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Translated by: Peri
But what's the point? This did not distract everyone's attention from his face.
Jiang Qi's face has
always been charming, otherwise, Shen Lei wouldn't have taken a glimpse of him which
left a lasting impression when he was still in prison two years ago.
Yue Yuan, who was
standing in the center of the lighting board saw Jiang Qi who suddenly appeared.
After a moment of surprise, she was naturally attracted to him.
As the young man got
closer to her step by step, Yue Yuan who was just inconspicuous became a little
nervous unconsciously. The fingers hanging by her side curled up making her
nails press into her delicate palm as her clear eyes stared blankly at him.
Yue Yuan saw Jiang Qi
stand close to her, so his deep voice was close to her ears. Then he spoke the
actor's line that she had just heard twice—
"I'll be with you,
okay?"
Under Jiang Qi's
complicated but gentle gaze, Yue Yuan's heart started to beat fast unwillingly.
It seems like she became immersed
in the play becoming the heroine in the script. She timidly asked, "Will
you always be with me?"
Jiang Qi smiled. His
light-colored eyes softly looked at the girl in front of him. A look that
penetrated her delicate through her soul.
He gently agreed,
"Yes."
It was like coaxing a
little girl.
The entire audition room fell
silent as the atmosphere between the two young actors was so harmonious and
beautiful just like a dream or an illusion.
Even Shen Lei didn't
expect Jiang Qi to perform so well.
He has always known that
this young man is talented in acting, despite Jiang Qi not having experienced
any systematic training in film and television school. In fact, not even having
graduated from high school. That made him afraid he will find it hard to understand
the characters in the script.
But
at the same time, Shen Lei also knew that Jiang Qi is gifted. One of those
experiential actors who immerse themselves in the character through experience.
Thus, giving the audience an overwhelming feeling.
Only this kind of actor
can be called the ‘Son of Heaven’.
To put it mildly, Jiang
Qi played the role of a perverted psycho who’s manic and bloodthirsty. Jiang
Qi's debut movie was a Hitler-style character. A one-man show without even a
supporting role.
So, Shen Lei didn't
expect Jiang Qi to be so good when he was acting with the actress just now. He even
showed tenderness with a hint of deceit.
Maybe this is God's gift.
He faintly felt his blood vessels beating excitedly and the mountains and
waters felt like flowing.
"Cut!"
While everyone was in a
trance with the plot before Director Wang Zhaoqiu called out.
Jiang Qi seemed to have
withdrawn from the act for a moment. His eyes suddenly became cold as he straightened
up, stepped back, and walked back toward Shen Lei without saying a word.
There was an empty layer
of cold air all over her body and Yue Yuan felt inexplicably lost. Her eyes chased
Jiang Qiqing's thin back.
"Well, not
bad." When Wang Zhaoqiu saw Jiang Qi, he stood up himself. His constantly
solemn face had a look of approval.
Then, under the gazes
around them, he said something earth-shattering: "Can you play the male
lead?"
?!
Even Shen Lei, who always
had a smug smile on his lips was shocked after hearing this.
It was a role that half
of the entertainment industry had set their eyes on, even the actors waiting in
the audition room… In the end, it fell
on such a rookie with a 'genius talent' but a whole lot of scandals.
Among the circles, how
many do not know about the specious rumors about Jiang Qi that have appeared
recently?
The producer next to him
suddenly tensed up and hurriedly came over to interrupt: "That, Director
Wang..."
Wang Zhaoqiu did not
allow him to speak and raised his hand to signal him to shut up.
The old director just
stared at Jiang Qi and didn't let him go.
Jiang Qi was also stunned
for a moment, then shook his head.
He refused without
hesitation: "I can't act."
.
Everyone was stunned
again, perhaps this afternoon has been touched by some incomprehensible 'fantasy'.
It seemed incredible that
the male protagonist of Wang Zhaoqiu's movie will be a rookie actor who is
riddled with black material. What is even more incredible is that Director Wang
was just rejected!
Ten minutes later, Jiang
Qi was dragged by Shen Lei and forced to go to the coffee shop on the top floor
of Hengdian with Wang Zhaoqiu.
Because the stars of
Hengdian would come to rest on weekdays, the decoration was separated by small rooms,
which are private and anyone can talk with ease.
After Jiang Qi said
"can't act", Wang Zhaoqiu felt like he was being tricked. At this
moment, his face looked heavy and he stared at the coffee cup without saying a
word.
