Chapter 22: Was it Intentional or Accidental?

On the set, Qi Hui held the script in one hand and his mobile phone in the other, his eyes shifting between the two.

[Yang Mi: I’ve followed your Weibo, hurry up and follow me back.]

[Qi Hui: Oh, send me the link.]

[Yang Mi: Link?]

[Qi Hui: ...Never mind, I don't have a computer with me.]

He chatted with Yang Mi half-heartedly, suddenly remembering that feature phones couldn't open links.

In truth, Qi Hui didn't want to spend too much time chatting with Yang Mi, but she kept sending messages every now and then.

It made Qi Hui want to just find some resources and send them over to her to get it over with.

As it happened, the current dark, black-haired teacher from the land of the rising sun was still quite fresh... ahem, that couldn't be discussed.

"Qi Hui, it's your scene." In the distance, Jiang Dao shouted, interrupting Qi Hui's wandering thoughts.

"Coming." Qi Hui turned off his phone and walked over quickly.

The props department handed Qi Hui a suit lining and a white shirt.

This scene took place at "Xie Ruolin's home," so naturally, he had to dress more casually.

The content of the scene involved Xie Ruolin and Wanqiu having a dispute, Xie Ruolin accidentally injuring Wanqiu, and then Cuiping helping to bandage her.

However, Cuiping's skillful bandaging technique aroused Xie Ruolin's suspicion.

Cuiping's identity was that of a rural woman; she shouldn't have such proficient bandaging skills.

This scene was primarily to lay the groundwork for Xie Ruolin's suspicion regarding Yu Zecheng's identity.

In "Lurk," Xie Ruolin was the first person to suspect Yu Zecheng's identity and begin an investigation.

Moreover, he almost succeeded in the end.

However, Zhu Jie's lines in this scene were somewhat explosive and world-view-shattering, much like a Qiong Yao drama.

Director Jiang Wei was explaining the scene to Qi Hui, Zhu Jie, and Yao Chen; he was not only the director but also the screenwriter, and he held absolute authority over the entire production.

While Jiang Dao was explaining the scene, the props department was also busy setting up.

The leather suitcase and jewelry that Qi Hui needed to use were placed on the coffee table in front of the sofa.

The peanuts and peanut shells that Zhu Jie and Yao Chen needed were placed on a table.

Beside the table sat an old-fashioned white ceramic water cup, giving the entire house a lived-in feel.

"Do you all understand?" Jiang Dao asked after finishing his explanation.

"Understood." The three of them nodded.

Director Jiang Wei looked at Zhu Jie: "Little Zhu, don't act like it's flirting again like last time."

"I know, Director." Zhu Jie felt a bit embarrassed.

"Good, let's try to get it in one take." Jiang Wei said; "Lurk" was already in post-production, and he needed to finish the remaining shots as quickly as possible to get it released.

Soon, the actors were in position, the cameraman was in position, and the executive director looked at Jiang Wei.

Just as Jiang Wei was about to nod, he sensed something unusual behind him.

Turning his head, he discovered it was Feng Enhe, Wu Gang, Zu Feng, and Sun Honglei again.

"Director, we're just over to look around." Wu Gang greeted him with a smile.

"Your scenes don't start for another few hours." Jiang Wei said: "Why not get some more sleep?"

They had filmed a night scene yesterday.

"We're old, sleep doesn't come easy." Feng Enhe laughed; when he was born, Menglianggu hadn't even been taken yet.

"We're here to learn a thing or two." Zu Feng chuckled; there weren't many filming tasks these days, and they had nothing to do.

Coming to the set was just a way to pass the time.

Sun Honglei shrugged without saying a word.

"Fine then." Jiang Wei immediately stopped paying attention to the three of them and nodded at the executive director.

Upon receiving permission, the executive director clapped the clapperboard:

"Scene 203, Take 1, action!"

As the sound faded, filming officially began.

Qi Hui walked in from off-camera, looked at the two women by the table, and smiled: "Are the peanuts okay?"

Yao Chen peeled a peanut and smiled: "Mr. Xie, you really have talent. With war everywhere, you can still get your hands on peanuts."

The camera swept over Wanqiu's expressionless face, quickly followed Qi Hui to the sofa, and landed on the jewelry and leather suitcase on the coffee table.

"Your husband has even more talent, it's just... he's unwilling to use his talent to make money." Xie Ruolin said.

Mu Wanqiu said with a hint of dissatisfaction and disdain: "Mr. Yu has aspirations, unlike you, who only cares about money."

