Chapter 16: Sour and Sweet

……

……

"What kind of role do you want to play?"

Gu Qing fell into deep thought.

As a man, the roles he most wanted to play were, of course, kung fu movies or wuxia films—roles where he could fly through the heavens and earth, wandering freely through the martial arts world.

But Gu Qing knew his own limits. From childhood to the present, the only martial arts he had ever encountered was the "Military Physical Training Boxing" he practiced during university military training.

Considering his own situation, Gu Qing said hesitantly, "Period dramas, I guess."

Since he planned to release ancient-style songs in the future, being able to act in period dramas would certainly complement his musical career.

"Period dramas?"

Zhang Songwen looked slightly surprised and smiled. "Ah Gu, period dramas aren't easy to act in. Do you know what the most important thing in a period drama is?"

"Temperament, I suppose," Gu Qing said, voicing the grievance he felt while watching shows in his previous life. "At the very least, you have to look like an ancient person. Otherwise, if your behavior and mannerisms are like a street loafer, no one will be able to watch you."

"Correct."

Zhang Songwen nodded with a smile. "Rather than temperament, it is more accurately described as poise."

As he spoke, he motioned for Gu Qing to stand up. "Ah Gu, suppose you are an ancient person right now. Walk a few steps for me."

"Alright, Teacher Zhang."

Gu Qing hurriedly stood up, took a deep breath, composed his expression, straightened his back, and began to walk.

Zhang Songwen immediately raised his phone and aimed it at Gu Qing to record. As Gu Qing took each step, Zhang Songwen stepped back.

"Good, Ah Gu, sit down."

After Gu Qing had nearly walked a full circle around the room, Zhang Songwen paused the recording and handed the phone over. "Watch this clip and tell me what you think is wrong."

"..."

Gu Qing took the phone and watched carefully.

The more he watched, the more bitter his face became. "Teacher Zhang, I think everything is wrong."

In the video, his eyes were wandering—one moment looking at the lens, the next unable to stop darting left and right. His gait felt incredibly stiff, looking much like an ungreased robot.

"I'll address these issues one by one."

Now that he had switched into teaching mode, Zhang Songwen's expression was very serious. Being a teacher from the Film Academy himself, he made Gu Qing feel as if he had returned to his student days.

"First is camera awareness!"

Zhang Songwen said earnestly, "As an actor, the most important thing is conviction. Right now, there are only three of us in this room, and you still can't concentrate. When you are actually filming, there will be at least thirty to fifty people around you. How will you be able to keep acting then?"

"Secondly, regarding poise in period dramas—it's not just about keeping your back straight and your steps even. Doing that will only make the audience feel that you are being overly stiff and pretentious, which is actually not beautiful."

"Teacher Zhang, then what should I do?" Gu Qing nodded obediently, listening intently.

"Come, I'll teach you how to walk first."

Facing Gu Qing, Zhang Songwen struck an initial standing posture. "First, stand with your feet together, your body centered, looking straight ahead, and your hands hanging naturally at your sides. Or, place your right hand at your abdomen—remember, the right hand—and put your left hand behind your back. This will better showcase your spirit and presence."

Zhang Songwen helped Gu Qing adjust his posture. "If you've seen classic period dramas, like *Dream of the Red Chamber* or *Justice Bao*, the noble youths in them all walk like this."

"Teacher Zhang, are you teaching me the 'Square Step' (Sifangbu)?" Gu Qing recalled a short video he had stumbled upon once, featuring an opera performer walking with such steps.

"Ah Gu, you actually know about the Square Step?" Zhang Songwen was somewhat surprised. "Is someone in your family in the opera industry?"

Never mind young people; even middle-aged or elderly people wouldn't understand such things unless they studied them specifically. Even his own knowledge of the Square Step came from a TV drama he had filmed previously, where he learned it from an old gentleman.

"No, I just personally like traditional culture, so I've learned a bit about opera," Gu Qing explained.

"That's very good, Ah Gu. Many things left by our ancestors are not just dross."

Zhang Songwen was very happy and continued his instruction. "Come, lift your knee first, let your toes hang naturally, and then as you lift your leg, turn your hips outward. This forms the stance of the Square Step."

