Huayu: Tianxian Qianmeng

The path in the Jin Family Garden, on the set of "The Story of a Noble Family".

The afternoon sun shone warmly on the meticulously arranged Republican-era garden. What should have been a romantic and enchanting scene was instead filled with a somber atmosphere.

"Action!"

Jin Yanxi, dressed in a sharp suit, looked dashing and debonair. His gaze followed Leng Qingqiu, who was as aloof as an orchid, and he spoke with youthful enthusiasm and nonchalance: "Miss, please wait! Your paper..."

The scene shifts to a spot not far away where Bai Xiuzhu (Liu Yifei) leans against a carved pillar, dressed in an exquisite lace dress, seemingly filled with jealousy and complex emotions.

However, when the camera zoomed in on her face, her large, aloof eyes, which had been cool and distant on the GG sign, were now filled with panic. Like a startled fawn, they darted around, unable to find the camera!

After all, dynamic and static are different.

The "jealousy" that the director had previously mentioned was nowhere to be seen.

"Cut!" Li Dawei's voice came through the loudspeaker, tinged with a barely perceptible weariness. "Qianqian, your eyes! Your eyes should be looking in Yanxi and Qingqiu's direction, with a hint of... um... displeasure, but not too obvious!"

"I'm sorry, Director..." Liu Yifei's face flushed slightly, her voice barely audible. Her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her skirt.

"Again!"

the second time.

"Miss, your paper..." Chen Kun had just started to speak.

Liu Yifei: "..." She opened her mouth, her mind completely blank. Lines? What lines? She clearly memorized them just now!

"Cut! Your lines! Sisi, where are your lines? Where's 'Why hasn't Brother Yanxi come back yet?'?"

the third time.

I remembered the words, but as soon as I moved, disaster struck!

He steps out with his left foot, and swings his left arm along with it! He walks like a toddler just learning to walk, arm and foot moving in unison.

A lighting assistant nearby couldn't help but chuckle, then quickly covered his mouth.

The fourth time, the fifth time...

Her eyes would wander again, she would stumble over her lines, or she would bump into a prop flowerpot with a loud "bang," startling Dong Jie.

Dong Jie stood waiting to go on set, maintaining a gentle smile, her fingers lightly fiddling with the piping on the cuff of her costume. She turned her head slightly to her assistant, speaking in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the person next to her to hear: "Sigh, at this pace... I'll have to work overtime again tonight. I understand, she's a newcomer, but it's a bit tough on her partner."

The assistant nodded knowingly.

The sixth time.

Liu Yifei finally managed to steady her gaze and stammered through her lines. Now it was Chen Kun's turn to erupt in emotion—he needed to express his impatience at being "harassed" and interrupted by Bai Xiuzhu.

Chen Kun composed himself, his brows furrowed, and with the arrogance of Jin Qishao, said, "Xiuzhu! Stop making a scene! I have something to say to Miss Qingqiu!"

As per the script, Liu Yifei was supposed to step forward and question him with a wronged expression.

As it turned out, she went in the wrong direction!

He took a step forward and stood firmly between Chen Kun and the camera!

"Crack—!!!" Li Dawei almost crushed the horn in his hand.

Chen Kun's pent-up frustration and impatience were abruptly suppressed by this sudden "camera obstruction"! Like a fully inflated balloon being punctured by a needle, it deflated completely with a "pop".

The veins on his hand, gripping the script, were bulging. He suddenly turned around, rushed to the monitor, and slammed the script onto the small table next to the monitor with a "thud," making the script supervisor's water glass shake.

The entire set fell into a deathly silence!

Even the people moving props stopped, not daring to breathe.

Chen Kun's chest heaved as he pointed at the helpless Bai Xiuzhu in the monitor playback, his voice filled with barely suppressed anger as he addressed the director:

"Director! Look at this! How am I supposed to act like this? Huh? Your eyes are wandering off, your lines are stuck in your throat like they're burning your tongue, and you're walking like a raw recruit! Now, you're even messing up your positioning! You've completely killed my scene!"

He irritably ruffled his hair, recalling Dong Jie's earlier words, which fueled his anger, and he spoke even harsher.

"I'm acting opposite a blockhead? And she can't even grasp the most basic rhythm of her lines! Director, this is unacceptable! If this continues, not only me, but even a god would be dragged down by her! Can't we replace her? As soon as possible!"

Liu Yifei stood in the center of the room, stunned by the overwhelming anger.

Her face was deathly pale, her eyes instantly reddened, and she bit her lower lip tightly, struggling to hold back her tears. Her gorgeous dress made her appear exceptionally frail and helpless.

Li Dawei was also in a real bind, his brows furrowed in worry.

Replace them? You make it sound so easy!

Kim Tae-hee fell through. We finally found someone with an irresistible aura, and the contract was even signed. But what about Boss Chen? Besides, where can we find someone more suitable right away?

But this performance... it worried him too.

Producer You Jianming quickly smoothed things over, stepping forward to pat Chen Kun on the shoulder: "Calm down, Kun'er, calm down."

He then turned to the director, lowered his voice, and said, "Old Li, what do you think...? How about we shoot something else first? Let Qianqian calm down. It's her first time, she has no experience, and it would be even worse if she got scared. Or... how about we find a tutor to guide her? Even last-minute cramming can be helpful!"

Li Dawei sighed heavily, his gaze sweeping across the set before finally settling on Ling Yuan, who had been standing quietly behind Chen Kun, his brows furrowed as he looked at Liu Yifei.

This kid's acting skills are truly amazing! Since joining the crew, no matter how long the lines are or how complex the emotions are, he gets them right in one take! His pronunciation is clear and his sense of rhythm is top-notch; even the dubbing director praised him.

"The lines..." Li Dawei's eyes lit up, and he pointed at Ling Yuan, calling out, "Ling Yuan, come here!"

Ling Yuan immediately stepped forward: "Director?"

"You," Li Dawei pointed at him, "your ability to deliver lines with perfect rhythm is admired by the whole crew. You're in charge. Tell Xixi how to find that 'moment,' how to deliver the lines smoothly and emotionally! Now! Get to it!"

Ling Yuan was taken aback and looked at Liu Yifei, who was still frozen in the middle of the scene with red eyes.

The little girl looked up at him, her eyes filled with confusion, grievance, and a hint of... barely perceptible plea for help.

Liu Xiaoli: "..." This kid?

"As for acting skills and stage presence..." Li Dawei then turned to You Jianming.

You Jianming's mind worked quickly: "Xiu Qin! Veteran actor Xiu Qin! He seems to be free these days. I know him well, I'll call him right now and ask him to come and help out! Let him give Qianqian some pointers! With him in charge, it'll definitely work!"

Li Dawei slapped his thigh: "Great! That's the plan! Lao You, go and contact them! Ling Yuan, Qianqian is in your hands now. Find a quiet place and teach her properly!"

He waved his hand, as if shooing away flies: "Everyone else, pack up and get ready to move on to filming Mei Li's scene! Shu, sing! Get ready!"

"Okay, Director!" Shu Chang bounced in response. As she passed Ling Yuan and Liu Yifei, she mouthed "Go for it!" to Ling Yuan, then winked at Liu Yifei and whispered, "Don't be afraid, Qianqian, Brother Ling Yuan is a great teacher!"

Dong Jie left with the group that was moving to another location. When she passed by Liu Yifei, she paused for a moment. Her face still had that gentle smile, but her voice was soft yet carried a hint of coldness: "Little sister Qianqian, keep it up and study hard."

After saying that, he walked away leisurely.