Chapter 84: Tea Tree Mushroom Beef p1
To Mi Hongdou’s surprise, the staff member wasn’t there to call for another take, but to announce that the scene was a pass, and they could go back and rest.
The actors, who had been expecting several more takes, looked at Director Pan, thinking they had misheard. Had that scene actually passed?
Director Pan wasn’t joking.
Although Jiang Lingling’s improvisation wasn’t as smooth and flawless as Mi Hongdou’s earlier performance, Jiang Lingling’s splashing of the water, Ji Junxin’s kick, and Mi Hongdou’s scolding were all well-executed, effectively portraying their alliance and the intended lesson for Concubine Zhu. Most importantly, Jiang Duo’s reaction had also been very natural. There was no need for a reshoot, and even if they did, it would be difficult to replicate this take.
Director Pan patiently explained to every inquiring actor that it was indeed a pass, finally dispersing the crowd. He wiped the sweat from his brow and smiled wryly. Everyone was so used to Jiang Duo’s NGs.
Having just had lunch, and finishing a scene so quickly, wrapping up before 2 PM, when they had been prepared to work until late at night, everyone was stunned. Director Pan didn’t realize that his decision had given them a false impression: perhaps changing the scene was the best way to deal with the NG queen. Fortunately, they only dared to think it, few were as daring as Jiang Lingling or as unintentionally brilliant as Mi Hongdou.
The actors gradually dispersed, and even Jiang Duo left at some point. Soon, only Jiang Lingling, Mi Hongdou, and Ji Junxin remained near Director Pan, and their two assistants.
“The scene passed, why aren’t you leaving?” Director Pan asked Jiang Lingling, who couldn’t hide her smugness. “Are you waiting for me to praise you?”
“I managed to get a one-take pass on a scene with the NG queen, shouldn’t you praise me, Director Pan?” Jiang Lingling, never one for modesty, was feeling proud. Since he mentioned it, she wouldn’t be polite.
“Heh…” Director Pan almost laughed. “Do you think it was all your doing? If Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou hadn’t helped you, you would have either been drenched or scolded by Jiang Duo into another NG.”
Jiang Lingling waved her hand dismissively. “It’s okay, we’re friends, they wouldn’t steal my credit.” She looked at Director Pan expectantly.
Was she being naive or just stupid? Director Pan pretended not to see her expectant gaze and waved her away. “Alright, alright, now that it’s over, you can go.”
“No, I’m waiting for Mi Hongdou,” Jiang Lingling said proudly. “We’re finishing early today, she’s cooking for me.”
“…” Director Pan’s hand froze, and he looked at Mi Hongdou.
“Join us, Director Pan,” Mi Hongdou said, inviting him enthusiastically. She was looking for an opportunity to discuss the prosthetic belly issue.
Before Director Pan could answer, Jiang Lingling suddenly interjected, “It’s because of me that Xiaomi agreed to cook, shouldn’t you praise me, Director Pan?”
“…” Director Pan looked at Jiang Lingling’s smug face and reluctantly refused, “No, I have something to do.” He wouldn’t encourage her strange behavior.
“I’m free,” Pan Xiang said, ignoring her grandfather’s displeasure and raising her hand eagerly. “I’m in for dinner.” Director Pan mentally facepalmed.
“Haha, of course you’re coming. Speaking of which, how about we discuss the script during dinner? I think there are a few places we can improve.” Jiang Lingling said excitedly.
Pan Xiang silently lowered her hand. Her grandfather had already been annoyed by one script revision, and she wanted to change it again… why not just let her be the screenwriter for the entire production?
“Heh, I’m just giving you a heads-up, so you’ll be prepared next time.” Jiang Lingling was clever. If she had mentioned it earlier, they would have definitely stopped her. But having succeeded once, suggesting further changes would meet less resistance. And the crew had already gotten used to her scenes being constantly revised. As if worried that Pan Xiang would disagree, she added, “It’s also to reduce NGs.”