AShen Lei, who took the
initiative to reconcile the two was embarrassed and angry. He couldn't help but
wink at Jiang Qi, "Jiang Qi, what are you doing... Do you know how
difficult it is to act in Director Wang's films?"
Shen Lei wanted to say, 'Do
you know what you just rejected? ', but on second thought, Jiang Qi might
not know about this. After all, although he is in the entertainment industry,
he actually doesn't know anything about the industry.
——Also, he’s a stubborn
'strange person'1. After thinking about it, he felt that it was
better to explain it clearly. But Jiang Qi didn't react when he heard his frantic
words.
The young man's sharp
eyebrows looked lighter after the play and he seemed a bit sleepy. He said a
few polite words without emotion, "I know, but I can't act."
Wang Zhaoqiu couldn't
help but be stunned.
Seeing Jiang Qi's indifference
to life and death and pushing away a good opportunity which is hard to find,
Shen Lei couldn't help but beat the table in anger, "Why not?"
Jiang Qi said honestly,
"I'm not good at acting."
"Who said
that." Shen Lei didn't believe his nonsense, "You did well in the
audition just now, otherwise Director Wang wouldn't have chosen you."
Wang Zhaoqiu, who had
been silent since the beginning only opened his mouth at this time and briefly
agreed, "That's right."
His praise was restrained.
He obviously doesn't want Jiang Qi to be too proud. However, no matter what Shen Lei and Wang
Zhaoqiu said, Jiang Qi remained indifferent.
He is very clear about his
ability. Besides the high salary, the only reason Jiang Qi agreed to take the
role in the movie was the character in the script is something he can portray.
A pervert, murderer,
mentally challenged, like a mad dog... Isn't that himself?
It’s like driving a light
car2, he is very familiar with it as if he is not acting at all.
Jiang Qi knew that he
would definitely not be able to act in Wang Zhaoqiu's new film.
Jiang Qi smiled perfunctorily,
but he was honest and straightforward, "I'm only suitable for psychotic characters,
so I can't play a drama of falling in love with a girl."
Shen Lei naturally felt
that his excuse was cursory and raised his brows, "Why?"
"Brother Shen, I
really can't act." Jiang Qi's eyes were hollow as he muttered to himself, "I
don't like her."
He didn't know that Yue
Yuan at all and he didn't like her so how could he act ambiguously and tenderly
towards her?
He just remembered Zhiqi while
he was auditioning.
Besides ...
As Jiang Qi raised his
eyes, his light-colored pupils stared straight at the two 'seniors' on the
opposite side. His lips opened and closed gently, followed by words that
sounded absurd and bizarre, which makes people laugh, "I'm sorry, I want to quit the
entertainment industry."
The apology was for Shen
Lei who has always had great expectations for him and wants him promoted.
There has never been a
noble person in his life and Shen Lei can be counted as one.
Nevertheless, Jiang Qi
hates the entertainment industry.
He hates the environment
that has countless pairs of eyes directed at him. He goes out fully armed wearing
a mask and a hat. There are countless cameras pointed at him and one wrong step
can cause great storms.
What's even more
ridiculous is that there are always people who plausibly question whether they
can influence the 'three views'3 of others.
If an adult's three views
are so easily influenced by the outside world, then he should avoid and not possess
the Internet or mobile phones...
This kind of environment
seems to be no different from a 'prison'.
Jiang Qi hated this kind
of atmosphere, so he simply wanted to stop now and take the initiative to
withdraw.
"You, are you
crazy?" Shen Lei and Wang Zhaoqiu can be regarded as people in the
entertainment circle who has seen everything be it alive or dead, but it is the
first time they met a strange person like Jiang Qi which is rare in this world.
Shen Lei's voice was a
bit torn, "If you quit the entertainment industry? What would you
do?"
"Well..." Jiang
Qi thought about it for a while and answered very seriously, "To open a
supermarket."
The remuneration he got
before should be almost enough.
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1. 奇葩- Strange person a metaphor
for unusual excellent literary works or very outstanding characters.
2. 轻车驾熟 – Light
car driving is a metaphor for having experience, being familiar, and
something easy to do.
3. 三觀- Three
views- are world view, life
view, and values. World view referred to people's view of the world such as
idealistic and materialistic pov. Life view is the outlook, purpose, or meaning
of human existence. The Values refer to the general view and fundamental view
formed by people based on understanding the value of various specific things.
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Tn:
Translating a story is
not easy at all. There are so many metaphors and nuances in the Chinese
language that might be difficult to express in English. It might not be perfect
but I am trying my best to capture the context of the story. Please feel free
to correct me ^^