All departments were ready, awaiting the director's command.
Xia Wei Liang took a deep breath, her palms sweating.
To say she wasn't nervous would be disingenuous.
Unlike before, she wanted to prove herself with her performance. It was also the first time in many days that she would see the result of her focused effort on something.
She didn't want to lose.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, she was suddenly taken aback…
She saw Xiao Yi.
He had no scenes in this take, yet he stood opposite her, acting as a human prop. Xiao Yi gazed at her, offering a gentle smile.
All the lights focused on Xia Wei Liang. Xiao Yi stood silently across from her, near the herbal tea stall, backlit by the shed, his hands clasped as he watched her.
The street was bustling.
The din of noise surrounded her, enemies behind her. Lian Zhu stared at him, as if a lifetime had passed.
She didn't even hear Director Zhou call "action." It was only after seeing Xiao Yi extend his hand towards her that she passively attempted to take a step, hesitating before slowly looking around…
Enemies.
Enemies disguised everywhere.
She lowered her gaze, her lips trembling.
Closing her eyes, she reopened them, tidied her qipao, and gently smoothed out a few creases…
Outside the monitor, Director Zhou and Liu Yiyi watched the entire scene. Director Zhou remained focused, his brows never relaxing.
Within the camera's frame, Xia Wei Liang casually plucked a peach blossom from a nearby tree and tucked it gently into her hair.
Director Zhou started, then his lips curved upward, unable to hide his smile.
"Heh heh…" came Liu Yiyi's seemingly casual chuckle.
Director Zhou glanced at him from the corner of his eye. "Don't get any ideas about my actress!"
"Heh heh… Don't worry, I have my professional integrity as a director."
The shot transitioned from a wide shot to a medium shot, then to a close-up.
It wasn't until Assistant Director Wang called cut that Xia Wei Liang finally relaxed like a unwound spring, her body trembling slightly.
She took a deep breath, and after calming herself, she walked towards the person standing under the herbal tea stall.
The herbal tea stall was already empty.
She instinctively looked for that figure, seeing him standing with his back to her, reapplying makeup.
"Wei Liang jie!"
Nuomi ran over excitedly. "Wei Liang jie, your performance just now was amazing! It was seamless, no NG at all!"
Xia Wei Liang tossed her hair, touched her brow, and smiled modestly. "Perhaps my skill dictates it."
On the other side, the man reapplying makeup, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
After a brief chat, Xia Wei Liang hurried to Director Zhou. "Dad Zhou, Dad Zhou! How was it?"
Director Zhou maintained his usual dismissive expression, pushing up his glasses. "Do you even know your own level? How could it be? Just like that!"
Xia Wei Liang cupped her chin, smiling sweetly. "Just like that? Then why didn't you call cut?"
"Why call cut! Aren't film and manpower precious?"
"Oh~ So that's how it is~~~"
"Why are you still lingering here? Hurry up and get ready for the next scene!"
"Okay, okay, I'm going, I'm going right away!"
Xia Wei Liang ran off again.
Director Zhou, while muttering that she was becoming more unruly, watched the playback. His small eyes narrowed again as he looked at the person on screen.
"Did you groom her?" Director Liu leaned in.
Without a word, Director Zhou hugged the monitor protectively, as if guarding against a thief. "Do you understand the rules? If you want to watch, go watch your own work!"
"Tsk! Stingy!"
Liu Yiyi said this but didn't make a move to leave. He picked up Director Zhou's thermos. "Xiao Wang, get me some water."
"Right away!"
Assistant Director Wang was remarkably diligent.
On the other side, Yuan Ting's facial features contorted.
"Sister Ting, don't look at her smugness now! She'll be crying soon!" Xiao Qian, beside her, kept trying to comfort her. "Is it easy to take on the film emperor's scenes? Even you can't handle Uncle Chen's scenes, yet she can…"
Yuan Ting glared at her fiercely. Realizing she had spoken out of turn, Xiao Qian gave a sheepish smile and retreated silently.
