Chapter 26: Another Birthday
There was a new young girl in the crew, everyone knew her, Wang Yuyan.
Miss Wang was also very polite and sweet-mouthed, so no one really minded the sudden addition to the crew.
“Action!”
The camera slowly zoomed in, a close-up on the face.
The father, played by Li Xuejian, was caught by the police.
When questioned why he taught his child to steal, Li Xuejian was bewildered and astonished.
The confusion, guilt, grievance, and fear on his face kept changing.
He knew nothing but stealing; what could he teach? What would he teach?
In his understanding, learning to steal meant at least having a skill, so he wouldn't starve to death.
At the very end, the moment he sent his son away, Li Xuejian ran madly, chasing the increasingly distant bus, until all his strength was exhausted.
From beginning to end, he never got what he wanted.
That was for this non-biological son to call him 'Dad'.
But he didn't know that the son had actually already called him that.
It was on the bus, that bus that was moving further and further away from him.
At this moment, the father finally lived up to his name, and shoplifters was complete.
“Cut!”
Li Chen quickly said, “Teacher Li, are you alright? Please sit down and rest.”
Li Xuejian waved his hand, catching his breath, and then said, “I'm fine.”
This was a man who had just had surgery and was already at the age of fifty.
Li Chen was really afraid that something would go wrong with this scene, so he even bought insurance.
He originally thought of using camera cuts to get through it, but Li Xuejian himself rejected the idea.
Liu Yifei watched, a little lost in thought, her eyes red.
She murmured, “When will I have acting skills like Teacher Li?”
Li Chen stumbled, almost falling off the director's chair.
He thought she was moved, but she was daydreaming. You really dare to think big.
Li Chen couldn't bear to discourage her, so he smiled and said, “When you can move yourself, you'll be pretty close.”
Liu Yifei turned her head, her brows furrowed in anger: “What do you mean? Explain yourself!”
Li Chen appeared unfazed, chuckling, “Oh, those eyes have a bit of a murderous aura.”
“What I mean is, when you can watch your own movie and be moved by it, that means your acting has improved.”
“Queen of the screen is within reach!”
Liu Yifei proudly lifted her head: “Hmph, don't underestimate me. I'll make you regret it sooner or later.”
Then her face fell, and she said forlornly, “I finally understand why you thought so little of that movie I acted in, may love.”
Li Chen smiled and said, “Don't blame yourself, it's not your problem.”
“The two scripts are worlds apart. Even if Gong Li had played your role, the result wouldn't have been much different.”
“Of course, Gong Li definitely wouldn't have played it.”
The Heavenly Immortal's expression changed quickly, then she patted Li Chen's shoulder and smiled.
“You said it, right? My good script is in your hands now. Keep up the good work, Director Li!”
Li Chen was stunned, then realized: “What the—are you acting for me?”
Liu Yifei smiled happily, like a child who had secretly eaten candy.
“How was it, Director Li? My acting skills aren't too bad, right?”
Li Chen nodded with a hum: “You're ruthless!”
The girl got up, clapped her hands, and said triumphantly, “My birthday is in a few days, so don't think about trying to gloss over it, okay?”
Looking at the satisfied Heavenly Immortal leaving, Li Chen felt a sense of being used and abandoned.
He couldn't help but call out to her retreating figure, “Hey! You wouldn't be using ‘visiting the set’ as an excuse, with the gift being the real goal, would you?”
The Heavenly Immortal turned around, hands behind her back, standing on her tiptoes, with an expression that said, ‘You just figured it out?’
The sunlight on her face was suddenly a bit dazzling.
Li Chen turned his head away, only to hear a voice: “You're not too stupid…”
When he turned back, the Heavenly Immortal had already walked away.
Li Chen was speechless, silently muttering, “My goodness!”
Back at the hotel that night, Li Chen scratched his head a bit; he had prepared a gift, of course.
He originally thought he wouldn't see her, so he'd put it off and give it to her when the time was right.
Who would have thought this girl would use the excuse of visiting the set to directly ask for it in person?
She even roped in Liu Xiaoli and Li Chen.
If anyone ever says this girl is naive again, I'll argue with them!
Two days later, Zhu Yawen and Luo Jin also arrived, and then Shu Chang came too.
It was summer vacation, and none of them had much to do.
Shu Chang's Lotus Lantern had only finished filming in May, so she was also idle.
Since it was Liu Yifei's birthday, these few people all came.
Liu Yifei was still sensible; she didn't bring Shu Chang to the set.
When Zhu Yawen and Luo Jin came to visit the set, Li Chen naturally couldn't refuse, especially after setting the precedent with Liu Yifei.
Soon it was Liu Yifei's birthday. After Li Chen finished filming, he left the set.
It was Luo Jin who opened the door.
As soon as Luo Jin opened the door, he laughed, “Oh, my Director Li, you've finally graced us with your presence.”
Li Chen laughed, “I think your mouth needs someone to properly manage it. How about Long-Legged Girl, Old Luo?”
“What Long-Legged Girl?”
Zhu Yawen slung his arm over Luo Jin's shoulder, a gossipy look on his face.
Luo Jin mumbled, “Nothing? Hey, I say, Old Zhu, why are you becoming more and more nosy?”
Li Chen smiled and glanced at Luo Jin.
Meaning, ‘You old scoundrel, behave yourself. Don't think no one notices.’
Inside the house, the Heavenly Immortal was wearing a yellow patterned dress, her straight hair falling to her shoulders.
She grumbled, “We've all been waiting for you; you're really a big shot. This is Shu Chang and her sister.”
Liu Yifei pointed to two girls, one older and one younger, beside her.
Shu Chang smiled and extended her hand, saying, “Hello, Director Li, I'm Qianqian's best friend, Shu Chang, and this is my younger sister, Song Zuer.”
“Hello, Big Brother.” The four or five-year-old child smiled sweetly and wasn't shy at all.
Upon hearing the name Song Zu, Li Chen instinctively frowned.
Liu Yifei and Shu Chang both noticed this small detail.
“Hello, your portrayal of Dong Efei was very vivid.”
“Thank you.”
Liu Yifei extended her hand and smiled, “Director Li, where's the gift?”
Li Chen said irritably, “You're the only one who can demand a gift from me so righteously.”
Zhu Yawen chimed in from the side, “Qianqian, if you've got the guts, say what you just told me to Director Li again, and I'll respect you as a true man!”
Liu Yifei laughed and cursed, “Get out of here.”
Li Chen wondered, “What riddle are you two speaking?”
Luo Jin explained with a smile, “Just now, as soon as Old Zhu came in, Yifei said she wouldn't welcome him without a gift.”
Liu Yifei's eyes were full of smiles as she looked at him: “Did you hear that, Director Li? The door is over there.”
After saying that, she couldn't help but laugh herself.
Li Chen grumbled to the others, “Yifei told me three months ago that her birthday was coming up again.”
“You know what I mean, right? I was wondering at the time, wasn't it just last year?”
He, too, had a smile on his face.
Liu Yifei's cheeks flushed, and she couldn't help but glare at Li Chen.
“Here, it's been ready for a while.” Li Chen took out a wrapped gift box from his bag.
“It's not another book, is it? Qianqian, do you mind if I open it and take a look?” Shu Chang asked with a smile.
Liu Yifei stared at Li Chen and smiled, “Go ahead and open it. If Director Li doesn't say anything, I'll assume you have no objections, okay?”
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