Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 201 Ning Ying's Happy Troubles: Call Me Senior Sister!
Filming for "Black Peony" is imminent.

There is less than a week left until November 16th.

In early November, the chill of late autumn became increasingly pronounced in Beijing.

The air at Huairou Film and Television Base was shrouded in a damp mist in the early morning, and Wu Chen had been frequently traveling back and forth here these past few days.

Based in the northeast corner of the site, a streetscape in the style of the 1970s and 1980s has been completed.

The entire main scene is like an old scroll that preserves time.

With its gray walls, old tiles, and mottled wooden windows, the interior of a Kunqu Opera theater seems to exude an air of old-fashioned opera tradition.

The wooden floor of the practice room in the courtyard gleamed with the patina of an old era, and the walls were covered with handwritten rehearsal schedules from the 1980s, marked with "Early morning practice for 'The Garden Stroll' at 7:00" and "Du Liniang's makeup test at 14:00".

Paper umbrellas, flowing sleeves, and old sheet music are quietly placed in the corner of the room, as if they have just been retrieved from memory.

The Xu family's main residence further emphasizes traditional discipline:

A pearwood wooden table, embroidered curtains hanging low, a bronze incense burner still holding lingering fragrance, and a plaque on the wall inscribed with the words "Cultivating Art with Virtue," written with profound and powerful strokes.

The entire set design suppressed the atmosphere of "strict family discipline and gentle demeanor".

Wu Chen, wearing a black trench coat, stood in front of the set, holding the production schedule in his hand, looking focused.

"The practice room floor should be even older, so that when you walk on it, you can hear the creaking of loose planks."

He instructed the set design team, "Make the brick walls of the Xu family's house a little more weathered. Don't forget, this is an old Beijing house that has weathered decades of storms, not a replica tourist attraction."

"Also, the alley where Liu Qing appears needs to be designed to feel oppressive; the walls should be a bit gray."

Before he could finish checking the set, Wu Chen's phone rang. The caller ID showed Pang Hong.

As soon as the call connected, Pang Hong's excited voice came through:
"Director Wu! Factory Director Yang is coming to Beijing tomorrow and wants to meet with you to finalize this matter."

Wu Chen knew immediately that Ning Ying had borrowed the money, and replied directly, "No problem!"

The following afternoon, news of the formal signing between Starry Night Pictures and Ningxia Film Studio swept through the dormant state-owned film studio system.

The source of the news is the most prominent position on the homepage of Ningbo Film Studio's official website.

It was a photograph of Yang Hongtao and Wu Chen standing in front of the Xingchen Pictures office building, smiling broadly. In the background was a banner that read:

Ningxia Film Studio and Starry Night Pictures signed a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly develop the new project "Painted Skin".

The photos were displayed very large, as if afraid that someone in the industry might have poor eyesight.

This trick really worked.

The old factory workers who were previously complaining about the sour taste didn't complain this time; they just felt bitter.

"Ning Ying actually managed to borrow it!"

"Ning Ying must have gotten incredibly lucky!"

"They're not really going to turn things around, are they?"

"."

Not only within state-owned factories, but also within the private film and television industry, there is a growing sense of urgency.

Although they had read the script, they couldn't resist the fact that it was Wu Chen's next script; who knew, maybe they could turn something worthless into something valuable.

Get Out, a film that cost several million dollars, is now close to breaking 100 million dollars in North America.

Wu Chen's abilities need no further explanation.

One after another, probing phone calls came in:

"Director Wu, yes, I'm from Taihe Film & Television Investment."

"Director Wu, I am Xu Jianhai from Forbidden City Film & Television."

Even Gu Changwei called, but only to stand up for Poly Huayi.

"The British general manager of Poly Huayi asked me to inquire about 'Painted Skin'."

"Senior brother, the script isn't finished yet, and Ningying Studio also has the right to make suggestions on this matter!" Wu Chen replied with a smile.

"I understand, I understand. By the way, when does your new movie start filming again?"

"Thursday."

"."

On the other end, Wang Zhonglei of Huayi was hanging up the phone.

"How was it?" Wang Zhongjun asked casually, leaning back in his chair.

"Wu Chen said that it's not certain yet, and Ningbo Film Studio also has the right to make suggestions." Wang Zhonglei shook his head. "That's just an excuse, but let's contact Ningbo Film Studio then. It's impossible for Xingchen and Ningbo Film Studio to monopolize the film 'Painted Skin.' We should try to get it if we have the chance."

Ningying's Yang Hongtao and Pang Hong are now experiencing a happy kind of trouble, receiving one phone call after another, but they still can't stop smiling.

