Chapter 80

The next day.

Jin Li rushed to the set early in the morning to film.

She held a "Five-Three" workbook in her hands, which she kept even closer to her than the script.

Because Jin Li was constantly working on problems with a focused and serious expression, the makeup artist doing her look didn't dare to chat or talk, and very earnestly applied her makeup.

Perhaps influenced by Jin Li, the makeup artist felt exceptionally smooth while working this time, as if everything was finished in a few strokes, and efficiency had improved.

The makeup look that usually took half an hour was, thanks to her skillful hands, finished 10 minutes early, taking only 20 minutes.

After finishing the makeup, the artist glanced at the time and couldn't help but think: If efficiency could remain this high later on, she could do makeup for several more people and ask the production crew for more money.

After the makeup was done, Jin Li waited for another ten minutes or so. Qiu Qiwen also finished her makeup and met up with Jin Li.

The morning's scenes.

Were concentrated on the female lead and the third female lead; they were all scenes between Jin Li and Qiu Qiwen.

Under the intensive filming, Jin Li didn't feel that acting was troublesome; rather, it was the makeup process that was troublesome.

According to the script's requirements, she had to change into three different outfits this morning and do different looks for each.

Qiu Qiwen, on the other hand, didn't need to change and stayed in one look the whole time.

Liu Ci, played by Jin Li, was a princess, so her entourage was naturally a bit larger.

Before filming even started, Screenwriter He walked over to go over the upcoming scenes with them.

Jin Li glanced at Screenwriter He and couldn't help but be stunned; only one night had passed, and the dark circles under this screenwriter's eyes were undeniably a bit too heavy.

Qiu Qiwen was close with Screenwriter He and asked directly: "Did you go out stealing at night? How did you end up with two panda eyes?"

Screenwriter He rubbed his eyes: "Ah, is it that obvious?"

He smiled helplessly: "I have a constitution prone to dark circles. Back when I was studying, my classmates would all tie their hair to the beam and prick themselves with an awl to stay up late studying, and they would still be full of energy when they woke up the next day, but I can't.

Whenever I stay up late once, my eyes will swell into large bags the next day, looking just like a sixty or seventy-year-old man.

Now that I'm older, the bags are gone, but if I stay up late, the dark circles will be very heavy. It's fine, I'll just roll an egg over them later."

Screenwriter He lowered his head to look at the script.

He didn't just look at it himself; he also took out two additional copies and gave them to Qiu Qiwen and Jin Li respectively.

"Come, come, come, this is the script I stayed up late writing last night. I changed some plot points and dialogue, and added a few new scenes. You two hurry up and familiarize yourselves with them; we'll be filming in a while.

Let me tell you about the part I changed first. I made your first meeting more intense. At first, the princess actually quite liked the heroic and spirited female lead; she was too delicate and weak, and she had a soft spot for those women who could jump and run..."

After Screenwriter He left.

Jin Li held the brand-new script and looked at Qiu Qiwen: "I didn't encounter this situation yesterday. Does the production crew often change scenes without reason like this?"

Qiu Qiwen first nodded, then shook her head: "Unless the script isn't polished well and they encounter too many problems during filming, they won't often change scenes on the fly.

However, the script for 'The Ideal Husband' is polished quite well, so this situation generally doesn't happen. If Screenwriter He suddenly changes a scene," she paused, "it's usually because his inspiration is overflowing and he feels there's a better way to express it."

Qiu Qiwen saw Jin Li's solemn expression and couldn't help but smile: "Don't worry, this situation really doesn't happen often. I've been filming for a month and have only encountered it once or twice.

And those one or two times, it wasn't my scenes that were changed, but the male lead's. When I asked Screenwriter He at the time, he said the male lead's performance gave him a lot of inspiration."

She said affirmatively: "It must be because you acted well, so you stimulated Screenwriter He's overflowing inspiration!"

While the production crew was still doing preparatory work, Li Dao and Producer Zhang were already in position.

"Sigh, Old He, why are your dark circles so heavy? What's up, writing and drawing on the script again? Is there new inspiration appearing?"

Screenwriter He nodded: "After watching Jin Li's performance yesterday, I feel that she can not only continue filming according to the plot set in the original script, but also portray the character of the princess more fully.

