Chapter 37 Part 1

The next day, because the two leads were well-prepared, the recording process was unexpectedly smooth.

In the morning, the two of them first filmed a few scenes from their youth, mostly long shots and wide shots. The focus was on the lighting and set design, so the shooting was very relaxed. After swapping out the lighting doubles and running through the scenes twice, everything was completed in less than two hours.

From then on, the crew's filming schedule returned to normal, and they began filming the key scene where Zhan Ming and Pei Ran reunite after being separated for several years.

"Alright, let's start lunch. The actors eat first. After eating, immediately remove your makeup and change your look. Both of you will change into your adult appearances. Makeup and styling, pay attention." Ren Haichuan instructed the Assistant Director, "Go keep an eye on Ye Lan. Just trim the hair on the back of his head a little shorter. No need to touch the front, the stylist can handle it. Don't cut too much."

Ren Haichuan said sarcastically, "Film Emperor Ye is so precious. A little shorter hair or a little less weight would shake the foundations of the nation. If your hand slips and you cut too much, the people from his studio will come and make a fuss again."

Jiang Chi held back a laugh. Ye Lan had been watching Jiang Chi, and seeing him smile, he lightly tapped him on the head. At the same time, he said helplessly to Ren Haichuan, "I haven't even left yet. Could you say these things behind my back?"

"Don't waste time!" Ren Haichuan frowned. "The evening scene is a major one. Immerse yourselves in your characters while getting your makeup done. Let's try to shoot all five shots for this scene today."

The two went to their respective dressing rooms and began the lengthy process of changing their looks. Jiang Chi's hair was also cut a bit shorter. His hair color needed to be changed from dark brown back to black, but there was no time to leisurely dye it. The stylist used a temporary hair color spray to quickly change his hair color, then slicked back his sideburns and swept all his bangs up, revealing a smooth, fair forehead.

"The skin tone isn't right... we still have to apply foundation. The eyebrows need to be touched up too, make them a bit sharper. The rest can be done like before." The stylist adjusted the indoor lighting, observed carefully for a moment, then nodded with a smile. "Teacher Jiang has maintained his condition very well. There's almost no difference from his previous look."

Jiang Chi smiled, "Actually, I've lost a little weight, it's just not that obvious."

"Filming is too hard. The work intensity is high, meals aren't regular, and sleep isn't guaranteed," the stylist lamented. "Especially in the first few months when we were always shooting on location, it was a real test of the teachers' stamina."

Li Weili also sighed with emotion, remembering the days he had to make Jiang Chi drink ginger soup every day. Just as everyone was reminiscing about the bitter and sweet past, a crew member knocked lightly on the door and said from outside, "Teacher Ye's scene has already started. The estimated filming time is one hour. Sorry to trouble Teacher Jiang to prepare his makeup."

The stylist agreed and lowered his voice with a laugh, "No more chatting, no more chatting. I'll go get the makeup artist."

The crew member, perhaps having heard a joke from someone, hesitated before continuing to pass on the message, "Um... if Teacher Jiang is willing, he can go to the set to have a look after his makeup is done..."

Jiang Chi looked up. The crew member outside said uneasily, "Teacher Ye said it. I don't know what he means either, sorry."

Yesterday, the two of them had spent a long time working on this scene. Jiang Chi knew that Ye Lan wanted him to come over and watch him film earlier.

Jiang Chi closed the script in his hands and smiled. "Got it."

Jiang Chi asked the makeup artist to be quicker. In just half an hour, he was done and hurried to the set.

Ye Lan had already finished one take and was now filming a shot next to the elevator bank.

The timing of this scene was shortly after Zhan Ming and Pei Ran had just reunited. Zhan Ming had gone to great lengths, pestering Pei Ran relentlessly to "make things clear."

But Pei Ran felt that there was nothing left to say between them. He didn't read his messages, didn't answer his calls, and forbade the company's security guards from letting him in.

Whether he truly didn't want to see Zhan Ming, or if he didn't dare to see him, Pei Ran knew in his heart.

Zhan Ming had searched bitterly for Pei Ran for years. When he finally found him, he didn't expect things to have changed so drastically. He was unwilling to accept it, refusing to believe that Pei Ran could truly have forgotten him.

"You've been navigating the business world for many years now. Your temperament, your whole person has changed. You've become composed and slick, able to remain impassive even when pierced by a thousand arrows." Ren Haichuan looked into Ye Lan's eyes and said in a low voice, "You're a real man now, but the moment you face him... a crack will appear on that fake face, that mask of yours. Uncontrollably, a bit of your true feelings will be revealed."

When Ren Haichuan talked about a scene, he spoke extremely quickly. Ye Lan leaned against the elevator, listening quietly. When Ren Haichuan reached this point, he looked up and glanced at Jiang Chi.

Ren Haichuan followed his gaze, and seeing that Jiang Chi had arrived, he simply called him over to listen as well.

"You and Ye Lan are the exact opposite. He only reveals that bit of true feeling, forgotten for so many years, when he meets you. As for you, the moment you meet him, you immediately hide your heart." Ren Haichuan frowned, reminding him seriously, "You have to show your toughest side to confront him, to confront your own true feelings, understand?"

