In front of the table, Zhang Jian let go of the computer, tapped his cigarette case, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag.
Puff—
He slowly exhaled a cloud of white smoke and nodded with satisfaction.
As expected of soft-pack Zhonghua, the smoke was rich and smooth, the aroma strong and lingering, with a moderate amount of tar.
Every aspect was top-notch.
Flicking off the ash, Zhang Jian walked outside.
He wanted to check on the filming progress, as well as Zhang Ruoyun and Qi Hui.
He certainly didn't want his production disrupted by some greenhorn graduate with zero experience.
Meanwhile, Du Yuming brought Qi Hui and Zhang Ruoyun over to find Chen Haowei.
"Old Du, what is it?" Seeing Qi Hui and Zhang Ruoyun, Chen Haowei twitched his brow, looking slightly displeased.
Du Yuming said in a deep voice, "Old Chen, I've got an idea I'd like to discuss with you."
Right then, Du Yuming explained the connection between the Bai Tou spring couplets and the Nineteenth Route Army, and casually brought up Qi Hui's suggestion about using Cantonese.
After hearing this, Chen Haowei wore a look of utter astonishment: "There's such a thing?"
Just like Du Yuming, he held deep reverence for those anti-Japanese war veterans.
Shooting this drama wasn't just a job; it was driven by intense emotion.
"This suggestion is brilliant. Let me make a note of it." With that, he pulled out his notebook and jotted down Qi Hui's proposal.
It was too late to recast actors, but they could always handle it with post-production dubbing.
Television dramas rarely used live on-set sound recording anyway.
Later in the series, they would still have a large number of actors speaking Japanese, which would also be dubbed.
Of course, Wen Zhang wasn't dubbed, even though... his Japanese was quite clumsy.
Fortunately, not many people had heard Japanese anyway, so they probably wouldn't be able to tell.
"You're Qi Hui, right?" Chen Haowei put away his pen and looked at Qi Hui with a smile.
Low demands, great suggestions.
Was this guy really relying on connections? He was a godsend.
Chen Haowei's impression of him improved dramatically: handsome, well-spoken, and knowing how to handle situations gracefully.
What a talent!
Too bad Producer Zhang didn't seem too fond of him, otherwise giving him a supporting role would be a no-brainer.
"Would you be interested in making a cameo appearance as Battalion Commander Tang De of the Nineteenth Route Army?" Chen Haowei extended an invitation.
"As for compensation, our crew will offer the maximum rate."
Ding!
[Host has encountered Director Chen Haowei. You have obtained one lucky draw chance. Do you wish to draw now?]
Qi Hui's heart stirred. After a moment of thought, he decided to draw right away.
[Congratulations to the host for acquiring the skill: Explosion Scene Filming and Safety Inspection.]
What on earth am I supposed to do with this skill?
"Thank you, Director Chen. Sorry to be a bother." Though feeling depressed inside, Qi Hui kept a poker face and smiled with a nod.
Zhang Ruoyun also smiled from the side, rubbing his hands together with a sense of reflected glory.
That's my senior brother for you!
"Is this really appropriate?" At that moment, an untimely voice broke the air.
Wen Zhang walked over and said, "The actor playing that role has already put on his costume and makeup. Isn't it a bit much to swap people over just a line or two?"
In this scene, he played a student who had just stepped onto the battlefield, cowering in the face of artillery fire, wearing a look of utter despair and terror.
Then, this kid would swoop down like a heavenly soldier to save everyone.
On top of that, the guy was this handsome and had such a great physique.
Who knew how dashing he'd look once he put on that military uniform.
Anyone walking by would think this kid was the lead.
That would never do!
Faced with this sudden interruption, both directors frowned.
Wen Zhang might be the male lead heavily backed by the investors, but that didn't give him the right to interfere with casting.
He was overstepping his bounds.
"Ha-ha, both Director Chen and I feel he's fit to play Tang De," Du Yuming said with a warm smile.
Chen Haowei chuckled, "Old Du is right."
Hearing this, Wen Zhang froze slightly. He had just seen Director Chen's expression turn sour.
Wasn't he supposed to despise people who used connections?
Why the sudden change of heart?
At that thought, Wen Zhang felt a bit sullen; something wasn't right here.
"Alright, back to your positions," Director Chen clapped his hands and called out, "Qi Hui, go get your costume and makeup done. We'll start shooting the moment you're ready."
"Got it," Qi Hui replied and followed the crew staff off to change and prep.
Old Zhang strolled over leisurely, watching Qi Hui leave.
"Ha-ha, he looks quite decent. He actually caught your eye," Zhang Jian said casually, his expression giving nothing away.
"Dad, my senior brother is amazing. He knows everything," Zhang Ruoyun said proudly.
Old Du's warm demeanor contrasted somewhat with his fierce appearance: "He's just an extra, nothing special about catching eyes or not."
Of course he knew Producer Zhang didn't much care for Qi Hui. Though he didn't know why, the producer held sway over the director, after all.
