A widower's entertainment

The filming of "Our Millionaire" went very smoothly. Although Lin Zhaomei is a new director, she has a very good grasp of the overall production.

The scenes in the mountain village have now finished filming, and Leslie Cheung has also left the crew.

The crew also moved to the western part of the city in the north to film the later scenes at the mine.

It can be said that the entire filming process was proceeding smoothly. Everyone in the crew took the film very seriously because director Lin Zhaomei was very strict. In particular, with Lin Youcheng, a big name in the film industry, in charge, there were naturally no problems. No one thought about dealing with Lin Zhaomei or about the male lead Jiang Wen undermining director Lu Chuan during the filming of the movie "Looking for a Gun".

It's safe to say that no one in the "Our Millionaire" crew dared to have any other ideas about Lin Zhaomei.
Of course, the most important thing is that director Lin Zhaomei herself is still able to control the situation. Although she is young, she is very professional, and no one dares to underestimate this young female director.

In fact, female directors are always rare in the industry, let alone a young female director like Lin Zhaomei who is still a student. They are hard to find even with a lantern. But now, this young female director, Lin Zhaomei, is shooting the feature film "Our Millionaire".

Despite her young age, Lin Zhaomei was already quite knowledgeable about film crew matters. After all, she was a graduate of the Directing Department of Beijing Film Academy, had experience shooting short films, and had learned from other directors on film crews. Naturally, she knew very well how to coordinate and allocate the crew members, especially since there was an executive director and assistant director on the crew besides her.

Lin Youcheng was actually quite pleased to see Lin Zhaomei filming on set, feeling a sense of pride, like watching his daughter grow up.

I didn't notice it when filming the short film "Destiny," but now that Lin Zhaomei is filming the feature film "Our Millionaire," she truly has the aura of a director. She insists on her own requirements no matter what happens and doesn't show any courtesy to the cinematographers and lighting technicians.

Li Xuejian had met Lin Zhaomei a long time ago, and his participation in the movie "Our Millionaire" with Lü Xiaohe was also for Lin Youcheng's sake.

Of course, after reading the script for "Our Millionaire," they were both well aware that their roles were far from simple and that their parts were very important.

Looking at Lin Zhaomei, Li Xuejian couldn't help but sigh, "Zhaomei has grown up so much! She's a director now. Time really flies!"

Hearing Li Xuejian's sigh, Lin Youcheng smiled and nodded, saying, "Yes, time really flies."

"Thank you so much for agreeing to take on this role!"

Upon hearing Lin Youcheng's words, Li Xuejian quickly waved his hand and said, "Don't say that. After reading the script, I realized how good this play is. Although this role is a villain, it is a very good opportunity for the actor."

Li Xuejian didn't care about the villainous role; he was more shocked by Lin Youcheng's creation of the character in "Our Millionaire," thinking the script was truly brilliant.

His portrayal of Tang Chaoyang was truly ruthless. This character, along with another man named Song Jinming, used utterly depraved methods to amass wealth. They specifically targeted migrant workers who had no other means of employment. They then created fake identities for them, making them appear as their "relatives." They then sent these migrant workers to work in coal mines, where they staged "safety accidents" to kill their "relatives."

The two men, posing as relatives of the victim, approached the mine owner and settled the matter privately, receiving a generous compensation payment. This method brought them considerable success, gradually transforming them into inhuman "demons." This time, their target was Xu Qingshan, whom they had been watching at the train station. Based on their observations, Xu Qingshan was from a rural area, naive and inexperienced in society, making him a perfect target. After finding the young man, they used their old methods to obtain a fake identity for him.

The story then unfolds from Xu Qingshan's perspective: Xu Qingshan went out to work to earn money and also to find his father.

It was at this time that Song Jinming discovered that Xu Qingshan was the son of someone they had previously killed. Song Jinming's son was the same age as Xu Qingshan, and Xu Qingshan's kindness, simplicity, innocence, and thoughtfulness often reminded Song Jinming of his own child.

Thus, Song Jinming felt compassion and hesitated to kill Xu Qingshan. Meanwhile, Tang Chaoyang, played by Li Xuejian, gradually developed a conflict with Song Jinming due to his hesitation and indecision, and the two eventually turned against each other in the mine and killed one another.

