Chapter 104: Filming the Amazing MV

Chapter 104: Filming the Amazing MV

“Wow, is this the Golden Lion Group’s building? It’s so luxurious?!”

Saturday morning, Jinghe District, Golden Lion Building.

A family black sedan crossed the barrier and drove into a roundabout with a fountain shaped like a roaring lion.

In front of the road, various luxurious business vehicles were parked outside, guarding a wide pathway leading to a black marble welcoming pavilion as if they were servants awaiting a capital giant.

Sitting in the back seat, Bai Yi raised her head through the rear window to gaze at the towering black tower, marveling at its height.

But then, she remembered that that annoying Spencer from school was actually the young lady of the Golden Lion Group, and her fondness for the building dissipated immediately.

That girl had a terrible personality and always stared at Yan Huan with those strange eyes, making Bai Yi feel sick every time.

But then it hit her—she had just signed a contract with a subsidiary of Spencer’s family business.

If she ended up humiliating all of Yan Huan’s potential suitors and successfully got together with Yan Huan, what would she do if Spencer used her family’s power to bully them?

Suddenly, a vivid image flashed in her mind:

An adult Spencer tossing her artist contract in front of pale, stiff Yan Huan.

Then she would smirk evilly, revealing her tiger teeth, and ask,

“Mr. Yan, you wouldn’t want your wife to lose her job, would you?”

Thinking of this, Bai Yi trembled in fear, unsure of how such a vicious thought had crossed her mind.

She quickly shook her head, trying to rid herself of this filthy image.

Surely she wouldn’t let such a thing happen, even if it meant she had to die, right?

Up front, Jiang Xiong forced a wry smile, realizing his little family car was completely out of place among the surrounding luxury vehicles.

“Linyi Gate is the headquarters of the Golden Lion Group in Dongzhou, so of course, it looks impressive. I’ll take you to Eagle Country and show you their headquarters next time.”

“…Hmm, okay.”

In the back, Bai Yi’s initially enthusiastic voice suddenly dulled, leaving Jiang Xiong puzzled.

But just then, the car reached the front of the tower and hadn’t even come to a complete stop when a staff member approached and asked,

“Are you here for the energy conference?”

Jiang Xiong shook his head, saying,

“No, we have an appointment with Mr. Milos; this is the entry permit he sent us.”

“I understand. Please get out here; we’ll take care of parking.”

As Bai Yi packed her things, she curiously watched the crowd flowing in and out of the tower.

“What energy conference? So many people.”

“Linyi Gate has plans to support new energy, introducing equipment from the Dragon Kingdom. A few months ago, it became widely known that Ye International had settled in Linyi Gate. This has touched the cake of the Golden Lion Group, causing the Linyi government to hold three energy conferences in a row, all at the Golden Lion Building.”

Jiang Xiong unbuckled his seatbelt, getting out of the car while explaining to Bai Yi with a smile,

“Actually, the Linyi government is quite afraid to offend the Golden Lion Group, so choosing this location is a form of goodwill. The conference has both sides arguing violently—it’s basically the Linyi government watching Ye International and the Golden Lion Group duel.”

“Ye International… ah! That’s the one you mentioned, Aunt Ye’s senior from before, isn’t it?”

“Ye Lan.”

Bai Yi blinked, but rather than focusing on the grand matters, she only thought of the relationship between Yan Huan and Ye Lan.

Then she remembered her mother had asked in front of others at the comic convention whether the president of Ye International’s Linyi branch, Ye Lan, was still single.

How embarrassing.

Looking back, it filled her with fury and embarrassment, wishing she could just dig a hole and hide.

Feeling a bit shy, she asked,

“Is Aunt Ye coming today as well?”

“This should be the last energy conference; she’ll likely come to observe.”

Jiang Xiong smiled gently at her and asked,

“What about Yan Huan? Isn’t he here yet? The MV can’t go on without the male lead.”

Bai Yi bit her lip before glancing at her phone, replying,

“He said he’s almost here; he’s taking the subway from the South District.”

“South District?”

Jiang Xiong raised an eyebrow, surprised.

He had heard from Zuo Jiangqin about Yan Huan and Ye Lan, so he thought at least Ye Lan would be coming with them, and he could meet his senior then.

Aren’t they supposed to be adopted? Why are they still living in the South District?

In an instant, Jiang Xiong’s mind raced through countless possibilities, but Bai Yi obviously wasn’t thinking as deeply as the adults.

She saw Yan Huan’s message on her phone saying he’d be here soon and became a bit anxious, hurriedly adjusting her hair and clothing in the reflection of the nearby glass.

