“First test shoot, scene one, get ready!” Zhang Nanchuan stood behind the camera, glanced at the set, and shouted, “Action!”
The army led by Ji Ying had successfully broken through two passes, completely securing the crucial transportation hub. Having won a great victory, they were rushing back to the capital on horseback to report.
After a long and arduous journey, upon entering the city, the small troop finally relaxed a little.
The surroundings were quiet and deserted. After the curfew, aside from the night watchman making his rounds, it was hard to find even a single lit candle in the entire city.
However, besides the sound of horse hooves, there seemed to be some other noise.
Ji Ying frowned and asked the deputy city guard commander beside her, “What’s happening up ahead?”
“Your Highness, there was a transaction involving songstresses in the flower alley this afternoon. Perhaps some were disobedient and are now being disciplined by the madam,” the deputy commander replied.
“Songstresses?” Ji Ying narrowed her eyes, then a wanton smile spread across her lips. “Let’s go have a look!”
The deputy commander didn’t dare to stop her. Besides, this was news of a great victory, and they were already in the city. The Emperor had always doted on the Princess and would surely not blame her, so he followed along.
The scene changed. Four or five people were lying sprawled on the ground. Not far away, another woman was collapsed. From her posture, it seemed she had been trying to leave but had fainted midway.
Ji Ying narrowed her eyes and went forward to investigate.
After a moment, she asked the person behind her, “What do you make of this scene?”
The usually taciturn deputy commander observed for a while and said, “This woman has internal injuries, yet she was still able to knock these five people to the ground. Her martial arts are superior to mine. If she were at her peak, I would be no match for her.”
“Interesting.” Ji Ying tossed her horsewhip aside and immediately squatted down.
The woman on the ground didn’t look old, perhaps sixteen or seventeen. Her clothes were decent but couldn’t compare to the top courtesan of the establishment; it was the typical attire of a common songstress.
Ji Ying’s gaze swept over her body, bold and intense. She reached out and pinched the woman’s waist, chuckling lightly. “This waist… is not bad.”
Rong Guang’s breath hitched for a moment. She quickly adjusted her state, afraid of affecting Chu Feiliang.
Chu Feiliang didn’t seem to notice. After observing for another moment, she finally reached out and turned the woman’s face to the front.
Upon seeing the face, she was slightly surprised and laughed heartily. “I’ve really found a treasure this time. She’s actually a beauty.”
Then she slowly reached out and gently caressed the beauty’s face, her tone light and cheerful. “This skin feels so tender, very firm, and so supple.”
Afterward, her fingers gradually moved downward.
Just as Rong Guang thought the hand was about to leave her face, something suddenly touched her lips, then wiped across them forcefully.
She instantly opened her eyes, meeting Chu Feiliang’s perfectly timed, surprised gaze.
In a flash, Rong Guang received some kind of unspoken cue from Chu Feiliang’s eyes. Sensing Chu Feiliang’s thumb press against the corner of her lips, Rong Guang immediately turned her head and bit down without hesitation, her other hand swinging high!
However, she was at the end of her strength. Dealing with an ordinary person was one thing, but it was impossible to take on a great general seasoned by the battlefield.
In an instant, their positions were reversed.
Rong Guang’s hands were pinned behind her back by Chu Feiliang, who pressed a single knee into her back, immobilizing her completely!
Rong Guang tried to move but found she really couldn’t. The scene was pretty much over, so she closed her eyes and “fainted” again.
Chu Feiliang let out a light laugh. “Quite a fierce little wildcat. A pity her lips are a bit dry. We’ll have to moisten them properly later.”
The laugh itself was nothing, and it wouldn’t even be out of place in the drama.
But for some reason, combined with what just happened… Rong Guang felt as if Chu Feiliang was laughing at her. And because they were still filming, she couldn’t open her eyes, making her so flustered her ears turned red.
“Good, right there—cut!” Zhang Nanchuan shouted from behind.
A few people gathered around the monitor to watch.
Chu Feiliang released her grip on Rong Guang and pulled her up from the ground. “Did I hurt you?”
“No.” Rong Guang shook her head repeatedly.
Actually, it did hurt a little. The white marks on her hands hadn’t faded yet and would soon become red and swollen.
Chu Feiliang looked at her but didn’t say much more, only commenting, “You did well. Your reaction time was very fast.”
It would have been better if she hadn’t mentioned it. The moment she did, Rong Guang was overcome with shame and subconsciously licked her lips… Were her lips really that dry?
She was certainly a talented actress, but she had never received formal training and relied more on instinct for her performances.
That’s why in her past life, she had practiced countless times with Chacha in private. Later, she even enrolled in classes and would visit various film sets to observe and learn in her free time, all to withstand the scrutiny of the camera.
Eventually, she managed to develop her own insights, won several awards that were very significant to her, and even got to know Chu Feiliang because of it. But… in all her past experiences, a situation like this had never occurred.
“It’s my fault. I couldn’t hold back just now and almost made you do it all over again.” Rong Guang felt a bit guilty; they had almost needed to reshoot.
“You can’t be blamed.” Chu Feiliang shook her head, comforting her. “We weren’t following the script anyway. It was an improvised scene. A good improvisation is more important than anything. This is your strong suit. At your age, being able to keep up with my acting is already very impressive.”