Li Xuejian doesn't care that his character is portrayed as entirely villainous; he just didn't expect such a thing to happen. The key is that this is something that has actually happened in the news, and he is truly heartbroken. He also feels that such stories should be filmed so that more people know about them, raise awareness, and prevent tragedies from happening again.

Of course, besides that, Li Xuejian also greatly admires Lin Youcheng's story "Our Millionaire," which transforms a cruel reality into a romantic one. It's truly amazing, with its design of one question after another that is absolutely perfect.

Without a doubt, what Li Xuejian was thinking was the same as what many people in the crew were thinking: Lin Youcheng's script was absolutely brilliant. The story behind each problem could be taken and made into a complete story for another movie. Just like the experience the crew is currently filming in this dark mine, it is too thrilling and breathtaking.

"Youcheng, you wrote a really good story!"

Li Xuejian couldn't help but exclaim, "Our Millionaire is a really good story, and I'm honored to have been able to participate in this movie."

This is also Li Xuejian's true feeling. He feels very honored to be able to participate in the production of such a film. Although he does not know how the finished product will be, he believes that the film will not be bad, especially after he saw the filming skills of the young director Lin Zhaomei. He thinks that a great film may be produced.

Of course, this is also Li Xuejian's hope and expectation.

Upon hearing Li Xuejian's words, Lin Youcheng naturally smiled and thanked Li Xuejian again. He knew that no matter what, Li Xuejian's willingness to play this supporting role was ultimately due to Lin Youcheng's influence and favors.

However, Lin Youcheng felt that if anyone owed a favor, it was Li Xuejian who played Yu Zecheng in "Lurking". You should know that Li Xuejian was not famous at that time. Lin Youcheng recommended him to play the role of Yu Zecheng. Li Xuejian became famous with the role of Yu Zecheng and won the Golden Eagle Award for Best Actor.

As for Lü Xiaohe, he actually shared the same idea as Li Xuejian. He collaborated with Lin Youcheng twice, and the last time, "Crossing the Guandong" made him popular again, and he also won the Golden Eagle Award for Best Actor. It can be said that "Crossing the Guandong" is also his representative work.

Lü Xiaohe feels great to be able to play the role of Song Jinming in "Our Millionaire". As an old actor, he doesn't really care whether he plays the lead or a supporting role. Otherwise, he wouldn't have played Wu Zhiguo in "The Message".

He and Li Xuejian shared the same opinion and both thought that the script for "Our Millionaire" was exceptionally well-written.

These two veteran actors felt honored, but the one who truly felt lucky was the film's male lead, Duan Long. He genuinely felt fortunate to have the opportunity to act alongside veteran actors Li Xuejian and Lü Xiaohe. He felt a lot of pressure, but he was also very clear that to play the role of Xu Qingshan well, he needed to shed his inhibitions and seriously portray the character. Xu Qingshan is currently a clueless rural man, and Duan Long is also a newcomer, lacking knowledge in many areas. This naiveté is precisely what allows him to portray the current Xu Qingshan.

The scenes to be filmed now are inside the mine. All departments are ready, and Duan Long and two other senior actors, Li Xuejian and Lü Xiaohe, have finished their makeup, taken their positions, and are rehearsing their lines.

After rehearsing their lines, Li Xuejian asked, "Shall we start?"

Li Xuejian actually felt somewhat depressed during the scene in the mine, but as an actor, he naturally had to play his role well and portray this utterly depraved character effectively.

Wearing miner's clothes, his face tanned and covered in soot, Duan Long nodded naturally when he heard Li Xuejian ask this question.

Lü Xiaohe nodded. They had already gone over the scenes several times and could start immediately. He also thought that Duan Long was a good young actor, and as a student of the Central Academy of Drama, he had a very good foundation. It was obvious that he had really prepared for this role and put in a lot of effort.

Actually, scenes like the one in the mine are not easy to film. After all, it's underground, and the script is about people dying in the mine. The dark and claustrophobic space can be very oppressive, and the atmosphere is not good. Of course, the crew is professional, and the actors don't care about such things. They don't feel tired. Everything is for the play and for the role.

