After reviewing the crew's shooting schedule, Lin Qinghe, who had finished her makeup, decided to visit the set to observe before her scene was due.
Upon arriving at the filming location, a few newcomers curtsied and greeted her, "Sister Qinghe, hello..."
"Sister Qinghe is here even before her scene is scheduled to start?"
Lin Qinghe responded with a smile to each of them, then walked over to Director Wang. Because she had performed well the previous day, completing almost every scene in one take, Director Wang was quite amiable towards her. Seeing her arrive, he smiled and said, "Qinghe, you're here. Your scene with Feilang isn't until later, why are you so early?"
Lin Qinghe smiled, "I'm already in makeup, and there was nothing to do in the dressing room, so I thought I'd come and watch, observe a bit."
"Alright! Then sit here and watch. It's good to see more. You made great progress yesterday, your details and emotions were all on point."
Lin Qinghe humbly replied, "It's all thanks to Director Wang's excellent guidance. I've learned a lot from you while filming this drama, so any progress is also your credit."
"You're too kind... but it also depends on your own intelligence."
As they chatted, the male lead Shen Feilang and You Rong arrived. Director Wang prepared to start shooting. Lin Qinghe didn't want to bother Director Wang further, so she stepped aside to watch You Rong and Shen Feilang begin their scene.
Lin Qinghe paused to recall the script she had read the previous night. This scene was precisely where the male lead Gu Hengyu learned that Zhang Mingxuan had almost forcibly kissed the female lead, and he was coming to settle scores with Zhang Mingxuan.
Shen Feilang, full of rage, ran over and grabbed You Rong's clothes, "Zhang Mingxuan, I'm warning you! If you dare to harass Jing Yue again, I'm not done with you!"
You Rong sneered with disdain, "Gu Hengyu, a bastard son of the Gu family, you're not qualified to yell at me!"
"You!" Shen Feilang gritted his teeth in fury, clenching his fist to strike You Rong's face.
At that moment, Director Wang shouted, "Cut! Very good, that take is done! But You Rong, you need to tone down your aura a bit. Although Gu Hengyu doesn't have as much power as you right now, you're acting very well, but it's not highlighting Gu Hengyu."
Director Wang was being very tactful. You Rong's aura was too strong, completely overshadowing Shen Feilang, the male lead.
You Rong, having dropped the disdainful and arrogant expression from the scene, nodded professionally, "Okay, Director, I understand. I'll pay attention to that later."
Director Wang nodded, then turned to Shen Feilang, "Later, when you start, just clench your fist and swing it towards You Rong's face. You Rong will cooperate and turn his head."
Shen Feilang smiled, "Okay! Director Wang, I got it."
Director Wang announced, "Alright, everyone get ready. Makeup artist, touch up You Rong's makeup, and we'll resume shooting the next take as soon as it's done!"
"Yes, Director Wang!"
"Understood, Director Wang..."
Seeing Lin Qinghe present, Shen Feilang walked over with a smile to greet her, "Sister Qinghe, you're here too? Aren't our scenes scheduled to start a little later?"
Shen Feilang, a popular young actor who debuted through a talent show this year, was clearly not in the same league as Lin Qinghe. This drama was relying on Lin Qinghe's popularity to boost his own, so he spoke to her with great respect.
Lin Qinghe wasn't particularly inclined to engage in small talk with Shen Feilang. Her attention was focused on You Rong. She replied indifferently, "I was a bit bored in the dressing room, so I came to watch."
"Really? Sister Qinghe is a senior in acting. If there's anything I'm doing wrong, you have to teach me well!" Shen Feilang said, intentionally trying to bridge the gap between them.
Lin Qinghe replied, "You're doing quite well. Let's learn from each other..."
After a brief chat, seeing that You Rong was still having his makeup touched up, Lin Qinghe lost interest in talking to Shen Feilang and pretended to study her script.
Just then, some crew members were whispering amongst themselves.
"You Rong's performance as Zhang Mingxuan just now was too brilliant! For a moment, I thought he was the male lead. And Zhang Mingxuan is so possessive and formidable, why doesn't the female lead like him..."
"I agree. Putting aside You Rong's personal character, his acting is truly excellent, and he's so handsome. He's barely wearing any makeup, yet his acting and appearance completely overshadow Shen Feilang..."
"Stop talking. Someone might overhear. You Rong can only be described as... a shame. Who would have thought he'd be such a scumbag? As soon as he became popular, he became arrogant, causing endless trouble, and even assaulting women. He even beat Sister Qinghe. No wonder Sister Qinghe was so upset yesterday, wanting to quit."
"That's true... Alright, let's not talk about it anymore."
Lin Qinghe lowered her gaze, deep in thought.
Although You Rong's character had limited screen time and was an antagonist who resorted to unscrupulous means, he was exceptionally doting and possessive towards the female lead. This type of yandere villain character was actually quite popular. Perhaps during later promotions, she could help You Rong by leveraging this.
Lin Qinghe was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't notice Shen Feilang's displeased gaze towards You Rong after overhearing the crew's conversation.
Twenty minutes later, Director Wang called out, "Alright! Everyone in position, we're shooting scene 80!"
Shen Feilang smiled at Lin Qinghe and said, "Sister Qinghe, I'm going to shoot this scene now. I'm looking forward to our scenes together in the next one."
Lin Qinghe smiled and said, "Good luck."
Shen Feilang and You Rong took their positions. Director Wang called "Action!" Shen Feilang's expression turned fierce, and he roared, "Zhang Mingxuan! You're seeking death!" Unexpectedly, he landed a hard punch on You Rong's face.
You Rong was clearly caught off guard by the force of the blow. He stumbled back a few steps, groaning in pain from his lip, and didn't immediately deliver his lines.
Director Wang, with a stern face, shouted, "Cut! Cut, cut! What's going on?!"
Shen Feilang, suppressing the smugness in his eyes, said apologetically, "I'm so sorry. My emotions were just too intense, I got too into character and didn't realize I actually hit him. Director Wang, I'm truly sorry... But I think a real hit would make the acting more authentic. How about we go with a real hit?"
Lin Qinghe closed the script in her hands, her gaze towards Shen Feilang chilling slightly.
He's doing this on purpose, isn't he? If he were truly sorry, he should be apologizing to You Rong. Why is he only apologizing to the director? The one who got hit wasn't the director!
He wants to "really hit" while acting, clearly out of jealousy that You Rong's acting and appearance are better than his!
Director Wang looked at You Rong, "Are you okay? Can you manage?"
You Rong's lip was bleeding, but it was conveniently hidden by the makeup. He pursed his lips and replied with lowered eyes, "...Director, I'm fine."
"Then..." Director Wang hesitated, looking at You Rong, then at Shen Feilang, "Let's make that punch a real one. For better effect, You Rong, you'll have to endure it. I trust Feilang won't hit too hard."
You Rong gritted his teeth and forced himself to say, "It's okay, I can do it."
"Good! Let's tidy up and continue. This scene will be a real hit." (From Su Dan Novel Network)
As soon as Director Wang finished speaking, Lin Qinghe stepped forward, smiling, "Director Wang, I think You Rong's makeup is a bit smudged. It needs to be redone, doesn't it?"
Director Wang looked closely, "Ah, I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't said anything. You Rong's lip makeup is indeed smudged. Makeup artist! Hurry and come over to touch up You Rong's makeup!"
Lin Qinghe's eyes flickered, and she continued, "Director Wang, the next scene is actually between me and the male lead. Let You Rong get his makeup done, and I'll shoot with Shen Feilang first. That way, we won't waste so much time, right?"