Huayu: This director specializes in promoting young actresses.

Chapter 21 Assistant Li Yitong

The set was unusually quiet in the morning. Today's scene was a plot twist where Shi Miao discovers the truth and realizes that her brother's seemingly mischievous actions were actually ways of protecting her.

This scene demands a great deal from Tian Xiwei. Her emotions must range from resentment to shock, then to the guilt of realizing she misunderstood her brother, and finally to heartache for her brother bearing the injustice alone.

The most crucial element is the crying scene. It can't be a hysterical wail; it has to be restrained, conveying complex emotions through trembling eyelashes, reddened eyes, and tightly pursed lips.

Before filming began, he pulled Tian Xiwei to a corner next to the set, holding the script in his hand, and said in a soft voice, "Weiwei, relax a little, don't be nervous. I already told you, just act normally."

Tian Xi nodded slightly, her fingers unconsciously fidgeting with the hem of her clothes: "Then... what if I don't act well?"

"It's okay, I believe you."

Tian Xi was stunned, her heart suddenly ached, and her eyes inexplicably reddened.

"Yes, that's the feeling." Noticing the change in her eyes, "You don't have to actually cry. Just hold this bitterness in your heart and let a little bit show through your eyes, that's enough."

Tian Xi sniffed and nodded vigorously: "I understand, Brother Feng."

"All departments, prepare yourselves! Action!"

Tian Xiwei walked to the desk. Following the script, her brows furrowed, her lips pursed, her fingers suddenly stopped, her pupils dilated slightly, and the disdain on her lips gradually faded, turning into incredulous astonishment.

Tian Xiwei's shoulders began to tremble slightly, her breathing became rapid, and her eyes reddened at a visible speed.

Just then, tears suddenly fell from her eyes. It wasn't a silent sob, but a choked cry. Her shoulders trembled violently, and she even raised her hand to wipe her face, clearly exceeding the bounds of "restraint."

"CUT! Weiwei, you've gone too far with your emotions."

Tian Xi was a little dazed. It took her a while to realize that she had broken down in tears. Her face was hot and burning. "I'm sorry, Brother Feng, I couldn't hold back..." She couldn't control her tears.

"It's okay," he said, walking over and handing her a tissue. "Rest for five minutes and think about what I just said, 'hold it in.' It doesn't mean you shouldn't cry, but rather that you should let the tears well up in your eyes and let your eyes speak for you."

Tian Xi nodded slightly, walked to the chair next to her and sat down. Liu Haochun handed her a bottle of water: "Drink some water and calm down."

"Thank you, Haochun." Tian Xi took a small sip of water, feeling a little annoyed that she had let him down at such a crucial moment.

During the second take, Tian Xiwei clearly found her footing. Her eyes were red and glistening, tears welling up but refusing to fall. Her lips were pursed, her chin trembled slightly, and the shaking of her shoulders conveyed endless grievance and heartache.

"CUT! That's a pass! Perfect!"

Tian Xi breathed a sigh of relief, her legs almost giving way and she nearly sat down, but Liu Haochun caught her. "That's great!" she whispered, her eyes still red, but a smile appeared on her lips.

Just then, his phone rang, and the screen displayed "Old Yang." He walked to the side and answered, "Hello, Brother Yang."

"Xiaofeng, I've found you the assistant you asked me to hire before the New Year!" Old Yang's voice was a little excited. "She just started yesterday and wants to go to the film set with you today to broaden her horizons. Her flight arrives in Chongqing at 11 o'clock. I've sent her information to your phone."

"So fast?" A little surprised, "Okay, I got it. I'll go pick her up later."

After hanging up the phone, a text message came in from Lao Yang: [Name: Li Xue, graduated from Beijing Dance Academy, has experience in short film production, interested in film crew work.]

"Li Xue?" Lin Feng was stunned. The name sounded familiar. He glanced at the photo again and realized that it was Li Yitong, the star of later generations.

