TSSRWAB Chapter 7

“Zhu-jie, were you Lu Xi’s career fan four years ago?”

 

“Huh?” Zhu Li felt a little guilty. “K-kind of, yeah.”

 

–

 

Are You Ready, Actor? Rehearsal on Friday, recording all day on Saturday.

 

The mentors didn’t need to attend on Friday, so Jian Huai volunteered to take care of Doubao and Dougao for the day. Lu Xi had no choice but to entrust them to Jian Huai for now, though he knew he needed to find a nanny soon.

 

The set was already built: a cold, sterile operating room.

 

Two others had chosen the movie Hunting alongside Lu Xi: Zhao Yu (male) and He Xiaoman (female). The three of them rehearsed all morning, but Lu Xi’s lines were sparse. Most of the time, he watched He Xiaoman and Zhao Yu clash.

 

The scene they were performing was the most impactful moment in the film, with the spotlight entirely on Zhao Yu’s male lead. He Xiaoman felt her role was too minor and worried she wouldn’t stand out on stage, so she wanted to add more lines. Zhao Yu, of course, disagreed, but he didn’t say it outright.

 

“Lu Xi, do you think adding lines here would work?” Zhao Yu and He Xiaoman were arguing, and suddenly cue Lu Xi, who was eating melons, “You be the judge. Just so we’re clear, I’m not doing this for myself. Xiaoman wants to add lines. Just want to hear your opinion.”

 

Lu Xi: “…”

 

What is this little fresh meat[mfn]小鲜肉 xiǎo xiān ròu – a Chinese Internet buzzword used to describe handsome young men. It is most commonly used to refer to male celebrities, particularly rising stars. (Wikipedia)[/mfn] doing?!

 

He’s a little bit of a green tea[mfn]绿茶 lǜ chá – lit. “green tea,” ; refers to someone who pretends to be innocent or pure but is manipulative underneath[/mfn], ya know?

 

But I can be even more green tea!

 

“I think the scene should flow naturally. My lines are few, and I’ve never acted before. Xiaoman is professionally trained, and you have acting experience. You two should discuss it slowly.”

 

Lu Chacha[mfn]茶 (chá) means “tea”, doubling it (茶茶) makes it a cute nickname-like; referencing to when he said that he can be an even more green tea too[/mfn] washed his hands of the matter cleanly.

 

Zhao Yu: “…”

 

In the end, Zhao Yu won.

 

He Xiaoman was unhappy and secretly sought out Lu Xi, who also had few lines, to form an alliance.

 

Lu Xi: …After failing to use me as a pawn, now you want to be besties?

 

Duck no[mfn]in the raws: duck不必 – “duck” sounds like “大可” (dà kě) in “大可不必” (dàkě bùbì) which means “totally unnecessary”[/mfn], meimei.[mfn]妹妹 mèimei – younger sister / little sister[/mfn]

 

The morning passed just like that.

 

At noon, Jian Huai brought Doubao and Dougao to the CatTV parking garage to wait. Lu Xi got into the car, saw his sons, and let out a sigh of relief. “Finally, I feel alive again.”

 

“Did the rehearsal go well this morning?” Jian Huai asked.

 

Lu Xi didn’t want to go into detail about the hair-pulling drama earlier. “It was okay.”

 

Jian Huai grew worried. When he first heard Lu Xi wanted to act, and just then when the show Actor came knocking, he cashed in a favor without much thought. He assumed Lu Xi could always refuse if unwilling, but he forgot that Lu Xi had neither formal training nor any acting experience.

 

Acting wasn’t something you could just pick up. If rehearsals were already rough, what would happen on stage? Lu Xi could easily embarrass himself.

 

“Do you need my help? I can go over the script with you.”

 

“No need. It wouldn’t look right for a mentor to coach an actor privately.” After all, it will be graded. Lu Xi had read the script and had his own take on it. “I trust myself. I’ll do fine.”

