novellhall Chapter 234 Absence Makes the Heart Blossom [5000 words]
Chapter 234 Absence Makes the Heart Blossom [5000 words]
Chapter 234 Absence Makes the Heart Blossom [5000 words]
The morning's filming went very smoothly.
Chen Xun deliberately interacted more with the staff.
I helped the lighting technician hold the ladder, handed the prop master a glass of water, and even chatted with the special effects team about the technical issues of green screen keying.
The effect is very obvious.
During breaks, he could feel that the atmosphere on set was more harmonious.
People started to look at him with more kindness.
The staff used to keep their distance from him.
After all, Chen Xun is a star, and he just won an Oscar, so he's a top star to them.
They were just ordinary staff members on the film crew.
At lunchtime, Chen Xun didn't eat in the main actors' private rest area; instead, he sat down with his plate among the staff.
Is anyone here?
"No, no, Mr. Chen, please have a seat!"
"Just call me Chen."
Chen Xun sat down and glanced at the young man's plate next to him: "Eating so little?"
The young man was a special effects intern named Mike, whose catchphrase was: "On a diet—"
"Why are you trying to lose weight? I still have to carry equipment this afternoon."
Chen Xun picked up a chicken leg from his plate and gave it to him: "Eat more."
Mike was flattered: "Th-thank you!"
"Don't mention it!"
Chen Xun took a bite of rice and asked, "By the way, what's your special effects team been up to lately? How's the Groot model coming along?"
When the topic of professionalism came up, Mike's eyes lit up: "We're doing the final rendering! Director Gunn has extremely high standards; he said Groot's eyes needed to have a soul, so we adjusted the materials eight hundred times—"
The two chatted for more than ten minutes.
Before filming in the afternoon, Chen Xun opened the panel and took a look.
Teamwork improved from an A to an A+.
Become!
Next is audience expectations.
This is a bit uncertain, since the movie hasn't been released yet, and how the audience expects it largely depends on the publicity.
Chen Xun thought for a moment, then took out his phone and opened Twitter.
He first tweeted: "Last few weeks of filming for Guardians of the Galaxy. Today we filmed the scene where Star-Lord teaches Groot to dance. This tree can not only dance, but he dances better than me. [laughing emoji]"
The accompanying picture shows a corner of the film set.
Within ten minutes of being posted, it had received over ten thousand likes.
Comments section: "Groot dancing? I can't imagine it!"
"Brother Xun, please post more behind-the-scenes footage!"
"So Star-Lord is a dance teacher?"
"Looking forward to it! When will it be released?"
Chen Xun selected a few replies: "The release date hasn't been set yet, but it'll be soon."
"Groot's dance was choreographed by director Gunn himself, and it's incredibly captivating."
"I'm not a dance teacher, I'm a student being mocked by the tree."
After a round of interaction, he posted a second tweet, this time a video.
In the video, Dave is doing push-ups, his muscles gleaming.
Chen Xun's voiceover: "Look at Drax's daily training, I think he could kill Thanos with one punch."
Dave looked up, grinned at the camera, and said, "Chen, if you mention Thanos again, I'll punch you to death."
The video is only fifteen seconds long, but it's packed with laughs.
Within twenty minutes of being posted, it had been forwarded over 50,000 times.
"Hahaha, Dave is so cute!"
"Their interaction is so funny!"
Thanos: ??? What does this have to do with me?
"Looking forward to Guardians of the Galaxy! They seem to be the most fun team in Marvel!"
Chen Xun struck while the iron was hot and posted a third tweet, this time about his thoughts on the character.
Many people ask what kind of person Star-Lord is. I thought about it, and he's an Earthling who wanders the galaxy.
The boy used cynicism to mask his loneliness, and sarcasm to conceal his tenderness. He stole, fought, and talked nonsense, but deep down he always kept the song his mother taught him.
This tweet was so heartfelt that the comments section was quickly flooded with "tears in my eyes" and "looking forward to it".
