Chapter 81: The Wrap-Up Scene: Under the Pear Tree, Everyone Fights to Recruit!

After Ji Qinglian finished roasting her agent,

she edited two messages on her phone and sent them to the [Pink Girl Group] and the [March Sky Boy Group].

The message sent to the [Pink Girl Group] read:

[Sisters, I've officially joined the production team today. For the next three months, I'll be living like an ascetic monk. Don't miss me too much! It pains me that I won't be able to chat in the group either!]

The message sent to the [March Sky Boy Group] read:

[Brothers, I've joined the production team today and am fully withdrawing from the recording of "PICK~Next Stop Diva." But don't worry; during the final formation night of the showdown, I found a heavyweight guest to take my place!]

Inside the [Pink Girl Group] chat.

Pearl: [The melon-eating fun-seeker is online~ Wow, congratulations, Lotus! How did you become so accomplished? I never realized you had such talent for acting before.]

Lotus: [Disdain.jpg. Does a son need to discover his father's talents? The reason Father didn't mention it earlier is that it wasn't worth mentioning~]

NANA: [What production team is it? They actually require three months of isolation? That's so strict. Are you playing the female lead?]

Qinglian: [The production team for the TV drama "Great Sheng Dynasty." It's a team with an outstanding production crew, and even the male and female leads they hired are first-tier actors with real skill.

As the second female lead, I only need to be isolated for three months, but the main male and female actors will be isolated for at least five. However, I coaxed my agent into saying I'd be isolated for five months too; anyway, if I want to stay later, I can always figure out a way.]

Tongtong: [Congratulations, congratulations! I'm also joining a production team to film. I'm playing the female lead. Grinning smile.jpg]

Mengmeng: [Wow, what's going on with you all? Has everyone recently started competing fiercely in the acting industry? Even Carp has gone off to act! Should I find a drama to film too? Pondering.jpg]

Tongtong: [Should I find a drama to film too? Pondering.jpg]

Mengmeng: [Parrot +1]

In the group chat where the [March Sky Boy Group] resided.

Unlike the harmony and friendship over in the girl group's side, here they were playing a guessing game.

March Sky was on a break; upon seeing Ji Qinglian's message, he replied immediately.

Chen Lin: [I wonder which sister from the Pink Girl Group is honoring us with her presence?]

Yan Xingdong: [My son rarely has his intelligence catch up for once. Paternal advice.jpg]

Luo Yi: [The recent hotspot in entertainment news is undoubtedly Xi Mengze and Jin Li appearing together and signing with Chenxi Entertainment. So, is the heavyweight guest replacing you in the final formation battle Xi Mengze?]

Gu Cheng: [Relying on Xi Mengze alone probably wouldn't offset your breach-of-contract fees. So, is it both Jin Li and Xi Mengze appearing together?]

Chen Lin: [Wow, two sisters coming together? Welcome, welcome!]

Ji Qinglian had just exited the harmonious and friendly Pink Girl Group chat and switched to the March Sky group chat.

Seeing the chat history, she was rendered speechless.

She hadn't even said anything yet, and this group had already guessed seven or eight tenths of it.

What else could she say?

She chose to turn off her phone screen and go on mute!

Night.

Gu Cheng made a video call to Jin Li.

These past few days, he had been busy running errands for schedules and hadn't sought her out for study sessions, so he didn't know how her learning progress was going.

Sister Jin Li also seemed very busy and hadn't taken the initiative to ask him about problems.

Today, having finally found a little time, this little teacher Gu Cheng logged on to fulfill his duties faithfully.

When he made the call, it was exactly nine o'clock at night.

Jin Li answered quickly.

Just as Gu Cheng was about to speak, he was suddenly stunned by the scene before his eyes; he felt his heart tighten and stall in that instant.

His brows knitted tightly: "What happened to your face? Why is there so much blood? You're wearing Hanfu? No, it should be a costume. Are you filming?"

It took several seconds for Gu Cheng to regain his rationality.

Jin Li reached out and wiped her face.

Fake blood residue remained on her face, still fresh and warm; the night scene they had just filmed was one where the princess killed someone with a sword.

With that single wipe, not only her face but also her hand became stained with some of the fake blood.

Jin Li said, "Mm, I'm filming. This isn't my blood; it's syrup prepared by the production team. It's even sweet."

