Chapter 68

Fortunately, the security personnel at the scene reacted quickly and immediately formed a human wall to block the crazy reporters and fans.

Zhou Jin passed through the crowd and walked to the position of the crew's lead actors.

After a series of complicated but ritualistic processes like offering incense and unveiling the red cloth, the opening ceremony of *The Left Ear* was officially declared complete.

Soon, the activity moved to the highly anticipated media group interview session.

When it was time to ask Zhou Jin questions, the enthusiasm of the reporters below the stage rose visibly, and rows of microphones were almost poked directly into his face.

A female reporter asked first: "Hello Zhou Jin! After becoming a huge hit with *Swords of Legends*, you didn't choose to continue filming dramas to consolidate your popularity, but instead directly transitioned to the big screen to participate in *The Left Ear*. With such a big span, do you feel any pressure?"

Zhou Jin said: "There is definitely pressure, but there is more motivation. Whether it's a drama or a movie, they are all very precious acting opportunities for me. All I'm thinking about now is trying my best to act well, speak with strength, and not let everyone's expectations down."

Immediately after, another reporter couldn't wait to throw out the second question: "What do you think is the essential difference between the Zhang Yang you are playing this time and the 'Senior Brother Ling Yue' that you previously made deeply rooted in people's hearts?"

Zhou Jin thought for a moment and answered very professionally:

"Ling Yue is the embodiment of justice, maturity, and restraint, while Zhang Yang is more real and complex. In the beginning, he carries hatred, is somewhat paranoid and dark, and has a very strong sense of being shattered, but later he completes his own redemption. The contrast between these two roles is huge, and this challenge is what attracts me most to the role of Zhang Yang."

The third question seemed a bit tricky; a male reporter asked sharply:

"The female lead Chen Duling, who is acting with you this time, is a complete amateur with no acting experience. When you are acting with her, are you worried about not being able to catch the scene or lacking chemistry?"

Zhou Jin didn't avoid it at all; instead, he turned his head to look at Chen Duling beside him and said gently:

"Chen Duling has a very rare cold temperament, which is a perfect match for 'Little Ears' in the script. Actually, strictly speaking, I am also a newcomer, and we are all learning from each other."

The reporters below the stage recorded quickly, very satisfied with these substantial and flawless answers.

Director Su Youpeng, standing to the side, nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of appreciation.

Zhou Jin not only has good acting skills, but this emotional intelligence and calmness when facing the media are completely unlike a newcomer who just became popular.

After a while, the group interview session ended successfully.

As the bustle dissipated, the various departments of the crew immediately began to operate, preparing to film the first scene of the movie.

Chen Duling, after all, is an amateur who has never systematically studied acting and is usually still a student studying at university.

Entering the crew for the first time and having to shoulder the heavy responsibility of the movie's female lead, and immediately having to face the cold camera, she was so nervous that her palms were sweating, and her eyes were a bit at a loss.

Seeing that filming was about to start, Su Youpeng specifically called Chen Duling to the side of the camera, holding the script and constantly explaining the scene to her, where to look, and how to express emotions naturally.

"First scene of *The Left Ear*, first take, Action!"

The scene went quiet instantly.

This is a classic scene between Zhang Yang and Little Ears.

In this long take, Zhang Yang needs to take off his usual cold and paranoid disguise and reveal the struggle deep in his heart and a trace of longing for warmth.

And Little Ears needs to use her signature pure, clean, and pitying eyes to accept him and listen to him.

However, Chen Duling in front of the camera read a few lines, but didn't dare to look directly at Zhou Jin, and even the rhythm of her breathing was messed up; she was like a stiff puppet.

Behind the monitor, Su Youpeng's brows instantly furrowed tightly.

Just before filming started, he had explained the scene repeatedly; how could she still be like this when officially facing the camera?

"Sigh, a newcomer is a newcomer after all; she's really too stage-frightened."

Su Youpeng took a deep breath, suppressing the disappointment and irritability in his heart, reached out and picked up the walkie-talkie, ready to shout "NG" and start over.

Chen Duling's peripheral vision keenly caught the director's action of picking up the walkie-talkie, and her heart shrank, making her even more nervous.

Even the lines she had memorized by heart were stuck in her throat, and her eye sockets were red with grievance.

Just at this critical moment.

Zhou Jin, standing opposite her, did not give up.

He keenly sensed that Chen Duling was on the verge of a breakdown and knew that if the director called a halt now, it would be a devastating blow to this newcomer's self-confidence.

Zhou Jin used the entry 【Deep Affection Traction】.

He didn't wait for Chen Duling to say her lines according to the script, but took the initiative to move half a step closer, directly narrowing the distance between the two.

Chen Duling looked up subconsciously.

At this very moment, she bumped into Zhou Jin's eyes.

What kind of eyes were those?

Suppressed, painful, as if hiding a scarred beast, yet at this moment of looking at her, it shed all defenses, revealing a heartbreaking fragility and extreme gentleness.

At that moment, Zhou Jin was no longer the big star with immense radiance; he was Zhang Yang, struggling in the darkness, longing to be redeemed.

Chen Duling was instantly attracted by the emotions in Zhou Jin's eyes, and her originally panicked heartbeat miraculously calmed down.

She seemed to have forgotten the cameras with long guns and short cannons around her, forgotten the frowning director behind the monitor, and even forgotten that she was acting.

She could only see the scarred, heartbreaking boy in front of her.

In Chen Duling's cold eyes, the panic receded like a tide, replaced by a layer of hazy water vapor and heartfelt pity.

She couldn't help but reach out, just like Little Ears in the script, gently grabbed Zhang Yang's sleeve, and naturally picked up the lines with a voice that was trembling but incomparably gentle.

The emotions of the two perfectly blended at this moment, interpreting this scene of mutual redemption vividly.

Behind the monitor.

Su Youpeng's finger, which had already been pressed on the walkie-talkie's talk button, stopped abruptly.

He widened his eyes in surprise, staring fixedly at the near-perfect chemical reaction between the two on the monitor screen, his eyes full of shock.

He is not only a director but also a veteran actor; how could he not see what just happened?

How could Chen Duling have suddenly had a breakthrough?

It was clearly Zhou Jin using his own acting and emotions to forcibly pull her into the scene!

This ability to not only enter the scene himself but also drive the acting and emotions of the opposing actor is extremely rare even among those veteran actors who have been in the entertainment industry for decades.

Looking at Zhou Jin on the monitor, Su Youpeng couldn't help but gasp.

"I've picked up a treasure!"