"Brother Xun has such a deep understanding of the character!"
"I can already picture what Star-Lord looks like!"
"Spoiler alert! What song did Star-Lord's mother leave behind?"
Chen Xun replied to the last message: "Jackson 5's 'I'm There' is very important in the movie."
After posting these three tweets, Chen Xun glanced at the time; it was time to start filming.
The afternoon's scene was a group scene where the five Guardians of the Galaxy teamed up for the first time in a battle.
The scene staging is complex, requiring five people to complete a series of coordinated actions in front of a green screen, with alien monsters and explosion effects added later.
Director Gunn, holding a megaphone, shouted: "Remember, you're a team! Although you've only known each other for a short time, you've already built trust in this life-or-death situation! Your movements must be synchronized, and your eyes must meet!"
I took the photos three times, but the results were still unsatisfactory.
Either Dave was blocking Zoe's shot, or Chen Xun and Bradley (voice actor) weren't in sync.
Gunn called a halt.
"Ten-minute break! Everyone get back into the swing of things!"
Chen Xun went to the side to drink water.
Dave followed over, wiping his sweat: "This scene is really hard to film. We have to fight monsters in thin air and still have to act in sync."
"It's actually not difficult!"
Let's break down the movements.
"Rocket fires first to draw attention, Gamora cuts in from the left, Drax goes head-to-head, Star-Lord and Groot provide cover—"
He gestured as he spoke.
Zoe chimed in, "I think Gamora could have engaged a little earlier, to create space for Drax."
"right!"
Dave nodded: "Then I throw a punch, and Chen, you finish it off from the side—"
The three men squatted on the ground and began drawing tactical diagrams with chalk.
Bradley came over wearing headphones, listened for a while, and then interjected, "The Rockets should drop a bomb right now to create chaos."
"Great idea!"
Chen Xun added the bomb to the tactical map.
Five minutes later, a complete battle plan was developed.
Director Gunn came over, took a look, and chuckled: "Wow, you've come up with your own tactics?"
"Director, we'd like to try this approach," Chen Xun said.
"Then let's give it a try."
Filming has resumed!
This time the effect was completely different.
The five people moved with fluid grace, their eye contact was precise, and their teamwork was so seamless that they seemed like true comrades-in-arms who had fought side by side for many years.
"Cut!"
Gunn excitedly slapped his thigh: "Perfect! This one's a hit!"
By the time we finished work, it was already dark.
Chen Xun was exhausted, but in a good mood.
On his way back to the hotel, he opened the control panel.
Guardians of the Galaxy Project Assessment Update:
Audience expectations have increased from B+ to A-.
Although it's only been upgraded by one level, it's already pretty good.
The overall rating is now A+!
The reward section now includes a note after "[Trendsetting Progress +10%]": (Rating upgrade, reward increased to +15%)
Chen Xun's eyes lit up.
Is there such a good thing?
This means that if the project is completed and maintains an A+ rating, he will receive a 15% progress bonus.
He's even more motivated now!
Chen Xun lay in bed scrolling through his phone.
His three tweets from today are still generating buzz on Twitter.
#GuardiansoftheGalaxyBehindtheScenes# has already made it onto the trending list.
Fans created all sorts of fan art: some turned Dave's push-up video into a GIF with captions about the current state of gyms; some turned Chen Xun's comment that Star-Lord is a lonely Earth child into a meme; and others started drawing fan art of Groot dancing.
The level of popularity is higher than expected.
As Chen Xun was looking at it, Jennifer sent him a message: "Your Twitter account is doing a great job! I'd like to learn from you."
"You still need to manage it? One fall is enough to make you famous for ten years."
"roll!"
Jennifer sent an eye-rolling emoji: "Get to the point, the Dior photoshoot date is set for the 5th of next month in Paris. Can you come?"
Chen Xun checked the schedule.
Guardians of the Galaxy will wrap up filming on the 3rd of next month, so there's still time.
