Chinese entertainment: Top stars have no holidays

Chapter 91 Sister Tong: Oh no, this kid's got some skills at fishing!

In just a few minutes, the two large boxes of Thai specialty gifts were all distributed.

From the lead actors and producers to every staff member involved in lighting, props, set management, and makeup, everyone received a gift prepared by Jiang Bai.

The set was filled with expressions of gratitude, creating a particularly harmonious atmosphere.

Moreover, one is bound to be obligated to accept gifts or favors.

Originally, Jiang Bai took a five-day leave after only a few days of filming, which had a negative impact on the production team.

After all, once filming begins, the daily costs of venue rental, equipment wear and tear, and personnel salaries amount to hundreds of thousands of yuan, and the rate at which money is burned is extremely alarming.

The male lead temporarily left his post.

Even though the production team tried their best to coordinate the order of scenes and prioritize filming other supporting roles and ensemble scenes to make up for the schedule gaps as much as possible.

However, this still disrupted the originally tight shooting schedule.

This inadvertently increased the workload of all staff, forcing everyone to work overtime and catch up on the schedule.

Especially in the last few days, the entire internet has been flooded with trending news and photos of Jiangbai enjoying great success in Southeast Asia, promoting its products, and being surrounded and adored by countless fans.

On one hand, he was making a fortune abroad, his popularity soared, and he became a sensation, while on the other hand, the crew stayed behind, working hard to catch up on the progress and staying up all night.

Comparing the two, it's inevitable that some people will secretly complain, harboring resentment and a sense of imbalance.

But Jiang Bai's generous and thoughtful gift-giving effortlessly smoothed over everyone's lingering resentment.

If there's a share of the profits, then everything is negotiable.

Jiang Bai is quite adept at navigating interpersonal relationships and social interactions.

After seeing off the staff who had gathered around to receive gifts, Jiang Bai dusted off his hands and turned his gaze to Li Yitong, who was standing not far away.

At this moment, Li Yitong was squatting on the steps of the rest area, eagerly opening a bag of Thai dried mangoes, chewing slowly in small bites, her cheeks slightly puffed out.

The way her cheeks puffed out and twitched was just like a little squirrel secretly hoarding food, both cute and adorable.

Jiang Bai couldn't help but ask, "Sister Tong, are you really 27 years old this year?"

She looks like an 18-year-old girl!

Is Li Yitong's age increasing in reverse, like getting 10 less for every 20 years?

She looks young enough to rival Oda Koichi.

"Huh?" Li Yitong was stunned for a moment before realizing that "Sister Tong" was calling her.

"Don't call me Sister Tong, it feels strange." Li Yitong waved her hand. "Just call me Sister Xue instead."

"My real name is Li Xue, which I have been calling myself for 25 years since I was a child. I have only been using the stage name Li Yitong for two years, and I haven't gotten used to it yet."

"Sometimes when fans call me, I don't even realize it."

"Sure," Jiang Bai shrugged, saying nonchalantly, "A name is just a label."

"Then stop calling me Teacher Jiang. I've already said just call me by my name."

Although Jiang Bai had told him on their first day of meeting that he could just call him by his name.

But during the previous filming, Li Yitong still habitually called him Teacher Jiang.

This might be a habit she developed from spending a lot of time on film sets.

"Okay, okay, I'll remember this time." Li Yitong nodded with a smile.

"Alright." Jiang Bai nodded, took the script from the assistant, and said, "Sister Xue, it's time for us to get started."

After saying that, he waved the script in his hand and turned to walk towards the director, who was sitting behind the monitor waiting for the crew to set up the scene.

Looking at Jiang Bai's retreating figure, Li Yitong pouted slightly, feeling a little annoyed.

Hearing Jiang Bai address her as "Sister Xue" and "Sister Tong" repeatedly, Li Yitong felt a little conflicted.

She's also a girl who loves surfing the internet, so she naturally knows the popular saying online: "If you're younger than me, you don't call me 'sister,' you're a bit wild."

But he called me "sister"!

Li Yitong's current feelings are a mix of fear that you won't come and fear that you'll cause trouble.

Jiang Bai doesn't call her "sister," and she worries that he might have ulterior motives towards her.

But his constant use of "sister" might disappoint Li Yitong. Doesn't she have any charm or appeal at all?

The little boy immediately defined their relationship as that of siblings.

Doesn't this mean Jiang Bai isn't interested in her?

