Huayu, my cheat code is a bit strange.

Chapter 50 On Set (Please read on, please recommend, please do everything!)

Jin Mansion film set.

The huge mansion was bustling with noise.

The prop team pushed carts around, filling the room with vases, calligraphy and paintings, and ornaments.

The lighting crew and the photography crew were also busy with their respective tasks.

The angle of the overhead chandelier was changed again and again, all to achieve the best effect in the picture. The director of photography was also measuring the light and giving instructions over the walkie-talkie from time to time.

The air was filled with the smells of paint from furniture, rubber from cables, and the sweat of the staff.

Gu Xiao stood in the corner of the hall and observed for a moment. Confirming that it wouldn't end anytime soon, she quietly retreated and found a secluded corner at the end of the corridor.

There are several boxes of spare light fixtures piled up here, and next to them are several potted decorative plants.

Gu Xiao took off her backpack, sat on the cold stone steps, and took out paper and pen from the backpack.

The familiar melodies from my past life echoed in my ears as my pen slid across the paper.

Copying one song is still copying, whether you copy a hundred or not.

It's idiotic not to use resources when you have them.

"Chirp?" (What are you doing?)

Xiao Jiu curiously peeked out from behind the backpack, clinging to its edge.

"Make money." Gu Xiao said succinctly, her pen still twirling.

Upon hearing that it had nothing to do with "eating", Xiao Jiu quickly lost interest and instead jumped onto a nearby plant and began to nibble on its leaves.

Don't eat random things!

Gu Xiao reacted quickly and scooped it back, saying helplessly, "This is an ornamental plant; it's poisonous."

Xiao Jiu struggled a few times in his palm, whimpering in dissatisfaction.

Just then, the sound of footsteps approached from afar.

Gu Xiao looked up and saw Chi Shuai walking briskly towards them. She laughed and scolded him:

"You little rascal! You actually hid here!"

"The director wants to see me?" Gu Xiao put down her pen and stuffed the struggling Xiao Jiu back into her backpack.

"No, Director Li is helping Brother Chen and the others rehearse their scenes, so he can't look after you for the time being."

Chi Shuai walked over to him, plopped down, and sighed, "We supporting characters don't deserve to enjoy lighting like this today."

Gu Xiao glanced at the sun in the sky, didn't think anything of it, and said, "Why bother with all this?"

"Of course. Otherwise, why would the production crew hold a launch ceremony?"

Chi Shuai spoke with a hint of sarcasm, as if he'd been there before: "Good weather can save so much money. It's not uncommon for the whole crew to wait for hours, or even days, for a single shot. For A-list actors like Brother Chen, time is much more precious than ours. If there's good lighting, we'll naturally prioritize shooting his scenes."

Gu Xiao nodded slightly, indicating that she had learned another point of knowledge.

Chi Shuai glanced at the manuscript paper spread out on his lap, noticing the large amount of text and musical notes on it, and asked curiously, "What are you fiddling with this time?"

"Write a song," Gu Xiao mumbled in response.

Chi Shuai was somewhat surprised, "You can do this too?"

Gu Xiao said self-deprecatingly, "I guess I can."

Chi Shuai clicked his tongue in amazement, "No wonder President You likes you."

Gu Xiao remained noncommittal and continued to bury himself in his "creation".

Chi Shuai didn't disturb them. He used sunflower seeds to lure out Xiao Jiu, and the two of them started playing around.

After an unknown amount of time, the stage manager's voice drifted through the corridor:

"Gu Xiao! Stop slacking off! Get ready, it's your turn next!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiao stood up, patted the dust off her bottom, and looked at Xiao Jiu.

Chi Shuai waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it, it won't get lost."

Gu Xiao said no more, stuffed the notebook back into her backpack, picked up the script, and walked away.

"Keep it up!" Chi Shuai shouted from behind him.

Gu Xiao didn't turn around, but simply raised her hand and waved in response.

……

……

The main hall of the Jin Mansion.

A deep red carpet was laid out, flanked by antique-style hardwood furniture.

Gu Xiao, who plays Ouyang Yujian, stands in the hall, wearing a gray suit and with a tall and straight figure.

His eyes were filled with anger and resentment as he delivered his lines in a low voice.

Chen Kun, who plays Jin Yanxi, was intimidated by his aura, and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes.

"Pass!"

Director David Lee's voice came through the loudspeaker.

The stagnant air in the hall began to flow again, and the script supervisor skillfully made notes on the whiteboard. Gu Xiao walked to the side of the set, picked up a bottle of mineral water from the prop box, unscrewed it, and took two gulps.

