Chapter 44

Huang Bo said loudly, "Ye Ming, do you have time? Let's go for a meal with Xu Zheng later. His classmate really admires you. If you don't come, I think Xu Zheng will be in trouble. That guy is having a hard time chasing a girl. We'll find a restaurant and make him pay."

Ye Ming glanced at the script and said, "Forget the restaurant, we're tight on time. There's a big scene coming up soon. I think your group leader has already told you. There are small restaurants on the street outside; we can eat at one of those."

Huang Bo nodded and said, "That's true. Come quickly, we'll wait for you at the entrance."

He then turned and left.

Ye Ming returned to the makeup trailer and said to the three flowers of "My Fair Princess" who were resting, "Ladies, someone is treating us to a meal. It's like robbing the rich to help the poor. Are you coming?"

Zhao Wei didn't even open her eyes; she was too tired. She had exerted herself so much during the performance that she felt like all her bones had been drained out of her body, and she didn't move at all.

Finally, she managed to wave her hand as a response to Ye Ming's question, "I have no strength left. The director is pushing us too hard, leaving us no room to breathe."

Fan Bingbing, on the other hand, was more energetic. She sat up, then seemed to think of something and lay back down, saying, "There's a big scene in the afternoon. Forget it, forget it. Ming, remember to bring me something good to eat."

Lin Xinru was even more direct. She was so tired that she waved her hand in the makeup trailer, indicating that she had no strength to go.

Actually, Lin Xinru was the most exhausted among them. She had the most crying scenes, and Auntie Qionghua's crying scenes were not easy to perform. They required a delicate balance of beauty and sorrow, and the makeup should not smudge.

Because of the crying scenes, Lin Xinru had been scolded by the director countless times. It was rumored that the production team had even considered replacing her, which put a lot of pressure on her. She had been particularly exhausted these past two days.

Without changing out of his costume, Ye Ming rushed to the entrance. He was stopped by Xu Zheng's classmate for autographs and photos with his fans, and Ye Ming indulged in the thrill of being a star.

This meal was a whirlwind. From waiting for the dishes to finishing eating, it took only half an hour.

On the way back, Huang Bo said in confusion, "You're amazing, Ye Ming. You eat so fast, it's like your house is on fire."

Ye Ming shrugged and said, "As an actor, there are two things you must do well besides acting: resting and eating. Good rest means good health, and good eating means good stamina for filming. If you don't eat quickly, the director will get angry."

Xu Zheng, who had experience in filming, sighed and said, "That's true. Being able to go out for a meal is a special favor from the production team. Usually, they just serve boxed meals. I noticed that the 'My Fair Princess' team is always rushing the scenes. Why would they take such a long break for lunch?"

This was something Xu Zheng didn't understand. Although he couldn't see that the 'My Fair Princess' team was short on funds—after all, they were paying the extras multiple times the usual rate, and who would believe that Auntie Qionghua's production team was short on money?—the team was indeed rushing the scenes. If they had continued filming, they would have had lunch in the afternoon, around three or four o'clock, and they should have finished the big scene of the afternoon.

For a production team, having lunch at three or four in the afternoon was not unusual. Even eating boxed meals one by one was not impossible.

By this time, they had returned to the set. Ye Ming looked around to make sure no one was around before quietly telling them, "A big shot is coming to the set today. Auntie Qionghua is coming herself. You know, the production team will be very cautious."

Huang Bo and Xu Zheng stood there, stunned, as if they had been petrified.

Liu Yuebing saw Ye Ming and hurried over, saying, "Ye Ming, hurry up, the director is looking for everyone. Where did you go?"

Ye Ming was about to explain, but Liu Yuebing waved his hand and said, "Forget it, forget it. Hurry up, we're waiting for you."

The director glanced at Ye Ming but didn't say anything. His feelings about Ye Ming were quite complex.

Chao Guoli, however, was not so polite. "What's going on, Ye Ming? Why did you leave at such a critical moment?"

Ye Ming quickly explained, "I ran into a fellow townsman and had a meal on the street. I'm really sorry."

Although Ye Ming's position in the production team was somewhat special, at least he seemed to be a bit higher than Zhao Wei, Lin Xinru, and Fan Bingbing, and no staff member would casually cause him trouble.

But Ye Ming deeply understood that he couldn't be arrogant. There were plenty of people waiting to see him make a mistake.

