7: Chapter 7 Opening Banquet

One month later.

Qiannan, Duyun Film Studio.

December in Qiannan wasn't cold; it was still over ten degrees during the day, but the temperature difference between morning and evening was significant, and the wind in the mountains could blow right through you.

Yu Liang had arrived a day early.

He had finally checked into the hotel arranged by the production crew.

Although it wasn't up to the standard of the lead actors like Zhang Ruoyun, Chen Daoming, and Actor Li Qin, it was already much better than when he was a martial arts stunt double in his previous life, sharing a room with several people.

While he was eating lunch, the production crew sent a message: The kick-off ceremony would be held at 8:30 tomorrow morning at the Xinli Media filming base within the film studio, and all actors must arrive early.

Yu Liang replied with "Received."

Duyun Film Studio covered several thousand acres, with ancient-style streets, palaces, and temples—it had everything.

The Xinli Media filming base was in the east district, a vast area of Song Dynasty-style architecture with blue bricks, grey tiles, flying eaves, and bracket sets, with banners and lanterns hanging on both sides of the streets.

Early the next morning.

A cordon was set up at the entrance of the base, and security guards were maintaining order.

A circle of fans and media had gathered outside, holding cameras and lenses, waiting to photograph the actors entering.

When Yu Liang got out of the car, no one recognized him.

He entered through the side door, walked through the corridor, and arrived at an open courtyard.

A stage for the kick-off ceremony had already been set up in the courtyard—a red background board read "Grand Kick-off for the TV Series 'joy of life'," with flower baskets and an incense table placed on both sides.

The incense table was laid with roast suckling pig, fruits, and pastries, with incense smoke curling upwards.

Staff members were busy making final preparations, moving equipment, adjusting sound systems, and arranging chairs—busy but orderly.

Yu Liang stood in a corner and scanned the area.

Zhang Ruoyun was standing next to the stage, wearing a black down jacket, chatting with Screenwriter Wang Juan, gesturing from time to time, his expression serious.

Actor Li Qin sat in a chair in the corner, wrapped in a white furry coat, looking down at her phone, while an assistant handed her a hot drink.

Chen Daoming had not arrived yet.

Actors of that level usually arrived right on time.

Actor Wu Gang was also not at the scene.

Just as Yu Liang was looking around, someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey! Bro!"

Guo Qilin had snuck in at some point, wearing a bright yellow windbreaker that stood out starkly among the sea of dark clothing.

"You're wearing something so bright; are you afraid the director won't be able to find you?" Yu Liang looked him up and down.

"This is called visibility."

Guo Qilin said righteously, "Look at those big-name stars; which one doesn't dress in a way that makes people remember them at a glance?"

"They rely on their faces; you rely on your clothes."

"...Bro, can you give your mouth a rest?"

The two chatted for a few moments before Guo Qilin lowered his voice: "Bro, do you see that guy on stage wearing black-rimmed glasses?"

"That's the talent agency director of Xinli Media, President Zhao."

"He's specifically in charge of artist contracts and development planning."

Yu Liang followed his gaze.

The man on stage was looking in his direction.

Yu Liang had a feeling that the man's gaze had been sizing him up.

Their eyes met in mid-air.

"Do I know him?" Yu Liang asked himself.

Could this guy be from Chengdu or Nantong?

"Do you know him?" Yu Liang asked Guo Qilin.

"No."

Guo Qilin shrugged, "But I've heard this guy has a very sharp eye. None of the artists Xinli Media has signed in the last few years were bad choices."

Yu Liang withdrew his gaze and didn't think about it anymore.

At 8:30, the kick-off ceremony officially began.

Director Sun Hao went on stage first to speak, briefly introducing the preparation status and thanking the production company, the production team, and all the actors.

Then the producer spoke, saying some clichéd things like "two years of preparation" and "creating a masterpiece."

Yu Liang listened attentively.

Although he was a supporting actor, he wanted to understand every aspect of the project.

Investment scale, production cycle, broadcast platform, and promotion plan.

This information would be useful for his future development.

After the producer finished speaking, it was time for the main creative team to take a group photo.

All the actors stood on stage according to their status and screen time.

Chen Daoming stood in the very center, wearing a dark jacket, his expression calm, yet his aura overshadowed everyone else. To his left was Zhang Ruoyun, and to his right was Actor Wu Gang, who had become a huge hit thanks to "In the Name of the People."

Actor Li Qin stood next to Zhang Ruoyun, and Actress Li Xiaoran stood next to Actor Wu Gang.

Yu Liang was arranged in the third row on the left, next to Actor Li Chun, who played Si Lili, and next to her was Wang Churan.

As for Guo Qilin, he was arranged in the first row next to veteran actor Gao Shuguang, who played Fan Jian.

The shutter sound rang out dozens of times, and the flashbulbs made people's eyes blur.

After the group photo, it was time for the incense offering ceremony.

This was a tradition of the production crew to pray for a smooth filming process and good fortune.

In front of the incense table, Chen Daoming was the first to offer incense.

He took the incense handed over by a staff member, raised it to his forehead with both hands, closed his eyes and muttered silently for a few seconds, bowed, paid respects in all four directions, and then inserted the incense into the censer.

The movements were simple, but they revealed the seriousness of an old-school artist.

Then it was Actor Wu Gang, Zhang Ruoyun, Actor Li Qin, Actress Li Xiaoran...

