Chapter 15: Mother and Daughter

A week later, the preliminary preparations for the production of *The Story of a Noble Family* were complete. Li Dawei personally called Zhang Yuan, instructing him to arrive punctually at the filming location in Tianjin the following morning.

Although the story was set in the Jiangnan region, the director and the crew were based in Beijing. Furthermore, Tianjin, much like Shanghai, had opened its ports to Western capital a century ago, leaving behind numerous Western-style buildings that made it an excellent location for exterior shots.

For instance, the Ren De Girls' High School, where the female protagonist Leng Qingqiu studied, used the Boling Building at Nankai University as its direct setting.

Taking an early long-distance bus, the journey from Beijing to Tianjin was not far, taking only two hours to arrive.

Zhang Yuan had rarely visited Tianjin in his previous life, so he was filled with curiosity.

In his imagination, the moment he entered Tianjin, the air should have been filled with the aroma of Jianbing Guozi, and his ears should have been met with the rhythmic sounds of *kuai ban* and striking claps.

A capital of gastronomy and a home of folk arts—that was Tianjin.

After a bumpy ride, he finally arrived at the destination, stepping into the site rented by the crew at the "Tianjin Television Film and Television Base" with a large backpack on his shoulders.

Many construction workers were still performing the final touches on the "Jin Family Mansion," the primary setting of the drama.

Zhang Yuan marveled inwardly; this was truly a major production with a massive budget, building an entire house just for filming.

It was nothing like the previous crew of *Conquer*, who had to crash a restaurant's private room just to film a dining scene.

"Hello, could you give me a hand?"

As Zhang Yuan was looking around curiously, a woman's voice drifted softly toward him.

"That tall, thin, handsome young man with the black travel bag, hello."

Zhang Yuan only then realized she was likely talking to him, so he pointed to himself.

"Could you help me with something?"

A woman wearing a black one-piece chiffon dress, red high heels, and Chanel sunglasses waved at him.

Her attire was exquisite; one could tell at a glance that she was either wealthy or highly influential.

Even though her large sunglasses covered most of her face, Zhang Yuan could still sense that she was likely very beautiful.

Driven by curiosity, he stepped forward.

"Are you looking for me?"

"You're a member of the *The Story of a Noble Family* crew, right?"

Zhang Yuan thought about it; an actor would indeed be considered crew, so he nodded.

"Alright then, I have some things to move. Can you lend a hand?"

Moving things... *hiss*.

Zhang Yuan understood; she had mistaken him for a production assistant or a stagehand.

It was true that he had earned quite a bit of money recently, but his attire remained very simple; he hadn't spent any on designer clothing.

With a beige long-sleeved shirt and a pair of faded walking shoes, anyone would think he was a poor boy from some family.

"I..." Just as Zhang Yuan was about to explain, a slender, graceful figure came skipping out from a corner and stopped behind the woman.

"Mom, it's so noisy and boring here. I want to go play in the city."

Zhang Yuan's pupils contracted sharply; he recognized her instantly!

Wasn't this the second female lead, Liu Xixi?

And that meant the elegant lady must be her mother, Liu Xiaoli!

No wonder Zhang Yuan had thought from a distance that she possessed an excellent temperament and a light, graceful posture; she did, after all, have the foundation of a professional dancer.

The mother and daughter shared a 70% resemblance, and both were exceptionally beautiful.

In terms of pure looks, Xixi was certainly superior, but if discussing temperament, Liu Xiaoli clearly had the advantage as the mother; after all, the young girl hadn't fully blossomed yet.

Mende Gong was right—he did not deceive me!

Zhang Yuan suddenly felt a bit hungry; he really wanted to eat a *Oyakodon*.

"Young man, over here," Liu Xiaoli beckoned to him with a professional business smile.

"Oh, alright. Where is it?"

He had to listen to his... no, not mother-in-law, but his Auntie.

Zhang Yuan followed her to a business van, which was loaded with eight large suitcases.

"Clothing and luggage should usually be sent to the hotel; this is the film set," Zhang Yuan asked in confusion.

"These are all for use on set. There's quite a lot of stuff, sorry to trouble you," Auntie Liu nodded slightly in thanks.

They said she spoiled her daughter, but this was excessive. Was she here to film a movie or move house?

Zhang Yuan stepped forward and lifted one; it was incredibly heavy.

It was only because he was young and strong with a good back; anyone else would have struggled.

While Zhang Yuan was unloading the car under Liu Xiaoli's direction, a black Passat pulled up steadily at the other end of the set. Director Li Dawei stepped out, helping his mother, Liu Guoquan, out of the car.

