The Film Emperor

影帝

the-film-emperor

Chapter 4

Because of Ye Lan's few teasing remarks, Jiang Chi's entire state was off.


 It was supposed to be a scene of reuniting with a first love after many years of separation, face covered in dust and temples frosty with age, but the corners of Jiang Chi's eyes and brows carried a hint of the passion of someone who had just fallen in love.


 Ren Haichuan was watching the stand-in's positioning. He glanced at Jiang Chi, who had rushed over after getting his makeup done, and said coldly, "Go adjust your state. Come back when you've sorted out your emotions."


 As if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, Jiang Chi's heart tightened. He nodded awkwardly, "I'm sorry, I'll immediately…"


 Following behind Jiang Chi, Ye Lan saw this and gave a silent laugh. Just as he was about to say a few words for Jiang Chi, Ren Haichuan shot him a look, his expression worsening. "Mind yourself!"


 Ye Lan suppressed a smile, nodded, and sat to the side playing with his phone.


 Jiang Chi was at an age where his emotions were easily influenced by the outside world. To say his acting was good was only in comparison to other male actors of his age. Compared vertically, let alone the current Film Emperor Ye, even compared to Ye Lan at his age, he was far, far behind.


 He still couldn't control his character's emotions freely; getting into character slowly was Jiang Chi's biggest weakness.


 Jiang Chi took a deep breath, trying his best to banish Ye Lan's jokes from his mind.


 Everyone on set was already ready; there was no reason to make them all wait for him alone. Jiang Chi felt a little anxious. After thinking for a moment, he took out his phone and searched for a few of Ye Lan's romance rumors to read.


 Even though he knew these well-crafted rumors were all nonsense, reading them from start to finish, the fake stories complete with pictures and text were still enough to make one's heart ache. The heart that had been stirred up by Ye Lan calmed down quite a bit. He took a deep breath, recalling his mood every time he heard about Ye Lan's rumors over the years, and slowly slipped into Pei Ran's state of mind.


 Jiang Chi closed his eyes, returned to the camera, and signaled that he was ready.


 "Don't be led by him, you're fighting with yourself." For this scene, Ren Haichuan wasn't strict about their positions, giving the two some room to improvise. He only emphasized, "Control your emotions. Don't release them, pull them back. Take the anger you feel for him and turn it on yourself, okay?"


 Jiang Chi nodded.


 The stylist came up to slightly tidy Jiang Chi's hair, gave the director an OK sign, and quickly moved out of the frame.


 ""The Scum," scene twenty-seven, take one!!"


 At the head of the negotiation table, Jiang Chi's expression was indifferent. He pushed a folder forward. "I've already looked at this contract. I suggest President Zhan first ask for the opinions of your company's other shareholders before making a decision. Our company currently has no plans to expand to the north, and many of the suggestions you've raised…"


 Jiang Chi was silent for a moment, then suddenly gave a sarcastic smile.


 It was unclear if he was mocking Zhan Ming or himself.


 Jiang Chi lowered his eyes, saying pointedly, "Many suggestions… are very unprofessional, and childish."


 The corners of Ye Lan's eyes were slightly red, his pair of deep eyes fixed tightly on Jiang Chi.


 One of Ye Lan's hands, holding a cigarette, rested on the arm of the chair. His other hand was pressed on the negotiation table, his thumb rubbing forcefully and repressively against the wood grain. His lips trembled slightly, his whole being like a wounded leopard—restrained, pained, bloodthirsty, and desperate.


 A long negotiation table separated the two, yet Jiang Chi could already feel the powerful aura coming from Ye Lan.


 Jiang Chi took a deep breath. This was what Ren Haichuan had talked about—Ye Lan's acting and presence after holding back.


 Behind the camera, Ren Haichuan's brows were tightly furrowed.


 Jiang Chi knew without looking that Ren Haichuan was about to yell 'Cut'.


 His emotional preparation earlier was poor, and he had already been reprimanded by Director Ren in front of Ye Lan. At this moment, Jiang Chi a million times did not want an NG.


 Jiang Chi couldn't stand being scolded in front of Ye Lan.


 "President Zhan." Jiang Chi stood up, pushing his chair under the negotiation table inch by inch, gently. At the same time, he slowly retracted the slightly unsettled expression from his face. After pushing the chair back into place, his expression had returned to normal. Jiang Chi said calmly, "We are all very busy… Let's not waste each other's time."


