NOVEL SIMPLE
Chapter 180
When the two arrived at their destination at 7 in the morning, some members of the "Time Will Tell You" crew were already there waiting. Seeing them get out of the car one after the other, the crew members immediately came up to greet them, constantly saying "thanks for the hard work" to the "two teachers".
It really was hard work.
Qin Wei looked around. This place was far from the city center without even a high-rise building in sight. There was no one around either, and behind them there was a large piece of undeveloped wasteland overgrown with unattended weeds.
Other than the hotel in front of them, the surrounding shops were not open yet either. It felt very bleak.
In the middle of summer, even a gust of wind felt chilling to the bone.
Qin Wei hesitated for a moment before Qiao Sixiao had already walked to the entrance of the hotel lobby. She hurried to catch up to Qiao Sixiao in a few quick steps and silently clung to Qiao Sixiao's arm.
"Qiao Sixiao, what is this place...I'm scared..."
Seeing that she really was scared, with Qin Wei's whole body hanging on her, Qiao Sixiao tried unsuccessfully to push her away.
"Yes, you found out. I’ve already discussed the price with someone else and am preparing to sell you off."
Qiao Sixiao also lowered her voice, with a hint of coldness,
"Selling by the pound..."
At this point Qin Wei's brain had stopped working. Hearing her finish, her face turned pale with fright, until a staff member from the production team hurriedly came out to explain:
"Teacher Qin, don't be afraid. This is a filming location that was just built in the last two years. The area we are staying in is phase two of the project, construction won't start until early next year, so it feels bleak now because it’s the off season for filming Republican-era dramas. That's why there's no one around."
Qin Wei was stunned for a moment. She looked at Qiao Sixiao while Qiao Sixiao gave a cold snort, looking at her as if she were stupid.
Oh, she had misunderstood.
Qin Wei discreetly let go of Qiao Sixiao’s arm.
After checking in, they took the elevator upstairs.
Since the hotel mainly serves drama crews and actors, there wasn’t much business now. Room rates were also cheaper. In order to make everyone stay comfortable, the production team booked suites for the artists and standard rooms for the accompanying staff.
Qin Wei went into her room and came right back out.
Qin Wei directly made her request:
"I don't want to stay alone."
Qiao Sixiao felt she was being ridiculous and casually asked:
"What’s wrong with you? Is there a ghost in your room?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Qin Wei's expression became even more complicated, on the verge of tears.
Assistant Xiao Li went in to take a look around and came back out hesitating. In the end, he still said to Qiao Sixiao:
"Teacher Qiao, sister Wei's fear is understandable..."
There really was a ghost?
Qiao Sixiao didn't believe it and walked in by herself.
Everything in the room looked normal, but the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room directly faced the barren land outside.
Before being bought over by the developer, this area used to be farmland. Now left barren, it was overgrown with weeds. Scattered around haphazardly in the grass were some scarecrows set up to drive away birds.
The scarecrows had broken bodies and tattered clothes. When the wind blew, they swayed around...
Even Qiao Sixiao felt...
she could somewhat understand the timid girl's mood...
She was already a little afraid of this place to begin with. It would be even scarier at night...
She silently exited and asked the production team:
"What about the other rooms?"
"They're all like this. After all, this area is still not developed... Your floor is high up, so you can't see it very clearly. Once you close the curtains at night, you won't be able to see outside."
Qiao Sixiao frowned:
"The hotel facilities can’t be changed, it’s just that the external environment is really... Otherwise let’s change hotels, I’ll pay for the accommodation."
The staff member was helpless:
"Teacher Qiao, please bear with it a little more. Our production team doesn’t lack money. The producer booked the entire filming location without even frowning. But it is a bit remote here, still under development.
This is the best hotel, rest assured, apart from the less than ideal view outside, everything else meets five-star hotel standards."
With the issue explained to this extent, Qiao Sixiao also had no alternative but to say to Qin Wei:
"Let’s just make do for now. I’ll go help you pull the curtains closed."
...
Knowing they had travelled overnight, as an expression of apology the production team and hotel prepared a sumptuous breakfast, originally planning to deliver it separately to the two ladies’ rooms. But Qin Wei hadn’t returned to her room at all, sitting on the sofa in Qiao Sixiao’s room refusing to leave.
The lights were turned on and curtains pulled closed.
The hotel manager and production crew once again apologized profusely, bowing repeatedly.
The previous season’s variety show was filmed on a rented site. To achieve the same effect, an entire filming location that met the requirements for filming Republican-era dramas was rented this season, with this one being the best choice.
Everything was ready, it was just that the inevitable bleakness of the hotel’s surroundings made people feel afraid, even though security cameras were installed all the way, and there would be comprehensive security during operating hours. But the solution to this problem was not security - it was a Taoist priest. (Note: Superstition is not recommended or advocated.)
"Don't bother about her. She's just timid. It has nothing to do with all of you."
Qiao Sixiao walked out from the room.
"This is her room card. Please help bring her luggage over. She's staying alone and probably won't make it through tonight."
With a solution found, the two quickly exited to deliver the luggage before hurriedly leaving.
Walking along the corridor, the hotel’s room service manager quietly asked the production crew member:
"I feel like my world view has been shattered..."
The crew member nudged his arm,
"Watch what nonsense you spout or you’ll lose your job!"
...
With a living person in the room, it didn't feel so creepy. At this time Qin Wei felt hungry and started to eat some food.
Qiao Sixiao quickly sorted out her own things. Feeling hungry now too, she came out to eat, and saw Qin Wei looking at her pitifully, still looking shocked.
Seeing Qiao Sixiao sit down, Qin Wei quickly passed her some food, with an extremely respectful look on her face:
"Teacher Qiao, from today onwards, you are my saviour. As long as you don't abandon me these few days, I will support you in your old age until death."
Qiao Sixiao took the toast she handed over, responding as she ate:
"I asked the hotel to send an extra bed later. I know you're timid, but I really didn't expect you to be such a coward."
Qin Wei pouted, feeling wronged remembering what happened:
"I was recording an outdoor show, and they threw me onto a deserted island, I almost died. So I developed a phobia of darkness, as well as ghosts. Li Yao even wanted me to appear on an escape room show. Just listening to it made me burst into tears. He had never seen me cry so badly before, so he dropped the idea."
Hearing this, Qiao Sixiao felt Qin Wei was a little pitiful...
"Alright stop thinking about it. I already said I'll let you stay, I won't chase you away. Hurry up and eat.
After eating, we need to go for styling and film the opening portion. Subsequently there's no need to worry - it's similar to filming a TV series, only difference is there are roles and tasks but basically no script. We just need to act in ways fitting of the roles and historical background, everything else can be improvised.
As for editing...the production team said they will cut overly dragged out pointless scenes, keeping everything else as intact as possible.
Do you have any other questions?"
Qin Wei nodded. Qiao Sixiao patiently waited for her to speak.
"Can the extra bed be put in your bedroom? Promise me that from now on, I'll be your precious daughter. I'll never go against you!"
Qiao Sixiao: "......"