Chapter 31: Did You Play Me Just Now?
On the first day of the cast's arrival on set, Director Xue didn't rush the actors into leaving the scene.
Dozens of actors and staff stood together and bowed to a censer, which was regarded as the opening ceremony.
After lunch, they entered the dressing room one by one to prepare for the still photo shoot later.
At this moment, Shen Qingzhi was sitting in front of the mirror, watching the stylist's skillful hands writhe over her face.
She was born with exquisite and bright facial features, which naturally fit seven to eight points with the image of Feng Yasong in the play.
The stylist didn't need to pay extra attention to color enhancement and concealment. She just added a forehead ornament to match the characteristics of the ethnic Yuan Clan
"Tsk tsk tsk, Teacher Shen is really beautiful. I haven't had so much fun with this face and skin for a long time."
The stylist lady was obviously very satisfied with Shen Qingzhi's face, she praised it five times in half an hour.
Shen Qingzhi has often been praised for her beauty since she was a child, but it is rare to see someone as enthusiastic as the stylist.
For some reason, she felt that her skin had become thinner recently.
"It's because you are good at crafting, but it makes me a little ticklish."
The stylist chuckled as she brushed Shen Qingzhi's face with a soft brush and said, "The makeup on your face will be done in no time, and then we'll move on to the hairstyle. I'm not intentionally applying makeup endlessly just because your skin is delicate."
The makeup on Shen Qingzhi's face was done fairly quickly, but it took more time to get her hair done.
The character of Feng Yasong, in order to reflect the innocence and romance in the early stage, she had to don a small braid, which was cumbersome.
Originally, the crew had prepared wigs for such a complicated hairstyle, but Director Xue's eyes lit up when she saw her unusually thick light blonde hair.
"How about we use your real hair? Look at your natural hair color, you even save on dyeing, and real hair looks more natural."
Shen Qingzhi had no objection, which caused her to spend at least an hour braiding her hair every time she put on makeup.
"Look, how do you feel?"
The stylist's words woke Shen Qingzhi up from a nap, and she looked at herself in the mirror: a youthful nude makeup look, with all her hair braided into distinct layers of small twists. Her smooth and fair forehead was exposed, making the vivid red floral hairpin on her temple even more striking.
It is clearly the same facial features, but it feels like a different person.
Already at a youthful age, but she was instantly reduced by several years by the stylist, making her look like a minor.
She nodded, thinking to herself: I never thought I'd see the day when I'd embrace looking younger.
People in ancient times looked generally young, and she is not the only one who needs to pretend to be youthful.
Gu Jinrong will turn 30 in a few months, and she is quite comfortable playing the role of Cang Xingyun, who is nine years younger than her actual age, and she seemed to adapt effortlessly.
She was already living a healthy life and taking good care of herself, so no one would doubt that she is a girl in her early twenties in terms of skin condition alone.
It's just that her temperament is mature and steady, and she can be seen as a person with a story at first glance, without the disposition of a young woman.
But for an international actress, showing a different temperament is not a problem at all.
The stylist quickly gave her a light and youthful makeup for the period drama.
Cang Xingyun is either studying or practicing martial arts all day long, with less makeup and powder, and the whole person needs to give people a cool and distant feeling.
Gu Jinrong's captivating eyes were naturally coquettish. The stylist spent a considerable time applying makeup around her eyes, and during their eye contact, she was inadvertently captivated.
"Teacher Gu, could you wear colored contact lenses?"
Gu Jinrong looked into the mirror, and her expression was restrained. Her demeanor instantly changed from electrifying allure to indifference.
"Do I still need to wear colored contact lenses?"
The stylist was shocked by the sudden change of face at the scene, and shook her head again and again, "No need, no need."
Is this the eye skills? Like switching colored contact lenses in one second.
Compared with Shen Qingzhi's full head of braids, Gu Jinrong's hairstyle is just a bun tied with silk rope, with a tail of hair on each side of the forehead, it was tied up in a few minutes.
She changed into a pure white brocade gown and went into the studio to take a photo of her makeup.
Before her, there were several supporting actors who had finished taking photos, but everyone was in no hurry to leave, and they all stood here wanting to catch a glimpse of the leading actress in advance.
When Gu Jinrong appeared in the studio, there were whispers from all around.
With picturesque facial features and white clothes better than snow, it seemed that Cang Xingyun really walked out of the book at that moment.
Gu Jinrong scanned the surroundings, raised her eyes to look around, but didn't see any familiar figure and felt a little disappointed.
Every time two photos are taken, she can't help but glance at the crowd, and then sigh silently in her heart. "Teacher Gu, look over here."
The photographer's words pulled Gu Jinrong back from her trance, she regained her composure, her face regained her indifferent expression, and she focused on cooperating with the shooting.
When Shen Qingzhi came to the studio, she happened to bump into Gu Jinrong who was taking the last set of solo photos.
This was her first time seeing someone up close in their period costume. The look she was used to seeing at home felt somewhat different in this moment.
From her angle, she could only see Gu Jinrong's profile. Despite the apparent coldness of her expression, it inexplicably carried a hint of gentleness.
With her long, cascading hair and pristine white attire, it was as if time had been suddenly rewound to nine years ago. At that time, Gu Jinrong had been as pure as a gardenia flower, unlike how she turned out later on...
Anyway, that person is concentrating on taking pictures, so it doesn't matter if she takes a second look.
Shen Qingzhi thought it was safe to hide in the crowd, and looked at her unscrupulously.
