1990s: Spring Water Family

Chapter 93 Guess if they're a couple?

"Among the grandchildren of the Gu family, the sixth son's favorite is Xiao Bin."

Grandpa readily agreed: "He's been looking forward to Xiaobin going to university in Beijing for a long time."

"This child is blessed."

Grandma was satisfied, and wrinkles appeared at the corners of her eyes as she smiled: "Sixth Brother is the most arrogant person. He doesn't like anyone, but he just happens to have taken a liking to Xiaobin and intends to cultivate him. With him paving the way for Xiaobin, his career will be smoother in the future."

"Xiao Bin is smart, which is why he caught Lao Liu's eye."

Grandpa boasted, "To be honest, it's all thanks to my good genes and my wisdom that I was able to have such a smart grandson."

"Go to sleep, stop blowing."

Grandma couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted him with a smile.

How could I have been bragging?

Grandpa was unhappy with his wife's attitude and wanted to argue further.

Grandma snapped the lamp off.

Grandpa's vision went black, and he had no choice but to shut his mouth.

Grandma smiled, finally getting some peace and quiet.

-

A good night's sleep, and a new day begins.

The special program "Family by the Spring" generated a huge response after its broadcast, and the rebroadcast on Sunday night during the prime time slot achieved record-breaking ratings.

The station director immediately decided to turn the special program into a series, with one episode airing every week.

The production team was overjoyed. Early in the morning, Director Du led his team to No. 9 Donghua Street and couldn't wait to knock on Lin Xiyu's door.

The filming location was set at Baotu Spring.

As one of the three most famous scenic spots in Jinan, Director Du attached great importance to this filming and specially excerpted Lao She's travelogue about Baotu Spring as the dialogue for this filming.

Lin Xiyu fully utilized her strengths as a liberal arts student in memorizing texts, reciting her lines in just half an hour and speaking fluently in front of the camera.

"Baotu Spring is one of the three famous scenic spots in Jinan. After leaving the west gate of the old city of Jinan, you can see a stream of clear and fresh water flowing from south to north on the bridge over the moat. The weeping willows on the bank are reflected on the water, and everything above and below is emerald green. It is extremely quiet."

"This spring water flows from Baotu Spring. Without Baotu Spring, Jinan would lose half of its charm."

“Walk south along the moat and you will reach Baotu Spring Park.”

"The spring pool of Baotu Spring is square, and the water in the pool is extremely clear, so clear that you can see the algae clearly."

"There are three springs in the center of the pool. Water rushes up from the springs, gushing out half a meter above the surface, gushing and rolling continuously day and night."

"There are countless small springs by the pool, constantly bubbling. The evenly spaced bubbles form a string, like a string of pearls swaying with the water flow."

"Baotu Spring is even more enchanting in winter. A white and blue mist rises from the surface of the pool and floats above the gushing spring, transporting visitors to a mystical realm."

-

"Click."

Director Du was very satisfied with her performance. After calling a break, he called her over and carefully instructed her: "Xi Yu, you'll have to work hard. Memorize your lines in advance. We're in a hurry. We can't rest after filming this morning. We have to go to Daming Lake after lunch."

"Don't worry, Director Du."

Lin Xiyu said confidently, "I'm fine. I can memorize the lines after reading them a few times."

"Xiao Zou, come here."

Director Du was pleased with the young girl's keen observation and beckoned to the stylist: "We're shooting this afternoon. We've brought in six acting students from Shandong University of Arts to act as extras. They need to wear period costumes, so please take the time to dress them up."

"clear."

The stylist understood immediately, took Lin Xiyu's hand, and led her to the minibus that the production team had temporarily used as a dressing room.

"Should I put on makeup now?"

Lin Xiyu had never worn ancient costumes before and was very curious.

"The costume styling process is slow; it takes at least half an hour for one person."

The stylist was quite helpless: "Director Du didn't say so earlier. If you don't hurry up and get it done, I'm afraid we won't make it in time and it will delay the filming."

"Thank you for your hard work, Sister Zou."

Lin Xiyu has a sweet tongue, which makes the staff of the production team very happy.

"What's so hard about it? It's all just work."

The stylist jokingly remarked, "You have to bend over backwards for a living; you can't refuse."

"As long as there's money to be made, that's fine."

Lin Xiyu flattered with a smile: "Sister, you must be very good at makeup to work at a TV station. You must earn a lot of money."

“Our stylists are different from Sister Yan and the other reporters; they are not official employees of the TV station.”

The stylist shook her head, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes: "They're all temporary hires. They take on any job that comes their way. When there's no filming, I also go to photo studios to do bridal makeup."

