1979: My fiancée is a goddess

"Comrade Zhao Ruixue, you may begin your audition."

"The final scene is when the female students bring the book 'In Search of Lost Time' to Miss Yang Liu's house, and Miss Yang Liu sees the library card with her own sketch on the last page of the book."

April 20th.

At the foot of the mountains on the outskirts of Otaru City, Hokkaido, lies a middle school campus that is gradually falling into disrepair.

The classroom was cleaned spotlessly and was spacious and empty.

There were three tables placed side by side at the front, and three men were sitting at them.

One of the elderly men, holding a script in his hand, announced in a serious and solemn tone.

It was none other than director Shui Hua.

Sitting beside him were Assistant Director Chen Huaikai and Yoji Yamada from Shochiku Corporation.

Today is the audition for the female lead, which is very important.

There were also many crew members and main actors gathered outside the classroom.

Among those blocking the entrance was Liu Xiaoqing, whose bright and dignified face was now unusually gloomy.

She had finally landed a few days as the leading lady and was preparing to reach the peak of her acting career.

As a result, Zhao Ruixue, who was not originally going to participate, suddenly changed her mind a few days ago and wanted to participate in the leading role that was stealing her away.

She pursed her lips and remained silent, her eyes fixed on the girl in the classroom, her gaze filled with jealousy and resentment.

Cheng Kaiyan also stood by the window, looking at the familiar figure in the classroom, her eyes calm but with a hint of concern.

……

Today is April 19th.

After changing her mind about participating on the 17th, she quickly consulted with Morita, the editor at Kodansha, for a solution, and the editor-in-chief also strongly agreed.

The combination of a writer and a movie actress is definitely a brilliant publicity stunt.

With the editor-in-chief of Kodansha personally intervening, and with the help of the eldest daughter of the Tachibana family, Zhao Ruixue's grades became exceptionally outstanding.

Only then did she manage to resolve her worries about school and life, allowing her to bring editor Morita to Hokkaido for film shooting.

Zhao Ruixue stood straight and tall in the middle of the classroom, listening quietly to the requirements of the three directors.

In April, the temperature in Hokkaido is only a few degrees Celsius, not much different from winter, and it sometimes even snows.

The girl's tall and slender figure was wrapped in a light gray wool coat that reached her knees.

She wore a long red cotton scarf around her neck, which draped down between her legs, which were covered in thermal pants, and a pair of black women's leather boots on her feet.

The thin morning light slanted down on that clean, unadorned face, making it as clear and pure as snow under the sun.

Her expression was calm and indifferent, as if she had no emotions.

Only when their hands are clenched tightly together can one reveal a hint of tension and unease.

Zhao Ruixue has no acting experience and has never been exposed to related acting techniques. Her only relevant experience is the play "Love Letter" which she performed in last year.

Fortunately, she had watched "Love Letter" many times, and the female lead was based on her.

She knew that the only way to win the role was to immerse herself in it completely.

"I understand, director."

Zhao Ruixue took a deep breath and responded loudly.

A thin mist of white vapor was exhaled from his mouth, which was particularly noticeable in the sunlight.

She closed her eyes, recalling the ending, the dialogue, and experiencing the characters' emotions and psychology...

There's also the ability to fully immerse oneself in the experience.

A few minutes later.

Zhao Ruixue suddenly opened her eyes, but it wasn't as dramatic as if she had become a completely different person.

She simply lowered her head and looked at the non-existent copy of "In Search of Lost Time" in her hand.

He held the book by the spine with one hand and turned the pages with the other.

Then she turned to the last page, lowered her head, and seemed to see something familiar.

It was a library card.

She picked it up.

Upon seeing this performance without props, the three directors' eyes became exceptionally serious and solemn.

In their eyes, Zhao Ruixue had changed in that instant.

The atmosphere in the classroom changed, and Liu Xiaoqing, who was standing at the door, also felt it.

