Chapter 173: Rebellion

The closed-set filming entered its second week, and the atmosphere on set began to turn subtle.

"I can't take it anymore!" Wang Qianyuan threw the script onto the sofa in the break room, "I feel like I'm in prison!"

Jia Jingwen was practicing a terrified expression in front of the mirror, not looking back: "Save your breath—I saw you sneak out to smoke yesterday."

"That's because—" Wang Qianyuan suddenly lowered his voice, "I found an unlocked emergency exit in the fire stairwell."

Zhou Xun poked her head out of the makeup room: "Really? Count me in!"

Just as the three were conspiring, Wang Zhiwen walked in, holding a copy of *Marine Biology*. The three fell silent instantly.

"Young people..." Old Wang shook his head, then pulled a key from his pocket, "There's a side door to the kitchen freezer—security patrols every two hours."

At midnight twelve, four shadowy figures crept silently through the corridor.

"Are you sure no one's around at this hour?" Jia Jingwen nervously gripped Zhou Xun's arm.

Wang Qianyuan led the way: "Relax, I've been observing for three days—this time—"

Sudden footsteps came from around the corner! The four hurriedly ducked into a nearby prop room.

"It's Old Zhang, the crew guy!" Zhou Xun peered through the door crack, "Why is he still here at this hour..."

Old Zhang hummed a tune, carrying two bottles of baijiu, swaying as he shuffled toward another direction.

"Well I'll be damned," Wang Zhiwen adjusted his glasses, "Turns out we're not the only ones planning an escape."

Outside the freezer's side door lay a small beach behind the set.

"Oh my god! It's stars!" Jia Jingwen looked up at the long-missed night sky.

Zhou Xun had already kicked off her shoes and stepped into the seawater: "I need to capture this moment... wait, my phone was confiscated!"

Wang Qianyuan pulled out a disposable camera from his pant pocket like magic: "Bought it for twenty bucks from the prop crew."

*Click*, their grotesque faces squeezed together in front of the lens were frozen in place.

On the third morning, Xiang Fei walked into the dining hall with a cold expression.

"Someone violated the curfew last night," he slapped down several photos, "Step forward yourself."

The photos showed four blurry figures standing on the beach—clearly screenshots from surveillance footage.

Wang Qianyuan was about to stand up when Wang Zhiwen rose first: "I was the ringleader."

Zhou Xun immediately jumped up: "Liar! It was clearly me—"

"All of you, shut up!" Xiang Fei suddenly raised his voice, then pulled out the photo taken by the disposable camera, "Fine of five thousand each, and the photo is confiscated."

As filming entered a critical phase, Wang Qianyuan and Jia Jingwen faced difficulties with their underwater scenes.

"Again!" Xiang Fei stared at the monitor, "Qianyuan, your breath-holding time isn't enough!"

After the sixth NG, Wang Qianyuan lay panting on the pool edge, vomiting. Jia Jingwen was worse—she was showing early signs of hypothermia.

Cheng Long walked over silently and handed Wang Qianyuan a small bottle: "Try this."

"What is this...?"

"An old Chinese doctor's formula—it increases lung capacity," Cheng Long winked, "Don't tell Xiang Fei."

Surprisingly, the trick actually worked.

On the thirtieth day of closed-set filming, an unexpected guest arrived at the set.

"Director Xiang, a Ms. Zhou is here to see you."

Xiang Fei frowned: "Which Zhou..."

Before he could finish, Zhou Huimin walked in holding her son's hand. The entire set fell silent.

"Mommy!" Yangyang broke free and ran toward Cheng Long, who was doing his makeup, "Uncle Cheng Long! Teach me kung fu!"

Cheng Long laughed and lifted the child over his head: "Alright, first learn the horse stance!"

Xiang Fei strode over: "How did you—"

Zhou Huimin handed him a thermos box: "Yangyang insisted on coming to visit—he wanted to see how Dad gets 'locked up'."

That evening, Xiang Fei unusually gathered the entire crew for a meal.

"Given everyone's good behavior," he raised his glass, "Starting tomorrow, the communication ban is lifted."

Cheers nearly tore the roof off.

Zhou Xun was the first to grab her phone back, only to find it dead. Wang Qianyuan immediately called his girlfriend, but heard, "The number you dialed is disconnected..."

"Broken up?" Jia Jingwen asked sympathetically.

Wang Qianyuan was on the verge of tears: "I dialed the wrong number!"

Three months later, the final scene was shot.

Xiang Fei stood before the monitor, a rare smile on his face: "*Megalodon*—wrapped!"

Champagne sprayed everywhere; Cheng Long and Wang Zhiwen spontaneously performed a kung fu routine, while Zhou Xun and Jia Jingwen hugged, crying and laughing together.

Wang Qianyuan crept quietly beside Xiang Fei: "Director Xiang, next time we shoot—"

"Want to come back?" Xiang Fei raised an eyebrow.

"Could you... not take our phones?"

Xiang Fei burst out laughing and slapped his shoulder hard: "Depends on your performance!"