[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett":3,"chapter-how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-chapter-102":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","How Can You Be an Emperor of Acting Without Letting Loose?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2324814,4547,"Chapter 102: The Shooting of","how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-chapter-102",102,"\u003Cp>It wasn’t just the launch ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the launch banquet was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qun imposed a ban on alcohol—everyone on and off set was forbidden to drink, and the producers would accompany the reporters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to equipment failure, the shoot was delayed by two days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The filming schedule was already behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had to rush to catch up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only one and a half hours were given for lunch break; filming would resume immediately in the afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After eating lunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo returned to his room with packed meals; the master bedroom was dim, with steady breathing rising and falling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shhh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grabbed the curtains and yanked them open with force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sunlight~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the curtains pulled back, daylight spilled onto the two-meter bed, revealing the scene that stirred Li Luo’s heart:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheets disheveled, hair spread out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long legs crossed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flat abdomen rose and fell gently with each breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving above them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He traced two arcs—one large, one small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the key areas were hidden by the sheets, the half-concealed allure made it even more intoxicating to look at.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you doing~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shengyi pouted, kicking her legs into the air: “I’m still sleeping!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she rubbed her body against the pillow in front of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That plump pillow clearly delighted her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get up and eat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo walked over and slapped her twice: “I’m filming this afternoon, probably working late too. After eating, I’ll call a car to take you back to Jingcheng—will you even go to class tomorrow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pale buttocks flushed faintly red with finger marks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two drowsy women\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>snapped awake instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Asshole.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both cried out in pain and lunged forward, claws out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve got makeup on!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo spun away quickly, his long hair whipping behind him; his current look was absurd—he wore a thick down jacket but had an ancient-style hairpiece on his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two women burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changing clothes was easy; putting on the hairpiece was a hassle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as filming hadn’t wrapped, it had to stay fixed on his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luckily, it was winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The insulation was good—he could pretend it was just a hat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s for food?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Xiaoxiao, ever the food lover, slipped on her robe and sat at the table by the window, opening the several meal boxes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, sea cucumber.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shrimp.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roasted squab????”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the delicacies made her exclaim in delight; she immediately hoisted one foot onto the chair, grabbed a glossy roasted squab, and devoured it with relish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hem of her robe slipped down her leg with her movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A glimpse of her thigh flashed, half-hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Xiaoxiao paid no attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After two wild nights and a day, who cared about such small things?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shengyi never ate eagerly; she slowly wrapped herself in her robe, gave Li Luo a look, then hurried to the bathroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take your time eating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo opened the boxes for her: “There’s squab soup here too—I’ll wash my hands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm-hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Xiaoxiao nodded vigorously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the bathroom, Li Luo turned on the faucet and washed his hands slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Luo-ge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shengyi wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned against his broad back: “It’s clear Xiaoxiao likes you, so she didn’t resist much—but I’m still afraid she’ll start thinking too much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo turned around, lowering his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at her pure face, he eagerly awaited what came next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would surely be interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be nicer to her for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shengyi was annoyed, but shook her head: “Don’t let Xiaoxiao get the wrong ideas—this kind of thing spreading would be bad. I’ll talk to her again when I get back to school.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, she twisted his side hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s all your fault.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shanghai girl gritted her teeth, squeezing tighter: “I told you to carry her back to the room—now look, you’ve caused trouble!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You lucky bastard!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though frustrated inside,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>there was no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, she herself had decided to bring Bian Xiaoxiao in—she couldn’t now backtrack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All she could do was twist him hard to vent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo’s waist ached, but he was barely holding back laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the one who got tricked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, with him and Bian Xiaoxiao working together, she thought she was the one who’d pulled the trick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was too sneaky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo cursed himself silently, then hooked his finger under Huang Shengyi’s pale chin: “Relax, I know what to do. You’re blaming me? If you hadn’t randomly kissed her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up, shut up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her scolding, her tiny fists pounded against him repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a lavish lunch,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>they freshened up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo called the front desk to arrange a business car, then accompanied them to the elevator and down to the hotel lobby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is it a problem for classmates to visit each other on set?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were one man and one woman,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>someone might suspect something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But two female classmates arriving together? Any normal person would think nothing of it—so Li Luo was perfectly open, even smiling and greeting acquaintances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more you sneak around, the more people notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His attitude,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>ironically, made no one suspect anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you get hungry on the way, buy something to eat,” Li Luo said, slipping a thousand yuan into Bian Xiaoxiao’s hand while avoiding the driver’s view: “The car’s from the hotel—you don’t need to pay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good job—deserved a reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shengyi thought Li Luo had taken her words to heart and secretly gave him two thumbs-up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No thanks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Xiaoxiao quickly refused: “It’s only a few hours’ drive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh come on, take it,” Huang Shengyi pressed her hand down firmly, her tone warm: “I know a great Western restaurant—we’ll treat ourselves tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Consider it Li Luo’s treat!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delighted inside, Bian Xiaoxiao reluctantly accepted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to the passenger side, Li Luo handed twenty yuan through the car window: “Buy some water, stay safe on the road, thank you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the hotel’s business car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The car rental fees would be settled directly through the room bill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was to show consideration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had no idea what water could be worth twenty yuan, the driver still took it with a beaming smile, repeatedly thanking him and pounding his chest to guarantee safe delivery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That amount could equal a common worker’s entire day’s pay!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waving at the departing vehicle, Li Luo walked cheerfully into the hotel’s revolving door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve started. Everyone, stay sharp.