Reborn in the Hong Kong entertainment industry in the 1980s

"I can't play this role." Xia Lu didn't want to play a villain, especially a ruthless female villain, because it would ruin her popularity with the audience.

"Your acting is good; you can handle Masako Yamamoto."

"Director Qi, you promised Xiu, but now you're making me play a villain?"

"I promised Xiu I'd take care of you and give you an important role. Yamamoto Masako is a very important role; she has the most screen time of the three, and it's a type of role you haven't played before. Xia Lu, maybe with your acting skills, you'll bring an unexpected surprise to this role."

Qi Weiming then said earnestly to Xia Lu, "I know you're returning to television with the idea of ​​making a name for yourself. But have you considered that the world has changed after all these years away, and the audience's tastes have changed too? Have you thought about what path you want to take? If you want to go back to the route of the young actresses you used to be, and play youthful and sweet leading ladies again, then you will inevitably fail. Because you are not young anymore, you can't be as young and sweet as you were back then, and you can't play cute characters anymore."

Qi Weiming's words pierced Xia Lu's heart like a knife. They hurt her so much that she couldn't say a word.

“I suggest you take a look at You Na,” Qi Weiming said. “She’s not much younger than you, but she established her image early on, took on roles strategically, and carved out her own niche. She’s not afraid of not having roles as she gets older. Moreover, the new female elite image she portrays becomes more effective as she gets older. Of course, I’m not telling you to copy her, but to give you some insights.”

Qi Weiming rarely talks so much to his actors, but he offered Xia Lu a few more words of advice because of his friendship with Xiu. "I made the decision to let you play Yamamoto Masako after considering your feelings. If you want to make a strong comeback, you can't take the usual path. You have to find another way. Whether you can play Yamamoto Masako well and whether you can make a lasting impression on the audience depends on your abilities."

"Director Qi, do I really have to act in this role?" Qi Weiming's words made Xia Lu understand many things, but she was still very upset. Her eyes were red, and she looked at Qi Weiming pitifully.

Qi Weiming, unusually soft-hearted, comforted her, "You don't need to be afraid that playing a villain will alienate the audience. First, you need to tell the audience that you're back, that the Xia Lu they once loved is back. Later, I'll try to get you a leading role in a drama with the female lead, so you can play some positive characters and change the audience's perception. And you also have Xiu. Xiu said he was the one who held you back, and he'll try to get you some resources. You won't lack resources, you'll only lack the ability to stand on your own two feet."

After Qi Weiming's encouragement, Xia Lu felt much better; she had no choice but to. What else could she do? In the end, she agreed to take on the role of Yamamoto Masako and secured a role in her next project from Qi Weiming.

After all the preparations were completed, the production team asked a feng shui master to select an auspicious day for the start of filming.

People in Baogang believe in feng shui and deities. They pray before doing anything, and they pray even more solemnly when doing important things.

Hu Xiaoxiao, as one of the main actors, will also attend today's opening ceremony.

Hu Xiaoxiao had attended several opening ceremony prayers for the filming of a new production, and the larger the production, the more elaborate the ceremony. Today's ceremony was far from the small-scale events she had attended before; it was the biggest opening ceremony she had ever organized since her debut. Not only the crew and lead actors, but even President Lu said he wanted to come and pray to Guan Gong for good luck.

Hu Xiaoxiao arrived at the film studio half an hour early. After parking the car, Zhu Wanwen also arrived, and the two of them went to the film studio for a stroll.

A new Shanghai street in the style of the Republic of China era was built in the film and television city. "The Bund" was the first TV series filmed after this street was built. Or rather, "The Bund" was written specifically for this street.

Since the film studio is also part of the parent group's business, if "The Bund" is well-made and becomes a hit, more films about old Shanghai will follow suit, and Ji Sheng's income will increase again.

The two strolled around and chatted, and since they were in a film studio, their conversation inevitably revolved around things related to the place.

"Huh? This film crew hasn't finished filming yet?" Hu Xiaoxiao passed by an old-style house and saw a sign outside that read "The Story of an Old House" in production. She said to Zhu Wanwen, "I remember this movie started filming half a year ago, and it's still not finished. How much money did they invest to make it take so long?"

Zhu Wanwen looked over and saw the movie title. She immediately pulled Hu Xiaoxiao away in a hurry. After crossing a street, she said to Hu Xiaoxiao, "This movie had some trouble before. While filming, some actors saw something evil, and things have been going wrong for them. I heard that during the opening ceremony, some actors said things they shouldn't have said. Plus, they're making a ghost movie, so they've been haunted."

"So eerie?" Hu Xiaoxiao heard the gossip and wanted to run back to see if there really was something evil inside.

Zhu Wanwen was unwilling to let Hu Xiaoxiao go. She quickly grabbed Hu Xiaoxiao and said, "Don't cause trouble. Today we are going to worship the gods. We want good fortune. We should avoid places with bad luck."

Feeling a little disappointed that she couldn't see what was going on, Hu Xiaoxiao asked, "Since you bumped into something bad, why did you still dare to take pictures?"

Zhu Wanwen was used to it and said, "Those who make supernatural films will more or less encounter these kinds of strange things. If they stopped filming as soon as something happened, where would all the ghost movies in Baogang come from? Their crew has already consulted a master and performed a ritual to make sure there were no problems before continuing to film."

Then, Zhu Wanwen told Hu Xiaoxiao about many supernatural events she encountered during filming, which Hu Xiaoxiao listened to with great interest.

Zhu Wanwen stopped talking when they arrived at the opening ceremony of "The Bund". She then instructed Hu Xiaoxiao: "Be sweet-talking and say auspicious words. Don't say anything bad or unlucky. Although Director Qi is very professional, he is very superstitious."

Hu Xiaoxiao nodded. "I saw it."

Hu Xiaoxiao could see from a distance that Director Qi Weiming was wearing bright red clothes, as were several other crew members, all dressed in bright red, symbolizing a prosperous and thriving future.

On the altar, a statue of Guan Yu has been placed, along with roasted pig and fresh fruit.

There was also a camera, covered by a red cloth.

Jiang Yu, the protagonist of "The Bund", also arrived. Zhu Wanwen pulled Hu Xiaoxiao over to greet Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu was in a good mood today. She smiled at the two of them and said, "The ceremony is about to begin. Don't wander around. If you can't find me, Director Qi will be angry."

Zhu Wanwen assured her that it wouldn't happen.

Jiang Yu saw that the male lead, Song Yan'an, had also arrived, and beckoned him over.

They've worked together at the TV station for so many years; they're old friends.

Song Yan'an was very approachable. After greeting Jiang Yu, he said to Hu Xiaoxiao, "Congratulations on getting the role of Xie Wei'an."