Chapter 466: It’s Not Adorable, It’s Called Acting
Ling Sheng was embarrassed, and her face turned red as a result. It was her fault. She was too unprofessional. There was nothing else to say except apologize.
Fang Hua had also realized that things had been fine at first. While the duo had been acting, the young lady’s condition had been very good. She had also gotten into character. The shy and expectant young lady’s heart had been portrayed vividly. However, when he had been about to kiss her, her demeanor had suddenly changed. Her body had stiffened, and her expression and actions had expressed her resistance.
“Director Chen, I’m sorry. Can I do it again?” Ling Sheng took a deep breath to relax.
It was alright.
If it really did not work out, she would think Teacher Sheng was the Third Master. It was just a kiss on the forehead. How could she compare to an old artist who had dedicated their life to art and film?
Sheng Xichen comforted her gently. “Don’t be nervous. I’m not a pervert. Just imagine I’m the person you like. Don’t people in the West kiss cheeks as a greeting? Just treat it as a normal form of courtesy.”
The young lady was too nervous. She had just entered the entertainment circle, so it was normal for her to be nervous when filming a kissing scene. She had performed well in the beginning, but when he had kissed her forehead, her demeanor had changed. Perhaps she was not used to it and just had to practice twice as much.
Following that, what Chen Mo asked her to do was so perverted that it angered everyone. He was particularly picky, but he might have really gotten angry at her. His request was so strict that everyone present started to pity her.
Assistant Director James felt that something was wrong with him. She had already acted very well, but he had to nitpick. He could not take it anymore.
Ling Sheng was a good person. She NGed again and again, adjusted her emotions, and continued filming. Furthermore, her emotions recovered very quickly, so she could enter character instantly.
Fang Hua frowned as her beautiful eyes stared at the crazy Chen Mo. He had gone overboard. He was deliberately causing trouble. Besides the last kissing scene, she had acted very well.
However, he would find faults in something all the time and interrupt the filming process before the kissing scene even happened.
Chen Mo did not think so. His face was red as he pointed at her. “You need to exude an inexperienced vibe. Your performance was excessive. Relax and do it again.”
Ling Sheng made an OK gesture.
Again.
“No, no, no. You’re fidgeting too much. Don’t add unnecessary expressions without permission. This isn’t adorable. This is acting, understand?” Chen Mo frowned and pointed at her nose.
Ling Sheng nodded and accepted it humbly. “I understand.”
Chen Mo’s handsome face was cold. “Do it again. Get ready. Move to the left.”
The cameraman calmly adjusted the camera position to the best angle. As a cameraman who had been working with Director Chen, he knew his temper well.
However, they had all realized that there was something wrong with his emotions. He had deliberately been finding fault in the young lady and making her film the scene over and over again. Clearly, all her expressions and actions were flawless. They did not know where he had detected so many problems.
Normally, people could tolerate his excessive pickiness, but since the young lady’s attitude toward the kissing scene wasn’t right, he had become stricter.
Fang Hua took a look at Gu Shen, who was standing beside her. She realized that his lips were curled up slightly, as though he was smiling. She did not know what he was happy about.
When Gu Shen sensed Fang Hua’s gaze, he hurriedly returned to normal. He looked at Ling Sheng, who was still in a good state. He had not expected her to have such a strong heart. She could remain calm while others pointed at her nose and scolded her. She had apologized repeatedly and filmed the scene again and again. Meanwhile, Director Chen Mo had scolded her and picked on her flaws. He was much stricter with her than he was with others, including Gu Shen.
Chapter 467: Not Worthy To Talk To Me
Ling Sheng was embarrassed. She was embarrassed because of Sheng Xichen. The gentler he was, the sorrier she felt for him. She felt very pressured about having him go with her through NGs again and again, but she could not show it. During the two-minute break, she looked at him and said, “Senior Sheng, I’m really sorry. I’m not capable enough.”
“It’s alright, just relax.” Sheng Xichen smiled gently, not blaming her at all. He only asked, “What’s bothering you? Why can’t you perform well?”
It was just a forehead kiss. If she could not do that, would she not be able to film intimate scenes in the future either? As an actor and a professional, he did not advocate using a substitute for everything.
Ling Sheng and Sheng Xichen sat in the resting area. There was no one there. The crew workers were also busy adjusting the set, drinking water, and relaxing for a while.
