RSDH CH43

When Cheng Duzhou saw Duan Xingye, it was like a dream—a dream where he met the person he missed in the Republic of China era.

It wasn’t until he touched Duan Xingye’s slightly cool hand and smelled the cold fragrance in his palm that he fell back to the ground.

A faint pink layer appeared on Duan Xingye’s clear face. Using a bit of force, he withdrew his hand, putting it behind his back, curling the palm that burned with the shape of a lip print.

Seeing his reaction, Cheng Duzhou realized his loss of composure. A bit embarrassed, he quickly thought of why Duan Xingye suddenly came to visit the set—it must be an arrangement by All the Way With You. But he was still happy inside, said “Sit,” and uncovered a new teacup to pour water for him.

Duan Xingye grabbed a small chair and sat down, looking down to adjust the hem of his suit, trying hard to suppress the heat on his face to avoid showing unnaturalness in front of everyone.

Li Lin watched the couple from the side, smiling until his eyes almost squinted shut. He guessed they were in the newlywed honeymoon period, reluctant to part. No wonder the leading actor, known as the strongest in the industry, was a bit distracted this week, always thinking about taking leave to go home.

Old Xu said happily from the heart: “Teacher Duan accepted the program team’s invitation for an interview without telling everyone in advance. How does President Cheng feel now?”

Cheng Duzhou took a sip of tea, unable to hide his smile even with lowered lashes: “Very surprised… didn’t expect him to cooperate with you guys.”

“Rephrase your language.” Duan Xingye looked at him. “My cooperation level on shows is very high, okay?”

“Then… didn’t expect your cooperation level to be this high.”

“I shouldn’t have come.”

“I was wrong.” Cheng Duzhou hurriedly reached out to hold him down.

Seeing the young couple bickering already, Li Lin laughed heartily, rocking back and forth: “Duzhou is very happy you could come. You didn’t see what he looked like on set the past few days…”

“Cough.” Cheng Duzhou cleared his throat deliberately, pouring water for Li Lin. “Drink tea.”

Li Lin looked at him teasingly, didn’t undermine him further, and turned to Duan Xingye, speaking gently: “Heard of Mr. Duan long ago, but Duzhou hides you tight, refusing to bring you to meet us. Meeting officially for the first time today, Mr. Duan’s temperament is really good. My daughter is your loyal fan, and I’ve heard your songs too. Among artists in this circle who are talented and good-looking, I only admire Mr. Duan.”

Cheng Duzhou looked at Li Lin somewhat defensively, never having seen him pay such great attentions to anyone.

Praised to his satisfaction, Duan Xingye immediately had a good impression of this internationally renowned director in front of him. At the same time, he was a bit proud, thinking Cheng Duzhou didn’t hide him tight; he just couldn’t bring him out.

“Just call me Xiao Duan.” He complimented back, “I’ve seen basically all of Director Li’s plays, especially Sleepless in Seattle. It’s a classic I’ve rewatched many times.”

“Oh~” Li Lin clapped his hands. “Starring Duzhou.”

“…”

Cheng Duzhou glanced at Duan Xingye and refilled his tea.

Duan Xingye looked at Li Lin without changing expression: “Like the story and narrative style of that movie, very admire Director Li’s cinematic language.”

Li Lin leaned his upper body slightly forward, immediately following up: “Then do I have the honor to invite you to star in my movie?”

As soon as these words came out, not only Duan Xingye but even Cheng Duzhou and Old Xu were stunned.

Cheng Duzhou helped explain: “He received movie invitations before but wasn’t interested personally, so he never developed in this direction.”

“Moreover, I haven’t received training and can’t act.” Duan Xingye said lightly, “Professional matters should be left to professional people.”

Li Lin waved his hand, seemingly thinking it wasn’t a problem: “You should have filmed MVs, right?”

Nowadays, fewer domestic singers filmed MVs than before, and production was rougher. Regardless of the circle, the trend of making quick money was becoming more obvious. But Duan Xingye treated every album and every song with a striving for perfection attitude, so MVs were never left behind.

“Filmed before.” Duan Xingye said, “But still can’t compare with movies.”

“That’s very good.” Li Lin revealed a persuasive smile. “I have a role here, no lines, just a few sets of scenes. Treat it like filming an MV; can finish in two or three hours. But acting well is crucial to the whole work. Originally I was going to give up on shaping this character, but seeing you now, I have confidence again. Wonder if Xiao Duan can do a favor, a friendly cameo appearance.”

