Acting Out of Character (GL) - Chapter 7

Woken up by Chen Ge, Director Hu was still in a daze as he climbed into the car. He didn’t know what kind of spell he was under today, but he was incredibly drowsy. Perhaps it was the oppressive humidity of this godforsaken place—everywhere felt like a giant steamer for live chickens, making one feel listless and drained. It was all the weather’s fault.

Despite sleeping through the evening, Director Hu still had work to do. As the car started, he took the GoPro and reviewed what Chen Ge had filmed at the airport. It wasn’t bad, though for some reason, the camera shook violently right when she first met Luo Xin.

Director Hu pointed the GoPro at the two leads sitting on opposite sides of the back row. Before filming, he began to brief them:

“Tonight, we’re filming the ‘partners’ first meeting’ scene. As you know, while we call you partners, the goal is to form a CP, do some ‘business’ together, and give the audience some ‘sugar’ (fan service)…”

Chen Ge was stunned by this. She couldn’t help but interrupt: “Wait a second, Director Hu. You mean… a CP? Between me and Sister Luo?”

“Yeah. Why else would I have you pick her up tonight? It was to pair you two up. Didn’t Director Feng tell you?”

“…No. She just told me to come pick up Sister Luo. I thought I already had a different partner.”

Chen Ge was confused. So, Sister Luo was also a guest? Wasn’t her business CP supposed to be Song Ruyu? Had it been switched to Sister Luo just like that? The crew hadn’t sent a single notification. But on second thought, given her low status, who would bother specifically informing her? This wasn’t a movie or a TV set; if the “scene” was in front of her, she’d just receive the notice and do her job to the best of her ability.

Director Hu didn’t have much patience for minor stars. “Director Feng must have swapped your CP. Whoever picks up the guest gets paired with them. Otherwise, why would you be here? Isn’t it specifically to film the footage from the very beginning?”

Director Hu was naturally impatient and had a loud voice; when he spoke, he sounded less like he was instructing and more like he was picking a fight. Rebuked, Chen Ge fell silent.

Luo Jingyi saw that her little CP was a nice person who hadn’t done anything wrong yet was being scolded. A protective instinct rose within her. Her expression darkened as she said to Director Hu:

“Can you speak properly or not? Stop huffing and puffing. You get things done better with a kind word.”

Director Hu: “…”

When it came to dressing people down, Luo Jingyi had been taking on the world while Director Hu was still an extra in Hengdian; they weren’t even in the same league. Usually, Luo Jingyi radiated authority just by standing there, but when she lowered her face, she looked like a literal Empress Dowager.

Director Hu knew “Luo Xin” was a savior invited by Director Feng. Although he didn’t know her exact identity, he had enough situational awareness to see that while she was billed as a “non-celebrity,” her aura and designer clothes suggested she was someone important. She spoke like a leader—maybe a director or producer he couldn’t afford to offend.

Stung by her words, Director Hu actually checked his temper and began to speak civilly. Chen Ge, surprised that Sister Luo had stood up for her, looked at Luo Jingyi with gratitude. Luo Jingyi sat steadily, not returning the gaze. Feeling a bit awkward, Chen Ge looked away.

Director Hu pulled his focus back to work, putting on his “director’s persona” to explain the scene:

“For tonight’s footage, the content is just getting to know each other. Small talk to learn about one another. Of course, it’s even better if you can find a topic with some ‘hooks.’ Don’t be nervous. Even though there’s a camera, you can ignore its existence. Use the most authentic way of communicating to meet and interact. How you’d talk to a new friend in real life is how we’ll talk now.”

Now that he was speaking calmly, Director Hu’s own mood improved, and the atmosphere in the van relaxed.

This was Luo Jingyi’s first time on this “pirate ship,” and she hadn’t expected a reality show to have a script—she had underestimated the genre. Beside her, Chen Ge was listening intently to Director Hu, nodding at every sentence like a high schooler listening to the key points of a final exam.

“Xiao Chen,” Director Hu called out. “You’re an actress, right? You should be familiar with the camera. You guide Sister Luo a bit.”

