Chapter Ch81.1 - Filming
translator: xiin
editors: apricot & juurensha
The program producer who was to the side slapped the sofa and looked excited, “Ah, that’s a good one!”
When he saw that Wu Jin was already in a trance, he immediately changed his phrasing:
“Our show won’t force contestants to devote themselves to their performances––the actual details are all negotiable! Either a real kiss or an ambiguous atmosphere are okay! I think it’s acceptable to just adjust the angle, and the lens can also be blurred. With that kind of hazy, matte, gla.s.s special effect that was popular last fall, and some lighting adjustments!”
Ying Xiangxiang smiled slyly and nodded, “”How about this, Little Witch and Contestant Wei can cast a secret ballot?”
“……” Wu Jin was going crazy: How could they not know who was who with two people?!
On one side, the small stage manager received the program producer’s gaze and quickly tore off two small pieces of paper and handed them over.
Wei Shi accepted it calmly and picked up a pen––
He then glanced at Wu Jin again.
Wu Jin’s heart was beating fast, “!!!”
Big brother’s gaze held no temperature, but it made Wu Jin feel a chill that ran all the way down to his tailbone. His mind was confused, and he couldn’t control his eyes from landing on the man’s slightly dry lips.
Wu Jin’s entire face quickly turned red. He bent his head and hurriedly wrote something down before swiftly folding the paper up.
He folded it in half, then folded it in half, then folded it in half….
After accepting Wei Shi’s vote, the stage manager chuckled, “Little Witch, don’t fold it anymore. If you fold it any further, you’ll be compressing it from the blue planet to the moon.”
Wu Jin reluctantly handed in the note, and the stage manager pretended to find the program producer and count the votes.
The program producer picked up the little paper that Wu Jin had folded up tightly, opened it up slowly, then looked at it and set it down, unsurprised at the results. He then opened up the piece of paper that Wei Shi had handed in.
When the vote was about to be announced, Wu Jin let out a relieved breath, his expression one of accepting whatever fate handed him. He felt guilt and shame towards big brother in his heart, so he’d left the right to choose in big brother’s hands––
The program producer cleared his voice: “One vote in favor, one abstention.” He slapped his thigh, “Okay! Let’s add the scene!”
Everyone in the studio rejoiced at the news, and even the sponsor was smiling broadly.
Only Wu Jin heard a roaring in his ears, his face full of disbelief.
The two contestants were quickly packed into the life-saving capsule. With the green screen in place, the special effects team was adjusting the background modeling. The sunken ship and sc.r.a.p iron seemed to suck in the light as they drifted towards the empty sea floor. The dreary setting was in sharp contrast to the happy and smiling Crosson filming team.
After everything was ready, the program producer was proud and pleased, expressing that everything was proceeding as expected.
The little stage manager flattered him, “Based on Little Witch’s character, he really is capable of abstaining. As for Contestant Wei’s consent––”
The program producer explained it to him, “That is even easier to understand. We need to look at the essence of the problem! This high-quality appearance money tree contestant is an individual contestant who can’t bear the cost of giving money to the program group. He only had one shot over three entire episodes. Do you understand how important this endors.e.m.e.nt is for him?!”
The little stage manager suddenly understood, “No wonder he agreed to kissing so simply!”
The program producer waved his hand, “It’s just ambiguous positioning, not k2018;hidden rules’. Besides, can it even be called hidden rules if it’s done by our Little Witch?! It’s more like a benefit! Alright, alright, let’s finish all the shooting today! The demo can be sent straight to the PR team when it’s out, and the price can be raised for next time. See, our Crosson contestants have both the appearance and the dedicationk2026;”
Inside the studio.
Ying Xiangxiang explained the scene, then had the two of them coordinate the rest.
Generally speaking, Wu Jin had a solid dance foundation and changing the ch.o.r.eography wouldn’t be a problem for him. A mere advertis.e.m.e.nt change should be no problem for him at all, but when the first rehearsal started––
Ying Xiangxiang spoke up to remind him, “Little Witch, lean closer to Wei Shi! What are you doing so far away? He’s not going to eat you!”
Wu Jin nodded stiffly.
A few minutes later, the director made a gesture and began to shoot their individual scenes.
