Chapter 76: More Drama, A Kiss Scene!

[Happy New Year to everyone! May everything go your way, and may all your wishes come true. May you have an abundance of romantic luck in the new year! And, by the way, please support with some bookmarks and recommendation votes!]

After receiving emergency aid and having some cooling balm applied to both sides of his temples, Yao Xiaoqiang finally opened his eyes slowly.

“Ugh…”

As he blinked his eyes open and saw the people gathered around him, he instantly realized what had happened. Shame washed over him, and his face flushed a deep red.

“He’s awake! He’s awake!”

“Thank goodness! Old Yao’s health is really too fragile!”

“I bet it’s mostly because Garen made him mad!”

“Shh! Keep your voice down...”

Hearing everyone’s chatter, Yao Xiaoqiang could no longer lie still. He struggled to sit up from the ground.

Everyone rushed to help him, even Garen reached out a hand. Though Garen wasn’t one to “treat those who wrong him with first love’s gentleness,” he didn’t see Yao Xiaoqiang’s incident as any deep-seated grudge. The anger from earlier had passed, and besides, Yao Xiaoqiang’s episode had given him the chance to play the cultured gentleman for a moment—how satisfying!

However, Yao Xiaoqiang did not return the sentiment. Especially seeing Garen come to help, he couldn’t help but curse inwardly: putting on a show for whom? Damn you...

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Yao Xiaoqiang, who had just managed to stand, swayed twice and, steadying himself, clutched his chest in defeat, “Director Zhao, I need to go rest for a while!”

“Alright! Let’s have someone help you back to your room. The ambulance will be here soon, and they’ll take you to the hospital for a checkup. All expenses will be covered by the production team!” Zhao Xin said promptly.

Hearing this, Yao Xiaoqiang finally felt a little better. He nodded, and with support from the others, was helped into an empty room on the first floor.

Once he was inside, Zhao Xin waved his hand, “Alright, everyone disperse! We’ll resume shooting in ten minutes!”

“Okay...” The crew murmured as they broke up.

Zhao Xin patted Garen on the shoulder, “Don’t worry, this really wasn’t your fault.”

“How could it not be?” Garen replied with a wry smile. “I never expected him to be so sensitive!”

“Alright! I was only being polite, trying to comfort you, and you’re still taking jabs at him at this point!”

“Haha...”

The two laughed and went to rest at the side.

When filming resumed, the focus shifted to Cao Xiwen’s scenes, and Garen had few lines left. Having worked together before, the two were now more in sync, and with Cao Xiwen’s solid acting skills, the rest of the scenes were completed in single takes.

The final shot.

Amid the envious gazes of the guests and the gentle, lively exchanges, the two ascended the stairs to the second floor and entered Zhou Shishi’s boudoir.

As the door closed, Zhao Xin shouted, “Cut! That’s a wrap!”

A collective sigh of relief went through the entire crew.

According to the script, Garen’s scenes ended here. There was a sense of reluctance, but also liberation—no more worrying about Garen flubbing his lines! Those who had won their bets on his performance gleefully went to find him, and even the assistant director, who hadn’t thought much of Garen before, was now smiling and eager to make friends.

Naturally, those who lost money weren’t as happy, but the atmosphere was too positive for anyone to be as upset as Yao Xiaoqiang, who had fainted from frustration.

With filming done, Garen began saying his goodbyes to the crew. Mai Le had already packed up their things, ready to leave.

But just as he was about to walk out, Zhao Xin suddenly called out, “Are you busy tomorrow?”

“Not too much,” Garen replied after thinking. “I have a variety show recording in the afternoon.”

“I see...” Zhao Xin smiled awkwardly, as if troubled. “I have an idea—I wonder if you’d be willing to try it.”

“What idea?” Garen was taken aback. Zhao Xin’s hesitant demeanor was quite unlike the person he’d come to know.

“It’s like this.” Zhao Xin explained, “Originally, the script had Zhou Shishi waking up to find you gone without a word, but I don’t think that’s perfect. I’d like to change it to a farewell at dawn.”