Her eyes narrowed, and suddenly she excitedly shouted to Zhao Ruixue, "The back, the back! There's a picture on the back!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ruixue slowly flipped over the library card, then froze on the spot, staring blankly at the portrait on the back.

She realized who had drawn it, and a lump gradually formed in her throat and eyes.

"Ah, this must have been drawn by my senior, right? It's amazing!" Liu Xiaoqing walked up to him and said with admiration.

"This...ah..."

Zhao Ruixue looked up and tried to smile, but tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. Her hand, clutching the library card, fumbled helplessly in her pocket.

"Are you alright?" Liu Xiaoqing asked with concern.

"No, it's nothing. *sigh*"

Zhao Ruixue subconsciously turned to look out the window, where Cheng Kaiyan appeared, breathing heavily with her mouth slightly open.

"Great!! Well done."

Teacher Shuihua stood up abruptly and shouted "Good!"

Director Chen Huaikai also stood up and clapped lightly: "As expected of the female lead whom Teacher Shui and Teacher Cheng Kaiyan pursued for half a month, she is truly amazing! This performance was superb!"

"That's really good. If I had known it would be like this, I should have filmed this part!"

Director Yoji Matsuda, who was standing nearby, also expressed his feelings with emotion.

Cheng Kaiyan looked at the girl in the classroom and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see how incredibly realistic and extraordinary this performance was, with its non-physical acting, subtle emotional portrayal, and genuine interaction!

"That was a really good performance!"

From the heroine's initial shock, shyness, and panic upon seeing her own sketch, to the belated and overwhelming feeling of being moved, and finally to the devastating blow of the cruel reality of her passing, resulting in uncontrollable sadness and regret.

Comrade Ruixue, you have almost perfectly captured the subtlety and outburst of this emotional process.

This is the experiential learning approach you're taking! That's really impressive!

Teacher Shuihua walked up happily and announced, "Comrade Ruixue, I hereby announce that you have passed the audition!"

At this moment, Zhao Ruixue seemed to wake up from a dream and came back to her senses.

"Thank you, thank you Teacher Shui, thank you everyone."

Upon hearing that she had passed the audition, she raised the back of her hand to wipe away her tears and quickly thanked him.

But when faced with Ms. Shuihua's praise, she just smiled with tears in her eyes.

She doesn't understand anything about experiential learning; she's just acting out her own story.

How is this scene different from when Cheng Kaiyan gave him the book last year?

With her mind racing, she turned to look at Cheng Kaiyan, who was watching her from outside the window, and calmly nodded in acknowledgment.

"Clap clap clap!"

Enthusiastic applause erupted both inside and outside the classroom.

Even Liu Xiaoqing, who had suddenly barged in and "disrupted" the scene, clapped. She seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and congratulated him with a complicated tone: "Congratulations, Comrade Zhao. I'm really sorry for the scene we were filming together."

"Thank you. Without you as my co-star, I might not have been able to cry, and the effect wouldn't have been as good."

Zhao Ruixue gently shook her head, saying that she had truly been immersed in the moment.

"..."

Liu Xiaoqing opened her mouth, feeling a pang of regret, but in an instant, she felt powerless.

It's all about timing and fate... Oh well.

After the audition, Zhao Ruixue officially became the female lead in the film.

"Hello, hello, I am..."

Under the guidance of teacher Shuihua, she got to know the crew members briefly.

"Everyone, you can all leave now. Filming will officially begin at 8:00 AM tomorrow! No one is allowed to be late!"

After Teacher Shuihua made a few announcements, everyone dispersed.

Everyone returned to their respective posts: the props team made props, the lighting team experimented with the lights, the actors reviewed the script again, and there was also the important work of checking the camera equipment and film, drawing up the script and storyboards, and so on...

The Chinese and Japanese teams, numbering several dozen people, are working in an orderly fashion amidst the chaos, preparing for tomorrow's filming to begin.

