novellhall Chapter 166 Even a mighty dragon can't suppress a local snake [5000 words]
Chapter 166 Even a mighty dragon can't suppress a local snake [5000 words]
Chapter 166 Even a mighty dragon can't suppress a local snake [5000 words]
Filmed on the rooftops of the Rossini slums for three consecutive days.
For the first time, Chen Xun experienced what hardship truly meant.
Filming is alright.
He is now considered a mature actor and is quite dedicated to his roles.
The bad thing is the weather here.
The temperature in Rio is currently close to 40°C.
This is just the weather forecast.
Chen Xun felt that the perceived temperature was far more than 40°C.
The sweat on my body didn't seep out slowly, but gushed out like a fountain.
The new clothes I just put on were soaked with sweat in less than a few minutes.
The prop gun used in the filming was so hot that the metal parts were burning to the touch, and you could get blisters on your palms if you held it for too long.
The crew suffered frequent non-combat casualties.
First, two lighting assistants suffered heatstroke and fainted, and were rushed to the hospital for rehydration.
Then a photographer, whose vision was blurred due to dehydration, almost fell off the tripod.
Even a tough guy like Vin Diesel was clearly exhausted and needed to replenish his electrolytes.
Even with his level 6 [Physical] attribute, Chen Xun still felt his mouth was dry and his skin was burning from the sun.
He noticed that Paul's lips were chapped and Jordana's complexion wasn't good either.
"Cut!"
Director Justin Lin, seeing the actors' undeniable exhaustion and the crew's unsteady state on the monitor, finally made a decision.
He picked up the walkie-talkie, his voice hoarse from the intense work: "Attention everyone! We're wrapping up early for today! Filming scheduled for tomorrow and the day after is suspended! We'll have two days off!"
Everyone, go back to the hotel to rehydrate and cool down. No one is allowed to wander around anymore!
A weak cheer erupted on set.
Everyone is at their breaking point!
No one had the energy to celebrate anymore. Everyone just silently packed up their equipment, climbed into the sweltering carriage, and retreated to the air-conditioned hotel like wilted leaves.
That night!
Just as everyone was lounging in the room, not wanting to move, the production manager of the film crew started calling everyone to gather together.
A local influential tycoon, upon hearing that a major Hollywood film crew was shooting nearby, warmly invited the lead actors and director to a cocktail party at his waterfront mansion.
"I can't refuse!"
Wiping the sweat from his brow, the producer explained to Justin Lin and the lead actors, "Mr. Almeida has a lot of influence locally. His company secretly helped us with many filming permits and security coordination. This is a necessary social obligation."
Vin Diesel frowned, clearly not too keen on this impromptu arrangement, but didn't directly object.
Paul shrugged, indicating that he would go along with whatever the host did.
Chen Xun was extremely unwilling.
Attending a cocktail party for a wealthy stranger in a place like this?
That doesn't sound very safe.
Lin Yibin patted Chen Xun on the shoulder and whispered, "Let's go show our faces together. Remember, observe more and talk less, and whatever you do, don't touch anything you shouldn't."
"This isn't a Beverly Hills party. If something happens, the ambulance might not get here as fast as the police."
His eyes also held a degree of caution: "Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake; we're just passing through here to make a movie."
8 PM.
Several vehicles with special passes carried them away from the hotel area.
We drove along the coastline toward a heavily guarded upscale community.
It forms a stark contrast to the crowded and chaotic Rossini.
Here, the trees are lush and the roads are wide, with modern or colonial-style mansions hidden deep in the courtyards.
Almeida's mansion is even more extravagant.
The enormous white building, resembling a small palace, faces a private beach and is brightly lit.
Security personnel in black uniforms and wearing headphones were everywhere, checking every vehicle that entered.
A band played soothing bossa nova music by the pool, and the long table was laden with exquisite food and mountains of champagne, red wine, and various local spirits whose names I didn't know.
Most of the guests were local wealthy businessmen, politicians, and celebrities, dressed in fine clothes.
In contrast, although the crew members were also presentable, they looked somewhat out of place, covered in the dust and grime of days of filming.
To Chen Xun's surprise, he seemed to be more popular than Vin Diesel and Paul.
Especially the young girls who came with their parents.
They were dressed in expensive gowns, with exquisite makeup, and their eyes kept falling on him.
