Chapter 22

The plot reached this point, and the two of them drifted apart, not contacting each other much again until graduation and entering society.

But one day, Liu Tianxian called Fang Hong and said she was getting married.

At this point, only one final wedding scene remained, and it was the most expensive: renting a banquet hall at a hotel and leasing a wedding dress for Liu Tianxian.

The set was chaotic, bustling with activity.

Previously, such large-scale scenes were rare; most were shot outdoors naturally, actors wore little to no makeup, Liu Tianxian performed bare-faced throughout, and everyone else was mostly barefaced too.

But this time, the banquet hall had to be decorated as a wedding venue, and everyone on camera needed makeup.

Fang Hong was even busier, running back and forth checking department progress, rushing into the makeup room: "Yifei, you're fine with the kiss scene, right?"

Liu Tianxian sat before the mirror, the makeup artist styling her hair; she gazed at her reflection and said: "Must we film it?"

"You read the script, you accepted the role, and now at this point, don't tell me you won't do it," Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian smiled slightly; she'd just been joking, never expecting such a strong reaction: "Fine, we'll film it—but you have to brush your teeth!"

"I won't brush. I'm going to eat garlic right now," Fang Hong said, then left to get back to work.

It was a joke—normally they bickered, but when working, they were both serious, which made them quite alike! Liu Tianxian knew this and wasn't angry; instead, she stared at her own bridal reflection, so beautiful and captivating, wondering which man would be lucky enough to have her? Once everything was ready, the entire crew arrived.

Besides essential staff, everyone else had to act as extras for Liu Tianxian's "wedding"! Yu Xian operated the camera; filming began! The banquet hall was decorated warmly and romantically, several large round tables arranged in scattered clusters, all filled with people.

Fang Hong, Zhu Yirong, Li Xian, Cai Wenjing, Fei Long, and the rest of their classmates sat at one table, laughing and chatting about funny school memories.

"Snap!"

The lights suddenly dimmed.

Liu Tianxian, her long hair coiled up, wearing a white wedding dress, appeared holding Pan Yueming's arm.

Pan Yueming was Chen Zhixi's good friend, brought in as a last-minute replacement; he'd even said he'd do a kiss scene with a man as long as it wasn't with a woman.

Right now, he hadn't yet had any trouble with his wife and still maintained the image of a devoted family man.

The moment they appeared, the crowd erupted in loud "Applause! Applause! Applause!" and cheers, the atmosphere electric!

That was exactly the wedding vibe they wanted!

Liu Tianxian smiled sweetly; as she passed Fang Hong, her eyes held a hint of reproach, a touch of mischief.

Fang Hong initially showed no expression, still preoccupied—until he saw her sweet smile, and his lips curled into a faint grin.

This scene was nearly done; no food was on the tables, it wasn't a real meal, just an experience—too expensive to eat.

Next scene, rolling!

During the group photo, Zhu Yirong casually placed his hand on Pan Yueming's shoulder: "Hey, Mr. Groom, let me ask you something."

"What is it?" Pan Yueming asked.

"Our gift money's pretty generous—we're wondering, can we kiss the bride?" Zhu Yirong joked.

"If the bride says yes, I've got no problem," Pan Yueming replied with a half-smile.

All eyes turned to Liu Tianxian.

Liu Tianxian paused, then laughed: "Sure!"

The moment she spoke, several people lunged at her like wolves.

"Hey hey, slow down, slow down!" Pan Yueming quickly raised his hands to stop them. "If you want to kiss the bride, you've got to kiss me first—fair's fair."

"."

This became tricky; as they bargained, Fang Hong suddenly burst forward, grabbed Pan Yueming's head, and kissed him. Pan Yueming was stunned, instinctively stepping back, but Fang Hong held him tight, pinning him against the table, lips locked.

The scene was intensely emotional; everyone stared, dumbfounded!

But Liu Tianxian laughed, tears turning to smiles, remembering the past, remembering the parallel world.

If in that parallel timeline they hadn't broken up, if neither had been so stubborn, if they'd just admitted fault to each other, today's wedding would have been for them.

But there was no "what if!" In that parallel world, they reached the end: Fang Hong in a sharp suit, holding Liu Tianxian in her white wedding dress, the two kissing deeply.

The kiss was so romantic, so beautiful, so full of passion! "I envy them so much—thank you for loving me!"

Back in reality, Fang Hong walked up to Liu Tianxian, wiped his lip with his thumb, looked at the girl he'd once dreamed of, and smiled: "Then I'll keep being childish!"

"You better!"

This time, Liu Tianxian was crying while smiling. Done! She removed her wedding veil and went to change clothes—this scene was over, nothing more for her.

Yu Xian approached, curiously asking Fang Hong: "How was it?"

"Sweet, smooth, soft!"

Fang Hong licked his lips thoughtfully, thinking to himself: And so beautiful!

Early June, Those Years officially wrapped! They had to wrap now—final exams were coming, many students needed to return to prepare or take graduation exams.

But with this one-and-a-half-month experience as foundation, returning to school, their professional skills had leapt ahead.

Just as the ancestors said: Learning from books is shallow; true understanding comes from personal experience.

Moreover, Fang Hong had taught them many useful things.

"Principal, thank you—I feel tremendous accomplishment having finished this film!"

"Yes, Principal, I'll drink this first—next time you make a movie, call me! I'll come for sure!"

"."

At the outdoor food stall, Fang Hong handled wave after wave of toasts with ease, attending to everyone properly.

Because at the drinking table, he was a professional!

One student wiped away tears of bitterness: "Principal, I won't say much, but I must say this—you've got to succeed, I'm joining you!"

What kind of inhuman treatment had this student endured in the entertainment industry to be so emotional?

But newcomers really do struggle in this circle—look at the top figures in entertainment; they're all old men in their fifties and sixties, hoarding positions without contributing. How many young people have broken through?

You have to bow and scrape to those old guys! Are young people really inferior? No—just no opportunities, no platforms, no resources, no choice! Take Cosmic Exploration Editorial Department, Umbilical Cord, The Crossing—these great films were all made by young directors.

Fang Hong stood up, stepped onto a stool, raised his cup, and declared with boldness: "I'm grateful for your trust—today I declare this: the future of Chinese entertainment, we'll control it. Cheers!"

"Damn!"

"."

A group of young people at this humble street-side grill made their most simple pledge: to build a world together!

Liu Tianxian sat in the corner, watching these overly dramatic youths, a faint smile touching her lips. She had once been just like them, equally naive—until the harsh realities of the entertainment industry struck her hard, forcing her to see the truth.

The waters of the entertainment industry run deep!

Dear reader fathers, if you have votes, cast them; if you have presence, show up—thank you all!!

(End of Chapter)