This part of the plot was quite simple. They continued to imitate the scenes from the t.i.tanic. Wei Shi gave the only life-saving capsule to Wu Jin, and Wu Jin desperately opened it up, unexpectedly discovering that it was the newly released double luxury honeymoon life-saving capsule from North Star Technology (special promotion: no extra charges for additional s.p.a.ce).
So, Wu Jin opened the hatch to the capsule, pulled Wei Shi inside and hugged him, turning around to perform a false positioning kiss––the background would then fade out as the life-saving capsule closed and the slogan would appear, ending the advertis.e.m.e.nt there.
Inside the confines of the life-saving capsule, Wu Jin and the man’s shoulders touched lightly, and he jumped away as though scalded, his gaze darting everywhere as though stuck.
“Cut!” The director gestured for a break, “Little Witch, your positioning doesn’t seem like kissing at all. How come it just looks like you’re stretching your head out in the dark?”
Wu Jin bowed his head. The big boss was following the script and lying there in the life-saving capsule, his eyelids raised as he looked up at him.
Half of the man’s body was immersed in the shadows, his eyes deep beneath his strong eyebrows. His pupils seemed to hold some magical power that made Wu Jin’s heart suddenly skip a beat. In this illusion, the air was hot, and it seemed that the other party was also looking at him ferociously.
Wu Jin felt like he’d been possessed by a devil. He abruptly shifted his gaze away.
The camera came back a second time, and it was still NG. They went on to the third time, fourth time, fifth time––
Ying Xiangxiang called out for a break and handed towels to both of them, “Little Witch, take a deep breath and find your state from earlier. You have to feel the scene. Remember, this is where you take the initiative to kiss Contestant Wei. There’s no need to be scared, but you need to take out the feeling of a forceful kiss and think about it… Oh, I forgot that Little Witch hasn’t even held a girl’s small hands before. That’s okay… Go up and hold him down for a peck!”
Wu Jin: “……”
Ying Xiangxiang finished giving advice and stressed again, “Enter the act, you have to enter the act! They all say that a reunion after parting is as sweet as a honeymoon, and this is a life or death separation for you guys. Think about how you cooperated in the instance.”
“It’s not just Little Witch who has to get into the act, Contestant Wei also needs to help Little Witch out! Although the camera won’t capture you––Little Witch’s most intuitive viewpoint is your expression. You need to influence Little Witch; we don’t require the earth to shake or the heavens to tremble, but there still needs to be some emotional pulse. Can you do that?”
Wei Shi made a sound of acknowledgement, but his expressionless face made this female instructor suspect that it was merely perfunctory.
Before the sixth take, Wu Jin apologized to the director, instructor, as well as his partner Wei Shi and went to the side to adjust his mood.
When he came back, there was a light in the youth’s gaze. He glanced at Wei Shi before entering the capsule.
The fine light seemed to shatter, bringing out a hidden wave of ripples.
Outside, in the shooting area, Ying Xiangxiang was delighted, “Not bad, it’s different this time!”
The camera slowly moved closer.
This time, the shooting went smoothly.
In the dark, deep sea, the only light that was available came from the capsule, like the sudden arrival of salvation. Wei Shi watched on as Wu Jin started to close the capsule door, but the youth suddenly climbed back out and reached over to pull him in.
The warm light added a layer of ambiguity to the youth who looked tragic and pale from the make-up. The water exploded around them, and Wu Jin, who was inside the life-saving capsule, was splashed by the violent tremor. The youth’s eyelashes quivered slightly, and his damp appearance thrilled the soul. His gaze was locked on Wei Shi’s face from beginning to end.
There was no delay in his actions, and they were even quite strong from urgency.
Wu Jin had a thin layer of muscles on his shoulders, arms, waist, and abdomen; they were beautiful but not exaggerated, with the special curves unique to youth. When he flexed, his figure released the aesthetic extremes of the human body––shifting, milky skin full of tension that constantly tempted people to bite.
Behind the camera, the director’s eyes lit up.
The atmosphere in the green screen was much more intense than what the camera could capture.
Wei Shi stepped into the capsule, pulled in by Wu Jin’s strength. He was suddenly turned around and pressed down by the youth, like a blade hidden in its scabbard. His intense gaze was blocked from the camera’s view by Wu Jin’s back.
The man narrowed his eyes, enjoying Wu Jin’s initiative.