Filming for Guardians of the Galaxy has wrapped.
A small party was held in the photography studio.
Director Gunn brought two cases of beer, Dave contributed his treasured whiskey, and Zoe brought Spanish ham.
Chen Xun raised his wine glass and clinked glasses with everyone.
Gunn had drunk a bit too much and put his arm around Chen Xun's shoulder, saying, "Chen, you are one of the most professional actors I have ever worked with. From the first day I joined the crew, I knew that Star-Lord had found the right person."
"Thank you, director!"
Chen Xun clinked glasses with him: "It's because your script is so good."
"No matter how good the script is, someone has to act in it."
Gunn shook his head: "Some actors, even if you give them gold, they can still turn it into scrap metal. You're different; you can turn scrap metal into gold!"
"Although my script was absolutely brilliant!"
Everyone laughed.
Dave, holding a wine glass, leaned closer: "Chen, next time you have an action scene, call me again. I promise I won't really beat you up!"
"Then I thank you in advance for going easy on me."
Chen Xun clinked glasses with him.
Zoe came over too. She didn't drink alcohol, but brought a glass of juice: "It was a pleasure working together. I hope we can act together again next time."
"must!"
Chen Xun clinked glasses with her.
Zoe Saldana's favorability rating: 79
Chen Xun glanced at it and understood.
His relationship with Zoe remained purely professional; their personalities were very different, and they couldn't connect off-screen.
But 79 points is already pretty good; at least he's a friendly colleague.
The other people's favorability ratings are around 89 to 92, which means the relationship is good.
The party went on until midnight.
Chen Xun returned to the hotel to pack his luggage and flew to Paris early the next morning.
After a ten-hour flight, we landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 9:00 AM local time.
Jennifer's text message has arrived: "Have you arrived yet? I'm waiting for you at the hotel."
Chen Xun replied, "Just landed, will arrive in an hour."
The hotel in Paris was booked on the Left Bank of the Seine; it was a long-established five-star hotel with excellent privacy.
When Chen Xun dragged his suitcase into the lobby, Jennifer was already sitting in the sofa area waiting for him.
She was wearing a simple white T-shirt and jeans, a baseball cap, and sunglasses pushed up on her head, looking like an ordinary tourist.
But Chen Xun recognized him at a glance.
"haven't seen you for a long time!"
Jennifer stood up and gave him a hug.
"Only one month!"
Chen Xun released her: "You've lost weight!"
"I've been dieting for two weeks for the Dior photoshoot."
Jennifer pouted, "Eating grass every day, I'm practically turning into a rabbit."
The two took the elevator upstairs.
Jennifer's room is next to Chen Xun's.
She specifically requested the room next door.
As soon as Chen Xun entered the room, he put down his luggage, and Jennifer hugged him from behind.
"miss you!"
Her voice was muffled.
Chen Xun turned around and looked down at her.
Jennifer stood on tiptoe and kissed him.
Chen Xun responded.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
It's raining in Paris outside the window, the pattering raindrops tapping against the glass.
Afterwards, Jennifer leaned against Chen Xun and drew circles on his chest with her finger.
Your prophecy has come true!
"Dior's contract?"
"It's not just a contract."
Jennifer looked up at him: "Do you know how many views that video of me falling down has on foreign websites?"
"How many?"
"Three hundred million!"
"The price is rising every day. Dior executives say they've never signed such a high-profile spokesperson before, and now brands are booked until next year to work with me."
"Congratulations!"
Chen Xun kissed her forehead.
"You're the one who should be congratulating."
Jennifer laughed: "Even the best flowers need someone to care for them. Now it's become a popular internet meme. There are fan-made versions all over Twitter. Someone put a GIF of you helping me up with this sentence on it and it got over a million retweets."
Chen Xun raised an eyebrow: "I haven't seen it yet!"
"Then look at it now!"
Jennifer handed him the phone.