But that wasn’t enough; she also opened the front camera on her phone, pouting and tilting her head, inspecting her appearance from every angle.

Since today was for shooting the MV, her full makeup could only be done upstairs, so Bai Yi had to go out with a bare face.

Thus, this morning when leaving the house, she simply applied a primer, concealer, setting powder, eyebrow powder, colored contacts, eyeliner, and lip glaze, finishing with blush.

And out she went just like that.

Pseudo-bare-faced~

The so-called “pseudo-bare face” was designed following the principle of “less is more,” with simple yet refined concealing and contouring.

Usually, this technique of not wearing foundation would baffle clueless males, making their hearts race, thinking,

“Wow, I didn’t expect her to look this good without makeup!”

Besides, Bai Yi’s makeup skills were so impeccable that not a single flaw would be revealed.

Bai Yi secretly revealed a “plan accomplished” expression in her heart.

After checking everything was in order, she put her phone away and began to glance towards the distant entrance.

While covertly watching, she paced back and forth, checking her phone.

This “super casual waiting for my husband” look left Jiang Xiong shaking his head.

“Bai Yi, you’ve kept him waiting for a while.”

Just then, Yan Huan’s voice rang out from the direction she was waiting.

Jiang Xiong turned to see a tall, fit young man walking towards them.

Assessing him, Jiang Xiong couldn’t help but be amazed by the handsome youth.

With looks like that, he could barely match himself at the peak of his time.

“Uncle, hello! Sorry to keep you waiting!”

“Oh, no, we just arrived.”

Meanwhile, Bai Yi, who had been pacing, immediately froze upon hearing Yan Huan’s voice.

She cleared her throat, adjusted her expression, and smiled as she turned around.

When her eyes met Yan Huan’s, she was supposed to confidently showcase her carefully designed makeup.

But for some reason, it tilted uncontrollably, leading a strand of hair to flip back, and she blurted out,

“Ahem, morning.”

Yan Huan took a glance at her beautifully crafted face, and his greeting slightly stuttered,

“…Morning.”

The pseudo-bare-face plan succeeded!

Bai Yi squeezed her fist in her heart.

“Umm, was there traffic on the road?”

“Huh?”

Yan Huan blinked, while Jiang Xiong facepalmed, reminding her,

“Yan Huan took the subway; how could there be traffic on the subway?”

“Right, right! My head got a bit muddled.”

Bai Yi’s face turned slightly red as she waved her hand at Yan Huan, then to ease the awkwardness, she quickly pointed at the building nearby,

“Hahaha, it’s almost time; let’s head up!”

Yan Huan glanced at the large lobby featuring a golden lion head and felt a vague premonition of something unpleasant.

But in such a workplace, she shouldn’t run into that idiot.

“Sure, let’s go.”

With that thought in mind, Yan Huan injected a dose of calm into herself and smiled slightly.

The few of them walked towards the tower, surprisingly needing to pass through security at the front door, leaving Yan Huan a bit puzzled,

“Is there a big event happening here today?”

Bai Yi smiled slightly, replying,

“It seems to be Linyi’s energy conference. Both Ye International and the Golden Lion Group are participating, and it’s being held here.”

“Is that so.”

Behind them, Jiang Xiong observed Yan Huan’s profile, confirming he had just learned of this, causing him to grow more curious.

Just now he had been thinking about something, but seeing Bai Yi and Yan Huan chatting side by side, he decided to set it aside.

After all, who cares about others?

Jiang Xiong shook his head, pulled out his phone, and checked the message interface with Golden Lion’s staff, sending one through.

“Speaking of which, Bai Yi, regarding the shooting, I want to do the entire MV in one continuous shot.”

In the upper floors of the building, Bai Yi and Yan Huan had already finished their makeup and changed outfits.

Listening to the director’s conclusion after several long moments of thought, they both slightly opened their mouths and spoke in unison,

“One continuous shot?”

“Yes, that’s it! This MV is all about that. Isn’t it quite bold?”

“That…”

Bai Yi hesitated, but the director smiled and pulled out a notebook.

“Hey, I know you’re both excited. Look here.”

It contained the MV script discussed by Bai Yi and Yan Huan, and one particular word “change” stood out prominently in the middle.

“We’ll only shoot the loop after the interlude, starting from the main melody part, using the changes you wrote to express them with walking changing scenes.

“Beginning with family, school, and previous variety show set scenes, the transition will become one continuous shot until we use a green screen to recreate a similarly bustling stage from the comic convention during the chorus.”

