Chapter 193: A-Min's Acting

Late at night, Xiang Fei had just finished showering and walked out of the bathroom toweling his hair, only to see Zhou Huimin leaning against the headboard, holding a script in her hand, her brow slightly furrowed.

"What's wrong?" Xiang Fei sat on the edge of the bed and leaned over to look.

Zhou Huimin spread the script open and pointed to one of the pages: "I have to fly to Changsha the day after tomorrow to tape 'Happy Camp.' Can we finish Qiu Shuwen's scenes ahead of schedule?"

Xiang Fei raised an eyebrow: "In such a rush?"

Zhou Huimin said helplessly: "I heard this variety show is really popular, I want to go have fun too."

Xiang Fei reached out and ruffled her hair, smiling: "Fine, we'll concentrate on filming your scenes tomorrow."

Zhou Huimin's eyes lit up: "Really? It won't hold up the schedule?"

"If it holds it up, so be it," Xiang Fei lay down and pulled her into his arms, "My own wife—if I don't spoil her, who will?"

Zhou Huimin laughed and punched him: "Smooth talker!"

The next morning, the set had a somewhat tense atmosphere.

The assistant director held the newly adjusted shooting plan, his face full of difficulty: "Director, today's original plan was to film the scenes between Li Bingbing and Zhou Xingxing. Suddenly changing it to film President Zhou's scenes means the lighting and set all have to be rearranged..."

Xiang Fei waved his hand: "Hurry and adjust, everything must be ready before noon."

The assistant director hesitated, wanting to speak, but ultimately nodded and went to make arrangements.

Not far away, Hong Jinbao was gnawing on a steamed bun, and seeing the situation, came over: "A-Fei, we're changing to film Vivian's scenes today?"

Xiang Fei said helplessly: "She has a variety show to tape the day after tomorrow, the schedules conflict."

Hong Jinbao made exaggerated winks and gestures: "Tsk tsk, you really know how to spoil her!"

At ten in the morning, everything was ready.

Zhou Huimin wore a plain driver's uniform, her hair neatly tied in a ponytail, her whole person radiating an air of capability and efficiency.

"The character Qiu Shuwen," Xiang Fei explained the scene to her, "appears to be an ordinary driver on the surface, but inside she carries a pain no one knows about. You need to convey that feeling of 'keeping the world at a distance.'"

Zhou Huimin nodded: "I understand."

"Action!"

The first scene was Qiu Shuwen's first meeting with Li Jun—a brief conversation between the two inside the car.

Zhou Huimin gripped the steering wheel, looking straight ahead, her tone calm: "Where are you headed?"

Hong Jinbao leaned back in the seat, wearily rubbing his temples: "Just drive around."

Zhou Huimin glanced at him through the rearview mirror, a flicker of subtle inquiry flashing in her eyes, but she quickly returned to calm: "Okay."

"Cut!" Xiang Fei called stop. "A-Min, the eyes can be a little colder. Qiu Shuwen is a very closed-off person."

Zhou Huimin took a deep breath: "Let's do it again."

On the second take, her performance was even more restrained, her whole being seemingly enveloped in an invisible membrane.

"Good! That take passed!"

During the lunch break, crew members gathered in twos and threes to eat boxed meals.

Hong Jinbao, holding his lunch box, plopped down next to Zhou Huimin: "A-Min, not bad acting!"

Zhou Huimin smiled and shook her head: "I flubbed it several times, still didn't meet A-Fei's standards."

"He's already been very lenient," Hong Jinbao lowered his voice, "if someone else flubbed like this, he'd have been scolded bloody long ago."

While they were talking, Xiang Fei walked over and handed Zhou Huimin a cup of milk tea: "Tired?"

Hong Jinbao immediately started heckling: "Oho, even I, playing the big brother, don't get this kind of treatment!"

Zhou Huimin gave a playful smile, took the milk tea: "Thanks."

The afternoon scenes were more complex—Qiu Shuwen smoking alone in the rain, recalling fragments of the past.

Zhou Huimin stood in the artificial rain, soaked through, a cigarette held between her fingers, her gaze empty as she stared into the distance.

Xiang Fei watched intently behind the monitor for changes in her expression.

"Cut!" he suddenly called stop. "A-Min, the smoking posture isn't right. Qiu Shuwen is a seasoned smoker, the movements should be more practiced."

Zhou Huimin frowned: "But I don't know how to smoke..."

Xiang Fei walked over and demonstrated personally: "Like this, take a deep drag, then slowly exhale, the movements should be natural."

Zhou Huimin tried several times, but still looked stiff.

"Forget it," Xiang Fei said helplessly, "let's change the approach. You just hold the cigarette, and focus on the eyes."

After restarting the shoot, Zhou Huimin's performance was noticeably better. Rainwater slid down her cheeks, mingling with faint traces of tears, the entire frame brimming with a sense of fragmentation.

"Perfect!" Xiang Fei finally showed a satisfied smile.

By evening, filming had wrapped.

Zhou Huimin wrapped herself in a towel, shivering as she walked out of the rain. Xiang Fei immediately stepped forward and wrapped her in his coat: "Hurry and change clothes, don't catch a cold."

Zhou Huimin's lips were pale, but she still smiled and asked: "How was my performance today?"

Xiang Fei kissed her forehead: "Big improvement, especially that last rain scene."

Back at the hotel, Zhou Huimin took a hot bath and finally drove away the chill.

Xiang Fei sat on the edge of the bed, flipping through tomorrow's shooting plan: "The remaining few scenes aren't difficult, mainly the conversations between you and Brother Hong in the car."

Zhou Huimin walked out toweling her hair: "Oh right, how are your preparations for Sister Mei's concert coming along?"

Xiang Fei smiled mysteriously: "Secret."