Hua’an Farm Reclamation brought in quite a few actors the next day, and filming started soon after. Updates are released by 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲·𝗻𝗲𝘁
The factory department also issued a notice requiring extras for the shooting process, offering one yuan a day.
Initially, they discussed paying eighty cents, but considering the urgency of filming in the heavy snow, they decided to increase the pay by twenty cents.
Many people signed up that day. However, once filming began, everyone’s lack of experience repeatedly caused takes to fail. The director had to call a halt to it, as continuing would waste too much film.
They had no choice but to give the extras some impromptu training.
After much effort, things were almost manageable by the afternoon. The extras were ready, but the main star had become so cold that they developed a high fever.
The director was so anxious that he got a fever blister. After all, they needed to film not only in the Northeast but also in the Northwest. Furthermore, they intended to release the movie during the New Year holiday.
Time was extremely tight.
The on-site doctor who came with the film crew was also feeling unwell, possibly due to not being acclimated, and Yunyi was called over to administer IV drips to them.
When she arrived, the lead actress was being very nitpicky, showing no intention of cooperating. "You sort it out and let me know when you’re ready," she snapped. "I’m too busy in the infirmary these days to waste time here."
After saying that, she turned and prepared to leave.
It was unclear what was being discussed inside, but the lead actress was causing a commotion, insisting on leaving for the city to seek treatment. Sounds of things being smashed could be heard.
Yunyi walked into the snow and looked up at the swirling flakes, worried about the straw huts where her master and the others in Nanbai Village were staying. She wondered if the huts could withstand such heavy snow.
I’ll have to help them clear the snow off the huts after I go over there tonight, she thought, otherwise, I’m afraid the weight might make the roofs collapse.
Just as she looked up with a concerned expression, the arriving director spotted her, his eyes lighting up—that was exactly the effect he wanted for the scene they were shooting that day.
He already had the camera in his hand, adjusted the focus, and took the shot right away.
Hearing a CLICK, Yunyi turned her head to look.
Her turn made the director even more excited. Yunyi’s face and her entire aura were far more suitable for the movie than the actress he had chosen as the lead.
He approached swiftly. "Comrade, I’m sorry for taking the photo without your consent."
Yunyi composed her expression and looked at Gui Kairong as he approached.
Gui Kairong now saw Yunyi clearly. "It’s you."
When he saw Yunyi at the restaurant that day, he thought she stood out and was quite striking. He had even thought that such a beautiful girl would be more than adequate to play his lead actress.
Meeting her again today, he blurted out, "Have you ever thought about becoming an actress?"
Yunyi was taken aback by the question; she had never considered it before.
Seeing her silent, Gui Kairong continued, "Would you like to try being the lead actress in my movie?"
This proposition shocked Yunyi even more. She was skilled in many things, but acting was something she had never contemplated. However, upon hearing his offer, she found she wasn’t averse to the idea.
Before Yunyi could respond, the sound of more things smashing erupted from inside the house, and Gui Kairong’s anger flared.
He had come because he heard the actress he’d selected was throwing tantrums, and his intention had been to placate her. But now, he suddenly changed his mind. It wasn’t as if Zhang Xueyan was irreplaceable.
He strode into the house. "Zhang Xueyan, what is this you’re doing now?"
Zhang Xueyan, seeing Gui Kairong entering, spoke with a hint of coquetry, "Director, I’m feeling terrible all over. Our on-site doctor is sick as well, and they just brought some young girl to treat us. How could this be acceptable? I don’t want to delay my treatment, so I thought of going to a city hospital. Is that too much to ask?"
Gui Kairong’s face grew stern. "When you took this role, I made it clear that the shooting conditions would be rough, and I asked you to think it over carefully. Now that we’ve started shooting, do you expect all these people to just wait for you alone?"
Zhang Xueyan was not pleased by his words. "Director, it’s not that I am not cooperating, but I really do feel terrible. In such cold weather, it’s surely not right to make me keep filming while I’m sick?"
Gui Kairong looked at her coldly. "Do you have any idea how much money is wasted every day?"
Zhang Xueyan, angered by his words, retorted, "What does that have to do with me?"