Chapter 68: The Damnable Rumor

  It's been almost a year since Yi Feiyang came to the United States, but he still can't quite get used to the personality and work style of Americans.

  The traditional Chinese virtues of diligence and hard work don't apply here.

  Americans, houses are rented, not many people spend that much money to buy; buying land is also for farming, raising pigs and cattle... So American farmer uncles are very capable, unlike Chinese farmer brothers who are very miserable; Americans have an 8-hour workday, no matter what they do, as long as they're off work, it's hard to get them to move.

  Especially these electricians, in the United States are even more notorious for being difficult to deal with. Generally speaking, even if you make an appointment over the phone, you still have to wait two or three days to get the problem solved. Not to mention now, in the middle of the night, having them rush over here.

  For Americans who know how to enjoy life, getting out of a warm bed in the middle of the night is terrible.

  Helpless, Yi Feiyang had no choice but to hang up the phone, instructing people to pay attention to safety, and then returned to Hathaway's room.

  There was a knock at the door, and a slightly flustered voice came from inside, "Who?"

  "I am Yi Feiyang."

  "Oh God, come on in already!"

  Yi Feiyang walked into the house, only to see Hester, who had somehow found a half-burnt candle from somewhere, its flame flickering. She was wearing her nightgown and hiding under the covers, tensely poking her head out.

  "I just heard a noise coming from the window," Hester said timidly.

  "Oh, really?" Yì Fēi Yáng walked to the window and looked outside. The light was dim, with only wild grass and howling night wind, nothing else.

  "It was probably just the wind," Yì Fēi Yáng said, closing the window tightly.

  Heather remained huddled under the blanket, staring at Yifei Yang, "Really? Lately I've been feeling like something's off...... Yeah, really off, God, it can't be... Is there really that kind of thing here?"

  For Heathcliff, who worships God, he also believes in the opposing side of God, the devil.

  "Don't think too much," Yi Feiyang didn't want to scare her, "This is just filming, and those rumors are all just wild guesses by everyone..."

  "But everyone has encountered different paranormal events, are they all fake?"

  "How to put it," Yi Feiyang thought for a moment and said, "These may all be psychological effects. For example, now you close your eyes, think of the wind rising, and then you can feel the wind blowing on your face. In fact, there was nothing before. This is called 'self-suggestion' in psychology. It's all about scaring yourself, so don't overthink it, just treat things around you with a normal heart."

  "Really?" Heathcliff asked skeptically.

  "Believe me, the things that happen on set are just everyone making a big deal out of nothing, being suspicious and paranoid; while here, there's nothing at all! Alright, get some rest, tomorrow will be exhausting."

  Yi Feiyang had just finished explaining with great difficulty when he was about to step out.

  "No, don't go." Hester suddenly grabbed Yifeng's hand from behind. "I'll be very scared alone, please stay with me?" Her pretty face showed an expectant expression.

  Looking at He Xuewei's pitiful appearance, Yi Feiyang couldn't help but laugh. It turned out that no matter where the girls were from, they would all be afraid of "ghosts".

  "Don't worry, Annie, I won't leave. How about this, I'll watch you sleep?" As a man, Yi Feiyang still had a strong sense of responsibility, especially since the other party was someone he had personally brought into the crew.

  Annie Hathaway nodded, suddenly realizing that she was kneeling on the bed, tightly holding Yi Feiyang's hand, with a very ambiguous posture, as if she were secretly dating and begging for love from her beloved.

  Yi Feiyang only then realized that the two parties' postures were not right, Hathaway was kneeling on the bed, holding his hand, wearing thin pajamas, and her chest was half exposed; from his top-down angle, he could just see that enchanting snow-white cleavage. Her hair was a bit disheveled, her red lips slightly parted, her breath like orchids, and her cheeks seemed to be blushing with shyness, filling up with a flush of redness, making her look even more shy and lovely.

  Everyone says, when is a woman most attractive? Of course it's in bed!

  At this moment!

  Watching Yifei's gaze staring at herself in a daze, Hathaway's face had already turned bright red and she couldn't hold on any longer. With a rustling sound, she immediately burrowed into the quilt, panting repeatedly.

  Yi Feiyang didn't expect the other party to suddenly rush into the quilt, and he couldn't help but sigh, what a pity for such a good scene. As for himself, he couldn't possibly lift up someone else's quilt again to take another look, could he? That wouldn't be very gentlemanly... although Yi Feiyang had never considered himself a gentleman.

