Chapter 23 part 1

They didn’t chat for long before hanging up.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Grandfather Xia mentioned two things to her.

The first was that in three days, some friends he knew in the city would be hosting a dinner party. Since he couldn’t attend, he asked Xia Shutong to go on his behalf.

The second was about the day after the dinner party. He wanted Xia Shutong to hurry back to Hai City, where the entire family would have a meal together. He also reminded her to negotiate a certain project with Tianjun after the party. He advised her not to get so absorbed in the activities of the Wutong drama crew that she forgets about Tianjun.

Xia Shutong agreed, hung up the phone, and sent a message to Qian Lingling before turning off the lights to sleep.

The next morning, the official filming of “Chasing the Light” began.

The first scene they shot was the ending of the movie, where the female lead, Du Yan, sat by the window, engrossed in writing – the same scene as the audition.

At eight o’clock in the morning, with the sunlight just right, the crew was setting up the scene while Yun Feiwu read the script and discussed the content with Director Dai Su.

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Dky Fbwvsdt scplahle qasx y ekpvydnl.

Ebld Zwd Wlkow vyzjle okvb svblap, pbl prsjl hlau zkvvzl yde bla lmralppksd oyp pwcewle, ulv obld pbl pxkzle yv bla, kv oyp ps nyrvkhyvkdt.

Ohld vbswtb Zwd Wlkow bye prldv zlpp vbyd qkhl xkdwvlp okvb bla ulpvlaeyu, vbl osaep pbl prsjl olal xsal vbyd obyv pbl oswze pyu kd yd ldvkal eyu kd qasdv sq svblap.

“Yu ralhkswp ynvksdp clqsal vawzu nywple y vsd sq vaswczl.” Gzxspv kdhszwdvyakzu, Dky Fbwvsdt vswnble bla nblpv – pbl nswzed’v blzr cwv qllz twkzvu.

Fssd, vbl plv oyp alyeu, yde Pkalnvsa Pyk Fw pvlrrle kd qasdv sq vbl nyxlay yde pbswvle “ynvksd.”

Zwd Wlkow yzxspv kdpvydvzu tsv kdvs nbyaynvla, bla nbyakpxy kp lhld pvasdtla nsxryale vs vbl eyu pbl ywekvksdle.

Rv oyp y sdl-vyjl pnldl.

Gp pssd yp Pkalnvsa Pyk Fw nyzzle “nwv,” bl nzyrrle bkp bydep yde oyzjle wr, pbsolakdt Zwd Wlkow okvb raykplp qsa bla rlaqsaxydnl.

However, Xia Shutong averted her gaze guiltily. She felt that at the moment when Director Dai Su called for a “cut”, Yun Feiwu had glanced at her.

Just like during the audition, every time Yun Feiwu finished a scene, she would look toward Xia Shutong for a second.

Xia Shutong lowered her head to her phone, pretending not to notice.

The morning shoot went smoothly, with Yun Feiwu nailing her solo shots in a single take. For scenes involving others, there might have been some rehearsal between actors once or twice at most, and that was it.

However, in the afternoon, there was a problem with Bian Xin’s first shot.

Bian Xin played the role of Zhou Lingxue, the close friend of the female lead, Du Yan. She had been by Du Yan’s side since high school, her lively and cheerful nature contrasting with the main character’s introverted and gloomy personality. Yet she always understood Du Yan and accompanied her in her own way.

The scene shot in the afternoon depicted the female lead, Du Yan, being bullied by her dormitory classmates. She was alone, hiding at the far end of a corridor, sobbing in a corner. Zhou Lingxue saw her and silently walked over, sitting beside her, and accompanying her as they both cried.

This scene appeared simple, devoid of any lines, yet the emotions between the characters were incredibly intricate.

For instance, Du Yan, the female lead, was feeling wronged, fearful, and lost due to the bullying. She couldn’t express her thoughts, aware that her best friend, Zhou Lingxue, couldn’t truly understand her. They existed in different worlds – Zhou Lingxue was bright and optimistic, while Du Yan felt like a dark and troubled soul.

But Du Yan also recognized Zhou Lingxue’s genuine concern for her and her desire for Du Yan’s betterment. This led to her feeling a sense of guilt and self-blame. A mix of emotions intertwined within her, planting a seed in her heart, a desire to change.

As for Zhou Lingxue, while she indeed couldn’t fully comprehend Du Yan, she, being Du Yan’s best friend, was willing to accept everything about her. She wouldn’t stand there hypocritically offering consoling examples or demand her to become cheerful and sunny. Zhou Lingxue simply stood quietly by Du Yan’s side, accompanying her through it all.

Once the filming began, Yun Feiwu effortlessly slipped into character, but Bian Xin was struggling to find her emotions.

Oddly, during the audition, Bian Xin performed this scene quite well. However, now that she was on set, the expected emotions just wouldn’t surface.

At first, Director Dai Su patiently explained and analyzed the situation to Bian Xin:

“Xiao Bian, think carefully. Zhou Lingxue is Du Yan’s only friend and the only person who truly accepts her. Were your emotions a bit too flat just now? You need to cry with Du Yan, but it can’t be all tears. You can’t be like a puppet, that would be disheartening for the audience. While you’re crying, you should also convey your inner thoughts on your face. Think about it, why are you crying? It’s because of Du Yan…”

Director Dai Su talked a lot, but when they resumed filming, there was still no improvement.

“Xiao Bian! I said, bring out the emotions, make them even stronger! It’s not enough as it is now!”

“Have you ever had a close friend? If you can’t empathize with Zhou Lingxue, then imagine Xiao Yun as your best friend. Can’t you do that? Or should I show you?” Director Dai Su stood right there and actually demonstrated shedding tears on the spot.

After Director Dai Su’s performance, Yun Feiwu and Bian Xin go through the scene again.

However, when the actual filming started, Bian Xin still couldn’t get into the right emotional state.

After a few attempts, Director Dai Su was infuriated and shouted, “Bian Xin, what’s wrong with you?! Weren’t you fine during the audition? Why can’t you do it now? You…”

After scolding Bian Xin, Director Dai Su couldn’t help but praise Yun Feiwu as well, “Look at Xiao Yun over there, how many times has she cried? Her eyes are all swollen, and yet she can get into character so quickly. Both of you are from the same cast, and you’ve been acting for so many years, why is there such a huge gap?”

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