The Queen's Rise to the Top

Chapter 66

The GMC Business Star pulled up at the entrance.

Cheng Xue stood in the parking spot waiting.

She was still dressed in that elite attire, head to toe in designer brands, her hair styled meticulously.

Fully displaying the confidence of a top agent at a major entertainment company!

When Nan XiangWan jogged out from the entrance, Cheng Xue immediately went up, respectfully opening the door for her boss and helping her into the car.

Sitting in the back seat, Nan XiangWan instantly spotted the steamed bun next to her.

She picked it up and started eating right away, two bites per bun.

Although she already had breakfast, she could still eat!

The shooting location for the MV was very far away, taking a full three hours drive to get there.

It was at an ancient architectural complex.

Nan XiangWan looked at the road signs, her eyes wide open!

Gusu City.

Wasn't this her hometown?

The car wound its way until it arrived at a place called Luxiang Ancient Town.

A place not yet commercialized, where only locals lived.

Stepping in, Nan XiangWan felt as if she had entered Peach Blossom Spring!

The classical beauty of Jiangnan hit her in the face!

Cars couldn't drive into Luxiang Ancient Town. Equipment had to be carried in by hand.

Nan XiangWan was escorted along by Cheng Xue, who started doing her makeup.

The extras were all locals, mostly elderly, found in the ancient town.

Originally there weren't many tourists here, but with the extras in costume, the scene came alive!

Today's shoot was of the male and female leads pledging their love, agreeing to marry when the male lead returns triumphantly.

The costumes were all traditional Han dynasty attire, layer upon layer.

Nan XiangWan wore light green robes, with makeup conveying a touch of innocence. The wig reaching her waist cascaded down.

The weather was freezing right now, the temperature plummeting in the depths of winter.

Seeing the scantily clad Nan XiangWan, Cheng Xue's eyes were full of distress!

She really couldn't bear to see her boss suffer this hardship!

But looking at director Feng Kai Ji beside her, already in work mode,

Cheng Xue shut her mouth.

Feng Kai Ji was no ordinary director. He had won international awards!

How could Gu Beihuai have managed to hire someone like him to shoot his MV?

Could this MV be aiming for awards too?

Cheng Xue was a veteran agent, thinking further ahead.

Beside her, Lang Hu walked over, standing with arms crossed, sneering coldly: You Hua Wan Entertainment are really lucky, running into our Superstar Gu wanting to shoot an award-winning MV.

Cheng Xue refused to back down: Are you sure it's luck? Couldn't it be because Superstar Gu was impressed by our boss's sword dance scene, which sparked the idea to reshoot his MV?

Lang Hu: Even so, you couldn't have hired Director Feng yourselves, right?

Cheng Xue: You should just keep quiet, don't disturb the sound crew.

The staff got into position, and at the director's cue, shooting commenced!

Following instructions, Nan XiangWan walked lightly onto the bridge.

She was playing a 14-year old girl now, innocent and carefree, emotions just budding.

She made her way to the top of the bridge.

Director Feng Kai Ji: Good! Turn around!

Nan XiangWan turned, her youthful features conveying a touch of shyness. Her hair lifted in the breeze as she turned, brushing across her face.

Her eyes held laughter and anticipation.

The entire scene was gentle beyond words, like a flower bud about to bloom.

This shot shook the entire crew.

Director Feng hadn't wanted to accept this MV job initially, let alone work with a newbie.

But Gu Beihuai tempted him with potential awards, and showed him Nan XiangWan's sword dance.

Feng couldn't resist and agreed!

He didn't expect to discover Nan XiangWan's shining point so early in the shoot.

Was this girl really an inexperienced newbie?

How could she portray the emotions of an ancient maiden so well?

Feng Kai Ji: Excellent! Gu Beihuai, you're up!

Next scene.

Gu Beihuai, dressed in white robes, hair tied up, played a youth with ambitions!

He slowly walked forward and stood under the bridge.

Gazing from afar at the girl on the bridge.

Both their eyes shone.

The camera raced around capturing this scene in one continuous take, 360 degrees close-up.

With both having stellar looks, any angle worked!

After a round of rapid shots...

Next was the conversation between the leads.

One standing atop the bridge, the other below.

Gazing from a distance, across the years.

Gu Beihuai's tone firm: Wait for me, I'll marry you when I return.

The girl on the bridge parted her red lips softly: Mm, I'll wait for you.

There was no scene of them embracing, no professing their love face-to-face. Just this simple, firm promise across the distance.

Feng Kai Ji was thrilled: Good! It's a wrap!

One take!

Awesome!

Feng hadn't expected this scene to finish filming in just half an hour. Most of the time was the crew preparing; the leads' actual footage was done in minutes, one take.

This way, they could head to the next location right away instead of waiting till tomorrow!

Nan XiangWan lowered her head after the shot.

The one-take wasn't because she acted so well.

Rather, the MV's plot reminded her of her cousin.

Each time she went off to battle, her cousin would wait for her like this at the general's residence.

That look in her eyes at each parting, full of laughter and anticipation.

But now, would her cousin continue waiting for her to go back?

Feng Kai Ji urged loudly: Quick quick, got to get to the next scene on time! Move it!

Everyone hurriedly packed up and left the ancient town.

The crew headed in convoy to the next shooting spot.

Luckily the second location wasn't far, also in Gusu City.

Just that some effort was needed to clear the scene.

Gu Beihuai handed out money on site, and people naturally gave him face.

Before long, everyone arrived at an ancient tower.

Nan XiangWan also had her makeup redone enroute. Gone was the earlier innocent maiden look. Now Nan XiangWan exuded cold ruthlessness.

She had also changed into red bridal robes!

Seeing this, Cheng Xue's heart thumped wildly.

Her boss looked so gorgeous even in such a flamboyant costume!

Soon, the equipment was set up.

They had arrived just in time to catch the setting sun in the late afternoon.

This scene depicted the maiden grown up now, but her groom had still not returned. Instead the enemy was attacking the city.

She was forced to marry another man that very day.

So the robes she wore were actually wedding garments.

Except the heroine didn't obediently board the bridal carriage. She went up the ancient tower, intending to leap to her death.

And encountered the scene of the enemy attacking!

After Nan XiangWan got out of the car in full costume and makeup, the crew instantly sucked in their breath.

If her earlier maiden look was a budding flower bud, now Nan XiangWan was a rose in full dangerous bloom!

Dazzling, tempting, yet untouchable.

The shooting location was atop the ancient tower.

After Nan XiangWan got in position, extras were ready, cameras rolling.

Director Feng Kai Ji: Action!

Whoosh—

Nan XiangWan's eyes flashed sharply upwards.

Beneath the exquisite makeup, those eyes held no hatred, only despair and grief.