A woman's competitive spirit sometimes manifests itself in these strange ways.

"Hmph." Li Yitong crossed her arms and looked at Jiang Bai's back, letting out a few ambiguous hums.

"Get ready, I'm getting my makeup done and waiting to go on stage!"

The morning's filming went very smoothly and was completed.

Several everyday campus scenes were filmed in one take with very few retakes.

After a quick lunch, the crew of "Twinkle Twinkle Twinkle" moved to the next filming location.

Buses carrying actors and crew members made a grand journey to the old city street location on the outskirts of the city for filming.

In the afternoon, the crew was going to shoot a major scene.

A very important and romantic rain scene in the script.

This scene requires a perfect blend of emotion, atmosphere, and cinematic aesthetics.

The director even planned an entire afternoon to shoot this scene, which would only last about two to three minutes in the final cut, demonstrating its importance.

The outdoor filming location was set up early, and the entire old street was cleared and closed off.

This afternoon, the sky in Qingdao was already overcast and heavy, with the gray clouds hanging very low. It was a day that the assistant director had specifically chosen, based on the weather forecast, as a perfect day for filming rain scenes.

Two large water trucks belonging to the film crew were already in place on site.

After the high-pressure sprinkler equipment was debugged, the ground was pre-sprinkled with water to moisten it. The entire asphalt road was wet, reflecting the dim skylight, instantly creating a wonderful atmosphere.

The props team set up wooden benches along the roadside, and the cameras were positioned in all directions. Four sets of cameras—long shot, medium shot, close-up, and extreme close-up—were on standby at the same time, along with a dedicated tracking track and slow-motion camera position, to capture every detail throughout the entire process.

Jiang Bai and Li Yitong had already changed their clothes in advance.

Both of them were wearing high school uniforms from the show, but the style of private high schools. Simply put, they looked good. The boy wore a white shirt and suit pants, while the girl wore a white shirt and a pleated skirt.

The two carried black and pink backpacks, and their black hair was styled neatly by the stylist, instantly giving them the feel of high school boys and girls.

Before filming began, the director specially pulled the two actors to squat in front of the camera and explained the scene in detail: "The core of this scene is a sense of mutual destiny."

"Lin Beixing's feelings spanned countless years of lingering fear, relief, and the ecstatic joy of regaining what was lost."

"Zhang Wansen felt an instinctive flutter in his heart and a vague sense of familiarity. He didn't know her, but his soul remembered her."

"Run frantically, hug tightly, and confess sincerely. During slow motion, keep your emotions steady, don't overdo it with your expressions, and don't overact. The most touching thing is the silence."

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The two nodded, carefully noting down the emotional rhythm, and then went to their respective positions to wait.

During the break, a cool breeze carrying moisture blew over, and Li Yitong pulled the hem of her school uniform tighter around herself, her gaze unconsciously drifting towards Jiang Bai not far away.

The lingering competitive spirit she felt that morning hadn't completely dissipated.

Jiang Bai kept calling her "sister," drawing a clear line between them, which made her doubt herself and want to prove her feminine charm.

And the next scene is the perfect opportunity to showcase her charm.

An older sister travels through time to save her high school younger brother, and then passionately confesses her love.

It sounds so romantic and exciting!

She had to act in a way that was moving and compelling enough, so that Jiang Bai could clearly see her sister's charm!

Then she firmly rejected Jiang Bai, saying that they were just colleagues on set, and he couldn't fall for her just because she was so charming!

"All teams in position! Power on!"

The shouts from the production crew pulled Li Yitong back to the filming location.

The sound of the clapperboard echoed across the set, and the water truck started up instantly, unleashing a torrential downpour. The sound of the rain instantly engulfed the entire street, and the air was filled with mist, bringing a refreshing coolness.

Under the gloomy rain, Lin Beixing, played by Li Yitong, sat quietly on a roadside bench.

Her lowered eyelashes trembled slightly, and then she suddenly opened her eyes.

At first, there was a blank look in his eyes, followed by a surge of trembling from the joy of regaining what he had lost, and lingering fear. These layers of emotions settled down in an instant.

She raised her head and immediately looked to her side.

Not far away, Zhang Wansen, played by Jiang Bai, stood quietly in the rain, holding a black umbrella.

In this parallel universe, his memory is blank, and he has never crossed paths with Lin Beixing.

But even standing in the rain with an umbrella, he would still subconsciously stop in his tracks, his gaze uncontrollably drifting to the side, repeatedly glancing at the girl on the bench.