  As the quilt was almost quiet, Yifei Yang leaned against her bedside and casually took out the shooting report written by Fat Jack and Bunny Bill, and read it carefully.

  In the US, filming is different from Hong Kong. The US follows a "director's system", where the director has absolute power and can dictate the entire production process, including the selection and pairing of crew members. Even producers sometimes have to follow the director's lead, which is why the US has produced so many star directors like Lucas, Cameron, Tim Burton, and Sam Raimi.

  These great directors, whether in terms of their worth or popularity, have almost all surpassed those so-called "Hollywood superstars", such as Sylvester Stallone, Tom Cruise and Hanks. These people look very impressive, but in the eyes of a great director, they must all be obedient good babies, if you're told to act in a certain way, then you must act that way, otherwise, you're OUT!

  Hong Kong is different, Hong Kong practices the "producer system", the producer represents the investor, responsible for the investment side, the producer has absolute power, can control the director's behavior, and arrange the actors, in a crew, the producer is the most powerful.

  Yi Feiyang is currently filming in the US and has brought over some of his habits from Hong Kong, whether good or bad. For now, he has to play the role of "supervisor" for Fatso Jack and Bunny Bill, overseeing and urging them on the quality and progress of their filming.

  Fortunately, Rabbit Bill and Fat Jack also understood Yifeng's kindness. The script was written by others, the investment was made by others, and it is understandable that they would interfere with their own play.

  ……

  Time is passing away bit by bit.

  The candle slowly flowed with tears.

  Sometimes, the sound of the wind outside the window is loud and clear, and even through the glass, it can be faintly heard, making one's heart feel apprehensive.

  Yi Feiyang stifled a yawn and turned his gaze to Hester, only to meet a pair of bright eyes staring back at him.

  Suddenly caught off guard, Yi Feiyang was startled and jumped up in fright.

  "Haven't you slept yet?"

  After figuring out it was Heathervale, Yifei Yang finally let out a sigh of relief.

  "I couldn't sleep, nor did I dare to...I'm still very scared." Especially during this period of time, Heather was completely immersed in the play, her mind filled with terrifying images. It's not just that she's a girl, even if it were a man, they would probably be frightened too.

  Actually, filming horror movies can leave many aftereffects.

  For example, the famous American horror film "The Exorcist".

  It is said that the filming of this film lasted for more than a year, during which many ominous things happened, including the deaths of nine people involved in the production of the film, and the mysterious fire mentioned in the story destroyed the scene for a week. Actors Jack McGowan and Vasiliki Maliaros died before the film was released.

  As for the girl who played the heroine, she suffered from mental torture for many years, to the point where she had to take tranquilizers to stabilize her emotions, and even showed signs of suicidal tendencies at one point.

  Yi Feiyang is a very pragmatic person, who can do anything to achieve his goals. However, his conscience has not deteriorated to the point where he remains cold and unfeeling while seeing the internal struggles of the actors under him.

  So when Heathcliff showed this kind of timidity and fear, similar to a startled bird, Yiyang's first reaction was... shame!

  Yes, he is ashamed. In order to film this play, a pure and innocent girl who originally had no psychological barriers became suspicious and haggard like the one in front of him.

  Yi Feiyang felt a bit bitter, he wanted to reach out and touch Hester's hair, but his hand stopped in mid-air, remembering the reckless behavior he had done before, making both of them feel awkward.

  He let out a sigh and gently put down his hand, saying: "You don't have to be afraid, I've said it before, I'll stay here watching you until you fall asleep."

  "But my heart is in a mess. As soon as I close my eyes, it's the terrifying scenes we've been filming." Heather's face turned slightly pale.

  Yi Feiyang sensed her inner fear, knowing it was the shadow left by filming, and what's even more hateful is that this play hasn't finished yet, requiring her to continue suffering such torture.

  "Sorry, Annie..." Yi Feiyang said sincerely, "Maybe it's really my fault, I shouldn't have let you play the female lead in this play from the beginning... Yes, it's all my mistake."

  Hester was taken aback, she hadn't expected Yifei Yang to say that.

  "No, it's not your fault. Agreeing to film this was my own decision, don't I owe you one?"

  "Take your damned kindness! I didn't do anything, you don't have to help me like this, understand?!" Yì Fēi Yáng really hoped Hǎi Sè Wèi could scold him a few times, at least it would make him feel a bit better inside... he had taken advantage of this kind-hearted girl.

