The entertainment industry: My 99 future timelines!

Three days later, in Room 206 of the Red Building at Beijing Film Academy.

Li Xu held a nearly empty Starbucks iced Americano in his hand, leaning back in his chair, with faint dark circles under his eyes, as he closed his eyes to rest.

He had just finished reading the biographical sketch of Song Qing submitted by Liu Yifei.

To perfect every detail before starting the machine, he slept less than five hours a day for four consecutive days.

The storyboard sketches, the repeated calculations of the budget, the initial screening of the creative team, and that damned location scouting.

These days, there are only three 24-hour bookstores in Beijing that offer the feel of a secondhand bookstore while remaining within budget, and they are all ridiculously expensive. Yet, this is exactly what we need in the script.

Liu Yifei glanced at Li Xu, who was resting tiredly beside her.

I quietly moved a little further away.

The sound of fingers turning the pages of the notebook containing the biography of the male protagonist, Du Minghao, was as soft as possible.

The biography of the male protagonist was handwritten by Li Xu.

The drama has not yet found a suitable male lead, but in order for Liu Yifei to better understand the emotional storyline, he can only "create" the character himself first.

In the thin notebook containing biographical sketches, Li Xu's handwriting is sharp:

Du Minghao, 28 years old, is a rising star singer-songwriter.

On the surface: radiant, cynical, and a media darling.

Inside: He couldn't write a good new song for three years, was diagnosed with depression two years ago, and relied on sleeping pills and alcohol to fall asleep every night. The screams of fans at his concerts were both praise and torture for him.

The night he met Song Qing, he had just escaped from yet another panic attack.

On a rainy night in a used bookstore, a girl who didn't know him at all handed him a cup of hot tea.

That was the first time in three years that he could breathe calmly through the night without the aid of medication...

After reading the entire biography of Du Minghao, Liu Yifei closed her notebook, her eyes shining.

Seeing that Li Xu had also opened his eyes.

There was a hint of excitement in her voice, like a child who had discovered a treasure, "Li Xu, I really like this encounter."

"A rainy night, a bookstore, a big star on the verge of a breakdown, a socially awkward girl who doesn't even know him, she hands him a cup of hot tea, and the redemption begins... How romantic."

Liu Yifei praised him sincerely, her tone tinged with a hint of pride:

"Most importantly, I really enjoy spending time in the library. You've worked hard, junior. The character Song Qing is a perfect fit for me... You've really put in the effort for my career transition."

Li Xu had just recovered from his exhaustion and was listening attentively and quietly as Liu Yifei analyzed the characters.

As soon as she said that, Li Xu felt a throbbing in his temples, and the fatigue in his brain seemed to worsen.

Rainy night, bookstore, romance... that interpretation isn't wrong.

But the bookstore was chosen simply because it was quiet enough for a socially anxious girl to hide in, and also suitable for a celebrity on the verge of a breakdown to accidentally wander in.

What does it have to do with whether you, Liu Yifei, like the library or not?

When Li Xugang first met Liu Yifei, he thought she was quite "aloof and ethereal." But after knowing her for a while, he realized that she really did have two sides.

"Investors, when they get into the realm of imagination, they can really add their own twists and turns, even better than the director. Tsk."

Li Xu silently made a mental note of it.

but……

I glanced at the bank notification on my phone screen that morning—[Your account ending in XXXX has received RMB 1,000,000.00].

The sharp retort he was about to utter was abruptly reversed, and his tone smoothly switched back to work mode:

"Yes, that's what I think. As long as you're satisfied, senior."

As he spoke, Li Xu sat up straight, his gaze returning to clarity.

"Since you have no objection to the content of this script, and I have just read the biography of Song Qing that you wrote, I have a question."

"After thinking about it for the past few days, what part of Song Qing's character do you find the hardest to relate to?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yifei did not answer immediately.

She reached into her canvas bag, took out a sketchbook, opened it, and pushed it in front of Li Xu.