Therefore, he quickly explained his reason, ostensibly to Chao Guoli, but actually to Director Sun Shupeng.

Director Sun Shupeng didn't say much, just coughed and said, "Everyone, listen up. Auntie is coming to visit today. Therefore, everyone must be at their best for the scene this afternoon. Don't let me down. If you perform poorly in front of Auntie, you know the consequences."

At this point, he gave a significant look to Lin Xinru and continued, "Especially you. This scene is crucial for you. It's a pivotal crying scene in the script. You must handle it well. Auntie is not very satisfied with your performance."

The rumors were true, and Lin Xinru's heart sank. The psychological burden on her became even heavier.

She had always been unsure about her crying scenes, and now being criticized by the director, her face turned pale.

This opportunity was so hard-won for her.

Everyone dispersed and prepared themselves.

Zhang Tielin, who was the last to leave, said calmly, "Director Sun, your last words might have the opposite effect. I've seen Zewei work very hard, often practicing her crying scenes in front of a mirror. She's under a lot of pressure already, and your words will only add to it. An actor can have two outcomes in such a situation: they can rise to the challenge and break through, or they can be crushed by the pressure. I think guiding Zewei would be better than putting more pressure on her."

Zhang Tielin, an elder in the industry and a host on Phoenix TV, though not yet a big star, had a different status. Therefore, he sometimes took on the role of teaching Ye Ming, Zhao Wei, and others, giving him some capital to speak to the director.

Director Sun Shupeng sighed and said helplessly, "I know what you're saying, Teacher Zhang. But if I don't put pressure on Zewei, the pressure will fall on Manager He and me. To be honest, the production is already over budget, which is why I've been rushing the scenes these past two days. Please take care of the new actors, Teacher Zhang."

Two black cars stopped, and a middle-aged woman with a scholarly air got out. He Xiujun hurried over to support her.

Auntie Qionghua had arrived.

Among the extras, only Xu Zheng and Huang Bo paid attention to the two cars.

Huang Bo nudged Xu Zheng and said, "The one in the beige coat must be Auntie Qionghua. She doesn't seem to have much of a fanfare."

Auntie Qionghua, the soul of all Qionghua dramas, the master of tragic love stories, whose works had influenced generations.

Even the staff who knew she was coming were not very numerous. Only the main actors knew, so her arrival did not cause much of a stir.

Silence before the storm.

Auntie Qionghua had reached this level.

This time, the monitor was exceptionally set up in a仿古建筑立面 (traditional-style building). Outside, Chao Guoli was in charge of everything, as was the deputy director's job.

If Director Sun Shupeng had any dissatisfaction, he would inform Chao Guoli via radio to make the necessary adjustments.

Auntie Qionghua encouraged the production team and insisted on not sitting in the director's chair.

She always believed that the director should be the most important person on set, so she insisted that Sun Shupeng sit in the director's chair while she watched from the side.

Each profession has its rules, and Auntie Qionghua believed they should not be violated.

Just like her own dramas, she had extremely high standards, and she would not tolerate even the slightest mistake.

On the monitor, Zewei went to the sacrificial ceremony.

Amidst the cries of "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Princess!" from the crowd,

Zewei's face showed shock, as if she couldn't believe what was happening.

The title "Princess" shattered Zewei's illusions, and in an instant, she felt as if she had fallen from heaven to hell.

Xiaoyan had deceived her, and Xiaoyan had become the princess.

Her sister, holding her token, had taken away her father.

At that moment, the weak woman's anger boiled over, and she pushed past the guards, shouting, "She's not the princess, she's a fraud! Emperor, I am the princess!"

Despite the guards' efforts to hold her back, Zewei struggled and shouted, "Xiaoyan, how could you do this to me? With the Jade Emperor above and the Earth Emperor below, how could you do this to me?"

At that moment, the委屈 (grievances), pain, and anger from her journey from Jinan erupted like a volcano.

It must be said that Zewei had done her homework for this scene. Her face was filled with unwillingness, disappointment, and the rage of realizing the truth.

But at that moment, Auntie Qionghua waved her hand, indicating her dissatisfaction. Although she was not satisfied with the scene, she still showed respect to the director.

Director Sun Shupeng, seeing this, knew that Auntie was very dissatisfied and immediately called a stop.