His eyes were full of curiosity and undisguised interest.
Before long, the first warrior came over, encouraged by his companions, carrying two glasses of champagne.
"Hey, are you the cop from the movie?"
The girl was probably eighteen or nineteen years old, her English tinged with a pleasant Portuguese accent, and her smile was bold: "My name is Isabella, may I have a drink with you?"
She handed me a glass of champagne.
Chen Xun was not surprised.
During the past few days of filming, there have been a lot of people watching the filming set.
The cast and crew of "Fast & Furious 5" have been featured on local television news in recent days.
Chen Xun immediately waved his hand, giving a polite but distant smile: "Thank you, Isabella, but I'm allergic to alcohol, and my doctor strictly forbids me from drinking."
He casually grabbed a glass of orange juice from a passing waiter's tray: "This will be fine with me."
Isabella blinked, seemingly finding it even more amusing: "Juice? Okay, that works too!"
She took a sip of the champagne in her glass without a care in the world.
This is just the beginning.
For the next hour or so, Chen Xun seemed to become the owner of a juice stand, with different girls, some daughters of wealthy men, some socialites, taking turns to have a drink.
The reasons are varied and numerous.
"For the film's success!"
"For your courage!"
"Just to be friends!"
They didn't seem to care what Chen Xun was drinking.
As long as he can stand there, smile, clink glasses with them, and say a few words.
Chen Xun maintained a polite smile, but inwardly he was bitterly smiling.
He could feel the gazes of the fathers or brothers who had accompanied the girl.
Chen Xun did not feel any sense of superiority from being liked by others.
Because in the eyes of these wealthy people and socialites, he could see the deepest alienation.
At that moment, he was nothing more than a toy for the wealthy at the party.
As Chen Xun dealt with yet another wave of alluring figures offering fruit juice, his gaze inadvertently swept over the mansion's enormous floor-to-ceiling windows.
Outside the window is a shimmering private swimming pool and the dark sea in the distance.
On the hillside at the edge of the view, the lights of the Rossinia slums are densely packed.
During the day he chases after things, sweating profusely, but at night he comes here dressed smartly and smiling obsequiously.
Director Justin Lin walked up to him without him noticing, holding a glass of water in his hand, and said in a low voice, "This is Rio, heaven and hell side by side. Just bear with it and treat it as experiencing life."
He gestured towards Vin Diesel and Paul, who were surrounded by several local businessmen not far away: "They're dealing with it too."
Chen Xun nodded.
He recalled the various rumors he had heard during his time struggling in the entertainment industry in his previous life.
The compromises and deals that had to be made in order to secure resources were far more complex than simply sharing a few glasses of juice.
Among them are contestants who sell their bodies or their buttocks.
Compared to other situations, he is currently facing a relatively good situation.
Just a few glasses of juice.
Just then, a scantily clad woman walked over.
Compared to the young girls who had just asked him to drink, she exuded a mature charm.
She completely ignored the juice in Chen Xun's hand, leaned closer, and her rich perfume was alluring: "Mr. Chen, drinking juice all the time is so boring. I know a quiet place with a few bottles of good stuff delivered directly from a French winery. Would you like to go and have a taste? We can talk about movies or something else."
This woman clearly has ill intentions.
Chen Xun immediately took a half step back: "Thank you very much for your kindness, but I really can't drink, and my director seems to be calling me, so please excuse me."
He gestured in Lin Yibin's direction, then decisively turned around and walked towards the relatively crowded food area.
The woman's eyes showed slight displeasure, but she didn't say anything. She took a sip of her drink and went to find Vin Diesel in the crowd.
Chen Xun breathed a sigh of relief after escaping that small circle.
He found a relatively quiet corner, slowly sipped his chilled juice, and looked at the glamorous, bustling scene of fame and fortune before him.
The music was melodious, laughter filled the air, and everything seemed so beautiful and luxurious.
Beneath this idyllic facade lies a vast wealth gap.
They are guests here, and also exhibits at the banquet.
Paul Walker, having escaped his engagement, strolled over, a bottle of mineral water in his hand, and clinked glasses with him: "How's it going, Mr. Juice? You're more popular than me and Van."
Chen Xun smiled wryly: "The pressure is immense. I'd rather go back and film the rooftop chase scene."
The three-day break allowed the entire crew to catch their breath.
