Chapter 79: An Acting Genius? Relieving the Siege, the Impending Reunion Reveal!

They say true gold fears no fire.

Half an hour later, Jin Li began performing the third scene.

This third scene was also the one with the most intense emotions.

If hearing that the Commandery Prince wanted to marry another woman only made the Princess flustered, then hearing her Imperial Father say in the Chengtiandian Hall that he intended to send her away for a political marriage was a total collapse of her faith.

At first, the Princess did not believe the Commandery Prince had his heart set on someone else, so she hurriedly left the palace and rushed to the Chengtiandian Hall.

Many eunuchs were guarding the outside of the Chengtiandian Hall; the Princess had not received a summons, so by rights, she should not have been allowed to enter.

But as the Emperor's most favored Princess, she still possessed the privilege of forcing her way in.

The Princess brought a crowd of maids and barged in; the eunuchs only dared to block her path, never daring to actually touch her.

And so, Jin Li, leading a group of maids and followed by eunuchs, just like that, burst into the Chengtiandian Hall.

Inside the hall.

The Emperor and the Commandery Prince were discussing state affairs.

"There is movement in Yudian again. I heard that the King there is mobilizing troops and generals; it looks like he wants to invade the Central Plains once more."

The Commandery Prince's brows were tightly knit: "The dynasty only fought to a draw with the Dalu Kingdom a few years ago. We have only had three years to recuperate; this current climate is not suitable for another war with another country."

He looked up at the Emperor, wanting to speak but hesitating, finally saying: "Your Majesty, please think thrice! If we keep fighting, the dynasty might be able to endure it, but the common people cannot. The number of new refugees has increased again these past few years."

Refugees cause chaos!

If things continue like this, I fear the refugees could even revolt against the Liu Dynasty!

The Emperor pondered for a moment and said slowly: "That is why I intend to send the Princess to the Yudian Kingdom for a political marriage."

Jin Li, having positioned herself in advance, heard this and immediately darted out.

"Princess, without the Emperor's summons, you cannot enter! Princess!"

"Get lost, don't touch me! Whoever touches me, I will chop off their hands!" Jin Li barged in arrogantly, arriving just in time to hear her Imperial Father's words.

Her Imperial Father had only one daughter, and that was her.

Jin Li looked at her Imperial Father in disbelief: "You want to send me away for a political marriage?"

The Commandery Prince looked at Jin Li with a face full of worry.

Her Imperial Father, who had always been benevolent, seemed like a different person at this moment, incomparably cold and ruthless.

"Ci'er, you are a Princess of the Liu clan; you have an obligation to contribute to the Great Liu Dynasty. The dynasty has been at war continuously and has yet to recuperate. To prevent the Yudian Kingdom from starting a war, you must go for the political marriage."

"No, I won't!"

Jin Li shook her head incessantly, tears streaming down her eyes.

She could not believe her Imperial Father could be so heartless. Was this still the same Imperial Father who had doted on her before?

Her, going for a political marriage?

Since ancient times, no Princess sent for a political marriage had ever met a good end.

As for the Commandery Prince.

He lowered his head, his fists clenched, not knowing what to say.

Liu Ci, played by Jin Li, collapsed, unable to bear it, and said: "I will not go for a political marriage, I will not! I would rather die than go!"

"Cut!" Li Dao called out.

He watched the filmed segment over and over again, not reshooting the whole thing, but having them redo a specific node.

After reshooting the node three times, this scene was considered finished.

Jin Li went off to change and remove her makeup, took out her phone to check the time, and was somewhat surprised.

Perhaps because the entire crew was prioritizing her character, these three scenes had taken only an hour and a half.

And of that, half an hour was break time, plus over ten minutes of waiting; the actual filming time was at most forty-some minutes.

Jin Li felt her state once more.

During filming, her 【Twice the Result with Half the Effort】 was also taking effect. Although it couldn't restore energy like studying did, it allowed her energy to be consumed much more slowly.

Jin Li felt that the upgrade to 【Twice the Result with Half the Effort】 was not just reflected in faster efficiency, but that its effect in maintaining energy had also been upgraded.

If it had been before, such high-intensity, back-to-back work would have made her feel a little tired.