 

It wasn’t that Jian Huai didn’t believe in Lu Xi. Lu Xi was a pro at singing and dancing, but acting was a different beast. He wanted to say more, but then he saw Lu Xi joyfully cuddling the kids.

 

“I missed Doubao and Dougao so much.” Lu Xi kissed each of their foreheads.

 

“Missed Daddy,” Doubao said, clinging to him in his tiny voice. “Daddy, are you moved? Can we have ice cream?”

 

Lu Xi: …Daring.

 

In the end, the two little buns got their ice cream as dessert after lunch. Once the meal was over, Lu Xi had to return to CatTV. Since it was naptime for Doubao and Dougao, Jian Huai took them back to the hotel first.

 

In the afternoon, during rehearsal, both He Xiaoman and Zhao Yu were holding back.

 

They weren’t putting in real effort. Lu Xi could tell.

 

“Are you dumb? The three of us are technically in competition. Hold back now, go all out on stage tomorrow, and wow the audience. Get it?” He Xiaoman said.

 

Lu Xi: “Then why are you telling me this?”

 

Then He Xiaoman gave him a look that said, “Do I need to say it?”

 

Ohhh, I see. We’re besties now.

 

“You can’t act anyway, and your part is tiny.”

 

Not a threat. The unspoken words were written all over He Xiaoman’s face.

 

Lu Xi: …Meimei, I’ve been betrayed.

 

Zhao Yu watched the two of them whispering coldly but said nothing. He hadn’t expected Lu Xi to end up competing on the same stage as him. Staring at Lu Xi’s flawlessly handsome face, Zhao Yu couldn’t suppress his jealousy. But it didn’t matter. By tomorrow…

 

Lu Xi would become his stepping stone.

 

–

 

Saturday, Are You Ready, Actor? Recording

 

Actor followed a PK elimination system. The first episode is divided into two parts, with actors scoring a total of ten points: seven from the four mentors, one from the audience, and two from the market producers.

 

Each episode would eliminate the five lowest-ranked actors in the D-tier.

 

After the host explained the rules, the show began.

 

In the Audience Section

 

“Zhu-jie, what are you looking at?” Calico Cat followed her gaze and noticed two young boys sitting in the front row, They’re dressed identically in overalls and small shirts, sitting quietly and eating candy.

 

“Whose kids are they? They’re so cute.”

 

Zhu Li recognized them immediately. “They’re Lu Xi’s.”

 

“No wonder.” Calico Cat wasn’t surprised. Lu Xi was gorgeous, so it made sense his kids would be adorable too. Too bad she didn’t have her phone to take a picture. “I wonder when Lu Xi’s going on.”

 

The thirty-one actors were divided into thirteen groups; some performing in pairs, others in trios.

 

Doubao and Dougao had come to see their daddy, but they waited all morning without catching a glimpse of him. The two were so well-behaved that even the assistant assigned to watch over them felt heartache. Originally, Huai-ge asked him to look after the kids, and he was worried about managing rowdy little boys.

 

Who would’ve thought they’d be so sweet and obedient?

 

Aside from whispering “Gege” when they needed to use the bathroom, they sat quietly the entire time. No crying, no fussing, no signs of boredom.

 

During the lunch break:

 

Jian Huai stepped down from the mentors’ panel and crouched in front of them. “Doubao, Dougao, are you hungry?”

 

“Not hungry.” Doubao shook his head. “I miss Daddy.”

 

Dougao nodded solemnly.

 

The mentor area was just a few steps away.

 

Zhao Ziyang commented, “Film Emperor Jian’s kids? When did that happen?”

 

“Wow, twins! Come, let Aunty hold you.” Zhou Xin, who was married but had no children, was thrilled.

 

Doubao, sweet-mouthed as ever, said, “Pretty jiejie, hello!”

 

“Hello, jiejie.” said Dougao with a cool expression.