"I'm not that old yet," Liu Guoquan complained, though her eyes were full of affection.

"Mom, let me show you around the set first."

"No need, it's a mess right now. It won't be too late to look later." Liu Guoquan waved her hand. "Take me to meet that boy, Zhang Yuan, first."

"I want to see what this interesting young man looks like."

"Alright, I specifically told him to come early, so he should be here by now."

As the mother and son walked inward, Liu Xiaoli was still directing.

"Be careful."

"This one can be rolled, to save some effort."

"Take this one into the inner room."

By this time, the director and his mother had arrived. Upon seeing them, Liu Xiaoli immediately greeted them with a beaming smile.

"Director Liu, Director Li, you've arrived."

This woman had very high standards; she didn't pay much mind to ordinary directors, given her powerful background.

Not only did she have a diplomat as an ex-husband, but she also had a tycoon acting as her "simp" in the background; her pride was quite high.

But these two were different.

Why?

Because Liu Xixi had just "enrolled" in the Beijing Film Academy this year!

How a fifteen-year-old girl (actually fourteen, with American citizenship) managed to enter China's most prestigious acting university was something even a fool could see involved "arrangements."

And a crucial part of those arrangements was Liu Guoquan!

Although the old lady wasn't a professor or dean at the Beijing Film Academy, her status was higher than any current professor or dean; even the president treated her with great respect due to her seniority.

Liu Guoquan was the one who pushed Xixi into the academy. Not only that, when *The Story of a Noble Family* was being promoted, it was claimed that the casting director had spotted Xixi in a real estate advertisement and picked her for the second female lead on the spot.

Was casting a joke?

That was just what they said publicly; in reality, Liu Guoquan's connections had been used.

From her schooling to the Shanghai Theatre Academy, the old lady had handled everything. How could Liu Xiaoli not be polite to her?

"Xiaoli, you're here. Where is Xixi?"

"This little girl is filming for the first time and is curious about the set, so she's wandering around. Please look after her later," Liu Xiaoli bowed deeply, acting exceptionally humble.

Director Liu smiled kindly. Just then, her son's eyes widened as he looked ahead.

"Zhang Yuan?"

Li Dawei stepped forward and grabbed Zhang Yuan's sweat-soaked shoulder.

"Hello, Director Li."

"So you are Zhang Yuan." Hearing their conversation, the old lady stepped forward with a smile, observing him.

*Not bad. His height and build are good, and his looks are only a step below Chen Kun. But he's young; like that girl, he still has a lot of growing to do.*

In terms of image alone, he could certainly enter the acting department of the Beijing Film Academy.

"Did you help Dawei organize the script for this film?" the old lady asked.

"I just provided some minor ideas; Director Li is the one who grasped the overall vision."

*Humble, well-spoken, and socially savvy...* Liu Guoquan added several more descriptors to him in her mind.

"Regardless, I must thank you for your contribution to the film. Act well in the crew from now on, and if there is anything you don't understand, you can ask me."

Beside them, Liu Xiaoli's eyes nearly popped out of her head if not for her sunglasses.

Teacher Liu said "thank you" to this young man?

And even told him he could ask *her* if he had questions?

This was clearly treating him like a protégé!

And according to them, he was the one who worked on the script... As Liu Xiaoli thought of this, her already pale, oval face turned even whiter.

*He has such a good relationship with the director and his mother, yet I unceremoniously used him as a porter...*

"By the way, what are you doing?" the old lady asked, making Liu Xiaoli's heart skip a beat.

"It's nothing. I just arrived at the crew and am helping a colleague move some things, while also getting acquainted to make acting scenes easier later." Zhang Yuan didn't tell the truth; it wouldn't be good to cause friction right after joining the crew.

【Received thanks from Liu Xiaoli, Dance Foundation +3!】

*Phew...* Liu Xiaoli breathed a sigh of relief, her heart having skipped several beats.

"Yes, familiarity between actors is very important." Li Dawei might have been a bit naive, but his mother was a veteran; one look at Liu Xiaoli's expression and he guessed the gist of it.

"Xiaoli, in the future, leave this kind of heavy lifting to the stagehands. If an actor gets injured, how can they film?" Director Liu admonished her.

"Yes." Liu Xiaoli hurried forward, pulled Zhang Yuan aside, and whispered.

"Zhang Yuan, I'm so sorry. That was all a misunderstanding. I thought... Let me treat you to a meal later."

Zhang Yuan readily agreed.

Whether he ate or not wasn't the point; the main thing was... *Auntie, is your daughter coming too?*