Chapter 59 Determining the Shares and Visiting the Film Set

Upon learning that China Film Group Corporation decided not to participate this time, Zhang Qianjun felt neither sorrow nor joy. The production side remained far too powerless, forced to endure layer after layer of cuts without any means of resistance.

That sensation of others wielding the knives while he was merely fish on the cutting board felt truly wretched.

The news quickly spread, and many within the industry thought Zhang Qianjun had completely lost his mind from arrogance.

However, Bona's President Yu took the initiative to come aboard after hearing the news. In his words, judging by Zhang Qianjun's momentum, clearing five hundred million at the box office should be entirely possible; as long as it didn't lose money, who cared what the star's salary was?

To Zhang Qianjun's surprise, Mother Liu also called, expressing her desire to dabble in the film investment market once again. Yet upon hearing that the initial buy-in started at a baseline of fifteen million, she retreated.

Seeing her reaction, Zhang Qianjun cared little; the opportunity had been offered, but she simply lacked the capability to grasp it.

Consequently, the film *Keep You Safe* was officially registered. Bona Film Group invested fifteen million for a ten percent stake, while Solar System Films invested thirty-five million plus Zhang Qianjun's acting salary for a ninety percent stake.

Meanwhile, Tencent became the primary advertising sponsor, showing intense interest in the film's repeated use of WeChat as a narrative driver.

They requested a comprehensive showcase of WeChat's various features within the movie, particularly highlighting the upcoming Moments feature and the video chat function scheduled for release in July, hoping that audiences would be able to use them proficiently simply by watching the film.

Naturally, Zhang Qianjun agreed to everything; anything was negotiable when money was involved. When it came to Bilibili, however, a minor issue arose. Bilibili hesitatingly stated that their advertising budget was rather tight and asked if they could switch to an alternative form of payment.

Zhang Qianjun did not dwell on the matter and simply mirrored the partnership model used with Sina Weibo, converting Bilibili's advertising fees into film promotion.

The remaining online platforms—such as Baidu Tieba, Hupu, and YY Live—followed suit, resulting in an outcome that satisfied all parties.

Once all matters in Beijing were settled, Zhang Qianjun found himself with some free time and decided to return home to inspect operations, file production records with the local government, and simultaneously put his personal clothing brand on the agenda.

With plans set, he prepared to leave, but first made a trip to Xiamen.

"Cut! Excellent, let's do a safety take!"

Early April in Xiamen boasted a most pleasant climate; aside from a few too many overcast and rainy days, everything else made it an ideal period for filming.

Simply because the weather was neither too cold nor too hot, it easily outperformed countless other production windows.

The leading actor and actress were resting in canvas chairs when director Guo Fan strolled over and seated himself directly next to Li Xian.

"Brother Xian, we have a bed scene this afternoon. Prepare yourself mentally."

Upon hearing this, Li Xian could not help but look slightly awkward, his expression resembling that of a man walking toward the execution grounds.

Nearby, Ye Qing was amused to the point of utter delight by Li Xian's reaction, giggling like a crowing little hen.

At that moment, a pair of large hands wrapped around her neck from behind.

"What are you laughing at?"

Sensing someone behind her, Ye Qing was initially startled and puzzled, but upon hearing the voice, she immediately relaxed.

"Why are you here?"

"Came to see you, what else? What were you laughing at?"

Zhang Qianjun walked to her side, and seeing no spare chair, he simply lifted her up and sat down in it himself.

Seeing him act this way, Ye Qing felt a mixture of shyness and exasperation.

"There are so many people around. If you always do this, how am I supposed to explain it to the crew?"

Zhang Qianjun raised an eyebrow.

"What's there to explain? Whoever wants an explanation can come find me."

He then greeted the other two men nearby.

"Director Guo, Brother Xian."

Immediately afterward, he looked down at Ye Qing, who was seated on his lap.

"What were you laughing at just now?"

