studiobondurri Chapter 123: Visiting the Movie Set, the Male Lead Ran Away at the Last Minute?
Chapter 123: Visiting the Movie Set, the Male Lead Ran Away at the Last Minute?
Film and television city, Republican era themed street.
What used to be a bustling area teeming with tourists is now completely surrounded by yellow caution tape.
"Make way! Unauthorized personnel, stay away!"
"Hey, stagehand! What are you doing? Why haven't the lunchboxes arrived yet? Who are you trying to starve to death?"
Even before joining the crew, you could hear the chaotic commotion inside from a great distance.
The Cullinan was parked outside the warning line.
Lin Zhou pushed open the car door, and a wave of heat mixed with dust, cheap tobacco, and the smell of sweat hit him.
"This doesn't look like filming a movie!"
Lin Zhou squinted at the chaotic film set not far away and clicked his tongue:
"This is clearly the morning rush hour at a wet market, the kind where people are fighting over stalls."
Su Qingge put on sunglasses, concealing the weariness in her eyes, but her tone was very firm:
"Director Zhang's films are demanding and stressful, so a tense atmosphere on set is the norm. But today's commotion... is definitely a bit off."
As the two of them, holding Nuonuo's hand, walked into the core filming area, they saw an old man wearing a vest and with a scruffy beard jumping up and down on a pile of prop boxes.
That's Director Zhang.
A top-tier director in China, a ruthless figure who has won countless awards.
But at this moment, the old man completely lost his artist's demeanor.
He held the script in his hand, pointed at the several assistant directors in front of him with their heads down, spitting as he spoke, his voice hoarse like a broken gong:
"He ran away? You're telling me he ran away?"
"The contract was signed, the costume fitting photos were taken, the set was built for three days and three nights, and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of explosives were all laid! An hour before filming was to begin, you tell me the male lead ran away?"
"Did he go to give birth or to save the world? Huh?!"
The assistant director shrank back in fright, explaining with a pained expression:
"Director Zhang... Lu Ming said that the accommodations here are too poor, and these scenes require rolling in mud and water, and he... he's afraid of having an allergic reaction."
"An allergy? I think he's just being dramatic and having an allergic reaction!"
Director Zhang was so angry that he slammed the script to the ground, his chest heaving violently.
"Who else left? Tell me! Tell me all at once!"
"That veteran actor who played the villainous warlord governor was hospitalized last night with a sudden onset of appendicitis. And those extras who played the adjutants, who were brought by Lu Ming, also... went with him."
Director Zhang swayed, almost fainting.
The male protagonist ran away.
The main villain is sick.
The supporting actor has been removed.
Why even bother filming this movie? They might as well just disband, go home, and take care of their kids!
"Director Zhang."
Just as the air pressure reached its lowest point, a clear, cold voice pierced through the noise.
Su Qingge led Lin Zhou over.
Director Zhang suddenly turned around.
The moment he saw Su Qingge, a glimmer of light finally appeared in his cloudy old eyes, like a drowning person grabbing onto a piece of driftwood.
"Qingge! You've finally arrived!"
Director Zhang jumped down from the prop box, rushed over in a few steps, and grabbed Su Qingge's arm without even exchanging pleasantries:
"Help! This is a real emergency!"
"If this production is suspended for even a day, it will be a loss of over a million yuan. The investors will definitely tear me apart!"
Su Qingge patted the back of his hand reassuringly:
"Don't rush, tell me slowly. I'm here now, aren't I? The male lead is gone, but we can look for another one. If all else fails, I'll contact some friends in the industry..."
"It's too late!"
Director Zhang shook his head in despair, his face full of wrinkles and bitterness:
"The set was only rented for three days, and the explosions were all set up. Today we have to shoot that crucial scene—'The Warlord's Interrogation'."
"The other characters are passable, but this warlord governor..."
Director Zhang sighed, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding staff before turning away in despair:
"This role is too challenging."
