Oh No, I've Made a Fool of Myself

"What are you talking about!?"

Chen Jiashang couldn't make sense of what his old friend was saying.

Zhang Yang really was excellent. He'd even told Gu Xuanzhao in advance that he'd struck gold. Was there really a need to be so shocked?

"You didn't know?" Gu Xuanzhao asked, puzzled.

After that brief encounter, he felt like he'd been "humiliated."

He'd only had to explain the moves once. Without needing a demonstration, Zhang Yang had performed the entire routine exactly as he'd designed it.

That alone wouldn't have surprised him. The moves he'd come up with were difficult, but for a naturally gifted martial artist with real skill, they were nothing special.

But then Zhang Yang performed them again, this time flawlessly, every movement fluid and every pose impossibly handsome. Gu Xuanzhao couldn't help but marvel.

If that had been the end of it, he could've accepted it. There were always a few geniuses in the world, and Gu Xuanzhao himself was considered one by some. Today, he'd simply met someone even more gifted.

But then Zhang Yang added a few moves to the routine Gu Xuanzhao had designed, making the overall result even better and giving it an even stronger sense of power and beauty.

It was practically like he'd come to steal the show!

"What am I supposed to know?" Chen Jiashang laughed, pointing at Gu Xuanzhao. "You started talking in riddles the moment you got here."

Gu Xuanzhao saw that he didn't seem to be putting on an act, and his expression eased. "Zhang Yang is even better than you said."

"How much better?" A spark of excitement appeared in Chen Jiashang's eyes.

It wasn't easy to earn Gu Xuanzhao's approval like that.

If word got out about what he'd just said, Zhang Yang could make a name for himself among stunt crews on his martial arts directing skills alone.

And if Gu Xuanzhao took Zhang Yang on as a disciple and made their teacher-student relationship official, it would be easy for him to work with famous directors.

Martial arts directing was one of the few jobs in the industry that placed more importance on skill than anything else—though connections mattered too, as shown by the Hong Family Class and Cheng Family Class.

"You wouldn't understand if I told you. Just watch when we start filming."

Seeing how eager Chen Jiashang was to know, Gu Xuanzhao suddenly felt better.

He couldn't be the only one shocked. Chen Jiashang and everyone on the crew had to be shocked right along with him!

"You've learned to keep people in suspense, too." Chen Jiashang shook his head with a laugh. He was curious, but he didn't take it too seriously.

Gu Xuanzhao was one of the best martial arts directors in the business. So what if Zhang Yang performed well?

But it didn't take long for Chen Jiashang to feel as if he'd been slapped in the face, again and again.

"All departments, attention."

Chen Jiashang picked up the megaphone.

The entire crew immediately snapped to attention.

The biggest difference between making a movie and shooting a TV show was the film stock. Every shot burned money.

If anyone did a poor job and dragged out the shoot, wasting too much film, the director and producer would really tear into them—or even fire them on the spot.

"Action!"

The clapperboard operator brought the slate down, and the first scene of the afternoon began.

Gu Xuanzhao had designed a lot of intricate moves for Deng Chao. One of the routines was for his transformation into a werewolf: all offense, no defense, relentless pressure, and a powerful presence.

The moves were intricate but not especially difficult. And because the camera had to capture Deng Chao's face throughout, there was no opportunity for Zhang Yang, his stunt double, to step in.

Deng Chao had clearly practiced the routine thoroughly. After just three takes, Chen Jiashang called, "Cut!"

This fight scene, which required Deng Chao himself, served as a warm-up. He was then hooked up to the wires to prepare for the next scene, a major one that required wirework.

"Brother Deng, the Wire King is finally back!" Deng Chao playfully raised his eyebrows at Gu Xuanzhao, in high spirits.

Gu Xuanzhao had long been known as the "Wire King." Many of the moves he designed relied on wires to create impressive visuals, which looked even better on the big screen.

"Focus on the scene." Gu Xuanzhao checked Deng Chao's gear.

"What, you think I can't pull it off and you'll have to send in my stunt double?" Deng Chao pulled a face.

A smile appeared on Gu Xuanzhao's usually serious face. "I'm worried you'll get your ass kicked. I hope you don't embarrass yourself too badly."

Deng Chao: ?

Gu Xuanzhao said no more. He stepped aside and signaled to Chen Jiashang.

