Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 256, Section 254: Best Sisters, Hand in Hand
On the first day of October, the sky over Beijing was a clear, deep blue, with a few wisps of thin clouds like light washes of paint applied by a painter.

The autumn sun, having shed the harshness of summer, became warm and bright, casting dappled light and shadow on the ground through the temporary set windows of the "Happy Family" film studio at Huairou Film and Television Base.

Wang Sheng sat behind the monitor, his brows slightly furrowed, intently watching Huang Bo and Li Xiaoran perform a scene where they interacted with their "family" in a "dream".

The only sounds on set were the actors' lines, the slight friction of the camera tracks moving, and Wang Sheng's occasional brief instructions via walkie-talkie.

"Cut!" Wang Sheng called a halt and said into the microphone, "Bo'er, make the emotional progression more obvious, from irritation to that unconscious doting, the layers need to come through. Xiao Ran, as an observer, add a little more curiosity and a hint of being touched in your eyes."

"Okay, Director Wang."

"Understood, Director Wang."

Huang Bo and Li Xiaoran nodded, each pondering their roles.

Just then, a slight commotion arose at the entrance to the film set.

The assistant director quickly walked to Wang Sheng's side and whispered, "Mr. Wang, Gao Yuanyuan and Fan Xiaopang have arrived. They said they're visiting the set."

Wang Sheng looked up, his gaze passing over the busy staff, and sure enough, he saw two casually dressed but undeniably youthful and beautiful figures standing outside the cordon, tiptoeing and peering inside.

Gao Yuanyuan wore a beige knitted cardigan with jeans, looking fresh and gentle; Fan Xiaopang, on the other hand, wore a cool black leather jacket and skinny jeans, with sunglasses pushed up on his head, looking fashionable and eye-catching.

Both of them were carrying several paper bags printed with the logo of a well-known pastry shop.

Wang Sheng glanced at the film crew who were adjusting the camera positions and lighting, pondered for a moment, and instructed his assistant: "Have them wait in the rest area and don't disturb the filming."

"clear."

Gao Yuanyuan and Fan Xiaopang were led by staff to a rest area with several folding chairs and a small table.

They sat down obediently, placed the snacks and drinks they had brought on the table, and then really settled down. They didn't make a lot of noise or try to get closer to Wang Sheng. They just kept looking longingly at the director's monitor from time to time.

Fan Xiaopang's presence here, and the fact that he seemed to have rekindled his former intimacy with Gao Yuanyuan, is undoubtedly due in no small part to Gao Yuanyuan's efforts over the past month.

Especially on September 16th, Fan Xiaopang's eighteenth birthday, Gao Yuanyuan went to great lengths to give him a very memorable gift—a custom-made pure gold bracelet with two abstract figures embracing each other as the pendant, and the initials of their names and the words "18 Forever" engraved on the inside.

The gift wasn't so expensive as to seem distant, yet it was full of sisterly affection and adult blessings, perfectly soothing Fan Xiaopang's aggrieved and angry heart at the time, which felt "betrayed."

In addition, Gao Yuanyuan spoke softly and gently, repeatedly explaining that her relationship with Wang Sheng was not the "official" one she had imagined, but rather one that she couldn't help herself, and assuring her that it would never affect their sisterly bond, which gradually calmed Fan Xiaopang's anger down.

Of course, how much of this was out of consideration for Wang Sheng's reputation and their own future is unknown.

At this moment, taking advantage of the start of the National Day Golden Week (this is the first seven-day holiday in China caused by the adjustment of work schedules, from October 1st to 7th, a time of national celebration, which also brought an unprecedented tourism and consumption boom), the two hit it off and came to the film set with a clear goal - to 'kidnap' Wang Sheng to watch "The Birth of a Warrior".

During a break in filming, Wang Sheng walked over, took a sip of water, and glanced at the two girls.

"Brother Sheng!" The two immediately stood up, their faces beaming with sweet smiles.

"What brings you here today?" Wang Sheng asked casually.

Fan Xiaopang answered first: "School's on holiday, for a full seven days! I heard you're working very hard filming here, so I brought some food and drinks to visit you on set."

He pointed to the desserts on the table.

Gao Yuanyuan quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, Mr. Wang, we were all well-behaved and didn't disturb your work, did we?"

She tried to make her eyes look sincere and innocent. Wang Sheng glanced at them, then at the pile of desserts and drinks on the table, which was clearly quite substantial, and gestured to the stagehand next to him: "Take these and distribute them to the staff."

"Thank you, Mr. Wang!"

The stagehand responded happily.

Wang Sheng turned his gaze back to the two girls and asked directly, "Is there something you need?"

Gao Yuanyuan and Fan Xiaopang exchanged a glance, and Gao Yuanyuan spoke up, her voice soft and pleading: "Brother Sheng, tonight... let's go see 'The Birth of a Warrior' together, okay? The newspapers all say this movie is amazing, and we've read your review too. We feel like we'd be doing this National Day a disservice if we didn't go see it!"

Fan Xiaopang nodded vigorously from the side: "Yes, President Wang, we all really want to see it! We've already inquired about the tickets, and there are tickets available for the evening show!"

Wang Sheng looked at today's shooting schedule. The main scenes should be finished by the afternoon. The evening was originally reserved for reviewing the footage shot during the day, so a slight adjustment wouldn't be a problem.

He looked at the two pairs of expectant eyes blinking at him, remained silent for a few seconds, and finally relented: "Go buy the tickets, for a later showing."

"yeah!"

The two girls jumped for joy, almost leaping up, but quickly covered their mouths, afraid of disrupting the order on set.

"Let's go right now!" Fan Xiaopang grabbed Gao Yuanyuan and ran out happily to buy tickets.

Wang Sheng looked at their energetic backs, shook his head, and turned back to continue filming.

Around 8 p.m., the number of people outside a high-end cinema in Beijing was noticeably greater than usual, indicating the initial effects of the Golden Week holiday.

Wang Sheng, dressed in a simple dark jacket and wearing a baseball cap, appeared discreetly at the ticket gate.

Gao Yuanyuan and Fan Xiaopang followed him on either side. One wore a gentle beige dress, and the other wore playful denim overalls. Both were dressed up carefully, and their faces were flushed with excitement, though this was hidden by their masks.

Find the corresponding theater and sit down according to the seat number on your ticket.

Perhaps it was intentional on Fan Xiaopang's part, but the seating order was Fan Xiaopang, Wang Sheng, and Gao Yuanyuan.

The theater lights dimmed, the dragon logo appeared, and the movie was about to begin.

The grand opening music creates a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Just as the vast Gobi Desert appeared on the screen, Wang Sheng felt his hands being grasped at the same time.

He turned his head slightly to the left. Fan Xiaopang's hand was a little cold, with a slight, imperceptible tremor, and he gripped his left hand tightly, his fingers even exerting a little force, as if confirming something.

On the right, Gao Yuanyuan's hand was warm and soft. She gently placed her hand into Wang Sheng's palm, and then carefully intertwined her fingers with his. Her movements were gentle but carried an unyielding determination.

Wang Sheng tried to pull his hand away, but both hands were gripped tightly.

If they were to forcibly break free, the noise in the quiet theater would be too much of a blow to the two girls' pride.

He leaned back in his chair in despair, giving up the struggle.

Never mind, let them be.

(End of this chapter)