"Boom—"
A black hearse plummeted from the cliff, finally crashing violently into the turbulent sea waves, shattering into pieces.
The waves pounding against the jagged rocks splashed water several meters high, eventually carrying white foam as they pushed the seawater back into the ocean's depths.
Scattered vehicle parts also drifted on the sea surface, a humanoid figure with an indistinct form slowly floating, before finally sinking to the seabed.
In the scene, one end was the azure blue of the sea surface tinged with sky light, while the other end was a boundless black abyss, mercilessly swallowing all creatures that appeared in the sea.
Accompanied by a stream of dense bubbles drifting away, that figure completely fell into the abyss, disappearing without a trace.
—From then on, Shu Yuxiu had completely vanished from this world...
-
The third version of the finale for "No Bait," which was also the final scene for the "No Bait" production team, officially concluded.
Two people in diving suits swiftly swam toward the figure that was still continuously falling, then skillfully supported the person's arms and swam together to the surface.
"Pfft—"
The three of them broke through the water together. Xiao He took a long breath, removed his nose clip, and coughed lightly a few times.
"OK? Actor Xiao?"
One of the divers asked loudly.
"No problem."
Xiao He wiped the water from his face, slicked his wet hair back, and shook his head.
"You guys came just in time, thanks, bros."
This scene was shot on location. Although multiple safety measures had been arranged around, there was still some risk. Being able to get it done in one take with everyone's cooperation greatly reduced his danger.
"No worries, congratulations on wrapping up, Teacher Xiao."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you."
Xiao He swam ashore with the two of them, and Ning Jiaqi was already waiting on the beach.
Seeing Xiao He, he smiled and handed out a red envelope: "Happy wrap."
"Thank you, Director Ning."
Xiao He took the red envelope and asked curiously, "Since Director Ning has given a 'fright-soothing' packet, can I assume Shu Yuxiu is really dead?"
Ning Jiaqi chuckled: "Guess? Maybe it's just an ordinary wrap-up red envelope."
"Alright."
Xiao He shrugged, "Then it seems it's up to Director Ning's choice."
For the final ending part, Xiao He filmed several versions of the plot mixed together. How these fragmented pieces would be assembled, how they would be linked together coherently, how the ending of "No Bait" would be explained... to be honest, Xiao He was quite looking forward to it.
"Then just wait." Ning Jiaqi cheerfully patted Xiao He's shoulder, "It will definitely make your eyes light up."
Then he pushed Xiao He forward, changing the topic: "Come on, there's a wrap-up banquet tonight, you have to come."
"Alright."
Xiao He didn't know what trick Ning Jiaqi had up his sleeve, so he could only be pushed along, politely asking, "Director Ning, when are you guys planning to leave?"
"We might stay a few more days." Ning Jiaqi replied, "If you really like this island, you can stay a few more days too and leave with us later."
Most of the production team's actors had already left, and now the crew staff on the island were also preparing to withdraw gradually.
Xiao He naturally wouldn't stay on this island forever either. Although the island was indeed hard to leave, he had been abroad for too long and wanted to return home. Plus, there were many things waiting for him at the studio.
"I'll head back first too." Xiao He said.
"Alright, we'll arrange everything for you."
"Thank you, Director Ning."
After finishing with Director Ning, Xiao He ran into O'Deen.
"Xiao He, happy wrap!"
O'Deen excitedly presented a large bouquet of flowers.
Xiao He accepted it with some surprise: "Thank you, but where did you get flowers on the island?"
"Oh, I asked the hotel to cut some flowers from the villa grounds and wrap them up for me." O'Deen scratched his head, "I saw that when Chinese actors wrap up filming, they always give flowers or red envelopes, so I had them prepare some."
Xiao He lowered his head, inadvertently smelling the floral scent, which felt strangely familiar.
Then he suddenly remembered something, his mouth twitching: "From the villa grounds?"
The flower bed at the fountain and hotel entrance, the one that was supposedly full of expensive flowers?
No wonder it smelled familiar—this was the scent of money!
Xiao He immediately felt the flowers in his hands were fragile and delicate.
He quickly handed them to Xiao Chen.
Xiao Chen had never encountered a situation where a single flower was worth more than his monthly salary. Holding the flowers with both hands, he instinctively stretched his neck to maintain a safe distance from the large bouquet before him.
"And a red envelope—"
O'Deen rummaged through his clothes pocket and finally pulled out a red envelope: "The island doesn't have those Chinese-style red envelopes, so I asked someone from your production team for this one."
Xiao He didn't expect O'Deen to be so formal, feeling both amused and touched. Still, he accepted the red envelope: "Alright, thank you. If you come to China in the future, you can look me up. I'll definitely show you around properly."
"Great, great."
O'Deen nodded excitedly, as if he had been waiting for Xiao He to say exactly that. Then he asked expectantly, "So Xiao He, will you come to participate in races again in the future?"
Xiao He thought for a moment, then shook his head: "Currently, my work focus will remain in China."
"Alright—"
O'Deen was somewhat disappointed but not too disheartened. He continued, "By the way, I ran into people from the neighboring racing team recently. They said someone came looking for us on the day our race ended, but since they couldn't find anyone, they just left."
Xiao He was stunned for a moment, immediately thinking of Director Tannis's casting search.
"Those people never came looking for you again?"
"No. Later, our coach thought about it and felt they were probably looking for you, so he asked me to notify you."
"I see—but since those people never contacted me, it probably wasn't anything important."
Xiao He brushed the matter off lightly.
"Thanks. Come to our production team's wrap-up banquet tonight."
Xiao He invited.
"Sure! But—I didn't get along very well with that assistant director of yours before. He even kicked me off the island..."
O'Deen said somewhat sheepishly.
Xiao He was speechless.
That was because you wouldn't listen to instructions, refused to accept the production team's arrangements, and insisted on challenging me to a race.
Fortunately, Xiao He's skills were good, and nothing happened. If there had been an accident causing a production incident, Xu Fuxue really would have torn O'Deen apart.
"It's fine, Director Xu won't mind."
Xiao He comforted O'Deen.
In reality, Xu Fuxue indeed held no grudge; he hadn't even noticed O'Deen.
Everyone had a great time at the wrap-up banquet that night. Whenever people met, they'd drink a couple of rounds first. By the time O'Deen and Xu Fuxue were drinking alone to apologize, Xu Fuxue couldn't even see O'Deen's face clearly anymore. He just hooked his arm around O'Deen's neck, relentlessly urging him to drink.
O'Deen, who had never experienced the perils of Chinese drinking culture, drank until his face was red and his neck thick. Finally, he also hooked his arm around Xu Fuxue's back, and the two of them sang the only song they both knew—Happy Birthday.
Xiao He, who was still relatively sober, watched from the side, utterly dumbfounded.
What the hell were these two doing?
.