Xia Wei Liang's performance this time was indeed impressive.
Especially the few small actions she designed, which quickly sketched out the character's beautiful and resilient personality.
Director Zhou's crew consisted of a long-term, experienced team. He had encountered many powerful actors. While Xia Wei Liang wasn't astoundingly brilliant, she was by no means lacking! For someone from web dramas with no big screen experience, she had done remarkably well!
At the very least, she was far more eye-catching than a certain unprofessional supporting actress.
For the next shot, Lian Zhu was to pass by Zhi Yuan.
Standing face to face with Xiao Yi, the little deer in her heart went wild, desperately butting its head, causing it to bleed profusely.
Xia Wei Liang, stay calm! Stay calm!
This is a minor situation! What's there to panic about!
Don't forget, you are one of the promising rising stars. Don't bring shame to the reserve army!
However, as soon as they called "action," the scene was stopped.
Director Zhou, holding his megaphone, shouted furiously. "Xia Wei Liang, do you want to drive me mad? You're walking crookedly!!!!"
Laughter erupted around them.
Xia Wei Liang's face flushed crimson. She bowed apologetically towards the crew. "Sorry, sorry~"
Turning back, she didn't even dare to look at the person opposite her.
Take three—
Three consecutive NGs.
"Xia Wei Liang!! Your eyes! Don't avoid them! The person opposite you is the one you're protecting, not the one you're betraying!!!"
"Xia Wei Liang… Do you really want to kill me! What are you afraid of him for? He's the one you secretly admire! Don't be so girlish at a time like this!"
Damn it!
Xia Wei Liang apologized again and, turning around, punched her chest twice fiercely.
It was all because of this little deer!
When else could you go crazy, but you have to go crazy at this moment?
It was truly pathetic. Ever since she met that figure at the herbal tea stall, she hadn't been able to look at him openly. Now, even looking at "Zhi Yuan" made her incredibly shy!
Ahhh!
Just strike her with lightning to wake her up!
Footsteps sounded behind her. She turned and bumped into a pair of slightly furrowed eyes.
Xiao Yi's voice was stiff. "Is this your attitude? Distracted during filming, losing focus in your eyes? Hmph, what's the difference between you and Yuan Ting then?"
Her heart felt like it had been struck by a heavy hammer.
Xia Wei Liang stared at him blankly, her eyes gradually reddening. She couldn't tell if it was grievance or self-reproach, but she felt that the film emperor's words were completely accurate!
"If this is what you call not giving up, then it's… nothing special."
After speaking, he turned and left.
Xia Wei Liang stood frozen, her hands slowly clenching into fists.
How dare he speak to her like that?
What do you know? You know nothing!!!
Why?
Why…
The makeup artist quickly came to touch up her makeup. "Don't cry, don't cry, you'll ruin your makeup if you keep crying!"
On this side, Yuan Ting finally relaxed.
With acting like this, she was no threat at all!
Reappearing on camera, Xia Wei Liang seemed like a completely different person.
Calm, silent, and uneasy.
Until the figure entering her sight began to clarify, all her emotions converged into a single point. Her gaze fixed on him, then stiffly shifted away…
"Take care." she said.
As they brushed past each other, she felt all his unfulfilled desires and lingering reluctance.
At that moment, Lian Zhu smiled, lowering her head.
A drop of tear mixed with the dirt beneath her feet…
Director Zhou stared at the monitor, lost in thought.
Her performance was completely different from the audition. If then it was astonishing, now it was… as it should be.
He suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.
This was Lian Zhu, the Lian Zhu he wanted.
—
The sun set, and the busy day drew to a close.
Director Zhou didn't say it aloud, but everyone knew the result was undeniable. The victory was so clear, only a blind person couldn't see it.
Yuan Ting ran to Director Zhou, whimpering and crying, but Director Zhou didn't even spare her a glance.
Xia Wei Liang, still in makeup, sat in the RV, nestled in the seat, silent, showing none of the joy of having won.
Scolding her…
Actually scolding her…
Scolding her in front of others…