Huayu: I rely on hit-movie tactics to interweave...

Chapter 41: A Set Visit

After China Film Group took over the application for "Hearing Girl" to Berlin, Liu Yu suddenly found himself with free time.

After only a few days of free time, Yan Danchen called.

"Liu Yu, guess where I am?"

"Hengdian?"

"wrong."

"Elephant Mountain?"

"wrong."

"So where are you?"

"Jiuzhaigou!" Yan Danchen exclaimed, as if she had won the lottery. "The Return of the Condor Heroes was filmed on location in Jiuzhaigou. Huang Rong's scenes weren't many, but the scenery was absolutely stunning. I'll take you there when you come."

Liu Yu smiled. "Are you inviting me to visit the set?"

"I didn't say that," Yan Danchen paused, "but I won't stop you from coming."

Liu Yu thought about it and figured that since he was free anyway, he might as well go to Jiuzhaigou and see Yan Danchen while he was there.

He had never been to Jiuzhaigou before. In his previous life, he was too busy with business to travel so far.

"Okay, I'll book the tickets."

"When will you arrive?"

"the day after tomorrow."

"Then I'll wait for you." Yan Danchen hung up the phone and sent a text message with only one word: "Happy."

...

Before leaving, Liu Yu ran into Wang Chaowen at school.

Wang Chaowen went back to school to get his things and saw Liu Yu dragging a suitcase. "Brother, where are you going?"

"Jiuzhaigou, a behind-the-scenes visit."

Wang Chaowen's expression immediately became ambiguous. "Whose set are you visiting? Yan Danchen?"

Liu Yu did not deny it.

Wang Chaowen chuckled twice, "Brother, you've come all this way to deliver this..."

Liu Yu kicked him, but he dodged it.

"Hey bro, did you see the news? Lu Chuan's 'Kekexili' was released. He cried again at the premiere, guess why he cried this time?"

Liu Yu took the phone and glanced at it.

The news headline read, "Lu Chuan sheds tears at the premiere of 'Kekexili,' saying the filming process was too arduous."

The news photo showed Lu Chuan with red eyes, wiping away tears with a tissue, while several actors stood next to him, looking awkward, as if they didn't know how to comfort him.

"He cried again? Didn't he cry during 'The Missing Gun'?"

"That's why I said he's addicted to crying." Wang Chaowen put his laptop away. "You're a director, why are you crying at the premiere? You're a director, not an actor. Actors cry because they're immersed in the role, but what does it mean when a director cries? Is he too immersed in the role? You've seen those thousands of shots hundreds of times, haven't you cried enough?"

"Never mind if she's crying or not." Liu Yu pulled up his suitcase. "Help me organize the books in my dorm room; I'll need them when I get back."

"Okay. Be careful on the road, bro, don't get photographed by reporters."

...

Late October is the most beautiful time of year in Jiuzhaigou, when autumn is in full bloom.

Liu Yu transferred in Chengdu, flew to Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport, and then took a car for more than an hour to reach the entrance of Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area.

The driver was a local man who introduced the scenic spots along the way in broken Mandarin. Liu Yu didn't remember a word of it, but he did remember the last thing the man said: "The water in Jiuzhaigou, you'll never forget it once you see it."

The filming locations for "The Return of the Condor Heroes" in Jiuzhaigou were near Five-Flower Lake and Pearl Shoal Waterfall.

When Liu Yu arrived, it was 10 a.m., the sun was shining brightly, and the water was sparkling.

He stood outside the film crew's cordon and glanced at the water from afar. The color of the water was indeed as Yan Danchen had described: turquoise, an unreal blue, as if someone had laid a layer of sapphires on the bottom of the water.

Several reporters were crouching outside the police cordon, carrying telephoto lenses and aiming at the film crew like snipers.

As Liu Yu walked past, dragging his suitcase, a reporter turned around, glanced at him, and then froze.

"Director Liu?"

Liu Yu's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained unchanged.

