Chapter 34: Production Troubles
Shen Qingzhi had a total of five scenes today, including scenes with Gu Jinrong and other supporting roles. What is going to be filmed now is a rivalry scene between Feng Yasong and Miss Yun of the Yun family.
Feng Yasong has just entered the world of mortals, and her temperament is used to being loose. Miss Yun is also arrogant and willful, refusing to yield to anyone.
The conflict between the two arises when they both set their sights on the same trinket in the Rouge Pavilion. They clash, with tempers flaring, and even get into a physical tussle, as if they can only understand by fighting.
The actress playing Miss Yun, Tang Jiaren, and Shen Qingzhi are somewhat acquainted. Coincidentally, Tang Jiaren played the female lead in the same drama for which Shen Qingzhi received the Newcomer Actress of the Year award.
It's just that in the previous drama, the two acted in two different storylines were rarely in the same frame.
Having worked in the same team for three months, their relationship was limited to nodding greetings.
It was a rare occasion to encounter a familiar face in the same production crew, which brought some happiness to Shen Qingzhi. Her gaze towards Miss Yun became much friendlier.
It's just that the other party probably didn't have a good rest the day before, and looked a little sluggish. It wasn't until the filming officially started that she regained her vitality.
Shen Qingzhi didn't think too much and concentrated on shooting.
Scene 5 of "Heavenly Beings"
Feng Yasong came to a rouge shop, and saw a copper box with a phoenix carved on it, which was seven or eight percent similar to the totem of her own clan. She found it quite intriguing.
She reached out to take it and asked curiously, "Boss, what is this?"
"Young Miss has good eyesight. This is the most popular rouge in our store. It's called Bainiao Chaofeng*. When applied, it brings out a splendid and unmatched radiance."
*Hundred birds paying homage to the Phoenix - peace under a wise ruler
The owner of the rouge shop was still talking about sales, when suddenly a lady in brocade clothes and a jade belt broke into the shop, with beautiful jade hanging around her waist and exquisite jewelry on her head, exuding an air of wealth.
A gold ingot landed on the counter, "Boss, I want all of your popular styles this season."
As she spoke, she glanced at the copper box in Feng Yasong's hand, "And that one in her hand, pack it up for me too.
"Okay!" The boss saw a big customer coming to the store and hurriedly took out a package and started packing.
In doing so, however, it made Feng Yasong unhappy. 'Boss, I saw this box first, I'm buying it,' she said as she took out two silver coins from her pocket, though it pained her a little.
But in life, people need to have a backbone.
In the eyes of the charming and beloved Miss Yun, this move is undoubtedly a face-to-face provocation, "You bumpkin, are you trying to compete with me?"
"It was you who fought with me first!"
The two girls were young and energetic, and they rolled up their sleeves and moved their hands while talking.
Feng Yasong trying not to harm the boss's shop, directly grabbed Miss Yun's hair and dragged her into the street.
Miss Yun didn't show any weakness either, retaliating by grabbing her arm and throwing punches and kicks.
People with limited skills in martial arts are so direct and simple when fighting.
In this scene, there is only minimal choreography, and the actors are encouraged to improvise. After all, there aren't many formal moves involved; the goal is to portray the innocence and recklessness of young girls.
While Shen Qingzhi was tugging with the other, her arms were pulled several times.
She assumed her opponent was wholeheartedly immersed in the scene, so she only showed about four parts of the pain she actually felt. The remaining six parts were her stubborn determination not to lose.
This scene needs to portray the wild and unrestrained nature of Feng Yasong, showing that she has the upper hand. Therefore, her actions are exaggerated. She pulls Miss Yun's hair fiercely, swinging her arm widely, but the fingers buried in the long hair exert only seven parts of strength, trying not to hurt the other girl's scalp.
The two of them fought from the rouge shop to the street, pulling and wrestling each other. They were supposed to be persuaded and dragged apart, but at this moment Tang Jiaren suddenly fell to the ground with an "ouch".
"Cut!"
The staff hurriedly stepped forward to help Tang Jiaren up, all concerned about her injury.
Tang Jiaren's eyes welled up with tears, looking even more aggrieved off-screen than in the scene. Weakly, she shook her head at the people and said, "It's okay, I was just careless."
As she spoke, she reached up to touch her head and accidentally plucked out a small tuft of hair.
Shen Qingzhi: ?!
Did I use that much force just now?
At this point, Shen Qingzhi had several bruises on each arm, but they were barely visible once her sleeves covered them.
Now, not only did her arms ache intensely, but there was also a prickling sensation on her back as if she were being watched again.
However, the on-set director had the final say, and others merely glanced at her a few times without saying much.
Director Xue finished watching the monitor and walked over to the actress without saying a word.
Tang Jiaren quickly got up, appearing very delicate and pitiable. "Director Xue, that was an accident. Don't blame Qingzhi..."
"I never said I was blaming her." Director Xue interjected, cutting off Tang Jiaren's unfinished words.
Her eyes wandered between the two a few times, seeming to have deep meaning putting pressure on people.
"The performance of the first half was good. Let's do it again, and both of you should do your best."
Shen Qingzhi applied some powder on her arms to cover up the deep and shallow red marks.
