Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Thanks to Xing Ye’s words, Pei Chuzhi had nightmares the entire night.

In the dream, the movie she starred in was released, and the first-day box office was less than fifty thousand, so bleak that the entire company was covered in gloom.

The next day her parents came to Yancheng, saying they wanted to watch their daughter’s first starring movie. She took them around all the cinemas in Yancheng, only to be told by ticket sellers, “Sorry, no one is watching this movie at all, so the producers plan to withdraw it directly.”

The most terrifying part was that the internet was flooded with ridicule of her overestimating herself. Even Xing Ye posted on Weibo: 【If I scatter some grass on the ground and grab a sheep as the lead, it could carry the box office better than you.】

At the end of the dream, she had no choice but to tearfully leave the industry, pack her luggage, and roll back to her hometown with her parents in disgrace.

“Too scary. You can’t imagine how real that dream was. When I woke up I was still sad—how could Xing Ye say I wasn’t even as good as a sheep?”

The next morning, Pei Chuzhi narrated her thrilling nightmare to Xu Lei while eating breakfast.

Xu Lei held her sandwich and thought for a moment. “Although… if a cinema showed a sheep eating grass, I might really be willing to watch it. It sounds quite healing.”

Pei Chuzhi froze, looked down at the vegetable salad in her bowl, and after thinking for a moment said, “But sheep don’t need assistants. Do you have a veterinary license? If not, you might lose your job.”

“…How could a sheep compare to our Zhizhi’s peerless beauty.”

Xu Lei, like grass bending with the wind, immediately changed her tone. “And logically speaking, if Teacher Xing can invest movie resources for you, just act in it. Even if it loses money, it’s your boyfriend’s money—what’s there to fear.”

The key issue was that he wasn’t her boyfriend.

Pei Chuzhi couldn’t say her suffering and could only silently pray that Xing Ye’s words last night were drunken nonsense or just acting along.

After breakfast, the two went downstairs to prepare to leave.

Because Xing Ye had to finish all his scenes within four days, the shooting schedule for these days was very full.

When Pei Chuzhi walked out of the lobby, the sky hadn’t brightened yet, with a few scattered stars in the distance.

Probably because of yesterday’s public buildup, when she saw Xing Ye’s car waiting outside for her, she didn’t feel any waves inside, only secretly sighing that the Best Actor was indeed dedicated.

Compared to Pei Chuzhi’s calmness, Xu Lei was far less composed.

She sat nervously in the front passenger seat, greeted Xiao Zhou who was driving, and then didn’t dare turn her neck backward even slightly.

Xing Ye sat in the back inner seat, his long legs curled inward, exuding a sleepy and indifferent aura.

Pei Chuzhi got into the car and tugged her scarf down slightly. “Please guide me today.”

Xing Ye lazily lowered his eyes, sweeping over the pair of soft-looking flats on her feet in the dim view, and asked in a low voice, “Will you change into high heels when we get to the set?”

“I don’t know, maybe.”

Pei Chuzhi wasn’t sure either, only remembering that the script had a detailed full-shot description of Jiang Nanyan pushing the door open.

Xing Ye gave an “mm” and didn’t speak again.

Pei Chuzhi hadn’t slept well last night, so seeing this she quietly settled down.

Today’s filming was all indoor studio scenes. The environment was much more comfortable than yesterday—at least there was no wind, and the temperature inside was warmer than outside.

After Pei Chuzhi arrived at the studio, the stylist brought her today’s outfit.

When she saw the glittering thin high heels, she felt her ankle ache faintly.

The stylist was also considerate. “Change shoes right before shooting. Let your assistant hold them so they don’t get lost.”

Xu Lei came over, stuffed the heels into her backpack, and after the stylist left whispered, “Aren’t you mostly sitting in the bar? If they don’t shoot your lower body, it should be fine, right?”

Pei Chuzhi replied through the dressing room door, “Maybe the director wants perfection?”

“Can’t we give suggestions? Even letting a stand-in shoot some shots would work.”

Xu Lei said this with some heartache. She knew Pei Chuzhi had sprained her ankle; although it wasn’t too serious, it would be better to suffer less.

Pei Chuzhi smiled silently in the dressing room.

