Chapter 11

Jingcheng, Yuyang.

On a temporary stage, Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo stood at opposite ends, silent and facing each other.

At one moment, Zhang Wuji moved first, and Zhou Zhiruo followed immediately.

As the two fought, multiple cameras spun rapidly around them, while martial arts director Pan Xiang watched closely beside them.

The martial arts choreography for the 2003 version of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" was among the best of its time; to achieve top-tier action scenes, the crew specially brought in martial arts director Pan Xiang from Gang Sheng.

This martial arts director had previously guided many action films, such as "Xiangxi Corpse King," "Lotus Hegemony," and "Sword of Wisdom."

In terms of filming, they adopted Hong Kong and Taiwan wuxia techniques, breaking the Mainland's conventional single-camera setup by using multiple cameras to create cinematic impact and depth.

Thus, for this scene, the crew brought up all their "big machines"; to be fair, the final footage now looks like five-yuan special effects.

But back then, in that era, its impact on audiences was undeniable!

Still, criticism was due: to highlight character traits, the darkened Zhou Zhiruo wore thick smoky eye makeup, and Zhang Wuji's sandals appeared frequently on screen.

Both hung from wires, soaring and diving through the air, creating a grand spectacle.

Soon, the scene ended with the two shouting "Hey-ha!" and "Ai!"

According to the plot, Zhang Wuji faced a foster father who had saved his life and a former lover he owed, and soon he lost the fight amid his inner turmoil.

When Cheng Chen first watched this scene on TV, he couldn't help but complain: they were the Nine Yang Divine Skill and the Nine Yin Bone Claw, one righteous, one evil, one man, one woman—this was the perfect match!

"Cut! Good! Everyone take a break, prepare for the next scene!"

Yang Tao shouted through a megaphone.

"Hey, Teacher Cheng, I feel like Zhou Zhiruo keeps looking at you."

While the actors rested, Chen Shasha whispered suddenly beside him.

Cheng Chen glanced at Gao Yuanyuan drinking water and grinned:

"I'm her husband. After fighting and beating another man, of course she wants to show off to her husband~"

"Pfft~ No seriousness." Chen Shasha rolled her eyes, then softly warned: "What's going on between you two? I keep seeing you together on set—don't let anything actually happen."

Cheng Chen had good looks and knew how to get along; many veteran actors on set liked him as a junior, and Chen Shasha only spoke up because she considered him a friend.

Cheng Chen and Gao Yuanyuan were similar in age; if anything happened between them, Cheng Chen would surely be the one hurt, given their status difference.

That's why Chen Shasha warned him—such things were common in the industry, lessons learned from past blood.

Cheng Chen had already heard rumors circulating among the crew.

Like how he climbed onto Lai Dao's back, or how he constantly flirted with Gao Yuanyuan, or how he was dating a big star.

He hadn't cared at first, since rumors faded after the crew disbanded.

But after Chen Shasha's warning, Cheng Chen began wondering if his behavior had been too forward.

Through the interactions during this period, he noticed that Gao Yuanyuan lacked confidence and a sense of security in her acting.

After each scene, she would unconsciously glance at him, like a child asking if she'd done well.

Today was a major scene; all actors were tense, and Gao Yuanyuan's anxiety was likely several times greater than others', explaining why she kept looking at Cheng Chen.

Security matters.

"Got it, Sister Sha, I'll be more careful from now on," Cheng Chen replied softly.

"Mm."

……

Filming resumed; this time, White-Browed Eagle King led Zhou Dian, Cloth Bag Monk, and others to confront Zhou Zhiruo.

"Let Yin's eagle claws test your Nine Yin Bone Claw," Yin Tianzheng shouted.

"Hmph." Zhou Zhiruo sneered dismissively.

The wounded Zhang Wuji said: "Master Zhou, the Ming Cult yields!"

Zhou Zhiruo stood with arms crossed, surveying the stage coldly:

"Who else dares challenge my Nine Yin Bone Claw…"

"Cut!"

Yang Tao, seated beside the monitor, suddenly shouted.

He then told Zhou Zhiruo: "Do it again."

"Yes, Director."

Zhou Zhiruo's arrogant aura vanished instantly; she answered obediently.

"Action!"

"Who else dares challenge…"

"Cut! Yuanyuan, your expression is wrong—Zhou Zhiruo should be looking down on the world here, but you were too calm. Adjust and try again!"

"Thank you, Director. I understand."

On set, calling "cut" and retaking scenes was normal; Cheng Chen had clearly seen Gao Yuanyuan's mistake.

"Seventh time…"

"What seventh time, Sister Sha?"

"Nothing, just watch the scene!"

Filming resumed, but as if cursed, Gao Yuanyuan kept failing.

Either her positioning was off, or her expression, or her lines.

"Cut! Yuanyuan, your state is off—why not take a short break?"

For such a short line and movement, Gao Yuanyuan had already NG'd over ten times; everyone felt déjà vu.

Had they seen this before?

Instantly, everyone turned toward one direction…

It's your turn to appear, "Director Cheng"!

Director Yang Tao, puzzled, followed the crowd's gaze over.

Cheng Chen immediately felt as if pricked by needles, every hair on his back standing on end.

Cheng Chen forced himself to stand, whispering: "Sasha-jie, I need to go over there."

Chen Shasha did not answer his question, only muttering aimlessly: "Twenty-third time."

Gao Yuanyuan refused to rest; beads of sweat glistened on her delicate face, and because of her makeup, her small face looked deathly pale.

"Sis, why not take a short break? Your makeup's smudged—let me help you retouch it." Cheng Chen walked to Gao Yuanyuan's side, under everyone's watchful eyes, and spoke softly.

Seeing Cheng Chen approach, Gao Yuanyuan was overjoyed; she nodded, happy yet slightly wounded, and asked the director for a break to retouch her makeup.

You refused to rest when the director told you to, but now you nod eagerly just because Cheng Chen says two words?

Does Cheng Chen's word carry more weight than the director's?

Onlookers couldn't help whispering among themselves below.

Yang Tao naturally heard these words; his face darkened, eyes fixed on Cheng Chen's back.

"What's all this noise? This isn't a marketplace! If you keep shouting, you're all fired!" Yang Tao barked into the megaphone.

Though he rarely appeared on set, Yang Tao fiercely guarded his authority on the crew.

Now, seeing his star actress ignore him but obey some nobody who'd just appeared out of nowhere—where was his face?

"Which department are you from? Who let you wander around the set like this? Do you have any discipline? If you don't want to work, get out!"

Yang Tao shouted insults at Cheng Chen.

…