This is machine translated and all copyrights belong to the author. Please note that the translator might take creative liberties for better readability. Thank you for reading.
Li Fei: Do you like the protagonist of this movie?
Clutching chopsticks with sweet and sour pork ribs, the succulent flavors coated in thick sauce glide back into the grains of rice.
Li Fei, unable to taste the piece he just ate, stared intently at the person on the green screen–
These days, as Jian Hua played a background role, Li Fei was busy. Even when Jian Hua finished, Li Fei, as the lead, had to continue with his scenes, tirelessly working day and night, which was why he only noticed Jian Hua’s transformation today.
Li Fei put down his chopsticks, completely focused on the person in the crowd scene.
Without closing his eyes or using his powers, relying solely on normal human senses, “He Ning’s” presence was already strikingly noticeable. As the camera pans, even if it’s just for a second, the main character’s silhouette was profoundly unmistakable.
This wasn’t the He Ning from the script, but the protagonist played by Li Fei.
Initially, Jian Hua was imitating, but now he has captured the essence. His standing posture wasn’t entirely the same as Li Fei’s, lacking the habitual movements Li Fei gave the character. He simply, naturally, with a style very similar to the protagonist’s, filled the screen with his monotonous turns, steps, back, and side profiles.
Li Fei slightly raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.
“Is it cold? Do you want to heat it up again?” Assistant Lin looked anxiously at Li Fei’s barely touched meal.
The crew’s boxed meals were decent, but Li Fei never shortchanged himself, often asking Assistant Lin to pack dishes from nearby restaurants.
The enticing aroma of the sweet and sour pork ribs brought Li Fei back to reality.
The next second, Li Fei felt many eyes in the studio on him.
Today, the supporting actress, feeling unwell, requested a two-hour break to resume filming in the afternoon, which the director agreed to. Thus, Li Fei unusually got to eat on time and even stroll around.
— Does the crew really have so many people curious to see his, the movie star’s, reaction?
Was the stunt actor daringly imitating the movie star in his acting, aiming to catch the director’s attention? After this film, will Li Fei be outshone by this young stand-in? Or will the movie star turn and dismiss him?
Li Fei can complete all the sentences churning in these people’s minds.
With a bite of pork rib and a mouthful of fragrant rice, the movie star calmly continued watching the group scene.
The third male lead stepped back, coincidentally blocking Jian Hua in a camera’s view. The director looked but said nothing.
In this crowd scene, as long as the main character’s clothes, sleeves, and shoes appear in the shot, it’s fine. Other actors trying to steal the scene were generally ignored by the director, unless—
“Cut!”
Chief director Lu was known for his temper inversely proportional to his fame in the industry. Although Director Lu wasn’t one to verbally abuse people, if anything unrelated to acting waste film or ruin a shot, he’s capable of kicking a chair across the set.
“What are you grabbing for! Is that your position?” Director Lu glared at the small-time pop star who’s just an extra.
The pop star felt wronged; he was positioned next to the third male lead, and the assistant director had instructed him correctly during rehearsals. This unexpected scolding left him bewildered.
The inexperienced pop star didn’t realize that the third male lead stepping back and covering Jian Hua didn’t spoil the shot, but his following move created a gap in the background. Film directors were particular about the aesthetic of a shot, so it’s no surprise he was scolded.
Stealing a scene was a skillful act. Some experienced actors with a great sense of camera can often frame their co-actors. Not understanding the camera work meant not understanding what went wrong.
In such a large crew with so many people, how many actually get to see what’s happening through the camera?
If someone leaked the story, the pop star could instantly gain notoriety for being scolded for scene-stealing.
Director Lu, who was far from blind, warned after scolding, “Let’s redo this scene, and if anyone doesn’t know how to walk, I’ll have the props team glue your feet to the ground!”
The third male lead quieted down, but the intimidated pop star was too scared to follow his movements correctly. When he failed to move at the right moment, the shot was ruined again, infuriating the director.
