Chapter 642  : Morning Big Boss Volume (7): Mess of a Sockpuppet

The manager was a little shocked to see He Chen here.

After all, he remembered that He Chen had sat at the second table at Qin Ran’s wedding.

Although Qin Ran spoke very casually with He Chen, the manager knew that when she was being serious, she actually addressed this Miss He Chen as “Sister Chen”.

Upon hearing him, He Chen turned around and saw Chen Yu.

He Chen didn’t have much contact with the Qin family, but she had a good memory and recognized Chen Yu right away, having spoken to him before. She raised a brow and asked, “You’re filming here?”

“Yeah.” Seeing that she was here, Chen Yu didn’t intend to go out anymore. He stood right there with the flask in his hand and seemed a little stiff. “Miss He, what are you doing here?”

“To look for Director Lin.” This was the film base, so it wasn’t surprising to see Qin Ran’s uncle here. “I’d just get some news by the way.”

Chen Yu watched as He Chen went to look for Director Lin. It was only after she walked around the tree and approached Director Lin and Qin Xiuchen that he looked away.

“Chairman Qu, I’ve got to get something for Film Emperor Qin.” Chen Yu turned around and bade Qu Zixiao farewell.

His tone sounded a little less serious this time.

Qu Zixiao looked at He Chen for a few seconds before Chen Yu nodded.

Chen Yu took his leave thereafter.

Qu Zixiao looked away from him and back in He Chen’s direction. She casually grabbed Director Lin’s personal stool from the side and sat on it. The hot-tempered Director Lin simply glanced at her but did not say a thing.

Ever since the two newbies angered the director, the atmosphere at the film set went cold. Besides Film Emperor Qin, nobody dared to even breathe a sound.

Seeing that He Chen’s bold move had not gotten any reaction from Director Lin, most of the crew members began looking in her direction quietly. Qu Zixiao showed some shock too, but he quickly concealed it.

He was here just for two reasons. Firstly, to check on the “The Realm of Gods” filming progress. Secondly, to discuss with Song Qingqing about her being the spokesperson.

He hadn’t expected to bump into He Chen here.

“I’ll go and say hi to Director Lin,” he said quietly.

Director Lin wasn’t in a good mood now. Song Qingqing was one of the better actresses among the current popular ones, but with Qin Xiuchen around, she had been getting scolded a lot. She dared not walk over there with Qu Zixiao.

She simply stood in her place and eyed He Chen.

“Senior Song.” She was deep in thought when a woman in her costume carefully came over and called out to her. This woman’s eyes were a little bloodshot as if she’d just cried. She turned towards Qu Zixiao and asked, “Who’s the woman speaking to Chairman Qu? They seem close?”

This woman was Lu Junke, a supporting actress in “The Realm of Gods”. It was Song Qingqing who brought her to relative fame.

Song Qingqing was standing upright and looking at Qu Zixiao’s back view. She pursed her lips and said, “You should be right. She’s probably his wife in their private marriage.”

Given the slip of the tongue by Qu Zixiao’s secretary, Song Qingqing could come to this conclusion.

“She’s the one Young Master Du was talking about?” Lu Junke looked at He Chen with wide eyes. “She doesn’t seem special or anything. Did she come over the moment she heard that Chairman Qu would come to look for you?”

Song Qingqing did not respond.

Lu Junke went on on her own, “How is she even comparable to you? Senior, don’t you worry. Chairman Qu came all the way to the film set to see you, and even the advertisements in the Qu Corporation are yours. That shows that his heart is still with you. Young Master Du is definitely right to say that their marriage was just a transactional agreement.”

...

On Director Lin’s side.

He Chen was still sitting on the stool. When Li Yushan walked over with her just now, she immediately recognized that the director He Chen was here for was the famous Director Lin who had invited He Chen to perform previously!

So, these two knew each other?

And this important and slender figure by Director Lin’s side was—

Film Emperor Qin?

In person!!

Alive!!

She’s dead!!

Qin Xiuchen was holding the script in one hand and a cigarette in another. He was leaned back in his chair and studying the script.

Only when he snapped out of his thoughts did he notice He Chen and Li Yushan.

He caught a glimpse of Li Yushan’s shocked expression.

Qin Xiuchen stubbed his cigarette in the ashtray and smiled. “I’m sorry.”

“You know each other?” Director Lin closed the script and looked at him in shock.

“She’s my niece’s best friend.” Qin Xiuchen picked up his teacup again and leaned back in his seat.

There was talk about Film Emperor Qin’s niece in the entertainment circle too. Apparently, she was someone whose name should not be mentioned.

