Chapter 029

After he finished speaking, Xu Jingning did not respond for a long time, and the topic came to an abrupt end.

It’s not that no one in the circle has tried to dig into Yan Xun’s background, but until now, twenty years after his debut, no one has succeeded in breaking the news.

It was as if this person appeared out of thin air, and apart from his acting experience, there was no trace of his life.

There is only one possibility for this situation, that is, Yan Xun has a strong backing.

Take Ning Qingzhuo for example. If he hadn't deliberately concealed it, ordinary people wouldn't have known his background. But this young master insisted on stating openly that he entered the circle just to have fun.

But Yan Xun...the situation is a little different.

Because he seemed to have no connections or relationships when he debuted, nor did he have the temperament of a gifted kid. All his achievements to date have been achieved step by step through his own hard work.

Xu Jingning had speculated before, would it be like what is written in many novels, that the young master of a wealthy family rebelled and ran to the entertainment industry, and his family cut off all his resources...

What doesn’t make sense is that Yan Xun was only seven years old when he entered the circle. It is obvious that he must have had a guardian at that time.

And now, he said, he no longer has any family.

Xu Jingning didn't continue thinking. She just sat beside him obediently and turned to look out the window, pretending to look at the scenery.

Since Yan Xun doesn't want to say it, then he doesn't need to know.

The driver made many turns and finally stopped in front of a building with Pingjiang local characteristics. It was a two-story small house. The outer wall facing the road was covered with ivy, and there were many flowers and plants planted in the yard. Looking at this scene, Xu Jingning felt very familiar and couldn't help but think of the old house where his parents lived, which had the same structure and design.

"Oh, what a rare visitor! How come you have time to visit me today, Mr. Yan?" When he entered the room, Fang Shu was loosening the soil of a potted flower. He put down his tools and went to wash his hands in the sink in the yard. He gestured, "It's hot, there are a lot of bugs outside, let's go inside and chat."

Because of this house, Xu Jingning's favorable impression of Fang Shu increased sharply, and he felt much more relaxed. After entering the house, he subconsciously turned to the sofa and hooked his foot, and actually hooked out a small stool.

Fang Shu, who came in a little later, took a quick look and laughed, "My son used this when he was a kid. He dropped it everywhere while holding it. My wife thought it was troublesome to clean up, so she often threw it into the corner of the sofa, thinking it would be clean if she couldn't see it."

Xu Jingning smiled and said, "My mom is the same, but I was fighting with my sister and broke a lot of stools, and she was too lazy to even throw them away later."

Yan Xun had only lived in Pingjiang for a few years, so Xu Jingning patiently explained to him in case he didn’t understand: “According to the custom in Pingjiang, children under ten years old will not get lost or kidnapped if they hold onto a stool. Ten years ago, the elders believed in this, but it’s not common now.”

Hearing this, Yan Xun smiled: "I heard that some children who make mistakes and are punished by their parents to stand have to hold their own stools, right?"

"That's not true..." Xu Jingning suddenly reacted, "Wait, where did you hear that?"

Yan Xun smiled and said, "Ah, just asking around."

Xu Jingning: “…”

It must have been Xu Xingcheng who said that! Ahhh his dark history!

At that moment, Fang Shu happened to open the tea cabinet and asked, "What would you like to drink?"

Xu Jingning quickly diverted her attention: "Thank you, boiled water is fine, no need for tea."

Normally, such words are spoken out of politeness, but after hearing them, Fang Shu put the tea can, which he had never taken out, back without hesitation.

Xu Jingning: “?”

Yan Xun smiled and said, "Fang Shu is a tea canner, he is stingy and thrifty. When people tell him not to use it, he won't even put away the tea dregs."

Xu Jingning burst out laughing when he heard this.

"Well, every bit of savings counts." Fang Shu sat down opposite the two of them. "It's human nature. After all, I'm old and I'm too lazy to go out and buy things all the time."

"No more talking, let's talk business. You two didn't come to my place today just to chat about family matters, right?"

Yan Xun smiled and nodded: "Director Fang, since we know it well, why don't you stop hiding it and speak freely?"