The pop star became the target of everyone’s blame, while the third male lead, the real culprit, casually returned to his assistant: “What was Li Fei’s reaction?”
His assistant shrugged, “The same, his smile didn’t even change.”
“Tch, the big-name actor with the best temper in the entertainment industry! Even if he wants to beat that stunt actor to a pulp, he still has to maintain a harmless, gentle demeanor,” the third male lead muttered sarcastically.
Many are eager to watch the drama unfold, but no one expected Assistant Lin to call Jian Hua over, “Joe, come have lunch. There are several dishes from Liu An Restaurant’s chef today!”
Facing the surprised looks from every corner, Assistant Lin bravely held his ground, though internally lamenting: It was Li Fei who asked Jian Hua to come. He too wants to eat the sweet and sour pork ribs, pepper beef, and spicy eel!
Jian Hua, indeed hungry, didn’t overthink it.
He grabbed a box of rice, broke open the chopsticks, and hurriedly ate, relishing the aromatic dishes.
With the camera not focusing on his face, Jian Hua ate without any burden.
Compared to other actors who needed to touch up makeup even after a sip of water or a short break, Jian Hua felt relaxed.
The set was noisy, with the assistant director instructing the pop star and demonstrating movements. The other actors rested while scattered around, each talking softly, their words inaudible unless one got close.
“Do you always act like this in other shows where you’re a stunt actor?” Li Fei has a lot to say, but ended up asking this.
Jian Hua, picking peppers from his dish, responded nonchalantly, “I thought you wouldn’t ask.”
“Not every lead actor is broad-minded. You see, I’m also quite concerned,” Li Fei said earnestly, holding his food container. “Guess how many people today are waiting for me to trouble you.”
“A setup?” Jian Hua glanced at Assistant Lin, then back at Li Fei, the implication clear.
To set him up, one would first need to defeat him, right?
— Li Fei quietly placed the dish back in front of Jian Hua.
Jian Hua found this amusing, a feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
Being around Li Fei was always pleasant and relaxed. The movie star’s gentle and elegant mask was firmly in place, and the rare glimpses of something different were intriguing and amusing.
This prompted Jian Hua to unusually share more about himself: “You know what it’s like for stunt actors on set. We face danger and difficulty, not limited to any specific role. There was a time I worked on a fantasy TV series lacking female stunt actors, so I spent my days in women’s clothing on set…”
Before Jian Hua noticed, Li Fei’s expression subtly changed, but he quickly composed himself again.
“Changing costumes is the most tiring part of the day. One moment I’m the female lead, then a supporting actress, sometimes the villain. Who would bother to ponder the characters’ personalities? Just having the right look is enough.”
After picking out the peppers, Jian Hua happily started eating the beef.
Usually, he wouldn’t be picky about his food around strangers and would just eat whatever was available.
However, Li Fei finally got to add a definite note to his impressions of Jian Hua: He is picky about food!
It’s the first time Jian Hua showed his own preferences!
As said in a classic TV drama, a person can erase their past and hide all their preferences, but it’s hard and unwilling for them to change their real liking in food!
Assistant Lin noticed Li Fei’s evident emotional change and was puzzled: What is his star happy about? Is it just because Jian Hua is earnestly acting as a background character?
Even Jian Hua misunderstood, adding an explanation: “Now that I’m your stunt double, reducing your workload and the number of shots you have to take is the purpose of our contract. I must earn the salary you pay me.”
“…” Was it all about the salary?
“As for whether you mind me doing this — from our experience on ‘The Crow’ set, you actually seem happy when a stunt actor captures the essence of the character,” Jian Hua concluded and continued eating.
Li Fei felt somewhat disheartened. ‘The Crow’ was a film that aimed for both box office and critical acclaim. The director, aspiring for perfection and awards, expected even the extras to perform exceptionally, unlike the commercial film crew they’re with now.
In a star-studded cast, it’s about drawing box office appeal and screen presence.