"Does a TV station have permanent and temporary employees?"

Lin Xiyu sighed as she listened, "I thought everyone was treated the same."

“It’s definitely different.”

The stylist smiled wryly: "The difference in treatment between those with and without a government job is like night and day. You are a student, and you have the opportunity to go to school, so you must study hard and find a formal job after graduation. Don't end up like me, living hand to mouth with no future."

"Ah."

Lin Xiyu obediently replied, "I understand, thank you for thinking of me, Sister Zou."

"Come on, let's start the makeup."

The two chatted and laughed as they entered the minibus. The stylist, without saying another word, quickly picked up his tools and got to work.

Lin Xiyu sat quietly, letting her paint on her face.

She already had delicate features and fair skin, so she didn't need much embellishment. The stylist simply drew a few strokes on her face, and a flawless, radiant classical beauty makeup was completed.

"Change her clothes and see how it looks."

During a break, Director Du made a special trip to the dressing room. He nodded with satisfaction upon seeing the makeup done.

The stylist chose a light green Hanfu for Lin Xiyu, a long, thin silk dress with a cinched waist that accentuated the girl's lightness and grace.

"Not bad."

Director Du was extremely satisfied and personally instructed: "Put your hair up, dress up as a young lady from an ancient official's family, hold a round fan in your hand, and wear earrings."

Under his direction, a pure and refined young girl in a blue dress appeared before everyone as if she had stepped out of a painting of court ladies.

"Very good, that's it."

A glint of light flashed in Director Du's eyes as he admired his masterpiece with great satisfaction.

"This effect is amazing."

The assistant director seized the opportunity to flatter him: "Our Director Du has such good taste. When he was casting, he immediately took a liking to Xi Yu. As expected, a veteran in the entertainment industry who has been around for many years is different."

"Xi Yu's appearance."

Li Yan laughed and agreed, "Even if I really did make a cameo appearance in a period drama, that would be fine."

"I can see it."

The assistant director's shrewd eyes sized up Lin Xiyu, and he smiled ambiguously: "Xiyu, do you want to make a movie? I know a lot of directors, and I can recommend you for auditions."

She didn't want to.

Before Lin Xiyu could answer, Gu Bin's cold voice suddenly came from behind everyone.

"Gu Bin, you've arrived."

Lin Xiyu was both surprised and delighted. She turned around gracefully and met Gu Bin's gentle eyes.

"The entertainment industry is too complicated; it's not suitable for her."

When Gu Bin saw her outfit, a hint of amazement flashed in his eyes.

Then, her tone shifted abruptly, and her cold gaze swept over the assistant director, making him shudder.

"Cough cough."

The assistant director coughed awkwardly twice and explained sheepishly, "I was just joking, I was just saying it casually, please excuse me."

"Xi Yu is a good student and will have a bright future after getting into a prestigious university."

Li Yan is a shrewd person. She smiled and eased the atmosphere: "The entertainment industry is all about youth. You can't stay in it for long. It's better to have a good job that's more stable."

What does Xi Yu want to do in the future?

Director Du was very interested in the high school student's college application: "What college did you apply for? Are you confident that you will get into your desired university?" "I want to be a teacher."

Lin Xiyu thought about the purpose of her college application and her ears turned slightly red: "As for my preferred school, my first choice is East China Normal University."

"Being a teacher is great!"

Director Du's eyes lit up, full of praise: "Teaching and nurturing students, your students are all over the world."

"Is East China Normal University in Shanghai?"

Li Yan's focus differed from Director Du's. She jokingly remarked, "That's a great place. Once you've seen the world, don't let the glitz and glamour of Shanghai at night blind you."

"Shanghai at night, Shanghai at night, you are a city that never sleeps."

"The lanterns are lit, the music plays, and life unfolds with song and dance."

The assistant director, deliberately being funny, swayed his hips and started singing "Night Shanghai" on the spot.

"Quick, quick, take a picture of him."

Li Yan covered her mouth and laughed so hard she almost fell over.

"It's being recorded."

The cameraman truly deserves to be called the most dedicated person on the production team; he's recording all the time.

"No way? You really recorded it?"

The assistant director stiffened, turned around, and sure enough, saw the red dot on the camera lens flashing, constantly pointing at them.

"Director Du, this behind-the-scenes footage cannot be cut."

Li Yan suppressed a laugh and deliberately teased him: "It was so wonderful! Just based on the assistant director's energetic singing and dancing, our program will be a hit even before it airs, and the ratings will reach a new high."

"Makes sense."

