129: President, you're so fierce!

For Saturday's shoot, Yu Heng contacted a bar on the University Town commercial street.

He asked to borrow it during non-business hours in the daytime, offering to tag the bar's location when posting the video, and the owner readily agreed.

The reason for using a bar setting was that the concept for "Soul Pawnshop" was set in a bar.

On Saturday morning, Yu Heng pushed open the bar door.

The main lights inside weren't on; only a few wall lamps were lit.

The owner was a man in his forties, standing behind the bar counter wiping glasses.

"You're here?" The owner glanced up at him. "How long do you need to film?"

"If it goes quickly, we'll be done in half a day," Yu Heng said. "We definitely won't interfere with your business hours."

"That's fine," the owner smiled. "I don't open until six in the evening. Feel free to film whatever you want and take what you need; just be careful not to break anything. If you need drinks, you can use the opened ones on the bar, just don't waste them."

"Thanks, Uncle," Yu Heng said, placing his bag on a booth seat. "I'll definitely tag your location when the video is posted."

The owner waved his hand and went upstairs.

Yu Heng began setting up the scene, taking out the camera, tripod, reflector, and other equipment from his bag.

Before nine o'clock, Liu Hewei was the first to arrive. Yu Heng had asked him to serve as the assistant director.

He pushed the door open and entered, carrying two cups of soy milk. "President, have you had breakfast?"

"I've eaten." Yu Heng took the soy milk. "Where's everyone else?"

"They should be here soon." Liu Hewei put down his backpack and looked around. "This place is really nice. It must be quite expensive to come here at night, right?"

"That's why we have to film it well," Yu Heng said, unscrewing the soy milk and taking a sip. "To give them proper publicity."

The door opened again, and Chen Yuqiang and Zhang Tingting walked in together.

"President," Chen Yuqiang greeted him. "We're not late, are we?"

"Just in time." Yu Heng checked his phone. "Two stagehands and the leads haven't arrived yet."

Just as he finished speaking, the door opened once more.

Two student stagehands, a boy and a girl, entered. The boy was named Li Fan and the girl was named Sun Xiaohui; both were newcomers to the Starlight Society.

"Hello, President," Li Fan said, looking a bit constrained. "What should we do?"

"Set up the equipment first," Yu Heng pointed at the camera bag in the corner. "Follow Liu Hewei's instructions."

Liu Hewei immediately straightened his back. "Follow me."

A moment later, Zhou Mengqi arrived. She was carrying a small bag. After entering, her eyes scanned the room before finally landing on Yu Heng.

"President," she said with a smile as she walked over. "I'm not late, am I?"

"No," Yu Heng glanced at her. "Go sit over there first. We'll go over the script once everyone is here."

Wang Luyu arrived jogging and panting. "Sorry, President, I woke up late..."

"It's fine." Yu Heng checked the time. "You two go change into your costumes first."

Wang Luyu nodded and headed towards the restroom with Zhou Mengqi, carrying her bag.

The restroom wasn't very spacious; it was a bit of a squeeze for the two of them to turn around.

Zhou Mengqi unzipped her handbag and took out the prepared clothes.

It was the black hip-hugging skirt they had bought online together earlier.

She took off her coat and sweater, revealing a camisole underneath.

Wang Luyu pulled a beige slip dress out of her bag; the neckline was cut quite low.

She looked at the dress and bit her lip.

"What's wrong?" Zhou Mengqi had already put on the hip-hugging skirt and was adjusting the hem in front of the mirror.

"This dress... isn't it a bit too revealing?" Wang Luyu whispered.

"That's how it's set in the script," Zhou Mengqi said without looking back. "We're both mature women in the story."

Wang Luyu didn't say anything, slowly taking off her sweatshirt and jeans.

She was wearing white underwear underneath; it wasn't large, but the shape was quite nice.

Zhou Mengqi glanced at her through the mirror. "You have a great figure, what are you afraid of?"

"It's just... I'm not used to it." Wang Luyu slipped on the dress. She looked down at her chest; the neckline was indeed low, showing a hint of cleavage.

Zhou Mengqi had finished tidying up. The hip-hugging skirt clung tightly to her hips and thighs, with the length ending well above her knees.

She turned to face the mirror directly and leaned over to adjust the folds at her chest.

From this angle, Wang Luyu could see the view inside her neckline; it was deep and edged with black lace.

Wang Luyu looked at her, feeling a bit envious in her heart.

When the two walked out of the restroom, the equipment had already been set up outside.

Liu Hewei was adjusting the camera. He looked up when he heard footsteps, then immediately lowered his head, his ears turning a bit red.

Li Fan and Sun Xiaohui were organizing the reflectors and were also momentarily stunned when they saw them.

"President, we're ready." Zhou Mengqi walked up to Yu Heng.

Yu Heng was looking at his phone. He looked up at her words, his gaze scanning over her. "Alright, come over here, let's go over the script."

Yu Heng walked to the wall and turned on the air conditioner. Warm air slowly blew out, and the room began to heat up.

Several of them sat around the table. Yu Heng took out printed scripts from his bag and handed one to each person.

"We're filming the first episode of a short drama series this time," Yu Heng said. "The premise is that the owner of this bar is someone with special abilities. Every night after midnight, this place turns into a pawnshop that specifically caters to guests with special needs. Guests can pawn their memories, emotions, or certain abilities in exchange for what they want."

After Yu Heng finished explaining, he said, "Go through it once first. No need to start the camera yet; just run through the lines."

The actors began going through the script, while Yu Heng went to a side table and lit a cigarette.

After just two puffs, Zhou Mengqi sat down next to him with the script, her arm almost touching his. "President, should I maintain a very calm expression throughout this?"

"Yes. Your character is someone who has lived for thousands of years and has seen everything in the world; nothing can cause you emotional fluctuations anymore," Yu Heng said, nonchalantly nudging his arm against her chest.

Zhou Mengqi's body stiffened for a moment, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she maintained the posture and nudged back.

Then, pointing at the script, she continued, "President, should I pause here before turning around?"

"Yes," Yu Heng said, feeling the soft sensation and contours against his arm.

Zhou Mengqi looked up at him, her eyes crinkling. "Okay, President. I'm a little nervous."

"What are you nervous about?" Yu Heng looked at her.

"I'm afraid I won't act well," Zhou Mengqi said.

"Just do as we discussed," Yu Heng said.

"If I don't act well, will you scold me?" Zhou Mengqi tilted her head and looked at him.

"Yes," Yu Heng said.

Zhou Mengqi laughed. "Then how are you going to scold me?"

Yu Heng glanced at her, nudging her with his arm as he spoke. "I'll scold you until you act it right."

Zhou Mengqi licked her lips. "What if I keep failing to act it right?"

"Then don't act anymore." Yu Heng squinted at her.

"President, you're so fierce." Hearing this, Zhou Mengqi didn't feel embarrassed; instead, she said with a beaming smile, "But I like it."