novellhall Chapter 33 Zhou Yiwei's Surprise
Chapter 33 Zhou Yiwei's Surprise
The alleyway built on set was very realistic, with wet bluestone pavement and moss effects on the corners of the walls.
The lighting technician is adjusting the light positions, trying to create the kind of light that appears to be just before dusk.
Chen Nianbei stood at the entrance of the alley, holding the prop embroidered spring knife in his hand.
The knife wasn't heavy, but he deliberately lowered his wrist slightly, mimicking the state of a tuberculosis patient who couldn't hold things firmly.
Not far away, Zhou Yiwei was talking to Lu Yang.
He was wearing Ding Xiu's coarse cloth clothes, carrying a prop long sword on his shoulder, with a smile on his lips, looking very relaxed.
Chen Nianbei could hear their conversation.
"Director Lu, are we starting filming so soon?" Zhou Yiwei asked.
"Yes, this scene is emotionally intense, so we'll be in better condition if we shoot it early," Lu Yang said.
"OK."
Zhou Yiwei glanced at Chen Nianbei, her gaze lingering on his face for two seconds before turning back.
"That kid is playing Jin Yichuan? He looks quite young."
"A sophomore at Beijing Film Academy, with decent acting skills," Lu Yang commented simply.
Lu Yang could tell that Zhou Yi just said "Oh" and didn't say anything more, and that he didn't take it too seriously.
This is normal.
In his eyes, Chen Nianbei was just a student who hadn't graduated yet; how good could his acting skills be?
Being able to keep up with the performance is already quite good.
The assistant director shouted through a megaphone:
"Actors, take your positions! Scene 27, Take 1, get set—"
Chen Nianbei walked into the alley and stood at the designated spot.
He was slightly hunched over, and his fingers unconsciously pressed against his chest.
Zhou Yiwei also walked over and stood three meters away from him.
Their eyes met, and Zhou Yiwei raised an eyebrow, his gaze carrying the playful and scrutinizing quality that Ding Xiu possessed.
"start!"
The clapperboard slammed down.
On Monday, the moment I relaxed my shoulders, my entire demeanor changed.
He transformed from the easygoing actor into the cynical Ding Xiu.
He carried the knife, glanced sideways at Chen Nianbei, and a roguish smile curled at the corner of his mouth:
"What are you looking at?"
The voice wasn't loud, but every word carried a mocking tone.
"Afraid your friends who work on the job will see me? Don't worry, they're already far away."
Chen Nianbei did not respond immediately.
He first glanced instinctively at the alley entrance.
That was the direction my colleagues from the Embroidered Uniform Guard might be heading.
Then he quickly looked away and lowered his head.
On Monday, he squinted his eyes.
This child... reacted quite naturally.
He took half a step forward, closing the distance: "Senior brother, take the silver and let's go."
His tone was urging, but more than that, it was filled with helplessness.
That kind of helplessness, like "I knew you were coming, but there's nothing I can do. Take the money and leave quickly."
On Monday, he laughed, a rather smug laugh: "Even a small fly is still meat."
He stared at Chen Nianbei as he said this, as if observing his reaction.
Chen Nianbei raised her head, glanced at him, and then quickly lowered it again.
Fingers clenched tightly inside the sleeve:
"This is the last time, don't come looking for me again."
He spoke these words very slowly, almost uttering each word one by one.
It wasn't a plea, it was a statement.
It's the kind of statement that you've said many times, that you know it's pointless to say it again, but that you still can't help but say.
Behind the monitor, Lu Yang leaned forward slightly.
The assistant director whispered, "Director Lu, Chen Nianbei's condition... is quite good."
Lu Yang didn't speak, he just stared at the screen.
In the alley, Zhou Yiwei's expression changed.
He dropped his nonchalant smile, and his eyes sharpened.
He stared at Chen Nianbei, as if he were re-evaluating his junior brother.
"Do you really think that just because you're wearing this flying fish robe, you're an official?"
His voice was low and laced with sarcasm, "A thief is a thief. I'll keep this secret for the rest of my life."
Those words were venomous, like a knife stabbing into me.
According to the script, Jin Yichuan should have turned around and left at this point.
But Chen Nianbei didn't move.
He stood still, his body tense, and the rhythm of his chest rising and falling noticeably faster.
This happens when tuberculosis patients are emotionally agitated.
He slowly turned his head and looked at Ding Xiu.
That look in his eyes was very complicated.
There was anger, resentment, and humiliation, but deep down there was also a trace of...sorrow.
She was saddened that she couldn't get rid of this senior brother, and saddened that even if she wore the flying fish robe, in his eyes she was still the thief he could manipulate at will.
That look wasn't in the script.
Monday gave me a jolt of anxiety.
He has acted opposite many actors and can tell at a glance whether the other person is real or fake.
Chen Nianbei's gaze is so genuine.
He almost forgot his lines.
But he quickly regained his composure, his tone becoming even harsher: "You're not convinced? I'll give you three days to gather one hundred taels!"
