Reborn in the Hong Kong entertainment industry in the 1980s

The costume design team originally designed the costumes according to Wang Shasha's requirements, which were too flamboyant and obviously unsuitable for action scenes.

After Hu Xiaoxiao took over the production team, she instructed the costume department to change the flamboyant style and redesign the costumes to be more streamlined and stylish, suitable for action scenes.

For TV dramas with a martial arts theme, the action scenes must be visually appealing.

Hu Xiaoxiao has already played ethereal and fairy-like roles, so this time she needs to make a change and not have the same monotonous look as before, which would cause visual fatigue for the audience.

Hu Xiaoxiao hired a professional martial arts instructor, Nie Jinlong, who was also an old acquaintance, to help her.

After hearing Hu Xiaoxiao's request, Nie Jinlong's face lit up with excitement, and he said, "Xiaoxiao, do you want to try something more professional?"

"What defines a professional?" Hu Xiaoxiao asked.

Nie Jinlong said, "It's as professional as the martial arts in the movies."

Hu Xiaoxiao said without hesitation, "If others can do it, so can I."

"I love your straightforward personality." Nie Jinlong was even more excited than Hu Xiaoxiao.

He collaborated with Hu Xiaoxiao twice, and each time he felt he was fulfilling a dream. He felt that he wasn't helping Hu Xiaoxiao, but rather that Hu Xiaoxiao was helping him fulfill his dream.

As a martial arts instructor with a background in the martial arts world, Nie Jinlong has a long-held dream that he regrets he cannot realize. That dream is to promote and develop authentic martial arts, to truly showcase traditional culture to the audience, and to let them appreciate the beauty of martial arts, rather than just putting on a show for the camera that is all show and no substance.

Nie Jinlong told Hu Xiaoxiao his ideas without reservation, knowing that Hu Xiaoxiao could understand and do what he was told. Although she joined halfway through, Hu Xiaoxiao managed to do even better than those who came from martial arts backgrounds.

Hu Xiaoxiao understood Nie Jinlong's idea and offered her suggestion: "Pure martial arts fighting style is indeed professional, but it also needs to incorporate current popular elements. In other words, we should combine the two, having both the tension and intensity of real martial arts fights and the visual appeal of modern wire work and special effects, combining realism and romanticism..."

As Nie Jinlong listened, his mind began to flow with inspiration again. As soon as he finished talking with Hu Xiaoxiao, he immediately ran to write down what was in his mind.

He ambitiously wanted to make this drama the pinnacle of martial arts dramas.

Halfway through writing, he went to find Hu Xiaoxiao again and said, "For the action scenes to be good, you can't just focus on the two main characters. The supporting actors must also be skilled enough. The effect is better when they are evenly matched. As for casting, Xiaoxiao, I suggest you find some people with a solid foundation or who can endure hardship."

Otherwise, if your opponent is all show and no substance, even if you have real skills, the audience will still think you're just playing around.

It's easy to get distracted from the story.

Hu Xiaoxiao agreed with Nie Jinlong's idea, saying, "Teacher, you are the martial arts director. No one in the station knows better than you who has the skills and can fight well. Give me a list, and I will discuss with Director Ge how to match the roles based on appearance."

"No problem, wait for my message." The newly appointed Nie Jinlong, full of confidence, ran off again.

While Hu Xiaoxiao was busy making preparations, Wang Shasha, still unable to swallow her anger, whispered in Qiu Lihua's ear and proposed a new project, determined to compete with Hu Xiaoxiao.

Hu Xiaoxiao filmed "Mu Guiying", and Wang Shasha filmed "Fan Lihua".

Wang Shasha specifically requested Yao Wenlong to write the script for "Fan Lihua," wanting it to be no worse than "Mu Guiying."

Yao Wenlong was lucky he didn't get too angry when he received this task.

He almost ruined his grand ideals last time, and now he's doing it again?

Yao Wenlong spoke directly to his team leader, senior screenwriter Sun Zhiming, saying, "Director Ge wants to revise the script of 'Mu Guiying' in a few places and add some plot details. I may not have time to write a new script. Team leader, you should find someone else."

Sun Zhiming said, "You've been specifically requested by the higher-ups. You just need to participate. I'll arrange a few other screenwriters to help you."

"Does the team leader mean I can't just refuse to write it?"

“The novel ‘Fan Lihua’ originated from a Qing Dynasty novel. You can find the novel, refer to it, and borrow some content from the opera. Write out the outline, and let other playwrights add the content. That counts as your writing.”

Sun Zhiming was also annoyed by Wang Shasha because she had done this kind of thing more than once. Her acting was terrible; even with a great script, the production would still be a disaster. Several well-received dramas were salvaged entirely by other actors. So, whether the script was good or bad, the result was the same.

"For reference, right? Okay, no problem!" Yao Wenlong adjusted his glasses.

He had actually read about the character Fan Lihua before, and he had also researched information about other female heroes such as Hua Mulan.

Therefore, he had some understanding of Fan Lihua's general image, and it was precisely because of this understanding that he did not choose the role of Fan Lihua.

Because the character of Fan Lihua in Qing Dynasty novels is very vague, and the stories are absurd and bizarre, with things like going to heaven and earth, moving mountains and filling seas, which are as far-fetched as myths.

Does Wang Shasha want to act in this role?

He wrote it!

The second version I conceived for "Mu Guiying" last time, a version specifically designed for Wang Shasha, would be a waste not to use it.

After making up his mind, Yao Wenlong even called Hu Xiaoxiao to tell her about Wang Shasha's challenge to a duel.

"Xiaoxiao, you need to film your 'Mu Guiying' as soon as possible. Wang Shasha will probably broadcast it first, and you'll be at a disadvantage then." Yao Wenlong also offered a suggestion, "How about I delay the script a bit, and hand it over to her after you've finished filming?"

Hu Xiaoxiao was surprised by Yao Wenlong's support and laughed, "Ah Long, thank you. However, there's no need to ruin your reputation for Wang Shasha. Just write it however you want. Since your team leader has said so, just make an outline and let the other screenwriters write the rest."

Don't worry about me. I'm confident in myself. Let her try to air it first. If she's going to rush, she'll have to rush, and rushing will inevitably result in shoddy production. The audience will teach her a lesson. After "Mu Guiying" airs, with the comparison, the audience will know whose drama is good and whose is bad.

Actually, I would rather defeat her when she was at her most capable and at her best.

Her opponent wasn't Wang Shasha; Wang Shasha was just a side character.

After hearing Hu Xiaoxiao's words, Yao Wenlong's anger subsided considerably. "I'll listen to you and the team leader. There's another matter. Director Ge said that the budget for the 'Mu Guiying' production team is large, and with Ji Sheng's support, we can add ten more episodes to finish the story of Mu Guiying breaking the Heavenly Gate Formation."

"Then let's do as Director Ge says."

Although Charlie initially set a target of twenty episodes, that was based on insufficient funding. Now that funding is plentiful and Hu Xiaoxiao has more say, she can certainly add a few more episodes.

Director Ge is a professional in this field, so Hu Xiaoxiao entrusted everything to her.