Intending to tease him, Ye Qing replied, "There's a bed scene between the male and female leads to shoot this afternoon."

Zhang Qianjun's expression instantly darkened, and he turned as if to curse someone out.

Realizing the man was about to fly into a rage, Ye Qing hurriedly added, "Not with me, though! I'm not shooting that."

Zhang Qianjun looked slightly perplexed. "Not you?"

Ye Qing nodded. "That's right, you'll find out this afternoon."

Nearby, Li Xian watched this pair of shameless lovers piled together on a single chair exchanging sweet nothings, and a wave of sorrow welled up from the depths of his heart.

When he first learned he had secured the male lead in a youth film headed straight for theatrical release, his excitement was beyond description. As for Li Yanqing telling him the company lacked fashion and television resources, he hadn't taken it to heart at all.

Once a movie made you famous, would you ever have to worry about lacking television roles?

Yet upon arriving on set, Director Guo turned out to be a good director indeed, but he talked far too much. Whenever he had a free moment, he would pull Li Xian aside to discuss character backgrounds, historical contexts, and inner dilemmas—and doing it once wasn't enough; he would repeat himself over and over.

It was like that one drinking buddy at a dinner table who, upon getting happy from his first drink, recounts past events. Then on the second, third, and even tenth round, he tells the exact same story. That was truly lethal, and Guo Fan happened to be the kind of drinking buddy who wouldn't let you leave early.

As for the female lead, well, there was no need to even mention her.

The director, the producer, and the manager had all come over one by one to solemnly inform him that she was the financial backer's / boss's woman and that he must strictly mind his own boundaries.

It left Li Xian utterly helpless. *I have a girlfriend, alright, and besides, she's simply not my type!*

Thinking of the afternoon's bed scene, it was truly agonizing.

Just then, three food trucks arrived and parked in the open space used for shooting.

Director Guo picked up a large megaphone.

"Today, Boss Zhang is visiting the crew, so we're having a seafood buffet for lunch! Let's give him a round of applause!"

"Yay!"

"Boss Zhang is generous!"

"Is there any lobster fried rice?"

"Quick, grab your plates and line up!"

In an instant, the lunch-break film set transformed into a bustling food market as people swarmed toward the food trucks to line up for extra dishes.

Zhang Qianjun received a large lunch box from behind. Opening it, he found a dazzling array of various dishes.

"Eat up. Look how skinny you've gotten."

Without standing on ceremony, Ye Qing picked up her chopsticks and bowl, began piling food onto her plate, and started complaining between bites.

"This isn't me losing weight on purpose. Earlier you said I was too thin, so I did go work out for muscle gain, but once filming started, the director wouldn't allow it, saying it didn't fit the character. You think I want to starve every day?"

Zhang Qianjun couldn't help smiling at her demeanor.

"A reward meal every now and then is fine. Go ahead and eat."

Seeing that she still took only tiny portions of each dish, he felt helpless and, upholding the principle of avoiding waste, grabbed a set of cutlery and began eating himself.

Only Li Xian remained sitting alone nearby, devoid of presence like a stone statue.

Feeling he had taken enough, Li Xian strode off with his long legs toward the food trucks. "Get me a plate!"

Following the lunch break, Zhang Qianjun and Ye Qing set up two lounge chairs side by side under a sunshade to rest.

"I asked you before why you wouldn't let me get you an RV. Those things are extremely practical for resting temporarily. If you dislike the company's vehicle, I can buy you a brand new one."

Ye Qing shook her head firmly.

"No. I'm just an eighteen-tier minor actress; pulling those stunts looks bad. Anyone looking at it would know that's not something I should have."

Zhang Qianjun couldn't help finding it amusing. *Aren't you just deceiving yourself?*

"Whether you want one or not, you're going to have to take it now. Previously, only the insiders at China Film knew, but now the whole crew knows. Seeing you live so frugally, people are going to think I'm too cheap to give my kept woman any money. Do you know how much that ruins my reputation?"

