Chapter 57: The Guiding Light

Wang Ran grinned beside him, genuinely envious of the two's bond—they could joke around so freely.

"The real business is to shoot without holding back, act without restraint—I've got your back, what's there to fear?" Fang Hong declared boldly and with heroic spirit.

Yu Xian still felt uncertain: "Wait, are you really going?"

"I have to go—I have no choice!" Fang Hong said.

This left Yu Xian speechless; with no alternative, he finally said, "Then go—but come back quickly."

In truth, Fang Hong had just spoken lightly and with bold, heroic flair, aiming to boost these two's confidence.

There was no choice—the team needed belief!

After making arrangements with Yu Xian, Fang Hong found Liu Tianxian, who was chatting with Bao Jinjin.

These two were the same age and both literary young women—they naturally had common ground and could talk easily.

This proved Fang Hong's calculation had been correct.

"Yifei, I'm going to China Film Group—watch the set for me."

"Huh? Why are you going to China Film Group?" Liu Tianxian turned her head.

"The last film just finished its run—I'm going to see if I can get some payments settled." Fang Hong didn't mention they were nearly out of money.

Yu Xian had no authority, while Liu Tianxian was the most famous and wealthiest here—someone rich and famous could command respect and hold the set together.

If anything went wrong on set, if she stepped forward to speak, others would still listen.

At times, even Fang Hong had to humble himself before her.

This was the buff that money brought.

Liu Tianxian pulled him aside and whispered, "You're out of money?"

"Mm." Fang Hong nodded.

Liu Tianxian was sharp—nothing could hide from her; Yu Xian hadn't guessed a thing.

Bao Jinjin, seeing the two whispering, politely turned her back, refusing to eavesdrop.

This girl was truly kind!

"Then go—I'll watch the set for you," Liu Tianxian knew the set's situation well.

Sometimes she thought this man was too hard on himself—he had to hunt for money, rally the team, and oversee filming all at once.

This wasn't something an ordinary person could handle—just gathering this group and keeping them focused and working peacefully wasn't easy at all.

It required building cohesion.

Fang Hong looked at her and smiled: "You pulled me over so mysteriously—I thought you were going to give me money."

"I didn't take many jobs the past two years—I only started working this year, and you've been freeloadin' off me for months already, plus you took eight million from me—do you think I run a bank?" Liu Tianxian said.

"Alright, I'll go to China Film Group—thanks for watching the set," Fang Hong acknowledged.

"Mm, go ahead," Liu Tianxian said.

Fang Hong nodded and walked toward the edge of the set—Chen Zhixi's car was waiting outside.

"Hey!"

He hadn't taken more than a few steps when he heard Liu Tianxian call out—he turned back.

"Come back soon," Liu Tianxian said.

Fang Hong waved his hand without speaking.

Liu Tianxian watched the man's back—she had intended to give him money, but wanted him to try harder first.

If he truly couldn't get anything, she would step in—she couldn't let this film fail!

So much time had passed, so many people's sweat and effort—she wouldn't stand idly by.

Though she spoke harshly, she was still kind-hearted.

"The Principal likes you," Bao Jinjin murmured beside her.

"Huh?!"

Liu Tianxian turned her gaze, puzzled, at the bookish girl beside her, wearing thick glasses.

"I said—the Principal likes you."

Bao Jinjin repeated it.

She remembered how the Principal had once sadly told her he liked a girl, but their statuses were worlds apart.

If she guessed right, that girl was Liu Tianxian.

Because she could see—the Principal treated Liu Tianxian differently: he taught her acting meticulously, personally, and showed genuine concern.

Liu Tianxian's heart fluttered slightly; she covered it with a laugh: "How could he? He's always lying."

"Maybe he's lied to others—but has he ever hurt you?" Bao Jinjin asked.

This stunned Liu Tianxian—yes, this man had never done anything to hurt her; even when he took on Wang Laoer, he'd protected her.

Though he often praised her acting, he always showed her how to do it properly, never once belittling her.

"Yifei, do you know? You weren't originally the female lead in my script—because you're too beautiful. But the Principal insisted I change the character design so you could play her," Bao Jinjin said.

"Really?" Liu Tianxian looked at her, as if seeking confirmation.

Bao Jinjin nodded seriously: "Yes—don't believe me? Ask my boyfriend—he was there too."

Liu Tianxian fell silent—she wouldn't ask, because she believed it.

"Actually, the Principal is a good man—but since he's guiding us newcomers, he has to hold everything together. The pressure is enormous."

When we all sleep, he and my boyfriend stay up every night organizing footage and planning shoots—working all night, then waking up fresh to film the next day, just to show everyone he's still in control.

My boyfriend asked him why he does this—he said he can't let those who look up to him be disappointed."

Bao Jinjin spoke slowly.

Liu Tianxian listened quietly—and as she listened, an unexpected ache welled up inside her.

She looked in the direction Fang Hong had disappeared and let out a soft sigh.

Then she gathered herself, looked at Bao Jinjin, and teased, "How do you know him so well? Could it be that you've been secretly paying attention to him? Careful, or I'll tell Wang Ran."

Liu Tianxian finished speaking and reached to tickle Bao Jinjin's armpits.

"Ahh— hehehe."

Unable to stand it, Bao Jinjin dodged and said, "No way! I heard all of it from my boyfriend!"

The once solemn atmosphere was gone, replaced by the two girls' joyful horseplay.

After Fang Hong finished his business, he took Chen Zhixi's car and arrived at China Film Group.

After explaining the purpose of their visit at the front desk, Manager Lei received them.

"Sit, sit anywhere!"

It was still that familiar office, but this time Manager Lei was far more polite to the two of them than last time.

Simply because the two had produced results, that alone was enough to make people look at them with new eyes.

He sat in the host's seat and said, "Ah, honestly, I already regret making that bet with you. The loss isn't small at all!"

Though he said so, his tone carried a joking meaning.

A man of his status would care about an extra few million? Besides, this was a state-owned enterprise—the money wasn't his anyway, he was just following the rules!

"Without Manager Lei's support, we wouldn't have achieved these results either." Fang Hong offered a compliment.

He and Chen Zhixi sat side by side in front of the desk.

"Don't put it that way—it's your own talent that brought about this success, nothing to do with me."

Manager Lei waved his hand, unwilling to take credit from the young people.

He knew perfectly well that, with or without that revenue split, they would have hit those numbers anyway.

The Propaganda Department wasn't doing the publicity themselves—they only applied for the encryption key, scheduled the release window, and sent copies out to the major theaters. That was all.

"In the future we'll still need to keep relying on you. China Film Group is like a guiding light for film workers like us." Fang Hong said.

"Not at all, not at all!"

Manager Lei nodded; chatting with this young man just put him in a good mood—he could lift you right up.

Though he'd earned a little less money, his heart felt comfortable.

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(End of this chapter)