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qun scanned the area, shouting through a loudspeaker: “Why is the threshold so clean? Don’t you think snowflakes won’t fall here? Quickly bring some snow and scatter it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Filming officially began in the afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qun, usually so easygoing, kept barking orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless you’re just a nominal director.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, most people in this line of work become irritable once immersed in production, weighed down by the countless demands of the set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And sometimes, if you’re not a bit short-tempered, you can’t keep the set’s chaos under control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Luo, come here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Putting down the loudspeaker, He Qun waved him over: “You’ll walk out from behind the camera, follow the courtyard straight to the house. The two servants sweeping snow will greet you—just acknowledge them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Start with something simple, to warm you up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo confirmed he was ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He jumped in place, quickly shifting into character, reactivating his acting mindset after months of inactivity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was his first day on set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the scene they were shooting was set after Zhang Zongzhou’s assassination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All departments, attention.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qun returned behind the monitor and raised the loudspeaker again: “Non-essential personnel, clear the set—we’re about to roll!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actors, take your positions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo moved to the side of the camera, squinting at the bright sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heartbeat quickened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His palms grew sweaty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d been in this business a long time, but every time he took on a new role, he felt an inexplicable surge of excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each time, a fresh challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Scene six, take three.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clapper loader stepped before the camera, displayed the recorded details on the clapperboard, then slammed the stick down hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wooden stick struck sharply, echoing a crisp sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clear crack reverberated through the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shadow of the Sword” officially began filming!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo took a deep breath, darted out from beside the camera, leapt up three steps in swift strides, hurried across the snow-covered ground, and headed straight for the main house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two extras sweeping snow paused, leaning on their brooms to bow respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo grunted, not slowing his pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His robe fluttered behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The camera slowly pushed forward, bringing the entire frame to life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cut.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he descended the steps, the loudspeaker called stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first shot of “Shadow of the Sword” was complete—just a brief walk away from the camera, simple enough—but He Qun frowned slightly behind the monitor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo’s heart sank. He hurried over and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director, how was it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The framing’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qun hesitated, then tapped the screen with a finger: “Why did you walk so fast? You didn’t even pause when the servants greeted you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life is a process of adjustment—with all kinds of people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Directors and actors are no exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a minor role, he could simply demand they follow his vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this was the lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, discussion was necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Directors and actors often debated how to portray a scene; He Qun hesitated because this was only the first shot—he didn’t want to seem nitpicky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he didn’t speak up, he couldn’t bear it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qun believed Zhang Danfeng was a well-read man; ignoring the servants entirely seemed too rude. A slight pause would be better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo sat down beside him, earnestly saying: “I think he should hurry here—it’s not the time for formalities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qun lit a cigarette and offered one to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved off the cigarette, continuing: “Zhang Zongzhou was assassinated. Even if Zhang Danfeng knows his father’s alive, his priority now is reaching him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not worrying about etiquette.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qun exhaled smoke and slowly nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t considered that. He looked at Li Luo with approval: “You’ve really understood the character.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s my job.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo smiled, spreading his hands: “So, is the shot good?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cut! It’s a pass!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qun flicked ash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his signal, the assistant director immediately grabbed the walkie-talkie to direct crew to reposition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo stood up from his chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Preparing for the next scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Filming was this tedious—shot by shot, slowly refined; every new location required extensive prep work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Camera positions adjusted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Danfeng hurried up the steps, nodding to the steward at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scene change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the camera moved inside the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Luo, Shi Chang, and you two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While crew moved equipment, He Qun called the actors over: “Next is the first meeting between Zhang Danfeng and his father after learning of the assassination. I’ll explain how to play it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Shi Chang” He Qun mentioned was the actor playing Zhang Zongzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his experience was extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d been making films since the 1960s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The named actors stepped forward, listening intently as He Qun explained the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the briefing, they rehearsed their blocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was essential before filming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This scene involved four characters: Zhang Danfeng, Zhang Zongzhou, the steward, and the maid. Except for Zhang Zongzhou, who sat, the other three had precise steps and positions—no room for error.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, the visual balance would break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several rehearsals, He Qun finally nodded in satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clear the set.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adjusting his glasses, he sat back in his director’s chair: “All departments, positions. Actors, ready. Roll!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three, two, one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roll camera.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once more!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zongzhou sat upright, Zhang Danfeng entered to speak, the steward followed behind, and the maid brought tea; though the shot lasted nine seconds, it wasn’t particularly complex, yet it took eight takes to get right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking to the back, Li Luo didn’t know which leg to move!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t get any clear answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just cooperate, that’s all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes during filming, the director doesn’t even know what effect he wants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this regard, Wong Kar-wai is especially extreme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo had seen a news clip: during the filming of Chungking Express, Wong Kar-wai never specified what effect he wanted—he made Leon Lai repeat a single line twenty-seven times, leaving the actor so devastated he nearly broke down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Ying also appeared in this film, filming a single head-tilt motion over sixty times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the final cut, it still wasn’t used!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It has nothing to do with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Luo’s confused expression, Zhang Zongzhou, who had come over to rest, shook his head with a faint smile: “Do you know what nickname our Director He goes by?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What nickname?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Hao, who played Yun Zhong, turned his head aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He Batiao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zongzhou made a gesture, brushing his fake beard: “It’s not aimed at anyone—Director He just loves overthinking things; it’s common for a single shot to be filmed eight times.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching He Qun waving his arms in the distance, Li Luo swallowed a gulp of hot water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to Lai Shuiqing,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it’s truly two completely different approaches to filming.\u003C\u002Fp>",2207,"2026-06-20T17:17:01.025Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7b964c01a8a510641700d9cc7afe561a0f56218bfc8eab798e09ea12b0736cdc","how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-chapter-103","how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-chapter-101",461,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhow-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-cover.jpg"]