Zhang Chaohe: Caiye successfully got the ice cream from the little girl by acting stupid, and the melon rind also got the ice cream cone.
Only Mr. Zhang got hurt!
Zhang Chaohe sighed and continued to wander around. Cheng Jixue noticed that his eyebrows were furrowed, so she deliberately teased him: "Have you given up struggling?"
“No, I’m thinking about whether to buy a villa with a garden for Caiye to stroll around in.” Zhang Chaohe said seriously, “I don’t know if an 800-square-meter garden would be enough.”
Cheng Jixue: "..."
Zhang Chaohe looked at Guapi with affection—Cheng Jixue's house was so small, Guapi must feel very stifled!
He suggested again, "We can build a small playground for the melon rind, so you can leave it with me when you're not available."
Of course, I hope it's inconvenient for you every day.
Zhang Chaohe thought silently.
Cheng Jixue smiled meaningfully: "It's alright, you'll have plenty of opportunities to play with Guapi in the future."
⚹
Soon the schedule for the costume fitting photos of "The Golden Hairpin" was set, and the main creative team will also arrange a party after the filming is completed.
Zhang Chaohe encountered Zhang Xijing off-site. Zhang Xijing's casual clothes gave him the air of a veteran cadre, and he already had a kind of detached and Buddhist aura at such a young age.
The two greeted each other, and Zhang Chaohe asked him curiously why he had accepted the project.
Zhang Xijing's answer was very simple: "Make money."
Zhang Chaohe: Please consider the feelings of our sponsors.
Zhang Xijing added forcefully, "Of course, it's also because I have high hopes for the production team and script of 'The Golden Hairpin,' and I feel that if no other unexpected events occur, winning an award should be more than enough."
He truly deserves the title of TV King!
Zhang Chaohe looked at Zhang Xijing approvingly: You win the award and I make money, I think this is a good idea.
But there was actually an unspoken reason why Jang Hee-kyung accepted the script.
Back then, he was also a traditional old male role performer, so he naturally had contact with many famous female roles. After collaborating with Cheng Jixue on stage in "Wujiapo", he was vaguely surprised - Cheng Jixue's professional skills could even rank among the top three among the actors he had worked with, and he had definitely received guidance from a master.
But why has he never heard of this person in the industry?
How could someone possess such exceptional advantages yet not aspire to become a star? Zhang Xijing was utterly baffled.
However, during a phone call with his mentor, he mentioned this matter and was told a shocking secret by his mentor's wife—Cheng Jixue was actually a disciple of Qian Xiurong, a leading figure in Peking Opera!
Zhang Xijing counted the generations on his fingers. If he wasn't mistaken, he probably had to call Cheng Jixue "Uncle-Master"...
Sorry to bother you.
The master's wife hesitated for a moment, but still subtly hinted, "It would be best to get along with him, otherwise try not to offend him. I heard that his family background is very prominent, and the name 'Cheng Jixue' was given to him by the master later for the convenience of travel."
Zhang Xijing was shocked. It was unimaginable what kind of background someone who needed to use an alias to travel must have.
No wonder he wasn't very interested in becoming a leading actor—learning opera was probably just one of his ordinary hobbies!
Therefore, when Zhang Xijing received the invitation from Cheng Jixue, he immediately read Director Chen's script carefully. He was amazed by the script and immediately agreed to participate!
So Chen Xingting was somewhat right about one thing—Cheng Jixue was indeed a deity. If he held Xiao Zhang in his left arm and Cheng Jixue in his right, ascension to immortality was only a matter of time.
⚹
Besides Zhang Xijing, Zhang Chaohe also met the female lead of the drama, Jian Xinlan.
Ever since Jian Xinlan refused a director's outrageous request to play a fourteen-year-old girl, she has been ridiculed and blacklisted by directors of fast-paced dramas for being pretentious. To the point that her last role was as a mother-in-law in a mother-in-law/daughter-in-law drama...
Unlike the currently popular "pure and alluring" beauties with smooth skin, time never defeats a beauty. Even though Jian Xinlan is now thirty-four years old, her bare face is still stunning. Her lively and elegant beauty, after the baptism and sedimentation of time, has given rise to a unique and resilient beauty.
It perfectly matches the temperament of Princess Minrong.
As usual, Zhang Chaohe interviewed Jian Xinlan about why she agreed to participate in the film, and received the answer that it was "to make money".
After entering the studio, he specifically remarked to Chen Xingting, "I think our crew has great potential."
