Acting Out of Character (GL) - Chapter 10

As soon as Luo Jingyi got out of the car, Chen Ge—who was still in the middle of her pre-interview—spotted her.

Seeing her chatting and laughing with Director Feng, they truly looked like a close couple. The two of them looked over at the interview area, and after a brief change in expression, they parted ways, walking in different directions.

Chen Ge watched as “Luo Xin” walked ahead alone while Director Feng followed behind, her mouth never stopping for a second. Yet, no matter what she said, Luo Xin never looked back.

This… what happened? Could they be fighting?

Chen Ge’s heart sank. Could it be because Director Feng saw the footage Director Hu shot last night?

Even though it was for a show, did Director Feng find it a bit too intimate? It was all a misunderstanding, though—Chen Ge hadn’t expected to be tricked by Qian Yu into picking up his partner.

Earlier this morning, when the director asked her to do the pre-interview with Song Ruyu, Chen Ge finally realized the truth. Her partner hadn’t changed; she’d just been fooled. Director Feng’s lover was still paired with Qian Yu, and it had nothing to do with her.

She wondered if Director Feng thought she had proactively “hit on” her partner by picking her up.

Chen Ge’s mind wasn’t on the interview at all. Since Song Ruyu loved to hog the conversation anyway, Chen Ge just let her do all the talking.

Song Ruyu slapped her arm and said coquettishly to the camera, “Our Chen Ge is always like this, absent-minded no matter what she’s doing. She even gets sleepy while filming, hahaha, she’s so ‘daimeng’ (clumsily cute). But don’t be fooled by how quiet she is; she’s actually very popular. I’m different—everyone sees me as one of the boys because I’m so boisterous and blunt. They all call me ‘Brother.’ My luck with the opposite sex is ter—ri—ble. I guess that’s why I’ve been ‘solo since birth’…”

The assistant director interrupted, “Take a break, you’re the only one talking. Xiao Chen, say a few words. You can’t be this stingy with your speech; the editors won’t have any footage of you to cut.”

Song Ruyu, who still had a stomach full of words, was forced to stop. she could only pout and look at Chen Ge.

Chen Ge introduced herself simply, stating she was twenty-six years old and an actress.

The assistant director guided her: “Go a bit deeper, for example, your personality?”

Chen Ge thought for a moment and said, “Personality… a bit quiet.”

Assistant Director: “…I can see that.”

The pre-interview was proving difficult. These actors who weren’t “variety types” were truly hard to film. The assistant director lit a cigarette, trying to think of a solution.

While he was smoking, Feng Yunxin came over. After a few words, she told the assistant director to take a break and sent a WeChat message.

Song Ruyu whispered in Chen Ge’s ear, “What is Director Feng doing?” Chen Ge shook her head.

To her surprise, a moment later, Luo Jingyi arrived. Chen Ge sat up ramrod straight, feeling as if the head teacher had just walked into a class meeting.

Feng Yunxin and Luo Jingyi stood together in front of the monitor. Feng Yunxin said: “Xiao Chen, how did it feel spending time with your Sister Luo last night?”

Surprised by the directness of the question, Chen Ge spoke the truth: “It was good. Sister Luo guided me, so the filming went very smoothly.”

Confused, Song Ruyu whispered, “Who is Sister Luo?”

Chen Ge replied, “The lady standing next to the director.”

Song Ruyu glanced at Luo Jingyi. She was tall with skin as white as snow, fully shielded behind a wide-brimmed sun hat and sunglasses. Even in this heat, she wore a sun-protective coat over her long dress. She looked pristine and fragrant, as if she were incapable of sweating. Her already impressive height, combined with heels over five centimeters, made her look even more statuesque. Most striking of all was her high-fashion outfit. Who is she?

“Why were you with her last night? You went out after I fell asleep? What did you do? Who is she?” Song Ruyu’s questions were endless, making Chen Ge’s head ache.

Luo Jingyi, seeing Song Ruyu’s incessant whispering, pushed Feng Yunxin aside and walked to the monitor. She said to Chen Ge:

“I watched the footage from last night. The vibe was right. Think back to the feeling when I was feeding you; just face the camera in your most natural state.”

Song Ruyu: “??!”

Feeding? What on earth is going on?

Thinking back to that feeling from the previous night, Chen Ge’s drifting heart suddenly found a clear goal. “Okay, I’ll try.”

