____The next morning____
Qing Mian woke up early, she was not able to sleep peacefully because it was the first day of filming after her mother's long hiatus, and the air was thick with anticipation, she knew her mother's decision to take a break was because she lost her child but now she was ready to embrace the camera once again.
As her mother's assistant, she had spent the past few weeks immersed in pre-production meetings, script readings, and wardrobe fittings. Despite her organizational skills and high intelligence, Qing Mian couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. She wanted everything to be perfect for her mother's comeback, knowing how much this moment meant to her.
Zhang Qin woke up and noticed Qing Mian was lost in thougt, she stood up and called out her name.
"Mianmian", she said.
"Good morning mum", Qing Mian greeted.
"What are you thinking about this early?", Zhang Qin asked.
"I'm just a little nervous", she said.
"Nervous? Shouldn't I be the one to be nervous? You don't have to be nervous. All you have to do is to be yourself, you're your mother's assistant by the way, so I'll definitely be bias towards you and won't stress you", Zhang Qin said.
"Okay mum", Qing Mian said.
"Go wash up, let's have breakfast downstairs", Zhang Qin said.
"Yes mum", Qing Mian smiled.
Qing Mian quickly washed up and packed everything they needed, she went through the schedule again and again to make sure she didn't miss anything.
"Let's go", Zhang Qin said and they went downstairs to eat breakfast.
There wasn't many people in the canteen so breakfast was served quickly, they had to eat quickly because Zhang Qin had to film the first scene.
"Let's finish up quickly and go to the set", Zhang Qin said.
The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden hue over the bustling set. Crew members hurried about, setting up equipment and adjusting lights.
A sleek black car pulled up, Qing Mian and Zhang Qin's agent got down first and Zhang Qin stepped out looking every bit the star she had always been. Her radiant smile and graceful demeanor exuded confidence, but one could sense the underlying nervousness in her eyes. Zhang Qin's agent knew her fears about returning to an industry that had changed so much during her absence.
"Mum, are you ready for this?" Qing Mian asked, trying to mask her own jitters.
"As ready as I'll ever be," she replied, squeezing her hand. "Let's make some magic, shall we?"
Her agent, Yang Mei led her to the makeup trailer, where the skilled artists transformed her into her character. Qing Mian busied herself with the day's schedule, making sure everything was in order. She could hear snippets of conversation and laughter from the trailer, and it warmed her heart to see her mother reconnecting with old friends and colleagues.
As the morning progressed, the set grew increasingly lively. Extras milled about in period costumes, and the sound of clapperboards echoed through the air. Qing Mian checked in with various departments, ensuring that props were in place and scenes were properly lit. She felt a surge of pride as she watched her mother step onto the set, the familiar gleam of determination in her eyes.
The first scene was a pivotal one, and Qing Mian knew it would set the tone for the entire film. Zhang Qin's character, a complex and tormented woman, was introduced in a moment of vulnerability. The crew fell silent as the camera rolled, and Qing Mian held her breath, watching her mother transform before her eyes. She suddenly had the determination to also make it this big_ and even bigger one day.
When the director called "cut," the set erupted in applause. Zhang Qin'seyes glistened with tears, and she looked over at Qing Mian and Yang Mei, a mixture of relief and joy on her face. Qing Mian rushed to her mother's side, her heart swelling with pride.
"You were amazing, Mum," she said, hugging her tightly.
"Thank you, darling. I couldn't have done it without you," Zhang Qin replied, her voice choked with emotion.
The rest of the day was a whirlwind of activity. Zhang Qin's confidence grew with each scene, and the camaraderie among the cast and crew was palpable. Qing Mian moved seamlessly between tasks, her clipboard becoming an extension of herself. She coordinated with costume designers, ensured that scripts were in order, and even ran lines with her mother during breaks.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the set, the first day of filming came to an end. Qing Mian watched as her mother exchanged heartfelt goodbyes with the crew, her radiant smile never wavering. Zhang Qin had reclaimed her place in the spotlight, and Qing Mian knew that this was just the beginning of an incredible journey.
Driving to the hotel that evening, they reflected on the day's events. Qing Mian felt a deep sense of fulfillment, knowing that she had played a part in her mother's triumphant return. She knew the road ahead would undoubtedly be challenging, but she was ready to face it with the same determination and grace that her mother had shown.
"Rest well, I'll pick you up tomorrow", Yang Mei said as she dropped them off at the hotel.
"Bye Sister Mei", Qing Mian waved.