Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

Chapter 405 Filming a Kissing Scene (7k)
……

……

The Beijing Film Academy campus, a famous lakeside scenic spot.

As dawn breaks, a thin mist hangs over the lake like a veil, transforming the surrounding scenery into a delicate ink painting.

Dewdrops rolled on the emerald green grass, reflecting the magnificent colors of the rising sun.

However, this usually tranquil place was now replaced by a bustling atmosphere.

The crew of "Love O2O" is making final preparations before filming begins.

The staff hurried along, talking in hushed tones as they checked the lights, reflectors, and tracks; a focused and tense atmosphere filled the air.

Assistants and makeup artists, like stars surrounding the moon, surrounded the male and female leads of the drama, carrying out final touch-ups and styling adjustments before filming began.

On the stone bridge, Jing Tian had already changed into her meticulously designed costume—a white pleated waist-cinching short-sleeved top paired with a light blue floral print knee-length skirt.

The well-tailored clothes perfectly outlined her exquisite figure, and beneath the skirt, a pair of fair and shapely long legs shone brightly in the morning light, almost making the weeping willows by the lake pale in comparison.

What's particularly striking is the blue and white "sky-colored" outfit, which cleverly softens the originally overly bright and aggressive look of her face, giving her a pure and ethereal quality, untouched by worldly dust.

She looked like a female student who had stepped out of a traditional Chinese ink painting of Jiangnan, exuding both scholarly charm and innocent wonder.

however,
Even with her captivating and meticulously crafted portrayal, "Bei Weiwei" failed to capture the attention of most of the crew at this moment.

Almost everyone's attention was drawn to the figure standing quietly beside the ancient weeping willow by the lake.

Especially Gu Man, the original author standing by the monitor, clasped her hands tightly to her chest, staring intently in that direction, unconsciously muttering, "Xiao Nai...it's Xiao Nai!! He really came out..."

The young man standing beside the willow tree was tall and slender, wearing a simple white shirt that was spotless with the collar slightly open, and well-fitting black trousers.

Her entire body was devoid of any superfluous adornments, yet she exuded a serene and otherworldly elegance.

A gentle breeze rustled the soft willow branches beside him, creating a dynamic and exquisite scene.

As Gu Man described in the book: "The willows swaying in the breeze, the handsome man as elegant as green bamboo, are unforgettable at first glance."

now,

Gu Qing's aloofness and restrained elegance, befitting "Xiao Nai," truly overshadowed the stunningly beautiful Jing Tian, ​​making her the undisputed visual focus on the entire set.

"Aaaaaah!! Jingyi! I can't take it anymore!!"

Among the crew, the female students from Beijing Film Academy who were recruited as extras could hardly contain their excitement.

A girl clung tightly to Zhang Jingyi's shoulders, her face flushed, desperately trying to suppress a scream that was about to burst from her throat, "Gu Qing is so handsome!!"

I want to have his babies!!

Zhang Jingyi, being shaken around by her classmates, felt a little dizzy.

She stared blankly at Gu Qing, who was gazing at the lake with his perfect profile under the willow tree.

For a moment, I couldn't tell whether the dizziness came from my classmate's shaking or from somewhere else.

At this moment, Gu Qing,
She was completely different from the "Gu Qing" she usually saw in class.

In class, he is gentle and approachable, with a warm smile. He chats and laughs with his classmates without any airs, and even treats them to milk tea. He is as kind as the older brother next door, like a gentle and warm morning sun.

But now,
It was only under the influence of the film crew's atmosphere that Gu Qing truly made Zhang Jingyi realize...

What is a true "superstar"?
What exactly is a "top-tier celebrity"?
That aloof and refined air emanating from his very being was like the most elusive breeze in the mountains.
You can feel its presence, refreshing and pleasant, yet you can never touch it, carrying a sense of unattainable alienation.

"Hey, Jingyi, look! It's Senior Sister Zhou Ye! Should we go over and say hello?"

The whispers of her classmates beside her startled Zhang Jingyi out of her daze.