The “pre-interview” was the guest introduction used at the start of the first episode to establish personas. Luo Jingyi took over the assistant director’s role to conduct it.

“What’s your name? How old are you? What do you do for a living?”

“I’m Chen Ge, twenty-six, and I’m an actress.”

Although the questions were identical to the ones the assistant director asked, Chen Ge was much more natural and sincere facing Luo Jingyi. Perhaps because she was in a strange place, Luo Jingyi was the first person she had felt close to. Though Luo Jingyi carried the aura of a stern elder, she gave Chen Ge a sense of security. Also, after last night, Chen Ge deeply respected “Luo Xin.” A potentially awkward situation had been handled with professional ease the moment she stepped in.

Luo Jingyi watched Chen Ge on the monitor and continued, “What do you like to do in your spare time?”

“I like exercising, reading, things like that.”

Luo Jingyi prompted her, “As an actress, you must watch a lot of films. Whose work do you usually enjoy?”

Chen Ge did indeed love all kinds of movies to learn acting rhythm, but she considered that work rather than “leisure,” so she hadn’t mentioned it at first. However, she realized this was a better chance to express herself.

Chen Ge answered quickly: “I like Teacher Luo Jingyi’s work the most!”

Feng Yunxin, who was drinking coffee nearby, nearly spat it out upon hearing this sudden, blunt confession. Chen Ge tensed up. Did I say something wrong?

Luo Jingyi, whose eyes had been fixed on the monitor, suddenly looked up and gave Chen Ge a long look. Chen Ge felt like a rabbit caught in a wolf’s gaze and froze.

“I asked which actor you liked,” Luo Jingyi said neutrally, returning her gaze to the monitor. However, an imperceptible smile played at the corner of her mouth.

“Oh… actors.” Chen Ge felt like an idiot. “For actors, I like Elizabeth Taylor, Tom Hanks, Al Pacino… and many more.”

“You have good taste. Yunxin, come see if this pre-interview is enough.”

Feng Yunxin gulped down the rest of her coffee and waved her hand. “Why ask me when you’re here! If you think it’s okay, it’s okay!”

Luo Jingyi “tched.” “I’m not the director. Get over here.”

Feng Yunxin was summoned. After reviewing it, she said, “It’s great, very natural.”

Luo Jingyi noted, “Natural is one thing, but it lacks a ‘memory point.’ You’ve done so many variety shows; you should have experience with this.”

Just then, the assistant director brought over a prop. Feng Yunxin asked, “Perfect timing. Have the other guests finished their tests?”

“All done.” The assistant director handed her a folder. Luo Jingyi caught a glimpse of a form on the top page titled “Grip Strength Test” in large characters.

Feng Yunxin addressed the girls: “This is a slow-life reality show. As you know, you’ll need to be self-sufficient here—plowing and farming! This isn’t just for show; you need real strength. See this? It’s a dynamometer. One squeeze and we’ll know how strong you are. Strength equals labor power. Everyone takes the test, and the highest score gets a reward!”

Luo Jingyi glanced at the chart. Eight guests in total; five had finished. The highest was Sun Ruibin at 211. Second was Qian Yu at 208, third Dong Shenghong at 201. Then there was the gender-neutral Yin Yin at 168. The lowest was Ren Yan at 97.

Song Ruyu let out a long “Oh” and reached for the device. “I want to try! Look at my muscles—I work out every day! I’ll definitely crush the boys!”

Feng Yunxin stole a glance at Luo Jingyi, whose eyes were like ice. She was not only unmoved but clearly annoyed. After years by her side, Feng Yunxin could read her mood perfectly without a word being said. Luo Jingyi likely despised this “pick-me/tea-ish” behavior.

Feng Yunxin caught the brainwaves. She handed the device to Song Ruyu and said, “Remember to use all your strength.”

Song Ruyu rolled up her sleeves, revealing soft, pale arms. She gripped it with both hands and gave a “Heh!”

“How much? How much?” As the numbers appeared, Song Ruyu wiggled her upper body coquettishly in her chair.

98. A number with zero memory point.

Song Ruyu stuck her tongue out at the camera. “Oh dear, I guess I’m just too delicate.”

Feng Yunxin took it back, recorded the number, and handed it to Chen Ge. “Your turn. Full power.”