I slept in an air-conditioned room for two days straight, and the crew provided me with unlimited electrolyte drinks and ice.
We finally managed to pull everyone back from the brink of dehydration.
Taking advantage of everyone's good mood, the filming progressed quickly.
The scenes set in the slum alleyways have finally been filmed.
The next highlight is a street car chase.
Dom and Brian, driving a stolen police Chevrolet Suburban, were being chased and intercepted by Reyes's men in several modified cars through narrow and chaotic streets.
Although this scene is not as grand as the later scene of dragging the safe, it focuses more on the tension and driving skills under complex and realistic road conditions.
Early in the morning, the stunt team and their modified vehicles were already in place.
While some sections of the streets have been cleared and controlled, the steep slopes, sharp bends, occasional pedestrians, and ubiquitous motorcycles characteristic of Rio's streets have been preserved.
Before filming began, Paul Walker approached director Justin Lin with a serious expression.
"Director Lin, I have an idea about Chen Xun's car chase scene later."
Justin Lin was looking at the storyboards when he looked up and said, "Go ahead."
"The streets of Rio are very complicated, with sudden slopes and potholes appearing unexpectedly on the ground —"
He glanced at Chen Xun, who was checking his positioning with the action director not far away: "I suggest that before we officially film Chen Xun's driving scenes, I take him for a few laps on these main chase routes."
"No need to rush, just familiarize yourself with the road conditions and tell him which places require special attention, such as which bend has extremely poor visibility and which section of the road has subtle undulations in the ground."
"I have more experience driving on the street, which will help him develop a feel for driving in a real-world environment more quickly and make it safer."
Director Justin Lin showed a strange expression.
I wanted to laugh but forced myself to hold it back.
He knew about Carlos's extraordinary training progress with Chen Xun and his amazing performance on the track, but Paul did not.
"Hmm—that makes sense."
Lin Yibin stroked his chin, pretending to think seriously: "Safety first, then let's do it your way."
"Chen Xun!"
He beckoned Chen Xun over.
Chen Xun walked over, listened to Paul's suggestion, and immediately nodded: "That's great, experiencing it in person is definitely better than looking at a map."
He was genuinely grateful.
Carlos mainly taught vehicle control and stunt basics, but Paul's experience was undoubtedly more valuable in terms of familiarity with this specific filming route.
Moreover, he realized that this was a good opportunity to absorb Paul's attributes.
"Okay, then you guys take that spare Dodge and drive around a few times, following the three pursuit routes we marked, A, B, and C, at a slow pace."
"Be careful, don't scare our security personnel."
Lin Yibin gave his instructions, his smile growing even wider.
Paul and Chen Xun got into a black Dodge Warrior.
Chen Xun was very familiar with this car.
He used this car for most of his final training sessions.
Paul got into the driver's seat and familiarly adjusted the seat and rearview mirrors.
ignition!
The V8 engine roared with a deep, powerful sound.
"Fasten your seatbelts. We'll drive slowly and focus on the road."
As Paul spoke, he smoothly drove the car onto the temporarily controlled street.
At first, Paul drove very slowly, like a patient tour guide.
"Look at that alleyway on the left."
He pointed to an extremely narrow side road: "In the script, there might be motorcycles suddenly rushing out from here. You have to be mentally prepared and subconsciously leave room for reaction. The residents here are used to weaving through traffic and sometimes don't pay much attention to where they're going."
Chen Xun looked at it carefully and nodded.
At that moment, a purple attribute ball fell from Paul's body:
[The calm and collected aura of a seasoned driver +7]
Chen Xun absorbed it immediately.
In an instant, his perspective on the street seemed to gain a new dimension.
Those side roads, parked vehicles, shadows on balconies, and subtle changes in road surface color all become potential sources of information that need to be assessed.
This information made him more relaxed while driving.
This is indeed something lacking in Carlos's training methods that emphasize vehicle performance and handling limits.
"The uphill section ahead leads to a sharp right turn."
Paul continued his explanation, describing how the car smoothly climbed the hill and turned lightly at the top.
"The center of gravity changes a lot. If you are chasing someone at full speed, the timing of braking and turning here is crucial. If you brake too early, you will lose a lot of speed, and if you brake too late, you may go off the track. The ground friction here is also a bit worse than it looks."
