Starting with a single donut, Dong Productions decides to begin filming a new short.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14dYA5xMrE
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Chairs are left out of place around the meeting room.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxqpmXL3PV
Paper cups left on the table still give off residual warmth, a faint scent of coffee lingering.
Door is pushed open once more.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW0g05ATxw
Footsteps follow in succession.
“You’re back~ I’ve already submitted it~”
The boss stands there, casually swinging the phone in hand.
The director whips around.
“It’s only been ten minutes—what could you even have submitted!?”
“I do know where to draw the line, alright?42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFGTyYNuTW
I just happened to see a contest titled ‘BE 出心裁’ (a Bad Ending–themed challenge), so I submitted Guiltbound.”
“Oh… I see…”
Just as relief begins to settle in, the boss speaks again.
“But I did spot one that suits us quite well.”
A casual tap, and the wall projection lights up.
All eyes turn toward the screen.
The art lead has just sat down, eyes half-lidded.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTq5t1bzuu
“…Little Ghost (Xiao Youling)? What caught your eye?”
“Heh heh heh, there’s a badge just for entering!” The boss sounds like he’s found treasure.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD4g20Hm7K
“A super cute badge!”
“…Don’t make me say something I’ll regret.”
“No, no, I’m not done yet!”
“That event allows actor borrowing and even fan works.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7juaRSxx5
We can just use existing resources to shoot one. No downside, really! ”
The screenwriter is already on the relevant page, nodding while reading.
“Actors have to appear for more than half the runtime, and it only runs one to six minutes. Pretty lightweight.”
The boss spreads his hands.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnnGS5WIJi
“And it’s a short film, so the pressure won’t be too high.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZgE1XA0bG
We can switch things up a bit, too~”
The director flips through notes.
“Alright, everyone take some time to go through the contest rules and the original work.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDUj1oHXSU
Let’s regroup in thirty minutes and compare notes.”
Everyone nods and begins looking things up.
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After confirming everyone is seated, the screenwriter taps the touchpad.
“I think we can make use of these elements: 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHxQri15yH
Moon Mirror (Yue Jing), memory loss on the first day of each lunar month, regaining human form on the full moon, and the gradual recovery of emotions.”
“Mm… maybe a bit of bloodlust?”
“In any case, we can go full angst.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSiDh83BWm
A tragic past life, a rebirth that forgets love, and finally love remembered.”
The art lead leans back in the chair in agreement.
“And the setting is ancient, with that semi-legendary narrative atmosphere.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboADZraGMm
It works well with the style of The Hidden Moon and the Sea of Dawn.”
After glancing over the details, the director adds,
“The original work’s character only needs to appear for half the runtime.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnoXODiJlp
We can have Solas, Xiyu, and the rest appear as well—and get a bit of promotion in the process.”
The art lead catches on immediately.
“Exactly! We already have costumes, set assets, and props. No need to make anything new. Don’t let it go to waste!”
The manager closes the folder.
“That makes talent coordination simpler too. Communication won’t be too complicated.”
Discussion shifts from logic to visuals, then back from characters to production flow.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcULAAtbVI
Pace tightens, yet the atmosphere stays unusually smooth.
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Three hours later, the minute hand on the wall clock slips quietly past a few notches.
The screenwriter closes the laptop and lets out a long breath.
“Alright, we’ll leave the first draft of Wish Without Heart like this for now.”
The boss stands up with the last donut in hand.
“Mission accomplished~ Alright, alright, time to call it a day, everyone~”
ns216.73.216.141da2
and then Add to home screen.