Huayu, my cheat code is a bit strange.

Chapter 49: Filming Begins (Please read on, recommend, anything is appreciated!)

Over the next few days, everything unfolded exactly as Chi Shuai had predicted.

After the reading session ended, the production crew began working at high speed.

Makeup trials, etiquette guidance, and action practice—the schedule was packed.

Being busy helps Gu Xiao forget many of her troubles, and she is very happy.

Xiao Jiu was even happier.

In just a few days, this bright orange squirrel, with its irresistible cuteness, quickly became the beloved pet of the entire crew.

It accepts food from all directions with the highest principle of "never refusing any offerings, the more the better," just like a living glutton.

Liu Jiajia is the most reliable sunflower seed supplier; the lighting crew's leader would secretly slip it a small piece of walnut; makeup artist Sister Liu dotes on it the most, not only providing apples but also buying it a small bell that makes a crisp sound when shaken gently, and it has now become one of Xiao Jiu's treasures.

"They're so cute, it makes me want to get one too."

Dong Jie looked at the little guy running around the room, a smile appearing on her usually cool face.

She had just finished a etiquette training session and was still wearing her simple, elegant Republic-era student uniform.

Gu Xiao sat to the side flipping through the latest script, and without looking up, poured cold water on the idea: "I advise you to think carefully."

"Why?" Dong Jie looked over curiously.

Gu Xiao turned a page and said in a flat tone, "Squirrels are lively animals; they'll make a mess of your house."

“But it looks very well-behaved,” Dong Jie said.

“You’ve been misled,” Gu Xiao said.

As the two were talking, Xiao Jiu pulled out a lighter from somewhere, put it in his mouth, ran up to President You, and pushed the lighter toward his hand.

You Jianming was amused and burst into laughter, then casually pulled a few peanuts out of his pocket.

"Cunning rat," Gu Xiao muttered to herself.

Dong Jie stared at this scene in a daze.

She said softly, "It seems you and President You have a really good relationship."

Gu Xiao's gaze returned to the script. Similar topics had been repeated countless times in the past few days, and he was exhausted.
"If everyone thinks that way, then it really doesn't matter anymore."

Dong Jie frowned slightly, feeling that Gu Xiao was taking her good fortune for granted.

He's the CEO of a film and television company, someone countless actors would kill to curry favor with.

As long as you gain the other party's appreciation, you won't have to worry about acting opportunities for the next three to five years.

Does he think that having a Beijing Film Academy student status means he won't have to compete with others for resources in the future? Doesn't he know how many Beijing Film Academy graduates are forced to change careers every year because they can't get resources?
Just as Dong Jie was about to say something more, Li Dawei's voice came from afar: "Xiao Dong, come here for a moment."

Gu Xiao looked up and met Dong Jie's hesitant gaze.

She sighed softly and turned to walk towards the director.

Gu Xiao didn't understand why she sighed, nor was she interested in finding out.

He is really busy.

Liu Xiaoli has already sent a message that President You greatly admires Liu Yifei and is currently negotiating the specifics. Both sides hope that the other side will make some concessions on the timing, so he has become the middleman.

My phone bill is dropping like crazy.

Director Li Dawei is a ruthless person. These past few days, while adjusting the filming schedule, he discovered that Li Dawei has a good memory, so he insisted on having him work as an assistant.

Parents who buy study materials are also keeping busy.

I don't know who leaked his information, but in the past few days, three or four heads of tutoring institutions have contacted him, hoping that he would publish a "deluxe" version of intensive study materials with a larger and more comprehensive vocabulary.

Gu Xiao didn't want to pay attention, but those people were giving too much.

Co-publishing, 8% royalties, and you'll receive 1 immediately upon signing the contract.

Of course, it didn't come without a price; it required extensive promotion and the acquisition of all copyrights.

Gu Xiao could guess what these people wanted to do, and found it both boring and awkward.

……

……

Time passed slowly, and before we knew it, it was the 10th.

Early in the morning, a small convoy of various vehicles parked in front of the hotel.

The lighting crew, photography crew, and costume crew carried their respective equipment back and forth in the van.

