The birth of an actor

Chapter 66 Zhou Jingzhi

"Don't worry, how are you feeling on set?"

After explaining the script, Wang Jinghua asked with a smile.

"is acceptable."

"Did the filming go smoothly?"

Hearing this, the girl, who had just picked up a piece of shredded pork with garlic sauce, smiled and said:

"The filming went very smoothly. He basically nailed his scenes in one take, his lines were accurate, and his expressions were spot on. The director kept praising him, saying that he didn't seem like a newcomer acting for the first time at all, but rather like a mature actor."

"Haha, that's great!"

"And what's more! We did just as you said, Sister Hua, we greeted everyone with a smile, didn't argue with anyone, and addressed people by their names first..."

"That's fine."

Wang Jinghua breathed a slight sigh of relief:
“Bingbing, don’t blame me for nagging, but a film crew is actually a small society. There are all sorts of interpersonal relationships and social dynamics involved, and the circle is very small… Like this time, many of the staff in your crew are from the Beijing Film Studio. You left a good impression on them, and when they are assigned to other film crews in the future, they might get you an extra script contract because of that good impression…”

"Yes, I understand."

With Fan Bing's agreement, Wang Jinghua also looked at An Xin:
"Don't worry, Bingbing told me before that on the first day of filming, the actor who played your brother got into a fight with the director?"

"It was alright, not really a dispute. It's just that everyone had some misunderstandings about the character, but in the end he obeyed the director."

Anxin didn't take this matter seriously at first.

In fact, as people get older, they gradually realize that often, when they pour their enthusiasm into others, they don't necessarily get a passionate response in return.

You can't always get a warm face in return.

Therefore, in terms of interpersonal relationships, his personality gradually changed from the initial "we are the best of friends in the world" to a more distant, gentlemanly relationship.

Solve your own problems. It's a favor if others help, it's normal if they don't.

The same applies to what happens to other people.

While this personality may lack passion, it cannot be described as cold-hearted.

To put it more politely, it's called "discretion"; to put it bluntly, it's just about minding your own business.

Therefore, he wasn't particularly concerned about Zhou Jie's matter. After all, the other party had also chosen to back down later, so there was nothing more to say.

But the girl clearly had a different opinion:
"Anxin even asked me to persuade him. She told him not to go against the director; everyone's a newcomer, what right does he have to influence a director?"

These were Fan Bing's words. After listening, Wang Jinghua glanced at An Xin and then asked:
"and after?"

"And then? That's it. I told Anxin once, and she wouldn't let me say it a second time. Later, Zhou Jie was called away by Director He, and when he came back, he was well-behaved. He did whatever he was told to do..."

Wang Jinghua felt relieved.

Similarly, she didn't care what kind of person Zhou Jie was, since he wasn't her artist.

She only saw a calm and mature response in this matter.

This child... I'm sure I didn't see wrong.

Quite mature.

This maturity is enough to put her at ease.

So he said:

"This is the right thing to do. Human nature is very complex, especially on a film set. 'Princess Pearl' was alright, but if you're dealing with a show that involves several investment companies, you'll find that everyone is ruthlessly scheming against each other. So, on a film set, it's always better to avoid trouble. Bingbing, Anxin is more mature than you, so you should listen to him more often. He won't harm you..."

"Ok, I know."

The girl who thought twice-cooked pork was more appetizing than shredded pork with garlic sauce nodded, holding her rice bowl.

“I listen to him.”

"That's good. When you're not busy, take a good look at this book. The audition time should be in winter or early spring, so there's plenty of time. These days, I was planning to find some print modeling jobs for you two, but... the timing isn't right. Winter clothes are already in season, and you two won't finish filming until November, so my focus is on finding small roles in film crews..."

"Uh-huh……"

Fan Bing listened attentively, and of course, she ate quite a bit of twice-cooked pork.

Anxin was relieved, but somewhat absent-minded.

Wang Jinghua initially thought he had something on his mind, but Fan Bing knew exactly what was going on.

Since filming began, Anxin has become increasingly quiet. In his own words:
“I don’t like to talk because…every time you talk to me, I have to temporarily break free from Ertai’s state.”

So she didn't think anything of it; the meal was almost entirely spent chatting between her and Wang Jinghua.

Three people, four dishes and a soup, generous portions and great value.

We ate and drank our fill in less than an hour.

After eating and drinking her fill, Wang Jinghua got up to say goodbye.

She came by car, so she needs to catch a ride back quickly.

After seeing her off at the door, Fan Bing flipped through the book in her hand and asked:
"Why are you going?"

"I'm going back to read the script."

"Um, who lives in your room? Can I come to see you?"

"Liu Qing".

"Huh?...Then remember not to cook chicken soup these days, or you'll be in big trouble if someone sees it and reports you!"