Ye Qing shot him a sidelong glance. "Are you seriously trying to play the part of a sugar daddy?"

Zhang Qianjun nodded. "Don't people always say female stars have sugar daddies? You're a minor star now, what's wrong with having a sugar daddy who cares about you?"

Ye Qing snorted, fell silent, and wrapped her arms around his arm to close her eyes and rest.

In the distance, Sui Kai, who played the female lead's suitor, tugged at Li Xian and asked, "Xianzi, is that guy the film's investor?"

Li Xian nodded. "He's also my boss."

Sui Kai let out a hiss of amazement. "Your boss has a rather plain taste."

Li Xian hurriedly motioned for him to shut up. "Don't go saying things like that to me—I'm signed for twelve years. Besides, don't assume just because you're a foreigner that he won't beat you up; he's entirely capable of hiring foreign mercenary bodyguards."

Sui Kai grinned. "Just joking, don't be so uptight."

Then he added, "If someone were willing to keep me, I'd gladly take it!"

Li Xian quickly stepped a few paces away from him. "Don't tell me you swing that way."

Sui Kai cursed with a smile, "Your grandfather! What I'm looking for is a rich older woman!"

Work resumed in the afternoon, and the widely anticipated bed scene finally arrived.

Seeing a dense crowd gathered around, Guo Fan scolded, "Are you all completely free? Scatter, scatter! What's there to see?"

He then looked over at Li Xian. "Brother Xian, are you ready?"

Zhang Qianjun noticed Li Xian wearing an expression as if he were about to eat feces, feeling somewhat baffled.

Following that, he saw a slender, long-haired body double approach from the other side.

It genuinely shocked Zhang Qianjun, because the double was stripped to the waist, exposing a smooth bare back. Due to the angle, only the back was visible, but those curves and that waist dimple—damn, top-tier.

Zhang Qianjun clicked his tongue in amazement and said to Ye Qing beside him, "Are body doubles for nude scenes always this hardcore? I'd only heard about it before, but isn't this a bit too open?"

Hearing this, Ye Qing was stunned for a second, then laughed and playfully slapped him.

"What are you thinking? That's a guy!"

Suddenly, Zhang Qianjun understood why Li Xian wore such a miserable expression.

"Later on, he has to straddle Brother Xian and keep moving up and down?"

Wearing an expression of watching a good show, Ye Qing replied, "Yeah, and Li Xian has to hold his waist!"

*Damn.* A chill swept through Zhang Qianjun's heart, and he instantly swore that when he directed films in the future, he would never allow his lead actors to use such doubles for counterpart scenes.

As the nude double walked into the tent, a slightly shrill voice rang out, "Director Guo, are you ready yet? It's freezing walking around bare-chested!"

Everyone at the scene burst into laughter, and Guo Fan hurriedly stopped them. "Stop laughing, everyone stop laughing! Be serious, we're shooting a scene!"

Yet the moment he said that, the crew laughed even harder.

Once the laughter died down, the atmosphere on set felt much more relaxed. Zhang Qianjun inwardly marveled that the cyber-concubine truly had a knack for managing a film crew.

Next came the part where Li Xian used a pillow to cover his vital areas, and the nude double straddled him directly to begin the motion.

And remarkably, viewed from a distance, it really looked the part. No wonder he could work as a female nude body double despite being a man.

After completing a take, Guo Fan felt it was pretty good when Zhang Qianjun suddenly leaned over. "Director Guo, let me borrow your megaphone."

Seeing Zhang Qianjun's mischievous expression, Guo Fan knew he was up to no good, but since he was the financial backer, keeping him happy was paramount. He gestured for Zhang Qianjun to help himself.

"Let's do a safety take!"

Hearing this, Guo Fan chuckled, but embracing the mindset of wanting to watch the world burn, he casually took the handheld loudspeaker and announced, "That take was good, let's do a safety take!"