Chapter 43: Praise

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The filming of this scene had taken an entire day. Zhao Rang’s demand was high and he was meticulous with his work. He would not allow the slightest of mistakes, so they experienced countless NGs throughout the filming process.

Cui Xing behaved professionally through it all. After all, he started out as a nobody and survived in the industry for many years before shooting to fame which lasted for a couple of years as well. He was dubbed the greatest actor by Century Galaxy. He was also good with people, which was why he was never short of a film to be involved in, and he was liked by many directors.

However, Jiang Se was a newcomer. Also, to be fair, her task this time was more difficult than Cui Xing’s.

Anyone who learned how to play the piano before would know this. Playing the piano seemed like an elegant pastime, but only those who actually played it understood how difficult it was.

She had kept her arms raised and had been playing for the whole day.

This was a great burden to her arms and wrists. However, she managed to bear the discomfort and said nothing. She even put up with it for an entire day. Clearly, she had endurance.

They were rushing to meet their own deadlines. The person-in-charge of the piano store in Huaxia had also given them a call to remind them that they would only be renting the space out for a day. On top of all this, Zhao Rang had high demands for the performance. The entire team forwent their lunch just to ensure that they could finish filming this scene within the day.

However, Jiang Se made no complaints about this. She did not even seem annoyed. What Zhao Rang liked the most was that when his crew members regarded him with fear when he was showing a bad attitude while working with his high demands, Jiang Se could take the pressure well. In fact, the harsher he was, the more beautifully she delivered.

She was not easily crushed by the pressure. Instead, she faced it head-on. Coupled with her amazing looks, Zhao Rang took a liking to her.

“I don’t have any plans for now. Maybe I’ll focus on my studies.”

Jiang Se saw that the replay of her part on the screen had finished. Then, Cui Xing’s scene was played. Her back was facing Cui Xing at that moment and she could not see his expressions or actions. She could only guess about them from Zhao Rang’s reactions.

Even though she had seen Cui Xing in action just now, she was still surprised to see how he brought the young man, who came from a poor background but dared to dream, to life.

Cui Xing seemed to have transformed into another person in the film. It was as if he had become the real Li Qingyang. He was self-abased, sensitive, and introverted.

Li Qingyang longed to have a piano since he was a little boy as he wanted to become a pianist. However, he could not pursue his dreams because of his family’s financial condition.

When Li Qingyang entered this mall to deliver some goods, he felt uneasy. Cui Xing portrayed the minute psychological drama well. Every part of his eyes was full of expression. Every slight frown and pursing of lips bore the trademark of Li Qingyang.

“It’s good that you can settle down to learn something.” When Zhao Rang heard Jiang Se’s answer, he nodded. Then, he moved closer and ask, “You’ve seen Cui Xing’s performance. Do you have anything to say about it?”

She did not flinch even when Zhao Rang directed the question at her. She replied with a smile, “I remembered something Director Gu Jiaer told me before. He said that a true and good actress would serve the film and not the other way round, using the film to add color to herself. Brother Xing did a great job.”

This resonated with Zhao Rang. “Gu Jiaer is right. However, many of the current actors can’t be called actors anymore. They can be called celebrities, at most. I’ve been in this industry for many years, and I’ve seen quite a number of actors and actresses. I’ve worked with hundreds of them throughout my career. The audience is forgetful. New idols are replacing the old ones at too quick a pace. If one of them shoots to fame this year, a similar star will also rise to fame in the following year. With this turnaround, the unfit former stars will certainly be eliminated.”

He rarely spoke much, hence his accent was not apparent. However, as he spoke at length, his Cantonese accent could be heard as he spoke the Huaxia language. Jiang Se resisted the urge to giggle.

“However, time will remember true actors and not stars or idols.” When he saw that Jiang Se’s expression was still relaxed instead of being tensed while facing him, he smiled.

“I can tell that Gu Jiaer has high hopes for you if he’s told you all this.” He considered it before giving her some pointers. “After the film is aired, don’t just join any talent management company and star in a bunch of films. The Film Academy has set rules that prohibits their freshmen and sophomores from being involved in any productions.”

As he said this, he asked, “You’re entering the Film Academy, aren’t you?”

After all, Jiang Se’s outer appearance was a gift from above. Since she was interested in making progress in the entertainment industry, she would naturally consider the Film Academy.

Zhao Rang did not even think about any other aspect. He was merely bringing this up because their conversation had progressed to this point. He did not expect any other answer from Jiang Se.

To his surprise, Jiang Se shook her head at this.

“I’m going to the First Academy. As for the other matters, I haven’t thought them through yet.”

Her answer shocked Zhao Rang. He turned to face her. “The First Academy?”

Although Zhao Rang was seeing her in a new light, he did not expect her to have such stellar grades.

The First Academy was the best college in Huaxia. Only the crème of the crop could get in. Graduates from the First Academy would be held in higher regard no matter which career they ventured into.

Celebrities in the entertainment industry were like carps in a river and were as numerous as hairs on a cow. However, most of them graduated from famous local film academies or at schools. While there were those who were top students in their high schools, they were few and far between.

Zhao Rang did not expect that the newcomer in his cast would be a student of the First Academy. If she could graduate from the First Academy, it would certainly add flair to her resume in the future.

“That’s wonderful,” he offered his praise. When he looked at Jiang Se again, his gaze softened even more. “Since you’re not entering the Film Academy, there won’t be many restrictions on you regarding your involvement in films. Leave your phone number with Little Qin. I’ll call you if there are any suitable roles for you.”

He made a phone call gesture and even mentioned his assistant Little Qin. Regardless of whether Zhao Rang was only offering this to be polite, Jiang Se took his word for it.

They were still talking to each other when Cui Xing emerged from the changing room in his own clothes and clean face. His assistant followed closely behind him. When he saw Zhao Rang, he spoke to Cui Xing in an undertone.

Cui Xing walked up to them and glanced at Jiang Se. Zhao Rang then spoke to him. Naturally, Jiang Se left after giving her phone number to Little Qin.

When she was about to leave, a woman in black business attire hesitated before barring Jiang Se’s way with an extended arm.

“Miss Jiang.”

After spending an entire day in the piano store, Jiang Se could guess that this woman must have been one of the managers of the store. She had been supervising the filming for the day in case the production team damaged their pianos.

However, she was a woman of a few words. She spent most of her time standing silently with the other staff on the side and watched over the production team as they filmed without interrupting the filming process.

During the filming, she had occasionally whispered into another person’s ear. She did not display any special fondness toward Jiang Se, hence when she blocked her way at this moment, Jiang Se was perturbed.

“Hello.”

The woman wore a white round-neck silk blouse. Since the mall was air-conditioned, she also wore a black blazer on top of her blouse as she exuded an air of professionalism.