The past couple of days, the weather suddenly turned cooler, and the scorching summer was over. Ji Nian felt much more comfortable shooting the period drama on set.
Previously, there was no air conditioning on set, and everyone was overheated. All they could do was fan themselves with little hand-fans.
"Shuyao." The director walked over with the script, saying, "We've now reached the middle to late part of the story, and you gradually become stronger. In the next scene, there will be a confrontation scene between you and Ji Nian."
"Am I going to get beaten up?" Ji Nian asked jokingly from the side.
"Yes, there's a fight scene coming up. Both of you will have to do some intense moves, so go learn the choreography from the martial arts instructor first," the director said with a smile.
"Got it," Ji Nian replied, taking a sip of warm water. She was elated. At this pace, this Xianxia drama would soon be completed in half a month or so.
Shen Shuyao smiled at the person beside her and said, "The director told me that after shooting for another half month or so, we should be able to wrap up."
Dressed in period costume, Ji Nian recalled how hot it had been just a few days ago and replied, "Let's hurry up and get liberated. Thankfully it's cooler now. I was on the verge of heat stroke every day before."
Shen Shuyao shook her head helplessly and said, "Filming in the summer is quite challenging, especially for scenes set in winter or ancient times."
Ji Nian nodded in strong agreement. Every profession has its challenges. Although celebrities can make good money, that's only for those with star power.
For the supporting actresses who only have a few appearances, they basically have to be good-looking, and they only get paid three or four hundred yuan per appearance. On top of that, they can't get roles every day.
As for extras, they earn eighty to a hundred yuan a day. Those with decent acting skills might get two hundred yuan. Their monthly income is only three or four thousand yuan, and for those who can't get roles, it could be even less.
In fact, every profession has its top performers. Ji Nian suddenly felt grateful that she still had some skills.
Although not entirely ethical, and technically plagiarism in the strict sense, it was from another world after all, so she allowed herself a bit of selfishness.
After finishing the morning's shoot, Ji Nian received a contract that He Yi had brought over, saying there was a good program inviting her to join.
"This is a live talent show, and they want you to be a mentor," He Yi explained, handing over the program materials.
Ji Nian, sipping on the mung bean soup provided by the crew, looked surprised. "Me? As a mentor? Is that even right?"
"After you guest performed at Superstar Yu's Concert, many people in the industry sent you invitations, but I thought they were all subpar, so I turned them down," He Yi said with a smile.
"But I've never been a mentor before. How do I do that?" Ji Nian looked puzzled.
"It's a talent show for original singers. The contestants will sing their own original songs, and your role is to provide comments, suggestions, and scores," He Yi explained.
"Aren't you overestimating me?" Ji Nian looked bewildered. "Can I even do that?"
"You have excellent singing abilities. The company also said that you'd do better to develop as a singer. It won't interfere with your acting career either, so you can do both," He Yi said.
"How am I supposed to critique and all that? Wouldn't I just embarrass myself on the show?" Ji Nian shook her head, eager to decline.
"It's just for one night's recording. After taxes and the company's cut, you'll earn sixty million yuan."
"When's the recording?" Ji Nian immediately perked up.
"Tomorrow," He Yi rolled her eyes at her, knowing this would be her response.
"I'm in!" Ji Nian didn't hesitate. Sixty million yuan for one day's work? She'd be a fool to turn it down. Who cares if it's embarrassing, as long as they pay according to the contract.
"Tsk, women," He Yi let out a disdainful snort.
Meanwhile, after Yu Luobai finished his work, he picked up his phone and opened a cute manga avatar icon. Seeing that the last message was from the previous night, a hint of a smile flashed across his eyes.
Yu Luobai: What are you up to?
There was no reply from the other end, so she must be busy. He idly opened her social media profile, only to find it strange that her last post was from a year ago.
Peng He happened to walk by and caught a glimpse, teasing, "Oh, so even Yu Luobai has days like this, secretly checking up on his crush."
Yu Luobai frowned slightly, ignoring him. In his mind, he thought, for someone as lively as her, it seemed odd that her profile would only have one post from a year ago.
"Every person carries a little star within, illuminating the dark nights of our lives," Peng He leaned over to read the post aloud.
"Don't you have something better to do?" Yu Luobai closed his phone, clearly annoyed.
Peng He grinned mischievously. "I've already seen Ji Nian's profile. It's simple, with just a single post. The background image is a poster photo of her looking quite innocent in a sailor outfit."
Yu Luobai unlocked his phone again and opened the photo. While the face was indeed identical, the expression and demeanor felt completely unfamiliar to him.
"Strange, it seems both like her and not like her at the same time," Peng He commented, puzzled. "The face is exactly the same, but the expression, posture, and gaze are completely different from how she is now."
Yu Luobai had noticed this too, feeling that the person in the photo didn't resemble her at all.
"The eyes in this photo look weary, as if she has no expectations of the world," Yu Luobai remarked flatly.
"I agree. Ji Nian's eyes nowadays have a spark, and she seems quite cheerful, without a care in the world. The more I look at this photo, the less it resembles her," Peng He shook his head.
Suddenly, Yu Luobai's phone pinged with a new message. His heart raced as he saw it was from her and opened it.
Ji Nian: I'm filming.
Peng He, seeing this, walked away resignedly. He had his own work to attend to, so he'd leave this blossoming iron tree alone.
Yu Luobai: How's filming been lately?
Ji Nian: Not bad, the director said I'm improving. Although I can't compare to Shuyao, at least I'm not ruining the scenes.
Yu Luobai: Why don't you come to me for lessons?
Ji Nian: Mr. Yu, He Yi has already hired a teacher for me.
Yu Luobai: The teacher hired by the company is under contract with them. I can help you terminate that.
Ji Nian: ...
On set, He Yi sneakily glanced over before pulling Shen Shuyao aside. The two of them wore teasing smiles.
"My idol is so sweet," Shen Shuyao's eyes sparkled.
He Yi egged her on, "Why don't you take him up on it? We could save some money that way. The company's teacher is so expensive - three thousand yuan per lesson, deducted from your pay."
Ji Nian thought about the exorbitant fees for the company's teacher and felt her wallet aching. Three thousand yuan per lesson? That's outrageous!
"I'm not planning on dating for now." As reluctant as she was to spend the money, she didn't want to owe this man too much.
"Why not date him? There are already tons of people shipping you two online," He Yi laughed.
"Aren't they shipping me and Ji Nian?" Shen Shuyao hadn't been following social media lately.
"Speaking of that, it's hilarious. The fans of both ships are arguing now," He Yi found the current online fans quite amusing.
"Seriously? Shipping me and Mr. Yu? Wasn't there just a group slandering me recently?" Ji Nian was dumbfounded.
"Yeah, but that hot search was eventually knocked down, and then suddenly a group of CP fans emerged, saying you two look good together," He Yi explained with a laugh.
"The hearts of netizens are like needles at the bottom of the sea..." Ji Nian was rendered speechless by the ever-changing news and rumors.
