26: Chapter 26, Scene 1

Changing from "older brother" to "younger brother"—Lin Chuyan found this form of address a bit hard to accept.

Lin: "How did I keep anything from you? I said we're the same age."

Ruan Xingyu thought back, and it seemed to be true. The other party had never said anything; from the very beginning, she was the one who had taken the initiative to call him "older brother"...

Xingxing: "Hmph."

Xingxing: "Call me 'older sister'."

Lin: "No rush, let's talk about that when we meet."

Xingxing: "Suddenly, I'm looking forward to meeting."

Lin: "Then you'll have a long wait; I have at least two months of filming."

Xingxing: "Hmph."

Lin: "Hmphing again?"

Xingxing: "Hmph, hmph, hmph."

Xingxing: "Are you feeling very smug that I called you 'older brother'?"

Lin: "To be honest, I am feeling a little secretly pleased."

Xingxing: "Hmph times 10."

Holding his phone, the corners of Lin Chuyan's mouth were almost reaching the sky; he just felt that Ruan Xingyu was criminally cute.

Aren't you a mature woman? Aren't you a lesbian? Why are you being so cute?

Lin: "You are too cute, Xingxing."

He thought the other party was a lesbian, so he didn't have many reservations in his speech, not realizing that such a direct approach was truly a bit of a foul.

Ruan Xingyu looked at the message she received and, for a moment, didn't know how to reply.

...

Lin Chuyan officially joined the production.

Although he felt he was relatively well-prepared, this shoot was still a huge test for him.

This was the longest shoot with the most screen time he'd ever had, and it started right off with a major scene of "confronting the Emperor."

Director Yang Yang entered the dressing room. While watching Lin Chuyan get his makeup done, he chatted with him:

"Originally, today was supposed to be the scene where the female lead treats your illness. However, your physique is a bit too muscular right now. For the scene where you have a strange illness, I need you to look thinner than you do now. My requirement is simple: you need to use this month to lose as much weight as possible so that it looks right when filmed."

"No problem, Director. I'll start dieting and losing weight today."

That's the job of an actor; when you need to lose weight, you lose weight. Lin Chuyan didn't intend to cut any corners.

"Have you read the scene we're shooting in a bit?"

The reason Director Yang Yang was able to take a liking to him was entirely because his image was just too perfect for the original work, perhaps even better.

As for whether these young, fresh-faced actors would actually put in the effort to study the script and do their homework, he had no idea.

Even if Director Zhang Qian praised him to the high heavens, it was useless; after all, they had only been in contact for a few days.

"I have."

"Then tell me your understanding of it."

Lin Chuyan's tone was unhurried. As he thought, he said, "In the original novel of 'drama', the Emperor and Prince Xiao Ran seem to be father and son, and Prince Xiao Ran is the most favored one. But in reality, the relationship between sovereign and subject is greater than that of father and son. Prince Xiao Ran has always followed the rules of a subject when in front of the Emperor."

"In this scene, Prince Xiao Ran repeatedly pleads for the female lead, which is actually breaking the rules of sovereign and subject. In other words, given Prince Xiao Ran's usual rule-abiding personality, the more he breaks the rules in this scene, the better it demonstrates his affection for the female lead."

Director Yang Yang was a bit surprised. This was definitely the result of hard work.

"You read the original novel? When did you read it?"

"I started reading it the day before I came to Hengdian. Better to be prepared."

Director Yang Yang leaned his back against the wall, feeling mostly relieved. "Your understanding is fine, but on this basis, you still need to show restraint and forbearance in this scene. You must stay true to Prince Xiao Ran's character. At this point, he isn't someone who can give up everything for love. Don't overact."

"I understand, Director Yang. This is a plea for mercy, not a rebellion. I will act it well. However, there is one more thing I'd like to discuss."

Lin Chuyan raised his hand; on his finger was the thumb ring he had bought on the street a couple of days ago. He repeated what Zhang Wentang had said to Director Yang.

"Of course, no problem. I will have the cinematographer get a close-up of your hand. Also, this thumb ring of yours is fucking ugly. The prop master has some nice ones; go pick one out."

"..."

Director Yang Yang left the dressing room, feeling satisfied, and went to prepare for other work.

He finally understood why Director Zhang Qian praised Lin Chuyan so much.

This kid, he understands immediately upon being told—no, he even draws inferences about other cases!

After Director Yang Yang left, Zhao Xiaojun, who played the old Emperor, also walked in.

The old man was estimated to be around 60, with half-white hair, a broad face, and thick eyebrows; he looked very majestic.

This wasn't his first time playing an emperor. Although he couldn't be called a specialist in playing emperors, he was certainly familiar with the role.

Lin Chuyan was getting his makeup done. Seeing the man, he hurriedly stood up to greet him, but Zhao Xiaojun was quick to press him down. "Don't move, don't be formal, sit and talk."

"Hello, Teacher Zhao Xiaojun. I'm Lin Chuyan. You can just call me Xiao Yan."

