Chapter 21
Chapter 21: Fighting Back With One’s Abilities (2)
When Shi Wenfei heard that filming was about to start in the afternoon, she changed out of her costume and came to the set without taking off her headgear.
She had just walked over when she heard Zhu Lei’s words. She was delighted and took a few steps towards Director Guo.
“I trust Wenfeng’s judgment. Since he can choose Shi Ran, there must be something good about her then.”
“Director Guo!” Zhu Lei frowned in disapproval. “The role of the Princess of the Western Regions attracts everyone’s attention the moment she appears. Even the Emperor, who is used to seeing beauties, is mesmerized by her.”
“It’s not just about having a face. There’s dancing. As far as I know, Shi Ran has never learned to dance either. It’s hard for me to get into character with an actress like that.”
Shi Wenfei stood nearby, holding a small fan. When she heard this, a triumphant smile flashed in her eyes.
Zhu Lei was a person who had high expectations for himself and the people around him, especially for actors.
She had deliberately asked someone to spread the news to Zhu Lei yesterday. She did not expect Zhu Lei to really come looking for Director Guo.
“How will you know if you don’t try?” Director Guo started to have a headache.
It was good for an actor to take his job seriously, but it also bothered him when one got too serious.
Although he also felt that it might not work, he still trusted his friend’s judgment and wanted Shi Ran to give it a try.
“Director Guo, actually, I also think it’s very difficult for Shi Ran to be qualified for this role,” the assistant director said quietly.
Seeing Director Guo looking over, he was a little embarrassed, but he continued, “The Princess of the Western Region is the most beautiful character in the entire show. We have to at least convince the audience.”
“You don’t think she is beautiful?” Director Guo asked.
“Of course not. But the kind of beauty the Princess of the West has isn’t just external. It’s a kind of inner beauty. And then again… I think it’s hard for her to act out that feeling.”
The others joined in the persuasion.
Shi Wenfei almost burst out laughing.
She did not expect Zhu Lei to be so useful, nor did she expect him to be so annoying.
“What a crowd,” Ji Wenfeng said as he walked over.
“They said they wanted to change roles,” Director Guo said bluntly.
Ji Wenfeng glanced at Zhu Lei and the others. “She hasn’t even acted and you’re already talking nonsense. If you have the time, why don’t you go and read the script? You’re too free.”
Zhu Lei was so angry that his face turned red.
Director Guo could only wave his hand. “Let’s see how Shi Ran’s acting goes first. We can’t just eliminate someone at the first blow.”
“Yes? Are you talking about me?”
A seductive voice came from behind, and the rising tone was like a white feather brushing across everyone’s hearts.
Just hearing the voice made one’s heart tingle.
They all turned their heads.
The first thing they saw was the fiery red color.
Under the red veil, her red lips were faintly discernible, revealing only a pair of seductive eyes with red eyeliner. They were filled with wild charm like a bonfire, and there was a hint of red cinnabar between her eyebrows.
She was wearing a red exotic dance costume which exposed her fair and slender arms in the air. The dress also revealed her waist which was fair and dazzling.
“All things aside, she is indeed beautiful!”
“What good can beauty do? If you can’t act well, you’re just a pretty face.”
“If you can’t show your face and can only act through eye contact the entire time, won’t that be too difficult? If she can do it she will be highly praised. Just watch.”
Shi Wenfei gripped the fan in her hand and tried to control her twisted expression of jealousy.
Director Guo recovered from his shock and said. “Get ready to start filming.”
Shi Ran walked towards the set in her red embroidered shoes, the bell at her waist ringing as she walked.
“Scene 5, Take 1. Action!”
In the palace’s banquet hall, the western envoy suggested that their princess dance and the Emperor waved his hand in agreement.
The sound of the zither sounded like a surging river, and suddenly a lady in red came in.
At this moment, the sound of the zither quickened. Amidst the rapid music, Shi Ran suddenly danced. The bell in her hand rang non-stop like rain.
Suddenly, a high note sounded and she leaped lightly, causing her red skirt to spread out like blooming roses.
She waved her hands and lifted her legs. Each movement was bewitching, as if she was trying to pull someone into the music…
The dance ended and there was silence.
Everyone was lost in the fiery dance, unable to speak for a long time.
“Good!” Zhu Lei, who was playing the Emperor, came back to his senses. When he saw that the director did not call for a cut, he immediately applauded.
The others joined in the applause, which went on and on.
Shi Ran stepped forward and placed one hand in front of her belly and gave a curtsy.
Looking up at the Emperor on the throne, her eyes rippled with emotion.
The Emperor was delighted. “The Princess of the Western Regions lives up to her reputation indeed. Her dance is so beautiful. Why don’t you take off your veil and let me see what the number one beauty in the world looks like?”
Under everyone’s expectant gazes, those soft, fair hands rested on the veil and slowly removed it.
Everyone’s breathing quickened as she moved.
There was a collective gasp as the veil was removed.
On her palm-sized face, her facial features were exquisite and well-defined. Just her eyes alone were extremely alluring.
At this moment, her entire face was revealed. Though she looked less seductive, she definitely looked more pure.
Pure and seductive, indeed a stunner on earth.
The Emperor was so bewitched by her beauty he immediately conferred her the title of Concubine Yan.
‘Shi Ran, thank His Majesty.’
“Cut! Not bad!” Director Guo beamed.
In an instant, the charm in her eyes faded and there was a hint of coldness once again.
In an instant, she turned from a seductive stunner to a cold beauty.
“You danced so well! Are you sure you learned the dance only this morning?”
“I saw her learning there this morning and I didn’t think it would work so well.”
“Those eyes… I felt numb when she looked at me.”
“Brother Lei was stunned for so long just now. Was he also mesmerized?”
“How is that possible?” Shi Wenfei was incredulous.
Shi Ran’s acting had always been very unnatural, but how could that lively gaze just now be her acting!
She jerked her head in Ji Wenfeng’s direction.
It was Ji Wenfeng!
Ji Wenfeng must have done some training for Shi Ran!
That b*tch’s really lucky!!
Ji Wenfeng walked towards Shi Ran and handed her a bottle of water. “How are you? Are you tired?”
“Not really,” Shi Ran said calmly.
After entering this book’s world, she realized that the original Shi Ran was very weak.
Now that she was working out every day, her physique was gradually strengthening.
It was just a dance. It wouldn’t take much energy out of her.
Ji Wenfeng glanced in Zhu Lei’s direction.
Zhu Lei’s assistant and makeup artist had already surrounded him. They were touching up his makeup and handing him water.
Ji Wenfeng frowned. “I’ll apply to the company later and get you an assistant and makeup artist.”
“Anything.” Shi Ran’s attitude was casual.
Director Guo walked over with a smile. “At first, I was worried that you wouldn’t be able to act well. Now it seems that I was overthinking. Your acting skills have improved greatly.”
He was looking at the monitor then, and even he was a little dazed by her enticing expressions.
“Sister, you acted so well!” Shi Wenfei leaned forward. “There’s another scene later. I heard it’s a crying scene. I’m sure Sister will be fine!”
The others laughed out loud at Shi Wenfei’s words.
“Crying scene? Shi Ran in a crying scene???”
“Dance. She might be okay with just her face, but a crying scene? Can she cry?”
“Don’t they still have eye drops? I heard that is how Shi Ran used to cry.”
“She acted badly even with the help of eyedrops, didn’t she?”
“This will be my first time watching Shi Ran’s lousy acting. I’m looking forward to it.”
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