When Ma Jie pushed Quan Jiu's business card to Ding Kang that day, Ding Kang immediately forwarded it to Guo Wen. However, to avoid suspicion, Ma Jie did not send Quan Jiu's photo. He only informed the other party that her appearance was stunning and that she was an amateur actress. Ding Kang could only relay this information.
Given this, Guo Wen did not consider the person introduced. After all, his films were all about pursuing perfection. Unless someone was a genius, any beautiful casting choice would be a disaster if they weren't a professional actor.
What he didn't expect, however, was that the other party would proactively contact him, and not to discuss an audition, but a script collaboration.
Guo Wen, with his almost obsessive cinematic aesthetic, appraised Quan Jiu opposite him, regretting inwardly why he hadn't contacted her sooner. If he had, he wouldn't have wasted so much effort later.
Quan Jiu looked at the costume laid out before her, finding herself in a dilemma. She sincerely wanted to discuss collaboration with Guo Wen, and for the film "Small Town," she believed only Guo Wen could achieve the effect she desired.
But Guo Wen was resolute: no trial of the costume, no discussion.
After careful consideration, Quan Jiu, with the help of the stylist, finally put on the costume. Including styling and makeup, the entire process took two hours.
The moment she walked out of the makeup room, the entire crew broke into a spontaneous, synchronized applause.
Xia Wei, in particular, clapped enthusiastically while wiping away tears, muttering, "God, thank you. Thank you for saving our crew."
Guo Wen, though not clapping, was visibly excited. He held his camera, scrutinizing Quan Jiu from all angles, repeatedly exclaiming, "Perfect, absolutely perfect. This is 'Luo He' herself."
Her fairy dress flowed, exuding tranquility and elegance. She was noble yet not ostentatious, dignified yet unpretentious, intelligent and full of wisdom. The person before him seemed like a celestial maiden descended from the heavens, possessing an unapproachable nobility and a compassion for all under heaven. It was the aura of a true superior.
"You're the one, you're the one," Guo Wen fumbled for the contract, finally pulling out a pre-printed contract for the second female lead from a pile of documents. He thrust it into Quan Jiu's hand, "Sign the contract, and we can discuss everything."
Quan Jiu blinked, "Director Guo, I'm just a screenwriter. I have no acting experience. Isn't this too risky?"
"No one is born an actor unless they are a genius. It's okay if you don't know how to act, as long as you're willing to learn," Guo Wen said confidently.
Xia Wei, standing behind them, couldn't help but tease the director, "You used to say you didn't want actors without acting skills. Now you've forgotten all about it."
The director immediately broke into a cold sweat, "Don't talk nonsense. We've finally found a suitable candidate. Don't say anything else and mess it up again."
Xia Wei, however, knew Director Guo well, "Don't worry, once he's chosen someone, not even nine bulls can pull him back."
Indeed, no matter what Quan Jiu said, Guo Wen remained adamant. Unless she agreed, there was nothing to discuss.
Quan Jiu felt helpless, "Director Guo, this novel is really good. You'll definitely like it if you read it..."
"I haven't even solved my current problems, so reading more is useless," Guo Wen's attitude was firm.
"But I also have my own company, and I need to adapt these novels into scripts. I've already discussed with other directors, and I need to complete them within a certain timeframe. I simply don't have time to film," Quan Jiu tried her best to explain her difficulties.
"We can discuss the time. At worst, I'll focus on filming your scenes first," Guo Wen conceded further.
This made Quan Jiu feel a bit embarrassed. This kind of concentrated filming was only used for particularly big stars who had very tight schedules. For an amateur like herself to receive such sincerity made her speechless.
Quan Jiu, with a wry smile, said, "Director Guo, it's true that I have many things to do, and it's true that I'm an amateur. But it's also true that I genuinely want to cooperate with you.
Frankly, you've already been extremely accommodating. If I continue to refuse, it would seem ungrateful. How about this: I'll try a scene first, and you can judge with your professional eye. If it's really unsuitable, I don't want to drag the entire crew down by myself. What do you think?"
Seeing that she was softening, Guo Wen immediately agreed, "Alright, if you want to try first, that's fine. Xia Wei, notify the actors. We officially start filming tomorrow. Tomorrow, we'll arrange scenes between the female lead and the second female lead."
He was going to act opposite Liu Zhi Xi right away? Xia Wei stepped forward and whispered, "She's an amateur, after all. Perhaps we should try a simpler scene first."
Liu Zhi Xi, I'm afraid she'll be scared away if she has to act opposite a big star right from the start, and then our film won't be able to proceed.
However, Guo Wen's attitude was firm, "She will act opposite Liu Zhi Xi. I mainly want to see if she can hold her own against Liu Zhi Xi's aura."
Then he quietly reassured Xia Wei, "Let her face the highest difficulty from the beginning. That way, once she adapts, she'll have no excuse to refuse other scenes."
Xia Wei's eyes sparkled: It really is Director Guo.
So, the next day, Quan Jiu had to steel herself and return to the set.
The opening ceremony was at 9:30 AM. Because she needed to change costumes, do makeup, and get styled, Quan Jiu arrived at the set at 7 AM.
She first greeted Guo Wen and Xia Wei, then was directed to makeup room A for her styling.
Upon arriving at makeup room A, she saw someone else inside. Quan Jiu politely knocked on the door as a courtesy before entering. The makeup artist followed her in.
The person getting their makeup done was Liu Zhi Xi. Hearing the knock, she frowned slightly. Her assistant immediately understood, turned, and walked towards Quan Jiu. However, before she could speak, she froze.
Quan Jiu smiled slightly in greeting and chose a seat near the door.
Seeing the makeup artist begin to set up, and hearing the reminder taps from her own artist, the assistant suddenly snapped back to attention. "Excuse me, this is Sister Xi's makeup room. Supporting roles should go to the room next door."
As she was a big star, the makeup artist spoke cautiously, "The director arranged for us to..."
"Why would the director arrange for you to do makeup there? I told you, this is Sister Xi's, the lead's, exclusive makeup room. You need to go next door." The chubby girl's tone was unfriendly. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Xiao Dong, it's alright. Let's use it together. What lead or supporting role? They're all characters, no different," a friendly voice chimed in.
Assistant Xiao Dong said, "But this is the lead's exclusive makeup room. What if the crew staff ask about it later?"
"Just say I allowed it," Liu Zhi Xi replied.
Xiao Dong continued to size up Quan Jiu, thinking to herself, *She should leave now. I've already made it so awkward, does she still intend to linger? I already said this is the place for the lead.*
"Let's begin," Quan Jiu reminded the makeup artist.
The makeup artist felt a bit awkward and explained again, "The director really asked us to come here. Perhaps it's too crowded next door."
Xiao Dong was about to make another snide remark when she was interrupted.
"Should I apply primer first?" Quan Jiu asked, holding a bottle of primer.
The makeup artist quickly nodded, "Yes, your skin is fair, so you should use a shade lighter." As she spoke, she began the makeup.
Liu Zhi Xi, sitting at the other end of the makeup room, furrowed her brows tighter and tighter, her eyes full of impatience.
*Doesn't she understand what's being said?*
She turned to look, intending to see who it was and teach her a lesson later. But upon seeing the person's face, she was suddenly startled, her expression one of utter disbelief.
*How is this face possible?*