The Secret Realm of Time, His and Her Life Through the Changes

Chapter 147 Finding Balance

Acting is a job that Shang Yibo enjoys. Whenever he immerses himself in a role, he feels like a traveler through time, experiencing the joys and sorrows of different characters and living out a myriad of lives. This process of transcending himself and immersing himself in the role gives him an unprecedented sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.

However, deep down, he harbors complex feelings towards the entertainment industry. This circle is filled with glitz and glamour, a place not only a arena of fame and fortune but also rife with a culture of quick success and instant benefits, creating a contradiction. Shang Yibo has devoted considerable effort to finding a balance between his beloved acting career and the atmosphere of the entertainment industry he dislikes. Fortunately, his solid family background provides him with financial support and, more importantly, gives him the confidence to think independently and make his own choices.

However, staying true to oneself and not being swayed by others is easier said than done.

According to the filming schedule, filming here should have been completed two weeks ago, and the location shoot would have moved to Huizhou. However, due to script adjustments, many scenes have been reshot, but Shang Yibo has no complaints; he's happy as long as the performance is good.

That day, after Shang Yibo finished his morning filming and returned to his van, Zhang Xiaoguang handed him some cold brew tea. "Teacher Yibo, you don't have any scenes this afternoon, but you have a night shoot tonight. Shall we go back to the hotel to rest now?"

Shang Yibo rubbed his temples and said, "No, I'll rest in the car for a while."

Zhang Xiaoguang said, "Teacher Yibo, are you thinking of helping Lin Wei with his scenes this afternoon? The crew has already arranged a stunt double, so you don't need to work so hard. You also have to film night scenes tonight, which could easily be a long night shoot."

Shang Yibo took a sip of tea and said, "This afternoon is Lin Wei's important scene, which is also an important scene for the whole drama. If I help him with the scene, I can better bring out his emotions, and I can also stay in the character's emotions so that the scene tonight can be connected."

Zhang Xiaoguang said, "Teacher Yibo is so dedicated, unlike any other artist I've worked with before."

Shang Yibo said, "Isn't this what we should do? What's with all this talk about being dedicated or not?"

Zhang Xiaoguang said, "That's not necessarily true."

As the two were talking, Ding Jiajia got into the car and asked, "Yibo, are we going back to the hotel now? I ordered lunch for you and had it delivered to the hotel."

Shang Yibo said, "Let's not go back to the hotel. Let's just eat the crew's boxed meals. We can't eat much anyway."

Ding Jiajia was about to speak when she glanced at Zhang Xiaoguang and paused.

Zhang Xiaoguang could tell that Ding Jiajia was hesitant to speak, as if she wanted to say something to Shang Yibo alone, but hesitated because he was present.

So he quickly said, "I'll run to the hotel and pick up the meal. Jiajia ordered veal steak and vegetable salad, a low-fat meal to replenish protein without making you gain weight. Teacher Yibo works so hard, he can't not eat well."

Ding Jiajia liked Zhang Xiaoguang's quick wit and keen eye. "Okay, then have Master Zhang take you there."

Zhang Xiaoguang said, "No need, I'll ride an electric bike, it's more convenient and faster."

Watching Zhang Xiaoguang leave, Ding Jiajia finally spoke up, "I heard that the boss of Rongyi Film Industry is coming to visit the set this afternoon. Could it be that President Jian is coming?"

Shang Yibo asked in surprise, "Jian Zheng is coming?"

Ding Jiajia said, "It's hard to say. I just heard that the boss is coming. Today is the last few shows here, so it's not impossible that the investors are coming to offer their condolences and make a show of it."

Shang Yibo then asked, "Is Zhou Yanruo coming over this afternoon?"

Ding Jiajia said, "I contacted Sister Yanruo, but she's very busy and won't be coming this afternoon. She said she hadn't received any notification, that the investors had a set visit this afternoon, but it might be informal. If it were an official event, they would have communicated with all parties in advance and invited the media, but this is clearly not the case."

Shang Yibo said, "Then that's none of our business."

Ding Jiajia raised an eyebrow and said, "That's what Sister Yanruo said too."

Shang Yibo lowered his eyelids and asked casually, "She's quite good at finding peace and quiet. What's she busy with? The film and television company should be finished by now, so why does she seem even busier?"

Ding Jiajia replied, "The film and television company should have completed its registration and is currently recruiting. However, I heard from Sister Yanruo that she's been at the group recently, and it seems like there's a lot going on there."

"Oh? Really? What could the company possibly be so busy with?" Shang Yibo muttered, then added, "I have a bit of a headache, I'll rest for a while."

Ding Jiajia said with concern, "You got up too early today, you must not have slept enough. You should sleep for a while, I'll go out and see who is coming to visit the set this afternoon."

Shang Yibo said, "We've already said it has nothing to do with us. You can't get rid of your gossipy habit, and you still have the audacity to call yourself an industry insider?"

Having spent a long time by Shang Yibo's side, Ding Jiajia naturally understood that he meant to stay out of trouble. "I know, don't worry, I promise I won't get involved. However, I have a gut feeling that it will be President Jian who comes this afternoon."

Shang Yibo ignored him and leaned back on the sofa, closing his eyes to rest.

Ding Jiajia found a blanket to cover him, then turned and got out of the car.

When Zhang Xiaoguang returned with the food, he saw that Shang Yibo was asleep. Without disturbing him, he simply placed the food container on the coffee table and quietly left.

Ding Jiajia returned to the film set, where a scene between Ling Shaohuai and Liang Yuhong was being filmed.

The scene is set in the solemn hall of the Ling family's old residence. Liang Yuhong, accompanied by her parents, visits the Ling family. As outsiders who have just returned from Southeast Asia, the Liang family is deeply influenced by modern ideas and insists that women should also have the right to education. Therefore, they have come to request that the Ling family's school accept Liang Yuhong for enrollment. While the adults are having a heated discussion in the hall, Liang Yuhong quietly leaves and happens to meet Ling Shaohuai at the hall's entrance…

Liang Yuhong exclaimed in surprise, "Huh? What are you doing here? Oh, I remember now, you're Ling Shaojing, right? So you're from the Ling family?"

Ling Shaohuai glanced at the unfamiliar woman in front of him and asked instead of answering, "Who are you? Why are you lingering here?"

Liang Yuhong pouted and accused Ling Shaojing with dissatisfaction, "Ling Shaojing, stop pretending! You lied to me! You're a member of the Ling family, yet you pretended to be poor in front of me and even stole my book. Give me back my money!"

Upon hearing this, a hint of anger flashed across Ling Shaohuai's face. He said sternly, "What book? When did I owe you money? And what did you call me? Ling Shaojing? You've mistaken me for someone else."

Liang Yuhong was even more furious. While speaking, she reached out to grab Ling Shaohuai's collar, but Ling Shaohuai nimbly dodged her move. Seeing this, Liang Yuhong quickly withdrew her hand and stood still.

"Cut!" Director Li called out. It was the third take already, and they still couldn't get a small scene right. He shouted impatiently, "Liang Yuhong's movements are not fluid. You guys need to practice some more. Ling Shaohuai's movements also have problems. We need to redesign them. Can't you be more serious when you're rehearsing?"

Assistant Director Qian quickly replied, "Okay, Director Li, let's go prepare first. Please have some tea and rest."

Just then, a man's voice came from behind them: "Director Li, you've worked hard! Both of the lead actors are newcomers and need your guidance."

Ding Jiajia was focused on the scene when she heard the voice and turned around to look. She found that the speaker was Jie Can, and there were two men standing next to him. She didn't recognize one of them, but she recognized the other one at a glance as President Jian Zheng.