Just now, she had seen Gu Cheng's face turn pale.

Even now, Gu Cheng's complexion wasn't great; expressionless, he said, "Should I perhaps thank you for not licking the blood in front of me, so my poor little heart didn't suffer such a huge shock?"

Jin Li burst out laughing. "Alright, alright, it's my fault. I shouldn't have let you see this scene without any preparation. I'm fine, really fine!"

The filming location was not far from the hotel where she was staying.

Moreover, since they were filming a night scene that had just ended, Jin Li didn't return to the production site; instead, she went directly to the nearby hotel.

After filming all day, although her spirits were still good, her body was already a bit weary, and she wanted to rest early.

Gu Cheng asked, "Should I call back later?"

Jin Li shook her head. "No, you called at just the right time. Today I encountered a problem I didn't quite understand. I memorized the question and will recite it to you now; see how you would solve it. Assuming a is greater than or equal to b, and b is..."

Gu Cheng quickly pulled out a sheet of white paper, lowered his head to avoid looking at Jin Li's face, listened carefully to the problem, and wrote down the key data.

After only a brief moment of thought, he immediately said, "It's very simple. This problem actually tests a theorem. As long as you fully understand the theorem, you can bypass the complex prerequisites to see the essence..."

Gu Cheng's voice was clean and clear; inexplicably, Jin Li thought of snow falling from the sky in the depths of winter.

Quiet, bright, and crystal clear.

Though the snow is silent and unknown, it adorns the entire winter.

"Sister Jin Li, Jin Li? Did you understand?" Gu Cheng's voice came through the phone.

Jin Li snapped back to reality. "Sorry, I zoned out just now. I didn't listen. Could you explain it again?"

Listening once more, Jin Li followed Gu Cheng's train of thought and finally understood the problem.

She sighed with deep emotion, "Sometimes, I really do envy you."

Gu Cheng: ?

"Especially your brain. How come I'm not as smart as you?" Jin Li said with utmost sincerity. "I really want your brain."

Gu Cheng: "...Are you sure you want to say that to me while covered in blood?"

He added, "Have I been too indulgent with you lately, that you now wish to give me nightmares?"

Jin Li's face flushed red.

Why had this child suddenly changed his speaking style? It felt strangely unsettling.

Looking up, she caught the amusement dancing in Gu Cheng's eyes.

Jin Li arched an eyebrow. "Do you know nothing of respecting elders and caring for the young? Are you trying to flirt with your senior sister?"

Gu Cheng immediately straightened his expression. "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare."

As they spoke, Jin Li had already returned to the hotel.

She temporarily hung up, planning to call back after finishing her work. Gu Cheng, as a study partner, was truly reliable.

She thought to herself: Gu Cheng is quite sincere. When he previously said, "How about I teach you," she had only spoken casually, never expecting him to actually take it to heart.

Though they didn't talk every day, they managed two or three calls a week. Under his guidance, her learning ability had steadily improved.

Reflecting on Gu Cheng's teachings, the most precious thing he imparted was not knowledge itself, but a mindset for learning.

She could see that Gu Cheng possessed his own unique learning methodology, one applicable not only to studying but also to solving problems.

To sum it up: What an excellent teacher!

With no other way to repay him, she could only buy a few more stacks of scratch-off lottery tickets for him, hoping to share a bit of her lucky koi fortune.

The next day.

Jin Li continued filming the Princess's descent into darkness.

Unknowingly, it was already the fourth day of shooting. As the plot progressed, the burden on Jin Li's shoulders grew heavier.

If the Princess in the early stages was an innocent, carefree young girl ignorant of the world's ways, then the Princess in the later stages was a black-hearted lotus who would kill any god or Buddha that stood in her path.

Originally, the director had worried that Jin Li might fail to capture that sense of ruthlessness.

But when Jin Li performed, everyone was startled.

On the film set.

Liu Ci held a dagger, viciously slapping Lin Zhiyi's face with the flat of the blade, her expression sinister and cruel.

At this moment, Lin Zhiyi had been hit with Soft-Tendon Powder; she was completely immobilized, left entirely at Liu Ci's mercy.

This Liu Ci had already fought her way back from the Kingdom of Yudian.

