Chapter 41: I Will Give It an Ending
"Han Fei, I'm sorry to bother you again." Seeing Han Fei approaching, Director Jiang warmly greeted him, "The main reason is that your acting is excellent. Due to budget constraints, we have used many new actors in this drama. Most of them can perform, but they can't perfectly portray the characters."
"I don't mind, but if we add scenes hastily, will it affect the overall plot? Every minute in a film is crucial. If my role is increased, it might compromise the perfect portrayal of the protagonist." Han Fei sincerely expressed his concern for the sake of the production team.
"The script needs to be modified." Director Jiang's expression became serious. "Due to some plot issues, the emotions of the victims' families are quite intense."
Director Jiang was strict with the actors, but he became more accommodating when dealing with the victims' families.
"We adapted the script based on a real case, so we do need to consider the feelings of the victims' families."
"Yes." Director Jiang patted Han Fei's shoulder. "Go to the makeup room. To present a more three-dimensional portrayal of Wei Youfu, we need to add some everyday life scenes."
Entering an empty room downstairs, which served as a temporary makeup room, Han Fei chose a corner seat.
The makeup artist dressed him in the clothes that Wei Youfu often wore before his death, styled his hair to match Wei Youfu's, and made slight changes to his facial makeup.
With the newly written script in his hands, Han Fei silently flipped through it. At that moment, the door of the makeup room was pushed open.
"We're done shooting, and you still want to make changes? It's unbelievable!" A young man over 1.8 meters tall entered the makeup room, followed by a woman in her thirties.
"Why did you choose this drama in the first place?" The young man vented his frustration on the woman. "No popularity, no funding, actors patched together. Don't ruin the reputation I've built up with this film."
"It was the company's decision. Similar themes have been rare in recent years, and there's still a chance it could become popular." The woman muttered quietly, seemingly afraid that the young man would hear. Then she continued, "Director Jiang's talent is unquestionable. Although he hasn't directed any blockbuster films, he hasn't made any flops either. Acheng, just cooperate with the director's changes."
"It's easier said than done." Acheng was about to retort when they heard commotion outside the apartment building. It seemed that someone had started arguing.
Acheng and his manager rushed out to see what was happening, while Han Fei, who had finished his makeup, was not interested in the commotion. He went straight to find Jiang Yi, intending to finish shooting and leave as soon as possible.
At this point, he no longer cared about trivial matters. Instead of focusing on trivialities, he devoted his thoughts to how he could catch the serial killer who had murdered seven people and truly bring justice to the victims.
Han Fei's state of mind had surpassed that of most people, and this could be attributed to the healing effect of that game.
There was some commotion downstairs. It seemed that the victims' families had entered the residential area. Director Jiang had no choice but to lead Han Fei to the filming location upstairs. "We want the audience to feel that Wei Youfu was once like them, a living person with his own life. This way, when he is murdered, the audience will have a greater sense of empathy. So, I hope you can add a daily life scene before Wei Youfu's death."
"Understood." While playing Wei Youfu was difficult for others, it was different for Han Fei. He had seen Wei Youfu and remembered all his expressions.
For a kind-hearted person, after experiencing despair and pain, their expressions become even more heart-wrenching.
"I will portray him well."
Entering the filming room, Han Fei filled his mind with all the information about Wei Youfu, and at that moment, he was no longer himself.
Working late into the night, he returned home exhausted. Weariness filled his eyes, but deep within that weariness lay a trace of satisfaction.
Sitting on a comfortable sofa, looking at a photo of himself and his wife, his gaze gradually softened.
Gently wiping the photo, he planned to surprise his wife. In a few days, they might hang up a large wedding photo in the house.
As he contemplated where to hang the wedding photo, his phone started vibrating. He answered the call.
His father's nagging and advice made him feel like a child. Only in front of his father could he let go of everything.
"I understand. Don't worry, you also need to take care of your health..." He hung up the phone and turned to walk towards the bedroom. This was an inevitable ending.
"Youfu!" Han Fei hadn't walked far when he suddenly heard an old man's voice from outside the camera frame.
A thin, elderly man put down the banner in his hand and walked into the filming area in a daze. "Don't go in, Youfu..."
Han Fei, on his way to the inevitable room, stopped in his tracks. He recognized this voice—it was Wei Youfu's father's voice.
Turning his head, Han Fei saw the old man holding the banner tightly. The expression on his face was moving.
