87. Arriving On Set

Chen Shan arrived at the hotel at eleven o’clock, the moment he entered Qi Le An’s room he marched towards Qi Le An to check on his pimple.

Qi Le An said, “Hey, don’t touch it! It hurts!”

Chen Shan poked it!

Qi Le An said anxiously, “The posts all say that dirty hands will only worsen it! Are your hands clean?”

Chen Shan immediately stopped poking and touching. He took out a bunch of skincare products, aloe vera, tea tree essential oil, and such, “Quickly apply some, An!”

Qi Le An refused, “I’m just stressed! There is no need to apply these products!”

However, in front of Chen Shan, all rejection was useless. Chen Mama forced Qi Le An to wash his face, then he applied two drops of the tea tree oil on Qi Le An’s forehead and asked nervously, “How do you feel now?”

Qi Le An felt the tea tree essential oil was creating piercing pain and he told Chen Shan truthfully. Chen Shan nodded with satisfaction and said, “I’m sure that’s a good thing, it means it’s working.” With that, he applied a layer of aloe vera on top of the tee tree oil.

“All righty,” Chen Da looked at Qi Le An’s forehead with satisfaction and said, “You can go out now.”

Qi Le An felt a bit speechless.

Although the film and television base was not open to the public, they couldn’t hold back the enthusiastic fans watching from outside. There was a mature business model and a complete commercial chain in the film and television base already. There were several major categories of hotels.

For example, the hotel booked by History of Death was one of the very best hotels around the film and television city. The rooms were all nice and clean, and the security was in place. Visitors would have to call the room to confirm the identity registration, and they would have to swipe the temporary visitor card to get in the elevator.

The cost was quite high accordingly. ‘The ‘Disguiser’ crew didn’t have so much money, so the hotel they booked was the second class.

The management was not that strict and the price was affordable. But they required visitors to register their names in case reporters and paparazzi sneaked in.

The first and second-class hotels would not be listed online at all. It was basically “exclusively for the crews in the film and television base”, while the third class was for fans and reporters. The price was lower, the management was no different from ordinary hotels.

The hotel booked by “The Disguiser” was less than ten minutes away from Qi Le An’s hotel now. The two checked out and headed straight over.

“The Disguiser” was still filming today. It was a Production Supervisor from the crew who came to meet Qi Le An in the hotel lobby. This Production Supervisor’s surname was Jiang, and he had already contacted Chen Shan in advance.

Qi Le An was the male lead, so the crew has prepared a suite for him. Chen Shan had got a nice single room, which made Qi Le An seriously suspect that Chen Shan had bribed the crew members.

The production Supervisor gave the room key to the two of them and smiled. “The 15th and 16th floors are for our crew members exclusively. You can swipe the room key directly in the elevator.”

Qi Le An took the card and smiled, “Thank you, Jiang Ge.”

Production Supervisor Jiang quickly waved his hand and said, “You don’t have to call me ge. Just call me Little Jiang. By the way, I’ll tell you the progress of the shooting. Director Yang and the others will probably come back at night.

Qi Le An could tell Production Supervisor Jiang was a very easy-going person even though they had just met. Production Supervisor Jiang then asked, “Do you want to unpack and settle down first? Let’s grab a bite together later?”

Qi Le An quickly agreed and noted the room number of Production Supervisor Jiang, saying that he would contact him after he unpacked.

In fact, Qi Le An didn’t have much to unpack, but Production Supervisor Jiang had given him private time, so he didn’t refuse.

Chen Shan said as soon as Production Supervisor Jiang left, “Hurry up and apply some oil. Didn’t you see him staring at your forehead a few times?”

Qi Le An’s hair grew long recently. He just ignored his hairstyle and used his long hair to cover up the pimple, “Chen Mama! It’s impossible to see it!”

Chen Shan snorted coldly. Qi Le An said, “I should treat him to lunch, right?”

Seeing that Qi Le An was talking about business, Chen Shan regained his composure and said, “Correct, I suggest you go to the set in the afternoon after lunch with Jiang.”

The two went to knock on Production Supervisor Jiang’s door after a brief discussion. Qi Le An smiled and said: ” Jiang, I heard that there is a restaurant that features Huaiyang cuisine nearby, would you like to give that a try?”

Production Supervisor Jiang agreed happily, and Chen Shan drove them over. Production Supervisor Jiang teased Chen Shan on the way, “How long have you been An’s manager for? You seem to be really enjoying his job.”

Chen Shan smiled and didn’t say anything. Qi Le An smiled and chimed in, “Don’t you even think about poaching my Chen Ge, he has passed the manager's exam and he is the best manager I can ever dream of.”

Production Supervisor Jiang nodded in approval.

They arrived at the restaurant soon. Chen Shan had already booked a room in the car. After entering the restaurant, a waitress brought them to a private room. Chen Shan was busy ordering while Qi Le An and Production Supervisor Jiang talked to each other about shooting.

“I just looked at my work arrangement. I felt very good. You did such a great job on my schedule, Jiang!” It was Production Supervisor’s job to arrange everyone’s shooting. Qi Le An flattered Production Supervisor Jiang.

Production Supervisor Jiang was really happy to hear that, “Thank you, An! I just hate to waste people’s time. ”

Qi Le An nodded with a smile, Production Supervisor Jiang continued, “We are shooting Chu Cheng Yuan and Jiang Xiaoyu’s parts now, then it’s your turn. When the main actors finish shooting, we will shoot some scattered scenes.”

