Chapter 4

Chapter 4

This scene featured the lead male and the second male lead. Ning Yuyi followed Xie Yezhou to the filming location, where the director sat with the second male lead, both in costume, chatting.

"Ah, Young Master Xie is here," the director greeted as he saw Xie Yezhou approaching.

Given Xie Yezhou's significant influence, he was someone directors could ill afford to offend. Nearly every director treated him with the utmost respect on set.

As Xie Yezhou approached the director, he suddenly took Ning Yuyi's hand. "Sit here and watch me perform closely."

Xie Yezhou, genuinely wishing to guide Ning Yuyi in the art of acting, led him to a stool and instructed a nearby crew member, "Take care of him."

"Ah, sure." The crew member paused briefly, then quickly placed some snacks and mineral water by Ning Yuyi's side. "Mr. Xie, we're ready to start filming over here."

The director hadn't expected Ning Yuyi to become close to Xie Yezhou so quickly. Moreover, Xie Yezhou's recent gestures clearly signaled that he was taking Ning Yuyi under his wing.

The secondary male lead was a celebrity who had risen to fame from a talent show. While his fanbase couldn't match Xie Yezhou's, it was still considerable within the entertainment industry.

He had always sought to forge a bond with Xie Yezhou, but the latter barely acknowledged him. Surprisingly, the third male lead, whom he'd always looked down upon, seemed to have effortlessly forged a connection with Xie Yezhou.

This stirred his envy. Just as he was about to make a snide remark at Ning Yuyi, his manager subtly tugged at him, causing him to swallow his words.

"Alright, everyone get ready!" The assistant director began coordinating the crew, "Camera rolling, lights set..."

Ning Yuyi then watched as the scene was filmed three times, with the second male lead faltering at the same emotional beat each time.

Observing Xie Yezhou's increasingly darkening expression, Ning Yuyi began munching on the sunflower seeds the crew had given him, ready for some drama.

During the days at home, having assimilated most of the original Ning Yuyi's memories, he knew well how the second male lead frequently picked on him, using his fanbase and higher status as leverage.

More so, Ning Yuyi even suspected him to be behind the incident with his microphone.

After the fourth take, the director finally gave the nod of approval.

Xie Yezhou swiftly transitioned out of character, his face solemn and unchanged, heading straight for Ning Yuyi.

"Want some water?" Ning Yuyi offered his opened bottled water.

"Sure." Xie Yezhou naturally accepted it and took a seat next to Ning Yuyi. "What did you think? Noticed anything?"

"Mhm." Ning Yuyi discreetly peeked at the second male lead, who was throwing a tantrum at his assistant for not opening his water bottle.

"What did you notice?"

Clearing his throat, Ning Yuyi whispered, "Grab a monkey from Mount Emei, and its acting would be better than certain individuals here."

One second, two seconds, three seconds passed.

Laughter erupted from several crew members, even Xie Yezhou couldn't contain his chuckles.

Ning Yuyi, realizing many had heard, was startled. Looking up, he noticed the microphone still clipped to Xie Yezhou's outfit.

He felt as if six crows flew overhead, utterly flustered and unsure how to react.

"You're right," Xie Yezhou remarked, patting Ning Yuyi's head affectionately.

Mhm, felt nice.

"What did you just say?" The second male lead, having heard Ning Yuyi's words, marched up to him, fuming. "Ning Yuyi, how dare you talk about me?"

Great, trouble's here.

"What did I say about you?" Ning Yuyi decided to feign innocence, looking confused, and turned to Xie Yezhou, "Did I mention him, Brother Xie?"

"No, you were talking about monkeys," Xie Yezhou said with crossed arms and a raised eyebrow. "Is there a problem?"

"He was clearly referring to me!"

"Zhang Yang."

"If you can't even control your temper, then perhaps the role of Zhou Feng isn't suited for you." Xie Yezhou's gaze turned frosty seeing that the second lead hadn't departed.

Upon hearing this, the fiery rage of the second lead seemed to be doused by cold water. He stood there, stunned, until his manager came to pull him away.

Ning Yuyi's smile widened.

"Be careful not to fall." Fearing that Ning Yuyi might tumble from the stool, Xie Yezhou quickly steadied him. "There's another scene later. Want to watch?"

"Yes!"

And so, they ended up watching till past eleven o'clock.

Yawning, Ning Yuyi accompanied Xie Yezhou as he removed his makeup, and the two returned to their hotel.

Yao Yao and Zhou Erhe, who had arrived at the hotel earlier, had prepared supper for them—vegetable salad.

Upon seeing it, Ning Yuyi made a face, "I'm not a sheep. Can't we have some meat?"

Ning Yuyi was someone who really enjoyed meat.

This might be related to his childhood spent in an orphanage. There, while they never went hungry, meat dishes were scarce, with vegetables being more common.

Consequently, as he grew up, Ning Yuyi became a staunch carnivore.

"Eating too greasy before bed isn't good," Zhou Erhe responded, handing him a pair of disposable chopsticks. "Eat up."