Another purple attribute orb dropped:
[Special Terrain Vehicle Dynamics Aura +6]
Chen Xun absorbed it with great eagerness.
He could feel that he was more at ease handling complex roads and special terrains, and he wouldn't panic even if unexpected situations occurred.
They opened most of the route.
Paul explained things in great detail, and Chen Xun absorbed them very quickly.
Paul gradually relaxed and increased the speed slightly, letting Chen Xun experience the vehicle's handling feedback in a real street environment.
His driving style is indeed different from Carlos's; it's smoother, with a greater emphasis on the fluidity and predictability of the driving line, giving him a sense of ease in seamlessly integrating the vehicle into complex traffic environments.
This composure stems from countless experiences behind the steering wheel.
As he effortlessly explained the instructions while subtly maneuvering the steering wheel to avoid a pothole, all the while keeping an eye on the rearview mirror and pedestrians to the side, a purple attribute orb appeared:
[Multitasking and driving focus aura +8]
Then, as they passed through a particularly chaotic simulated crossroads area, Baoza emanated a stable and reliable aura that instilled a sense of security, which condensed into a purple attribute orb:
[Stable driving and enhanced passenger safety +7]
Chen Xun continued to beg for money.
The aura attribute ball that Baoza dropped for a long time is different from the aura of Vin Diesel, which is full of control and leadership charisma.
Baoza has a more reserved aura, which is usually associated with trust and stability.
Perhaps it was because he was in the driver's seat, the area where Bao Zha was most confident, or perhaps it was because Chen Xun's focused attitude unconsciously created a kind of resonance, Bao Zha's calm and reliable aura became more and more obvious.
Chen Xun absorbed a lot of relevant experience, and his understanding and control of aura were also quietly growing.
Just as Bao Zha finished explaining the course and was about to return to the starting point, he glanced at Chen Xun, who was still focused on the car in the passenger seat, and joked, "How come it's so different from the training ground? Remember, here, sometimes controlling the speed is more important than showing off your skills. Getting the camera to film safely is the top priority."
Chen Xun answered sincerely, "It's very different; I've learned a lot."
He didn't lie.
This performance truly demonstrates a deeper understanding of how to showcase a character's driving skills while maintaining composure amidst the chaos of a chase scene.
[Composed Aura +7]
boom!
After Beggar Shouxing dropped the attribute ball, Chen Xun felt his aura suddenly become more solid.
[Aura attribute upgraded, Lv5 (2/1000)]
He said his perception and control over his own aura had greatly increased.
Chen Xun felt that he could actively adjust and release his aura and traits.
The auras that had been intertwined for so long now began to separate at this moment.
He can choose to release a specific aura.
Examples include deterrence, appeasement, trust, and control.
This means that he not only better embodies the dignified role of Chen Zhen as an international police captain, but also finds himself more freely in the complex film set environment and interpersonal interactions, adapting to his position and rhythm.
The car smoothly returned to the starting point.
Bao Zha unbuckled his seatbelt, opened the door and got out of the car, preparing to switch places with Chen Xun so that he could familiarize himself with the feel of this warhorse on real streets.
The moment Chen Xun opened the car door and got into the driver's seat, Bao Zha paused slightly.
Just now, in the passenger seat, Chen Xun gave him the impression of being a good student.
But the moment Chen Xun gripped the steering wheel, a sense of kinship washed over him.
It's like sheathing a drawn sword, but you know it's ready to unleash its sharpness again at any moment.
His movements were unhurried, even somewhat casual, but every detail exuded composure.
Bao Zha raised his eyebrows in mock punishment.
He was initially worried that Chen Xun would be nervous.
Now that worry has completely disappeared.
Chen Xunshao didn't seem like a complete novice who had just attended a theory class.
"Relax, just like the route I took you on earlier. You don't need to go fast. The main thing is to feel the interaction between the car and the road."
Baoza sat in the passenger seat, fastened his seatbelt, and continued to give instructions as before.
"clear!"
Chen Xun nodded, his voice steady.
He started the engine, the engine roared, his right hand skillfully shifted into D gear, his left hand lightly gripped the steering wheel, and the car glided smoothly out of the car.
The start is smooth, without the jerky movements or hesitations common to beginners.
Baoza leaned back in his chair, but his gaze involuntarily became more focused on Xing.