Of course, filming has now officially begun, and it will be conducted under the guidance and supervision of professional mine workers to ensure the safety of the crew in all aspects.
Filming in a mine is inherently difficult; the dark, confined space creates a sense of oppression, and the plot revolving around a "murder case underground" only adds to the gloom. Even with professional mine personnel providing guidance and ensuring safety throughout, the crew couldn't hide their instinctive fear when descending into the mine in the cage. The main transport tunnel was bitterly cold, while the working face was unbearably hot and humid, with harsh air currents mixed with smoke and dust. Everyone had to cover their mouths and noses and carefully move to the filming area.

Now, the production team strives for realism, filming on location in a mine, which naturally creates a sense of oppression. This is especially true since this particular scene is a crucial and important one.

With all departments in place, lighting and sound effects ready, a pivotal scene that will set the tone for the film is about to begin shooting.

"1, 2, 3, Action!" The script supervisor's voice rang out, and filming officially began. In the dimly lit mine, only the light from three headlamps pierced the darkness. The monotonous color scheme perfectly highlighted the oppressive core of the story. Lü Xiaohe, who played Song Jinming, was thin and squatted on the ground, his voice low and hoarse: "You've seen that photo. The migrant worker we killed before was probably his father."

"If we really kill him, their family line will end. That's not fair!"

"Besides, he's still a child!"

Li Xuejian, who plays Tang Chaoyang, has a fierce glint in his eyes, like a wolf poised to pounce. He lowers his voice and shouts angrily, "What?! It's not him at all! He's not his father at all! Stop talking, stop—!"

The words abruptly stopped, and from the depths of darkness, a beam of light slowly approached.

Duan Long, who plays Xu Qingshan, emerges from the darkness. The light from his headlamp casts dappled shadows on his charcoal-black face. His tone is innocent and pure, like a clueless young boy. Although his face is covered in charcoal, his eyes are bright. He says, "Uncle Tang, Second Uncle, the water is here."

Duan Long unscrewed the kettle and handed it to Li Xuejian, but the other shook his head: "I don't want any. Give it to your second uncle."

Duan Long then walked over and sat down next to Lü Xiaohe, handing her the kettle.

"Qingshan, are you homesick?" Lü Xiaohe's voice echoed in the gloomy mine, carrying an eerie feeling.

"Of course I want to," Duan Long's voice was innocent.

"Then let your second uncle take you home," Li Xuejian's voice suddenly interrupted.

"No, I haven't earned enough money yet." Duan Long's performance was very realistic, like a naive young man who didn't understand the murderous intent behind the word "go home," still carrying a hint of stubbornness. The next second, the chill in the mine suddenly intensified—Li Xuejian grabbed the shovel beside him and smashed it hard against Lü Xiaohe.

Lu Xiaohe fell to the ground, and at that moment Li Xuejian pressed closer. Duan Long's eyes instantly filled with confusion and fear, and he retreated repeatedly. Lu Xiaohe, who had fallen to the ground, suddenly got up and swung another shovel at Li Xuejian, but it was swallowed by darkness in an instant under the headlamp light.

At that moment, Duan Long was completely terrified. He turned around and ran frantically into the darkness outside the mine, the sounds of fighting behind him gradually merging with the darkness...

Darkness. The last light in the monitor disappeared, leaving only darkness.

It must be said that Li Xuejian and Lü Xiaohe are both absolute acting talents; their acting skills are simply superb.

Just by looking at their eyes and listening to their lines, you can feel the character's emotions. That kind of tearing and ruthlessness is even more chilling in the dark mine.

Of course, Duan Long's performance was good, but it was also a bit raw. However, this rawness was exactly what the scene needed, because Duan Long didn't expect all of this to happen so suddenly. He was just a simple, naive young man who didn't understand anything and hadn't yet witnessed the boundless darkness of human nature.

Darkness of human nature, it really is darkness of human nature.

Lin Zhaomei was undoubtedly very satisfied with this scene; it was truly excellent!

As she watched Li Xuejian, Lü Xiaohe, and Duan Long's scene on the monitor, her heart pounded wildly. They were acting so well!

That was truly breathtaking and thrilling! (End of Chapter)