Entertainment Industry: I am a top-tier movie star

The two continued practicing in the afternoon.

"I feel like my legs don't belong to me anymore."

Wang Hao grimaced and stretched his shoulders. "Nianbei, aren't your legs sore?"

Chen Nianbei was tightening her wristband without looking up: "You'll get used to it."

"Getting used to it?" Wang Hao wailed. "How long will it take to get used to this?"

Chen Nianbei watched Wang Hao practice basic movements, her brows furrowing slightly.

Wang Hao's posture wasn't bad, but something was missing.

It's not about technique, it's about the kind of "spirit" that the Imperial Guards should have.

Lacking in ruthlessness, but timid enough.

"Stop for a moment." Chen Nianbei walked over.

Wang Hao sheathed his sword, sweat beading on his forehead: "What's wrong?"

"You're holding the knife wrong."

Chen Nianbei took the wooden sword and demonstrated for him, "The tiger's mouth should be tightly clenched, but not tightly. Relax your wrist and generate power from your waist."

He resumed his stance, slowing down his movements to execute a chopping motion:

"You see, when you swing the knife, the force comes from your heels, travels to your waist, and then to your arm. It's not just about swinging your arm."

Wang Hao stared at it, seemingly lost in thought.

"besides,"

Chen Nianbei continued, "Who are the Embroidered Uniform Guards? They are the emperor's swords, accustomed to life and death. Your eyes are too soft, not ruthless enough."

"What counts as ruthless?" Wang Hao scratched his head.

Chen Nianbei thought for a moment and handed the knife back to him:

"Think of something. Something that makes you the angrier or the most frustrated."

Wang Hao was taken aback: "And then?"

"Then you think, the person standing in front of you is the root of the problem."

Chen Nianbei took two steps back. "Now, come at me."

Wang Hao gripped the knife, his expression hesitant.

"Come on," Chen Nianbei urged.

Wang Hao took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Chen Nianbei didn't know what he was thinking, but she could see his brows gradually furrowing and his lips pressed into a line.

When I opened my eyes again, my gaze had indeed changed.

He became more ruthless, and there was suppressed anger.

He rushed forward and slashed down with his sword.

This time the movement was much more powerful than before, and the wind from the blade was even sharper.

"Oh, right."

Chen Nianbei stepped aside, nodded, and said, "Remember this feeling."

Wang Hao stopped, catching his breath, but his eyes brightened: "It seems... a little different."

That's it.

Chen Nianbei said, "You have to find an emotional anchor. Without an anchor, even the most perfect movements are meaningless."

The two resumed sparring.

Chen Nianbei intentionally slowed down the pace, giving Wang Hao pointers and occasionally correcting him:

"Turn your waist a little more."

"Don't stumble, keep your footing."

"Yes, that's it."

At the other end of the shed, Coach Zhao stood with his arms crossed, watching without saying a word.

A stuntman nearby chimed in, "Instructor Zhao, this newbie is pretty good. He's teaching quite well."

Coach Zhao grunted in response, his gaze following Chen Nianbei.

He could tell that what Chen Nianbei taught Wang Hao wasn't just reciting from a book; it was something he could only explain after truly understanding the principles of movement.

Moreover, there's the control and guidance of rhythm.

This doesn't look like a newcomer joining the crew for the first time.

This kid's a bit weird!

After practicing for more than an hour, Wang Hao's progress was clearly visible.

Although it's far from "good", at least it looks decent, and its eyes have a bit of the ruthlessness that the Embroidered Uniform Guard should have.

During the break, Wang Hao plopped down on the ground, gulped down most of a bottle of water, and then, panting, said, "Nianbei, thanks."

"No need to thank me." Chen Nianbei sat down next to him.

"If it weren't for you, I don't know how much longer I would have had to train."

Wang Hao smiled wryly, "Those few movements just now, I just couldn't get it right when I practiced them on my own, but after you explained them, it seemed like I got it right."

Chen Nianbei smiled but didn't reply.

He knew in his heart that it wasn't because he taught so well, but because Wang Hao was willing to learn.

When it comes to acting, the master leads you through the door, but the rest is up to you to cultivate yourself.

Wang Hao has that serious attitude; he just needs some guidance.

"you say,"

Wang Hao suddenly asked, "Will I be able to keep practicing like this?"

"able."

Chen Nianbei said with certainty, "What you lack is not talent, but method. Now that you have the method, all that's left is to practice."

Wang Hao stared at the water bottle in his hand, remained silent for a while, and then suddenly said:

"Nianbei, sometimes I feel like you're a senior."