Rong Guang felt much better after being comforted, her eyes filled with gratitude.
Zhang Nanchuan watched for a while, then called over to Chu Feiliang and Rong Guang, “You two, come take a look.”
The playback started, and Rong Guang took a look.
From her own perspective, since she was subjectively involved, she felt her momentary hesitation wasn’t a good performance.
But after all, it was an improvised moment, not even an unexpected accident.
“No problem.” Chu Feiliang nodded after watching it twice, then changed the subject. “Director, have Rong Guang’s dressing room and hotel room been arranged?”
“Dressing room and hotel room?” Zhang Nanchuan was taken aback. He scratched his head and said, “I’m not sure about that. Let me ask for you—the production services department is in charge of that. What, wasn’t it arranged?”
“Since it hasn’t been arranged, don’t bother.” Chu Feiliang said lightly, “I’m guessing they probably didn’t arrange these things for Rong Guang. If it’s too late, just have Rong Guang share a dressing room with me for now. She has many scenes with me, and we’re basically always together. It’s good to get to know each other better. Sister Shi can look after one person or two. We can’t be careless with makeup and hair and drag down the schedule.”
Zhang Nanchuan paused, then frowned, understanding the implication behind Chu Feiliang’s words.
Filming was starting tomorrow, and the dressing room and hotel room for a key supporting actress hadn’t been properly arranged yet?!
He was usually so busy he couldn’t touch the ground, and he didn’t manage these trivial matters. In his crew, everyone had always had their own duties, and there hadn’t been any problems for years. Why was there a problem now?
He didn’t think it was Rong Guang’s fault. His first reaction was that someone on his staff was causing trouble.
Either they were neglecting their duties, or the “gifts” from the new actress hadn’t satisfied the appetites of these old hands.
Ye Zi popped up from somewhere and said to the angry-faced Zhang Nanchuan, “Uncle Chuan, where’s my brother?”
Zhang Nanchuan was startled. He looked at Ye Zi and said, “He had an off-site meeting to attend this afternoon and left early in the morning. Do you need him for something?”
“Oh.” Ye Zi nodded. “I do, but it’s about the same thing you’re angry about.”
Zhang Nanchuan asked, “What do you mean?”
“Uncle Chuan, you’ve got bugs in your rice.” Ye Zi muttered with great innocence, “I asked this afternoon. Your production services department is too much. They don’t give the actors schedules, don’t arrange accommodations, and make them find their own food and lodging. They won’t do any work without being paid off, and everyone has to be coaxed and catered to. Look, I’ve been hungry all day, and look at our precious Chacha, she’s so hungry her eyes are spinning!”
Ye Zi glanced at Rong Guang and said with a serious face, “Now they won’t even prepare a dressing room. Even if they weren’t paid off, they shouldn’t discriminate like this. After being messed with like this, before you’ve even started working, everyone’s already exhausted. How can they work together with one heart to make you a delicious bowl of white rice?”
How could Zhang Nanchuan not understand what Ye Zi meant?
His expression changed, and he roared, “Where’s the head of the production services department? Get him here right now! What the hell am I paying him for!”
“There’s no rush to deal with it this very second,” Chu Feiliang said. “It’s getting late, Director.”
Zhang Nanchuan also knew this had nothing to do with the actors. It was an internal matter for the crew to sort out themselves.
He suppressed his anger, glanced at the people in the room, and said, “Pack it up. Thank you for your hard work today. Everyone go home early. We have to work again tomorrow.”
Everyone nodded, packed their things, and headed home.
Rong Guang glanced at the time. It was indeed late, almost two in the morning.
Zhang Nanchuan was still fuming. He had a lot of stamina. After pacing around the room a few times, he walked out while dialing the production services head’s number.
The moment the call connected, Zhang Nanchuan instantly cursed, “Zheng Jujia, you old bastard! Have you not worked with me long enough or…”
The sound of his cursing gradually faded as Zhang Nanchuan walked further away.
Rong Guang looked at the room, which had been restored to its original state. She stood for a moment before going over to express her thanks. “Thank you, Teacher Chu, for speaking up for me.”
“Don’t mention it.” Chu Feiliang said with a smile, “It was just a few words, and it wasn’t entirely for you. People like that are indeed an eyesore. They don’t just affect you. Director Zhang can’t stand impurities. Getting them out of the crew a day earlier saves everyone’s progress from being delayed. It’s less trouble for everyone.”
Rong Guang nodded. She knew Chu Feiliang didn’t want to take credit, but she still etched this gratitude into her heart.
Just as Rong Guang was about to leave with Chacha to get their luggage, Chu Feiliang let out a light laugh from behind them.
Rong Guang turned back from the doorway and saw Chu Feiliang tap her own lips. She said softly, “The weather is dry. Go back and put on some lip balm.”
Rong Guang nodded dumbly. It wasn’t until a long moment later, after Chacha had already closed the door, that it dawned on her, and her face instantly flushed bright red!
Chu Feiliang really did think her lips were dry!
It was all because she hadn’t rested well these past few days and hadn’t drunk enough water!
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