So I stayed up all night changing some of the plot, while also adding some details for the princess and deleting some of the filler plot."

Li Dao was fine listening to the first part, but upon hearing the latter, he hurriedly asked: "You even deleted plot? Don't go deleting things randomly; this drama is set to be 38 episodes long. If it's not 38 episodes when edited, what will we do about the brands that have already bid for placement?"

Filming is one aspect, the production crew raising funds is another aspect, and how to promote and gain exposure after the drama is filmed and edited is yet another aspect...

From preparation and filming to production and then release, there are many processes in between.

Previously, in order to raise funds for "The Ideal Husband," they publicly set the number of episodes at 38, allowing brand sponsors to be willing to insert placements, ensuring the most exposure for the sugar daddies.

If 38 episodes are changed to 37, or even 36, they will all face breach of contract.

Screenwriter He smiled: "Don't you worry, I have a plan. I'm just deleting some filler plot and adding new plot in, so we can definitely film 38 episodes.

Besides, if Jin Li doesn't have many segments here, we can add more to the male and female leads later; there won't be any issues."

Li Dao nodded: "That's fine, but Jin Li's acting is good, so we can dig a bit more into her. You arrange more explosive scenes for her; perhaps this character can be shaped into a classic one."

Producer Zhang listened to their discussion silently.

After they finished speaking, he added: "I think your discussion is quite good, but have you considered one problem?"

Li Dao and Screenwriter He both looked over.

Producer Zhang: "Jin Li's body might not necessarily be able to withstand such intensive filming!"

Can Jin Li's body withstand it?

If it were before, this question would be in doubt.

But coming to today, this question doesn't seem so important anymore.

"Fourth scene, action!"

Jin Li, wearing a red outfit, appeared at the entrance of the Imperial Academy like a dazzling, vigorous fire.

She looked around curiously; this place was very different from the places of learning in the palace.

Suddenly, she saw a young girl; this girl was wearing clothes different from hers, a set of emerald blue water-colored dress.

Both were wearing dresses, but Liu Ci always felt the other person was more crisp and decisive.

"Hello, do you know where the female studies at the Imperial Academy are?" Princess Liu Ci asked.

The female lead Lin Zhiyi, played by Qiu Qiwen, first glanced at Liu Ci, recognizing that this woman's status must be very noble; the few items worn on her head were all unique styles from the palace.

With a prominent family background and the ability to frequently receive imperial gifts...

Lin Zhiyi went through several families in her mind and said on the surface: "I know, I happen to be going there too, I'll take you."

Suddenly, a voice came: "Quick, catch it, don't let Ah Miao run away!"

Looking up, there was a tiger-headed, tiger-brained orange cat, with a small yellow croaker fried to a crisp in its mouth, running outwards.

People blocked it from time to time, but they were all dodged by the orange cat.

Lin Zhiyi made her move at this moment!

"Cut!" Li Dao called for a stop.

He had a feeling while filming that Qiu Qiwen's performance seemed to be driven by Jin Li, and it wasn't as stiff.

Now watching the filmed footage again, he confirmed this feeling once more.

Li Dao's gaze towards Jin Li was shining brightly.

This is a good actor!

The morning scenes were all dialogue-heavy scenes.

Qiu Qiwen and Jin Li performed together, and there wasn't much feeling yet, after all, the plot was very stable.

Her only worry was Jin Li's body.

After filming six dialogue-heavy scenes in a row, they got a half-hour break.

Qiu Qiwen specifically asked her: "How are you feeling, do you need to rest?"

Jin Li sat on a chair, with a long table for ancient students in front of her, and shook her head: "It's fine, I'm still okay."

She gestured at the height of the table and couldn't help but shake her head, thinking that it must be very uncomfortable for ancient people to write; this table was too low.

Qiu Qiwen was about to continue talking to Jin Li when she saw Jin Li take out a "Five-Year College Entrance Exam, Three-Year Simulation" book from her bosom, take out a pen, open the workbook, and start doing it.

Qiu Qiwen:???

Perhaps her gaze was too shocked, and Jin Li, who hadn't entered the state yet, noticed and explained a few sentences.

"Liu Ci enters the school to study and is curious about everything, including books, so I asked Screenwriter He, why not let Liu Ci stuff a book into her clothes, the princess might want to take it back to look at.