Director Du stroked his chin and nodded earnestly: "We can broadcast it on Jinan News at 6:30 pm to generate some buzz beforehand and pique the audience's interest."

"Don't bother me."

The assistant director slapped his own face and begged for mercy: "Spare me, I still have to save face."

"It must be broadcast."

Li Yan almost burst out laughing: "Your face is nowhere near as important as viewership ratings!"

"Yanzi, that's not fair of you."

The assistant director, too embarrassed to lose his temper in front of his colleagues, darted around with his cunning eyes and hatched a wicked plan: "What kind of relationship do we have? How dare you try to trick me?"

"Hey, hey, can you explain yourself clearly?"

Li Yan was displeased and deliberately used her partner to insult him: "Don't talk nonsense in front of my Dazhi. Apart from working at the same TV station, you and I have no unclear relationship whatsoever."

"hey-hey."

The cameraman chuckled and grinned foolishly.

"Li Dazhi, turn off the camera."

Deeply provoked, the assistant director ground his back teeth and roared as he charged forward.

"Haha, you've already broken through her defenses?"

Li Yan raised her eyebrows smugly: "I thought he was so capable that he dared to scheme against me."

"Okay, stop making trouble."

Director Du, fearing the camera might be damaged, hurriedly stopped him, saying, "Be careful with the camera, don't break it again."

"understood."

Before the assistant director could even reach him, the cameraman grabbed the camera and ran off at top speed.

The assistant director wasn't as physically fit as him, and after chasing for a few steps without catching up, he stopped in frustration.

-

"The cameraman is quite interesting."

Lin Xiyu, having enjoyed a free show, was in a very pleasant mood: "Do you think he and Sister Yan are really a couple?"

I don't know if they're a couple.

Gu Bin reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his movements incredibly tender: "I only know that you are my girlfriend. I can't see anyone else besides you."

When did you become so glib?

Lin Xiyu's ears burned, and she smiled and gave him a reproachful look.

"self-taught."

Gu Bin affectionately pinched her cheek: "Who told my girlfriend to be so beautiful? Even the director wants to make a move on her, so I have to keep a close eye on her."

"That assistant director doesn't watch his mouth."

Lin Xiyu didn't take it seriously: "You actually took it seriously?"

"I am a man."

Gu Binyi said succinctly, "I understand men's minds better than you do."

What if someone actually asked me to make a cameo appearance in a TV series?

Lin Xiyu smiled charmingly: "You said it yourself, your girlfriend is so beautiful, she was born to be a star."

"No."

Gu Bin rejected it without even thinking.

"why?"

Lin Xiyu frowned slightly, and a hint of regret flashed in her eyes the moment she heard him say no.

Every girl dreams of becoming a star; it would be a lie to say she has no regrets.

Moreover, she could earn money by making cameo appearances in TV dramas, and she wanted to earn more living expenses for herself while she was in school.

"The entertainment industry is chaotic, with many unspoken rules."

Gu Bin noticed her disappointment and tried to persuade her: "A naive and silly girl like you, who can't discern people's true nature, would be bullied to death if you entered that corrupt world."

Am I that stupid?

Lin Xiyu retorted, "Grandma taught me many principles of life, how could I not even be able to distinguish between good and bad people?"

"Your grandma will teach you some little tricks to get jealous and jealous."

Gu Bin laughed mockingly: "Pretending to be weak in front of someone who likes you to gain sympathy is indeed very useful. But when facing a real pervert, it will only provoke their wolfish nature and make them torture you even more."

"I wasn't pretending."

Lin Xiyu's heart skipped a beat when she heard the words "pretend to be weak," and she looked away guiltily.

When you were a freshman in high school.

Gu Bin pointed out the facts: "You dare to fight with boys and beat up the thugs who harassed you, and you still dare to say you're weak?"

"How did you know?"

Lin Xiyu's eyes widened suddenly, her face filled with disbelief.

Do you remember?

Gu Bin chuckled and countered, "Where was it when you were cornered by that thug who tried to molest you?"

"forget."

Many years have passed, and Lin Xiyu's memory is a bit hazy.

“Wangfu Pond West Street”.

Gu Bin helplessly poked her forehead to startle her.

"what?"

Lin Xiyu belatedly realized what was happening and felt extremely annoyed: "Near your house..."

"That's right in front of my house."

Gu Bin smiled leisurely: "When I heard the noise, I wanted to go out and help you, but I didn't expect you to beat him to the ground. I could hear his ear-piercing screams even through the door."

"Through the door?"

Lin Xiyu wanted to argue further: "How did you know it was me?"

(End of this chapter)