Chapter 4

Zhu Yu's character in this script is a witch who is most skilled at bewitching people and amplifying their desires.

The scene we're filming today is about an extremely yin and evil demoness being converted by a pure and virtuous Buddhist monk.

This can be considered Zhu Yu's highlight scene.

“You have to stop me first, and then try to persuade me to lay down my knife. I will push you away and complain bitterly. Then you will stop me again, and I will push you away again. We will fight for two rounds.”

Zhu Yu held the script and explained the plot to Shi Ru.

Actually, she herself only had a superficial understanding of acting. However, there were actors in her era, although it was still black and white television back then, but they were just imitating others.

"It shouldn't be too difficult, right?" Zhu Yu thought. "Then, after the character you're playing hears my story, he decides to repay me with his own life, and then I kill you."

Shi Ru listened to Zhu Yu's explanation while holding the script, frowning as he listened. This scene was indeed a highlight of Zhu Yu's character. If performed well, the character would be very three-dimensional and might not be less eye-catching than the main character.

But to perform it according to Zhu Yu's interpretation would be too simplistic.

This entire story includes the origins of the demoness's personality and recounts the deep-seated hatred she experienced.

This part of the story showcases the values ​​of the entire script and was one of the original plans to make it a breakout hit.

"What do you think the demoness was thinking when she was being questioned by the Buddhist disciple?"

Shi Ru asked, "In the early part of the story, the demoness's character only needed to be simply evil, so it's not clear that Zhu Yu's control over the character is flawed."

But in this scene, the demoness's character was elevated; Zhu Yu could understand the heaviness behind the demoness, but couldn't portray it.

"Think about the saddest thing for you." That was all the advice Shi Ru could give her before she went on stage.

The saddest thing? Zhu Yu thought about it seriously.

Did they call the police but end up being locked up in a hospital by imposters?

She had already seen far more of the darkness in society, so this did not cause her any pain.

Is it that they are being shunned like snakes when they ask the public for help?

For passersby, given her unknown identity, the most sensible choice is to stay away from her to ensure their own safety.

Has she never experienced pain?

A bolt of lightning suddenly exploded in Zhu Yu's mind.

She's got it!

When I saw that familiar outfit standing in front of that person in the stairwell, saying something that should have been kept secret.

In the dimly lit elevator, frantically pressing the alarm but still unable to escape being swallowed by the feeling of weightlessness.

She was afraid, but that fear was short-lived.

Compared to the more than twenty years that Zhu Yu spent wandering as a spirit, it was as if it had never happened.

Memories that had been deliberately concealed resurfaced, and Zhu Yu's gaze towards her co-star finally changed.

"Okay, click!"

After a long while, just as Zhu Yu was about to burst into tears, Zhang Yuge's excited voice finally came from off-camera.

"So beautiful, so beautiful, especially that tear!"

A group of people gathered behind the monitor in front of Zhang Yuge, watching the playback intently.

The camera finally focused on a single tear that slid down Zhu Yu's cheek after she turned away.

The bright red, upturned corners of her mouth and the crystal-clear teardrops create a striking visual contrast.

After filming wrapped, Zhu Yu sat in front of the monitor reviewing her footage, as if the heavy memories that had plagued her mind during filming had never surfaced.

#

After a full day of professional classes, Zhu Yu finally gained a new understanding of "acting".

Indeed, in every profession, learning is easy, but mastering is difficult. In Zhu Yu's mind, acting was simply about memorizing the lines of the script and then reciting them to others.

Today, when she was called upon by the teacher to give demonstrations several times during her professional class, she realized that the reason why acting can be a professional and technical subject is because there are unique difficulties involved.

For example, a simple imitation in an acting class, or a tongue twister in a dictionary class.

"You don't have class tomorrow because it's the weekend, right? Want to play games tonight?"

I was almost asleep when I suddenly felt a vibration in my ear.

Zhu Yu refocused her gaze and realized that her phone had fallen to her ear at some point, and that what she had just seen was all a dream.

I sat up cross-legged, my mind blank, and it took me a while to come to my senses.

That's terrifying... She had a dream... What was it?

I can't remember...

"OK"

Shaking her head, Zhu Yu decided not to think about it if she couldn't remember. She picked up her phone to reply to the message sent by Shi Ru.

Shi Ru had just put down his phone after seeing Zhu Yu's reply when Zhang Yuge sat down opposite him.

"Tell me, what do you need my help with?" Zhang Yuge and Shi Ru had grown up together since childhood, and he knew Shi Ru's temperament better than anyone.

If someone suddenly invites you out, and there's only two people in a private room, something's definitely up.

"Look at what you're saying... I was just thinking that it's been a long time since we two brothers have eaten alone like this, so I thought we'd get together—and also (emphasis) ask you for a favor~"

As he spoke, Zhang Yuge was about to get up and pull Shi Ru's clothes, "Alright, alright, just say what you need to say, don't touch me!"

Shi Ru raised his cup, blocking the way while retreating repeatedly.

"As soon as I saw the address you sent me was in a private room, I knew something was up. Just say it."

Since aspiring to become an internationally renowned director, Zhang Yuge has almost stopped sitting in private rooms when dining out, claiming it's to "observe the myriad aspects of life."

