Chapter 75: Cameo — How about a kiss?
The dancer’s role wasn’t significant, and most of the time her face was veiled, so any extra or bit actor with a good enough figure could play the part.
Lin Qihang had already changed three different actresses for the role to help Jiang Qi shoot this “intense but deadly” scene, but he was at his wits’ end. He was so stressed about it that he felt like he was going bald… He even considered getting a male actor to cross-dress and play the dancer!
He found a thin, willowy male actor, dressed him up as a woman, and excitedly brought him to Jiang Qi, only to be met with a look of utter disdain that screamed, “Are you insane?” Jiang Qi’s glare completely crushed Lin Qihang’s enthusiasm.
Damn it, what a disaster.
The scene had its ups and downs and ultimately ended in failure, but they couldn’t just skip it. The scene had to be filmed eventually, but Lin Qihang was agonizing over who could possibly get Jiang Qi to “reluctantly” get into character. He was about to lose his mind.
—Until today, when he saw Zhi Qi.
Suddenly, Lin Qihang had a revelation. If Jiang Qi couldn’t act out romantic or intimate scenes with other people, why not have his wife guest star in the role?
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After all, the dancer didn’t have many scenes where her face was visible, so no real acting skills were required.
More importantly, when it came time for promotion, they could advertise it as “Jiang Qi’s wife’s surprise cameo, delivering a stunning romantic performance on the big screen.” It would generate free publicity like wildfire!
Just thinking about it made Lin Qihang’s blood boil with excitement. He became more convinced that this idea was genius.
As Zhi Qi listened to Lin Qihang’s somewhat “resentful” recounting, she didn’t pick up on the underlying manipulation and only felt guilty.
She asked softly, “Director, what should we do then?”
As someone outside the production team, even as Jiang Qi’s wife, she wasn’t allowed to see the script.
But even without reading the script, Zhi Qi could tell that this scene was important. If Jiang Qi couldn’t overcome his issue with romantic scenes… wouldn’t the filming be indefinitely delayed?
Thinking about it made her feel Lin Qihang’s frustration as if it were her own.
Seeing her guilty expression, Lin Qihang knew the time was right.
“There’s… probably only one solution.”
He sighed dramatically, muttering as if still uncertain, “But I’m not sure if it would work.”
“Hm?”
Zhi Qi, now genuinely curious, asked, “What solution?”
“This would be a bit of trouble for you, Xiao Zhi.”
Lin Qihang finally came around to revealing his true intention, albeit cautiously, “Would you be willing to guest star as the dancer? You’d wear a veil, and no acting skills are needed.”
As long as the body was slim and elegant, it would suffice. Not to mention, Zhi Qi’s natural beauty, pure and refined, would perfectly embody the “vibe” of an extraordinary dancer.
A great beauty, and one with the title of Jiang Qi’s wife at that. If she could make a cameo in his film… the buzz would be inevitable.
Lin Qihang’s plan seemed flawless, but to Zhi Qi, the idea was utterly terrifying.
“A g-guest role?”
Zhi Qi’s eyes widened as she looked at Lin Qihang, flustered, shaking her head repeatedly. “Director Lin, that’s not possible. I don’t know how to act.”
“Xiao Zhi, as I said, the dancer wears a veil the whole time. You won’t need any facial expressions or acting skills.”
Lin Qihang smiled as he persuaded her. Seeing how troubled Zhi Qi looked, he switched tactics to a more emotional appeal, sighing dramatically, “Do you really want to see Jiang Qi fail over and over?”
…
Zhi Qi was at a loss for words.
“To be honest, I find it difficult to suggest this,” Lin Qihang said, tilting his head and looking earnestly at Zhi Qi. “But Jiang Qi can only truly immerse himself in these intimate, emotionally charged scenes with you. That’s why I had to bring it up.”
The director’s frankness left Zhi Qi feeling embarrassed, her cheeks flushing pink, and even her ears tinged with red. She bit her lip nervously, not knowing how to respond.
She knew Lin Qihang was telling the truth. After all, who knew Jiang Qi better than she did? But understanding the situation didn’t mean she was ready to accept the suggestion.
Zhi Qi had no experience with movie-making. She wasn’t sure if agreeing to this would cause any complications, especially if she couldn’t deliver what was expected. Being a cautious person, Zhi Qi preferred to think things through before acting.
“Xiao Zhi, are you worried that you might not be able to do it?” Lin Qihang picked up on her hesitation and quickly addressed it. “You really don’t have to worry. The camera will mainly focus on Jiang Qi as Liang Jieyu, and the dancer will be veiled the entire time. She’s just a prop to seduce the protagonist. I chose you because I believe only you can get Jiang Qi into the right mindset for the scene.”
…
With the conversation having reached this point, Zhi Qi felt like she couldn’t refuse anymore.