Li Lin spoke sincerely. Duan Xingye wasn’t ignorant of worldly wisdom and said, “If I can help, naturally willing, but I’m definitely not as dedicated as actors, can’t film difficult scenes.”

Afraid Duan Xingye would be troubled, Cheng Duzhou chimed in: “Director Li might as well find someone else.”

Li Lin sighed, looked at Cheng Duzhou like looking at a fool, ignored him, and continued to Duan Xingye: “Not difficult. Just need you to add a bit more delicate emotion on the basis of acting as yourself. I will guide this.”

Since the other party said this much, Duan Xingye could only respond: “Director Li, please tell, which play specifically, what role.”

“It’s in this play, the protagonist’s lover.” Li Lin smiled and said, “Looking around, only Xiao Duan can act it well.”

Cheng Duzhou’s heart heated up instantly. Looking at Duan Xingye, only then did he realize Duan Xingye was more suitable than anyone to play the young master returning from studying abroad; no one could replace him.

Duan Xingye hadn’t learned about the content of the new play and asked, “Acting opposite Cheng Duzhou?”

“Yes.” Li Lin roughly described the filming content to him and said, “I’ll arrange it later, filming your scenes in advance. Among them, you have a few sets of solo scenes, mainly filming back and side views. Additionally, there are four scenes with Duzhou: roughly a chance encounter in the school, meeting again in the library, holding hands and walking…”

Speaking of this, Li Lin glanced at Cheng Duzhou again, deliberately dragging out his tone: “But this fourth scene, the kiss scene, let me consider whether to add it. After all, it’s a large-scale performance, a gimmick to attract the audience, and our lead actor seems unwilling…”

Cheng Duzhou put down the tea cup with a bang, speaking with certainty: “Director Li, firstly, kiss scenes do not belong to large-scale performances. Secondly, kiss scenes are necessary for sublimating character relationships and should be portrayed emphatically to enhance the audience’s sense of substitution. Anyway, I haven’t seen lovers in any movie just holding hands. For the authenticity of the work, please treat it seriously; what should be kept must be kept.”

Old Xu was stunned. If the camera hadn’t recorded Cheng Duzhou’s views on intimate scenes just now, he would have believed it.

Li Lin chuckled muffledly, covering his mouth: “Is that so… then let me think about how to shoot it.”

Duan Xingye nudged Cheng Duzhou’s shoe with his toe, raising one eyebrow slightly meanly, lowering his voice: “Who were you originally going to film a kiss scene with? Why didn’t I hear the news.”

He knew Cheng Duzhou didn’t film intimate scenes; otherwise, five years wouldn’t have passed with the audience still holding strong expectations for Cheng Duzhou’s first screen kiss.

If there was a kiss scene in this movie, without marketing, netizens would definitely send the actor playing opposite him to the trending search, but no relevant news had broken out so far.

Because all the movies Cheng Duzhou had filmed didn’t have a CP that could be bundled, Duan Xingye never considered the possibility of him filming intimate scenes. The two never made an agreement on such things either, and the two years after marriage passed calmly. But now hearing Cheng Duzhou was going to film a kiss scene with someone else, Duan Xingye started feeling all sorts of wrong inside.

Not the pure displeasure of losing face when seeing Cheng Duzhou on the same stage as the junior brother, but a tighter, closer to being plundered, unhappiness.

Cheng Duzhou was baffled by his kick: “Didn’t plan to film with anyone.”

Duan Xingye disliked his dishonesty, nudging him with his shoe again: “Then why is there still a fourth scene? You seem quite eager to film it too.”

Looked even more active than the director.

Cheng Duzhou was afraid of him, pushing his knee with his hand, whispering: “Only have the fourth scene because you came; originally it was already deleted.”

That’s more like it.

Duan Xingye’s mindset finally leveled. Retracting his foot, he stopped messing with him.

But on second thought, something was wrong. Pinching the skin on the back of Cheng Duzhou’s hand: “On what grounds must there be one when I come? My first time on screen filming a kiss scene, don’t I need face?”

“Although it’s not my first time on screen, a kiss scene is also a first.” Cheng Duzhou held his hand back. “All for art, I won’t haggle over so much. What do you think?”

“…”

Duan Xingye withdrew his hand grumpily.

Crawl.

Break over, the crew’s makeup artist styled Duan Xingye, raising the exquisiteness of the returned young master to another level.

Li Lin took advantage of his presence to finish filming all the lover’s scenes.

The short film shooting for All the Way With You in the scenic area last time was just entertainment. This time Duan Xingye was filming a movie seriously on set, but his psychological quality had always been high, showing no timidity at all.