Yan Huan rubbed his chin, not commenting, while Bai Yi, surprised, said,

“Green screen? We’re going to need special effects and such? What about budgets…”

The director, slurping gum, didn’t respond but pointed to the golden “Lion” badge hanging from his chest.

They were from the Golden Lion Group; they didn’t lack funds at all.

When Bai Yi asked if the budget was sufficient, it was akin to asking a repairman what their job was.

“I’m very sorry!”

“Anyway, this is the script we’ve finalized; take a look. We’re only doing the parts after the interlude, and it’ll be less than two minutes long. We’ll shoot many takes, so be prepared.”

The director left to coordinate with the staff, leaving Yan Huan and Bai Yi looking at each other in surprise.

Yan Huan glanced at the densely-packed script, frowning and flipping through the contents.

When he looked up at Bai Yi, he found her just about to look at him.

Seeing Yan Huan’s bewildered expression, Bai Yi couldn’t help but chuckle,

“Pfft~”

Yan Huan grew even more confused and asked,

“What’s so funny?”

“Your expression is just like mine the first time I saw the script; so cute~”

“…Isn’t that you flattering yourself?”

“Well.”

Bai Yi nodded thoughtfully for a second, then suddenly smiled and agreed,

“Yup. Hehe~”

Yan Huan was amused by her honesty, and he raised his script, saying to Bai Yi,

“You’re still laughing, but aren’t you going to read the script? Your role is heavier than mine—the camera will be chasing after you!”

“Just this level? Piece of cake~”

Bai Yi put her hands on her hips, confidently declaring to Yan Huan,

“I’m a professional!”

At that moment, the staff called out to them,

“Both of you, please head to the venue.”

“Okay!”

“Coming!”

Yan Huan gripped his script and stood up, noticing Bai Yi subconsciously reaching to smooth out the wrinkles in his clothes.

“Does this outfit fit? If it’s uncomfortable, let them help you change into another?”

Yan Huan blinked, looking at Bai Yi whose eyes sparkled, and after a moment, he replied,

“It fits.”

Feeling her gaze, Bai Yi’s face turned slightly pink.

Unfortunately, that hint of shyness was concealed by her makeup, making it seem like she had teasingly provoked Yan Huan instead.

“Then let’s get started.”

Nearby, Jiang Xiong glanced at the increasingly busy venue with a slight smile, dialing a phone call as he quietly left the area.

“Beep beep.”

“Hello, Brother Gong, are you still at the conference site?”

As Jiang Xiong answered the phone, he wandered around the building.

The Golden Lion Building, with its hundreds of floors, housed several offices of companies under the Golden Lion Group, and there were undoubtedly many elevators.

“Okay, okay. So the conference is on the third floor, right? I’ll come down to find you and check how the meeting is going.”

Unbeknownst to him, Jiang Xiong had stepped in front of a standalone black elevator.

He pressed the down button, just as that elevator was coming down from above, arriving shortly at his floor.

“Ding~”

The elevator door opened, and inside was a spacious area lined with high-end carpet, occupied by a blonde girl in a white hoodie playing “Angry Birds.”

The entire elevator looked vastly different from the ones they had come up in, yet Jiang Xiong, still on the phone, remained oblivious.

The blonde girl raised her eyes and curiously glanced at Jiang Xiong as he entered, folding her arms and silently observing his actions.

“Yeah, I’m also in the Golden Lion Building, accompanying my daughter and her classmates for their MV shoot, just above on the fortieth floor.”

Hearing the word “MV,” the blonde girl tilted her head, seemingly recalling something.

She blinked, noting Jiang Xiong’s mention of “fortieth floor.”

“I’d like to ask, Brother Gong, is President Ye from Ye International also present? Oh? She left? Oh, oh, she and her daughter were invited by the Golden Lion Group to tour upstairs?”

The elevator descended gradually, stopping on the third floor.

When the door opened, a quiet corridor awaited outside, seemingly distanced from the main hall hosting the energy conference.

Jiang Xiong stepped out, glancing around and speaking,

“Ah, with that said, I must come down and reminisce with you. I’m already here, stop talking.”

The elevator door slowly closed, and throughout the entire time, Jiang Xiong was unaware of the blonde girl standing behind him with her hands in her pockets.

Nor did he know that he had unintentionally led a rival up to the floor.

In the elevator, the blonde girl—not Spencer—was digesting Jiang Xiong’s previous remarks, thinking to herself,

“Isn’t Yan Huan going to film that MV with Bai Yi? It can’t be on the fortieth floor, can it?”

