Crossover Actors - Chapter 9
On the set, weak light slanted up the residential building as morning broke.
Various departments were busily preparing. After a night of revelry, everyone had risen before dawn to start work, each one looking like a zombie.
Unit 101, used as the director’s rest area, was a two-bedroom apartment that, despite cleaning and renovation, still couldn’t hide its age. Ren Shu was too busy to visit often.
Qu Yanting inspected every room. Whether shabby or old, any unappealing signs were quickly glanced over by him. To Qu Yanting, this dilapidated apartment was no different from a luxurious hotel suite.
Returning to the living room, he found breakfast and espresso set out on the coffee table, with two servings. Ren Shu was eating one of them.
Qu Yanting walked over, moved the laptop aside, and said, “Don’t dirty my computer.”
Ren Shu asked, “Are you really staying in this place? Don’t you mind the old condition?”
Qu Yanting replied, “Once the door is closed, it’s quiet.”
The RV had been rented early in the morning, and Qu Yanting joining the crew was an unexpected addition. Adding one more vehicle wasn’t a big deal, but he found the parking near the actors annoying.
“Alright, use it as you like,” Ren Shu said, gulping down his coffee. “I have to start working. Why did you come so early?”
Qu Yanting said, “I need to get the storyboard script from you. I was afraid I’d be too late and you’d be too busy.”
There were many restrictions on the script, and the corresponding standards often changed. A project might be a hot topic when it was approved but turn into a banned type after filming.
Qu Yanting had some personal connections and had shown the script to internal reviewers. Last week, he received notice that certain scenes and lines needed adjustments.
Post-production cuts or dubbing would affect the final presentation. He and Ren Shu decided that Qu Yanting would revise the script while on set, resolving issues early on.
Qu Yanting opened the laptop and said, “I’ve prepared the revision outline. When making specific changes, we need to refer to your storyboard to minimize changes to shots, so you don’t have to revise the storyboard too much.”
“Thanks, buddy,” Ren Shu said, focusing on the screen. “It’s hard to estimate the time for script revisions. How about this: you revise one scene, and I’ll shoot one. We’ll review the dailies to see how it goes.”
Qu Yanting had no objections. “The changes for Scene 14 aren’t significant. I can finish them before noon. We can shoot in the afternoon and, if everything goes smoothly, follow this process.”
Ren Shu thought for a moment. “Won’t it be a bit rushed? You need to leave me time to revise the storyboard, and after that, I’ll need to discuss the shooting details with the photography team.”
Qu Yanting remained noncommittal, picking up a pen next to the laptop and quickly spinning it between his fingers.
After a moment of silence, he said, “How about I do a rough revision of the storyboard to help you get a good foundation?”
Ren Shu hesitated, “That…”
The pen clicked against the desk. Qu Yanting lightly smirked, “I’m just joking.”
Ren Shu laughed, “Storyboarding is the director’s job. If you take that over, I’ll be a mere figurehead. How about this: after you’re done revising, let’s call a meeting with all the department heads and finalize it together, aiming to start shooting this afternoon.”
Qu Yanting nodded, “Alright, I’ll follow your arrangement.”
Ren Shu added, “Then I’ll make some arrangements. During the shoot, you should stay with me and monitor the scenes. If there are any issues, let me know directly. Behind the camera, we’re all in this together.”
Qu Yanting agreed, “I’ll follow Director Ren’s lead.”
Ren Shu finished his breakfast, “I have to start work. If you need anything, tell Xiao Zhang.”
“Okay,” Qu Yanting said. “Thanks for your hard work.”
Ren Shu picked up his bag and stood up, holding the door handle but not immediately turning it.
He looked back at Qu Yanting, hesitated for a moment, and then said softly, “Buddy, do you want to experience what it’s like to be a director?”
Qu Yanting asked, “Why do you say that?”
Ren Shu replied, “In your second year of college, your short film won first place. When you accepted the award, you said being a director was your dream.”
Qu Yanting smiled, “Just empty words. Do you believe that?”
Ren Shu also laughed and turned the door handle, “I’m surprised you still remember. See you.”
