This director loves making friends.

Compared to Wu Yujuan, He Qing is much more famous.

However, this refers to later generations.

Currently, He Qing's fame is not as great as Wu Yujuan's, especially in the film industry.

Although He Qing entered the industry earlier and acted in more movies than Wu Yujuan, Wu Yujuan is an academic graduate and one of the "Five Golden Flowers" of the Central Academy of Drama. She has been nominated for the Golden Rooster Award for Best Actress and won the Hundred Flowers Award for Best Supporting Actress, which immediately elevates her "prestige".

Unlike Wu Yujuan, He Qing has no notable awards in either the television or film industries.

Of course, this is also related to one's "origin".

Those who know, know; it's an undeniable fact that actors and directors with academic backgrounds are more likely to win awards.

He Qing also wanted to win an award.

That's why she recently took on the role in Huang Jianzhong's "Fire Boat".

This film is Huang Jianzhong's "ambitious" work.

Zhang Yimou's "Ju Dou" is about the relationship between an aunt and nephew, which brought him international fame. It not only almost won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, but also became the first Chinese film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

So Huang Jianzhong decided to take it a step further and film something even more exciting. Aunt and niece? What are they? Father and daughter...

You, Zhang Yimou, invited Li Baotian to play the "nephew," so I invited Li Baotian to play the "father."

You, Zhang Yimou, cast Gong Li as "Auntie," and I... What? Gong Li refused? I... I'll find someone even more delicate and charming than Gong Li.

Did He Qing know the plot of "The Fire Boat" before she took on the role? Of course she did.

However, as an actor, who doesn't want to win awards? Who doesn't want to be in the limelight? Who doesn't want to be internationally famous?

Unfortunately, after the film was made, it encountered a small problem with censorship. It wasn't that the authorities wouldn't allow it to be released, but they wanted to make some minor changes to make it as subtle as possible and less explicit.

But Huang Jianzhong didn't want to change it.

And so a stalemate ensued.

Furthermore, the film was not selected for the three major European film festivals.

With no hope of joining the top three European countries, He Qing was disappointed for a long time.

Director Xie Fei's audition invitation gave He Qing renewed hope, and she definitely wanted to seize the opportunity, especially after being disappointed once.

Unlike Huang Jianzhong, who had already won three Best Feature Film awards at the Hundred Flowers Awards by this time, Xie Fei had won more international awards, especially the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, one of the three major European film awards.

"Hello, I'm Qin Keqing, the assistant director of 'Woman of Fragrant Souls'."

Upon seeing He Qing arrive, Qin Keqing extended his hand and introduced himself.

Qin Keqing felt a pang of emotion, not because she was impressed by He Qing's beauty—He Qing was indeed beautiful, more beautiful, purer, more captivating, and more delicate than Wu Yujuan…

Qin Keqing was struck by the change in her own mindset.

Logically speaking, he has lived two lives, so his mindset shouldn't have changed too much.

However, even though he was optimistic and confident and constantly reminded himself to maintain a good mindset, his year-long career as an extra still had a significant impact on him, and he sometimes unconsciously became humble.

The saying that the environment influences people is indeed true.

What is an extra?

At the very bottom of the film and television industry, they wait to be "picked" every day, crammed into the most inconspicuous corners of the set, waiting to be filmed, being bossed around, receiving the lowest pay, and sometimes even having some of it deducted...

Clothing, food, housing, and transportation are all at the bare minimum standard.

How could it not affect one's mindset?

Even after Qin Keqing became Xie Fei's assistant, he remained cautious in his words and actions, and had a somewhat "humble" mentality, even though his employee badge read "assistant director".

It wasn't until Xie Fei gave him the real job as an assistant director that he stayed up until 3:30 a.m. last night to look at materials and learn how to write shooting schedules and arrangements.

Qin Keqing got up at 6:30 a.m. as usual today. He first arranged Xie Fei's schedule for the day. When he met He Qing, he was still a little tired, but his mindset had quietly changed.

He no longer subconsciously calls out "teacher" when he speaks. This is not because he has become arrogant or conceited, but because in this era in mainland China, as an assistant director of a film, his status is naturally "higher" than that of ordinary actors, and there is no need to be humble in front of actors.

He just took it in stride.

He Qing was taken aback for a moment, but seeing that Qin Keqing was not joking, she quickly grasped Qin Keqing's hand and said with a smile, "Hello Director Qin, I am He Qing."

After hesitating for a moment, she explained, "I'm sorry, I thought you were joking. I played Qin Keqing in the movie 'Dream of the Red Chamber'."

"Then we are quite destined to meet."

This time, Qin Keqing didn't explain the meaning of her name. "Come with me, I'll take you to the audition room."

He Qing followed closely behind Qin Keqing, watching his retreating figure, and couldn't help but think, "This scholarly Director Qin looks so refined and gentle, I wonder if he'll be easy to get along with..."

Although it was called an audition, it wasn't really that formal.

In other words, the actors were given two less glamorous outfits, a little styling, and a couple of lines to read. Xie Fei's main consideration was whether the actors fit the character's description.

"Huanhuan" is a pitiful girl. First of all, she must appear weak and easy to bully, and not too edgy or individualistic, so that people will feel pity for her at first glance.

In this respect, both Wu Yujuan and He Qing meet the requirements.

Xie Fei did not give a definite answer on the spot; he needed to consider it further.

"Director Qin, when are you free? I'm so sorry, I thought you were joking with me. To express my apologies, let me treat you to a meal."

Qin Keqing saw He Qing out, and as He Qing left, she smiled somewhat embarrassedly and said...

This surprised Qin Keqing.

That reason... is rather far-fetched.

When we first met, you were only slightly taken aback by my introduction, but then you immediately realized what I had done wrong.

Well, finding a reason is always better than having no reason at all; at least it doesn't make you seem "humble" or begging for help.

Qin Keqing has been very busy lately. He hasn't quite gotten used to the film shooting schedule and arrangements he just took over, and he also has to arrange Xie Fei's schedule and handle some other matters related to Xie Fei. How could he have time to eat?

He glanced at the "gentle and weak" He Qing and felt a sudden itch in his heart.

Well, this is the film and television industry. Let's take it one step at a time, whether there's a chance or not.

"I can't accept something for nothing. How about this, if I can help you, you treat me to a meal, okay?"

They're all adults, and He Qing has been in the film and television industry for so many years, how could he not understand Qin Keqing's meaning?

She pursed her lips, then looked up at Qin Keqing. He was 1.78 meters tall, with a refined appearance, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and had a scholarly air about him... He was quite pleasing to the eye.

With a promising future... being both Director Xie Fei's personal assistant and the film crew's assistant director, he seems to have a bright future.

"Will 'Woman Sesame Oil Maker' be submitted to any international film festivals?"

He Qing did not answer directly, but changed the subject.

She was actually somewhat tempted, but... she still needed a reason that could "convince" her, a reason that was respectable and reassuring.

"I'm not sure about that. I'm not with the production company; I'm just an assistant director. There are many things that are beyond my control."

Qin Keqing shook his head and said.

He Qing lowered her head after hearing Qin Keqing's words, feeling a mix of emotions. "Can't you just lie to me for once?"

"However, I guess they will probably attend next year's Berlin Film Festival."

He Qing suddenly raised her head and stared into Qin Keqing's eyes.

"The Berlin Film Festival? One of the three major European film festivals? The Berlin Film Festival where director Xie Fei won the Silver Bear?"

She emphasized it again, as if questioning, or perhaps trying to explain it to herself.