Wu Jin used the excuse of the script, his thoughts surging with temptation. It might have been due to Wei Shi’s influence, but he actually seemed to have the momentum of a forceful kiss at this time, his gaze like a soft touch as his eyes wandered over the man’s brows, eyes, and lips.
Wu Jin suddenly bent over.
Their hot breaths intermingled, and it was impossible to tell if it was an act or not. The youth was like a small animal who had grown teeth and dancing claws, approaching Wei Shi in a childish, yet ferocious manner.
The camera quickly focused on them and drew closer. Their lips were just one second away from touching––
The director slapped his thigh, “Great!”
The positioning was perfect. The stage manager quickly initiated the freeze frame, and the door to the life-saving capsule closed slowly, the camera gradually drawing away, providing enough s.p.a.ce for the insertion of the follow-up advertising––
There was sudden darkness inside the life-saving capsule.
Wu Jin’s breathing came fast, and his entire person felt like it was burning. The big boss was so close to him that it felt like their pheromones were going crazy inside the cabin.
Darkness was the catalyst for human madness. As long as there was no light, it seemed that crossing any line could easily be facilitated and tolerated. Wu Jin leaned forward once again.
This was an act.
This might be… might be his only chance.
He could trace Wei Shi’s features in his mind even with his eyes closed. Darkness wasn’t a hindrance, but rather a mask that could be used to cover up his desire.
The youth no longer allowed himself to be caught up over it, he followed his impulses and kissed Wei Shi on the lips.
Dry, scorching.
Wu Jin desperately tried to memorize everything about this moment. All the blood in his body was boiling, he wanted to go deeper and immerse himself in this addiction, yet also needed to pretend that it was an accidental move and attempt to withdraw––
Wei Shi suddenly took action, one hand coming up to hold the youth’s shoulder and arm, the other shifting to hold the back of the youth’s head.
The two of them swapped places without warning.
Wu Jin’s eyes flew wide open. He was pressed hard into the life-saving capsule’s soft water bed, his neck lifted up to meet with a dominating presence. The man was fierce as he deepened the kiss, the ferocity of his aura giving Wu Jin the illusion of being crushed down to his bones.
There was a storm brewing in Wei Shi’s eyes.
His thoughts were clearly clamoring to swallow down his prey until not even its bones were left, but there were cameras moving outside the life-saving capsule, and the sound of laughter and conversation acted as a reminder.
The timing wasn’t right.
The prey beneath him was sweet and delicious, practically ripe for the picking. The youth’s arousal was easily stirred up; he struggled at the edge of reason, out of control as he attempted to get closer to Wei Shi.
The man looked at him steadily before finally withdrawing with one last kiss, marking his brand on the youth’s lips and teeth.
The right hand that had originally been pressed against the back of the youth’s head moved to straighten out the small curls before moving to smooth out the wrinkles on the collar of the combat suit. Outside, the stage managers were opening up the capsule and the sound of metal parts impacting each other could be heard. The outermost protective cover of the life-saving capsule was folded back, the door opening slightly as a beam of light cut through the darkness––
Wu Jin froze. His brain stopped working completely.
In the studio, the two stage managers had only just opened up the hatch when a red and steaming Wu Jin emerged from within, running away without a trace as soon as he touched the ground.
“……” Ying Xiangxiang froze in place by the door where she’d been waiting for a high five.
On the other side, Wei Shi also stepped out from inside the life-saving capsule, his eyes cold and face expressionless.
Ying Xiangxiang felt that Contestant Wei obviously wouldn’t high five her and could only pretend that nothing had happened and fix up her hair while lamenting to the a.s.sistant, “It was only a fake kiss! Little Witch is just too shy… Look at Contestant Wei’s psychological quality.”
“However… Little Witch is pretty talented. Good acting skills, good dancing skills! I’ll send a letter back to White Moonlight. One day, when he’s not a survival show trainee anymore, he can also join our studio and become an artist. Why is it that White Moonlight found Little Witch first and not a star scout…”
Outside the studio, the director was in high spirits as he spoke with the post-production artists. He greeted Wei Shi warmly when he saw him––
Wei Shi’s throat moved, and he pushed the door open and left with enough force to create a gust of wind.
The little stage managers who were close by only felt as though a cold wind had rolled through, subconsciously rubbing at the gooseb.u.mps that rose up on their arms. n.o.body came to their senses and spoke up until after the man left.
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xiin: hehehehehe…