"Alright, Xiao Yan. I just came over to see you. It would be best if we could do a simple run-through of the scene."

One had to say, the older generation of actors was just different; there was no pretension at all.

"I should have gone to find you after getting my makeup done. I'm really sorry."

"It's all the same. Have you prepared for this scene?"

It was no wonder Zhao Xiaojun asked this; he understood the habits of these young people in the industry. He had encountered more than a few who hadn't done their homework at all.

"It's okay. I can recite all the Lines."

Zhao Xiaojun nodded. "Alright, while we have time now, shall we go over it?"

"Teacher Zhao Xiaojun, could you wait a moment? I'll be done with makeup immediately."

"Sure."

Once his makeup was done, the two of them started reciting their Lines back and forth.

Unlike the simple practice with Qiao Wei, although Zhao Xiaojun didn't put too much emotion into the rehearsal, his excellent command of the Lines naturally drew people into the scene.

Lin Chuyan was led by the other party, and he didn't stutter at all throughout the run-through, which made Zhao Xiaojun look at him in a new light.

"Not bad. If I didn't know better, I would have thought we had rehearsed many times. Good job, young man."

"I just memorized the Lines well. My foundation in Lines isn't great; I still need to practice, still need to practice."

Zhao Xiaojun smiled and didn't say anything. He had a good first impression of Lin Chuyan, especially regarding his Lines, which were much better than the average young person. But that was about it; whether he was actually capable or not would be revealed when they started filming.

While waiting for the first scene, the system's voice in Lin Chuyan's mind rang out again.

Ding!

[New task triggered: Filming]

[Task requirements: Participate in and complete the filming of 'drama', and receive high recognition from the audience.]

[Task reward: Treasure chest (Silver)]

Nice, he was even more motivated now. Lin Chuyan found the prop master to change the thumb ring, and with everything ready, he waited for the filming to start.

However, a tiny accident occurred on set.

"drama" was originally split into two groups, A and B, for filming. But as soon as Lin Chuyan's individual character poster came out, the news that a handsome guy had arrived on set couldn't be kept secret anymore. Every girl in the crew who was free came over to watch.

"That one, look at that one, over there, do you see him? The one in black clothes, that's him."

"Oh my god, he's even more handsome than on the poster."

"I can't see clearly. Damn, what kind of eyesight do you guys have?"

"The main thing is, he's much more handsome than the male lead... Is this reasonable?"

The chattering made Director Yang Yang feel extremely annoyed. Damn it, it's just a handsome guy, right? The long-haired handsome guy is right here; why aren't you looking at him?

"Everyone quiet! Actors, get ready! Lighting, cinematography, get into position!"

As the clapperboard clapped and the director shouted "Action," the scene finally began.

"Your son pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Lin Chuyan entered the scene, and the father and son began to chat about state affairs.

The focus of these few Lines was on Lin Chuyan, because he had to show that he "had something else on his mind," which was not difficult for him now.

Then the topic turned to the poison pill case that had shocked the capital.

The female lead was framed for using poison pills while treating the imperial concubine and was thus thrown into prison. Prince Xiao Ran had no choice but to plead before the Emperor. However, the moment he opened his mouth, he was heartlessly rejected by the Emperor: "There is no need to speak of this again. Withdraw."

At this moment, Lin Chuyan's expression was actually very restrained, but his eyes began to change.

"Camera two, push in, give a close-up." Director Yang Yang stared intently at the monitor.

From worry, to sadness, to struggle, to determination—how should this part be acted? Lin Chuyan had already practiced it countless times in front of the camera beforehand.

The change in his eyes, the drooping of his eyelids, the slight pursing of his lips, the act of swallowing, the action of taking a deep breath—his facial features seemed to have little expression, but in reality, the audience could clearly feel his emotional changes.

Immediately following that was a heavy kneeling, pleading repeatedly.

This segment needed to showcase Lin Chuyan's ability with Lines. Fortunately, he had also done enough homework; not only was it memorized by heart, but he had even studied the placement of emphasis and intonation.

In the end, the Emperor still heartlessly refused the plea. In Prince Xiao Ran's eyes, only despair remained, but he only softly said: "Yes, this son understands."

He lowered his head, deliberately not letting the camera capture the expression on his face, until his forehead touched the ground and his body became completely still. The entire palace was silent.

This scene ended here.

Director Yang Yang sat in his chair and shouted "Cut." Inside, he was already blooming with joy; the Prince Xiao Ran part of the drama should be secure.

He really had found a treasure; it was rare that his Lines were also good.

It's just that his pay was a bit high, damn it.

Lin Chuyan's per-episode pay was the second highest in the drama, higher than both the male and female leads, and only less than Zhao Xiaojun, who played the Emperor. But Zhao Xiaojun had fewer scenes, and in the final edit, it might only be a few episodes.

Director Yang Yang felt a twinge of pain in his heart. Fortunately, Lin Chuyan's performance exceeded expectations, which made him feel a bit better:

"Let's do it one more time; let's keep a backup. This time, everyone, get into the emotion a bit faster."