Chapter 944: Filming Experience

The man kissing Xia Xiaolou passionately was none other than the producer. His hands roamed her waist and back, making Tao Yuanyuan feel sick. She tugged on Lin Dongxue’s hand to leave the scene.

Tao Yuanyuan said, “Is this what they call the casting couch?”

“Maybe it’s true love,” Lin Dongxue replied, though she doubted it herself.

“And she’s playing various young girl roles, including me. It’s ridiculous.”

They no longer wanted a photo with Xia Xiaolou and quietly slipped away from the awkward situation.

The screenwriter found them and smiled, “Where did you two wander off to? We’re about to start shooting.”

The crew gathered their equipment, headed downstairs, and piled into a few SUVs. Lin Dongxue drove her own car, with the screenwriter joining her. She glanced around and asked, “Isn’t the lead actress coming?”

“She doesn’t have any scenes today. She just came for the opening ceremony.”

“But there are a lot of night scenes in the script,” Tao Yuanyuan pointed out.

The screenwriter chuckled, “Night scenes don’t always have to be shot at night. Indoor scenes are usually done during the day, and outdoor ones can be shot at dawn or dusk.”

“I saw Xia Xiaolou with someone earlier…” Lin Dongxue began.

The screenwriter laughed, “I know what you saw. It’s no secret. Young people often develop feelings on and off set.”

Lin Dongxue was shocked. “He’s also young?”

“In his thirties, he’s not that old… Who did you see her with? Not Xiao Ai?”

Lin Dongxue and Tao Yuanyuan exchanged surprised looks. “Yes, it was Xiao Ai. I meant Xia Xiaolou isn’t exactly young.”

“She takes good care of herself. Even in her forties, she looks like she’s in her twenties. I’m also in my forties, but standing next to her, I look like I’m from another generation. Haha!”

So, what they accidentally witnessed was a bit more personal than they thought.

They drove through a set of historical buildings and arrived at an abandoned factory on the edge of the film set. Once a grain processing plant, it had been converted into a filming location. The director excitedly got out and said, “The light is perfect. Let’s get started.”

The crew set up boom mics and cameras. Cai Zhengkai and Xiao Ai had already done their makeup in the car. Cai Zhengkai wore a wig and a tattered denim outfit, with dirt and blood smeared on his face, looking very disheveled. Xiao Ai was dressed in police pants and a blue shirt.

Cai Zhengkai energetically recited his lines, stretching and massaging his face, while Xiao Ai sat casually on a folding chair, playing with his phone.

The scene involved a fight between them in the abandoned factory. Xiao Ai’s character was a childhood friend of Cai Zhengkai’s character, Zhou Xiao. They had taken different paths, and now Xiao Ai’s character was determined to bring Zhou Xiao to justice.

The plot was somewhat far-fetched, with a bunch of police officers chasing Zhou Xiao through a series of car crashes and explosions, ending with only Xiao Ai and Zhou Xiao at this deserted location, with no backup in sight.

They moved to the factory’s second floor, where there was a platform outside the window with a mattress below. Once the camera and audio were set up, the clapperboard snapped, and the two actors tumbled out the window, landing on the mattress.

“Change the angle and do it again!” the director shouted.

They repeated the fall three times. The screenwriter explained, “They’ll add glass shattering effects in post-production.”

“Filming is so complicated,” Tao Yuanyuan marveled.

“Yeah, a single line in the script can take half a day to shoot.”

Next, the makeup artist touched up their faces, the mattress was removed, and pieces of sugar glass were scattered on the ground to film the scuffle. Cai Zhengkai pinned Xiao Ai down, seemingly punching him, but it was all clever camera angles.

Tao Yuanyuan thought, “This scene would look intense in the movie, but it’s amusing when broken down into individual shots.”

Then they switched angles again. Xiao Ai left, and a dummy matching his height and clothes was placed on the ground. The dummy was made of rubber and looked quite real.

“Action!”

“Zhou Xiao” grabbed the dummy and snarled, “You haven’t suffered like I have. What right do you have to interfere?”

Then he punched the dummy’s face. Cai Zhengkai suddenly screamed, clutching his hand.

Everyone rushed over to check what happened. Cai Zhengkai’s right hand was bleeding. A needle had been hidden in the dummy’s head, only surfacing when he punched it.

“Who did this?” the agent fumed, scanning the crew.

The prop master looked innocent. “I checked this morning. Everything was fine.”

There was much murmuring. Tao Yuanyuan noticed Xiao Ai in the corner, smoking with a strange smile.

The agent said, “Zhengkai is hurt. We’re done for the day.”

But Cai Zhengkai insisted, “It’s just a scratch. Let’s keep going. It’ll be dark soon.”

The director showed some concern, “Are you sure, Zhengkai? Don’t push yourself.”

“I’m fine. Let’s go.”

However, a sudden downpour halted production around 5 p.m., forcing everyone to pack up and head back.

On the way, Tao Yuanyuan asked, “Does this kind of scheming happen often in film crews?”

“This wasn’t scheming, it was sabotage,” the screenwriter said. “Cai Zhengkai is a star. His daily rate is much higher than others’. Jealousy is inevitable… But hiding a needle in the props is extreme. I’ve never seen this before.”

“Is there anything on the needle?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“The agent took him for a checkup.”

Lin Dongxue watched the rain outside. “Looks like we’re staying the night. We’ll head back tomorrow morning after the rain stops.”

“Not staying a few more days?” the screenwriter asked.

“No, we thought you needed Tao Yuanyuan for something important. Turns out we’re just sightseeing. No need to impose on you for food and lodging.”

“The funding covers it. Don’t worry. If you want to stay, feel free. It’s a rare experience visiting a film set.”

Tao Yuanyuan said, “I’ve seen enough. I’m getting homesick. I want to go back early.”

“Alright, come see me in the morning. I’ll help you check out… Dinner tonight?”

“What do you think?” Lin Dongxue asked.

Tao Yuanyuan thought for a moment, “I want to eat at the film city.”

“Then drop me at the hotel. I have work to do tonight.”

“Thanks for looking after us today.”

“It was my pleasure.”