Many actors refuse stunt doubles, not out of professionalism, but because the doubles don’t meet the necessary standards. To catch the audience’s eye, actors don’t want to miss any opportunity.
Lead actors use stunt doubles for long shots, usually when it’s time for the supporting actors to perform.
However, when the camera pans and the audience spots the protagonist among the crowd, all other actors become mere backdrops. In a cinema, one can’t pause to scrutinize every person in a shot.
That one second of audience attention dictates who truly owns the scene.
Jian Hua imitating Li Fei’s lead role with the protagonist’s essence means he’s blocking others’ paths — a bizarre logic but true in the eyes of those petty and calculative.
“You’re doing great, and I’m happy about it, I think the director is too,” Li Fei starts but hesitates, knowing Jian Hua’s likely response:
Can those unhappy ones get rid of him? Cause him trouble? Are they paying his salary for him to care about their opinions?
None of that matters! Without his powers, Jian Hua isn’t afraid of anyone, let alone now with his abilities… The entire set must be covered in his spores!
Li Fei immediately dismissed his worries and calmly said, “I’m surprised… no, pleasantly surprised.”
Jian Hua paused, looking down at his food box, avoiding eye contact, knowing Li Fei can read a lot from his expressions.
“Do you like playing this protagonist?” Li Fei casually asked, as if it’s just an offhand question.
“The protagonist adored by many of the same sex, pursued by even more of the opposite sex, perfect with a 100 points, 200 points of hypocrisy, 300 points of arrogance?” Jian Hua sarcastically laughed.
“…”
Li Fei was relieved; if another character like General Wu were to be involved, he’s not sure how he would feel.
General Wu’s character has a unique charm, whereas He Ning is more of a popular, idol-like protagonist, particularly beloved by young girls.
“But your portrayal of He Ning reminded me of many things,” Jian Hua said, somewhat lost in thought.
Before Li Fei could respond, the assistant director called for a retake.
Jian Hua set down his food box and stood up to leave, leaving Li Fei pondering the enigma: What did Jian Hua glean from the main character?
At that moment, the lights in the studio dimmed, and Li Fei looked up alertly.
The author has something to say:
Sorry for the late updates these past few days due to some issues. To make up for it, I’ll add an extra update this week, QAQ, please forgive me.
[As said in a certain classic TV show, a person can erase their origin and hide all their preferences, but it’s hard and unwilling for them to change their true food preferences!]
↑ In summary, this is from ‘The Legend of Music,’ where the character Hai Donglai’s origin is a mystery to everyone. In the end, he is figured out based on the groceries bought for his kitchen and the type of chef he hires 2333.
Last Edit: December 20, 2023 at 2:13 PM
This is machine translated and all copyrights belong to the author. Please note that the translator might take creative liberties for better readability. Thank you for reading.
“Fortunately, if there’s another General Wu, Li Fei did not know what to feel.”
Omg hahaha Li Fei doesn’t want yet another “rival”
I wonder if what JH was reminded of was that said childhood friend of his that is trying to get on his good side and was always fearful since they were children…..
The lights went off! Is it an attack on the staff from some transmigrator or foreign spy, or is it time to go to the Abandoned World? It would be fun to see many of the people on set being trapped with them, also, Major Zhang is in the city! Maybe they will meet up? Though, they probably didn’t know that the abandoned world could come in other places other than the ones said in the book, I hope that with this they can be more confident on themselves and the world that they live is not a book but their reality.
Thanks for your hard work!
Did Li Fei realize Jian Hua is falling for him, Li Fei and not his character?
Aaaaah
I want to see Jian hua crossdressing too XD
Thanks for the chapter!~
Thank you for the update and your hard work 😄.
Thanks for the chapter~ (～￣▽￣)～
Watt watt is it getting late that I need to arrest or my brain just couldn’t keep up… this movie terms and whatever conversations they have, I do not catch (ToT)
Lol instead of rest it just wrote arrest..I guess I’m sleeping