"Well, I heard that your schedule for 'Zheyin' will be available soon. Could I borrow it?"

The plot of the short film they made wasn't actually that complicated. After filming the night scenes last time, they only needed to add a few more shots before wrapping up the shoot.

As the director, he has to get the recording done as soon as possible.

Recording studios with such high-quality sound require booking in advance; otherwise, you'll have no use for your money.

“Zheyin?” Shi Ru was quite unfamiliar with this name.

He doesn't own many legitimate businesses, and I don't remember any of them being named Zheyin.

“That shouldn’t be where I opened it,” Shi Ru shook his head; the information retrieval failed.

Zhang Yuge panicked. How could there not be one!

"The 6th floor of Building 15 on Tianshan Road, didn't you say before that the whole floor was yours?"

Oh! The address was so specific that Shi Ru finally remembered it: "So it was a recording studio there."

"Yes, lend it to me, lend it to me!" Zhang Yuge leaned forward, staring at Shi Ru with pleading eyes.

"This isn't mine; one of my senior classmates rented it out. But if you need it urgently, I can ask around for you."

As a landlord, taking care of his tenants' business, Zhang Yuge didn't think this could possibly fail.

That's practically the same as agreeing!

While Shi Ru and Zhang Yuge were eating, Zhu Yu also came downstairs to find food.

My roommate called her when she went out, but when I handed over the room to Zhang Meiyu, I forgot to discuss how to get along with my roommate.

To avoid being exposed, she had to avoid them until she exited the system.

As soon as I went downstairs, I saw a flashy red Ferrari parked downstairs in front of the dormitory building.

"This car is strangely good-looking."

Zhu Yu casually took a photo and posted it to the game group.

He then put away his phone and focused on walking, completely ignoring the uproar in the group chat.

"Beautiful lady, want me to show you around?"

The Ferrari window rolled down, revealing a red-haired man.

Zhu Yu glanced at him, took a step back, and politely declined, "Thank you, but it's not necessary."

There have always been hooligans in every era, but in the past there was even a specific crime of hooliganism.

Now, all you can do is pretend you accidentally fell into a latrine while walking down the street and grit your teeth and bear it.

Therefore, Zhu Yu was wary and dared not linger, turning around and hurrying away.

The red-haired man saw that the person refused, so he opened the car door and got out, trying to stop her, but a girl coming out of the dormitory stopped him.

"Young Master Ye, I'm ready, let's go!" The girl was wearing a sexy tank top and sparkly crystal shoes.

She looked radiant and dazzling, like a sophisticated idol.

The red-haired man, known as Night Master, turned and glanced at her before reluctantly sitting back in the driver's seat.

"Do you know that woman from earlier? What department is she in?"

The girl glanced in the direction Zhu Yu had left, but he was already out of sight. She looked down slightly, then quickly broke into a smile.

"There's no one here, Young Master Ye. Didn't you come here specifically to pick me up?"

Seemingly thinking the girl really hadn't seen it, the redhead didn't say anything more and stepped on the gas.

The tires left dark marks on the ground, and the roar masked the girl's sudden scream.

The students passing by were startled by the commotion, and when they tried to reprimand the car, they could no longer see its taillights.

=

I accidentally spent a full fifty yuan on a single dinner.

Even though Zhang Meiyu left Zhu Yu a card with many zeros, it still made her feel a little ashamed of her extravagance.

A simple bowl of rice noodles contains shrimp, vegetables, clams, and a few quail eggs.

With a learning attitude, Zhu Yu opened the video software and ate while watching.

"Zhu Yu, how are you now?"

A sudden mention popped up. Clicking into the group chat, Zhu Yu belatedly realized that everyone had actually chatted for over 99 minutes because of her photo!

"I'm fine. I just bought some clam rice noodles and had them with tomato broth!"

Zhu Yu casually took a picture of the food she hadn't yet eaten and posted it in the group chat.

"You scared us to death! You posted the photos and then disappeared. We thought Zhou Ye had kidnapped you!"

Zhou Ye? Yes, it's this Ye.

As she turned to leave, she heard a girl call out to that red-haired guy. She hadn't expected someone with such an abstract name to have such a nice-sounding name.

Zhu Yu's thread went slightly astray, and she didn't quite understand why everyone was making such a fuss.

She was just casually sharing what she had seen and heard.

"I don't know him at all. I just thought the car was nice and wanted to share it with everyone."

"Don't be so curious in the future, your appearance is dangerous."

"Exactly! That Zhou Ye has ruined a lot of girls in your department. You should avoid him from now on!"

Everyone chimed in with their own opinions, which only made Zhu Yu more confused. In a society governed by the rule of law, what kind of bun could make everyone so afraid?

"Zhou Ye is the youngest son of the Zhou family. He was spoiled by his family and grew up to be rather unruly."

On their way back after dinner, Shi Ru saw the message in the group chat.

“The Zhou family has a large business and extensive connections. In addition, their family members have always been protective of their own and will side with relatives regardless of the truth.”

Shi Ru was explaining to Zhu Yu why everyone was avoiding Zhou Ye so much.

=

It was still that high-tech room, and there was still a bunch of people in white coats gathered in front of the screens.

"Data capture successful"

"Great, export it for me."

The person in the white coat with three stars on the collar said that.