She subconsciously looked in the direction her classmate indicated.

as predicted,

Under a sycamore tree not far away, Zhou Ye, a senior student dressed in a bright and lively style, was also standing there.

However, her gaze was also firmly fixed on Gu Qing under the willow tree, her eyes filled with complex emotions, including a hint of amazement, a hint of resentment, and an indescribable sense of loneliness.

"Senior Sister Zhou Ye!" a student called out.

As if hearing his own name, Zhou Ye reflexively flashed a standard sweet smile and turned around.

however,
The moment her gaze met Zhang Jingyi's, her smile froze and turned cold, as if hit by a cold front, finally becoming a clear barrier between them.

When Zhou Ye learned that he had lost to Zhang Jingyi, a first-year student, he could hardly believe it.

Whether it's acting experience, audience recognition, or physical resemblance, she believes she's no less capable than Zhang Jingyi in any way!

There must be something wrong with this!

It was hard for her not to maliciously speculate about what methods this junior sister, who was inferior to her, had used to get the second female lead role.
Did they go and beg Senior Gu Qing for help?

Or was it the mysterious "Young Master Zhou" behind her who exerted his influence?

But in the end,
She only learned from her agency boss that it was actually the female lead, Jing Tian, ​​who personally vouched for Zhang Jingyi.

His anger was instantly extinguished by the invisible pressure. No matter how much resentment and grievance Zhou Ye felt, he dared not throw a tantrum at Jing Tian, ​​the young lady with a powerful background.

She could only swallow her anger and accept her bad luck.

But how could she possibly have a pleasant expression towards Zhang Jingyi, who had "stole her love"?
"Disgusting nepotism!"

Zhou Ye snorted coldly, quickly averted her almond-shaped eyes, and turned her gaze back to Gu Qing in the distance. Looking at the handsome man was the only way to slightly soothe her frustration and sense of defeat.

……

"Attention all departments, are you ready?"

Director Lin Yufen sat in front of the monitor, picked up the walkie-talkie, and his voice was broadcast through the loudspeaker throughout the set, instantly silencing the previously noisy scene.

"Action!!"

The clapperboard sounded crisply, and filming officially began.

The camera slowly zooms in.

Following in "Bei Weiwei's" footsteps, we walked from the tree-lined path to the stone bridge. Basketball students on their morning run brushed past us.

Art students with easels and cameras dotted the lakeside, their lenses skillfully capturing the vitality and beauty of the campus in the early morning.

Jing Tian put in a lot of hard work for this moment.

She read the script repeatedly, studied the characters' psychology, and even asked Gu Man to personally explain the scenes to her before filming began.

She was well aware that the scene they were filming was a crucial one in "Love O2O"—

Bei Weiwei and her in-game partner "Yi Xiao Nai He" have their first official meeting in real life.

At this moment, Xiao Nai already knew that the beautiful and charming girl in front of him was "Luwei Weiwei" from the game.
However, Bei Weiwei was completely unaware that the popular campus figure "Xiao Nai" in front of her was actually her online love interest.

Therefore, her performance needs to have some layers.

"Xiao...Nai?"

Leaning on the white marble railing of the stone bridge, Bei Weiwei, played by Jing Tian, ​​opened her phoenix eyes slightly, looking around with a hint of curiosity and inquiry, as if searching for the online friend who had asked her to meet.

finally,
Her gaze, filled with surprise and uncertainty, settled on the exceptionally handsome figure under the willow tree in front of the stone bridge.

Is it the legendary Xiao Nai?

She tilted her head slightly, her face full of suspicion, looking at the profile of the person gazing at the lake as if to confirm it once again.

The figure was bathed in the morning light, serene and distant.

At this moment,

A gentle breeze swept across the lake, and a vibrant green willow branch, as if imbued with life, playfully detached itself from its mother plant.
It twirled and floated down gently, landing squarely on Gu Qing's soft, fluffy black hair.

This unexpected "prop" instantly brought the serene beauty to life, even adding a touch of painterly charm.

"Cao!"

