Chi Feiran thought for a moment, then turned on the voice function and said, “Okay!”
After saying it, he mentally berated himself. Ugh! I promised to be diligent! Why can’t I resist temptation?
However, since Brother Rong is so amazing, with his guidance, things should go better, right? Although Brother Yuan also arranged a tutor for me to prepare for the exam… but Brother Rong is a film emperor!
Yes, the key is whether I can focus on studying!
Chi Feiran felt both excited and worried, his emotions all over the place. But one thing was certain: just after making the arrangement, he was already looking forward to meeting Rong Jin.
The first thing Rong Jin did to prepare for their meeting was to kick out the hungover Chang Haoqing early in the morning.
Anticipating yet another “hemorrhoid” episode, Chang Haoqing questioned from his soul, “Rong Jin, are you even human?!”
Rong Jin sighed and said, “There’s a joy in not being human…”
Chang Haoqing: “…”
Rong Jin shooed him away, “Hurry up, it’s just a few steps. Do you need me to help you over?”
It really wasn’t far, just the villa next door, which Rong Jin bought to entertain friends. It was always kept tidy and ready for guests, just a two-minute walk away, but Chang Haoqing was furious at Rong Jin’s attitude!
Chang Haoqing couldn’t tell if his headache was from the hangover or from Rong Jin. He felt that sympathizing with Rong Jin any further would be idiotic! This guy’s self-healing ability is off the charts! Practically a new human high, right?
After kicking Chang Haoqing out, Rong Jin started checking the refrigerator for ingredients. Afterward, he looked around the house for anything that needed tidying up. Once everything was in order, he checked himself in the mirror.
Finding himself decently presentable, he began waiting for Chi Feiran.
He didn’t dress up too much, not because he didn’t want to look better, but because he wanted to show his most natural self. Just like how he would be during an art exam, he maintained that state.
So when Chi Feiran arrived, he saw a very homely Rong Jin, just like on his birthday last time, which filled his heart with joy.
How wonderful it is to be able to naturally interact with someone you like…
Rong Jin greeted him at the door, and Chi Feiran tried to suppress the overly bright smile on his face before asking, “Where’s Brother Chang?”
Rong Jin: “…”
Rong Jin was puzzled. Why does this kid always ask about Chang Haoqing? What’s the deal?
Rong Jin almost said that Chang Haoqing’s hemorrhoids were acting up again, but recalling his state from yesterday, his conscience kicked in, and he said, “He’s away to give you more freedom.”
Chi Feiran had just asked out of politeness, knowing they lived together, it felt rude not to ask. Hearing Rong Jin’s explanation, he felt a bit embarrassed, “You specially sent Brother Chang out? That’s too much trouble for him.”
Rong Jin shook his head, “It’s close by, and it’s more comfortable for him too. Don’t worry about it, come with me.”
While sending Chang Haoqing away was mainly for some alone time, it was also for Chang Haoqing’s sake. If he stayed, it would be awkward for all, and keeping him cooped up in a room was no good either. So, it was better for him to be out. But there was no need to explain all this to the kid.
Rong Jin had a dedicated practice room, though rarely used. It was like a dance studio, with mirrors on the walls and cameras at different angles, offering a more thorough setup than professional shoots.
Rong Jin said, “To portray a character, you need more than facial expressions and tone of voice, which you probably understand well. The rest is body language. What kind of stance should a person have? What small actions? Many things you need to figure out yourself. Scripts often give you a flat character; you need to add your understanding. Got it?”
Chi Feiran nodded obediently, quickly jotting notes, his eyes shining as he awaited more guidance.
Seeing Chi Feiran’s eager eyes made Rong Jin a bit flustered. He coughed lightly, regaining his composure, and took Chi Feiran’s notes, reviewing them. He found Chi Feiran’s earnestness incredibly endearing.
Maintaining his mentor persona, Rong Jin pointed out Chi Feiran’s biggest flaw, “Though you have talent and can easily immerse yourself in a role, your problem is that without sufficient context, you can’t get into character. Improvised scenes, with just fragments and no one to play off, make it clear you’re acting.”
Knowing you’re “acting” either makes you too restrained or overly exaggerated in an unnatural way.
Rong Jin continued, “You could portray Chu Bai partly because you had a complete, detailed script, and also because…”
He paused, meeting Chi Feiran’s gaze.
Chi Feiran felt his face heat up, a sweetness welling up inside, and he seriously continued, “Because of you, Brother Rong.”
Rong Jin felt himself floating even more.
Originally trying to maintain a somewhat serious tone, his voice involuntarily softened: “But I won’t always be there, and you won’t always have a detailed script.”
Some renowned directors don’t provide detailed scripts, only a rough outline, adjusting the story as they film. If Chi Feiran can’t overcome this flaw, he’ll struggle with such directors or with highly confidential scripts where actors only receive their own scenes.
Rong Jin said, “You need to construct characters yourself, imagining more based on limited information.”
He summarized, “To be a good actor, you must first be uninhibited and shameless, and secondly, quick-witted, because during live performances, you need to adjust on the fly.”
Chi Feiran unconsciously applied these words to Rong Jin. Hearing him say “uninhibited and shameless,” he couldn’t help but glance at Rong Jin’s face, feeling like laughing but knowing it would be inappropriate since Rong Jin was seriously teaching him.
Rong Jin noticed Chi Feiran’s small actions and, being very open and somewhat indulgent, said, “Yes, I’m particularly uninhibited and shameless. Go ahead and laugh.”
Whenever Chi Feiran was around Rong Jin, his laughter threshold was low. With Rong Jin’s permission, he burst into laughter, unable to stop, especially when meeting Rong Jin’s amused gaze.
