Trembling At A High Altitude

"Film and Television City is just like that, very hierarchical, similar to the society we used to live in. Those big directors who have cultivated Best Actors and Best Actresses hold significant power here. They can choose scripts, select actors, and shoot complete blockbuster films. We, the lower-tier directors, can only shoot some meaningless temporary scenes," the director complained.

"They didn't choose this script, and it's their loss. This kind of master-level artistic work, those ordinary people wouldn't appreciate it anyway. When I was portraying Donna, along with the lines, the plot, and the music, I truly merged into his thoughts, as if I was transported back to that era," Li Teng continued to reflect.

"Yes, you fit the role of Donna perfectly in my mind, it's a perfect match. When you were playing him, it was as if he was right there before my eyes," the director grew very emotional after discussing the plot.

"Right, someone as handsome as me, filled with Wisdom, and also upright, honest, sunny, optimistic, strong, extraordinarily courageous, and full of justice, indeed fits perfectly with the character setup for Donna," Li Teng nodded.

"No, what I meant was that Donna is described as scum in the original," the director corrected Li Teng.

"Cough cough... Donna is scummy? I don't think so! He loved Anna deeply, even after ten years, his love hadn't changed. The song 'Ten Years' really suited them, especially that moment when he and Anna passed by each other after ten years, I felt like I had traveled through time and space, merging my soul completely with Donna. I could feel his inner pain, a heart-wrenching pain, he didn't stop loving Anna, but for the revolutionary cause, he had to give up some things,"

"The music at that moment was just divine! When they brushed past each other, the music played was 'Ten years later, we are friends, and we can still greet each other, just that tenderness can no longer find an excuse to embrace, lovers inevitably become friends...'"

"And after they brushed past each other, the music played was 'If the embrace can't linger, why not enjoy the moment of departure, with tears flowing...' It just reached deep into the heart, touching the soul, such a profound story combined with the revolutionary educational significance, the scriptwriter blended it so perfectly, truly unprecedented and unrepeatable," the director exclaimed.

"I don't even know how to describe it anymore, I love this script so much! I really hope it gets made into a blockbuster one day, and it would be even better if I could play Donna," Li Teng continued subtly flattering.

"Maybe, hearing you talk like this... I'll encourage the scriptwriter to continue perfecting the script, hoping for that day," the director, pleased with his craft being acknowledged, said.

"Cold bugs sounded incessantly last night, startling me back from dreams a thousand miles away, already the third watch. I get up and walk alone around the steps. Quietly, the moon shines faint outside the curtain. A lifetime committed to fame and fortune. The old mountains' pines and bamboos have aged, blocking the return journey. Would like to entrust my heartfelt matters to the jade zither. Who listens when friends who understand are few, and the strings have broken?" Li Teng quickly seized the moment to show he is the director's confidant.

The best way to deal with artistic young women? Poetry and distant realms.

"You seem to know a lot of poems? Did you work in literature before?" the director unconsciously shifted the conversation to Li Teng.

"I didn't memorize these poems on purpose, just found their scenes beautiful after reading them. I recited and reflected on them a few times, and they naturally stuck," Li Teng smiled.

"Then you really do have a talent in this area, being an extra is a waste," the director murmured.

"Do you need a scriptwriter by your side? After leaving this crew, how about taking me with you? I could help you out as a scriptwriter," Li Teng seized the opportunity to suggest to the director.

"Well... my level is too low, I don't have that authority," the director shook her head, she reached for her teacup, then suddenly remembered she was still wearing a mask, and had to put the teacup down again.

"Why do you always wear a mask? Is it a rule in Film and Television City?" Li Teng continued to cozy up.

"Because... I'm ugly," the director, of course, remembered what Li Teng had once said on a plane, which impressed her deeply.

"How could that be? I can only see your eyes, and your eyes are beautiful, giving anyone who sees them a dizzying sense of fascination. A person with such beautiful eyes cannot be ugly," Li Teng continued to flatter.

"You talk like this to every woman, don't you?" the director huffed.

"I've never said such things to Anna, Elsa, or Daisy, I'm not the kind of person you think I am," Li Teng looked a bit hurt.

"Indeed, your intentions towards them... just tricking them into buying you food with their credits, I didn't see you having any other thoughts towards them," the director nodded.

"It wasn't deceit, I genuinely had no points in the first few scenes and was hungry, I had no choice," Li Teng said with an awkward smile.

"Tell me, after talking for so long, what favor do you want?" The director seemed ready to forcefully end the conversation with Li Teng.

"I don't want any favors, I was just worried that you might be upset about the punishment, so I wanted to talk to you, since all this started because of me," Li Teng shook his head.

"You don't need to blame yourself, my punishment has nothing to do with you. It's just that I couldn't stand the doctor's method, so I spent points to get you that companion card as a reward for you."

"Can directors use their own points to give actors special rewards?"

"Yes."

"You used your own points..."

"What do you think?"

"You really helped me out big time this time. I don't know how I can ever thank you; just know that I owe you one. As long as I'm not dead, I will definitely repay you," Li Teng made a promise to the director.

"You don't need to repay me. Like I said, what I did was unrelated to you, as is the punishment I received," the director seemed unconcerned about it.

"I will strive to survive, to live until I become the Best Actor. If I do, I will insist on you being my director, and we will film this script in its entirety, turning this movie into a classic in the Film and Television City," Li Teng changed his tone.

"Let's hope," the director did not refuse this time; it seemed she really cared about her work.

"By the way, how did you become a director in the Film and Television City? When you first entered, you didn't appear directly at the top of the stone column like us, did you?" Li Teng took the opportunity to ask a question that the Extras could never know the answer to, perhaps glimpsing a vast iceberg about the origins of Film and Television City through the answer.

"I appeared directly at the director training school... The rules say I can't talk about these things, so don't ask," the director spoke halfway and then stopped.

"Alright, surveillance in Film and Television City is probably everywhere, casually speaking might be recorded," Li Teng looked around and then glanced at the two expressionless bodyguards.

"It's getting late, I'm tired, and you should go rest as well, there's a performance in Hell Mode to attend tomorrow," the director issued an order to leave, it seemed she would like to chat more with Li Teng, but was afraid more talk might violate the rules of Film and Television City.

"Tomorrow, I might never come back," Li Teng sighed.

"Don't be so pessimistic," said the director.

"Surviving last time was a miracle, miracles like that don't happen a second time," Li Teng really lacked confidence.

"An early release might not be a bad thing," the director finally spoke after a moment of silence.

"You're right, that's what I told Daisy. I'm glad we had this talk and shared our thoughts on the script. We might be kindred spirits, which is why I understand your script. Thanks again for your help, and I hope this won't be our last conversation," Li Teng stood up.

"Good night," the director didn't say much more.

"Good night."