A Max-Level Film Queen Takes on the Scumbag Alpha Script [Transmigration] - Chapter 17

“Cut!” Song Zhishu shouted into his megaphone from a distance, shattering the silence on set.

The crew members immediately sprang into action, quickly tidying the scene and working to restore it to its original state.

“Ten minutes for a retake!”

“What’s wrong with the lighting team? Damn it, the actors’ faces are reflecting light and you’re still shining it! Everyone, snap out of it!”

Song Zhishu’s irritable voice blasted through the megaphone as he nitpicked every detail that wasn’t up to par in the first scene.

Jiang Baihe stood outside the set and took a water bottle from Xiao Xu. She only took a tiny sip to moisten her throat, not daring to drink too much. Since the costume she was wearing was quite cumbersome, going to the restroom was inconvenient, so she had no choice but to limit her water intake.

On the first day of filming the main scenes—and a large group scene at that—no matter how good the actors’ condition was, a new crew always required some time to find their rhythm.

While the staff cleared the set, the lead actors sat to the side for makeup touch-ups, listening to the assistant director and screenwriter explain the nuances of the scenes.

After a few minutes, Song Zhishu finally finished scolding each team and walked toward them with his megaphone.

“You guys are in great form!” Song Zhishu looked at the three of them with satisfaction, his gaze lingering particularly on Jiang Baihe.

He had long been familiar with the acting skills of Pei Xingyi and Tang Yuan and wasn’t worried about them at all. His only concern had been Jiang Baihe, the rookie filming for the first time. Auditioning isn’t the same as being on a real set; he had worried that an inexperienced Jiang Baihe wouldn’t be able to keep up with the pace of the other two veterans.

But after that one take, Song Zhishu knew he had been worrying over nothing.

Jiang Baihe’s screen presence was not only as strong as the two veterans, but her entry into character was actually faster. She knew how to hit her marks, find the camera, and—crucially—didn’t “over-act” or steal the spotlight from her colleagues.

If he didn’t know for a fact that Jiang Baihe had just debuted, he would have thought she was a veteran actress with years of experience. Song Zhishu couldn’t understand it and could only explain it as Jiang Baihe being truly gifted—the heavens were “chasing her down to feed her.” She was destined to shine in this industry, and this drama would be the starting point of a brilliant career.

Thinking that he might be the one to produce such a new star, Song Zhishu was in a fantastic mood.

He asked warmly, “How are you two holding up? Wire work on the first day is tough.”

There were many fighting sequences in the script, especially for Jiang Baihe and Tang Yuan. They both needed to use “lightness skill” for their entrances in this scene, so wire work was indispensable.

This scene was highly difficult, but the scale was grand enough that Song Zhishu wanted to film it first to see the chemistry between the leads and to help the actors settle into their roles quickly.

Tang Yuan stuck out her tongue playfully, still in good spirits. “No problem here!”

Beside her, Jiang Baihe nodded in agreement. “We’ve only just started; it’s not that bad.”

Pei Xingyi, despite being the biggest star and a Film King, didn’t put on airs either. He was quite easygoing and echoed their sentiments.

“Good! Let’s keep up the momentum then!”

The actors performed excellently, but minor issues always cropped up on set. Consequently, they filmed this scene three times and then did several close-up pickup shots from various angles. The perfectionist Song Zhishu finally called it a “pass.”

The entire afternoon was spent in a cycle of filming, resting, and retaking. As the actors stayed in character and the crew found their synergy, the filming progress moved forward steadily.

It was only at dusk when they wrapped for the day that Jiang Baihe was finally lowered from the wires. She felt a dull, chafing pain on her back and abdomen but didn’t make a sound. Even with protective gear, being suspended and tossed around for so long had likely left a few red marks. She could just apply some ointment when she got home.

Jiang Baihe was used to this and didn’t even feel the urge to mention it to anyone.

On the first day, regardless of how strict he was, Song Zhishu didn’t schedule any night scenes, instead announcing the wrap so everyone could rest. After removing her makeup, Jiang Baihe got in the car and headed home.

The timing was just right; when she arrived at Shallow Water Bay, Yan Shu was taking advantage of the cooling dusk to water the plants in the garden.

As Jiang Baihe stepped into the property, she was met with this harmonious, cozy scene. It looked exactly like her old fantasy of a home: one person earning the money, one person being beautiful, a peaceful family, and mutual love.

However, Jiang Baihe then thought of the Sihai Group’s daily revenue, which was probably higher than her salary for several months. So, who exactly was supporting whom in this house…?

Cough, cough, I better work harder!

“You’re back?”

Yan Shu noticed Jiang Baihe standing at the entrance without coming in and spoke with a hint of confusion, “What’s wrong?”

Hearing Yan Shu’s voice, Jiang Baihe snapped out of her daze. She looked at Yan Shu walking toward her and rubbed her nose sheepishly. “No—nothing!”

Yan Shu’s eyes flickered. Though curious, she didn’t pry.

The two entered the house together. Auntie Chen knew Jiang Baihe would be coming home later during filming days, so under Yan Shu’s instructions, she had delayed dinner. Now that Jiang Baihe was home, she began reheating the dishes.

Jiang Baihe excused herself to her room to wash up and change out of her clothes. Once finished, she went down to the dining room and finally got to eat the dishes she had been envying since noon.

The refreshing, sweet taste of the corn and pork rib soup made her sigh in appreciation. Unfortunately, for the sake of her figure, even knowing she didn’t gain weight easily, she still had to control her portions. Better safe than sorry.

Seeing Jiang Baihe’s satisfied expression, Yan Shu asked softly, “Is the food on set hard to get used to?”

“It’s actually not bad.”

Jiang Baihe wasn’t lying. Compared to the crews she had been with in her previous life, the food for The Eternal Tribulation was quite decent. Since the investors weren’t small companies—especially with a giant like Sihai involved—the catering budget wasn’t skimped on. But of course, it couldn’t compare to the carefully prepared meals at home.

Yan Shu looked at Jiang Baihe’s expression, her eyes downcast and her face calm, though no one knew what she was thinking.

After dinner, Jiang Baihe invited Yan Shu for a walk to help with digestion. The reason this area was called Shallow Water Bay was because there was a moderate-sized lake not far from the villa complex. The environment was lovely, with lush trees and a cool night breeze blowing off the water. They walked a lap and returned home as night fell.

It wasn’t until she was about to go to bed that Jiang Baihe remembered the ointment she had bought on the way home.

She walked into the bathroom and stood before the mirror, lifting the hem of her shirt. Sure enough, there were several red welts on her skin left by the wire harness. She had been careful to avoid them while showering, but hours later, they showed no sign of fading.

Jiang Baihe applied medicine to the marks on her front, but there were a few welts on her back that she simply couldn’t reach. She stood there for a moment, then turned and walked out, knocking directly on Yan Shu’s bedroom door across the hall.

She and Yan Shu had always slept in separate rooms. At night, they either watched TV together downstairs or retreated to their own rooms to handle their own business, never disturbing one another. Unless it was a special circumstance, she didn’t want to bother Yan Shu.

But they were the only two people in the house. Without medicine, those marks would likely leave scars. Jiang Baihe had no choice but to ask for help.

Inside, Yan Shu was surprised by Jiang Baihe’s visit. She got up from bed, walked to the door, and opened it, only to see Jiang Baihe in her pajamas with her hands clasped together, looking pitiful.

“Little President Yan, could you help me apply some medicine?”