Unlike now, she felt full of energy and could completely do another three scenes.

While Jin Li was resting.

On the other side, Li Dao, Producer Zhang, and Screenwriter He gathered together, beginning to repeatedly watch Jin Li's performance from today.

After watching all the segments three times, Li Dao spoke first: "Jin Li's acting, I think it's quite up to par. What do you think?"

Producer Zhang was silent for a while, then whispered: "Can I say my true thoughts? I think she acted even better than Qiu Qiwen."

Screenwriter He nodded silently: "Indeed, she acted better than the female lead."

Qiu Qiwen was also acting for the first time and was cast as the female lead, so her performance had many of the flaws common to new actors.

For example, "staring with wide eyes," "pouting," and "flailing about"—she tended to overdo these expressions and actions.

But Jin Li's performance was different.

She had absolutely none of these flaws.

Take "staring with wide eyes," which even actors who have filmed several works have trouble with; it is often used to express intense emotions.

Some people stare with eyes wider than the next, as if terrified the audience won't know they are agitated.

But Jin Li's staring—it was also staring, but not an exaggerated, wide-eyed opening; it was a subtle change in the eyes.

You could tell she was staring, but it didn't feel exaggerated; on the contrary, it was extremely natural.

Just based on this "staring" technique, they did not believe Jin Li was a newcomer to acting.

Producer Zhang searched for Jin Li's information.

But the encyclopedia entry clearly stated that Jin Li had no acting experience. Even in the song MVs filmed previously, other members of the Pink Girls group had participated, but she had not.

So, what was this?

Producer Zhang muttered: "Could we have encountered an acting genius?"

Li Dao shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, no. Her acting, 'genius' is not quite the word. Geniuses are those monsters of the method-acting school who can drive themselves to split personalities for the sake of a role. At most, she has talent and spirituality in her performance!"

Screenwriter He, not knowing what he was thinking, smiled.

"No matter what, this is a good thing. Now you don't have to struggle; both are precious, maybe you can have both.

I don't have to struggle either. As long as Jin Li performs like this tomorrow, I don't need to change the script at all. She can completely finish all her scenes in five days."

If it were a normal filming crew, efficiency could not be this fast.

But now the crew just wanted to finish the Princess's scenes quickly, which was equivalent to serving only this character, so other actors would also make concessions for this role.

Filming only scenes related to the Princess around the clock—how could it not be fast?

Even the male and female leads didn't have this treatment.

It could only be said that they were truly scared by the new actors and just wanted to finish filming quickly and be done with it.

When Jin Li finished filming, two more hours had passed, and on the other side, the sixth episode of "PICK~Next Station Diva" had also finished filming.

In the past, this variety show always filmed until night, but as more and more contestants were eliminated, everyone's time opened up, and they could finally get off work in the evening.

As soon as recording ended, Qiu Qiwen left in a hurry; she had to rush back to the set to see Jin Li, not knowing if she was used to filming on her first day.

"This is what Teacher Ji Ji Qinglian asked me to take!"

"Teacher Lian Lian Baozhi likes this too, let me have it!"

"No, I got it first... damn, you're robbing me! Come back, how can you snatch things like that!"

While leaving the recording hall, Qiu Qiwen saw the assistants of Lian Lian Baozhi and Ji Ji Qinglian; it seemed they had a conflict.

She walked over to take a look, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Isn't this just the place to pick up souvenirs? So the two were arguing over souvenirs just now?

That shouldn't be!

After Qiu Qiwen got into the car, she asked her assistant, Luo Er. Luo Er was the younger brother of her other assistant, Xiao Luo; the two were fraternal twins.

Xiao Luo followed her to the set, and Luo Er followed her to variety shows.

"Did something happen between Lian Lian Baozhi and Ji Ji Qinglian? I just saw their assistants arguing."

Luo Er hesitated and said: "I don't know if something serious happened, Sister Qiu. I just heard it from other stars' assistants."

Qiu Qiwen: "Mm, tell me."

Luo Er: "I heard people say they had a big argument in the dressing room at noon. Some people listened outside the door; it seemed they were talking about not being focused during recording, breach of contract, and things like that."

