Xia Hong had guessed that Chu Xiaxin might run into trouble on set, but he thought it would be about her acting skills or conflicts with other actors. How did it turn into a clash with the director?
The company's representative on set reported helplessly to Xia Hong: "Director Xia, it's not exactly a falling out... it's just that people aren't really listening to Director Wang anymore..."
The subtext was clear: Chu Xiaxin had staged a power coup on set, leaving Director Wang isolated.
Xia Hong asked in surprise: "But isn't he the director? He's already the show's director, why wouldn't people listen to him?"
To be honest, Xia Hong didn't really understand how things worked on set. He assumed a director was like a general manager, with subordinates who would simply follow orders. He didn't realize that a film set operated quite differently from a company.
Given Chu Xiaxin's special status, Xia Hong wasn't sure how to handle the situation, so he decided to call Song Wenye.
On set, word spread quickly that Director Wang had tattled to Director Xia through company channels, and that the producer would soon arrive in person. Nobody knew which side would emerge victorious in this power struggle. While Chu Xiaxin seemed to have some backing, others said she wasn't actually close to Director Xia, making the outcome uncertain.
Li Jing worried: "Sis, we haven't done anything wrong, have we?"
Chu Xiaxing calmly replied: "I haven't breached any contract, and I'm shooting the scenes properly. He's the one who can't handle it - what could we have done wrong?"
Director Wang had said "If you're so capable, you do it," so she had simply taken him at his word.
Cao Yangang said helplessly: "But with things so tense between you and Director Wang, how can we continue shooting?"
Chu Xiaxing replied casually: "Then we just won't shoot. Why rush to produce garbage that will only disgust viewers?"
Cao Yangang panicked: "But this is my first drama!"
Chu Xiaxing glanced at him sideways, finding his reaction amusing, and fired back rapid questions: "Do you think just finishing filming means it'll be edited well? That getting it edited means it'll be successfully distributed? That getting it released means it'll get good reviews? With so many dramas piling up at various companies each year, you'd be lucky if this one even makes it online!"
"...That hurts." Cao Yangang was speechless after hearing this, but couldn't help muttering, "But you're really brave, daring to go against the director."
Chu Xiaxing replied nonchalantly: "What's brave about that? Directors come in different tiers too. There are directors who make hundred-thousand yuan productions and directors who make hundred-million yuan productions. How can you say they're the same?"
"People on set calling someone 'Director' is just workplace courtesy. If you don't have real skills, see who still acknowledges you after the shoot wraps!" Chu Xiaxing sneered, "We're all working together now, but after this, everyone scatters to the winds. Who could find who again?"
Film sets were different from companies. Unless it was a long-term collaboration team, after 1-6 months of shooting, they might never meet again in their lifetime. Many crew members meet briefly, work together for a while, then completely lose touch.
Chu Xiaxing had experienced countless such meetings, collaborations, and partings. She had met countless people on sets, but remembered very few names in the end.
Chu Xiaxing spoke earnestly: "You'll understand eventually. A film set is like a miniature society - there's good and bad, all sorts mixed together. There are creative leads who can earn millions, and crew workers who only make thousands. There are overseas graduates from prestigious schools, and farmers who can barely read..."
"Some people go from being script supervisors to directors in just two years, while others who can get roles now might be forgotten soon after, falling from the clouds into the mud in an instant." Chu Xiaxing spoke calmly, "So the success or failure of one production isn't everything - what's crucial is not wasting time on set."
"Don't waste others' time, or you'll end up like Director Wang. And don't waste your own time mindlessly shooting mediocre work."
These were lessons Chu Xiaxing had learned over many years. Film sets were highly competitive places - only those with real skills and brains could survive long-term.
Cao Yangang stood dazed after hearing this. He stared at Chu Xiaxing, considered her words and actions, then suddenly shouted: "Why don't you become my master!"
Assistant Li Jing, standing beside Chu Xiaxing, was startled by Cao Yangang's voice. Not understanding his sudden proposal, she was completely bewildered: "?"
Cao Yangang, like an impulsive youth, had light gleaming in his eyes as he declared firmly: "I'm serious! I feel like you understand film sets better than I do, and you're an amazing actor too. Please be my master - I'll follow you!"
When Cao Yangang first joined the crew, he had hoped to learn from Director Wang, but now he realized Chu Xiaxing was more capable, especially after seeing how methodically she had directed scenes yesterday, far surpassing Director Wang. He didn't want to waste time aimlessly, but had never found a reliable mentor - now he seemed to see hope.
Li Jing mumbled: "This is so strange, he's older than you..."
Chu Xiaxing also shook her head firmly: "Forget it."
Cao Yangang hurriedly said: "It's not strange at all, don't mind that I'm older! Whoever's better at acting is the senior - I sincerely want to learn from you!"
After a moment of silence, Chu Xiaxing spoke honestly: "No, it's not about your age. I'm concerned about your aptitude - your talent is really quite average."