Immediately after, Zhang Songwen provided guidance on "stepping," "shifting weight," and "rhythm and breath."

From Gu Qing being unfamiliar to walking with a semblance of style, an hour passed unnoticed. Even so, Zhang Songwen was mostly satisfied, offering constant encouragement and praise.

The smarter a person is, the more they loathe stupidity.

To go from being a tour guide to suddenly wanting to act, then directly passing the entrance exam for the Beijing Film Academy, and eventually becoming a well-known teacher in the industry—he was, in the eyes of outsiders, a "genius"!

And Gu Qing's performance made Zhang Songwen feel as though he had encountered an unpolished piece of fine jade, causing his teacher's soul to burn brightly. He could remember things after hearing them once, and he could integrate meaning with movement. He was countless times better than the idiots he had taught who would only say, "Huh? Teacher, say that again," or "I don't get it, this is too complicated..."

"We'll stop the Square Step here for now. Practice it when you have time; I believe you'll master it soon." Zhang Songwen didn't forget to remind him, "But you must also understand one thing: the Square Step must suit the character you are playing. You cannot walk more grandly than a lord when you are playing a beggar or a commoner..."

*Slap—*

Just as Gu Qing was listening intently, Zhang Songwen suddenly slapped his own forehead, realizing he had made a joke of himself.

"With your looks, Ah Gu, it's impossible for you to play those roles anyway. Noble heirs and princes are the regulars in your scripts."

"Now that walking is finished, we'll teach you how to eat."

Zhang Songwen pointed to a plate of grapes placed in the middle of the tea table. "Come, perform a reaction to eating a grape that tastes delicious."

"Boss."

The idle little assistant quickly handed over a grape.

"Sister Xia, I can do it myself."

Gu Qing took the grape, composed himself in his mind for a moment, and then slowly placed the grape between his white teeth.

"So sour—*hiss*—so sweet! Oh, this flavor!"

The "exaggerated" expression Gu Qing displayed made Zhao Ya, who was standing nearby, unable to help but cover her mouth.

"Don't..."

Zhang Songwen was about to intervene, fearing that Zhao Ya's laughter might discourage Gu Qing, who had never acted before. But to his surprise...

"Ah~ Boss is so great, so cute~" Zhao Ya said dreamily.

Zhang Songwen: "..."

At this moment, he began to doubt his own acting career.

*Was I... wrong? Do audiences actually love this kind of performance?!!*

Fortunately, Gu Qing was composed enough. With a flushed face, he said, "Teacher Zhang, don't mind what Sister Zhao Ya says. She's just like a fan; even if I choked to death on a grape, she would praise me for dying beautifully."

"Is that so?"

The "Little Bear Teacher" scratched his head. Forgive him for never having been famous; he truly didn't understand what was on the minds of fans.

"Ah Gu, your performance of eating the grape just now wasn't necessarily 'wrong,' it was just... too cliché."

Zhang Songwen explained, "What is the experience of an ordinary audience member when watching an actor perform? If what we do is something the audience does in their daily lives, they will use their daily life as a standard to judge you."

"Just like eating grapes."

Zhang Songwen picked up a grape, popped it into his mouth, finished it in a few bites, spat the seed into his palm, and then pushed the plate toward Gu Qing. "Here, try some. These were bought today; they're quite sweet."

His expression and movements were exactly like those of an elder hosting a guest at home.

"Teacher Zhang, you look just like that!"

Gu Qing opened his mouth slightly, giving maximum emotional value. He praised Zhang Songwen so much that the man actually felt a bit embarrassed. After all, since Gu Qing's first words upon meeting, Zhang Songwen had already viewed him as a sort of "little fan."

Unknowingly, the teaching lasted from the afternoon until the evening.

The ringtone on Zhang Songwen's phone went off; he needed to go home to cook and feed his dog.

"Take care, Teacher Zhang."

Gu Qing bid him farewell reluctantly, not forgetting to proactively add Teacher Zhang's contact information, looking forward to an interesting and vivid next lesson.

……

(End of Chapter)