The director is definitely aiming for an award this time, so he must use suitable actors.
Liang Shi quite liked this.
Liang Shih preferred this role.
In the early stages, she was a gentle and delicate innocent girl who occasionally played the role of a caring older sister. However, in the later stages, she became a gloomy villain. She never had a hysterical crying scene and was always tormenting the protagonist. Even when she was killed by the protagonist later, she still maintained her pride as a young lady.
The character is a pampered rich girl, a princess, who, after her family's downfall, experienced hardship and lived as a dependent. After turning to the dark side, she becomes a calm madwoman. Once all her conspiracies are exposed, she becomes the victor—the loser is king, and you can do whatever you want with her.
—I have never regretted embarking on this path of no return.
The storyline is complete, the character arcs are well-defined, and if acted well, it will be outstanding.
This role is particularly challenging for Liang Shi.
She has previously played either good people or purely bad people; this is the first time she has played a character who goes from good to bad and then back to being ordinary.
Liang Shi was full of expectations for this.
She would occasionally read her lines aloud while reading the script, speaking in a clear and resonant broadcasting voice. When she got excited, her voice would even suddenly rise.
Occasionally, I even scare myself.
Only later did I realize that I had gotten too caught up in the role.
This time is no exception.
When she read the sentence, "This path was never my choice, but I accept my fate," her voice suddenly rose, startling Xu Qingzhu, who was working at the time.
Xu Qingzhu immediately closed her computer and ran out, only to find Liang Shi holding a stack of papers, reading them aloud with great expression, just like a recitation.
At first, she thought it was poetry being read, but after listening for a while, she realized it was a script.
She didn't disturb them, and stood quietly at the door listening.
Liang Shi has a very pleasant voice, not just when he sings.
When she reads her lines like that, her voice is like a television set in stereo, with surround sound.
She reads her lines crisply and clearly, every word is distinct, and you can understand what she's saying without subtitles.
Xu Qingzhu clapped after Liang Shi finished reading.
Liang Shi was startled. "What...what are you doing?"
"You read very well," Xu Qingzhu said. "Zhao Xuning said you have good acting skills, but I haven't believed it yet."
In the clip that was previously leaked online, he only had a very small part of the scene.
She is indeed better than Chen Liuying.
But is it really that much better?
No.
Moreover, is it really good if someone's acting is better than Chen Liuying's?
Not really.
So Xu Qingzhu glanced at it but didn't take it seriously.
Adding to what Bai Weiwei said, she was too preoccupied with feeling terrible to pay attention to Liang Shi's acting.
Only now do I truly realize that Liang Shi seems very suitable to be an actor.
Liang Shi: "..."
She belatedly realized, "So you heard everything?"
Xu Qingzhu chuckled, "Anyone who isn't deaf can hear it."
Liang Shi: "..."
She got so into character that she momentarily forgot Xu Qingzhu was still in the study. She awkwardly touched her earlobe and said, "I'm sorry to bother you."
"It's alright, I'll just follow Teacher Liang to cultivate my artistic sensibilities," Xu Qingzhu said.
She spoke with a hint of a smile, which made Liang Shi's ears burn.
I always felt like they were making fun of her.
Xu Qingzhu, however, did not think that way. She had just finished her work and asked enthusiastically, "Teacher Liang, do you need me to help you with the scene?"
Liang Shi cleared his throat. "Are you busy right now?"
Xu Qingzhu said, "I'm all done with my work."
Liang Shi: "..."
She really wanted this role, so it would be great to have someone to act with, even if her co-star didn't know anything, just reciting lines would help her develop the ability to handle emergencies.
only……
Xu Qingzhu...
She always felt a little awkward around Xu Qingzhu.
"Alright, Teacher Liang," Xu Qingzhu said, "If you keep dawdling, you'll be going to bed soon."
Liang Shi: "...Okay."
Liang Shi's "okay" was a reluctant response, but Xu Qingzhu didn't seem to mind.
She asked Liang Shi for a script, clarified what she was supposed to say, and then began to act alongside him.
Liang Shi was initially reserved, but once he got into character, his expression and voice completely changed, no longer the gentle tone he used to have.
She seemed to be the character herself.
Although Xu Qingzhu's reading was not particularly dramatic, she was able to connect with the character and even draw Xu Qingzhu into the story.
