Chapter 70
In the end, they didn't suffer any loss and even received a thank-you gift from the Lin Family, but they couldn't help feeling resentful.
"Do you want to get revenge on them?"
Gu Jinshui watched their figures, a smile playing on his lips, and turned to ask He Fei.
He Fei immediately replied, "Of course, you tell me how to do it."
The train has stopped at the platform. Some travelers have already boarded the train, while others are still saying their reluctant goodbyes to their families.
Tom and George had booked hard seats. They squeezed onto the train early, and the carriage was filled with the stench of eggs, mud, and feet. Tom almost fainted from the stench. He said to George, "If you don't believe me, I'll switch seats with you. I want a window seat."
Although George was reluctant, Tom was the one who paid for it, so he had no choice but to trade with him.
Sitting by the window, with the window open, Tom's expression softened somewhat. He cursed and said, "This is why we left this country in the first place. Look at this dilapidated train station; it's nothing compared to anything abroad. Look how developed those countries are! Look at what these people are dressed like—they're practically refugees..."
Tom was cursing when a little boy on the platform ran towards him.
The boy ran closer, looked Tom up and down carefully, and asked, "Are you Tom?"
Tom frowned. "Who are you? How do you know me...?"
"Oh, Gu Jinshui asked me to pass on a message to you. He said the necklace is fake, and he wishes you a pleasant journey."
The little boy shouted loudly near the window.
Tom was stunned for a moment, then his expression changed immediately. He stood up and was about to chase after them, but a passing train conductor stopped him. "Sir, the train is about to depart. You must remain seated and not move around."
"No, I have an urgent matter..."
Tom looked anxious.
The train conductor patiently explained, "Even if you're in a hurry, it's not possible. Look at your age; this train's start is unsteady. If you fall and something bad happens, who will be responsible?"
Waaaaah...
The train slowly began to move forward, and the people on the platform flowed backward like water.
Tom stared at the scenery outside the window, his face deathly pale.
"Hahaha, serves him right, he really deserves it!"
He Fei slapped his thigh in exasperation.
Gu Jinshui took out a dollar and gave it to the child. "Alright, take this and buy some candy."
The child happily took the candy and left.
"Okay, this one's approved!"
At the film studio, Zhang Mouyuan looked at the images on the screen and gave a satisfied OK sign.
He Chunlian immediately lowered her hand and said to Huang Xirong, "Sister, are you alright? I didn't use much force in that slap."
"It's nothing, it's nothing."
Huang Xirong suppressed his anger, but still had to maintain a facade of peace.
Filming has been going on for almost a month, and it's progressing smoothly. The only thing that Huang Xirong is unhappy about is that He Chunlian always tries to suppress her during filming.
"Aunt Huang, listen to Aunt He next time. Her suggestions are really good. We can't afford to burn through film if we shoot this scene ten or more times."
Chen Liang stood up from next to Zhang Mouyuan and said to Huang Xirong with dissatisfaction on his face.
The biggest expense in filmmaking is actually film stock. Film stock is really expensive, and you never know how much film stock you'll use to make a film. The production team always keeps a tight rein on this expense.
Experienced actors like Zhang Lili rehearse several times beforehand to ensure they can get the scene right in one take.
But whenever Huang Xirong appears, Huang Xirong scenes always take longer than others.
Huang Xirong looked a little embarrassed. "Director Chen, I understand. I'll definitely pay attention next time."
"Alright, you guys take a break. Next up are Mai He and Zhao Lanlan's scenes, so get ready."
Although Zhang Mouyuan also had some opinions, he respected his elders and quickly changed the subject.
Huang Xirong and He Chunlian came down.
They were filming in a studio set up by the film studio. They had already finished filming the exterior scenes a few days ago, and now all that was missing were a few interior scenes.
"Aunt He, would you like some water?"
Zhang Lili smiled and handed the water glass to He Chunlian.
