Chapter 62

"Cut! Zheng Xiuyan, what's wrong with you? You've already shot this scene seven times. I've told you, pay attention to your expression, your expression, do you understand?" Xia Houchong roared at Zheng Xiuyan angrily: "Your expression is too fake, it doesn't look like you're in pain at all. Anyone can tell you're just pretending. Some people might even think you're smiling. Do it again, and have the makeup artist redo your makeup."

Zheng Xiuyan felt wronged, but since they were in the middle of shooting, she didn't dare to argue with Xia Houchong. It was one thing to argue normally, but if she did so during shooting, it would be challenging the director's authority and would be met with disdain and criticism from everyone.

Since the start of filming, the movie had been in production for over two months, and it was now mid-January 2005. During these two months, Xia Houchong had continuously learned and absorbed various knowledge, transforming from a novice into a more mature and authoritative director.

By now, Gao Yunhao and Quan Xiangjing had shifted from their initial leading roles to true supporting roles. However, they had no complaints because Xia Houchong's learning speed was so fast that they couldn't help but admire him. Now, there was almost nothing left for them to teach him; he had absorbed everything they knew. Sometimes, they would even laugh bitterly, thinking that the knowledge they had spent years learning, Xia Houchong had mastered in just two months, leaving them feeling quite humbled.

As he continued to learn and shoot, Xia Houchong became increasingly authoritative. Scenes like scolding actors were not uncommon. He had very high standards for the quality of each shot and would demand retakes if he was unsatisfied. The actors didn't dare to underestimate him because of his young age. Although being scolded made some of them uncomfortable, they knew he pointed out their shortcomings accurately, and they respected him for it.

"Alright, alright, Zhongying, don't be angry. This scene is indeed difficult to shoot. Everyone, take a break. Xiuyan, you take a break too," Lee Hyori came over to mediate. Whenever Xia Houchong got angry, Lee Hyori was the best firefighter, and only she had the status and authority to calm him down. Xia Houchong would listen to her. Others either weren't qualified or were too afraid to speak up.

"Zhongying, are your standards too high? I think the fifth take was already pretty good, but you're still not satisfied," Lee Hyori said after dispersing the crew for a break and sitting down with Xia Houchong.

"Sister, the fifth take wasn't good either; it didn't convey the pain at all," Xia Houchong said after a moment of silence.

"I know, but Xiuyan is a young girl from a good family. She hasn't experienced pain, so she can't convey it," Lee Hyori said. "This is too difficult for her."

"Then we can't just let it pass, can we?" Xia Houchong sighed.

"Why don't we stop for today? It's getting late, and everyone needs a break," Lee Hyori suggested.

"Alright," Xia Houchong looked at the time and realized it was already quite late. They had been shooting for a long time, and if they didn't stop, everyone would be exhausted the next day. He nodded in agreement.

"By the way, Sister, let's take a break in the morning tomorrow and start shooting in the afternoon," Xia Houchong said after a moment of thought.

"What's wrong? Do you have something to take care of?" Lee Hyori asked, puzzled.

"No," Xia Houchong shook his head. "I want to take Xiuyan to a place tomorrow morning. Otherwise, I don't think she'll be able to shoot this scene well."

"Where?" Lee Hyori asked.

"A drug rehabilitation center," Xia Houchong smiled. "I want to show her what a drug addict's withdrawal looks like so she can perform this scene better."

"You're crazy," Lee Hyori frowned. "Xiuyan is just a 15-year-old girl. This will leave a deep psychological scar on her and affect her future life. I don't agree with this."

"Sister..." Xia Houchong called out.

"Don't say another word. I understand your high standards for the film, but I can't agree with such extreme methods," Lee Hyori scolded angrily. "If you do this, I'll never recognize you as my brother again."

"Alright, alright, Sister, I won't take her," Xia Houchong said helplessly.

"That's better. Little brother, I understand your desire to make a good film, but there are some things we can't do," Lee Hyori's tone softened when she saw Xia Houchong admit his mistake. "If Xiuyan were a boy, I wouldn't say much, but she's a girl, and girls are more emotionally fragile."

"Yes, Sister, I know I was wrong," Xia Houchong realized his approach was too extreme and hadn't considered Zheng Xiuyan's gender. He immediately abandoned the idea and sighed, knowing he would have to do his best with the scene as it was.

