, "Oh my god, it sounds painful! Qianxi, take care!"

She turned to Zhou Le, blinking her big eyes with a hint of coquetry, "Director Zhou, what about me? Did I get hit in any scenes? If so... could you... be a little gentler?" She was quite concerned about her beauty.

Zhou Le nodded.

"Don't worry, there are plenty."

Meng Ziyi sighed, but the thought of the passionate scene cheered her up again.

Zhu Yilong walked over at this moment.

Overall, Zhu Yilong is older and more mature. He then looked at Zhou Le and said, "Director Zhou, if you need my cooperation, just let me know."

Zhou Le looked around at the group of actors with different styles but all of them were extremely talented, and his heart was filled with enthusiasm: "Good! It's good that everyone is here! We will officially start filming tomorrow! Let's go over the lines one last time today and get a feel for it."

In the days that followed, the film crew sped up their work.

The weather at the border is hot and humid and unpredictable, making the filming environment harsh and oppressive. In order to portray Lu Bingkun, the portly, greasy, greedy boss who controls the life and death of the park, Zhou Le embarked on his "self-destructive weight gain" journey.

While other actors strictly controlled their diets, eating bland and tasteless weight-loss meals, and sweating profusely in the gym, Zhou Le became the most enviable figure on set.

For breakfast, I had a big bowl of rice noodles with plenty of chili oil and minced meat, along with two fried rice cakes.

Lunchtime? The crew's boxed lunches?
No! It must be cooked separately – braised pork, braised pork with preserved mustard greens, steamed pork with rice flour, twice-cooked pork… the greasier the better, and the rice must be piled up like a small mountain.

They even euphemistically call it "finding the character's state".

In the afternoon, you also need some high-calorie milk tea, fried chicken, or cake.

Dinner will continue to be a feast of meat and fish, and for late-night snacks, we'll have barbecue or hot pot if we have something to do.

He strolled around the film set every day with his increasingly "plump" belly, giving orders with composure.

Yi Yangqianxi, munching on boiled vegetable leaves, watched Zhou Le devour a glistening chicken leg, his eyes filled with a resentful glint: "Director Zhou... this... smells too good!"

He swallowed.

Zhou Le chewed the meat with satisfaction and mumbled, "What can I do, Qianxi? The role requires it! Look at my Manager Lu's belly, isn't it getting more and more imposing?"

He even patted his round belly proudly.

Zhou Ye had just finished a set of strength training and was walking over, wiping his sweat. Looking at Zhou Le's "happy life," he couldn't help but roll his eyes: "Director Zhou, this is a work injury, absolutely a work injury! We'll have to get the producer to reimburse you for your food expenses later!"

Meng Ziyi cupped her face in her hands, looking on with envy: "Sigh, I want to eat like that too... but Anna has to maintain her figure. Director Zhou, could you eat a little slower so I can smell the aroma a bit more?"

Zhu Yilong is always the calmest one. He usually sits quietly in the corner reading the script or discussing details with the actor playing the villain.

The daily life on set is interspersed with these down-to-earth interludes amidst this tense and oppressive main theme.

After filming a scene where Yi Yangqianxi was beaten up, he was covered in bruises and grimaced as his assistant helped him off the set. Zhou Le immediately handed him a cup of hot milk: "You've worked hard! Take a break!" He then turned to the action director and shouted, "Old Zhang, for the next dragging scene, make it even harder! Make it feel like your bones are about to fall apart!"

Zhou Ye, watching from the side, was terrified.

"You still haven't let him go. We should have played the villains together and bullied them back then."

Meng Ziyi was filming a scene where she was forced to dance to please a client. Due to nervousness and shame, she had to do several takes, and her eyes were red afterward.

Zhou Ye silently handed over tissues and water, offering gentle words of comfort.

Zhou Le walked over and, without saying much, simply affirmed that the despair in her eyes in a certain shot was very convincing, which instantly gave her confidence again.

Zhu Yilong nailed a crucial confrontation scene that required a lot of complex dialogue in one take.

Spontaneous applause erupted from the audience.

Zhou Le also gave a thumbs up.

To be fair, Zhu Yilong is indeed a good actress; at least she's someone people would be willing to work with.

Unlike Lu Han, if it's for a serious film, even if they're very close, they can't come together. Even close brothers need to keep things separate; one thing at a time. (End of Chapter)