Chapter 164: In Your Arms
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Sister Yuning, the a.s.sistant director is already calling you,” the young paparazzo quickly reminded Jiang Yuning.
Jiang Yuning handed her cell phone over to the young paparazzo and she hurried over to the a.s.sistant director. At this time, Director Shen Guobang called her over and then gave her a piece of advice, “The character that you are playing is Lin Ping’er. Her life has always been tragic and so, she is always a victim no matter what. If you put aside your exaggerated acting, I believe you will be able to portray this character very well.”
“Good luck, Jiang Yuning. I cannot deny that I really love how you look in traditional Chinese outfits and makeup, but if you cannot show me that you have any decent acting skills at all, I will not hesitate to kick you out of the cast immediately.”
Jiang Yuning nodded her head with a solemn expression on her face.
Not too far away, the staff of the prop team instigated by Huang Lingling were all ready in place to take sneak shots of Jiang Yuning. Let everyone see for themselves what a lousy actress looked like!
“Don’t be nervous,” the old senior actor who was about to act in the scene with Jiang Yuning started comforting her before their scene. “I believe that you will be able to do a good job because I can see the determination in your eyes.”
“Thank you, senior,” Jiang Yuning quickly thanked him as she smiled.
At times such as this, it would not have been easy to speak words of encouragement to someone else. However, the old senior actor had actually taken the time to encourage and comfort her. This proved that an experienced and talented artiste really had a broader mind.
“Let us do a practice round first.”
With Director Shen Guobang’s guidance, Jiang Yuning started writing a prescription for medicine as she wore a beautifully embroidered white dress. She had very light makeup on and her facial features were very delicate and gentle.
“Action!”
The cameras began rolling as soon as the director gave the instructions.
The production crew did not have any high expectations for this scene as they did not have any confidence in Jiang Yuning’s acting skills. After all, her acting skills had always been very exaggerated and terrible in all of the television dramas that she had previously starred in.
But…unexpectedly, as the incense burner filled up with smoke, Jiang Yuning looked extremely peaceful and serene in this scene. Under normal circ.u.mstances, none of the younger actors or actresses would have any artistic accomplishments and none of them were good at calligraphy. Therefore, no one had any high expectations for Jiang Yuning as she held onto the thin calligraphy brush. They believed that she would not even be able to write beautifully with an ordinary ballpoint pen, let alone a calligraphy brush.
However, as Jiang Yuning wrote the prescription with the calligraphy brush, every single character that she wrote was well-rounded and smooth. Every stroke of the brush was pleasing to the eye and it really looked as though Jiang Yuning was from the ancient times.
“Beautifully written.”
“That is really beautifully written!”
The production crew were shocked as they looked at Jiang Yuning. Did she really have a hidden talent like that? Why didn’t anyone mention anything about it?
After a short while, the plot entered a tense atmosphere as the veteran general Lin Guozhen who was heavily injured was brought into the medical clinic.
“Miss! The master is seriously injured. Hurry up and save his life!”
“Help my father onto the bed,” Lin Ping’er replied as she put down her calligraphy brush and quickly picked up a pulse pillow as she walked over to her father. She placed the pulse pillow under her father’s wrist and quickly checked his pulse. She then knelt down beside the bed and started inspecting the deep sword-inflicted wound on his shoulder.
“Ping’er, you have to try and save the crown prince. The queen is an extremely vicious person. She would never let him live through the night!” Lin Guozhen said as he held tightly onto Lin Pinger’s hand. “You have to save him!”
“Father, Ping’er is incompetent,” Lin Ping’er replied as she placed her father’s hand back on the bed. “Butler, please hold onto my father. I need to apply medication on his wound now.”
“Ping’er!”
“Father, have you forgotten what elder brother had said at his death bed? You have to stay alive to feed and care for the eighty-seven mouths that are depending on you to survive! Ping’er can never turn the tide around based on my own ability…” Lin Ping’er replied. Her tone contained a hint of blame, a touch of anger, and also some strength hidden behind her words.
“We have to fight for our country. Lin Ping’er, you are a member of the Lin family. This is a part of your responsibility!” Lin Guozhen growled as Lin Ping’er applied the medication.
“Father…you have to remember that Dong’er is only two years old. He is the only heir that second brother has left behind for the Lin family…Father, you have to stay strong. Do not let the blood of the Lin family flow in front of the palace gates.” After speaking, Lin Ping’er stood up from her father’s bedside.