Chen Ge squeezed hard with her right hand. Her classically elegant, cool face showed a slight expression of exertion and a hint of pain, which made her features look more vivid. Luo Jingyi watched her quietly, her mind automatically mapping out scenes of dramatic tension and endurance. With Chen Ge’s face, the storytelling felt complete.

“How much? You must have more than me.” Song Ruyu leaned over excitedly to check the number and froze.

220. Not just higher than her—higher than Qian Yu and the rest of the “boys’ line.”

Song Ruyu: “???”

Chen Ge was also stunned. “This… Director Feng, did I break it?”

Feng Yunxin let out an “Ooh!” and wrote down the number. She laughed, “Xiao Chen, you’re so strong. Did you grow up eating Power Pills?”

“I… that…” Chen Ge sat there in total bewilderment.

The entire process was filmed. Chen Ge’s grip strength ranked first, even surpassing the male guests. Luo Jingyi quickly understood Feng Yunxin’s intention. This was the work of a pro reality show producer. The most important thing in a reality show is highlighting a character’s personality so the audience remembers them. In a sea of new faces, many are forgotten instantly. Being memorable is the crucial first step. A girl being stronger than the boys—that was a “memory point.”

With this move, Chen Ge would likely be remembered immediately. And Chen Ge, currently dazed by her own strength, had a charmingly “contrasting” cuteness.

After Chen Ge’s interview finished, it was Luo Jingyi’s turn. As Chen Ge was leaving, she came up to thank her.

“No need for thanks. Just remember to maintain that state,” Luo Jingyi said.

Chen Ge nodded and added, “Last night, Director Hu and I both misunderstood. We thought Director Feng had changed my partner, which is why I picked you up. Actually, my partner is still Song Ruyu.”

Luo Jingyi noticed Chen Ge was wearing flats, yet she was quite tall; Luo Jingyi had heels on, and Chen Ge didn’t seem much shorter. Chen Ge was wearing heavy makeup today for the camera. It made her eyes look more alluring, but Luo Jingyi felt it didn’t suit her. Such generic makeup covered her unique “truth.” Luo Jingyi was particularly dissatisfied that the makeup covered her neck to match her face, hiding that beautiful, sexy mole.

“I know,” Luo Jingyi said. “I didn’t realize it at the time either.”

“Oh, so you know now, Sister Luo.”

“I just found out this morning.”

“So, last night was all a misunderstanding. Qian Yu was probably being lazy and coaxed me into going. Please don’t blame Director Feng.”

Luo Jingyi realized she had come over just to explain this. She thinks I’m fighting with Feng Yunxin?

“I never blamed her.”

“That’s good…” Chen Ge clasped her hands behind her back like an obedient student talking to a teacher, nervously fidgeting with her fingers. “That’s all. I won’t disturb you further. I’ll head out first.”

“Mhm.”

As Chen Ge went inside, Feng Yunxin conducted the interview for Luo Jingyi. Luo Jingyi was still thinking about the dynamometer; she didn’t believe Chen Ge was that strong. “Let me try that.”

Feng Yunxin handed it over. Luo Jingyi squeezed: 50.

Luo Jingyi: “??”

“Is this broken?”

“Teacher Luo, you’re just weak.”

Luo Jingyi tried again. Still 50. Looking at the screen, she noticed a button at the bottom and clicked it. The screen changed to three dashes.

“So it was a manually set number. How bored are you?” Luo Jingyi tossed it back.

Feng Yunxin caught it. “That’s a script! You’re a big-shot screenwriter and you don’t understand this? I’m trying to create an ‘effect’ for your little fangirl. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you!”

“What ‘little fangirl’?”

“Keep pretending. What a fate—she accidentally picks you up, you feed her, and then you find out the CP was wrong. Then today she confesses her favorite writer is you. Imagine how nervous she’ll be if she finds out the Luo Jingyi she admires is standing right in front of her. If I reveal your identity in later episodes, this show might just explode.”

“I don’t know if the show will explode, but I know your head will if you try.”

“…Why so fierce? I was going to be merciful and let your fangirl be in your group.”

“No need.”

“Really? Once this chance is gone, it’s gone.”

The Author has something to say:

Luo Jingyi: No need to change CPs. Really.

Feng Yunxin: Fine, fine, I’ll just plant this “flag” here for you. Wait, Teacher Luo, your whole body is covered in flags; there’s no room left to plant more.

Luo Jingyi: …

(This is just Chen Ge’s first confession, laying the foundation, hehehe)