Chi Feiran laughed so hard he couldn’t stand up straight, feeling his stomach hurt. Rong Jin reached out to steady him, and for a moment, it felt like a hug.
The mirrors around them captured this scene vividly, causing Chi Feiran to stop laughing, his eyes still on Rong Jin, sensing something spreading in the air.
But Rong Jin quickly withdrew his hand and said, “Now that you’ve laughed, it’s time for the lesson.”
Chi Feiran felt a bit disappointed but quickly regained his spirits, determined to show Rong Jin he was serious about improving.
Thus, one focused on teaching and the other on learning diligently, an unbelievable scenario to outsiders.
Chi Jun would be the first to doubt it, thinking his son, after this period of studying, was finally going to relax before the exams.
Chris would be the second to doubt it, always feeling something was off with Rong Jin, but all the background checks on him came back normal.
Chris pondered over the results, finding them too normal! Something felt wrong.
Then Chris realized the most abnormal thing was that a man, a normal man, had no explicit content on his computer! No browsing history either!
Chris asked his subordinate, “Are you sure this is it? Nothing else?”
The subordinate confidently confirmed, saying he was a professional, and such ordinary people’s computers were as easy to access as an open door.
Chris remained skeptical, frustrating the subordinate who said, “Sir, this job was effortless. You didn’t ask for any classified information, just some… ordinary data.”
He didn’t even bother using the term “personal privacy,” finding it laughable.
Chris felt he needed someone better, someone with strong technical skills but also better intuition. He then fretted about how to explain to his brother that Rong Jin seemed suspicious. He couldn’t say it was because there was no explicit content on his computer. What if Ethan thought this meant Rong Jin was excessively righteous?
Should he claim Rong Jin had violent tendencies? That would incriminate himself since he promised Ethan to stop meddling.
Edmund watched his eldest son fretting and found it amusing, asking, “What are you trying to do?”
Chris naturally replied, “Of course, I’m investigating Rong thoroughly.”
Edmund then asked, “And then?”
Chris pursed his lips, silent with a stern expression.
Edmund shook his head lightly, “You’re too impatient and serious. Even if you find something, Ethan might understand but he won’t be happy. Instead of fretting over finding nothing, focus on what you should do.”
Chris frowned, “So we just let it be?”
Edmund knocked on the table displeased, “What do you mean ‘just let it be?’ You’re not dead. You can be vigilant and take precautions, but the best way for Ethan to see if this relationship is suitable is to experience it himself.”
Chris furrowed his brows even tighter. “What if…”
Edmund looked at him calmly, “Then he’ll be more cautious in his next relationship.”
Chris was silent for a moment before asking, “So, we stop investigating?”
Edmund thought his eldest son was excellent in every aspect, except when it came to family matters, he tended to become flustered. The impatience usually hidden behind his cool demeanor would surface entirely. Edmund, with patience, said, “How can you have a clear understanding if you don’t investigate? But remember, no one is flawless. Don’t interfere too much, or you’ll just become someone people dislike.”
Chris was significantly sobered by this statement. He finally calmed down and said, “Yes, I understand, Father.”
Edmund nodded. “Good. So, we should consider how to let Ethan spend more time with his beloved. I believe my observation is correct; that Rong guy definitely has feelings for our little prince. If they spend more time together, who knows, they might just hit it off.”
Chris: “…”
Meanwhile, Rong Jin, unaware of the upcoming wave of support, was forcing himself to focus on teaching Chi Feiran.
Chi Feiran was indeed a good student, making visible progress. While it wasn’t that his acting had suddenly become outstanding, his ability to grasp concepts quickly made teaching rewarding. Students who could understand immediately were always endearing to teachers.
What Chi Feiran currently lacked was more practice and a broader range of experience.
Rong Jin asked, “Have you been looking at new scripts?”
Chi Feiran nodded, “But I haven’t found anything suitable yet.”
Rong Jin smiled, “Don’t rush. Good scripts aren’t always available, especially given your current age, which limits the roles you can play.”
Chi Feiran still had a very youthful appearance, restricting him from many roles. The teen drama genre hadn’t evolved much over the past decade, still revolving around uninspiring themes. Rong Jin couldn’t understand why, even after so many years, these scripts continued to depict unmotivated stories, leading to the criticism that a teen drama wasn’t complete without some sort of angst.
Rong Jin felt that the most painful part of his own teenage years was acting in those lousy teen movies. Just thinking about it made him wince.
Chi Feiran probably also remembered the uninspiring movies Rong Jin had acted in at his age, showing a slightly complicated expression.
Rong Jin ruffled his hair, “Don’t laugh.”
Telling someone not to laugh while he himself was already laughing was somewhat contradictory. Chi Feiran remembered how he had written so many unmotivated songs, feeling an urge to travel back in time to change it all.
Chi Feiran joined in the laughter with him. After enough chit-chat, Rong Jin resumed the paused video, saying, “Let’s get back to this scene…”
Speaking earnestly, Chi Feiran sat closely next to him, occasionally jotting down notes. Halfway through, Rong Jin turned to him and asked, “Do you understand?”
Chi Feiran happened to turn his head as well. Being so close, their faces almost touched, and they could clearly feel each other’s breath.
With their liked one’s face so near, they could see themselves reflected in each other’s eyes. Every detail seemed magnified at that moment—their breathing first, followed by their pounding heartbeats.
The air seemed to be filled with a sweet, intoxicating scent. Chi Feiran, in a daze, wondered if his heartbeat was too loud, worrying if Rong Jin could hear it.
Rong Jin felt a dry thirst; he only needed to move a little closer, just a little more, and he could… he could…
