Chapter 52: Star‑Studded Crowd in the Magic City!

In the early morning, when the first ray of sunlight gently pierces the thin mist and falls on the quiet street, the whole world seems to be bathed in a warm golden hue.

Lin Mo has already gathered the crew and begun setting up the next filming location.

Actually.

It's not really about the setup.

The first scene we're shooting today is the one where, after Wang Duoyu and Zhuang Qiang are both expelled from the team, they encounter a staged accident victim, and then the heroine Xia Zhu appears and sends the two to the police station.

This is also the first clash between the male and female leads.

"Xiao Wang, go tell those old men and women about the scene!"

Lin Mo gave the order.

Xiao Wang is the set manager of the crew.

The old men and women beside them are hired extras.

They heard there's a shoot and money to be earned.

That makes them very happy.

"Alright, Director Lin!"

Generally speaking,

the duration of each scene isn't fixed.

because weather and time must be considered.

For example, the scene he's filming now.

requires a specific time and weather.

First, it must be morning, around eight or nine, the working hour.

Then the weather needs the sun to have just risen.

So it's just perfect.

"Xiao Tian, come over quickly!" Lin Mo called out to Tian Xiwei.

Tian Xiwei grabbed the script and hurried over in small steps.

"When you go on stage later and see Wang Duoyu and Zhuang Qiang hitting and bullying people, you need to portray Xia Zhu's kind yet meddlesome demeanor, but don't overdo it; too much will look fake. Think over that feeling yourself first!" Lin Mo briefly instructed Tian Xiwei on the key points of the scene.

Tian Xiwei listened intently, nodding repeatedly: "Alright, I've got it!"

Next.

Lin Mo also called in Shen Teng, Zhuang Qiang, and the actor playing the staged accident victim.

They are all experienced actors.

A brief explanation was enough for them to grasp the effect Lin Mo wants.

Morning, 9:30.

Click!

"Xiao Tian, your emotional expression isn't right; it's a bit overdone, and you didn't convey the meddlesome feeling."

"Come on, let's try again. Remember, the Xia Zhu you're playing is kind with a touch of stubbornness; when you see injustice you want to intervene but won't act impulsively—like when you see a kitten or puppy being bullied, you feel sorry and want to help, yet you don't rush in shouting."

Lin Mo patiently explained to her.

Tian Xiwei scratched her head, a bit embarrassed: "Director Lin, I get it, I have to find the right balance. I'll try again!"

"Alright, let's do another take; remember, your eyes must carry that firm 'I have to handle this' resolve."

Lin Mo continued.

"Mm!"

Tian Xiwei took a deep breath, quickly steadied herself, and prepared to get back into character.

With Lin Mo's shout of "Action,"

the scene replayed.

This time,

after Lin Mo's direction,

Tian Xiwei's performance became noticeably more natural, retaining Xia Zhu's kindness and sense of justice without overdoing it, perfectly showcasing the character's traits.

"Good, this take passed!"

"Not bad, this take is much better,"

Lin Mo nodded in satisfaction.

Hearing that, Tian Xiwei's face instantly blossomed with a radiant smile, like a blooming flower.

Shen Teng, full of admiration, said to Lin Mo: "Director Lin, your skill is undeniable; with just a few simple words you got Xiao Tian to find the feeling!"

Zhang Yiming chimed in cheerfully: "Indeed, Director Lin's guidance is razor‑sharp; we've all benefited greatly!"

The two of them sounded like they were doing a comedy sketch

just sucking up to Lin Mo here.

Their jokes kept the surrounding people laughing, making the atmosphere lively.

Lin Mo laughed, shook his head and waved his hand: "Alright, alright, you two are pretty smooth with the banter, but let's hurry, strike while the iron's hot. Let's move on to the next scene and try to finish a few more shots this morning!"

"Got it!"

Everyone answered in unison and quickly threw themselves into the preparations for the next scene.

All the way until noon.

Moving around several spots.

Lin Mo lifted his watch and saw it was already 12:30.

So he called out: "Alright, let's eat first, then rest for two hours, and continue this afternoon!"

Once the filming started, time flew by, and Lin Mo even forgot he was hungry.

The crew's meals were still the same as back during Charlotte's Trouble—affordable and filling, and the actors privately praised Lin Mo for being considerate.

Lin Mo didn't make any special arrangements; he just grabbed a boxed meal and sat among everyone.

He looked at Tian Xiwei's slender figure and, half‑joking, said, "Xiao Tian, you have to eat more later. Look how thin you are—when Teacher Wang arrives, he'll think I'm mistreating you and not letting you eat enough!"

Tian Xiwei felt a warm glow hearing her senior brother's words and smiled, "Got it, senior brother, I'll eat more!"

At that moment, Shen Teng came over with his tray, grinning mischievously, "Director Lin, your favoritism is way too obvious—why don't we ever see you caring about me?"

Zhang Yiming, laughing so hard his mouth couldn't close, chimed in, "Exactly, Director Lin, us 'Old Lard Meats' need a bit of love too!"

Seeing the two act goofy.

The rest couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Lin Mo laughed and scolded, "Scram!"

After finishing the meal,

the afternoon shoot,

was filmed at a hotel.

This part was more complicated.

Luo Kai went ahead early to set up the scene.

On the way to the hotel,

Lin Mo finally had a moment free and checked his phone for a while.

It was then that he realized.

Sometime earlier, Director Xu had added him to a group chat.

Many people in the group had @‑mentioned him.

There were dozens of unread messages.

He opened the member list and saw.

Deng Chao, Chen He, Huang Xiaoming, baby, Yang Mi, Hu Ge, Zheng Kai…

They're all acquaintances, after all.

So this group is full of stars who live in Mo Du.

Those @‑mentioning him were all welcoming him to the group.

Seeing that,

Lin Mo finally sent a red envelope in the chat.

"I was filming just now; I only just found time now!"

As for this red envelope,

it instantly blew up the silent members.

"Wow, the Boss is generous!" Deng Chao.

"Whoa, a 500‑yuan red envelope and I only grabbed 1 yuan???" Chen He.

"Hahaha, Chen He, you're so unlucky!" Zheng Kai.

"Director Lin is truly dedicated—just after the New Year and the new drama's already filming!" baby.