Chinese Entertainment: Directors Start with the Fairy Sister

"Director Zhang, Director Yu, we're not filming today, are we?"

Upon hearing Huang Xiaoming's question, Liu Yifei realized what had happened. Looking at the crew whose filming had been suspended because of her, she said apologetically, "I'm sorry, everyone, I've delayed the filming schedule."

"How about I change into a new costume and continue filming? There's only one scene left here, so I don't need to come back tomorrow."

"No!"

Liu Xiaoli immediately voiced her opposition.

Her daughter had just encountered a crisis, and the equipment and location had not been professionally tested or surveyed. She absolutely would not allow her daughter to continue filming.

Filming is important, but nothing is more important than my daughter's safety!

"I think we shouldn't film it?"

Zhao Yanxi looked at Zhang Dahuzi, who was itching to get started. This guy really had no humanity. No wonder he made Liu Yifei develop cervical spondylosis. He just had to make the filming so intense.

Although the acting profession offers a level of glamour that most people don't enjoy, it also means enduring pressure that most people can't bear. But Liu Yifei is only 17 years old! How can they disregard the "Law on the Protection of Minors"?!

"Drowning doesn't seem dangerous, but sometimes water getting into the airway can easily cause colds, fevers, and inflammation. I can swim, and I'm okay now that I've held my breath, but shouldn't Yifei go to the hospital for a checkup?"

"Yes, yes, we should check it!"

Liu Xiaoli then realized what was happening and quickly agreed.

"Alright. Everyone's been scared and exhausted today, let's film the rest tomorrow."

Although Zhang Jizhong felt bad about the expenses of equipment shutdown and staff standby, and was used to pushing the schedule to its limit, he didn't dare to take the risk when it came to this.

"Xiao Zhao, you should also get checked out. The crew will reimburse the expenses."

"OK!"

"Xiao Zhao, why don't you come with us?" Liu Xiaoli offered.

"Thank you, Auntie. Then I won't be polite."

……

We arrived at the hospital.

While writing out the examination forms, Zhao Yanxi reminded her, "Auntie, please write out a form for Yifei to have her cervical spine checked. The wire broke, and there's a risk of neck injury."

"Is everything alright? I feel perfectly fine..."

Liu Yifei was somewhat puzzled, but Liu Xiaoli readily agreed.

"That makes sense!"

When it comes to loving her daughter, Liu Xiaoli is second to none!

After a thorough examination, the respiratory tract was found to be perfectly healthy.

However, regarding Zhao Yanxi's suggestion about the cervical spine, Liu Yifei, despite her young age, has a very worrying physical condition.

"The curvature of the cervical spine is already slightly stiff, and the intervertebral space is slightly narrowed. These are typical early signs of cervical spondylosis."

"Doctor, what's going on? At her age..." Liu Xiaoli asked, bewildered, "How could she have cervical spondylosis?"

"It's not cervical spondylosis yet," the middle-aged doctor adjusted his glasses, looking at the X-ray carefully, and said seriously, "It's just a precursor. It's probably because you've been looking down too much. And you're not from an ethnic minority, so you don't have the habit of balancing things on your heads, right?"

"This looks like it's caused by excessive stress on the head in recent months."

Zhao Yanxi was filled with awe. This...this...this is a miracle doctor! She never expected that such a miracle doctor would be hidden in this small town hospital!

"Yes," Liu Xiaoli said worriedly, "I have indeed been studying harder lately, doctor. Is there any way to treat this? Or can we go to a big city like Beijing for treatment?"

"It's incurable."

The doctor put down the scans, shook his head, and said, "If you can't change your lifestyle, it won't help you go anywhere."

"this..."

Liu Xiaoli looked troubled. "The Return of the Condor Heroes" was a resource that had been hard-won, so she couldn't just give it up.

However, Zhang Dahuzi's filming schedule could not be delayed because of his daughter alone.

Zhao Yanxi, however, recalled the traditional Chinese medicine skills that the original owner had learned from a reclusive Taoist practitioner on the mountain.

"Doctor, do you think that if we make slight changes to our lifestyle, and supplement it with traditional Chinese medicine therapies such as physiotherapy, massage, and acupuncture, could this condition improve?"

"Hmm... Traditional Chinese medicine is definitely useful, but the most important thing is to change our current living conditions..."

After leaving the hospital, Zhao Yanxi earnestly advised, "Auntie, the doctor has already made it very clear."

"Yifei can't take on such intense filming anymore. This is a good opportunity to talk to Director Zhang and make things clear!"

"But won't this affect the filming schedule? I'm afraid Director Zhang won't agree," Liu Xiaoli said with some worry in her eyes.

"No, it won't," Zhao Yanxi shook her head and said, "As long as the director coordinates properly and plans the actors' shooting schedule well, under appropriate shooting intensity, it won't affect the schedule at all."

"It's just that Zhang Jizhong wouldn't plan anything for a minor actor."

In the original timeline, Zhao Yanxi had studied directing for five years and worked in the film and television industry for six or seven years, so she was quite knowledgeable about directing techniques.

"Okay!" After hesitating for a moment, Liu Xiaoli nodded firmly: "Even if we offend Zhang Jizhong, it doesn't matter. Nothing is more important than Qianqian's health."

