Chapter 77: Chapter 077: Life Isn’t Easy for Mister Chapter 77: Chapter 077: Life Isn’t Easy for Mister The veteran actor playing the role of Jincheng’s master was named Zeng Hongzhuo, over fifty years old, but possibly due to good self-care, he didn’t look his age.
He had the look of someone brimming with wisdom.
Such a character was most fittingly portrayed by him.
Performing opposite Zeng Hongzhuo, Shen Yan also easily took up the challenge.
A smooth performance in a single take made Jincheng’s expression increasingly gloomy.
The better Shen Yan performed, the more it proved he wasn’t as good as Shen Yan.
After the morning’s scenes, Chu Jinghe clearly felt that Jincheng was in a bad mood.
“Jincheng, let me rehearse with you.”
Chu Jinghe said in a gentle voice.
Right after lunch, as Jincheng was pondering over the script, he needed silence, but it was Chu Jinghe who came to disturb him, so he could only suppress his irritation and nod with a smile to Chu Jinghe.
Watching the two rehearsing, Shen Yan took the initiative to find the seasoned Zeng Hongzhuo.
Zeng Hongzhuo had initially thought Director Li had brought in just a pretty face.
But today’s performance opposite her was genuinely satisfying.
Just from the eye contact alone, he could see Shen Yan’s caliber.
Compared to the highly popular Jincheng, Shen Yan was notably remarkable.
This part of the film wasn’t extensive; with this level of performance, it wouldn’t take many days before they could wrap up and return to Beijing Movie Park to shoot indoor scenes.
Director Li was present during Shen Yan’s audition and knew exactly what to expect from her acting.
But without actually filming, no one could guarantee the quality.
Today’s shooting of Shen Yan and Zeng Hongzhuo’s scenes were all completed in one take.
Everyone could feel Director Li’s elation!
In the afternoon, they shot the scenes with Shen Yan and Jincheng.
During a moment of eye contact, Jincheng seemed to falter.
“Cut!”
Director Li shouted stop for the third time.
He frowned at Jincheng and scolded, “Jincheng, what’s gotten into you? You were fine yesterday, what’s the matter today, can’t even handle a look from Shen Yan? What was all that winking about just now? Who are you trying to seduce?”
Jincheng’s face turned an ugly shade as he was scolded, he took a deep breath and tried to adjust his emotions, “Director Li, I need a bit more preparation.”
“You’ve been preparing all morning, how much more time do you want to waste? If it’s not working, we’ll change the lead actor!” The mention of a replacement showed how irritated Director Li was.
If he couldn’t even handle a gaze, what was he doing playing the lead?
Might as well start preparing as an extra.
Jincheng knew Director Li was prone to cursing when shooting, but this was the first time he had to endure such unmeasured scolding.
Shen Yan just stood by, watching him get rebuked.
It took some effort, but finally, Director Li grudgingly approved.
For the sake of quality, the crew opted for real-location shooting and earnestly traveled to various locations to shoot for this movie.
And for this particular scene, he had personally rushed over to take charge.
Unexpectedly, the least satisfying performance ended up being from the male lead, Jincheng.
*
Jincheng took the subsequent shootings much more seriously.
At least he no longer underestimated Shen Yan.
Shen Yan had definitely downplayed her talent before.
Because of this, the scenes that were supposed to feature both of them were all rehearsed by Jincheng with Chu Jinghe.
The more he did so, the more issues he felt upon facing Shen Yan.
The moment he sensed something was off, Director Li would call NG!
In the end, Shen Yan’s killer gaze completely overpowered Jincheng.
From the looks of it, one might think it was a heroine-centric drama.
And Shen Yan was that heroine!
Director Li felt increasingly that something was off as he filmed more scenes.
In the end, he could only ask Shen Yan to tone it down a bit, not to overshadow the male lead’s presence too much.
Shen Yan glanced at Mu Jincheng.
That look seemed to say he was so weak that he couldn’t even compare to a woman.
Mu Jincheng felt humiliated by that glance.
By the eighth day of filming, the scenes depicting Shen Yan’s growth were essentially complete.