Director Lin Yufen's face darkened instantly behind the monitor, and he couldn't help but mutter a curse under his breath.

As an experienced director from Hong Kong and Guangdong, she is more or less concerned about auspicious meanings.
Everyone hopes that the first scene of filming will go smoothly and that it can be completed in one take, for good luck.

This unexpected willow branch was completely unplanned!

She forced herself not to yell "Cut!" immediately, her heart pounding in her throat, desperately praying that Gu Qing would have enough quick thinking to resolve this unexpected situation.

Before Gu Qing could react, "Bei Weiwei" on the stone bridge was startled.
Then, that unexpected and slightly amusing scene made the corners of her lips involuntarily turn upwards.
She let out a very soft, crisp laugh, like the tinkling of silver bells. The instant the laugh escaped her lips, she immediately realized her mistake, hastily raising her hand to cover her mouth in alarm, her beautiful eyes widening in surprise.
He thought to himself, "It's all over, it's all over..."

Gu Qing, of course, also felt the subtle touch coming from the top of her head.

But his expression remained unchanged, without the slightest panic, and he didn't even twitch his eyebrows.

He simply and naturally raised his long, slender, fair hand with distinct knuckles and plucked the green willow branch that had wandered into the frame from his hair.

at the same time,

The girl's barely concealed giggle reached my ears.

Gu Qing turned to the side, his gaze falling on the stone bridge.

He discovered that the girl was his "game partner".

His gaze lingered on her face, fixed on it.

In those eyes that were originally calm and still, an extremely subtle yet clear shift in emotion began.

Doubt, a smile...

Finally, all the emotions settled into a focused, almost drowning tenderness.

The classic "love at first sight" line from idol dramas
At this moment, a grand spectacle unfolded silently.

Gu Qing had read the original novel and knew that Xiao Nai's character was not simply a cold and aloof person.

He appears aloof and arrogant, but is actually calm, composed, and even harbors a dark side.
Despite being a high-IQ academic genius with zero dating experience, he has an innate talent for flirting with girls, and his methods are comparable to those of a dating expert.

This seemingly accidental "encounter at the bridge" was actually a carefully orchestrated plan by the cunning and ruthless Xiao Nai.

According to the original plan, he should have walked forward, put his hands in his pockets, and leaned against the bridge railing at this moment.

He continued to "flirt" with his deep eyes at Bei Weiwei, completing a long and ambiguous gaze.

previous life,

Yang Yang's performances of this kind have been criticized by many viewers as being somewhat greasy.

It may be stunning at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it inevitably feels awkward and ruins the pure and heart-fluttering atmosphere of love.

With the lingering coolness of willow branches on her fingertips, Gu Qing had a new idea.

He released the willow branch from his fingers, letting it drift away in the wind and fall onto the lake.

And that clear, gentle gaze shifted from the girl's figure back to the shimmering lake surface.

"What's happening here?"

"That's not how it's written in the script..."

"The director didn't yell 'cut'? Do we want to continue acting?"

"No matter what, let's go for it!"

Jing Tian, ​​standing on the stone bridge, had a series of thoughts flash through her mind in an instant, and the small expressions on her face also changed subtly, from initial confusion to a hint of panic, and finally to determination.

When she closed her eyes and opened them again, they were filled with Bei Weiwei's courage and frankness.

"Sweetie, you handled that part perfectly!"

Lin Yufen and Gu Man, who were behind the monitor, perked up almost simultaneously and began to whisper to each other.

According to the plot,

After making eye contact with Xiao Nai for the first time, Bei Weiwei must have had a lot of internal thoughts, commonly known as "mental dramas"—guessing whether Xiao Nai was waiting for someone.

Are you hesitating whether to go up and say hello?

Finally, I mustered up my courage.

These inner monologues require post-production dubbing, but the actors' expressions must accurately convey these complex emotional layers.

Jing Tian's performance at this moment, from being at a loss to making up her mind, although slightly different from her planned performance, unexpectedly and perfectly matched Bei Weiwei's psychological state at this moment.