 Jiang Chi adjusted his tie and strode toward the conference room exit. As he passed by Ye Lan, the previously silent Ye Lan suddenly stood up, grabbed Jiang Chi's arm, and forcefully yanked him back.


 Jiang Chi glanced angrily and nervously towards the conference room door, hissing in a low voice, "Let go!"


 In the scene, Pei Ran had been cornered in the conference room by Zhan Ming. He was constantly worried that a colleague might pass by outside and hear about his and Zhan Ming's disgraceful past.


 "Scared?" Ye Lan gripped Jiang Chi's arm tightly, his exquisitely tailored suit unable to hide his violent, roguish aura. "Call security! Have them throw me out!"


 Jiang Chi looked at Ye Lan in disbelief, saying slowly and enunciating each word, "Can you have some shame."


 "When have I ever had any?" Ye Lan grabbed the hair on the back of Jiang Chi's head, forcing Jiang Chi to meet his gaze, and said hoarsely, "Pei Ran… do you know that these past few years, I…"


 "I don't want to know!"


 Jiang Chi sharply cut off Ye Lan, shoving him away forcefully.


 Ye Lan stared at Jiang Chi, stunned.


 Jiang Chi took a few hurried breaths. Suddenly, tears welled up in his eyes without warning.


 The decency and dignity he had struggled so hard to maintain collapsed completely under Zhan Ming's embrace, which couldn't even be called a proper hug.


 Jiang Chi clenched his fists in pain, raising a hand to wipe away his tears, but they flowed uncontrollably. He pressed the corners of his eyes. Suddenly, he slapped himself hard across the face, a sob catching in his throat. "You're pathetic!"


 The rims of Ye Lan's eyes instantly turned red. He immediately grabbed Jiang Chi's hand, and amidst Jiang Chi's struggles, he lowered his head and kissed his lips.


 After a moment of shock, Jiang Chi went wild, hitting and pushing. The two tore at each other like beasts, venting the resentment in their chests—whether it was for the other person or for themselves, it was unclear.


 Finally, Jiang Chi shoved Ye Lan away with all his might. He leaned dejectedly against the wall, head hanging low, and after panting for a long while, he let out a pained sob. "All these years… Ye Lan… you… you've ruined my life…"


 "Cut!"


 Jiang Chi's face was streaked with tears. After a few seconds, he looked toward Ren Haichuan. Ren Haichuan still had a stern face, but the satisfaction in his eyes couldn't be hidden. Jiang Chi broke into a grin. Without bothering to compose himself, he quickly bowed to Ye Lan to apologize. "I'm sorry, was I too forceful just now? I didn't push you too hard, did I? I'm so sorry."


 "Wow." Ye Lan looked at Jiang Chi with a smile. "Not bad."


 Jiang Chi performed much better than Ye Lan had imagined. This kind of uninhibited, intense scene was a pleasure for both of them. Ye Lan nodded in appreciation. "That moment you slapped yourself, your expression was spot on."


 Jiang Chi's face flushed with excitement. He took the tissue his assistant Li Weili handed him to wipe his face and said, "No, no, it's because you were looking out for me."


 The Assistant Director went to watch the playback. Ren Haichuan walked over. Jiang Chi wiped his tears dry and looked at Ren Haichuan expectantly… being praised in front of Ye Lan was quite embarrassing.


 Ren Haichuan first nodded at Ye Lan. "Nothing to say."


 Ye Lan scoffed. Ren Haichuan looked at Jiang Chi, his tone icy. "That last line just now, what did you say?"


 Jiang Chi froze.


 He had long since memorized the lines backwards and forwards, but being asked so suddenly, he was now a bit unsure. Had he misremembered the line?


 Jiang Chi said hesitantly, "Zhan Ming… you've ruined my life?"


 Ren Haichuan said angrily, "What you said just now was 'Ye Lan, you've ruined my life'! You can't even remember your lines! What's wrong with you?!"


 Jiang Chi's face instantly turned red. He was going crazy. Such a perfect scene! And he actually messed up the line! And even called out Ye Lan's real name!!!


