Chang Haoqing sneered and said, “That’s because Director Jin is too avant-garde.”
It’s common for big directors to have various quirks, and Jin is an outstanding example. Not liking to use stunt doubles is something many directors dislike, but sometimes actors going without doubles can jeopardize the safety and progress of the entire production.
Regarding the script, even before the official shooting began, it had already undergone two revisions.
Chang Haoqing recalled seeing the screenwriters of their crew during the day, looking like wandering souls, a clear indication of how much they were being tormented.
All of this was because Director Jin’s ideas were too avant-garde. The mindset of a great director and artist can be challenging for ordinary people to keep up with.
Chang Haoqing remembered Jin’s requirements for casting the character Chu Bai, saying it should be someone who “grows in a heap of gold and jade, with a beautiful and cultured interior.”
Several assistant directors responsible for casting brainstormed for a while and thought the character should appear noble and cultured. Considering the age requirements, they listed quite a few candidates.
Then, they started inviting actors for auditions, including popular young actors and students from performing arts schools.
Originally, it was a supporting role with only a few minutes of screen time. With proper lighting and post-production work, any good-looking kid would suffice.
However, Jin was dissatisfied with all of them. On one occasion, he even went too far, rolling his eyes in front of the auditioning stars and their managers, making a child cry on the spot.
Chang Haoqing witnessed that scene and thought it’s fortunate that this old man has a high position, and his films are all hits. Otherwise, with such antics, even the investors wouldn’t tolerate him.
Ignoring Chang Haoqing’s words, Rong Jin continued to read the newly revised script.
After a brief glance, Rong Jin could tell that Jin hadn’t given up. He didn’t want to remove the character Chu Bai, but in this new version of the script, Chu Bai’s role was further refined.
Rong Jin said, “It’s very likely that we’ll have to find the right actor as we go along.”
Chang Haoqing: “…”
Then, just as Rong Jin had guessed, they indeed started finding actors while shooting.
Because Director Jin insisted on not removing the character, all scenes related to Chu Bai were postponed.
It had been almost two months since the shooting began. Due to the difficulty in finding the right actor, Director Jin’s mood became particularly irritable, affecting the entire atmosphere on set.
It was common for actors to be scolded, but when Jin spoke, he left no room for face. He would grab a megaphone and shout in front of the monitor, “Can you still act? If not, get someone else!”
Rong Jin also couldn’t escape criticism, but the way he was scolded was different from others.
Jin’s furious roar, “Rong Jin! Can’t you give others a way out? Can you die if you don’t suppress the scenes? Look at how terrible this filming is!”
Rong Jin calmly stood in front of the monitor, watching the playback. “Too excellent, can’t help it.”
Jin choked on his words, almost out of breath.
Rong Jin asked him, “Are we continuing to shoot?”
Looking at Rong Jin’s face, Jin had a thousand words in his heart, but he was afraid to speak, fearing a comeback from Rong Jin. He felt even more uncomfortable, and his bearded face turned liver-colored.
Rong Jin persisted, “Hmm?”
Reluctantly, Jin blurted out, “…Cut! Continue tomorrow!”
Rong Jin said, “I’m leaving,” and then he really left.
Jin: “…”
Chang Haoqing followed Rong Jin back to the tent, starting to complain as soon as they entered, “Be careful not to make him sick from anger! If he dies of anger, who will direct the film?”
Rong Jin, while opening his computer, replied, “There are several assistant directors.”
Chang Haoqing: “…”
Chang Haoqing felt that he shouldn’t worry about Director Jin for now. If anyone were to die from Rong Jin’s anger, he would be the first victim.
While he was still irritated, Rong Jin had already opened the gaming interface.
Chang Haoqing: “…Have you memorized the new script lines, or are you just playing games?”
Yes, even though filming had started, Director Jin was still tormenting the screenwriters, making changes on the fly.
Rong Jin, playing the game, replied, “Want me to recite a passage for you?”
Chang Haoqing felt that he shouldn’t stay in the tent anymore; otherwise, he might experience what it means for one person’s success to infuriate another.
He thought that life was unfair. Why did some people have such a different mindset?
Rong Jin, with a different mindset, was actually quite similar to ordinary people most of the time.
For example, when eating, he liked watching videos.
Chang Haoqing sat with him, watching videos while eating, “What are we watching today?”
