"I’ve read the script. I originally thought this role suited him—being effeminate doesn't mean being a sissy. As for you... well, you’ve got the looks."
Lord Zhou’s words were dripping with distrust and disdain for Chen Ming. Chen Ming, however, wasn't angry; compared to those who played dirty behind his back, her directness was far more tolerable. In a way, people like her were actually quite easy to deal with once you got used to them. Because as long as she spoke her mind, once you earned her approval, there would be no more waves. In a film crew, if a lead actor was determined to sabotage a supporting actor, they had a whole toolkit of methods at their disposal. Making someone so miserable they quit was minor; if the actor was a big name, the crew would spread rumors that the person had offended someone, which was just as bad as offending a powerful patron. Having learned his lesson in his previous life, Chen Ming certainly wouldn't repeat the same mistakes.
"Teacher Zhou, I will work hard. I appreciate your guidance."
Chen Ming thought to himself, *I know even earlier than you do that you wanted Chen Kun to play this role. But with me in this life, Chen Kun can just step aside!*
*Let the haters talk!*
Once the crew arrived, everyone sat around the square table. Generally, those with scenes together sat next to or across from each other, with the director and screenwriter at the head. Chen Ming placed his script on the table and spread out his notebook, where he had written his character biography. Although he had a system, this was his first time participating in a formal script reading in two lifetimes, so he couldn't help but feel nervous.
Chen Ming silently observed everyone. Among the actors, the most relaxed were undoubtedly Jet Li and Zhou Xun. This film didn't have many dialogue-heavy scenes; most of the highlights were action sequences, which were second nature to them. Louis Fan was an action star himself, and all his scenes in this film involved fighting—as long as he could fight, that was fine. A script reading? Should he demonstrate a "palm technique falling from the heavens"? As for Gwei Lun-mei and Fan Xiaoxuan, they were battle-hardened veterans who had experienced such occasions countless times.
And so... it really had to be Brother Chun!
Even though Brother Chun had been popular these past two years, this was his first foray into film. But then again, he didn't really have any scenes with Brother Chun. Finally, Chen Ming locked his gaze onto Zhang Xinyu. There was a flirtatious quality to her features. She was the same age as Chen Ming—born in '87—and she was playing Consort Wan, the woman he had scenes with, including a moment where he would play with her feet.
Chen Ming had read the script: the scene involved Yu Huatian and Consort Wan in the palace, discussing how to deal with Su Huirong. The script specified that Yu Huatian would toy with Consort Wan’s jade-like feet, teasing her, creating an ambiguous atmosphere between them.
At that moment, Zhang Xinyu seemed to sense his gaze and turned to look at him. Having had some acting experience, she was finally not the least experienced person among the leads, and she felt a faint sense of excitement. It was like a poor student finally getting the chance to tutor someone else, and the person happened to be quite handsome.
*So this is the handsome guy I have scenes with? Thank goodness... he really is handsome. I heard he’s a newcomer; he must be nervous right now. I shouldn't go too hard, or he won't be able to keep up.*
Thinking this, she beamed a smile at Chen Ming. The meaning was clear: *Don't worry, handsome, I won't let you make a fool of yourself! I've got your back!*
Chen Ming smiled back. *Why is this woman smiling at me? She seems so confident. Why don't I have any impression of her? Could she be a powerhouse? I’d better bring my A-game!*
The two exchanged a smile, as if sparks of mutual understanding had collided in the air, both believing they had accurately received the other's signal.
A script reading was actually a tedious process; it was perfectly normal for it to last three to five hours. The leads were one thing, but there was no strict rule for supporting actors to stay the whole time—they just needed to be there when their scenes came up. But the director was Tsui Hark, and the actors included Jet Li and Zhou Xun. As long as they were on set, nobody dared to leave.
Listening to Jet Li’s casual line delivery and Zhou Xun’s husky, infectious voice, Chen Ming didn't feel bored. Instead, he would occasionally jot things down in his notebook; since he had scenes with them, it was better to understand their characters as thoroughly as possible. On the other hand, Brother Chun sat there as if lost in space, with an expression that screamed, "Who am I, where am I, and what am I doing?"
