Chapter 123: Filming a public service charity short film, Director Zhong

While other celebrities were anxious, Jin Li and the others sat as steady as those fishing on a platform.

Jin Li took it all in, lost in thought.

Isn't this just another portrait of all living things?

Half an hour later, the celebrities who had changed into the right clothes remained, while those who hadn't were directly persuaded to leave by the staff.

If a celebrity had ordinary clothes on hand, they might have been able to argue their case.

But some celebrities' companies were too far away, and there was no time to call an assistant to deliver them; their agents could only buy some nearby.

However, the locations chosen for filming couldn't be too bustling, otherwise, how could they isolate the crowd?

Consequently, the agents couldn't buy anything, and the celebrities were forced to be eliminated.

While waiting, Jin Li heard a burst of crying.

She looked over and saw several celebrities crying.

They tried to communicate with the staff, but the staff on-site were completely impartial and insisted they leave, refusing to let them stay.

Xi Sister Meng Ze said, "At first, I suspected that Li Xunfang was colluding with other celebrities to release the wrong rumors and gang up on others."

"But now, I'm not so sure. Is it possible the production team intended to eliminate a portion of the celebrities from the start, and is using this opportunity to make a fuss?"

"Even if the celebrities were dressed simply, could they have found other reasons to carry out eliminations?"

Qiu Qiwen said thoughtfully, "Do you have a count of the list that was released? How many artists are there in total?"

Jin Li didn't have the count, but she remembered the number, "Sister Fang mentioned it to me; there are about 230 people in total."

Qiu Qiwen understood, "That makes sense. I was wondering why they needed so many people just to film a few dozen short clips."

"But if they are only filming 10 short clips, that averages out to 23 people per clip. Do you think they could actually use that many?"

Jin Li and Xi Sister Meng Ze fell into deep thought.

Qiu Qiwen pointed out, "Even if they aren't eliminated now, they would be eliminated during filming. This is called screening."

"It's just like celebrities appearing on the Spring Festival Gala; there are many stages to the process. Which program changes people while rehearsing, and which program gets cut while practicing—these are common occurrences."

Jin Li let out a soft breath, "If they were eliminated during the screening process, they might not be so unwilling to accept it."

But failing to prepare beforehand, showing up in inappropriate clothing, and not considering backup plans—

This was, in itself, a sign of lack of care.

Losing at this first step, there was nowhere to go to reason.

Once the site was cleared of the eliminated celebrities, there didn't seem to be as many people left. Directors arrived one after another to observe the artists and select some for filming.

Before long, Director Zhong Wentai arrived and directly picked Jin Li to go with him.

As for Xi Sister Meng Ze and Qiu Qiwen, they were picked by another director for a different project.

Upon arriving at the designated filming location, Jin Li finally received the script.

She began to read it earnestly.

Zhong Wentai was communicating with the coordinator, stage manager, and others; he still wanted to modify the venue.

After chatting with the staff on-site, he turned his head to look at Jin Li and called out to her.

Jin Li did not respond.

Zhong Wentai observed for a moment and discovered she was reading the script very seriously.

He couldn't help but nod secretly.

He admired this kind of focused attitude.

"Jin Li!" A stage manager wanted to go over and call her, but was stopped by Director Zhong, "Let her finish reading the script, then tell her to come find me."

The short film was only three or four minutes long, so the script wasn't long.

Jin Li spent ten minutes reading it three full times, feeling that she understood a lot of the content and the significance of this short film.

The short film she was given had "Longing for Knowledge" as its theme.

The short film was divided into one turning point and two scenes.

The first scene.

It was about a little girl growing up in a poor, backward village who had to walk an hour on mountain paths just to study.

If she encountered bad weather like wind or rain, she might not be able to go to school.

The first scene needed to show the harsh conditions, and then depict the little girl studying despite the adversity.

To study, she didn't hesitate to walk two hours a day.

Even in heavy rain, she would wear a raincoat and protect her books, carefully making her way to school.

As for the second scene.

It switched to the scene after the little girl had grown up, which was when Jin Li would appear.

At the beginning of the scene, she had just graduated from a university in the city and was quietly holding a book to read at a bus stop.

Beside her was a large suitcase.

The suitcase was very heavy.

The bus arrived, and a kind person helped her lift the suitcase, asking curiously, "It's so heavy, what's inside?"

Jin Li answered gently, "Books."

After graduation, she resolutely chose to leave the city and return to the village that had raised her.

After witnessing the prosperity of the city, she ultimately chose to return to her hometown.

—To teach and nurture.

Just like when she was a child, when her teacher worked hard to encourage them to study well so they could go out into the world when they grew up.