"Teacher Gu, this is a really good shot."
As soon as the photographer finished speaking, Gu Jinrong turned her head unexpectedly and caught Shen Qingzhi's peeping gaze.
Shen Qingzhi lowered her head subconsciously, and then realized that she looked guilty of being like this, so she quickly raised her neck and met Gu Jinrong's eyes that seemed to be smiling but not smiling.
She was really guilty at the moment, and her face was burning tightly, but now she had no other choice but to stiffen her neck.
She didn't know how long she had maintained this look, but when she was secretly racking her brains to find a reason for her voyeurism, the photographer stepped forward holding the camera.
"Teacher Shen, you came at a good time. Why don't we take a photo of you and Teacher Gu for a couple shot now."
Shen Qingzhi: Huh?
According to the usual procedure, all the actors would first take their individual portrait shots before moving on to group photos.
However, Gu Jinrong was the most prominent figure in the entire production. Since she had arrived, there was naturally no reason to make her wait for others.
Couple photos had to be taken sooner or later, and Shen Qingzhi felt a lot of pressure for no reason as she looked at the crowd around her.
While hesitating, Gu Jinrong has already walked to her side, "Qingqing, is there a problem?"
Why is this person calling her affectionately in front of the crew?!
"No... no problem."
Shen Qingzhi briskly walked to the center of the shooting area: The sooner it's done, the better.
Her expression of being ready to face anything caught the photographer's attention and was amused by her.
"Teacher Shen, don't be so serious. Smile, be happier, more cheerful."
More cheerful? Are they taking wedding photos or something?
She consoled herself in her heart: Well, I've already done wedding photos, so why be afraid of taking some drama stills?
At this moment, Gu Jinrong also stood beside her. The hand that wasn't holding the sword casually rested on her arm. The distance between her brows seemed less aloof than when she took her solo shots, and a hint of tenderness emerged.
When Shen Qingzhi was touched by her through the cloth, her muscles that had been relaxed tightened up again.
Just a week ago, they hadn't exchanged a single glance or spoken a word to each other, let alone physical contact.
Gu Jinrong lowered her head and whispered into her ear, "Qingqing, you are nervous."
"I'm not!" Shen Qingzhi retorted immediately, but the muscles on her arms tensed even more.
"Don't be nervous, then put your arms around my neck." Gu Jinrong's words were in normal volume, and the people next to her could hear them.
"Yes, yes, Teacher Shen, you and Teacher Gu can interact more physically. Director Xue said that we must take a photo of the two of you showing sexual tension."
Sexual tension again.
Shen Qingzhi looked at more than a dozen pairs of eyes around her, unwilling to get a reputation of being unprofessional and disrespectful just after entering the filming crew.
She could only grit her teeth, hooked Gu Jinrong's fair and slender neck with both hands, pulled her towards her, and tried to show a particularly innocent smile.
Isn't this just acting? She is professional!
Shen Qingzhi's movement was swift, leaving Gu Jinrong momentarily stunned this time.
She knew that her little girl was thin-skinned and couldn't help teasing her, but she ignored the other party's impact on her.
At this moment, Shen Qingzhi, dressed in red, radiated stunning beauty. Her brows were drawn with an extraordinarily youthful innocence, reminiscent of the adorable little one who used to call her "Gu-jiejie" with a sweet voice.
She suddenly felt a little guilty for having other thoughts about such a cutie.
Shen Qingzhi originally planned to smash the broken jar*, but when she noticed Gu Jinrong's lack of focus, she felt like she had won a victory.
*破罐子破摔 (Pò guànzi pò shuāi) after a series of mistakes or setbacks just go on along with it without trying to fix the situation. Since the jar/pot is already broken, just smash it into pieces.
Feeling triumphant, she began to express herself freely, not only by looping her arm around Gu Jinrong's neck but also by linking arms, playing with her hair, and pinching her earlobes.
Every time she saw the other person showing less stability than her, she experienced a strong sense of achievement. In a roundabout way, it was as if she had defeated the international best actress.
This just fits Feng Yasong's straightforward and proactive temperament.
As for Gu Jinrong's portrayal of Cang Xingyun, it naturally leans towards being reserved and introverted. Her playfulness with Shen Qingzhi earlier was just a momentary prank, and it wouldn't work during an actual photoshoot.
At first, she was truly shaken, but soon she noticed Shen Qingzhi's little thoughts.
This little girl loves to be competitive, and it hasn't changed since she was a child.
Indeed, it's a commendable trait.
For an international actress, whether she is absent-minded or shy, it is easy within reach.
Bursting with self-confidence, Shen Qingzhi playfully teased Gu Jinrong to the extreme.
The onlookers couldn't help but "Sha", and the photographer even took dozens of photos in a row, each of which was satisfied and reluctant to give up.
*onomatopoeia generally used to express love when seeing something cute
The couple's still photo was taken very smoothly. Gu Jinrong went to see the photographer's results and was very satisfied.
She was in a happy mood, and couldn't help stretching out her hands to pinch Shen Qingzhi's pretty face, the amorous look between her brows and eyes couldn't be suppressed even with light-colored makeup.
"Qingqing is awesome, keep it up."
Shen Qingzhi: ?
This familiar fairy* appearance, how did you lose your shyness so quickly?
*term used is 妖精 (yāojing) - supernatural beings that can be translated as fairy, elf, or goblin, in Chinese folklore they're linked with mischief, coquettishness or lewdness.
Did you play me just now?
Member