You've been acting in too many Mary Sue dramas and gotten carried away!
Especially after Strategy of the Pure Romance became a hit, you got so immersed in playing the universally adored heroine that you couldn't pull yourself out.
A heroine being fought over by the male lead and second male lead was standard fare. But in this show, every male lead was at least a little smitten with her, willing to go to the ends of the earth for her and even throwing punches to win her over.
You, Lin Ziwei, might have enjoyed acting it, but the male actors weren't comfortable with it, and neither was I.
No wonder the actor who played Zhao Kuangyin before had a falling-out with you.
"Isn't that putting too much pressure on him? He's only just joined the cast." Liang Xin Quan still had a conscience. He didn't want Zhang Yang to be put through that kind of baptism on his very first day.
Lin Ziwei was still a woman of considerable charm, and acting opposite her wasn't as eye-watering as watching Jiao Enjun act with Ximen Dama back in the day. Still, the age gap between her and Zhang Yang was plain to see.
"Director, this show needs to wrap in a month. We didn't hire actors to go on vacation. If there's pressure, he still has to get on with it." Lin Ziwei stood by her decision, her eyes sweeping over Zhang Yang's face.
Lately, she'd watched so many refined, scholarly heartthrobs that she was getting tired of them. This valiant, masculine type was a refreshing change. She had to give it a try.
"All right." Liang Xin Quan said no more.
Lin Ziwei was not only the female lead but also an investor and producer. She had more say than he did.
"Zhang Yang, right? You have a great look. Tangren says your acting is very good." Liang Xin Quan knew he'd have to play the bad guy again. After choosing his words carefully, he said, "Your role doesn't have a lot of screen time, but it's very important to the show. Since you're here, let's start with a scene. I'll see how it feels."
Zhang Yang knew full well that his role was important to the show because he was Zhao Kuangyin, Emperor Taizu of Song.
But that didn't mean he should have to act the moment he arrived. Normally, he'd first watch how the senior actors approached their roles.
Only after learning their acting styles and habits could he work with them more effectively.
"Sure, Director. Which scene?" Zhang Yang grumbled inwardly, but agreed without hesitation.
He didn't know what Lin Ziwei and the director had discussed, but he knew it had to do with her.
With the producer, female lead, and director all involved, there was no way he could stubbornly refuse right off the bat.
"The scene where the male lead, Meng Qiyou, dies. The female lead, Ma Fuyua, cries as she remembers him, and Zhao Kuangyin appears to comfort her." Liang Xin Quan knew what Lin Ziwei wanted, so he went straight to the scene.
At his words, the people around them exchanged glances.
Some were curious and ready for the gossip, some were gloating, and others quietly shook their heads in sympathy.
The previous actor playing Zhao Kuangyin had been fired after arguing with Lin Ziwei over this very scene.
He was a rather blunt man, and a history buff to boot. He was a fan of the Emperors Qin, Han, Tang, and Song.
Though the show was called The Legend of Dugu and all the male characters were besotted with the heroine, Zhao Kuangyin included, Zhao Kuangyin shouldn't have acted like a lovesick simp.
The actor thought some scenes needed changing, or they wouldn't fit Zhao Kuangyin's character. Lin Ziwei rejected his suggestion and said, "You're acting in an ancient idol drama, not a historical drama. Who cares what Zhao Kuangyin was like in history?"
The actor had been furious at Lin Ziwei's shallow understanding of history, and the two had argued over it.
In the end, the script stayed as it was, the actor was shown the door, and someone else was cast as Zhao Kuangyin.
Judging from the way things were going, Lin Ziwei was already reaching out with her Magic Claw to grab Zhang Yang.
"Lin Ziwei and Brother Xiaoming—one the ultimate Mary Sue, the other the ultimate Overbearing President. Before they got rid of that greasy vibe, they really were Wolong Fengchu."
Zhang Yang hadn't expected a hellish start. He sighed inwardly.
He'd planned to wait until he'd gotten to know everyone before suggesting they change that cringeworthy storyline.
But now that he was already on the spot, he could only go all in.
"I've memorized the script very well. I know every part of the story." Zhang Yang looked relaxed as he continued, "I have a few small thoughts and suggestions about the scene you mentioned, Director."
