The Rise of Chinese Entertainment in 2008

That evening, Gu Ning treated everyone in the crew to dinner, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

This is also one of the benefits of script readings: it allows everyone to get to know each other and eliminates the awkwardness of meeting for the first time.

Some renowned directors even require actors to stay on set throughout the entire filming process and address them by the names they use in the movie.

Of course, only top directors can use this method.

It's alright for minor actors with few scenes, but for big-name stars, they're too busy.

It's perfectly normal to take a break from filming a movie or participating in promotional activities, even if you're not filming a movie in the middle of a project.

Only a top-tier director would have the authority to allow them to temporarily put aside all their work and dedicate themselves to a single film.

After the dinner party ended and they returned to the hotel, Gu Ning called Shu Chang.

The call was disconnected as soon as it connected, and Gu Ning sent her a text message.

Should I come find you?

A few minutes later, Shu Chang replied.

No, Sisi is sleeping in my room tonight.

Think of something, I miss you.

Gu Ning felt that a necessary condition for becoming a great director was to be full of energy.

After being reborn, I focused solely on making money and didn't think about much else.

But now that he's regained his complexion and even tasted meat, how could he resist?

……

"Changchang, I always feel like I can't play this role well," Liu Yifei said.

Shu Chang said, "But didn't Director Gu praise you for your thorough understanding of the character?"

"A thorough understanding doesn't mean you can act well," Liu Yifei said, shaking her head.

Her ability to understand the character so thoroughly stems entirely from her own experiences.

Liu Yifei's mother and father divorced, largely due to her grandmother's influence.

In a way, her grandmother was very similar to the female lead in the movie in her old age. She not only liked to get too involved in the affairs of the younger generation, but also favored boys over girls.

Although she didn't spend much time with her grandmother, she was able to understand the psychology of the character Xiang Xinran.

Just as Shu Chang was about to speak, she felt her phone vibrate in her hand. She picked it up and looked at it.

When I saw Gu Ning say she missed her, my heart warmed.

In the past few days, Gu Ning has often sent her caring text messages, and he also calls her in the evenings to chat for a while.

It allowed her to experience a kind of care that was different from that of family.

Seeing that Shu Chang seemed lost in thought, Liu Yifei asked in confusion, "Changchang, what's wrong?"

"No...it's nothing."

Shu Chang snapped out of her daze and said, "Since you're already here, you should at least give it a try."

"Hmm, you make a good point, then I'll give it a try." Liu Yifei nodded.

She was indeed moved by Gu Ning's words last time and wanted to make a breakthrough.

But she got a little nervous when the time came, since the role was very different from what she usually played.

"Then go take a shower first. Director Gu said we have a script reading tomorrow morning and a makeup test in the afternoon. Let's get some rest," Shu Chang said.

"Then I'll go first."

As Liu Yifei spoke, she found her clothes and went to the bathroom.

Shu Chang hesitated for a moment before sending Gu Ning a text message.

【late】

Gu Ning received the text message and a smile appeared on her lips.

But after waiting for more than an hour, Shu Chang still hadn't come over, so he couldn't help but send her another text message.

Inside the singing room.

She was lying in bed, talking absentmindedly to Liu Yifei.

She originally planned to sneak away to find Gu Ning after Liu Yifei fell asleep.

But after she finished showering, Liu Yifei kept chatting with her.

Worried that Gu Ning might send her a text message, she didn't even dare to put her phone on the bedside table, but instead held it in her hand and hid it under the covers.

She felt her phone vibrate and knew it was a message from Gu Ning, but she couldn't reply.

"Director Gu is really amazing. My mom read the script and loved it. She said she'd go see it in theaters when it's released."

Upon hearing this, Shu Chang hesitated and asked, "Qianqian, what do you think of Director Gu?"

"Um?"

Liu Yifei turned to look at Shu Chang and said, "Changchang, something's not right with you."

Shu Chang felt a pang of panic and her eyes darted around as she asked, "What's wrong with me?"

"The tone is wrong."

Liu Yifei laughed and said, "The way you're talking makes it sound like you've taken a liking to Director Gu."

Shu Chang was speechless for a moment. Liu Yifei wasn't usually this smart.

"I only asked because you mentioned it."

"oh."

Liu Yifei thought for a moment and said, "I haven't had much contact with Director Gu, but from what I know so far, he seems like a good person and is very talented."

"Um."

Shu Chang said, "I'm a little sleepy, let's go to sleep."

She dared not bring up the topic again, fearing that Liu Yifei would notice something amiss.

"Okay, time to sleep."

Liu Yifei turned and hugged Shu Chang.

"Don't hug me, it's a little hot."

"I'm not a good sleeper, I can only fall asleep while holding you."

Shu Chang had no choice but to let her hug her, and then closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.

After an unknown amount of time, Shu Chang heard Liu Yifei breathing evenly and knew that she had fallen asleep.

After waiting a while, she carefully took Liu Yifei's hand that was on her body.

But just then, Liu Yifei moved, making her heart tighten.

Fortunately, Liu Yifei simply turned over and then stopped moving.

Shu Chang breathed a sigh of relief, carefully lifted the covers, and got out of bed.

She placed her phone on the bedside table, turned it on, put on her slippers, carefully went to the coat rack, picked up her trench coat, put it on, took out her room key, tiptoed to the door, opened it, peeked out, and seeing no one in the hallway, she left the room.

She gently closed the door, walked quickly towards Gu Ning's room, saw that the door was ajar, pushed it open and went in, then quickly closed the door again.

Only then did her heart finally settle down, and she leaned against the door, panting heavily.

Throughout the entire process, her heart was in her throat, and she also felt a strange sense of excitement.

"Changchang, is that you?"

Gu Ning was half asleep when she was startled awake by the sound of the door closing. She threw off the covers and got out of bed.

His room has a wardrobe on the left and a bathroom on the right as you enter; you can't see the door from the bed.

"Keep your voice down!"

Shu Chang whispered a reminder, noticing Gu Ning blush and turn her head away: "Why don't you wear pajamas to bed?"

Gu Ning was only wearing shorts. Although he was getting sleepy while waiting, little Gu Ning was very energetic, and his ample assets were on full display.

"I don't like wearing pajamas."

Gu Ning smiled and stepped forward to hug Shu Chang, taking off her trench coat for her.

Shu Chang was only wearing a white silk slip dress underneath, which made Gu Ning even more energetic. He bent down, picked her up, and carried her to the bed.

Shu Chang thought she was about to face a storm, but to her surprise, Gu Ning was not in a hurry.

After lying down, he hugged her and asked, "Why did Consort Yi end up sleeping with you?"

Although Liu Yifei only made a cameo appearance, her star power is undeniable, and she didn't even need to be paid for her cameo role.

The room they booked for her was the same standard as the one for the female lead, Shu Chang.

Shu Chang leaned on Gu Ning's shoulder and said, "She's not used to sleeping in the same bed; she can't sleep alone."

"Fortunately, she's only making a cameo appearance and doesn't have many scenes. I'll prioritize filming her scenes later and get her out of there as soon as possible," Gu Ning said.

"..."

Shu Chang whispered, "Hurry up..."

"What did you say?" Gu Ning didn't hear clearly.

"I told you to hurry up, I need to go back, and I can't let Consort Yi find out," Shu Chang said.

"You're giving me a thrill, like I'm having an affair," Gu Ning teased her, leaning close to her ear.

"If you... then I'm leaving," Shu Chang said, embarrassed and annoyed.

She had the same feeling when she first arrived; Gu Ning's teasing made her feel like her secrets had been exposed.

Gu Ning didn't dare tease her anymore and obediently got down to business.