Chapter Fifty-One: Blessings in Disguise

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(Here comes the third update today—Black Car has done its best, and I hope everyone will show some support, with favorites and recommendations. Thank you!)

Still at McDonald's, still Chen Kun and Zhang Jingchu acting together.

"...Water is usually blue, and I like blue," Chen Kun's face carried an amused smile.

"So what? Mr. Rascal, don't push yourself too hard. Losing to a beautiful woman isn't something to be ashamed of," Zhang Jingchu teased, her lips brushing the straw as she spoke.

Chen Kun looked troubled, as if faced with a difficult question, but continued, "Even water changes color with climate and environment. For instance, the color of my shoes and socks is deep, like the waters of the Pacific—profound and melancholy. My jeans are lighter, with a hint of white, reminiscent of the Arctic Ocean with floating icebergs—cold and mysterious. The color of my shirt is even lighter, like the clear water of an indoor swimming pool—bright and transparent. My backpack is dark outside and light inside, with deep green straps, like a lake with lively fish on the surface and the reflections of willow trees on the banks—full of vitality yet serene and elegant."

As he delivered these lines, Chen Kun's expression shifted—starting with uncertainty, moving to ease, and ending with a confident smile.

"..." Zhang Jingchu was genuinely stunned, just as described in the novel. That speech truly swept her off her feet. "Heh, Rascal, I'll give you a pass."

"Is there a prize for passing? Or maybe a cash reward?"

"Of course there's a prize. Aren’t I smiling at you right now?"...

Both actors were becoming increasingly engrossed, the performance seamless and natural.

"Cut!" Wu Xiang only called a halt after the shot was done, which meant he was quite satisfied.

"Not bad, not bad!" Wu Xiang approached the two leads. "Kun, you were brilliant this time. How did you pull it off? You suddenly seemed so confident."

"Heh..." Chen Kun grinned, "That 'getting into character' bit? I’ve practiced this scene with Xiao Zhang hundreds of times. If I couldn't get it right by now, I might as well hit myself with a block of tofu."

"Excellent! Truly impressive!" Wu Xiang kept praising, really trying to build up Chen Kun's confidence.

Building confidence is a long process; if time isn't on your side, then sometimes brute repetition is the way. And honestly, Wu Xiang's enforced hiatus over the past days gave Chen Kun the opportunity he needed; otherwise, a lot more film would have been wasted.

It was already May 13th, and the incident had temporarily settled, leaving the higher-ups to handle it. Wu Xiang regained his freedom. The teachers warned him repeatedly—not to stand out again. The journalists had all dispersed, unable to dig up anything more. Just as Wu Xiang expected, no one held him legally responsible.

Looking at it now, things turned out quite well. Though some time was lost, costs were saved, and Wu Xiang became even more popular—many young people were talking about him, the student leader. Moreover, it boosted sales of "The Great Flood" VCDs. Hualu even called, saying they'd love to collaborate again if the chance arose.

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"If the chance arises," and "definitely"—that logic is...well, whatever. Perhaps it's true what they say: a blessing in disguise.

Now Wu Xiang was fully focused on filming. With the difficult scene solved, he found the rest far easier.

Most subsequent shots were done in one take, since there were fewer lengthy lines. After days of rehearsals and acting together, Chen Kun and Zhang Jingchu became a great team—not only did Kun act naturally, but Jingchu relaxed as well.

This was likely due to it being their first film together. Male and female leads facing off—this was both their first time. Zhang Jingchu was debuting, and Chen Kun hadn't played a romantic role in "The Great Flood" either.

With the leads well-matched, there was no need for further adjustment between the male lead and supporting actor. In Wu Xiang's version of "First Time," there were several scenes of Rascal and Ah Tai drinking together—basically discussing how to woo women. Chen Kun and Huang Huibo were already close, and Huang fit Ah Tai’s laid-back character perfectly, so those scenes went smoothly.

There were no issues with the female roles either; they had few scenes together.

Progress was rapid—far beyond Wu Xiang’s expectations. In less than a month, all the scenes with the leads and those related to them were essentially finished.

This wasn’t the original plan. Wu Xiang had intended to craft a perfect romance film, meticulously honing every detail.

But now, every shot he planned had reached his satisfaction. Was there any need to shoot extra takes for alternatives?

No need—the cost wouldn’t be justified. Only the "key" scenes remained.

"Alright, Kun, Xiao Zhang, you can take a break—your work is done," Wu Xiang announced after the final scene involving them. Then he approached Huang Yi and handed her a sheet of paper.

"What’s this?" Huang Yi asked, still in makeup, surprised.

"Read it yourself. And I’m telling you, tonight you’re not allowed to eat. If you must, two cucumbers at most. Tomorrow morning, an apple, and you may have a glass of fresh milk," Wu Xiang issued instructions.

"Why? On what grounds?" Huang Yi looked miserable.

Wu Xiang smiled, "Because I’m the director. Starting tomorrow, follow what’s written on that paper. See? Tomorrow we're filming at the gym!"

"What?!" Huang Yi was startled—this wasn’t what Wu Xiang had said before.

The next day, at the gym closest to the Film Academy, Huang Yi anxiously looked around. She saw the cameraman, but Wu Xiang was nowhere to be found.

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"Hey there!" Wu Xiang suddenly appeared behind Huang Yi.

"Jerk! You scared me!" Huang Yi was genuinely startled, and as she turned, ready to give him a piece of her mind, she froze.

Broad shoulders, narrow waist, eight-pack abs, two deep v-lines...

Though Wu Xiang wasn’t shirtless, the tight outfit he wore fully showed off those enticing, powerful muscles—Huang Yi was utterly transfixed.

"Womanizer!" Wu Xiang muttered under his breath, then reached out, placing a hand under Huang Yi’s chin. "Hey, you’re drooling. Don’t make a mess in here."

"Oh, really?" Huang Yi sucked in her breath, but sadly, there was no drool at all. "You tricked me again?!"

"Hahaha..." Wu Xiang couldn't stop laughing. The scene was just too amusing.

How could Huang Yi stand for this? She went to smack him!

"Hey, stop! Enough teasing. I brought you here today to lose weight!" Wu Xiang wasn't about to let her get the upper hand.

"Lose weight?" Huang Yi’s face fell; she understood, but, "This isn’t what you promised! You never said I had to lose weight! Didn’t you say you wanted a comedic effect? Isn’t it fine as it is?"

Wu Xiang squinted, his smile turning mischievous. "You’ve already achieved the comedic effect. I never said it before, but now is as good a time as any. I’m the director, you’re the actress—understand?"

"You... you bastard! I..." Huang Yi was about to protest, but Wu Xiang tossed her a set of clothes.

"Go change. Losing weight is your task now, it’s part of the script. Today we’re shooting your weight-loss scenes! Your goal—under one hundred pounds!"

"What? No way!" Huang Yi was nearly in tears.