Chapter Thirty: The Heartbroken Girl

"Cut!"
"Cut!"
"Cut! No, that's not right. Start over!"
"Cut!"
...
The filming progressed steadily, with several major scenes already completed in the early stages. Today's shoot was a scene where Zhou Huimin visits Qin Pei in the hospital, only to be taken hostage by Wu Mengda.

Perhaps all the good luck had been used up in the previous days, because this hostage scene took an entire day to shoot. First, there were issues with the props—the hospital room, set up on the top floor of an old office building, started leaking due to heavy rain in the past few days. Just two days ago, Yan Xu had praised the timely rain, thinking it would save them the trouble of hiring a water truck for the scene where the female lead is dragged by a taxi to the hospital. Now, looking at the water stains spreading across the walls, he couldn't help but curse his luck.

After resetting the room, Zhou Huimin still couldn't get into character, which made Yan Xu even more irritable.

"Amin, come over here!" Yan Xu called her over with a dark expression.

"Brother Xu," Zhou Huimin walked over with her head bowed, her voice barely audible, like a whisper from a tiny insect. She knew it was her fault, so she kept her head down.

"Do you know what you're doing wrong? You're visiting someone, and suddenly you're taken hostage. The person holding you is a killer—someone who could take your life at any moment. Your first reaction should be shock, because his sudden grasp catches you off guard. Anyone would instinctively struggle if seized unexpectedly. Use all your strength—your hands, your feet. Think of the person grabbing you not as Da-ge, but as a dangerous predator trying to assault you. Struggle as hard as you can, don't hold anything back." Yan Xu directed loudly and sternly, repeating himself yet again because Zhou Huimin was still too hesitant.

Her earlier scenes had all been playful and light-hearted, requiring only a simple performance. But this scene was crucial—a true test of her acting skills. From this point, the entire film would diverge greatly from Yan Xu's memories of the original version, and he felt immense pressure. He didn't know if audiences would accept the changes he was making.

"And after he points the gun at you, your shock should turn into intense terror. It's a gun—your life is hanging by a thread. You need to fully express that panic, that helplessness. Feel the atmosphere around you, immerse yourself completely, and release all your emotions."

"He's taken you hostage. You're a smart woman—a journalist. Facing the barrel of a gun, you feel fear, but deep down you force yourself to stay calm. As he drags you away, you try to delay him, making small movements to slow everything down, because you don't know what might happen if you leave this place..."

"Look at your last performance—all you did was scream. There's no trace of fear on your face or in your eyes. This is acting, not playing around. If you can't do it, I'll find someone else..." Yan Xu's voice grew heavier and harsher.

The harsh words made Zhou Huimin bow her head even lower. But stubborn as she was, she merely let her tears well up in her eyes, her heart filling with curses against Yan Xu, who had just shattered her previous image of him.

"Alright, go and get ready. We'll try again." Seeing Zhou Huimin's expression, Yan Xu knew he'd been too harsh, but he also knew he needed to be for results.

"Action!"

Zhou Huimin was held tightly by Wu Mengda, his arm locked around her neck. She lifted her head, her face pale—not from the hostage situation, but from Yan Xu's earlier words, which still lingered in her mind. She struggled fiercely, her anger and resentment erupting; she almost treated Wu Mengda as Yan Xu, swinging her arms, kicking with her legs, and even biting hard into Wu Mengda's arm.

Her explosive performance made Yan Xu's eyes light up; this was exactly the effect he wanted.

But Wu Mengda suffered most from Zhou Huimin's outburst. He hadn't expected her to react so wildly after the director scolded her. Yet, since the director didn't call for a stop, as an actor he had to keep going, enduring the pain in his arm.

"Cut!"

"Very nice, Amin, that's exactly what you should..." Yan Xu cheerfully praised as he walked over, happy that only a few small shots remained before wrapping up for the day. But before he could finish, Zhou Huimin turned her back on him without a word.

"Da-ge, are you alright? I... might have been a bit rough just now. Please don't mind," Zhou Huimin said, seeing Yan Xu approaching. Though she was happy to have finally passed the scene, seeing Yan Xu reminded her of his harsh words, so she showed no friendliness. During filming, she realized she had actually bitten Wu Mengda hard. Knowing how strong she was, she rushed over to apologize.

"Ah!" Wu Mengda was rubbing his arm, which now bore a clear bite mark. Seeing Zhou Huimin approach to apologize, and noticing Yan Xu had been left behind, Wu Mengda quickly replied, "It's fine, it's fine! My skin's thick—it's just a mark, it'll fade soon. I need to touch up my makeup, see you later." He sensed the tension between Zhou Huimin and Yan Xu and hurriedly excused himself.

"Amin, why won't you talk to me? Are you really mad at me?" Yan Xu smiled as he leaned closer, seeing Zhou Huimin acting like a sulky child.

"Hmph!" Zhou Huimin pouted and gave a small snort, refusing to respond.

"Don't be angry, Amin. I was wrong to say such harsh words. Please forgive me," Yan Xu pleaded humbly.

"Amin, I wasn't trying to be mean. You just couldn't get into character, so I had to push you. It was for your own good!"

"Come on, smile. If you don't, you won't look pretty. Here, I'll make a silly face..." Yan Xu tried every trick to coax Zhou Huimin back to her usual cheerful self.

"Pfft!" Zhou Huimin finally couldn't help but laugh at Yan Xu's goofy face. Her fist playfully struck his arm. "It's all your fault! You embarrassed me in front of everyone, I thought you were truly heartless."

"I was only thinking of you. You wouldn't want to be typecast as just a pretty face after filming, would you?"

"No way, I can't let you off so easily," Zhou Huimin said, cheeks puffed with anger, determined not to forgive him easily.

"So what do I have to do to earn your forgiveness?" Yan Xu knew she wouldn't let it go without venting her frustration.

"I want you to give me something unique, something one-of-a-kind," Zhou Huimin declared, pointing at Yan Xu, intent on making things difficult for him.

"Alright. I'll give you something truly unique," Yan Xu agreed after a brief thought. For others, it might be difficult, but for him, it was no trouble at all.

PS: Due to recent changes in my work schedule, the update times have changed as well. The first update will be before eight in the morning, and the second around seven in the evening!