novellhall Chapter 10: Zhangxiang
Chapter 10: Zhangxiang
With the short film project concluded, Gu Qing was busy dealing with other matters.
After graduating from the Beijing Film Academy, he signed an employment contract with a company called GG. He hasn't been seen for a month or so, so he should show up again, since it's a job that pays well.
The second thing is to register a studio. For short films and such, it's not too complicated; we just sign personal contracts. But when it comes to finding people to film later, we can't be so perfunctory.
Furthermore, if you are shortlisted, you can save a lot of money when selling the copyright.
The rest was just copying the script and drawing storyboards.
Even if the short film loses money, he can still make a comeback with the many brilliant ideas in his mind.
Of course, there's another way: find a wealthy young woman to invest in him.
Thinking this, Gu Qing couldn't help but recall the gentle girl who occasionally threw a tantrum, wondering what she was doing.
……
At Hengdian World Studios, on the set of "The Python Horror," Jing Tian sat in the lounge looking somewhat dejected, not really wanting to go to work or film.
"Sweetie, are you feeling unwell?"
Assistant Zhao Shanshan came to the bedside and looked at Jing Tian, who was lying on the bed and unwilling to get up, with a worried look in her eyes.
"It's okay, Sister Shanshan, I'll be fine after a rest."
Jing Tian gave a wry smile and also brushed Zhao Shanshan's right hand off her head.
She has no physical problems, but she is emotionally hurt.
"Sister Shanshan, there's something strange about this movie."
"It's like the storyline isn't as good as the music videos we filmed before."
"And the makeup made me look like I had sausage lips, and the clothes were ugly too. The photos turned out terrible."
Jing Tian was speechless. Although the crew wouldn't be strictly demanding of her acting skills anymore, it also showed that the crew had no requirements for the quality of the film.
When they filmed the music video "Who Are You", Ning Hao was in charge of overseeing the storyline, and Gu Qing was in charge of making her look beautiful. This is something that can't be compared to what they did here.
It felt to her like they turned a music video into a movie, and a movie into a music video.
Now that you mention it, she really misses that little thief. It's a pity that he never calls her, so she won't call him either!
"Sweetie, the movie is long and has many characters, and you're a newcomer, so the director can't just film you alone."
Zhao Shanshan felt somewhat helpless after hearing Jing Tian's words, but since she wasn't in the entertainment industry, she didn't know the real situation.
But surely the production team on Hong Kong Island wouldn't cheat them?
"Sister Shanshan, how's Gu Qing doing?"
Jing Tian asked casually, then got up and changed into her costume.
Although it was a simple silk outfit, it still looked outstanding when paired with the girl's youthful and beautiful face.
"Yes, I heard his short film is finished. I asked Ning Hao a couple of days ago, and he said it has already been sent to Europe."
Zhao Shanshan didn't think much of it. While making the bed, she also talked about the information she had found out.
"Is that enough money? Isn't it said that making movies is very expensive? Our crew invested five million and they still said it wasn't enough."
Jing Tian asked somewhat anxiously, "Didn't I say that if you didn't have money, you could borrow from me? This little thief is quite the chauvinist."
"Sweetie, why are you so concerned about Gu Qing?"
Zhao Shanshan understood the implication and immediately teased her with a smile.
"Huh? Aren't we friends? Besides, I thought her short film was great. If it could be made even better, I wouldn't mind spending more money."
"By the way, Sister Shanshan, has the director arrived? I'd like him to give me some pointers on the scene."
Jing Tian gave an awkward laugh, then waved her hand, brushing the matter off.
Zhao Shanshan didn't say anything more, and then took Jing Tian out with her.
In 06, Beijing was still shrouded in yellow sand. Although there were desertification control projects, they were not immediately effective.
Gu Qing didn't stay in the capital for long before preparing to return to her hometown.
With the year-end approaching, the demand for male partners isn't as frequent, and staying in Beijing is just a waste of money.
Secondly, he also wanted to go home to visit his parents.
Gu Qing's hometown is Huangzhou, Hubei, a place where four provinces meet. Although there are many guests, his hometown is too poor to keep people.
Most people choose to work outside the province, and most of the extras in Hengdian are from Hubei Province.
Once he made up his mind, he left without hesitation and bought a train ticket home that very day.
Although a 20-hour hard seat ride is not impossible, a soft sleeper would be much more comfortable, and he has never been the kind of person who would be willing to treat himself unfairly.
I didn't bring much luggage along the way, and I enjoyed writing and drawing while admiring the landscapes of our motherland.
The carriage was filled with young people, all of whom were in excellent spirits and had very good manners. Even strangers could chat happily after just a few words.
Later, with the development of railway transportation, people were still in a hurry when taking the train.
After getting off the bus, he first bought some New Year's goods and pastries in the city before transferring to a bus to return to his hometown.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he should be the first young man to return to his hometown.
"Dad, Mom, I'm home!"
Gu Qing returned home full of enthusiasm, hoping to welcome her parents whom she hadn't seen for a long time, but was met with a closed door.
"Why didn't you call us first when you got home?"
"Look how skinny you are outside, no wonder no girl wants you."
Upon receiving the message from the neighbors, Gao Fang, the mother, rushed home. As soon as she saw the child, she began to scold him incessantly.
In the past, Gu Qing would have just felt annoyed, but now, it's just right.
"Mom, is there any food left at home? I'm starving."
Ignoring the other person's words, Gu Qing led the large and small bags into the door on her own.
The style of the old house, which he hadn't seen for many years, made him feel a little disoriented.
"That's your sister's room! You've come to the wrong room!"
"We're out of leftovers at home, so I'll cook you a bowl of noodles to tide you over for now."
Seeing that her son was covered in dust and looked extremely hungry, Gu's mother didn't say anything more. She just patted Gu Qing's clothes and went into the kitchen.
Gu Qing chuckled foolishly and returned to her room.
Gu's father, Gu Hua, worked at a sand and gravel plant in the village, while Gu's mother, Gao Fang, co-founded a textile factory, which, although small in scale, was quite profitable.
He was among the first in the village to start his own business; otherwise, he wouldn't have had the spare money to send Gu Qing to learn photography.
He also has a younger sister, Gu Cheng, who is currently in her first year of high school.
Before his rebirth, he was depressed and wasted a long time. Later, after going on blind dates, the two of them did not have children. Fortunately, his sister had a happy life and later had children, which made the two elders smile more.
A short while later, Gu's mother brought him a bowl of noodles and called him to eat.
Although it was a simple meal, the bowl contained an egg, braised pork belly, and a few slices of sausage, making it quite a feast.
"Mom, where's Dad?"
While slurping his noodles, Gu Qing chatted with his mother about everyday things.
"Your dad isn't always doing that job. When he has nothing to do, he drinks and fishes with your uncles and aunts."
Mother Gu curled her lip, also extremely disdainful. This sand and gravel plant will eventually be shut down, and then she will have to be laid off. She might as well come to the family factory to help her with the work instead of spending her free time there.
Once she started talking, she went on and on, relentlessly criticizing Gu's father and his group of "bad influences."
However, she only complained a little; in public, Gu's mother still gave the head of the family face.
Gu Qing didn't say anything. He was just looking for an excuse to start a conversation, otherwise the topic would be turned to him again.
In the countryside, at the age of twenty-three, children can already run around.