Chapter 6: Cold, Icy Rain

At 8:00 AM the next morning, the cast and crew arrived on set.

Director Gao Qunshu had two swollen bags under his eyes; he clearly hadn't rested well, as he kept yawning repeatedly.

Zhang Yuan didn't need to look at his expression to know that the director’s negotiations regarding the distribution of the show the previous day hadn't gone smoothly.

"Director Gao, good morning."

"Oh, Zhang Yuan, you're here." The director squeezed out a smile.

"Director, I was discussing the script with Brother Honglei and the others over dinner last night, and I had a few new ideas."

"Oh?" Gao Qunshu raised his eyebrows.

This kid was truly impressive. He came up with ideas constantly, and the key was that these ideas were all quite practical.

"Tell me about them."

Zhang Yuan had already calculated everything, so he spoke right up.

"There are two points."

"First, the scene where Liu Huaqiang sends his men to kill Song Laohu."

"As written in the script, Jinbao just ambushes him and kills Song Laohu with a single shot, and then the villain is written out."

"If we film it like that, it’s just like the previous night scene with Feng Biao—a bit too straightforward. It doesn't reflect the ruthlessness and the temperament of a crime lord that Liu Huaqiang possesses."

Director Gao nodded. It was true; he hadn't thought much about it when reading the script, but now that Zhang Yuan mentioned it, it really was the case.

If he waited until they started filming to feel dissatisfied, he would end up wasting a lot of time and film stock, just like last time.

Time and film stock were money, and money was exactly what he was short on right now!

"Then how do you think we should portray it?"

Gao Qunshu picked up a cigarette, but remembering how Zhang Yuan had fanned the flame for him last time, he put it back down.

"By the time the story reaches the stage of assassinating Song Laohu, Liu Huaqiang should already be targeted by the police." Zhang Yuan sat down next to the director quite naturally. The rest of the crew didn't find it the least bit strange to see this small actor, who started as an extra, sitting side-by-side with the director, chatting and laughing.

Everyone was already used to it.

"And Liu Huaqiang knows he's being watched. Most people would turn back when they hit a wall, but he’s the type who wouldn't just refuse to turn back—he’d smash right through the wall."

*Not just refusing to turn back, but smashing through the wall...* Gao Qunshu muttered to himself, thinking it was an interesting line to add to the script later.

"So the situation becomes Liu Huaqiang having to commit murder under the police's dragnet. That’s the background."

"Given Liu Huaqiang’s cunning nature, he wouldn't recklessly arrange for his men to kill someone. He would definitely have a plan, perhaps even a way to distract the police."

"What kind of distraction?" Gao Qunshu’s interest was piqued.

"How about this: during the planning stage of the assassination, let's add this segment."

"Liu Huaqiang knows the police are hunting him, so he deliberately arranges for his men to commit the murder at the border of two districts. Because the jurisdictions are different, the police from different stations would have to coordinate, which would waste a lot of time. This would divert the police's energy and slow down their investigation."

"This would demonstrate Liu Huaqiang’s sinister cunning and make the character more three-dimensional."

After Zhang Yuan finished, Gao Qunshu was stunned for a moment before grabbing his arm.

"Zhang Yuan, tell me honestly, have you been a gangster before?"

"How do you know all this so clearly!"

Using the lack of coordination between police jurisdictions to slow down the pace.

Gao Qunshu was shocked. Could someone who hadn't done this kind of thing really think of it?

But this short segment could reflect the secret battle between good and evil, and it would increase the tension of the story. Most importantly, this kind of plot could be expressed in just a few lines of dialogue—it was easy to film and didn't cost extra money.

"Director Gao, don't joke around. I haven't finished yet." Zhang Yuan quickly brushed it off.

"After this plot point, the police investigation into Liu Huaqiang becomes increasingly severe, as written in the script."

"The police use Liu Huaqiang’s younger brother, Liu Huawen, who is critically ill, as bait, hoping to lure Liu Huaqiang to the hospital to catch him in a trap."

"Liu Huaqiang guesses that this might be a police setup, so he goes in the middle of the night, and after repeated testing, he discovers the police plan and makes a thrilling escape."

Gao Qunshu nodded. That was how the script was written, and it was a very exciting sequence.

"This part of the plot is very full, but it’s missing one piece."

"Missing what?"

"It’s missing Liu Huaqiang’s inner conflict!" Zhang Yuan finally brought up the main point.

"To be honest, throughout the whole film, Liu Huaqiang kills so many people for only one purpose: to avenge his brother!"

