"Miao Miao, why do you seem so dispirited today?" Cui Man Tong asked with concern. "Did you not sleep well last night?"
Fang Miao Miao nodded. "Yes, I had nightmares last night."
Cui Man Tong hugged Fang Miao Miao. "It's okay, it's okay. Just nightmares. Miao Miao, don't be afraid. Dreams and reality are opposites. The real world must be good."
Fang Miao Miao nodded slightly. "I know. Thank you, Man Tong."
"Yo, it's rare to see you so down," Chen Tian Ming teased. "What's wrong? Couldn't sleep last night?"
"Director, my spirits instantly improved the moment I saw you."
Chen Tian Ming chuckled. "You mean seeing me made you feel better?"
"Director, is there a possibility that Miao Miao saw you and suddenly felt that last night's nightmares weren't nightmares at all?"
Chen Tian Ming heard the familiar voice and looked back with a sigh. "Senior Zhou, what you said makes it sound like I'm scarier than nightmares."
"I think what the director said makes a lot of sense," Fang Miao Miao said with a smile.
"Alright, you few! I took such good care of you in the final episode of the reality show, and you three are repaying my kindness with ingratitude?" Chen Tian Ming rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Do you want me to train you to death?"
"It's okay, it's okay," Cui Man Tong waved dismissively. "I think I can handle it."
If Fang Miao Miao had the most fight scenes, then Cui Man Tong was second. Although the character Cui Man Tong played didn't talk much, she loved to fight, especially breaking people's necks.
"Director Chen, Senior Zhou, we meet again."
Fang Yan Huan, dressed in a white floral dress, walked towards them with a smile, accompanied by Fei Qing Qing in a tracksuit.
Fang Miao Miao's gaze lingered on Fei Qing Qing for a moment before quickly shifting away. "Director, what are Man Tong and I tasked with today?"
"You two have memorized your lines well, so the focus during this period will be on the fight scenes. Remember, practice well. We don't allow body doubles on my set."
Fang Miao Miao gave an "ok" gesture and pulled Cui Man Tong away.
"Director, what should I do then?"
Chen Tian Ming looked at Fang Yan Huan, who was wearing a white dress and appeared pure, and frowned. "You, memorize your lines."
Fang Yan Huan's smile froze for a moment before she reacted. "Everyone is practicing fight scenes, and I..."
Chen Tian Ming interrupted her impatiently. "You're going to practice fight scenes in a dress?"
Is she out of her mind?
If the producer hadn't insisted on using Fang Yan Huan, he would have gotten rid of her long ago. Day after day, she didn't consider the circumstances.
"I... I'm sorry, Director, I didn't mean to," Fang Yan Huan said, her eyes welling up.
"Director, I'll practice lines with Yan Huan today," Fei Qing Qing, who had been silent, spoke up. "I still have some lines I haven't quite figured out. I wonder if the director can guide me later."
Seeing Fei Qing Qing, Chen Tian Ming's displeasure eased considerably. "It's fine, fight scenes are important, and so are lines. You'll practice your lines this morning."
"Thank you, Director Chen."
Chen Tian Ming waved his hand. "Go ahead. For lines, you can also find Deputy Yang."
"Okay, then we'll go find Deputy Director Yang. Director Chen, you must be busy."
After Fei Qing Qing led Fang Yan Huan away, Chen Tian Ming scratched his already thinning hair.
"Why are you so upset?" Zhou Jia Xin said with a wry smile.
"I just feel it's a shame. Fei Qing Qing is such a good prospect, why would she..."
Why would she willingly give up the leading role to Fang Yan Huan, even if it meant destroying her contract?
He didn't understand. The protagonist of his script was something others would fight over, yet Fei Qing Qing was like this. It was truly infuriating.
"I heard that Fang Yan Huan helped Fei Qing Qing a lot a few years ago, so Fei Qing Qing is repaying her kindness..." Zhou Jia Xin shrugged. "It's alright, from Fang Yan Huan's appearance, she can still be taught."
"Of course, she must be taught." Chen Tian Ming blurted out. "Senior Zhou, for the sake of this drama's reputation, do me a favor and keep an eye on her from time to time?"
He didn't want his female lead to turn into a white lotus.
"I'll do my best."
Chen Tian Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Then I'll go check on Fang Miao Miao. That's also a key scene over there."
"Okay, I'll go see Fang Yan Huan and the others."
When Chen Tian Ming arrived at the martial arts choreographer's area, he heard a series of exclamations.
"What are you all making such a fuss about?"
"Director, Fang Miao Miao's fight scenes are excellent. We might have found a gem this time."
The speaker was the chief martial arts choreographer, Geng Yao. He was born into a martial arts family, won several championships, and later retired to become a choreographer.
Chen Tian Ming always chose to collaborate with him for scripts with fight scenes.
"Hmm?"
Geng Yao pulled Chen Tian Ming into the crowd and saw that Fang Miao Miao could perform the moves designed by the martial arts choreographer almost in one go, and some difficult moves in two or three takes.
"Fang Miao Miao is this good?" Chen Tian Ming watched Fang Miao Miao handle the sickle in her hand. Although it looked a bit unskillful, it was at least smooth and not awkward.
"I personally think she's good, but her power is lacking. She needs to work on her strength for a while."
Hearing this, Chen Tian Ming couldn't help but say, "This woman, if she can sit, she won't stand. If she can lie down, she won't sit. It would be a miracle if she had strength."
He listened to the surrounding praise with some concern. "I'm afraid people will have too high expectations of her now, and the final result won't be good."
"This is the first time I've heard you worry about someone."
"Fang Miao Miao is quite a good person," Chen Tian Ming shook his head. "I used to believe the online comments and wronged Fang Miao Miao. Now, if I can make up for it, I will."
He knew very well why Fang Miao Miao participated in that reality show. If Fang Miao Miao hadn't thought it through herself, she would have gained more anti-fans, and her relationship with An An might have worsened, making the Wen family dislike Fang Miao Miao.
Speaking of which, he was also a bad person.
Geng Yao patted Chen Tian Ming on the shoulder. "I think she's quite smart. She probably knew you would forgive her long ago."
"Don't push it."
After that, applause erupted all around. Cui Man Tong stepped forward and hugged Fang Miao Miao tightly. "Ah, Miao Miao, you're amazing! How did you do it?"
"Not really, I just acted out the moves," Fang Miao Miao shook her head. "My power isn't enough. It's not enough."
She had to work hard during this period.
"No, you were clearly very impressive."
"Miao Miao, well done," Geng Yao told the people gathered around to go back to their work.
"Hello, Teacher Geng Yao."
Geng Yao waved his hand. "I'm just a choreographer. I don't deserve the title of teacher. However, Miao Miao, you should have discovered your own problem. You must work hard on your strength during this period."
Fang Miao Miao nodded.
"You did great. Keep it up," Chen Tian Ming also gave a thumbs-up.