Chapter 93: 90: Quancheng Water People Chapter 93: Guess, Are They a Couple?

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

"Among the Gu Family's grandchildren, Old Sixth likes Little Bin the most."

Grandfather readily agreed: "He's long hoped Little Bin would go to university in BJ."

"This child is blessed."

Grandmother was satisfied, the corners of her eyes crinkling into folds: "Old Sixth is the most aloof person, disliking everyone, yet he alone took a liking to Little Bin, intending to cultivate him. With Old Sixth paving the way for him, his official career will go much smoother in the future."

"Little Bin is smart himself, which is why he caught Old Sixth's eye."

Grandfather boasted: "Speaking of which, this is also thanks to my good genes. Grandfather is wise, which is how I could produce such a smart grandson."

"Go to sleep, stop boasting."

Grandmother couldn't listen anymore and interrupted him with a laugh.

"How am I boasting..."

Grandfather was dissatisfied with his wife's attitude and wanted to argue further.

Grandmother clicked off the table lamp.

Grandfather's vision went dark, and he had no choice but to close his mouth.

Grandmother pursed her lips and smiled; her ears were finally quiet.

——

A good night's sleep, a new day began.

After the Quancheng Water special program aired, it caused a huge response, and the rebroadcast during Sunday evening's prime-time golden eight o'clock slot set a new ratings record.

The Station Director immediately decided to turn the special program into a series, airing one episode per week.

The Program Group was elated. Early that morning, Director Du brought people to Donghua Street No. 9 and impatiently knocked on Lin Xiyu's door.

This filming location was set at Baotu Spring.

As one of Jinan's Three Great Attractions, Director Du attached great importance to this filming and specially excerpted Lao She's travelogue of Baotu Spring to serve as the dialogue for this shoot.

Lin Xiyu fully utilized her humanities student background, memorizing the lines in just half an hour, and spoke fluently in front of the camera.

"Baotu Spring is one of Jinan's Three Great Attractions. Exit the west gate of Old Jinan City, and on the bridge over the moat, you can see a stream of living water, clear, shallow, and fresh, flowing from south to north. The weeping willows on the bank reflect on the water surface, all emerald green above and below, extremely quiet."

"This pool of spring water flows out from Baotu Spring. Without Baotu Spring, Jinan would lose half of its charm."

"Walk south along the moat, and you can reach Baotu Spring Park."

"Baotu Spring's spring pool is square-shaped. The water in the pool is extremely clear; you can see the water plants clearly."

"In the center of the spring pool are three spring eyes. Water surges upward from the spring eyes, spouting half a meter above the water surface, surging and rolling day and night."

"Around the pool are countless small spring eyes, constantly bubbling. Uniform small bubbles connect into strings, like strings of pearls swaying with the water flow."

"Baotu Spring in winter is even more alluring. Mist, white and blue, rises from the pool surface, drifting above the surging spring eyes, bringing visitors into a mysterious realm."

——

"Click."

Director Du was very satisfied with her performance. After calling a pause, he specially called her over and carefully instructed: "Xiyu, you'll have to work hard. Memorize the lines in advance. We're short on time. After the morning shoot ends, you can't rest; after eating, we have to go to Daming Lake."

"Don't worry, Director Du."

Lin Xiyu was confident: "I have no problem. I can memorize the lines after reading them a few more times."

"Little Zou, come here."

Director Du was very satisfied with the young girl's thoughtfulness. He waved his hand and called the stylist over: "For the afternoon shoot, we've invited six students from the Performance Department of Shandong Arts Institute to act as temporary actors. They need to wear ancient costumes. You'll have to work hard and dress them up..."

"Understood."

The stylist understood, took Lin Xiyu's hand, and walked toward the minibus temporarily serving as the Program Group's dressing room.

"Doing makeup now?"

Lin Xiyu had never worn ancient costumes and was very curious.

"Ancient costume styling is slow; at least half an hour per person."

The stylist was helpless: "Director Du didn't say so earlier. If we don't hurry, I'm afraid we won't make it and will delay the filming."

"Zou Jie, you've worked hard."

Lin Xiyu had a sweet tongue, making the Program Group staff all very happy.

"What hard work? It's all just work."

The stylist joked teasingly: "Bowing for five pecks of rice; we have no choice but to do it."

"As long as there's money to earn."

Lin Xiyu smiled and flattered: "Sister, since you work at the Television Station, your makeup skills must be very high, and you must have earned a lot of money."

"We stylists are different from Sister Yan and the others who are Reporters. We aren't formal employees of the Television Station."