Qiu Qiwen frowned.

Both of them were artists under LP. It was rumored that competition within LP was fierce, with stars snatching jobs from each other.

So, who wanted to breach the contract?

Two hours later, Qiu Qiwen finally rushed back to the set.

At this time, the lanterns were already lit, and the night air was slightly cool.

She hadn't seen Jin Li yet, but instead ran into Li Dao first.

Li Dao looked very relaxed; for some reason today, he had actually brought out the myna bird he kept.

He carried the birdcage, walking and strolling at the same time.

The myna bird said in a sharp, high-pitched voice: "Greetings, Your Highness! Greetings, Your Majesty! Greetings, Your Highness! Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Qiu Qiwen curiously greeted him: "Li Dao, why are you so free to walk the myna bird today? Are we not filming tonight?"

Li Dao saw Qiu Qiwen, his brows relaxed, and he said happily: "Not filming. We finished in the afternoon. Qiwen, you really found the right person in Jin Li. She—"

He gave a thumbs up: "This! Her acting is very good, very spirited, she has talent for acting, she solved the crew's urgent need!"

Qiu Qiwen couldn't help but raise her eyebrows: "I was just grasping at straws, is she really that amazing?"

Li Dao nodded: "I don't know how to describe it to you. Although she isn't method-acting, she isn't academy-trained either. Her style is a bit wild, quite spirited. With careful polishing, she has great potential in the acting profession."

Qiu Qiwen's expression turned solemn.

She had been filming for a month, and this was the first time Li Dao had praised an actor like this.

Bidding farewell to Li Dao, she continued to look for Jin Li.

Over at Jin Li's side.

She was staying at the hotel booked by the crew in the film city.

Perhaps because Qiu Qiwen had given such strong instructions, the crew treated her like a golden phoenix, giving her a presidential suite at the hotel.

Jin Li:...

Was this heaven-sent wealth finally her turn to enjoy? The reimbursement method is truly great!

It was said that stars were everywhere in the film city; you could run into acquaintances just by taking the elevator in the hotel.

Jin Li might have returned relatively early, so she hadn't run into any stars yet.

After dinner, she immediately started her live-streamed study session.

At first, it was the fans charging in, then the gossip-loving netizens joined, then a passerby, and finally, the army of "study-dogs" arrived.

The study-dogs might be late, but they never fail to show up!

【factor, n. factor, element, divisor, agent; federal, adj. federal, united; n. federal ally; finable, adj. punishable by fine, refinable】

【How many ways are there to choose 3 faces from the 6 faces of a cube such that 2 of them are not adjacent?】

【Our country began to gradually reduce and exempt agricultural taxes in 2004, and abolished agricultural taxes in 2006. The authority to abolish agricultural taxes belongs to—A. State Taxation Administration. B. Ministry of Finance. C. State Council. D. National People's Congress】

This study session lasted for a full hour.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and a voice called out from outside: "Jin Li!"

Jin Li recognized this as Qiu Qiwen's voice and responded: "Coming!"

She moved away from the camera.

【It seems someone is calling Jin Li, and it's a female voice!】

【What kind of ears do you all have? I can't hear anything at all!】

【Fine, fine, everyone opened the live stream at maximum volume, right?】

【Blind guess, it's a member of the Pink Girls group looking for her】

【Blind guess, it's Qiu Qiwen, I feel that voice sounds quite similar】

Jin Li opened the door and invited Qiu Qiwen in to sit.

"Jin Li, are you used to staying on the set this afternoon?"

As soon as the words were out, Jin Li made a "shh" gesture, and Qiu Qiwen immediately shut her mouth.

Jin Li first went to the live stream, muted the room, and then returned to the living room.

Qiu Qiwen said somewhat self-reproachfully: "Did I disturb you?"

Jin Li shook her head: "No, I was just live-streaming my studies, I muted the volume so as not to disturb the netizens."

Qiu Qiwen said "Oh," then suddenly realized: "Then what I just said, didn't that expose that you're acting?"

It's over, even more guilty now.

Jin Li smiled: "It's okay, I didn't intend to hide from the fans that I was going to act, I just felt there was no need to make a big announcement, knowing doesn't matter."

