Chapter 9: Connections
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
At that moment, Jiang Se’s heart surged. She felt light-headed and nearly lost control of herself. The script supervisor took two steps forward, but when he noticed that she was not following, he turned around to look at her. When he saw that she was just standing there, he took it that she was trying to cling to Liu Ye and land a good character among the cast.
Throughout his years with the production team, he had seen his fair shares of tricks. Sometimes, the actors were better at their trade in real life than on screen.
Appearing to look down on her, he script supervisor urged her on, “You coming?”
If Zhang Jingan had agreed to Liu Ye’s request moments ago, he might have been more polite to Jiang Se.
However, the famous director had turned Liu Ye down. What kind of person was Liu Ye like? After hitting a snag for the first time, he would not attempt it twice even if he fancied this beautiful newcomer.
Jiang Se pursed her lips. She finally noticed that she was shaking under the hot sun. She wondered if it was due to her drenched clothes. She shuffled her feet with difficulty and could faintly catch what Zhang Jingan was saying.
“It’s said that the Feng family of Zhongnan Industries has a daughter. She’s now in the imperial capital with the person calling the shots in Zhongnan Industries. He’s close with… in the capital. I heard that the heir to the Jianghua Group is interested in her. Rather than saying that the Jianghua Group is determined to win with this film, it’s more likely that this Miss Feng…”
“Miss Feng?”
The news came from Zhang Jingan’s mouth. It was impossible for the famous director to speak about baseless things, so there was a high possibility that this was true.
The script supervisor was still hurrying Jiang Se along. She followed him to the temporary makeup room in a daze.
This time, because of Zhang Jingan’s personal nomination, the makeup artist did not ignore her like this morning. Instead, the makeup artist brought a new set of costumes and personally accompanied her behind the curtains of the makeshift changing room.
The makeup artist was a young lady. She helped Jiang Se remove her soggy and heavy clothes, revealing the body of a young girl with only her lingerie on.
Jiang Se was young, and her body was still awkward in certain places. The lumps on her chest were covered in an old-fashioned bra that had been washed many times. However, she was blessed by heaven with her snow-white and translucent skin. Even her awkward curves seemed alluring.
Heaven seemed to have blessed her with preferential treatment. Aside from her beautiful face, she had a nubile body that tapered to a slender waist from under her breasts. It would have been possible to grab her entire waist with two hands.
“So beautiful.”
The makeup artist sighed in awe. Her skin that was screaming youth was moist and full. However, there was a mark on her left shoulder. That was not the most serious part. There was also an angry bruise the size of a woman’s fist on her chest, and it was starting to turn into an ugly purple.
Her fair skin set a stark contrast to these injuries of her. The makeup artist glanced at them. “Are you hurt?”
Jiang Se looked at her chest. She touched the bruised patch and drew a sharp breath.
She had seen the mark on her shoulder before this. She must have gotten it when the Japanese soldier actor slashed her with the knife prop during the first filming. Nevertheless, it should be gone within two days.
However, the mark on her chest would likely linger on for much longer. As she remembered the explosive force of the squib, she could not help but rub it while bearing the pain. She nodded.
“I’m alright.”
She was not as squeamish as the makeup artist had thought. The makeup artist regarded her with mild surprise before quickly saying, “It looks serious.”
After saying that, she lifted the curtain and went out, but she returned with a mist spray in no time. “It’s normal for someone to get hurt while filming. This helps disperse the bruise, reduce swelling, and eases the pain. Try it.”
Jiang Se nodded and took it as she thanked her. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” The woman smiled. She took a small towel and dried her hair.
“I’m Sandy. Director Zhang is someone who’ll perfect something that’s already outstanding. The scene you guys were shot in might only be a minor part, but since Director Zhang has seen it, judging by his character, he’ll want it to be the best.”
Sandy toweled Jiang Se’s hair dry and helped her blow dry her wet bra. The extras could not be compared to the celebrities in the cast who had dedicated caretakers tending to their every need. Extras such as Jiang Se had no choice but to put their wet lingerie back on.
“I saw one of the managers bringing some guns over. I’ve been in the industry for quite some time now, and it’s uncommon to see most of the extras using real rifles. I heard that it’s thanks to the Jianghua Group’s investment. Through the Jianghua Group’s connections, they rented some guns from the military. Ordinary people couldn’t have done it. Only Director Zhang can pull it off.” Sandy helped Jiang Se put on another costume. After asking about the size of her feet, she fetched a pair of shoes from the rack.
“However, dedicated personnel look after the firearms. There’s only gunpowder in them and no rounds. So, the effects will be lifelike, but nobody will get hurt,” Sandy said, stealing a glance at the bruise on Jiang Se’s chest.
“Your bruise was caused by a squib. Usually, the squibs nowadays can’t harm anyone. If you get the amount right, it won’t hurt even if it’s detonated on your palm,” she explained the knowledge of the film production universe to Jiang Se with a smile. She clearly meant this as a favor to Jiang Se.
“But there are drawbacks. Sometimes, there are inexperienced extras who don’t feel the pain even after the explosives go off, so they can’t make pained expressions.” When she said this, she helped Jiang Se with the trousers and the shoes before continuing.
“I guess the famous director asked them to increase the load on purpose. He might’ve wanted a realistic film.”
Jiang Se managed a smile. She thanked her for her kindness and processed what Sandy had unintentionally let slip.
“That was also my first time seeing an actual gun, and it was pointed at me! I was scared out of my wits back there.” Jiang Se suppressed her urge to shiver and acted as if she was trying to make small talk when she was actually trying to get more out of Sandy.
“The firearms were rented from the military?”
Sandy nodded. “Do you think I was lying?”
“Will the military do that?” Jiang Se managed a smile when she asked her question.
“My dear girl, if you have the money and the connection, there’s nothing you can’t do. There’s much more to this industry than meets the eye. Moreover, it’s the Jianghua Group we’re talking about!”
Sandy picked at her lacquer-covered nails.
“Connections and contacts.”
When Jiang Se saw her in that state, she knew that she would not be able to get anything else out of her. She suddenly felt a chill that came from under her feet. She wrapped her arms around herself, pursed her lips, and said no more.
The others might not know about the Jianghua Group, but she knew it well.
Before she was reborn as Jiang Se, her parents were interested in dealing with the Jianghua Group.
Following her parents’ orders, she had a meal with the Jianghua Group heir. They wanted her to have a blind date with the young master of the Jianghua Group so that there would be a high possibility for an alliance by marriage in the future.
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