After she grew up and saw a corner of the world, she decided to return to her hometown to become a teacher who "gives her all until the very end."

The protagonist in the script did not regret her choice.

Life in the village was very peaceful, but also not peaceful.

She also encountered many troubles and faced harsh weather with wind and rain.

When she was young, it was the teacher who grabbed her small hand and pulled her along.

And after she grew up, she became the teacher, becoming the one to grab another small hand, pulling them...

To keep going.

"Teacher!"

At the end of the short film, a clear "Teacher" from a little girl came from off-screen, causing Jin Li to turn her head.

When Jin Li saw the little girl, it was as if she saw herself when she was young.

Her eyes were filled with tears, as if radiating a warm, faint light, and she responded loudly:

"Hey! The teacher is here!"

"Cut!" Director Zhong shouted.

Lasting two days, the filming of the public service charity short film officially ended!

Jin Li detached herself from the acting state and asked, "Director Zhong, what about the little girl who came to act? When are you going to film her scenes?"

The filming progress of Jin Li's short film was faster than the others.

Because she wasn't the sole protagonist.

In the first half of the short film, the child actor playing the protagonist's younger self occupied more screen time.

The child actor was still in school and hadn't arrived yet, so they filmed Jin Li's part first.

Director Zhong said, "She can only arrive the day after tomorrow. Do you want to meet her?"

Jin Li said with regret, "I want to meet her, but I have a commitment the day after tomorrow, so I'm afraid I won't be able to."

Director Zhong smiled, "I scouted this child actor when I was filming 'City Drifting Diary' last time. The village she lives in has poor transportation, and it takes at least an hour to walk to school."

"My short film is largely based on the little girl's own experiences. If you don't have time to come over, you can make a video call to her."

"I spoke with her yesterday and mentioned you. She said she knows you, likes listening to your Pink Girls' songs, and also wants to meet you."

Jin Li was greatly surprised.

She immediately took out her phone and urged Director Zhong to send her the little girl's contact card.

She thought for a moment and said, "If I have the chance to get into university in the future and become a college student, I want to go to the little girl's place to do volunteer teaching, even if it's just for a short term."

Zhong Wentai gave her a thumbs up, "That's a great idea."

He changed the subject, "But there's a prerequisite: you have to get into university first. While you still have time, you'd better hurry up and read your books!"

During these two days of filming, Zhong Wentai had also figured out Jin Li's temperament.

She was gentle and not impatient.

Hmm, and she was someone who would seize every opportunity to do her own things.

Since arriving at the set, he hadn't seen Jin Li holding a script much; instead, she was holding a '5-3' study guide.

But this didn't mean Jin Li's attitude was bad.

She had already memorized the entire script; what more could you want from her attitude?

Through this brief contact, Zhong Wentai had also gotten a bottom line on Jin Li.

She was an actor with great potential!

Previously, because he wasn't sure if Jin Li could film his project, he specifically asked Director Li—Li Wenguang, who filmed 'Ruyi Langjun'—to ask.

Li Wenguang was his college classmate; they were in the same directing department and even the same class.

Upon hearing his intention, Li Wenguang strongly recommended Jin Li for his project and stated:

"She has a lot of spirit, with acting skills that have some formulaic elements but aren't that 'academic' style. Her potential is extremely strong."

"When I was filming her, I had a feeling that if I didn't let her play Liu Ci, but instead had her play the female lead or the third female lead, it would all work! She can handle the role!"

"And her appearance actually has a high-end cinematic quality. She hasn't had plastic surgery, so her face won't look stiff on camera..."

That was the first time Zhong Wentai had witnessed it.

What it looked like when peers praised a talented actress.

Li Wenguang even asked if he needed an assistant director when filming, volunteering himself to be one.

Zhong Wentai said at the time, "If I need one, I will consider it."

He woke up from his memories and looked at Jin Li's back as she left with her '5-3' study guide.

Zhong Wentai pondered for a few seconds, took out his phone, and made a call.

"Hey, Old Duan, when selecting actors for auditions, there's a role we can delete from the auditions... The role of the female lead He Hui can be deleted..."

"Why would I lie to you? I've found a suitable candidate! I've decided it's her, and I'm not changing it... Don't be wishy-washy, hurry up and change it. I'm hanging up!"

After Jin Li wrapped up, she didn't rest.

Instead, she ran non-stop to Tianding Entertainment.

This wasn't to find March Sky, but because Sister Fang had booked a recording studio at Tianding Entertainment for Gong Jiajia.

Two days later was Gong Jiajia's stage grand finale.

Sister Fang specifically called Jin Li to communicate with her.

