Chapter 9: Sister

The private room was so quiet that a falling pin could be heard.

Cheng Chen was genuinely startled by Gao Yuanyuan's request.

A new darling of the advertising and modeling worlds, a goddess in the hearts of countless men.

A rising film and television star was asking him to teach her acting?

While Cheng Chen was still dazed, Gao Yuanyuan had already drained her cup again.

Her face was flushed red, and her body began to sway slightly.

Seeing this, Cheng Chen understood at once: this girl was drunk and babbling.

Her alcohol tolerance was truly poor, but the events of this morning on set felt like a heavy stone pressing against her chest.

Two cups of liquor down—both an outlet and courage brewed in alcohol.

After all, a woman asking a stranger to teach her acting, and they'd only met twice—she herself felt deeply uncertain.

But thinking of having to keep filming in the crew, she had no confidence at all.

Today's performance by Cheng Chen—whether from Lai Shuiqing or his understanding of acting—was more than enough to guide her through the coming scenes.

"Teacher Gao, is it your own idea to have me teach you acting?"

After weighing his words, Cheng Chen asked.

Given your current status, your company could easily hire teachers from Beijing Film Academy or Central Academy of Drama.

Why would they pick someone like me, an unknown nobody?

"It's my own idea."

Gao Yuanyuan propped her cheek in her hand and answered, drunk and dazed.

"I'm sorry, Teacher Gao—if you need help normally, just let me know on set."

Cheng Chen shook his head apologetically, declining Gao Yuanyuan.

In truth, if Cheng Chen agreed to be Gao Yuanyuan's teacher, her current fame would surely give him far more exposure.

She could even recommend him to directors she knew, securing better resources for him.

But Cheng Chen refused to climb the ladder by relying on women; with his past-life experience and his rebirth's advantage, he would be famous within three years.

Moreover, Cheng Chen understood why Gao Yuanyuan had chosen him as her teacher.

Rumors later claimed that during the filming of The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, Lai Dao had always wanted to replace Gao Yuanyuan; judging from today's situation, this wasn't baseless gossip.

She's grasping at straws!

Gao Yuanyuan clearly hadn't expected Cheng Chen to refuse; she stared at him with wide, watery eyes.

Cheng Chen looked back at her; the atmosphere in the private room froze…

Suddenly, her hand landed on the decanter, poured herself another shot of baijiu, tilted her head back, and drank—all in one fluid motion.

Another one down!

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

Perhaps she drank too fast; her face turned crimson as liquor spilled out.

Cheng Chen quickly pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.

Gao Yuanyuan took the handkerchief, blushing, and said: "Sorry, Teacher Cheng, my alcohol tolerance is poor—I've embarrassed you."

If your tolerance is so poor, why drink so much? Cheng Chen thought to himself.

He was growing more and more confused by Gao Yuanyuan's moods—I refuse to be your teacher, so what's the point of drinking?!

"I don't know why you won't teach me acting, so I just used drinking to hide my awkwardness…" Gao Yuanyuan took a breath and spoke slowly.

Uh… genius.

What could Cheng Chen say? He could only admire how differently this beauty's mind worked.

"Huh? Teacher Cheng, is this the paper that fell from your pocket just now? 'Love Transfer'—is this lyrics?"

Gao Yuanyuan picked up the sheet of paper on the floor and studied it closely.

Cheng Chen was also surprised—it must have slipped out when he pulled out the handkerchief.

As Gao Yuanyuan read, her gaze grew more serious, until her expression turned sorrowful, even mournful.

"It's written so beautifully—Teacher Cheng, did you write this song?"

Five minutes later,

Gao Yuanyuan asked, her eyes red and voice trembling.

"Mm." Cheng Chen nodded shamelessly.

"There's sheet music here too—are you familiar with music theory? Can you sing it for me? Please."

Gao Yuanyuan clasped her hands together, her large eyes blinking pleadingly.

I can't take it—who's ever seen a goddess tipsy and begging like this?

"Fine!"

LSP Cheng Chen immediately nodded yes, holding the sheet music, he began to sing softly:

"I've wandered past countless display windows, stayed in countless inns,

before realizing separation isn't unjust.

Is love for browsing or for keeping close,

so every day feels unforgettable?"

…

As he sang this song, Cheng Chen's mind flooded with memories of his college girlfriend.

They had once been so happy, yet ended up parting with tears.

In his past life, they hadn't seen each other for eight years—plus two more in this life.

Ten years, no technique, only emotion.

When he opened his eyes again, Gao Yuanyuan sat beside him, her eyes red, tears slipping unconsciously from the corners.

After sinking into thought for about two or three minutes, Gao Yuanyuan finally came to, smiling apologetically:

"You sang beautifully. Sorry, Teacher Cheng."

"It's fine."

"I've never heard this song before—is it… your original?" Gao Yuanyuan asked, astonished.

After receiving Cheng Chen's confirmation, Gao Yuanyuan suddenly said:

"Teacher Cheng, are you going to release this song? I can introduce you to my musician friends!"

