Listening to the discussions around her and the director's thunderous scolding, Meng Jingwei was surprisingly calm. "Let's do it again."
Having failed so many takes, it would be a lie to say Meng Jingwei wasn't feeling pressure.
But she believed that since she had come to the film set and was determined to act well, she had to see it through.
She didn't give up easily.
"Jingwei, are you sure you can do it?" Tang Wanxing walked up to Meng Jingwei, concerned.
Meng Jingwei shook her head, saying calmly and composedly, "Sorry, for holding you back."
"It's all minor. You're a newcomer after all, it's understandable." Tang Wanxing smiled gently and shared some acting tips with Meng Jingwei.
Then, they shot another take. This time, Meng Jingwei's emotions were exceptionally well-modulated, and her crying scene had layers, achieving the effect the director desired.
After that, it was Tang Wanxing's turn for a scene with the male lead, Li Shang.
Meng Jingwei walked to a tree nearby, leaning against it to rest, closing her eyes as if dozing.
Just then, someone tapped her shoulder. Meng Jingwei opened her eyes and saw Qiao Ziqian handing her a bottle of mineral water. "Have some water."
Having endured cold shoulders on set, even a bottle of mineral water from Qiao Ziqian made Meng Jingwei feel inexplicably touched.
"Thank you."
Meng Jingwei didn't refuse, directly taking the mineral water, unscrewing it, and taking a gulp.
After acting for so long, her mouth was parched from reciting lines.
Qiao Ziqian sat beside Meng Jingwei and comforted her, "Don't worry too much. As a newcomer, you need time to learn."
"Yes." Meng Jingwei sighed, watching Tang Wanxing and Li Shang act their scene not far away.
Li Shang was also unable to match Tang Wanxing's performance and was repeatedly NG'd.
"You sit here for a bit, I'll go see Shang Ge." Qiao Ziqian knew Li Shang would look for him when he was NG'd, so he immediately got up and ran over.
Meng Jingwei, enjoying a rare moment of leisure, got up and walked to the corridor not far away, sat on a bench, and focused on studying the script.
That evening, Meng Jingwei had scenes with Su Meiyi and Li Shang. Surprisingly, those went smoothly, with only one take. However, every time it was her scene with Su Meiyi, it would be NG'd.
Initially, Meng Jingwei thought it was due to her poor acting. But she gradually realized it wasn't the case; she was being deliberately targeted by Tang Wanxing.
After five or six more consecutive NGs, Meng Jingwei was thoroughly berated by the director, but she gritted her teeth and persevered.
"Tsk tsk, you can endure the director scolding you like that. Meng Jingwei, I underestimated you," Su Meiyi said sarcastically, approaching Meng Jingwei.
Meng Jingwei lazily lifted her eyelids, glanced at her, and said nothing.
But at that moment, the quiet set erupted into a commotion.
"Wow, so handsome."
"Why is he here? Isn't he Meng Jingwei's ex-husband?"
"Yes, yes, is he here to see Meng Jingwei?"
"Who knows."
"My ultimate bias, so incredibly handsome, eclipsing Li Shang by hundreds of times."
"Meng Jingwei really doesn't deserve Mr. Qing."
...
Listening to the discussions nearby, Meng Jingwei realized belatedly that Qing Muye had arrived.
Su Meiyi was stunned on the spot, feeling inexplicably nervous.
Why was he here? Could it be that he was getting back together with Meng Jingwei?
And if he was, would Qing Muye retaliate for her whipping Meng Jingwei severely earlier?
Su Meiyi's heart was pounding, filled with unease.
Meng Jingwei sat on the bench, looking at Qing Muye not far away. Their eyes met unexpectedly, and for a moment, Meng Jingwei felt a strange warmth, as if the scoldings and NGs from the afternoon were being soothed by his presence.
She even felt that Qing Muye's decision back then was brilliant. If they hadn't gone through with the fake divorce, everyone would likely be criticizing her for using her connections to get the role, and Qing Muye would also be criticized for her poor acting.