When the door closed, the room fell silent. Qu Yanting didn’t touch the sandwich or coffee but instead picked up the director’s script and carefully reviewed it during breakfast.
Suddenly, there was a “scrape” sound from the ceiling.
Room 201 upstairs was the styling room. As Lu Wen finished his makeup and hair, the chair legs scraped loudly against the floor when he stood up. He went to the inner room to change into clothes—simple sports pants and a hoodie, as styled by Ye Xiaowu.
Sun Xiaojian entered to assist him, looking as disheveled as Lu Wen had the previous night, due to the stress of knowing Qu Yanting’s true nature and Lu Wen’s various mishaps.
Removing his outerwear, Lu Wen shook out his hoodie and said, “Didn’t I tell you? I’ve apologized; Mr. Qu won’t hold a grudge.”
Sun Xiaojian’s mood had fluctuated from dire to hopeful, then to anxious and finally to determined. He said, “Just not holding a grudge isn’t enough. The original goal was for Mr. Qu to appreciate you.”
Lu Wen replied, “Setting such a grand goal was a mistake.”
Sun Xiaojian looked worried, “Although things started poorly, everything is just beginning. You need to act seriously and avoid any further problems. You must gradually restore Mr. Qu’s impression of you.”
“I understand,” Lu Wen said, starting to remove his pants.
Sun Xiaojian said, “Understanding isn’t enough. Besides, you must always show respect and a friendly attitude when you meet Mr. Qu. Make sure to be considerate and flattering. Always remember, you’re a minor actor needing support, not some spoiled rich kid.”
Lu Wen responded, “I’m wearing these shabby sports pants. My attitude is already down to earth.”
Tired of Sun Xiaojian’s nagging, Lu Wen hurriedly left. He was generally careless and thought last night’s issues were perfectly resolved, even though it ended with Qu Yanting slamming the door.
Exiting from 201, Lu Wen walked down the stairs with his hands in his pockets, keeping his arms close to his sides to avoid brushing against the worn walls and staircase railings.
Reaching the last step, he stopped and saw a new sign on the door of 101—“Screenwriter’s Rest Area.”
Lu Wen approached the door, and with a click, it suddenly opened.
Qu Yanting was holding tape and a piece of paper with “No Entry” written on it. He was surprised to see someone blocking the door, stared for a moment, and then, upon recognizing the person, stared for a few more seconds.
Lu Wen had changed his eyebrow shape, naturally but not intricately. His eye makeup was subtle, enhancing his youthful appearance. His short hair was slightly tousled, his face softened, and he had a light brown mole on his left cheek. Standing with his hands in his pockets and his shoelaces untied, he looked like an unreliable high school student.
During the audition, Ren Shu had said he didn’t look his age of twenty-seven or twenty-eight, and had a strong youthful vibe.
After a moment of silent confrontation, Lu Wen spoke first, “Good morning, Mr. Qu.”
Qu Yanting ignored him and fiddled with the tape in his hand.
Remembering Sun Xiaojian’s advice, Lu Wen took a step closer and offered, “Mr. Qu, let me help you with that.”
He took the paper, which had elegant, vigorous handwriting, and pressed it onto the door. Then he asked with concern, “Mr. Qu, did you sleep well last night?”
Qu Yanting looked up at Lu Wen, and thanks to this annoying person, he had dreamt about his deceased father last night and had trouble sleeping afterward, evident in his light blue dark circles.
Lu Wen quickly changed the subject, “Have you had breakfast? If not, I can ask my agent to get something for you.”
Qu Yanting finally spoke, “No need to be so attentive.”
Caught off guard, Lu Wen felt a bit embarrassed and stubbornly said, “I’m just being kind-hearted.”
He glanced at Qu Yanting with mixed feelings. Knowing Qu Yanting’s identity, he felt constrained and awkward but also wanted to act more freely, despite his preconceived notions.
Lu Wen made another effort to be helpful, “Mr. Qu, if there’s anything unclear in the script, can I consult with you?”
Having finished, Qu Yanting tapped the paper, indicating “No Entry” with those four characters.