Smoking his Zhonghua, Zhang Jian found the mellow aroma couldn't quite suppress the irritation in his chest.
Was this kid really that good? Good enough to win over both Old Du and Old Chen?
Before long, Qi Hui walked out wearing a grass-yellow Central Army uniform.
His posture was tall and upright, his gaze resolute and sharp.
With the pistol and tactical belt at his waist, the image of a valiant military officer came vividly to life.
"Little Qi, this outfit suits you well," Old Du patted his bald head and said.
Wen Zhang, on the other hand, felt rather gloomy. Great, his thunder was really going to be stolen.
"Alright, everyone take your positions—" Director Chen shouted through his megaphone.
After waiting a few minutes for the cameraman, actors, and extras to get into position, Director Chen gave the order:
"Snow Leopard, Scene 37, Take 1, action!"
Boom, boom, boom!
Instantly, explosions erupted one after another, pre-planted charges detonating in succession as pungent gunpowder smoke rolled across the set.
The prepared extras on both sides "battled" fiercely, recreating the January 28th Incident.
On one side were the Nineteenth Route Army in blue-gray uniforms with pan-shaped steel helmets; on the other, the Imperial Japanese Navy Marines in black naval uniforms.
You had to hand it to Snow Leopard—their costume, makeup, and prop department were truly top-notch.
The early stage of the January 28th Incident indeed involved the Japanese Navy; it wasn't until later that the main force was replaced by the low-grade horse-faced Imperial Army in earthy-yellow uniforms familiar to the general public.
"Cut!" Director Chen yelled. "Very good!"
"Wen Zhang, Tao Feifei, get ready. Extras take a five-minute break on the spot."
With that, Director Chen walked onto the set to inspect the pre-planted explosives and charges once more.
Wen Zhang and Tao Feifei squatted in a corner to build up their emotions.
They needed to portray despair, reluctance, a confession of love amidst the flames of war,
as well as the tragic determination of holding a grenade to commit suicide together, followed by the joy of surviving a catastrophe.
Hugging each other, the two gripped a single grenade while shivering slightly, eyes half-closed as they immersed themselves in the emotional state.
Nearby, Qi Hui walked leisurely over to the sandbag emplacement, picked up a grenade from a crate, and fiddled with it.
"Teacher Yu, hello," Qi Hui greeted. This man was a veteran of anti-war dramas, a graduate of the Central Academy of Drama who had appeared in all sorts of wartime productions.
Luliang Heroes, China's Brothers in Arms, and many others—Qi Hui knew of at least several of them.
"Ah, hello, hello," Yu Zhen nodded.
It was all just a job; wrap up and leave. He had no intention of picking fights with anyone.
"Huh?" Qi Hui's expression shifted slightly. The grenade in his hand felt a bit off.
He instinctively tossed it up and caught it. Something was definitely wrong.
Qi Hui immediately thought of the rumored explosion accidents. Could this grenade actually detonate?!
His expression involuntarily changed.
"Alright, irrelevant personnel clear the area," Director Chen shouted. "Scene 37, Take 2..."
"Director Chen, hold on a second." Qi Hui interrupted him.
However, Wen Zhang over on the side wouldn't have it.
"What is it now?!" He suddenly leaped up from the ground and yelled.
He had finally managed to build up some emotion, and now you want to wait?!
Qi Hui frowned, his expression darkening as he strode toward Wen Zhang.
The look of anger on Wen Zhang's face stalled instantly, a wave of panic gripping his heart.
Qi Hui stood one meter eighty, tall and solidly built, towering a good half-head over him since he was just a bit over one meter seventy.
Combined with the military uniform and tactical belt, his aura was formidable and imposing.
With him standing right there in front of him, it was impossible for Wen Zhang not to feel unsettled.
What if the guy actually threw a punch?
"Little Qi, calm down, calm down..." In the distance, the two directors ran over while shouting, terrified that the two might come to blows.
Once punches were thrown, things would get very troublesome.
Despite his internal apprehension, Wen Zhang stiffened his neck and refused to budge an inch.
I might not beat you, but I refuse to submit!
Qi Hui walked right up to him and snatched the grenade straight out of his hand.
He gave it a toss—the feel was identical to the one he had touched earlier.
Without hesitation, Qi Hui unscrewed the safety cap, waved it in front of Wen Zhang's face, and yanked the pull-cord.
Ssssss—
Instantly, a flurry of sparks flickered along the wooden handle.
Wen Zhang's face turned pale—this thing was nothing like standard props!
Qi Hui raised his hand and hurled it behind an empty sandbag emplacement in the distance.
Boom!
The next instant, an explosion roared, sending up pungent white smoke and billowing black smoke.
"Gulp..." Wen Zhang swallowed hard. This thing could actually blow up?!
What the hell, was that thing a real bomb?!
"I'm sorry, I was speaking a bit too loudly just now..." Cold sweat broke out on Wen Zhang's forehead.
He had been holding that thing in his arms for quite a while!
Qi Hui smiled faintly, "Teacher Wen Zhang, I actually prefer the way you looked so defiant just a moment ago."