“So, you mean you want me to come back tomorrow morning to shoot another scene?”

“Yes! Ideally, just before sunrise.”

“Early morning?” Garen was surprised, and joked, “Then I might as well not leave—look at the time!”

To his surprise, Zhao Xin was delighted. “Even better! We’ll prepare a room for you right here!”

“Uh...” Now Garen was a bit exasperated. He had only been joking, not really agreeing.

But seeing Zhao Xin so pleased, and considering the trouble he’d caused the crew the past two nights, he decided it was only fair to make up for it. He nodded, “Alright then!”

Mai Le was still baffled. “Garen, you’re not leaving?”

“No, I’ll head back tomorrow morning,” Garen replied with a smile. After Zhao Xin left, he found a shady spot and called Chen Yingying to let her know.

Meanwhile, Zhao Xin handed over the on-site shooting to the assistant director and gathered the two screenwriters and a few staff members to plan out the new scene, including working on the storyboard.

They became so absorbed in their work that they lost track of time.

At some point, Cao Xiwen appeared at Zhao Xin’s side. “Director Zhao, I heard Garen is getting new scenes, is that right?”

“That’s right!” Zhao Xin nodded. “I had someone tell you—this added scene will focus more on your character.”

“I know...” Cao Xiwen seemed a bit bashful. “Actually, I was wondering if we could add even more.”

“Oh? What do you mean?” Zhao Xin looked up, puzzled.

Cao Xiwen’s cheeks tinged pink, but she forced herself to appear composed. “Here’s the thing: from my understanding of the character, if it’s just a one-night stand, it might not leave the heroine with such a sense of regret. But if it’s several passionate nights...”

“Several nights?” Zhao Xin frowned, not noticing Cao Xiwen’s expression. “But that’s not feasible timewise. How long would it take to shoot?”

“It won’t take long!” Cao Xiwen smiled, sharing her idea. “I mean, we just shoot a few scenes in different outfits and settings to suggest several nights have passed—by the window, by the table, and... on the bed...”

“Uh...” Zhao Xin stared at her in surprise, but not for the reason she thought. He was astonished, “You’re okay with bed scenes? Before, you said you’d only do hand-holding or hugging!”

“I’m a professional actress,” Cao Xiwen answered steadily, though her face was flushed. “If such a good scene can give the audience a better experience, what’s a kiss scene?”

“You’re willing to do a kiss scene?” Zhao Xin was incredulous, but upon reflection, realized this was a great opportunity. More shots would make the characters and plot richer and more complete. Plus, Cao Xiwen herself was volunteering to film something she’d never tried before—what a hook!

“Good! Good! Good!” Zhao Xin said three times in a row. “I’ll get Garen right away and prepare for shooting!”

These shots would be easy—almost like filming a music video, just add background music later and it would be perfect.

When Garen learned about the added scenes, he was quite surprised, especially when he heard about the kiss and bed scenes. Sitting on the set bed, he couldn’t help but suspect the crew was trying to take advantage of him.

“But I have a girlfriend, let me think about this,” Garen muttered, scratching his head. “If this airs and my girlfriend sees, even if it’s fake, she might not be able to accept it!”

“This is art! She’ll understand,” Zhao Xin patiently explained. “Don’t worry, it’s not a real kiss. Here, let me show you!”

As he spoke, Zhao Xin placed his left hand on Garen’s cheek, pressing his thumb against Garen’s lips. “See, it looks like you’re kissing, but you’re really just kissing your own thumb. Understand?”

“Oh, that’s how it works!” Garen thought it over—this, he could accept. He felt a lot more at ease.

“Alright then, when do we shoot?”

“Right now!” Zhao Xin grinned. “Let’s go!”

[The internet was cut off at the start of the month because I didn’t pay the bill, and the office is closed for the holiday. I finally managed to pay via WeChat, so I can post this chapter. More to come soon!]