Luo Jingyi was slightly surprised; she hadn’t realized the girl was an actress. Since she didn’t recognize her, she was likely a minor player who hadn’t made a name for herself yet. That said, Chen Ge’s face was indeed very well-suited for the big screen.

The two sat on opposite sides with a narrow aisle between them. Up close, Chen Ge’s features were delicate, her profile beautiful with a balanced elegance—any more would be too flamboyant, any less would be plain. Her eyes seemed to hide a story. However, she looked a bit “green”; she probably hadn’t been polished by a famous director yet.

Luo Jingyi had seen countless actors—especially the young ones in the domestic industry, most of whom had reported to her at some point. This girl looked like a piece of uncut jade. As Luo Jingyi studied her features from a profile angle, the streetlights outside flickered past her eyes. The girl’s unadorned face was clean, pure, and full of concentration. To Luo Jingyi, the scene looked like a clip from a mature film.

But… after a few more glances, she actually felt the kid looked familiar. Luo Jingyi wondered if she’d met her before. She had seen too many actors to remember every single one, and with her memory not being the best, it was normal to forget a face.

Chen Ge felt uneasy after Director Hu told her to be more proactive. This Sister Luo was Director Feng’s lover… and to be a guest on Director Feng’s show, she was actually partnering up with someone else for “business.” Sacrificing for art, Chen Ge thought, it really isn’t easy.

She silently resolved to make the footage effective while maintaining a proper sense of boundaries.

“Should we rehearse once?” Director Hu, still playing director, held the GoPro. “Try a conversation first while I check the camera angles. I won’t record yet. We’ll do a run-through to finalize it, then film.”

Luo Jingyi teased, “Why not draw a storyboard first?”

Director Hu: “You even know about storyboards? You’re a pro.”

Luo Jingyi smiled. “Don’t you have a script? We can just talk according to the script.”

Director Hu: “The crew has an outline, but we don’t give specific details. The director gives a general direction for the scene, and the guests improvise to reach the intended atmosphere. This scene is just your first meeting—chat freely, communicate a bit to leave an impression. Tomorrow at Li Village, the script will be more specific.”

Luo Jingyi understood their method but didn’t agree with rehearsing. “If you want the natural atmosphere of a first meeting, a rehearsal will only make it look fake. Let’s just go for it. Post-production can decide what to keep.”

“…That works too.” Director Hu was impressed. Every word “Sister Luo” said was on the mark; she really knew her stuff. It seemed his choice not to offend her earlier was the right one. This aura, this sense of control—she looked like a big-shot director! But was there a famous female director named Luo Xin in China…?

“Let’s start.” Luo Jingyi tapped Chen Ge’s arm. “Should you start or should I?”

Chen Ge sat up straight immediately. “I’ll go first.”

“Action!”

Chen Ge turned to face Luo Jingyi across the aisle. “What… what’s your name?”

“Cut!”

Director Hu stopped her at the very first sentence. “Xiao Chen, what’s the matter? Did you forget what you were holding at the airport? Sister Luo’s name was written right on that paper! It’s already on film. Why are you asking for her name?”

Chen Ge tapped her head. “Oh, right, right. I forgot about that.”

“Think of a different opening. For example: where are you from? Was the trip tiring? Or just introduce yourself—your name and what you do.”

“Okay, I can do that.” Chen Ge was full of ambition for the next take.

Although she had acting experience and plenty of theory, being told to improvise without a script made her nervous. And when she got nervous, it got awkward. As the GoPro started, Chen Ge looked at Luo Jingyi’s mature, beautiful face and started her self-introduction like a junior employee at a first interview—it was a total bore.

“Stop, stop, stop. This is way too fake. Xiao Chen, you’re an actress. Why are you acting so stiffly?”

Luo Jingyi leaned back and chuckled softly, helping her out: “Actors have specific scripts and lines when filming; the director tells them exactly what style and emotion to give. It’s completely different from the improvisation of a reality show. It’s not her fault she can’t ‘act’ it well.”