Director Lin glanced at He Chen and then shook his head. He then tossed the script towards her. “Alright, then. Let’s do it this way. The assistant cameraman and the two actors for Scene 13 aren’t good, especially the actors. Film Emperor Qin couldn’t manage to help them immerse in their characters. You go over there and guide them through it. And he’s a cameraman from Beijing University, I feel ashamed for Beijing University already!”

Director Lin was ranting again.

He got He Chen to go over.

Qu Zixiao and his secretary heard Director Lin’s orders when they were walking over. They were both shocked to hear that, and the secretary asked before Qu Zixiao had a chance to, “Director Lin, you’re letting her do the filming? Isn’t Miss He a reporter?”

“The main cameraman is on leave and the assistant one isn’t good enough. Xiao Chen is better than him no matter what. I especially got her here when I found out that she’s in Continent M. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be getting any help in two days. Don’t worry, Chairman Qu, we won’t be delayed even though the main photographer isn’t here today.” Director Lin was rather polite towards Qu Zixiao — his investor — too.

Upon hearing Director Lin’s explanation, the secretary opened his mouth in shock. Was He Chen so well-respected?

Director Lin was known by all to be extremely strict. He was an artist who made an impact in the entertainment industry. His works had won countless awards and groomed too many Film Emperors and Empresses to count.

Even the honorable Film Emperor Qin now had been told off by him before back in the days.

Then again, after so many years, he had only openly complimented Film Emperor Qin before. All the other artistes were scolded time and again whenever they filmed with him.

At this point, the secretary turned to Qu Zixiao with a strange expression.

So, ex-Young Madam was here... purely by chance?

Qu Zixiao pursed his lips as well.

“I didn’t expect Director Lin to know the paparazzi too,” Qu Zixiao said as he kept his eyes on He Chen and Qin Xiuchen. His expression and tone hadn’t changed. “I thought that those in your line of work wouldn’t like the paparazzi.”

“Paparazzi?” Director Lin was shocked to hear him describe her this way. When he reacted to it, he responded with a cold smile, “Who knew that she’d learn filming for so many years and ended up like this! So, she interviews cats and dogs and little animals every day!”

Director Lin got even more furious when he mentioned this.

“Ay, Director Lin, what are you angry about? It’s not as if you don’t know this Miss He.” The elderly person beside Director Lin hurriedly got him a cup of water. “She just likes running about, just like other young people. And although she does this, doesn’t she always return with an award-winning work?”

Only then did Director Lin tip his chin up and follow Qu Zixiao out.

...

The outdoor scene.

Qin Xiuchen was thinking about the script while walking and did not say much to He Chen.

As they arrived at the film set, He Chen went to the crew members and set up the equipment.

The main cameraman wasn’t around, and the assistant cameraman was slightly surprised to hear that He Chen would be taking over in deciding on the positioning today.

This scene mainly involved Qin Xiuchen, Lu Junke, and two other actors.

Lu Junke was the newbie who had been told off several times today by Director Lin. Without the main cameraman around, the assistant cameraman was unable to get the effect that Director Lin wanted. They were stuck on Scene 13 for the entire day so far.

She was standing before the main camera and conversing with a few of the crew members around. She had her glasses on and wasn’t really stunning, considering there were other female celebrities around. But, her presence was impossible to ignore.

A few of them hurriedly nodded, and one even went to speak to Lu Junke.

She stood in the center of a few crew members and adjusted the lighting, angles, and the like. Then, she took a few steps back to the main camera.

He Chen knew what Director Lin wanted. In terms of filming, the depth that she could capture and portray wasn’t too far off from him.

They had to cut the scene twice because of Lu Junke.

But after the fifth run, they finally got a good take.

The background setting was built with a huge amount of money. Qin Xiuchen was holding a sword while kneeling on one knee. He looked up at the sky, revealing a scar that went from his cheek to his chin. His gaze was serious and his performance was flawless and impactful.

He Chen picked up the camera she hardly ever used, found a good angle, and captured a shot.

At this point, the renowned landscape photographer had just shot a human subject.

...

After the shoot, Lu Junke thanked the assistant cameraman sitting by the side.

The assistant cameraman was roughly 30 years old. He said, “I wasn’t of much help.”

“You’ve done so many different adjustments this whole time. I was wondering why Director Lin decided to let that reporter take over this role.” Lu Junke turned towards He Chen.

The assistant cameraman straightened up. “You know her?”

“Yeah. She’s a local news reporter in Beijing and has even been a paparazzo before. I’ve heard of her.” Lu Junke smiled.

Her job was nothing compared to their legitimate cameramen.