“I’ll try my best to get over it!” Ling Sheng encouraged herself. She could not continue like this. If she could not get over the hurdle in her heart, how could she be an actress?
However, what should she do? Even if a man touched her now, she would feel guilty. It was as though she had betrayed someone. She felt the strange guilt of having an affair.
For the next four hours, this was the only scene they filmed. Besides, the process would never reach the point of the innocent kiss with Sheng Xichen. A “cut” would end it, and the reason for requesting a “cut” was very different each time.
Sheng Xichen had a mild temper. If someone else had been in his place, they would probably have cursed her. Every single time, she was asked to stop filming the same scene. It was too tormenting.
Ling Sheng tried her best to pull herself together and repeat the same lines, actions, and expressions over and over again.
She could tolerate everything except the disappointment in Director Chen’s eyes when he looked at her. It was as though he was questioning his own taste and suspecting that he should not have hired her.
Halfway through, she caught Chen Mo’s arm and led him to the washroom. She followed him and stopped him with a red face. “Director Chen, I have something to tell you.”
Chen Mo looked at her. “Someone who doesn’t even have the basic professional ethics of an actor doesn’t deserve to talk to me. Get out of the way.”
Ling Sheng knew that he was right. She could not get into character or film a good scene. It was her fault for wasting everyone’s time and resources. Her face was extremely serious as she looked at the man in front of her and tried to argue. “Yes, I admit that I can’t get into character during the kissing scene. There’s a problem. I don’t have professional ethics. What about you? Do you have professional ethics? Would a director with professional ethics torture an actor over and over again?”
Chen Mo raised his eyebrows coldly. “Then we’re equal. Since when do you have the self-awareness of an actor? I have the self-awareness of a director.”
She knew why he had targeted her. He had expected better from her. It was just a forehead kiss. Look at how unreasonable she was being!
“I’ll try my best to adjust. Please give me one night.” Ling Sheng’s voice softened as she pleaded with him. Her gaze was firm as she looked at him. “Even if I continue filming the next scene, I’ll be in the same state as before. Please arrange to film other people’s scenes!”
She did not care. It did not matter how she was tortured. However, she could not let Senior Sheng suffer with her forever. She could adjust in one night.
“Does that mean I have to give all actors time to adjust? That’s your problem, not mine.” Chen Mo smiled coldly.
Chapter 468: A Familiar Figure
Ling Sheng held her breath. She knew that it was her fault that things had developed this way. Her professionalism was not good enough, and she was not qualified for this job. However, when she heard his cold and heartless words, her heart ached. She was about to plead.
Chen Mo turned to look at her. “One night. The first scene we film tomorrow morning will be yours.”
Ling Sheng’s eyes lit up as she bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Director Chen. I promise to do the job well.”
Chen Mo took a look at her and said in a low voice, “I hope you can film the scene tomorrow morning. Don’t make me doubt your ability or my taste.”
He expected a lot from her, which was why he had been stricter with her. He had initially thought that she would give him a big surprise, but he had not expected her first scene to be filmed like this. It had made him start to wonder if she knew how to act. Where was her professionalism?
He knew that there was only one actress who would not film a kissing scene. However, that person was his sister. He had once pointed at her nose and indignantly scolded her for not being an actress. At the very least, she was not a qualified actress.
That was why she had left the entertainment circle and stopped being an actress.
The film crew had initially thought that Ling Sheng’s arrival would change the atmosphere of the set greatly. For example, they would be more relaxed and happier. After all, Director Chen Mo had been beaming since he had seen her.
However, in the afternoon, Director Chen Mo became irritable because of her. Everyone on the film site was worried about their own safety, so it was best not to pin their hopes on anyone.
Every week or so before filming started, Director Chen Mo would be in a sensitive mood. After one endured this period, the atmosphere would become more relaxed and joyful.
“Sheng Sheng, are you alright?” Fang Hua asked worriedly.
Ling Sheng shook her head. “I’m headstrong, so what could happen to me? Besides, it’s all my fault. Director Chen got angry because I didn’t film my scene well.”
Fang Hua patted her hand to comfort her. It was good that she thought that way. Yesterday, two actresses had been scolded until they’d cried. Director Chen had not even said anything harsh. If he had taught them a lesson like he had taught Sheng Sheng a lesson, they would have cried miserably.
Director Chen’s expectations of Sheng Sheng were too strict. He was stricter with her than with everyone else. Perhaps he had placed greater hopes on her!
