Chapter 176: The Start of Filming for “Foster Mother”

Chapter 176: The Start of Filming for "Foster Mother"

After interacting with the original source material, Tang Fei, Jiang Xiaoying, and the other main actors engaged in a script reading session. The screenwriter explained the overall storyline and delved into each character's background and personality traits.

The script explored the characters' distinct personalities shaped by their different time periods, regions, social classes, and unique physical conditions. These aspects were carefully discussed in detail.

Diverse interpretations of the characters led to intense discussions, and eventually, a synthesis of ideas emerged. The dialogue was infused with Qinxi's dialect, using a few easily understandable colloquial terms that resonated nationwide. Local dialect experts provided pronunciation guidance, and most actors underwent dialect training prior to filming.

Both Tang Fei and Jiang Xiaoying had already spent a month living in Wangzhuang Village. Given the vast time span of the script, sets and costumes were meticulously designed to reflect the specific eras. Actors were also educated on the historical context of their respective characters.

During this period, Tang Fei often secretly pulled all-nighters to practice, mainly to avoid Zhou Weichuan's supervision. She was swamped with tasks, juggling preparations for the college entrance exam, script analysis, character comprehension, background enrichment, character movement design, and understanding the psychological states for each scene.

Energy Pills, Study Cards, and Time Cards took turns supporting her endeavors.

Fortunately, the production team was highly committed to quality, and didn't rush Tang Fei and Jiang Xiaoying into filming as they had done before. Instead, they allowed them to experience village life in Wangcun Village through a reality show, and now granted them twenty days for preparation.

This time, Tang Fei didn't use the Time Space Palace to delve into her character. One reason was that she had developed a deep respect for the profession of acting and the art of performing. Since her passive involvement in acting until now, she had grown passionate about the industry, and preferred relying on her own strength rather than external forces for her career growth.

Ever since the Time Space Palace was introduced by the system, Tang Fei had unconsciously distanced herself from it. This time, she mimicked the method the system used to help her understand her character, repeatedly immersing and detaching herself from the role.

By the time actual shooting began, Tang Fei had gained a profound understanding of her character and knew how to fully embody it.

...

In the original story, the adoptive mother's name, Wang Chunni, was changed to Luo Chun in the script, and the lover's adopted sister was revised to be his biological sister.

Tang Fei filmed winter scenes in temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius. She wore a thick red cotton coat, with a makeup simulating frostbite on her face; her lips were cracked, and her legs were bound behind her back with green fabric, while her trouser legs in front were empty.

To prevent sweating on her face, she applied antiperspirant, which made her feel unbearably hot without a way to release the heat. The neckline of her costume was sealed with waterproof material and plastic, with ice packs attached inside to avoid any sweat dripping down and revealing the artificial nature of her attire.

Enduring a bittersweet contrast of emotions.

Tang Fei cradled a sleeping infant, about one year old, in her left arm, while her right hand held onto a cane. With difficulty, she moved forward, casting a tender gaze at the child in her arms with utmost care.

Despite knowing the child couldn't hear, she seemed to be wary of disturbing the peaceful slumber.

The scene being filmed was Luo Chun's return home.

Upon arriving, Luo Chun would confront the lack of understanding and even harsh words from her parents and younger brother. They were embroiled in a heated argument over how to spend the two hundred thousand yuan compensation, and the once harmonious family had become estranged.

Luo Chun had a deep emotional attachment to her lover's sister. Despite her strength and optimism, she had faced numerous instances of malice from society and her family during her growth. She was insecure, burdened by self-consciousness about her disability and the wounds inflicted by the disapproval of her loved ones and the outside world.

Her tenacious nature transformed her insecurities into a driving force for her ambition and diligence.

The attitude of Luo Chun's family towards the young sister was like a relentless exposure of their true feelings towards her, continuously deepening the pain. She watched them numbly, holding the baby tightly, as if they were two souls intertwined at that moment.

Though the child was oblivious to the hostility and harm, Luo Chun absorbed it all on her behalf. She felt the pain and sorrow for the innocent one, who slept peacefully in a silent world, unaware of the ugliness around her.

