When Nan Rongyu shouted like that, Li Xingyu was genuinely startled.
His surprise stemmed mainly from how terrible Nan Rongyu's previous performance had been, which led him to assume this person didn't take acting seriously, giving him a poor first impression.
But now, things appeared different from what he had imagined.
He hesitantly said, "Stand up first and then we can talk..."
Nan Rongyu insisted on maintaining his 90-degree angle: "No! Please give me some guidance, Brother Li! I really don't know how to act!"
Thinking that Li Xingyu might be reluctant because it seemed like a thankless task, Nan Rongyu, while maintaining the 90-degree angle at his waist, suddenly twisted his neck upward, revealing his entire face at a contorted angle as he stared intensely at Li Xingyu: "I can pay you! Whatever your acting fee is, I'll pay double for teaching!"
Li Xingyu: "...Payment won't be necessary."
Unexpectedly, this Nan Rongyu had quite flexible lumbar and cervical vertebrae.
It seemed that if Li Xingyu didn't agree to teach Nan Rongyu today, he might bow like this all day. With the thought of "at least get him to stand up first," Li Xingyu had no choice but to repeatedly agree: "Alright, alright, no problem, first stand up straight—"
Before Li Xingyu could finish, upon hearing the words "no problem," Nan Rongyu sprang upright with a "whoosh," faster than a coiled spring.
Li Xingyu: ...
He couldn't shake the feeling he'd been duped.
That's how he felt, but Nan Rongyu didn't see it that way. Upon hearing the professional actor agree to his request, Nan Rongyu immediately breathed a sigh of relief, feeling saved. Disregarding the July heat, he familiarly put his arm around Li Xingyu's shoulder and poured out his troubles: "Thanks, Brother Li, now I can feel confident!"
Li Xingyu inconspicuously removed the elbow from his shoulder while reminding him: "I should be younger than you."
When calculated, it made sense. Nan Rongyu and his brother were the same age as Shao Yichen, and Li Xingyu was Shao Yichen's junior. Calling him "Brother Li" did indeed age him unnecessarily.
Nan Rongyu adapted readily: "Xiao Li."
Li Xingyu: .
Would using his name be so difficult?
Oblivious to Li Xingyu's complex emotions, Nan Rongyu simply changed the address and continued familiarly sharing his woes: "Xiao Li, let me tell you, it's not that I don't want to act well—I just have no experience in this area!"
Hearing this, Li Xingyu was somewhat surprised.
He had assumed that Senior—Director Shao Yichen's chosen actors would be professionally trained, or at least have experience with film crews, but from Nan Rongyu's words, that didn't seem to be the case. He asked: "You've never acted before? Never taken classes?"
Nan Rongyu shook his head vigorously: "The last time I stood in front of a camera was in first grade when my brother and I participated in 'Twin Challenge'—hey, did you watch that show when you were little? It was on D City TV station at 6:30 every Friday night, a children's program where several pairs of twins would compete by answering questions and completing challenges. Let me tell you, although my brother and I didn't get a single question right in the intelligence section, I single-handedly took on all the other twins in the physical section and scared them to tears on the spot..."
Li Xingyu listened with a growing headache, feeling that if he didn't interrupt Nan Rongyu, the topic would drift endlessly. He quickly brought the conversation back: "If you've never acted before, why did Director Shao Yichen cast you as the lead?"
Hearing Li Xingyu's question, Nan Rongyu's voice came to an abrupt halt.
He sighed: "That goes back to Director Shao's previous film..."
Li Xingyu nodded. Having appeared on a talk show with the Nan brothers before, he knew they had handled the soundtrack for the previous film. However, since their music was, well, not particularly outstanding, when he saw them cast as lead actors, he automatically assumed that their band was just a hobby and acting was their main profession. But now, recalling Nan Rongyu's performance, he suddenly doubted this conclusion.
Sure enough, Nan Rongyu's subsequent account exceeded his imagination: "On the day the film ended its run, my brother and I were happy for Director Shao and went out for a celebratory meal just the two of us. Maybe I got too excited, and I accidentally got drunk. Somehow, perhaps my hand hit a button on my phone, and the call went through to Director Shao..."
Of course, Nan Rongyu deliberately omitted certain facts, such as how the brothers had merely gone to their family restaurant for their regular performance plus free food and drinks, how he was actually a one-drink lightweight, and how he had actually called Shao Yichen to confront her—though he couldn't remember now what he had wanted to confront her about.
"Then I said some drunken nonsense to the director—don't look at me like that, I didn't say anything excessive! I just kind of joked about how my brother and I wanted to act in a film, to be the leads, to have Director Shao make a film for us—but I never expected Director Shao would agree!"
"After I sobered up, I called Director Shao to explain, but she still insisted I was suitable for acting, insisted on making us the leads, and even said she would create a custom script for us." Nan Rongyu looked dejected. "At first, we were stunned by the director's confidence and thought perhaps acting was simple. But after practicing for a few days, my brother and I discovered it's not like that at all!"
Hearing this, Li Xingyu finally understood.
No wonder Nan Rongyu's acting was so indescribably poor—no one had taught him how to act; it was all self-taught. Realizing this, his previous prejudice against Nan Rongyu finally dissipated. It seemed this lead actor didn't lack the desire to perform well but didn't know which direction to work toward.