Next, it was time for Fang Hua and Sheng Xichen’s scene. Although the duo also NGed, the overall situation was still alright. Basically, they cleared the scene after five takes.
Ling Sheng watched two scenes. The seniors’ lines and acting skills were really good. She had to admit that the capable actors were really impressive.
Later, while the supporting actors were filming their scenes, she found a quiet place to prepare herself after watching one scene. She was also angry at herself. It was not a big deal. It was a romantic scene. Why could she not do it?
She started reading the script from the start. After reading it twice, she looked up and saw that there was no one else on the filming site. She was huddled in a corner, so no one had noticed her.
As soon as she put away the script, she received a call from Chen Mo, who was asking where she was. Had she eaten? If she had not come down to eat, he would get someone to bring her.
“Director Chen, there’s no need. I can have some food by myself. Have a good time.” When Ling Sheng heard Chen Mo’s voice, her heart sank even more.
He had told her not to make him doubt her acting skills or his taste. Actually, the mental pressure he felt should be greater than hers. An actor he had thought highly of would not be able to complete her filming schedule.
There were two small roads from the film site to the place where she was staying. It was nearly nine at night, and there was no one on the street. It was very quiet.
Ling Sheng was thinking about the plot as she walked. How could she film the scene to achieve the best effect? However, when she turned a corner, she saw a familiar figure.
Gu Shen was surrounded by a few gangsters as he lay on the ground. After the gangsters had taken away his valuables, they’d started to strip him of his clothes.
While walking back to the homestay residence, he had suddenly been attacked from behind with an electric baton. His body had gone soft and numb, rendering him unable to muster any energy. He could only watch helplessly as the group of hooligans robbed him. There was a dangerous and bloodthirsty look in his eyes as he gritted his teeth and said coldly, “Do you know who I am?”
Chapter 469: She’s My Girlfriend
“We don’t know.” The hooligans seemed quite interested when they actually replied. They were all local ruffians, so they didn’t care who the hell he was. No one knew him. After they removed his suit jacket, they saw that his shirt was also a designer brand. It was quite valuable. They started to pull off his shirt too.
Nowadays, when people went out, they did not bring cash. It was also too dangerous to withdraw money using a card. They could only find spendthrifts who wore branded clothes. If they stripped them completely, even their second-hand clothes could be sold for 100,000 to 200,000 yuan. That would be profit, especially in a place like this, where there were many tourists. They robbed tourists and not locals.
Gu Shen was full of anger. This was the first time in his life that he had been put in such a pathetic state by someone. They were a few ruffians to boot. It would be embarrassing if word got out. Upon seeing that the ruffians were about to take off his shirt, he gritted his teeth and forced out a few words. “I’ll go get you money. Return the clothes to me.”
A hooligan said, “Do you think we’re stupid? There are cameras everywhere.”
Gu Shen said, “Then I’ll transfer the money to you using my phone. How much do you want?”
The hooligan said, “A phone transfer? If the police find out about the phone transfer, we’ll be arrested. Kid, be obedient and stop coming up with stupid ideas.”
Gu Shen gritted his teeth, wanting to kill them. “I won’t call the police on you.”
The ruffians looked at each other, not believing him. They started tugging at his shirt buttons and his pants.
When Ling Sheng walked over, she faced this glaring scene. She pretended not to know him and put on her black hoodie. She shrank her body, planning to sneak past him quietly.
Gu Shen also saw Ling Sheng immediately. He did not know why, but even though she was very far away and had covered herself up tightly, he recognized her at first glance. Perhaps it was because she was so annoying that she had left a deep impression on him. However, he had no other choice at the moment. He looked at her for help and gestured for her to call the police.
Ling Sheng saw it, but why should she save him? She would not save him!
The people surrounding him were probably local hooligans who were taking off his clothes. If Zhou Zhou had not told them that it was not peaceful there at night, that there were frequent robberies, and that there had been cases of people snatching clothes and accessories in the past six months, she would have thought that Gu Shen had been pinned to the ground and gotten raped!
Gu Shen watched as she walked past him as though nothing had happened. When she walked past him, she even gave him the middle finger. He was instantly so infuriated that he forgot everything. He shouted, “Get money from her! She has money!”
Ling Sheng was dressed in black. The streetlights there were very dark, and there was a car blocking the way. The ruffians had not seen her. When they heard Gu Shen’s shout, they noticed Ling Sheng’s figure and immediately chased after her.