Hearing this, both Director Pan and Pan Xiang understood her intentions… Pan Xiang was speechless. Director Pan was conflicted. It seemed a bit harsh on Jiang Duo, but if they didn’t do this, there would be even more NGs later.
It was a dilemma. Director Pan shook his head. Since Jiang Lingling wasn’t leaving, he would just ignore her and turned to Ji Junxin, pointing at the props in the courtyard. “You deviated from the script earlier, but fortunately, we had enough cameras rolling and captured most of it. Just one shot, when you kicked the bucket, you were too fast, the cameraman didn’t react in time, we only got Jiang Duo’s expression. Go back to your position, we’ll reshoot that kick.”
Ji Junxin felt a little embarrassed. It had been a purely instinctive reaction… she hadn’t meant to splash mud on Jiang Duo.
“Speaking of which, that kick was excellent.” Pan Xiang said excitedly. “When I wrote the script, Miao Qianye’s character was supposed to be intelligent and resourceful, which becomes more apparent in the estate scenes, she’s the strategist of the trio. This kind of character wouldn’t resort to Wei Xunqin’s direct confrontation, nor could she use her status to suppress others like the young empress. So, for the conflict scenes in the estate, I had Miao Qianye working behind the scenes, subtly retaliating later. But then, during conflicts, her character seemed a bit… suppressed and passive. But that kick, it was brilliant! A strategist can use overt tactics too, not just schemes. That small action, it doesn’t ruin the character, it even adds a touch of… mischievous charm! A little bit of wickedness makes a character more likable!”
“Still a ‘little girl’… aren’t you a little girl yourself?” Jiang Lingling, never one for politeness, asked, “Ji Junxin is the intelligent strategist, then what am I?”
Pan Xiang, who hated being called a “little girl,” smiled mischievously and pointed at the overturned bucket: “You’re the clueless brute with superhuman strength, the sacrificial lamb who does all the dirty work.”
Jiang Lingling, who hated being called a “brute,” snorted and proudly raised her chin, not deigning to argue with a child.
Ji Junxin, inexplicably praised, went to reshoot the scene, slightly embarrassed.
Except for Ji Junxin and a few others, the actors had already left, but the crew members were still there, waiting for the reshoot.
Pan Xiang’s praise made Ji Junxin feel a little embarrassed about her impulsive kick. But it was just a shot of her foot, her blush wouldn’t affect the filming.
The reshoot was quickly done.
It was only two o’clock. Mi Hongdou thought for a moment, then decided not to go back to rest, but to go to Jiang Lingling’s restaurant, prepare the food, and then rest after dinner.
Pan Xiang happily went with the others to remove their makeup and have lunch.
Backstage, while removing their makeup and changing, Jiang Lingling asked considerately, “We’re not inviting Director Pan?”
Pan Xiang rolled her eyes. “Didn’t he say he had something to do? And after your improvisation earlier, you still want to invite him? Do you want him to lecture you?”
Although Pan Xiang’s words weren’t very nice, they were well-intentioned. Jiang Lingling felt a little uncomfortable, but she had to admit, it made sense. She wouldn’t hold it against her.
Mi Hongdou, having her makeup removed with her eyes closed, listened to their conversation and thought that there was always someone who could control someone else. Even Jiang Lingling, although unaware that the person sitting next to her was her favorite author, was still somewhat restrained. If it were anyone else speaking to her like that, they would have been dealt with long ago.
As the saying goes, if you have love in your heart, you see love everywhere…
In this love-filled world, Director Pan, stubbornly hoping that his granddaughter would come and invite him to lunch, was forgotten in a corner of the set… Stubbornness and arrogance were indeed risky.
A little before three, they arrived at Jiang Lingling’s restaurant. It wasn’t dinner time yet, and the kitchen was empty. “Empty” as in few people, and also “empty” as in lacking ingredients. It was normal for a restaurant kitchen to be less busy outside of peak hours, but lacking ingredients was strange.
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