The stylist shook her head, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes: "We're all hired temporarily. We take whatever work there is. When there's no film crew shooting, I also go to photography studios to do bridal makeup."

"The Television Station also has formal and temporary workers?"

Lin Xiyu sighed: "I thought everyone's treatment was the same."

"Of course it's different."

The stylist smiled helplessly: "The treatment between those with and without official positions is worlds apart. You're a student with the opportunity to go to school. You must study hard, find a formal job after graduation, and don't be like me, not knowing where the next meal is coming from, with a bleak future."

"Mm."

Lin Xiyu obediently agreed: "I know. Thank you, Zou Jie, for thinking of me."

"Come on, let's start the makeup."

As the two chatted and laughed, they entered the minibus; the makeup artist didn't waste another word, quickly grabbing her tools and getting to work.

Lin Xiyu sat quietly, letting her paint her face.

She already had exquisite features and fair skin, needing little embellishment; the makeup artist merely sketched a few simple strokes on her face, completing a flawless, radiant classical beauty makeup.

"Change her clothes and see the effect."

Director Du took advantage of the break to make a round in the makeup room; seeing her made-up appearance, he nodded very satisfied.

The Makeup Artist picked out a water-green hanfu for Lin Xiyu, a light silk waist-cinched long skirt, highlighting the girl's lightness and grace.

"Not bad, not bad."

Director Du, extremely satisfied, personally instructed: "Pin up the hair, dress her as a young lady from an ancient official family, hold a round fan in her hand, put on earrings......"

Under his direction, a girl in a green robe, pure and unworldly, as if she had walked out of a Portrait of Beauties, perfectly appeared before everyone's eyes.

"Very good, just like that......"

A gleam flashed in Director Du's eyes as he admired his masterpiece very satisfied.

"This effect is amazing."

The Assistant Director seized the opportunity to flatter: "Director Du has the best eye; back when selecting people, he spotted Xiyu at a glance. Indeed, an old comrade who has been in the Entertainment Circle for many years is different."

"Xiyu's look......"

Li Yan smiled and echoed: "Even if she really guest-starred in a historical TV drama, it would be fine."

"I think it works."

The Assistant Director's cunning eyes sized up Lin Xiyu, smiling ambiguously: "Xiyu, want to make a movie? Brother knows many directors and can recommend you for an audition opportunity."

"She doesn't want to......"

Lin Xiyu had not yet answered when Guben's clear, cold voice suddenly came from behind everyone.

"Guben, you're here."

Lin Xiyu was both surprised and delighted, turning gracefully, and indeed met Guben's gentle eyes and brows.

"The Entertainment Circle is too complicated; it's not suitable for her......"

Seeing her attire, a flash of astonishment crossed Guben's eyes.

Immediately shifting his tone, his cold gaze swept over the Assistant Director, making him tremble all over in fright.

"Cough, cough."

The Assistant Director coughed awkwardly twice and explained sheepishly: "I was just Mouth Boasting, saying it casually, making everyone laugh."

"Xiyu studies well; after getting into a prestigious school, her future is boundless."

Li Yan was a Person of Influence, smiling to ease the atmosphere: "The Entertainment Circle lives off youth and doesn't last long; it's better to have a stable job."

"What does Xiyu want to do in the future?"

Director Du was very interested in high school students' First choice: "What did you apply for in the college entrance exam? Are you confident of getting into your ideal university?"

"I want to be a teacher."

Thinking of the purpose of her application, Lin Xiyu's Ear Root turned slightly red: "As for the ideal school, my First choice is East China Normal University."

"Being a teacher is good......"

Director Du's eyes lit up, full of praise: "Teaching and educating people, peaches and plums fill the world."

"Huashi University is in Shanghai, right?"

Li Yan's focus was different from Director Du's, smiling and teasing: "That's a great place; go out and see the big world, don't be dazzled by the prosperity of Night Shanghai."

"Night Shanghai, Night Shanghai, you are a sleepless city......"

"Lights rise, music sounds, songs and dances bring peace......"

The Assistant Director deliberately acted funny, twisting his waist and swaying his hips, singing Night Shanghai on the spot.

"Quick, quick, quick, film him."

Li Yan covered her mouth, laughing bent double.

"Recording it."

Cameraman, as the most dedicated person in the Program Group, was recording at all times.

"No way? Really recorded it?"

The Assistant Director's back stiffened; looking back, he indeed saw the red dot on the camera lens flashing, always aimed at them.

"Director Du, this segment of outtakes cannot be cut."