Rumors had it that Qu Yanting preferred not to interact with actors, and it seemed to be true.
Lu Wen gave up after five seconds, realizing he wasn’t getting anywhere with his attempts. He said, “Then I’ll head to the set. Hope to see you later, Mr. Qu!”
The filming was divided into A and B groups, sometimes based on main and supporting roles, other times by interior and exterior scenes.
Today, Lu Wen was with Group A, shooting some trivial life scenes in a few stores across the street.
The already narrow street was crowded with people. Besides the crew and onlookers, there were also a bunch of young girls. Lu Wen walked back and forth, and no one called out to him, indicating that the girls weren’t his fans.
One scene was in a snack shop where Ye Xiaowu and some friends were eating Chongqing noodles. Lu Wen, who avoided smoking and spicy food to protect his voice, found the noodles too spicy. Ye Xiaowu, however, who lived in Chongqing, loved spicy food.
In the first take, Lu Wen couldn’t handle the spice, grimacing and being stopped by the director; in the second take, he managed his expression but his tongue was trembling, making it hard to deliver his lines clearly; by the third take, he was fine, but the two supporting actors were messing up the rhythm.
After four takes, Lu Wen was sweating profusely and his makeup was ruined.
During a twenty-minute break between scenes, he went back to retouch his makeup and change clothes. As he exited the snack shop, Sun Xiaojian handed him a large bottle of milk.
Carrying the milk across the street, Lu Wen had just reached the entrance of the residential area when excited screams erupted from the group of young girls outside the boundary.
He looked over in confusion and saw the second male lead of the drama—Ruan Feng.
Ruan Feng was just over 1.8 meters tall, with fair skin and light brown hair. He was handsome in a way that made girls scream, the kind of handsome that looked youthful and vibrant at first glance, but upon closer inspection, had a classical charm, likely due to his early training in traditional opera.
In the midst of the bustling crowd, Ruan Feng moved swiftly and lightly, accompanied by bodyguards and assistants.
As he got closer, he gradually slowed down when he saw Lu Wen.
They stood facing each other at the entrance of the residential area, locking eyes for three or four seconds.
Ruan Feng extended his hand first, “Hi, I’m Ruan Feng.”
Lu Wen shook his hand, “I’m Lu Wen.”
Ruan Feng smiled, “You’re really handsome in person. I noticed you as soon as I turned around.”
Lu Wen replied, “I noticed you as soon as I turned around too.”
The director and others were across the street, but Ruan Feng didn’t look over and instead gazed into the residential area. Politely, he said, “I heard Mr. Qu is here with the crew. I’ll go greet him first, and we can chat later.”
Lu Wen recalled Qu Yanting’s aloof attitude and wondered whether he should go or not.
In the meantime, Ruan Feng had already hurried into the residential area, as if he couldn’t wait.
Lu Wen headed back to 201 to change clothes, lagging behind and opening the milk bottle as he walked.
With the crowd concentrated on the street, the residential area seemed deserted. Lu Wen slowly made his way to the entrance of Unit 1, where he saw Ruan Feng climbing the steps and eagerly stopping in front of 101’s door.
He paused and moved aside, avoiding witnessing Ruan Feng being turned away and making him uncomfortable.
Ruan Feng knocked on the door loudly.
Wow, how aggressive. Lu Wen felt a bit nervous for him.
Soon, the door opened, revealing Qu Yanting inside.
The two faced each other. Ruan Feng’s back was turned, so his expression wasn’t visible, but Qu Yanting’s reaction was clear. He smiled, first with surprise and then with unguarded affection, looking more amiable than ever before.
Ruan Feng, taller, reached out to hug Qu Yanting’s shoulder. Not stopping there, he embraced Qu Yanting and pulled him into the room. His movements were extremely natural, and after holding Qu Yanting tightly, he hurriedly pushed the door closed, as if afraid of being seen.
The sign on the door still prominently read “No Entry.”
At the entrance of the building, Lu Wen stood stunned, taking a large gulp of milk.
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ma'er
Oh? I wonder whats the story between qu yanting and ruan feng…