Chapter 61: Killing Chickens p1
Pig’s feet, like chicken feet, were meant to be gnawed on slowly and thoroughly, every bit of meat savored, every bone sucked clean for minutes. Only when every bone was bare, with teeth marks, could it be considered truly finished, its earthly purpose fulfilled.
When Director Pan sent someone to call Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou back to the set, the little foodie was still gnawing on a pig’s foot bone. But filming was the priority. The large pig’s foot Mi Hongdou brought was now reduced to just this one bone. Finally, Ji Junxin reluctantly put it down, took a tissue, wiped the grease from her mouth, and… finished.
Mission accomplished, Mi Hongdou took off her disposable glove. Fortunately, the oil hadn’t seeped through, but her hand was a little red. She wiped it with a wet tissue, and it was clean.
“Oh… did you burn yourself?” Ji Junxin, seeing Mi Hongdou’s slightly reddened right hand, thought of the still-warm pig’s foot she had just eaten and felt a pang of guilt… Mi Hongdou had held it for her to eat, enduring the heat without a word!
“It’s fine, it’s not a burn, I probably just pressed on it too hard, it’ll be fine soon.” Mi Hongdou dodged Ji Junxin’s reaching hand and hid her right hand behind her back. Actually, she wasn’t sure if her hand was red from the heat. She only knew that her hand had been repeatedly grazed by teeth and licked by a tongue. It wasn’t just her hand that was red, she felt like her whole body was burning.
Speaking of which, the little foodie, when she reached the final stage of sucking on the bone… she had initially sucked on the wrong thing… The moment her index finger was taken into Ji Junxin’s mouth, enveloped by a warm, soft tongue, Mi Hongdou felt like she was going to explode. Yes… like someone being electrocuted in a movie, a tingling numbness spreading through her body.
So stunned by this unprecedented sensation, Mi Hongdou didn’t immediately pull her finger back. If it weren’t for Ji Junxin, realizing the texture was wrong, finding the right target… hehe… Mi Hongdou glanced at the bones in the bowl, bearing Ji Junxin’s teeth marks. Her finger would probably have teeth marks too.
Mi Hongdou kept saying her hand was fine, and with other crew members present, Ji Junxin couldn’t insist on checking, so she let it go and they headed to the set together.
On the set, they saw an RV parked nearby. Ji Junxin immediately spotted Jiang Lingling and Dong Yuannan, who was standing a few steps away. Both were on their phones. Mi Hongdou asked Ji Junxin to wait while she returned the bowl and quickly walked towards the RV.
She had to thank them after eating their food. Ji Junxin thought and took a few steps towards Jiang Lingling, intending to thank her after she finished her call.
But Jiang Lingling’s eyes were sharp. Before Ji Junxin could get close, she had already crossed Jiang Lingling’s personal space boundary. Jiang Lingling quickly said something into the phone and hung up. At the same time, Dong Yuannan also lowered his phone.
They couldn’t have been talking on the phone while standing so close, right? … This synchronized action made Ji Junxin think that, but then she chided herself for overthinking.
But the next second, her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, Ji Junxin realized that it wasn’t her overthinking, it was Jiang Lingling who was beyond human comprehension.
So, after pledging her unwavering loyalty to KFC, was she now determined to contribute to the telecommunications industry? Ji Junxin didn’t answer and walked towards Jiang Lingling, who was gesturing at her with her phone.
So, Ji Junxin became the third lucky person to witness how a person with a cold could move like a startled rabbit. She had never seen someone with a cold so energetic, jumping and hopping around. Was she sick or had she undergone a genetic mutation?
“Don’t come over, I have a cold. Were the pig’s feet good? There’s more in the car, plenty! But don’t forget, we’ll have a feast for lunch later!” Jiang Lingling abandoned modern communication methods and resorted to shouting. She shouldn’t expect anyone else to be as considerate as her godfather.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. With Jiang Lingling… just let her be. Ji Junxin felt that she was gradually mastering the art of interacting with Jiang Lingling, so she stopped, keeping a safe distance, and decided to follow Jiang Lingling’s lead, shouting her thanks for the delicious pig’s feet.
Ji Junxin wasn’t used to shouting in public, but to adapt to Jiang Lingling’s eccentric style, she cleared her throat, ready to speak.
Then she heard Jiang Lingling shout, “Oh, it’s okay, you can still eat lunch even after having the pig’s feet, go eat!” Jiang Lingling pointed at the RV excitedly.
Jiang Lingling’s loud voice attracted the attention of the crew members around the RV. Ji Junxin felt several gazes on her. The words of thanks caught in her throat, she swallowed them with difficulty…
So, Jiang Lingling! She didn’t even know her!
