He retracted his gaze and suddenly spoke, "Director Zhou, can we begin?"
Director Zhou, who was conferring with the assistant director, heard this and, checking the time, nodded, "Yes, it's about time. Let's start."
After a whole day, Xia Wei Liang felt truly enlightened!
Previously, when she took on roles and joined a crew, the table read was merely a formality. During table reads, people would chat and laugh, adopting a casual attitude, with very few people genuinely reading the script. Some crews would even skip it entirely and start filming to meet deadlines, with no one teaching her how to get closer to her character. Her only job was to look good in front of the camera!
However, Director Zhou's productions were different. Not only did the script need to be thoroughly understood from beginning to end, but everyone also had to have their own understanding of the script, their characters, and even the characters they would be acting opposite.
"Wei Liang jie!"
Nuomi rushed over, offering water and giving her a shoulder rub. "Are you tired?"
Xia Wei Liang shook her head vigorously, excitedly saying, "Director Zhou is amazing! He gave me acting direction today~"
"Really? That's great!"
Nuomi was about to do her usual social media post to subtly promote her star, but Xia Wei Liang quickly stopped her, "Director Zhou wouldn't like that."
Nuomi didn't overthink it and obediently put her phone away.
"Wei Liang,"
Su Yu Xi approached from behind.
In his early twenties, dressed in a simple white t-shirt, jeans, and canvas shoes, he looked like the boy every girl admired in their youthful days as he walked towards them.
"Wow~"
Nuomi clasped her hands together, her face immediately showing admiration. "So handsome~"
Xia Wei Liang quietly leaned in and whispered to her, "Think about his fans, the 'Feathers'."
Nuomi immediately adopted a serious expression. "Pretend I didn't say anything." She then greeted the approaching person, "Hello, Teacher Su."
Su Yu Xi smiled. "No need to be so formal." He turned to Xia Wei Liang and asked, "It's getting late, are you hungry? Let's go grab something to eat and review the script."
"Okay!"
Director Zhou... no, to be precise, it should be the esteemed actor Xiao, had truly illuminated the path of an actor for her. Xia Wei Liang was now filled with passion for acting, so she readily agreed.
"Wei Liang jie..." Nuomi reminded her softly from the side, "It's... very late."
"It's fine! Nuomi, you go back first."
"Then... alright."
"Let's go." Su Yu Xi smiled at her, his eyes narrowing slightly, with a glimmer of light within them.
As Director Zhou and Xiao Yi emerged, they happened to see the backs of the two young people walking together.
Director Zhou glanced at them and asked the person behind him, "They seem to be quite close."
Assistant Director Wang quickly stepped forward and explained, "They collaborated on a drama before, and their on-screen chemistry was good, they were quite popular."
Xiao Yi's dark eyes flickered over, then he calmly retracted them as if he hadn't seen anything.
Assistant Director Wang, nicknamed "Auntie Ba," had no ulterior meaning; he was simply fond of gossip!
He adopted the rigorousness he applied to gossip and dutifully reported, "There were rumors back then that they were dating, but that's normal. The man is unmarried, the woman is unmarried, they are a perfect match, and if they have feelings for each other, they'll be together!"
Director Zhou listened, then looked at the person beside him who had remained silent. "You didn't tell me about this before. You know my principles; I don't like actors getting involved in such things on set. Since you recommended her, you'll have to take responsibility if anything goes wrong~"
Xiao Yi's expression turned serious. He responded with a low "Mm," and without further words, headed towards the elevator.
Assistant Director Wang sidled up and asked, "Director, Brother Yi seems to have been in a bad mood all day..."
Director Zhou squinted his eyes. The two words "Heh heh" were self-explanatory.
Just as the elevator doors were about to close, someone reached out to block them.
Xia Wei Liang was seeking advice from Su Yu Xi, "...Aiya, I'm just really bad at crying. My crying scenes look so fake even to myself~"
Su Yu Xi looked at her sideways and said with a smile, "You'll get better with practice. I'll help you."
