"Pandas are such delicate animals! How could they make a panda act in a movie? Just thinking about the torture this poor, cute panda must be enduring is breaking my heart!" a blonde woman said in an incredibly mournful tone inside the airport jet bridge.
Meanwhile, on the film set, Hah’Er was lying comfortably on a lounge chair, eating ice cream and enjoying a massage from Shen Yibin. He was so comfortable he felt like he could fly.
"Charlotte, don’t you worry too much. If that’s really the case, we’ll definitely find a way to rescue this poor panda," another man in the group said. His name was Famite. The animal protection organization had sent four members this time, two men and two women. Besides Famite and Charlotte, the other two were named Narcissus and Lunfei’Er.
"Let’s walk faster." By now, they had left the jet bridge and were in the main terminal. Through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, they could see that the temperature outside today was not going to be low. "The ideal temperature for pandas is between 12 and 22 degrees Celsius. In this weather, the panda should be in a hotel room with the air conditioning on. If they’re filming right now, we must stop them, decisively and resolutely." Narcissus picked up the pace again, as if afraid Hah’Er would suffer even one more second of torment under the sun. Lunfei’Er, Famite, and Charlotte quickly followed.
When they reached the exit, they immediately spotted the staff member the film crew had sent to pick them up. After confirming each other’s identities, Lunfei’Er asked impatiently, "Is the panda filming right now?"
"Yes, he is," the staff member replied subconsciously. He then prepared to lead them to the car. "I’ll take you to the hotel to rest first. After today’s shoot is finished, Director Kong will bring Hah’Er to see you."
"He’s still filming now?" Charlotte immediately took out her phone to check. She found that the temperature in Shanghai today had reached 25 to 32 degrees. This was clearly beyond the most comfortable temperature range for a panda. She showed the result to the other three, and the four members of the animal protection organization instantly wore looks of extreme indignation. ’How could you treat a panda like this!’
"We’re going to the set right now! I’m calling Director Kong immediately to tell him to stop filming at once!" An enraged Lunfei’Er grabbed her phone, and then... the call didn’t go through. Director Kong didn’t allow anyone to disturb him while he was filming.
"Where is the filming location? Take us there now." Seeing the staff member seemed to have more to say, Famite immediately issued a warning, "If you refuse again, I will assume you are intentionally obstructing our official supervision, and I will convey this opinion to the association. The association will then lower your rating."
Faced with such a heavy accusation, the staff member could no longer hold his ground. He had no choice but to drive the car and take these four masters to the film set. Along the way, Famite and the others constantly urged the driver to speed up, seemingly unconcerned about breaking the speed limit.
"Alright, that’s a wrap on this take. Let’s take a break, then we’ll start the next one." Meanwhile, on set, Director Kong’s shoot was in full swing. He had just returned to his seat to rest when his assistant hurried over. "Director, someone from the animal protection organization called just now. And according to Li, they didn’t go to the hotel; they’re on their way here. I hear they’re not very happy."
Director Kong took the phone and glanced at it, but instead of calling back, he tossed it aside. ’Since they’re coming anyway, we can talk when they get here!’ He needed to hurry up and shoot the next scene!
"Okay, get ready to resume filming!" Director Kong thought for a moment. ’I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong. Hah’Er is in great spirits.’ So, he continued with the shoot.
They shot two more takes in a row, with Hah’Er getting a full rest between each one. His treatment was much better than that of Murong Li and Fang Yun. But just as they started filming the third take, the sound of an argument erupted off-set, and then several foreigners burst onto the scene, ruining the shot completely.
"What do you think you’re doing?!" Director Kong was furious. Murong Li and Hah’Er’s performances had been just right. The take would have been perfect in another minute, but all the crew’s hard work had just been ruined by a few uninvited guests.
"Hello, don’t be afraid. We’re here to rescue you," Narcissus said in awkward Chinese, as the four of them ignored Director Kong completely. The other three also gathered cautiously around Hah’Er. Lunfei’Er even took off her jacket to shield Hah’Er from the sun, while Famite used his own passport as a fan to cool him down.
"Huh?" Hah’Er looked utterly confused. ’I was having a great time, so what’s all this about?’
"What are you all trying to do?" Seeing the four of them, Shen Yibin felt a sudden, ominous premonition. ’My plan to return to Yunzhong City is probably going to be delayed.’
"And who are you?" Charlotte glanced at Shen Yibin, dismissing him entirely. She then stood up, walked over to Director Kong, and began to admonish him, "Director Kong, are you not aware that the ideal temperature for pandas is between 12 and 22 degrees Celsius? The real-time temperature has already reached 28 degrees. You should stop the panda’s work immediately."
"But he looks perfectly fine. He isn’t showing any signs of discomfort at all. Look, the little guy is full of energy!" Director Kong explained. Charlotte followed his pointing finger and saw Hah’Er trying to get to Shen Yibin. Lunfei’Er, not understanding the situation, was trying to stop him, and the two of them were in the middle of a lively struggle.
"Perhaps that’s just hyperactivity caused by the extreme temperature. The pandas I know don’t like such vigorous exercise," Charlotte said, coming up with excuses one after another.
"Alright then. We’ll end today’s shoot here. Let’s head back to the hotel for now." It was their first time visiting the set, and Director Kong didn’t want to start things off on a sour note. Besides, filming for the day was already eighty or ninety percent complete, so he decided it was better to go back and have a proper discussion with them.
"Let’s go!" Shen Yibin walked up, pulled Hah’Er out of the commotion, and led him by the paw into the shuttle van. Everyone else also began to pack up, and before long, the convoy of vehicles was heading for the hotel.
Once at the hotel, Director Kong gathered the relevant people in a conference room, preparing for a frank and open discussion. However, before he could even speak, Charlotte stated their demands, "Mr. Kong, given the current temperature in Shanghai, we believe you should suspend filming and only resume when the temperature drops to a range suitable for the panda."
Director Kong and Shen Yibin exchanged a look. Those terms were simply unacceptable!