Xie Ruolin: "He~ he's been brainwashed. Once there's peace in the future, there won't be any 'isms' left."

"There will be... what will there be? Only money, believe it or not?"

Cuiping, played by Yao Chen, gave an awkward smile, though she was surprised by Xie Ruolin's lines in her heart.

It had to be said, these lines were quite insightful, spoken as if they were the absolute truth.

Entering the new millennium, not many people discussed those things anymore; everyone was talking about money.

It wasn't just this line, but also the line from the previous scene: lips full of 'isms', heart full of business.

Thoughts flickered in Yao Chen's mind; she knew Xie Ruolin wasn't just a simple supporting character.

He was a very brilliant supporting character.

This kid Qi Hui, who had no fame at all, was likely to officially debut with this role... Yao Chen felt a wave of displeasure and thought to herself.

The filming continued.

Mu Wanqiu: "I don't believe it. People with aspirations will always have 'isms'."

Cuiping chuckled: "It's not like what you said, sometimes he even complains that there isn't enough money to spend."

"Don't pay him any mind, he's a money-grubbing grandson," Mu Wanqiu said with disdain.

Xie Ruolin: "Don't be so sour here. Back then, you were chasing after him to be his mistress..."

Soon, it was time for Mu Wanqiu's explosive lines.

Mu Wanqiu: "It's just that this new era is in the way. If it were before, I would have been a mistress, so what? It wouldn't even be your turn."

"Snot and tears, kneeling and begging me to marry you."

Xie Ruolin was furious: "You bitch, you shameless thing!"

As he spoke, he threw a ring made of chalk, which hit Mu Wanqiu on the forehead.

"Ah!" Mu Wanqiu covered her forehead and cried out in pain.

Next, the camera cut to Yao Chen.

Wanqiu's injury made her slam the table and stand up, grabbing something from the table to throw at Qi Hui:

"Xie, you better behave yourself!"

However, whether it was intentional or accidental, what Yao Chen grabbed was the ceramic water cup.

But according to the shooting plan, she should have grabbed the basket containing peanut shells.

With a "whoosh," both the cup body and the lid flew toward Qi Hui's head.

Qi Hui's expression changed, and he subconsciously tilted his head to dodge.

With a "snap," his forehead felt cold, a warm sensation followed, and then a sharp pain struck.

Qi Hui dodged the cup body, but he didn't dodge the lid.

"Damn, he's bleeding!" Sun Honglei shouted.

Yao Chen's expression changed, and she stood where she was.

"Cut!" Jiang Wei was shocked and jumped up from his chair: "Quick, call a doctor!"

"No, keep filming!" Qi Hui covered his forehead and shouted quickly: "There are only one or two shots left, keep filming!"

He couldn't let his blood go to waste.

Hearing this, the noisy crowd fell silent, and Zhu Jie, who was running toward Qi Hui, also stopped in her tracks.

She was faking her injury, but Qi Hui was truly injured.

Not far away, Zu Feng sat up straight, his expression solemn, and the look he gave Qi Hui held a bit more surprise and respect.

Feng Enhe and Wu Gang exchanged a look; this guy wasn't a coward!

"Fine, keep filming!" Jiang Wei gritted his teeth and said immediately:

"3, 2, 1, action!"

"Xie, you better behave yourself!" Yao Chen pointed at Qi Hui and threatened; her acting was excellent, as if it were real.

Qi Hui covered his forehead with one hand and quickly packed the jewelry on the table with the other, then slammed the door and left.

It fully demonstrated what it meant to value money over one's life.

Then, after a few seconds, he turned back, looking through the crack in the door with concern at Mu Wanqiu, looking at his "injured wife."

But he unexpectedly saw Cuiping's skillful bandaging technique, and he immediately felt suspicious, his expression shifting uncertainly.

"Cut!" Director Jiang shouted:

"Quick, quick, stop the bleeding and bandage him!"

The clapperboard was struck, the scene ended, and the crew doctor who had already arrived quickly bandaged Qi Hui's forehead, busy with the task.

He would need a few stitches for this.

Zhu Jie watched for a moment and quickly followed.

"Aren't you going to take a look?" Sun Honglei walked to Yao Chen's side.

Yao Chen hesitated for a moment, then shrugged: "He is an expert at capturing fugitives alive; he isn't that fragile, it's just a bit of broken skin."

Sun Honglei glanced at her, frowned slightly, and silently stepped back a few paces to leave.

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