This director loves making friends.

The budget for "Woman Sesame Oil Maker" was 260 million, which was considered a small budget compared to other Hong Kong films of the same period. At that time, Hong Kong produced many films with budgets exceeding 2000 million each year.

However, this was an ordinary feature film produced by a state-owned film studio in mainland China in the early 1990s, with investments typically ranging from 500,000 to 1.5 million yuan.

This is because the overall investment amount has increased in the last two years.

Before the 1990s, the cost of an ordinary film was only between 300,000 and 600,000 yuan, while a big production cost only a little over 1 million yuan.

The reason why the cost can be kept so low is mainly because the actors and directors receive fixed salaries, and the daily allowances during filming are pitifully small, resulting in extremely low labor costs.

In addition, location shooting often relies on the cooperation of other units, so the location fee is almost zero.

So don't think that the investment of 260 million for "Woman Sesame Oil Maker" is small; it is a relatively generous investment.

After filming wrapped up for "Woman Sesame Oil Maker," the crew returned to Beijing and held a large wrap party at Cuihualou Restaurant near Wangfujing.

"Director Xie, let me toast you. I've learned a lot from working with you this time. I'll drink this in, but please feel free to drink as you like."

After Chen Baoguo finished speaking, he picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp, appearing very generous.

Xie Fei chuckled and took a sip, then waved to Chen Baoguo, "Sit down, sit down and talk. There are no outsiders here, we're all family, no need to be polite."

In "Woman Sesame Oil Maker," Chen Baoguo plays the lover of Xiang Ersao, one of the female leads. He has a significant role and even has passionate scenes with Siqin Gaowa.

Qin Keqing admired Chen Baoguo's dedication to his work.

When filming this scene, Xie Fei was still hesitant about the appropriate level of intimacy, a fact that Qin Keqing was aware of.

Therefore, Xie Fei let Chen Baoguo and Siqin Gaowa improvise several times at different scales, so that he could choose the best one.

"Director Qin, this is a toast to you. To be honest, at first I thought that such a young assistant director like you would be flustered and would need some time to adapt."

I admit I misjudged you. Your abilities are beyond question, everyone has seen your hard work, and the smooth operation of the production team is inseparable from your leadership.

Chen Baoguo refilled the wine, picked it up, and said to Qin Keqing.

"Brother Chen, I really can't drink. Today is a happy day, you don't want me to embarrass myself, do you?"

Qin Keqing picked up his wine glass, but didn't rush to clink glasses with Chen Baoguo. He smiled and said...

In situations like this, Xie Fei holds the highest position, and no one dares to force him to drink.

Qin Keqing is young and seems to have a good background, at least that's what the crew thinks. He looks like he has a bright future, so he will definitely be the one to be "forced to drink" today.

Drinking is a quick way to build rapport.

Given Chen Baoguo's hearty drinking style just now, he would definitely have tried every means to persuade her to drink more if it hadn't been discussed beforehand.

"Don't worry, I won't let you drink too much."

Chen Baoguo lowered his glass, clinked it against Qin Keqing's, and then drank it all in one gulp. He didn't forget to turn the glass towards Qin Keqing to show that he hadn't cheated.

"Sigh...sigh..."

Qin Keqing pretended to try to stop Chen Baoguo but failed. He could only hold his wine glass and say, "I am always grateful to have the opportunity to join Director Xie's crew. The time I spent working with everyone was the most unforgettable experience I have ever had. Thank you all for your care and understanding."

I really can't drink, but today is a happy day, and if I don't drink, it'll seem like I'm young and immature. Sigh...

He knew that Chen Baoguo wouldn't just have one drink with him, but that's how it is at drinking parties; you can't make an exception. No matter what Chen Baoguo said next, he couldn't break the rule, otherwise, even with the best alcohol tolerance, he would definitely be drunk to death today.

"How can a young person not know how to drink? Drink up..."

"Yeah, a little won't hurt..."

The people at the table started making a fuss, and that's how the drinking party went.