When it was Yu Liang's turn, he took the incense, raised it to his forehead with both hands, eyes tightly shut, muttering something.

Zhang Ruoyun poked Guo Qilin: "Da Lin, what is Yu Liang muttering about?"

Guo Qilin listened carefully.

At first, it sounded like chanting: Om mani padme hum...

Then listening more closely—

"All money back my home..."

Zhang Ruoyun was stunned:

"What does that mean?"

"Send money to my home."

Zhang Ruoyun was silent for two seconds: "...You can do that?"

Guo Qilin looked calm.

"Brother Ruoyun, my brother is... anyway, you'll know once you get to know him slowly."

After Yu Liang finished paying respects in all four directions, he devoutly inserted the incense into the censer, stepped back, his expression solemn.

As if what he had just chanted was truly a scripture.

After the kick-off ceremony, they shot a few simple scenes. They mainly filmed the story of young Fan Xian in Danzhou.

Yu Liang watched from the side and didn't return to the hotel. The child star playing young Fan Xian had genuinely good acting skills; after a few scenes, Director Sun Hao nodded repeatedly.

Yu Liang watched attentively.

He had spent over a decade on film sets and knew what kind of performance could move people.

This kid had talent.

In the evening, the production crew arranged a simple banquet.

It was at a five-star hotel next to the film studio; they booked an entire floor and set up over a dozen tables.

Yu Liang sat at a table with Guo Qilin and Wang Churan.

It was unclear if it was arranged deliberately by the director or if Guo Qilin wanted to take Yu Liang to experience "Dad's happiness."

At this table, next to Guo Qilin and Yu Liang, were the Eldest Princess Actress Li Xiaoran, Song Yi who became popular thanks to "The Disguiser," Wang Churan, Actor Li Chun who played Si Lili, and Zhao Ke who played Liu Ruyan...

The lineup could be called "more misfortune than fortune."

And the content of the conversation was mostly "nonsense."

The table full of beautiful women made Guo Qilin feel very reserved.

Song Yi was a quiet girl; she spoke softly and had a sweet smile.

She sat next to Wang Churan, and the two quickly became familiar with each other.

"You're playing Ye Linger?" Song Yi asked.

"Yes." Wang Churan nodded. "Sister, are you playing Ruoruo?"

"Yes." Song Yi smiled.

"We don't seem to have any scenes together in the show."

"It's fine, we can interact more off-screen."

Guo Qilin stole a glance at Yu Liang, wanting to find a savior.

As it turned out, this guy was looking down, scrolling through Douyin, completely oblivious.

Guo Qilin took another peek at Yu Liang's phone screen.

On the screen was a video of Actress Li Xiaoran.

Yu Liang's comment read clearly: "Hello Ms. Xiaoran, very happy to be able to find you on Douyin."

Guo Qilin was dumbfounded.

Actress Li Xiaoran is sitting right next to you!

Why are you leaving comments under her video!

Yu Liang noticed Guo Qilin's look and retorted: "What, can't I be shy to say it to her face?"

You?

What does being shy have to do with you?

You black sheep!

As he interacted more with Yu Liang, he found that Yu Liang was becoming increasingly shameless.

Guo Qilin just wanted to retort.

He saw Yu Liang holding his phone toward Actress Li Xiaoran next to him: "Ms. Xiaoran, is this your Douyin account?"

"I didn't expect a great beauty like you to personally play Douyin."

"It's alright." Yu Liang's remark made Actress Li Xiaoran blush with shyness.

After all, it was her first time seeing someone praise people like this; how was this any different from personally praising someone for taking a dump?

"Have you been playing for half a year?"

"You reached 410,000 followers in half a year? Then you're doing pretty well!"

"Me?"

"I just started playing."

Yu Liang scratched his head shyly.

"My followers are a little fewer, only... 5,989,200."

Of course, if you say I have six million followers, I won't hold it against you.

Actress Li Xiaoran was speechless, thinking: No, who asked you?

You've been talking to yourself the whole time, okay!

Actress Li Xiaoran rolled her eyes at Yu Liang.

Some are happy, some are sad.

Some are happy, some are worried.

At the director's table,

besides Director Sun Hao and the actor who played Fan Xian, Zhang Ruoyun, there were also Fan Xian's biological father, adoptive father, godfather, master...

Yes, that's right, the actor who played Fan Xian's uncle—Uncle Wuzhu, Wang Yang, was also there.

It's just a pity that after tonight, he won't have the chance to open his eyes and eat on his own.

Yu Liang's table was Yu Liang and his seven fairies.

Zhang Ruoyun's table was Fan Xian and his six fathers.

This made Actor Li Qin, the only woman at that table, feel very uncomfortable.

She never drank alcohol, but as the female lead, she happened to be arranged to sit at a table with a bunch of grown men.

She took a sip of mineral water, and her gaze drifted toward Yu Liang's table several times.

As for Tian Yu, who played Wang Qinian, he was even more miserable.

He looked enviously at Zhang Ruoyun's table, where people were clinking glasses.

And then looked resentfully at Yu Liang and Guo Qilin.

"Come, you elders, eat some food."

Tian Yu stood up and moved several dishes of food that were easy to eat in front of the elders like Old Madam Fan, the Empress Dowager of Nanqing, and Ning Cairen, his face full of smiles.

"Yes, that's right, don't chip your dentures."

The old ladies happily praised him for being sensible.

Tian Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead.

This night was destined to be long for him.