According to the script, the protagonist and the young master met in the university corridor, love at first sight type.

On the way to the shooting point, Li Lin said, “Xiao Duan just needs to show the charm of a graceful young master. No need to be nervous. In this scene, act as yourself; leave the rest to Duzhou.”

He then turned to instruct Cheng Duzhou: “You have to give me the feeling of ‘one glance lasts ten thousand years’. From amazement to heartbeat to obsession, emotions are complex, but the acting can only come from the eyes. The intensity can’t be too much; too much easily becomes a pervert.”

Sensing Duan Xingye’s gaze, Cheng Duzhou feared he would misunderstand his professionalism, hurriedly saying: “My performance won’t be exaggerated.”

“Isn’t it your first time filming a romance scene? Giving you a couple more pointers.” Li Lin tapped Cheng Duzhou with the rolled-up booklet, implying something. “I found you the most perfect partner. If you act badly, this kind of scene will really become your shortcoming. Go back to school for retraining then.”

Cheng Duzhou lowered his head: “Won’t happen.”

The reason Li Lin needed Duan Xingye wasn’t only because Cheng Duzhou would only act intimate scenes with Duan Xingye, but also because he could see that when Cheng Duzhou saw Duan Xingye, the affection and admiration in his eyes were real. With such precious emotions, plus a little polishing of acting skills, their image as lovers in the movie would be unbreakable.

Filming for the first scene started.

Duan Xingye’s milk-white highlighted hair was temporarily dyed black. Wearing a bib-and-brace style suit fashionable in that era, his back straight as a pine, silhouette handsome and slender, he walked in the corridor intertwined with green plants holding a thick book. Grammar class was starting in three minutes; his steps were a bit faster than usual.

Just then, a tall man in a suit approached, hands in pockets, walking with his head down.

Neither looked at the other, thus not noticing the distance between them. Just as they were about to pass each other, shoulders bumped solidly. Both turned sideways simultaneously, gazes intersecting.

Duan Xingye had his back to the camera. Li Lin gave a close-up of Cheng Duzhou’s face. The man lifted his eyelids, heart calm, containing nothing in his eyes. Then his gaze slightly condensed, gaining focus. Soon, light fluctuated like spring water, obviously amazement, containing affection. Even as the distance between the two widened with walking, the gaze still lingered (pulled silk).

Duan Xingye withdrew his gaze. Unknown why, just being looked at by Cheng Duzhou like that, his heart pounded. But afraid of affecting the current shooting, he had to take a deep breath to suppress his emotions. Therefore, the arm holding the book tightened unconsciously, and his back straightened a few degrees more.

Only now did he realize Cheng Duzhou’s usual acting in the romance variety show could be called gentle breeze and drizzle. Because when he truly exerted his acting skills, he became an unsheathed sharp blade; few could handle such an aura. Fortunately, the camera wasn’t on him.

The two walked away back to back. After a few steps, Cheng Duzhou looked back again, extended a hand to touch the back of his neck, lowered his head, expression falling into confusion, yet ears red, visibly harboring scorching thoughts.

“Cut!”

Li Lin applauded. A shot less than five seconds long, would be slow-motioned in post-production. One take pass, very ideal, could be said to far exceed his expectations.

Cheng Duzhou and Duan Xingye returned to the director’s side to look at the viewfinder.

Cheng Duzhou’s performance was remarkable, but coming from a professional background, it should be so, so Li Lin didn’t comment.

Actually, for a demanding director like Li Lin, not scolding was praise. In the entire set, Cheng Duzhou was scolded the least.

If Cheng Duzhou achieved the ideal, then the part far exceeding the director’s expectations lay with Duan Xingye.

“Xiao Duan, you were humble before. You are very talented in acting.” Li Lin specially praised Duan Xingye, pen tip gesturing on his arm on the screen. “You handled this part with great detail. After withdrawing your gaze, deep breath, body rhythm had a significant increase, muscles in arm and back tightened a bit, indicating the character’s heart wasn’t indifferent, but rather nervous and uneasy. The moment we meet someone we like, adrenaline must soar. Your body language design is quite concise and clever. Too amazing. As expected of a talent. I didn’t even explain the drama to you, yet you could grasp the character’s heart so precisely. Acted too well.”

“…”

Duan Xingye didn’t know what to say, turning his face to drink a mouthful of mineral water.

What grasping the character’s heart? He didn’t understand.

Since the corridor was also the place where the two had their first kiss in the drama, next was filming the kiss scene.