Chen Nianbei's heart skipped a beat, but she remained expressionless: "Really?"

"have."

Wang Hao turned to look at him, "He's very... experienced in his speech and actions. Unlike people our age."

Chen Nianbei smiled and changed the subject: "How's your memorization of your lines going?"

"I did carry it on my back."

Wang Hao scratched his head, "But it still feels like something's missing. What kind of tone should the Imperial Guards use when they speak?"

"Cold, tough, but don't be too pretentious."

Chen Nianbei thought for a moment, "Just think of it this way: you're a civil servant, but you have a knife and you can kill people."

Speak softly, but make sure every word is clearly audible.

Wang Hao was amused by the metaphor: "Civil servant...that's quite fitting."

As the two were talking, Coach Zhao walked over.

"Wang Hao,"

He said, "Let me see those movements again."

Wang Hao quickly stood up, gripped the knife, and assumed a fighting stance.

After the routine was completed, Coach Zhao nodded:

"Better than this morning. Just maintain this level while filming."

Wang Hao breathed a sigh of relief and a smile appeared on his face.

Coach Zhao then looked at Chen Nianbei, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "Come with me for a moment."

Chen Nianbei followed Coach Zhao out of the tent. It was already getting dark outside, and the lights in the film and television base were gradually coming on.

The two walked to a relatively quiet corner, where Coach Zhao lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and flicked off the ash.

"With your talent and skill, you don't need to practice the basics anymore. You can go straight to acting. I'll talk to Director Lu and we can film tomorrow's scene as scheduled."

Chen Nianbei's heart skipped a beat, but she remained calm on the surface: "I'll follow the director's instructions."

Coach Zhao patted him on the shoulder, then turned and left.

Chen Nianbei stood there, watching Zhao's figure disappear into the crowd on set, before slowly letting out a breath.

talent?

He smiled.

There's no talent involved; it's just that twenty years of hard work in my previous life made up for my shortcomings.

……

Meanwhile, in the film crew's office area.

Lu Yang was looking at the storyboard, his brows furrowed.

Investors are pushing for progress, and actors have tight schedules.

The door was pushed open, and Coach Zhao walked in.

"Director Lu, would you like to chat for a bit?"

Lu Yang looked up, saw Coach Zhao's expression, and raised an eyebrow: "What's wrong?"

"Nothing much."

Coach Zhao sat down opposite him. "It's a good thing."

He briefly described the afternoon's training session, emphasizing Chen Nianbei's performance.

How to imitate the movements, how to teach Wang Hao, how to incorporate the state of a tuberculosis patient into the action scenes.

As Lu Yang listened, his fingers tapped lightly on the table.

"So what you mean is?" he asked.

"Chen Nianbei can start filming now."

Coach Zhao stated with certainty, "His current condition is better than some veteran martial arts practitioners. Continuing to train him would be a waste of time."

Lu Yang didn't respond immediately.

There was another person in the office.

Wang Qianyuan had just finished filming a scene and came over to talk to Lu Yang about his role.

He had been leaning against the wall listening to Coach Zhao speak, and now he couldn't help but interject:

"Director Zhao, you're saying that newcomer is that good? Better than the veteran stuntmen?"

Wang Qianyuan plays Lu Jianxing, the eldest of the three brothers in the Imperial Guard.

He entered the industry early and has met many actors, so he has always been reserved about the term "genius newcomer".

"Chihara, you're here too."

Coach Zhao turned to look at him. "I'm not exaggerating. That kid really has something."

Wang Qianyuan smiled but didn't say anything, but the meaning in his smile was clear—I've seen it all before.

Lu Yang glanced at Wang Qianyuan, then looked at Coach Zhao: "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

Coach Zhao said, "Coach Lu, I've been in this industry for twenty years, and I'm good at judging people."

Chen Nianbei is a real talent.

Lu Yang pondered for a moment, then finally nodded: "Okay, let's film it tomorrow."

"We're filming the scene between Jin Yichuan and Ding Xiu right now, and Zhou Yiwei will be there tomorrow too."

Wang Qianyuan's curiosity was piqued as he listened to their conversation.

He had heard Director Lu talk about Chen Nianbei's audition performance, but how could a newcomer have such good action scenes?

Is this kid really that weird?

"Director Lu,"

He said, "How about... we go take a look now? Anyway, I'm out of luck."

Lu Yang glanced at him and understood that Wang Qianyuan wanted to verify it with his own eyes.

This is normal; veteran actors often have doubts about the abilities of newcomers and want to see what they're capable of.

"Okay." Lu Yang stood up. "Let's go take a look together."

The three of them left the office and headed towards the training shed.