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Chapter 42: Hardworking
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Although the lighting engineer could sigh with relief, the filming process did not go on smoothly. Zhao Rang was harsh when he was in his working mode. Sometimes, the creases on Jiang Se’s shirt did not please him, and the stylist had to smooth the fabric out for the retake. He would have loved it if every strand of Jiang Se’s hair could obey his directions.
For this short scene alone, Jiang Se had to go through more than 20 NGs.
However, the effects were also visible. Even without digital editing, every second of the original recording was magnificently beautiful. What made Zhao Rang look at Jiang Se in a different light was that even after that many retakes, whether it was because of her, the lighting engineer, the stylist, or even the arrangement of the props, she showed no signs of being annoyed.
In fact, each of her performance was better than the last. The melody produced from her fingers sounded better every time she played it.
To Jiang Se, it was as if every NG was a chance to revise the music again.
She did not complain or throw a tantrum. Nevertheless, even if she asked for a break, it was unlikely that Zhao Rang would grant it. However, she made no such request. This undoubtedly gave Zhao Rang a good impression of this newcomer.
From the start of the filming until its final completion, more than an hour had passed. She maintained an elegant posture all this while and did not display any decadent, hunchbacked bearing. She was very professional with her upbringing and attitude.
“Little Jiang, take five.”
Zhao Rang put his headphones on and replayed the recording. He had a satisfied expression. “This went well. Take five, everybody.”
The crew members passed Jiang Se a bottle of mineral water. She thanked them and accepted it.
Zhao Rang sat down and watched the newly recorded video while discussing the next scene with a freshly-styled Cui Xing.
After a brief rest and confirming that the recording was up to his standards without any need to retake any parts of it, he looked at his watch and clapped his hands together.
The script supervisor told everyone to get ready.
Cui Xing stood up from his seat beside Zhao Rang. At this moment, he was no longer the languid superstar he had been. Instead, he had transformed into a reserved, shy young man. There was a certain uneasiness in his eyes. He looked lost and excited at the same time.
The stylist had covered most of his forehead with his straight black hair, so it cast a shadow between his brows. Coupled with his drooping shoulders, he seemed to have low self-esteem.
When Jiang Se saw that Cui Xing seemed to have instantly transformed into another person, she felt awed by the acting skills of the famous male actor from the entertainment industry.
She remembered Hang Yuyi from “Pretense to Reality”. When she looked at Hang Yuyi portraying Zhou Rongshen, she felt that his acting skills were alright. At the very least, he got the character of Zhou Rongshen down pat.
However, when she saw Cui Xing’s performance now, she could tell that Hang Yuyi’s acting skills were not on the same level.
She remembered the pointers Gu Jiaer had given her regarding an actress’s skills. When she observed Cui Xing’s performance with that in mind, she became lost in her thoughts.
“Alright, places, everyone!” the script supervisor shouted an instruction. The crew members swiftly returned to their positions.
Jiang Se collected herself and sat before the piano again. She had to maintain her posture of playing the piano just as she did moments ago so that Li Qingyang, who was portrayed by Cui Xing, could fall in love with her character at first sight.
The camera focused on Cui Xing. Standing outside the piano store, he could hear the pleasing sounds of the piano.
His eyes instantly lit up. There seemed to be a look of thirst on his face. He strode toward the source but had barely taken two steps when, seemingly unable to contain his excitement, he broke into a run.
However, he seemed to be more afraid the closer he got to the source of the music. His pace slowed gradually. He brought a young man in a dilemma to life in this scene. Zhao Rang stood up and gave a satisfied “okay” sign.
While the makeup artist patched his makeup, Cui Xing moved over to the screen and watched the recording of his own performance. He was clearly satisfied with himself as well. When Zhao Rang instructed the filming to resume, Cui Xing returned to where he was before they took a short break.
The young Li Qingyang was attracted by the sounds of the piano. He carefully stood before the display window and saw the piano behind the display window. He had a longing and dejected expression on his face.
In the next moment, he looked up. Zhao Rang motioned for the camera to zoom in on him. The look of awe in Li Qingyang’s eyes was clearly shown on screen.
The camera caught Li Qingyang’s expression at that very moment. His eyes were widened as if he was in a daze.
At the current moment, Cui Xing was completely in character. He felt that he was Li Qingyang, and he had met a goddess for whom he had fallen head over heels.
He seemed to have forgotten where he was. He forgot the longing and fear he had for this piano store. He was even stretching his hand out absent-mindedly, leaning on the display window. He would have liked to press his face against it.
As Li Qingyang’s ragged breathing blew on the clean glass, a patch of condensation formed on the glass before him.
He was wearing unpresentable clothes. It could be said that he would stick out like a sore thumb in this elegantly decorated piano store. However, he had a pair of slender and beautiful hands which were eye-catching.
Currently, he was peering into the store with a pious look that bordered on fanatic.
Zhao Rang only approved this scene after eight takes of the same scene.
The filming ended around 7 p.m. The filming today pleased Zhao Rang very much, so the entire production team sighed in relief as well.
The filming of this scene had taken longer than Zhao Rang expected. Before this, he had a hard time deciding on the actress to portray the goddess with whom Li Qingyang fell in love the first time, which put him under pressure from many sides. However, he felt that this had been worth the wait.
The shooting was perfect today. After post-production editing, it might even surpass his initial expectations.
When Jiang Se changed into her own clothes and walked out, the crew members were packing the filming equipment inside the piano store. Zhao Rang was still sitting behind the camera and reviewing the results.
He beckoned Jiang Se over. They watched the recording of her back while she played the piano.
“Little Jiang, you were wonderful.”
This was her third time performing before a camera, and she was no stranger to it. However, this was her first time watching her own recording.
Jiang Se’s external appearance was good, to begin with. The contours of her back were clear and soft in a beautiful way. As she sat there before the piano, under the support of the lighting and the music, she seemed to be out of this world.
Zhao Rang drank some soda water. He asked Jiang Se while fixing his eyes on her, “Do you have any plans after ‘The 99th Love Letter’?”
Most directors had their own attitude and temper. Compared to his temper when he was working, the current Zhao Rang seemed gentle and approachable. He was clearly pleased with Jiang Se.

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