What followed was the clash between the male and female leads, naturally leading to the female lead’s arrival and the male lead’s return to Beijing.
Once Shen Yan had finished shooting her scenes, she had no plans to stay and observe the main leads’ scenes.
She hastily bid farewell to Director Li and left the filming location that afternoon.
The road out was rough, and Xiao Zhao got sick in the car twice.
They settled in the city that evening, and Shen Yan was still going over the script when Liu Su knocked and entered, remarking that she was still engrossed in the script so late at night, “Miss Shen, hard work is important, but you must also take care of your health.”
Shen Yan put down the script; her scenes wouldn’t be shot for a few more days, after which she would be filming in the studio city.
“Is there something you need, Uncle Liu?”
“That’s right, school starts in a few days. Miss Shen, do you want to retract your decision to take a break from school?”
It was then that Shen Yan remembered that the original owner was in her sophomore year at university.
Having never properly experienced high school and university, Shen Yan harbored a strong interest in college life.
“Of course, I retract it. Even though I’m in the entertainment circle, I still need to earn my degree,” Shen Yan said earnestly. “Since I’ll be continuing my studies, we may need to adjust some schedules regarding my appointments!”
Liu Su breathed a sigh of relief.
In his view, no amount of fame could compare to a real diploma.
Shen Yan was, after all, from a prominent family; if her educational background were too limited, she wouldn’t be able to find stable footing in high society in the future.
She was supposed to become Mrs. Qi one day; it wouldn’t do to have people ridicule her education at social gatherings.
Perhaps Qi Si wouldn’t mind.
But Liu Su also worried that Shen Yan couldn’t withstand such ridicule.
If Shen Yan were to say now that she wanted to leave the entertainment industry, Liu Su would fully support that decision with both hands and feet.
“That goes without saying, Miss Shen should prioritize her studies primarily. It’s sufficient to film occasionally and participate in small programs to maintain a certain volume of work,” planned Liu Su, waiting to see if Shen Yan would accept this approach.
Shen Yan had no objections.
She had taken on this drama with not many scenes left for her, and there were two survival shows waiting for her afterwards.
That was about right.
“Is there anything else, Uncle Liu?”
“Sir has returned from abroad; he will be arriving in Shen City tomorrow morning,” Liu Su observed Shen Yan’s reaction.
Shen Yan nodded slightly, “I got it.”
“There seems to be some trouble at the Qi Family,” hesitated Liu Su, unsure whether to tell Shen Yan about the Qi Family’s issues.
After all, Shen Yan had always shown impatience at the mention of the Qi Family.
Shen Yan looked up at Liu Su, “If it’s something I shouldn’t hear, you don’t need to say it, Uncle Liu.”
“It’s not that you can’t hear it; sooner or later, you will be part of the Qi Family, so it wouldn’t hurt to know a little,” Liu Su sighed. “We’ve received news that the Qi Family may want the Sir to hand over external business to Mr. Qi Heng.”
As soon as Shen Yan heard it was about family business issues, she raised her hand, “I don’t understand these matters, Uncle Liu, so you don’t need to go into details with me.”
Liu Su was a bit disappointed, but still chose some light words to express, “Sir’s relationship with his mother has always been very strained, as you know. Although the family business has grown under Sir’s control, there’s increasing criticism of how he conducts himself… Life at the Qi Family is difficult for Sir. I worry that upon returning to the Qi Family this time, Sir will be pressured into doing something.”
Shen Yan frowned deeply.
She really didn’t know that Qi Si’s relationship with his family was bad.
Because in the original story, the Qi Family situation was never described.
Qi Si in the book was completely portrayed as a tool, an innocent victim.
“Even if there is something, I can’t help him. It’s no use telling me all this, Uncle Liu,” Shen Yan responded with an aloofness that left Liu Su at a loss for words.
Even if he portrayed Qi Si as pitiable, it wouldn’t change the image of Qi Si as heartless in the eyes of others.
Liu Su sighed, advised Shen Yan to rest well, and left.
Shen Yan watched the door close and fell into a silence.