Curiosity, confusion, and unfamiliarity, yet also a vague sense of familiar excitement.

Without any deliberate exaggerated expressions, but with subtle pauses and gazes in his eyes, Jiang Bai perfectly conveyed the boy's concern.

The director behind the monitor nodded secretly; the two were in perfect form, and the atmosphere was spot on.

The next second, three extras who looked like thugs slowly walked down the steps by the roadside, their eyes wandering around, looking around and searching for targets in the street with a roguish air, instantly creating a sense of tension.

Sitting on the bench, Li Yitong's pupils contracted slightly, her eyes filled with panic and vigilance.

In this timeline, Zhang Wansen was killed by these three thugs.

She didn't dare to waste a second, she jumped up and rushed out from under the eaves, her feet barely touching the wet ground.

The sounds of wind and rain mingled together as she rushed to Zhang Wansen and grabbed his wrist.

Her fingertips gripped tightly, her fingers digging in, a mixture of fear and determination at the prospect of losing him again.

Without needing any more lines, she grabbed the unsuspecting Jiang Bai, turned around, and sprinted wildly in the opposite direction of the road.

Under the immense pulling force, the black umbrella in Jiang Bai's hand flew out and crashed heavily onto the puddle, splashing up a circle of clear water droplets, lying alone in the torrential rain.

"Slow motion, move forward!" the director whispered.

Multiple cameras simultaneously played the video in slow motion, capturing the moment perfectly.

On the long, empty highway, a torrential downpour enveloped the sky and earth in fine rain.

A girl in a school uniform held a boy's wrist with one hand as they ran one after the other in the rain. Their schoolbags swayed gently behind them, their hair was wet and clung to their cheeks, and their school uniforms were soaked with water, leaving watermarks of varying shades.

Li Yitong held his wrist tightly the whole time, her steps were quick but firm, her back was thin but she had a fearless courage.

Jiang Bai followed passively, his body stiffening slightly, his brows and eyes blank, his clear eyes filled with unexpected panic, yet he willingly let her lead him forward.

The misty rain blurred the scene, creating a beautiful yet fateful atmosphere. A sense of fragmentation and romance intertwined, resulting in an explosive ambiance.

Multiple cameras simultaneously captured the running scene, with medium shots, close-ups, and extreme close-ups all projected onto the director's monitor.

Sitting on a small stool, Li Qingrong held a walkie-talkie and kept directing the cameramen in different positions to adjust their angles.

In the scene, the two main characters run wildly to a street corner.

Having moved away from the danger zone, Li Yitong suddenly stopped.

Even amidst the sound of rain, the rapid breathing was still clearly audible.

She turned around abruptly, raised her arms, and grabbed Jiang Bai's neck tightly, hugging him tightly.

This hug took all of his strength.

Lin Beixing's emotions completely collapsed and burst forth, tears instantly overflowing and streaming down her cheeks, mingling with the rain.

Jiang Bai, who plays Zhang Wansen, is completely frozen in place, at a loss, and has no idea what has happened.

The unfamiliar girl, the sudden embrace, and the overwhelming emotions completely overwhelmed the reserved and timid boy.

He subconsciously lowered his head slightly, resting it gently on her shoulder. His clear eyes were filled with confusion and helplessness, perfectly conveying his emotions.

The few seconds of stiff pause were just right.

The next moment, Jiang Bai awkwardly raised his hands and carefully held the sides of her schoolbag, stiffly and clumsily hugging her back, his movements both immature and restrained.

The rain is still falling, and the wind is still blowing.

Li Yitong buried her face in his shoulder, her sobs choked with emotion, yet concealing a smile of joy at having found what she had lost. Her hoarse voice murmured softly, "You're alright, that's wonderful."

A close-up shot was shoved directly into Li Yitong's face.

She leaned on Jiang Bai's shoulder, laughing and crying, crying with joy, her emotions overflowing.

The director looked at the footage coming through the camera and nodded repeatedly: "The emotion is great, keep it up!"

Every staff member watching the monitor was deeply moved by Li Yitong's performance.

The key to this scene lies entirely with Li Yitong; only if she performs brilliantly will this scene become a classic moment in the series.

Fortunately, Li Yitong did it perfectly.

A few seconds later, Lin Beixing in the play slowly calmed down and gently opened his arms.

