Chapter Sixty-Three: The Ripples of the Yellow Sea

After the recording of "I Believe" was completed, a series of follow-up processes awaited: mixing, mastering, producing the music video, promotional clips, and more. All of these required the expertise of a professional team, and some scenes from "My Sassy Girl" needed to be edited into the final product. As part of the initial promotional efforts, a hit theme song could greatly boost the film's popularity. Based on his experience from his previous life, Gu Zhi was confident this song would soon be heard everywhere across the country.

But that success hinged on impeccable production—any slipshod work would only backfire. So Gu Zhi entrusted all these intricate tasks to Huayi’s specialized team, who planned to release the song alongside the film’s trailer during the promotional period.

Gu Zhi had little concern that Huayi would play any tricks here; after all, there might be more opportunities for collaboration between them in the future. Falling out over something so minor would make no sense. If Huayi operated that way, they could never have become one of the mainland’s entertainment giants.

The day after recording "I Believe," Gu Zhi returned to the set. He took the opportunity to give Tang Wei the filming location, telling her she was welcome to visit any time if she was free.

Back on set, filming resumed. That day’s scenes centered on the fugitive—Huang Haibo’s role. This subplot belonged to a supporting character and was originally scheduled for completion at the outset. However, just a couple of days after the official start of shooting, Huang Haibo asked Gu Zhi and Lu Chuan for time off, which delayed his scenes.

A few months earlier, the 2000 production of "Swordsman" had officially begun casting. Huang Haibo had auditioned for the role of Linghu Chong, but was ultimately unsuccessful; Li Yapeng went on to create a classic portrayal of the character. Huang Haibo’s image was simply too different from the free-spirited Linghu Chong. Yet, during that audition, he met the show’s assistant director—Kang Honglei.

Coincidentally, Kang Honglei was preparing to shoot a new drama later that year called "Burning Years," and invited him to audition for the role of Shi Lin, the second male lead.

At that time, Huang Haibo had already accepted his part in "My Sassy Girl," and his professional ethics demanded he fulfill his commitment to the film first. But after reading the script for "Burning Years," he became deeply attached to Shi Lin—a character with a vivid personality and heroic military qualities, one that would easily stand out and leave a strong impression on viewers.

Shi Lin's background was also a perfect fit for Huang Haibo, who was born into a military family and grew up on an army base. The character felt innately familiar to him. Director Kang Honglei noticed this, which is why he invited him to audition.

Huang Haibo could have lied to Gu Zhi and Lu Chuan, asking for a week away from the set under false pretenses—the audition wouldn’t take long. No one would have thought much of it; after all, everyone has emergencies, and a brief absence was no big deal. Delays happen, and the shooting schedule could be adjusted.

Ultimately, Huang Haibo’s role wasn’t very large, so the timing wasn’t crucial. Even so, after much hesitation, he chose to be upfront and explained everything to them, expressing his passion for the character of Shi Lin and asking for a few days’ grace.

Gu Zhi and Lu Chuan discussed it briefly and immediately agreed. Landing the right role is often a matter of luck for an actor. Not everyone gets to play the parts they truly desire; sometimes, even if a project is dreadful, you take it—for fame, for your company, for money. The stars who wind up starring in terrible films know exactly what they’re doing, but for most, cold hard cash outweighs critical acclaim.

Opportunities like this don’t come around often, and Gu Zhi didn’t want Huang Haibo to miss his chance or jeopardize his future. He agreed without hesitation, telling him to focus on the audition and not to worry about the film.

Privately, Gu Zhi couldn’t help but reflect that Huang Haibo was honest to a fault, unable to keep things bottled up. Fortunately, he’d encountered their easygoing crew; a more domineering production might have enforced the contract strictly, refusing to let him leave—which would have been difficult for him.

In his past life, when things went wrong for Huang Haibo, rumors swirled that his bluntness had offended a powerful producer, who then conspired with his driver to set him up and ruin him completely. A good actor, in the end, was outplayed by others, while those involved in scandals—cheating, hookups, hit-and-runs, even drug use—continued to bask in the spotlight, wildly popular. The irony of this industry was overwhelming.

To his credit, Huang Haibo was a responsible actor. Just three days after completing his audition, he rushed straight back to the "My Sassy Girl" crew. On his return, he apologized to every crew member one by one for delaying the shoot. His sincerity won everyone over, and the team quickly fell back into their rhythm, preparing for the next scenes.

All of the fugitive’s scenes took place after nightfall. That evening, after Huang Haibo treated the entire crew to a meal at a street food stall, they all boarded a bus with four equipment vans and headed to the Beijing Amusement Park near Longtan Lake in Dongcheng District.

The scene was straightforward, filled with both laughter and tears. On Song Mingxi’s birthday, Liu Qian sneaks her into the amusement park after hours, hoping to surprise her. Instead, they run into the fugitive. Amidst tears and laughter, the fugitive ultimately surrenders.

The scene showcased Liu Qian’s cowardice—when threatened by the fugitive, he refuses to admit his relationship with Song Mingxi and tries to escape on his own, betraying her without hesitation. Song Mingxi, on the other hand, displays true courage, protecting Liu Qian throughout. In the end, she risks everything, standing before countless gun barrels to persuade the fugitive and save Liu Qian—afterward, she naturally gives the spineless Liu Qian a well-deserved beating.

The fugitive was a tragic figure—a villain, yes, but one with depth and humanity. He lets Song Mingxi go, keeping the cowardly Liu Qian who tried to sell out his girlfriend. Moved by Song Mingxi, he ultimately lays down his arms and turns himself in.

During filming, Tong Dawei’s performance was outstanding; he fully embodied Liu Qian, capturing his terror and weakness with uncanny precision. Gao Yuanyuan, meanwhile, had to stifle her laughter several times and was reprimanded by Gu Zhi more than once—nearly to the point of tears.

There was little choice; it was late, the weather was freezing, and everyone wanted to wrap up and get home. The whole crew waited for her to get into character, and some stern words were needed to jolt her into focus.

As for Huang Haibo, once he put on the fugitive’s costume, he became the character completely. Even when Gao Yuanyuan flubbed her lines, he maintained his focus and emotional state until filming ended.

One monologue in particular stood out—a single take was all it took. On camera, Huang Haibo takes a drag of his cigarette, leans back, lifts his head, and gazes upward, his eyes brimming with emotion.

"I had another girlfriend—for a whole year, she came to see me every week. I was really happy then." As the camera moves in, his loving gaze turns to rage and humiliation. "But that bitch had already hooked up with the boss. I didn’t find out until he got out of prison."

Suddenly his shoulders shake, and there’s a sob in his voice. "While I was in jail, even my dog ran off with the neighbor’s bitch." He chokes out, "My little Shiba Inu—damn bitch!"

As the cigarette smoke rises, Huang Haibo grows more agitated, raising his gun to the camera, his voice a mix of tears, ferocity, and defiance. "Damn it, I broke out just to kill that bitch and that dog. I’m the unluckiest man in the world!"

He screams, "Damn it! Do you know what day it is today? Huh?" His emotions spiral out of control. With a final howl, he flips the gun and shoves it into his own mouth.

"Cut!" The director’s call is met with thunderous applause from all sides.