CHAPTER 376: FIRST DAY OF FILMING FOR LIANG HONGYU

The press conference for the start of filming for Liang Hongyu was packed with people. The crowd was so thick you couldn’t even move, with many fans coming to see Little White Mo and Pei Jun. Both were international superstars, one a film king and the other a music god, and they were so handsome and stylish. They naturally attracted a lot of fans to see them.

Wen Nuan, Chen Xueru, Li Yuanyuan, Yang Yang, Peng Shuyao, and Chen Xiuli were all in the film. Besides these big-name stars, a few veteran actors also joined, making the film’s cast a star-studded and powerful lineup.

Although Director Lin Ning had a fit and said he would make Little White Mo look like a hot mess by having him wear an old-fashioned costume, what he said was one thing, but what he did was another. Little White Mo’s official look was incredibly handsome. He had three outfits. On the first day of filming, his costume was a snow-white robe with a silver belt decorated with jade. A sachet and a jade pendant hung from the belt. His hair was tied up high with a ribbon. He looked like a prince, not a battlefield general at all.

When he walked out, Wen Nuan couldn’t help but say, "Director Lin, are you having him go to war or write poetry? What kind of look is this?"

Cai Xiaojing was also on set and couldn’t understand it. Chen Xueru, on the other hand, thought that Little White Mo, a mixed-race actor, didn’t look out of place in a historical costume at all. His aura was like a classical handsome man who had stepped out of a painting.

An international superstar like Little White Mo had his own dedicated makeup artist, stylist, and assistant who would usually travel with him. But Little White Mo was traveling light. He came to A City with his agent, and everything for his work was handled by his agent. He didn’t show up to many events and didn’t bring anyone with him to the set. The stylists from the film crew were the ones who created his look. His personal stylist was French and wasn’t good at creating looks for ancient Chinese men, so this time, Little White Mo didn’t bring anyone and let the film crew handle everything.

Lin Ning said, "You guys don’t get it. The main character in this film is Liang Hongyu. Han Shizhong is just a supporting character. He doesn’t have as many scenes as Liang Hongyu. His main role is to use his face to attract fans to buy movie tickets. What did you think it was?"

Little White Mo raised his pinky finger. "Beautiful Lin, no wonder you want me to sell my charm."

"Glad you know."

Wen Nuan walked over and examined Little White Mo’s costume. She stood next to him. Since they were playing a deeply in love couple, Wen Nuan asked Lin Ning, "Don’t you think this supporting character is stealing the spotlight a little too much?"

Lin Ning raised an eyebrow. "Should I draw a scar on his face?"

Little White Mo was speechless.

Everyone laughed and joked around. Not far away, Li Yuanyuan and Chen Xiuli looked at each other and said, "Why is Wen Nuan so close to Ye Yan?"

"It’s normal. They’re trying to build a relationship," Li Yuanyuan said. They weren’t supposed to have scenes on the first day of filming. Only six people had scenes on the first day. Usually, big-name stars wouldn’t show up to the set if they didn’t have a scene. The director was also a smart person and would never schedule so many big-name stars to film at the same time, fearing unnecessary trouble.

But since Little White Mo was there, everyone showed up to the set.

The very first scene was a kissing scene.

Wen Nuan was stunned. The first scene was clearly a scene where Liang Hongyu rescues Han Shizhong from an execution, then it goes back in time to their memories and continues until the end, where Han Shizhong and Liang Hongyu are a loving couple who protect Tongguan together. Han Shizhong dies, and Liang Hongyu stands alone in the sunset, which is the ending.

Lin Ning unexpectedly decided to film the sixth scene first, catching Wen Nuan off guard.

No wonder Little White Mo was in this costume.

"We’re filming a kissing scene on the very first day. I’m so lucky, little sister-in-law," Little White Mo said with a grin. Wen Nuan’s face turned red. To be honest, Lin Ning never used camera tricks for kissing scenes.

Wen Nuan felt a little stiff. Very few actors had to film a kissing scene on their first day of work. Lin Ning’s methods were truly unique. She felt a little awkward about having to kiss Little White Mo.

This kissing scene was where Liang Hongyu and Han Shizhong fell in love with a single kiss, so it was filmed to be very beautiful. The background was a large peach blossom forest. There was an artificial peach blossom forest in the Jingde Film and Television City, and many classic scenes were filmed there. It was very beautiful. This kissing scene needed to be aesthetically pleasing and have a light classical feel to it. The prop master, lighting designer, sound engineer, director, and script supervisor were all ready.

Tang Mandong was an assistant director for Lin Ning this time and was learning on the side. After the clapperboard was clapped, Wen Nuan and Little White Mo, who were in the acting area, immediately got into character. It was the first time the shy and heroic Liang Hongyu met the aristocratic Han Shizhong.

"Han Shizhong, you’re going to the battlefield. How long will you be gone?" Liang Hongyu grabbed Han Shizhong’s sleeve, her face full of worry.

"I don’t know. The Jurchens have been attacking the Song Dynasty’s borders, and the people are suffering. As the son of a great general, I have a responsibility to protect our country. Once I’m gone, I might..." Han Shizhong started off passionate and determined, then became worried as he looked at Liang Hongyu.

It was clear that he couldn’t bear to leave the girl in front of him.

"Can’t you just not go?"

"No. Hongyu, promise me you’ll wait for me here. The Jurchens will definitely retreat, and I’ll come back home to see you," Han Shizhong said with a small smile. "I’m still waiting for you to marry me."

"Okay. If you come back victorious this time, I’ll marry you."

The two of them sat under a peach tree, with blossoms fluttering down like rain. Liang Hongyu reached out to catch the petals.

"The peach blossoms are beautiful, aren’t they?" she said with a smile as she looked up. The shot was long, and the entire peach blossom forest was in the frame, making it look incredibly beautiful. At this time, Liang Hongyu had not yet joined the army and was still a sixteen-year-old girl with a youthful vitality and an optimistic look on her face.

"The person’s face and the peach blossoms reflect each other in red," Han Shizhong said. The gentleman unexpectedly kissed her on the side of her cheek. Liang Hongyu turned around, and Han Shizhong’s lips got closer to hers...

Little White Mo couldn’t help but laugh and moved back a little. Wen Nuan awkwardly turned her head away. To be honest, Little White Mo’s acting was incredibly good. It was so easy to get into character. His eyes seemed to pull you back to a time with a story. She was easily pulled into the scene by Little White Mo.

But she still couldn’t completely relax. A superstar was a superstar because of their presence. Little White Mo was a supporting character in this film, and he was trying his best not to steal the spotlight, but with him standing there, he was still a superstar. Wen Nuan felt a lot of pressure.

She was nervous, and the awkwardness of having a kissing scene on the first day of filming prevented her from fully letting go. In the last scene, she didn’t get into character completely. She didn’t know why Lin Ning didn’t cut the scene, but she knew they would have to reshoot it. Even if she fully got into character, she wouldn’t be able to suddenly act like she was in a loving relationship with Little White Mo.