Ji Junxin’s face flushed. She didn’t dare to look at the people around her, wondering who had heard Jiang Lingling’s words. A girl with a big appetite would be judged, didn’t Jiang Lingling understand? What kind of creature was she? … Ji Junxin’s face burned, and she hesitated between waiting for Mi Hongdou to return from the RV and running away.
Dong Yuannan, standing far away, couldn’t hear clearly what Jiang Lingling was shouting without using his phone. But they seemed to be happy. The children were getting along so well, Daddy was relieved~ Dong Yuannan, happy and satisfied, turned to leave, missing Ji Junxin’s mortified expression due to the angle.
Mi Hongdou, oblivious, returned from the RV before the atmosphere became too awkward, cheerfully greeted Jiang Lingling, and led the mortified foodie away.
It was now half an hour before the 10:30 AM call time Director Pan had promised Mi Hongdou. They were supposed to film three scenes this morning, but they hadn’t even finished one. But when Mi Hongdou returned from the RV, she saw that Jiang Lingling didn’t seem anxious at all, and she understood. Jiang Lingling, so calm and collected, must have a plan.
As expected, when Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin returned to the set, Director Pan called them over and earnestly said that they should try to finish this scene before 10:30 AM, so they could have lunch, such a delicious lunch, they had to work hard. Although these words were directed at both Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin, every word was filled with the temptation of food, and Ji Junxin’s face, which had just started to cool down from Jiang Lingling’s teasing, turned red again. She felt like a secret she should have kept hidden was now known to the entire world.
Ji Junxin knew that her current emotional state wasn’t very stable, not suitable for Miao Qianye’s calm and composed demeanor during her conversation with the young empress, so she stood alone in a corner for a while, calming herself and getting into character, before returning to the camera.
Then, NG…
No, no, no. This NG wasn’t because of Ji Junxin’s slight distraction, but because Mi Hongdou… said the wrong line. Mi Hongdou, who had maintained her composure even during Ji Junxin’s repeated NGs, had actually NGed?
Ji Junxin’s performance seemed to be improving, and Director Pan, greatly relieved, didn’t mind Mi Hongdou’s first mistake. A wrong line was a minor issue, the next take would definitely be fine, and he could finally take his wife to that lunch feast. Thinking about Jiang Lingling’s promise, Director Pan hummed happily.
However… well, reality was often disappointing.
The first time, Mi Hongdou said the wrong line. The second time, she made the wrong movement. The third time, she spaced out…
Director Pan went from indifference to surprise, then to contemplation.
Such deliberate NGs, even he could see through it after the third time! He saw it, but didn’t stop it, even tacitly allowing it, calmly calling for another take after each of Mi Hongdou’s NGs.
Earlier, when Ji Junxin kept NGing, the crew members had whispered among themselves. Now, with Mi Hongdou’s repeated NGs, the subject of their discussion changed. After all, Zhang Zijing and Jiang Duo’s excessive NGs had instilled a fear of consecutive NGs in everyone. They were afraid that after Zhang Zijing and Jiang Duo, who could NG every scene, there would be another one… that would be a disaster. In this situation, everyone was very sensitive to NGs.
Being an actor came with more pressure than ordinary jobs, both on and off screen. Director Pan didn’t think there was anything wrong with Ji Junxin’s few NGs. And the reason he didn’t stop Mi Hongdou’s deliberate NGs, even tacitly allowing them, was that he noticed Ji Junxin’s performance gradually improving. Although he didn’t understand what the two young girls were doing, he didn’t mind them using their own methods to adjust their states. After all, as the saying goes, it doesn’t matter if a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice.
The repeated NGs, not only Director Pan, but even Ji Junxin noticed something was off.
“What’s wrong?” After Mi Hongdou forgot her lines and NGed again, Ji Junxin asked for a two-minute break and pulled Mi Hongdou aside.
“I… forgot my lines.” Mi Hongdou lowered her head, embarrassed, and scuffed her shoe against the ground.
Ji Junxin looked at her suspiciously, then her concern prevailed. “It’s okay, my performance wasn’t good earlier either, let’s work hard together!” Ji Junxin held Mi Hongdou’s hand, her face full of fighting spirit.
Mi Hongdou felt a tingle in her right hand where it was being held. But she didn’t pull away, instead squeezing Ji Junxin’s hand and smiling, “Okay.”
They returned to the set hand in hand. Director Pan squinted at them, then called Mi Hongdou over.
“I think you’ve had enough. How many times have you NGed?” Director Pan said earnestly.
“I’m sorry… I’ll do my best next time.” Mi Hongdou obediently lowered her head and apologized.
Director Pan chuckled and lowered his voice, “Come on, who are you trying to fool? Ji Junxin’s performance has improved considerably. After your NGs, she’s now familiar with the scene. Don’t deliberately NG next time, I think we can finish it in one take. Really… Ji Junxin has been acting for so many years, can’t she handle a few NGs? You had to make such obvious mistakes whenever you saw her struggling. Do you think she’s stupid, or do you think I’m stupid?”