Just as Zhao Yanxi was marveling at Liu Xiaoli's unparalleled maternal love, she heard Liu Xiaoli murmur softly, "Anyway, Qianqian probably won't be acting in TV dramas anymore..."

"Auntie, is this you!"

Zhao Yanxi gave a thumbs up, and Liu Yifei hugged Liu Xiaoli's arm, saying, "Mom, you're the best!"

"Ding ding ding... ding ding ding..."

Just then, Zhao Yanxi's phone rang.

Zhao Yanxi took out her phone and saw it was Editor Wang. A thought struck her. She apologized to the mother and daughter and answered the phone: "Hello, Editor Wang?"

Nokia was amazing; it could still make calls even after walking through a waterfall.

"Yan Da, I've negotiated a really good policy with the publishing house!"

"A buyout for 30, or 8% of the copyright revenue! What do you think?"

"..."

Zhao Yanxi remained silent for a long while, then asked quietly, "Editor Wang, what's so good about this? Only 30?"

In the original timeline, which novel on Qidian.com, the online novel platform Zhao Yanxi reads, doesn't have copyrights worth millions or tens of millions!

The short drama I directed in my previous life was obviously written by AI, and the copyright sold for 140,000 to 150,000 yuan.

The high-quality novel that I painstakingly copied only sold for 30 yuan. I'm still quite optimistic about it.

And the 8% share, if I remember correctly, Guo Jingming's royalty share is close to 14%!

Old Wang clearly hadn't expected Zhao Yanxi, this newcomer, to be so ambitious. However, as his own author, he could only patiently explain:

"This is how it usually works for new authors. They can buy out the copyright for 10,000 to 20,000 yuan, or get a 6% royalty. The first print run might be between 5000 and 10,000 copies. Even if we calculate based on 10,000 copies at 20 yuan per copy, the royalties would generally only be 12,000 yuan. And the first print run might not even sell out."

"Don't be fooled by the fact that Guo Jingming's books sell millions of copies and earn millions of dollars a month. He's a big name in the novel industry, far beyond what newcomers like us can compare to."

You're the newcomer... Zhao Yanxi thought to herself, speechless.

"Hey Lao Wang, could you talk to the publisher for me again?"

"Even if I'm a new author, being ranked second only to Annie Baby is enough to prove its excellence, right? What's more, besides being a writer, I'm also a celebrity! Have you seen 'The Return of the Condor Heroes'? I played Zhen Zhibing!"

"Maybe my fans can even boost novel sales."

"You're Chen Qitai?!" Old Wang seemed somewhat surprised as well.

"No... never mind, you definitely haven't seen it, because I haven't finished filming it yet," Zhao Yanxi said helplessly, "But Little Dragon Girl is Liu Yifei, and we're like brothers who've been through thick and thin together! Fairy Sister, you finally know, right?"

"If I ask her to help me promote it, wouldn't sales skyrocket?!"

As Zhao Yanxi spoke, she clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture towards Liu Yifei, begging her not to reveal the truth.

"Fairy Sister?" Old Wang's skeptical voice came from the other end of the phone: "Yan Da, I graduated from Tsinghua University, I'm well-read, you can't fool me!"

"I'm not kidding you, I'll send you a photo of us together later."

"Okay," Old Wang replied decisively, "If you really are a friend of the Fairy Sister, I'll talk to the publisher and definitely get you the best possible discount."

"Let me tell you, the publishing house's CEO is my father-in-law's neighbor's second uncle!"

Zhao Yanxi pondered for a long time but couldn't figure out the relationship, so she could only solemnly say, "Thank you, Lao Wang!"

After hanging up the phone, Liu Yifei showed no displeasure at being dragged into this; instead, she exclaimed in surprise, "Yan Xi, you even write novels?"

"It's about to be published! That's amazing!"

"What's the use of being so amazing? You still have to rely on your 'Fairy Sister' title to negotiate discounts with others. Yifei, shall we take a picture? To prove our friendship?"

"yeah--"

With a gentle press, a standard scissor hand gesture.

"Brother Yan, what book are you writing? I love reading!"

"You Are the Apple of My Eye~ You can check it out online when you have time," Zhao Yanxi said meaningfully.

Since the decision has been made to adapt this novel into a movie, isn't this person in front of us the perfect choice for Shen Jiayi?!

"Okay, I'll watch it when I get back!"

Liu Xiaoli, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but take a few more glances at Zhao Yanxi. She seemed to have never expected that Qianqian's savior was so versatile.

She understands Taoist culture, is skilled in photography, has excellent acting abilities, and is now even publishing novels?

Has domestic education developed to this point?!

"Actually," Zhao Yanxi glanced at Liu Yifei and her daughter, and said seriously, "Writing novels is just a side job for me. What I really want to do is be a director!"

"Whether acting on set or working as a photographer, it's all preparation for learning to be a director."

"Even this novel I'm writing is the same; I've already planned it out."

"If the talks go well, the novel can go on sale next January. By the time The Return of the Condor Heroes finishes filming, I believe it will have already amassed a fan base for me. At that time, I will adapt the novel into a screenplay and make my first movie."

"Those novel fans are my box office base!"