Being an actor, to put it bluntly, was like this. On the surface it looked glamorous, but filming always involved hardship.

She was relatively lucky; she hadn’t encountered situations like filming in cold water during her period.

A few minutes later, she changed clothes and came out, pinching Xu Lei’s cheek. “Don’t be mad. Think about it—I’m just a little nobody. Do you want people to say I’m being pretentious and acting like a big shot?”

After the entire styling was finished, Pei Chuzhi had once again become Jiang Nanyan.

Arrogant yet charming, she looked beautiful enough to appear on a magazine cover at any moment—unfortunately, the pair of flats on her feet ruined the overall effect.

She walked into the studio, found a chair and sat down, then asked Xu Lei to take out the high heels, waiting for the director’s notice.

Not long after, Xing Ye also entered the studio.

It was his first official filming in the crew, and he was surrounded by staff from front to back.

Besides that, many actors who originally had no scenes in the morning also slowly arrived, all wanting to see up close how he acted.

Pei Chuzhi didn’t go over to join the excitement.

She only tilted her head and looked toward the place surrounded by spotlights, absentmindedly thinking—when would she also become someone whose every move attracted countless gazes.

While she was lost in thought, Xing Ye glanced at her from afar in the crowd.

Then he said a few words to the director beside him.

She was too far away to hear his voice.

Pei Chuzhi only saw that the director seemed somewhat hesitant, but after Xing Ye’s lips moved a few more times, he nodded firmly and instructed the assistant director behind him.

The assistant director jogged over to Pei Chuzhi, wearing a flattering smile. “Zhizhi, uh, for the next few days we won’t shoot full-body shots. Since your foot isn’t convenient, just don’t change shoes. We’ll reshoot the necessary shots after your foot recovers.”

Pei Chuzhi didn’t need to think to guess that Xing Ye had spoken for her just now.

She smiled gratefully. “Won’t it affect the schedule?”

“No, no,” the assistant director waved his hands repeatedly. “Everyone takes care of each other. It’s only right.”

Xu Lei puffed her cheeks quietly beside them.

Thinking, why didn’t you think about taking care of her the past few days?

But she could only keep that thought to herself—saying it out loud would only bring negativity to Pei Chuzhi and wouldn’t help at all.

So when Pei Chuzhi told her to order some afternoon tea for the crew later, she obediently agreed.

“So Xing Ye really treats you well,” Xu Lei returned the high heels, then squatted beside Pei Chuzhi and sighed. “So jealous. When will I find a boyfriend who’s this handsome and this attentive?”

Pei Chuzhi helplessly patted her shoulder.

Sorry, actually I haven’t found one either.

After on-site adjustments ended, the director told Pei Chuzhi to sit on the bar’s high stool.

She slowly climbed onto it, propping her elbow on the bar, and blinked at Xing Ye—who was dressed as a bartender—inside. “Thanks.”

To match Jiang Nanyan’s character, her eye makeup today was heavier. The dark brown small smoky look extended the line of her eye corners, and her already long, thick eyelashes had an extra layer of false lashes, making her bright eyes even more alluring.

With just a slight blink, it seemed as if countless stars were hidden in her eyes.

The dark green off-shoulder shirt she wore perfectly displayed her swan-like neck and right-angled shoulders, glowing dazzlingly white under the strong lights.

Even with the most critical gaze, no flaws could be found.

Beautiful like a one-of-a-kind work of art.

Xing Ye lowered his voice. “Small matter. Act well later.”

“I do want to act well,” Pei Chuzhi smiled and pointed behind her at the onlookers. “But since I entered the industry, this is the first time I’ve seen so many people gathered on set. Even though everyone’s here for you, why does it feel like all the pressure is on me?”

The director was already shouting through a megaphone, “Departments in position,” and the studio, which had been noisy, suddenly fell silent.

Xing Ye looked at her, lips slightly parted, silently saying four words: 【Believe in yourself.】

Pei Chuzhi froze for a moment, then returned him a smile.

When filming officially began, Pei Chuzhi finally experienced how professional Xing Ye was.

This felt completely different from when they shot commercials together before. Commercial filming emphasized good composition—put simply, the actors’ physical interactions had to have tension.