At this time, Jiang Yuning’s eyes were already red and teary and her expression was filled with rage and determination.
“Ah! Ping’er, why weren’t you born a male?”
…
Director Shen Guobang and all the production crew were shocked after the scene ended. They would never have expected that Jiang Yuning would be able to pick up the old man’s lines and continue the acting so smoothly in one run. In fact, from the moment that Jiang Yuning had put on her costume, her temperament was already completely different in comparison to her usual self.
She looked so restrained and quiet, yet her eyes were filled with courage and strength.
The production crew finally understood why there were rumors that Jiang Yuning was made to wear traditional Chinese outfits.
“Her acting is not as bad as the rumors have made it out to be!”
“If you compare her acting to Qian Ge’s acting during the daytime, I actually think that Jiang Yuning is a way more natural and better actress.”
However, much to everyone’s surprise, Director Shen Guobang asked Jiang Yuning to act out her scene once again. “Remember that Ping’er is a helpless person. I know that you can do a better job than this, Jiang Yuning. So, let us try this scene once again.”
Director Shen Guobang seemed to have a higher expectation for Jiang Yuning as compared to his expectations for Qian Ge.
“Okay, director,” Jiang Yuning replied as she made an okay gesture immediately.
It took them a lot of effort and seven NGs but in the end, the final scene that was recorded was flawless and full of emotions. The old actor who was acting in the scene together with Jiang Yuning was also enjoying the moment because Jiang Yuning was an actress that could complement his acting.
He knew that they were redoing the scene not because Jiang Yuning’s acting skills was bad but simply because Director Shen Guobang knew that they could do better.
For most of the production crew present at the scene, Jiang Yuning’s performance was already sufficient to change their opinion about her overnight.
Her acting skills were bad? If anyone dared to say that about her, their acting skills must have been worse!
The production crew and cast could finally call it a day and wrap up the shooting at midnight.
“The legendary Jiang Yuning actually had seven NGs to shoot her scene?” Huang Lingling heard the news from some of the production crew who had been working at the scene. However, without even bothering to find out the truth, she quickly took advantage of that information and started criticizing Jiang Yuning. “I have already told you. What kind of performance can you get from a garbage actress like her anyway? Did you record the videos that I had asked you to? I want to release it to the public tomorrow.”
“Sister Ling, you can just forget it. Jiang Yuning’s performance was way better than Qian Ge’s. You want to release the video of her acting? I am afraid that Qian Ge will be the one to be ashamed and made fun of in the end.”
After the other party spoke, he hung up the phone immediately.
Huang Lingling was so annoyed and frustrated. “Our artiste will be humiliated? Who gave her that courage to challenge our Qian Ge? I will make sure to make you famous on the internet tomorrow!”
…
Jiang Yuning quickly returned to her bed and breakfast after removing her makeup and changing out of her outfit. At this time, Lu Jingzhi had already fallen asleep on the bed, covered by the mosquito net.
Jiang Yuning turned around and looked at the amount of clothes that he had brought with him. Did this man intend to stay and accompany her throughout the duration of her filming?
Wouldn’t he be exhausted from the long car rides that he had to take back and forth every day?
“Sister Yuning…you have a schedule arranged for you in the morning tomorrow. I will come over to pick you up at eight o’clock in the morning,” the young paparazzo whispered to Jiang Yuning because he knew that there was someone else in the bedroom.
“Make sure to sleep earlier. No more playing on your laptop,” Jiang Yuning quickly replied. “We have a full day scheduled for tomorrow.”
The young paparazzo pulled a face at Jiang Yuning before he left the bedroom.
Jiang Yuning could finally relax as she went to the bathroom and washed up. After about half an hour, she finally climbed into bed with Lu Jingzhi. As soon as she laid down in bed, Lu Jingzhi turned around and wrapped his arms around Jiang Yuning as he said in a hoa.r.s.e voice, “You are back…”
Jiang Yuning was just about to reply but at this time, she could feel the man’s even breathing against her face. Jiang Yuning buried her face into Lu Jingzhi’s chest as she felt her eyes well up with tears.
He did not wake up but he merely felt her presence subconsciously in his sleep.
Yes. I am back, right in your arms.