This money, earned by her brother's sacrifice, was meant to heal her, yet in the eyes of her family, it seemed to be an unforgivable sin.

Luo Chun's father, with hands on hips, spun around in anger. "Are you out of your mind? If twenty thousand can't cure her, we'll lose every penny. We've raised her all these years, and that money would be better spent elsewhere than on her treatment."

Her younger brother Luo Gang kicked a stool. "Damn it! What's the point in treating her? Her illness is a gift from heaven; it won't be easy to cure. With just a fraction of that money, I could go study in the city. Once I graduate, I promise to take care of all of you."

Luo Chun's mother, overwhelmed by the chaos at home, broke down in tears. She pleaded with Luo Chun, sobbing, "We'll raise her together, but we won't treat her illness. Child, if you spend all the money on treatment and end up with nothing, how will you find a partner or get married?"

Her mother's wish was for her to marry and have a place to belong, no matter how humble. It was as if it were a crucial task in life.

Raising her lover's sister would hinder her chances of marriage. Agreeing to do so was already the greatest compromise her mother was willing to make.

But treating her lover's sister was out of the question.

Their family lacked funds; she couldn't attend school because of this. Her parents worked tirelessly in the fields each year, earning just enough for basic sustenance. Their house was on the verge of collapse but lacked the means to repair it. Her younger brother, in his first year of high school, was soon to face the dilemma of not being able to afford tuition and potentially dropping out.

Now, with twenty thousand yuan, regardless of its origin, it was a godsend to alleviate their family's struggles.

Luo Chun had become the enemy within her family, an obstacle to solving their problems.

She was also grappling with a complex web of morality, familial bonds, and conscience.

Tang Fei aimed to convey her complex emotions through her eyes, subtle facial muscle movements, and minute gestures with her hands and feet.

In this delicate performance, the director pushed the cinematography to its limits. Seven different shots continuously circled around Tang Fei, capturing her from various angles.

Throughout the sequence, Tang Fei performed fifteen takes, each with a distinct camera angle. The sleeping child's face was captured from multiple perspectives.

After the shooting, Tang Fei drank ice-salt water repeatedly to cool down and replenish the salt lost through excessive sweating. She had gone through more than twenty inner garments, all drenched and dripping with perspiration.

...

Luo Chun gazed down at the sleeping child in her arms. It was a plump, fair-skinned face, well-nurtured by her beloved partner.

She recalled his gestures and scribbles on paper: "I've saved up money for my sister's surgery. Now, there are artificial cochleae; she can hear and become a normal person. She'll be able to listen, speak, and attend a regular school."

Back then, his smile was radiant, brimming with hope for the future.

Luo Chun held the child tightly. The child, sensing the pressure, slightly squirmed. Luo Chun made up her mind: "I will treat her! This money was earned with her brother's life, and no one else deserves it. Though we're poor, I can sell breakfast to earn some income, enough to cover Luo Gang's tuition fees.

"I'll also work hard to fix up our house!"

But I want her to hear, to speak, to live as a normal person.

Though we're short on funds, we can't take others' money. One can be poor, but never lacking in dignity.

I have no intention of marrying! I'll devote myself to raising her, watching her grow and thrive, seeing her lead a prosperous life."

The years of ridicule and disdain had fueled a fire within Luo Chun. Seeing her lover's sister was like beholding a beacon of golden hope.

This was a tiny life just beginning, with a chance to heal and forge a completely different path from theirs.

She was the shared hope of her brother and Luo Chun.

Luo Chun's father issued a stern warning: "Don't count on us to raise her. You think you're capable, then rely on yourself, or come back only to bring frustration!"

With great effort, Luo Chun stood up, her words firm and resolute: "Watch me, I will definitely raise her on my own, not just raise her, but nurture her well!"

Within a day of returning home, Luo Chun left once more.

This time, she felt like an abandoned child. The house behind her could no longer offer warmth. With hope and determination, she walked forward without looking back.

She was bound for Chang'an, to the major hospitals there, to seek treatment for the child in her arms who knew not the hardships of life.

She named the child Luo Qi, a prayer that she might grow up to be a healthy and well-adjusted person.