"Sister, I want to go," Zheng Xiuyan, who had overheard their conversation, said as she approached them.

Both of them were surprised and looked up at her.

"Xiuyan, no, I can't agree to it," Lee Hyori frowned.

"Sister, I know I'm not doing well," Zheng Xiuyan said, lowering her head. "I think the director is right. I can't find the feeling for this scene, and I want to see it to perform better."

"Xiuyan, think carefully. This isn't a game," Lee Hyori continued to persuade her.

"Sister, I've thought it through," Zheng Xiuyan said with a determined look.

"It's all your fault, you little rascal," Lee Hyori, unable to change Zheng Xiuyan's mind, turned her anger on Xia Houchong. "You can go, but if anything happens to Xiuyan, I'll hold you responsible. Do you understand?"

Xia Houchong smiled bitterly. He knew Zheng Xiuyan's personality; once she made a decision, nothing could change her mind. Now that she had overheard their conversation, there was no way to make her change her mind. He felt like he had dug his own grave and had to repeatedly assure Lee Hyori that he would take full responsibility.

"Alright, everyone, pay attention," Lee Hyori stood up, glared at Xia Houchong, and clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "We'll stop for today. Tomorrow morning is a half-day off, and shooting will resume at 1:30 PM."

The crew erupted in cheers, shouting praises to Sister Hyori and the director.

Since the start of filming, the crew had rarely taken a break, and everyone was exhausted. Most of the actors were young, and when they weren't filming, they had to return to their companies for rigorous training. The high workload had almost worn them out. The news of a half-day off the next day was a welcome relief.

Seeing the crew's enthusiastic response, Lee Hyori regretted not noticing their condition earlier. She was used to a fast-paced life, but others weren't. She realized she needed to pay more attention to the actors' emotional well-being and give them breaks when needed.

"Xiuyan, Xiujing, wait for me," Xia Houchong called out to the Zheng sisters as they walked ahead.

"Hmph," Zheng Xiuyan, still angry at Xia Houchong for scolding her earlier, grunted but slowed down.

"Tsk, still angry?" Xia Houchong asked with a smile as he caught up to her.

"Try being scolded by me and see if you're not angry," Zheng Xiuyan said, turning her head away from Xia Houchong, feeling wronged.

"Do I not get scolded enough by you? Is there a day when you don't scold me outside the set?" Xia Houchong laughed.

"Ha, that's true, Sister, you seem to scold Brother every day," Zheng Xiujing laughed, hugging Xia Houchong's arm.

"Will you die if you don't talk?" Zheng Xiuyan, embarrassed by her sister and Xia Houchong's comments, realized she did scold him every day and lashed out at her sister in frustration.

"Sister, how can you never change your temper? What will you do if you can't get married?" Zheng Xiujing teased.

"I'm your sister, and whether I get married is none of your business," Zheng Xiuyan scolded.

"How is it not my business? You said it yourself, you're my sister. If you can't get married, it will affect my chances too," Zheng Xiujing laughed. "When has a younger sister ever married before her older sister?"

"Zheng Xiujing, do you want to die?" Zheng Xiuyan, enraged, lunged at her sister.

"Brother, save me, Sister is trying to kill me," Zheng Xiujing laughed, hiding behind Xia Houchong.

"Alright, stop it, you two," Xia Houchong, frustrated, tried to stop the sisters. They seemed to fight constantly, like enemies rather than sisters.

Xia Houchong's words had no effect on Zheng Xiuyan, who ignored him outside the set. The sisters continued to bicker all the way to the bus stop.

"Mom, we're back," Zheng Xiujing shouted as soon as they arrived at the Zheng family home.

"Ah, Xiujing is back, and Xiuyan and Zhongying are back too," Zheng's mother, hearing her daughter's voice, opened the door and smiled widely.

Xia Houchong hadn't visited the Zheng family in days due to the busy shooting schedule. Seeing him, Zheng's mother was overjoyed and quickly invited them in, rushing to the kitchen to prepare more dishes.

"How's the filming going?" Zheng's father, also happy to see Xia Houchong, asked as he invited him to sit down.

"It's going well. We're in the final stages. If nothing goes wrong, we should finish shooting in half a month, and then we'll move on to post-production," Xia Houchong smiled.

Seeing Xia Houchong's maturity and composure, Zheng's father was very pleased. He secretly thought it would be great if Xia Houchong became his son-in-law in the future.