Huayu Entertainment: The Birth of a Succubus Top Star

The Hengdian film studios are packed together. The neighboring film "Sparrow Bone" has just started filming. AiMi is stationed in the same film city with the crew. The two film studios are not far apart, only a few minutes' walk away.

Taking advantage of the free time in the morning and afternoon after finishing her scenes that day, Amy carried a large bag of milk tea and desserts and went to visit the set of "Chasing Jade" in a low-key manner.

She walked into the set of "Chasing Jade" dressed in a refreshing casual outfit, with her hair tied in a high ponytail, no makeup on her face, and her eyebrows and eyes clean and lively.

At that moment, the film set was taking a break.

Gu Zhiyan had just removed half of her makeup and was sitting in the rest area drinking water when Tian Xiwei and Kong Xueer chatted and laughed beside her.

"Brother Xiaoyan! Sister Xiwei!"

A clear, crisp female voice rang out, and Amy quickly ran over, handing a bag full of drinks and desserts to the table. "I finished work early today, so I came over to drop by and tag along your film crew!"

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then smiled and greeted her.

Amy is young and has a lot of talent, making her especially popular among the new generation of actors, and she has a great reputation in the industry.

"You just finished filming and came straight here? Aren't you tired?" Gu Zhiyan looked up, a gentle smile in her eyes.

"Not tired at all! Today's scenes in 'Sparrow Bone' are all dialogue scenes, so it's very relaxing." Amy sat down casually, her gaze sweeping curiously over the set. "The sets for your 'Chasing Jade' are so beautiful, even more grand than ours."

Tian Xiwei smiled and ruffled her hair: "If you're envious, come visit more often. You're always welcome."

Kong Xueer, who was standing next to her, greeted them with a smile. The two chatted about period costume makeup and styling, wire work experiences, and tips for staying cool while filming in the summer, and quickly became acquainted.

Amy's gaze finally settled on Gu Zhiyan, her eyes sparkling: "Brother Yan, I'm always amazed by your acting. Your emotions switch so quickly. I often see behind-the-scenes photos of you on the other set."

Gu Zhiyan chuckled at the girl's straightforward praise: "You acted very well too. Xie Jiayu's gentle yet strong character in 'Sparrow Bone' was very impressive."

Upon receiving confirmation from the person in question, Amy's eyes lit up even more, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she whispered, "Then can I come over often to audit your classes and watch you film?"

The whole audience burst into laughter instantly.

Tian Xiwei joked, "Oh no, Xue'er's status as a student is in jeopardy. Now she has another regular little fangirl."

Kong Xueer wasn't annoyed and nodded with a smile: "Welcome, little sister Aimi, to the team. We'll study together from now on."

During a break, Amy curiously flipped through their script. Looking at the plot of "Chasing Jade," which was intertwined with power struggles, love, and hate, she couldn't help but sigh: "Xie Zheng's character is so complex. He is both forbearing and scheming, gentle yet ruthless. Brother Zhiyan has captured the nuances so well. I really want to learn how to act with such restrained emotions."

Gu Zhiyan patiently explained to her in a simple way: "You don't need to 'fully' act out a complex role. Leaving room for interpretation is the most important thing. The heavier the emotion, the more gently you should release it."

Amy quickly pulled out her phone's memo app and carefully wrote it down. Her well-behaved and earnest appearance was extremely cute.

A crew member casually snapped a photo of the group of people together.

The bright and lively Amy, the sweet and smiling Tian Xiwei, the quiet and well-behaved Kong Xueer, and the patient and gentle Gu Zhiyan sit around a table sharing desserts and chatting about their daily life on set. The scene is clean and healing.

After chatting for a while, the production assistant announced that filming would continue.

Amy, being considerate, stood up so as not to disrupt the filming schedule. Before leaving, she even waved goodbye, saying, "I'll come again next time! With even more delicious food!"

Gu Zhiyan smiled and said, "You're welcome anytime."