The screen displays memes created by netizens.
A GIF of Chen Xun helping Jennifer, accompanied by the caption "When your girlfriend falls while wearing high heels," received hundreds of thousands of likes.
Even more outrageous: someone photoshopped Chen Xun's photo on the Oscars red carpet with a silhouette of Dior.
Caption: "The best boyfriend material of the year!"
"What the hell is all this?!"
Chen Xun was both amused and exasperated.
"Netizens love shipping couples."
Jennifer took her phone back: "This is a good thing for us."
"Dior was overjoyed, saying that our chemistry was the most natural they'd seen in recent years."
"So today's shoot—"
"We just want to capture this chemical reaction on film."
Jennifer sat up: "The director is French, named Pierre. He used to make art films, but Dior hired him for a hefty sum. He said he didn't want to make a typical commercial film; he wanted to make a short film about protection."
Chen Xun thought for a moment: "Do you have a script?"
"Yes, but it's very abstract."
Jennifer got out of bed and took a stack of papers out of her bag: "Look!"
Chen Xun accepted it.
It is indeed very abstract.
The script is only three pages long, mostly consisting of scene descriptions and emotional guidance, with very little dialogue.
The story is about a man and a woman who meet on the streets of Paris and then experience the changing seasons together, always supporting each other.
Finally, they returned to the street where they started and smiled at each other.
"That's it?" Chen asked.
"It's gone!"
Jennifer shrugged: "Pierre said, the rest is up to us to act."
"Alright!"
The next morning at seven o'clock, Dior's car arrived at the hotel on time to pick them up.
The filming location was a private estate outside Paris, said to be where the founder of Dior once lived.
The estate is large, with Baroque-style buildings and meticulously manicured gardens.
The staff have already set up a temporary work area, complete with makeup carts, clothing carts, and food carts.
Chen Xun and Jennifer were led into the dressing room separately.
The makeup artist was a French lady. Her technique was gentle, and she chattered in French as she did her makeup: "Your skin is so beautiful. Asian skin is so delicate—"
Chen Xun couldn't understand, so he could only smile.
After I finished my makeup, the stylist brought me my outfit for the day.
Dior's menswear line focuses on classic elegance, and Chen Xun will be wearing three outfits today.
A gray plaid suit, a dark blue double-breasted coat, and a casual khaki trench coat.
He tried on the suit first.
The cut is perfect, the fabric is exquisite, and wearing it completely changes one's temperament.
He went from being a Hollywood actor to a Parisian gentleman.
"good!"
The costume assistant straightened his collar: "Mr. Galliano will like this outfit."
"Gagliano?"
John Galliano, creative director of Dior.
Assistant: "He will come to the site today to take a look."
Chen Xun's heart skipped a beat.
Galliano is a legendary figure in the fashion world. Although he was fired by Dior a few years ago for inappropriate remarks, he returned last year and remains a trendsetter in the industry.
The fact that he personally came to watch the shoot shows that Dior values this collaboration very much.
After changing his clothes, Chen Xun stepped out of the makeup cart.
Jennifer also came out.
She wore a classic white Dior dress with delicate pearl embroidery on the hem, and her hair was styled in a loose bun with a few wisps falling beside her ears.
Wow.
Chen Xun whistled.
"You're not bad either."
Jennifer looked him over: "This suit suits you very well."
As the two were talking, a middle-aged man with long hair and wearing small round sunglasses walked over.
It was directed by Pierre.
"Good morning!"
Pierre said in English with a French accent, "I am Pierre, the director for today, and it is a pleasure to work with both of you."
Chen Xun shook hands with him: "I am Chen Xun."
"I know, Mr. Oscar."
Pierre smiled and said, "I've seen your movies, and I liked your performance in 'The Hunger Games'."
"Thanks!"
"Jennifer, I've seen your movies too."
Pierre turned to Jennifer: "Your scene in 'Silver Linings Playbook' where you smashed the plate was great."
