Chapter Five

  The first trial fitting is a relatively relaxed working environment, all the alternative actors put on their costumes and concentrated in the studio to change partners, recite a few lines of dialogue, and then take a few hard shots - this is not only a test of the actor's own quality, but also involves some fate, such as whether the male and female leads or partners in the TV series have CP feeling when they appear on camera, whether they are photogenic, and whether they look like a couple or siblings when standing together.

  Jian Ran was in the small black room next door, running wildly for half an hour. Just as he finally stopped to catch his breath and was about to instruct his agent to buy him a drink, there was a knock on the door. A staff member came to inform them that the interior shelf was ready and they could start working at any time... Jian Ran rushed over to touch up his makeup and chatted with the makeup artist for a bit, only then did he learn that the half-hour delay was because one of the standby actors had suddenly stopped and needed to take care of some personal matters.

  Because of personal matters, should the entire photography team including the director, screenwriter and producer wait?

  After thinking for half a day, I still can't figure out who has a bigger face than myself.

  Then he saw the door of the next room open at the same time, and Jiang Luocheng and Xu Qianqian came out - the latter seemed to be half-paralyzed and hung on the former's body. The former had a look of impatience on his face and was trying to pull his arm out of the little girl's grasp. Unintentionally, he raised his head and saw Jian Ran standing three meters away from him, expressionless and staring at him.

  Director Jiang's face changed, and he blurted out "Jin Ran".

  He didn't even dare to fart, in the entertainment industry for over a decade, he was rarely as tense as now, so tense that he could only stand behind his manager with wide eyes, afraid that someone would lose control and turn this into a chaotic fight. He even pulled at the corner of his manager's clothes, signaling him to calm down, reminding him that there were people everywhere.

  Then the corner of his robe was silently pulled back.

  Fang Yu's heart skipped a beat, and she swallowed her saliva in a hurry to look at Jin Ran - but found that he was calm at this moment; then went to see Xu Qianqian, who looked like she was even more calm than Jin Ran, no, not just calm, she looked like she had a hint of shyness.

  It's also shameless enough.

  Compared to others in the scene, it was surprisingly him and another ordinary passerby, Jiang Luocheng, who were actually drunk.

  At this moment, Fang Yu didn't know that he had been overthinking. In fact, Xu Qianqian knew she was a fan of him, but she didn't realize the person she admired was standing right in front of her. Seeing him looking at her calmly, she just felt like she had been caught by a senior and her face turned red with embarrassment, without any other thoughts.

  Under his gaze, she let go of Jiang Luocheng and called out "Ran Ge", then exchanged pleasantries saying "Long time no see".

  With a serious expression, carrying the air of "senior", she smiled and nodded slightly, her eyes lightly scanning Jiang Luocheng's face before smiling and jokingly saying: "Qianqian this little girl loves to cause trouble, Director Jiang you're also indulging her, earlier the makeup artist little sister complained to me, now we're delayed half an hour from starting work today and will have to work overtime again, you two are responsible for this."

  This was said quite clearly, and it was clear that he had locked onto Xu Qianqian as his target without hesitation. At first, she was slightly stunned, but when she looked up to see the black-haired young man smiling so warmly and harmlessly, her confusion dissipated completely, and the malice in his words was cancelled out. So the little girl didn't take it to heart, and before she could even look at Jiang Luocheng's expression, she pouted: "Ahh, Yan-ge you're so annoying, always joking around! This has nothing to do with me!"

  He chuckled and his eyes narrowed into a crescent shape, looking quite handsome as he teased, "Mmm, I just love making jokes."

  Xu Qianqian listened to him say this, and became even more trusting of him. She let go of Jiang Luocheng and gave a wave before going off to touch up her makeup. As soon as she left, the only ones remaining in the corridor were Jin Ran, Fang Yu, and Jiang Luocheng. Jin Ran's smile immediately disappeared, reverting back to his usual expressionless face. He said emotionlessly: "Including getting into position, taking off clothes, and foreplay, then afterwards cleaning up and putting on clothes again, all together it only took half an hour. Director Jiang, you're quite fast."

  Fang Yu: "...... Is this what you're saying?"

  Jian Ran: "If not, when will you say it?"