Chen Nianbei's breathing visibly faltered.
He stared at Ding Xiu, his lips moving, his voice trembling slightly: "One hundred taels? My annual salary is only twenty taels. Where am I going to scrape together one hundred taels for you?"
When he said "twenty taels," his voice was filled with suppressed anger.
It wasn't yelling or shouting, but the kind of anger that's squeezed out from between your teeth.
Zhou Yi laughed, a wicked laugh: "You could sell your ass; many high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital have a thing for that. With your physique, you could easily amass enough."
That's incredibly insulting.
Chen Nianbei's body trembled violently.
It wasn't acting; he genuinely immersed himself in the role of Jin Yichuan.
A man suffering from tuberculosis, struggling at the bottom of the Imperial Guard, who just wanted to live a good life, was insulted like this by his senior brother.
His hand gripping the knife tightened instantly.
Then, he moved.
Instead of continuing the dialogue as scripted, he drew his sword!
This surprised everyone.
Zhou Yiwei was also stunned for a moment, but his body reacted faster than his brain, and he drew his sword to block almost simultaneously.
"clang!"
The two prop knives collided, the sound echoing through the alley.
Chen Nianbei's knife skills were fast, but they were morbidly hurried.
Every cut is ruthless, but there is a slight pause after each cut.
That was exhaustion caused by lung disease.
On Monday, after receiving several attacks, he became increasingly alarmed.
This kid is not only a good actor, but also has such solid action skills?
Those pauses and tremors were so real.
After exchanging seven or eight blows, Chen Nianbei suddenly sheathed his sword, bent over, and coughed violently.
That wasn't an act.
The fight just now had taken a heavy toll on his body, and it was really starting to wear him down.
The coughing was heart-wrenching, and his shoulders were shaking.
Zhou Yiwei also stopped, carrying his knife, looking at his junior brother who was coughing so hard he couldn't straighten up, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
Then he spoke, his tone laced with sarcasm, but a closer listen revealed a different emotion:
"I really don't know what Master sees in you, you tuberculous wretch. Remember, three days, one hundred taels!"
After saying that, he turned and left.
Only Chen Nianbei's coughing could be heard in the alley.
After a while, the coughing gradually subsided.
Chen Nianbei straightened up, wiped the blood from his mouth, and stared blankly in the direction where Ding Xiu had disappeared.
"Card!"
Lu Yang's voice rang out.
The alleyway quieted down.
Chen Nianbei took a few deep breaths to calm herself, then turned and walked towards the monitor.
Zhou Yiwei also walked over from the other end of the alley, and the two met in front of the surveillance camera.
"Teacher Zhou," Chen Nianbei nodded in greeting.
Zhou Yi stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly laughed: "You're something else, kid."
That was said very sincerely.
Chen Nianbei smiled and said, "Teacher Zhou acted well."
"It has nothing to do with me."
On Monday, he waved his hand and said, "You caught that part just now. Not only did you catch it, you performed it very well."
He was referring to Chen Nianbei's gaze and the sudden action of drawing his knife.
Lu Yang looked up from behind the monitor and said to the two of them, "This take is approved."
He paused, then added, "Nianbei, that look you gave just now was great. Jin Yichuan's feelings for Ding Xiu aren't just hatred, there's more to it."
Chen Nianbei nodded: "I think he still has some expectations for his senior brother. He hopes that his senior brother can become the senior brother he used to be."
Lu Yang's eyes lit up: "Yes, that's exactly what I mean."
As Zhou Yiwei listened from the side, his opinion of Chen Nianbei rose even higher.
This kid can not only act, he can also think.
They can figure out the relationships between characters and the subtext.
"Director Lu," the assistant director whispered, "should we save one take?"
Lu Yang thought for a moment and shook his head: "No need, this shot captures the right emotion. We can't recreate this feeling no matter how many times we shoot it."
He looked at Chen Nianbei: "Ten-minute break, then film the next scene."
"it is good."
Chen Nianbei walked to the rest area, took the water handed to him by the stagehand, and took a big gulp.
Wang Hao leaned closer, his eyes shining: "Nianbei, your acting was amazing! I was watching from the side, and I got goosebumps!"
Chen Nianbei smiled but didn't say anything.
My phone vibrated.
Naza sent a text message: "I've arrived in Hong Kong! Just got off the plane. How's it going on your end? Has filming started yet?"
Chen Nianbei glanced at the time; it was 9:30 a.m.
He replied, "We just finished filming a scene, it's over."
Naza replied instantly: "I knew you could do it! What did the director say?"
"They said he acted well."
"Absolutely!"
Na Zhafa sent a confetti emoji, "I'm going to the hotel now, let's talk later. Good luck!"
"it is good."
Putting away his phone, Chen Nianbei looked towards the alley.
On Monday, Zhou Wei was talking to Lu Yang, glancing this way as she spoke.
Their eyes met, and Zhou Yiwei nodded to him.