"Cut!"
Shao Yichen stopped filming.
She stared at the scene captured by the camera, somewhat dazed.
Honestly, she couldn't tell whether someone's acting was good or bad—otherwise, she would have actively replaced Li Xingyu, that troublemaker, when he first starred in her film.
But for some inexplicable reason, she felt the character portrayed by the professor's wife was exceptionally... real.
So real that it was almost unlikable.
Her performance gave the impression that there truly could be such a middle school, with a teacher who prioritized her own child's grades above all other students.
To pursue that sense of mystery for the film's ending, only the two lead actors and Shao Yichen had the complete script. The actors playing the suspects received only their portions of the script, and Shao Yichen would tell them with certainty: "That's right, you are the real culprit! The others are just covering for you!"
This way, all four actors who believed themselves to be the true murderer performed accordingly, each with clearer details and more authentic portrayals than the last.
Professor Zhao Kang and his wife were no exception. Before their cameos, Shao Yichen had secretly told them both: "That's right, your cameo characters are actually the real killers! The others are just red herrings! Put your all into conveying that feeling!"
Evidence showed that Professor Zhao Kang's performance had failed miserably.
His character seemed to have preemptively withdrawn from the competition for murderer, becoming simply a comedic role.
But the professor's wife was different.
Her extreme reactions and slightly trembling hands at the end seemed to hint at something, making one involuntarily suspect: could she actually be the real murderer?
Even Shao Yichen herself had begun to wonder. If the four suspects were lined up now and she had to pick one final culprit to "debut" in prison, she would unhesitatingly cast her vote for the homeroom teacher.
If the professor's wife's convincing portrayal of a homeroom teacher could be attributed to her possible real-life profession, the dangerous signals she was now giving off couldn't possibly be her natural personality, could they?
Shao Yichen recalled the professor's wife smilingly serving her fruit each time she visited Professor Zhao Kang's home, and shuddered.
She couldn't think about this anymore—it would be disrespectful.
If it wasn't her natural disposition, then it could only be acting skill.
In that case, had she encountered yet another hidden acting talent, a performance master?
Shao Yichen watched from afar as the professor's wife, completely stepping out of her character, conversed amiably with Li Xingyu, and felt the world was so mystical.
Was finding someone with good acting skills this easy? Even a teacher's spouse who came by for a casual cameo could be a hidden acting talent?
Just then, Professor Zhao Kang approached with a chuckle: "So, how was my wife's performance? Are you satisfied?"
"Satisfied, extremely satisfied..."
Facing Professor Zhao Kang, Shao Yichen smiled with such effort that her joy resembled crying.
❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀
Li Xingyu's feelings weren't as complicated as Shao Yichen's. After the scene was approved, he showed a relieved smile.
He was quite satisfied with his performance today.
During his free time on set these past days, he had spent most of it discussing acting with the Nan brothers.
Although the two were completely ignorant about acting initially, their enthusiasm for learning was high. Since Nan Rongyu showed immediate improvement after their first lesson, they regarded Li Xingyu as their savior and wanted to discuss nearly every scene with this young teacher.
Li Xingyu didn't mind, as these two were good conversationalists. Daily scene practice with them not only helped him become more familiar with his lines but also allowed him to hear them revealing each other's embarrassing histories. They had already reached stories from middle school when they pursued twins—one chasing the older sister, one the younger—but unfortunately misidentified them and mixed up their dates, forcing each to impersonate his brother throughout the entire first date. Of course, they were eventually discovered, and their attempt at puppy love came to an abrupt end. Li Xingyu enjoyed this gossip immensely.
After persisting for a week, Li Xingyu discovered that after helping the twins review basic acting theory and combining it with recent performances, he had gained new insights. Unfortunately, the actors in the crew weren't skilled enough for him to better incorporate these insights into his acting.
In this scene with veteran actress Fang Yuan, he tried to integrate his insights into his performance, giving his all. Though there were still many rough areas, he believed this was his best level currently.
Fang Yuan was also pleased with this young man. After the performance, she actively approached Li Xingyu to discuss acting.
This had never happened before. When Li Xingyu worked as a home tutor, he had occasionally exchanged simple conversations with this veteran actress, but she had never mentioned her history as an actor and would deliberately avoid the topic if it came up.
"Your acting is very good," Fang Yuan nodded. "For someone your age to have such understanding is truly remarkable."
"Thank you, Senior Fang. Your acting is the truly brilliant one—I've learned a great deal," Li Xingyu said with genuine sincerity.
"I watched your previous work before coming for this cameo," Fang Yuan smiled. "Even then, your acting was among the better performers in your age group. But from what I've seen today, you've improved considerably. That's good."
But before Li Xingyu could thank her again, she continued: "However, I see some potential issues in your path as an actor."
"Think about it—the characters you've portrayed seem to all be non-aggressive, more introverted personalities, correct?"
Li Xingyu considered for a moment, then nodded.