Whether it was the effect of Director Xue's intimidation just now or not, this take went very smoothly, completed in one go. This also meant that Shen Qingzhi's filming for the day was over.
She had initially thought of exchanging a few words with Tang Jiaren, but it seemed unnecessary now.
A woman's sixth sense tells her that the other party doesn't like her very much.
But even if the actors in the same group don't like her, it's not surprising, she doesn't take it very seriously, it's just work anyway.
It's the feeling of being stared at from behind all the time, which is weird.
She looked back several times, and there was no one else at the scene except the staff.
I think I'm too sensitive, I'd better rest earlier.
Gu Jinrong's filming ended a little later. As the leading actor and producer, she not only had to watch her own scenes after filming but also checked the filming clips of other leading actors.
When the small incident happened in the afternoon, she wasn't on set, but now she could see everything clearly through the monitor.
"You didn't manage such an obvious setup?" Gu Jinrong said angrily after seeing her baby being wronged.
Tang Jiaren's little tricks may be able to deceive most passers-by or staff, but they cannot escape Gu Jinrong and Director Xue's eyes.
Director Xue glanced at Gu Jinrong. "It's just kids fooling around. Compared to our old days, they're far from our league. Let it not affect the filming. Besides, I didn't blame Shen Qingzhi either."
"But when you look at the eyes of those people around, they think Qingqing was in the wrong." Even so, Gu Jinrong still felt bad for her baby.
Director Xue's expression became doubtful. "Since when do you care about those glances? If she, as an actress, can't handle even this little scrutiny, she might as well leave the industry now."
"In my crew, the drama is bigger than the sky, and I'm the only one in charge of the drama. If you are too emotional next time, I'll even kick you out."
If there is anyone in this crew who can talk to Gu Jinrong face to face, it was Director Xue.
She is a well-known director, and a senior, whether you're an international film star or a major sponsor, on set, everyone has to follow the director's lead.
Unfortunately, Director Xue was speaking the truth. Gu Jinrong took a deep breath and went to find her wife.
****
Shen Qingzhi took off her make-up and was about to have dinner, when she passed by Gu Jinrong's lounge, seeing that the light was still on, she involuntarily moved closer to have a look.
Looking in through the crack of the door, she happened to catch a glimpse of a slender and graceful figure standing under the bright lights. The expression was not as gentle and charming as usual but rather carried a hint of seriousness and coldness.
Gu Jinrong held the phone with one hand, and her tone was a little angry, "Check thoroughly, find out who took those photos without permission, and make sure they are punished!"
Shen Qingzhi rarely saw Gu Jinrong look so angry, she didn't leave immediately, but stood by the door, in a dilemma.
Gu Jinrong hung up the phone, turned her head in a heartbeat, saw her beloved at a glance, and changed her face with a warm smile like a face in a Sichuan opera.
"Qingqing, were you looking for me?"
Now that she was discovered, Shen Qingzhi went in without hesitation, "Are you busy with something?
Gu Jinrong put the phone back into her bag, and stepped forward to grab Shen Qingzgi's arm, "I'm not busy now, are you finished eating, how about we eat together?"
Normally, except for acting, Shen Qingzhi would like to be far away from Gu Jinrong. But now that the woman looked worried about something, it was hard for her to say no.
"Okay."
The two found a private restaurant next to the filming site and entered a private room.
Celebrities often come here to dine, so there's no need to worry about privacy issues.
On the way, Shen Qingzhi wanted to ask Gu Jinrong why she wasn't happy, but seeing her engage in casual conversation all the way, it seemed she didn't want to bring it up.
"Sweet and sour pork ribs, braised prawns in oil, vinegared cabbage."
Gu Jinrong ordered three dishes according to the menu, all of which were Shen Qingzhi's favorites. She handed the menu to Shen Qingzhi, "Qingqing, is there anything else you want to eat?"
Shen Qingzhi took the menu and reciprocated by ordering Gu Jinrong's favorite mapo tofu and steamed fish.
She has been to this restaurant before, and the portions are so small that two people can eat five dishes.
While waiting for the food to be served, although Gu Jinrong kept chatting with Shen Qingzhi with a smile on her face, she looked at her phone several times, as if she was waiting for some important news.
Seeing her working so hard, Shen Qingzhi said empathetically: "If you have something to do, do it first, don't worry about me, I'll just check my Weibo."
She also took out her phone.
Unexpectedly, Gu Jinrong pressed down on Shen Qingzhi's hand that was reaching for the phone, as if pressing an acupoint.
"Don't check it now, let's chat for a while."
Shen Qingzhi:?
What kind of person are you? You are allowed to read messages, but I am not allowed to check Weibo?
Two jade-like white and delicate palms overlapped each other, pressing together and giving out warmth.
Shen Qingzhi was not as nervous and shy as before this time.
Gu Jinrong's unusual concern was too obvious, even someone as slow as Shen Qingzhi could sense that something was wrong.
"Is there something you are hiding from me? Your previous phone call was related to the production, right?"
Seeing Gu Jinrong's eyes dimming and her expression becoming somber, Shen Qingzhi continued her bold speculation, "Is it related to me?"
Without waiting for Gu Jinrong to answer, she swiped open her phone with her free hand and opened the Sina APP directly. The hot search terms were eye-catching.
#Shen Qingzhi Bullying Tang Jiaren#