When she first arrived in Yudian, she had fully expected that the Royal House of Liu would rescue her within a year.

But that rescue never came.

In the second year, she became pregnant, only to be forced by the King of Yudian to drink abortion medicine, resulting in a severe illness.

By the third year, she had been bedridden for a long time.

The room was cold and desolate, empty and hollow; even rats refused to visit.

Witnessing this scene, Liu Ci suddenly let out a mad laugh. She had waited so long, only for this to be the result?

She wanted to live...

From beginning to end, all she had ever wanted was to survive.

Unwilling to accept her fate, she dragged herself up from the bed, her heart filled with resolve. She vowed to return to the Central Plains and make everyone who had deceived her pay the price!

The scene shifted back to the film set.

Liu Ci lightly tapped Lin Zhiyi's face with the dagger, asking in a soft, delicate voice, "Tell me, if I carve a scar across your face, will the Commandery Prince still like you? Would he marry a monster, or seek another noble lady from a high-ranking family?"

Lin Zhiyi glared at Liu Ci, her eyes full of rage.

Liu Ci stared back, her expression fierce. "Don't stare at me with those eyes. Do you think I really wouldn't dare to gouge them out?"

She swung the dagger forward with force. Just as a flash of blade light passed, Lin Zhiyi suddenly found she could move again and quickly reached out to grab the descending dagger.

"Princess Liu Ci, how have you become like this? Have you gone mad?!"

This scene depicted Liu Ci leading her forces back to the Central Plains, meeting Lin Zhiyi for the first time since her return.

Lin Zhiyi had been surprised by Liu Ci's return and had eagerly sought a meeting, initially overjoyed, only to be hit with Soft-Tendon Powder the moment they met.

And now, had she not dodged in time, the Princess would have killed her.

Liu Ci tried forcefully to pull the dagger free, but she couldn't. Her body remained weak, her strength minimal; she could only rely on underhanded tricks to harm others.

In a direct fight, she was absolutely no match for anyone.

"Yes, I am mad. Ever since I went for the marriage alliance, I have been mad.

Only a madwoman would believe your one-year promise, only a madwoman would hold expectations in that freezing Kingdom of Yudian, only a madwoman would watch her child being aborted, only a madwoman would accept being one wife serving two husbands!"

Liu Ci glared furiously at Lin Zhiyi. "I have long gone mad. I am no longer that weak and incompetent princess of the past. Lin Zhiyi, you! And everyone else who wronged me! I will settle accounts with each and every one of you!"

"Cut!"

Director Li called for a halt.

This scene had already been filmed twice.

He had no issues with Jin Li's performance, but he did have problems with Qiu Qiwen's acting.

During the first take, Director Li noticed that Qiu Qiwen's presence in the scene was too weak.

Although this scene was a highlight moment for Liu Ci's emotional outburst, it did not mean the female lead should be completely overshadowed by Liu Ci.

Yet, under Jin Li's portrayal, Qiu Qiwen's aura was far too weak; she was completely dominated, lacking even a hint of an evenly matched presence.

Therefore, Director Li decided to reshoot.

But during this take, he discovered an even bigger problem—

Qiu Qiwen's presence had been completely suppressed!

The second take was even worse than the first.

Director Li looked at Jin Li, then at Qiu Qiwen, thinking: If this continues, no matter how many takes we do, it will be useless; Qiu Qiwen's novice acting skills are simply no match for Jin Li.

He had originally assumed that since the two got along well, there would be no issue of one overshadowing the other, but once Jin Li started acting, it was as if she became a different person.

Although she did not follow the path of a method-acting madwoman, she took her craft seriously and never held back.

However, the current situation might be that Jin Li was completely unaware of it.

Director Li reviewed the first take again and felt it wasn't bad; at the very least, Qiu Qiwen's expression of shock had been portrayed very well.

Director Li called out in a deep voice, "That's a wrap for this take!"

Qiu Qiwen breathed a huge sigh of relief.

She truly did not want to do another take; filming this scene with Jin Li had put immense pressure on her.

Especially when Jin Li glared at her, she felt her own heart tighten.

Before Jin Li could pull out her Five-Year Gaokao, Three-Year Simulation book, Qiu Qiwen said a few words to her: "Jin Li, do you ever feel an overwhelming urge to stab someone?"

