With Ji Hanchuan's help, Shi Wei immersed himself completely in his role. After one run-through, he needed a while to pull himself out.
"That was very good." Ji Hanchuan rarely gave him such approval.
Shi Wei was so happy he felt good all over, and his brain short-circuited. "Thanks, old..."
Ji Hanchuan swept an icy look his way, and Shi Wei immediately corrected himself. "Old Ji."
"Oh? Yesterday it was Teacher Ji, and now it's Old Ji." Zhang Zixiang walked over and nodded approvingly at Shi Wei. "I knew spending more time with Hanchuan would do you good. Make sure you maintain that state you were in just now."
"Yes, Director!" Shi Wei nodded solemnly.
"Teacher Ji really is amazing. He can turn anyone he guides into a god." Wang Jun'er walked over. "Shi Wei, having Director Zhang and Teacher Ji help you-you've really landed yourself a bargain."
Why did that sound so snide?
But Shi Wei's skin was thick enough that he feared nothing. "It's not as if just anyone can do it. I need ability of my own for Director Zhang and Teacher Ji to think highly of me. They're making a movie, not running a charity."
Her attempt at flattery backfired. Wang Jun'er was left speechless and could only smile. "That's true."
"Hahaha, exactly. We're making a movie, not running a charity." Zhang Zixiang appreciated this young man more and more.
Talented, ambitious, and not prone to stage fright-he was a little like Ji Hanchuan back in the day.
Even his sharp tongue was like Ji Hanchuan's.
Only Ji Hanchuan's barbs were cold, while Shi Wei chattered away.
Wang Jun'er hadn't expected Zhang Zixiang to speak up for Shi Wei, and she couldn't help sneering inwardly.
Some internationally renowned director. Put someone young and pretty in front of him, and didn't he do those same shameful things too?
Wang Jun'er became even more convinced that Shi Wei had gotten the role through the casting couch. The more she thought about it, the more resentful she grew.
Back in her lounge, she took out her phone and called William. It took several calls before he picked up, his voice still hoarse from a hangover. "Sis, what do you want so early?"
"Did you drink too much again? Get over here. Listen, I'll help you get that role you lost back!"
"I'm not playing that eunuch. Sis, can't you find me something better? I'm a little fresh meat, after all. Who wants to play some effeminate thing like that?"
Wang Jun'er held back her anger. "Wang William, listen to me. Ji Hanchuan is the lead in this movie."
There seemed to be the sound of someone falling and hitting the floor on the other end. Wang William hissed through the pain. "No way. Ji Hanchuan's coming back? Zhang Zixiang really does live up to his reputation as a famous director."
"Hmph, what famous director? I'll tell you the truth. The reason you lost this role was..." Wang Jun'er told him everything she knew. "Now that Shi Wei is Zhang Zixiang's favorite. William, all of this should have been yours!"
"Motherfucker!" Wang William cursed. "Shi Wei stole what was mine."
"Exactly. Hurry over. I'll make Shi Wei give the role back to you."
"Okay, Sis. I'm coming right now."
People bustled about the set.
Ji Hanchuan and Shi Wei sat casually in a corner, running lines and discussing their scenes as though no one else existed, as if they had a little world of their own.
Even Li Xiaochen felt a little superfluous.
So Brother Hanchuan and Shi Wei could get along this peacefully. When Shi Wei wasn't causing trouble, he didn't seem like a bad person either.
Li Xiaochen didn't disturb them and attentively brought them tea and water.
As noon approached, Li Xiaochen had no choice but to burst their little bubble.
"Brother Hanchuan, that lunch..."
Ji Hanchuan glanced at his watch, only then realizing how quickly time had passed.
"What lunch? Can I come too?" Shi Wei leaned over to look. "Teacher Ji, I'm hungry too."
"If you're hungry, go find the script supervisor." Ji Hanchuan stood to leave, then stopped and lowered his eyes to Shi Wei, a warning in his gaze. "Don't cause any trouble."
"Oh, stop it. What do you mean, don't fool around?" Shi Wei acted shy. He had to make sure Ji Hanchuan lost his appetite!
Ji Hanchuan: ...
Li Xiaochen: ...
"Let's go." Ji Hanchuan didn't want to deal with Shi Wei anymore, and his departure was both cool and hurried.
Li Xiaochen was still in shock. "How dare you talk to Brother Hanchuan like that?"
Shi Wei said seriously, "Because I love dancing all over Teacher Ji's bottom line. As long as I work hard enough, I'll definitely dance it out of existence."
Li Xiaochen: ...
His departure was both flustered and distraught.
Shi Wei was about to go get a boxed lunch too, but a young woman intercepted him along the way.
"Um..." The young woman seemed a little awkward.
Shi Wei smiled very gently. "You want my autograph, right? Don't be nervous. I'll sign it for you right now, and we can take a photo together afterward."
Buy one, get one free. What a bargain.
"No!" The young woman hurriedly stopped his pushy self-promotion. "Sister Jun'er wants to see you."
Shi Wei: ...
Shi Wei asked weakly, "Do you still want the autograph, then?"
The young woman shook her head firmly, led Shi Wei to Wang Jun'er's private lounge, and ran off.
Impressive. Even Ji Hanchuan didn't seem to have a private lounge.
Shi Wei knocked, and a leisurely "Come in" sounded from inside.
Aside from Wang Jun'er, there was a tall young man in the room. His face was handsome, but the dark circles under his eyes were blacker than a panda's. One look told Shi Wei he was the type steeped in booze and sex. At the sight of Shi Wei, his expression turned resentful.
Hmm?
Shi Wei smiled faintly. They weren't here with good intentions.
Shi Wei slipped his hand into his pocket and felt the phone inside.
"Well, the eunuch's here." Wang William's words dripped with spite as his lewd gaze traveled up and down Shi Wei. "You really do look like a sissy. No wonder Director Zhang gave you extra scenes."
"Did you need something, Sister Jun'er?"
"Of course I did." Wang Jun'er sat in her chair, her manner overbearing. "This is William. You're in the same company, so you know him, right?"
Shi Wei shook his head. "No."
Wang Jun'er snorted. "I'll get straight to the point. You stole William's role! Wasn't it only because Ma Xianbei threatened the higher-ups that you got to audition? Now you don't dare admit it?"
Shi Wei remained composed. "How does Brother Bei come into this again?"
He was baffled. Was Brother Bei that powerful? Had he secretly leveled up behind my back?
Wang William walked up to Shi Wei and used his height to glare down at him, looking utterly self-righteous. "You didn't push Xu Xirui, but you didn't save him either. How can you be so horrible? And you even used this to steal my role."
"What exactly do you want?" Shi Wei picked at his ear. I'm so hungry. I can't listen to any more of this.
Wang Jun'er gave Shi Wei a contemptuous glance, like a victorious goddess. "I trust you're not an idiot. How about this? If you obediently tell Zhang Zixiang you're dropping out and give the role back to William, we won't hold this against you or kick you out of the company."
"Pfft..." Shi Wei laughed outright. "Aren't you two the idiots here?"
Provoked by his laughter, Wang William grabbed his collar and raised a fist at him, his face contorted. "How dare you insult us! Believe me, I'll punch you!"