Director Li thought Su Meiyi's acting was good, unaware that all her expressions were her true feelings and reactions after whipping Meng Jingwei, which made her performance appear natural and smooth.
Wasn't that arrogance and smugness her genuine emotions from just moments ago?
"Is that so."
Director Li then turned his gaze to Meng Jingwei, asking perfunctorily, "How are you, are you okay?"
Having been whipped hard, Meng Jingwei knew Su Meiyi's strength, but since it was for acting, she could only smile and shake her head, "I can endure it."
Meng Jingwei was originally cast in an action role, but after joining the crew, she found the character's profile had been changed, and she was now a helpless maid.
Although she had doubts, she couldn't defy the director's wishes.
Director Li nodded in satisfaction and patted her shoulder, "You're quite resilient. Acting is a tough job, and only those who can endure hardship can go further in their careers."
"Understood," Meng Jingwei replied.
Her expression was calm, with even a faint smile on her lips. The director didn't notice any abnormality in her mood. "You should thank Su Meiyi. If she hadn't really hit you just now, you might not have been able to express that pained expression so naturally."
Su Meiyi felt proud but hypocritically shook her head, "Director, please don't say that. I was just too engrossed in the role, unable to control myself."
"Hahahaha, good, very good. Let's continue."
The director turned and walked to the camera. The actors took their positions, and filming resumed.
In the scene, Qi Yuying, played by Su Meiyi, argued with Qingying, played by Meng Jingwei. Qi Yuying then ordered her servants to beat Qingying. It so happened that Ning Lanyan appeared and saved Qingying.
"Qingying, I've finally found you."
After Su Meiyi's scene concluded, only Tang Wanxing and Meng Jingwei had a scene together. Tang Wanxing hugged Meng Jingwei, saying with great emotion.
"Miss, I also..."
Meng Jingwei had only spoken a few words of her line when the director suddenly called cut, "Stop, stop, stop, Meng Jingwei, what kind of acting is this?"
Actors elevate each other.
But Tang Wanxing delivered her performance with her utmost effort, her astonishing acting completely overshadowing Meng Jingwei, making Meng Jingwei appear unable to keep up with the scene, leading to repeated re-takes.
"You were separated from Ning Lanyan for months and finally reunited. You need to mobilize your emotions, be happy, be happy! Can't you even act happy!"
Director Li was meticulous and very strict with his work, hence his reputation for speaking harshly in the industry.
He reprimanded Meng Jingwei without any leniency.
Even though Meng Jingwei had been mentally prepared and anticipated the difficulties after joining the crew, she felt immense pressure at this moment.
"Okay, Director, I understand," Meng Jingwei nodded slightly.
They moved on to the next scene, another NG.
And the next scene, still NG!
After five consecutive NGs, the director exploded, pointing at Meng Jingwei and furiously berating her.
Finally, Tang Wanxing stepped forward, "Director, please don't be angry. Jingwei is a newcomer, don't put too much pressure on her."
"Hmph, this is a film set, not her home. Not everyone can indulge her," Director Li said with a dark expression. "If you can act, act. If not, get out!"
The extras and staff around began to whisper.
"She has no acting skills at all, I really don't know how she got the role."
"I heard she bought her way into the crew."
"No wonder her acting is so bad, yet she can get a role from Director Li."
"She's not President Qing's woman anymore, where would she get the money to buy her way in? It must be some unsavory affair."
"You can't be sure about that."