Chapter 18: Misunderstanding

It’s not the talented ones you have to fear, but the ones who don't care about their own lives; acting is no different.

Why has Uncle Long been a sensation in both Chinese and Hollywood for so many years? Don't ask—just look at how many scars are on his body!

Zhang Yuan’s ability to endure pain while acting completely intimidated professional actors like Chen Kun and the others.

Beside them, Dong Jie covered her mouth, not daring to speak.

Meanwhile, Chen Kun and Qiao Zhenyu exchanged a glance, their faces filled with hesitation.

*Can we do that?*

The two of them weren't sure.

Even setting that aside, in terms of pure acting skill, they didn't feel that Zhang Yuan was inferior to themselves.

Why had they followed along today?

It was simply to see just how much capability this unknown newcomer, who was still just an extra a few months ago, actually possessed.

Now that they had seen it, they had only one thought.

"I'm done. He killed it with one shot; there's nothing left to say."

In terms of acting, his technique wasn't worse than theirs, and he was even more dedicated.

In terms of influence, Director Li listened to him regarding the script.

So why on earth should they maintain that "prestigious Beijing Film Academy" attitude!

Chen Kun gave Qiao Zhenyu a meaningful look, and the two of them walked up, arms around each other's shoulders, to strike up a friendship with Zhang Yuan, who was currently treating his leg injury.

Dong Jie followed them.

Aside from them, Shu Chang and Liu Xixi were also watching from the side. The two young girls' eyes had turned red because of Zhang Yuan's scene just now.

"He acted so well," Xixi said, poking her head out to look curiously at Zhang Yuan not far away.

"Yeah, he's very impressive," Shu Chang agreed, though her eyes flickered.

"Changchang, have you met Zhang Yuan before?" Xixi suddenly asked.

"No."

"Then why do I feel like you don't like him?"

Xixi had always been well-cared for by her mother—perhaps too well—so she was often almost bluntly honest, but she wasn't stupid.

"Don't talk nonsense, I don't," Shu Chang explained hurriedly, but her dodging eyes betrayed her.

"You're being dishonest! Prepare to be caught by the 'X-Dragon Hand'!" Xixi extended her "demonic claws," imitating Stephen Chow from *Royal Tramp*, a stark contrast to her usual image!

Shu Chang was frightened out of her wits, but she couldn't escape and had no choice but to confess.

"Fine, I'll tell you." She clutched her chest, wary of the other girl. "I don't like him because he took my friend's role."

A little over a month before filming began, Li Dawei had decided to have Chi Shuai play Liu Chunjiang.

Shu Chang and Chi Shuai were both hosts of *The Little Dragon Club*, and since Shu Chang was younger, she was technically his junior; the two were on very good terms.

She had originally been quite happy to be able to act in this drama with a friend, but a while ago, Chi Shuai told her that he had been rejected.

Upon arriving at the crew and learning that Zhang Yuan had replaced her friend, Shu Chang had harbored hostility toward him, feeling that he had bullied her friend.

Speaking of which, Shu Chang had had a difficult life.

When she was five months old, her parents divorced. Her mother raised her alone, earning a living as a nanny.

Unfortunately, due to excessive labor, her mother passed away when she was ten, and her father abandoned her like a piece of trash, completely ignoring her. Afterward, she had to live under the care of others, growing up at her aunt's house.

Perhaps because of her hardships, Shu Chang was precocious; she showed immense acting talent at a young age and was also exceptionally excellent in her studies.

Much like Mao Xiaotong and Angela Chang, Shu Chang's father had shamelessly shown up to demand money after she became famous and made a lot of money, even leading to a lawsuit.

It was precisely this lack of family affection from a young age that made her value family and friends above all else!

In later years, she would even be nicknamed a "sister-supporter" for her tireless efforts to help her family, only to end up raising an ungrateful "Little Nezha."

"So that's how it is," Xixi nodded, tilting her head.

"But now I feel like I might have misunderstood him." Shu Chang thought back to yesterday's table read and then to his performance just now; she felt that Zhang Yuan not only deserved the role but was far superior to her friend.

Re-evaluating Zhang Yuan without prejudice, Shu Chang felt he seemed like a very capable and quite handsome older brother.

"Gotcha!" Taking advantage of Shu Chang's daze, Xixi circled behind her and extended her "demonic claws" again, hitting the target dead center.