"All departments, attention."

"Action!"

"."

The scene was set outside the Drunken Moon Tower.

Deng Chao was fighting someone when he was caught in a grapple and flung away, spinning through the air twice.

He slapped the ground, turned a full 360 degrees, got to his feet, and charged at his opponent.

It was one continuous sequence. It sounded easy, but it was difficult to perform.

Even an ordinary person might stumble after spinning twice in place and trying to walk in a straight line. Now imagine being suspended by wires, spinning twice in midair, slapping the ground, turning another 360 degrees, getting upright, and immediately sprinting forward.

"Whoosh!"

Multiple camera angles captured the action as boom arms swayed overhead.

Deng Chao slipped into character. Gone was his usual playfulness; his movements and emotions were fully committed.

After a brief exchange of blows, he began the sequence, first spinning twice in midair while suspended by wires.

That part went smoothly. Deng Chao shifted his center of gravity as he came down, slapped the ground, and spun 360 degrees. Next, he had to straighten up.

The previous afternoon, he'd kept failing at this exact point. Today, he'd come up with a clever workaround: after the turn, he'd land in a half-crouch.

Keeping his upper body steady, he pushed off with his back foot the instant his balance returned, sprinted forward, and threw a punch, holding the pose.

"Cut!"

Chen Jiashang smiled with satisfaction. "Chao, got it in one. Excellent."

They'd spent the entire afternoon trying to get this shot yesterday without success. He'd nearly lost his temper.

He'd originally planned to put Zhang Yang in for the scene today, so everyone could see how good the stunt double he'd personally picked was.

Especially the producer sent by the investors. He'd hinted that they weren't happy with his decision to replace Mu Panlong, so Chen Jiashang needed to prove them wrong with results.

But Deng Chao had come to him of his own accord and promised to give him a pleasant surprise. If he couldn't get it within three takes, he'd give up. That was why Chen Jiashang had reluctantly agreed.

Thankfully, Deng Chao hadn't let him down.

"Nothing special." Deng Chao returned to the group and grinned at Zhang Yang. "A'Yang, I saved you the trouble."

That was true enough. Whether Deng Chao used a stunt double or not, Zhang Yang's pay stayed the same.

Some actors handed the work straight to their stunt doubles because they couldn't do the moves or simply didn't want to, then filmed close-ups of their faces separately.

But actors with even a little ambition and professionalism still chose to do the stunts themselves. The shots looked better in the finished movie that way.

"Thanks, Chao Ge." Zhang Yang smiled and played along.

He had no need to insist on showing off.

Getting paid without doing anything was pretty nice, wasn't it?

He wasn't a professional stunt double, so there was no rush to prove himself and expand his business.

His plan for the future was to start out as an idol and become a top star. Then, in the age of internet traffic, he'd become a bankable idol with real ability and rake in the money.

Once the country began imposing pay caps and stricter regulations, he'd shift to becoming a serious actor, director, and producer.

Besides, someone else was more eager than he was. He didn't need to step forward.

"Wait." Gu Xuanzhao suddenly spoke up. "Let Zhang Yang do one take as insurance."

Everyone: ?

"Just one take." Gu Xuanzhao turned to Chen Jiashang. "Let's see how it looks. It might come out better."

Gu Xuanzhao wasn't worried that saying this would offend Deng Chao. Even if the stunt double did a better job, it only benefited the lead actor in the end.

If there were a better option, Deng Chao would choose to let Zhang Yang do it himself.

"Sure."

Chen Jiashang was happy to do Gu Xuanzhao that favor.

Besides, he was curious to see what Zhang Yang could do to earn such high praise from Gu Xuanzhao.

Zhang Yang didn't say a word. Still dressed in the same costume as Deng Chao, he walked straight onto the set.

Once the wires were secured, his gaze and presence changed completely.

The transformation caught the interest of the A-list stars and veteran actors on set.

Chen Jiashang's eyes lit up as he watched Zhang Yang on the monitor, secretly admiring him. He really has the kind of face that belongs on the big screen. What a pity he's not famous. If he makes it big someday, I could see working with him.

"Action!"

Clap!

The slate came down, and Zhang Yang began his performance.

One minute later, the entire set fell silent.

It took Chen Jiashang a long moment to come back to himself. "Cut!"

Deng Chao: "."

Oh no, I've made a fool of myself.