Li Yan held back her smile, deliberately teasing him: "Too wonderful; just based on the Assistant Director's passionate singing and dancing, our Program Group could become popular before broadcast, with viewership ratings reaching new heights through Innovation."

"Makes sense."

Director Du stroked his Chin, nodding very seriously: "It can be broadcast in the Jinan News at six-thirty in the Evening, hyped up in advance to arouse the Audience's interest......"

"Come on."

The Assistant Director patted his own face begging for mercy: "Spare me; I still need this old face."

"Broadcast it, must broadcast it."

Li Yan almost spat out her laugh: "Is your face more important than viewership ratings?"

"Yanzi, you're being disloyal like this."

In front of a group of Colleagues, the Assistant Director was too embarrassed to flare up; his cunning eyes rolled, and he had another crooked idea: "What's our relationship? Are you really willing to screw me over?"

"Hey, hey, make your words clear?"

Li Yan was unhappy, deliberately using her partner to tease him: "In front of my family's Dazhi, you can't talk nonsense; besides working at the same Television Station, I have no unclear relationship with you."

"Hehe."

Cameraman found it funny, grinning and laughing foolishly.

"Li Dazhi, turn off the camera."

The assistant director was deeply stimulated, grinding his back teeth, roaring as he rushed over.

"Hahaha, is that enough to break your defenses?"

Li Yan smugly raised her eyebrow: "I thought he had some real skill, daring to scheme against me."

"Enough, stop making a scene."

Director Du, fearing the camera would be smashed, hurriedly stopped him: "Careful with the camera, don't break it again."

"Got it."

Cameraman didn't wait for the assistant director to reach him, hoisting the camera and running fast.

The assistant director wasn't as physically fit as him, chased a few steps without catching up, and resentfully stopped.

——

"Cameraman is quite interesting."

Lin Xiyu watched a good show for free, in high spirits: "Do you think he and Sister Yan are really a couple?"

"I don't know if they're a couple..."

Guben reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his movement extremely gentle: "I only know you're my girlfriend; besides you, I can't see anyone else."

"When did you become so slick?"

Lin Xiyu's ears heated up, smiling and glaring at him.

"Self-taught."

Guben pamperingly pinched her cheek: "Who made my girlfriend so pretty that even the director wants to make a move on her? I have to keep a close watch."

"That assistant director speaks without thinking."

Lin Xiyu didn't care: "You actually believed him?"

"I'm a man."

Guben said concisely: "I understand men's minds better than you do."

"What if someone really asks me to guest star in a TV drama?"

Lin Xiyu laughed charmingly: "You said it yourself, your girlfriend is so pretty, born to be star material..."

"No."

Guben rejected it without thinking.

"Why?"

Lin Xiyu frowned slightly; the moment she heard him say no, a hint of regret flashed in her eyes.

Every girl has a star dream; saying there's no regret would be false.

Besides, guest-starring in a TV drama can make money; she wanted to earn more living expenses during school.

"The entertainment industry is chaotic, with many unspoken rules."

Guben saw her disappointment and tried to persuade her: "A simple silly girl like you, who can't read people's hearts, once in that big vat of dye, won't you be bullied to death?"

"Am I that silly?"

Lin Xiyu refused to accept: "Grandma taught me many principles of dealing with the world; how could I not tell good people from bad?"

"Your grandma only teaches you little tricks of competing for love and being jealous."

Guben joked: "Acting weak in front of someone who likes you to gain sympathy is indeed useful, but facing a real pervert will only stimulate their beastly nature, making them torment you even more."

"I didn't act..."

Lin Xiyu's heart trembled at the words "act weak," and she guiltily looked away.

"When you were in your first year of high school..."

Guben stated the fact: "You dared to fight boys and brutally beat the little hooligans who teased you; how can you still say you're weak?"

"How do you know?"

Lin Xiyu's eyes suddenly widened, her face full of disbelief.

"Do you still remember..."

Guben asked back with a smile: "Where was it back then, when that little hooligan who wanted to molest you cornered you?"

"Forgot."

It's been many years; Lin Xiyu's memory is a bit fuzzy.

"Wangfu Pool West Street."

Guben helplessly poked her forehead.

"Ah?"

Lin Xiyu realized too late, feeling annoyed: "Near your home..."

"Exactly, right at my doorstep."

Guben smiled faintly: "Back then I heard the commotion and wanted to go help you, but I didn't expect you to actually beat him down; I could hear his sharp screams through the door."

"Through the door?"

Lin Xiyu still wanted to argue: "How did you know it was me?"