For a moment, Xu Qingzhu felt like she was a character in the play.
After reading the last line, Liang Shi closed his eyes, let out a soft breath, and then came out of character.
Xu Qingzhu kept looking at her profile.
It seems that Liang Shi has discovered a new skill.
As soon as Liang Shi opened his eyes, he found her staring at him, and suddenly felt guilty. "Wh...what's wrong?"
"Teacher Liang, life is full of surprises!" Xu Qingzhu said with a rather insightful tone.
Liang Shi: "...It's alright."
She took the script back. "Thank you for helping me with the scene. It's getting late, you should go to sleep."
He stumbled a bit while speaking and almost bit his tongue.
Xu Qingzhu was amused by her, but only for a moment. She immediately returned to her aloof demeanor, her eyes gazing at Liang Shi with a soft, upward slant at the end of her sentence. Her clear, cool voice carried a hint of coquettishness, "Teacher Liang, are you planning to enter the entertainment industry?"
Suddenly sensing danger, Liang Shi cautiously replied, "It's just acting. I filled in for Sister Ran at the last minute during an interview last time, and Sister Ying thought I had a lot of talent, so she let me give it a try this time. After all, I didn't know anything before, so I can learn more now. You agree, right?"
She sat a little further away from Xu Qingzhu.
“I think so,” Xu Qingzhu said. “Teacher Liang, you are so polite now.”
She now addresses everyone as Sister Ran or Sister Ying, a far cry from her previous arrogant and domineering attitude, as if she were the most powerful person in the world.
Liang Shi coughed softly, "Well... you're quite polite now."
They kept calling her "Teacher Liang," which made her nervous.
Xu Qingzhu chuckled softly and stared intently at her.
In the end, Liang Shi couldn't take it anymore. She said helplessly, "Just say what you want to ask. Don't look at me like that. Also, don't call me Teacher Liang anymore."
I can't afford it, and I can't bear it.
"Huh?" Xu Qingzhu uttered a light syllable and scoffed, "Teacher Liang is so amazing, it's not a big deal for me to call out to him, is it? After all, Teacher Liang is learning a new skill every day now."
The last three words were almost uttered through gritted teeth, and to Liang Shi's ears, it meant—you really know how to lie.
Liang Shi sighed, "Now I want to learn more things."
"That's good." Xu Qingzhu suddenly moved closer to her, startling Liang Shi into backing away. The more she retreated, the closer Xu Qingzhu got, until she was cornered. Xu Qingzhu then breathed softly and said, "But Teacher Liang is truly gifted. She learns so quickly. Could you teach me sometime?"
Liang Shi: "...Um...I..."
She said she got stuck several times.
Xu Qingzhu was so close, her breath disturbed her mind, and her thoughts went blank. She couldn't think of any way to explain.
Xu Qingzhu suddenly pulled down half of her sleeve, revealing her shoulder, and whispered in her ear in a seductive tone, "I wonder if Teacher Liang is still up to the task?"
Liang Shi: "..."
“Teacher Liang is exceptionally talented.” Xu Qingzhu gently bit her earlobe with her teeth, almost pressing her entire body against her. “She must be doing quite well now.”
Liang Shi: "..."
She swallowed hard. "I...I won't..."
Xu Qingzhu chuckled softly, a laugh that tickled and sent shivers down one's spine. "Teacher Liang, you've been here for so long, haven't you learned how to mark me yet?"
Liang Shi blurted out, "How could I possibly..."
He stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence.
"Maybe what?" Xu Qingzhu continued, still in that captivating voice, "Can't you learn it?"
“I haven’t forgotten.” Liang Shi immediately pushed her away, his ears turning bright red. “I’ve already told you I’m incapable of pheromone marking.”
Liang Shi's voice trembled, but he retorted defiantly, "I can't."
Chapter 39
Autumn is rainy in Haizhou City.
As night fell, dark clouds loomed overhead, and a light autumn rain quietly arrived.
Xu Qingzhu was awakened by the sound of rain. After waking up, she turned on the warm yellow lamp by her bedside. She was wearing a light blue silk nightgown, and her long hair was loosely hanging down to her waist.
The rain intensified, and raindrops blew in with the wind, landing on the dark curtains.