Qiu Qiwen breathed a sigh of relief: "That's fine. By the way, how do you feel on set today?"

Jin Li thought for a moment and said: "I think it's quite good. The people on set are very kind to me. Is it because they really want to finish the 'Princess Liu Ci' scenes? It seems the whole crew is revolving around me."

She paused and laughed: "I have a status comparable to the male and female leads."

Qiu Qiwen also laughed: "That's exactly it. The crew was scared by being burned before and just wants to finish this character's scenes quickly. But don't have psychological pressure.

By rights, at the beginning of filming, this character's scenes should have been finished. It's been a month, and the character hasn't been decided yet, so the crew is very anxious.

You came to help in an emergency, so it's not surprising they give you the highest treatment; just accept it. Also, if you feel uncomfortable physically while filming, you must tell me, and I will help you ask the director for leave.

I came to you to ask for help, not to make you sick!"

After dealing with Qiu Qiwen for a long time, Jin Li felt she was a person of temperament.

Like is like, dislike is dislike; she expressed it very clearly.

Talking to such a person doesn't require beating around the bush, so Jin Li said straightforwardly: "Okay, if I have any trouble, I will definitely come to you!"

Qiu Qiwen didn't talk to her about acting; she had already received Li Dao's approval, so she figured the acting must be good.

Besides, they had scenes together tomorrow, and she would know then.

She pondered for a moment and brought up what she saw at "PICK~Next Station Diva."

"Ji Ji Qinglian and Lian Lian Baozhi seem to have had some conflict. My assistant heard from others about breach of contract or something. Even their assistants don't look at each other favorably and argued over a souvenir doll."

Jin Li was thoughtful: "Okay, thank you for telling me!"

Qiu Qiwen smiled: "No, I was worried that telling you these things would affect you."

Jin Li shook her head: "No, I also love listening to gossip, we can exchange information next time."

So, there are no secrets in the entertainment industry.

Stars are also people; chatting and eating gossip after tea and dinner is human nature, unless one is busy from morning to night every day without a moment of free time, then one would refuse to receive news.

Otherwise, as long as there is a little time, everyone wants to understand the "current events and news" in the circle.

Of course, understanding is one thing, and whether to offer help in times of need is another.

Now, most people sweep the snow in front of their own doors; some things, just know them, don't meddle too much.

Because the situation is often that if you want to meddle, you can't.

After Qiu Qiwen left, Jin Li took out her phone and flipped through the group chats.

Whether it was the 【Pink Girls】 or the 【March Sky Boy Band】 group chat, Ji Qinglian hadn't sent any messages these past few days.

If she hadn't heard what Qiu Qiwen said, she wouldn't have known that Ji Qinglian and Lian Lian Baozhi had a conflict.

At least regarding this matter, she might still be able to intervene.

Jin Li dialed Ji Ji Qinglian's number.

After a while, a tired voice came through: "Jin Li, how do you have time to call?"

Ji Ji Qinglian tried hard to make her voice sound cheerful.

Jin Li asked: "I heard you had a conflict with Lian Lian Baozhi while recording the variety show. What's going on? Did she steal your spotlight?"

Ji Ji Qinglian curled her lips: "She can steal my spotlight? It's not bad if she doesn't have her spotlight stolen by others!"

"So, you didn't have a conflict with her?"

"That's not it, there is still some conflict." Ji Ji Qinglian said vaguely, "Anyway, it won't affect me, don't worry."

Jin Li said slowly: "Okay."

She changed the subject: "Then what's this about a breach of contract?"

Ji Ji Qinglian was stunned: "How do you even know this? Who told you?"

Jin Li smiled: "Don't worry about where I got the news, tell me about this first."

Ji Ji Qinglian sighed: "I didn't want to tell you all, fearing you'd worry blindly, forget it, telling you is fine..."

It's a long story, so she kept it short.

Struggling back and forth, it was nothing more than joining the "Great Sheng Dynasty" crew.

Ji Ji Qinglian: "Although the agent tacitly allowed me to sign the contract, he refused to communicate with Penguin, insisting that I communicate, meaning he won't allow me to borrow LP's power, wanting me to solve it myself.

