Xu Zifan invested 60 million yuan in this film, with 30 million yuan used for filming and 30 million yuan for promotion. Before all the initial expenses were spent, Xu Zifan used his savings to continue short-term speculation, making quick money to fill his pockets for later investment. Fortunately, the film's background and characters were based on ordinary people from the lower classes, saving a lot of money. Most of the team members were fans of Qiao Zixin and were willing to help voluntarily, agreeing to wait until the film's release to pay their salaries, so the crew was not short of funds.
When the production team was assembled and ready to start filming, the news finally leaked out, surprising many people. They thought Qiao Zixin must have lost her mind to act in a low-budget film directed by a newcomer. Almost the entire crew consisted of unfamiliar faces. What good could they possibly produce? You know, other filmmakers use veterans who have honed their skills for many years.
It's unclear who leaked this news online, but Qiao Zixin's popularity had only recently faded, and many people were still hoping for her return. This news was immediately forwarded countless times and became a trending topic.
Qiao Zixin's 18-year-old fan, Luo Fenfen, is now Xu Zifan's assistant. She doesn't have to do anything else but spend her days online monitoring all news about Qiao Zixin and reporting any information outside their control to him. Luo Fenfen got this job because she's an internet addict; she has no other hobbies but reading gossip online, making this job perfect for her. She was the first to notice the news of the production crew being exposed and immediately called Xu Zifan to tell her. However, Xu Zifan told her to wait and see, and only tell him after others had dug up their basic information and started arguing.
Although Luo Fenfen was anxious, she trusted Xu Zifan's words. They all knew that Xu Zifan was the group leader "Guardian," and that he was more shrewd than them, so naturally they had to listen to him. While Xu Zifan and the others prepared to film the first scene, Luo Fenfen sat in a corner, constantly checking online public opinion.
Xu Zifan personally checked on each of the photographers, explaining their shooting scope and responsibilities to each. He also demonstrated lighting methods and effects to the lighting technicians. These were all enthusiastic fans; although they had some basic knowledge and were experienced photography enthusiasts, they had never shot a film before and lacked professionalism. Xu Zifan patiently answered their questions one by one, which boosted their confidence and reduced their nervousness considerably.
The sound engineer, whom Qiao Zixin had hired, was initially dissatisfied with the team's amateurishness and even regretted coming to help her. However, he was surprised to see such a professional director who single-handedly managed the entire production, doing everything himself. Smoking outside the crowd, he reflected on how he had grown accustomed to the hierarchical structure of film sets over the years, where the director would say one thing and several people would get it done. He hadn't seen such a dedicated director in a long time, and this crew was remarkably united and passionate. Looking at Qiao Zixin emerging from the dressing room, he suddenly felt that he had made the right decision; perhaps this really was Qiao Zixin's comeback project.
Qiao Zixin is a recognized beauty, always appearing radiant and beautiful. This time, however, her forehead was swollen and her lips were bruised. Everyone who saw her froze, and her fans almost immediately felt sorry for her. Xu Zifan stepped forward, looked Qiao Zixin over, nodded, and asked, "Are you ready? Is everything alright?"
Qiao Zixin's eyes were firm. "No problem, I've already practiced it myself."
Xu Zifan gave her an encouraging smile and whispered, "Go for it!" Then he clapped his hands and shouted, "Everyone, get into position! One last check and then we'll start filming. Remember, just film like we practiced yesterday. Don't panic if you mess up; we can always reshoot. I'm sure I'll get the best shot in the end! Are you confident?"
"have!"
Xu Zifan returned to the director's position and signaled everyone to concentrate. The first scene they were filming was a domestic violence scene, which was also the opening scene of the movie. This was partly to get everyone into character quickly for the intense scene, and partly to show a different side of Qiao Zixin, thus increasing their confidence in her. Worried that the new actress might be hesitant to play Qiao Zixin, Xu Zifan directly asked the action director to play the role. The role only had three scenes and wasn't particularly difficult, so Xu Zifan wasn't worried at all.
Influenced by Xu Zifan, those around him also seemed to take it all in stride, but they all wanted to film the first scene well, and were all focused on their respective posts. Xu Zifan checked all the positions with his eyes, and after confirming that everything was in order, he nodded to the clapperboard crew.
With a snap of the clapperboard, the action coach staggered in, drunk, carrying a bottle of liquor. Qiao Zixin's face showed suppressed fear as she lowered her head and stepped forward to help her husband take off his coat. Her back was slightly hunched, and her shoulders were hunched, like a timid young wife, exuding a tragic air.
As soon as he took off his coat, the man slapped him across the face and yelled, "Slower than a snail, what good are you!"
Caught off guard, Qiao Zixin fell to the ground, knocking over the spittoon with her right hand. The spittoon contained her son's urine, which spilled all over her coat. Enraged, the man smashed a wine bottle and kicked Qiao Zixin several times, yelling, "You bitch, how dare you pee on my clothes! You're asking for it!"
Qiao Zixin immediately closed her eyes, covered her head with her hands, curled up, and bit her lip tightly, not daring to make a sound.