That being the case, for the sake of Director Shao Yichen's film quality, he needed to help the lead actors improve their performance. Although Li Xingyu wouldn't boast about his own acting level, he should at least be able to introduce beginners to the basics.
With this thought, Li Xingyu had already silently made up his mind; but Nan Rongyu, seeing Li Xingyu remain silent for so long without knowing what he was thinking, felt somewhat nervous.
Like a terminal patient asking a doctor if there was any hope, he asked with a solemn expression: "Xiao Li, why do you think Director Shao chose us as the leads? Has she given up on this film?"
Li Xingyu looked into his eyes and firmly shook his head: "Director Shao Yichen wouldn't do that. She takes film very seriously, and I believe she wouldn't behave that way."
He recalled his own experience of being cast as the male lead and continued: "When Director Shao Yichen chose me as the film's protagonist, it was also coincidental. At that time, when the director decided to make me the male lead, she likewise didn't know what my acting skills were like, but she believed I was suitable for the role based on her first impression."
"The facts proved her judgment wasn't wrong. Although 'The Last Wish' didn't have a high box office, for a small-budget independent film, its performance was already quite impressive."
"I think Director Shao Yichen's choice this time is probably similar to last time. Though it seems baseless, she must have her reasons."
"She must have seen something in both of you that makes you suitable for this film, which is why she insisted on having you as the leads!"
After hearing Li Xingyu's words, Nan Rongyu seemed to find a glimmer of hope. He asked: "Really?"
Li Xingyu nodded.
"Good, since Director Shao has such faith in us, we can't disappoint her!" Nan Rongyu clenched his fist, his expression resolute.
But suddenly, as if remembering something, he looked at Li Xingyu and stammered.
Li Xingyu: "...Just speak directly."
Nan Rongyu asked somewhat sheepishly(?): "Is my acting really that bad?"
Li Xingyu: ...
Li Xingyu: "Do you want the truth or a lie?"
Nan Rongyu: "...No need to say more, I understand."
❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀
After receiving Li Xingyu's promise to guide his acting, Nan Rongyu's mood visibly relaxed. However, Li Xingyu discovered that his promised guidance might not be limited to just Nan Rongyu—with one phone call, Nan Rongyu summoned Nan Rongzhou, who had been playing games online with Shao Yichen. The two leads sat side by side, looking at Li Xingyu with reverent expressions as their savior, ready to humbly receive his guidance.
Li Xingyu felt an inexplicable pressure.
He cleared his throat and began: "Let's start by discussing how to liberate your natural essence..."
Five minutes later.
Nan Rongyu's expression was grave: "Xiao Li, I don't think this approach works."
Nan Rongzhou looked pallid: "Teacher Li, I also don't think this approach works."
Li Xingyu: "...What's the problem?"
Nan Rongyu and Nan Rongzhou exchanged glances, seeing the same emotion in each other's eyes.
They resolutely turned to Li Xingyu and lamented: "Xiao Li/Teacher Li, we don't understand!!!"
"What do you mean by eliminating distractions and relaxing the body and mind? We can't achieve that!" Nan Rongzhou muttered, appearing almost deranged.
Nan Rongyu was more direct: "Xiao Li! We have to reshoot that scene this evening! Never mind my brother, I don't have a clue what to do!"
"Starting with acting theory is certainly important, I understand that, but for today, right now, is there some crash course method? Without all those advanced theoretical terms, something we can immediately put into practice!"
Hearing this, Li Xingyu sighed.
It seemed starting with theory was impossible. For a crash course, he would have to try other methods...
With this thought, Li Xingyu nodded and briefly replied: "I understand." After speaking, he promptly stood up and quickly left the classroom where the three were located.
Nan Rongyu and Nan Rongzhou exchanged glances.
What's happening? Did they drive the teacher away?
Thinking this, they hurriedly stood up, intending to chase after Li Xingyu, but nearly collided with him as he returned to the classroom.
Li Xingyu held a police uniform in one hand and a student uniform in the other, looking puzzled at Nan Rongyu and Nan Rongzhou: "Why did you come out? Is something wrong? Are you leaving?"
"No, no, we wouldn't dare." The Nan twins quickly waved in denial, relieved in their hearts—so the teacher hadn't been driven away by them.
But while feeling relieved, they also became curious: why had Li Xingyu brought two sets of clothes from the prop room?
Perhaps sensing their confusion, Li Xingyu waved the clothes at each of them: "Didn't you ask for a crash course? Since understanding through theory doesn't seem suitable for you, we'll have to use external objects to help you explore the physical characteristics of your roles—for example, costumes."
Author's Note:
Li Xingyu: If you don't want to learn theory, then let your body remember...
Shao Yichen: Why does that sound a bit strange?
Second update!
Thanks to the little angels who cast Emperor Votes or poured Nutrition Fluid for me during the period from 2020-08-27 11:12:43 to 2020-08-27 20:16:03~
Thanks to the little angels who threw landmines: After Jian 1;
Thanks to the little angels who poured Nutrition Fluid: Feifei, Peek at the Author's Draft Box 20 bottles; 33 11 bottles; Thinking Makes One Bald, Ice-bathed Phoenix Dance 10 bottles; Ye Zi Who Wants to Lose Weight Again 5 bottles; Make a Little Heart, A Deng, Sugar and Good Books Cannot Be Neglected 1 bottle;
Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!