Editor: Amaris
There were about eight to nine people in the young assistants' group alone. When added up with the crew……
The number of people were definitely more than enough, there was no need to worry about it further.
Ye Chen felt very happy momentarily. He still felt somewhat nervous since there would be so many people around. His -100 acting skill was going to depreciate a lot more.
In the event that his performance was too unnatural, what to do if the director dislike him?
Brother Chen had never been so nervous because of acting for so many years already.
But now…… He was in a panic!
The director of《Devotion》was Li Fu. He was very experienced. His film wouldn’t necessarily do well in the box office, but they would certainly be shortlisted in the major film festival. He even won an award last time.
Just like this time, he braced himself to try on such a niche theme which others wouldn't dare to shoot.
Since the start, he wanted to have Ren Jing to play the leading role, but Ren Jing didn’t accept (the role). Ren Jing had thoughts of shifting into behind-the-scenes post in recent years, and he really wouldn’t want to take such a role which could outrage people in a glance.
But Ren Jing wanted to work together with Ye Chen in a project, and this theme was undoubtedly the best.
Ren Jing told Li Fu, "I could do it, but I'd like to designate the other actor."
Li Fu thought that Ren Jing would bring in someone new. Even though he felt doubtful, he agreed because he knew that Ren Jing was dedicated (to his work). Even if Ren Jing brought in a new actor, he would pick someone reliable, there should be no problem with their acting skills. Moreover, if he could find a partner he liked, the result would be much better.
But who would have thought that Ren Jing would actually pick Ye Chen.
Of course Li Fu knew who Ye Chen was!
Actually, in terms of appearance, Ye Chen was very suitable to play Zhan Chen's role. His beauty, young, naive and pure appearance was very in line with the personalities of his character.
But!
Their life experiences differed greatly. Zhan Chen had a hard life throughout, yet he still grew up to be a dazzling adult. That kind of accumulative beauty wasn't something the small dandy Ye Chen could act out.
Sure enough, actors acting their characters out didn't necessarily mean they had to experience everything their characters had, the focus was acting it out.
However…… Half of the entertainment industry knew that our Brother Chen lacked nothing but acting skills.
It was still alright to let him play as himself.
But for him to act? Could we please not talk about such a difficult topic? 😂
As a result, Li Fu declined with all his might. He didn't want Ye Chen (to act in his movie) even if he was beaten to death.
Ren Jing very bluntly stated, "If it's not him, then I won't accept the role."
Li Fu, "……"
Shit, Lao Zi only wanted 'fresh flowers', not the ones under it!
It was a pity that the fresh flowers wouldn't move out of its hotbed. No matter what, it only wanted to be sold in bundle.
What to do now? Li Fu was at a loss that he stayed up all night.
But what Ren Jing said wasn't unreasonable either. He said to Li Fu, "How about this, let's try it out first. If he's alright, then let's sign the contract. If he's no good, then we'll discuss it further."
Li Fu cautiously asked him, "Would it be possible for the discussion to include (the option) that I get only you and not him?"
Ren Jing didn't even pause and answered, "Not a chance."
Director Li burst out crying and became like 180 jin Fatty Gu.
The innocent Gu Xi who had been implicated: Son of a bitch!
In the end, Li Fu accepted. Let's try it, then. If Young Master Ye showed his stiffness to the whole audience and Ren Jing saw his -100 acting skills with his own eyes, he definitely wouldn't want him anymore, right?
When that moment came, he would finally have the chance to reject!
Director Li was like a middle-aged third grade primary school student who was prepared to let someone down at any moment.
The nervous Ye Chen felt much more relaxed upon seeing Ren Jing.
Ren Jing took him to meet Li Fu.
Li Fu looked at these two who walked together from far away. They were really a match, never mind… Although Ye Chen was a bit shorter, (but) as long as he wore something to increase his height, their height disparity shouldn't be that much.
His face added up a big bonus point. When he smiled, he really was nice-looking.
But no matter how many bonus points were added, it couldn't make up for that terrible -100 acting skill!
Li Fu was a person with a strong sense of principle. He would never give in to 'evil'.
Ye Chen felt very ashamed to see Li Fu. He took the initiative to say hello and Li Fu also shook hands with him kindly.
Li Fu said, "Did you get to read the script yet?"
Ye Chen, "……"
Ren Jing then continued, "Don't worry, I'll discuss it with him."
Li Fu said again, "Let me do it."
What should he do now? He could only hope that Young Master Ye would immediately drop the ball, and let everyone on the spot… Hm, there was quite a number of people today. In short, as long as Ye Chen terribly perturbed everyone (with his acting), he wouldn't have any load on his mind anymore.
Even if Ren Jing really wouldn't agree with his proposal, Li Fu need not feel remorse. The movie would be completely ruined if Li Fu agreed on the other's proposal to have Ye Chen as Ren Jing's partner.
In fact, the plot of《Devotion》was very simple. It revolved around the emotional entanglement between Zhan Chen and Yan Han for over ten years. There were some taboos in the plot; like how Zhan Chen was a freshman and Yan Han was his mentor, their age gap was nine years apart. Then, Zhan Chen confessed his feelings. He didn't even know how he fell in love with Yan Han, but he was deeply engrossed with Yan Han and tied his whole life to him.
Yan Han was attracted to Zhan Chen, but he had too many concerns about their age, status, and gender.
When a youth was burning with passion, they would make a solemn pledge of love. But when their passion faded away, they would pull out and look away.
Besides, he didn't want to ruin Zhan Chen's future.
This was doomed to be a road of no return. If Yan Han liked this young boy who was as bright as the morning sun, he would just drag him into the abyss.
In the first year, Yan Han didn't even understand what he himself wanted.
