txolops Chapter 23 Filming Completed
Chapter 23 Filming Completed
On the afternoon of July 10, with Fu Yibai's clear "Cut! That's a wrap!", the crew of "Caught in the Web" completed the filming of the last scene.
After a brief silence, the entire set erupted in enthusiastic cheers and applause, a mixture of relief and the joy of completing a creative project.
The staff hugged and high-fived each other, and the actors detached themselves from their roles, their faces showing tired but satisfied smiles.
Because filming wrapped up early, the production team still had funds left in their accounts, so Fu Yibai generously hosted a lavish wrap party.
The wrap party was scheduled for that evening, and a distinctive Beijing-style restaurant was booked out for the entire event.
The atmosphere was warm and relaxed. Amidst the clinking of glasses, the details of the month-long close collaboration were repeatedly mentioned, and laughter filled the air.
As the director, Fu Yibai was naturally the focus of everyone's toasts.
He had a good tolerance for alcohol and was in a good mood, so he accepted all drinks offered, toasting with producer Wang Peng and several main actors to thank the team for their hard work.
His gaze swept over Fan and Hu Jing, who were also looking at him, their eyes filled with complex emotions against the noisy backdrop.
Fan raised her glass and approached, her red lips slightly curved. To onlookers, it was just a routine greeting from the lead actress to the director, but her lowered voice carried an intimacy that only the two of them could understand.
"Director Fu, we've finally finished filming..."
Come to my place tonight?
It's spacious and quiet, more comfortable than a hotel.
Her fingertips brushed lightly against his wine glass, her eyes conveying a direct and passionate invitation.
Fu Yibai looked at the undisguised desire in her eyes, and felt a slight stirring in his heart as he recalled the tacit understanding and physical memories they had accumulated during their "secret trysts" on set.
With the intense work coming to an end, he really needed to relax completely, and Fan was undoubtedly a sensible and understanding partner who could help him let down his guard.
He hesitated for a moment, then nodded, also lowering his voice.
"good.
I'll be there later.
A light flashed in Fan's eyes, his smile became even brighter, and he tilted his head back to drink the wine in his glass in one gulp.
On the other side, Hu Jing also came over with a wine glass. Her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol and excitement, and her eyes were bright.
"Director Fu, thank you for your guidance and care over the past few months. I have really learned a lot."
Her tone was sincere, tinged with gratitude and a hint of barely perceptible longing.
"It's all thanks to your own hard work."
Fu Yibai clinked glasses with her, his tone gentle yet businesslike.
"Go back and get some rest, adjust your condition, and look forward to the next collaboration."
Hu Jing nodded, but hesitated to speak.
She witnessed Fan Gang's brief exchange with Fu Yibai, and the secret hope in her heart was pricked by a needle and quickly withered away.
She knew that once the special "bubble" of the film crew burst, some relationships would automatically return to their proper course.
She didn't have Fan's reckless initiative and confidence, so she could only suppress her thoughts and express them in a single sentence.
"Director Fu, please take care of yourself."
It was late at night when the wrap party ended.
Fu Yibai arrived at Fan's residence by car.
Fan personally opened the door to greet him.
She changed into soft silk loungewear, removed her makeup, and let her long hair fall loosely. She looked less sharp as a celebrity and more gentle and domestic.
"From now on, this will be one of your 'temporary residences' in Beijing."
Fan took his coat with a smile.
"I don't have much work for the next period of time, so I can spend more time with you."
You can stay here for the time being.
There's a guest room upstairs, I've prepared it, but... I don't think you'll need it.
Her eyes flickered, hinting at something.
Fu Yibai glanced at Fan with some surprise; he had thought it was just a regular invitation.
Unexpectedly, she wanted me to stay for an extended period.
Fu Yibai thought for a moment. He didn't have a fixed residence in Beijing yet, and the apartment he lived in before was also rented.
Staying at Fan's place wouldn't be a bad idea; with her by my side, I could have a place to release my stress.
