Chapter 23
The tide has turned on Weibo, with fans engaging in spirited discussion.
However, Mu Cai was blissfully unaware of the whole whirlwind of events. He was currently on set, and all Weibo matters were being handled by Su Xingyun.
Director Jing's filming schedule was quite packed. As the third male lead, Mu Cai had quite substantial parts to play. Not only did he have scenes during the day, there were also times when he had to shoot evening scenes.
He had a night scene lined up for that evening.
Mu Cai had his long hair down, donned in a cloak. Underneath the cloak was an intentionally distressed costume. In a short while, it would be his turn together with Gu Yunchen to shoot the night scene.
The mid-October nights were already not hot, carrying a hint of chilliness. Gu Yunchen watched as Mu Cai, clad in thin clothes and hugging a cloak meant for the scene, noticeably shrunk his whole body.
He looked like a little kitten curling itself up due to the cold.
Gu Yunchen's brows furrowed, his gaze seemingly carrying the cold wind that blew onto his assistant, Liu, standing nearby.
What kind of assistant can't even handle such a simple matter!
Startled by the cold gaze, Assistant Liu shivered and before he could figure out what was happening. Before he could figure out the situation, he saw Gu Yunchen in front suddenly taking off his coat.
Gu Yunchen was to film a night scene with Mu Cai, so naturally, he was also in costume. However, his garment was a bit thicker, and he was even wearing a wind-resistant coat given to him by Assistant Lin.
Now, Gu Yunchen took off his coat, extended his hand and put it on Mu Cai. His hands brought the coat closer around Mu Cai.
A wave of warmth suddenly washed over him. Subconsciously, Mu Cai raised his hand and touched a patch of warm skin. He quickly lifted his head only to see Gu Yunchen leaning in, his hands pressing on Mu Cai's shoulders as he draped the coat on him.
There is indeed a difference between individuals. Standing in the night wind, Mu Cai was chilled to the bone, whereas Gu Yunchen was different. His hands were warm and his body emanated heat, one could feel a wave of warmth just by being close to him.
Involuntarily, Mu Cai leaned towards Gu Yunchen a little more and didn't forget to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Brother Gu."
When the "kitten" reached out his hands, they were absolutely freezing. Now, he was burrowing into Gu Yunchen's arms, still shivering from the cold.
Silently, Gu Yunchen tightened his hold around the young man's shoulders, pulling him slightly closer, and said in a deep voice, "Think nothing of it. Next time, be mindful. The weather is getting chilly now, remember to bring a warmer when filming at night."
As he was speaking, his eyes unintentionally swept over Assistant Liu's face, surveying him with a hint of cold scrutiny.
Assistant Liu felt a chill run down his arm, raising goosebumps. He felt a bit wronged.
This night scene was added at the last minute by Director Jing. Assistant Liu initially wanted to go back to the hotel to fetch a coat, but was stopped by Mu Cai. The film and television city was somewhat far from their hotel. Every morning, they used a shared car to commute. Mu Cai thought it wasn't worth the round trip just for a coat, so he forbade him from going.
Moreover, Kai Cheng Entertainment hadn't provided Mu Cai with a nanny car. There was a limit to what Assistant Liu could carry. Hence, when it wasn't a night scene, Assistant Liu would minimize the items he had to bring.
Assistant Liu felt wronged by the situation.
Seeing how cold Mu Cai was, he also wanted to lend him a coat. But he only had one with him!
Gu Yunchen was well aware that Mu Cai didn't have a nanny car. But that didn't matter as long as he had one. Their current project, Xiaoxue Jiangshan, started filming in October and would continue till the end of December. The weather would only get colder from then on.
In this way, he could legitimately lure Mu Cai, who was afraid of the cold, into his car.
Upon thinking this, a tinge of delight filled Gu Yunchen's heart.
-----
As they were standing here, the other scene at the venue was already completed. Now Director Jing's voice pierced through the cool night, urging them, "Next scene, nocturnal discussion!"
Mu Cai quickly took off the coat Gu Yunchen had given him and walked onto the set with him.
The night scene they were filming depicted a nocturnal conversation between Li Xuan and Yi Sheng, after Li Xuan's army had lost two cities in a row.
Gu Yunchen sat on a stone in the courtyard, under a bright, full moon.
Just as he was gazing at the moon, he heard the door being gently opened.
Mu Cai stepped out from the room. He was lightly dressed, only wearing a cloak over his inner clothing.
Gu Yunchen hastily stood up, "Teacher, can't you sleep? Why did you come out?"
Mu Cai laughed, "That question should be directed at the general instead."
Mu Cai then walked to Gu Yunchen's side, and asked, "Is the general worried about the situation on the front lines?"
After a brief pause, Gu Yunchen replied, "Not exactly. We have already lost two cities, and sometimes I wonder if I should really be following this path. Maybe I..."
"You're overthinking it, General," the clear and pleasant voice of Mu Cai interrupted him, as he stood on the steps looking calm and collected. "How many 'maybes' are there in the world? Besides, since we've come this far, do you really want to back off when things get tough?"
Gu Yunchen lowered his head in shame.
Seeing Gu Yunchen looking somewhat flustered, Mu Cai's expression softened a bit. His face still seemed cold, but his words were comforting, "The general need not feel this way. Such thoughts are only natural."
Gu Yunchen looked up, his gaze fixed intently on Mu Cai, "Does Teacher have such thoughts?"
Mu Cai's expression remained unchanged, "Of course..."
"Stop!"
Director Jing's shouted from off-stage.
Both Gu Yunchen and Mu Cai stopped immediately, feeling slightly puzzled. Both of them rarely needed multiple takes, and their performance just now seemed fine, but for some reason, Director Jing called for a halt.
