Huayu Tianxian: This director is such a hypocrite!

"The first scene, the first shot, the first action in 'The Unknown'!"

In front of the mobile phone store on Zhenhua Road, Tu Da excitedly pressed the game scoreboard.

As the first outsider to be recruited into Feiye Studio, Tu Da believed that he had made the right choice. Although China Film Group had many businesses, props were just props, and their future was predictable.

"Hey, stop looking! They're filming a movie!"

As soon as he returned to the quarantine line, Tu Da called on everyone to disperse the crowd.

In an abandoned store across from the mobile phone shop, Ye Chong held a bowl of roasted potatoes, forking them into his mouth with a toothpick while keeping a close eye on the monitor.

The scene begins with Hu Guangsheng driving Li Haigen to a mobile phone store.

There was originally an overhead shot here, but drones are not yet widely used in China. If we use a high-position jib truck, we'll have to wait a while. We'll get all the high-position shots done at once when that happens.

The cinematographer for the production was found by Chen Zhixi; he's also a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy. At this time of year, finding a cinematographer at all is quite an achievement, so as for the quality…

"Sizzle—click!"

Ye Chong put down the walkie-talkie and took out a tissue to wipe his mouth.

The executive director's voice came through the walkie-talkie.

"Director Ye, is this all? Can we cut out two seconds of footage from this?"

Ye Chong pursed his lips, glanced at Chen Zhixi who was watching the show from the side, and picked up the walkie-talkie again.

"Tsk—Come here, and call the photographer over too."

After saying this, Ye Chong waited quietly for the executive director to arrive.

"Click—"

The glass door opened, and Cheng Li, with a full beard, walked in, followed by a bewildered photographer.

Although Ye Chong didn't say it, he knew that this senior from the 00 class of the Directing Department at Beijing Film Academy was somewhat resentful.

"Come, come, come and see."

Ye Chong pointed to the monitor.

"First, the color balance in this image is insufficient; the figures are too dark! Second, as I mentioned before, the figures should be positioned at the two-thirds mark, with one half being the person and the other half being the scenery. Does this meet my requirements?"

It was the photographer's fault, but Ye Chong pointed his finger at the executive director and started yelling.

The latter's face did indeed darken considerably.

"Third." Ye Chong glanced at him, his brows and eyes relaxing.

"Thirdly, this is the first point: just let things slide. From now on, you just need to manage the on-site arrangements; how to film is none of your concern."

"Yes, I understand."

"Xiao Liu, come here, you do it."

Ye Chong then called the photographer.

Next, Ye Chong gave detailed instructions, explaining the camera's position, height, angle, and even the proper way to hold the camera.

"Alright, let's go back."

The two nodded, pushed open the glass door, and went out.

"Aren't you afraid they'll rebel?"

"I'm not afraid."

Ye Chong pursed his lips, let out a long sigh, and said with emotion, "The problem with a makeshift team isn't arguing, it's not arguing at all. If you don't argue, you won't discover the problems. Even if it takes a couple more rolls of film in the early stages, you have to cultivate the team's tacit understanding."

"Tsk tsk tsk... That's really not easy!"

"..."

Ye Chong was almost used to his sister's sarcastic remarks.

He shook his head, forked a cold potato from the table and put it in his mouth, then picked up the walkie-talkie again.

"Tu Da, Cheng Li, all departments, are you ready?"

"Tsk—OK!"

"Alright, Scene 1, Shot 1, Take 2, Ready—"

The first day of filming passed by in a flash.

7 PM, Room 501, Wanguo Hotel.

After washing up, Ye Chong put on a black robe-like nightgown and lay down on the sofa, typing away on his phone.

[Ye Chong: Zhang Yu, come to my room for a moment.]

After sending the message, he opened his chat and found the message he had missed that afternoon.

[Liu Yifei: Look, old classmate (JPG), what do you think of this hairstyle? Isn't it ugly? And there are two ribbons hanging down the back!]