  Jiang Luocheng was taken aback at first, and it took him a while to react, calmly mocking himself "not good" - in an instant his face turned from red to white. He was about to retort, but suddenly realized that his focus was completely off the mark, so his face softened again: "You misunderstood, I didn't do anything with her, she just entered the room five minutes ago..."

  He hastily gestured to Jiang Luocheng to shut up, and with a look of disdain, expressed his complete lack of interest. The latter could only swallow the rest of his words back into his stomach... He didn't know what was going on, but in front of this young black-haired man, Director Jiang had completely lost his usual high-and-mighty demeanor... He himself didn't know what was wrong with him; he used to be a regular player in the circle, and it was normal for him to wake up on A's bed one day and find his underwear in B's apartment the next. Last year, when filming "The Sound of Time Passing", with Jian Ran, could be considered the six months of his life where he was most decent.

  Unfortunately, on the eve of the film's success, when everyone was busy preparing for the celebration party, he handed over the script of this TV series to Xu Qianqian. That night, after drinking a little wine, somehow, Jiang Luocheng and Xu Qianqian ended up in bed together, unclear how it happened.

  Later, Jian Ran found out.

  The night of the final celebration banquet, they thoroughly had fun.

  Jiang Luocheng had an affair, and without hesitation, he kicked Jiang Luocheng - it seems that neither of them was at a loss.

  It was only when they were together that Jiang Luocheng felt that the difference between his behavior in front of and behind others was quite interesting, and being with him was quite refreshing. He would tolerate his bad temper and secretly hold hands and steal a kiss or two, which also fit the scene of the movie they were filming at the time, bringing back memories of their youth - until they broke up, Jiang Luocheng finally realized that those so-called "youthful years" had unknowingly been etched into his mind and bones.

  Late at night, alone with my eyes closed, my mind is filled with scenes of him and Jian Ran sneaking out after finishing filming every day, climbing over the wall into the school where they filmed, two big men crouching shoulder to shoulder behind a desk in the classroom, secretly kissing each other.

  Then.

  Jiang Luocheng deeply regretted why he didn't cherish the people in front of him.

  Regretfully, I was blind enough to be with this scumbag who has no integrity.

  Jian Ran quietly slipped into the studio, where a young couple was already rehearsing their lines - judging from their appearance, they seemed to be playing the roles of Difficult Match No. 1 and Female Lead No. 1. A production staff member came over and politely informed Jian Ran that the lead actors' rehearsal would have to wait until this supporting couple finished theirs. Jian Ran nodded and stepped aside, leaning against the wall, using the dim lighting in the studio and the shadows cast by various props to conceal himself as he watched the young couple's awkward yet earnest performance with a poker face.

  Sometimes when a new actor recites lines incorrectly or stutters and ends up being awkward, the staff in charge of props and other backstage work will burst out laughing.

  After watching for a while, Fang Yu sighed: "How the hell can't I find the funny point? It's just reading the wrong lines."

  "Are you not laughing, are you going to cry instead? New actors are already nervous, everyone is like Jiang Luochen, either smashing things and scolding people or putting on a deadpan face. Are we filming a horror movie or an idol drama?" Zhen Ran sneered, "You've never been an actor, you don't understand - always thinking that not laughing is especially respectful to actors, but in fact, once you stand under those lights, you'll know what's going on."

  Fang Yu fell silent for a moment before suddenly calling out the name of his own money tree, Mr. Zijia.

  "What's wrong?"

  Fang Yu: "Your mood is really bad."

  "Which dog's eyes can see it? I'm in a great mood."

  Fang Yu: "Both dogs have seen it - eh, last question, what do you think of Jiang Luocheng..."

  "Have loved."

  Fang Yu: "......"

  "I'm so regretful, every time I think about it, I feel like I've eaten shit."

  "...really disgusting appearance."

  The young man with black hair turned his head, gave a disdainful glance at the agent who looked displeased, and nodded seriously: "Right, disgusting? That's exactly how it feels."