Ning Yuyi, not one to waste food, begrudgingly finished the vegetable salad Zhou Erhe had chosen for him. He then hurriedly took a shower, changed into his pajamas, and fiddled with his phone in bed.

Zhou Erhe stepped out to take a call, and upon his return, found Ning Yuyi already asleep.

"Rare for him to sleep so early." Zhou Erhe shook his head in amusement, turned off the lights for Ning Yuyi, quietly locked the door, and left.

The next day.

It turned out that, although Ning Yuyi had gone to bed early the previous night, his struggle with waking up early remained unchanged.

For the third time, Zhou Erhe forcibly dragged Ning Yuyi out of bed, pushing him into the bathroom, "You have ten minutes to get ready. If you're not out by then, you'll miss breakfast."

After a few minutes, a muffled voice came from behind the door, "Skipping breakfast is bad for health."

Zhou Erhe: ...

This darn kid is so infuriating!!!

Exactly ten minutes later, Ning Yuyi emerged from the bathroom, dressed and refreshed.

"What's for breakfast?" Ning Yuyi washed his face and rinsed his hair. Water droplets, unshaken from his hair, cascaded down, dripping onto the plush carpet.

"Ning Yuyi, can't you dry your hair before coming out?" Zhou Erhe had just set breakfast when he noticed Ning Yuyi's damp hair.

"Didn't you give me just ten minutes? That wasn't enough time." Perhaps still drowsy, Ning Yuyi's voice was thick with nasal tones.

Zhou Erhe bypassed him, fetching a dry towel from the bathroom. He pushed Ning Yuyi onto the sofa and began drying his hair, commenting, "Whatever I say goes. I told you to wake up early, but you never listened so obediently."

"I call it selective deafness."

"..." Zhou Erhe paused, tossing the towel to Ning Yuyi, "Dry it yourself then."

After breakfast, Ning Yuyi left with Zhou Erhe to join the film crew.

Due to Ning Yuyi's early return to the set, the director rearranged his scenes. They would start rehearsals today.

Having acted in countless scenes in his previous life, Ning Yuyi was not concerned about today's performance. Yet Zhou Erhe was nervously pestering him to review the script repeatedly.

Holding the script, Ning Yuyi leaned back and said, "Brother Zhou, spare me. If you don't trust me, let's run lines together. Your pacing is making me dizzy."

Hearing this, Zhou Erhe grabbed a script and sat beside Ning Yuyi, "Alright, let's practice together."

"Let me do it."

Ning Yuyi looked over in surprise, noticing Xie Yezhou, who had finished his scene and returned to the lounge, "Brother Xie?"

"Yes, I'll rehearse with you." Xie Yezhou retrieved his script from an assistant and, still in costume, sat down next to him, "Which scene are we doing?"

Ning Yuyi caught Zhou Erhe's excited gaze as he stared intently at Xie Yezhou... and himself.

Having a talented actor familiar with the play assist in rehearsing was undoubtedly exciting for him.

"This section." Ning Yuyi flipped a few pages to a climactic part of the role, "Let's try this."

"Alright."

A few minutes later.

Zhou Erhe clenched his fists, using all his strength to resist the urge to shout.

"Very impressive." Xie Yezhou set down the script with a complex look in his eyes, "Your acting is impeccable, far superior to mine."

"You're not worried anymore, are you?" Ning Yuyi placed the script on his lap, offering a bottle of mineral water to Xie Yezhou, "Brother Xie, water?"

"Thanks."

"The next scene involves a small group. There'll be marks on the ground for positioning. If unsure, just check the marks."

"Got it."

But even if Ning Yuyi was fine, others might have issues.

After the sixth NG (No Good) take by the second male lead, Ning Yuyi couldn't help but fan himself, trying to cool down a bit.

Whether it was the crew or other actors on set, all were caught up in the repetitive retakes led by the second male lead. Their patience was wearing thin.

Xie Yezhou noticed Ning Yuyi's fanning gesture.

"Come sit over here for a while." Xie Yezhou led Ning Yuyi under a large sunshade umbrella. Zhou Erhe and Yao Yao handed them wet towels to wipe their sweat.

Beside the sunshade was an air cooler with ice, the gentle breeze brought a touch of calm to Ning Yuyi.

On the side, the director pulled the second male lead aside, loudly discussing the scene interspersed with occasional scolding.

Ning Yuyi was used to such scenarios, with most directors known for their tempers, especially when faced with repeated NGs. Zhang Xueyong was one of the more tempered directors he'd encountered, only resorting to a few harsh words after so many repeated mistakes.

As the crew prepped for another take, Ning Yuyi took a deep breath, seizing the opportunity to cool down a bit more.

A deep frown had formed between Xie Yezhou's brows, with Yao Yao standing cautiously by Ning Yuyi, hoping that Xie Yezhou wouldn't lose his temper on set.

But Xie Yezhou managed to keep his anger in check. Ten minutes later, the director announced another take.

After some candid feedback (or rather scolding) from the director, the second male lead finally got it right. Seeing everyone exhausted from the heat, the director signaled for a thirty-minute break.

Author's note: Last night, I only managed to catch one landlord card (feeling humbled)!