You've mistaken me for someone else.

"Impossible, I attended the premiere of 'Speed ​​Scandal'." The reporter stood up, pointing his camera at Liu Yu. "Director Liu, are you here to visit the set? Yan Danchen? Liu Yifei? They're both leading ladies in your film?"

Liu Yu smiled and said, "I'm here for tourism."

"Tourism? Jiuzhaigou is so big, why did you have to walk right up to the film crew's door?"

"coincide."

The reporter clearly didn't believe him, but instead of pressing him for answers, he took out his phone and started sending messages.

Liu Yu knew that within half an hour, the entire entertainment media industry would know that "Liu Yu appeared on the set of 'The Return of the Condor Heroes' in Jiuzhaigou".

He sighed and continued walking forward, dragging his suitcase.

Before he had taken more than a few steps, two more reporters surrounded him.

This time the question was more direct: "Director Liu, what's your opinion on the recent rumors circulating online about Liu Yifei?"

Liu Yu stopped and turned to look at the reporter.

Rumors? What rumors? He hasn't been online for the past few days; I wonder what kind of trouble he's gotten himself into this time.

"What rumor?"

"It's about Liu Yifei and her mother being kept by a wealthy businessman." The reporter's expression was excited, like a shark smelling blood. "The internet says that Liu Yifei's parents divorced when she was four, and her mother took her to the United States through a sham marriage with an older American man. Later, the mother and daughter couldn't make it in the US, so they were taken back to China by a wealthy businessman surnamed Chen from Beijing. Liu Yifei's first role and first film were both bought with money by that businessman. Even her current film, 'The Return of the Condor Heroes,' was also bought for her by that businessman."

Liu Yu was silent for two seconds, processing this information.

He had seen this content countless times online in his previous life; they were all largely the same.

Do you have any evidence?

The reporter was taken aback.

"It's all over the internet..."

"Is everything circulating online true? There's even a rumor online that Liu Xiaoqing played Xiaolongnu. Do you think that's true?" The reporter opened his mouth but couldn't say anything.

Liu Yu looked at the reporter, then at the few people who had gathered around.

He knew one of them, from the New Express Daily. When "Speed ​​Scandal" was criticized last time, this newspaper was the one that criticized it the most.

He suddenly didn't want to endure it anymore; not that he couldn't endure it, but that he didn't want to endure it anymore.

A seventeen-year-old girl, who did nothing wrong, is being smeared just because she became famous? What kind of logic is that?

"Let me say a few words to you," Liu Yu said softly. "First, I haven't seen or want to see those rumors you've been talking about. Second, I worked with Liu Yifei on a movie; she's a good actress, and her mother is a good person. Third, you people in the media need evidence when you write. Writing without evidence is spreading rumors, and spreading rumors carries legal consequences."

The reporters looked at each other in bewilderment.

Some people wanted to ask more questions, but Liu Yu waved his hand, dragged his suitcase and left, leaving a few people whispering behind him.

What Liu Yu didn't know was that less than an hour after he said those words, a reporter posted the recording online.

The headlines on the portal websites were getting more and more sensational.

"Liu Yu strongly supports Liu Yifei and angrily denounces those who spread rumors about her."

"Liu Yu visited the set of 'The Return of the Condor Heroes' and lost his temper when asked about Liu Yifei's scandals."

The comments section was filled with debate, with some saying "Liu Yu is a real man," others saying "Is Liu Yu dating Liu Yifei?" and still others saying "Liu Yu is just trying to ride on her coattails."

Liu Yu was completely unaware of all this, because he had already entered the film crew, his phone was on silent, and he was following Yan Danchen's assistant inside.

.....

Zhang Dahuzi is indeed annoying when he hypes things up; everyone has to admit he's genuinely making a show out of nothing.

The art style of "The Return of the Condor Heroes" is set to be aesthetically pleasing, with beautiful scenery, beautiful people, and beautiful action.