As internationally renowned director, Jing He surely had his reasons for stopping the scene. So, both actors exited their roles and walked towards Jing He.
It was already past 9 pm. Jing He sat in the darkness, bathed in the harsh light of the overhead lamp, revealing the lines of age on his face.
He appeared somewhat weary, yet his manner remained gentle. Jing He looked at Mu Cai and got straight to the point, "Your emotions were off just now."
Before Mu Cai had a chance to answer, Jing He asked another question, "Do you know what kind of time night is?"
Mu Cai was stumped.
He viewed nighttime as a great time to sleep.
But he instinctively felt that giving such an answer might infuriate Director Jing. So, wisely, he shook his head instead.
Jing He was pleased with his tact and continued by saying, "The night is a time when people find it easiest to relax and let their guard down. Forget ancient times and think about the present-day. Young people finish their daytime work and head home to play video games, go to bars, or chat with friends. Even you actors, after a long day of shooting night scenes, don't you feel tired and long for sleep?"
Mu Cai nodded in agreement.
Jing He added, "The daytime doesn't allow for fatigue, so we get tired when we rest at night. It's when people are tired that they most easily reveal what they usually keep hidden. Yi Sheng is no exception."
Gu Yunchen, who was listening nearby, found this thought-provoking.
Upon hearing this, Mu Cai seemed to have an epiphany. He asked hesitantly, "Director Jing, are you saying that I was being too rigid just now?"
Jing He was very satisfied with the other person's understanding. Communicating with intelligent actors was truly a pleasure. With just a gentle hint, Mu Cai was able to immediately come to a realization and find the mistakes on his own.
A look of approval appeared on Jing He's face, "That's right, Yi Sheng is also human. No matter how strong, calm, or cunning he is, there are still untouchable and difficult to avoid pain in his life. Although he and Li Xuan are a lord and servant, they also have a relationship like both mentors and friends. At this moment, it's just the two of them discussing this topic at night, and Yi Sheng will undoubtedly be emotionally affected to some extent."
Mu Cai nodded, "I understand, Director Jing."
Jing He didn't ask what exactly he understood. Instead, he just lifted his chin and said, "Well, go ahead and start again from where Li Xuan asks the question."
Gu Yunchen and Mu Cai both nodded and returned to the set.
...
Li Xuan stared intently at the man in front of him, "Does Teacher also entertain such thoughts?"
His usual deep and chilly voice, at this moment in the cool night, sounded even softer, lighter. It was filled with an unusual gentleness.
A trace of absent-mindedness appeared on Yi Sheng's face.
The moonlight fell into the courtyard, casting on his scattered glossy dark hair, showing glimmers of silver light.
Yi Sheng quickly recovered, a touch of reminiscence appearing in his eyes, "Naturally."
He turned his face, his bright eyes reflecting the lunar light: "In life, people will make a lot of mistakes or choose wrong paths because of a moment's carelessness. I have always believed that if a person has chosen this path, has done certain things, regardless of the initial incentive, he doesn't need to look back or regret."
"After all, regret only brings more pain. Only by looking forward can we gain confidence." With that, Yi Sheng turned to face Li Xuan and offered a smile, "General, don't you think I'm right?"
His eyes bright, his soft lips curled up into a smile, yet his brows exuded a certain gallantry. There was a rare sense of contentment and tranquility on his face.
Compared to the divine-like entity he often seemed to be, the current Yi Sheng seemed much more human.
A thought crossed Li Xuan's mind, and he suddenly felt no inclination to dwell on those past events any longer.
He took a step forward, one hand gently draping over the other's shoulder, and the other grasping Yi Sheng's slender hand.
A flash of surprise appeared in Yi Sheng's eyes, but he quickly steadied himself, just quietly watching Li Xuan.
Li Xuan squeezed that hand and smiled, "Teacher, whatever you say is right. However, it's getting cold outside and you've been standing here for quite a while. Your hand is cold. Let's go inside, my body is warm, I can warm you up."
As he spoke, he guided Yi Sheng towards the house.
Yi Sheng seemed not to have expected the general to make such an unusual move, taking an unsteady step and expressing a rare moment of fluster: "Then... I appreciate it, General."
...
Jing He waited until the two people on the other side entered the house before calling cut.
During this last part, Gu Yunchen had improvisationally added a few actions and thrown in a couple of lines. Mu Cai was quick on his feet and managed to keep up with the changes.
Even though directors usually frown upon actors making independent changes to the script, there are numerous accounts of great actors losing themselves in their roles which often lead to memorable scenes in film.
Jing He felt Gu Yunchen did a pretty good job here.
It was natural, appropriate for the character, and most importantly, it accentuated Yi Sheng's unique demeanor that evening without causing any abruptness.
But as he observed the scene through the lens, he felt something wasn't quite right.
-----
After wrapping up for the day, Mu Cai got into Gu Yunchen's car.
He cuddled a soft rabbit toy in his arms, draped in Gu Yunchen's coat, with a cup of hot milk that the latter had given him. In the deepening night sweeping past outside the window, he was feeling rather sleepy.
Gu Yunchen recalled Jing He's words.
Nighttime, it's when people are most vulnerable.
After having accumulated several days worth of questions, he felt an almost urgent need for verification after tonight's events.
Holding his breath, Gu Yunchen took an indirect approach by asking, "Mu Cai, what do you think of your manager?"
-----
Author's note:
Gu Yunchen: I'll first find out how he feels about others to gauge his feelings towards me - I'm such a genius!
Jing He: I finally figured out what's off! This ... Isn't this what the young girls are always talking about ... 'Moe', right?!
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