"That's thoughtful of you."
I'm sorry to have bothered you during this time.
"What do you mean by disturbing me?"
Fan gently hugged him from behind, pressing her cheek against his broad back.
"I'm overjoyed that you can come."
"When filming, we always felt like there wasn't enough time, but now... we can take our time."
Her voice had an alluring huskiness.
Fu Yibai turned around, pulled her into his arms, and lowered his head to kiss her lips.
Fan responded enthusiastically, wrapping his arms around his neck.
That night, Fu Yibai enjoyed a double relaxation of body and mind in Fan's apartment.
Fan used every trick in the book, being extremely gentle and passionate, as if to make up for the lack of intimacy they had during the filming.
Fu Yibai also temporarily set aside his identities as "Director Fu" and "President Fu," immersing himself in this pure sensory and desire-driven pleasure.
After finishing filming, Hu Jing returned to her residence in Beijing.
The house wasn't big, but it was decorated warmly.
Despite feeling exhausted, she struggled to sleep.
Clips from the filming of "Caught in the Web," Fu Yibai's focused profile on set, and the scorching heat in the hotel room those nights kept flashing through my mind.
She picked up her phone, scrolled through her contacts, and her finger hovered over the name "Director Fu" for a long time before finally deciding not to dial.
A strange sense of emptiness and loss lingered in my heart.
She recalled the invisible aura between Fan and Fu Yibai at the wrap party, and her heart felt like it was stuffed with cotton.
As if by some strange twist of fate, she dialed Zeng Li's number.
The phone rang a few times before being answered. Zeng Li's voice came through, as calm as ever: "Xiao Jing? Filming wrapped up?"
"Yeah, Pear, I just got back and can't sleep, so I wanted to chat with you."
Hu Jing leaned back on the sofa, her tone unconsciously becoming dependent.
"You must be tired from filming, right? Director Fu has high standards, and it's quite demanding to work with him, but you also grow quickly."
Zeng Li's voice was calm, revealing little emotion.
"yes……"
Hu Jing followed the conversation and began to pour out her heart.
"Director Fu is really... amazing."
He meticulously scrutinizes every shot and has an exceptionally deep understanding of acting. Sometimes, a single insight from him can be incredibly enlightening for me.
Although the pressure was immense, I feel I've really made a breakthrough in my acting these past few months.
Her tone was full of sincere admiration.
Zeng Li remained silent for a moment on the other end of the phone.
The undisguised admiration and appreciation Hu Jing showed for Fu Yibai stirred a subtle ripple in her heart.
Hu Jing became more and more engrossed in her speech, her admiration and subtle adoration almost overflowing.
She was unaware of what Zeng Li meant by her fervent and innocent "fangirl" mentality.
Holding her phone, Zeng Li listened as Hu Jing recounted Fu Yibai's various aspects, those familiar yet unfamiliar facets of him, and her heart felt as if it were being gently gripped by an invisible hand.
Hu Jing's tone, with its unreserved praise and intimate manner, made her clearly realize that this best friend, like herself, or even more so, had already given her heart to that man.
"Xiao Jing."
Zeng Li interrupted Hu Jing, her voice even softer than before.
"It sounds like you've had a very fulfilling time lately."
Director Fu... he is indeed a very special person.
Just follow him in filming and seize the opportunity to learn.
others……
Don't overthink it; this industry is very complicated.
The last sentence sounded like advice, yet also like something being said to oneself.
Hu Jing paused for a moment, vaguely sensing that Zeng Li's tone was a bit off, but she didn't think about it deeply because she was immersed in her own emotions.
"Yes, I know, Pear."
I am...
I feel a bit emotional.
Thank you for listening to me. You should get some rest.
After hanging up the phone, Hu Jing was still a little excited. She waved her fist at the air, as if to cheer herself up.
Meanwhile, Zeng Li, on the other end of the phone, sat in the dimly lit room for a long time, gazing at the night outside the window with a complex and unreadable expression.