Chen Xingting really liked this sponsor – the sponsor was down-to-earth, seemed to have a strong sense of justice according to the news, and most importantly, was very generous!
Who wouldn't like such a talented young man!
He suppressed his elation and asked curiously, "Because you have great confidence in our creative team?"
"Because everyone's in it for the money!" Zhang Chaohe exclaimed excitedly. "A production crew that only cares about making money has a bright future!"
Chen Xingting: Mr. Zhang, you still haven't fixed the bug that you have a mouth?
Before filming officially began, Zhang Chaohe specially used his privilege as a sponsor to choose a dressing room next to his own for Cheng Jixue, so that the two could share the same makeup room.
Cheng Jixue was to shoot two outfits today: one was Chang Xiaoyue's everyday long gown, and the other was his elaborate imperial concubine costume. So he not only brought a complete set of palace attire, but also brought Zhou Kui, the "Peking Opera DJ" he had met in the park last time, to help him out.
Zhou Kui greeted Zhang Chaohe with a grin: "Boss!"
Zhang Chaohe found it amusing and pressed further, "What kind of boss am I to you?"
Cheng Jixue was organizing the clothes in the trunk when she heard this and stopped him, saying, "Zhou Kui."
He simply called out the name lightly, without saying anything harsh, but Zhou Kui subconsciously shrank back.
However, he noticed that Cheng Jixue was in a good mood today, so he shamelessly stuck to her and said, "Hey, Brother Cheng, if you take me as your apprentice, then Mr. Zhang will also be my boss?"
Zhang Chaohe leaned back with his legs crossed—his role wasn't much to begin with; it was only because Chen Xingting wanted to ride on Zhang Chaohe's popularity that he was dragged into the costume photoshoot, so he only needed to shoot one set of his signature military uniform.
He was just a bystander, enjoying the gossip without a care in the world, and even happily chimed in: "Boss Cheng is so popular, even his apprentices have come all the way to the film set!"
Cheng Jixue was extremely helpless: "I've said before that I don't accept apprentices. If you need, I can introduce you to other outstanding seniors."
It seemed that this wasn't the first time Zhou Kui had been politely declined; he simply smiled and said, "We'll see."
The makeup artist was already in place, and the two of them got into work mode and started changing clothes. Zhang Chaohe felt hot, so he didn't wear his military uniform jacket. He just wore a shirt, military pants, and tall military boots as he walked out of the dressing room.
Because Mr. Zhang had the money, everything about the costumes and props was top-notch—even the ordinary white shirts were crisp and of excellent quality; in addition, Mr. Zhang himself had sharp and deep features, and was a walking clothes hanger with broad shoulders and a slim waist. With the uniform added to his good looks, the visual impact was multiplied exponentially!
Makeup artist: Heart-fluttering image;
While adjusting his cufflinks and collar stays, Zhang Chaohe strode over to his dressing table and sat down. After putting on this military uniform, Zhang Chaohe's entire demeanor underwent an imperceptible change—from reserved to extroverted, from ascetic to wild, like a savage leopard revealing its terrifying fangs.
Even sitting there, he was adding his own drama to the role. Little Zhang stretched out his long legs, comfortably propping his brand-new, shiny military boots on a stool next to him, his handsome, affectionate eyes flashing wildly: "You're my makeup artist?"
His corny yet powerful line successfully rescued the makeup artist from the predicament of almost being drowned in the hormones of a handsome man!
The makeup artist burst into laughter without holding back: "Hahaha!"
Why would Mr. Zhang do this?
Just then, Cheng Jixue also lifted the curtain and came out of the dressing room.
If Mr. Zhang's dazzling entrance was eye-catching, then his entrance was breathtaking—
The makeup artist's impression of Cheng Jixue in a long gown was still that gorgeous and noble heavy-work white python robe. At that time, he was elegant and handsome. But today, when he plays Chang Xiaoyue, the actor who was not yet a star, he wears a persimmon red brocade long gown.
Pride, brilliance, and an unparalleled, dazzling vitality.
Like a thorny, unruly, and wealthy flower.
Cheng Jixue walked towards him against the light, her expression indifferent. In her long, beautiful phoenix eyes, Zhang Chaohe had never seen such unfathomable indifference and arrogance. It was hard to imagine anyone describing her with the seasons; it was as if her mere presence brought with her an entire tranquil and desolate autumn.
