Chinese entertainment starts with Hong Shixian

Chapter 663 Director Qi, you've climbed too high!
It wasn't easy, but you're finally back. It's been more than ten or twenty days.

If this is delayed any longer, it will be really difficult to film his movie... Li Lu sighed deeply.

"Lobby... Manager?" Qi Hui's face darkened. What kind of bizarre title was "Lobby Manager"? Was it the same as "Lobby Manager"?
As Li Lu exclaimed in surprise, a bunch of crew members poked their heads out and looked at Qi Hui in astonishment.

Zhang Zhijian, Zhang Fengyi, Hu Jing, and others all looked surprised.

There was no way around it; Operation Red Sea's performance was too outstanding, and it was aiming for the top spot on the box office charts.

With a current box office of over 2 billion, many of them have acted their entire lives and still haven't achieved that much combined.

Not to mention that the box office of "Operation Red Sea" is still soaring!
They thought Qi Hui was gone forever, and that he had abandoned "In the Name of the People".

This is not strange at all.

If I could create a blockbuster film that grosses three or four billion, would I still care about "In the Name of the People"?

Suddenly surrounded by onlookers, Qi Hui was slightly taken aback, then rolled his eyes: "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You're not filming anymore?"

"Hehe... I've come to share in the good fortune." Ding Haifeng walked up and patted him up and down: "Old Qi, I don't dare to dream of three or four billion in box office revenue, but if you can get me two or three billion, that would be about right."

Having gotten to know each other better while filming, he spoke quite casually to Qi Hui.

"Go away, go away..." Qi Hui hurriedly shooed him away, then coughed lightly and put on the airs of Director Qi: "I'm telling you, Director Donglai, I'm your superior. How can you talk to me like that?"

“Chairman Qi is right.” Li Dakang… Wu Gang stood beside Qi Hui and said slowly, “Donglai, I’m not trying to criticize you, but you’re such a grown man, yet you’re still so immature!”

Zhao Donglai gave an awkward smile. Having been reprimanded by both the provincial and municipal leaders, he didn't know what to say.

After the pleasantries, director Li Lu appeared, cleared his throat with a stern face, and said, "What are you all standing there for? Get ready to film!"

Upon hearing this, the group of people who were initially happy suddenly became dejected.

Li Lu has been rushing to meet deadlines lately, forcing them to work overtime, which is exhausting!

Not far away, Lu Yi had a smile on his face. He looked at Qi Hui and wanted to say a few words, but his smile was a little restrained. He looked around but didn't find an opportunity.

After Li Lu spoke, he had no choice but to head towards the film set.

In the director's studio, Qi Hui found a chair and sat down.

Li Lu handed Qi Hui a notice and then asked, "What are your thoughts on this scene?"

It's such a waste that a great director like Qi Hui just clocks in and out of his film crew every day.

So Li Lu had an idea to make use of it!
Qi Hui glanced at the notice and realized that his first scene after returning was the one where Qi Tongwei knelt down to propose to Liang Lu.

This is actually the beginning of Qi Tongwei's descent into darkness.

Qi Hui, without looking up from the script, replied, "Ideas? What could I possibly have in mind... um?"

Qi Hui looked up: "Director, you don't want to make me do hard labor, do you?"

"How could that be? Do you think I'm that kind of person?" Li Lu said repeatedly, "I just wanted to hear your opinion."

The scene where Qi Tongwei turns to the dark side marks the beginning of his tragic fate.

For such an important scene, he naturally wanted to hear Qi Hui's opinion.

What if he has a better idea?

After all, in the case of Qi Tongwei, Qi Hui, as the actor who studied the character, is more convincing.

Stroking his chin, Qi Hui slowly said, "Actually, I do have some ideas for this scene..."

"Oh?" Li Lu was immediately excited. I knew this great director was extraordinary!

"Alright, we'll do it your way!" Li Lu waved his hand.

"I haven't even said what I'm thinking yet..." Qi Hui was somewhat speechless.

"It's okay, I believe you!" Li Lu laughed heartily.

……

Southeast University, Sipailou Campus
On the grass, college students were chattering away... Actually, they weren't all college students; some were extras.

