Free Web NovelChapter 309: Chapter 309: Opening Ceremony
After that shout, no one else came knocking on Shen Yibin’s door asking to use his shower. Still, Shen Yibin remained on edge and didn’t fall into a deep sleep until the wee hours of the morning. This led to him being rather listless when he woke up the next day. Seeing him in the morning, Director Kong asked with concern, "What’s wrong? Are the conditions here poor? Not used to it?"
He’d had his own... rather pleasant arrangements the night before and hadn’t paid any attention to what was going on outside. As a result, he was completely unaware of what Murong Li, Fang Yun, and Fang Yuanshan had been up to.
"There’s nothing wrong with my room, but it seems like the other rooms aren’t so great. A lot of people said their showers were broken," Shen Yibin said, exasperated.
"The showers are broken?" Director Kong was stunned for a moment, then it dawned on him. He burst out laughing and didn’t stop for a good while before saying, "And you didn’t... offer them a convenient solution? Lend them a hand?" As long as Shen Yibin was interested, he didn’t mind if something happened. In fact, it would tie Shen Yibin even more tightly to him.
"I’m a bit of a neat freak. I don’t like other people using my bathroom. Let’s just forget about that kind of thing!" Shen Yibin said, his words carrying a double meaning. ’We’re going to be working together for a long time. If they keep harassing me like this every night, I won’t be able to take it! Director Kong, you need to get them under control, and fast.’
"I understand. I’ll have the hotel inspect everything shortly. I guarantee this won’t happen again." How could Director Kong not hear that Shen Yibin wasn’t interested in the... goods on offer? Thinking about it, women like Sun Qian and Xia Shixuan were no less beautiful than these actresses, and far more innocent. Coupled with the entertainment circle’s notorious reputation, it was only natural that Shen Yibin wasn’t interested in them. What he hadn’t expected, however, was that Fang Yuanshan had also gone knocking.
"Right, you should look into it. Everyone’s going to be so busy with filming. We can’t have people not resting well at night." Shen Yibin signaled that he understood and wouldn’t pursue the matter further. He still had faith in Director Kong’s ability to control the cast and crew. With that said, he changed the subject. "Does Hah’Er need to make an appearance for anything today? If not, I’ll head back first."
"Hey, you can’t leave today! I specifically had a master pick an auspicious date, and today is the perfect day for the opening ceremony. Hah’Er is our number one star, and he absolutely cannot miss an occasion like this!" Director Kong quickly urged him to stay. "I’ve invited all the major media outlets from across the country, as well as reporters from Hollywood and Europe. This is a crucial moment for our first wave of publicity. You and Hah’Er will have to work hard today."
"Alright, just tell me what we need to do." Since he had already signed the contract, he had to see the job through. Attending promotional events and giving interviews were stipulated in the contract beforehand, so of course Shen Yibin would cooperate.
"It’s nothing much. Just setting off firecrackers, a lion dance, paying respects to the gods, and then cutting a roast suckling pig. You must have seen your fair share of Xiangjiang films as a kid, right? It’s just like what you see in the movies." Although Director Kong didn’t care much for these things, they were old traditions in the Xiangjiang film industry and also a good promotional opportunity, so he hadn’t changed them. "When the time comes, you and Hah’Er just need to copy us, light a few incense sticks, and bow a couple of times. After that, you’ll join Murong Li, Fang Yun, and Fang Yuanshan for the press conference."
"Where will I be sitting at the press conference?" Shen Yibin instantly became alert when he heard this. He did not want to sit next to a certain someone.
"I’ll sit in the center, with the men on one side and the women on the other. Hah’Er will be next to me, you’ll be next to Hah’Er, and then Fang Yuanshan will be next to you." This was precisely what Shen Yibin had been worried about.
He quickly shook his head. "That seating arrangement isn’t good. How about you still sit next to Hah’Er, and I... I’ll sit on the other side, next to Murong Li." ’Sigh, anything is fine as long as I don’t have to sit next to Fang Yuanshan.’
’Hm? What’s the reason for this? Could it be...’ Director Kong instantly recalled certain rumors and cursed inwardly. ’Shit, pick your time and place if you want to get cozy with someone! If you piss off Bin, I’ll have you replaced for sure!’
"Alright, we’ll do it your way, Bin," Director Kong immediately agreed. "After breakfast, take Hah’Er down to the garden to play for a bit. I’m going up to hold a meeting with them!" During the meeting, he was going to give those people a serious warning. They absolutely could not afford to piss off Bin and Hah’Er.
So, after breakfast, Shen Yibin took Hah’Er and Maphario to the garden to play for over an hour. Maphario seemed very interested in the flowers planted in the garden. Shen Yibin made a mental note of this, taking pictures of all the flowers that had caught Maphario’s eye. He planned to look for seeds at the flower and bird market when he had time, so Maphario could grow these flowers in their own shop.
It was unclear what exactly Director Kong said during the meeting, but when these people reappeared before Shen Yibin, the eagerness in their eyes had diminished considerably, replaced by a hint of disappointment. Of course, Shen Yibin had little interest in digging into their thoughts. As long as there was no repeat of last night’s events, he was fine.
After lunch, the hotel’s bus took them to the designated filming location. Director Kong had cordoned off an area at the Shilin Hot Spring to serve as the exterior set. Yunzhong City had provided immense support, as this was a win-win situation. Director Kong’s filming was made more convenient, and Yunzhong City gained an excellent opportunity to promote itself. As long as the film was successfully released, it was sure to bring a massive number of tourists to Yunzhong City, an impact far greater than the last promotional video.
The exterior set was already prepared with all the props needed for the opening ceremony. The cast and crew, the lion dance troupe, and reporters from all over the world packed the area so tightly you couldn’t move. Qin Qing also attended the ceremony, leading a delegation from the Yunzhong City Government. He, too, curiously sized up the roast suckling pig and the incense burner placed at the very front.
This roast suckling pig had been personally prepared by the head chef of the Yunzhong Grand Hotel. It was roasted to a glistening, golden-brown perfection—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It looked delicious at a glance. An apple was even placed in the pig’s mouth.
Once Shen Yibin and the crew members were in position, a staff member came by to distribute incense sticks to them. After the incense was handed out, they waited a short while. When the auspicious time arrived, Director Kong gave the order. Instantly, firecrackers crackled and gongs and drums thundered. The lion dance troupe began its vigorous performance, making Qin Qing and the other onlookers feel as if they had been transported back to the Xiangjiang of the last century.
After a series of rituals went off without a hitch, it was time for everyone, led by Director Kong, to offer incense. Shen Yibin helped Hah’Er light the incense stick in its paw—as the star of the film, it naturally had to take part. After lighting it, he whispered a few instructions, afraid Hah’Er might cause some trouble.
However, when Shen Yibin finished his three bows and turned his head to look, Hah’Er was gone!