Screenwriter He thought it was okay, and it just so happened that the style of the school clothes could hold things, so I stuffed the workbook in, it looks like it's the real thing, that's enough."

Qiu Qiwen nodded and continued: "So that's how it is!"

Was she shocked by stuffing the workbook?

She was shocked by Jin Li's spirit of racing against time to do problems!

Doesn't Jin Li need to rest?

This "involution" dog is too terrifying!

Qiu Qiwen stayed for a while, felt awkward, got up, and left.

She was sitting next to Jin Li, originally playing on her phone.

But as she played, her peripheral vision would always glance towards Jin Li's side.

Seeing the dense problem-solving formulas on it, Qiu Qiwen felt uncomfortable in her heart.

What was she doing?

Oh, it turns out she was wasting time.

No, can't take it anymore, too aggrieved!

After leaving the Imperial Academy, she happened to run into Screenwriter He and Li Dao. Seeing her, Li Dao immediately asked: "Is Jin Li's body okay?"

Qiu Qiwen shook her head: "It's fine, she looks quite energetic."

Screenwriter He said excitedly: "I just happened to have some new ideas, I want to chat with her, I'll go find her."

"Eh, wait!"

Qiu Qiwen suddenly stopped him and said earnestly: "Screenwriter He, if you have any ideas, just change them yourself. Haven't you seen that Jin Li never raises any objections? She completely respects your opinions.

Don't always look for her when Jin Li is resting. Do you know how much time you'll waste? An inch of time is an inch of gold, an inch of gold can't buy an inch of time! She has already paid too much to study well!"

Screenwriter He and Li Dao:...

Time flew by, and it was afternoon.

In the afternoon, Jin Li was still acting in dialogue-heavy scenes. To be precise, the character "Princess Liu Ci" didn't have any action scenes at all.

But when she turned dark later, that incredibly soft voice could undoubtedly turn into the sharpest blade to fan the flames!

And the scenes in the afternoon were all scenes with great emotional outbursts.

First scene, crying scene.

Princess Liu Ci went to find Lin Zhiyi, saying she didn't want to go for a political marriage, asking Lin Zhiyi to save her, asking Lin Zhiyi to find the Commandery Prince to save her.

Lin Zhiyi didn't have a bad impression of Princess Liu Ci; she was just an innocent and naive princess. Even knowing the princess liked the Commandery Prince, Lin Zhiyi had never regarded the princess as a competitor.

Because she knew the Commandery Prince didn't like this kind of woman.

Second scene, still a crying scene.

Princess Liu Ci waited for a long time, but didn't wait for anyone to come to save her or replace her, and was forced to embark on the road of political marriage.

Third scene, a dialogue-heavy scene from the innocent and naive past.

Fourth, fifth, and sixth scenes, still filming scenes from the past.

After the six scenes in the afternoon were filmed, Jin Li could film the scenes after the princess went for the political marriage tomorrow.

Compared to the easy dialogue-heavy scenes in the morning, there were still quite a few heavy scenes in the afternoon.

Jin Li came to the set in the afternoon, and after receiving notice from the field manager, she went to find Li Dao to ask if the filming order could be changed.

Crying scenes before dialogue scenes; firstly, the emotional span is large, and secondly, she was afraid her eyes would be too red from crying and it would take a long time to calm down.

Li Dao said embarrassedly: "I want to change it too, but it's mainly a venue problem. The venue for filming the crying scenes was arranged for us during that time, we can't change it."

Jin Li understood, "So that's how it is, understood."

A large production crew can't rely solely on the concerted efforts of the actors; it also requires the dedication of others, including venue rental.

If the rental is smooth, the production crew can film as they wish.

If the rental is not smooth and the time is scattered, it will test the actors' acting skills.

When she came to act, she searched for some actors' insights on acting.

She saw an actor mention that they were filming their youth in the morning, had to film their old age in the afternoon, and had to continue filming their youth in the evening.

This transformation of performance span requires one to grasp it well.

Now that it's her turn to restrain and release some emotions, it's also a challenge.

"First scene of the afternoon, action!"

Princess Liu Ci broke into the Minister's mansion.

The Minister said repeatedly: "Princess, my daughter is not inside! You can't do this, Princess!"