Jin Li was stunned: "An urge to stab someone?"

Qiu Qiwen nodded: "Yes, that kind of mood where you just want to kill someone. Have you ever felt that? Is that why you could act this scene so realistically?"

She had genuinely been frightened by Jin Li's presence just now; the moment their eyes met, cold sweat had nearly broken out.

It was as if she had truly become Jin Li's enemy.

Jin Li's expression turned solemn, and she said mysteriously, "Yes, I have."

Qiu Qiwen's eyes widened: "Really?"

Maintaining her serious demeanor, Jin Li replied, "For instance, right now, I quite feel like stabbing you."

Qiu Qiwen was so frightened she took several steps back.

Jin Li burst into laughter, chuckling aloud.

She spoke with earnest sincerity: "Sister Qiu, you read too many novels. Just because an actor plays a criminal doesn't mean they've actually been to prison, does it? That makes no sense; even novels wouldn't be written so absurdly!"

Qiu Qiwen smiled awkwardly, "T-that's true."

Jin Li then pulled out her Five-Year Gaokao, Three-Year Simulation book and started solving problems.

As time went on, the filming schedule arranged by the crew became tighter, and break times grew shorter.

To maintain her energy while also replenishing it, she could only be diligent when filming and equally diligent when solving problems.

Time flew by, and soon it was the fifth day.

Jin Li's filming schedule remained extremely packed.

According to the plan, she should have finished filming today, but an actor in the crew had suddenly fallen ill with a high fever and had to go to the hospital for an IV drip.

Since this actor had scenes opposite Jin Li, their part had to be postponed until tomorrow.

For this reason, Director Li specifically approached Jin Li to explain the situation.

He actually felt a bit embarrassed; Qiu Qiwen had initially agreed with Jin Li that filming would take four or five days, which later became firmly set at five days upon arriving at the set.

Now, with this unexpected issue at the crew, it had stretched to six days.

Jin Li readily agreed, "Alright, I'll leave the crew tomorrow. I'll communicate with my agent; she originally said she would come to pick me up today."

Before coming to the film set, she had believed everything could be perfectly arranged.

But after arriving and understanding how the entire crew operated, she realized her previous thoughts had been too naive.

"The Ideal Husband" was a medium-sized crew, yet it faced numerous problems every single day.

Some were actor-related issues, some were location problems, and others involved props, filming, and so on.

Precisely because she had witnessed it firsthand, she knew that a film crew without a single problem simply did not exist.

Among many crews, "The Ideal Husband" had relatively few issues because its management was fairly strict.

She had originally come here as an emergency replacement.

But after actually filming, she discovered this crew was quite warm-hearted, and she also hoped to contribute her own strength to it.

Hearing Jin Li say this, Director Li breathed a long sigh of relief; Jin Li was truly righteous!

On the other side, Jin Li called Sui Lingfang.

Sui Lingfang was somewhat speechless: "Agreed on five days, now it's six; don't let it drag until tomorrow only for some new issue to arise and turn it into seven."

Jin Li smiled: "Sister Fang, my luck isn't that bad; tomorrow should proceed smoothly to wrap up filming."

Sui Lingfang replied, "This has nothing to do with you; just because you have good luck doesn't mean everyone else in the crew does. What if someone else runs into trouble?"

Jin Li said, "We'll see when the time comes."

There were some things she hadn't told Sister Fang.

For instance, this: The Heavenly Realm Koi was capable of suppressing the fortune of an entire region!

In other words, she could not only elevate her own fortune but also lift up a whole group of people!

Another day passed.

On this day, the breeze was gentle and the sunlight was perfect.

Jin Li finished her morning scenes, rested briefly at noon, and then immediately began filming her afternoon scenes.

She had only one scene scheduled for the afternoon.

This scene was none other than a moment from the Princess's innocent and carefree period.

In this scene, the Princess walked beneath a pear tree, holding an umbrella in her hand, and amidst a "flower rain" of falling pear blossoms, she reached out to catch the blossoms drifting down from the sky.

The pear blossoms were a singular white, like snowflakes, clean and pure.

The Princess looked up at the pear blossoms, suddenly seeming to discover something, then turned her head with a faint smile.

In post-production, scenes of the Commandery Prince would be added; the Princess was smiling at the Commandery Prince.

