However, once he gradually gained a foothold in the film and television industry and had a hit costume romance under his belt, he stopped expressing much gratitude for her efforts to make connections for him. He even began to show hints of disdain for the opportunities she brought him, feeling they were not prestigious enough. Why did she get to star in major directors' films while all he got were costume romances?
Yang Manhui had not taken those complaints to heart at the time, assuming He Cheng simply held himself to high standards. She had even tried every means to secure better opportunities for him, but she still failed to restore his former attitude toward her.
Back then, the colder He Cheng became, the harder she tried to salvage the love they had found when they were both nobodies. Had she really been subjected to He Cheng's PUA, as Ye Jin had said?
The more Ye Jin ranted, the more she despised He Cheng. Finally, she concluded.
[If I were Yang Manhui, I'd treat He Cheng like I was training a dog. When he made me happy, I'd toss him a few opportunities. I'd make sure he was completely obedient and overflowing with gratitude. Things would never have ended up like this.]
That was an option? She should train He Cheng like a dog?
Much of the gloom weighing on Yang Manhui's heart inexplicably dissipated. Ye Jin's suggestion was rather interesting. Perhaps she really should try it.
The three of them either had star power or powerful backing, so the staff around them did not dare meddle.
Still, the production had filming to do, and in the end, the director stepped forward. "The stagehands have finished setting up the props. Everyone, stop gathering around to chat and get ready to film."
Neither Ye Jin nor Yang Manhui would let personal matters interfere with work, while He Cheng was even more eager for this utterly humiliating moment to end. He, too, pretended to prepare for filming and began reading the script in his hands.
Soon, filming officially began.
The senior sister was not a complicated role, and Ye Jin had prepared thoroughly, so her scene went fairly smoothly. Every frown, smile, and movement conveyed the aura of a white moonlight.
As for Yang Manhui, she was already one of the finest actresses in her age group. Playing such a one-dimensional villain was naturally effortless for her, and she even used her acting skills to add a touch of "lovableness" to the character.
The only exception was He Cheng.
As the central male lead, he naturally had the most scenes. His solo scenes were fine, but whenever he acted opposite Ye Jin or Yang Manhui, his performance became distinctly abnormal.
In fact, costume romances like this did not demand much acting skill. To keep production on schedule, takes were usually approved as long as they were good enough.
Compared with his fellow directors, Chen He had a fairly mild temper. He Cheng was also a hugely popular top star, so he had always treated him courteously. Even so, he could not help calling "cut" on He Cheng.
"He Cheng, did you not get enough rest last night? Why do you seem so out of sorts? You're facing your white moonlight, who's come to save you and help you slap everyone else in the face. How could your gaze be so cold, even hateful?"
"And the male lead isn't someone whose joy depends on external things or whose sorrow stems from personal misfortune. Even when his fiancée abandons him for being poor and chasing wealth, he remains calm. He wouldn't look as outraged as you did."
Chen He knew the three of them had fallen out, but a competent actor would not let personal feelings affect a performance.
Although he also knew He Cheng was hardly an outstanding actor, he at least needed to look passable on screen. Besides, this was a major scene, and as the male lead, He Cheng could not perform too poorly.
Being shouted at by the director only deepened He Cheng's resentment.
He naturally knew his performance just now had fallen below his usual standard, but looking at Ye Jin's face as she put on that noble act, he could not suppress his hatred. Why should he have to trail after that woman Ye Jin like a simp!
Especially when Ye Jin looked at him with that almost-smile. It only made him feel even more strongly that she was provoking him!
And when he faced Yang Manhui and heard her deliver those lines about looking down on him, he had the feeling she was using the dialogue to voice her true thoughts.
Just as he thought, Yang Manhui looked down on him. Otherwise, how could her performance be so convincing!
Thus, when facing Yang Manhui, instead of appearing unruffled and confident, his face was filled with anger he could not restrain.
Faced with the director's fury, He Cheng was seething with anger himself.
Why hadn't the director stepped in to "uphold justice" when those two women were ganging up on him earlier? Yet now he was blaming him?
Still, he retained some sense. This was a drama built around him as the male lead, and he had to consider the bigger picture.
Besides, those two women, Ye Jin and Yang Manhui, were acting very strangely today. He had better avoid any more conflict with them.
He Cheng could only force down his anger and muster an apologetic smile for the director. "Director, I'm sorry. I got a little distracted just now. I'll get myself back on track as soon as possible."
The rest of the shoot went fairly smoothly. Although He Cheng's performance was hardly excellent, it at least looked passable.
He Cheng had already slowed their progress, so the director was in no mood to spend more time polishing every detail to perfection and approved the scene.
Ye Jin did not have many scenes. She filmed from noon until evening, then took her van back to the upscale apartment she was renting.
Generally, the production would only rent separate apartments for the male and female leads. Ye Jin did not have the star status to qualify, but she had money, and the production naturally would not stop her from renting a place herself. It even saved them the hotel costs.
Having already stayed there for over half a month, Ye Jin removed her makeup with practiced ease and changed into her pajamas.
However, once she finished all this, she was surprised to discover that Huo Yun still had not left. She sat on the living room sofa, watching her with a deliberately sorrowful expression, looking as though she wanted to say something but was holding back.
She thought she had done pretty well today. Surely Huo Yun didn't need to stay behind specifically to scold her!
What Ye Jin did not know, however, was that Huo Yun had stayed precisely because she had performed far too well today.
Although Ye Jin's acting had never been bad, she had always approached filming with an attitude of "good enough is enough," so naturally, her performances had never been particularly impressive.
If she had previously scored sixty, today she had essentially reached eighty. Compared with He Cheng in particular, Ye Jin's performance looked even more outstanding.
Huo Yun could not help wondering again whether Ye Jin had finally decided to focus on her career. In that case, she naturally had to stay and build on this momentum.