This observation was accurate. In Shao Yichen's first film, he had played an ordinary office worker with a nine-to-five job, naturally lacking any aggression. And in this second film, while the character Yuan You had certain thoughts, due to being bullied, his behaviors in the film were mostly passive. Even his final act of jumping from the roof directed aggression more at himself than others.
Senior Fang Yuan pointed out further: "Also, you've worked with the same director for two consecutive films, which isn't particularly beneficial for you. Different directors have different styles, and a good actor should be able to adapt to any style."
"So I have a small suggestion—after finishing this film, you might consider taking a break, or trying some new roles, and working with new directors." Fang Yuan smiled. "It would be good for you."
"I understand," Li Xingyu nodded solemnly.
Seeing Li Xingyu's earnestness, Fang Yuan was satisfied. She added with a smile: "I know you young couples hate to be apart, but after you've fully developed your own acting style, it won't be too late to become her dedicated male lead again."
Li Xingyu: "Hmm... huh?!"
Young couple? Who? Him and Director Shao Yichen?
Just because you and the professor struck romantic sparks doesn't mean you should view others through the same lens!
Li Xingyu realized this Senior Fang's perception seemed misaligned somewhere and hurriedly explained: "You misunderstand, Senior Fang. Director Shao Yichen and I are not in a relationship."
"But just a few days ago, I heard Tongtong say that when she was passing by the set after being released from school at noon, she saw you two sharing a popsicle. And look, you don't even call her 'Senior' anymore," Fang Yuan's gaze conveyed "I know everything," and her smile carried additional meaning. "Don't worry, I'm very discreet. I haven't even told my old man about it. You two make a good match, in my opinion."
"Didn't Zhao Kang and I also meet on a film set? It's perfectly normal for an actor and director to develop some feelings during spiritual collisions! Don't worry about it!"
Seeing the "heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know" expression on the veteran actress's face, Li Xingyu felt there was no way to clear up this misunderstanding. He could only weakly repeat: "Director Shao Yichen and I really don't have that kind of relationship... please let me explain, Senior Fang..."
Though he and Director Shao Yichen had indeed eaten from the same popsicle... but popsicles can be broken in half!
Eating the same popsicle after breaking it apart explained nothing except that they hadn't bought enough popsicles!
How had the little granddaughter's comment twisted everything to sound so inappropriate???
*
At this moment, Shao Yichen had no idea that her relationship with Li Xingyu had been distorted by Professor Zhao's granddaughter Tongtong's misrepresentation and was now racing down a completely skewed path in the professor's wife's mind.
She only occasionally felt that during rest periods between filming, if the twins weren't secretly sidling up to Li Xingyu, huddled over scripts whispering who-knows-what, she would sometimes catch strange looks from Li Xingyu, as if he was contemplating something while watching her.
But when she followed his gaze back, meeting Li Xingyu's eyes, this third male lead would seem to suddenly realize something, then slowly, pretending to be completely casual, shift his gaze away from hers, leaving her with a perfect, handsome profile.
Shao Yichen: ...
Stop pretending!
Even if you act like nothing happened, I've already noticed your gaze!
Tell me! What's your meaning? Do you have some issue with your director?
Shao Yichen screamed inwardly.
What she didn't know was that ever since his conversation with Senior Fang Yuan, Li Xingyu would unconsciously think about how to resolve this misunderstanding during his free time.
And when he was thinking, he would unconsciously stare in the direction of his thoughts... which was Shao Yichen.
This was truly unintentional—his subconscious mind was beyond his control...
But even though Shao Yichen had noticed this strange behavior, she didn't have the courage to confront Li Xingyu and demand an explanation for his looks.
After all, there was no concrete evidence that he was actually looking at her—what if he was interested in the camera model and was staring at the camera in front of her? What if he thought her lounge chair was nice and wanted to buy the same model? What if he thought women's clothing looked good and wanted to wear women's clothes himself... no, that last one was too absurd.
In any case, it was hard to say for sure.
Moreover, from her observation, apart from being increasingly polite to her during this period, Li Xingyu hadn't taken any other actions. These inquiring looks probably weren't malicious.
Given this, Shao Yichen had no choice but to adapt and pretend not to notice.
Filming continued smoothly in this atmosphere, and soon, they reached the final scene of the movie.
Author's Note:
Li Xingyu: Suddenly becoming a couple with the director was very unexpected.
Shao Yichen: I advise you not to be ungrateful (?)
Second update today!
Thanks to the little angels who cast Emperor Votes or poured Nutrition Fluid for me during the period from 2020-08-29 11:15:44 to 2020-08-29 18:26:16~
Thanks to the little angels who threw landmines: Non-existent Person, £Weixian ギ 1;
Thanks to the little angels who poured Nutrition Fluid: Did Nakahara Chuuya Get Slaughtered Today 25 bottles; Ten Years Wei Jin Ten Years Tang, Very Sad, Time Simple 10 bottles; Clear Wind 5 bottles; £Weixian ギ 2 bottles; Bamboo, Little Seaweed Drifting with the Wind 1 bottle;
Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!
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