Chapter 321 - Chapter 321: A Resurgence In Popularity
Chapter 321: A Resurgence In Popularity
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Xu Chang had indeed invested a significant amount of effort into the promotional video for the public service advertisement this time. He had visited several areas where children were left behind and captured a wealth of footage.
Currently, Wen Nian was tasked with shooting the post-production content. The primary focus was on her assisting her elderly grandparents with strenuous farm work every day. Additionally, she had to walk dozens of kilometers of mountainous terrain alone, carrying the wild mushrooms gathered by her family to the town for sale.
Wen Nian was dressed in a floral top that had faded to a pale white hue, along with burlap pants of an unidentifiable color and a pair of gray cloth shoes.
Timidly, she gazed at the gathering crowd and mustered the courage to raise her voice. Her eyes scanned the endless stream of people…
She observed that every girl her age in the town was clad in pristine and neatly-pressed school uniforms, walking merrily toward the school. Wen Nian’s expression carried a sense of loneliness, accompanied by envy, helplessness, and a tinge of disappointment in her eyes.
With the establishment of the school for left-behind children, Wen Nian swiftly enrolled and commenced her studies. The age gap among the students in the same class was quite significant, ranging from seven or eight-year-olds to teenagers like Wen Nian.
Despite the varying ages, everyone wore beaming smiles. Wen Nian sat attentively in the classroom, listening with rapt attention, her eyes brimming with hope.
The subsequent scene depicted Wen Nian’s life on campus. She not only had classmates and friends but also delved into learning drawing and calligraphy. Her after-school life had grown rich and vibrant. The timidity that once marked her face had been replaced by newfound confidence and happiness.
The camera continuously shifted, presenting the faces of the left-behind children. Each youthful visage brimmed with aspirations.
Towards the end of the sequence, Wen Nian strolled onto a university campus wearing a pristine white dress, her hair in a high ponytail.
The final scene unfolded at the entrance of Qingbei University in the capital.
Initially, Xu Chang had intended to capture Wen Nian’s back as she entered the university, followed by images of the left-behind children in the classroom.
However, the school gate was teeming with people. Numerous students were watching and recording.
In the final scene, before Xu Chang could intervene, a student next to him called out, “Wen Nian!”
Wen Nian turned around abruptly, and her headband unexpectedly snapped, releasing her hair to cascade down as the breeze gently tousled it. With a blend of shyness and confidence, Wen Nian offered a radiant smile to the camera.
The sunlight bathed her face, casting a golden halo upon her.
Upon witnessing this unexpected turn of events, the entire scene fell into a hushed silence. The director didn’t signal a cut, so Wen Nian continued to smile into the camera.
Xu Chang was in a daze for a moment before he signaled for the recording to stop.
Only then did Wen Nian wave at the fans who were greeting her and approach the camera.
“Director Xu, do you want to reshoot the last scene?” Wen Nian knew that causing disruptions on the filming set was a major taboo, especially when it deviated from Xu Chang’s planned storyline. Someone had just shouted, potentially necessitating a reshoot of the entire scene.
However, Xu Chang stared at the camera repeatedly, not uttering a word. Yet, the excitement in his eyes threatened to overflow.
A few staff members standing nearby glanced at Wen Nian with enthusiasm.
“Wen Nian, I think this scene is going to be a classic.”
“Your face is really perfect for the big screen. It would be a shame if you didn’t pursue a career in acting.”
“I think this scene is better than the entrance shot of you entering the school. That smile is just too contagious!”
“I agree with Director Xu. Should we consider reshooting it?”
The staff members chatted animatedly amongst themselves. Only then did Xu Chang snap back to reality. He grabbed Wen Nian’s hand, bubbling with excitement.
“Wen Nian, my decision to wait for you was absolutely right. You always manage to surprise me!” His voice brimmed with enthusiasm. “This surpasses my expectations by far.”
He turned to his assistant and urged, “Quickly, find images of all the smiling children we have. 1 want to modify the final ending again. I want to change it right away. Hurry!”
The crew swiftly started packing up. Initially, the public service advertisement was an easy project. If it weren’t for Director Xu’s high standards, they might have wrapped up the post-production by now. They wouldn’t even have to wait for Wen Nian to take a break.
But after witnessing Wen Nian’s performance on set, everyone wholeheartedly supported Director Xu’s judgment. Wen Nian’s acting was akin to that of a seasoned professional, complete with a rare youthful and spirited charm.
Apart from Director Xu’s team, the majority of the on-set crew were from the television station. With their discerning eyes, they could easily foresee that Wen Nian would likely enjoy a resurgence in popularity once the advertisement aired..