Chapter 51: The Collision of Fire and Ice

Others who passed the third round of the Beijing Film Academy entrance examinations still needed to take the national college entrance examination, and only after meeting the required academic score threshold could they officially become students at the academy.

At this point, however, Liu Yifei was already a member of the Performance Class of 2002 at the Beijing Film Academy.

Yet the few months remaining before the start of the semester provided the exact window for Liu Yifei to join the cast of *The Story of a Noble Family* and shoot her very first television series.

Liu Xiaoli had originally intended to accompany Liu Yifei to the production set, but Chen Siyuan did not allow it.

Chen Siyuan insisted on going himself to establish his presence and keep things under control.

Moreover, as the primary investor of *The Story of a Noble Family*, it was also necessary for him to show his face.

On Li Dawei's side, with the assistance of his respected mother, all preparatory work had been fully completed.

Just as in the original timeline, Li Dawei, aiming to create an aesthetic feast, selected a cast consisting entirely of handsome men and beautiful women.

Especially with the backing of Chen Siyuan (Light Media), the costumes, makeup, and prop design for *The Story of a Noble Family* were even more exquisite than in the original timeline.

You get what you pay for.

When the actors changed into their period costumes, the entire ambiance instantly elevated.

Rubbing his hands in anticipation, Li Dawei prepared to showcase his talent to the fullest.

Amid the high expectations of many, *The Story of a Noble Family* finally commenced filming.

The domestic entertainment industry at this time was still rather amateurish, largely mimicking the practices of Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.

Naturally, the traditional opening worship ceremony followed the custom popular in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

As the major investor in attendance, Chen Siyuan was pushed forward to offer the first stick of incense.

The director and lead actors followed after him.

Perhaps in the eyes of everyone else on the crew of *The Story of a Noble Family*, Chen Siyuan was merely an investor.

If an adjective had to be added, it would be a handsome and charismatic investor.

However, in the eyes of the female lead, Dong Jie, Chen Siyuan was her benefactor.

Dong Jie's gaze toward Chen Siyuan was much like Leng Qingqiu's gaze toward Jin Yanxi when she first stepped into the river of love.

A little flustered, afraid of being discovered.

A little entangled, lingering like broken lotus silk pulling on hidden threads.

"Dong Jie! Dong Jie! Dong Jie? It's your turn!"

Not until the assistant director reminded her did Dong Jie snap out of her daydream, hurriedly stepping forward to offer her incense.

Not far away, Liu Guoquan—who had willingly taken a supporting role behind her son—nodded in satisfaction.

"This actress Dong Jie was well chosen; she fits the image of Leng Qingqiu perfectly!"

An assistant director standing beside Liu Guoquan smiled and quickly chimed in, "Word has it that Dong Jie was spotted at first glance by our major investor while he was offering incense at White Cloud Temple, and then recommended to Director Li. After Director Li arranged a screen test, she was cast on the spot."

Casting had been handled personally by Li Dawei, without allowing Liu Guoquan to intervene.

Hearing this, Liu Guoquan nodded. "Although the female lead lacks sufficient fame, having Chen Kun is enough, so it won't have much of a negative impact."

"And what about that Liu Yifei? How is it that I heard she's the investor's daughter?"

Liu Guoquan then cast her gaze toward Liu Yifei, who was dressed in a pristine white dress.

"Director Liu, you might have misunderstood. Liu Yifei was actually personally begged for by Director Li, who went out of his way to plead with our investor before he finally agreed to let Liu Yifei play Bai Xiuzhu."

The assistant director quickly explained.

"Oh? Then I must see what extraordinary qualities she possesses!"

Liu Guoquan did not say anything further. Since she had decided to delegate authority to her son, she would not excessively interfere.

Shortly after the opening ceremony, filming commenced.

The crew of *The Story of a Noble Family* was packed with elite talents that Li Dawei had personally recruited using his connections.

They quickly finished setting up the location for the first scene to be shot.

Li Dawei sat in the director's chair, brimming with high spirits.

"Are all departments ready? Report status!"