"His brother, Liu Huawen, is his only weakness. If he doesn't go to the hospital, he might not see his brother one last time; if he does go, he might be arrested by the police."

"As a crime lord, he would definitely be conflicted and struggle. The script doesn't show this process."

Gao Qunshu lowered his head and thought about it. It was true.

If they could show Liu Huaqiang’s conflict, it would make the character’s personality much more substantial.

"Director, you’ve seen *The Shawshank Redemption*, right?"

Gao Qunshu nodded. Who in the film industry hadn't seen that classic masterpiece?

If it weren't for *Forrest Gump*, *The Shawshank Redemption* definitely would have won the Oscar. And as an industry insider, Gao Qunshu knew very well that, setting aside the values it promoted, *Shawshank* was clearly superior in terms of storytelling.

"There is a classic shot in that movie where the protagonist, Andy, spreads his arms in the rain after escaping prison, embracing his freedom."

"We could have a scene like that, letting Liu Huaqiang contemplate and struggle in a downpour, letting the rain wash away his pressure and worries."

*A crime boss standing alone in the wind and rain...* Gao Qunshu imagined the scene and then clapped his hands.

"Interesting."

Loneliness, vulnerability, hesitation, anxiety—all these elements could be expressed through this scene, showing the emptiness and helplessness beneath Liu Huaqiang’s tough exterior. The depth of the character would skyrocket.

However, Director Gao soon frowned. There was one problem with filming a rain scene.

It was expensive!

Renting a fire truck for artificial rain cost several thousand a day, plus the water fees—it was a high price to pay.

The crew’s budget was tight; because of the lack of money, the show had already been compressed to 20 episodes. The idea was good, but where would they find the spare cash?

"Director Gao, are you worried about the cost?" Zhang Yuan asked with a smile.

"Yeah, you know how things are for us..."

"Director Gao, look over there." Zhang Yuan didn't wait for him to finish, pointing into the distance.

Gao Qunshu followed his arm and saw a large mass of dark clouds slowly approaching in the distance.

"I checked the weather forecast yesterday. It’s going to pour today!"

Gao Qunshu’s mouth hung open.

*I usually just get away with filming in hotel lobbies for free, but this kid is getting a freebie from God himself!*

In truth, Zhang Yuan’s real goal was this rain scene. Because a heavy downpour was rare, the director would definitely have to adjust the shooting schedule to film it, which would free up time for Li Jingxiang to learn.

As for the two suggestions he made, the first one was just a smoke screen to hide his true purpose.

"Good, let's do it. Go help me call Honglei over."

Before long, the director issued an adjustment order to the entire crew. The original plan for the day was postponed, and a scene was inserted on the fly.

When Li Jingxiang heard the news, he was dumbfounded, looking at Zhang Yuan with utter disbelief.

*Is this kid a wizard? How did he get the director to change the shooting schedule?*

"Brother Jingxiang, you have a day now. Hurry up and find someone to teach you how to ride a motorcycle." Zhang Yuan patted his shoulder.

"This... who do I find? It’s too late to find a school now, isn't it?"

"Just find a motorcycle taxi on the road, give them 100 yuan for their time, and have them teach you."

*Damn, why didn't I think of that...* Li Jingxiang felt like a pig-brained idiot compared to Zhang Yuan; he just couldn't think outside the box.

[Received gratitude from Li Jingxiang: Acting +5, Micro-expressions +3, Eye Expression +3!]

Zhang Yuan nodded. At least it wasn't a wasted effort.

His maneuvering had made Gao Qunshu happy and Li Jingxiang joyful, but it had made things miserable for Sun Honglei!

"The cold, icy rain beats wildly against my face..."

On set, Zhang Yuan and several other actors huddled under umbrellas, singing while watching Sun Honglei film in the rain.

He was really getting soaked!

He had to endure it with his own body while still performing, conveying the character’s emotions.

"Sun Honglei is truly a professional." Zhang Yuan praised him in his heart.

After several takes, he was soaked like a drowned rat, yet he didn't utter a single complaint—unlike those "fairies" and "fresh meat" idols of the future who wouldn't even let a drop of water touch them for fear of ruining their makeup.

After repeating it all morning, the scene of the lone man in the rain was finally finished, and just in time, the rain stopped.

Zhang Yuan went to eat with the others, and just then, a wet arm locked around his neck from behind.

"You kid, you’ve got a grudge against me, don't you!"

Sun Honglei’s small eyes glared fiercely at him...

(End of chapter)