In the silence, Zhang Chaohe suddenly heard the loud pounding of his heart in his chest.
Thump, thump, thump.
Their eye contact seemed to be a struggle, a contest, like two adult male wolves testing each other before parting ways, each waiting for a chance to pounce and bite the other's neck—but then Cheng Jixue suddenly smiled, and that inexplicable sense of oppression was like ice melting into spring water, gently and comfortably enveloping Zhang Chaohe.
"This outfit suits you very well."
He transformed back into that gentle, breezy young man, just like springtime.
Zhang Chaohe unconsciously took a breath—he crossed his arms as if nothing had happened, deliberately looking Cheng Jixue up and down with an unbridled gaze, trying to reshape his domineering CEO authority in a childish way.
However, the other party did not feel offended at all. Like a tolerant child, she still stood in front of him with a smile, letting him look her over.
"It's alright," Zhang Chaohe said, pouting.
This color suits him so well! Zhang Chaohe thought to himself with a squeak, he had to find a way to get the company to provide him with more clothes in this color scheme!
Cheng Jixue gracefully sat down in the seat next to him. The makeup artists immediately swarmed around them, examining their facial features in the mirror in preparation for styling and touch-ups.
The makeup artist said to him like she was coaxing a child, "Mr. Zhang, please smile."
Zhang Chaohe forced a smile, his face expressionless—he was really nervous being stared at by the makeup artist's scalpel-like gaze, and could only resort to his usual stern expression to barely maintain his aloof image.
But the "stern face" technique caused his facial muscles to stiffen... Zhang Chaohe's smile looked like he was about to kill someone.
The makeup artist tried to guide him: "Could you show a smile that better suits the character?"
Zhang Chaohe thought to himself, "Nobody gave me a script! Who knows what the role is like?"
He recalled the image of "General Gu" that Cheng Jixue had described to him, pondered for a moment, and then revealed a wicked and arrogant smile.
Cheng Jixue almost burst out laughing. He tried to correct Xiao Zhang's dangerous idea: "You are a commander, not a hooligan."
Zhang Chaohe, wearing a mask of pain: "Let me think about it."
The makeup artist looked at Mr. Zhang with loving eyes as he frowned—she thought that given Mr. Zhang's background, he would be a bit fussy and troublesome, but it turned out that he had a cold and ruthless face, and when she was busy looking for something, he even obediently helped carry her bag.
"Then I'll do your hair first, and you can take your time to think about it."
Zhang Chaohe gave him a grateful look, then took out his phone to look up the historical figure of Marshal Gu on Baidu Baike.
Cheng Jixue was much more familiar with the script than him and did an excellent job of fulfilling the makeup artist's requirements, successfully progressing to the step of applying contour powder.
Zhang Chaohe's competitive spirit was instantly ignited! He had a flash of inspiration and copied the homework directly. He extracted the warlord acting techniques of a movie star from a certain Republican-era film that he had analyzed before. The next second, a cold yet domineering smile appeared on his face!
Then he made eye contact with Chen Xingting, whose expression was slightly blank, in the makeup mirror.
Zhang Chaohe's heart skipped a beat: !
Chen Xingting's hand holding the thermos trembled slightly. The next second, he rushed over and patted his sugar daddy on the shoulder in a disrespectful manner, saying excitedly, "Wow, a magnificent young hero, good!"
Zhang Chaohe: My understanding of human facial expression management is indeed still too early.
Chen Xingting then observed Cheng Jixue. He had good skin, so he only applied a light layer of foundation to facilitate contouring and highlighting. Moreover, in order to restore Mr. Chang Xiaoyue's reserved and beautiful Chinese appearance as much as possible, the makeup artist raised his eye sockets and cheekbones, and applied highlighter evenly to his cheeks to create full and soft lines.
Cheng Jixue tried to get into character—as his eyes changed, his expression immediately became mean and indignant. Even though his skin was visibly more plump and radiant, his overall demeanor still exuded an undeniable sense of loneliness and brokenness.
Like a bright and beautiful flower covered with sharp thorns, delicate, fragile, yet stubborn and unwilling to yield.
Zhang Chaohe was shocked by "acting skills" up close for the first time. He realized that good actors can really break through the limitations of appearance and instantly become a completely unfamiliar character just by changing their expression and temperament.
The white fill light from the makeup mirror made Cheng Jixue's skin appear as clear and white as snow, with only a touch of red at the corners of her eyes, like a new plum blossom on snow.