Qin Keqing feigned reluctance and said, "Can I drink it slowly?"

"That won't do, Old Chen is still waiting for you."

"Drink up, if you don't drink, we can't continue. Old Chen is waiting to drink with the others..."

Qin Keqing said nothing more. It was best not to speak at this point. He looked at his wine glass with some difficulty, then at the people at the main table, and then gritted his teeth and downed it in one gulp.

"Cough...cough cough...cough cough cough..."

Qin Keqing pretended to choke, covering her mouth and lowering her head, coughing incessantly.

He wanted to keep up the act, figuring that if people saw him like this, they wouldn't ask him to drink the rest of the time, even if they asked him to.

Suddenly, he felt someone gently patting his back.

Are you alright?

While taking pictures, He Qing asked with concern.

Qin Keqing certainly couldn't say anything at this moment, he just coughed and waved his hand.

"You can't keep getting Director Qin to drink. Look how uncomfortable he looks. He told you he doesn't drink, but you wouldn't believe him..."

He Qing continued patting Qin Keqing's back. Seeing that Qin Keqing was still coughing, she felt a pang of heartache and spoke directly to everyone at the table.

Qin Keqing felt somewhat helpless. He knew He Qing was concerned about him, but saying these things might offend people. Fortunately, she was a beautiful woman, and beautiful women at the dinner table usually had some "privileges," but being teased was inevitable.

"Oh dear, someone's feeling sorry for me..."

"I can't drink either, and nobody cares..."

"That's because you're too ugly. You need to be as handsome and talented as Director Qin."

He Qing wanted to say something more, but Qin Keqing grabbed her hand under the table. He Qing was startled and dared not move, forgetting to speak.

Their relationship was still clandestine, and Qin Keqing's actions in public were very "exciting" for He Qing.

Actually, you shouldn't join in the conversation at this time. The more you talk, the more trouble you'll cause. That's how it is at the dinner table. After drinking a bit, everyone becomes bolder, and there will be more jokes and remarks, both crude and crude.

After Qin Keqing's performance, no one tried to force him to drink anymore.

He Qing had just sat down next to Qin Keqing and hadn't gone back. She didn't have the energy to do anything right now, so she just kept her head down—Qin Keqing was holding her hand under the table and hadn't let go.

"Isn't it exciting?"

"Want to try something even more exciting later?"

As Qin Keqing spoke, He Qing felt her heart race and her ears turn red.

She just couldn't understand what could be more exciting than this.

After the wrap party, Qin Keqing did not leave. Xie Fei specifically instructed him to wait a moment.

In fact, after today's wrap party, Qin Keqing's work is already complete, and the remaining post-production work does not require his involvement as the assistant director.

"Here, take this."

Xie Fei handed Qin Keqing an envelope and said, "There is 10,000 yuan in here. 8,000 yuan is your assistant director's salary, and the remaining 2,000 yuan is your subsidy for being my assistant."

Qin Keqing didn't hesitate. He still needed money and was very short of it. This money would make him feel much more at ease.

Putting aside the distant past, during the time He Qing stayed in Beijing, he couldn't possibly pay for every guesthouse visit, could he? Now that the movie is finished, there are no more free accommodations.

Qin Keqing felt grateful to Xie Fei once again.

Don't think that 10,000 yuan is a small amount. This was in 1992, when the average monthly wage of employees across the country was only about 300 yuan. Being a "10,000-yuan household" was something that many families could only dream of.

Qin Keqing knew very well that Xie Fei had probably paid him according to the highest standards for hiring directors both domestically and internationally, and that the two thousand yuan was very likely from Xie Fei's own director's fee.

There's no doubt he would use "public funds" to pay the two thousand dollars. Someone of his generation, especially someone from his background, would almost never do such a thing.

He might be more flexible within the rules, like giving Qin Keqing the highest external hiring standards, but he would never break the rules.

After Qin Keqing put the envelope away, Xie Fei asked, "What are your plans next?"

I've been waiting for you to say that.