Because Fang Miaomiao was cooperative and her lines were satisfactory, she filmed quite a few individual scenes after other actors arrived.
"Good, good," Chen Tianming's smile hadn't faded all morning, even when facing Fang YanHuan. "You all need to work hard today."
"Director, why are you so happy today?" Fang YanHuan asked with a smile. "Anyone who didn't know would think you'd struck it rich."
Chen Tianming's smile diminished slightly at her words. "It's not that I've struck it rich, it's just that Miaomiao was excellent this morning, her performance was superb, almost a one-take success."
Fang YanHuan's smile froze, but she quickly recovered. "Director, I'll go get my makeup done first."
Chen Tianming watched Fang YanHuan's retreating back, scoffed, and turned back to the studio.
"Director Chen, you didn't have to say that to Fang YanHuan, did you?" Yang Huanyang shook his head. "Aren't you afraid?"
"Afraid of what." Chen Tianming glanced at him. "It's the greatest mercy for me to let Fang YanHuan act in this film."
With acting skills that couldn't be watched, in normal circumstances, she wouldn't even be allowed a bit part in his films.
"Ahem, well, Director Chen, this film's rights weren't purchased by us."
In other words, they weren't the ultimate decision-makers.
"Do you think I don't know?" Chen Tianming rolled his eyes. "Alright, go prepare for the next scene."
"Then whose scene should I arrange?"
"Apart from Fang Miaomiao, give her some time to recover. The others will go in sequence."
"Got it, I'll go arrange it now."
Under Yang Huanyang's arrangement, the first scene was between Fang YanHuan and Wen Wenlan.
To prevent Fang YanHuan from worrying, Wen Wenlan specifically went to her side to discuss the scene and their lines.
"Tsk tsk tsk, I really don't understand, what kind of eyes does Wen Wenlan have?" Cui Mantong ran to Fang Miaomiao's side, looking like she was watching a show. "Why does he like that little white flower, Fang YanHuan?"
And she was a bit of a "little green tea" too.
"You're enjoying this drama too?" Fang Miaomiao leaned back in her lounge chair, shifting her gaze to Cui Mantong. "I seriously suspect whether you're here to act or to gossip."
"The play needs to be acted, and the gossip needs to be eaten too." Cui Mantong nudged Fang Miaomiao with her elbow. "Tell me, do you think Fang YanHuan will marry Wen Wenlan?"
"How would I know?"
"You don't know?" Cui Mantong looked at Fang Miaomiao in surprise. "Haven't you been to the weekly family gathering at your Yu Yuan?"
"I have, but how do you know about that?"
Cui Mantong suppressed a smile. "Ahem, well, your mother-in-law is someone who likes to show off. At the banquet, she kept telling people around her how filial her sons were, and that they brought their families back for dinner every week."
"Is that so," Fang Miaomiao nodded.
"If Wen Wenlan is sincere about Fang YanHuan, he would definitely bring Fang YanHuan to the gatherings, right? Have you seen her there?"
"I forgot," Fang Miaomiao answered honestly.
"Your memory!" Cui Mantong was disappointed. "I thought I could get some juicy gossip."
Before Cui Mantong could finish speaking, she heard Chen Tianming's "Cut!" from the set, followed by him using the megaphone to direct Fang YanHuan's acting.
She shook her head, unsure whether to pity Fang YanHuan or Chen Tianming.
"Stop watching, let's look at the script."
Cui Mantong obediently read her script for a while. "Oh right, how much did you film this morning?"
"Most of the solo scenes are done. There are still a few solo night scenes; we'll see if they're filmed tonight."
Cui Mantong shook her head. "Probably not. Director Chen values efficiency. You filmed so much this morning, you likely won't have night scenes tonight."
"That's perfect, I'll go home and sleep as soon as I wrap up."
Cui Mantong shook her head, amused and exasperated. "You really do like to sleep."
Meanwhile, after explaining the scene to Fang YanHuan, Chen Tianming returned to the monitor to start the second take after seeing her nod.
However, the more he watched Fang YanHuan's performance, the more his head hurt. She was so stubborn; whatever he told her to do, she showed no variation, just mechanically performing it for him.
"Stop, YanHuan, you."
"Director, did I do something wrong?" Fang YanHuan trembled, speaking aggrievedly. "I'm acting according to what you said."
Chen Tianming: "... "
He was wrong.
Chen Tianming suppressed his displeasure and explained, "YanHuan, our facial expressions can't be too stiff. Even though you dislike the male lead now, you have to trip up the villain Chen Yao with him, so your expression towards the male lead shouldn't be seeking help, but cooperation for mutual benefit."
"You have ambition, YanHuan. The female lead isn't someone who needs a man's protection to survive."
"But doesn't the male lead like it when RuoLan shows weakness towards him?"
"But RuoLan, at her core, is like the villain; she has her own pride. Even when she shows weakness, she has her own emotions. Rather than showing weakness, it's more like a threat, using the male lead's affection for her to threaten him into killing Chen Yao with her."
"I..."
"Director, how about we take a break before trying again?" Wen Wenlan interjected from the side.
"Alright, you two take a break."
Cui Mantong watched the scene unfolding, finding it incredibly amusing. "Miaomiao, you look at your script. My scene in Group B is starting, so I'll head over."
"Okay, go ahead, go ahead." Fang Miaomiao said, then thought for a moment. "I'll go with you. I don't think I'll have any scenes here for a while."
"Alright, let's go."
Fang Miaomiao was completely unaware of a resentful gaze fixed on her from behind.
"YanHuan."
Fang YanHuan withdrew her gaze, forcing a smile and pretending to be strong. "Am I... very bad?"
"No, you might just not have acted in a movie before. It's alright, we're not in a hurry, we'll take it slow," Wen Wenlan comforted her.
"Wenlan," Fang YanHuan's eyes reddened.
"I believe in you. Let's go over the script again, and I'll show you the character analysis."
"Thank you, Wenlan."
"It's nothing. I hope you can progress along with me. You can really learn a lot in Director Chen's crew," Wen Wenlan said dotingly. "I believe in you, and you can definitely do it."
With Wen Wenlan's help, Fang YanHuan finally grasped the essence of RuoLan and even took the initiative to find Chen Tianming, asking him to start filming again.
Inside the studio, Chen Tianming watched Fang YanHuan's performance on the monitor, and his tense heart slowly relaxed. The wrinkles on his forehead smoothed out considerably. "Good, alright. Cut."
"Director."
Chen Tianming stepped out from behind the monitor. "You did well. Keep up the good work."
Fang YanHuan nodded vigorously, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, thank you, Director. I will definitely work hard."