"Alright, time's almost up. Everyone get ready. Actors, are both actors present? Wen Wenlan, Fang Miaomiao." Chen Tianming shouted into the megaphone.
"We're here."
"Very good, everyone take your positions. Third segment, first scene, action."
Fang Miaomiao instantly got into character, looking at the person opposite her in disbelief. "You're saying you've fallen for Ruolan?"
Although Wen Wenlan was surprised by how quickly Fang Miaomiao entered her role, he quickly followed with his line. "I'm sorry, I can say I've never liked you. All of this..."
"All of this was just my imagination?"
"Yes."
"In that case, you can die. Your life, I saved it. If you don't like it, return it to me."
"I feel like I've been slapped in the face. Fang Miaomiao's acting seems quite good."
"I think so too. I actually just projected myself into Fang Miaomiao's role and thought Shi Lian's life was saved by me. If he wants to betray me, I naturally have to take his life back."
"Damn, are you a pervert? If someone doesn't like you, you want them to return their life?"
"Quiet, quiet, watch the show. If Fang Miaomiao continues like this, she's bound to become famous."
After the surrounding staff finished their hushed whispers, they became engrossed in the scene again. Only Fang Yanhuan's expression was grim.
Chen Tianming watched the footage on the monitor, frowning. Fang Miaomiao's emotions were passable, but Wen Wenlan was off.
The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was as he suspected. He picked up the megaphone and called out, "Cut."
"Director?"
Chen Tianming stepped out from behind the monitor and said, "Wenlan, your emotions were not right just now."
"My emotions weren't right?" Wen Wenlan asked as if hearing a joke. "Director, you don't mean to..."
"Stop, I'm not in the mood for jokes. I'll ask you, Chen Yao was trying to kill you just now. How did you feel?"
"Scared," Wen Wenlan blurted out.
At this point, he had already learned from Ruolan that Chen Yao was a powerful villain. If a villain wanted to kill him, even as a base commander, he would still feel fear in such a situation.
"Director, did I misunderstand?"
Seeing that his face showed no other expression besides bewilderment, Chen Tianming shook his head and explained, "But you've forgotten, the female lead Ruolan is behind you. And by this time, you're already with Ruolan. You have a protector. Would you be afraid of a villain?"
The movie's setting was that the female lead and the villain were comparable in terms of power. The female lead had merely been hiding her true strength from the villain.
"Then I?"
"Miaomiao, what do you think?"
"Me?"
"Yes." Chen Tianming nodded. "This is a scene between the two of you. You should understand your opponent."
"Don't blame me if I say the wrong thing."
"Nonsense." Chen Tianming glared at her impatiently. "Hurry up, I don't like working overtime."
"What a coincidence, I don't either." Fang Miaomiao quickly returned to the main topic. "I think Shi Lian also had a layer of gambling involved."
"Gambling?"
"Yes, gambling. Gambling that Chen Yao wouldn't kill him, considering their past relationship. Shi Lian is the base commander. He has his own confidence and arrogance, both in his career and in his relationships."
A thoughtful look appeared in Wen Wenlan's eyes. He could feel the confidence of the character Shi Lian. Having become a base commander at a young age, leading the people of the base to protect their homeland, he would receive praise wherever he went.
However, he hadn't really considered that Shi Lian would be so confident in his relationships. Confident enough to believe that the villain wouldn't kill him.
"Fang Miaomiao, you're good."
Fang Miaomiao glanced at him. "I don't want to work overtime."
Wen Wenlan: "..."
This woman. He shouldn't have given her an easy way out just because he saw her acting talent. Otherwise, she would just push her luck.
"Third segment, first scene, take two, action."
Fang Miaomiao got into character and delivered her line.
On the other side, Wen Wenlan was still pondering the emotional aspect of the character from earlier and didn't respond.
"Wen Wenlan, what are you doing?"
Wen Wenlan snapped back and said apologetically, "Sorry, my emotions were off just now."
Chen Tianming sighed. "Ten minutes to adjust, we'll start in ten minutes."
"Sister, do you want some water?" the assistant ran over with starry eyes.
The assistant's name was Yu Zhi. She had a cute, doll-like face and looked harmless.
When she first graduated from college, she happened to send her resume to the studio.
Sister Nian thought she had a good appearance, was efficient, had good emotional intelligence, and was knowledgeable about fan culture. So, she made an exception and hired her.
"No need." Fang Miaomiao shook her head helplessly. "You don't need to be so proactive for now. I'll call you if I need anything."
Yu Zhi held the water cup and looked at Fang Miaomiao with a wronged expression. "Sister Miaomiao, you've been filming in high temperatures for so long. How can you not drink enough water? It's so hot."
"Drink, drink." Fang Miaomiao took a few sips to moisten her throat. "You can go now."
"Then, Sister Miaomiao, please remember to call me if you need anything."
"Mm-hmm."
Only then did Yu Zhi step back, looking back repeatedly, until she reached the shade.
"Wenlan, how are you feeling?" Chen Tianming's tone softened.
"Cough, cough." Wen Wenlan tapped his head with his slender fingers. "Director, why don't you speak to me like that again?"
This sudden gentleness made him a little uncomfortable.
"Alright then, how are you feeling now?"
"I'm ready."
Chen Tianming nodded. "Then let's start the third time."
Soon, the two stood in their designated positions again.
As Chen Tianming called out "Action," Fang Miaomiao delivered her lines.
Wen Wenlan followed closely.
Seeing that the two had found their rhythm, the staff finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"I knew that wasn't the usual standard for Actor Wen Wenlan. Our Emperor Wen is so handsome. Look at those affectionate eyes. If I were the villain, I'd just force myself on Shi Lian. He's too good-looking."
"Exactly, exactly. I feel like I'm shipping this couple now. It's not impossible for the male lead to move the villain with his love, hahaha, am I dreaming?"
"Cough, cough, that's a viable idea."
Soon, with Chen Tianming's exclamation of "Not bad," the first day, first scene, officially concluded.
Warm applause erupted from all around.
"Good," Chen Tianming also nodded. "If you two maintain this state, it will be excellent."
"Thank you, Director Chen," Wen Wenlan said to Chen Tianming with a complex expression.
Chen Tianming patted Wen Wenlan on the shoulder. "Keep it up."
Otherwise, the waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves before, and Wenlan dies on the beach.
"Alright, today's work is done. Pack up. Thank you everyone for restoring the set. You can collect your red envelopes later."
"Thank you, Director."
The staff cheered.