"A refined scoundrel, ruthless and vicious, and he must also exude the oppressive aura of a superior. No one with experience and presence can control him."
"Where can we find someone like this on short notice?"
As he spoke, his gaze inadvertently fell upon Lin Zhou, who was standing behind Su Qingge.
Lin Zhou was holding Nuonuo in one arm, with the other hand in his pocket, tilting his head to look around at the scenery.
He was wearing a simple white T-shirt, but his spineless, lazy demeanor, coupled with his angular face, gave off an inexplicable... roguish charm.
Director Zhang was stunned for a moment.
He squinted, looking Lin Zhou up and down repeatedly as if he had discovered a new continent.
"Is this your partner?"
Director Zhang pointed at Lin Zhou, his tone carrying a hint of uncertainty mixed with a hint of hope.
"Yes, this is Lin Zhou."
Su Qingge introduced them, and then kicked Lin Zhou, saying, "Call someone."
"Hello, Director Zhang."
Lin Zhou smiled, his nonchalant attitude even more pronounced. "I've heard so much about you. Your studio... is quite lively."
"What a load of nonsense!"
Director Zhang cursed irritably, but his eyes never left Lin Zhou's face.
He circled Lin Zhou twice, stroking the stubble on his chin and muttering to himself:
"He's got a good face, handsome enough, and bad enough too."
"His physique is good too; he's a clothes hanger."
"That's the vibe..."
Director Zhang frowned and shook his head with some regret:
"Too homey."
"He looks like the kind of good man who knows how to manage a household. He's down-to-earth and doesn't have the kind of murderous aura you'd expect from someone who's killed someone."
"He's alright at playing a rich young master, but as a ruthless warlord? He's a bit lacking."
Su Qingge, who was listening nearby, couldn't help but laugh.
A homebody? A good man?
If Director Zhang knew how this guy bullied her in bed last night, he probably wouldn't have made that assessment.
"Director Zhang, I think he could give it a try."
Su Qingge suddenly spoke, her tone carrying a strange confidence, "He's... quite good at pretending."
"Pretend?" Director Zhang was taken aback.
"Excuse me, can I interrupt for a moment?"
Lin Zhou suddenly interrupted.
He handed Nuonuo to Su Qingge next to him, stretched his neck, and made a "crackling" sound.
"Director Zhang, what kind of character were you talking about earlier?"
"A refined scoundrel? Ruthless and vicious?"
A playful smile curved Lin Zhou's lips, and his usually smiling, almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a deep, unfathomable depth.
"Isn't he just a bad guy?"
"Perfect, I'm not good at much else, but I'm definitely not a good person."
"How about... I give it a try?"
Director Zhang looked at him suspiciously.
Although I was uncertain, the situation was extremely urgent, and I had to try anything, even if it seemed hopeless.
"Alright! Since Qingge recommends it, then go ahead and give it a try!"
Director Zhang gritted his teeth, turned around, and yelled at the costume team:
"Clothing! Bring me that warlord's uniform!"
Soon, a dark green woolen military uniform, black knee-high boots, and a military overcoat with a fur collar were delivered.
Director Zhang shoved the clothes into Lin Zhou's arms, his tone serious, carrying an ultimatum-like tone:
"Xiao Lin, let's get this straight up."
"This role requires a strong presence and the ability to command attention. If you look like a security captain in this outfit, I really can't use you, even if you're Qingge's husband."
"Go to the dressing room and try it on."
Lin Zhou, holding the heavy pile of costumes, glanced down at them.
military uniform.
He was very familiar with this thing.
Seven years ago, on that war-torn border, he wore similar clothes, except that they weren't stained with prop blood, but with real blood...
"OK."
Lin Zhou looked up, his playful smile fading slightly.
He took the clothes and turned to walk towards the makeshift dressing room.
His back was straight, and his steps were composed.
"Then I'll make a fool of myself."