……

Take a deep breath,

Bei Weiwei took a step and slowly walked from the stone bridge to the lawn, towards the figure that made her heart race.

Hearing the approaching footsteps behind him, Xiao Nai, played by Gu Qing, calmly turned around.

His eyes were clear and calm as he silently and calmly watched the girl walking towards him. His gaze seemed to have no aggression, yet it carried an invisible power that held her firmly in place, never leaving her for a moment.

Is he... waiting for me to speak first?
Bei Weiwei felt a little flustered under that focused gaze, and unconsciously slowed down her pace, her slender fingers nervously twisting together.

Why is Master Xiao looking at me like that?
Could it be... that he has seen me before?
Did you know I'm also a computer science major?

one second.

two seconds.

three seconds.

The air seemed to freeze.

Unable to withstand the immense pressure of the prolonged, silent gaze, 'Bei Weiwei' seemed to have made up her mind, taking a deep breath.

She broke the silence with a slightly awkward but still bright smile: "Senior Brother Xiao, what a coincidence."

however,
Her response was still silence.

Three more agonizing seconds.

Bei Weiwei's smile gradually stiffened, and she lowered her head in embarrassment, feeling so awkward that she could dig out a three-bedroom apartment out of her heart.

She was extremely annoyed, cursing herself for being so impatient and for having to come and say hello.

Now, it's like I'm frozen here, as if I've been put under a spell.

Or... should we pretend nothing happened and slip away quietly?
Just as she was lost in thought and almost gave up, she seemed to hear a very soft, almost inaudible chuckle.

The laughter was soft and gentle, yet it brushed against my heart like a feather.

Bei Weiwei couldn't help but look up again. To her surprise, she found that the man before her, known for his aloofness and arrogance, was none other than "Master Xiao."
Without anyone noticing, the corners of her mouth curved slightly upwards into a faint arc.

And in his deep black eyes, which were gazing at himself, the thin layer of ice that had previously seemed distant had melted away, and there were clearly faint, real smiles.

Subsequently,

She then heard his clear, cool yet gentle voice, as melodious as jade striking jade, slowly rising in the moist morning air:

"unfortunately."

He paused slightly, his voice, tinged with a cool detachment, reaching her ears clearly, "I'm waiting for you."

I’m waiting for you……

I’m waiting for you……

These four words, as if imbued with magic, echoed and amplified in Bei Weiwei's mind.

This voice... why does it sound so strangely familiar?

Bei Weiwei was completely bewildered.

She stared blankly at the person so close to her.

His eyes seemed to hold fragments of dawn light, the flickering shadows amplifying the unreal softness. His posture was serene and gentle, as if patiently awaiting her response.

"Go back...go back to what?"

Jing Tian stared blankly at Gu Qing, her mind going completely blank under the close gaze of those eyes that held a thousand stars and a tender heart.
The familiar lines from the script seemed to have been wiped out with a single click.
She... forgot her lines.

Even though she had spent so many days with Gu Qing, rehearsing scenes and chatting, she considered herself to be quite familiar with him.

But it was still... the first time I'd ever seen him like this.

For a time,

Jing Tian's mind went blank, and she was at a loss.

"Card--"

The voice of redemption rang out.

"Sweetie, what's wrong with you?!"

Director Lin Yufen stood up abruptly, grabbed a megaphone, and his voice was filled with barely suppressed rage and anger.
"Just one more sentence! Just the last sentence!!"
Everything was going well until this crucial moment?!

"Continue the line!"

She was so angry that she spun around on the spot, her grip on the script making a cracking sound.

Gu Man sighed regretfully beside her. Gu Qing's performance just now was almost a perfect recreation of Xiao Nai from her writing.
It even gave the character a more captivating depth, but then...

The remaining rationality told Lin Yufen that the female protagonist in front of him had an extraordinary background, and he couldn't really start cursing her.

Even so, the question, clearly tinged with anger, still couldn't be contained and burst out.

