There are two types of people that women find it hard to refuse – one is their lover, the other…of course, is their idol.
For the entire dinner, because she found it hard to refuse her idol’s hospitality, Jia He ate half a plate of steamed buns with braised pork. From then on, she made a name for herself in jianghu [martial arts community]. This led to the consequence where she had to eat steamed buns with braised pork every day for three months from being “taken care of.” Of course, it was also because Yi Wenze said “I think it’s not bad” that she didn’t dare say anything more and took on this role that everyone hated.
At night, looking at the script she wrote herself, she started scolding herself. How could she write such a resentful, evil woman?
Actually, it was very simple – just two scenes total.
The first scene was a long shot of her gazing resentfully at the leads.
The second scene was her trying to drug the female lead’s precious son, getting discovered by the male lead, and immediately bursting into tears.
She had written it very passionately, but when it came time for her to perform, it became a different matter altogether.
The next morning, with a fashionable, natural smoky make-up look, she sat drowsily in the make-up room, her head mush. The make-up artist kept scrutinizing her face, very professionally praising that her skin was pretty good before taking all kinds of soft brushes and starting to apply make-up, up, down, left, right.
“You’re really pampering yourself,” Qiao Qiao sat to the side, flipping through the script. “Just two scenes, all in one location, wrapped up in a day.”
Jia He could not turn her head. Complaining, she said, “When I was writing it, how would I know it would be me performing?”
“Don’t be ungrateful,” Qiao Qiao consoled her falsely. “This kind of wicked role that exudes evil is the easiest to leave an impression on the audience. Who knows, your fame may blow up from this. Remember to hire me as your manager. Don’t let the profits flow into a stranger’s pocket.”
Jia He did not speak, silently ignoring her.
The make-up artist chuckled reassuringly to her, “Don’t be nervous. Cameos are very normal. Back when I was the make-up artist for the drama ‘Myth,’ I even made a cameo as a palace maid. I just stood behind Jin Xi Seon.”
Jia He smiled politely, continuing her internal injuries.
“I stayed an extra day in Hengdian for you,” Qiao Qiao shook her phone. Leaning in by her ear, she whispered, “I’m even ignoring the Taiwanese guy, afraid you’ll be nervous.”
“He’s stood you up more than twenty times. Why can’t you just give up?”
Qiao Qiao typed a line on her phone and showed it to Jia He to read: Yesterday, he wrote on Weibo, ‘Lonely by myself.’ Isn’t that obvious he’s missing me?
Jia He took her phone, deleted that line, and retyped: You really know how to imagine things.
Qiao Qiao shrugged and typed another line: If I could meet a man who was handsome, faithful, and rich, I would give up on him completely.
Jia He blinked and mouthed three words with her lips.
Yi Wenze.
Qiao Qiao guffawed. “Forget it. I have principles. I’d never extend my evil claws toward a good friend’s belongings.”
Jia He rolled her eyes, nearly getting the still wet mascara onto her eyelids.
She had scenes together with both leads today. As soon as Liao Jing saw her get into the vehicle, she immediately lavished great praise on her. Facing that female lead’s countenance, as Jia He thought about how today, she would have to resentfully stare daggers at her as well as harm her “child,” she felt extremely awkward inside. She could not help admiring actors as a profession even more – so effortlessly entering and exiting character. One moment, they could be sitting in front of the monitors drinking milk tea, and the next moment, passionately confessing love on camera. It truly was not something an average person could do.
While Yi Wenze rested with his eyes closed, Qiao Qiao continued busily sending texts, as well as updating Weibo.
Reminded by her actions, Jia He also picked up her phone and began routinely reading news, while also secretly climbing onto Yi Wenze’s Weibo. It was still the same as before. Ever since the news with Tian Chu started, Yi Wenze had not updated his Weibo. But the comments below had geometrically increased, all messages left by fans, sharing the same bitterness and enmity.
On some whim, she swiftly registered a new account and left the comment: Idol, I support you!
After she finished writing it, she even furtively peeked at Yi Wenze, only to get caught by Qiao Qiao. Very soon, Qiao Qiao sent her a text message: Peeping isn’t illegal!
Jia He rolled her eyes at her and covertly closed the text messaging app.
Suddenly filled with curiosity, she input Tian Chu’s name and visited her Weibo page.
Unlike Yi Wenze’s unanimous commentary, things had exploded into chaos here with both supporters of Tian Chu as well as curses from Yi Wenze fans, in addition to questioning by fans of that Taiwanese red singer [mentioned in scandal with Tian Chu].
Tian Chu seemed completely unbothered, still normally posting about the content of her new album or uploading some personal photographs from her recordings, occasionally sentimentally sighing about loneliness. As Jia He read, she could not help frequently sighing. Sina Weibo really was a good platform for stirring up hype. Tian Chu’s team truly was adept at utilizing scandals as well.
Whereas Yi Wenze was passively reacting the entire time, very manly, not causing Tian Chu any embarrassment.
“Shameless,” A Qing had just said something to Qiao Qiao and happened to catch sight of Jia He’s phone when she turned her head. She cursed in a low voice.
Yi Wenze opened his eyes to look at her. A Qing snorted. “I’m talking about a certain famous singer who’s still hyping up gossip on Weibo.” As she spoke, she pointed to Jia He’s phone.
