Chapter 13: Absolutely Not, Absolutely Not
As she said these words, Dong Ling was mentally dismembering the task system for the ten thousandth time.
Tong Ao originally thought Dong Ling was planning to add a new actor. Hearing this, she immediately understood. She was a professional, she could handle any strange situation with grace and satisfy the investor.
“No problem, CEO Dong. You’re already beautiful. Strong features are easily stunning, like Yan Dan with her dark eyebrows and red lips, or Song Yu by the eastern wall. Absolutely no problem!”
Tong Ao readily agreed and added some flattery. She had already envisioned the scene she was going to write, a smile unconsciously playing on her lips.
“That’s good. Also… you go and talk to Director Cheng about this, don’t expose me, and don’t tell anyone else about me either.”
Dong Ling absolutely couldn’t expose herself. If Song Mingzhi found out, she would really be a lecherous pervert with ulterior motives, she would truly lose face.
Tong Ao understood the subtleties involved, and immediately imagined a drama of an investor secretly resorting to all means to steal a kiss while pretending to be innocent. Tsk, this industry was truly messy.
Unexpectedly, some people appeared to be beautiful, rich second-generation heiresses on the surface, but secretly did such things!
She didn’t really want to shoulder this responsibility, she had worked with Cheng Ge once before and knew how difficult he was.
Seeing the hesitation on Tong Ao’s face, Dong Ling transferred a sum of money to her without a word.
Tong Ao immediately said with a smile: “Of course it has nothing to do with CEO Dong. It was a sudden flash of inspiration, and I feel that this role is perfect for you, CEO Dong. You are my muse, I’ll fight anyone who wants to take this role!”
She was willing to take on more responsibilities like this!
Dong Ling was very satisfied with Tong Ao’s understanding. Before leaving, she specifically instructed: “Be firm when you talk to him, remember to mention using camera angles, we must use camera angles.”
This was Dong Ling’s loophole. As 021 had said before, the task system had no thinking ability, so it operated very mechanically. As long as there were corresponding actions, the task would be considered successful.
Just like her unfinished line the first time, just hugging Song Mingzhi’s waist under the guise of falling and splitting up the necessary lines were considered successful. So for this task, as long as a kissing scene was added, it would be fine. As for whether there was an actual kiss, Dong Ling believed the task system wouldn’t investigate.
Tong Ao looked at Dong Ling’s retreating figure, her expression a little confused.
She had planned to write the kissing scene more passionately to make the boss happier, but… this was it?
Tong Ao wondered uncertainly, was it really just a pure star dream?
Was it because she had been immersed in this industry for too long that her thoughts had become dirty and sordid?
Dong Ling fled the lounge, never wanting to have a star dream again in her life.
She mentally scoffed at her childhood friend lying in a hospital bed. What was the point of all those fancy tricks, making her, the person forced to play the male lead, feel so bitter.
021 said kindly: [Girl, look on the bright side, in most domineering CEO novels, many of them start with explicit scenes, the male lead doing this and that to the female lead, you’re already very lucky.]
Dong Ling: […Thanks?]
Who the hell wanted this kind of luck! And these things shouldn’t even appear on Jinjiang!
Dong Ling originally estimated that Tong Ao would talk to Cheng Ge about the added scene tomorrow or the day after, but who knew that Tong Ao would approach Cheng Ge with the script that very night, and specifically in front of most of the crew, especially Song Mingzhi, eloquently explaining her inspiration.
It didn’t look like she was doing it for money at all.
When she heard there was a kissing scene, Song Mingzhi’s brows furrowed unconsciously.
“It is indeed more complete, it’s feasible, but who will play the role?”
Cheng Ge flipped through the script, the pages rustling, constantly simulating the scene in his head. He had already envisioned the character. Even though Tong Ao didn’t elaborate on the woman’s appearance, only mentioning her red lips behind the veil, he could sense that unique beauty.
But who would play the role? Cheng Ge couldn’t think of a suitable candidate for a moment.
Among actresses of the right age, not too innocent, not too seductive, with a certain sense of mystery and nobility, but also cunning and lively, even with a slightly gloomy playfulness.
Cheng Ge didn’t describe his feelings, because he knew this was like asking for colorful black, even if he said it, others wouldn’t understand. He had driven the casting directors crazy more than once.
If there wasn’t a suitable candidate who matched his vision, he would rather not have this character and stick to the original story.
Song Mingzhi frowned even more. She believed the director and screenwriter should at least ask her if she could play the role. No matter who the actor was, she wasn’t interested. She planned to chase her dreams in the entertainment industry, but she didn’t plan to offer herself up.
Just as she was about to use an excuse to refuse, she heard Tong Ao say: “When I was writing this character, CEO Dong’s face was all I could think of! I think CEO Dong is perfect for this role!”
Song Mingzhi swallowed the words “My boss won’t let me do kissing scenes” and looked at Dong Ling like she was watching a play, waiting for her reaction.