"Who let the victims' families in?" The camera director and crew grabbed the old man's arm, attempting to pull him away.
"Wait!" Han Fei hurried over. "The old man is elderly. Don't treat him like this."
He protected the old man behind him. "Let's talk slowly."
"What's there to talk about? We had already reached an agreement. Now they suddenly refuse to continue shooting and want to extort money, don't they?" Acheng leaned against the door frame, completely ignoring his manager's warning glances.
"You're talking nonsense!" The thin old man clenched the banner in his hand. "You initially said that making this movie would make more people aware of this case! It would help us find the killer! That's why we agreed! But what are you filming? You're simply fabricating stories!"
"We're making a movie, capturing the criminal is the police's job, and you signed a contract too." Acheng, much taller than the old man, looked down at him. "We have already shot most of the scenes. Because you caused a disturbance unilaterally, do you know how much we need to change? Our film, my time, do you know how much money is involved?"
"You're the ones who went back on your word!" The old man's emotions grew increasingly intense. Hearing the commotion, several people holding banners rushed upstairs. They were all relatives of the victims of the human puzzle case.
"What's going on?" Han Fei was also puzzled. He didn't expect the two sides to argue so fiercely.
"Most of the scenes are already shot. The victims' families must have seen our documentary and promotional advertisements." Jiang Yi sighed softly, lowering his voice. "I also wanted to shoot according to my own ideas, but the investors didn't approve. Although the killer has not been caught in reality, they want a perfect ending."
"A perfect ending?"
"Yes. The film cannot be released without a resolution. So, the screenwriter fabricated an ending," Jiang Yi explained with a hint of helplessness. "In simple terms, at the last moment, the protagonist's heroic aura will magically emerge, and he will miraculously kill the serial killer."
"Since it's based on a real case, it's best not to casually fabricate an ending. It's disrespectful to the audience and the victims' families," Han Fei turned to glance at the old man. Even after all these years, he still visited the police station every year. The pain of losing a loved one felt like an eternal shackle that could never be removed.
"We have no other choice. The production has reached this stage, so we can only hope that both sides calm down and find a compromise through dialogue," Jiang Yi sighed and shook his head, his face filled with worry.
"It's alright," Han Fei's eyes narrowed slightly, concealing the determination deep within his gaze. "This drama will have an ending, and we won't have to wait too long."
"I don't mind, but if we add scenes hastily, will it affect the overall plot? Every minute in a film is crucial. If my role is increased, it might compromise the perfect portrayal of the protagonist." Han Fei sincerely expressed his concern for the sake of the production team.
"The script needs to be modified." Director Jiang's expression became serious. "Due to some plot issues, the emotions of the victims' families are quite intense."
Director Jiang was strict with the actors, but he became more accommodating when dealing with the victims' families.
"We adapted the script based on a real case, so we do need to consider the feelings of the victims' families."
"Yes." Director Jiang patted Han Fei's shoulder. "Go to the makeup room. To present a more three-dimensional portrayal of Wei Youfu, we need to add some everyday life scenes."
Entering an empty room downstairs, which served as a temporary makeup room, Han Fei chose a corner seat.
The makeup artist dressed him in the clothes that Wei Youfu often wore before his death, styled his hair to match Wei Youfu's, and made slight changes to his facial makeup.
With the newly written script in his hands, Han Fei silently flipped through it. At that moment, the door of the makeup room was pushed open.
"We're done shooting, and you still want to make changes? It's unbelievable!" A young man over 1.8 meters tall entered the makeup room, followed by a woman in her thirties.
"Why did you choose this drama in the first place?" The young man vented his frustration on the woman. "No popularity, no funding, actors patched together. Don't ruin the reputation I've built up with this film."
"It was the company's decision. Similar themes have been rare in recent years, and there's still a chance it could become popular." The woman muttered quietly, seemingly afraid that the young man would hear. Then she continued, "Director Jiang's talent is unquestionable. Although he hasn't directed any blockbuster films, he hasn't made any flops either. Acheng, just cooperate with the director's changes."
"It's easier said than done." Acheng was about to retort when they heard commotion outside the apartment building. It seemed that someone had started arguing.
Acheng and his manager rushed out to see what was happening, while Han Fei, who had finished his makeup, was not interested in the commotion. He went straight to find Jiang Yi, intending to finish shooting and leave as soon as possible.