"Excellent, excellent, well acted!"

A steady voice came from behind.

Gu Xiao turned around and saw Kou Zhenhai standing not far away, with an approving smile on his face.

Gu Xiao said helplessly, "You've also been harassed by Teacher Huo Xuan?"

Kou Zhenhai was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he meant and laughed, scolding, "You brat, can't I take care of you from the bottom of my heart?"

He walked over to Gu Xiao, patted her on the shoulder and said, "Your abilities are obvious to all, don't always worry about trivial things."

Just as Gu Xiao was about to speak, the stage manager's voice rang out again: "Teacher Kou, get ready, the next scene is your father-son scene with Ouyang Yujian."

“Oh? What a coincidence,” Kou Zhenhai laughed upon hearing this, and naturally put his arm around Gu Xiao’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s go over the words as ‘father and son’ and get to know each other better.”

Gu Xiao was led to the rest area by him, and said helplessly, "You're blatantly taking advantage of me."

Kou Zhenhai laughed heartily: "It's all fate, both on and off screen, how can you call it taking advantage?"

The two sat down on the sofa. Kou Zhenhai took out the script and his expression turned serious: "This scene is about revealing your identity, so you need to control your emotions."

Gu Xiao listened attentively, occasionally chiming in with her own opinions.

Just as they were engrossed in their discussion, Chen Kun, who was touching up his makeup not far away, glanced up and looked at them with a complicated expression.

……

……

Veteran actors are truly veteran actors; they can convey a wide range of emotions with just their eyes.

Probing identities, inquiring about family, and offering subtle care.

A scene with extremely complex emotions was filmed in just two takes, which drew praise from David Lee.

You Jianming also showed a satisfied smile and whispered a few words to his assistant.

Gu Xiao has already started touching up her makeup.

His scenes at the Jin Mansion were few, and they were all finished today. As long as the rough cut was fine, he could stay idle until the crew moved on to another location.

Of course, this is an extremely ideal situation.

In fact, due to limitations in lighting, technology, and editing capabilities, even if the actors perform very well, the same scene may need to be filmed two or three times, and reshooting the next day is commonplace.

Therefore, in order to ensure that the makeup and styling are as consistent as possible in the filming, he cannot remove his makeup or go back to the hotel to rest even after his scenes are finished.

"All done," makeup artist Sister Liu said softly, putting away her tools.

Gu Xiao opened her eyes, stood up, and thanked him.

Instead of returning to the noisy main hall, he strolled to the quiet corner of the corridor he had visited that morning.

Chi Shuai and Xiao Jiu are not here; they probably went off somewhere else.

He took out paper and pen from his backpack again and continued writing songs.

Before I could even pick up a pen, a series of footsteps sounded in my ear.

Gu Xiao looked up and saw Dong Jie wearing a white cheongsam. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes: "Why are you here?"

"My scene is in the next one."

Dong Jie pointed to the steps beside her, "Can I sit here?"

Gu Xiao frowned and shifted her position slightly. "Whatever."

Dong Jie thanked her, took out a handkerchief from her pocket, placed it on the ground, and sat down.

A gentle breeze blew by, stirring the strands of hair.

A man and a woman sat side by side on the steps, a beautiful scene, but the atmosphere was nothing but awkward.

Gu Xiao had no interest in suffering and was about to ask a question when Dong Jie spoke first:

"I really don't understand you."

Her voice was very soft, seemingly a mixture of pure confusion and a kind of probing.

Gu Xiao stopped writing, turned her head to look at her, and asked, "What do you mean?"

"literal meaning."

Dong Jie turned her head, her cool gaze falling on his face as she scrutinized him. "I've never seen an actor like you before."

She carefully chose her words and said, "Your acting is very good, and your lines are full of emotion. You must have undergone serious training, but I can't sense any passion for acting from you."

Gu Xiao paused for a few seconds, then said perfunctorily, "My purpose for coming here is a little different from yours."

Dong Jie frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

Gu Xiaodao: "The literal meaning."

Dong Jie gave him a deep look and said with a hint of sarcasm, "You probably don't have a girlfriend, right?"

A silent knife stabbed into Gu Xiao from behind.

His lips twitched slightly as he thought to himself, "It's one thing for you to harass me, but to stab me in the back like this is going too far."

And you say it's okay if it's "literal meaning," but I say it's not okay. What kind of double standard is this?
(End of this chapter)