After confirming it wouldn't affect her rest, Jin Li decided to be Gong Jiajia's guest singer.

Because time was a bit tight, Jin Li was worried that the rehearsal time wouldn't be enough, leading to poor results.

It was originally scheduled for tomorrow to practice in the recording studio, but now that she had wrapped up, Jin Li called Gong Jiajia immediately.

Knowing she wasn't running any other commitments, Jin Li said, "Then let's go to Tianding Entertainment now and practice ahead of time to have more preparation time."

Gong Jiajia said yes, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "Sister Jin Li, does Tianding Entertainment have any spots? The recording studios there are fully booked every day!"

Jin Li was stunned; she really hadn't noticed that.

She sat in the car, patted her forehead, and said, "Wait a moment, I'll make a call and ask."

Jin Li thought for a moment and called Gu Cheng directly.

Before long, the call was answered, and Gu Cheng's clear, gentle voice came through, "Is something the matter?"

It was very noisy around him, as if many people were talking.

But soon, all the noise disappeared.

Gu Cheng seemed to have arrived at a quiet place.

Jin Li quickly explained the situation.

Gu Cheng said very straightforwardly, "If you go to the big studio on short notice today, there definitely won't be any spots. Not to mention you, even if we wanted to cut in line for the big studio, it wouldn't be possible."

Jin Li felt a bit regretful and said helplessly, "It seems I was being too presumptuous."

Gu Cheng smiled lightly, "Hey, wait, don't hang up yet."

"I said there are no spots in the big studio, but that doesn't mean there are no spots in the small studio. You can use our exclusive small studio."

Jin Li was surprised, "Exclusive small studio? An exclusive small recording studio for you all?"

Gu Cheng, "Yes, bring her over. I'll tell Brother Guang, and someone will be waiting for you in the lobby on the first floor."

Jin Li hesitated, "Would this be too much trouble for you?"

Gu Cheng's voice became even lighter.

"We aren't using it anyway, so it doesn't matter if you use it. If you really feel it's trouble, just bring me more scratch-offs next time."

Jin Li's expression was solemn, "Not just scratch-offs, I'll also prepare a bunch of Daoist temple specialties."

She added, "Hmm, I'll specifically prepare a bit more for you. Thanks, Little Teacher!"

The corners of Gu Cheng's mouth lifted quietly.

"Why are you all still standing here? Aren't you going to record the program?"

Chen Lin patted Luo Yi and Yan Xingdong, who were still standing there, and looked in the direction they were looking.

"Why hasn't Orange come over yet? Why did he run so far away? Is his family calling him?"

Yan Xingdong shook his head and said with deep meaning, "Seeing him smile so dissolutely, I know this call isn't simple."

Luo Yi echoed, "If he had a tail, I reckon it would be wagging happily in the sky by now."

Chen Lin asked curiously, "Why, was it a woman who called?"

Yan Xingdong glanced at him and turned to walk away.

Chatting with someone on a different wavelength was a bit tiring.

Luo Yi patted Chen Lin on the shoulder and pulled him to walk elsewhere.

"Don't think about it, even if you think until the sky breaks, you won't figure it out. Let's go, go record the program."

While pulling Chen Lin, he shouted, "Gu Cheng, time to record the program!"

Gu Cheng heard him and turned back to respond.

He quickly said to Jin Li on the phone, "When you get to Tianding Entertainment, don't leave too late. I'll bring you a small gift. I prepared a lot of merchandise for this commitment, and they're all quite interesting."

Jin Li didn't think twice and said readily, "Okay!"

If there was free time after practicing, wouldn't it just be studying in a different place? No problem at all.

Jin Li returned to Chenxi Entertainment first to pick up Gong Jiajia.

Sui Lingfang happened to be taking He Yixuan out to audition for the third female lead role, which was the resource given by Xirui Entertainment.

Since it was obtained from Xirui Entertainment, even if it was just a third female lead role, Sui Lingfang took it quite seriously.

She hoped He Yixuan could pass the audition in one go.

Seeing Gong Jiajia get into the nanny van, Sui Lingfang gave Jin Li a few more instructions.

"Gong Jiajia is a newcomer; she doesn't understand anything and doesn't know how to speak. If you meet any senior executives at Tianding Entertainment, take care of her a bit."

Jin Li nodded.

Sui Lingfang lowered her voice and said, "Also, keep an eye on things for me. Don't let Tianding Entertainment poach Gong Jiajia. I finally signed a singer, and I want to promote her well."

Jin Li chuckled.

"Don't worry, Sister Fang, I guarantee she'll be returned perfectly, not even a single hair will be missing!" ===== CHAPTER 124 =====