Chapter 5

"Are you Chuanzi? Not bad! You look like someone who can endure hardship. This is Du Qifeng. Follow him and do odd jobs. You'll learn something in the future."

Wang Zichuan looked at Wang Tianlin's slightly weary face and didn't waste words. He immediately bowed to Du Qifeng and said, "Brother Du, it's nice to meet you. Just call me Chuanzi. If you need anything, just let me know."

Du Qifeng nodded expressionlessly, somewhat disdainful of this young man who had used connections. He had started working as a messenger at TVB at 17, and after two years, he entered the fourth training class. After graduation, he moved to behind-the-scenes work under Wang Tianlin, starting as an assistant director and learning how to shoot. At that time, Du Qifeng was very diligent and hardworking, once sleeping less than 40 hours in a month, and could fall asleep standing up after work.

"Go to the assistant director and distribute today's scripts, especially the main characters' parts. Don't miss any."

Wang Zichuan respectfully replied, "Understood, Brother Du. Is there anything else?"

Du Qifeng glanced at Wang Zichuan and finally showed a hint of a smile. He pointed to the makeup room and said, "When you're done, go help there. Remember, don't disturb the actors' rest."

Wang Zichuan nodded and replied, "Understood! Brother Du, I'll go now."

"Okay!"

Weng Meiling giggled and said to Wang Tianlin and Du Qifeng, "Uncle Tian, Director, I'm going to get my makeup done."

Huang Rihua smiled warmly and followed Weng Meiling out.

Wang Zichuan pulled Weng Meiling and asked, "Who is the assistant director?"

Weng Meiling pointed to a middle-aged man next to the camera and introduced him to Wang Zichuan, along with a few other important crew members. Before leaving, she reminded him, "Remember to bring my script."

Wang Zichuan followed Weng Meiling's direction and said to Ju Jueliang, "Brother Liang! Brother Du asked me to distribute the main characters' scripts."

Ju Jueliang was fiddling with the camera. Hearing this, he immediately pointed to a pile of documents nearby and said, "They're all here, with names on them. Just distribute them accordingly."

"Do you know all the main actors? They're all getting their makeup done now. Just place the scripts next to them."

"Don't worry, Brother Liang, I know them all!"

Wang Zichuan had watched this TV series countless times; how could he not know them?

Seeing that Ju Jueliang was focusing on the camera again, Wang Zichuan took the documents and headed towards the makeup room.

Wang Zichuan found Weng Meiling's script and remembered her earlier words.

A man with white hair, a white beard, and white eyebrows walked past Wang Zichuan, who was taken aback. "Isn't this Liu Dan, who plays Hong Qigong?"

Wang Zichuan found a few pages of the script and stopped Liu Dan, smiling. "Mr. Liu, hello. I'm Wang Zichuan, a crew member. This is your script."

Liu Dan took it and smiled, "Thank you. Weng Meiling, Huang Rihua, and Yang Pan are all getting their makeup done in the makeup room. You can go there directly."

Wang Zichuan smiled and replied, "Thank you, Mr. Liu."

The makeup room for the "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" was just a small stone house. Many extras were getting simple makeup done outside the set, but their lines were communicated by dedicated staff, usually just a few simple sentences that didn't need to be memorized.

When Wang Zichuan entered, he saw about a dozen main actors sitting around a long table. People like Weng Meiling, Huang Rihua, and Yang Pan had dedicated staff, while supporting actors had to do their own makeup, following the instructions of the makeup artists, who would check their work later.

Weng Meiling had her eyes slightly closed as the makeup artist applied powder to her face, alternating between white and red, and then used a hairdryer to style her hair. She wore some earrings and other accessories.

Wang Zichuan watched curiously as he distributed the scripts. When he reached Weng Meiling, she was applying lipstick, and he made a funny face at her.

Yang Pan, who played Mu Nianci, was already done with her makeup, looking like a beautiful ancient beauty, making Wang Zichuan's heart race.

"Miss Yang, this is your script."

"Thank you!"

Wang Zichuan smiled and moved to the opposite side.

"Ahua, this is your script."

