Chapter 61: Grant Me This Favor, Everyone

After lunch.

Even Uncle Benishan adopted a modest demeanor.

"Your approach to this scene is quite good," Uncle Benishan said.

"No, no, no. Your ideas would be a wonderful addition as well," Director Zhang replied.

The mutual deference between the two veterans left the entire crew dumbfounded.

What the hell?

Did someone slip sleeping pills into the lunch boxes?

These two old timers changed their faces faster than Bianlian performers.

Crucially, the production crew began running much more smoothly, as if greased with lubricant.

Amidst this bizarre atmosphere, the shooting efficiency steadily climbed.

Xu Ming breathed a sigh of relief.

It really wasn't easy for him. Entering a film set meant having to coax both sides.

These two old timers simply lacked a mediator to facilitate communication.

Originally, Zhang Weiping should have filled this role.

However, that man was completely obsessed with capital operations and was virtually never seen on set.

No wonder the original version of *A Simple Noodle Story* felt so disjointed.

With the director and Uncle Benishan’s Zhao Family Class operating completely independently of each other, how could it not feel fragmented?

Anyone who had seen the film knew that the first half carried the flavor of a comedy sketch, while the second half suddenly shifted into a thriller.

It felt like a split personality.

"What did you say to your master at noon? How come the two of them are suddenly so agreeable today?"

Sun Honglei sidled over, his face etched with curiosity.

Taking advantage of the break, the other actors also gathered around with curious expressions.

Of course they could see the flaws within the crew.

Yet none of them dared to step forward, preferring to act like marionettes to protect themselves.

"You really want to know?" Xu Ming asked in return.

Everyone nodded in unison, acting exceptionally well-behaved.

"Heh, I told them..."

Xu Ming smiled and paused midway.

Everyone's appetite was thoroughly whetted.

Under their expectant gazes, he continued, "I told them to show this Xu Ming some respect and work it out properly instead of messing around."

Stares of utter blankness washed over the crowd.

Then they realized this punk was just pulling their leg.

"Tsk, boring."

The crowd waved their hands in vexation and dispersed.

Show you some respect?

Who would believe that?

Yet the events of the following days completely shattered their expectations.

Xu Ming shuttled back and forth between the two big shots, relaying messages to one and carrying words to the other.

He looked for all the world like a messenger pigeon.

The problem was, who wouldn't want to be that kind of messenger pigeon?

Anyone with eyes could see that both heavyweights were treating Xu Ming as a trusted and capable confidant.

He was immensely favored.

In the midst of all this, Xu Ming subtly and imperceptibly conveyed his own suggestions.

After all, he had seen the finished film and knew precisely where the weak points lay.

If he brought them up directly, the two big shots might not pay attention.

However, framed as suggestions coming from the other side, the opinions suddenly commanded respect.

Xu Ming danced skillfully between both camps.

Before he knew it, he had quietly become the second-in-command, right beneath the two giants of the crew.

Whenever there was an awkward task to handle within the crew, having Xu Ming present it to the two directors meant they wouldn't be overly harsh about it.

"Ming, brother, Yan Ni's makeup might take a little longer. Could you please have a word with Director Zhang?"

The makeup girl pressed her palms together in a pleading gesture, looking thoroughly beseeching.

"Why is it always me cleaning up your messes? Go find the assistant director next time," Xu Ming said, feigning annoyance.

"Isn't it because we know how kind-hearted you are?"

The girl swayed her body coquettishly and coaxed, "Do me this favor, and I'll reward you properly."

Sensing something off in her tone, Xu Ming glanced over and saw the girl looking at him with sultry eyes.

He instantly shuddered. "Fine, I'll go right now. You can keep your reward."

With her height of five feet one and a matching weight of over two hundred pounds, he simply couldn't handle that kind of affection.

Besides, it happened to be a good time to ask the director for a leave of absence in advance.

Behind the monitor, Director Zhang was reviewing the playback and discussing it with the assistant director.

Seeing Xu Ming walk over, the latter tactfully stepped aside.

