The Movie Queen's Mouth is Blessed - Chapter 28

Dong Ran had been at Tangming for many years and understood the internal dynamics well.

Gu Yuan was a second-generation rich kid with no significant talents but was skilled at flattering superiors and belittling subordinates. He knew who to flatter and ignore, which helped him build a network of connections. It was simple if he wanted to get some resources for a female actor.

In a way, it made sense for him to be in charge of the PR department.

Gu Yuan had a penchant for women, and he entered the entertainment industry partly to have easy access to female stars. Over the years, he had been involved with many female artists.

So when Dong Ran noticed the PR department’s unusual attitude toward Jiang Xiaobai, she immediately suspected a connection between Gu Yuan and Dou Fang. However, it was just a guess, and she wasn’t sure.

After all, Dou Fang and Zhang Yishui seemed to have a good relationship and often appeared together on variety shows. Who would have thought Dou Fang was seeing someone else behind his back?

Jiang Xiaobai didn’t comment further. She had heard and seen so many dirty secrets in the industry that she was no longer surprised but still felt disgusted.

When she arrived at the set, she could hear the crew discussing the recent scandal. Jiang Xiaobai glanced at them but didn’t pay much attention, focusing instead on her script.

Today, she had a scene with the lead actress, a confrontation between two sworn sisters. The emotions needed to be intense, which was a significant challenge for the “cold-faced” immortal character.

She had to maintain her character while expressing intense emotions, a test of her acting skills.

This scene was from the later part of the TV drama, but filming often didn’t follow a chronological order. It could be based on the actors’ location or availability, which sometimes leads to inconsistent emotions for the actors.

Jiang Xiaobai had been building up her emotions for two days to prepare for this scene.

When it was time, the clapperboard sounded, and Jiang Xiaobai and Li Biying stood on the cliff at the back of the mountain. Of course, this was a green screen, and the actual scene would be added in post-production.

The wind machine blew, making their clothes and hair flutter, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

“Senior Sister Liu, why are you doing this! That spirit fruit was found through great hardship by me. Why are you taking it? It was obtained at the cost of Su Su’s life!”

Mu Wanran clenched her fists, her eyes red with tears, which the director found very satisfactory.

Li Biying’s temperamental and demanding personality was well-known, but she had real talent. Her acting was top-notch, especially her crying scenes, which she could do effortlessly. Most of her scenes were done in one take, with only a few needing two or three.

“Su Su’s death is on you, not me.”

Liu Ruyan lifted her chin and looked straight ahead, not at Mu Wanran. Her voice was cold. Usually, her coldness had a warmth when she interacted with Mu Wanran, but that warmth was gone now.

Director Niu nodded. Li Biying’s performance was as expected, but Jiang Xiaobai’s recent performances had been a pleasant surprise. She was just as good as Li Biying!

A few days earlier, Director Niu had decided to watch a previous drama in which Jiang Xiaobai had acted. He was speechless after watching it.

He had thought the rumors about her awkward acting were exaggerated and that her stunning looks had overshadowed her talent. But after watching the drama, he realized the rumors were accurate—her acting was truly awkward!

However, he then became even more excited.

What would it mean if she had been a lousy actor before but now should be good? It meant she had put in much effort to improve her skills. “Legend of the Nine Heavens” was her first drama after this improvement, and he had found a gem!

“Su Su helped me save the spirit fruit from the demon beast…” Li Biying’s eyes were brimming with tears. “I can’t betray her intentions, so Senior Sister Liu, please return it to me.”

Liu Ruyan’s lips twitched, and she pulled an object from her sleeve. It looked like a large pearl, glowing faintly, and emitted a fragrant aroma. This was the spirit fruit.

Of course, what Jiang Xiaobai was holding was just a tiny plum; the spirit fruit would be added in post-production.

“Junior Sister Mu, you said Su Su died to save the spirit fruit. Now that the fruit is safe, whether you or I use it, its purpose is served. How can Su Su’s intentions be betrayed?”

…

The two of them continued their dialogue. Mu Wanran alternated between pleading and anger, while Liu Ruyan maintained a cold, detached demeanor. However, the mocking smile on her lips suggested she wasn’t as calm as she appeared.

Then, they reached the key emotional climax of the scene.

“Senior Sister Liu, were all these years of sisterhood just a lie?”

Mu Wanran’s eyes widened as she shouted this, and tears streamed down her face. She screamed with her voice breaking, her eyes filled with pain.

She stepped forward, her gaze fixed on Liu Ruyan as if trying to pierce through her soul.

Director Niu couldn’t help but clench the corner of his shirt, feeling excited.

Excellent, a fantastic performance!

Although Li Biying’s emotional intensity was even more potent than expected, Mu Wanran’s sudden shift from innocence to darkness was slightly off-character. However, Director Niu didn’t mind.

When someone is furious, such a reaction is understandable!

Wait, why wasn’t Jiang Xiaobai responding?

Director Niu, who had been excited, suddenly paused, his brows furrowing. He waited a bit longer, but when Jiang Xiaobai didn’t react, he shouted, “Cut! Jiang Xiaobai, what are you doing?”

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Li Biying, seeing the smug and challenging look in her eyes. She felt somewhat… amused.

What was Li Biying trying to do? Suppress the scene?

What is “suppressing the scene”?

“Suppressing the scene” is when two actors are in a confrontation, and one deliberately uses their strong presence to overwhelm the other, causing the other to forget their lines or be unable to speak.

Only experienced actors, often veterans, could do this. Their intensity could intimidate the other actor, leading to a loss of confidence, fumbled lines, and a poor performance.

Jiang Xiaobai’s reaction now looked like Li Biying was suppressing her, as it was Liu Ruyan’s turn to speak, but she remained silent.

No wonder Li Biying was so smug.