Chapter 500: Chapter 86: Opponent Scene, Part 3
Zhang Mo was stunned.
"Because of work," he said matter-of-factly, "We’re all adults here. It’s not just anyone can accompany someone back to their country just like that. They’ve been struggling in the United States for so long, Zhong Qiulai had not expected that Wan Duoyan would consider staying in China after returning, in Zhong Qiulai’s view, Wan Duoyan was only back for a family visit and would return soon."
"But when Wan Duoyan expressed her desire to settle in China, from beginning to end, Zhong Qiulai only made phone calls and video calls, and even when they were about to break up, he never thought of flying over to try and retain Wan Duoyan, right?" Zhou Yun voiced out her doubts, "Of course, it might just be me overthinking, but when putting myself in that situation, what concerns me the most is, even when we’re arguing to the point of breaking up, and we’re a couple who loves each other, would you not fly over to talk to me in person? Frankly, if the person I loved did that, I definitely wouldn’t have been so resolute about not going back to the United States."
Zhang Mo looked at Zhou Yun in surprise and said, "Our views are completely different."
"Ah?" Zhou Yun was startled.
"You know, when I was reading this script, although I know that Zhong Qiulai isn’t a perfect boyfriend, I really can empathize with what Zhong Qiulai did," Zhang Mo said frankly. "You see, Zhong Qiulai and Wan Duoyan weren’t actually doing very well in the United States, right? Although the script doesn’t elaborate on what Zhong Qiulai actually does, I think that they are not really elitist types, otherwise they wouldn’t be renting such a small apartment together. Under these circumstances, a plane ticket back to China is very expensive, something they can’t easily afford."
Zhou Yun was dumbfounded.
Because she hadn’t considered this issue before.
"If Zhong Qiulai didn’t like Wan Duoyan, how could he call her every day, inquire about her progress, asking when she’ll come back?" Zhang Mo said, "Frankly, I don’t know many men who could consistently call their girlfriends every day to check on them."
Zhou Yun was stunned again.
"So when I read the script, throughout I actually felt that Zhang Mo was powerless. He wanted Wan Duoyan to come back to him, but every phone call went contrary to his wishes, making him realize that many new issues had arisen between him and Wan Duoyan that didn’t exist before," Zhang Mo continued from his perspective, "Especially a very important point, look, Zhong Qiulai asked Wan Duoyan many times exactly why she wanted to stay in China and didn’t want to come back, but Wan Duoyan never gave a clear reason. Of course, from God’s perspective, we see what Wan Duoyan has been through and can understand her choice, but Zhong Qiulai doesn’t know these things, he could only feel that Wan Duoyan was evasive and unwilling to tell him the truth. Put yourself in his place, what would Zhong Qiulai think? He might speculate whether Wan Duoyan is dissatisfied with their life in the United States, frankly, they were not living well, so Zhong Qiulai also lacked confidence."
Zhou Yun suddenly understood Zhang Mo’s point.
"I get it now."
Zhang Mo smiled bitterly, "I’m just confiding in you in private, this script clearly carries a lot of the director’s own experiences and shadows, focusing on Wan Duoyan’s emotional changes and story. Due to the different perspectives, it makes us have some negative impressions of Zhong Qiulai, as the script only shows Zhong Qiulai getting angry repeatedly, making it seem like Zhong Qiulai doesn’t understand Wan Duoyan, a bit chauvinistic. But the script itself can’t afford Zhong Qiulai the same space as it gives to Wan Duoyan to clarify his complexity, causing him to appear somewhat flat and stereotypical."
"Is this the artistry of it?" Zhou Yun genuinely admired Zhang Mo, "Impressive."
Zhang Mo laughed heartily and said, "Don’t tease me, don’t think I talk too much in front of the Movie Queen."
"Not at all, acting opposite each other, it’s necessary to have such exchanges," Zhou Yun’s eyes brightened as she said, "If you hadn’t discussed those points from Zhong Qiulai’s perspective just now, I would never have thought of them. I would have viewed Zhong Qiulai as a very bad-tempered person, and I might even doubt whether Zhong Qiulai loves me, which would completely change my reaction."
"I’m deeply honored to receive praise from Movie Queen," Zhang Mo exaggeratedly bowed, "Looking forward to our scene together."
Zhou Yun quickly waved her hands and said, "Don’t have too high expectations of me, I’ll say it upfront, everyone says I have a talent for acting, but that’s just them flattering me. I’m just a newcomer, not professionally trained like you, often relying on gut feeling to act. Sometimes I might need to shoot a scene three or four times to get it right, don’t find me troublesome."
Zhang Mo looked at Zhou Yun in surprise.
"You truly don’t have any airs of a Movie Queen."
"Because you finally recognized another side of me off-camera," Zhou Yun said with a smile.
The two chatted and laughed.
Returning to the hotel that night, Zhou Yun received a message from Zheng Xiaowen: Xiao Yun, the first draft of our script is out!
Zhou Yun was somewhat surprised.
In just a few months, did Zheng Xiaowen really pull it off?
Zhou Yun sent a clapping emoji, then asked: When can I see it?
Zheng Xiaowen replied: I’ve already sent someone with a copy of the script on a plane to you, it’ll be delivered to you tomorrow morning.
In this era of advanced internet, the script was still delivered in this traditional manner, mainly for the sake of confidentiality, to prevent leaks.
Zhou Yun said: Alright, then I’ll wait for the script.
Zheng Xiaowen: I met Yu Zhiyang today, the young man has become more silent than before.
Zhou Yun: Really? I haven’t seen him in a long time, come to think of it, I don’t even have his contact details.
Zheng Xiaowen: True that he’s handsome, but he seems quite gloomy. When he came to meet me, two bodyguards followed him every step of the way.
Zhou Yun hesitated for a moment, thinking that those bodyguards might not necessarily be there to protect him. Being an unknown newcomer, and a man, he doesn’t need that much protection; it’s probably Xu Guiying who arranged for someone to keep an eye on him.
Zhou Yun: Is he working on other films now?
Zheng Xiaowen: I asked, but no.
Probably Xu Guiying isn’t pleased?
It can’t be, since Xu Guiying had agreed to let him shoot this film, why would she stop him from working on other films?
Zhou Yun couldn’t understand it.
...
The next day, after wasting a whole day, "Falling Leaves" finally started shooting.
Zhou Yun and Zhang Mo sat on the set.
Xue Qin explained the scenes they were going to shoot next.
Zhou Yun noticed that Xue Qin had heavier dark circles under her eyes.