Chapter 27: Well, Not Bad!

Chuluo Xi smiled naturally, though not with the same commanding presence and alluring expression as during performances, she was still stunning. "I've experienced it at school, and the masters' skills are excellent; I didn't feel uncomfortable at all."

It was no joke—due to her excellent martial arts skills in her past life, she mostly took on action roles, even having once hung from wires for an entire day and night, falling asleep while suspended. So, for her, this was just routine. Moreover, Chuluo Xi spoke the truth; the unique feature of Huaxia was its various martial arts, and getting students accustomed to hanging from wires was part of their training. However, while the theory was good, there was too little practice; as performance students, they only had one or two opportunities to experience it before graduation, which was not very helpful. She just needed a decent excuse.

"Really? You're quite talented," the wire master said with interest and genuine praise.

In fact, this skill was reciprocal. If the actor wasn't good, then the crew responsible for the wires had a tough time as well. But just as Chuluo Xi left the ground, she demonstrated a keen awareness of controlling her body, making it easier for them, which wasn't something that could be achieved merely through talent; it required experience. This left the wire masters puzzled—was this truly a newcomer who hadn't even graduated yet?

If there were no other tricks at play, they could only conclude that she was the best partner they had encountered among newcomers, even many seasoned actors felt inferior in comparison.

Accepting the compliment with a smile, Chuluo Xi had always been able to connect well with the crew. Regarding the techniques for hanging from wires, she had gradually summarized them from the experiences of many, making things easier for herself and others—why not?

"Talent?" Once the wire master walked away, a voice that seemed to be half-smiling came from beside her. Chuluo Xi turned her head to see Xiao Jingxuan leaning against the bridge pillar where she had just stood, his position still precarious outside the railing.

Seeing him looking so relaxed, Chuluo Xi frowned and couldn’t help but say, "Xiao Shixiong, you should come inside! It’s dangerous out there…" He seemed like he didn’t have a care in the world; didn't he fear falling?

Xiao Jingxuan straightened up, smiled lightly, and jumped right in.

At this sight, Chuluo Xi's pupils dilated in shock.

If it were someone else, they might think Xiao Jingxuan’s movement was cool and stylish, but because of her own good skills, she understood the danger of such a move. It was like driving; a passenger who can't drive might enjoy the thrill, but someone who can would always feel apprehensive about the driver's reckless maneuvers, especially during big moves.

Ignorance breeds fearlessness, and seeing things from a different perspective was natural.

Regaining her composure, Chuluo Xi realized that Xiao Shixiong’s skills were likely impressive as well. "So, Shixiong, did I embarrass you?" To earn a compliment from Xiao Jingxuan was no easy feat!

He glanced at her, then looked up at the night sky, smiling enigmatically. "Well, it’s okay!"

"..." Chuluo Xi's expression darkened; had her twenty years in her previous life been in vain? In the end, she was merely 'okay'? What level had the esteemed Xiao reached that mere mortals like her could not comprehend?

After standing there for a while without hearing Li Shuangmu’s response, the two walked over. From a distance, they saw Li Shuangmu gazing intently at the camera playback, muttering lazily to himself, which seemed rather strange.

"What’s he mumbling about?" Chuluo Xi couldn’t hear clearly due to the low volume and asked, feeling puzzled; when did directors start going down the supernatural route? She had only been away for two or three years, how had things changed so drastically?

Xiao Jingxuan began to feel chilly, pausing before replying, "Reciting lines, I suppose." His eerie demeanor was quite unsettling.

"Uh…" Chuluo Xi felt completely out of touch with the times, a deep generation gap had formed.

The two exchanged glances and stood behind Li Shuangmu to watch the playback.

Chuluo Xi's entire role was as a friend of the protagonist’s father, appearing in the protagonist's memories. Thus, during the story's development, there was a description from Xiaotian’s friend, providing a god-like perspective.

What Li Shuangmu was mumbling about was the memories of Xiaotian’s friend regarding Yuntian Xue, or those sensations Xiaotian had personally shared with him.

For instance, when Yuntian Xue descended from the sky onto the bridge pillar, a voice narrated, "Your father once told me that when he first saw your mother, he thought he had drunk too much and was hallucinating; otherwise, how could he see a celestial being come to earth?"

Then, when Yuntian Xue’s gaze shifted to Xiaotian, the voice would say, "Your father said that with just one glance, his heart didn’t know how to beat anymore, as if in that moment, the world was reduced to those pair of autumn water-like eyes, holding the only color that existed…"

With this segment just filmed, Li Shuangmu repeated that monologue several times, growing more excited with each recitation, believing that the lines were not exaggerated at all. The effect captured on film was even more fitting than he had imagined. Chuluo Xi’s portrayal of Yuntian Xue would undoubtedly elevate the entire production, truly a finishing touch.

"Director Li, could you please say something? Did we pass this scene or not? Everyone is still waiting to leave!" The main stage manager approached cautiously, asking. It was already past midnight; they at least deserved a word!

Li Shuangmu, as if just coming back to his senses, detached from that dreamlike state, waved his hand. "We’re wrapping up for today; everyone go back and rest. We continue tomorrow."

"I’ll have Leng Lu take you to rest!" Xiao Jingxuan, still focused on the playback screen, didn’t forget to make arrangements.

"No need; Xiaojin has already arranged it for me. I’ll head straight there; it’s not far from here," Chuluo Xi said, feeling completely at ease.

The crowd at the film studio was perpetually crowded, and accommodation was consistently tight; besides, she wouldn’t dare trouble this top-notch agent. An assistant would be more appropriate.

Hearing Chuluo Xi refer to Ji Yanjin in such a familiar way, Xiao Jingxuan furrowed his brow for no particular reason, still catching onto her thoughts. "I’ll have Leng Lu call someone to take you there. When will you come back tomorrow?"

Taken aback by the question, Chuluo Xi realized that the esteemed Xiao was capable of soliciting others’ opinions too. Why had he always been so forceful in the past? It made it impossible for her to even consider refusing. "Most of Yuntian Xue’s scenes are in the evening. I’ll help Xiaojin finish the MV in the morning and come over in the afternoon. Xiao Shixiong, could you please let Director Li know…"

"Okay!" Xiao Jingxuan looked at her with a somewhat imposing gaze. "Are you sure the MV will be finished tomorrow morning?"

"It will be finished, one way or another. I just need to get my part done first." Chuluo Xi thought of Ji Yanjin’s performance and felt awkward; she truly couldn’t guarantee that the entire MV would be completed, but they could negotiate! As for Ji Yanjin’s distressing parts, he could manage on his own.