Chapter 19: Principal (Requesting Votes and Follows)

Liu Tianxian had previously thought this man was just one of those unserious types who liked to deceive people everywhere.

Now looking again, he's quite magnanimous!

She had worked on many sets; those directors and crew members all had terrible tempers—this was the first time she'd ever met someone as patient as Fang Hong who actually taught them.

Liu Tianxian asked curiously, "What did you just say to him?"

"Guess!" Fang Hong said.

"Guess your head, if you won't say it, then don't." Liu Tianxian wanted to kick him—he always dragged things out.

Actually, Fang Hong hadn't said much—he'd said: Go straight to her doorstep, grab her when you see her, and kiss her—be a man about it; women like to be pursued.

Of course, this trick only works on couples with feelings; avoid it if there are none.

This was just a minor interlude; "Those Years" filmed for another week, and the crew's workload gradually increased.

Because Fang Hong had such a good temper when filming, he never scolded anyone, no matter who made mistakes or performed poorly.

Instead, he taught them how to do it right, how to do it better, explaining key points as he went—truly heartfelt.

This was vastly different from other directors who screamed and cursed people's relatives, greatly increasing people's fondness for him and elevating his image.

His only flaw was his poor physical ability—he never helped carry equipment or move sets, only stood aside babbling uselessly, which was not good.

The crew was small and lacked full staffing, so everyone had to carry things themselves!

This made the students understand him, and within their small circle, they gave him a nickname: Principal.

Isn't that just what a Principal is like—teaches you, but never helps you do the work?

Filming continued; now they were shooting night scenes.

The plot had progressed: after certain events, Liu Tianxian had changed her view of Fang Hong, believing his nature wasn't bad, so she encouraged him to study hard.

In the classroom, the two were staying after school; Fang Hong propped his head on one hand, a pen cap stuck up his nose, staring at the girl in front.

He looked utterly otaku—quite funny.

Fang Hong bragged, "Honestly, though I'm handsome and smart, don't you dare fall for me—I'm a lone wolf in the wind."

"Thanks, but I don't like guys dumber than me," Liu Tianxian said flatly.

"I'm dumb? I'm holding back so I won't steal your top rank—I'm letting you win on purpose!" Fang Hong clung to his pride.

"Oh, how could I possibly ask you to hold back? Please, don't be so restrained—just unleash yourself fully," Liu Tianxian said, as calm as ever.

Fang Hong felt slightly deflated. "Dare you make a bet with me?"

"How?"

"If you beat me on the midterm, you can do whatever you want. If I beat you..."

Fang Hong paused. "You tie your hair in a ponytail for a month."

"Sure, whatever—it's impossible anyway," Liu Tianxian said, as dismissive as ever.

This confidence ignited Fang Hong's competitive spirit, and he began studying hard.

This scene was finished; the set didn't need to change, but other content still needed filming.

That is, Fang Hong lost the exam, and the two remained here—in the same scene, same seats—performing another take.

No need to reset the set; just adjust the lighting.

Filming began. Fang Hong stared at Liu Tianxian's back, smirking, then ran out of the classroom.

Liu Tianxian heard the noise, turned around, saw no one, then looked outside—it was pouring rain.

She waited a while. When Fang Hong returned, he was soaked, his hair cut into a buzzcut, striking a pose he thought was cool: "I'm even!"

Liu Tianxian saw Fang Hong like this, turned her head, and burst out laughing!

She looked lovely when she laughed—except her gums were too visible!

This was her second laugh; the first was when she forgot her book and Fang Hong lent her his to save her.

After filming, Fang Hong went to the monitor to review the footage; Yu Xian stood beside him as usual.

After every take, Fang Hong explained it to him.

"This shot's framing is poor—you should pan horizontally, left to right, so the audience sees the male lead's emotion first, then the female lead's, creating a layered progression."

"End with a static frame capturing both of them, the background, layout, and characters all in view—the visual impact instantly emerges."

As Fang Hong spoke, he glanced at him and saw he was half-understanding. "Sit here and watch—I'll show you."

He commanded: "Yifei, stay in your seat; Li Xian, sit in my spot."

Liu Tianxian said nothing.

Li Xian obeyed, sitting down obediently, experiencing what it felt like to be the male lead.

Students who wanted to learn gathered behind Fang Hong, listening intently; those who didn't sat somewhere yawning.

Wang Ran also had a director's heart and stood behind, listening carefully.

Since the camera operator's body caused shaking, tracks were laid on the floor; Fang Hong operated the camera, moving slowly and smoothly from left to right.

On the other side of the monitor, Yu Xian watched closely—he noticed Fang Hong's shot first captured the male lead's emotion, then the female lead's.

As an audience member, seeing the characters' states progress means the visuals are driving the plot.

That's the big screen—only emotion creates audience immersion.

Yu Xian gave Fang Hong a thumbs-up, signaling he could stop.

Fang Hong walked over. "So, did you get it?"

"Your framing's better than mine, but you could move a bit faster," Yu Xian pointed out a flaw.

"I'm not a professional—you are," Fang Hong said.

This made Yu Xian feel he had some value—he'd always been corrected, feeling useless.

Still, he was eager to learn. "If I want to shoot a grand scene where people look tiny inside it, how do I make the audience notice the people?"

"Simple—keep the scene still, move the people," Fang Hong said.

People are dynamic, scenery is static, so when people see the scenery, they notice the people.

Yu Xian nodded thoughtfully, got it!

"Shoot it again, Yifei, cover your mouth a little when you smile," Fang Hong shouted on set.

The set had been serious before, but when Fang Hong said that last line, many couldn't suppress their laughter.

Isn't he saying Liu Tianxian's teeth are ugly when she smiles!

Liu Tianxian's face immediately dropped. That bastard—if there weren't so many people around, I'd beat him to death.

By the time filming ended, it was already around eleven at night; from seven in the morning until now, they had worked nearly fifteen hours.

Sleep a few hours, then get up again tomorrow morning.

The past few days were normal enough, but work hours keep getting longer day by day.

Fang Hong is like boiling a frog in warm water—he slowly heats it up until you adapt.

But his work hours are even longer; after everyone leaves, he still has to organize footage, working until three or four in the morning, planning the next day's shoot.

Then he still has to show up energetic the next morning!

That's also why he's reluctant to be a director—he must humoring this group of students with a good temper, teaching them, just to win their loyalty.

Both body and mind are exhausted; this job isn't fit for humans.

But there's no choice; to rise up, this is the path he must take—he doesn't know any other industry.

If he knew how to code, he'd just make a game!

That kind of thing, a few people, ten or so, can form a team and start right away—sit in front of a computer and bang out code.

Too bad, in both past and present lives, he's never been in that circle.