*Thump, thump...* After Xixi squeezed hard twice, her eyes froze. She pulled her hand back to her own chest, and her face gradually turned pale.

There is no pain without comparison...

The afternoon's filming ended smoothly. Li Dawei put his arm around Zhang Yuan's shoulder, smiling like a young boy.

"You've certainly given our crew a good start."

【Received thanks from Li Dawei, Cinematography Foundation +3!】

Why did Director Li say that?

On one hand, the crew was superstitious; the smooth first day made everyone feel that the production would continue to go well.

Secondly, his attitude of working through minor injuries set a benchmark for the actors, especially the young ones.

If anyone had a bad attitude later, complaining about the work being too hard or tiring, Li Dawei could say...

"Look at Zhang Yuan!"

After work, unlike the crew of *Conquest*, the crew of *The Story of a Noble Family* did not have daily group dinners to win over the actors.

In *Conquest*, the salaries were low, so the director hosted dinners every day to soothe emotions; here, everyone began their free time as soon as they finished.

"Zhang Yuan." As Chen Kun and the others were walking and chatting, Liu Xiaoli stepped out from the crowd. "I said I'd treat you to dinner yesterday. Let's go."

"Zhang Yuan, come play cards with us tonight." Chen Kun and the others tactfully said their goodbyes and left.

"Auntie, there's no need to be so polite. I can't let you spend so much."

"I've already booked a private room," Liu Xiaoli insisted.

"You're a senior, it wouldn't be appropriate... Oh, is Xixi coming?"

"We're all going, just the three of us."

"Oh, alright then." Zhang Yuan thought to himself that it was better than facing Auntie Liu alone.

They sat in a business van provided by the crew, as stipulated in the contract.

After driving for half an hour, they arrived at a very high-end restaurant. Zhang Yuan thought to himself that this auntie certainly had a grand style.

The three of them sat in a private room meant for ten people. Liu Xiaoli claimed, "Actors must value their privacy."

Although Xixi was not yet famous, her mother already treated her according to the standards of a big star.

When the dishes arrived, the table was filled with delicacies: lobster, large yellow croaker, sea cucumber, dried abalone...

Since his rebirth, this was the first time Zhang Yuan had eaten so well.

As soon as the Tianjin specialty, Braised Lamb Tail, was served, Liu Xixi's eyes locked onto it, and she reached out her arm to grab a piece.

*Slap!*

But her chopsticks were intercepted halfway by Liu Xiaoli.

"How have I taught you? As a dancer and an actress, how can you eat such greasy food!"

Liu Xixi shrank her head back, clearly not daring to defy her mother.

"Here, eat this." Liu Xiaoli placed a bowl of vegetable salad in front of Xixi and even took away the sesame dressing that was supposed to be poured over it.

The vegetables were green, and Xixi's face was also green.

Liu Xiaoli was the same; aside from a dish of baby cabbage in broth, she barely touched anything else.

Coming from a dance background, her control over her physique was strict to the point of being inhuman.

"Zhang Yuan, you eat. Don't be polite." She left the rest of the table for him.

"Auntie, I can't eat this much."

"If you can't finish it, we'll pack it up. You're at an age where you should eat more." Liu Xiaoli smiled and piled a heap of food onto his plate.

Unable to refuse her hospitality, Zhang Yuan finished several bowls.

"Zhang Yuan, I see you're quite close with Director Li. How did you two meet?" After only a few bites, Liu Xiaoli began to probe.

Zhang Yuan realized then that she was using the dinner as an excuse to scout his background.

Maintaining a composed and respectful manner, Zhang Yuan told her everything, from his involvement in *Conquest* to how Gao Qunshu had introduced him to Li Dawei.

"I didn't expect you to be so capable at such a young age. Truly impressive." While she was praising him, Liu Xiaoli's smile was noticeably thinner than before.

So, he had ability, but no background.

Afterward, Liu Xiaoli and Zhang Yuan chatted casually for a while. Although she maintained a friendly smile on the surface, the banquet ended abruptly shortly after.

As they were leaving, Xixi looked at the large pork knuckle on the table with a look of regret.

Over the next few days, aside from daily greetings, Liu Xiaoli did not communicate much with Zhang Yuan, merely offering a nod.

Life on set was relatively stable, and filming went smoothly without any major issues, until...

"Xixi, what's wrong?"

"Someone help! Medical team! An actor has fainted!"

...

(End of Chapter)