Chapter 263: The Power of Love

The malicious salary hike incident kept fermenting; in an interview video, Fang Hong stated he firmly refused to lower the price — this was the price, period.

He also made clear there would be more hikes in the future, which of course won him the support of a large batch of Wangyi.

It also won him the support of those extras.

In return came a flood of extras, including workers who weren't extras to begin with but wanted to come earn a wage, applying to join the group.

But for the moment, Jade Rabbit couldn't arrange work for that many people.

In other words, even after joining the group, one wasn't guaranteed a slot on a production.

That was one problem; another was the boycott from the various film and television companies, who declared they wouldn't follow Jade Rabbit's malicious salary hike — that it was outright market sabotage.

Among them, Boss Xiao Wang said: "Jade Rabbit's malicious salary hike has disrupted the normal development of the film and television industry and dampened creators' enthusiasm. Huayi will still spend more money on producing finer film and television works."

The meaning was: they wouldn't follow this round of Jade Rabbit's salary hike; they'd rather give the money to those big stars and big-name directors.

They hadn't expected the Principal to play this hand — gathering up those extras and turning the tables on them. The man really had ideas.

But these people were the least of his worries; there were plenty of people willing to work, and he wasn't afraid of a labor shortage at all.

This included the Hengdian film-and-television management authority, which stated: "Salary hikes are the film companies' own behavior; how much they're willing to pay is their own business."

Hengdian also wouldn't follow this "malicious salary hike" — it used to be 100, and it would still be 100 in the future. If you want to raise wages, that's your business; if you've got the ability, arrange work for all of them.

Right now, Fang Hong really couldn't arrange work for that many people.

He could only spread the work evenly in stints of seven days, ten days — never enough to fill a full thirty-day month.

Too many people, and not that many productions!

Next was tightening the entry requirements for the group, and then setting up more film and television projects.

But even after a project was set up, it couldn't be filmed right away — it needed preliminary preparation, budgeting, and all sorts of other work.

Anyway, for now let it be. It was something thought up on the spur of the moment in the first place — so many extras, including people who weren't extras coming to be extras.

In any case, as long as the promised daily wage was paid in full, that was enough!

………

At the end of September, this National Day slate had quite a few films, including Fan Xiaopang starring in *Second Exposure* — this was an art-house film.

In recent years Fan Xiaopang had been circling the art-house circuit; it was obvious she was dying to win an award.

There were also *Tai Chi 1*, *Looper*, *White Deer Plain*, *Dangerous Liaisons*, and these other films.

Then there were *Cold War* and *Bronze Sparrow Terrace*.

Fan Xiaopang, Guoji Zhang, Fa Ge, Da Baobei — all these big-name films were crammed into this one window.

The competition was fierce, of course, but the hottest, the one audiences were most looking forward to, was still *Bronze Sparrow Terrace*.

Fa Ge led the cast, bringing together veteran actors from both sides of the strait and Hong Kong, with a Japanese star also joining. It had the biggest budget and was loaded with high expectations.

This film originally should have had Liu Tianxian as the female lead, but Fang Hong had strongly opposed it, and she was replaced by Da Baobei.

Online media also broke the story that the original female lead had been Liu Tianxian, but she had walked away from the role — a claim confirmed by the director and Fa Ge.

The director said: "We had originally worked it out with Liu Tianxian, but she suddenly quit on us. Maybe she cares more about traffic!"

The implication was that Liu Tianxian had no substance — that she had walked away from his oh-so-substantial film.

*Bronze Sparrow Terrace* hadn't even been released yet and was already being hyped as having a "Shakespearean" style — it really did sound quite substantial.

Even the Expert was hyping it: "A condensed version of a decade's worth of blockbusters!"

Fa Ge said: "She likes acting in those 'waa waa waa' kinds of films. No culture — what can you do about it?"

As he spoke, he mimicked Liu Tianxian striking a very imposing pose in *Lucy*.

A very direct statement that Liu Tianxian had no culture.

This left the reporters quite taken aback — Fa Ge really dared to say anything. But then, he'd always dared; he'd also taken swipes at Fang Long and Guoji Zhang.

He'd even called out Zuoshandiao, and later had hyped South Korean films — he wasn't afraid of anyone.

This was the benefit of high prestige and seniority: no matter what you said, a huge crowd of fans would say you were right, that it made sense.

