Chapter 90: Changing Agents
Director Pan’s gaze was still fixed on the scene on the monitor, exhaling with an expression that looked very enjoyable.
After being tormented by Lu Mindan for half a day, he was finally appreciating good acting skills. How could he not enjoy it?
She reluctantly picked up the megaphone and said, “Very good. You two actors, don’t move yet. One more take. Photographer, push the camera toward Xiang Ye later. I need a close-up shot.”
Then she said to Xuan Xia, “Xiang Ye, do that emotion from just now one more time. You performed very well.”
Xuan Xia, who was suddenly praised, was stunned and looked toward Jiang Feng standing in front with some disbelief.
The latter was watching her with a smile in his eyes. Jiang Feng, who could get in and out of character in an instant, had returned to himself, his smile warm and gentle, like a soft white cloud.
She had just been carried away by Chu Zheng’s emotions and unconsciously added some heartache.
Earlier, when she and Jiang Feng discussed the role, they had explored what kind of feelings Xiang Ye should have for Chu Zheng.
Because the character Xiang Ye only existed in Chu Zheng’s mind, with no other description.
So the two decided that since she was a person in Chu Zheng’s mind, they should perform her according to how Chu Zheng imagined her, and she should be whatever he hoped her to be.
It could be understood this way: Xiang Ye was a person imagined by Chu Zheng.
So in this scene, Chu Zheng, who revealed his vulnerability, naturally also hoped that the woman he loved could give him some response, even if just a little.
Xuan Xia performed by immersing herself in this idea, and at the end when locking eyes with Jiang Feng, she couldn’t hold back and was infected by the emotions, her eyes misty along with his.
Maybe it was this moment that earned her the praise?
After the camera was ready, the slate clapped, and the scene restarted.
Xuan Xia, who had been praised, was originally worried that in the second take for the close-up, her pause would make it hard to immerse as fully as the first time.
But she soon realized she was overthinking it. Jiang Feng was really good at helping supporting actors get into the emotions.
Watching him as Chu Zheng, Xuan Xia naturally entered the role and felt that inexplicable heartache again.
So after Director Pan called “cut” satisfactorily once more, she got another round of praise.
Director Pan nodded and said Xuan Xia had great talent.
Such high praise made Xuan Xia embarrassed.
……
After confirming her scenes for the day were done, Xuan Xia jumped up and walked to Jiang Feng.
“Thank you, Teacher Jiang, for today.”
Jiang Feng’s eyebrows curved with a smile. “No need to be polite. I should thank you too, for making my performance just now without regret.”
Xuan Xia blinked.
Why did it feel like he meant it was good that her acting wasn’t too bad and didn’t affect his performance?
Xuan Xia didn’t know how to respond when her line of sight caught Ji Ziyao gesturing to her from outside the scene, signaling it was time to go.
She nodded to Ji Ziyao, turned back her gaze and said, “Anyway, thank you, Teacher Jiang, for leading the scene. Very happy to cooperate with you. See you in the next scene.”
“Good.” Jiang Feng waited until Xuan Xia passed him, then suddenly thought of something and quickly added, “By the way, your performance just now was really great. I’m also very happy to cooperate with you.”
Oh no, praised again.
The successive affirmations made Xuan Xia’s mood even better. She turned back with a smile, waved goodbye to him, and then ran to Ji Ziyao’s side.
As soon as she reached Ji Ziyao, Xuan Xia asked him, “Did you hear what the director said just now?”
Ji Ziyao knew what she meant and skipped the middle part, “Not bad, you didn’t embarrass me.”
“I suddenly discovered that I like filming.”
The feeling when filming was very wonderful.
“Oh wow.” Ji Ziyao couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “I remember back then I strongly recommended film academy, but someone said if you’re taking the exam, it has to be a top university.”
That… was indeed what she said.
Back then, Ji Ziyao had strongly recommended she apply to film academy, but she shot him down every time, leaving him speechless.
Past events were unbearable… whatever.
Xuan Xia decided to change the topic.
“What was Lu Mindan arguing with you about just now?” Because she wasn’t distracted, she didn’t hear clearly.
Later when formal shooting started, she only heard Director Pan use the megaphone to tell Lu Mindan to leave the film set quickly.
And then there was no more sound.
Mentioning Lu Mindan made Ji Ziyao’s mood sour again. He waved his hand, telling her not to mention it.
Yang Wanxiu and Li Xinze had heard everything. Yang Wanxiu sneaked a glance at Ji Ziyao’s expression, then at Xuan Xia, looking like she wanted to speak but hesitated.
Xuan Xia took in all her little expressions and calmly called to her, “Xiuxiu, is there a milk tea shop near where we stay?”
The three beside her all looked at her.
Ji Ziyao frowned sharply: “You still want milk tea?”
Xuan Xia gave him a look and continued to Yang Wanxiu, “If you can order milk tea, order two cups for me, then send them to Lu Mindan.”
Yang Wanxiu: “Ah?”
Ji Ziyao: ???
Xuan Xia smiled. She had promised to treat this righteous senior disciple sister to milk tea, how could she go back on her word?
***
Back at the hotel, Yang Wanxiu followed Xuan Xia’s instructions and really ordered two cups of milk tea, then had Li Xinze deliver them to Lu Mindan.
Originally wanted Yang Wanxiu to deliver, but considering Lu Mindan might hit someone, they changed it to Li Xinze delivering.
After the milk tea was delivered, it indeed got Lu Mindan roaring repeatedly.
And those two cups of milk tea almost got smashed in Li Xinze’s face, but luckily he was quick-handed and caught them first.
Lu Mindan angrily slammed the door.
Li Xinze touched his nose, shrugged indifferently, and directly placed the milk tea in front of her room door.
Then he left after completing the mission.
As for what mood Lu Mindan was in after opening the door, that wasn’t his concern.
Meanwhile, Yang Wanxiu, free of tasks, was in Xuan Xia’s room, reporting in detail the full content of Lu Mindan and Ji Ziyao’s argument.
“She thought Brother Li was someone Ji Ziyao sent to me?”
Yang Wanxiu nodded. “Brother Ji told her he wasn’t, but Sister Dan just wouldn’t believe it.”
Xuan Xia rubbed her temple. That was very typical.
“Then Sister Dan brought up old matters again.”
“Hmm? Old matters meaning?”
“Sister Dan said she wants to change agents.”
Xuan Xia was speechless for a moment. “Why does it sound like the routine of arguing couples threatening to break up?”
Yang Wanxiu paused, then continued, “Brother Ji agreed.”
Alright, even more like the routine of arguing and breaking up.
Yang Wanxiu specially mentioned this because she felt Ji Ziyao and Lu Mindan’s cooperation might really be ending.
If these two really ended their cooperation, Yang Wanxiu felt it was quite regrettable.
Xuan Xia, however, touched her chin thoughtfully. “If it’s true, then Lu Mindan’s future career luck can be explained.”
“What career luck?” Yang Wanxiu didn’t hear clearly.
Xuan Xia smiled, not planning to say more. “Nothing. If she really ends cooperation with Ji Ziyao, it might be her loss.”
After revealing that, she ended the topic and changed to ask Yang Wanxiu, “Has tomorrow’s schedule come out? Any scenes for me?”
Yang Wanxiu quickly checked the work group on her mobile phone and shook her head. “Not yet.”
“Okay.”
Ah, going on shelves at two or three in the morning, I didn’t expect it either. I’ll try to write the next chapter early.