At this point, he no longer cared about trivial matters. Instead of focusing on trivialities, he devoted his thoughts to how he could catch the serial killer who had murdered seven people and truly bring justice to the victims.
Han Fei's state of mind had surpassed that of most people, and this could be attributed to the healing effect of that game.
There was some commotion downstairs. It seemed that the victims' families had entered the residential area. Director Jiang had no choice but to lead Han Fei to the filming location upstairs. "We want the audience to feel that Wei Youfu was once like them, a living person with his own life. This way, when he is murdered, the audience will have a greater sense of empathy. So, I hope you can add a daily life scene before Wei Youfu's death."
"Understood." While playing Wei Youfu was difficult for others, it was different for Han Fei. He had seen Wei Youfu and remembered all his expressions.
For a kind-hearted person, after experiencing despair and pain, their expressions become even more heart-wrenching.
"I will portray him well."
Entering the filming room, Han Fei filled his mind with all the information about Wei Youfu, and at that moment, he was no longer himself.
Working late into the night, he returned home exhausted. Weariness filled his eyes, but deep within that weariness lay a trace of satisfaction.
Sitting on a comfortable sofa, looking at a photo of himself and his wife, his gaze gradually softened.
Gently wiping the photo, he planned to surprise his wife. In a few days, they might hang up a large wedding photo in the house.
As he contemplated where to hang the wedding photo, his phone started vibrating. He answered the call.
His father's nagging and advice made him feel like a child. Only in front of his father could he let go of everything.
"I understand. Don't worry, you also need to take care of your health..." He hung up the phone and turned to walk towards the bedroom. This was an inevitable ending.
"Youfu!" Han Fei hadn't walked far when he suddenly heard an old man's voice from outside the camera frame.
A thin, elderly man put down the banner in his hand and walked into the filming area in a daze. "Don't go in, Youfu..."
Han Fei, on his way to the inevitable room, stopped in his tracks. He recognized this voice—it was Wei Youfu's father's voice.
Turning his head, Han Fei saw the old man holding the banner tightly. The expression on his face was moving.
"Who let the victims' families in?" The camera director and crew grabbed the old man's arm, attempting to pull him away.
"Wait!" Han Fei hurried over. "The old man is elderly. Don't treat him like this."
He protected the old man behind him. "Let's talk slowly."
"What's there to talk about? We had already reached an agreement. Now they suddenly refuse to continue shooting and want to extort money, don't they?" Acheng leaned against the door frame, completely ignoring his manager's warning glances.
"You're talking nonsense!" The thin old man clenched the banner in his hand. "You initially said that making this movie would make more people aware of this case! It would help us find the killer! That's why we agreed! But what are you filming? You're simply fabricating stories!"
"We're making a movie, capturing the criminal is the police's job, and you signed a contract too." Acheng, much taller than the old man, looked down at him. "We have already shot most of the scenes. Because you caused a disturbance unilaterally, do you know how much we need to change? Our film, my time, do you know how much money is involved?"
"You're the ones who went back on your word!" The old man's emotions grew increasingly intense. Hearing the commotion, several people holding banners rushed upstairs. They were all relatives of the victims of the human puzzle case.
"What's going on?" Han Fei was also puzzled. He didn't expect the two sides to argue so fiercely.
"Most of the scenes are already shot. The victims' families must have seen our documentary and promotional advertisements." Jiang Yi sighed softly, lowering his voice. "I also wanted to shoot according to my own ideas, but the investors didn't approve. Although the killer has not been caught in reality, they want a perfect ending."
"A perfect ending?"
"Yes. The film cannot be released without a resolution. So, the screenwriter fabricated an ending," Jiang Yi explained with a hint of helplessness. "In simple terms, at the last moment, the protagonist's heroic aura will magically emerge, and he will miraculously kill the serial killer."
"Since it's based on a real case, it's best not to casually fabricate an ending. It's disrespectful to the audience and the victims' families," Han Fei turned to glance at the old man. Even after all these years, he still visited the police station every year. The pain of losing a loved one felt like an eternal shackle that could never be removed.
"We have no other choice. The production has reached this stage, so we can only hope that both sides calm down and find a compromise through dialogue," Jiang Yi sighed and shook his head, his face filled with worry.
"It's alright," Han Fei's eyes narrowed slightly, concealing the determination deep within his gaze. "This drama will have an ending, and we won't have to wait too long."
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