Fang Shu snorted and laughed: "Okay, speak frankly. I made it very clear during the live broadcast that day. This is what I meant. How do you plan to convince me?"

Yan Xun reached out and patted Xu Jingning on the shoulder: "Let this child convince you."

Xu Jingning: “?”

Ah, we didn’t discuss it in advance.

While Xu Jingning was puzzled, Yan Xun looked at him gently and said, "Show us the scene we practiced that day."

Xu Jingning immediately understood which day Yan Xun was referring to.

So, he bowed to Fang Shu seriously, and then performed again with emotion the scene that Yan Xun praised at that time.

After the performance, the nonchalant look on Fang Shu's face disappeared.

It was obvious that he was touched by Xu Jingning's performance.

"Haha, it's just as I expected. The young are really formidable." Director Fang is indeed an experienced director. Although he was surprised, he quickly restrained his expression and commented patiently, "It's just that your performance is still a little immature. Practice hard. You have talent."

"Thank you Director Fang for your guidance." Xu Jingning smiled, "Then why don't you consider leading us yourself?"

"We have two more members in our group. I think they won't let you down."

"Alas, young people are good at talking, but they can't argue with it!" Fang Shu was both angry and amused. "Okay, I'll slap myself in the face and cooperate with you guys for once!"

The trip went smoothly and Xu Jingning was still a little bit in disbelief when leaving Fang Shu's house.

You rejected me so ruthlessly on the show, why did you give in so quickly?

"What are you thinking about?"

On the way back, Xu Jingning looked thoughtful, which caught Yan Xun's attention.

"Ah, I was wondering what Director Fang meant." Xu Jingning explained frankly, "I was prepared for a tough battle, but I didn't expect him to give in so quickly."

He was not so narcissistic as to think that his imperfect performance could convince the always picky Fang Shu.

Yan Xun smiled and said, "If I wasn't 100% sure, I wouldn't have brought you here."

"Um?"

"Xu Jingning, what do you think Director Fang's words on the show yesterday were hinting at?"

"Hint?" After hearing this, Xu Jingning suddenly understood, "Director Fang doesn't want a completely identical story, and doesn't really believe that we can surpass the classics!"

"That's right." Yan Xun looked at him with admiration in his eyes, "So today's trip is to show Director Fang that you can definitely do it."

"Since he's already interested, how much do you think he'll be looking forward to the new script, which is very adaptable, and the two new students he hasn't gotten to know yet?"

————

The next day, everyone gathered in the villa, waiting for Director Fang's arrival.

When they received the news, Chu Xinrou and Xin Yao were surprised that the problem was solved so quickly, but they were very happy and satisfied with the result.

The problems that the two of them had not communicated with Director Fang soon emerged.

When the two seniors came in together, they saw three young men standing in front of them, all with serious faces. They greeted in unison: "Hello, Director Fang!"

Fang Shu's legs trembled and he almost lost his balance when he landed.

Not only him, Yan Xun also had no idea what was going on with the three of them, until he looked up and made eye contact with Xu Jingning, and saw the other person slightly curl his lips and blinked, then he reacted.

It is estimated that the other two had some misunderstanding of the "strict image" of the other director, and Xu Jingning... was most likely the one who came up with the idea.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help laughing.

So slow that he started the introduction process a little later: "Chu Xinrou, Xin Yao, these are the other two students in our group. This is Director Fang Shufang, our second round director."

After he finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to Fang Shu. His breathing stagnated, and the old director who usually took charge of the whole scene on the set suddenly felt a little awkward.

"Hello, hello." Director Fang became reserved and looked at Yan Xun as if asking for help. The latter smiled and came to the rescue.

"Everyone relax a little. Director Fang is very easy to get along with. If you don't believe me, you can ask Xiao Jingning."

Xu Jingning replied cheerfully, "Oh, yes. I thought Director Fang always has high standards, so I wanted to give you a serious and rigorous first impression."

Fang Shu: “…”

You kid!

There is no need to do so!

After these words were uttered, the atmosphere finally became relaxed.

Not only Fang Shu, but the other two students also breathed a sigh of relief.

Xin Yao even raised her hand to cover her chest: "I'm so nervous. I can easily make mistakes in this highly tense state."