Cheng Duzhou left to touch up makeup.

Duan Xingye pointed at Cheng Duzhou’s bright red ears frozen in the viewfinder and asked, “How do actors do that? I thought blushing was a makeup effect.”

Li Lin smiled like a riddler: “Actors don’t have the skill to control blushing, oh. Depends on personal state. Why don’t you ask Duzhou what he was thinking at the time?”

Duan Xingye pursed his lips and withdrew his hand.

He wouldn’t ask.

…

Filming a kiss scene outdoors would be watched from 360 degrees. Nearby were not only staff but also a small number of extras joining in the fun, so it would be awkward.

But breaking shame was a compulsory course for actors.

Cheng Duzhou considered it was Duan Xingye’s first time acting and said, “Just close your eyes later and ignore everything.”

Duan Xingye understood Cheng Duzhou wanted to lead him into the scene.

But actually, Cheng Duzhou’s worry was superfluous. For Duan Xingye, as long as he distinguished between acting and reality, facing it as work, there would be no psychological burden.

Places, everyone.

The clapboard holder shouted: “Hunting Scene 128 Shot 3 Take 1, Action!”

Clack!

Just rained artificial rain. The pothos above the corridor was verdant and dripping; the sky above the teaching building was clear.

Cheng Duzhou and Duan Xingye sat on the bench by the corridor. Their eyes seemed drawn by an inexplicable attraction. Faces gradually approached, tentatively testing each other’s breath, both lowering their eyelashes until closed.

The moment they touched, Duan Xingye immediately discovered Cheng Duzhou used mouthwash. Stimulating spiciness permeated the mouth. But he felt it was completely unnecessary; Cheng Duzhou’s own scent was refreshing and clean. He didn’t like mouthwash.

Cheng Duzhou was a bit nervous before shooting started. He wanted to appear steady in front of Duan Xingye. Acting required maintaining thirty percent sobriety and seventy percent immersion. He thought he could handle it, but as the kiss deepened, unknowingly, he discarded even that thirty percent sobriety.

The big guy holding the reflector beside them had been in the film set for years, watching bed scenes without blushing or heart racing. This time halfway through, he actually turned his face away to look at a snail crawling on the pillar nearby.

Old Xu was filming with a camera not far away, revealing an auntie smile. This was permitted by the crew. They would censor this filming footage and intersperse it into this episode’s All the Way With You live broadcast. Not only a highlight of the variety show but also warming up for the movie Hunting.

Duan Xingye gradually felt the air thin out, wind and birdsong by his ears fading away. Finally, he was brought into the scene, habitually raising his hand to wrap around the back of Cheng Duzhou’s head. Just as his slender white fingers were about to rub into the black hair.

— “Cut!!!”

With Li Lin’s irritable shout, the sweet and restless atmosphere in the corridor vanished.

Cheng Duzhou and Duan Xingye separated, eyes dodging a bit as they quickly looked elsewhere, simultaneously raising hands to wipe the corners of their lips.

Very different from directing the previous scene, Li Lin’s face grew darker as he looked at the monitor, visibly very dissatisfied.

The two actors arrived at his side.

Li Lin lost his previous pleasant countenance, turning to the assistant beside him, tone very harsh: “Get some ice packs for them.”

“…………”

The couple realized then that their lips were burning hot. Blushing instantly, they reached out to cover their mouths as cover again.

“Pfft!”

Surrounding staff couldn’t help laughing.

It was their first time seeing actors filming a kiss scene until needing ice packs to reduce swelling.

After the assistant trotted away.

“Cheng Duzhou, restrain yourself a bit!” Li Lin pointed at Cheng Duzhou’s hand in the viewfinder with a pen. “Where are you putting it?”

In the picture, Cheng Duzhou’s big hand had already climbed onto Duan Xingye’s chest.

“…” Cheng Duzhou was hugely embarrassed, lowering his eyes, whispering, “Sorry.”

Although the director scolded Cheng Duzhou, Duan Xingye’s embarrassment level wasn’t much better than his. His face was almost burning.

He didn’t even realize where Cheng Duzhou’s hand was just now.

“I just don’t understand.” Li Lin turned his head, looking at the two dissatisfiedly. “You are filming a first kiss. Why make it look like foreplay? Never had a first kiss experience?”

“…………”

Neither of the couple spoke, turning away to avoid answering, but both felt somewhat wronged in their hearts.

But they had been like this since their first kiss; what was wrong?

__

Author’s Note:

Couple: We’ve always been this wild.

Director Li facepalms: Please restrain a bit.