Especially Pang Hong.

He recalled the moments a few months ago when he was politely rejected one by one, and now it felt like a century had passed, making him sigh with emotion:

"Old Yang, if this scene had happened a few months ago, I definitely wouldn't have dared to imagine it. It feels so unfamiliar. I was just in a daze, wondering if this was still our Ningying Film Studio, a small factory in the mountains."

Yang Hongtao smiled upon hearing this: "Don't be sentimental, Lao Yang. This is Ning Ying's last chance. If it doesn't work out, we should prepare to go our separate ways."

The other day, the people from the Ningxia office of the bureau wanted to hide from me as soon as they saw me, afraid that I would ask for money again.

Pang Hong pondered for a moment, then said thoughtfully, "We shouldn't lose, right? If we still can't succeed, then we can only say we're unlucky."

In his opinion, is there anyone in China who is more reliable than Wu Chen these days?

They've never lost since their debut, and even low-budget productions have been huge hits.

"I spoke with him yesterday, and he probably won't be directing, but he'll be in charge of the plot and overall control of the film."

"."

Meanwhile, those in the industry who had read the original script were also somewhat bewildered.

The story was supposed to be cliché, but it turned out to be cliché.
What happened to the sensitive subject matter?

Why did you all rush to Wu Chen's place?
"Now I understand, the problem isn't the script itself, it's the people," Ning Hao joked over the phone. "I'm also a little curious about how you're going to restructure this clichéd story."

"The core of the story is the same; just remove the outer shell and put another one on top of it."

"By the way, your 'Black Peony' is starting filming in Huairou on Thursday, right? I'll go join the fun and relax a bit. I've been working on this new script lately, and it's really draining my brain."

"Come on!"

Wu Chen had no objection to this, but he didn't intend to make a big fuss like "The Banquet" or "Curse of the Golden Flower" before filming started, but that didn't mean he needed to keep a low profile so that no one knew about it.

The main reason is that this is unlikely, since the "Black Peony" crew isn't the only one at the Huairou base; some media outlets are also based there.

Time flew by and it was already the evening of the 15th. Liu Yifei and Li Qin both persevered in their training until the last day before filming began.

The late autumn breeze caressed the two people inside the car.

At this moment, Liu Yifei pouted slightly: "Junior brother, could you drive a little slower next time?"

Are you eager to take me home quickly?

"Uh!" Wu Chen paused for a moment, looked at the villa that was almost there, and gave an awkward smile.

There are very few cars on this road, so stepping on the gas is really comfortable, and before you know it, you're almost there.

"Certainly not."

"Hmph, I don't believe you unless you prove it." Liu Yifei smiled mischievously, her eyes gentle, as she gave Wu Chen a sweet smile.
"Help me unbuckle my seatbelt."

"So how do you want to prove it?" Wu Chen smiled gently, first unbuckled his seatbelt, then bent down and leaned over. Just as he unbuckled it, he saw Liu Yifei coming closer.

The two were so close that Wu Chen noticed the fine downy hairs on Liu Yifei's delicate face, which looked very bouncy and made him want to reach out and pinch them.

Suppressing the urge to act, Wu Chen looked away. Liu Yifei's rosy, moist lips were glistening with an alluring sheen, and his heart raced uncontrollably, his breathing becoming rapid.

Liu Yifei blinked, a shy smile on her face, and leaned forward with her eyes closed.

A tingling, numb sensation began to spread between the two of them from the point of contact.

Liu Yifei felt her arms around Wu Chen slowly tighten.

After an unknown amount of time, the two separated slightly, Liu Yifei still had a faint blush on her face.

"Does this prove it?" Wu Chen smiled.

"You have the nerve to say that? You're not proactive at all." Liu Yifei replied softly, slightly out of breath, with a hint of reproach in her voice. Then she whispered in Wu Chen's ear:

"Call Senior Sister!"

"Senior sister?" Wu Chen was taken aback and repeated subconsciously.

The next moment, the two of them involuntarily leaned in again, their lips pressed together, their hands tightening once more.

What the two were unaware of was that there were pairs of eyes on the second and third floors of the villa watching the familiar car downstairs.

"Tsk tsk, it's been ten minutes and they still haven't gotten out of the car. You don't need to chat for this long. What are they doing?" Shu Chang looked out the window with a maternal smile, even though she couldn't see anything, she was still enjoying herself.

In her room on the second floor, Liu Xiaoli glanced at the time, a complex look flashing in her eyes.
(End of this chapter)