The waiters came in one after another to serve dishes, Production Supervisor Jiang asked, “Le An, are you from Hai City?”

Qi Le An shook his head and said, “My hometown is in a small city in Jiangsu Province, I went to Hai City since I was young though.”

Production Supervisor Jiang smiled, “I’m also from Jiangsu.”

Even though Qi Le An grew up in Hai City, he didn’t have any sentimental feelings about Jiangsu, he still looked surprised and asked, “Really?”

Production Supervisor Jiang nodded happily and the three of them started eating.

When he returned to the hotel again, Qi Le An said to Chen Shan, “I found that social activities are not suitable for me, I just had lunch with Production Supervisor Jiang who is so nice and friendly, but I’m so tired from that.”

Chen Shan was looking at his phone and he sneered, “Just practice more.”

Qi Le An pouted.

After a short nap, the two followed Production Supervisor Jiang and went to the film and television base. Although Qi Le An had been studying for more than half a semester, he didn’t slack off on the scripts, so as soon as he arrived at the set, he could see what part they were shooting.

“The Disguiser,” told the story of a young master of a rich family who joined the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression under the influence of the second male lead. The Young Master had evolved to a tough soldier from a spoiled kid, his growth was very touching amid the turbulent historical background. The second male graduated from Huang Pu military school and he despised the male lead when he was a spoiled child. But he was impressed by the male lead’s growth after he joined the military.

When the two of them were together, they were incompatible with fire and water. However, these two had become became brothers who could trust each other with their lives.

The entire TV series was serious yet mixed with a touch of comedy. The female lead was a young doctor who had graduated from a leading medical school in Japan. She has brushed aside a lot due to her graduating from Japan experience, she concealed her identity and became an apprentice in a hospital where she met the male lead who was hurt by a bullet. They had escaped from an arranged marriage, but what they didn’t know was it was each other they were supposed to marry.

They were now filming a scene where the second male lead found himself have a crush on the female lead and persuaded the female lead to become a military surgeon.

Qi Le An watched for a long time and felt that Jiang Xiaoyu’s acting skills were really good. Although she was young, she would go further and further in the industry.

As for the Chu Cheng Yuan, even if he hated this person, Qi Le An had to admit that some people were born to become an actor.

Chu Cheng Yuan always appears as a gentleman in real life, but in the drama, he was a tough soldier with a short temper. He delivered his part perfectly, forming a strong contrast with his image in reality. Looking at Chu Cheng Yuan like this, Qi Le An couldn’t help but think of his previous life.

When they first knew each other, their acting levels were similar, but Chu Cheng Yuan quickly surpassed him.

Qi Le An, who was standing by the camera, clenched his hands and swore in his heart that he would never let Chu Cheng Yuan surpass him in this lifetime!

The scene was soon finished shooting. Qi Le An was observing Director Yang while observing the actors. Every director had their unique characteristics. For example, Director Cui in To Perish Demons usually wore a smiling face, and his requirements for actors were not particularly harsh. Director Chen in Better Days was usually gentle and meticulous in filming. Whenever he saw the slightest flaw, he would let the actors redo it. Director Yang of “The Disguiser”, Qi Le An didn’t know him that well yet.

Qi Le An looked at Director Yang, who was discussing with the scriptwriter Li Jianjun with a frown, he had a feeling that this director was very strict as well.

Sure enough, the two of them discussed and they decided to reshoot this scene.

Director Yang told the actors a few things to pay attention to. Jiang Xiaoyu and Chu Cheng Yuan both kept nodding. Production Supervisor Jiang went over to speak to Director Yang and everyone realized that Qi Le An was there.

Qi Le An quickly walked away from the camera and greeted the other crew members. He walked to the director’s and Li Jianjun’s seats and said, “Hello Director Yang, Hello Uncle Li.”

Director Yang chuckled, “An, how long have you been on set? I didn’t even see you.”

“I just arrived. I want to familiarize myself with our team first.”

Director Yang nodded in agreement. He pointed to the little chair by his seat and said, “Take a seat.”

Then, he turned to Chu Cheng Yuan and said, “Your emotions aren’t quite right. It’s too much. Have you ever been in a relationship?”

Chu Cheng Yuan quickly nodded and Director Yang said, “Great, make sure you remember to hold back your feelings.”

Chu Cheng Yuan nodded as if he was lost in thought.

“Xiaoyu is very good. It doesn’t matter if you have been in a relationship or not, you have no idea that he has a crush on you,” Director Yang joked as he adjusted the atmosphere.

After a simple chat, the shooting started again. After Director Yang’s instructions, the two of them performed very well.

Qi Le An heard Director Yang saying to Li Jianjun, “The casting is really good this time. It feels great when the cast is right! ”

Qi Le An didn’t know if it was an illusion, but he felt that Uncle Li glanced at him first before he replied to Director Yang, “The young talents these days have become a force to be reckoned with.”

Director Yang smiled.

The TV series had many scenes and the shooting situation was complicated. After Chu Cheng Yuan and Jiang Xiaoyu finished filming this scene, the props team quickly went up to change the settings, and Jiang Xiaoyu hurriedly went to change. Chu Cheng Yuan came over and greeted Qi Le An, “Le An! How have you been?”

Qi Le An sneered in his heart, but he put on a smile on his face and said, “Long time no see, I’ve been well, how have you been?”

‘It’s been a long time since we last saw each other. How’s the nightmare doing lately?’ thought Qi Le An.