Chapter 14

Actors changing scripts on set is a very common phenomenon in film and television.

In one year, Song Dandan's remarks about rewriting scenes even became the theme for that year's Hui Sheng college entrance exam essay.

Some actors alter their roles purely from their own perspective, wanting to stand out or get more screen time, so such changes are also called adding scenes.

Some actors rewrite scenes to serve the character and the plot.

For example, in the classic Hong Kong drama Infernal Affairs, Liang Chaowei and Huang Qiusheng's line "three years, again three years."

Originally, it was "It's almost ten years already, boss," but Liang Chaowei thought it was too bland.

He changed it to: "We agreed on three years, three years again, three more after that—it's almost ten years, boss."

This classic line became a catchphrase for countless meme users in later generations.

But whether for personal or plot reasons, unauthorized changes to the script are unjustified, especially when dealing with a determined director: change the scene? You're out of the script and gone!

Clearly, Yang Tao belongs to this category, especially since he sees Cheng Chen as a thorn in his side.

"Director, I feel this scene echoes the later part where Song Qingshu saves his father, Song Yuanqiao."

"But the script only shows Song Qingshu's cruelty, not his inner struggle between the two—his later transformation feels abrupt."

Cheng Chen explained slowly.

Yes, according to the script, Song Qingshu later deliberately holds back and loses to his father, Song Yuanqiao.

After Zhou Zhiruo defeats Song Yuanqiao, just as Song Yuanqiao is about to die at Zhou Zhiruo's hands, Song Qingshu steps in to take the fatal blow—and dies in the arms of his lifelong beloved.

The 2003 version made many radical changes to the original; in the original novel, Song Qingshu's fate was death at Zhang Sanfeng's hands.

Of all versions, only Li Lianjie's adaptation portrayed this ending with relative fidelity.

Of course, audiences never tire of the prodigal son returns trope, and it aligns well with traditional values—whitewashing Song Qingshu is understandable.

So Cheng Chen didn't just rewrite the lines—he altered the character's emotions too.

His approach was restrained, and in terms of plot, it merely flowed smoothly as a subtle adjustment.

From this alone, Cheng Chen's revised version of Song Qingshu better fits the subsequent plot and serves the story.

Hearing Cheng Chen's words, Su Youpeng, Jia Jingwen, and Gao Yuanyuan nodded silently, all finding it reasonable—but Director Yang Tao…

"Respect the script. Respect the Screenwriter's creation." Yang Tao spoke flatly, eyes half-lidded.

This was a rejection of Cheng Chen's request to rewrite.

"But Director…"

"Ready to roll! Do that scene again!"

Cutting off Cheng Chen, Yang Tao sat back down in the director's chair and announced coldly.

Yang Tao's method was brutal and direct—he ignored all of Cheng Chen's reasoning and gave no substantive reply, leaving everyone stifled and frustrated.

"Roll!"

The camera crew had already started filming.

Cheng Chen took a deep breath and immediately slipped into performance mode.

"Father." Cheng Chen cried out, hollow-eyed.

"Wudang's Song Yuanqiao comes to test your skill, Master Song!"

"Father…" Cheng Chen continued retreating.

"Qingshu!" Zhou Zhiruo shouted again, her gaze sharp, almost like an ultimatum.

"Zhiruo… Father, I…"

The moment Cheng Chen finished his line, the entire set fell utterly silent. Everyone felt their scalp prickle, a cold chill racing from their heels to the crown of their heads.

What the hell is he doing?

Didn't he hear what Director Yang just said?

Why is he still rewriting? Is he determined to defy Director Yang to the end?

"Bang!"

Yang Tao hurled his script onto the ground, eyes blazing:

"What the hell do you want? If you don't want to act, get out! Do you think the whole crew is just playing house for you?"

This was an extremely harsh rebuke.

Even Su Youpeng and Jia Jingwen, the two leads, instinctively trembled under the director's fury.

The entire set was dead silent; only Yang Tao was stomping around in rage, and in his mind, he had only one thought about this troublesome actor:

Cut his scenes. Fire him. Find someone else.

Cheng Chen remained expressionless. He felt the gazes around him—confused, concerned, or gleeful—but it had come to this…

If, reborn into this life, he still acted blindly as he had in his past life, crushed by circumstance and just getting by, then this life would bring him no achievement.

Especially with Yang Tao's unprofessional directing today and his repeated use of wires to harass and torment him—Cheng Chen was truly angry.

Moreover, Cheng Chen knew clearly: this man before him was nothing but a paper tiger.

And his reason for insisting on rewriting was twofold: first, his version was genuinely far superior to the original script.

Second, he no longer wanted to be controlled by this nominal director. Since he'd already offended him, he might as well offend him completely.

After all… Cheng Chen's expression flickered, his peripheral vision slipping quietly beyond the set…

Seeing Cheng Chen's defiant look, Yang Tao's teeth ground with fury. If he didn't deal with this troublemaker today, his authority on set would be shattered!

"Script supervisor! Where the hell are you? Remove all his scenes. Shoot the others first. We'll film his parts later when we find a suitable actor!"

Yang Tao roared.

The moment he finished speaking, everyone gasped—Cheng Chen had always performed well on set.

He often paid out of his own pocket to buy everyone iced tea and fruit; both crew and actors held him in high regard.

Of course, some resented Cheng Chen for constantly doting on Gao Yuanyuan and Chen Shasha, and couldn't help muttering:

Who does he think he is, daring to rewrite the script and defy the director? He deserves it.

Replacing someone isn't easy—it's one hair pulled, the whole body moves.

Although Cheng Chen had only shot two or three scenes, all of them solo, this decision was still very risky.

Yang Tao had been pushed too far by Cheng Chen and no longer cared about the cost of replacing him.

Moreover, after the post-era notion of "cast and crew" replacements, it's even questionable whether Yang Tao has the right to replace him.

"Director, give Cheng Chen another chance—he just blurted it out, he didn't mean to rewrite the script."

Gao Yuanyuan, standing not far from Cheng Chen, suddenly spoke up to plead for him.

Jia Jingwen also stepped forward and said:

"Director Yang, Song Qingshu's scenes have already been shot extensively; it's too late to replace him now. Give him another chance."

Jia Jingwen and Gao Yuanyuan became close through the drama and got along well on set, with Jia Jingwen taking good care of Gao Yuanyuan.

She also knew about Gao Yuanyuan's decision to take Cheng Chen as her younger brother.

So, out of respect for Gao Yuanyuan, she felt she should speak up.

Su Youpeng hesitated; the words were on his tongue but he swallowed them back—he didn't know Cheng Chen well, and it wasn't worth angering the director over someone unrelated.

With two of the three leads speaking up for Cheng Chen, any other director might have considered it.

But Yang Tao felt his absolute authority as director had been repeatedly challenged by a junior actor, and his anger grew harder to suppress.

"I said replace him—are you all deaf? Other actors, get ready to shoot. What are you all standing around for..."

"Director Yang, don't get so angry."

"Director Lai."

"Director Lai, hello."

Hearing this familiar Cantonese, everyone froze, then turned to look.

Lai Shuiqing had arrived.

Beside him stood an elderly man; when everyone recognized the old man, they were stunned, involuntarily drawing in a sharp breath.

How did this immortal old man come to the Mainland!

Jin Lao!

It was Jin Lao himself who had come.

…