Originally, this weekend she had planned to pass the time at the top floor but unexpectedly overheard this piece of information while heading down.

Her blonde hair immediately brightened, whimsically curling into a horn.

Just as she was about to reveal her familiar mischievous grin, her mind recalled what AI told her on Thursday night.

“…”

Her face flushed brightly, and she anxiously bit her thumb.

In reality, she hadn’t been sick yesterday; making Spencer sick could be more difficult than the end of the world.

The problem was she didn’t know how she’d face An Le or Yan Huan at school.

That kiss almost took a part of her soul; every time she saw a related scene, her ears would flush.

Not to mention just looking at scenes of couples kissing in movies or games pulled her heartstrings, making her feel a tingling sensation on her lips.

So now, she found herself hesitating for the first time, pacing in the elevator with her arms crossed.

If she bumped into Yan Huan, what would she even say?

“Hey, Yan Huan, I’ve stolen your most treasured thing. You’ll have to obediently follow me from now on~”

That would only add fuel to the fire, likely making him lash out at her.

That would be too much like a delinquent.

“It wasn’t intentional; just forget it! Let’s pretend it never happened!”

Huh?

Wasn’t that too bad? It felt wrong.

“I’ll be responsible for you!”

What about that, though?

But how would An Le be involved?

What would she do with her?!

Spencer cradled her head, blushing in confusion for a long while.

She even squatted down to play “Angry Birds,” using the slingshot to fire pigs at the birds to ease her feelings.

Staring at the “40th floor” button in the elevator, her bright eyes finally made a decision.

She pressed her lips together, raised her right hand, and gently pressed that button.

“Hmph!!”

On her phone screen, the golden explosive pig was launched, soaring towards the sky fortress where the birds resided.

“Ms. Ye, from the fortieth floor up, is where our Golden Lion Entertainment is located.”

“Ding~”

On the fortieth floor, the elevator door opened, revealing a blonde-haired, blue-eyed man in a suit leading an elegantly dressed Ye Lan out of the elevator.

Today, Ye Lan was attending the energy conference in a personal capacity; experts hired by Ye International were currently engaged in a battle of wits with their counterparts.

However, this did not hinder the higher-ups from coming to observe privately.

The man in the suit was William, the president of the Golden Lion Group in Linyi, followed by Milos, who was waiting to introduce Ye Lan to the specifics of the departments inside.

Ye Lan, sporting a green hairpin from their first meeting, looked at the movie posters hanging in the Golden Lion Entertainment lobby, smiling slightly over her shoulder, saying,

“Come look; it seems they’re filming something here. They can even set up a scene in the building.”

William and Milos exchanged smiles, looking toward the elevator doors.

After a brief silence, a tall girl wearing a fitted white shirt, a black leather waist cincher, and a high-waisted skirt gracefully stepped out of the elevator.

With long, silky-black hair cascading down, she appeared like a clear lotus blooming amidst the inky darkness.

It was Ye Lan’s only daughter, Ye Shiyu.

“…”

Her hands rested elegantly at her sides, her right hand clutching a phone.

Listening to her mother, she turned and gazed intently at the bustling venue.

Milos quickly stepped forward to introduce,

“They’re filming an MV over there. Our Golden Lion Entertainment has always been the largest song distribution company in Linyi. Would Miss Ye like to take a look?”

“MV?”

Ye Shiyu tilted her head expressionlessly, looking at Milos beside her.

Milos nodded; a staff member brought over a notebook. He glanced at it and said with surprise,

“Miss Ye, have you heard of Bai Yi? She studies at the same school as you, just a year younger.

“It seems she invited a very famous male student from her school to help her shoot the MV; they’re busy inside right now.”

Ye Shiyu blinked, meeting her mother’s gaze, musing,

“A famous male student?”

Having been at school for less than a month, aside from knowing Yan Huan and a few close friends in her class, she didn’t really know anyone.

But seeing that Milos was already providing the information, she had to give some face to go check it out.

So, glancing at her mother, she nodded,

“Okay.”

Ye Lan smiled as well, addressing Milos,

“Then please show us around, Mr. Milos.”

“Three, two, one, Action!”

As the director with the megaphone called out, the lights gradually brightened, revealing Bai Yi nestled amongst the folds of white fabric resembling rose petals.

She extended her hand, gently clasping the one Yan Huan offered her.

“…”

Taking a deep breath, she raised her eyes to Yan Huan, smiling sweetly.

Her lips parted, silently saying to Yan Huan,

“Then let’s start now

“This amazing MV~”