"Liu Tianxian really doesn't have much cultural substance — either her acting is atrocious, or she does those big-female-lead popcorn films."

"She went to the United States and took United States citizenship, then came back to the country to be hyped as a rich pretty girl — how could you expect Liu Tianxian to have cultural substance?"

"Fa Ge is forever an idol!"

"Liu Tianxian really shouldn't have turned down this film — the cast is so strong. Why insist on doing those popcorn films from Jade Rabbit?"

"She should be acting in films with some substance."

"Xu Beihong painted horses, Zhang Daqian painted shrimp, Fa Ge painted pies — truly the three wonders of the world!"

"."

The online comments were all over the place — some said Liu Tianxian had no culture, some said Fa Ge liked painting pies; as for what pies, besides donations, what else was there.

Of course, more Wangyi and fans felt sorry for Liu Tianxian, thinking her turning down this film was a great loss for her.

They all believed that acting in such a film could have cemented her standing in cinema, and that handing it over to Da Baobei was a real shame.

Da Baobei had recently been riding the film's tailwind and was very much in demand!

Even Liu Tianxian was following the news about *Bronze Sparrow Terrace*. She had originally wanted to act in this film, but Fang Hong wouldn't let her, and the two of them had had a huge fight over it.

"Let the bullets fly for a while." Fang Hong had suddenly appeared behind her, looking down at her phone.

It was evening; they were shooting a night scene at an open-air stadium they had rented, which they could use for a few days.

The set was brightly lit. Liu Tianxian turned her head and tilted it up: "You — when did you get here? You scared me to death."

"Just got here." Fang Hong gestured. "Wait a couple more days and then look at this film's reviews. You won't regret it — you'll actually feel lucky you didn't act in it."

"Pfft, when have I ever regretted anything?" Liu Tianxian shot him a withering look.

"Really no regrets?" Fang Hong said.

"Of course no regrets. Once I, Liu Tianxian, make a choice, whether it's wrong or right, I never look back — I only look forward. Because I know regretting is useless anyway." Liu Tianxian arched an eyebrow, looking quite pleased with herself.

It seemed she really hadn't been affected by the online chatter.

"Good, good, Liu Tianxian really is different from everyone else." Fang Hong smiled in flattery.

"Heh, of course! What haven't I been through? The '97 financial Storm, the '02 SARS outbreak, the '08 subprime crisis—I'm awesome." Liu Tianxian tilted her small head high, looking proudly aloof.

Fang Hong bent forward from behind, his face nearly brushing her shoulder: "How awesome are you?"

"Super awesome!"

"I don't believe you."

Fang Hong reached out and tickled her armpit.

"Ahahaha!" Liu Tianxian giggled, jumping up to tickle his stomach in return.

"Hey, can you two please be mindful of others' feelings? Tianxian, get back to filming!" Chen Sicheng ran over and said.

These two joke and show off their affection every day, not caring whether others—or single people—can take it.

"Oh, okay, okay, I'm coming right away."

Liu Tianxian stopped playing, gave Fang Hong a playful pout, then walked up to Chen Sicheng and asked: "What scene are we shooting?" "Wire work. A few shots are still unfinished—need a few more days." Chen Sicheng said.

"Oh!"

Liu Tianxian rubbed her neck. She'd been filming wire work for a while now, and her neck hurt.

She turned and called out: "Fang Hong, go to my dressing room and bring me my wire suit."

"Alright, go ahead."

Fang Hong nodded and ran to Liu Tianxian's dressing room, where an Assistant was already there—Liu Tianxian's Assistant.

The Assistant handed Fang Hong a very old wire suit, resembling a strap-style trunks.

He brought it to the set. All other actors were already made up and dressed in their wire suits; the extras were all ready.

Several makeup artists were fixing Liu Tianxian's hair and applying her makeup; filming would begin soon.

Fang Hong held it up to her: "This one?"

Liu Tianxian couldn't move her head, glanced at it: "Yes."

"It's all worn out—still wearing this?" Fang Hong said.

"It was given to me by Fang Long. Still works fine." Liu Tianxian said.

Hearing this, Fang Hong waved over the Prop Master: "Do you have a new wire suit?"

"Yes." The Prop Master nodded.

"Bring me one." Fang Hong said.