 Jiang Chi swallowed, looking at Ye Lan tremblingly. Ye Lan's tone was relaxed. "It's fine. It's normal to get too into character with me."


 Jiang Chi's face turned even redder.


 Ren Haichuan's movies all used live sound recording; he would never allow Jiang Chi to dub over and change the line in post-production. Besides, the lip movements for the two names wouldn't match. They had to reshoot.


 Fortunately, there was a camera angle change in the middle of this long scene, and they were going to film Ye Lan's close-up anyway, so they only needed to reshoot the part from the kiss onwards to connect the scenes.


 Makeup artists came up to touch up their makeup. Ren Haichuan took the opportunity to have Jiang Chi pay attention to his previous shortcomings. "The force of your resistance was wrong. Are you afraid to push him? It's not a fight scene, are you worried you'll break him? Be rougher."


 Jiang Chi agreed, bowing to Ye Lan. "I'm sorry, Brother Ye Lan, in a bit I might still have to…"


 "Doesn't matter." Ye Lan waved his hand, cutting Jiang Chi off, and slightly raised his face to let the makeup artist touch him up.


 Ren Haichuan instructed Ye Lan, "For your close-up, no need to hold back. Just act normally."


 Ye Lan gave Ren Haichuan a thumbs-up.


 The actors' emotions hadn't completely dissipated, so they couldn't delay for too long. All departments quickly got into position. Three minutes later, the script supervisor yelled, "Action!"


 Ye Lan pinned Jiang Chi's arms tightly, lowered his head, and with a certain viciousness, pressed Jiang Chi against the wall.


 Jiang Chi's heart began to pound.


 Just now, he had been completely in character, driven by emotion, and hadn't really paid attention to Ye Lan's kiss. This time, he was no longer leading the scene, and with his emotions pulled back, his whole body was about to tremble.


 Ye Lan's movements were fierce, but his eyes held an unspeakable helplessness and affection.


 Ye Lan gripped Jiang Chi's arms tightly, forcefully narrowing the range in which he could resist.


 Jiang Chi's heart raced. As he struggled intensely, tears trickled down his face.


 Jiang Chi looked up. Ye Lan was less than ten centimeters away, his eyes looking directly into his. The desperate affection in his gaze nearly swallowed him whole.


 The entire set was drawn in by Ye Lan's emotions. A few young girls covered their mouths tightly, their faces blushing.


 Ye Lan lowered his head and kissed Jiang Chi's lips.


 Jiang Chi's eyes flew open. He clearly felt Ye Lan's tongue swipe fiercely across the seam of his lips.


 Jiang Chi: !


 Jiang Chi didn't come back to his senses until Ren Haichuan yelled 'Cut'.


 Ye Lan's performance was normal, so perfect that Ren Haichuan couldn't find anything to critique. Jiang Chi had also fixed his line mistake. After watching the playback twice, Ren Haichuan nodded. "It's a pass."


 Jiang Chi let out a sigh of relief, his heart still pounding. He kept replaying the kiss in his mind, his thoughts running wild, 'Even though I paid so much in liquidated damages, having today's scene makes it worth it. Money lost can be earned again, but kissing Ye Lan isn't so easy…'


 "Brother Jiang, you have a text." When Li Weili came over to hand Jiang Chi a tissue, he also passed over his phone, whispering, "It's from Brother Geng."


 Jiang Chi dazedly unlocked his phone.


 Ye Lan rubbed his shoulder where Jiang Chi had punched him earlier. He casually glanced at Jiang Chi's phone screen and froze.


 Before the shoot, in order to get himself into a state of resentment, Jiang Chi had been browsing an entertainment news webpage, which was still brightly displayed on the phone screen.


 [Shocking Secret: Ye Lan's rumored girlfriend of many years is actually her! The evidence is conclusive!]


 Ye Lan: …


 Ye Lan was speechless. He took the water his assistant handed him, took a sip, then, after holding it in for a moment, screwed the cap back on the bottle and set it aside. He turned his head to Jiang Chi and said, "I never dated her."


 After saying that, he went back to his dressing room.


 Jiang Chi was stunned for a moment. He dazedly looked down at his phone, and his hair instantly stood on end!


 Jiang Chi frantically closed the page and scrambled to the dressing room.

The Film Emperor

The Film Emperor

Chapter 4 - Chapter 4

Windwalker