Besides… the idea of doing a scene with Jiang Qi seemed kind of fun.
People naturally fear what they’ve never tried, but they also feel curious. After thinking it over, Zhi Qi decided to accept the offer.
She liked the idea of being able to help Jiang Qi, even if it was just a little.
>>
“Director Lin,” Zhi Qi thought for a moment before turning to Lin Qihang. “What do I need to do?”
Seeing that Zhi Qi had agreed, Lin Qihang’s eyes lit up.
“We have a professional dance instructor who will train you for a few days on the movements and postures needed for the scene. You just need to follow along. Don’t worry; the choreography is simple. The camera will mainly focus on Jiang Qi, so you just need to go through the motions.”
He quickly added, “Tomorrow, I’ll take you to meet the dance instructor. The training should only take three or four days.”
Zhi Qi thought about her week off and nodded. “Alright.”
But after saying that, she paused and added, “Let’s not tell Jiang Qi for now.”
If possible…
She wanted to surprise him.
Jiang Qi had noticed in the past two days that his little wife seemed busier than he was.
Although Zhi Qi was with him on set, every time he finished a scene, he couldn’t find her in the usual spot outside the filming area.
When he asked the crew, they’d say, “Xiao Zhi went to have tea with Teacher Ji.”
Teacher Ji was the dance instructor Ji Liang, a successful woman with a background in the national dance team who had been brought in to choreograph the film. But why was Zhi Qi having tea with her? And why did it seem like every time he asked, they were “having tea”? Surely, having tea and chatting didn’t take that long?
Jiang Qi’s possessiveness, already strong to the point of being almost unhealthy, made him admit that he was a little annoyed, especially when he couldn’t find his wife.
But then he thought, maybe it wasn’t so bad that Zhi Qi had something to do other than stand around watching him film. She could rest and make new friends. After all, as long as she was happy, that was all that mattered.
Jiang Qi reasoned that most of his day was spent filming, and it wouldn’t be fair to confine Zhi Qi with the little time they had together.
Thinking this way, he felt more at ease.
It was good for Zhi Qi to get some rest.
With this mindset, Jiang Qi went back to work when the crew called him, no longer upset about the situation.
However, by the time evening came, he noticed something else was off.
Lately, Zhi Qi had stopped letting him cuddle her at night. She would wrap her arms around her shoulders, protecting herself, but then snuggle into his arms to chat, unaware of how endearing she looked.
But in the past two days, the lively girl had become quiet. At night, when they returned to their room, she would rush through her evening routine and fall asleep almost immediately.
Jiang Qi, puzzled, would playfully poke at her soft arms and legs, only to hear her mumble, “I’m so tired, don’t mess with me.”
Then she would turn over and fall into a deep sleep.
Her thin, delicate back faced him, and under her light nightgown, her shoulder blades stood out like butterfly wings, poised to take flight.
Jiang Qi lowered his gaze, frowning slightly.
He realized what was wrong.
Zhi Qi kept saying she was tired—she had been complaining about it for two days now. But why was she so tired?
Could drinking tea with Ji Liang make her so exhausted? Surely watching him film would have been more relaxing.
Feeling a bit disgruntled, Jiang Qi decided that after filming tomorrow, he would go find Ji Liang and ask what was going on.
As for tomorrow, he was somewhat relieved that Zhi Qi would be occupied with Ji Liang.
Tomorrow, they were filming that frustrating seduction scene with the dancer. He had failed multiple takes already, and Jiang Qi didn’t want Zhi Qi to witness him being so “incompetent” while having to get close to another woman.
He just hoped that tomorrow, he could finally get through the scene.
Jiang Qi sighed softly, watching Zhi Qi’s peaceful, gentle face in the light of the bedside lamp. He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss.
If any of the crew saw this, they would be shocked.
Because this was a side of “Best Actor” Jiang Qi that the cameras would never capture—the tenderness, the affection, as if he were a completely different person.
The next day’s shoot was scheduled for six in the morning. Lin Qihang knew Jiang Qi took time to get into character for scenes involving women, so he had purposely set the call time early.
Jiang Qi never needed an alarm to wake up, and he couldn’t bear the thought of the buzzing alarm disturbing Zhi Qi. So, at five in the morning, he quietly got out of bed.
He bent down to gently kiss her cheek.
Then, as if speaking to himself, he whispered softly, “Sleep well.”
With that, Jiang Qi quietly left the room.
Even the sound of the door closing was soft. After the faint “click,” the girl lying in bed, pretending to be asleep, opened her eyes.
Her dark eyes were clear, not a trace of sleepiness in them, and even held a mischievous glint.
Zhi Qi quickly got out of bed, changed clothes, and went to find the dance instructor, Ji Liang.
She had promised to give Jiang Qi a “surprise,” and after three days of practicing the dance, hand movements, and lines, her body was aching all over…
But today, it was finally time.