novellhall Chapter 81 Filming Completed
Chapter 81 Filming Completed
Chapter 87 Filming Completed
Chen Nianbei plays Yang Xun, who has experienced the hardships of setting up a stall in the early days, the setbacks of his first business venture, and the ecstasy of seizing an opportunity to earn his "first pot of gold." He is now at a delicate and crucial juncture.
As his small business gradually got on track and he saw a wider world, his inner desires began to expand quietly, and his relationship with his surroundings became more complicated.
Chen Nianbei's performance also reached a deeper level, requiring her to showcase the character's oscillation and tension between the opportunities of the times and personal limitations.
Life on set was structured and fulfilling, imbued with a focused, almost otherworldly quality.
Chen Nianbei has become almost the "least star-like star" in the crew. Apart from filming and taking necessary breaks, he spends most of his time figuring out his character.
Or he would hang out with the actors who played his business partners and family members, chatting and rehearsing lines, trying to let the atmosphere of the 1980s, filled with sweat and calculation, permeate every pore.
Naza visited the set during this period.
Her arrival was quite low-key, even somewhat "sneaky".
Without making a big fuss beforehand, he only brought his personal assistant, dressed simply, and wore a fisherman's hat that could cover half of his face. On an evening when there were no night shoots, he quietly appeared at the entrance of the guesthouse where the film crew was staying.
She managed to squeeze out a day during a break from filming GG in a nearby city and sneaked over here without telling her manager, Sister Li.
Chen Nianbei had just finished a very emotionally draining scene.
Yang Xun nearly fell out with his former partner over a payment dispute and was drinking alone in his unfinished shop.
He hadn't fully shaken off that state of agitation, regret, and fierce determination when he saw Nazha squatting at the entrance of the guesthouse.
"Nianbei!"
When Naza saw him, her eyes lit up instantly. She jumped up and ran over, but stopped two steps away, looking him over carefully with concern on her face. "You—you've lost so much weight? And you don't look well—"
She reached out and touched his face.
Chen Nianbei rubbed her temples and forced a tired smile: "It's for filming. What brings you here? Does Sister Li know?"
"I came secretly!"
Naza lowered her voice, a hint of smugness mixed with a touch of grievance, "I missed you—you always reply to my messages so slowly."
She handed him a thermal bag, saying, "This is for you. It contains your favorite soup and a few boxes of pastries. Filming must be tiring; you need to nourish yourself."
Chen Nianbei's heart softened, and she took the still-warm bag: "Come in quickly, it's cold outside."
He led her quickly into his room.
The room was piled high with scripts, documents, and old props lying around, leaving almost no room to step.
Naza looked at it with curiosity, and her nose felt a little sore.
"You live here?" she asked in a muffled voice.
"It's for filming, so being close to the film set is convenient."
Chen Nianbei poured her a cup of hot water, then unscrewed the thermos himself. The rich aroma of chicken soup wafted out, warming his cold stomach.
He was indeed hungry and tired.
Naza sat on the edge of the bed, watching him wolf down the soup, her eyes filled with tenderness and complexity.
She chattered on about her recent work, complaining about how strict Sister Li was, and sharing funny stories from the set, but most of the time she just quietly watched him.
"How much longer will it take to film this movie?" Naza asked.
"It'll be soon, probably in a little over a month." Chen Nianbei put down his spoon.
That evening, they snuggled together and talked for a long time. Naza gently reminded him to take care of his health, while Chen Nianbei, unusually, relaxed his tense nerves and listened to her soft voice.
The next day, before dawn, Naza left quietly, just as she had come.
When Chen Nianbei woke up, she only saw a note on the bedside table with a smiley face drawn on it, which read, "Keep filming going! — Your Naza."
A faint, sweet scent, seemingly out of place in this rough environment, still lingered in the air.
About two weeks after Naza visited the set, Dilraba also came.
In stark contrast to Nazar's low-key demeanor, she accompanied Yang Mi to a nearby city for business activities.
Yang Mi seemed to be aware of the relationship between her and Chen Nianbei, but she didn't point it out. Instead, she readily agreed, perhaps also intending to use this opportunity to maintain her relationship with Director Kong Sheng and others.
So, on a sunny afternoon, Yang Mi, along with Dilraba and two assistants, arrived at the film set in a grand procession, carrying several large boxes of fruit and drinks.
Yang Mi's fame goes without saying, and Dilraba was also recognized by many staff members due to her roles in "Swords of Legends" and recent appearances on variety shows, causing a small stir.
Chen Nianbei was filming a scene where Yang Xun was enthusiastically introducing newly arrived "trendy goods" to potential customers in a newly built small commodity market.
