This director loves making friends.

Long time no see, I miss you very much.

Qin Keqing and He Qing proved with their actions that men and women who haven't seen each other for a long time can be really crazy and dare to try anything.

I couldn't sleep at midnight.

"How long are you staying this time? Are you going to Hong Kong again?"

As He Qing was speaking, she was about to sit up, but suddenly frowned, then glared at Qin Keqing, reached out and pinched Qin Keqing's arm and twisted it.

"It's all your fault."

Sometimes, being crazy and daring to try new things may not seem like a big deal at the time, but it can come at a price later.

He Qing was deeply moved by this meeting.

She never imagined that Qin Keqing, who was just an assistant director six months ago, would become a sought-after director who had won two major awards at the Cannes Film Festival.

He Qing knew very well how she had gotten involved with Qin Keqing. It wasn't a case of a woman pursuing a man, nor a man pursuing a woman; it was a transaction.

However, after that transaction... she felt that Qin Keqing hadn't "gotten tired" of her yet.

Therefore, even though she and Qin Keqing kept in touch by phone, she was still somewhat at a loss and anxious when they actually met.

Qin Keqing is no longer the junior assistant she once was, but a renowned young director with international fame. This is why she was so enthusiastic and didn't refuse Qin Keqing's attempts to try out some new ideas.

Qin Keqing smiled and felt that He Qing had wronged her a bit. Some things are difficult to do without the cooperation of the parties involved. How could she blame herself entirely?

"I'll probably be in mainland China for about 40 days. I'll have to go back to Hong Kong after that, as some film scenes need to be completed there."

As Qin Keqing finished speaking, he put his arm around He Qing's slender waist and kissed her just below her collarbone, saying, "I've reserved a role for you in the movie."

A fleeting look of joy crossed He Qing's face.

However, his face was soon filled with regret.

"Oh dear, what a pity. I have to go on a theatrical tour with the performing arts troupe in three days, so I won't have time to act in a movie at all."

"Can't I ask for leave?"

He Qing thought about it seriously this time, then shook her head, "No, everyone has worked hard to rehearse for months, and now it's time to show the results. If I take leave, even though there are substitute actors, it will have a very bad influence."

She was officially transferred to the drama troupe under the All-China Federation of Trade Unions at the beginning of the year. This is the first play she is rehearsing in her new unit. If she takes leave to film a movie, she can expect a lot of gossip in her new unit.

"Only three days?"

"What do you want to do?"

He Qing looked at Qin Keqing warily; she was still a little sore.

"Honey, you'll be busy with your new movie tomorrow, let's go to bed early."

After saying that, she quickly turned her back and lay on her side to prevent Qin Keqing from doing anything bad.

However, she probably didn't know that this side-lying "S" position is really tempting to energetic men.

Perhaps they knew it and did it on purpose.

"what……"

A sudden gust of wind ripples across the spring pond.

Idly leading mandarin ducks along the fragrant path, I gently caress the red apricot blossoms.

He Qing was unable to play the little girl's mother in "The Uncle" because she had to perform in a stage play, which was somewhat unexpected for Qin Keqing.

However, it's not a big deal.

This character doesn't have many scenes and leaves the show early on, so it doesn't require much acting skill or tension. You could just find any young and pretty actress in China.

Since we've chosen to cooperate with Qingying Film Studio, it wouldn't be right not to give them any roles. It's a good idea to give this role to Qingying Film Studio, let them recommend a few people, and then Qin Keqing can make the final decision.

Qingying Film Studio was very efficient, and soon recommended two people to Qin Keqing. Qin Keqing looked at their resumes.

One is Kong Lin, a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy's Class of '87, who has starred in Li Shaohong's "Bloody Morning" and Zhang Yimou's "Raise the Red Lantern".

One is Xu Qing, a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy's Class of '88. She has acted in Chen Kaige's "Life on a String" and also starred in the TV series "The Imperial City".

Furthermore, it was specifically noted that Xu Qing was sent to Singapore by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission last year, where she starred in the TV series "The Golden Master" and "Fiery Lover".

During this period, he also collaborated with Wu Zhenyu and others, starring in the Singaporean film "Crazy Butterfly".

She had just returned from Singapore not long ago.

Upon first glance at the resume, Qin Keqing guessed that Qingying Film Studio's main target was Xu Qing, and Kong Lin was merely a "study companion".

Qin Keqing had worked in a state-owned film studio for so many years in his previous life, so he knew the ins and outs all too well.

"Xu Qing? It must be that Xu Qing, right?"

Since Qingying Film Studio recommended two people, Qin Keqing definitely had to meet them.

It really was Xu Qing.

However, Xu Qing is only 24 years old now, and she doesn't yet have the mature charm she will have a few years later. She looks a little chubby, but her dimples are quite noticeable.

She has a particularly beautiful smile.

"This character doesn't have many scenes, and she's a drug-addicted and degenerate mother. The character herself isn't likable."

Xu Qing actually has no shortage of acting opportunities, but because of her background, Qin Keqing was worried that such roles might affect her family, so she specifically reminded her.

However, it's highly unlikely.

Her role in "Fire Lover" in Singapore wasn't exactly a good one either.

But we should take precautions.

"Don't worry, Director Qin, I can make my own decisions. I'd really like to take on a role like this."

Xu Qing said with a smile, her dimples becoming more prominent as she laughed, giving her a touch of charm.

"Okay, I understand. You can go back and wait for news."

"Okay, thank you, Director Qin."

After Xu Qing left, Qin Keqing looked at Zheng Dongtian, the director of Qingying Film Studio, who was standing next to her.

Xie Fei had told Qin Keqing that he had a very good relationship with Zheng Dongtian, the director of Qingying Film Studio. They were old partners and friends for decades. He had already spoken to Zheng Dongtian and told Qin Keqing not to stand on ceremony with him.

Zheng Dongtian is currently not only the director of the Qingdao Film Studio, but also the head of the Directing Department of the Beijing Film Academy.

"It's alright, don't worry about using it. I'm here, nothing will happen."

Zheng Dongtian smacked his lips. Now that there was no one else in the audition room, he relaxed, smiled, and joked, "You're quite cautious, kid. Don't worry, with Lao Xie and me here, her family... will be fine."

"Then let's pledge our love?"

"It's up to you; it doesn't matter who you choose."

Qin Keqing smiled and nodded. It seemed that he wasn't related to the Qingying Film Studio or the directing department; he was probably placed through some other connection.

It doesn't matter anymore.

With Zheng Dongtian's words, Qin Keqing had no more worries.

It's not an important role, as long as the acting is passable, then let's choose a pretty one.

The cast has been basically finalized.

With Zheng Dongtian personally overseeing things at Qingying Studio, the efficiency was exceptionally fast. In just over ten days, a soundstage for indoor scenes was built according to Qin Keqing's requirements.

The remaining indoor soundstages were being set up by Qingying Studio while Qin Keqing was filming there. As long as it didn't interfere with Qin Keqing's filming, that was fine.

Zheng Dongtian and Xie Fei have witnessed the "Hong Kong speed" firsthand. When filming in mainland China, everything must be prepared before filming can begin. It's not common to build a studio while filming.

Actually, what Zheng Dongtian and Xie Fei witnessed was not the complete version of "Hong Kong speed," because Qin Keqinghai also spent a week analyzing the characters and giving acting instructions to the main actors.

If it were any other Hong Kong film crew, let alone analyzing characters and giving instructions, they wouldn't even have a complete script, so what's the point of analyzing anything?

On July 9, 1993, twenty-one days before the release of "A Bittersweet Life" in mainland China, Qin Keqing's second film, "Uncle," officially began filming.