When she went in, Gu Yixue was the only one in the villa. She was standing by the window smoking.
The windows are uniquely carved, but not very windproof. Because of concerns about damaging the villa's aesthetics, there's no heating inside. It's only slightly warmer than outside, not much warmer.
I guess that'll be how it will be when filming starts.
Liang Shi had previously filmed at tourist attractions. For those places that needed protection, the crew had to be extremely careful, afraid of damaging anything. If they couldn't stand the cold, they could carry a hot water bottle with them.
However, open flames are strictly prohibited.
Gu Yixue was dressed in all black, which didn't suit the scene at all.
Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, making her look capable and efficient. She had a small, oval face and wore gold-rimmed glasses. When she turned around at the sound of footsteps, Liang Shi thought she was quite suitable for acting.
"You're here." Gu Yixue rested one arm on the windowsill, exhaled a smoke ring, and the smoke spread in front of her face, carrying a hint of indifference.
Liang Shi always felt that she was younger than the information indicated.
It might be because of that face.
But her eyes are as deep as the ocean, unfathomable, and possess a maturity that doesn't match her face.
It should be a very contradictory quality, but it is blended very well in her.
"Mmm," Liang responded.
Gu Yixue had already divided up the scripts and even written each person's name on the title page of their script.
For actors, this is not a good director; in fact, the first impression is that he is autocratic.
If everything has to be done according to the director's instructions, it means that the actors lose their room to perform. Some actors will be too self-conscious and will never be able to work with a director like Gu Yixue. The two will have fierce conflicts.
But Liang Shi was not worried.
She is the kind of actress who can find a good balance between the director's requirements for my self-awareness. Moreover, for Gu Yixue, the script was completed independently by her. She understands the characters she wrote better than anyone else, and does not need others to do reading comprehension.
Most importantly, she is responsible for the characters she creates.
What she wants and what the actors need to present should be the same thing.
No one understands the characters better than the screenwriter himself.
This is why Liang Shi trusted Gu Yixue unconditionally.
Even though it was just the two of them in the room, they didn't talk much, and there wasn't even any basic small talk.
Gu Yixue finished her cigarette by the window, wiped the smoke away with her hand, closed the window, pulled her coat tighter, and returned to her seat.
Liang Shi, however, was engrossed in reading the script.
Gu Yixue's film has a simple main plot: two women redeeming each other in a chaotic world. Talking about ideals in a chaotic world is nothing short of a fantasy, but they dare to talk about it.
The film focuses heavily on a woman named Huang Shan, who was influenced by new ideas, went to school, participated in movements, and advocated for civil rights. She was imprisoned and subjected to lynching, yet she continued to explore this path.
It can be said that she dedicated everything to this chaotic world.
Not a day goes by that she doesn't yearn for a peaceful world, a time of order amidst chaos.
The other female lead, Guan Qingmin, grew up in a private school. She was well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics, and the most unconventional book she had ever read was "Dream of the Red Chamber." Her daily life consisted of reading and embroidery, and she remained secluded in her boudoir for more than a decade.
Guan Qingmin was betrothed by her parents at a young age to the son of her father's colleague. The man was greedy and lustful, and frequented brothels. However, because her father could help her father in his official career, Guan Qingmin's father arranged for her to get engaged to him.
Guan Qingmin's father was a typical traitor in the chaotic times. He wielded immense power in Guangping City, but it was only through collusion with the enemy and betrayal of the country that he gained his power.
The students in Guangping City hated him to the core and wished he would die in the Pujiang River as soon as possible.
Huang Shan is a prime example.
Extremely contrasting characters.
Guan Qingmin was rescued by Huang Shan during a trip. Huang Shan treated her like an ordinary family's daughter. At that time, the external environment was dangerous, and Huang Shan took her back to her own home.
Guan Qingmin, however, fell in love with this woman at first sight and used the excuse of amnesia to stay by her side.
Huang Shan took pity on her and treated her very well.
The two spent unforgettable days in the chaos of war, supporting each other and developing feelings for one another.
Huang Shan told Guan Qingmin about the chaotic world, her ideals, and showed Guan Qingmin meticulous care.
Huang Shan was Guan Qingmin's perfect lover.
But the web of lies, like a bubble, burst on the day the Guan family came looking for them.