How could Lin Yufen not be angry?
The filming had just begun when an unexpected incident occurred involving willow branches. Fortunately, Gu Qing came to the rescue, turning a potential disaster into a miraculous one, making the story more vivid and natural.

Jing Tian unexpectedly caught the scene well, delivering a commendable performance. Everything was progressing perfectly, but then, in this final scene, at the very last moment...

Just as it was about to come to a perfect end, it was cut short!

The entire crew,

A tense silence instantly descended. Those students who had gathered to watch—had they ever witnessed a director unleashing his anger on set?

They were all terrified and fell silent, shrinking their necks and trying to minimize their presence, afraid of being caught in the crossfire.

"Director Yu Fen, please calm down."

In the ensuing silence, Gu Qingqing's gentle voice rang out, like a clear spring flowing through the sweltering film set. She was the only one who dared to speak up and put out the fire.
"I was close enough to see clearly. Jing... Weiwei actually opened her mouth, but her voice was too soft to be recorded."

During post-production, having the voice actor add the line shouldn't be considered a continuity error.

"Yes, yes, director, I'm so sorry!"

Jing Tian's manager reacted quickly, rushing forward with an extremely humble attitude and a beaming smile, trying to smooth things over without showing any arrogance or rebuttal based on her background.
"Our sweetie is probably too nervous. It's her first scene, and she has no experience. Please bear with her and give her more guidance."

Sorry for taking up everyone's time. Sweetie will treat everyone to drinks at lunchtime today! I apologize!

Let's stop for a moment.

After repeated persuasion from Gu Qing and his agent, Director Lin Yufen's angry expression subsided somewhat.

She let out a heavy sigh, sat back down in front of the monitor, and said in a low voice, "I'll watch the replay."

She skillfully rewound and played back the footage, zooming in on the last few seconds to watch it carefully.

Sure enough, just as Gu Qing said, in the close-up shot, Bei Weiwei, played by Jing Tian, ​​did indeed twitch her lips slightly after her initial stunned silence.

Although no sound was produced, the lip movements were still vaguely discernible as dialogue. This flaw could indeed be remedied by adding sound in post-production and zooming in.

"In this way... it's not a complete NG (no good) yet, there's still room for improvement."

As Lin Yufen thought about this, she felt as if the dark clouds hanging over her head had dispersed a bit, and her mood calmed down slightly.

At least, the good fortune of getting the first scene shot in one take was barely preserved.

She softened her tone, picked up the megaphone, and pointed it at Jing Tian, ​​who was still standing on the lawn, her eyes slightly red, looking somewhat aggrieved and helpless.
And Gu Qing, who was standing calmly beside her, beckoned: "Gu, Tian Tian, ​​you two come here for a moment."

"coming."

Gu Qing responded, turned to look at Jing Tian beside him who was in low spirits, gently patted her shoulder, and whispered to comfort her:

"Don't take it too seriously. That's just Director Yu Fen's personality. She's objective, not personal."

"I'm a perfectionist, and when I get impatient, I might yell a few times. When I was filming 'The Journey of Flower' and 'Legend of Nine Tails Fox,' I didn't perform well enough, and I got a lot of criticism."

"You...you've been scolded too?"

Jing Tian raised her slightly reddened eyes and looked at Gu Qing in disbelief.

In her mind, how could Gu Qing, whose acting skills were so good and so well-received, be scolded by the director?

"Of course, I was a newcomer once too. It's normal to get criticized by the director for not acting well. It's all part of the growth process."

Gu Qing smiled and said, "Let's go, the director is calling us."

"Ah."

Hearing that Gu Qing had also experienced something similar, Jing Tian's feelings of grievance and isolation immediately dissipated.

She nodded obediently and followed closely behind Gu Qing toward the monitor.

……

"Gu, Tiantian, come and take a look at the replay."

Lin Yufen pointed to the monitor screen and asked, "Tell me, what aspects of your performance just now do you feel were lacking? Or, what are your thoughts?"

Gu Qing bent down, placed her hands on her knees, leaned forward, and watched the replay carefully, a thoughtful look in her eyes.