Mi Hongdou wanted to deny it, but seeing Director Pan’s knowing gaze, she just nodded obediently without explaining. She had been thinking about Ji Junxin, who looked slightly angry and pitiful when she brought the pig’s feet backstage earlier. Perhaps Ji Junxin could handle the setbacks of NGs, but Mi Hongdou… didn’t want to see her looking so pitiful again. Although she didn’t know why Ji Junxin’s performance had been so unstable earlier, it didn’t stop her from deliberately forgetting her lines, spacing out, messing up her lines, or making the wrong movements whenever she saw Ji Junxin struggling.
Indeed, as Director Pan said, Ji Junxin’s state recovered quickly. Even without him saying anything, Mi Hongdou wouldn’t deliberately NG anymore.
After finishing the pig’s feet, Jiang Lingling went to cling to her godfather and didn’t come back to watch Mi Hongdou. Although Ji Junxin was still puzzled as to why Jiang Lingling staring at Mi Hongdou had affected her own performance, she gradually calmed down. Perhaps because she had NGed so many times in this scene, even without Jiang Lingling’s presence, she still found it difficult to immerse herself in the role. She was also worried that if she continued NGing, Mi Hongdou would stop being her fan.
For an artist, fans were the most loving creatures. And fans turning into passersby, then into anti-fans, was common. Ji Junxin recalled Mi Hongdou’s earlier confession, “I’ve been your fan for a long time,” and the more she thought about it, the more she felt… if she continued NGing, Mi Hongdou would be disappointed, would stop liking her, would stop being her friend. The thought was disheartening.
Suddenly burdened by the weight of her idol image, even without Jiang Lingling staring at Mi Hongdou, Ji Junxin still couldn’t fully recover her state.
Then, Mi Hongdou NGed, and NGed again, and again. Ji Junxin was shocked, worried, then suddenly relaxed, deciding to work hard with Mi Hongdou, to complete the scene together.
Unknowingly, Ji Junxin’s natural and relaxed acting state returned.
After Director Pan took Mi Hongdou aside, and the two secretly held hands again before filming, they nailed the scene in one take. Not only did they complete it, but their performance was even slightly better than expected.
In the script, during their conversation, the young empress maintained her facade of authority, but at one point, unintentionally revealed a hint of vulnerability. Miao Qianye noticed it, a flicker of sympathy in her eyes, her words becoming even gentler.
And just now, Ji Junxin had portrayed not only sympathy, but also a hint of guilt, her gaze becoming more complex and ambiguous.
It was brilliant. Director Pan praised Ji Junxin profusely. That was it, Miao Qianye, besides sympathizing with the young empress, who had to maintain her composure despite her sadness, should also feel guilty for that sympathy, that fondness. After all, she was, in a way, the one who stole the young empress’s husband. Director Pan felt that that guilty look in her eyes was perfect!
Ji Junxin smiled shyly, not telling Director Pan that what she had been thinking about during the scene was Mi Hongdou’s reddened hand from holding the pig’s foot for her…
The last take was not only a pass, but also greatly exceeded Director Pan’s expectations. But Mi Hongdou had also NGed several times, and by the time they finally finished, it was almost eleven o’clock, long past their 10:30 AM call time.
Director Pan could see that Ji Junxin’s state had fully recovered. With his dedicated work ethic, he should seize the opportunity and film the other two scenes that were originally scheduled for this morning. Judging by their current state, they could finish those two scenes in half an hour. But… remembering Jiang Lingling’s words, he hesitated.
“Alright, that’s it for this morning.” Director Pan ultimately chose food over work.
Although they were a little behind schedule, things were still going according to Jiang Lingling’s plan.
Under Jiang Lingling’s supervision and guidance, Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin, for the first time, removed their makeup and costumes with such speed.
Jiang Lingling chose a restaurant about a kilometer away from Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou’s hotel for lunch.
Arriving at the restaurant and getting out of Dong Yuannan’s RV, it was only a little past 11:30 AM. They had achieved a new speed record.
This restaurant was visible from Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou’s hotel room. It wasn’t large, just three stories high, with a traditional design that stood out amidst the surrounding greenery. Because it was so close, Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou had eaten dinner there once.
And then… well, there was no “and then”…
But today, Mi Hongdou was cooking. The two got out of the car, exchanged glances, and didn’t comment.
Strangely, despite being lunch time, the restaurant’s main dining area on the first floor was empty. Although the food here… was really quite ordinary, when Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou came here before, the first floor had been full, and they had heard chatter from the private rooms on the second floor. It hadn’t been that long, had everyone already gotten tired of the food?
Before Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin could exchange their guesses, Jiang Lingling shooed them towards the kitchen entrance.
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