At the entrance, the production manager was counting heads with a list, while director Li Dawei was shouting loudly:

"The cast and crew of 'The Story of a Noble Family,' everyone get on the bus, we're ready to depart!" "Yes, sir!"

The hotel lobby instantly erupted in activity, with a surge of people.

Gu Xiao, carrying a backpack, dragging a suitcase, and with Xiao Jiu on her head, followed the crowd out.

"Gu Xiao! Over here!"

As soon as Gu Xiao stepped out of the gate, he heard someone calling him.

Looking in the direction of the sound, he saw Chi Shuai leaning halfway out of the window of a white bus and waving vigorously at him.

Gu Xiao walked over quickly, put her luggage down, and got into the car.

Several people were already sitting in the car, including familiar faces Chi Shuai and Liu Jiajia, as well as Shu Yaoxuan, who played "Song Shiqing," and Wang Bozhao, who played "Bai Xiongqi," the latter of whom also played the White Dragon in Journey to the West.

"Come on, we've been waiting for you!" Chi Shuai moved over to make room for him.

Gu Xiao thanked him, sat down, and just as she put her backpack in her arms, the car door slammed shut.

The car slowly started moving and merged into the traffic.

The atmosphere inside the car was lively; everyone was clearly both nervous and excited about the upcoming filming.

Liu Jiajia took out several bags of snacks from her cloth bag and distributed them to everyone. When she saw the little dog on Gu Xiao's head, she specially took out a handful of sunflower seeds and handed them over.

Xiao Jiu took it without hesitation and squatted on Gu Xiao's shoulder, munching away quickly.

"This little guy, he's never hungry anywhere," Chi Shuai joked with a smile.

Gu Xiao raised her hand to her forehead, feeling utterly ashamed.

……

……

The production team held a reading session in the capital, but filming actually started in Tianzhen.

In 02, the Beijing-Tianjin-Tanggu Expressway was far less convenient than it is today; it took at least three hours to drive there.

With colleagues, beautiful scenery, and Xiao Jiu by her side, Gu Xiao didn't feel bored at all.

Listening to the conversations of the people in the car, he would occasionally chime in with a few jokes from later generations, making everyone laugh and creating a lively atmosphere.

The time soon came to noon.

The convoy entered Tianzhen, but instead of heading directly to the hotel, it headed towards the Foreign Languages ​​University.

Gu Xiao knew that it was the actual filming location for the Jin Mansion.

Half an hour later, the convoy slowly stopped at a place with high walls and a Western-style gate.

Above the gatehouse hangs a plaque with four large characters specially inscribed by You Jianming: "A Family of Wealthy and Powerful Figures".

In front of the plaque covered with red silk, there is a long table covered with red cloth.

A statue of Guan Yu was placed on the table, with incense burners, offerings, and roast suckling pig on both sides, creating a solemn atmosphere.

"We've arrived! Everyone, get off the bus!"

Guided by staff, the actors and main cast members got out of the car one by one and lined up in front of the table according to their status and the importance of their roles.

Gu Xiao was already used to this kind of class division and consciously stood at the back of the line.

Media reporters had already set up their cameras, and flashes began to go off, recording every step of the opening ceremony.

The auspicious time has arrived!

Yu Jianming and Li Dawei, as producer and director, stepped forward first, holding three incense sticks, and bowed solemnly in worship before inserting the incense into the incense burner.

Following them were the lead actors Chen Kun and Dong Jie, among others.

Gu Xiao watched quietly, absorbing the traditional, ritualistic atmosphere of the industry.

When it was their turn to offer incense together, Gu Xiao followed the crowd, took the incense from the staff, bowed, and placed the incense sticks in the same manner.

He performed the entire process meticulously, but felt quite helpless inside.

"May the filming of 'The Story of a Noble Family' begin soon!"

The atmosphere reached its climax as You Jianming and Li Dawei together tore down the red silk covering the plaque.

All the main creators stood together, smiling at the media cameras.

Gu Xiao stood at the edge of the crowd and clapped softly.

Amidst the confetti raining down and enthusiastic applause, he murmured with emotion:
"It's finally started!"

(End of this chapter)