Ooh!
Everyone around them pricked up their ears.
Wallace Huo and Yan Yikuan, who had been reading the script, also looked up.
Zhang Yang was from Tangren. There was no way he didn't know why the previous actor had left.
Nazha's eyes widened. This isn't what Zhang Yang taught me in the car.
Wasn't he the one who said not to stand out too much when you first arrived?
If Zhang Yang had known what she was thinking, he would have told her, If you don't stand out, you'll have to gently comfort Lin Ziwei with your arms around her.
"What's the problem with this scene? Let's hear it." Liang Xin Quan had wanted to give Zhang Yang a way out, but Lin Ziwei spoke even faster.
Oh, no.
Liang Xin Quan sighed inwardly.
Looks like they'll have to replace another actor. Why are actors these days so stubborn?
Back then, Jiao Enjun could deliver all those nauseating lines with heartfelt emotion when acting opposite Ximen Dama.
This was just Zhang Yang putting his arms around Lin Ziwei and comforting her. What was so difficult about that?
"I think the biggest problem with this scene is that it desecrates the heroine." Zhang Yang's tone was completely serious.
Everyone:!
Damn, he actually said it desecrated the heroine.
Wait, he said it desecrated the heroine.
What did he mean by that?
"Sister Ziwei, I've carefully studied Zhao Kuangyin's character in the show." Zhang Yang stepped forward, speaking with righteous indignation. "The heroine saved him when he was a child, and he was grateful to her. He kept her peerless beauty in his heart."
"Later, after becoming a great general of the Later Zhou, Zhao Kuangyin still couldn't forget Ma Fuyua. She was the White Moonlight in his heart."
"Zhao Kuangyin definitely liked Ma Fuyua, but he would never cross the line. He called her 'older sister' to keep his feelings in check, because he knew who Ma Fuyua loved."
"And in this show, although countless handsome men pursue Ma Fuyua, the person she loves has never changed."
"Given that, when Ma Fuyua is crying in grief, Zhao Kuangyin comes over and holds her to comfort her. Isn't that a desecration of Ma Fuyua? Isn't it a desecration of a pure, secret love?"
"Wouldn't Ma Fuyua be damaging her own image if she didn't pull away?"
"Anyone who didn't know better would think she accepted every man who came along."
"Uh..."
As if realizing something, Zhang Yang stopped and glanced at Lin Ziwei.
When no one said a word, he had no choice but to go on. "Sorry, Sister Ziwei. I'm looking at the script from an outside perspective and putting myself in the heroine's shoes, so I got carried away and spoke without thinking. I didn't mean to say anything bad about her."
"I just think the heroine is Zhao Kuangyin's White Moonlight—so noble and beautiful, standing apart from the world. How could anyone desecrate her?"
Lin Ziwei was won over by his words and fell into thought.
That was right. She—no, the heroine—couldn't be desecrated.
She might be caught between the male lead and the second male lead, but the one she loved was always the male lead.
There was something wrong with Zhao Kuangyin's storyline. He should have a secret crush on her, quietly protecting and loving her.
That would be the best proof of Lin Ziwei's—no, Ma Fuyua's—charm!
"Good." Lin Ziwei nodded firmly, her face full of admiration. "An outsider sees things more clearly. Your interpretation is exactly right. Zhao Kuangyin should treat Ma Fuyua the way you described."
"You have a lot of good ideas. Have you thought about how we should change this scene?"
Everyone: "..."
The previous actor: Zhao Kuangyin is supposed to be a noble and impressive figure; the heroine shouldn't...
Lin Ziwei: Get out!
Zhang Yang: Zhao Kuangyin can't desecrate the heroine. She's his White Moonlight. The heroine should stand alone—that'll make her even more charming.
Lin Ziwei: Have you thought about how we should change this scene?
Same issue, different phrasing—and Lin Ziwei's mind changed too?
Zhang Yang really knew how to talk!
Lin Ziwei: What do you people know?
Thanks to "Shiguang1979" for the generous character-building reward. Little Author will work hard to bring out the character's charm.
Please support me by voting for the story. Thank you!
Before you continue