“Reunion” had three bed scenes throughout the whole script. Except for the one filmed early on, which was filled with intense emotional conflict, the other two were tender moments.
After Ji Ming’an and Cheng Yue moved in together, they went on a vacation during their time off. They revisited places that held memories for them and also explored destinations they had wanted to see before but never had the chance.
The two bed scenes filmed today were set in the same location. One belonged to the “remembering the past” as they revisited old memories, while the other was the couple’s first time together in the film’s flashback sequence.
Back then, they were both university students with little money to spare. They had even saved up their part-time job earnings for a while. Considering it was their important first time, they gritted their teeth and splurged on one night at a high-end hotel.
The hotel where the crew was currently staying was quite nice. They secured a suitable room and planned to shoot both scenes here.
The two lead actors’ appearances differed from their university days, so they first filmed the scene that occurred later in the story’s timeline before changing looks for the “first time” scene.
The crew booked a suite, which they had modified to accommodate enough camera angles for filming.
The living room featured a full glass wall. The intense summer sunlight streamed through, bathing the room in brightness that immediately lifted one’s spirits.
In front of the glass wall stood a small bar and liquor cabinet perpendicular to it. The assistant director was explaining the blocking to Jiang Lin.
“You’ll pick up Teacher Li at the bar, turn counterclockwise, and follow this path into the bedroom door. That concludes this shot. The next shot starts in the bedroom, beginning with you carrying him in.”
He Zhanpeng sighed beside them. “On-location shooting is just too cramped compared to a set. We can’t even do a single take, and getting a high angle for an overhead shot is such a hassle.”
The producer standing nearby looked helpless. “Director He, the cost of building a set just for two scenes would be too expensive.”
He Zhanpeng argued, “It may only be two scenes, but are these ordinary scenes? This is the most sublime part of a romance film! Not being able to shoot in one take is truly a waste of these two award-winning actors’ talents!”
The producer placated him, “Yes, yes, that is indeed a drawback. But there are advantages too. Shooting separately allows the audience to appreciate your brilliant scene composition. Your mastery of atmosphere is universally acclaimed. Many viewers will buy tickets just for that.”
Jiang Lin listened to their conversation with amusement. He turned and saw Li Qianxing enter, having finished his makeup and changed into a robe.
According to the film’s timeline, Ji Ming’an had previously dyed his light purple hair dark blue to attend Cheng Yue’s company’s annual party.
As Li Qianxing stepped into the sunlight, his hair color, which appeared nearly black in dim light, revealed a beautiful layer of royal blue on the surface, exuding a sense of understated flamboyance.
Jiang Lin couldn’t help but walk over and brush Li Qianxing’s hair. “When we filmed with this hair color before, it didn’t seem very noticeable. I didn’t expect it to look so good in the sunlight.”
Li Qianxing stepped back, eyeing Jiang Lin’s hand.
Jiang Lin watched the strands slip through his fingers and instinctively closed his hand before noticing Li Qianxing’s gaze. He quickly said, “Sorry, it looked so good I couldn’t help touching it.”
Li Qianxing shook his head. “It’s not that. This hair dye is the disposable spray-on kind. If you keep touching it, your hand will end up stained.”
Jiang Lin was taken aback, then chuckled. “You’ve been dyeing and washing your hair so much lately. Even though the spray-on kind requires less heat, doing it repeatedly must be damaging your hair quite a bit.”
Li Qianxing shook his head dismissively. “It’s fine. In three or four months, the damaged part will have grown out enough to be cut off anyway.”
After chatting with Jiang Lin, Li Qianxing went to let the assistant director explain his blocking. His movements were even simpler than Jiang Lin’s. He just needed to come out from behind the bar, making sure at least his profile was visible when turning and walking.
He Zhanpeng walked over and, seeing that Li Qianxing had tested his angles, said, “Xiao Jiang, try picking up Xiao Li and see which angle looks best for filming.”
