PNB Chapter 66 Strolling and Running
Chapter 66 Strolling and Running
The next morning, when Li Si'an woke up, Tang Yun was still fast asleep nestled under his arm.
He quietly pulled his arm out, went downstairs, grabbed a bottle of Beibingyang soda from the freezer, pried open the cap, and took a swig. The coolness shot from his throat all the way to his stomach.
Then he picked up the phone and dialed Zhang Yibai's number.
It rang twice, and then the other end answered.
"Feed?"
"Director Zhang, this is Li Si'an."
"It's Anzi." Zhang Yibai's voice sounded quite energetic. "What's up? Something wrong?"
"I need to film the music videos for my next two songs, 'Running' and 'The First Time.' Do you have any free time lately?"
"I just finished filming your video, and I haven't taken on any new work yet. Have you thought about how you want to film it?"
"First Time" was shot on film, similar to Fairy Tale. 'Running' was shot on a regular camera."
Zhang Yibai paused for a moment on the other end. "You're not going to make another fairy tale-like story, are you?"
"No, no, there's no plot this time." Li Si'an leaned against the counter, took a sip of Beibingyang soda,
"I was just about to discuss this with you. I have no idea how to shoot these two music videos. How about this, let's meet at noon today, have lunch and talk, and I'll treat you to lunch."
Zhang Yibai chuckled on the other end. "Alright. You name the place."
"Still carving time, it's close to you."
"Okay. What time?"
"Eleven o'clock?"
"Okay. Should I contact Zhou Xun, or should you?"
"I'll contact her; I have her number anyway."
"Alright. See you at noon then."
After hanging up, Li Si'an dialed Zhou Xun's number again. It rang several times before she answered; the voice was a little hoarse, as if she had just woken up.
"Hello, who is it?"
"Brother Xun, it's me, Li Si'an."
"Anzi," Zhou Xun's voice held a hint of surprise, then suddenly brightened, "What, you want me to film a music video again?"
How did you know?
"Nonsense, you wouldn't call me if there was nothing wrong," Zhou Xun chuckled on the other end, her voice husky.
Li Si'an laughed too. "That song 'The First Time,' it's a sister piece to 'Fairy Tale.' You're still playing the female lead."
"How much was the pay?"
"Five thousand."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone. Then Zhou Xun's voice rang out again, the last syllable rising in pitch.
"Wow, my pay has increased so fast! Last time it was three thousand, this time five thousand, will it be eight thousand next time?"
"That depends on how well you act."
"Okay, I'll take it." Zhou Xun laughed on the other end. "When?"
"It's 11 a.m. today, time for carving. Director Zhang is there too, let's chat about how to film it."
"Okay. I'll be there on time."
After hanging up the phone, Tang Yun peeked down the stairs, her hair a mess, rubbing her eyes. "Who were you calling so early in the morning?"
"Zhang Yibai and Zhou Xun. We've arranged to talk about music videos at noon."
Tang Yun said "Oh" and shrank back.
Li Si'an pulled out the two tapes from under the counter—demos of "Running" and "The First Time," recorded by China Record Corporation. He put the tapes in his bag and changed into a clean white T-shirt.
Tang Yun came downstairs, having changed into a plain-colored dress and tied her hair in a ponytail. "Can I go with you?"
Li Si'an thought for a moment. "Let's go. You're going to act in 'Running' anyway, so it's a good opportunity to meet Director Zhang."
Tang Yun smiled slightly, didn't say anything, and followed him out the door.
At 10:50, the two arrived at Sculpting Time. Zhang Yibai was already there, sitting in a booth by the window with a cup of coffee in front of him. Li Si'an led Tang Yun over.
"Director Zhang, this is Tang Yun."
Zhang Yibai looked up, glanced at Tang Yun, and nodded. "Sit."
Tang Yun sat down next to Li Si'an, her hands resting on her knees, her fingers intertwined. Li Si'an took two tapestry slabs out of her bag and placed them on the table.
"Demos of 'Running' and 'The First Time'."
Zhang Yibai picked up the tape and shouted towards the bar, "Old Qian, the tape recorder."
The middle-aged man with glasses behind the bar responded and brought over the dual cassette recorder from last time, placing it on the table. Zhang Yibai first put "Running" in and pressed play.
The intro began, with guitar strumming and drums following. Zhang Yibai leaned back in his booth, holding his coffee, and remained silent.
After listening to it once, he took the tape out and put "The First Time" back in.
This song has a slower tempo, with a piano base and a gentle melody. After listening to it, Zhang Yibai turned off the recorder.
"The song 'Running' is energetic. The visuals need to keep up with the rhythm; they can't lag behind."
He leaned back in his chair, thought for a moment, and said, "The track and field, running against the light, hair flying, sweat flying—cut it quickly, in sync with the drumbeats. No need for any plot, just film the running. Running is the plot."