Good heavens, strike me down with lightning! …
Jia He calmly closed her phone, closed her eyes, and turned her head away, pretending to be asleep.
When they arrived at the filming location, the deputy director very conscientiously talked her through the scenes, saying a couple sentences before reacting, “Oh right, I forgot, you’re the screenwriter. No need for me to tell you then.” After speaking, he immediately returned to the monitors, naturally assuming Jia He was good to film now.
Jia He also could not say this was not the same thing, and could only stand to the side of the screen, holding a tray of tea as she dejectedly started practicing a resentful gaze.
Yi Wenze and Liao Jing briefly read through their lines with one another and gave her a look.
With that one look from him, Jia He’s resentful gaze she had just practiced collapsed again…
Continue, keep working hard practicing.
Fortunately, for this scene, all she had to do was hold a tray, revealing half her face. Most of the acting was done by the leads, so naturally, it was much easier than what she had imagined. When the director called out “OK,” she breathed out in relief, setting the tray off to the side as she fixed her eyes on Qiao Qiao for confirmation. Qiao Qiao did not let slip this opportunity to mock: “Not bad, not bad. Such thick, concentrated love. Even heavier jealousy. You’ve brought her to life.”
Jia He snarled through gnashing teeth, “Thanks.”
She was naturally dejected in the next scene.
When Yi Wenze watched her stand stiffly holding the desserts, stumbling in her lines with the child actor for the fourth time, he beckoned to his assistant, hinting for a drink of water. Actually, anyone could tell he was trying to ease Jia He’s emotions. The director understood and turned to speak to Liao Jing while Qiao Qiao also very cooperatively said the milk tea she ordered had arrived for everyone to take a break.
Seeing this, Jia He felt even more guilty and also uncertain when filming would wrap up today.
As Yi Wenze drank water, he had his assistant grab a paper cup and pour hot water for Jia He as well. “Have some water. No rush.”
Burdened with guilt, Jia He took the water. “Thanks.”
The water was a light, warm brown and tasted sweet and fragrant – brown sugar seaweed flavor.
“First time cameoing?” Yi Wenze drank very slowly.
Jia He fiercely nodded her head. It truly was her first time.
Yi Wenze was not surprised at all and slowly, very patiently started walking her through the scene and discussing the character with her. Jia He listened to him explain line by line, and because they were both in ancient costume, she somehow grew absentminded for a moment, feeling as if she truly had returned to ancient times. She strangely started getting into character.
Sensing the change in her state of mind, once again, she deeply sighed in admiration. As expected of her idol, he understood this drama even better than she did…
After resting for a while longer, Qiao Qiao saw Yi Wenze walk away before stepping forward and laughing softly, “You’re impressive. Usually the screenwriter explains the scenes to the actors, but for you, it’s precedent-breaking for the actor to explain them to the screenwriter instead. This is my first time seeing it.”
With one sentence, it thoroughly changed her endless admiration for her idol into deep self-scorn.
“Actually, your scenes are very simple,” Qiao Qiao suddenly said.
Jia He snorted disdainfully. “You make it sound easy. Want to stand-in for me then?”
Qiao Qiao looked at Liao Jing and said in a low voice, “Just pretend Liao Jing is Tian Chu. That’ll guarantee you get into character.”
Jia He was completely convinced Qiao Qiao was here to watch her make a fool of herself and mock her.
Thanks to Yi Wenze’s help, when she acted out the scene again, Jia He was clearly much better.
She successfully fed desserts to the child, smiling very virtuously. After getting discovered by Yi Wenze, she turned in panic, and then faced his cold violence… Getting stuck again. She could not force out the tearful scene.
Eye drops were too fake. In order to act out her scene, she had to insist on pushing herself to be genuine, but how could she, a cameoing small-time actor who spent her days in front of a computer typing out words, with no professional training, cry on command?
And so, Qiao Qiao started calling for everyone to drink milk tea again.
Yi Wenze did not seem impatient, instead chatting with the cameo “son.” Liao Jing, on the other hand, was somewhat impatient. She simply started making phone calls on her mobile, and indistinctly, Jia He could make out who was on the other end. Actually, Liao Jing was already being very careful, but because she had been together with Gu Yu for so long, Jia He was long familiar with him to the point it was like they were one person. Just from Liao Jing answering a couple sentences, she could guess who was asking the questions.
She suddenly thought of how, when Gu Yu went away on business trips, to save mobile bill costs, she could only pretend to work overtime and wait until the office emptied before using the landline to call him. Later on, after they broke up, she learned that actually, the times Gu Yu went on the most frequent business trips were together with his supervisor that he was seeing. Who knows, those late night calls from her may have wrecked their romantic moments?
A sour feeling rose in her heart. Jia He suddenly said, “I’m ready, Director.”
Hurry and act, hurry and use the emotions before they dissipated.
Although confused, everyone still resumed filming.
This time, it truly went smoothly. After drugging the child and getting discovered by Yi Wenze, the moment she turned to see his cold expression, she immediately burst into aggrieved tears. The tears flowed nonstop and she was powerless to halt them. Facing Yi Wenze’s icy demeanor, it spurred her tears to stream even more tragically.
Yi Wenze stood tall before her, watching her silently for a very long time before suddenly stretching out his hand and wiping away her tears.
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