Chapter 15: Sleeping Is Wasting Life

Only Fang Hong and Chen Zhixi exchanged words during this meeting; Yu Xian merely listened—he didn't understand much of it, and this was a learning process for him.

Although Fang Hong had initiated the production team, Chen Zhixi held the title of Producer, so personnel organization and coordination still fell to her; if she didn't understand something, she could ask Fang Hong.

This way, responsibilities were clearly divided—if one person tried to handle everything, who had that much energy? It would just turn into a mess!

The shooting location was set in the suburbs of Beijing, where fewer people and fewer vehicles allowed for a closed set.

The main setting was a middle school; it didn't need to be grand or upscale—old and worn-down was actually more authentic, since the story was set in 1998.

The school's venue fee was five thousand yuan per day; they rented it for fifteen days first, so just the venue cost was seventy-five thousand yuan gone, and if they extended the rental, they'd pay more, plus another thousand yuan for renting school uniforms.

Fang Hong didn't even know what material the school uniforms were made of—why were they so expensive?

But such high fees had advantages: the school promised to clear out one or two classrooms for filming, would restrain students from interfering with filming, and would assist if they needed extras.

Many scenes also required students as background extras! Of course, filming couldn't disrupt the students' studies.

The biggest expense was equipment rental—just the HD camera and cinematic lenses cost three thousand six hundred yuan per day; if they shot for two months, over two hundred thousand yuan would vanish.

Rent for one month first—just use it for now!

But the high cost had its perks: the manufacturer sent a technician to follow the shoot the entire way, ready to answer questions—it was very considerate.

Yu Xian had never touched anything so advanced; he was ecstatic seeing it, almost wanting to take it home and sleep with it—he'd been familiarizing himself with the machine's operation these past two days.

Now you could shoot films digitally—no need for film reels!

The other students were the same; the equipment they used daily at school was outdated or not this model, so they also needed to get familiar with it.

Students were like this: theory was fine, but practical operation was clumsy; Fang Hong had no time to let them fumble around—they'd learn while shooting.

Just ask if you don't understand; pretending to understand is your own problem.

Cheap gear? Show more tolerance, show more care!

On the morning of April 15 at seven o'clock, once everything was ready, the crew rented a minivan for equipment and a bus for people.

Professional equipment was packed in custom cases—no need to worry about damage.

Things looked numerous, but they weren't really many—only a few valuable pieces of equipment, mostly just random clutter.

The passenger vehicle was packed with dozens of people; those who couldn't sit stood.

When they arrived at the middle school location, everyone got out; Fang Hong was full of energy and shouted: "Everyone lend a hand—help unload the gear!"

The students yawned, dragging themselves off the bus to unload equipment and props, listless.

Someone complained: "Boss, it's only seven o'clock—can't you wait a bit longer?"

They'd heard production teams shot this early, but actually experiencing it themselves, they couldn't adjust.

"Time is gold; sleeping is wasting life." Fang Hong's logic sounded reasonable at first glance, but upon closer thought, it was nonsense.

Yet these students found it reasonable—they were still young, and this was the time to work hard.

Look at Fang Hong—how energetic he was! They were inspired!

For "Those Years," Fang Hong didn't hold auditions—he just pulled a few random students from Beijing Film Academy to play supporting roles.

He simply sent out invitations: if you want to act, act; if not, find someone else—no one was indispensable.

This drama could be acted by any oddball—you didn't need much skill or good looks.

If the supporting roles were too handsome, they'd steal the spotlight from the protagonist! Youth dramas were watched by young people; supporting roles shouldn't be more attractive than the lead, or viewers might confuse main and secondary characters.

So he picked ordinary people like Zhu Yirong and Li Xian to act alongside him—they both looked and carried themselves slightly less impressive than Fang Hong! At least, that's what Fang Hong thought. There was also a fat guy named Fei Long, who played the fat man from Guanyin Mountain—he was also from Beijing Film Academy.

The original protagonist had four close friends, but one was too vulgar, so Fang Hong cut him down to three.

It didn't matter—this was fundamentally a story about unrequited love for the female lead; as long as the core story remained unchanged, it was fine.

Cai Wenjing played Liu Tianxian's best friend; this girl was from Beijing Film Academy's class of 2008. Right now, they were all just rookies, with only Liu Tianxian being a big name.

Big names had big egos—sunrise had passed and she still hadn't arrived; the rookies had shown up early, while the crew behind the scenes were already setting up.

Fang Hong stood nearby giving orders, offering corrections if something was off, but he wouldn't lift a finger himself.

If everything had to be done by him, these students' futures were bleak!

Since this was just beginning, the crew's atmosphere was still harmonious—they were classmates and alumni, laughing and joking as they got the work done.

By the hallway, Chen Zhixhi came over to ask: "All crew members are present—when will the female lead arrive?"

"Not here yet?"

Fang Hong leaned on the railing, gazing outside the school gate, and saw a luxury minivan approaching from afar, stopping at the school entrance.

He pointed and said: "Isn't that her?"

The school was small—you could see everything at a glance.

Beside the minivan at the gate, a black-clad man opened the door, and two women stepped out—one elderly, one young.

The two women had a significant age gap but bore some resemblance; the younger one was pure and spirited, exuding the gentle grace of a Jiangnan woman.

The older woman radiated elegance and dignity.

The arrivals were Liu Tianxian and Liu Xiaoli, mother and daughter.

They walked into the middle school, arms linked, the black-clad bodyguard following behind them—like a noblewoman on a royal tour.

Inside the school, Liu Xiaoli curiously surveyed the surroundings.

The middle school students, spotting the big star, gathered around, chattering excitedly.

They hadn't expected a real celebrity to come film at their school.

One student shouted: "Sister, are you Yifei?"

"Yes, hello everyone!" Liu Tianxian smiled and waved at the surrounding children, radiating warmth.

"Wow!"

The students gasped, eager to ask for autographs, but hesitated seeing the bodyguard.

They could only gather and stare in awe—it was a suburban middle school, not as socially open as urban schools.

"Please make way!"

Behind Fang Hong also followed a crowd of behind-the-scenes crew members.

They had initially found it hard to believe Liu Tianxian would play the female lead, but now that they saw her in person, they all rushed over to gawk, looking quite excited.

They had originally thought this production was just a casual affair, something everyone played at and moved on from, but now it felt much more impressive and professional.

This was the benefit of Liu Tianxian's celebrity effect—it boosted morale.

Many onlookers surrounded them, staring at the mother and daughter as if they were viewing a "national treasure."

Liu Tianxian, seeing Fang Hong, whispered a few words to her mother.

Liu Xiaoli listened, nodded gently, and sized up Fang Hong with her eyes.

"Auntie Liu, hello!"

Fang Hong stepped forward and greeted her politely.

This novel will now update during the day instead of staying up late, so readers, don't wait up tonight—get some rest! (Chapter end)