Ling Sheng ran, scolding Gu Shen’s 18 generations of ancestors in her heart. That b*stard. Why was he so shameless?
However, the hooligans had helpers. When they whistled, two more people ran out of the bushes opposite her and blocked her way.
Ling Sheng could not help but curse Gu Shen again. He was really scheming. He had dragged her down with him. As she looked at the hooligans in front of her, who had their hats very low, she deliberately lowered her voice. “Big Brothers, I didn’t see anything. I don’t know him.”
The two hooligans took a look at her. She was a skinny, small child, and her clothes were not designer goods. They were not worth much. They looked at each other, ready to let her go.
However, that b*stard Gu Shen started shouting again. “Don’t listen to her! She’s my girlfriend. She’s rich!”
Ling Sheng’s face was filled with vulgar disgust. Can I curse?
Chapter 470: I’ll Tear Your Cheap Mouth To Pieces!
There was a total of four hooligans. They took a look at Ling Sheng and saw she was a woman. “You’re his girlfriend?”
“Pfft! He’s spouting nonsense. I’m a man!” Ling Sheng’s voice sounded like the changing voice of a teenager. Her voice was hoarse as she took the money out of her wallet and passed it to them. “Brother, it’s already very late, yet you’re still out working. It has been a hard day for you. Take this and have some wine to warm up.”
Upon seeing that she was really not helping him, Gu Shen gritted his teeth in anger. His rationality was ignited by his anger, and his eyes turned red. “Ling Sheng! Her name is Ling Sheng. Look through her bag. She must have identification. I didn’t give her money when she asked me for money, so she wants to break up with me.”
Ling Sheng was so angry that she laughed. If you continue to spout nonsense, I’ll tear your cheap mouth to pieces!
The hooligans were planning to let her go, but upon hearing Gu Shen’s words, they looked at her and beckoned. “Let us see your wallet.”
Upon seeing Ling Sheng take her wallet and give it to the hooligans, Gu Shen suddenly regretted his impulsive decision to drag her down. If this group of hooligans attacked, would that stinky woman be beaten up?
Ling Sheng had already killed Gu Shen countless times in her heart. She walked forward with a smile, holding her wallet in her hand and pretending to hand it over. When she got close, she attacked at lightning speed and threw the hooligan in front of her over her shoulder.
At the same time, she snatched the stun baton in his hand and attacked again at lightning speed. She hit the hooligan beside her on the head.
With two strikes, her actions suave and clean, the two hooligans were taken down. This group of people were the hooligans of this area. They relied on their numbers and weapons to bully others. In terms of fighting skills, they were not skilled at all.
When he saw that she had finished off the two people, Gu Shen’s body started to regain its senses. Then, the two people behind her picked up their stun batons and dashed toward her. Her back was facing them, and her eyes darkened as she shouted, “Be careful!”
The moment Ling Sheng turned around, she bent down to dodge the attack. When she was about to attack again, she saw Xu Xi appear like a ghost. She did not know when he had suddenly appeared, but he kicked the two hooligans to the ground with two moves. They made no more sounds, and she did not know if they were dead or alive.
“Ms. Ling, are you alright?” Xu Xi asked, looking at the person in front of him respectfully.
“I’m fine.” Ling Sheng looked up and saw the man in the wheelchair rolling toward her. She suddenly heaved a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Gu Shen had already regained his senses. The few hooligans surrounding him had been beaten to the ground by him. They were groaning in pain, unable to breathe. He picked up his pants and jacket and put them on quickly. His handsome face was so dark that water could drip from it. He wished he could kill these hooligans to vent his anger.
“Third Master.” Ling Sheng smiled brightly and ran toward the man. In a soft, sweet voice, she asked, “When did you arrive?”
“Are you alright?” Jun Shiyan tugged at the young lady’s arm nervously and looked her up and down. When he did not find anything abnormal, he felt relieved. He held her cold hand tightly in his and frowned as he complained. “Why is your hand so cold?”
Ling Sheng squatted on the ground and looked up at the man’s gentle, worried eyes. She nodded her head foolishly and sniffled. “I thought this place was warmer than the capital.”
However, she realized that it was not very warm. The south was different from the dry and cold north. It was cold, and there was no heater in the house.
Jun Shiyan took off his coat and put it on her, his heart aching. He then sighed. “Don’t you know you should wear more clothes? What if you catch a cold?”