Rong Jin scrolled through the recommendations and clicked on one, “Music Festival.”
While they relaxed, eating and watching videos, backstage at the music festival, there was a tense atmosphere.
Li Yuan said, “Don’t be nervous; it’s just like the rehearsal, nothing to fear.”
Chen Mengyang added, “Relax! Feiran, you sing well! No need to be afraid!”
Zhou Ya, not good at comforting, simply said, “Good luck.”
Unable to hold back a laugh, Feiran comforted them back, “I’m really not nervous!”
In fact, he was a bit nervous, but seeing the three of them more nervous than himself, Feiran’s slight unease became less noticeable.
Having participated in some competitions since childhood and gone through a few rehearsals, Feiran was confident that he could successfully complete his debut performance.
Time seemed to pass both quickly and slowly.
When the host announced his name, the stage lights dimmed. As in the rehearsals, Feiran sat in front of the piano in the darkness.
His fingers touched the keys, and after taking a deep breath, he waited for the prelude.
Rong Jin, looking at the computer screen displaying the song and singer information, read, “Secret Love,” performed by Feiran.
In the hazy light and shadow, a figure sitting at the piano was illuminated.
The contours were exceptionally beautiful.
Rong Jin’s attention was captivated.
As the lights gradually brightened, the overly handsome profile of the young man appeared on the screen.
With slightly lowered eyelids, long eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings. His fair and slender fingers slowly pressed the piano keys to the accompaniment of the prelude.
Rong Jin heard him softly singing, “Your color is like endless summer…”
The young man’s voice was gentle, like a whisper in the ear, a melancholic and romantic love song.
Chang Haoqing was dumbfounded, listening in astonishment. He whispered, “Damn…”
Rong Jin abruptly stood up, picked up his laptop, and walked out.
Chang Haoqing was almost scared to death. Watching him leave, he hurriedly shouted, “Where are you going?”
Ignoring him completely, Rong Jin took big strides. With his long legs, he disappeared in just a few steps.
Chang Haoqing jumped around behind him and ran out.
Rong Jin, holding the computer, barged into Director Jin’s tent. Jin was probably tormenting the screenwriters again, skipping meals and supervising them like an invigilator while they worked on the script.
Jin looked up in surprise when Rong Jin came in with a computer, wondering, “Are you here to play games with me?”
With a thud, Rong Jin placed the computer on the table in front of him and pointed at the screen, where Feiran was performing.
Jin, hearing the name “Chu Bai,” suddenly lost interest in everything else. He quickly fumbled to open the video.
Several writers, who had been tormented, also gathered around to watch. In the video, a stunningly handsome young man played the piano and sang softly.
The singing was heart-wrenching, almost bringing tears.
Jin stared at Feiran until the song ended. Not satisfied with just that, he rewound the video to watch it again from the beginning.
After watching it several times back and forth, Jin exhaled and said, “Let him audition!”
Rong Jin smiled, picked up his computer, and left as suddenly as he had come.
The tormented writers were left in shock. Jin, however, was furious: “Leave the computer for me! How am I supposed to watch it if you take it away!”
Rong Jin replied from outside, “Find it yourself!”
Jin was on the verge of grabbing something to fight him, but fortunately, one of the faster writers had already pulled up the video of the music festival.
They really didn’t want to change the script anymore!
Please, God, let this handsome guy play Chu Bai!
If they had to make more changes, they might just drop dead!
Then, at the critical moment when Feiran was about to release his mini-album, Li Yuan received a call from the crew of “Heroic Spirit.”
Li Yuan hung up the phone, suspecting it was a scam. How could he have received a call from the crew of Director Jin just a day after appearing at the music festival?
Was that even scientifically possible?
Li Yuan was skeptical and carefully inquired if the big boss had pulled any strings. But the big boss claimed to have done nothing.
Feiran found it strange when he heard about it, “Me? Acting in a movie?”
Li Yuan nodded, feeling indescribable. If luck came, it couldn’t be stopped. After all, this kid had been noticed by a famous director after just one music festival performance. It was unfair if he didn’t become popular!
Feiran hadn’t even participated in the school drama club, and his theatrical experience traced back to the children’s play he performed in kindergarten.
Feiran said, “I might not be…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Li Yuan said with great enthusiasm, “Act! You must act!”
