Chapter 12

The director is the organizer and leader of film and television productions, the one who uses actors to express his own ideas, and his status on set is like that of the supreme commander in an army.

It's perfectly normal for a director to yell at people on set.

So even though Yang Tao cursed Cheng Chen and told him to get out, Cheng Chen still explained calmly:

"Director Yang, I'm Cheng Chen, playing Song Qingshu. Just now I came in by circling around the set—I didn't disturb the shoot. Of course, wandering around during filming was my mistake; I'm sorry!"

Hearing Cheng Chen's words, Yang Tao's temple throbbed violently, his face darkening—was this guy talking back to him?

If it weren't for the fact that Cheng Chen's role had heavy screen time, he would've already kicked him off the set.

"Enough nonsense. Next time, just leave. I don't care if you're Song Qingshu or Song Baishu!"

Yang Tao said, expressionless.

Cheng Chen nodded and walked into Gao Yuanyuan's resting tent.

"I'm sorry—I got you yelled at by the director," Gao Yuanyuan said apologetically.

"It's normal for directors to yell on set. When I was a extra, there was an actor who wouldn't listen."

The director made him lie in freezing mud for five hours and still didn't call 'Cut!'

Getting yelled at is fine—as long as he doesn't hold a grudge and sabotage you in scenes."

Cheng Chen smiled.

Gao Yuanyuan's eyes widened in disbelief, though she'd worked on several sets before.

But she'd never been stuck at the bottom of a set like Cheng Chen, seeing so much dirt firsthand.

Thinking of this, her guilt deepened—she worried Cheng Chen would be secretly punished for offending Yang Tao because of her.

"Enough idle talk. You couldn't get into character just now because of your old problem—you're too tense…"

Then Cheng Chen recalled the performances of past versions of Zhou Zhiruo in this scene, finally settling on Zhou Haimei's portrayal as his benchmark.

Zhou Haimei's Zhou Zhiruo was superb, especially her portrayal of the character's transformation—perfect.

From her initial kindness and obedience to her later corruption, every nuance was spot-on, hailed as a classic by many.

Notably, twenty-five years later, Zhou Haimei transformed into Miejue Shitai in the new version of Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre.

That's probably why, years later, many become exactly what they once hated most.

Of course, Cheng Chen didn't copy Zhou Haimei's performance directly—he adapted it reasonably based on Gao Yuanyuan's acting.

He was very familiar with this work—he often lay on set learning from others to enrich himself.

As Cheng Chen explained his understanding of Zhou Zhiruo's performance, Gao Yuanyuan sat beside him, letting the makeup artist touch up her face while attentively taking notes, occasionally asking questions.

About fifteen minutes later, Gao Yuanyuan walked confidently onto the set.

"Alright, all departments in position—action!"

Seeing Gao Yuanyuan's fresh makeup, Yang Tao glanced at Cheng Chen deeply, then shouted "Action!" once all actors were in place.

He had watched the entire time as Cheng Chen pulled Gao Yuanyuan into the resting tent to coach her.

Though he couldn't hear what they said, it didn't stop his hatred for Cheng Chen.

The director's still here—what's a minor supporting actor doing giving orders to the lead?

Do you think you understand the script and acting better than the director?

Yang Tao turned his gaze back to the monitor—after the touch-up, Gao Yuanyuan's entire demeanor had changed instantly.

Lines, expressions, positioning—all flowed perfectly in one take, a massive improvement over her earlier terrible performance.

Even Cheng Chen beside him nodded repeatedly—this take was solid…

"Cut!"

Yang Tao suddenly shouted: "Yuanyuan, your expression's too stiff—do it again."

Huh?

Others on set turned to look at Yang Tao.

Gao Yuanyuan's acting wasn't bad—maybe the director's taste just differs from ours.

"Yes, Director," Gao Yuanyuan nodded obediently.

"Alright, let's begin again…"

"Cut! Yuanyuan, watch your positioning."

"Cut! What's wrong with the focus operator? It's out of focus—can't you see? Are you blind? Do it again!"

"Cut…"

After seven or eight takes, Yang Tao finally nodded in satisfaction and announced the morning's shooting was over.

He looked like a king surveying his domain; when his gaze landed on Cheng Chen, it paused, and he gave a cold smile.

…

At lunch, Cheng Chen sat with Chen Shasha; both were supporting roles with similar screen time, and their treatment was far better than that of the extras.

"Watch yourself—Yang Dao seems to be targeting you."

Chen Shasha whispered.

"Being targeted by the director is a good thing—maybe he'll give me a role next time."

Cheng Chen said carelessly.

"You're just stubborn. I don't believe you didn't notice—Yang Dao deliberately sabotaged Gao Yuanyuan in the last scene. Why?

Because you stole his spotlight: the beautiful Gao Yuanyuan, under his direction, got worse and worse.

Then you stepped in and coached her—her acting improved instantly. Isn't that slapping his face?

He wasn't targeting Gao Yuanyuan in that last scene—he was warning you!"

Cheng Chen picked up a bite of food, not looking up: "Warning me about what?"

"That you're done this afternoon! I heard from an old friend—this Yang Dao? He's got a tiny, petty heart!"

And today, Youpeng and Jingwen, along with many other cast members from the crew, said in private… our Director Yang is terrible, has a terrible temper, and it's rumored he's just here for a nominal credit…

Cheng Chen automatically ignored the second half of Chen Shasha's words—he already knew about this.

He frowned and said, "That can't be right—he's a big director, why would he pick on me, a minor supporting actor?"

"Hmph, who can say? They all say beauty brings disaster; the ancients truly didn't deceive us!"

If only Director Lai were here, he could help you. I wonder where he went—such an important drama, and he hasn't shown up all morning!"

Chen Shasha sighed.

"Director Lai is receiving guests!"

Cheng Chen replied.

But he had also noticed what Chen Shasha said.

Still, Cheng Chen didn't take it to heart—after all, Yang Tao was just a nominal director with no real power.

He learned this from his future-world sources, and right now there was no need to deliberately reveal it…

If things really got pushed to the brink, he could simply leave the Yi Tian set—after all, with his future-world insights and solid acting skills, he'd never be without a role anywhere.

After lunch, they rested for half an hour before heading to the set; because Zhou Zhiruo's morning scenes were delayed, Cheng Chen's originally scheduled first afternoon scene was moved to the third.

After makeup, he waited in the studio, when Gao Yuanyuan arrived before him, fully dressed in costume.

"You okay?" Gao Yuanyuan asked, deeply concerned.

"What could possibly be wrong? I don't get nervous like you do before scenes—unless you're nervous because we're 'husband and wife' taking on the martial world together?" Cheng Chen teased.

"You're gonna die~" Gao Yuanyuan blushed and scolded: "I'm talking about Director Yang…"

"Pfft, what could possibly happen? He's not the Dazongyan—what's there to fear?"

"Don't worry—if anything happens, I'll protect you. I won't let you leave the crew!" Gao Yuanyuan waved her tiny fist, speaking with solemn determination.

"Such a thing won't happen." Watching Gao Yuanyuan comfort and encourage him, Cheng Chen felt warmth in his heart and murmured softly.

Soon, the first two scenes concluded smoothly, and the third scene began…