"Camera ready."

"Lighting ready."

"Sound ready."

……

"Action on *The Story of a Noble Family*!"

Accompanied by Li Dawei's somewhat excited voice, the clapperboard stepped forward and snapped shut.

The very first shot was the fateful encounter between Jin Yanxi and Leng Qingqiu.

Imitating the style of Japanese and South Korean romance dramas, Li Dawei wanted a sweet and dreamy meeting.

The dashing, romantic, and uninhibited Jin Yanxi crossing paths with the cold, aloof, and orchid-like Leng Qingqiu.

It was a collision between fire and ice.

A supreme form of romance.

Liu Guoquan frowned slightly; this particular shot would not be easy to film!

Was it wise to put it as the very first scene?

Liu Guoquan desperately wanted to stop Li Dawei, but ultimately held back.

Chen Kun had made extensive preparations for the role of Jin Yanxi.

Because many people had previously doubted Chen Kun, believing he lacked the aristocratic bearing of a wealthy young master required for Jin Yanxi.

This was precisely the moment for Chen Kun to prove himself.

Dong Jie had edged out top-tier actresses like Zhao Yanzi to secure the role of Leng Qingqiu, and naturally, many people were unconvinced as well.

This was similarly the moment for Dong Jie to prove herself.

With Chen Kun's solid acting skills, executing such a shot presented no major issues.

The focus remained on Dong Jie.

However, Dong Jie herself was brimming with absolute confidence.

As the sound of the clapperboard echoed, the Chen Kun in Dong Jie's eyes had transformed into Chen Siyuan!

This was Dong Jie's method!

A method she had pondered and refined over a long period.

"Cut! Perfect!"

After reviewing the monitor several times, Li Dawei excitedly announced a one-take pass!

This was the aesthetic visual he had envisioned!

Not far away, Liu Guoquan also breathed a sigh of relief.

The older generation still cared deeply about whether the beginning of a production went smoothly.

"Let's go, no need to watch anymore. Let's go film the other unit's scenes!"

Liu Guoquan truly stepped back and let go.

*The Story of a Noble Family* was shooting simultaneously with Unit A and Unit B, with Li Dawei in charge of the primary Unit A.

In the past, Li Dawei had only ever been permitted to direct less significant scenes.

Chen Siyuan did not leave, choosing instead to stay on the sidelines and watch them film.

Having practiced law extensively, Chen Siyuan was exceptionally observant of details.

He keenly noticed Dong Jie's unusual demeanor.

"Dad, Sister Dong Jie acts so wonderfully!"

Liu Yifei, standing beside Chen Siyuan, revealed a hint of envy.

After all, performing romantic emotional scenes remained her weakness.

Yet Bai Xiuzhu, her character in *The Story of a Noble Family*, was deeply and passionately in love with Jin Yanxi.

Having rehearsed with Liu Yifei for so long, Chen Siyuan naturally understood her flaws and knew her anxieties.

"Xixi, just act according to how we discussed it previously. A wealthy heiress's view on romance is different from ordinary people. In Bai Xiuzhu's eyes, Jin Yanxi is simply something she desires to possess—it's the exact same logic as when you like a kitten or a puppy and want to bring it home to raise!"

Chen Siyuan spoke softly beside Liu Yifei's ear.

The corners of Liu Yifei's lips curved upward.

The angle her father used to frame the perspective was truly fascinating.

Yet under Chen Siyuan's encouragement, Liu Yifei genuinely began to feel confident.

She could do this.

Over on Li Dawei's side, several more consecutive shots of Chen Kun and Dong Jie were filmed.

Neither Chen Kun nor Dong Jie let him down.

Most scenes passed within two takes.

The filming progressed with extraordinary smoothness.

Soon, it was time for Liu Yifei's scheduled scene.

"Dad, I'm going over!"

Taking a deep breath, Liu Yifei trotted onto the set to begin her debut scene.

Meanwhile, after stepping down, Dong Jie walked over and stood right in the exact spot Liu Yifei had just occupied.

"Brother Chen, how did I do?"