Huang Shan was heartbroken, and Guan Qingmin was in tears.
For Huang Shan's safety, Guan Qingmin left with her father and was severely punished.
After a few days of feeling down, Huang Shan cheered herself up.
A plague was rampant in Guangping City, and Huang Shan fell ill. Guan Qingmin came to take care of her.
The fire that had gone out was reignited, and Guan Qingmin told her, "My father doesn't know."
Guan Qingmin's cautiousness in front of her made Huang Shan feel like her heart was being torn apart.
The two, who were just beginning to experience the taste of love, faced difficulties. In the end, on the eve of their wedding, Guan Qingmin chose to escape from the high-walled compound and asked Huang Shan to help her escape.
Huang Shan asked, "Where do you want to run off to? They're all your father's spies."
Guan Qingmin said, "Anywhere is fine."
So the two of them fled that night, only to be found the next morning.
But the people from the Guan family only found two corpses.
Two bodies lay peacefully on the beach, the sea breeze blowing gently as they slept soundly.
This passage uses the technique of leaving blank spaces, allowing one to continue searching for the answer after leaving those blank spaces.
It turned out that after the two fled outside the city, Huang Shan decided to send her away first, while she would stay in Guangping City to fight.
Because there is a very important event that requires her to lead, and that is her mission.
If she doesn't go, many students will lose their lives.
But if she goes, Guan Qingmin's parents will lose their lives.
A dilemma.
The two stood on the beach, and Guan Qingmin took out a gun and handed it to Huang Shan.
Huang Shan immediately understood what she meant.
So, on the beach, the two ended their lives.
It's a bad ending (BE).
Tragedies often occur in chaotic times, and many of them involve unrequited love.
The script leaves a lot of room for interpretation. On the first read, you might find the actions of the two main characters hard to understand, but you'll be deeply moved by the emotions they evoke.
If you read the script a second time with questions about the two main characters in mind, you'll find that all the tragedies have underlying causes.
It was indeed an idealistic love.
The most ideal, the most romantic ending is simply to ignore the world and let it all come to an end.
Their lives and their love ended at the same time.
In this era where sweet love is prevalent, it must be said that Gu Yixue really dares to write.
Even in the final scene where the two die, Huang Shan kills Guan Qingmin first, and then shoots herself in the heart.
This is a moment that puts humanity to the ultimate test.
As expected, this shot will definitely be a very slow one, designed to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
But when Liang Shi asked Gu Yixue, Gu Yixue replied, "Fast-motion."
The second after Huang Shan fired at Guan Qingmin, she immediately turned the gun on herself.
Only such an ending is worthy of the drama's title—"The Journey of the Heart".
After reading the script and listening to Gu Yixue's words, Liang Shi was filled with admiration. He could only say that she dared to challenge human nature.
It is also possible to find a balance between love and humanity.
Whether this script will become a hit, Liang Shi didn't know.
But Liang Shi really liked the script.
She asked Gu Yixue which role she had been assigned.
Gu Yixue raised an eyebrow and chuckled lightly, teasing, "You don't even know which role you're playing before you dare to act in my show?"
“I hadn’t even read the script before I came, but I still came,” Liang Shi retorted lightly.
Gu Yixue nodded: "You've got guts."
Liang Shi smiled and said, "It's alright. After all, it's a film by an internationally renowned director, so I can't possibly lose out."
Gu Yixue tapped her fingers on the table a few times. "Which role do you want to play?"
Upon hearing this, Liang Shi said, "Guan Qingmin."
Liang Shi has never taken on such a role before. She feels that her personality is somewhat similar to Guan Qingmin's; both are a bit dull and yearn for freedom.
She can portray that feeling of being imprisoned.
Gu Yixue, however, said, "You'll play Huang Shan."
Liang Shi: "..."
"Is there a problem?" Gu Yixue asked her.
Liang Shi: "...No."
It's obvious that Huang Shan has much more screen time than Guan Qingmin.
The character of Guan Qingmin even exists to highlight Huang Shan's decisiveness and fearlessness.
Compared to Huang Shan, Guan Qingmin is indeed somewhat flat, with her best scene being the one at the end where she hands over the gun.
Liang Shi was drawn to that scene.
At that moment, she had ample space to express Guan Qingmin's emotions.
Because I love you, I can entrust my life to you and trust you unconditionally.