Princess Liu Ci shouted: "Lin Zhiyi, come out! Lin Zhiyi, I know you are at home, Lin Zhiyi!"

Lin Zhiyi walked out and said helplessly: "Father, let me talk to the Princess."

The scene shifted.

Arriving in a reception hall.

Princess Liu Ci expressed her thoughts, wanting the Commandery Prince to bring troops to save her, hoping Lin Zhiyi could help persuade the Commandery Prince.

But Lin Zhiyi countered: "Princess, you are going for a political marriage this time for the Great Liu Dynasty. You don't want to marry over there, but what if the iron hooves of the Yudian Kingdom trample the Central Plains?"

Princess Liu Ci said emotionally: "If I go for a political marriage, can it change all this? The Yudian Kingdom's wolfish ambition will at most give Great Liu a year or two of breathing time."

Lin Zhiyi took a deep breath and closed her eyes: "One year, as long as we can drag it out for one year, Great Liu can resist the Yudian Kingdom! Princess, please go back, I will not persuade the Commandery Prince to save you."

Two lines of clear tears slid down Liu Ci's face: "It's truly ridiculous to say that the fate of a dynasty is actually entrusted to a woman like me, as if I don't go for a political marriage, the Great Liu royal family will be destroyed, and as if I go for a political marriage, it can live.

I don't even know myself when I actually had such great power. I clearly can't change all this at all, it's you who insist that I can change it!"

Lin Zhiyi turned her head and said: "You are a princess, born noble. Everything you wear, eat, and use, which one isn't given by the common people? Now the Great Liu royal family needs you, you can only go for a political marriage.

Only one year, I dare to guarantee you, only one year, the Great Liu royal family will pick you up, really!"

Princess Liu Ci staggered and fell to the ground, sobbing: "I don't, I don't want to go for a political marriage, I don't..."

"Cut!"

Li Dao called for a stop on this scene.

Qiu Qiwen had tears falling from the corners of her eyes, and she took a few deep breaths. Seeing Jin Li cry, she also wanted to cry.

Too abusive!

Turning her head to look at Jin Li, just wanting to comfort her to stop crying, who would have thought Jin Li had already stood up, put away her tears, and took out her phone to play some sounds.

If it weren't for her eye sockets being a bit red, this calm and composed posture didn't look like she had just cried.

Qiu Qiwen walked over, heard the foreign words being played, and couldn't help but fall into silence.

She turned her steps and walked elsewhere.

Hmm, she didn't see anything, didn't hear anything, she didn't waste time!

The afternoon scenes were filmed smoothly.

Jin Li filmed two crying scenes with emotional outbursts, then transitioned to calm dialogue scenes, and the restraint and release of emotions were handled very well.

Li Dao watched the scenes Jin Li filmed, and remembered the scenes where Jin Li quickly exited the state after filming, and couldn't help but confirm his guess.

"Jin Li is indeed not an experiential actor!" Li Dao gathered with Screenwriter He and Producer Zhang in the evening to discuss, and said this sentence affirmatively.

Screenwriter He: "Academic school?"

Producer Zhang shook his head: "No, it's definitely not the academic school either. Her performance is different from those from the academic school. I suspect she didn't even hire a teacher and just came to act."

Don't ask him why he's so clear, because he is from the academic school.

But the acting industry is too involuted, so he changed to become a producer.

Screenwriter He: "I'm just a scriptwriter, I know nothing about acting. Watching Jin Li perform today, I feel she acts well. What are your thoughts?"

Li Dao nodded: "It's quite good, she has spirituality, and she can lead actors. Didn't you notice that when Qiu Qiwen acted opposite her, she was completely drawn in?

And that scene in the afternoon, Lin Zhiyi in the script has a relatively ruthless heart. She is too rational, so her relationship with the male lead continues to heat up, but it never reaches that point of love.

But watching Qiu Qiwen's performance in the afternoon, she couldn't bear it and her eyes turned red, and I suddenly felt that this performance was the right one, adding to Lin Zhiyi's character arc, no longer such a rigid, single impression."

Producer Zhang nodded: "I agree with this point, and this Jin Li's body doesn't seem as weak as the rumors say?"

Screenwriter He thought for a while, "I want to add a few more scenes tomorrow. I feel Jin Li's potential hasn't been fully tapped yet, let's continue to try."

