Chapter 771 Last time
"Action!"
With the set lights turning dimmer, the focus was on Chyou and Yin. Yin played the role of Chyou's husband and together they lived a harsh life after the Queen was banished. It was the scene which Director Murong crafted at the last moment of his pendant chain gift to his wife.
Director Murong waved his hand silently at the camera, signaling him to focus on them and the pendant while keeping his gaze fixed at the lead actors.
Yin, who held Yating's gift in his palm, felt a burning resentment spreading across his heart. His palm trembled to feel the delicate chain that he was supposed to give Chyou. He was giving another man's expensive gift to his girlfriend. It was a bitter feeling beyond anything.
He knew his dialogues and he had no problems with learning a new script at the last moment. He had that actor's training and experience. He could give a flawless take if he wanted to but Yating's gift brought a wall in his heart he couldn't overcome. And to add to that mess, Yating was right before him, watching both of them.
"Yinnnn…." Chyou whispered without moving her jaw and lips. "Lines…"
"Y-Yeah…"
Director Murong frowned. Though Yin was saying the correct lines, he wasn't delivering it correctly. The lack of emotions was painfully obvious.
Beside him, Yating was seated on another chair, who was dragged by the director to take up an advisor role. He could also see Yin's struggle to complete the scene and to a great extent, he could understand what was going through his mind.
I shouldn't have come to the set…
Director Murong exclaimed. "Cut!"
Yin heaved a sigh of relief and the tension eased from his shoulders. Chyou looked at his tension lines and asked in concern, "Are you alright, Yin? You look pale."
He smiled. "I am okay, Chyou. I guess I still need some time with the lines."
"Of course I understand that. Director's idea is super cool but the sudden change in script will take some time to adjust," she pouted and patted his shoulder. "Even I was so nervous!"
"You look stiff Yin! I want a more gentle gaze. Helpless but proud of his wife."
Chyou flared her nostrils. "Aren't you bullying the actors, Director Murong?"
"You are A-listed actors for a reason. Are you trying to prove your own status wrong? You did your take perfectly, so I expect Yin to do the same."
Yin's smile faltered. "Director is right. I am sorry I zoned out. Give me some time to understand the script please."
Director Murong sighed. There was no use of filming if the actor wasn't ready yet.
Chyou held his hand and chirped. "How about we practice together? That always makes things easier~ You remember how we have rehearsed lines together before so many times haha."
Yin smiled awkwardly. "Sure…but I will do it by myself for now."
He began to sweat a little and breathlessly said, "I will head back to my vanity."
He stepped down from the stage and walked quickly towards the exit. Chyou felt terrible. As an actor, giving bad takes was a worse nightmare. Her shoulders slumped and she walked towards Director Murong.
"You are really mean."
He snorted. "You have seen much more meanness while climbing to the level you are at right now. So let's not talk about meanness, shall we?"
Yating thought about it and got up. "I will head out for some time."
—
Inside his vanity, Yin was laid back on the couch, heaving and panting breathlessly. His heart raced like a truck was running over it and the feeling only irked him further. He looked down and saw his fingers shivering and trembling. A sense of discomforting urgency squeezed his chest and he couldn't think straight.
"Fuck!"
He cursed and bit his lip, rushing straight towards his cupboard. Rustling through the things, he opened a secret drawer and breathed hard. He held the drugs packet and swallowed a gulp.
He remembered Jun's warning that he knew of his drug consumption and that if he ever touched drugs again, Jun would destroy him. He had given him three months to prove himself to be worthy of Chyou, but he was already wavering.
He thought of the gift, thought of Chyou's happiness as she received it and thought how he had to act with the same gift in the scene. He didn't want to be so petty but he couldn't let it go. He couldn't dismiss Yating's gift and gesture or the friendship between him and Chyou. Ever since he saved Chyou from the fire, something about Yating had started to threaten him.
What was it?
Was it charisma, his charm, his style, his way of talking or simply his presence that gave him this unnerving feeling that Yating was a threat to him? That Chyou would be swayed away very easily?
He didn't want to turn to this, but he found himself tearing the packet and sniffing through what he felt was heaven. The pleasant sensation struck a deep chord in his heart as if all the earlier tension was all an illusion. He felt his nerves calming down.
It was just this once…Nobody will know. Once I get the scenes right, I won't have to come back to this again.
He desperately nodded and convinced himself.
Yeah this is the last time because Director Murong suddenly changed the setup! It isn't my fault! It's also that Gu Yating's fault who came to the set and unnecessarily caused this ruckus!
He then heard a knock on the door and panicked, he threw away the packet in his drawer, locked it and closed the cupboard. He took a few deep breaths and opened his eyes again.
It must be Chyou. She must be very worried about me, he shook his head. I was an idiot to shrug her off.
He opened his vanity's door and froze at the person standing in front of him. The calmed down nerves were jostling in full swing once again.
Yating stared at him and politely smiled. "Can we talk?"
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