But in reality.

The actor playing the Commandery Prince had long finished filming this scene, waiting only for Jin Li to film hers so the crew could edit them together.

Jin Li had not expected that her final wrap scene would be arranged like this.

Before filming, she had asked the floor manager in surprise, confirming several times.

The floor manager affirmed each time: "Yes, it is this scene."

Jin Li thought: No wonder the entire crew refused to tell her which scene was the final wrap, preventing her from preparing.

The surprise was waiting here.

This scene portrayed Princess Liu Ci's innocence and vivacity, and it was also the crew's final romantic gift to Jin Li.

Beneath the pear tree stood a beauty, turning to offer a smiling glance.

"Cut! That's a wrap!" Director Li pressed the final button.

"Congratulations on wrapping!"

"Congratulations to Jin Li on completing her first film role!"

"Come visit the crew when you have time!"

The rest of the crew emerged one after another, led by Qiu Qiwen, who offered wrap congratulations and a bouquet of fresh flowers.

As this was Jin Li's first film and her first wrap, everything about the crew felt novel to her.

This was also her first experience of such a strange sensation; how to describe it? Her chest felt slightly swollen, filled with reluctance to part.

"Jin Li!" Sui Lingfang had already arrived at the crew location, waving to her.

Jin Li's eyes lit up, and she waved back.

Qiu Qiwen glanced at a staff member, who promptly wheeled out a cake.

She said, "Everyone make way, time to share the wrap cake! Eat as much as you like; this was bought with crew funds, so have several slices!"

At the very top of the cake was written a congratulatory message: Happy Wrap, Jin Li!

Egged on by the crowd, Jin Li cut the cake; she happily brought the knife down without hesitation, dividing it into several portions in just a few swift motions.

Qiu Qiwen remarked, "You divided that cake quite evenly!"

Jin Li nodded. "Yes, I calculated the area of this cake in my mind, then used statistical analysis to determine how many portions were needed so everyone could have some."

"The cutting method also employed statistics; there are several ways to divide it into dozens of equal parts, and I specifically chose this one."

Qiu Qiwen: ...

The cake in her mouth suddenly seemed to lose all its flavor.

Stunned speechless.jpg

On the other side.

Sui Lingfang was also conversing with the director.

Director Li had not originally known that Sui Lingfang was Jin Li's agent; only after Sui Lingfang greeted him and clarified her identity did he realize.

Director Li immediately became more solemn, shook her hand, and asked, "Does Jin Li have plans to develop a career in the film and television industry?"

Sui Lingfang paused, startled. "Not yet."

Director Li said, "Actually, it could truly be arranged. Jin Li's acting is very spirited; it would be a pity not to pursue film and television."

"During my free time these past few days, I went online and discovered many netizens urging Jin Li to act. Those netizens truly have piercing eyes; they discerned Jin Li's talent just from photos. She could pursue further training in this direction..."

Director Li's endless praise of Jin Li caught Sui Lingfang completely off guard.

Was Jin Li's acting really that good?

How had she not known?

Oh, it seemed Jin Li had never discussed this with her, and she had never asked, after all, any normal person would assume: how good could the acting of a novice just starting in acting possibly be?

She truly had not expected the director to think so highly of Jin Li, and apparently, Jin Li had filmed quite well, earning the director's approval for her acting skills.

Screenwriter He and Producer Zhang approached, exchanged business cards with Sui Lingfang, and upon learning she was Jin Li's agent, immediately switched to enthusiastic expressions.

Screenwriter He asked, "Have you received any suitable art film scripts? Jin Li could try filming one; she has a strong foundation, excellent camera presence, and vivid acting, fully capable of delivering the nuanced expressions required in art films."

"I have high hopes for her. With a suitable script and director, if she films an art film, she could entirely contend for awards."

Sui Lingfang smiled so broadly her mouth could not close.

Originally, she thought the director was being slightly exaggerated, but she had not expected the screenwriter to be even more so, actually raising the slogan of competing for awards.

Producer Zhang went further, saying, "For her next film, can I serve as the producer?"

Director Li and Screenwriter He glared at him.

"Are you poaching people? Don't you understand first come, first served?"

"I haven't even said those words yet; take them back! Wait until I say them, then you can speak!"

Update is here! Continuing with 6K words!

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