During film and television shooting, every glance between actors, every micro-expression, even the tone of each line, all require mutual coordination.

Xing Ye usually gave people an impression strong enough, often making others feel as if they might be crushed by him.

But when he acted with someone, that sharp, aggressive edge completely disappeared.

He didn’t blindly display his own acting skills; instead, he politely left room for his scene partner to perform as well.

Pei Chuzhi found it hard to describe this feeling in words, only feeling that acting with him was an extremely comfortable experience.

She didn’t need to worry about her lack of experience making her appear timid in front of an actor of Best Actor caliber. She only needed to wholeheartedly trust him, then follow the rhythm he set and act naturally.

People say third-rate actors pull people out of the scene, second-rate actors are good at acting, but only first-rate actors can help their partners act well too.

The whole process went exceptionally smoothly, and neither of them had many NGs.

When filming the last scene of the morning, Xing Ye placed a glass of milk by her hand. His slightly messy bangs couldn’t hide the pity in his eyes, and his words were gentle to the bone.

“Go back and sleep. When you wake up tomorrow, everything will have passed.”

Pei Chuzhi’s nose stung. At that moment, she truly believed she was Jiang Nanyan, heartbroken.

And the person before her, a chance acquaintance, was telling her in his own way that no matter how painful or aggrieved it was, after she came to her senses, one day she would be able to let everything go.

She didn’t need to deliberately set any emotion. She only needed to sit quietly there, reach out to hold the glass tightly, and tears silently moistened her eyelashes.

Pei Chuzhi’s voice choked. “I…”

She only said one word when a crystal-clear tear slowly fell.

The director in front of the monitor clenched his fists, cheering wildly in his heart.

That tear fell perfectly!

If it hadn’t fallen, it wouldn’t have been moving enough; if too many fell, her sadness would seem cheap. Most importantly, even the timing was just right—it appeared precisely at the moment before her words finished.

At this time, no one in the crew knew that after this shot aired, it would be praised by fans as the classic “most beautiful tearful moment.”

The camera was still capturing the two actors.

Xing Ye frowned and stared at the tear marks on Pei Chuzhi’s face, a very irritable emotion spreading in his heart.

Following the script, he picked up her phone and waved it in front of her. After unlocking it with face recognition, he directly found Ji Xining in the recent contacts and dialed.

He counted the beats in his mind, pretending the phone rang a few times before speaking. “Come take your woman away.”

After saying that, he loosened his hand and tossed the phone back onto the bar.

“Cut—”

The director stood up awkwardly, rubbing his hands. “Um, Teacher Xing, there was a bit of a problem just now. You were a bit too fierce when making the call, and the last toss of the phone was a bit too heavy.”

He thought Xing Ye didn’t understand the character well and explained seriously, “You don’t like her, so seeing her cry shouldn’t make you angry.”

“…”

Xing Ye was silent for a moment, then cleared his throat. “Sorry, let’s do another take.”

Author’s note: There will be another chapter around 12:30. Those who sleep early can read it tomorrow after waking up~

For those who like ancient-style romance, I recommend my good friend Zhan Zhuangzhuang’s novel “This Dog Thing of His Majesty”!

Ancient-style comedic couple’s warm daily life! Quality guaranteed, no regrets entering the pit!

Straightforward female lead who fights when she says she will VS male lead who says one thing and means another, a bit dramatic

Synopsis:

The late emperor died after falling from his horse during a hunting trip. Prince Yong, Yan Chengjian, was appointed in the crisis and ascended the throne.

Zhuang Caiwei, who had originally been betrothed to Prince Yong, naturally became the future empress.

Unexpectedly, after Yan Chengjian ascended the throne, when faced with memorials from court officials urging marriage, he wrote a long reply.

The general meaning was eight words: I am still young; I won’t marry for now.

Madam Zhuang asked her daughter in distress: “Girl, what exactly does His Majesty mean?”

Zhuang Caiwei sneered. “Dog thing. Isn’t he just thinking about that white lotus in his heart? No marriage, then no marriage—like I care about him?”

Yan Chengjian: “Wife, I was wrong. Wife, please care about me. Woof woof!”