Jiang Lin approached Li Qianxing. “Li-ge, excuse me.”
Li Qianxing positioned himself at the bar, resting one elbow on it. “Is this pose convenient for carrying?”
Jiang Lin bent down, his left arm cradling Li Qianxing’s knees and his right hand supporting his waist. With a heave, he hoisted Li Qianxing onto his right shoulder.
Li Qianxing suddenly left the ground, feeling top-heavy. His heart involuntarily tightened. But in the next instant, Jiang Lin’s left arm tightly encircled his legs, and the right arm supporting his waist added strength, preventing his torso from fully pressing on the shoulder below.
Jiang Lin asked, “Is this position okay? Is my shoulder hurting you anywhere? When I researched, it said this carrying method could press on the stomach. Should we adjust?”
Before Li Qianxing could answer, He Zhanpeng chimed in, “It’s fine. Your shoulder is at Xiao Li’s waist now. Xiao Li, straighten up and pound his back a few times. Kick your legs too, enough to knock off your slippers.”
Li Qianxing did his best to half-raise himself and attempted the movements.
Jiang Lin felt Li Qianxing slipping down and instinctively hitched him up. Fearing he might fall outward, Jiang Lin leaned towards his own neck, naturally turning his face to the side.
The next moment, he felt his cheek press against something warm and soft.
Jiang Lin froze, taking a second to realize what it was. He drew in a sharp breath and quickly turned his face away.
However, a hand reached out and pressed his head back against it.
He Zhanpeng clicked his tongue. “Why are you avoiding it? This is how intimate couples act.”
Jiang Lin: “…Then should I turn and give a kiss?”
He Zhanpeng’s eyes lit up. “Hey, that’s not a bad idea!”
Jiang “Dug His Own Grave” Lin: “…”
Li Qianxing rested his elbow on Jiang Lin’s shoulder for support. “Where are you kissing? Point it out, and I’ll wipe it with alcohol before we start filming.”
Jiang Lin laughed helplessly. “That’s really not necessary.”
He Zhanpeng patted Jiang Lin. “Go into the bedroom. Xiao Li, watch your head so you don’t hit the doorframe.”
As Jiang Lin turned towards the bedroom, he expressed surprise. “Li-ge, you can lift yourself higher than my head? Your core strength must be incredible.”
Li Qianxing answered honestly, “Not by much. And I estimate I can only hold that position for three takes at most.”
He Zhanpeng followed, observing, and laughed. “Then you’d better lie down and conserve your energy for the actual shoot. Let Xiao Jiang carry you for the test shots. He’s strong enough to do it a few more times without issue.”
Jiang Lin made light of the situation. “At least it’s much less tiring than a princess carry.”
He carried Li Qianxing back and forth several times until they had tested all the camera angles.
Li Qianxing was placed on the bed one last time. This time he lay still, waiting for the overhead camera jib and indoor lighting to be adjusted.
Jiang Lin straddled over him, kneeling on the bed, and asked with a smile, “This must be your first time being carried like that. What did you think?”
Li Qianxing replied lazily, “My thought is, if someone suddenly carried me like that in real life, I’d definitely crack their skull open.”
Jiang Lin laughed heartily, “So you’re saying you prefer the princess carry, Li-ge?”
Li Qianxing considered for a moment before humming in agreement, “The princess carry is fine. It feels more secure.”
Overhearing, He Zhanpeng interjected, “That’s because Xiao Jiang’s hold is steady. You haven’t seen some others – during their first test shoot, they’d drop a girl weighing 40-45 kilos.”
The three chatted idly while waiting for all departments to finish preparations.
He Zhanpeng reviewed the test footage again, muttering, “You’re both wearing robes. It looks repetitive on screen. But there doesn’t seem to be more suitable attire…”
Jiang Lin turned to examine Li Qianxing’s robe, pondering for a moment before suddenly saying, “I have an idea, but I’m not sure if it exceeds the exposure limits in the contract…”
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