Lin Yu glanced at Gu Qing, who was still organizing her thoughts, then turned her gaze to Jing Tian, ​​who was still somewhat bewildered: "Tian Tian, ​​you go first. What do you think was wrong with your acting just now?"

"Huh? I...I..."

Jing Tian nervously licked her dry lips, trying hard to recall, "I...I forgot my lines at the end...and the expressions at the beginning, it seems...it seems I didn't quite get them right?"

"Director Yu Fen,"

Gu Qing picked up the conversation and said sincerely, "Was the emotional shift I made when I turned to look at Weiwei at the end not clear enough?"

"No, Gu, you handled the situation very well just now."

Lin Yu shook her head, her tone certain, and tapped the close-up of Gu Qing on the screen with her finger.

"You didn't deliberately strike any sentimental poses, nor did you intentionally 'sparkle' anyone; your performance was very restrained, but it's precisely this restraint that..."

On the contrary, it better suits Xiao Nai's seemingly cold but actually warm-hearted personality, avoiding the greasy feeling that often occurs in idol dramas, making it very comfortable and natural to watch.

She switched the camera to a shot of the two looking at each other, highlighting Jing Tian's part:
"The biggest problem with your scene just now wasn't the technique, but the feeling—the lack of that crucial 'ambiguity' that makes the audience's hearts race!"

She looked at Gu Qing:
"Gu, when you look at Weiwei, your eyes show tenderness, attention, and appreciation, which is good. But something is still missing."
Something was missing... that unique, possessive, and irresistible affection a man feels when he looks at the girl he loves.

Remember, Bei Weiwei is not just an ordinary junior to you; she is the 'romantic partner' you've chosen in the game, someone you've noticed and developed feelings for long ago.

Your gaze should be one that's genuinely appropriate for looking at your 'girlfriend'!

"Director Yu Fen is absolutely right."

Gu Man, deeply agreeing, added that she focused more on Jing Tian's analysis, "Tian Tian, ​​your problem is actually bigger."

The way A-Gu looked at you still carried a clear tenderness and a smile.

The way you look at him, aside from the initial amazement and curiosity and the later nervousness and embarrassment, is almost like that of an ordinary female student who is a complete stranger and just has a slight crush on a handsome guy.

There was no spark of 'love at first sight' in his eyes.

Lin Yufen took over and further explained: "Making movies and making idol dramas are different."

The first formal meeting between the male and female protagonists is the starting point of their emotional storyline and a crucial "iconic scene".

You must create that kind of chemistry that instantly draws the audience in, makes their hearts flutter, and makes them scream and cover their faces!
That invisible current and tension permeating the air! You haven't fully grasped that feeling yet.

"Director, Ms. Gu Man, but I... I don't have much experience."

Jing Tian defended herself softly, feeling wronged, with a hint of helplessness and anxiety, "I...I haven't really filmed any serious romantic scenes."

This is true.

Despite her early debut, numerous film credits, and collaborations with many big names, she has almost no roles that involve deep emotional entanglements or require nuanced emotional expression.

Despite being in the industry for so many years, she has never even filmed a kissing scene! When it comes to romantic scenes, she is definitely a complete novice.

In comparison, Gu Qing at least filmed a kissing scene in "The Imperial Doctress".

Upon hearing this, Lin Yufen frowned.

A brief silence fell on the set, with only the monitor playing clips of the previous scene on a loop.

after awhile,

Lin Yufen seemed to have made up her mind. She looked sharply at Jing Tian and asked in a serious tone, "Tian Tian, ​​do you believe me?"

"Huh?" Jing Tian was taken aback by this seemingly random question.

“I have a way that might help you quickly find your footing and build that necessary chemistry and understanding with A-Gu.”

"But this method is a bit... unconventional, provided you can accept it."

"What method?" Jing Tian asked, her eyes filled with doubt.

Lin Yufen clearly stated, "We're adjusting the filming schedule. This afternoon... we'll film the thirty-second scene—the kissing scene."

……

……

(End of this chapter)