Chapter 5

While Chen Yixin quickly adjusted the lighting, Xia Tian also gave the actors instructions on how to perform.

"Alright, let's do a test run," Xia Tian clapped his hands and shouted, "Close the doors and windows, cover them with black cloth, and clear the set!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the extras in the studio were driven out, all the doors and windows were immediately closed, and then covered with black cloth, making the entire studio dark.

Immediately, the lights from all directions were turned on, and a night scene appeared before their eyes.

Xia Tian smiled slightly, loving the feeling of "words being followed by action."

"OK, actors in position!" he lifted the camera and shouted, "Ready... ACTION!"

Following his command, the actors immediately began performing according to his previous instructions.

Although it was just a test run, the camera was not actually rolling, Xia Tian still took it very seriously. He held the handheld camera, moving around to find the best shooting angle.

Inspired by him, the actors, who had been somewhat relaxed, also began to take it seriously.

Soon, the test run of the scene was completed.

"OK, not bad. But your expression was a bit stiff just now. Try to relax, we'll start the real shoot in two minutes," Xia Tian instructed the actor.

"Ah, okay, Director," the actor nodded, somewhat surprised by Xia Tian's seriousness.

When he worked with the previous director, the director never gave him such detailed instructions, and regardless of how well he performed, they usually only shot once.

"Xia Tian, do you really need to be so serious? Just muddle through it. Are you really planning to make a good film for that buck-toothed Bing to sell? Wouldn't that just be giving him a freebie?" Chen Yixin asked, puzzled.

"Yixin, that's not the right attitude. We're here to hone our skills and gain experience. Only by being serious can we reap the rewards. As they say, gold has a price, but skills are priceless. Even if buck-toothed Bing makes money, what does it matter? We can use this opportunity to improve our skills, and then we won't have to worry about making money in the future," Xia Tian smiled and advised.

As a dragon tiger instructor, he had no money or power. To become a director, he would need a miracle. So this opportunity was extremely rare and should not be missed.

Chen Yixin, hearing Xia Tian's words, suddenly understood. To be promoted to a lighting technician, he would normally need to wait another four or five years. But now he was already a lighting technician, even though he only had four lights. The experience of being in charge would be invaluable.

"You're right, Xia Tian. Let's use this as a chance to practice," he said happily.

"Alright." Xia Tian nodded with a smile, "Let's get back to work."

Chen Yixin agreed and immediately started organizing things.

...

With their cooperation, the filming went very smoothly. By 11 PM, they had completed three-quarters of the movie, and they were sure to finish the rest the next day.

"Take a break, Bing has prepared some midnight snacks for you. Come and get them," Ah Hua, the pale-faced man, called out.

The crew, exhausted after a long day of work, were delighted to hear they could rest and have snacks.

"Thank you, boss!" "Thank you, Bing!" "Thank you, Ah Hua!" They all expressed their gratitude, took their boxed meals, and went to eat.

Xia Tian put down his camera but did not go to get a meal. Instead, he sat on the ground, too tired to move.

The handheld camera, with the film loaded, weighed about ten kilograms. Carrying it for more than three hours left his hands feeling numb and sore.

"Xia Tian, it's time for the midnight snack," Chen Yixin said, holding a boxed meal for Xia Tian, "I didn't expect buck-toothed Bing to be so nice, actually willing to spend money on snacks for us."

Xia Tian rubbed his arms and smiled bitterly, "Put it down for now, I need to rest a bit."

His hands were so sore he couldn't even hold chopsticks.

"Xia Tian, are you okay?" Chen Yixin asked, concerned, "Buck-toothed Bing is really stingy, couldn't he afford another cameraman?"

In Shaw Brothers' productions, there were at least two cameramen, each with two or three assistants. They took turns, so no one got too tired. But in this crew, Xia Tian was the only cameraman, and he was being worked to death.