In his heart, he mentally slapped a giant label on the approaching young man—Favorite Minister.

"Director Zhang, I have a somewhat delicate request. I'm not sure if I should bring it up..." Xu Ming put on a hesitating expression.

"Go ahead and tell me."

Director Zhang felt a chuckle rising in his chest. If only this kid showed such natural acting skills during actual takes.

"You've probably heard that I have a movie I wrote and starred in, set to release on the 25th of next month. I might need to step away to run some promotional events for it."

Xu Ming watched Director Zhang's expression carefully as he spoke.

Naturally, he knew this request violated the rules of the set.

Yet he had no choice but to bite the bullet and bring it up.

From his perspective, *Love Is Not Blind* was vastly more important to him than *A Simple Noodle Story*.

To put it simply, the former was his debut vehicle where he single-handedly carried the box office, whereas the latter featured him merely as part of an ensemble.

Even if it succeeded, all the glory would be attributed to Director Zhang and his master.

Director Zhang furrowed his brow slightly and pondered. "I can grant you a maximum of ten days off on my end. Any longer and it will disrupt the shooting schedule. But my approval alone isn't enough; you also need to secure Producer Zhang's consent."

If any other actor had dared to make such a request, he would have begrudged them three days off at most.

Yet when it came to Xu Ming, it was difficult to refuse.

First, the kid was sharp and efficient, leaving him with an excellent impression and a close working relationship.

Second, the film was partly financed by Benshan Media; refusing to let him go easily risked creating friction with Uncle Benishan.

The crew's atmosphere had only just improved, and Director Zhang had no desire to shatter it.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to Producer Zhang. Your approval is all I need," Xu Ming said.

He paused for a moment before adding, "There's one more thing. I wanted to discuss a section of the script with you. I feel..."

The two men began chatting about the script.

Before long, Yan Ni hurried over from the makeup room, casting a grateful glance toward Xu Ming.

Taking advantage of the time while Yan Ni and Ni Dahong's scenes were being filmed, Xu Ming found a quiet corner and dialed Zhang Weiping's number.

"Hello, Uncle Ping, it's Xu Ming," he said with practiced familiarity.

"Oh, Xiao Ming, what's up?"

The faint sound of clinking glasses drifted from Zhang Weiping's end; he was presumably in the middle of a banquet.

"Well, my movie *Love Is Not Blind* is about to hit theaters. I asked Director Zhang for ten days off to run some promotions, and I'm calling specifically to report it to you," Xu Ming said.

Silence instantly descended on Zhang Weiping's end.

Ten days off? What does this kid think the film set is?

"You're the lead actor. Being away for that long will have a huge impact on the production..." Zhang Weiping intended to brush him off.

"The main thing is, considering that *Love Is Not Blind* has generated quite a bit of buzz lately, I figured I could piggyback on the distributors' promotional funds to help market our *A Simple Noodle Story* along the way," Xu Ming said unhurriedly.

Zhang Weiping was much easier to handle than Director Zhang.

The man was a thorough businessman; once the economic ledger was made clear, he would naturally know how to choose.

Recalling the online popularity of *Love Is Not Blind* and its steadily growing offline momentum, Zhang Weiping hesitated.

"Besides, if the box office performance of *Love Is Not Blind* turns out too dismal, it might end up reflecting poorly on our crew as well."

Xu Ming continued to add weight to his argument.

If his personal box office numbers were abysmal, as the male lead of *A Simple Noodle Story*, it would inevitably cast a negative shadow over the film.

At that thought, Zhang Weiping made his decision.

"You calling Uncle Ping to let him know makes Uncle Ping very happy, but I really didn't like your tone just now," Zhang Weiping said.

"Doing promotions is a good thing, how could your uncle stop you? There's no need to report something like this, just go ahead. But don't pull this stunt next time."

"Understood, my mistake. Enjoy your continued business, then."

Xu Ming maintained a respectful facade, but the moment he hung up the phone, he spat on the ground.

Praise you a couple of times and you really think you're sitting pretty, acting like you're everyone's patriarch?