He Chunlian took the money, thanked her, and said, "Lily, didn't you have any scenes to film today? Why did you come?"
Zhang Lili sat on the stool next to her, tilted her head back and smiled, "I'm just listening to you, aren't I? You said before that we newcomers should come to the set more often to learn from the veteran actors, and I just happened to have some free time today, so I came over."
"Oh my, you've worked so hard! Have you finished the work over there?"
He Chunlian asked with concern.
During the month-long shoot, she found that she was closer to Zhang Lili than to anyone else. This young girl had a round face and thick eyebrows, and a particularly cheerful and endearing appearance. However, her family was struggling financially. She was the eldest of three sisters and was currently supporting the entire family on her own salary. Her parents had passed away two years prior.
Zhang Lili said, "It's done. They only needed people when they first opened, but now that business is stable, they don't need us anymore."
She worked as a waitress, but in a newly opened teahouse, earning thirty yuan a day, more than Zhang Lili made in a month as an actress.
Zhang Lili now works at a film studio, earning only 29 yuan a month. This is the salary she has earned after working for two years. According to her, the rule at the film studio is that the salary increases by 6 yuan per year, no matter how many films you make.
If the salary is just enough to support herself, it's more than enough, since the film studio provides room and board.
But she still had to support her two younger sisters' lives and education, so this little bit of money was barely enough. Therefore, when she wasn't working, she would go out and do odd jobs.
"Have you found any other work?"
He Chunlian asked with concern.
Just as Zhang Lili was about to shake her head, Huang Xirong deliberately greeted her loudly, "Donglai, how thoughtful of you to come and bring us popsicles and fruit?"
The surrounding staff all looked over.
Huang Xirong pulled Zhao Donglai and greeted everyone, "This is my future son-in-law. He works at a department store. This kid is so thoughtful. Knowing I'm filming, he specially brought me so many things. Look at all this, who can finish it all? Everyone, please share it."
She enthusiastically distributed popsicles to everyone one by one.
In such hot weather, and with something given away for free, everyone couldn't help but say a few kind words. Even Chen Liang praised, "Aunt Huang, your son-in-law is quite good; he's really thoughtful."
"That's right, we're about to set a wedding date."
Hearing everyone's praise, Huang Xirong's face was full of smiles. She even specially brought a cream ice cream for He Chunlian, saying, "Here's an ice cream for you, big sister. You'll have to help me out more when we're filming in the future."
"No need, I have water."
He Chunlian politely declined, gesturing with her water glass in her hand.
Huang Xirong exclaimed, "Sister, why are you being so formal? We're neighbors, after all. Are you holding a grudge because Xiao Zhao and your daughter's relationship didn't work out?"
Zhao Donglai also looked at He Chunlian, "Aunt He, your Yin Xing and I are really not suitable for each other. This can't be forced."
Those around them quietly pricked up their ears.
Who wouldn't want to hear some gossip?
However, He Chunlian was well-liked, so no one dared to ask what had happened.
"Oh, you've misunderstood. I almost forgot that Xiao Zhao was dating my daughter at first," He Chunlian said with a smile. "Xiao Zhao, you're absolutely right. You and my daughter were really not a good match. Ever since she broke up with you and started dating Xiao Yan, my daughter has been much happier, and I, as her mother, am happy to see that."
Zhao Donglai's smile became somewhat stiff.
He Chunlian then looked at Huang Xirong, glanced at the things in her hands, and said meaningfully, "Sister, since we're neighbors, I'll offer this advice: 'A windfall' isn't always a good thing. Your daughter isn't that old, why the rush to get married?"
If it weren't for the fact that they were both women, He Chunlian wouldn't have bothered with Huang Xirong at all.
Huang Xirong scoffed, "You don't need to worry about that. My daughter and Xiao Zhao have a good relationship. Our two families will make our own decisions. We don't need outsiders to interfere. If you're interested, just give us a red envelope when my daughter gets married."
After saying that, she turned and left.