Xia Wei Liang's eyes lit up, and she nodded obediently, "Mm!"
The elevator doors opened.
Xiao Yi stood outside with a blank expression. His gaze swept over the two of them. Su Yu Xi immediately greeted his senior, "Brother Yi."
Xia Wei Liang also said, "Teacher Xiao."
Xiao Yi nodded, then walked in. The two quickly moved apart, leaving the middle space clear.
The elevator descended.
In the confined space, perhaps due to Xiao Yi's overpowering aura as a Film Emperor, neither Su Yu Xi nor Xia Wei Liang spoke again, standing obediently on either side.
"Your name is... Su Yu Xi?"
Xiao Yi suddenly spoke.
"Yes!" Being addressed by name, Su Yu Xi was overwhelmed with emotion. "I really admire Brother Yi's acting. I hope Brother Yi can guide me more in terms of acting in the future."
Xiao Yi treated those who were serious with genuine sincerity. "You're too kind. If you have any problems in the future, we can discuss them together."
"Thank you, Brother Yi."
The opportunity to receive guidance from a Film Emperor was not something everyone had, and Su Yu Xi was extremely pleased.
His peripheral vision caught Xia Wei Liang, and he suddenly remembered something. He quickly said, "Wei Liang is playing the role of Lian Zhu and has many scenes with Brother Yi. She's still new to the film industry and doesn't quite understand the rules. I hope Brother Yi will take care of her."
Xia Wei Liang was touched to hear this!
Back then, when she was being harshly criticized by the 'Feathers,' it was Su Yu Xi who stepped in to speak for her, which finally appeased the fans' anger.
And now, he was speaking up for her in front of the Film Emperor...
What is a good person?
The template is right here!!
Xiao Yi turned his head, his gaze directed at Xia Wei Liang. Seeing her with a girlish, infatuated expression, gazing at Su Yu Xi as if star-struck, the Film Emperor's expression instantly deepened.
He turned back, slowly curling his lips, and said unhurriedly, "Guiding her is not a problem, but it depends on her willingness."
Stop!
What did Film Emperor Xiao just say?
Guide her?
What about avoiding suspicion! What about pretending not to know each other in front of others!
In front of a career path, all that was just dust!
Xiao Yi was widely recognized in the industry as an acting textbook. His unconventional performance style was not something anyone could easily imitate. Once he entered a role, he had the ability to make people forget he was Xiao Yi!
"Willing! I am willing!"
Xia Wei Liang blinked her large eyes, her heart filled with joy.
Xiao Yi glanced at her again and said unhurriedly, "I don't like rote instruction, and I don't have time to specifically coach. So, it's best if you follow me wherever I go on set."
"Of course! Of course!"
Xia Wei Liang readily agreed, as this was a rare and valuable opportunity.
The elevator doors opened, and Xiao Yi stepped out first.
Su Yu Xi quietly let out a sigh of relief from behind. Seeing Xia Wei Liang look at him, he said sheepishly, "Brother Yi's aura is too strong. It's really stressful being around him!"
Especially this time, he felt like he had been targeted by prey.
"But Wei Liang, do you know? The opportunity for him to guide you is something many people dream of. You must work hard." Su Yu Xi was genuinely happy for her.
"Speaking of which, thank you for this too!"
Just as Xia Wei Liang was about to say more, the person who had been walking ahead stopped again.
"Aren't you coming?"
Xia Wei Liang blinked, then realized, "Oh!"
A Film Emperor is a Film Emperor; their efficiency is indeed top-notch!
She gave Su Yu Xi an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, I can't eat together. I'll treat you another day!"
Su Yu Xi understood and said, "Good luck!"
"Mm!"
Xia Wei Liang waved at him and quickly trotted to catch up.
Seeing how happily she had smiled at Su Yu Xi just now, and with a lingering smile in her eyes as she looked at him now, Xiao Yi felt an inexplicable irritation.