He was wearing slightly exaggerated bell-bottoms and a floral shirt, his hair was slicked back with hair gel, and he was speaking fluently and with expressive facial expressions.
After the director yelled "Cut," he turned his head and saw Yang Mi and Dilraba standing by the monitor, smiling at him.
He walked over and greeted them, "Sister Mi, Reba, what brings you here?"
"Come and see how our great actor rolls around in the mud."
Yang Mi looked him over with amusement at his "trendy" yet tacky outfit. "I must say, this look is quite unique; I almost didn't recognize him."
She then greeted Director Kong, who came to greet her.
Dilraba kept looking at Chen Nianbei, her eyes sparkling with longing: "Nianbei, you acted so well just now!"
She was dressed in a pale yellow spring outfit, looking youthful and beautiful, which contrasted sharply with the drab environment of the film set and Chen Nianbei's "unconventional" look.
"The role requires it."
Chen Nianbei gave a simple answer, noticing the gazes of many staff members around him.
During a break, Dilraba approached Chen Nianbei, handed him a bottle of water, and asked him all sorts of questions about his role, the hardships of filming, and this place that seemed somewhat "backward".
After Yang Mi finished talking with Kong Sheng, she walked over, gave Chen Nianbei a meaningful look, and then said to Reba, "Alright, don't disturb Nianbei's work. Let him stay focused. We'll just take a quick look and leave." She was clearly trying to control the duration and impact of her visit.
Dilraba was a little reluctant, but she obediently followed Yang Mi.
Before leaving, she turned back and waved vigorously to Chen Nianbei, mouthing "Go for it!" with a bright smile.
Their visit to the set was like a gentle breeze, rippling the calm surface of the film set, leaving behind fruit, drinks, and brief topics of conversation before they quickly departed.
After seeing them off, Chen Nianbei returned to the filming area. It would take her a while to immerse herself once again in Yang Xun's world, a world filled with the smell of sweat and calculation.
In mid-April 2016, when the peach blossoms were in full bloom, "Like a Flowing River" finally wrapped up filming after several months.
At the wrap party, Chen Nianbei changed out of the clothes she had been wearing for months and into simple casual clothes, and joined the director...
The screenwriters, along with their "family" and "partners" who had worked together for several months, raised their glasses in a toast, filled with emotion.
He portrayed Yang Xun, who sold steamed buns, and later, Yang Laoban, who owned his own shop and had ambitions, as if he had truly lived through another profound chapter of his life.
Director Kong Sheng, holding a wine glass, walked up to him and patted him hard on the shoulder: "Nianbei, these past few months of hardship have paid off. Yang Xun, you've succeeded." This was the highest affirmation from the director.
Chen Nianbei's eyes welled up with tears, and she solemnly raised her glass: "Thank you, Uncle Kong, thank you to everyone in the crew."
The banquet ended, and the noise gradually subsided. Chen Nianbei walked alone on the path outside the guesthouse, the warm spring night breeze caressing his face.
He looked back and saw the simple film set that held the joys and sorrows of "Yang Xun" lying silent in the night.
One journey has come to an end, but actress Chen Nianbei's journey is about to embark on an unknown next stop.
This time, however, his baggage contained an additional, heavy soul named "Yang Xun".
Meanwhile, in the distance, those concerns and choices that belong to reality are quietly spreading along with the spring grass.
In May 2016, before the early summer air had fully permeated Beijing, a gilded invitation from the Shanghai TV Festival Magnolia Awards Organizing Committee was solemnly placed in front of Chen Nianbei through his studio.
At that time, he had just finished months of immersive filming for "Like a Flowing River" and was in a short period of rest and adjustment.
Both body and mind still carry some fatigue and a sense of stagnation from the rough era of "Yang Xun," and need time to slowly "return" to the rhythm of 2016.
My desk is piled high with scripts, business invitations, and memos about industry events that have been put on hold due to filming.
Old Zhao held the invitation, his hands trembling slightly, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement: "Nian Bei! Magnolia Award! Best Actor nomination! Mingtai from 'The Disguiser'!"
Chen Nianbei paused slightly as she brewed tea. The Magnolia Awards, one of the three highest awards in the Chinese television drama industry, is renowned for its professionalism and authority, placing particular emphasis on the realistic significance of the works and the acting skills of the actors.
A Best Actor nomination, or "TV King" nomination, is the highest honor and recognition for any television actor.
He accepted the elegantly designed and substantial invitation and opened it.
His own name, along with the character "Mingtai," was prominently listed in the "Best Actor" nomination list.