Jiuzhaigou needs no introduction, but the scenery of Yandang Mountain is also top-notch.

The film crew built a pavilion in Jiuzhaigou to film scenes in the Valley of Heartbreak.

There are signs standing dozens of meters away from the filming location, and people are stationed there to prevent tourists from wandering in and affecting the filming.

Liu Yu followed Yan Danchen's assistant, Ma Hong, to the cordon. The security guard at the gate recognized Ma Hong, glanced at Liu Yu, and did not stop him.

"Director Liu, this way." Ma Hong led the way, walking quickly.

Liu Yu followed behind, dragging his suitcase, the wheels making a clattering sound on the gravel road.

Ma Hong turned around and saw this scene, smiled, and said, "Director Liu, give me the suitcase, I'll have someone help you carry it."

"Need not."

.....

A short while later, a woman in her early twenties, of medium height and with a good demeanor, walked towards us. She was wearing a gray windbreaker, her hair was tied in a ponytail, and she greeted us with a smile.

"Assistant Ma, Director Liu is visiting the set. Why didn't you announce it earlier? Come in quickly."

Liu Yu recognized her: Du Xingsen, Zhang Dahuzi's assistant, who later became Zhang's mistress and successfully took over his wife's position.

But that's a story for later; Du Xingsen is still a dedicated production coordinator.

Liu Yu followed behind her, listening to her report on the latest progress of the film crew.

"Director Yu is over there, should we go over and say hello?" Du Xingsen pointed to a tent not far away.

Several people were standing outside the tent. Zhang Da Huzi, wearing a black jacket and sporting his signature beard, was talking to a young man.

The young man was dressed in ancient costume, a white robe, and had long hair flowing down his shoulders.

Liu Yu was stunned for a moment before recognizing Huang Xiaoming.

Standing next to Huang Xiaoming was Yan Danchen, who was wearing a light yellow ancient costume, her hair was styled in a bun and adorned with several hairpins, and she looked much more mature than usual.

Her smile was still the same, but when she saw Liu Yu walking over, her eyes curved into crescent moons.

"Director Liu is here?" Zhang the Bearded Man turned around, saw Liu Yu, and walked over with a smile. "Welcome, welcome. I heard about 'Hearing Girl,' you sent it to Berlin, right? Congratulations!"

"Teacher Zhang is really well-informed." Liu Yu grasped Zhang Da Huzi's hand.

"The industry is only so big, news travels fast." Zhang the Bearded Man released his grip. "At your age, three films, each one better than the last. You're a force to be reckoned with."

"You flatter me, Teacher Zhang."

Yu Min, holding the script, said, "Director Liu is here? Come in and have a seat."

Liu Yu followed the two into the tent. Zhang Dahuzi personally poured a cup of tea. "Danchen said you were arriving today, so we specially ordered your lunch. Don't be shy, treat yourself like you're on your own set."

Huang Xiaoming also came in. He shook hands with Liu Yu and smiled very brightly.

"Director Liu, I've seen your 'A Moment to Remember,' Dan Chen's acting was superb, and your direction was even better. My classmates and I are so envious. When can we collaborate on a film together?"

Liu Yu was taken aback for a moment, "You're too kind, Senior Brother Xiaoming. I'll definitely do it if I have the chance."

"Don't call me senior brother, just call me Xiaoming. Danchen and I are classmates, and you're her boyfriend, so we're not strangers."

Liu Yu smiled to himself, thinking: This circle is really small.

Yan Danchen stood to the side, not saying much, her eyes fixed on Liu Yu.

There was longing, joy, and a sense of peace in his eyes.

When no one was looking, Liu Yu secretly squeezed her hand. Her fingers were cool, and after he squeezed them, she quickly clenched them back, squeezed his fingers a little, and then let go.

"Alright, you guys chat, I'm going to remove my makeup." Yan Danchen stood up and walked over to Liu Yu, then lowered her voice and said, "After I finish work, I'll take you out to have some fun."