He was a little dazed, never expecting that the assistant Lao Yang had hired would actually be a future star.

"What's wrong, Brother Feng?" Tian Xiwei walked over and asked curiously when she saw him standing there in a daze.

"It's nothing," he said, regaining his composure. "The company just hired a new assistant. She'll be arriving soon, and I'll pick her up from the airport." He then told Zhou Ming, "Brother Zhou, I'm going out for a bit. You can keep an eye on things at the film set for now."

"Go ahead and don't worry," Zhou Ming waved his hand. "I'll take care of things here."

Lin Feng called the crew's driver and drove to the airport. On the way, he was still thinking about Li Yitong.

"Isn't this like finding a treasure?" I couldn't help but laugh. No matter what, even if she's just an assistant now, she might become a valuable asset to the company in the future.

At 11:10, the car stopped at the airport arrival gate. Staring at the exit, not long after, a girl wearing a beige trench coat came out, dragging a small suitcase in her hand. Her hair was neatly tied back, and her face showed a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

It was Li Yitong.

"Li Xue?" Lin Feng walked over.

The girl looked up, saw him, her eyes lit up, and she nodded quickly: "It's me! You must be Director Lin? My name is Li Xue, please take care of me in the future!" Her voice was clear and crisp, with a touch of the straightforwardness of a northern girl.

"Just call me Raymond Lam." He helped her put her suitcase in the trunk. "Get in, we're going to the film set."

Once inside the car, Li Yitong appeared somewhat reserved, placing her hands on her knees and sitting upright.

"Don't be nervous. There aren't any special rules on set. Just follow along and you'll get used to it."

"Yes!" Li Yitong nodded. "Actually, I really like the atmosphere on set. When we were filming the short film, I felt that everyone was working together towards a common goal, which was really inspiring."

"You graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy, why did you decide to become an assistant?" Lin Feng asked.

When this was mentioned, Li Yitong's eyes dimmed a little: "I originally wanted to be a dance teacher. A couple of years ago, I helped a friend shoot a short film and suddenly found acting quite interesting. But I didn't have any connections, so I could only start from the basics and learn more on set. Brother Yang said that you run a film and television company, so I thought I'd give it a try, even if it's just starting as an assistant."

He understood. This was paving the way for his "acting dream." He recalled his earlier thoughts and had an idea: "Our company is just starting out. After this movie ends, there will be a new project. Maybe there will be a suitable role for you in the future. You can try out then."

Li Yitong's eyes lit up immediately: "Really? Thank you, Director Lin!"

"Just call me Raymond Lam, but first, make sure you do your job as an assistant well."

"must!"

As the car headed towards the film set, Li Yitong gradually relaxed and began asking questions about the operation of the production team, listening intently to everything from lighting to cinematography.

He felt a growing appreciation for this "future superstar." His willingness to humble himself and start from the bottom, coupled with his eagerness to learn, proved that no one's success is accidental.

Tian Xiwei and Liu Haochun waited on set. Zhou Ming said Lin Feng had gone to pick up his new assistant. "What will the assistant be like?" Tian Xiwei asked curiously. "Will he be as fierce as Brother Feng?"

"Brother Feng isn't fierce at all," Liu Haochun whispered.

"That's for you. He's really mean to me, always urging me to do my homework." Tian Xi pouted.

Around noon, Lin Feng's car returned. Tian Xiwei and Liu Haochun went over to look and saw Lin Feng get out of the car, followed by a gentle-looking girl who was curiously looking around the film set.

"Let me introduce you. This is Li Xue, our company's new assistant. She'll be helping out on set from now on." Then, to Li Yitong, he said, "These are Tian Xiwei and Liu Haochun, the lead actors in our drama."

"Hello, my name is Li Xue. Please take care of me in the future." Li Yitong greeted them with a smile, her attitude very polite.

"Hello!" Tian Xiwei waved to her. "My name is Tian Xiwei, you can call me Weiwei."

"My name is Liu Haochun."