Li Xu carefully flipped through the notebook, which contained several pencil sketches, two of which particularly caught his eye.

First picture: A girl is curled up in a corner of the library, her arms wrapped around her knees, her chin resting on her knees, her whole body is taut, her shoulders are tucked in, as if she wants to shrink herself to the smallest size.

The second picture shows the same girl sitting in front of the piano, her fingers stroking the strings, her back straight, her neck stretched, her whole being like a plant finally facing the sun.

Next to it, in neat handwriting, are the words: "Cowering in fear" and "Blooming in music"—an analysis of Song Qing's psychological state.

Seeing that Li Xu was looking at the painting intently, Liu Yifei pointed to the painting and said, "The most difficult part is switching between these two psychological states."

"From being afraid of being seen to being willing to reopen my heart for someone, embrace music again and go on stage, I drew several sketches... but it was still difficult to figure out this change in mindset."

As she spoke, she added:

"In the past three days, besides drawing sketches, I have also tried to observe how people with real social anxiety behave when they are nervous. When they are nervous, they not only avoid eye contact, but also show defensive changes in their facial expressions and physical state."

Listening to Liu Yifei's analysis, Li Xu smiled and chimed in, while also making a small, indistinct comment.

"Very good. If we're just talking about drawing skills, you're at an elementary school level, but I'd give you an 80 for your observation and thinking."

He never expected Liu Yifei to prepare for the role in this way.

He learned for the first time that Liu Yifei could draw. Well, her skill level was at a very basic level, but her courage and attitude were commendable.

"?"

"What does it mean to have elementary school level drawing skills? Would this thought deserve an 80 out of 100?"

"How am I considered a primary school student? And why did I only get 80 points for my thinking? Isn't that just good?"

After being slapped like that by Li Xu, Liu Yifei couldn't help but clench her little fists, and her expression immediately turned dangerous.

"Only eighty? That's good?"

"You failed out of 150. I've loved drawing since I was very young, and I've even won awards for it. In Impressionist oil painting, I even won a small international award for my first-year university work."

Li Xu's lips curled up, and he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Liu Yifei was stunned for a second. She didn't expect Li Xu to have this ability, but she still pretended to be angry and then grabbed another script on the table as if to smash it.

But when she looked at Li Xu's tired face and saw the smile that she had brought to his face, she finally just hummed softly, put the script back in its place, and her eyebrows and eyes subtly curved upwards.

"Uh...where was I?"

"Yes, we've mentioned Song Qing's physical and psychological reactions to social anxiety. Senior, just keep this mindset for now, and we'll work out the specific details before filming begins."

"You can observe the state of those instrumentalists during this time, especially their body language when they are immersed in the music. I think you are very thoughtful, and you might even be a genius in thinking."

Seeing that Liu Yifei, the investor and leading lady, almost "made a move," Li Xu coughed lightly, subtly and flexibly changing the subject, and offering a small compliment.

"snort!"

Liu Yifei gave a soft snort through her small nose, "Okay, this little genius of mine will work hard from now on."

After saying that, she remembered the upcoming film shooting and couldn't help but ask, "By the way, Li Xu, I've already secured the initial one million in funding, but you haven't assembled a shooting team yet. Are you lacking resources? Or should I help you make some connections?"

Li Xu glanced at the off-brand watch on his wrist:

"I went to Professor Mu Deyuan, the head of the photography department at Beijing Film Academy, for help a couple of days ago because of GG's situation. He thinks highly of me."

"They invited me to tea today, saying they'd help me find someone. I'll go later."

Liu Yifei nodded.

It's good that someone is willing to help.

In this respect, no matter how popular an actress is, she can't compare to the connections of a department head at the Beijing Film Academy.

She didn't ask any more questions, only saying, "Contact me anytime if you need anything," before getting up and leaving.

As she reached the door, she glanced back.

Li Xu leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest.

The spring sunshine outside the window is just right, and willow catkins drift lazily past the windowpane.

Liu Yifei gently closed the door.