Zhao Donglai glanced at He Chunlian with some suspicion.
He Chunlian shook her head inwardly. Zhang Lili said, "Aunt He, why bother telling them so much? You mean well, but she won't appreciate it."
He Chunlian said, "You don't know? Never mind, let's not talk about her anymore. Speaking of which, Lily, can you sing?"
"Singing? Of course I can! I majored in folk music in school, but I can also sing pop songs, like 'The Wind Keeps Blowing' from Hong Kong..."
Zhang Lili spoke of these songs with remarkable familiarity.
The only major purchase she made for herself was a radio, which she played cassette tapes from Hong Kong every day.
Actors like them tend to be trend-conscious and are willing to try anything that's popular.
He Chunlian said, "That's great! Here's what happened: some of my former colleagues went to the countryside to do gigs, and recently the competition has become fierce. They wanted to find some young people to sing or something. Don't underestimate this kind of work; it's lucrative. Just my colleagues are now earning at least two or three hundred a month."
Upon hearing that she could earn so much money, Zhang Lili's face immediately lit up with anticipation.
"Aunt He, I'm willing. Let me try. What's so undignified about it? Singing for us ordinary people is also serving the people, isn't it?"
He Chunlian immediately smiled, "Okay, come to my house tomorrow and I'll introduce you to them. If you'd like, you can bring one or two more along. Anyway, business is booming right now, we're just short of people."
Zhang Lili readily agreed.
Others may see these actresses as having a glamorous life, but in reality, everyone's income is limited. Thirty yuan a month is really not enough to buy clothes and skincare products, so everyone secretly looks for various jobs.
After He Chunlian finished filming her last scene and returned home, Gu Yinxing poked his head out of the house and waved to her.
"What is it? Get to the point," He Chunlian said, putting down her bag and net.
Gu Yinxing lifted the curtain and came out, gesturing towards them with her lips, "They just came back and were saying in the yard that we're jealous of her, and that they've set a wedding date with the Zhao Family for the eighth of next month."
He Chunlian picked up the kettle and poured a glass of water. "The eighth of next month, that's really worrying, it's almost the end of the month. Let's not get involved in this. I just said it today and she gave me a bunch of criticisms. If we say it again, she might think we've changed our minds and want to steal Zhao Donglai away."
The situation between the two families is already complicated, and that family isn't the kind of people who know what's good for them. If we continue to interfere, who knows what nasty things they might say.
"No way, how can you be so confident?"
Gu Yinxing rubbed her arms and shivered.
He Chunlian looked at her and said, "Anyway, don't worry about this. How's your studying going lately?"
"I've read those books twice, and I estimate I'm about 30% confident."
Gu Yinxing said confidently.
He Chunlian smiled and said, "Alright, then if you pass the Assistant Physician Qualification Certificate, Mom will treat you to a big meal at a Western restaurant."
"I'll remember that!"
Gu Yinxing said happily, and skipped back to her school.
He Chunlian shook her head behind her back. This girl had never done any hard work in her life. When she was in school, she only worked sporadically. Unexpectedly, after falling in love with Xiao Yan, she became more motivated.
You know, a few years ago when the college entrance examination was relaxed, Gu Jinshui told her to try it out. He said he would reward her with money if she could get into university, but Gu Yinxing was unmoved and insisted that she was doing a good job as a nurse. Now look what happened, she knows that Gu Yinxing is going to take the medical qualification exam and change careers.
Thinking of her son, He Chunlian quickly asked, "Did your brother say he'd be back tomorrow?"
"Yes, he also said they'd come back on their own, and we didn't need to pick them up," Gu Yinxing replied from inside the house. "My sister-in-law just went out; she said she went to buy them bath tickets."
"They need to buy bath tickets. Those two grown men have been away for so many days, they probably don't know how to take care of themselves, they need to go to the bathhouse to wash up."
He Chunlian said, "It was your sister-in-law who came up with the idea."