Chapter 629: Stop Shaking Like a Seizure
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Shen Xi believed that Li Jingran would present her best and most convincing acting in the TV series by portraying her true psychological state. Perhaps, it would be Li Jingran’s best performance ever.
Li Jingran really got into the character of Ning Pei as she dwelled in despair, agony, and suffering after facing a terminal illness diagnosis and betrayal from her husband and best friend.
Hu Zheng, the director, was pleased by the great acting from the film star, especially when she embodied the anguish of having all the life sucked out of her. Li Jingran portrayed the clouded mind and psychotic eyes to a T.
Although Lin Chan was not a fan of Li Jingran, she had to admit that Li Jingran had better insights in acting than her. Li Jingran was more into the character than before, bringing her acting to a whole new level. Lin Chan was personally convinced that this was Li Jingran’s best performance since her debut. Truth be told, she was a little jealous.
The rest of the cast and production crew shared the view that Li Jingran befitted the title of a film star, and they were blown away by her acting.
Back in the writer’s room, only Shen Xi was aware that this was no act. Li Jingran was merely being herself. Nevertheless, Shen Xi was satisfied that Li Jingran was able to do well on her TV series.
Shen Xi knew that Li Jingran would only bring the essence of the role to life in the following days. Once Li Jingran’s nerves were completely shattered, she would end up like Yuan Heng – devastated, anguished, stressed, mad, and hysterical.
Li Jingran should indulge in these emotions as it was her karma. Everything had only just begun.
It was a wrap for Li Jingran when night fell. Since it was busy on set, Hu Zheng played it nice by inviting her for a mini wrap party.
Li Jingran declined the offer and left in a scurry.
Su Ruowan was in two minds whether to feel relieved or worried now that Mom was gone. Mom had not been in the best state of mind in the past two days and refused to tell Su Ruowan what was going on.
However, Mom’s acting received the whole production crew’s stamp of approval after the first day. Apart from Lin Chan and the lot, everyone else stopped giving her the attitude.
The next day after Li Jingran had left, Shen Xi received a call from Yuan Yu in the afternoon saying that Li Jingran had spent a sum to hire a famous feng shui master from Harbor City. They went to exhume Yuan Heng’s grave.
“Xixi, are you psychic?” Yuan Yu was baffled. Shen Xi told Yuan Yu to take precautions as Li Jingran and Su Yi would prey on Mom’s grave.
“Don’t underestimate me. I can predict the future. That feng shui master from Harbor City is no match for me.” Shen Xi was not the least bit modest.
“Can you predict my lifespan?” Yuan Yu was aware that she dabbled in feng shui too. She went around the office to check out the layout when the company was first established. Shen Xi even circled a few places and gave specific instructions not to move them.
At the time, Yuan Yu thought she only knew a thing or two without delving deep into the subject. Moreover, since he grew up abroad, he did not take the art of feng shui seriously as he believed that hard work was more important than metaphysics.
Shen Xi had also never demonstrated talent in this aspect like reading feng shui for major clients or being invited by the rich to check feng shui layouts.
“That’s a hard one. I’ll be punished by God if I were to give away.” Shen Xi then added. “But don’t you worry. Your life will run its full course.”
Yuan Yu, “…”
The duo chatted for a while, but Yuan Yu laid off the questions about what she did to piss Li Jingran off that she resorted to digging up graves.
After hanging up, Shen Xi languidly leaned against the chair and watched Su Ruowan crawl out of the pool. Su Ruowan looked like a dainty flower swaying along with the freezing wind with that pale face and quivering body of hers.
Shen Xi’s thoughts wandered back to a long time ago when she was “accidentally” pushed into the pool during winter. Not knowing how to swim, Shen Xi nearly drowned while Su Muxuan stood there watching. He only called the maid to scoop her out of the water when she was on the verge of breathing her last.
She turned on the mic and said, “Mr. Hu, tell her that she fell into the pool on a hot summer’s day. Stop shaking like a seizure.”
Hu Zheng was in agreement as he was pretty unhappy about the acting himself. He turned to Su Ruowan and indignantly cried, “Again. Wanwan, get your head straight. Stop shaking. Stop shaking…”
He nearly blurted to stop shaking like a seizure but it was not very nice to say that to an actress and a girl for that matter.
“Sure.” Despite feeling worn out, Su Ruowan put on a delicate and compliant front to mask the brewing hatred within.
She had the drowning scene retaken more than a dozen times. The cold temperature lately was freezing her to the point that her teeth were chattering.
However, all Su Ruowan could do was put up with it. This was her break into the spotlight and her one shot to fame. She was not going to give up. No matter what, she must do well in the TV series.
Godd*mn Hu Zheng was picking on her by calling her out for the slightest dissatisfaction under the excuse of pursuing perfection. Su Ruowan was going to even the score and cancel him out of the entertainment business once she made a name for herself.
As for these people who made fun of her, Su Ruowan would remember their faces and come after them sooner or later. They shall feel her wrath.
After dozens of retakes, Su Ruowan turned numb and shiveringly kneeled on the ground while looking at Hu Zheng. She asked with a trembling voice, “Mr. Hu, do I do it again?”
In the writer’s room, Shen Xi told Hu Zheng, “Tell her that the first take’s the best.”
Hu Zheng was not having it. Nevertheless, he knew his way around showbiz long enough to dissociate himself from such comments. Hu Zheng earnestly conveyed the message. “Mr. Cloud Seven said that the first take’s the best. We’ll use the first take.”
These words came from Screenwriter Cloud Seven’s mouth rather than his anyway. For a measly director like him, it was best to refrain from upsetting people. What if one of them were to hit it big? He simply could not afford to displease anyone.
Su Ruowan was about to pass out from rage. Clenching onto the blanket around her, she tenderly and weakly smiled. “Thank you, Screenwriter Cloud Seven.”
The production team was aware that Screenwriter Cloud Seven was remotely watching the film in progress. However, this was the first time Hu Zheng mentioned his name. Was it Cloud Seven’s idea that she repeated the pool-jumping scene?
With resentment and fury rushing to her head, Su Ruowan had to brainwash herself that Cloud Seven must take a shine to her since he picked her to be in his TV series. The recurring takes were only for her own good and for the sake of honing her acting skills..