Jiang Chi nodded, "With all my might, I will draw a clear line between my first love and my youth."

"Perfect." Ren Haichuan knew that Jiang Chi had already thoroughly understood the character, so he said no more. He turned to Ye Lan and said, "As for you, just pay attention to holding back a bit. This isn't your most unrestrained moment yet. You need to leave some room for the final scene, give it some layers, understand?"

Ye Lan hummed in agreement, "Understood."

Ren Haichuan checked the time and urged, "The last shot later will be 'fighting for density.' We only have half an hour to shoot it. Everyone, adjust your state of mind. Don't keep getting NGs."

Ye Lan made an 'okay' gesture, and the crew cleared the set.

"'The Scum,' Scene Thirty-Seven, Shot Two, Take One! Action!"

Ye Lan had just been shoving with the security guard upstairs. His meticulously combed hair was slightly disheveled. He was holding in his anger, his breathing a bit heavier than usual, which suddenly gave him a roguish air.

He stood on one side of the company lobby, tugging at his tie in annoyance. Inadvertently, he caught sight of a delivery person rushing between floors.

Ye Lan stared silently at the delivery person for a few seconds, a cold smirk spreading across his lips. He suddenly straightened up, smoothed his hair, and quickly composed his expression. Taking advantage of the security guard's departure, he strode toward the delivery person.

"Hello, is there a delivery for Tengguang Economics on the twelfth floor? My colleagues who are working overtime are a bit anxious." Ye Lan smiled politely at the delivery person. "I happen to be going upstairs, so I can take it up for you."

Ye Lan had an outstanding temperament, looking respectable and refined. The fabric of his suit shimmered with a luxurious, soft luster, giving him the solid appearance of an upper-class elite. He had also blurted out the specific name of the company on the twelfth floor. The delivery person, busy as a spinning top, didn't suspect a thing. He quickly opened his delivery box, took out two orders, and handed them to Ye Lan, not forgetting to thank him. Ye Lan took the delivery bags and smiled, "It's no problem."

The delivery person lowered his head to organize his delivery box. While he wasn't looking, Ye Lan took the work cap he had placed to the side.

"Cut!"

Ren Haichuan signaled that the scene was a pass, and everyone quickly moved on to the next one.

"'The Scum,' Scene Thirty-Seven, Shot Three, Take One! Action!"

In the restroom, Ye Lan took off his suit jacket, crumpled it up, and tossed it aside. Then he quickly undid his shirt cuffs and rolled the sleeves up to his elbows. He put the baseball cap printed with "XX Delivery" on his head, pulled the brim down low, and, carrying the two bags of takeout, entered the elevator.

The security guard he had clashed with earlier had already changed shifts. Ye Lan smoothly made his way to the floor where Pei Ran was.

Outside, the sky was gradually darkening. There were only a few people left on the entire twelfth floor. Ye Lan tossed the takeout onto the empty reception desk and slowly walked toward Jiang Chi's office.

Ye Lan stood in the empty hallway, gazing quietly through the office's glass wall at Jiang Chi, who was absorbed in his work at his desk.

Ye Lan stood motionless for a long time.

It had been a long, long time since he had been able to watch Pei Ran for so long.

A final ray of sunlight before sunset cast itself into the long hallway. Ye Lan stood quietly, silhouetted against the light.

The camera slowly pushed in. When it settled on a close-up of Ye Lan, he pressed the brim of his cap down slightly. In the shot, through the dim light, you could see that his eyes were red.

In the office, Jiang Chi suddenly stood up as if he had felt something, and his eyes immediately landed on Ye Lan in the hallway.

Jiang Chi's expression instantly turned icy, devoid of any warmth.

Fearing Jiang Chi would call security again, Ye Lan barged into the office first.

"Shout if you're not afraid of embarrassment." Ye Lan strode toward Jiang Chi, clamped a hand over his mouth, and pushed him directly against the wall. His voice was hoarse. "This is your company..."

Jiang Chi suppressed his towering rage and struggled fiercely. Ye Lan had to use all his strength to barely keep him subdued.

"I, I..." Ye Lan yanked the cap off his head and threw it aside. One hand gripped Jiang Chi's wrist tightly, and he pressed his hip bone forcefully against Jiang Chi's body, breathing heavily as he laughed. "I fucking love it when you fight back. The more you struggle, the more excited I get, baby... Use your strength, huh? See if I can hold you down or not..."

Jiang Chi froze for a moment, his eyes bloodshot. The strength of his struggles suddenly multiplied several times over. Ye Lan had no time for verbal taunts anymore. The two of them, silently and with all their might, wrestled and fought behind the small desk.

Jiang Chi was ultimately weaker. After a moment, he suddenly went limp, leaning against the wall with vacant eyes, and stopped struggling.

Ye Lan's chest heaved violently. He looked cautiously at Jiang Chi's face and began to regret his actions. He asked worriedly, "I... I was too rough... Did I hurt you? Pei Ran? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Jiang Chi lowered his eyes and murmured softly, "My heart hurts..."

Ye Lan froze, his eyes instantly welling with tears.

"Cut!"