I've been thinking these past few days, the breach of contract fee for this variety show is 10 million, so I'll just pay the 10 million, treating it as spending money to buy a lesson."

Jin Li said loudly: "How can that be? No!"

Making money is so hard now, haven't you seen some stars, in order to make money, not hesitating to lower their status to sell goods?

But starting this year, goods are also starting to not sell, and some small stars have already started to invest in the short drama industry.

The market is profit-driven; wherever there is money to be made, they go there.

But the market is also ruthless; if there is no money to be made, they immediately abandon it, regardless of the ecological chain.

Ji Ji Qinglian said helplessly: "Otherwise? LP refuses to help me turn things around, I can only rely on myself, but where can I pull a first-tier star from?

Being artists under LP, they certainly won't help me, and other first-tier stars aren't familiar with me, so in the end, I still have to go down the road of breach of contract."

She paused: "Unless I don't join the 'Great Sheng Dynasty' crew."

Jin Li asked: "Then what are your thoughts?"

Ji Ji Qinglian took a deep breath: "I definitely have to join the crew. Originally my determination wasn't so firm, but seeing LP's attitude this time, I'm completely disheartened.

If Zhang Ziqiang had been willing to help me turn things around, I would still cherish the cooperation friendship of these past few years, but he didn't help me at all, instead letting me see through LP."

She said self-deprecatingly: "These past few years I've been out early and back late every day, at least 300 days a year running errands, getting up earlier than chickens, but what did I get?

I can't even manage my own blog account, I can't even help you all, I'm a first-tier star who is not even as good as a third-tier one.

At least third-tier stars, the company sees you have development potential and will arrange more good jobs! And me? I'm only squeezed by them!"

Ji Ji Qinglian said with incomparable resentment: "I am absolutely not staying in this LP!"

Jin Li said decisively: "Then don't stay."

She asked: "When are you joining the crew?"

Ji Ji Qinglian: "Three days later, I plan to show my cards to Penguin tomorrow."

Jin Li calculated: "Then you mean you'll be absent from the seventh episode next week, and the final eighth episode, the debut night, right?"

Ji Ji Qinglian: "Yes, the director of 'Great Sheng Dynasty' is very strict, once I enter the crew, I can't go out to run errands, many activities have to be stopped."

Jin Li pondered for a while: "In that case, tell the person in charge of the variety show..."

After hanging up the phone, she sent a message to Sister Fang, telling her about her plan.

Jin Li returned to the live stream.

The live stream was still lively, the study-dogs' questions mixed with the fans' warm concern.

Jin Li smiled at the camera and continued to look down at the video.

Under the premise of accelerated efficiency, Jin Li's learning ability had improved.

Although she didn't become smarter, she could be considered diligent, using more time to stand on the same starting line as others.

If the learning efficiency could continue to accelerate later, she could be considered a different kind of smart.

Jin Li was still looking forward to this.

Time flew by, and it was the next day.

Jin Li hadn't been awake long when she received a call from Sister Fang.

Sui Sui Lingfang asked straight to the point: "Is what you said true, that you can give Xi Sister Meng Ze a spot to participate in 'PICK~Next Station Diva'?"

Compared to her urgency, Jin Li was much more calm and steady: "It might not work.

Ji Qinglian is joining a big crew to film, unable to continue as a program mentor, she originally planned to breach the contract.

I suggested to her that Sister Meng Meng and I participate in the final debut night together, replacing her position, to see if we can negotiate with Penguin to count it as not a breach of contract. If Penguin agrees, then we will participate in the final debut night."

Sui Sui Lingfang calculated quickly: "You finish filming next week, you can completely catch up to participate in the seventh episode. If you and Xi Sister Meng Ze can appear in the seventh episode, then Penguin will probably agree even more."

Jin Li smiled lightly, that sweet smile was like a crisp melon, smoothing out the urgency in her heart.

"Sister Fang," she said: "Don't be so anxious."

"Sister Meng Meng and I only participate in the final debut night, a reunion reveal is a big trump card, used once and it's one less, being able to participate in the debut night together is already giving Penguin face."