Huayu: This director is so eager to improve.

Chapter 94 Arrest the troublemakers

"You're not here to start an argument," the voice from the loudspeaker continued.

"The character you play, Shen Changqing, is not facing an ordinary opponent at this moment. It is the fortress that you thought was the most solid and the most unlikely to betray you that has suddenly collapsed from the inside."

"The impact of that betrayal was first ice, a bone-chilling cold and an unbelievable emptiness, and then an uncontrollable fire."

The shed became even quieter; even the fan noise seemed to have subsided. Li Qing involuntarily held her breath.

"So, your lines, especially the first half," the voice from the loudspeaker instructed, "should be ethereal, trembling, not something you rush to raise the volume from the start and lay all your emotions on the surface."

As Li Qing listened, her heart began to race uncontrollably.

That voice, that way of directing... it's so similar! But how could he be here? He should still be filming in Hengdian, right?

Not only was Li Qingmeng stunned, but the photographer Lao Zhang, who was in charge of the camera, and the lighting technician Da Liu, who was in charge of the main light, also exchanged glances discreetly.

Their drunken director… how come he's improved so much in directing today! And that aura, that completely natural posture he has while sitting in the director's chair…

"What are you all standing there for?"

The voice from the loudspeaker sounded again.

"Ready, one more take."

This time, the script supervisor didn't hesitate at all and quickly raised the clapperboard.

"start!"

The second point, let's begin.

This time, it's completely different.

Although Li Qing had some doubts, as a professional actress, she quickly put those distractions aside and devoted herself wholeheartedly to the role.

She recalled the instructions she had just received and adjusted her mindset.

The figure behind the monitor leaned slightly forward, intently watching the screen.

He would occasionally pick up the walkie-talkie and use concise phrases to make precise on-site dispatches:

"Cinematographer, push, give Li Qing a close-up of her eyes."

"Unit 2, pay attention to the opponent's hand movements."

"Lighting, enhance the side backlighting a bit more to outline the contours and separate the emotions."

"The prop: the glass of wine on the table. After Li Qing says 'We're finished,' let her knock it over. Don't help her up."

His instructions were clear, decisive, and without any unnecessary words. More importantly, the effects of his deployment were immediate!

The visual quality, the nuances of the actors' performances, and the dramatic tension have all improved at a visible rate!

When Li Qing finally uttered those resolute words, "We're finished," and accidentally knocked over the wine glass beside him, spilling the dark red liquid onto the pristine white tablecloth,

The camera then gave a close-up shot.

"Card."

The director's voice rang out.

"Great, that's it. Get ready for the next one."

There was a moment of silence in the shed, followed by a low cheer.

Li Qing stood there, slightly out of breath, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead, but her eyes shone with an astonishing brightness. She strode towards the area where the director's monitor was located.

However, when she pushed aside the slightly messy wires and got closer, she found that the place was empty.

The director's chair was empty, the walkie-talkie was casually placed on the control panel, and the screen was still lit, displaying the last frame of the footage.

There was only a half-finished paper cup of coffee next to me, with the logo of a certain coffee chain printed on the cup.

What about people?

Li Qing was stunned.

"Huh? How did my hat end up here?"

A young production assistant, wearing a crew T-shirt and who had just spent half a day in the restroom due to an upset stomach, walked over with a blank expression.

"Who was sitting here just now?"

He picked up his hat and looked around, and just then,

"Who?! Who the hell gave you permission to start filming?!"

A furious roar came from the entrance of the studio.

The executive director, Wang Wei, who arrived late, was being "supported" by two people, one on each side, as he walked in.

Wang Wei broke free from their support, his bloodshot eyes scanning the scene.

"I'm not even here yet! Who gave you permission to film?! Huh?! Liu Hui, what kind of management is this on set?!"

Assistant director Liu Hui, who had run back and forth, opened his mouth, feeling like he had a bitter pill to swallow.

Was it his father's hangover that delayed filming?!

Wang Wei cursed and plopped down in the director's chair, making the chair creak.

He waved his hand irritably: "What kind of crap was that? Show me it! Is the director capable of making any clown?"

The production assistant, who was holding up his pants, quickly pulled up the footage from earlier.

Wang Wei squinted his drunken eyes and looked on impatiently.

As he watched, his cursing subsided.

The anger on his face was gradually replaced by an incredulous astonishment.

The composition, the nuances of the actors' performances, especially Li Qing's emotional shift from collapse to resolute determination... the direction, the control, the quality of the final product...

"And they say...it's pretty good?!"

"Pfft—"

Li Qing, who had been quietly watching the farce unfold, finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Wang Wei and Liu Hui both looked at her.

Li Qing quickly pursed her lips, but the smile and understanding in her eyes were impossible to hide.

She could finally be 100% certain that her intuition was right.

Who else could it be but that guy?

......

After another chaotic scene, today's filming was finally finished.

When director Wang Wei returned, the quality immediately plummeted back to its original level, and the set was filled with NG (no good) calls once again.

Li Qing finally changed back into her comfortable personal clothes, feeling like she had lost several pounds.

She stepped out of the still sweltering studio, and the cool breeze of the early summer evening invigorated her.

As she walked toward her van, her gaze swept across the parking lot and she spotted a familiar figure.

Qi Yue was still wearing that unremarkable gray spring and autumn shirt. He leaned against the car door, looking down at his phone. His profile looked calm and focused in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Like the black SUV next to him, it was understated yet subtly out of place with its surroundings.

Li Qing paused for a moment, then a bright smile spread across her face as she walked over.

"Director Qi. I knew it was you."

Qi Yue looked up, saw her, and his face showed just the right amount of "surprise."

"Huh? What do you mean it's me? I just arrived. I was just passing by and heard you were filming here, so I thought I'd drop by and see how it went. How was your day?"

Seeing his feigned ignorance, Li Qing couldn't help but smile even more broadly.

"It went very smoothly. If someone hadn't interfered, things might have gone even better."

"Then we should call the police and have the troublemakers arrested."

"You want to arrest our director? That won't do, he has connections."

The two exchanged a knowing smile at the same time.

"Director Qi, has filming wrapped up for 'Nirvana in Fire'?"

"Yeah, filming's finished. Fan's handling some post-production work. I happened to be back in Beijing taking care of some company business, and since you were here, I thought I'd drop by. How about it, big star, would you do me the honor of having dinner together?"

His reasons sounded reasonable, and his tone was casual and natural.

Li Qing glanced at him, then at the open car door.

"Great, I'm actually quite hungry. Well then... thank you Director Qi for 'conveniently' treating me to dinner."

She bent down and got into the car.

Qi Yue closed the car door, and the black SUV smoothly drove out of the parking lot, merging into the evening traffic of Beijing.