 

Zhou Xin was delighted. At thirty-six, she was called “pretty jiejie” by a three-year-old. These two are little charmers.

 

“They’re my friend’s kids,” Jian Huai explained simply.

 

He ignored Zhao Ziyang the whole time. Zhao Ziyang glared at Jian Huai and left unhappily.

 

The recording lasted until 7 o’clock in the evening, and Lu Xi had not yet appeared.

 

Everyone started the day energized, but now most looked exhausted. Those who had already performed were relaxed, chatting casually, while the ones still waiting were visibly tense.

 

“Zhao Yu, He Xiaoman, Lu Xi. You’re up.”

 

The staff began calling people.

 

On stage.

 

“Hunting was directed by Yuan Tang and tells the story of a man separated from his girlfriend while traveling abroad. During his search, he uncovers a criminal organization involved in organ trafficking…”

 

The host briefly introduced Hunting.

 

In fact, most of the audience had already seen the film. Released during last summer’s blockbuster season, Yuan Tang is known for his art house films, but this commercial film grossed 2.8 billion yuan[mfn]390,320,061.60 USD[/mfn]. The most iconic role was the villainous killer.

 

It was played by an old movie emperor. He is low-key, good at acting, not good in appearance, but superb in acting. He played a businessman and a murderer who took out organs in a way that made people say it was scary.

 

It had left a deep impression.

 

Zhu Li silently prayed, Please don’t be Lu Xi, please don’t be Lu Xi.

 

“—Let’s welcome the male lead Zhao Yu, female lead He Xiaoman, and villain Lu Xi.”

 

It’s over!

 

Playing a killer tested acting skills. Director Yuan said they shot the climactic scene over forty times before it was right.

 

If a veteran actor needed that many takes, how would Lu Xi, who had never acted before, manage? He was bound to bomb and be mocked online once the episode aired.

 

“Oh, Lu Xi plays Ning Gan.” Zhao Ziyang said bluntly: “It’s going to be exciting.”

 

Jian Huai tightened his grip on his pen.

 

The stage backdrop was set up behind the stage.

 

The cameras from all sides were projected on the big screen according to the angles given in the movie.

 

The female lead lay on the bed, sedated but half-conscious. Ning Gan was a twisted man who liked to remove organs personally, savoring his victims’ suffering.

 

The closed operating room on the screen was simple and cold, just like in the movie, and the audience was immediately brought in.

 

Here it comes. Ning Gan’s entrance.

 

Zhu Li held her breath.

 

The operating room door slowly opened.

 

Whoa.

 

“He’s so handsome,” Calico Cat couldn’t help but gasp.

 

In front of the big screen, the camera focused on Lu Xi. More accurately, it was Ning Gan.

 

Dressed in a three-piece suit, his hair neatly combed, Ning Gan has OCD and a cleanliness obsession. For him, killing was a hunting victory, slowly savoring the feast of his prey.

 

The Ning Gan in the camera was too perfect.

 

He was young, with a smooth forehead, wearing glasses, a straight and beautiful nose, and thin, beautiful lips. Especially his eyes, with slightly upturned corners, all emotions hidden behind the glasses. Even just walking toward the operating table without a single word, one could feel the shadow of Ning Gan.

 

A hidden fear.

 

Zhu Li couldn’t even recall how the original actor had played it.

 

Did he smile? Did he rush forward eagerly?

 

Lu Xi’s slender hands gripped the film camera.

 

An opera began to play.

 

Just like in the film.

 

Ning Gan began to savor his prey.

 

This scene was a trap. The male lead had been waiting to capture Ning Gan. In the film, Ning Gan eagerly grabbed the scalpel. But here, he first removed his glasses.

 

Like shedding a disguise.

 

Ning Gan was a respected philanthropist businessman.

 

But without the glasses, his true self emerge; naked desire and evil, in full view. His eyes were narrow and cold, devoid of warmth, but the corners of his mouth are slightly raised, creating a stark contrast.