The "The Ideal Husband" production crew was operating at super speed.

Two days later, LP Company.

Zhang Ziqiang waited for a whole morning without waiting for Ji Ji Qinglian to call him, and couldn't help but be puzzled. Could it be that she didn't want to enter the "Great Sheng Dynasty" production crew?

Or was it that she had already decided to pay the breach of contract fee for "PICK~Next Station Queen"?

Zhang Ziqiang had been waiting for Ji Ji Qinglian to bow her head.

As long as she was willing to bow her head and admit her mistake, he would still help her negotiate with Penguin. He had several second-tier stars under him with good momentum.

Since Ji Ji Qinglian didn't cherish this opportunity, he could let the stars under him take her place.

2:00 PM.

Zhang Ziqiang couldn't hold back anymore and took the initiative to dial Ji Ji Qinglian's phone.

It rang for about thirty seconds before the call was picked up.

"Where are you?" he asked.

The sound on Ji Ji Qinglian's side was a bit noisy: "I just entered the 'Great Sheng Dynasty' production crew. The director won't let us go out. Brother Qiang, you have to help me arrange the subsequent announcements, let's push them back for now."

Zhang Ziqiang: "Fine, is it okay to push them back for three months first?"

Mentioning work, his attitude was still very good.

Ji Ji Qinglian: "No, let's push them back for five months first. This is what the director said, saying my role as the second female lead has heavy scenes, and it can't be finished in three months, expected to be five months, maybe even longer."

"Five months?" Zhang Ziqiang raised his voice: "Isn't this a bit too long?"

Ji Ji Qinglian said helplessly: "This is what the director requires, I have no choice. If Brother Qiang doesn't believe me, you can come to the production crew yourself. Not only me, the second female lead, but the actors playing the male and female leads have also pushed their announcements for at least five months."

Zhang Ziqiang frowned.

Five months is too long, many itineraries have been disrupted. On the other hand, there are also some announcements that can't be accepted.

"Fine, I'll help you adjust it first. By the way, have you told Penguin about it?"

Ji Ji Qinglian: "Hmm, I told them, it's all resolved."

"All resolved?" Zhang Ziqiang raised his voice again, "How did you resolve it, why don't I know?"

In the production crew, Ji Ji Qinglian heard this sentence, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but pull into a smile, her breathing a bit chaotic.

But she controlled herself and didn't make a sound.

Heh, what I want is for you not to know!

Ji Ji Qinglian asked back suspiciously: "Brother Qiang, wasn't it you who told me to resolve it myself? So I resolved it myself."

Zhang Ziqiang hurriedly asked: "How did you resolve it? Did you pay the breach of contract fee directly, or did you find someone to replace you?"

Ji Ji Qinglian said vaguely: "Anyway, it's resolved. Penguin won't trouble LP, and don't worry about how I resolved it. That's it, Brother Qiang, if you have nothing else to say, I'm going to hang up."

Zhang Ziqiang suppressed his anger and said: "Ji Ji Qinglian, you can't possibly not understand what I mean. How exactly did you resolve it? I'm here—"

"Eh, Director, okay, I'm coming!" Ji Ji Qinglian hurriedly said: "Brother Qiang, let's not talk anymore, the director is calling me, I'm going to film!"

After hanging up the phone.

Ji Ji Qinglian felt a burst of refreshment.

Forcing me, giving me small shoes to wear, wanting me to beg people... Hehe, I just want you to get nothing!

Zhang Ziqiang was hung up on, very angry, and dialed back.

"Sorry, the number you dialed is powered off..."

He thought over and over, this won't do, he still has to call Penguin.

This variety show was something LP fought hard to get initially. No matter what method Ji Ji Qinglian used to resolve it, LP still had to get this variety show.

"Hello, Director Zhao, hello, I am Ji Ji Qinglian's manager Zhang Ziqiang. I want to ask how Ji Qinglian resolved...

It's not convenient for you to disclose it here, it's fine, it's fine, I was also worried about whether she would do something stupid, so I asked. Then, who is the candidate on your side... Oh oh, it's already decided, good good, you go ahead and be busy!"

Zhang Ziqiang hung up the phone, so angry he threw his phone onto the sofa.

What kind of means did Ji Ji Qinglian use, even the person in charge of the variety show refused to let out a word!