Seeing everyone looking at her, Dong Ling perfectly portrayed the bewilderment of being suddenly called out, even pointing at herself in double confusion.
She waved her hands with some difficulty: “But I can’t act.”
Tong Ao! You’re amazing! I salute you!
Tong Ao persuaded her sincerely: “This role isn’t difficult, and there are only a few shots, you don’t have to show your whole face. I really think your appearance and temperament are perfect for this role.”
Thank you, boss, this is all in a day’s work!
Tong Ao and Dong Ling exchanged glances, understanding each other perfectly.
“I’m afraid I can’t do it, especially not a kissing scene.”
Dong Ling frowned slightly, seemingly displeased.
She was naturally beautiful, with striking features, but her delicate nose and the arrogance cultivated by her wealthy upbringing softened the glamour of her features, creating a contrasting coldness.
When she was expressionless, she gave off an unapproachable aura.
Cheng Ge initially disagreed, but seeing her expression, he changed his mind.
“Perhaps we can use camera angles.”
Dong Ling was a little surprised and looked at Song Mingzhi.
Tong Ao was also dumbfounded. Wasn’t this her line?
Song Mingzhi’s expression was indifferent, as if she had merely made a feasible suggestion and didn’t care about the final decision.
Song Mingzhi felt a little displeased. She hadn’t planned to do this kissing scene. When the screenwriter said those words, she even suspected it was Dong Ling’s doing.
But Dong Ling’s resistant and even displeased reaction made her inexplicably irritated, even losing her interest in watching the drama unfold.
She was so resistant to filming a kissing scene with her, so why did she keep sending her those sweet messages, say good morning and good night on time, ask if she had eaten, sign that contract, spend so much money to promote her, and act so ambiguously and enthusiastically?
Was this the kind of fervor artists felt for their muses? Song Mingzhi, a businesswoman with a science background, didn’t understand.
She knew she shouldn’t be annoyed, this was beyond her usual emotional fluctuations. She hadn’t said that just now to force Dong Ling to film this kissing scene with her, but rather to mischievously offer a solution and see how the other party would respond.
Too childish, Song Mingzhi calmly criticized herself in her mind.
“Yes, yes, yes! Camera angles! It doesn’t have to be a real kiss. Sometimes, being too explicit isn’t beautiful.”
Tong Ao immediately echoed Song Mingzhi’s words. The scene she wrote in the script was originally implicit and ambiguous.
Because of the overall tone of the movie, the kissing scene wasn’t passionate, but rather like a rose with thorns, cold and emotionless.
Cheng Ge nodded in agreement with Tong Ao’s words, looked at Dong Ling, and said: “CEO Dong, consider it. Just consider it for this movie. I’ll film the scene, and if the effect isn’t satisfactory, we’ll change actors, is that okay?”
Song Mingzhi didn’t say anything, she had her own ideas. She most likely wouldn’t agree to change actors. If they couldn’t achieve a satisfactory effect, then they would just cut the scene. It was just a scene to deliver a key, it didn’t have to be a passionate spectacle.
Dong Ling didn’t hesitate any longer, and after thinking for a moment, readily agreed.
“Since it’s using camera angles and I don’t have to show my whole face, then it’s decided. But I’ll say this in advance, I have no acting experience, so please bear with me if my performance isn’t satisfactory. If it really doesn’t work, then change actors, everything is for the best presentation of the movie.”
Cheng Ge nodded, looking at Dong Ling with admiration. All their efforts were for the better presentation of the film.
Seeing that even the investor was willing to dedicate herself to the movie, the staff were all motivated.
Tong Ao went to sleep after her all-nighter, Cheng Ge went to design the scene, everyone had their own busy work, and suddenly only Dong Ling and Song Mingzhi were left in this place.
They weren’t far apart, just a few steps.
“I’ve never acted before. If I don’t perform well, please guide me, Mingzhi.”
Dong Ling clasped her hands together, acting slightly playful to conceal her guilt when looking at Song Mingzhi.
This really wasn’t her own will, everything was for world peace!
“I thought you would refuse.”
Song Mingzhi’s eyes held a smile, but her true emotions were difficult to discern.
Before Dong Ling could speak, she continued: “I originally planned to refuse.”
“Huh?”
Dong Ling’s expression went blank for a moment because of Song Mingzhi’s words.
“Because the agreement I signed with you clearly stated that I couldn’t do kissing scenes or bed scenes…” Song Mingzhi looked at Dong Ling and asked meaningfully, “But you’re an exception, right?”
That playful glint in her eyes, with a hint of dangerous ambiguity and blatant probing, brought the possessive nature of the pampering agreement to the surface, practically grilling Dong Ling over a fire.
Dong Ling didn’t know how to respond, caught in a dilemma.
She cried for help in her mind: [021, save me!]
Help, help, help!
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