Cheng Chen shook his head and refused; releasing a single was troublesome, expensive, and demanded exceptional vocal skill.

Cheng Chen's current focus was not on this.

But he could try selling the song first to test the waters.

After all, it was 2002; the public's musical tastes were still unknown.

This was Cheng Chen's preparation for his future music album.

"Teacher Gao, if you have musician friends, perhaps I can sell this song."

"Sell it?"

"Yes, sell the lyrics and melody!"

"That's easy!" Gao Yuanyuan patted her chest and said, "I'll contact my friends as soon as I get back—this song's quality is high, there's no worry about finding buyers!"

"Thank you."

Cheng Chen said gratefully.

He had originally worried about finding someone in the industry to buy the song; Gao Yuanyuan's timely appearance solved the problem immediately.

It was as if sleepiness met a pillow handed to him.

Gao Yuanyuan poured Cheng Chen a glass of wine and smiled: "I never thought Teacher Cheng, besides your acting, had such high musical talent—and you're also incredibly handsome!"

"Oh, not at all," Cheng Chen replied modestly on the surface, secretly delighted.

Being praised by a goddess-level star still warmed his heart.

"Then I won't call you Teacher Cheng, and you won't call me Teacher Gao—we'll go by age. I'm twenty-three this year. How about you?"

"I'm twenty," Cheng Chen smiled.

"You're only twenty?"

"I look older."

"No, no—I mean, talking with you, acting, writing lyrics and melodies—where does any of that seem like a twenty-year-old? You feel so mature. I'm three years older than you, so from now on, call me… Sister. Deal?"

Gao Yuanyuan said, grinning with her cheeks cupped in her hands.

"Sister?"

Before Cheng Chen could react, Gao Yuanyuan had already risen and left the private room, laughing.

"I'm taking the lyrics with me—will show them to my friends."

At the door of the private room, Gao Yuanyuan suddenly turned back, holding up the paper in her hand:

"Remember—I'm your sister now. Don't forget to teach me acting when we get to the set…"

Cheng Chen had unwittingly acquired a famous star as his sister, leaving him utterly bewildered.

As for Gao Yuanyuan taking away the lyrics and melody of "Love Transfer," he wasn't worried.

After all, a star of her stature had no reason to steal his lyrics and melody.

…

The next few days of filming went much more smoothly.

Because the rumor that "Director Lai scared a popular young actress into tears with just one look" had spread throughout Yuyang.

Other film crews shooting in Yuyang kept sneaking over to inquire quietly.

Suddenly, all entertainment reporters stirred into action, constantly staking out the "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" crew.

Tabloids wrote even more outrageous headlines: "Hong Kong and Taiwan Famous Director Scolds Mainland Actress," "Popular Young Actress Seduced by Famous Director, Weeps on Set," and so on.

This had a very bad impact; the crew held a meeting and unanimously decided to focus on filming well and dispel public misunderstandings.

It could be said that "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" became popular before airing—though the negative attention outweighed the positive.

Gao Yuanyuan was also called in by Director Lai for a talk; naturally, to avoid the awkwardness of "talking to a duck."

He specifically brought along Cheng Chen, who understood Cantonese, to translate— the conversation went well.

At least Gao Yuanyuan no longer had to worry about being replaced.

The crew finally recognized Director Lai's communication difficulties with the actors and decided to assign him a translator.

But Director Lai specifically requested Cheng Chen to accompany him afterward, conveying his intentions to the actors through Cheng Chen.

With this halo of prestige, Cheng Chen transformed from "Song Qingshu" into Director Lai's "personal secretary."

Everyone on the crew nodded and bowed when they saw Cheng Chen, respectfully calling him "Teacher Cheng."

Cheng Chen also learned by chance that Liu Chen, who had previously boasted in the dormitory that he'd "eat as much as he pulled in" to land Song Qingshu, had already left the crew—likely too ashamed to stay.

During this time, Gao Yuanyuan used her connections to find a buyer for "Love Transfer" in Jingcheng.

The buyer expressed strong interest in "Love Transfer" and wanted to meet Cheng Chen in person.

But she was currently in Modu handling affairs and wouldn't arrive in Jingcheng until mid-to-late May.

She insisted Cheng Chen keep "Love Transfer" reserved—she'd come to Jingcheng immediately after finishing her business.

Before long, May arrived, and Cheng Chen clearly felt the pace of filming accelerating.

Finally, in mid-May, the "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" crew faced its first major scene.

The Lion Slaying Conference brought together major sects at Shaolin to gather for Xie Xun, the Golden-Haired Lion King.

Every scene of the "Yi Tian" cast is scheduled according to notices.

This grand scene in the original novel occurs near the end and includes nearly all members of the protagonist's group and supporting cast.

Currently, the cast is at its most complete, so filming it now is most appropriate.

Suddenly, the entire crew became busy; actors rushed to memorize lines, block movements, and rehearse body techniques.

The crew worked to set up the set, craft props, and coordinate supplies—all preparing for tomorrow's grand scene!