37. Photo shoot(4)

The location was indeed remote and they didn't have a proper parking space.

ChunHua dropped him as it was already the time and said that she will catch up to him.

YuTang was a bit pre-occupied by his thoughts and also needed some time alone to get that mess out of his head.

ChunHua helped him with a long scarf, as he was not very used to them and gave him a pair of gloves and earmuffs, finally satisfied, she bade him a temporary farewell and drove out to find a parking space.

YuTang saw her drive away and then looked down at himself, he was wearing quite a lot of things, but as expected of the brands, they were not heavy and felt light on the body... the warmth he felt was unprecedented, all the more, in such a cold day when he was down with a cold himself!

As he went in, the number of eyes that turned to get a look at him was very high as usual... he politely bowed and greeted everyone he saw on his way, he noticed some peculiar gazes as well but he chose to ignore them.

For starts, he again wanted to go greet Senior Su as today was the last day and he didn't know when he will see him again.

There were some chances of it snowing today and everyone was very busy to do whatever outdoor shoot was left from yesterday, but because of an immense difference in weather between yesterday and today, there were some technical problems and everyone was a little prickly.

As YuTang walked a little more towards the common green room, he could finally see Senior Su at a distance taking some pictures... it seemed like he was busy..?

He chose not to disturb him at the moment and walked inside to change, today the newbie group will act as the backdrop for the centre spread that will have the reigning movie empress on it.

She got this award for her role as a legendary Empress in a costume drama and to commemorate it, which will also help in publicity, the theme was kept the same.

The concept of the shoot was very simple; she will face forward in red garments, for the celebratory effect, as another model chosen for the Emperor's role will be facing opposite of her, with the rest newbies in the background as ministers... it had a simple message of a woman walking out of her "predestined" position with the men as a backdrop.

To one it might look like a poster for a movie rather than one for a fashion magazine, but with this shoot rather than for the costume itself, they were going for the accessories... which were different from what one saw in the movies, they had a modern touch to it while retaining the ancient charm, like the beautiful hairpin she will be wearing instead of the traditional 9 tailed phoenix hairpin*.

It was a silver hairpin with a crystal butterfly, with its wings inlaid with real gems, it was intricate and chic at the same time modern woman won't have a problem trying it out in a few traditional occasion and they were just going for that!

Anyway, YuTang didn't have to do much, he would just change into ancient wear and sit in a languid posture, that was all there was to it... but because the magazine was very popular, they were very nitpicky about everything, the garments were reserved from the sets of the movie itself and were the real deal so, wearing them would also take some time.

YuTang didn't mind it, just that, when he started walking towards the green room again, he heard some disturbing rumours with himself at the centre of it.

Maybe the two girls helping out the makeup artist set for the newbies had not noticed his presence, but they were for reasons unknown ridiculing him...

"I heard he was banned from the acting industry and trying to meet his ends need from hopping around many studios. Even though his looks are acceptable, his brain is not. Even yesterday, he picked a fight with a senior photographer and he probably won't be here today...", she wasn't trying to suppress her voice at all...

YuTang who heard it, felt a tingling pain in his head because of her sharp voice and again confirmed that ChunHua was really a perfectionist and really kind towards him... as for the matter of today, he had actually expected to be cut off from the list, it wasn't anything new, he hadn't signed any contracts and he did get the fees for yesterday already so, it was not really a problem for anyone if he was cut off for the day.

But maybe his luck after getting to know ChunHua has become a bit stronger, but he actually got a message this morning when he was asleep about coming today as well... if he gave up now, he will really come off as arrogant plus, he needed the money so, even with his condition, he forced himself to come to work.

Still, he never expected someone to talk like this; he was indeed a gentle boy but that didn't mean he didn't understand the rules of this world, he understood them fairly well; he wondered why she was saying these things, it was not like she was the one paying him, right?

He didn't deserve this nor did she have any right to talk about him like so...

"I know, right? He is probably too poor to afford anything good... he is a failure as an artist~ I heard that he even slept with the staff at some point because he couldn't afford a hotel room at times! He is really a brainless person, him not getting any jobs could also mean that he doesn't have talent, right? If he needs some money, with his looks he should act as a host or get himself a patron... well, considering his looks... I don't mind sleeping with him for a day... I would pay him well too!", the voice of the other girl was even sharper and her words disgusting.

YuTang's eyes scrunched down... he didn't know what these people were trying to do and even if the other party are women, he won't stand it, he was about to go in and demand an explanation only to halt when he heard a familiar voice...

"Eh~? He is handsome you say? But aren't I much better looking than him? If you want to spend some money... do it on me, ah!���, it was the playful voice a man, who could be called as an acquaintance of YuTang.

He was the man slated for the role YuTang got on his first movie, in the end, this man still got another supporting role, but even during the period of shooting he didn't treat him well; both had the same start and the movie became their debut act, but to be more accurate, there could not be any other similarity between them, the first and foremost being the fact that, he was a third-generation rich kid, who entered the industry 'for the beauties' and this statement came straight out of his mouth!

In the end, he couldn't do anything about the movie, but he was also among one of the many involved in YuTang being blocked, of course, YuTang wasn't aware of all this... he just knew that this person has also made a name out there for himself and made correct use of the exposure he got from the debut act, in contrast to his own lacklustre version.

YuTang didn't have any animosity against him and saw him in neutral light... but in this past year, they had actually 'met' at quite a few occasion.. well, the other party was always among the lead stars while he one among the many 'extras'...

"kyaaah~ You are indeed more handsome... but are you two comparable. If he is the dust then you are the cloud. I can buy him for a day or two, but you are too good for this old me~", the second girl complimented.

It was plain for the eye to see... these two were probably trying to flatter him. YuTang was too busy getting a job and didn't even have enough time to find the culprits behind his own block, but that didn't mean those in the knowhow were not aware of it...

These two girls were also 'senior' in their fields, but because of their true nature, they couldn't get a promotion still, they were indeed 'veterans' and the newbies had to tolerate them...

In the first place, this artist who has already walked into being a third-tier star, shouldn't be here... but he probably came here to show his dominance which will not be possible in case he was in his own green room.

Anyway, YuTang has learnt to stand for himself as of late so, he pushed forward as he spoke in a straight voice, "I don't need your money. You see, I can't handle your grace upon my lowly self..."

His level of sarcasm has indeed increased by a level!

.....

NOTE:

*Phoenix hairpins - In some dynasties, the phoenix (and the dragon- more specifically the five-footed dragon) could only be used by members of the Imperial family, nobility, and officials. There were strict rules on the number of tails/feet that were allowed for each rank for phoenix/dragon. The nine-tailed phoenix and the five-footed dragon represented the Empress and Emperor, respectively. Imperial concubines and other noblewomen would have a less number of tails. [the more you kow~]