  Heather was visibly startled by Yifeng's sudden outburst, and after a moment, she said: "I really can't sleep... Can you tell me a story?"

  Yi Feiyang was taken aback and felt grateful that Hester had taken the initiative to break the silence.

  "Okay, which story would you like to hear? Hans Christian Andersen or the Brothers Grimm?"

  "Those are stories for little kids. Tell me some of your Chinese myths and legends instead. I heard some in college and thought they were really interesting."

  "Chinese legend?" Yì Fēi Yáng thought for a moment, then said: "Alright, I'll tell you the story of 'The Cowherd and the Weaving Maiden'. A long time ago, in our beautiful Chinese village, there lived a kind-hearted and strong man named 'Cowherd'..."

  Yi Feiyang gazed at the flickering candlelight and began to tell this beautiful Chinese mythological story.

  Time has passed unknowingly.

  "In this way, after the old cow died, the Cowherd put on its magical hide and flew up to heaven, with the help of the magpies, treading on the beautiful Magpie Bridge to meet his wife, the Weaving Maiden...". Yi Feiyang's voice was deep and full of a dreamy atmosphere.

  Anne Hathaway was already moved by this beautiful love myth, in her view, even those vivid Greek myths did not have a Chinese story that touched people so much.

  "How beautiful this story is! God, if I were the Queen Mother, I would definitely let the beautiful Weaving Maiden and Cowherd be together forever. Yes, I would do that! Interfering with others' love affairs is a shameful thing, even the merciful God wouldn't forgive her!" Hester exclaimed with misty eyes.

  Yi Feiyang couldn't help but smile wryly, this little girl really took mythological stories as true.

  "Alright, the story is over, you can take a good rest now?"

  "No, I want to hear one more, help me out, just one more, I promise!" Heathervy raised her hand in a pretty oath.

  Yi Feiyang had no choice but to say: "Alright then, I'll tell you another one. But after this story is finished, you must go to sleep obediently."

  After that, Yì Fēi Yáng began to speak: "A long time ago, in China there was a white snake. She cultivated her spirit and transformed into a beautiful young woman dressed in white..."

  Not bad, the story Yifeng is telling now is "The Legend of the White Snake".

  Originally, Yi Feiyang's mouth was very clever, and his story was even more vivid, listening to Hathaway leaning on her delicate chin, sometimes stunned, sometimes frowning, sometimes joyful, sometimes annoyed...

  In short, as Yifeng's story went on and on, Heathervy had already fallen into the beautiful and sad love myth of "The Legend of the White Snake".

  "Damn it, that pastor, oh no, in your words, the monk, is really too terrible. Miss Bai and Mr. Xu are in love, what business does he have to intervene... Is that thing called Leifeng Tower still there? Oh God, if it is, I wish it would collapse!"

  Hathaway said indignantly after hearing the story.

  Yi Feiyang didn't expect her to be so into character, it took him half a day's effort to explain to her that these were Chinese myths and legends, not real, and there was no need to get so angry.

  "Alright, I've finished telling this story. Now, you should go to sleep obediently, shouldn't you?" Yi Feiyang said with a smile.

  "Uh-huh, yes, I'll keep the promise with you, but...I hope you can stay with me for a little while longer, just a little while, I promise, I'll fall asleep right away, okay?"

  Looking at He Xuewei's pitiful appearance, Yi Feiyang couldn't help but nod his head.

  Heathcliff nodded in agreement to her request, and Catherine couldn't help but smile, her already beautiful face looking even more radiant.

  ……

  Tonight, Yifei Yang didn't know how he got through it. Heathervy finally fell asleep slowly in the flickering candlelight after listening to two stories.

  Yi Feiyang looked at Heather, who had finally fallen asleep, and saw that her eyebrows were slightly furrowed. He didn't know if she was sympathizing with the story he told or still having lingering fears about the ghost film they shot.

  Heather mumbled something in her sleep and then turned over, revealing a shoulder clad in a nightgown.

  Yi Feiyang couldn't help but reach out and pull up the quilt, covering her half-exposed shoulders.

  Coming back to his senses, Yi Feiyang couldn't help but think of the various rumors that had been circulating around the crew recently.

  This damn rumor!

  It's got our whole crew on edge!

  Is there really no way to turn things around?!

  Yi Feiyang's thoughts turned over in his mind.