In the days that followed, Ai Mi became a regular on the set of "Chasing Jade".

November arrived quickly, and the weather gradually cooled down.

Night fell over the Hengdian filming location, and the artificial rainmaking equipment had been tested and ready.

Tonight we're filming a scene where Xie Zheng stands alone in the courtyard on a rainy night.

A heavy rain washed away the extravagance of the Marquis's mansion. He learned that a new clue had been added to the old case of his family. He was filled with resentment and had nowhere to vent it. He did not want to go inside to avoid the rain and let the cold rain soak through his brocade robe.

After her makeup and styling were completed, Gu Zhiyan changed into a dark brocade robe and a simple hair tie. Standing in the courtyard setting, cold water was poured down from above. The brocade quickly absorbed the rainwater and clung heavily to her back, the chill seeping into her skin through the fabric.

"Power on!"

The rain poured down.

Xie Zheng stood in the rain with his head down, his fists slowly clenching, but he did not roar or break down. Rainwater kept falling down his chin, and it was hard to tell whether it was rain or the dampness he was hiding.

His back was straight, his eyes swirling with turbulent emotions, yet his face remained remarkably calm. He remained silent for a long time, with only his chest breathing becoming deeper and deeper with each breath. After a while, he slowly tilted his head back, letting the raindrops pound against his eyelids, and closed his eyes.

The entire long take was completed in one go.

"Cut! Excellent!" The director raised his hand and called for a stop.

As soon as the sprinkler system was turned off, staff immediately ran over with large umbrellas and handed over thick bath towels.

Despite being soaked to the bone, Gu Zhiyan went to the monitor to review the entire footage.

Tian Xiwei and Kong Xueer stood by, holding dry towels in their hands, their eyes fixed on the playback, silently pondering the emotional power conveyed by this long shot.

Amy, who had just arrived to visit the set, happened to be on set and stood at the back of the crowd, watching with bated breath.

"In this take, Xie Zheng's restraint is very difficult to capture," Gu Zhiyan said softly to the director, tapping the screen with her fingertips. "If the head falls a beat slower when he tilts his head back and closes his eyes, the atmosphere will be stronger."

The director pondered for a moment, then nodded in approval: "Okay, let's do another take."

The second round of rainfall begins.

The heavy rain poured down again.

This time, Gu Zhiyan's emotional control was more delicate. Her clenched fingers slowly loosened, suppressing the surging pain in her heart. Her head tilting back slowed down, and in the instant she closed her eyes, her helplessness and loneliness melted into the rain.

After the entire shot was completed, the staff present were silent for a moment, and then a murmur of admiration rang out.

The filming wrapped up smoothly, and his assistant rushed over to wrap his soaking wet body and serve him piping hot ginger tea.

Amy stepped forward, her tone full of admiration: "It's so hard to stay that calm in the rain. When I'm filming scenes where I have to get wet in the rain, I can't help but shiver."

"Shaking is a physiological reaction." Gu Zhiyan wiped the rain off her face and smiled. "As long as you let the trembling be hidden in the character's restraint, it can become part of the performance. There's no need to suppress it."

Kong Xueer noted down this sentence and wrote it on the title page of the script.

Footage of the rain scene that night was leaked, and the trending topic "Gu Zhiyan's long shot in the rain" quickly rose, sparking heated discussions.

"The most poignant sense of devastation comes from a breakdown without screams."

"With rain streaming down his body and all his worries buried deep inside, Xie Zheng came back to life."

"Gu Zhiyan watches the playback after filming the first take; it's a professional habit ingrained in his bones."

"Haha, Kong Xueer and Ai Mi are both attending the online class, a special session for rainy nights."

"I can feel how cold the rain is even through the screen. It must be tough on the actors."

……

After removing their makeup, the group returned to their respective hotels.

Watching Sister Xiwei and Sister Xue'er walk away with Brother Xiaoyan, Aimi felt envious.

Dilraba has already told her that she'll wait until she turns eighteen...

Time is passing so slowly!