 

He looked down on the woman on the table.

 

Half-paralyzed, fully conscious, eyes wide with tears and desperation.

 

“Please, let me go. Please, I’m begging you…”

 

But in Ning Gan’s eyes, she was merely a lamb awaiting slaughter.

 

“Listen. Isn’t it beautiful?” Ning Gan uttered his first line.

 

The tone was steady, yet had a trembling edge. Zhu Li couldn’t describe it, but she felt his excitement. It was like she was resonating with a psychopath.

 

The female voice singing opera was ethereal and sharp.

 

The whole atmosphere was created so well.

 

Bang!

 

The male lead burst in. Zhao Yu held a gun.

 

Mentors’ panel.

 

Director Yuan furrowed his brow slightly.

 

“Let her go!”

 

Zhao Yu’s veins popped as he shouted at Ning Gan, seeing his girlfriend on the table.

 

But Ning Gan didn’t stop the knife in his hand and didn’t even glance at the intruder.

 

“I already called the cops. They’re on the way. I’ve sent all your evidence to the police. Ning Gan, you hypocritical murderer, one more move and I’ll shoot!”

 

….

 

The same lines.

 

But Zhu Li felt… so disgusted and embarrassed. When she watched the movie before, when the male lead rushed in to say these things, she was so passionate about justice that she wanted to bring Ning Gan to justice with the male lead.

 

But now? This???

 

Ning Gan got shot in the shoulder. Hair disheveled, blood staining his clothes. Facing the male lead’s righteous fury, he replied, “Her heart and kidneys could save several people.”

 

He spoke casually and arrogantly, “Isn’t it good to die in my hands?”

 

Mocking and cold. He was rationalizing murder, but the final line, delivered with such chilling conviction, made Zhu Li feel like she could understand Ning Gan’s twisted logic: Isn’t it better to die by Ning Gan’s hand?

 

“Cut!”

 

Director Yuan called it.

 

The performance segment is over. The actors were asked to come to the front of the stage.

 

The three introduced themselves and waited for the mentors’ feedback and scores.

 

“I can only say it’s not bad. Someone lowered the level of this performance.” Zhao Ziyang spoke first, and swept across the three people on the stage, saying: “I think Zhao Yu performed very well, very explosive, and the lines were quite stable and impactful.”

 

Zhao Yu let out a breath of relief.

 

So it wasn’t him who dragged down the level. Just now, when he was acting with Lu Xi, he seemed to be overshadowed by Lu Xi, so he had to step up and add more intensity to overpower him.

 

“The actress did well too. Playing paralyzed and conscious is tricky, but she was commendable.”

 

“As for the one holding everyone back, I don’t need to say anything, do I?” Zhao Ziyang fixed his gaze on Lu Xi. “What exactly were you trying to show? Your looks? If you care that much about appearance, don’t act. I saw nothing but pretense from start to finish. Did you even watch the original film? Do you understand Ning Gan? Director Yuan is right here. Don’t you feel ashamed when he sees his work being performed like this by you?”

 

He sneered. “An idol trying to act? I give you a D for Disaster[mfn]’disaster’ was written in English in the raws[/mfn]!” Then he added sarcastically, “Not everyone can be another Film Emperor Jian.”

 

The atmosphere on stage froze.

 

The host tried to smooth things over.

 

“I’ll also give Lu Xi a letter,” Director Yuan finally spoke. “A for Amazing[mfn]’amazing’ was written in English in the raws[/mfn]. As an actor, Lu Xi surprised me in the best way.”

 

Zhu Li in the audience, who was ready to roll up her sleeves: PFFFFT HAHAHAHAHA!

 

She couldn’t wait to see Zhao Ziyang’s face now.

 

–

 

The author has something to say:
Lu Xi: No one can out-tea[mfn]茶 chá (referring to the green tea incident earlier; meaning he’s even more green tea)[/mfn] me!

 

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