The abandoned campus suddenly became lively.

"Are you alright?"

On campus, the playground, which had been overgrown with weeds, was now trimmed, and the air was filled with the smell of grass.

Cheng Kaiyan and Zhao Ruixue strolled along the simple track and field, walking silently for a couple of laps before he finally spoke to the girl who had been silent for so long.

"Nothing."

Zhao Ruixue's small feet, clad in leather boots, took simple, curved steps forward without looking back.

"That's good."

Cheng Kaiyan also noticed her coldness and the subtle distance between them. A complex look flashed in her eyes, and she finally chuckled softly.

It seems we two still have a tacit understanding. Now that it's over, it's normal to be a little distant.

That way he can rest assured.

"Is everything prepared in Tokyo? I hope it won't affect your studies?"

Cheng Kaiyan shook his head to put aside his emotions and showed concern like a friend; he still considered this girl a good friend.

"No, Kodansha and Chia-nee helped out a couple of days ago. During the filming of the movie, I only need to study on my own, and I can go back every two weeks."

Zhao Ruixue paused and explained calmly.

"Well, as long as it doesn't affect anything."

Cheng Kaiyan nodded thoughtfully and said softly.

"How could it affect me?"

Zhao Ruixue turned and stared at Cheng Kaiyan for a couple of seconds before asking a nonchalant question.

"Then I won't bother you any longer. Take some time to study the script. I have something to do, so I'll go see Teacher Shuihua first."

Cheng Kaiyan chuckled and waved, then turned and left cleanly and decisively.

On the open playground track.

Zhao Ruixue watched his figure slowly disappear around the corner, feeling both angry and annoyed, and very dissatisfied!
This bastard!

I only gave you the cold shoulder a few times, and you're already ignoring me?!
You're ignoring me, huh? Fine, I'll ignore you too!
Zhao Ruixue stomped her feet, turned around, and left the school to go back to the hotel to read the script.

No matter what, she has to do a good job in this movie.

She's playing the female lead not just to recreate their past youth and relive the bittersweet memories of first love.

Furthermore, in the movie, she and Cheng Kaiyan are two couples.

Although filled with regret and sadness, the emotions are delicate, sincere and moving.

This movie is going to be released in China, and she and Cheng Kaiyan will appear on the screen together then.

Countless viewers shared in their joy, happiness, emotion, and sorrow along with their stories...

Doesn't this mean their real-life relationship is recognized by the entire nation?!
"Hmph! We'll see if you, Liu Xiaoli, are angry enough to make me vomit to death!"

With her mind racing, Zhao Ruixue stood in the sunlight, a hint of cold smile and smugness finally appearing on her lips.

……

The other side of the photography studio.

Cheng Kaiyan found the three directors who were arranging the filming schedule.

"What's wrong? Didn't I tell you to take Comrade Ruixue for a walk?"

"Teacher Shuihua asked."

"Didn't I tell you last time that I have something urgent to attend to in May and need to rush back? Since I have fewer scenes to film, let's shoot my scenes ahead of schedule."

Cheng Kaiyan got straight to the point and began to discuss the matter.

"Oh, you told me last time that you were going back to get engaged?"

Your role is indeed small; we originally planned to film the school scenes first.

Let's hurry up, we can finish filming in about ten days, so as not to delay your engagement. We'll start tomorrow.

Teacher Shuihua suddenly realized and readily agreed.

In filmmaking, no one actually follows the plot exactly the entire time; wouldn't that be a waste of money?

Most directors start with the easier scenes and work their way up to the more difficult ones, and they tend to shoot in groups based on specific scenes and tasks.

Besides, Cheng Kaiyan is going back to get engaged at the beginning of next month!
Even if there aren't the conditions, we'll create them for him to take the picture!
"That's good."

Cheng Kaiyan smiled.

"I wish you a happy engagement in advance, congratulations!"