*This is way more exhausting than a talent show. I didn't even have to try that hard to win the championship, but in the film world, you actually have to fight for real? Can’t they just dub the voices later?*
After waiting for nearly two hours, it was finally Chen Ming and Zhang Xinyu’s turn. Jet Li and Zhou Xun took the opportunity to rest, leaning back in their chairs and watching the handsome pair with interest. It was pleasant enough—at the very least, they were good to look at. As for their acting... well, for an action film, it wasn't that important. They treated it as eye candy.
Because the actor playing the Eastern Depot eunuch was only arriving that night, Chen Ming skipped the classic dialogue between the Eastern and Western Depots and started directly with the scene with Consort Wan.
Chen Ming and Zhang Xinyu instinctively straightened up, holding their scripts, and exchanged a glance before Zhang Xinyu began.
"Sending you to the Western Depot to oversee the palace's power—why must you provoke the Eastern Depot? Your duty is to prevent palace maids from climbing onto the Emperor’s dragon bed..."
"Stop," Tsui Hark said, frowning. His face was gaunt, and when he furrowed his brows, he easily gave people the impression he was being harsh.
Zhang Xinyu’s heart sank. *How embarrassing,* she thought. *I just wanted to guide this handsome guy...*
"Xinyu, your tone is too formal. Be more seductive, add a bit of breathiness... you know, that kind of feeling. Understand?"
Zhang Xinyu was stunned. *What kind of feeling? Director, why don't you just say it clearly?*
Tsui Hark naturally saw that she didn't get his point. Having come from the Hong Kong film industry, he wasn't embarrassed to explain such things. "Think of it as the feeling of talking to your lover in bed."
He was very direct. Zhang Xinyu’s ears turned red instantly, though thankfully her hair hid it. She immediately thought about how she might have to be touched by this handsome guy during the actual shoot... It was so shameful! Her brain felt like it was boiling, and her tone softened instinctively as she replied, "Okay, okay, Director."
"Yes! That’s it! Remember that feeling! Very good!" Tsui Hark said immediately.
Zhang Xinyu’s ears grew even hotter. She gritted her teeth. *Since the director wants me to keep this up, then it surely doesn't mean my mind is in the gutter...*
The young woman continued, following her earlier imagination. "Your duty is to prevent palace maids from climbing onto the Emperor’s dragon bed, not to vie for power with those servants from the Eastern Depot."
"A little better than before, but be even more languid," Tsui Hark directed.
"Why not just stay in the harem, play with me, and keep me entertained?"
After she finished, she even added a few gasps. Chen Ming thought to himself, *Sister, you really are willing to go all out. Don't you know this is a Hong Kong director, and it’ll definitely be dubbed in post-production?*
"Still not quite right, something is missing..." Tsui Hark said.
Just as Zhang Xinyu was about to adjust, Zhou Xun stood up. All eyes focused on her. She strolled over to Zhang Xinyu with an unquestionable tone: "Let me demonstrate for you!" She then looked at Tsui Hark. "Is that alright, Director?"
Tsui Hark, of course, had no objections. In fact, he thought, *As expected of my Old Xu, the actors I pick are not only talented but also foster a great atmosphere!*
Once she got Tsui Hark’s approval, Zhang Xinyu immediately stood up. Zhou Xun didn't stand on ceremony; she sat down, picked up the script, and looked at Chen Ming with a cryptic smile.
*Wait, why are you coming over here? Are you determined to see me make a fool of myself today? Do you dislike me that much? No wonder your agency refused to give you the Audi back then. If I were them, I wouldn't give it to you either!*
Chen Ming felt a wave of annoyance. He had already lowered his posture enough, but did he really have to be the type to not hit back when struck or talk back when scolded, acting like a dog just so the other party would let him be? *I didn't get reincarnated to be your dog!*
He thought this Lord Zhou was truly impossible to deal with. *You’re going to demonstrate for her? With that voice of yours? It sounds like Cui Jian's, and you want to use that to act coy with the Emperor all day? No wonder, no wonder I have to keep an eye on those palace maids. This Emperor has more patience than God!*