Huayu97: Starting with Wu Song Fighting the Tiger

That day, he stood outside the iron cage, his palms sweating and his legs trembling. The keeper kept reassuring him, "It's okay, it won't bite." Only then did he steel himself and reach out his hand. The moment his fingertips touched the tiger's body, it felt like he was electrocuted, and he almost bounced back.

After returning home, he had nightmares for several days.

Originally, according to the original timeline, he would have spent time getting used to the tiger's presence, gradually overcoming his fear, and eventually managing to "hold his own" in front of the camera.

But now, there's another Liu Xiang.

A fierce guy who dared to pet a tiger's head and even give it a "massage" on his first time touching one.

This made his "barely adapted" seem somewhat inadequate.

Zhang Shaolin nodded: "Okay."

Lan Xiaoling closed the script and stood up: "Then I'll go take a look too. The Wu Song storyline still needs to be revised later. Experiencing it on set is much better than just thinking about it in the room."

……

At 2 p.m., the group gathered at the hotel entrance.

In addition to Zhang Shaolin, Kang Honglei, Guo Baochang, Lan Xiaoling, Liu Xiang, and Ding Haifeng, there were two martial arts instructors, a script supervisor, and a producer responsible for liaising with the zoo.

"The car is here." The producer waved.

Several bread trucks were parked at the entrance, with the words "Water Margin" printed on their sides.

"Let's go." Zhang Shaolin got into the car first.

……

Wuxi Zoo is not too far from Water Margin City, about half an hour's drive away.

In the car, Kang Honglei lowered his voice and asked Liu Xiang, "How do you plan to behave when you see the tiger later?"

"Just normal behavior," Liu Xiang said. "It should be touched and examined as needed."

"Can't you come up with a strategy?" Kang Honglei was exasperated.

"I'm naturally calmer than him," Liu Xiang said. "I've dealt with tigers before, and he's fought one too, but that time, I guess he was barely managing!"

Kang Honglei was taken aback: "How did you know?"

"Judging from Director Guo's tone just now," Liu Xiang said, "it shows that he is actually quite intimidated."

"Then you need to make sure Director Zhang notices it," Kang Honglei said. "You know, Director Zhang may seem rough around the edges, but he's actually very meticulous."

Lan Xiaoling, sitting in the front row, overheard their conversation, turned around and smiled: "Director Kang, don't put too much pressure on the child."

She looked at Liu Xiang: "Just go with your gut feeling in a bit. The tiger is real, not a prop. If you're faking it, it'll know."

Liu Xiang nodded: "Okay."

"Besides—" Lan Xiaoling blinked, "If you really manage to get the tiger to cooperate, I'll add a few more scenes for you when we get back."

Kang Honglei's eyes lit up: "I'll remember that."

Lan Xiaoling smiled without saying a word.

……

We've arrived at the zoo.

The Wuxi Zoo in 1997 wasn't large, but it had a strong sense of nostalgia. A banner hanging at the entrance read: "Warmly welcome the 'Water Margin' TV series crew to visit and provide guidance."

A middle-aged man in his fifties came up to greet them, wearing a green work uniform with mud on the cuffs: "Director Zhang, you've finally arrived."

"Old Li," Zhang Shaolin shook hands with him, "Thank you for your hard work."

"It's what we should do." Old Li smiled. "We've already prepared the tiger. The one we're bringing out today is relatively docile."

The tiger's cage was at the very back, surrounded by heavy iron bars, with an outer protective fence.

From afar, you can see the colorful beast in the cage.

This is an adult Siberian tiger, large in size, with glossy fur and clearly visible black stripes in the sunlight. It is lying on the ground dozing, its tail occasionally flicking, giving the impression that it might rise up and pounce at any moment.

"Is this it?" Guo Baochang asked.

"Hmm." Old Li nodded. "This tiger is quite familiar with our keepers and usually doesn't bite people randomly."

"Generally?" Kang Honglei grasped the key phrase. "What about special cases?"

"Special circumstances..." Old Li looked at him, "You should just pray that special circumstances don't happen."

Kang Honglei: "..."

Liu Xiang watched from the side, somewhat lost in thought.

Unlike the tiger I saw at the Beijing Zoo last time, this one looks more mature, with more defined muscles and deeper eyes.

Only upon closer inspection can one truly appreciate the weight of the words "King of Beasts".

"How are you?" Kang Honglei asked in a low voice, "Are you scared?"

"I'm scared," Liu Xiang said, "but not as scared as last time."

"You were hungry last time," Kang Honglei said. "This time you've eaten your fill, so I'm a little worried!"

Liu Xiang smiled and said, "Maybe."

Zhang Shaolin looked at Old Li: "What are the plans for today?"

"Let them look around outside the cage first, get used to it," Old Li said. "If things go well, then let them in for closer contact."

"Go in?" Guo Baochang frowned. "Isn't it a bit too dangerous?"

"Don't worry, we'll keep it chained up," Old Li said. "And the zookeeper will be there too."

Kang Honglei immediately said, "I believe Lao Li."

Guo Baochang scoffed: "Of course you believe that, since it wasn't you who went in."

"If you're willing, I won't stop you," Kang Honglei said.

"Alright," Zhang Shaolin interrupted them, "Today is just a trial, not a formal shoot. You two—"

He looked at Liu Xiang and Ding Haifeng: "Who wants to go first?"

Ding Haifeng stepped forward and said, "Let me go first."

He knew very well that if he backed down this time, his impression on Director Zhang would be greatly diminished.

Zhang Shaolin nodded: "Okay."

……

Ding Haifeng followed Lao Li to the cage.

The tiger, which had been dozing on the ground, slowly raised its head upon hearing the noise.

Those yellow eyes held a hint of languor, yet also a touch of scrutiny.

"Don't get too close yet," Old Li advised. "Stand outside for a while and let it get used to your scent."

Ding Haifeng nodded and stood two meters away from the cage, trying his best to appear calm.

His back was ramrod straight, his hands hung naturally at his sides, and he had a slight smile on his face.

"You can talk to it," Old Li said, "but don't speak too loudly."

"Talk to it?" Ding Haifeng was taken aback.

"Yes," Old Li said, "animals also have memory of sounds."

Ding Haifeng thought for a moment, then lowered his voice: "Hello... Tiger."

Kang Honglei muttered to himself from behind, "That way of addressing me is quite affectionate."

Liu Xiang, however, did not laugh.

He could tell that Ding Haifeng was actually nervous.

Although he appeared to be standing very steadily, the muscles in his shoulders were taut and his fingers were slightly clenched.

The tiger stared at him for a few seconds, then lowered its head and scratched the ground with its paw.

"Now, you can slowly move closer," Old Li said. "Don't make any sudden movements."

Ding Haifeng nodded and took a step forward.

With each step he took, it was as if he had calculated the distance in his mind.