Director Hu said, “Xiao Chen, just imagine Sister Luo is a really handsome guy. Normally, when you see a hot guy, how would you talk to him? How would you get close? Just perform it that way.”

Chen Ge had never actually tried to get close to a “handsome guy.” She was usually quite quiet and rarely initiated conversations. But a basic skill for an actor is being good at observation and imitation. While she hadn’t done it herself, Song Ruyu did it all the time.

She tried to imitate how Song Ruyu usually joked with male artists at the company. Director Hu still didn’t let her pass: “What is this? Too ‘greasy.’ Even as a man, I’m getting nauseous watching it.”

Chen Ge’s face flushed. “…I’ll study it a bit more.”

Luo Jingyi saw her expression and knew the girl had never been in a relationship; she probably had zero experience with flirting. This wasn’t a serious film set, so Luo Jingyi didn’t want to keep making things difficult for her. One of Luo Jingyi’s life mottos was: Either don’t lift a finger, or if you do, do it perfectly.

Luo Jingyi said to Chen Ge: “How about I take the lead? I’ll guide you.”

Chen Ge: “Eh? Is that appropriate?”

Director Hu thought this sounded much more promising. “Great! Sister Luo guides Xiao Chen. Let’s go again.”

As soon as Director Hu said action, Luo Jingyi—clutching her backpack as if she had just boarded the car—sat directly in the seat next to Chen Ge, the two of them huddled together. With the distance closed, the atmosphere shifted instantly. The sense of anticipation for a first meeting spiked.

Director Hu’s eyes lit up.

Luo Jingyi didn’t bother with a cliché self-introduction. She looked at Chen Ge and asked: “You came all this way to pick me up so late at night. Are you hungry?”

Director Hu’s heart jumped. Brilliant. Coming to pick someone up late at night was a great topic in itself; it left plenty of room for imagination. It was much more interesting than a basic introduction or a pick-up line.

Luo Jingyi’s tone was perfectly natural, like a conversation between friends, with zero sense of “reading lines.” She spoke exactly how she normally did. From her tone, Chen Ge immediately grasped the key point and relaxed, shaking her head like she was just chatting:

“Not hungry, not hungry. I had a bowl of noodles before I came out.”

Just as she said she wasn’t hungry, Chen Ge’s stomach gave a very timely, loud growl.

The whole van: “…”

Embarrassed, Chen Ge covered her stomach. Luo Jingyi opened her backpack, which happened to contain a box of pastries she’d brought on the plane:

“They aren’t too sweet—sugar-free. I don’t know if you young people are used to the taste.”

“This…” Chen Ge looked at the snowy-white pastry. “My hands are a bit dirty. I brushed against the wheels when I was moving the suitcases.”

“Open your mouth. I’ll feed you.” Luo Jingyi, who maintained absolute cleanliness at all times, opened the box as she spoke. She pinched a small piece and brought it to Chen Ge’s lips.

Director Hu let out a silent whoa. Sister Luo knew what she was doing! She really did! That’s the vibe!

Chen Ge’s whole body was stiff and she was trembling slightly, but under Luo Jingyi’s gaze and their close proximity, she caught the scent of her perfume. She didn’t know which fragrance it was, but the light, complex scent of white musk was impossible to ignore. For the first time, she thought white musk smelled wonderful.

Chen Ge obediently opened her mouth. Using her pinky finger, Luo Jingyi gently brushed away a stray hair caught at the corner of Chen Ge’s mouth, then placed the pastry inside.

Luo Jingyi: “Is it good?”

Chen Ge nodded and said muffle-voiced, “It’s good.”

“Good, good, very good!” Director Hu put down the GoPro and praised Luo Jingyi enthusiastically, saying she really had “hooks.” Then he turned to Chen Ge.

“Xiao Chen, your ears are completely red.”

The Author has something to say:

Luo Jingyi (who thinks turning gay occasionally is fine): Good. The little CP seems obedient. Looks delicious.

Chen Ge (sacrificing for art): ////