Cao Yangang: "..." So direct!?
Chu Xiaxing couldn't in good conscience tell Cao Yangang he would definitely become famous. Sometimes acting really depended on natural talent - everyone had different limits.
Though devastated by this brutal honesty, Cao Yangang persisted: "I know I'm not naturally talented, but I'll definitely work hard! What others can master in one try, I'll practice a hundred times, a thousand times. As long as you're willing to teach, I'll definitely study hard!"
Chu Xiaxing: "..." That's easy to say, but I don't have the patience to teach you a hundred or thousand times either.
Chu Xiaxing never imagined she'd one day be pursued by this simple-minded boy in the crew. Cao Yangang seemed determined to become her disciple, single-mindedly wanting to learn from her. She had encountered clever young actors before who tried various schemes to have her as a godmother or get resources from her, but she'd never met someone as silly as Cao Yangang.
Cao Yangang wasn't particularly clever, nor was he especially charming in conversation. His approach to seeking apprenticeship was rather old-fashioned, honestly serving tea and water and doing menial tasks daily. While Chu Xiaxing could easily handle clever, smooth-talking youngsters, she found it most difficult to deal with stubborn, simple-minded ones like him, giving her quite a headache.
Whenever Chu Xiaxing appeared on set, Cao Yangang would attend to her needs with great care and respect, maintaining a thoroughly reverent disciple's attitude, stubbornly refusing to give up his dream of apprenticeship!
Before long, even assistant Li Jing became frustrated, complaining: "He's doing all my work now. I feel bad accepting my salary."
Li Jing's job was to manage Chu Xiaxin's daily needs, but Cao Yangan's overzealousness was putting her job at risk.
Seeing this situation, Chu Xiaxing sighed deeply. Finally wearing down under Cao Yangang's persistent pestering, she reluctantly proposed: "Let's not talk about apprenticeship. Since you're calling me boss, I'll definitely teach you while we're on set. How much you can figure out afterward will depend on you, okay?"
Chu Xiaxing certainly couldn't teach Cao Yangang forever - at most she could teach when free during filming, and his future would depend on his own fortune.
Hearing she was willing to teach, Cao Yangang was overjoyed and quickly responded: "Good, good, good, no problem! From now on you're the boss, I'll definitely listen to everything you say!"
To celebrate finding his boss, Cao Yangang specially invited Chu Xiaxing and Li Jing to dinner at a small restaurant near the set. This time Chu Xiaxing didn't refuse, knowing that having this meal would put Cao Yangang's mind at ease - it was part of social etiquette.
The crew was stationed in a remote suburb at a small filming base that could only accommodate a few productions. The surrounding restaurants were quite basic, and occasionally one could see actors and staff from other productions. When people tired of boxed meals from the set, they would come here for a change, and though simple, the ingredients were fresh and had their own charm.
Although Cao Yangang was simple-minded, he truly had no ill intentions. Even with assistant Li Jing, he was quite polite and treated everyone consistently well.
After understanding his personality, Chu Xiaxing didn't hold back at the dinner table, freely sharing her experiences, though she wasn't sure how much he would absorb.
The three chatted happily at the table. After enjoying their juice and meal, they left the restaurant, walking slowly back in the cool night breeze.
Li Jing remarked: "That fish was really good."
Cao Yangang enthusiastically said: "Let's come back tomorrow! I heard the beer-braised chicken is good too!"
Chu Xiaxing glanced at him and said flatly: "Still thinking about eating? You're an actor - it's not just about learning from me, you need to maintain your physique at least."
Chu Xiaxing critically examined Cao Yangang. Although she was willing to teach him acting, in her view, he still had a long way to go.
Cao Yangang felt wronged and looked himself up and down in confusion, mumbling: "Boss, you can say my face is average, but my physique is decent, right..."
Chu Xiaxing said directly: "Well, our standards for 'decent' must be different."
Actors' body standards far exceeded normal people's, and Chu Xiaxing naturally had very high standards, having seen too many handsome men and beautiful women.
Now more familiar with her, Cao Yangang argued righteously: "Look at the people passing by - hardly any of them have a better physique than me!"
Chu Xiaxing: "..." Comparing yourself as an actor to passersby is really something else.
Chu Xiaxing originally couldn't be bothered with Cao Yangang, but suddenly she spotted a strikingly handsome man on the street. His looks and physique were flawless, though it wasn't clear which production he was from. She suddenly found an opportunity to tease the kid.
In a good mood after dinner, she casually whistled and joked: "Look at him - if you looked like that, would you need to learn from me? You could make a living just on your looks!"
"Where? Where?" Cao Yangang looked back in disbelief, but after seeing the person, he immediately deflated, mumbling, "Never mind, never mind, I really can't rely on looks, I'll just have to rely on skill..."
The three chatted while walking, barely pausing near the passerby, but their conversation still drifted to his ears in the wind.
Song Wenye, who had never visited the set and was waiting for the late Xia Hong, now felt a bit dazed: "?"