Not content with just kicking her, the man grabbed Qiao Zixin by the collar and threw her to the edge of the bed. Qiao Zixin's lower back slammed against the edge, her face paling instantly, and she couldn't help but cry out in pain. The man's fists followed, landing blow after blow on her. The more she screamed, the more excited he became. Drunk, he didn't care how hard he hit her, beating her until Qiao Zixin could no longer bear it and began to sob.
Just then, a little boy pushed open the small door next to him and ran over crying to hug the man's leg, "Mommy...don't hit Mommy..."
The man kicked him away, completely
He didn't take it seriously, his waving fist never faltering. The little boy crawled on the ground a few times, stumbled to his feet, and ran out the door crying.
"Card!"
As soon as Xu Zifan spoke, the choreography instructor immediately stopped and helped Qiao Zixin up. "Are you alright?"
Qiao Zixin shook her head, quickly snapping out of character, and smiled at him, "It's nothing, it was all fake. Master Cao is indeed very professional."
The surrounding fan club was still a bit dazed, even more engrossed in the drama than the fans. Was that all? They had been beaten so fiercely and screamed so pitifully! They wanted nothing more than to rush up and kill the man who had been beaten up. If they hadn't trained for several days and been listening to Xu Zifan's commands through their headphones, they would have definitely joined the fray long ago.
Xu Zifan called everyone over, "Everyone, take a look at the results of the filming just now, and see how you all did."
Everyone snapped out of their daze, their hearts pounding with tension. They crowded around the screen, anxiously and expectantly watching the replay. Qiao Zixin and Master Cao also came over. The footage they filmed was completely different from what they had just witnessed on the scene. It was a horrific case of domestic violence. Qiao Zixin's fear, pain, and despair were all conveyed through her expressions and body language, making viewers feel sorry for her, yet also angry at her for her lack of self-control. They wanted to shout at her: "Hit him! Fight back! Don't be so stubborn!"
This scene was filmed exceptionally well; it gave me the creeps. Domestic violence—it's terrifying!
After everyone finished watching, Xu Zifan clapped his hands and laughed, "Very good! Our crew has had a great start, and things will definitely go smoothly from now on! Everyone has seen Zixin's talent. She can not only play celestial beings and beauties, but also a cowardly woman who gets beaten up. She works so hard, shouldn't we work even harder?"
"Yes!" Everyone clapped excitedly, their eyes shining as they looked at Qiao Zixin. She was their goddess, and her acting skills were so amazing that they couldn't help but feel proud and honored to be a part of the production team.
Qiao Zixin smiled at everyone and said, "Let's all work together. Today I'm treating everyone to hot pot, so please don't be shy."
No other scenes were scheduled for the first day of filming. Xu Zifan wanted everyone to succeed, but also wanted them to calm down after the initial excitement, knowing they might face various situations later. It was crucial to manage their emotions well at the beginning to avoid a significant psychological letdown from success followed by failure. Besides, everyone had been very busy lately, with most of the crew working hard for Qiao Zixin. Xu Zifan suggested that Qiao Zixin treat everyone to a meal today, celebrating the successful start of filming with a lively hot pot meal, laughter, and fun, to help everyone bond.
Xu Zifan booked a large private room at a very secluded hot pot restaurant. Dozens of people sat at three tables, and he ordered a lot of expensive and delicious food, letting everyone eat to their heart's content. There was also a karaoke machine in the room, and several younger fans sang one after another, quickly creating a lively atmosphere. Everyone drank, chatted, and played drinking games. People who weren't very familiar with each other before felt much closer now, forming a large and energetic community.
Xu Zifan mingled with everyone and was always attentive to their needs. When the banquet was halfway through, he opened another bottle of wine and asked Qiao Zixin to toast the three tables of people. Everyone liked her and was willing to support her, but relationships are mutual. They were willing to help Qiao Zixin during her lowest point in life; that was a tremendous favor. The more grateful Qiao Zixin was, the more she would remember it, and the happier they would be. This toast was a must.
A young girl suddenly burst into tears after clinking glasses with Qiao Zixin, sobbing, "I like Sister Zixin so much! I never dreamed I could clink glasses with Sister Zixin and spend so much time with her. I... I don't know what I want to say, I'm just so excited!"
"Yes, seeing Xinbao'er up close feels like a dream. Don't worry, Xinbao'er, whatever you want to do, we'll help you achieve it!"
With tears in her eyes, Qiao Zixin smiled and raised her glass to everyone, saying, "Let's have a drink together. No matter what happens in the future, we will always be a group, and no one can be missing!"
"Not one less! Cheers!"
Everyone toasted and drank heartily, the atmosphere lively, and Qiao Zixin was also filled with emotion. This was the first time she had interacted with fans like this, unlike the distance that seemed to be separated by a barrier at fan meetings. Seeing so many fans supporting and helping her now touched her deeply. She suddenly felt a sense of mission: as long as there was even one fan who liked her, she could not give up, and she would do her best to do something for them, to fight for all her fans!