Li Si'an nodded, then leaned forward slightly. "Director Zhang, I have an idea. If this song is just me running alone on the track, it'll be a bit monotonous."
Zhang Yibai looked at him.
"I want to add a girl to the cast, maybe play a school beauty or something, just stand there, smile at the camera, or stand on the side of the playground cheering me on or something."
There's no need for much interaction with me, and no need for any romantic relationship or anything like that. Just something to add a little flair and make the scene a bit more interesting.
Li Si'an gestured towards Tang Yun with her chin, "Her, Tang Yun. What do you think?"
Zhang Yibai glanced at Tang Yun. Tang Yun sat there, her hands on her knees, her fingers intertwined. Zhang Yibai picked up his coffee, took a sip, and put the cup down.
"Sure, why not? It's a piece of cake." He glanced at Tang Yun again, "Besides, this girl has a good image; the picture will be even more beautiful when she stands in front of the camera."
Tang Yun blushed and lowered her head without saying a word.
Zhang Yibai leaned back in his booth and thought for a moment. "Here's how it'll be done—you run ahead, she stands by the edge of the track, backlit, her hair blowing in the wind, and she smiles at you. The camera cuts to her, for two or three seconds, no more, or it'll disrupt the rhythm."
Li Si'an nodded. "Okay. We'll do it your way."
Zhang Yibai then looked at Li Si'an. "The first time has a slow pace, so it needs to be filmed sweetly. Bicycle, back seat, tree-lined road, wind blowing through hair."
Zhou Xun has her arm around your waist, and you're holding the handlebars. You don't need to go anywhere; you're just wandering around campus. Sunlight filters through the leaves, dappling the ground. She leans her head against your back, her eyes closed.
As Li Si'an listened, images gradually formed in her mind.
When Zhou Xun pushed the door open and came in, Zhang Yibai was talking about the ending scene of "The First Time".
She was wearing a white T-shirt, denim shorts, and her legs were bare. Her hair was casually tied up, and she wasn't wearing any makeup. When she saw Tang Yun, she paused for a moment, then smiled.
"You must be Tang Yun? Anzi mentioned you to me."
Tang Yun stood up and smiled a little shyly. "Hello."
Zhou Xun sized her up and down, then turned to Li Si'an and raised an eyebrow. "Wow, Anzi, you've managed to get such a pretty girl in your photos."
Li Si'an didn't respond. "Brother Xun, sit down. We're just talking about 'The First Time'."
Zhou Xun sat down next to Tang Yun, picked up the demo copy of "The First Time" from the table, and looked at it over and over. "I haven't heard this song before."
Zhang Yibai pushed the tape recorder over. Zhou Xun put on the headphones and pressed play. As she listened, her eyes narrowed slightly, and her fingers tapped lightly on the table. After listening once, she took off the headphones.
"This song is good, sweeter than 'Fairy Tale'." She leaned back in her booth, looking at Li Si'an. "How do we film it?"
Zhang Yibai repeated his earlier thoughts—a bicycle, the back seat, the campus, the wind blowing through his hair, and sunlight filtering through the leaves.
Zhou Xun listened, nodded, and summarized, "It's just wandering around."
"Yes. I don't want the plot, I just want that sweet, cloying feeling."
"Okay." Zhou Xun picked up the coffee in front of Li Si'an and took a sip. "When will we start filming?"
"Just in the next few days. Director Zhang is assembling the crew."
Zhou Xun put down her coffee cup and glanced at Tang Yun. "What about you? Are you acting too?"
Tang Yun's face flushed slightly. "He asked me to act in the 'Running' segment."
Zhou Xun laughed. "That's great. We'll each take one, no fighting."
The four of them chatted for a while longer. Zhang Yibai said that "Running" could be filmed in one day, and "The First Time" in two days, so three or four days in total would be enough.
The entire set is located at Beijing Normal University. Zhou Weidong has already made arrangements, and the location is not a problem. Zhou Xun said she is free these few days and can join the crew at any time.
After leaving Sculpting Time, Li Si'an arranged for the two to have dinner at a restaurant near the Beijing Film Academy.
After finishing his meal, Zhang Yibai, who lives in the Beijing Film Academy's residential area, left first.
Zhou Xun stood at the entrance of the restaurant, took out a pack of cigarettes from her bag, lit one, and took a puff. She glanced at Tang Yun.
"When filming the music video for 'Running,' don't be nervous. Just stand in front of the camera."
Tang Yun nodded. "Mm."
Zhou Xun put a cigarette in her mouth and waved to Li Si'an. "I'm leaving. Let me know when you've set a date."
She turned and walked east. Her white T-shirt swayed in the sunlight, and she disappeared around the street corner.
Li Si'an and Tang Yun walked back along the road. Tang Yun walked beside him, kicking small pebbles on the ground with her head down.
"Zhou Xun is a really nice person," she said.
Li Si'an ruffled her hair and laughed, "You always think everyone is a good person."