Then, she clenched her fist and pretended to be angry: "Ningning, you are so rude!"

Everyone walked into the room, talking and laughing.

The main purpose of today is for the director to join the crew, and then let Director Fang see everyone's performance and make changes to the script according to their individual needs.

The script for the second round of performances is of an unfixed form. The only restriction is to retain the selected movie background, based on which any clips or adaptations can be selected, and the results are then submitted to the program team for review.

It is this uncertainty that gives Director Fang great room to play.

Fang Shu is a director who is very good at photographing "people".

He is extremely picky about actors, but is also willing to change the script for them. During his long film career, several actors who were criticized for their "poor acting skills" became popular again because of his transformation.

Chen Zi said that when choosing a director, Shen Luo kept recommending Director Fang, but Xie Yinlan did not accept his suggestion.

In fact, everyone understands that Director Fang was arranged to come in the second round specifically to reserve the favorites for Yan Xun's group.

Director Fang, who had officially started working, was indeed very different from his previous mischievous appearance. His words when evaluating actors were too sharp, and the more capable the person, the higher his requirements were.

When Xu Jingning saw Fang Shu taking action for the third time, he couldn't help but shudder all over.

"Can you raise your hand a little higher? Can you?" Fang Shu tapped Chu Xinrou's shoulder with the rolled-up script. "The characteristic of this character is that she is delicate but not coquettish. Why act so weak? Didn't you have dinner tonight?"

The force wasn't very strong, but the aura was very scary. Chu Xinrou almost couldn't hold it, and she gritted her teeth to keep her expression steady.

After staring for about ten seconds, Fang Shu finally slowed down his tone and said, "Okay, let's stop here today."

The three of them breathed a sigh of relief, stood together, and said goodbye to Fang Shu in an even more orderly and respectful manner than when they greeted him in the morning: "Director Fang, you have worked hard."

Perhaps he had come out of his work state, and Fang Shu smiled again: "Hey, you guys are actually much better than most of the actors I taught before. You are hardworking and talented. If you can improve more, you will definitely achieve great things."

"Especially you, Xu Jingning." Fang Shu's voice was heavy and his words sounded very heartfelt.

Xu Jingning immediately replied: "I will try my best!"

But Fang Shu waved his hand with a smile and left the practice room.

"Ah? Isn't Xiao Jingning working hard enough?" After he left, Xin Yao muttered quietly, "When we were practicing, I felt that he was much more serious than me."

Chu Xinrou also looked at Xu Jingning, without saying much, but patted Xin Yao on the back: "It's late, let's go."

After saying goodbye and leaving, Xu Jingning was the only one left in the practice room.

He was still very tired after a day of practice, so he took a short rest, packed up his things and prepared to leave.

I grabbed my coat, only to find that my phone was missing.

Following her memory, Xu Jingning went to the living room, but suddenly found that Yan Xun was on the phone.

The phone he used was his missing cell phone.

As it happened, the call had ended when he came out. Yan Xun turned to look at him and smiled gently: "He's out, don't worry."

In the face of the other party's doubts, Yan Xun handed over the phone: "I just found that you left it outside, and several calls were not answered. I saw that it was Miss Xu. I was afraid that it was urgent, so I answered it for you first."

"Oh, it's okay." Xu Jingning took the phone and swiped his fingerprint. In addition to three or four missed call records, there were more than a dozen WeChat messages.

The gist of it was that something happened in the neighborhood and there were a lot of paparazzi waiting there, so he was told not to go back.

As far as Xu Jingning knows, there are many public figures besides himself living in the community where he lives.

Xu Xingcheng sent the message in a hurry, without being too specific. It was probably about another big star who was going to be in the news, so others had to temporarily avoid it to avoid being implicated.

In fact, this kind of thing has happened more than once or twice. He just needs to find another place to stay for a few days.

Last time Xu Jingning happened to be in the group, so it didn't have much impact, but unfortunately, this time he couldn't find where to go.

"I roughly understand that you can't go back to your residence during this period of time?" Yan Xun interrupted his thoughts and said, "Do you want to stay at my house for a while?"