Teacher Shuihua smiled and cupped her hands in greeting.

"Comrade Kaiyan is going back to get engaged?"

Directors Chen Huaikai and Matsuda were also extremely surprised and quickly offered their congratulations.

"Yes, my partner wasn't really in favor of this trip either. They were even angry when we left. If it weren't for Professor Shuihua's strong invitation, I really wouldn't have wanted to go abroad at this time..."

Cheng Kaiyan smiled helplessly.

"Haha, after all, Comrade Kaiyan is a great writer, so it's inevitable that he'll become an actor..."

Chen Huaikai smiled.

"You're still playing a love story... We apologize to you, we're really sorry."

After careful consideration, Teacher Shuihua realized that it was no wonder the other person's partner was angry. If she were to really ruin their relationship, the sin would be too great.

……

The following day, filming officially began for the movie "Love Letter" with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Otaru City Councilor Kimura.

The city's television station even conducted an interview, and the television and newspaper reports attracted many citizens, including young people, to come and watch the spectacle.

After all, this is a remote city, and it's rare to see such a lively atmosphere.

What's more, it's a film crew from abroad.
The production team also used this opportunity to find some extras.

Amidst this lively atmosphere, the filming officially began in the morning.

Love Letter is a film with two female leads, and the male lead has very little screen time.

Moreover, most of them are concentrated on middle school campuses.

It's very easy to take pictures.

The first scene was filmed in a classroom.

It was the start of the new semester, and the male and female protagonists met for the first time.

"Silence, recording, camera on, actors in position..."

"Act One, Scene One, Take 1!"

"start!"

With a command from director Chen Huaikai, filming officially began.

The Panavision camera, provided by Shochiku Corporation, and Fuji film were put into operation.

Teacher Shuihua stood in front of the camera and slowly moved it in front of the lens.

Looking through the viewfinder, I saw a bright and clean classroom, clearly reminiscent of the 1970s in China.

A group of high school students in simple school uniforms and wearing red scarves sat upright in the classroom.

Cheng Kaiyan sat in the front row of the classroom, wearing a simple white shirt, leaning against the window and reading lazily.

Zhao Ruixue sat upright in the back row of the classroom, dressed in thin and simple clothes, giving people the impression of being somewhat weak and timid.

"Xu Tianming!"

"To!"

Lu Renjia

……

"willow!"

Today is the first day of school.

On the stage was a middle-aged female teacher wearing glasses, who was reading out a list of students while her hand rested on the podium.

"Here!" x2
Cheng Kaiyan and Zhao Ruixue both stood up at the same time to respond.

Upon hearing each other's voices, the two turned to look at each other, then frowned.

"Ugh!"

"Hahaha……"

The students in the classroom all turned to look at the two of them, and burst into laughter.

"Same name, same surname? That's rare. Sit down."

The teacher glanced at the two of them, then waved his hand and continued reading their names.

It is extremely rare for boys and girls to share the same first and last name at this high school.

The two of them suddenly became the objects of students' banter and jokes in this era of scarce entertainment.

While it won't go too far, it happens very frequently.

This made the two of them extremely dissatisfied, but they couldn't say anything.

The two often took the wrong test papers and called the wrong names. They were also assigned to be on duty on the same day in class.

During the class officer election, both of their names were written on the blackboard at the same time, which led to Cheng Kaiyan getting into a fight with the classmate who was teasing and joking around.

But as a result, he and Zhao Ruixue were selected to work as librarians, which gave them more time to spend together.

Time passed slowly and leisurely.

Filming is progressing smoothly.

Time flies, and before we knew it, it was April 29th.

Cheng Kaiyan doesn't have many scenes left.

There's also the bike chase, the chance encounters in the library, and the scene where the male protagonist asks the female protagonist to help him return "In Search of Lost Time," which contains a library card and a portrait.

Filming wrapped up in one go today; the youth-themed scenes are almost done! (End of Chapter)