  Fang Yu was about to say something when Jiang Chuan walked in - he was still wearing his stage costume, and as he pushed open the door, a cold draft from outside came in with him. Jin Ran, who was standing by the door, shivered at the chill and frowned, just about to complain, but then saw Jiang Chuan's face and suddenly looked delighted. He watched warmly as Jiang Chuan walked over to greet Jiang Luo Cheng, his eyes scanning down from Jiang Chuan's butt to his crotch, staring for a moment before turning to Fang Yu beside him and sharing his earth-shattering discovery: "Jiang Chuan isn't wearing underwear."

  Fang Yu: "...... Allow me to remind you, we were just discussing your last tragic romance a second ago."

  "Oh, so what? Eyes are in front of us for a reason, to look forward."

  "What kind of crooked logic is this?"

  Jian Ran: "Doraemon said - Ah, in a bit, pick a scene with some fighting for me, I'll take the opportunity to feel it out and do some on-site investigation."

  Fang Yu: "...... Can't you have some dignity as a senior?"

  "No."

  The final script was chosen for a play on the edge of a cliff, where Huozi Jing and Xiao Daoshi had a dispute over the topic of Huozi Jing's wife who died young and unjustly. In the heat of the argument, Huozi Jing accidentally kicked into thin air and fell off the cliff. Just as he was about to hit the ground, Xiao Daoshi quickly grabbed him and pulled him back up. Huozi Jing said, "Let go of me and let me fall to my death, then you'll be rid of me." Xiao Daoshi replied, "Why should I listen to you? If I let go, wouldn't that be a loss of face for me?"

  Then the little Taoist pulled Huo Zi Jing up with one hand.

  The little swallow flew straight into the arms of the young Taoist priest.

  The last sentence is the reason why Jian Ran chose this scene.

  Then in the subsequent shooting, Jian Ran was an old drama bone, naturally how to act and how suitable --- and that wasteful spirit with him is quite similar, on the surface harmonious but stubborn inside and not willing to show his emotions, really a natural performance... On the contrary, the little Taoist Jiang Chuan acted a bit stiffly, although he wore that costume and stood together with Jian Ran, matching perfectly, but when reciting lines, there was always a kind of "I don't care about you" coldness in his tone.

  Even when he says "I don't allow you to die here" with such a cheesy and corny tragic line, it's still in the tone of an overbearing CEO.

  This is no minor immortal, but rather the Jade Emperor himself descending from heaven in disguise.

  So they were NG again and again, but still rushed into his arms with satisfaction.

  She ran her hands all over Jiang Chuan's waist, chest and back, front and back, until she was finally exhausted. For the last time, she lay on top of Jiang Chuan, not in a hurry to get up. Instead, she leaned into his chin, lowered her voice and asked, "Jiang Chuan, don't you like small animals?"

  Jiang Chuan: "What's going on?"

  "Can't you see that I'm on the verge of collapse? Don't you feel any pity for me, like I'm a little hamster about to be smashed to death?"

  Jiang Chuan thought for a moment and replied: "I don't like animals."

  Jian Ran: "Huh?"

  Jiang Chuan: "I don't like people either."

  Jian Ran: "......"

  "Get up from me, try again, I know what you want to say." Jiang Chuan slightly lowered his eyes and swept a glance at the young man with black hair who was almost close enough to touch his chin, "By the way, remind you again, if you dare to ** me, I'll chop off your paws, rat."

  Jian Ran: "......"

  Surrounded by countless eyes, the two of them just lay there motionless, whispering a bunch of quiet words to each other, "intimately close" one sentence at a time. No one around could hear clearly, and just as they were wondering, they saw the young man with black hair calmly get up from under the man with azure blue eyes, pat his clothes, flash a smile at everyone, and say calmly: "He didn't catch on, I'll explain it to him."

  It makes sense.

  Everyone felt relieved.

  Only Jiang Luocheng, sitting behind the camera, had a green face - Fang Yu, who was one of the only two people on the scene who knew what Jian Ye was doing, had already run to the back stage to drink afternoon tea, and at this moment, he was calmly watching Mr. Shaking Money Tree with his eyes open and talking nonsense.

  "This is the last time," Jiang Luocheng's voice was low and even, with little emotion. "If it doesn't work out this time, we'll move on to the next group. Jiang Chuan, you wait for a bit, Jin Ran, you try again with Ye Chen later."