The assistant cameraman was a little stunned. “I’ve seen the footage. She’s better than me...”

“She graduated from University S as an Arts student. Who knows if she came through the back door to get here.” Lu Junke lowered her volume.

University S was inferior to the two top universities in the nation. Their Arts faculty was also not outstanding. If one entered the Arts faculty in University S... it meant that their humanities results were definitely terrible.

...

At night.

Qu Zixiao treated the crew to dinner. Since there was an investor here, Director Lin allowed the crew to be on leave that night.

“Senior, you’re really something,” Lu Junke said to Song Qingqing. A few others turned to look at them.

Song Qingqing had had many scandals with Qu Zixiao before, and it wasn’t a secret in the industry anymore. Moreover, Song Qingqing was a newbie and managed to work with Film Emperor Qin so early on in her career. Everyone could tell that something was going on between her and Qu Zixiao.

Qu Zixiao had always had a good reputation. Besides his scandals with Song Qingqing, he was never involved with other women.

The crew took up three tables.

The key members — Director Lin, Qu Zixiao, Qin Xiuchen, and Song Qingqing — were at the same table.

The three of them were unequivocally the “most important” people there.

He Chen sat beside Qin Xiuchen, and Li Yushan managed to take the seat beside her. Thanks to He Chen, Li Yushan was sitting just two seats away from Qin Xiuchen. She was so excited, she could barely hold her chopsticks.

At the table were the investor Qu Zixiao, Director Lin, and a few other businessmen. Given this setting, Lu Junke naturally had to entertain the men. She ended up downing drink after drink.

The atmosphere was lively.

He Chen took a bottle of beer first.

Seeing that she grabbed the beer, Qin Xiuchen handed the bottle-opener beside him to her. With Qin Ran’s “lens filter” around, Qin Xiuchen naturally took better care of her.

Just as he handed the bottle-opener to her, he saw He Chen remove the bottle cap with her teeth. The bottle cap landed beside her on the table and even spun for a bit.

Qin Xiuchen chuckled as he saw that. He put the bottle-opener down and said, “Have something to eat first before you drink.”

He turned the Lazy Susan such that the side dishes stopped before her and then continued speaking to Director Lin.

Opposite them, Qu Zixiao’s gaze was fixated on He Chen.

After the meal, Lu Junke finally found the chance to look He Chen in the eye and express her thanks. “Thank you so much for today, Miss He. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t know how long more I’d delay the crew.”

He Chen raised her beer. “No problem.”

“Given Miss He’s filming technique and skill, you must be a Filmography major from University A.” Lu Junke exclaimed, “The Filmography course at University A is internationally recognized and extremely prestigious. It is just second to the Law Faculty, and one has to score very well on all subjects to get in. You’re amazing.”

He Chen looked up and glanced at her. “I studied at University S. Forgot my score.”

Lu Junke smiled with some embarrassment when she heard her response, but the people sitting around had already heard her.

The Filmography course in University S was not legitimate at all, if not for the fact that they had the name “University S”. Director Lin’s movies were always produced with the best team possible. The assistant cameraman was a Beijing University Filmography graduate, and the rest of the crew was not too far off.

But He Chen...

At night, He Chen and Li Yushan stayed in the hotel that the crew members were staying in.

She was contacting the police in Continent M and wanted them to send her information about the missing student case.

Li Yushan snapped back to her senses and saw that she was going through a missing student case. She glared at He Chen. “Sister Chen, y-you... you’re looking at a police case?”

“I asked for them and they gave it to me. The police in Continent M are pretty nice,” He Chen replied.

“Oh.” Li Yushan nodded. Was every police officer in Continent M so casual about things?

At the same time.

One floor above them, in Qin Xiuchen’s room.

He was going through the script for the next day. Outside, the suite’s manager entered with a frown. “Film Emperor Qin, there’s some rumor going on in the crew.”

It was regarding He Chen. A lot of people were discussing her iffy background privately.

She wasn’t experienced, nor did she have a good degree to give her any power to call the shots in the crew.

The Qin family were all protective of the underdogs. He Chen was Film Emperor Qin’s niece’s good friend, he couldn’t possibly just stand by and not do anything.

He put his script down and thought about it. At night, he gave Qin Ran a call and asked, “That reporter friend of yours, how’re her results?”

“Why?” Qin Ran tossed her notebook aside on the other end.

Film Emperor Qin explained it to her calmly.

There was silence on her side for two seconds before she said, “Give me a moment.”

Qin Ran hung up. Three minutes later, Qin Ran sent He Chen’s data and transcripts to him.

Film Emperor Qin took a look at it. He went silent when he read the second line.