Chapter 15: Beauty is the King

Although she guessed Han Jing's intentions, Yun Xiangxiang was still very moved. She and Han Jing had no blood relation, and their decision to work together on the movie was purely transactional. Han Jing must have been searching for a long time, experiencing too many disappointments, which led her to treat Yun Xiangxiang with such respect.

Han Jing was not someone who beat around the bush, and they quickly discussed the details. That night, she hosted Yun Zhibin and his family for dinner as a gesture of hospitality, and even offered to arrange for them to stay in Sichuan for a few more days, with a guide to show them around. However, Yun Zhibin declined because he had a pregnant wife at home, so Han Jing arranged for their flight back the next day.

Han Jing was very busy with the filming, as the shooting environment had many limitations, and many places could only be captured using aerial shots. She had to prepare a lot of things, and it was said that she had been using drones to capture the seasonal changes in the area for a year, ensuring that any potential dangers were eliminated.

[Wei Shanshan: Xiangxiang, I heard that you accepted "Dreams of the University"!!!!]

After returning home for two days, Wei Shanshan asked in disbelief in the group chat.

[Yun Xiangxiang: Yes, it's a very exciting film.]

[Yi Yan: What genre is "Dreams of the University?"]

[Wei Shanshan: It's non-human, let me show you some pictures of the filming environment [JPG][JPG][JPG]……]

Yun Xiangxiang saw the real scene of heavy snowfall, those small roads, slopes, and cliffs, everything looked so real.

[Yun Xiangxiang: Shanshan, did you also audition?]

[Wei Shanshan: Yes, I did. I thought I could overcome it, but when I stood on the edge of the cliff, my whole body was trembling, my mind went blank, and when I grabbed the rope ladder, my whole body stiffened. I had nightmares for two nights after I came back!]

[Fang Nanyuan: This is going to be filmed with aerial shots. I feel like if I step on this road, it will collapse, and if I fall down, would they be able to find my remains?]

[Yi Yan: The theme of underprivileged students pursuing education—the environment is too harsh. Why did you even accept it?]

[Wei Shanshan: Yes, this is the picture I got from the crew. The real environment cannot be fully reflected in the photo. My goodness, Xiangxiang, you are really brave. Just for this, I won't be jealous of your future success!]

It seemed that the filming location of "Dreams of the University" had created a huge psychological shadow for Wei Shanshan, but Yun Xiangxiang felt it was not that bad. After all, she had a mature soul, and her mental resilience was different from Wei Shanshan's.

[Fang Nanyuan: It feels quite thrilling. Do they need male characters? I'm up for it.]

[Yi Yan: I'm in too.]

[Wei Shanshan: You two are crazy. You haven't even been to the actual location, you don't know how terrifying it is. I'd rather watch a horror movie than experience it.]

[Yun Xiangxiang: Get out, this movie has only one lead role, everyone else is just extras.]

[Fang Nanyuan: [Regretful] Can only wait for when you are filming, I will come and visit, broaden my horizons.]

[Yi Yan: I'll also come.]

[Wei Shanshan: [Indifferent] Don't even think about it. Unless the two of you cross mountains and valleys, or else you won't be able to go. When we went for the audition, Han Teacher used a helicopter to take us in.]

[Fang Nanyuan: Han Teacher? Helicopter? That's impressive. This movie must have a lot of aerial shots, who is so generous, and who are the investors?]

[Wei Shanshan: [Smug] Beg me, just beg me, and I'll tell you.]

[Yi Yan@Yun Xiangxiang: Who is the director, Han Teacher?]

[Yun Xiangxiang: As a female compatriot, I stand with Shanshan.]

[Wei Shanshan: Hahaha… Xiangxiang, I love you. [Blowing a kiss]]

[Fang Nanyuan: [Sigh] Women rule the world. I'm out.]

[Yi Yan: Take me with you.]

Eventually, after some banter, they still told the pair that the director was Han Jing, and all the funds were solely provided by her. After all, it was no secret, as they had already auditioned many leading actresses.

In the "Love and Care" group, Zhou Wei published the promotional poster, which they took directly from the movie without participating in the shoot.

Yun Xiangxiang was astonished after seeing it because she was positioned front and center on the poster, and her name was the largest and most prominent. Even below the poster, her name was the most noticeable.

[Yun Xiangxiang: Zhou Teacher, this is not appropriate…]

[Zhou Wei: After discussions with the three of them, they all agreed.]

[Fang Nanyuan: Looks are everything, and we four are just small fries. Naturally, the poster should feature the most eye-catching picture.]

[Yi Yan: Right, the three of us chose it. Since your looks are used to attract people, it's only fair to have your name placed right at the front.]

[Wei Shanshan: [Sorrowful] Blame my ugliness.]

[Zhou Wei: Hahaha, okay, okay, you are all good kids. Our movie will be released on New Year's Day, and all three of them will be in the capital city. Will you come over?]

Yun Xiangxiang hesitated for a moment before declining.

[Yun Xiangxiang: Teacher Zhou, I won't be able to make it.]

By not going, Wei Shanshan and the others would receive more attention. Since they gave her the most prominent position on the poster and under the name of the film, she felt she should reciprocate, although she still needed to explain why.

[Yun Xiangxiang: I have to join the "Dreams of the University" crew in July and will probably be filming at this time next year. I won't have much time to study in my final year of high school, so I need to focus on revising and mastering the high school curriculum.]

[Zhou Wei: Okay, do your best in your studies. I wish you the best in next year's college entrance exam.]

Putting down her phone, Yun Xiangxiang felt that the friendship between her and Wei Shanshan and the others was really precious. She hoped they could maintain this friendship forever.

Next, Yun Xiangxiang devoted herself wholeheartedly to her studies. Yun Zhibin was relieved and yet saddened to see her in this state. He still didn't dare to tell his wife about Yun Xiangxiang's new film remuneration, fearing that she would inquire further. When he returned home, he also had nightmares for several nights.

During this winter vacation, Yunxiang has mastered the skill of cooking soup, and has become fascinated with it. Although her cooking skills are not particularly good, she is determined to improve, as she is determined to do everything she can to prevent stomach problems in her lifetime.

By the thirtieth day of the lunar year, during a family reunion dinner, Yunxiang finally gets a chance to see all her relatives. Yun Zhibin is the third child, with two older brothers and a younger brother, as well as several sisters and one younger sister. Though not all of them were able to attend, the meal tables were still completely full.

Yunxiang noticed that her extended family has a lively atmosphere, with Uncle and Second Uncle enjoying talking about family matters, but not in a way that annoys others. The eldest uncle is an honest and straightforward farmer, the second uncle is very easygoing and does some small trading, while the fourth uncle works as a white-collar worker at a company, and his wife is a beautiful woman, even more beautiful than Su Xiuling. Despite her frequent mahjong games, she takes good care of the family. Her cousin Yun Miaomiao is also pretty and obedient.

When the red packets are distributed, Yunxiang feels a light and airy feeling. In her previous life as an orphan, she had never known what New Year's money was.

"After the meal, Little Third, could you take a look at the shops outside the new school zone for me?" It took a while for Second Uncle, Yun Zhiwu, to gingerly broach the subject.