Rainwater washed over their faces, making their wet eyes and brows even more captivating.

Jiang Bai took a small step back, panting heavily, his chest rising and falling slightly.

He stared intently at the tear-filled girl before him, his eyes filled with confusion, and spoke softly, his tone tinged with a distant bewilderment, "Do you know me?"

Li Yitong looked up, her large, wet eyes clear and bright. Although tears were still flowing, her curved eyes were already filled with a gentle smile, which was extremely infectious.

She nodded emphatically, her voice hoarse from crying, gentle yet firm: "Yes, we've known each other for a long time."

After a half-second pause, she looked at his bewildered eyes and added a gentle and romantic confession: "If you feel it's not enough, we can get to know each other again."

Jiang Bai accurately caught the emotions she was releasing.

Although Zhang Wansen in this timeline has no memory, the instinct for love etched deep in his soul cannot be erased.

He lowered his eyes to catch his breath, then looked up and gazed straight into her star-filled eyes, his gaze clean, focused, and affectionate.

There are no extraneous emotions outside the script, only the character's instinctive attraction and succumb to the role.

He slowly raised his right hand, his movements slow and hesitant, carrying the shyness and tentativeness of a young boy.

Seeing this, Li Yitong reached out without hesitation and firmly grasped his palm.

Two hands clasped tightly in the cold rain, their warmth blending together, a sense of destiny palpable.

Their eyes met, and they remained locked on the same spot for a long time.

Li Yitong's eyes shone with a smile, both gentle and passionate. Facing the torrential rain, she confessed her love, word by word: "Zhang Wansen, I like you, I like you very, very much."

As the words fell, the rain began to fall softly, and the wind died down.

The boy stood silently, gazing at the unwavering determination in her eyes.

"Cut! Perfect!"

The director's excited shout suddenly rang out.

The water truck was immediately shut down, and the torrential rain stopped instantly.

The entire long take is emotionally coherent, full of atmosphere, and impeccable in detail, and can be completed in one take without reshooting.

The set erupted in applause.

The surrounding staff exclaimed in admiration, "This is a textbook example of a famous scene from an idol drama!"

The atmosphere, emotions, and sense of destiny are all top-notch; it's guaranteed to be a huge hit when it airs.

The moment the scene ended, the emotions belonging to the character faded from Jiang Bai's eyes. He quickly detached himself from the role and returned to his clear-headed and composed self. He released his hand from Li Yitong's, took a half step back, and politely maintained a suitable distance between actors.

However, Li Yitong, who had just fully immersed herself in the role and experienced an emotional outburst in order to perform this scene well, did not find it so easy to break out of character.

The close eye contact, the warmth of their palms touching, the thrill of their embrace in the rain, and Jiang Bai's incredibly affectionate eyes—all of it was so real, so touching.

Li Yitong's heart pounded, her ears burned, and the competitive desire to prove her charm no longer mattered.

She turned her head slightly and secretly glanced at Jiang Bai, who was calm and composed beside her.

My heart felt both sweet and melancholy, joyful and conflicted.

In the play, he only has eyes for her, a love destined by fate, and he is unwavering in his devotion.

Off-screen, however, he immediately retreated to a safe distance, still addressing her as "sister" repeatedly, demonstrating a perfect sense of propriety.

Li Yitong bit her lower lip secretly, her heart filled with a mix of inner turmoil, resentment, and longing, which grew increasingly chaotic.

She was a little confused as to whether she was being influenced by the character or if she really had some other feelings for Jiang Bai.

"Come on, let's secure one more!"

"Then some close-up shots had to be filmed in multiple takes!"

"Actors, hang in there! Water truck, get ready!"

Seriously? We need a panoramic shot too?

Upon hearing the director's call, Li Yitong quickly patted her face and refused the blanket offered by her assistant.

In the crucial moment, ambition prevailed.

Personal feelings are nothing compared to filming!

"Are you alright?" Jiang Bai, who was walking back with her, asked with concern, "Although the weather hasn't gotten cold yet, getting soaked in the rain like this can easily make you catch a cold."

"Especially you female celebrities, who are already physically weaker, need to be even more careful."

"I had my assistant prepare some ginger tea in advance, a generous amount. I'll have your assistant pour a few cups later."

Li Yitong raised her head and stared blankly at Jiang Bai.

No, who is the older one?

Why is it that when she's with Jiang Bai, she feels like she's being taken care of by a mature older brother?

Something's off about you, kid!

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