  He heard the words calmly and ignored Jiang Luocheng, but instead turned his head to smile at Jiang Chuan: "This is your last chance."

  Jiang Chuan didn't say anything, just nodded his head.

  The lighting technician adjusted the lights, and Jiang Luocheng crouched behind the main camera position, saying without lifting his head: "This scene is about a conflict between the mouse spirit and the Taoist priest on the edge of a cliff. It's a turning point in their relationship - before this, the mouse spirit and the Taoist priest had always been sworn enemies, but due to various special reasons, they were tied together in an unwilling relationship. They didn't know that their feelings for each other had changed, and this scene is the turning point from 'not knowing' to 'knowing'. Jiang Chuan, at this moment, you need to show your shock, anger, incredulity, and a little bit of joy upon discovering this..."

  Jiang Chuan glanced at Jiang Luocheng.

  Jiang Luocheng said: "Zhen Ran acted quite well, but when he rushed up at the end, there was no need to hug Jiang Chuan so tightly, he had already pressed you several times."

  The crew members around him, including the lighting engineer, burst out laughing, and he himself laughed too, because he knew that Jiang Luocheng was not joking - this guy had seen through it.

  It's none of his business.

  The last one, don't touch it if you can't get it.

  "Alright, all positions prepare for landing—"

  Then it's a temporary scene recorder grabbed over and started with a snap.

  Jiang Chuan climbed up onto the high platform and lay down on it, while Jin Yan stood at the bottom of the platform, stretching out his hand for Jiang Chuan to grasp his wrist. Jin Yan immediately changed from his previous smiling expression, got into character, lowered his voice and spoke in a somewhat hoarse tone: "Now let go, you've completed your mission..."

  "Shut up." Jiang Chuan slightly raised his voice, picking up the cue at a very opportune moment, making it sound as if he had directly interrupted Jin Ran's words. "I, I let you speak? You little mouse, even when death is imminent, you still dare to provoke me?"

  "How did I force you? You always talk about the ancestral teachings of Taoism, are you cultivating Tao or reciting Buddhist scriptures?" Jian Yan said with some agitation, and slightly raised his voice, "Let go, let me reunite with my wife in the underworld..."

  "I won't let you die here!"

  Jiang Chuan's voice directly covered up Jin Ran's.

  His voice suddenly took on the commanding tone of that "overbearing president" from before, and it was as if he had become a different person. Anxiety, confusion, and anger burst out all at once - everyone present fell silent, even those who were laughing earlier stopped smiling, and the force of his outburst startled Jian Ran, who was standing closest to him!

  "You're really going to drive me crazy."

  A low, magnetic voice sounded in his ear, and as he was momentarily stunned, this time, he only felt his wrist tighten - he didn't even have time to make a upward motion, the next second, he was lifted up like this, his body lost its center of gravity and leaned forward, and then he fell into a solid, warm chest.

  Her nose bumped into Jiang Chuan's neck uncontrollably, and she faintly smelled the fragrance of soap on him.

  Jian Ran: "......"

  When the young man with black hair was lost and forgot what his next line should be, he heard Jiang Luo Cheng shout "cut", the staff blew their whistles, and at the same time, the person who had been tightly hugging him just a second ago pushed him away and jumped off the high pad used to pretend to be a cliff.

  Kneeling on the cushion, he stuck his head out to look at Jiangchuan.

  It was just then that the latter turned around and the two of them suddenly found themselves staring at each other.

  "Is this how it's supposed to be acted?"

  Jian Ran: "......That's right."

  "Uh-huh."

  Jian Ran: "You're quite strong, aren't you?"

  "Uh-huh."

  He smiled and said: "You should have said so earlier, it was a waste of my effort pouncing on you just now."

  “……” Jiang Chuan paused for a moment, his azure eyes gleaming brightly under the light. After a brief moment, he slightly curled up the corners of his lips and said in a low voice that only the two of them could hear, “You want to pounce? I'll play along with you.”

  Jian Ran: “…………………………………”

  Does everyone know this?!

  I believe your nonsense.

  The author has something to say: Next chapter, no reason not to die. Just like this, bet a pack of spicy rabbit head.