454: Chapter 454 Unexpected

After finishing this take, Director Mu Sheng began arranging for safety measures for the second male lead, Xue Ting—the character he played, Zheng Xiaofeng, would be choked by a rope, dangled outside the building, and left suspended in mid-air.

This scene really couldn't wait until Lin Chuyan wrapped up filming—Ah Zu, Chen Guorong, and Zheng Xiaofeng all needed to be in the same frame for this sequence.

The crew was meticulously checking the rope on Xue Ting, which had already undergone rigorous testing, along with professional-grade hooks and other connecting components.

"You must check and recheck! Be careful and be even more careful! Test it repeatedly to ensure there are absolutely no mistakes!"

Lin Chuyan's emotions had slowly detached from the previous scene, though the tear tracks still remained on his face.

He stood to the side, having already heard the director come over and give instructions three times; every time he came over, the crew would perform another check.

Lin Chuyan simply stood there and didn't leave. What a coincidence; the exact same plot was playing out. He remembered that in his past life, there had been a filming accident during this scene.

Yet, looking at the scene, he really couldn't spot any issues—

The rope was of the highest strength, the hooks had been checked many times, and the on-site operators were all experienced and highly skilled, all to ensure Xue Ting's personal safety.

Several crew members were arranged to be on standby nearby, and safety cushions had been set up on the ground.

Additionally, Director Mu Sheng had arranged for an emergency rescue team just in case.

It seemed quite comprehensive, didn't it? There shouldn't be any problems?

However, Lin Chuyan still felt uneasy.

For one thing, he had invested in this movie, so if something really went wrong, his money would go down the drain; for another, even without considering that, he couldn't let anyone get hurt—human life was at stake.

Lin Chuyan looked at Xue Ting, whose face was a bit pale: "Are you scared?"

The latter really had no heart to speak and just nodded.

"I have to say, you're really badass."

Lin Chuyan was sincere when he said this.

It was no wonder Chen Jiaju always said that Xue Ting was the hope of the next generation of Hong Kong actors; he was truly hardworking and always stepped up when things got tough.

Xue Ting forced a smile and gave himself some psychological suggestion: "It's fine, Brother Chuyan, they all say it's very safe."

"Haha, optimism is good, being optimistic is great. By the way, do you have anything else you want to say?"

Xue Ting: "……"

"Hahaha, I'm just kidding. Don't mind me, I'm just trying to help you relieve some tension. However, one can never be too careful with these things. How about we add another layer of insurance?"

"How do we add it?"

"Wait here for me!"

Lin Chuyan turned and left, then brought over the director and the crew.

"Everyone, let's discuss something. In case, and I mean in case, for example, when you're being dangled down, Nickname, if you feel uncomfortable, you just…" Lin Chuyan looked at Xue Ting's bound hands, "You just try your best to shake your head to signal us. In other words, as soon as Nickname reacts, the crew must immediately rescue him."

A crew member actually retorted: "Uncomfortable? If you're being dangled in mid-air, feeling uncomfortable is normal, right?"

Lin Chuyan glanced at him, ignored him, and couldn't be bothered to argue.

He continued speaking to Xue Ting: "I think you can probably tell what an abnormal type of 'uncomfortable' is, but I'm worried you'll be afraid of affecting the filming progress, think you can hold on a bit longer, and then endure it. By the time you feel you can't hold on anymore, it will be too late to save you."

"So…" Lin Chuyan patted Xue Ting's shoulder, "Your safety is the most important thing. It doesn't matter if we have a few more NGs; if you feel uncomfortable, you must shake your head to signal."

Even without mentioning his status, as one of the investors, Lin Chuyan's words carried a lot of weight.

Furthermore, the director wasn't a fool; safety first was the same everywhere: "Nickname is right. Everyone work hard, and make sure to keep a close eye on him."

As for the crew, their position determined their perspective; they naturally wanted to get it done in one take and felt that Lin Chuyan was being a bit too cautious—it wasn't that they didn't care, but they had really checked many times and confirmed it many times.

Signal if he's uncomfortable? That would take forever to film!

"Is the cameraman ready? What about Nickname? OK, come on, lower him slowly."

Filming had started, and Xue Ting's body went down bit by bit.

"Good, good, slower, no rush."

Surprisingly, the first part was indeed done in one take, and there were no issues at all.

But when it came to the part after Ah Zu died, where the big brother slid down from the building to save Zheng Xiaofeng, the accident still happened.

Lin Chuyan stood right next to the monitor: "Director, why does it look… a bit off to me?"

Lin Chuyan's words made the director a bit nervous, but he himself couldn't see the problem.

"Is there? I don't see it."

[Xue Ting suspended in mid-air: (；´д｀)]

"Is there… maybe?" Lin Chuyan leaned in closer to look at the monitor, "Why do I feel like his expression is a bit ferocious?"

"It's acting, I suppose. Nickname is quite good; even the big brother praised him, saying he's destined for great things!"

[Xue Ting suspended in mid-air: (〃＞ eye＜)]

Now was not the time for small talk, right? Lin Chuyan was a bit speechless; he narrowed his eyes and continued to stare at the monitor.

In fact, he couldn't be entirely sure.

For one thing, this world was different from his past life after all, many things had changed, so maybe an accident wouldn't necessarily happen?

For another, Xue Ting hadn't shaken his head to signal, so maybe… he was really just showing off his acting skills?

But…

"Something's wrong, Director. Why does it feel like Nickname is rolling his eyes? Is this normal?"

[Xue Ting suspended in mid-air: ( ꒪⌓꒪)]

Director Mu Sheng also saw it: "Yes, he is rolling his eyes."

Lin Chuyan: "……Director, he's still rolling them! Still rolling! He's been rolling his eyes for a long time now!"

"Oh no." Director Mu Sheng grabbed the walkie-talkie, "Quick, there's a problem, save him, save him immediately! Adjust the rope, his neck seems to really be choked!"

Xue Ting put on a mask of pain.

He really couldn't catch his breath.

After being rescued, he rested for a full 5 minutes before he could speak again—

"Holy crap!"

Lin Chuyan couldn't help but shake his head: "You're really dedicated, you didn't even shake your head to signal?"

Xue Ting was still shaken: "No, it's just that I couldn't think of it at all! I didn't have that thought! Being choked in mid-air, it felt like it happened in a split second!"

The director also broke out in a cold sweat: "Luckily, Nickname was the first to notice something wasn't right with you."

Xue Ting looked up: "Thanks, Brother Chuyan, you're my savior…"

"You're exaggerating, you're exaggerating." Lin Chuyan waved his hand, feeling a bit curious, "Director, why did I feel like you didn't believe me at first, but then suddenly reacted?"

Well, about that…

Actually, the director had his own judgment. Regarding the acting skills of the leads in this film, he felt it was likely Lin Chuyan > Chen Jiaju > Xue Ting.

As for that physiological reaction, he reckoned that even Lin Chuyan couldn't act it out, let alone Xue Ting.

Director Mu Sheng: "It's simple, if he were acting, then his acting is a bit too good!"

Xue Ting: (￣⊿￣)