Under the guidance of the assistant director, I gradually learned how to move in position.

They'll start teasing us when Qi Tongwei kneels down to propose to Liang Lu.

"Listen to me, everyone!" the assistant director shouted through a megaphone. "When the two leads are kissing in a bit, you all need to throw the books, notebooks, and whatever else you're holding into the air."

As the executive director, he knew that the original script did not include the scene of throwing the book.

But... Qi Hui added it.

He didn't quite understand. Wasn't throwing books something that only students did when they were having fun?
Why are books being thrown around here?
He didn't understand, but he didn't dare to ask!
How could someone as big a director as Qi Hui dare to question him?

Besides, even the chief director, Li Lu, agreed, so how could he, a mere executive director, possibly object?

"Should we rehearse once?" a student asked casually.

"...No need." The assistant director's face darkened. If it were an extra, he would have cursed them out immediately.

But these are students, and they're quite reckless.

"Does anyone else have a question?" The executive director decided to go along with it and patiently answer all questions.

Anyway, it won't make a difference if we do it once or twice.

However, when he asked that question, the students didn't seem to have any problems.

After having his makeup done, Qi Hui briefly confirmed the situation with the executive director.

Next, we talked about Tao Huimin's arrival.

“I’ll run over from there in a bit… and then…” Tao Huimin kept asking questions.

She had no lines in this scene, only actions.

Qi Hui has a few lines, but not many: "Liang Lu, marry me!"

Then they kissed... Of course, kissing scenes are naturally filmed using camera angles.

"Wasn't she supposed to be the school beauty? How come..." At this moment, a student asked casually.

He glanced at Qi Hui, then at Tao Huimin.

The words were left unsaid, but the unspoken meaning was quite clear.

This scene is about the school heartthrob confessing his love to the school beauty; these people are just there to stir up trouble and watch the fun.

Although Qi Hui made up to look older, he was still very handsome.

He hasn't become less attractive with age; instead, he's gained a mature and charming appeal.

But Tao Huimin... is like an old Indian turtledove, an old Spanish tortoise, and an old Melbourne quail.

She's a middle-aged woman in her forties or fifties, and she still calls herself a school beauty?

The executive director's face darkened. These students were really too arrogant!
They say whatever comes to mind!

"Hahahaha..." Several students nearby also laughed.

Tao Huimin pursed her lips, a calm smile on her face.

Neither embarrassed nor feigning composure.

"You lot really have no taste," Qi Hui chuckled, beckoning to the camera and saying.
"Come, let me show you what Teacher Tao looked like when he was young."

As he spoke, Qi Hui took out his phone and did a quick search on Bilibili.

Then I showed the phone to the students.

This phone is for work, so there's no need to worry about privacy leaks.

However, there's no need to worry about that, because as soon as the students got their phones, they were immediately drawn to Tao Huimin in the video.

Gentle and graceful, the image of a woman from the Jiangnan water towns emerges, delicate yet resolute.

She was a lady of high birth, with a refined and elegant demeanor.

"Holy shit, is it true?"

"Oh my god...it's kind of good!"

"What do you mean 'a little good-looking'? She's clearly very beautiful, okay?"

"Teacher Tao, I'm sorry, I spoke a little too loudly just now..."

"Hiss hiss hiss, Qi Hui, you're way too good for me!"

"..."

The students chattered incessantly.

Tao Huimin, who had been quite calm just moments before, is now starting to feel awkward and shy.

This is quite embarrassing...

Qi Hui coughed lightly, put his phone away, and called to the students and extras to prepare for filming.

Before long, under Qi Hui's direction, the students and extras returned to their positions and entered the preparation state for filming.

Finally, it's my turn... The executive director breathed a sigh of relief. He was quite surprised that Qi Hui had managed to calm down such a noisy group of students so quickly.

Extras are alright, but students are the hardest to deal with.

He is indeed a great director!

"Clear the area and get ready to film," Qi Hui said with a smile.

"Alright!" The assistant director grabbed a megaphone and shouted, "Attention all departments, filming preparation, all unrelated personnel, leave the set..."

(End of this chapter)