"Without being stingy, how would he have money?" Xia Tian opened the meal and saw it was just a plate of stir-fried beef noodles, which couldn't cost more than ten Hong Kong dollars. To try to win their favor with such a simple meal, buck-toothed Bing was indeed very shrewd.

"Xia Tian, the boss wants to see you," Ah Hua said, interrupting Xia Tian just as he was about to eat.

"Can't it wait until after the snack? Are you trying to work us to death?" Chen Yixin couldn't help but speak up for Xia Tian.

From 1 PM to 11 PM, except for the half-hour break for dinner, Xia Tian had been working very hard without a moment's rest.

Now, just as he was about to take a break for the snack, he was being called away again, with no time to rest. It was really too much.

"Brat, what did you say? Say it again if you dare!" Ah Hua, angered by Chen Yixin's words, pointed at him and shouted.

"Say it again, I'm not afraid of you," Chen Yixin, who never backed down, stood up and shouted back, "Just because we owe you some money, you treat us like this? Do you have any humanity?"

Ah Hua, furious at being scolded, reached out to grab Chen Yixin. He was much taller and stronger, and his move was like a grown-up bullying a child, the disparity in strength obvious.

But just as his hand was halfway there, Xia Tian grabbed it, "Ah Hua, Yixin is just a kid, no need to take it so seriously," he said calmly.

Ah Hua glared at Xia Tian and tried to push forward, but his arm was like it was welded in place, unable to move.

"Let go!" he shouted, his face contorted with anger.

But Xia Tian's grip tightened, "Ah Hua, give me some face," he said with a smile.

"Give me a f**k..." Ah Hua, embarrassed and angry, swore.

But before he could finish his curse, he felt a tremendous force, and his right hand felt like it was being clamped in a vise, the pain making him gasp. The rest of his words died in his throat.

"Ah Hua, we are all human beings, so in the future, watch your mouth and don't curse so easily," Xia Tian released his hand and looked at Ah Hua.

"Little brat, you'll pay for this," Ah Hua's arm felt like it was on fire, and he saw a ring of purple bruises. Shocked, he realized he was no match for Xia Tian, so he dared not be arrogant and left with a threat, holding his arm.

"Ha, can't even take one hit from Xia Tian, and he still talks big. What a joke," Chen Yixin said, mocking Ah Hua's retreat.

"Alright, let it go," Xia Tian waved his hand, "Yixin, in the future, if you encounter such a bully, unless you have the strength to beat him, it's best not to provoke him."

In Hong Kong, the triads were very powerful, with tens of thousands of members in various gangs and syndicates. They had been around for nearly a century and had extended their influence into all aspects of society, especially the entertainment industry. The British Hong Kong government had also been lenient with them, making them even more brazen.

Xia Tian was very opposed to these criminal forces, but he knew that with his current strength, he could not yet stand up to them. So before he grew stronger, he needed to avoid direct confrontation and deal with them tactfully. Of course, if he was pushed to the brink, he would not be a coward.

"I understand, Xia Tian," Chen Yixin nodded.

"Alright, finish your meal. I'll go see what's up," Xia Tian smiled and walked over to buck-toothed Bing.

...

"Xia Tian, you're doing great, already three-quarters done," buck-toothed Bing said with a forced smile. He was genuinely surprised by Xia Tian's young talent.

"It's the result of everyone's hard work," Xia Tian said modestly.

Bing nodded, "But don't get complacent. Let's finish it tonight."

"Tonight?!" Xia Tian was taken aback, then realized why buck-toothed Bing was so "generous" with the midnight snacks. He was planning to have them work through the night.

The actors and crew were hired on a daily basis. If they finished tonight, Bing would save half a day's wages, which was much more than the cost of the snacks.

"The richer they are, the more stingy they get," Xia Tian thought to himself, "I understand, Bing. I'll do my best," he nodded.

During the new book period, I urgently need your support in terms of collections and recommendations. I sincerely thank you, dear readers!

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