The Prop Master obeyed and left.

"What are you doing?" Liu Tianxian asked curiously.

"I'll give you a new one. From now on, use mine." Fang Hong tossed the old wire suit straight onto the ground.

Liu Tianxian found it funny—this man, who rarely gave her gifts, was actually giving her something? How strange.

The Prop Master quickly brought a brand-new wire suit. Fang Hong took it, inspected it, and saw English letters on it.

"Made in the United States. Expensive. Let me help you put it on." Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian didn't refuse. Her makeup was done; she stood up, removed her outer costume, and prepared to put on the wire suit—she couldn't wear anything bulky underneath.

She tied up her long hair, revealing her curvaceous, tight-fitting figure—quite well-endowed.

At least her waist was slim, her hips wide—any girl with such a waist looked slender. As for her chest… better keep the wire suit on!

Liu Tianxian spread her arms. Fang Hong stepped behind her and slipped the suit on—nothing much needed, just secure the waist and shoulders.

But the inner thighs and crotch area had to be locked in place.

Previously, women had always helped her dress. This time, it was Fang Hong.

Fang Hong squatted down. The Prop Master beside him pointed, showing him how to install it.

Liu Tianxian spread her legs slightly and lowered her head: "Can you even do this?"

"What kind of talk is that? There's a master right here guiding me!" Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian's cheeks flushed slightly as she watched him thread the safety belt beneath her crotch and lock it.

Then he threaded and locked the second belt, forming a stable triangular support—with a safety pad at the bottom!

Throughout the process, Fang Hong's hands never touched anywhere inappropriate—there were too many people around; he wouldn't be so lewd.

After finishing, Fang Hong tugged to test the fit. "Is this secure enough?" he asked the Prop Master.

"Perfect." The Prop Master nodded.

"How does it feel?" Fang Hong asked Liu Tianxian.

Liu Tianxian stretched her body and squatted slightly: "Feels a bit tight."

"I'll loosen it." Fang Hong pulled the strap: "How's that?"

"Perfect!" Liu Tianxian nodded.

"Go on. Wear my gift. Act well." Fang Hong patted Liu Tianxian's shoulder.

The female Assistant helped Liu Tianxian put on her outer costume.

Liu Tianxian teased: "Wearing the Principal's wire suit—I feel stronger already!"

"You've always been strong!" Fang Hong said.

"Now I'm even stronger." Liu Tianxian flexed her arms, posing powerfully.

"Is it the Principal putting it on you that gives you love's power?" the Assistant chimed in teasingly.

"I've gained magic—now I'm sealing your mouth." Liu Tianxian lightly tapped the Assistant's lips.

Everyone around chuckled.

Liu Tianxian was always like this on set—lively, a bit eccentric, a little silly.

Meeting her for the first time, you might be stunned—this airheaded girl is the Immortal Sister?

But after spending time with her, you'd feel she was really beautiful—more beautiful than she looked on TV—because you'd sense a kind of effortless, unrestrained beauty in her.

It's something from the inside, not the outside!

The costumes and wire-work harnesses were quickly put on, each actor was ready, and the crew attached the wires to the performers.

Only three actors—Duan Yihong, Liu Tianxian, and Xie Miao—needed to be suspended on wires for the performance; the rest did not.

Zhu Yilong's part was already wrapped!

The extras had already scattered and taken seats at various spots in the stadium, to set the atmosphere and also serve as markers.

In post-production, the Best Special Effects team would fill the entire stadium with people.

The scene being filmed was the final performance: the four knights flying in circles around the stadium, then showering banknotes across the whole sky.

The three actors flew one lap above the stadium, then came down, and the crew rushed over to check the equipment on them.

They would be flying again later—it wasn't over after one flight; the actors had to fly, and also act.

Liu Tianxian rolled her neck a few times, then tilted her head back.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Fang Hong came over and asked.

"My neck's a bit sore. Press it with your palm for me." Liu Tianxian tugged at his hand as a cue.

Fang Hong tried placing his hand on the back of her neck and gently rubbed, asking: "Like this?"

"Yes—don't rub, just hold it there without moving." Liu Tianxian held her head slightly raised; the warmth of his palm felt very comfortable to her.

"Do you want to rest? We can film it tomorrow," Fang Hong asked.

"No need, I can push through."

(End of chapter)