Chinese entertainment: What's wrong with actresses wanting to improve?

Chapter 256 Filming and Set Visit

March 2, 6:30 a.m.

When Fu Yibai left Qin Lan's house, it was not yet fully light.

Early winter in Beijing is late to dawn; it's still hazy around 6 a.m., with the streetlights still on, casting circles of dim yellow light in the chilly air.

Qin Lan did not get up to see him off.

She was so exhausted from staying up until 2 a.m. last night that she couldn't even lift her fingers. When he left, she only hummed in her sleep, turned over, and fell into a deep sleep again.

Fu Yibai tucked the blanket around her and quietly closed the door.

Guo Zhenni was already waiting downstairs, carrying two paper bags—a cup of hot soy milk and two steamed buns.

"Mr. Fu, breakfast is ready."

"Um."

Fu Yibai took the paper bag and got into the back seat. The car drove out of the residential area and merged into the morning rush hour traffic.

He took a bite of the steamed bun, which was filled with pork and scallions and was still steaming hot. The dough was soft and the filling was substantial.

"Jenny, Yang Mi is coming to visit the set this afternoon. Could you arrange for someone to pick her up from the airport?"

"Okay. What time is the flight?"

She said she would land at 11 a.m.

"Then I'll have Xiao Wang pick him up."

Fu Yibai nodded, finished the steamed bun in a few bites, drank the soy milk, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes to rest.

As dawn broke, the eastern horizon turned a pale white, slowly transforming from grayish-blue to light gold. The sun had not yet risen, but its light already filled half the sky.

At 7:40, the car came to a stop at the entrance of the China Film Group Corporation base.

Fu Yibai pushed open the car door and got out. A cold wind hit him in the face, and his breath turned into white mist. He pulled his coat tighter and walked quickly towards the photography studio.

The studio was already bustling with activity.

The lighting technician was adjusting the overhead lights, the props team was checking the buttons and screens in the cockpit, and the costume designer was holding two full-body mecha suits hanging on a rack nearby, ready to change the actors at any time.

Fan Binbin has arrived and is sitting in the makeup chair, where the makeup artist is applying her makeup.

She saw Fu Yibai come in when she looked in the mirror, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly.

"morning."

Good morning. Did you sleep well last night?

"good.

"After filming that fight scene yesterday, I woke up this morning with sore muscles for the censorship."

"Today's scenes are mostly dialogue-heavy, so you can get some rest after filming."

"Um."

Deng Chao walked over from the rest area next door, holding a cup of coffee in his hand. He was wearing a dark blue cotton coat, and his hair had been styled. He looked much more energetic.

Good morning, Director Fu!

"morning.

Have you memorized your lines?

"I've memorized it, I've memorized it. I reviewed it three more times last night when I got home."

Deng Chao patted his chest and made a promise, but the expression on his face looked more like he was performing a stand-up comedy routine.

"That's good.

Today's scene will involve a lot of emotional ups and downs, so be prepared.

"Alright!"

At 8:00 AM sharp, filming officially began.

Today's scene is a romantic one in the cockpit. After a fierce battle, the male and female leads heal each other and pour out their hearts to one another in the cockpit.

"Lights ready—Recording ready—Action!"

…………

"Card!"

Fu Yibai's voice came through the walkie-talkie.

"This one is approved."

The emotions conveyed by both of them were spot-on.

The morning's filming went smoothly.

Although Deng Chao seems carefree, he transforms into a completely different person when he shouts "Action!" His emotions come on instantly, his delivery of lines is solid, and his scenes with Fan Binbin are full of sparks.

Fu Yibai sat behind the monitor, watching the two people on the screen, and felt increasingly satisfied with Deng Chao's performance.

At noon, the film crew had lunch.

Fu Yibai sat on the steps at the entrance of the photography studio with a boxed lunch in his hand. Fan Binbin sat next to him, the two of them sitting side by side, basking in the November sun.

"Is Mimi coming to visit the set this afternoon?" Fan Binbin asked.

"Hmm. The plane lands at 11 o'clock, it should be here soon."

"She's quite popular lately; her schedule is packed with appearances since 'The Witch'."

"Yeah, so we let her come visit the set and relax a bit."

Fan Binbin glanced at him sideways, a smile playing on her lips.

"You're so good to her."

"I'm good to you too."

"That's true."

Fan Binbin chuckled and put the chicken leg from the lunchbox into his bowl.

"Eat more, you've lost weight."

At 12:40, a black minivan drove into the China Film Group Corporation base and stopped at the entrance of the film studio.

The car door opened, and Yang Mi jumped out.

She wore a short white down jacket, light blue jeans, and white sneakers. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, and she wore light makeup, making her look youthful and radiant.

"Mr. Fu!"

Fu Yibai, who was resting on a recliner, turned around when he heard the sound.

"They're here."

"Uh-huh."

Because there were people around, Yang Mi behaved very restrainedly and did not get too intimate.

"I bought coffee for everyone."

Yang Mi waved her hand, and the staff who came with her walked in carrying bags of coffee.

"That's good, that's thoughtful."

"hey-hey."

"Mimi is here."

At this moment, Fan Binbin walked over.

"Sister Binbin, have some coffee."

"Thanks."

"Yang Mi is here."

"Brother Chao, have some coffee."

Yang Mi also participated in the recording of the third season of "Running Man" this year, so she and Deng Chao are acquaintances.

"Thank you. Next time you come, please buy some food."

"I need to go to the toilet after drinking too much of this."

Deng Chao said jokingly.

"Hahaha."

"it is good."

Filming continued in the afternoon.

Yang Mi moved a folding chair and sat next to the monitor, quietly watching Fu Yibai work.

When she saw Fu Yibai using a walkie-talkie to instruct Deng Chao and Fan Binbin on the scene, the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved up.

"Cut. This one's done. Ten-minute break."

Fu Yibai put down the walkie-talkie, turned around, and found Yang Mi staring at him.

"What are you looking at?"

"It's up to you."

Yang Mi tilted her head.

"Brother Yibai, you look so handsome when you're working."

Fu Yibai reached out and gently patted the back of her head.

Stop flattering me.

I'm serious.

Yang Mi stood up, moved closer, and lowered her voice.

"He looks much better than usual."

Fu Yibai didn't say anything, but just flicked her forehead.

"Ouch--"

Yang Mi covered her forehead, looking at him with a pitiful expression.

"pain."

"Serves you right."

Deng Chao walked over from the side with a glass of water in his hand. Seeing the two of them joking around, he wisely stopped in his tracks.

"Director Fu, I'm going to go over the lines."

"Go."

At 4 PM, all of today's filming tasks were completed.

Fu Yibai sat behind the monitor, reviewed all the footage shot that day, and only after confirming that there were no problems did he stand up and announce that the day was over.

"You've worked hard today. Be there promptly at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."

"receive!"

The staff began packing up the equipment, the lighting technician turned off the overhead lights, and the studio became dark.

Fan Binbin removed her makeup, changed into casual clothes, and came out of the dressing room.

"Honey, want to have dinner together tonight?"

"Okay, okay."

Yang Mi nodded and took Fan Binbin's arm.

"What do you want to eat?"

"hot pot?"

"OK!"

The two of them looked at Fu Yibai at the same time.

"What are you looking at me for? Come on."

After the three of them finished their hot pot meal, they returned to the hotel and spent the night having fun.