Jennifer laughed: "I won't break the plate today, but I might trip and fall."
"Wrestling is good too."
Pierre blinked: "Authenticity is the most beautiful thing."
After exchanging pleasantries, the filming began.
The first scene takes place in the garden.
The plot is very simple.
Chen Xun and Jennifer walked side by side on the pebbly path, occasionally glancing at each other and smiling, but without exchanging a word.
But Pierre had very high standards.
"Chen, slow down a bit. You're not in a hurry; you're enjoying your time with her."
"Jennifer, when you smile, look into his eyes, not into the camera."
"Okay, stop now!"
Turn around and look at her!
"Yes! That's the look in your eyes, gentle but not clingy."
Pierre was finally satisfied after taking more than a dozen takes.
During the break, Chen Xun took a sip of water and asked Jennifer, "What kind of feeling do you think he wants?"
"I don't know," Jennifer shook her head, "but I think he's capturing the real interactions between us."
He seemed very pleased when you brushed my hair aside just now.
"That's because the wind messed up your hair."
“But your movements are so natural,” Jennifer said, looking at him. “That’s why Pierre said, authenticity is the most beautiful thing.”
The second scene takes place on the terrace of the manor.
There was a dialogue this time, but only two sentences.
Jennifer: "Look, the sky is clearing up."
Chen Xun: "Yeah, the rain has stopped."
We filmed those two lines twenty times.
Pierre needed different tones: relaxed, affectionate, teasing, and wistful —
On the fifteenth take, Chen Xun couldn't help but ask, "Director, which one do you want?"
"I have no idea."
Pierre was honest: "But I'll know when I see the right one."
Chen Xun: "————"
Ok!
The artist's mindset!
On his twentieth repetition, Chen Xun looked at Jennifer and said naturally, "Look, the sky is clearing up!"
His tone was very casual, as if he were just saying it offhand in everyday life.
"Cut!"
Pierre stood up: "That's it! Perfect!"
Chen Xun breathed a sigh of relief.
During the lunch break, the food truck offered French light meals: ham sandwiches, vegetable salads, and macarons for dessert.
Chen Xun and Jennifer were eating under a parasol.
While they were eating, a long-haired man wearing an exaggerated printed shirt and with his hair parted in the middle walked over.
It's John Galliano.
"Sorry to bother you."
Galliano's voice was a little high-pitched: "I am John, the creative director of Dior."
Chen Xun and Jennifer stood up.
Chen Xun felt a little strange.
Is this guy gay?
He knows that many top international designers are gay, especially in the cosmetics and fashion industries.
"Please sit down, please sit down."
Galliano waved his hand and pulled up a chair to sit down: "I just looked at the footage from this morning, it was very good. The chemistry between you two is quite subtle."
He sized up Chen Xun: "Mr. Chen, you look great in Dior. Asians actually have an advantage when wearing suits; narrow but upright shoulders give off a subtle sense of strength."
"Thanks!"
Chen Xun felt a chill run down his spine as he looked into his eyes.
"Jennifer, your dress is beautiful too."
Galliano turned to Jennifer: "White suits you well, pure but not childish. I've watched that video of you wrestling so many times, it's so vibrant."
Jennifer smiled. "Thanks, though I wouldn't really want to fall again."
"No, you should fall."
Galliano said earnestly, "The fashion industry is too fake. Everyone is putting on airs. You need something real to break the illusion. You fall, Chen helps you up, that's beauty."
That's a bit philosophical.
But Chen Xun understood.
Galliano is saying that their story has transcended ordinary endorsement and become a cultural symbol.
"I'll be watching the afternoon's filming from the sidelines."
Galliano stood up: "Keep it up, I'm really looking forward to the finished film."
He glanced at Chen Xun, then turned and left!
Jennifer whispered, "He's so weird!"
"Geniuses are all culprits!"
Chen Xun took a bite of the sandwich.
How can you not find it strange that he's gay?