An Xin was taken aback for a moment, then belatedly nodded:
"it is good."

He agreed and went back to the hotel with the girl.

After we parted ways, I had just returned to my room when I heard a voice:
"My roommate is back, I'm hanging up now."

Upon entering the room, one could see Lu Shiyu lying on the single bed, hanging up the phone.

He thought for a while and said:
"I came back to get the script, Professor Lu. Did I disturb you?" "Uh..."

When someone suddenly called him "Teacher Lu," Lu Shiyu was a little taken aback.

After all, he was only a junior at the Beijing Film Academy.

A beat late, seeing An Xin pick up the script, he quickly said:

"No, no, I just called a friend to tell them I've arrived at the hotel. I won't bother you."

This statement alone reveals that he lacks experience as a "social person".

After all, to be fair, An Xin is Ertai, while he is just Liu Qing; their roles are inherently different. His statement, "I won't bother you," would clearly offend someone.

But An Xin didn't care, she just nodded while holding the script:
"Then I'm out."

"it is good."

A moment later, the phone rang again in the room:
"Hey, my roommate went out."

"...Haha, I guess he heard me calling you and didn't want to bother us."

"...He played the role of Fu Ertai."

"……what?"

"...I didn't mean that. He just asked me if I was bothering him, and I said no, so he left."

“…Isn’t it possible?”

"...No...it's not necessary to apologize, is it? We're both supporting characters, and he's much younger than me."

"...Uh, that...does seem to make some sense."

……

Inside the restaurant, there was a clattering sound of bowls and chopsticks.

An Xin sat quietly at an empty table, head down, continuing to read the script.

The "Princess Pearl" production team was quite poor, that's the truth. So naturally, they couldn't book a fancy hotel with a coffee shop. According to Sister Hua, the only advantage of the hotel they stayed at was its proximity to the film studio.

So he wanted to read the script outside, and a restaurant after lunchtime was obviously the best place to go.

Because his vacation was only a month long, He Xiuqiong was quite considerate of him, focusing on filming his scenes first. And it was during this period that Ertai truly demonstrated his role as the team's lubricant and his most reliable quality in crucial moments. Although he had memorized every plot point, content, and line in the script, he was still gradually working through the story.

Time passed from the initial clanging of pots and pans to the final silence. He sat in the corner, watching intently, continuing to communicate with the "Fortaire" in his heart.

He didn't know how much time had passed when suddenly he heard a sound coming from the restaurant entrance:
"Waiter, there's still food... Are you at ease?"

That voice sounds familiar, like the director?

He turned his head and saw Sun Shuping and a middle-aged man staring at him.

"director."

Get up quickly and relax.

Sun Shupei asked, puzzled:

"What are you doing here?"

He spoke as he walked into the restaurant.

"Read the script."

As Anxin got up and the two walked in, their eyes were drawn to Anxin's long, varied notes on the script.

A hint of approval appeared in Sun Shuping's eyes.

To be honest, he certainly didn't think Anxin was deliberately creating this chance encounter... Just kidding, it's past mealtime, who would come to a restaurant for no reason?
He wouldn't have come if his friends hadn't been visiting.

On the other hand, during the few days that the crew started filming, he discovered that the child who was personally chosen by the producer to play Ertai was exceptionally reliable.

Despite not having formal training, her acting skills are quite solid.

Although he can be a bit naive at times, he can generally meet my requirements once I've explained them to him. He's also steady in character, quiet and reserved, always there when needed, and doesn't bother me when there's no need.

It's... well, how should I put it?

An actor who is very comfortable to work with.

So, since they had met by chance, he decided to introduce Anxin to him:
"This is Professor Zhou Jingzhi, an editor of the Poetry Journal, a member of the Writers Association, and a screenwriter. Professor Zhou, he is An Xin, the actor who played Fu Ertai in the TV series 'Princess Pearl.' He's quite a talented young man. Although he didn't come from a professional acting background, he was admitted to Renmin University at just sixteen. He's really outstanding."

Anxin had never heard of this person's name before, but the title sounded impressive—a magazine editor and a writer.

So he stretched out his hands:

"Hello, Teacher Zhou, I am Anxin. It is an honor to meet you."

"Ah hello."

Zhou Jingzhi, 44, smiled and shook hands with him.

Looking at the boy with a smile on his face.

"Intelligent and eager to learn, skilled in both literature and martial arts."

Recalling the historical evaluation of the character Aisin-Gioro Yinreng in his script, he looked at the child in front of him and his eyes brightened slightly.

An Xin didn't think much of it. Seeing that the two probably had something to talk about, she took the script and politely said goodbye.

After watching him leave step by step, Zhou Jingzhi suddenly turned to Sun Shupei and smiled:

"A pretty good kid."

"Ha, I think so too."

Sun Shupei smiled and responded.

(End of this chapter)