The names listed are all middle-aged, accomplished actors with superb acting skills, solid works, and profound experience.
The immense popularity and critical acclaim of "The Disguiser," along with the widespread praise he received for his portrayal of Mingtai, have finally culminated in this weighty professional certification.
"The news has been released."
Old Zhao added, handing over a tablet computer, which displayed the boiling online public opinion and media news.
The nominations for the Magnolia Awards are in! Hu Ge is nominated for Best Actor for his role in "Nirvana in Fire," and Chen Nianbei is nominated for Best Actor for his role in "The Disguiser."
"Youngest Best Actor nominee? Chen Nianbei challenges for the Magnolia Award with 'Mingtai'!"
From a Golden Rooster Award for Best Supporting Actor to a Magnolia Award nomination for Best Actor, Chen Nianbei's award journey has been both steady and impressive!
"Industry discussion: Does Chen Nianbei's nomination signify that the new generation of actors has officially entered the core competition circle of mainstream awards?"
On social media, the hashtag #ChenNianbeiBestActorNominationAtMagnoliaAwards# quickly climbed to the top of the trending topics list.
Fans went wild, with drama fans, movie fans, and career supporters spreading the news, creating a "New Year's" atmosphere in the super topic.
Administrators Wang Churan, Liu Haochun, and Tian Xiwei worked overnight to create exquisite congratulatory illustrations for the nominations and various data comparison charts, rationally analyzing the weight and significance of the nominations.
Reactions from both inside and outside the industry quickly followed. Director Kong's phone call was concise: "Nominated? Great. Dress smartly, and keep a calm mindset."
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Hu Ge also sent a message, with a mix of teasing and encouragement: "Great job, Nianbei, you're nominated along with me. Shall we walk the red carpet together? Don't be nervous, you're still young, you have a long way to go."
Other members of the "Nirvana in Fire" production team, actors they had worked with, and even the older brothers from "Go Fighting!" all sent their congratulations.
Naza's call came almost instantly, her voice filled with joy: "Nianbei! Magnolia Award! Best Actor nomination! I knew you could do it! That's fantastic!"
Dilraba's message followed closely behind, a string of exclamation marks and cute emojis, ending with: "Well deserved! You'll definitely look amazing on the red carpet! Looking forward to it!"
Yang Mi's WeChat message, true to form, read: "A nomination is a victory. You know the tastes of the Magnolia Awards judges; they value depth of performance and completeness of the role."
Mingtai has both advantages and disadvantages.
Regardless of the outcome, this step was taken very well.
The flood of congratulations and attention instantly pulled Chen Nianbei, who had just escaped the world of "Yang Xun," back into the spotlight of the entertainment industry.
He spent half a day replying to important messages and phone calls one by one, and then locked himself in his study.
Instead of immediately trying on costumes or rehearsing his red carpet speech, he opened the hard drive containing the entire film "The Disguiser," found several key scenes featuring "Mingtai," especially the later scenes where his identity is exposed and he confronts his elder brother, Minglou.
And the final farewell scene, I watched it quietly, again and again.
The nomination is an affirmation, but also a retrospective and examination.
He needs to reaffirm whether the "Mingtai" he presents to the audience truly deserves this honor.
The changing light and shadow on the screen reflected his calm and focused profile.
A few days later, in Shanghai, at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, on the red carpet of the Magnolia Awards ceremony.
Compared to her debut at the Golden Rooster Awards, Chen Nianbei appeared more composed this time.
He chose a perfectly tailored, luxurious dark gray suit, with minimal accessories, adorned only with a simple brooch, exuding understated elegance. His hair was neat and tidy, and his skin appeared to have recovered to its best condition after a short rest.
When he walked the red carpet with Hu Ge, who was also nominated for Best Actor, the flashbulbs in the media area were as bright as day, and the screams of fans almost lifted the night sky over the Huangpu River.
"Hu Ge! Chen Nianbei! Look here!"
"So cool!"
"Nianbei! Go Magnolia Awards!"
He smiled as he walked alongside Hugo, occasionally stopping to pose for photos with the media and waving to fans.
Her impeccable manners and composed demeanor complemented the gentle and refined Hu Ge beside her, creating one of the most eye-catching sights on the red carpet.
During a brief interview with the host, he spoke humbly and sincerely about his feelings regarding the nomination: "I am very grateful for the recognition from the Magnolia Awards, thank you to the crew of 'The Disguiser,' and especially thank you to director Li Xue and all the actors I worked with."
"Mingtai" is a character I cherish very much, and it is a great honor to be nominated for it.
Many respected senior teachers came tonight to learn from and pay tribute to me.