Chapter 11: 11. Chapter 11: Do You Like Acting?

Chapter 11: Do You Like Acting?

"You shouldn't let your brother-in-law hear you say that."

Zhou Zhi knew her younger sister was a natural troublemaker who loved watching the drama unfold.

Zhou Jiao still asked out of concern, "Will it affect you?"

Zhou Zhi: "No. The Wen family's assets won't fall into my hands anyway; it has nothing to do with me. I'll just watch from the sidelines."

With someone like Wen Hao Tian, marrying him meant a life of luxury and wealth without shortage.

But as for inheritance rights? Forget about it.

Wen Hao Tian had two successful sons from his previous marriage, and his second wife—the one he divorced—was also a formidable woman. Zhou Zhi didn't dare entertain any wild fantasies.

She knew exactly what she was after by marrying Wen Hao Tian.

Having enough to eat and drink for the rest of her life was enough; surely she wasn't expecting true love from him?

"That's good, then. Don't get involved in their family affairs," Zhou Jiao mused, her eyes darting around. "I am curious about the first wife and that daughter. Did brother-in-law say if he would acknowledge them?"

Zhou Zhi couldn't be sure either. "Who knows? It's not like I can ask him. He almost never mentions anything about his first wife."

Everyone is curious, even people like Zhou Zhi and Zhou Jiao. They were merely curious about Wen Hao Tian's first wife, but they didn't dare pry too much.

*

Li Sui felt like she was actually going to faint from heatstroke.

She had been wearing this armor for two continuous hours.

If it weren't for Zhi Niang and Yu Liangliang taking turns fanning her, she felt she would have collapsed long ago.

Li Sui was far from the only one in this situation; many unnamed extras and stunt doubles were clad in thick armor because this scene primarily featured night battles between armies.

Fortunately, there were a few large industrial fans on set, but to avoid interfering with the filming, they were placed at specific angles, and the areas around them were already crowded with people.

Under this sweltering atmosphere, Li Sui finally reached her cue.

Gao Tingzhong decided to finish filming Zhou Jiao's action scenes first.

This segment primarily featured Li Sui, the stunt double, performing combat scenes with several soldiers. The character played by Zhou Jiao was a princess from beyond the borders—the type who could take to the battlefield with armor and a spear.

Under recent trends, such "strong female" characters were becoming increasingly popular, and since it was directed by Gao Tingzhong, many actresses were flocking to the role.

Unfortunately, Zhou Jiao wasn't interested.

According to Yu Liangliang's gossip, Zhou Jiao lacked professional ambition herself. Because her sister had married early, the Wen family wouldn't allow her to appear in public, so Zhou Zhi projected her unfulfilled dream of stardom onto her younger sister.

Li Sui made no judgment regarding these rumors.

It had nothing to do with her.

For this scene, Li Sui was using a long spear. It was a specially made prop—it had some weight but wasn't a real weapon. She had to wield it with vigor and coordinate with the other actors.

The martial arts skills she had learned in the Demon Sect came in handy. While she couldn't compare to world-class masters, she certainly had enough skill to perform the forms.

Not just the spear—she could handle swords and sabers too!

She simply thrust and swept with the long spear, and even her finishing move was crisp; as the spear struck the ground, the momentum caused the tip to quiver, emitting a faint, resonant hum.

Gao Tingzhong's eyes lit up as he watched. "Her skills are indeed quite good."

Zhou Jiao was also watching.

Having spent a long time in film crews, one could distinguish quality. This temporary stunt double was no worse than her previous professional ones.

Moreover, her stature was more similar.

If the filming results were good, she could give a larger red envelope.

Zhou Jiao also noticed a strange woman in the crew who was also watching Li Sui film.

Zhi Niang.

Zhi Niang's beauty was breathtaking; just standing there, she was impossible to look away from, her posture poised and calm.

In the sweltering heat, everyone in their costumes looked somewhat disheveled, with many people's cheeks flushed red from the sun.

Zhi Niang, however, looked fresh and clean, without a single drop of sweat. Standing under the scorching, piercing sunlight, the heat only seemed to make her more dazzling.

Because she was so striking, several stars in the crew who relied on their looks came out, their gazes sweeping over her.

They couldn't stop asking if she was a new artist from some agency.

So beautiful and unfamiliar—she must be a newcomer.

Curiosity piqued, Zhou Jiao turned to her assistant and whispered, "Who is that beauty?"

The assistant shook her head. "I really don't know, Sister Zhou. It seems she's a friend who came along with your stunt double."

Came with the stunt double?

Zhou Jiao didn't ask further.

Hearing that the director praised Li Sui, Yu Liangliang felt even happier for her.

"A pity, this job only lasts three days."

The original stunt double had a long-term contract with Zhou Jiao, but Li Sui had no interest in long-term work because it was too exhausting.

Zhi Niang glanced over. "How much will Li Sui earn for these three days?"

"Uh..." Yu Liangliang looked around and whispered in a voice only Zhi Niang could hear, "A thousand a day, so three thousand. If Teacher Zhou Jiao is willing to give a red envelope, even better."

Zhi Niang: "More than three thousand?"

She had no concept of modern wages.

She only remembered that a single meal today cost over two hundred. Was the Sect Leader's three days of hard work only worth a few days of her food money?

Then it wasn't much.

Yu Liangliang replied with a serious expression, "It's quite a lot. It's equivalent to a month's salary for many ordinary people."

Otherwise, why would Yu Liangliang have been so eager to bring Li Sui along?

A month?

Zhi Niang opened her mouth, suddenly not knowing what to say.

The filming of the stunt scenes went very smoothly. Since these action scenes were performed by professionals, they synchronized their moves quickly, passing the scenes after just a few takes.

The segment took an hour and a half.

Li Sui felt as though her soul was leaving her body from the heat. Once she confirmed there were no more of Zhou Jiao's action scenes for the evening, she was finally able to take off the costume.

She had already made up her mind, and said to Zhi Niang, "No hot pot tonight, it's too hot. I'll take you to eat something refreshing! Brother Liang, are you coming with us?"

Yu Liangliang shook her head. "I can't. The artist I brought has to come over tonight to rush his scenes."

Even if he wasn't famous, he was at least a minor character with a few lines.

Li Sui was surprised. "Then why did you come so early?"

Yu Liangliang: "I'm free anyway. If I hadn't come early, how would you have known about such a good opportunity?"

"..."

True.

Li Sui went into the dressing room to change into her regular clothes, while Zhi Niang stood there waiting for her.

A moment later, Gao Tingzhong, who had announced a thirty-minute break due to the heat, walked over slowly with his hands behind his back.

Seeing him, Yu Liangliang instinctively put on a smile. "Director."

Gao Tingzhong nodded.

Zhi Niang glanced at Gao Tingzhong, not taking him seriously, and turned her eyes back to continue waiting for Li Sui.

Gao Tingzhong suddenly spoke up and asked

"What is your name? Do you like acting?"

(End of Chapter)