Huang Rihua's action almost made Wang Zichuan laugh. He picked up a pair of glasses from the table and put them on, looking awkward as Guo Jing.

"Hehe!" Weng Meiling teased, "Four-eyed Guo Jing, so cute!"

Huang Rihua smiled sheepishly and said to Wang Zichuan, "I've been staying up late for the past few months, and my eyes aren't as good."

Miao Qiaowei, who played Yang Kang, took the script and said to Wang Zichuan, "You're new here, right? I haven't seen you before. Hello, I'm Miao Qiaowei, a newcomer."

Huang Rihua introduced him, "Awei, this is Chuanzi, Uncle Weng's cousin, who just returned from abroad."

Yang Pan glanced curiously at Wang Zichuan. Returning from abroad and still working as a crew member was rare. Was he here to take care of Uncle Weng? Uncle Weng was indeed lucky, becoming famous right after joining the TV station.

Seeing that many people were focusing on their lines, Wang Zichuan didn't want to disturb them. He held up the remaining scripts and said, "I still have a few scripts to distribute. I'll go find the others."

Miao Qiaowei looked in the mirror, posing according to the script, and reminded him, "Zeng Jiang and Qin Huang are changing clothes in the inner room. Wait a moment."

Wang Zichuan knew that Zeng Jiang played Huang Yaoshi, and Qin Huang played the Old Fool. Both were veteran actors who portrayed their characters vividly, making them classic roles.

Weng Meiling smiled and said to Wang Zichuan, "They'll all come to the makeup room for their final touches. Just wait here. The director asked you to help here, didn't he?"

Today, Wang Zichuan had met so many big stars that he was already numb. He found a clean spot to sit and started admiring the beauties.

He was already familiar with Weng Meiling, who was reading her script seriously, occasionally practicing lines with Huang Rihua.

Li Sijie played Bao Xiruo, a former Miss Hong Kong, but she was now middle-aged, so Wang Zichuan's gaze quickly moved on.

Zeng Qingyu, a Miss Hong Kong runner-up, played Yinggu, who was deeply in love with the Old Fool. She was frowning as she put on a wig, which was just a few strands of white hair.

Wang Zichuan retracted his gaze and looked at Yang Pan. In the show, she was the most beautiful after Weng Meiling. Her portrayal of Mu Nianci, a character with a tragic fate, deeply in love with Yang Kang, and full of inner conflict, was touching and flawless, making many viewers see her as the embodiment of Mu Nianci.

Yang Pan felt Wang Zichuan's intense gaze and felt a bit flustered and angry, unable to focus on her lines. She lowered her head, her cheeks turning red.

Miao Qiaowei was about to practice lines with Yang Pan but noticed her distracted state. He said in a strange voice, "Nianci, even though I'm about to die, you shouldn't be this sad."

"Ha ha ha..."

Weng Meiling looked up, showing her little tiger teeth, and laughed, "Sister Mu is completely in love with Yang Kang, beyond saving."

Everyone laughed kindly.

Yang Pan looked up, embarrassed and annoyed at Wang Zichuan, feeling that he was too bold and not a good person.

Wang Zichuan joked around and quickly became familiar with everyone, especially Miao Qiaowei, who treated him like an old friend, making Weng Meiling look at him in surprise.

"Rolling! Rolling!"

Du Qifeng held a megaphone and shouted, "Actors, take your positions! Everyone else, step back!"

Wang Zichuan knew that today they were shooting the last part of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" — the "Huashan Sword Summit" in episode 13.

Guo Jing meets Ke Zhen'e, who tells him the whole story. Guo Jing asks Ke Zhen'e to go to Peach Blossom Island to find Huang Yaoshi to save Huang Rong. Remembering his sworn brotherhood with Yang Kang, Guo Jing goes to the ancient temple to handle Yang Kang's funeral. Seeing that Yang Kang is still alive, he tries to heal him, but Yang Kang knows he is dying and asks Guo Jing to bring Nianci to see him one last time. Nianci is devastated by Yang Kang's condition, and Yang Kang regrets not reforming earlier. Soon, he dies from his poison, and Nianci and Guo Jing bury him with tears.

Because of the tight schedule, the scenes in the old temple were shot together.