Chinese entertainment starts with Hong Shixian

Chapter 222 BABY, Yang Tianbao (4th update)
Hengdian World Studios, Qin Palace area.

Although the background story of "Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon" is set during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, it did not affect the use of the Qin Palace scene during filming.

Yesterday, Qi Hui and Lao Ling arrived and checked into the hotel as arranged by the film crew.

As expected of a period drama with an investment of 1.5 million yuan, Qi Hui and Lao Ling's accommodations are much better than those of other film crews they've worked on before.

However, although the film was said to have an investment of 150 million, if I remember correctly, it will exceed the budget later on.

Xu Ke directly reduced the cost to 180 million.

Upon entering the film crew, an assistant director led Qi Hui and the other person to get their makeup done.

Not only the two of them, but Lin Gengxin, who plays Shatuo Zhong, was also there, and the three of them got their makeup done together.

Both Qi Hui and Ling Xiaosu had the same buzz cut they had in the military, so wigs were easy to remove.

But Lin Gengxin is different; he's a handsome young man who previously worked at Tangren Media.

Her hair wasn't long, but it was certainly longer than Qi Hui's.

Therefore, it is relatively troublesome to deal with.

Old Ling was wearing a dark red hood.

In the story, Yuchi Zhenjin is a person from the Western Regions with red hair and blue eyes, so Lao Ling's hood is naturally also red.

"Hey, where's my beard?" Qi Hui called out to the makeup artist, who hadn't applied a beard to him.

"Um... Ms. Qi, according to the makeup design, Di Renjie doesn't have a beard." The makeup artist glanced at the drawing provided and then said:

"The instructions say that Di Renjie is young and should look spirited, so he doesn't need a beard."

Not only Qi Hui, but also Lao Ling didn't have a beard, and Yuchi Zhenjin didn't need one.

"The director said that?" Qi Hui's lips twitched.

"Yes, it was decided by the director and art director," the makeup artist answered truthfully.

"Alright then." Qi Hui waved his hand, looking at himself in the mirror speechlessly.

He wore a black official robe and an official hat, without any other decorations, but his face was pale and beardless, which looked quite awkward.

Soon, Xu Laoguai called out, and Qi Hui, Ling Xiaosu, and Lin Gengxin went over together.

With a smile on his face, Tsui Hark slowly greeted his main characters, and then... then he saw Qi Hui.

At first glance, it doesn't seem like anything special, but the more you look at it, the more awkward it feels.

He scratched his head, unsure of what the problem was.

"Doesn't he look a bit like a eunuch?" Qi Hui asked.

"Ah, right!" Old Master Xu slapped his thigh, as if the clouds had parted and the sun had shone through, and he suddenly understood:

"You look like a eunuch."

"Because I don't have a beard." Qi Hui pointed to his face and said, "I was so focused on showing off Di Renjie's youth that I didn't consider this."

He's only in his early twenties, too young, and the all-black official robes he's wearing seem out of place.

He looks like a eunuch at first glance.

If an older actor were to play the role, it wouldn't feel so out of place.

For example, Lao Ling, who is in his early thirties, is actually more suitable for Di Renjie than Qi Hui in terms of age.

Upon hearing Qi Hui's words, Old Master Xu seemed to be deep in thought.

Yang Tianbao, standing to the side, was somewhat surprised. His big eyes swept over Qi Hui. How dare he point fingers at Old Monster Xu?
She's still a relatively unknown actress now, not the internet sensation she'll be a few years from now.

I subconsciously hold great respect for a director like Xu Ke.

Once her film salary reaches 80 million in a few years, she won't have this idea anymore.

Old Ling and Lin Gengxin were also somewhat surprised, and shocked that Qi Hui could guess Xu Laoguai's thoughts so quickly.

"Makeup artist, put a beard on him," Xu Ke called out. "And make his face look more mature."

Soon, the makeup artist arrived and, after a flurry of activity, about half an hour later, a mustache was pasted under Qi Hui's nose.

On his chin, there was a small tuft of beard about an inch long.

The appearance of the beard added a touch of majesty and solemnity, making him look more like an official.

