Chapter Thirteen: Such a Beautiful Scene

While Chen Qi was explaining the advertisement to the young mother, Xiao Wu, the photographer who had already set up the equipment, stood nearby feeling somewhat out of place. To be honest, he still hadn’t figured out exactly what was going on, nor did he know what kind of advertisement he was about to shoot. He was nervous.

Although his title at the company was “photographer,” he was, in reality, little more than an inconspicuous assistant, doing odd jobs ever since he started nearly two months ago. Just yesterday, he was polishing the equipment as usual, when the manager suddenly assigned him a task: to assist Chen Qi from the creative department in filming an advertisement.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say he was dumbfounded. At that moment, he felt as if good fortune had knocked on his door. His major was photography, but because the company’s equipment was expensive and he lacked hands-on experience, the leadership had never given him the chance to actually use it. So, when this opportunity landed unexpectedly, he was overjoyed, thinking he was finally being entrusted with something important.

However, when he eagerly fetched the equipment and went looking for Chen Qi, he found him absent. Only after returning to his department and hearing from colleagues did he learn the real reason: none of the senior staff wanted to take on this inexplicable task. Assist a new creative employee with an ad shoot? Who did he think he was? Who would bother with him?

Frankly, after learning the truth, Xiao Wu felt a bit disappointed. It turned out the job had only landed on him because no one else wanted it. But that disappointment was fleeting. After all, he finally had a chance to operate the expensive equipment. If the others didn’t want it, so be it. If not for their indifference, the opportunity wouldn’t have come to him. He might as well use it to practice.

From another perspective, he almost felt grateful to Chen Qi. Without him, who knew when he’d actually get hands-on experience? Perhaps that was why, when Chen Qi called and asked him to work overtime on the weekend for the shoot, Xiao Wu readily agreed.

“Alright, I understand.” The young mother’s clear voice suddenly sounded beside him. Xiao Wu quickly composed himself, awaiting Chen Qi’s instructions.

“Okay, let’s do a test shoot first. Don’t be nervous; just act naturally, as you would at home.” Chen Qi greeted Xiao Wu and began the first take.

The young mother took a deep breath, steadied herself, and then, struggling slightly, carried the hot water she’d prepared out of the bathroom. She poured the water into the basin, helped the grandmother remove her shoes, and placed her feet in the water…

The whole process was seamless, natural and fluid, showing no trace of artificiality or performance; it seemed as though she’d done these actions countless times before. Unfortunately, perhaps due to nerves, the elderly grandmother hadn’t settled into the role. When Chen Qi called for a stop, she was visibly flustered and lost.

“It’s fine, really! That was great. Let’s try another angle. Grandma, remember your lines, okay?”

The second take began.

“No, no, Grandma, your lines are too stiff. Let’s do it again.”

“Grandma, don’t be nervous, it’s alright. Let’s try once more.”

“Grandma, while washing, you need to show a satisfied or joyful expression.”

Perhaps because of her age, the grandmother struggled to get into character and couldn’t produce the effect Chen Qi wanted. After more than a dozen takes, the young mother’s forehead was covered in a sheen of sweat, which made the grandmother feel distressed. Almost instinctively, she reached out to move the young mother's hair from her eyes and looked up at Chen Qi, saying, “Let’s take a break.”

“Mom, I’m not tired.” The young mother straightened her hair, smiled, and gestured for her not to worry.

“Wait!” At that moment, Chen Qi nearly jumped up like a startled lion. “Did you capture that last shot?” he asked Xiao Wu, visibly tense.

“Yes… yes, I got it.” Xiao Wu was startled by his urgency. Chen Qi had already explained exactly what effects he wanted, and unless he called cut, Xiao Wu kept the camera rolling.

“Let me see—did you get the close-up?” Chen Qi darted over.

Xiao Wu quickly brought up the footage. Chen Qi stared, not daring to blink for fear of missing something. When he saw the heartfelt close-up, he couldn’t help but smile, his joy unrestrained.

“Good news—we’ve got a usable shot, and it’s a really great one!” He excitedly shared the news.

“Really?”

“Is that true?”

Both the grandmother and young mother looked at him with delight.

“Yes, this shot is excellent!” Chen Qi gave them a thumbs-up. “Alright, let’s rest for a bit and shoot again later.”

He then pulled Xiao Wu aside to discuss further filming details. Ten minutes later, the shoot resumed.

Perhaps encouraged by Chen Qi’s praise, the grandmother seemed less nervous and gradually settled into the role.

“Good, stop.”

“It’s fine, we can record the audio separately later—let’s focus on getting the visuals right.”

After another hour or so, all the shots of the grandmother’s foot washing were completed.

“Alright, let’s do one last take from the beginning. Everyone, get ready.” After finishing, Chen Qi decided to add an extra scene.

While the young mother and grandmother prepared, Chen Qi knocked on the little boy’s door and called the father and son out.

He brought the boy to the filming spot, crouched down, and said, “Xiao Tong, stand here and don’t move. I’ll show you something.”

Nearby, Xiao Wu glanced at Chen Qi, then at the young mother not far away, thinking, “You two are about the same age, aren’t you? Isn’t it odd to have him call you ‘big brother’?”

The little boy blinked his wide, curious eyes at Chen Qi, then nodded enthusiastically.

Chen Qi gave Xiao Wu a signal to get ready, then stepped back out of the frame, gesturing for the grandmother and young mother to begin.

The young mother once again struggled to carry the hot water from the bathroom, knelt before the grandmother, and gently washed her feet.

The boy stood quietly by the door, watching intently. Nearby, his father also observed, but for some reason, after a moment, the playful smile left over from entertaining his son slowly faded, and his expression grew heavier.

After half a minute, Chen Qi looked to Xiao Wu, sending a questioning glance. Xiao Wu nodded, indicating the effect was excellent.

Just as Chen Qi was about to say something, the boy suddenly ran over to his mother, crouched beside her, and watched her hands with great seriousness.

Chen Qi smiled and signaled Xiao Wu to bring up the footage. After reviewing it, his smile grew broader.

Wonderful—this shot was perfect in one take.

“Alright, let’s take a break.” Chen Qi walked over to the boy and quietly asked, “Do you know what your mother is doing?”

“She’s washing Grandma’s feet,” the boy replied crisply.

“Look, Mom’s even sweating.” Chen Qi pointed to the beads of sweat on her forehead. “Mom is working so hard, she’s really tired.”

“Mm.” The boy nodded firmly, then dutifully stepped forward and wiped his mother’s sweat with his small hand.

The young mother gazed at him with tender affection, her smile radiant.

At that moment, the boy’s father came over with a towel. Perhaps because there were outsiders present, he didn’t dare wipe his wife’s sweat himself, but simply handed her the towel, looking at her with a mixture of concern and fondness. Then, he quietly tidied up the nearby plastic bucket and basin, fetched a mop, and cleaned up the spilled water.

Standing to the side, Chen Qi took in the whole scene and was suddenly moved.

Such a moment… truly beautiful.