Ye Chong clicked on the picture and couldn't help but lean closer to examine it carefully.

She wore a light green traditional costume, with long silver earrings hanging from her ears, and her full lips were red and alluring.

In the photo, she is smiling happily, her bright, almond-shaped eyes curving into crescents, and the figure of Liu's mother can be faintly seen behind her.

[Ye Chong: You remind me of potatoes!]

"Potato?"

Hengdian World Studios.

Yifei lay on the hotel bed, glanced at the bathroom, and saw the sound of running water before raising her hand to start typing.

[Liu Yifei: Why a potato? Am I that round?]

"Potato?"

She muttered the word again, thought for a moment, then sat up and went to the mirror to examine her face repeatedly.

I've heard so many compliments since I was a child, but this is the first time someone has called me a potato!

"Beep beep beep..."

[Ye Chong: Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?]

"This old classmate is so boring!"

[Liu Yifei: I don't care about you! You're so annoying!]

502, Ye Chong's lips unconsciously curled up.

This girl isn't one to easily act cute or coquettish. Hmm, is this acting cute or coquettish?

[Ye Chong: The truth is: Potatoes may be ordinary, but they are resilient. No matter how many pieces they are cut into, they can still grow into useful crops on their own. I think you've always been a very strong person!]

"Beep beep beep..."

[Liu Yifei: Thank you so much!]

"Pfft—"

Ye Chong thought back to when he was in Harbin, when he was refusing to be subjected to unspoken rules, and this girl even came upstairs to watch the show. She was really cute.

[Ye Chong: The lie is—your little face is round and chubby, pink and tender, very cute.]

The phone rang soon after.

[Liu Yifei: This is the truth!]

Ye Chong did not reply.

"Ugh! Damn it! I knew it!"

"Sissi, what's wrong?"

A question came from Liu's mother in the bathroom.

"It's okay, Mom, I'm just stretching!"

Be careful.

She didn't reply, but instead puffed out her cheeks, stared wide-eyed, and her hands moved like afterimages.

[Liu Yifei: You're finished, old classmate! I'll remember what happened last time, and this time too!]

She paused, seemingly feeling that the threat wasn't enough, and picked up her phone again, just as it rang.

[Ye Chong: It's okay, you're a female potato, and I'm a male potato, I... I'll eat dirt with you.]

Yifei abruptly stopped moving and stared blankly at the words on the screen.

Will you eat dirt with me?

You're the one who'll be eating dirt!

"Clap clap clap..."

[Liu Yifei: Xiao Yezi, you're doomed!]

"Knock knock knock—"

"Enter!"

The door opened, and Zhang Yu walked in, scratching his forehead.

"Director Ye, what can I do for you?"

"Zhang Yu!"

Ye Chong smacked his lips, pondering how to phrase his words.

"Haven't I treated you well?"

"Of course!" Zhang Yu nodded seriously, his face stern.

"To be honest, I was quite surprised myself that Director Ye would take notice of a student like me and go to great lengths to find me."

"Shouldn't you say something?"

"what?"

Zhang Yu was stunned, truly stunned.

What kind of development is this?

He looked at Ye Chong suspiciously. Ye Chong had just finished showering and was wearing pajamas. The lapels of his clothes met at his chest, forming a V-shape and revealing... his delicate collarbone.

No, no way...

He shivered.

"I'm a little short on cash lately!"

So that's what it was!

Zhang Yu suddenly realized, but then looked troubled: lust was out of the question, and money was even more out of the question. He was still waiting for Ye Chong to give him money. What kind of development was this?

"How about I ask my mom to send you some local specialties?"

Ye Chong stood up abruptly, his eyes filled with anger, and pointed at Zhang Yu's nose, launching into a tirade of abuse:

"Don't give me that! My crew doesn't do that kind of thing. You, Zhang Yu, you've already been a first-timer, aren't you satisfied yet!"

"what?"