However, the spirited and ambitious nature that Xu Ke pursued, and the temperament of the young Di Renjie were not suppressed.

"Yes, that looks much better." Old Xu nodded.

The art director, who was directing the makeup artists from the side, also smiled.

However, while Tsui Hark nodded in acknowledgment, he didn't share the same pleased expression as the art director; instead, he seemed lost in thought. Qi Hui and the others exchanged glances, somewhat puzzled. What was wrong now?
Not only were the actors, including Qi Hui, confused, but even the producer, Shi Nansheng, who was also his wife, was somewhat bewildered.

"It's okay, let's continue." Xu Ke shook his head and refocused on his work.

Pointing to Yang Tianbao, he said to Qi Hui and the others, "This is BABY, an actress from Hong Kong, and also our female lead this time."

"You two will have some scenes together in the next round, so please take good care of each other."

Yang Tianbao is a decent new generation star in Hong Kong, so of course he should support him.

Hong Kong Island originally had many new generation stars, but weren't they all swept away by the wave of "Teacher Guan Xi" a few years ago?

Cheung Wai-kin and Nicholas Tse were originally quite good, but now...

The former was too arrogant and was punished by the iron fist of justice.
The latter was first sanctioned, and then affected by the teacher who was accused of drug use.

To be honest, the cook was quite unlucky, but also quite capable.

Even so, he didn't completely fail.

Several male actors smiled and nodded in greeting to Yang Tianbao.

Qi Hui looked at the still very young Yang Tianbao, then at Xu Ke, and chuckled to himself. This guy's acting skills were quite interesting.

Please take good care of me?

This should be entrusted to you. I hope that you, an elderly person the same age as the Beijing Film Academy, can withstand the pressure.

Seeing the harmonious scene, Xu Ke nodded in satisfaction.

"Alright, let's read the script," Xu Ke said, and had his assistant bring the complete script to Qi Hui and the others.

Although the movie is about a cold case, the main attraction is the spectacle.

Unlike "The Message," it doesn't rely on its plot to win over audiences.

When filming "The Message," Chen Kuo-fu deliberately withheld a portion of the script from the actors, only gradually revealing it as filming progressed.

Qi Hui and the others took the script and were just about to begin their reading when...

An assistant director ran in and said, "Director, um... Zhao Wenzhuo came to visit the set."

"Huh?" Xu Ke and Shi Nansheng were both taken aback when they heard this.

They have known Zhao Wenzhuo for many years and have a good relationship.

In particular, Nansun Shi was a close friend of Leslie Cheung, and Leslie Cheung had an extraordinary relationship with Anita Mui.

Zhao Wenzhuo also had a relationship with Anita Mui for a period of time.

We've known each other for a long time.

Moreover, Zhao Wenzhuo also starred in several films under Xu Ke's direction.

For example, the two Wong Fei-hung movies, and that one called "The Blade".

And Zhao Wenzhuo's famous scene in "Green Snake" was also directed by Tsui Hark.

"Let him in," Xu Ke said, putting down the script.

Let's deal with Zhao Wenzhuo for now.

Not long after, Zhao Wenzhuo strode in.

He looked around, then waved his hand and called out to Xu Ke, "Master."

It's not some feudal remnant; that's what Shi Nansheng called Xu Ke.

The actors filming in Xu Ke's crew also started calling him that... well, it's a remnant of feudalism.

At least Qi Hui couldn't bring himself to utter such a utterance.

"Sister Tao, it's been a long time." He called out to Shi Nansheng again.

“I heard you guys are filming a movie here. I was just passing by, so I thought I'd come and check it out,” Zhao Wenzhuo said.

His gaze swept across the room and he spotted Qi Hui. He then reached out and shook hands with a smile on his face: "You must be Qi Hui. It's our first time meeting."

"Hello, Brother Wenzhuo..."

Hey~
Before the words were finished, a system notification sounded in my mind.
[The host has made contact with actor Zhao Wenzhuo and has gained two chances to draw a prize. Would you like to draw a prize now?]

Qi Hui raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

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Please vote for me, dear readers!

(End of this chapter)