Zhan Chen just liked to see Yan Han, so he would look for him everywhere. He listened to Yan Han's lesson attentively, he would always rush ahead when it came to anything related to Teacher Yan.
Which teacher wouldn't like such a student?
Yan Han also took good care of Zhan Chen. Gradually, they got to know each other better. Once, when they were at the end of an extracurricular activity, they were the last ones to leave. Yan Han invited Zhan Chen to have dinner together. Since then, it was like a switch was turned on. Zhan Chen began to stick closely to Yan Han, following his shadow.
At that time, they still hadn't realized the change and the deepening of their own feelings until Yan Han went abroad to participate in a scientific research project.
Yan Han went for nearly two months. This separation calmed Yan Han down. Meanwhile, Zhan Chen had no appetite at all. His roommate joked around, saying that he looked like he had been dumped by his girlfriend.
It was an epiphany that awoke a dreamer. Zhan Chen became aware that he actually liked Teacher Yan.
At nineteen, a boy was in his most impulsive. Zhan Chen feared neither Heaven nor Earth, he just wanted to tell Yan Han about his feelings.
In the past two months, Yan Han also thought about Zhan Chen from time to time. When he thought of Zhan Chen, he couldn't help but smile and shook his head. But the research kept Yan Han busy due to the tight schedule, so he didn't have much time to think about Zhan Chen.
When he returned, Zhan Chen sent him a message saying that he would pick Yan Han up.
Yan Han felt really happy. He asked Zhan Chen to have dinner together with him in a moment of impulse.
Upon being separated for two months, Zhan Chen realized his feelings. When the ardent youth saw the handsome man coming out of the airport, he was seized with a sudden whim and confessed to Yan Han.
Zhan Chen shouted out 'I like you'. It stirred Yan Han's heart, yet it made him very shocked.
Ren Jing said to Ye Chen, "We'll try out this part later."
Ye Chen nodded earnestly, "Understood!"
Ren Jing added, "No need to be nervous, just act naturally."
Ye Chen nodded again deeply, "Mhm!"
Li Fu didn't have much hope anyways. This part seemed really simple: Ren Jing went out of the airport and Ye Chen would pick him up. Seeing each other from faraway, they looked and smiled into each other's eyes. Soon after, Ye Chen would say 'I like you', then it would close-up on Ren Jing's face.
There were only a few lines and not many actions, yet this was actually the greatest ordeal for actors. To set off the atmosphere, it required an actor's most exquisite acting skills.
He didn't worry about Ren Jing, but Ye Chen……
Hahaha, I'm afraid that this scene of an emotional confession will be embarrassingly out of control.
From this point of view, brother Chen was pretty awesome too. Most people wouldn't be able to reach this extent.
Since he didn't have much hope, Li Fu didn't have much to say. He just waved his hand to signal the start of the play.
The site had been set up like an airport in order to let Ye Chen comprehend the scene, although if he looked carefully he might feel disengaged.
Ye Chen was still quite nervous. He understood the instructions from the deputy director, but he really had no idea what to do. What should he do? Stand still? Or should he walk around? Look around?
Li Fu couldn't help but roll his eyes upon seeing Ye Chen acting such: As expected, his whole body had already become stiff all over. He could already smell embarrassment emanating from Ye Chen.
This was why he absolutely had to have Ren Jing play in this movie. Because if he had found such a 'God' to play in his movie, he wouldn't be angered.
Ye Chen was nervous for a long time, but as he saw Ren Jing showed up, he suddenly felt much more relaxed.
Ren Jing was dressed accordingly. The sunglasses he usually wore was replaced with flat and neat ones, which made his atmosphere became a bit old-fashioned. It made the intensely handsome man became more reserved and steady, as if the glimmering light shed its rays in all directions inside instead of outside. These glimmers inside were even more eye-catching.
Ye Chen's eyes brightened up. He couldn't help but lift the corner of his mouth.
Li Fu was actually filled with laziness, but when he saw the close-up, he immediately sat up straight.
Huh…… This was different from what he had imagined.
Ye Chen's features in the camera was elegantly graceful. His eyes were very beautiful. When he was looking at Ren Jing like this, it was as if his eyes were sparkling stars, making people feel the overflowing love.
Not bad!
Li Fu observed them seriously.
Facing each other across the sea of people, their eyes met. Ren Jing smiled at Ye Chen.
He smiled so subtly it was almost not visible, but Ye Chen could see it clearly.
His heart beat so fast that a lot of images flashed through his mind.
The airport was a special place to him these days.
From Beijing to Paris, from Paris to Beijing, he only stayed in country F for less than three days. But he took a big step, from his heart to Ren Jing's heart.
Ren Jing, Ren Jing, Ren Jing.
Ye Chen whispered Ren Jing's name in his heart. In fact, these three words had lingered in his lips. He wanted to say them, but he was embarrassed to say it out loud.
And now……
He had enough reasons to say it.
Because of Death System and acting, he could say it out loud; he could express his feelings in front of so many people.
He was looking forward to it. He was not nervous, afraid, or worried. He had been looking looking forward to it.
Ye Chen's lips quivered. He poured out the emotions he couldn't hide anymore along with these three words.
Ren Jing, "I like you!"
In an instant, not a single voice could be heard.
It wasn't an embarrassing scene, yet Li Fu was trying his best to suppress his beating heart. What was with this feeling of suddenly wanting to fall in love!?
Li Fu suddenly got up. He never thought that he wouldn't loathe Ye Chen but the great movie king instead.
"Your expression isn't right!" said Li Fu in a hurry. "A Jing, your expression isn't right. You should be shocked and lower your head!"
Author’s Note
The author has something to say:
Please give Director Li some candle. This is only the beginning; the great Movie King Ren will let him experience what it means by unlimited NG.
Translator’s Note
Boo, a tricky title I see (or is it?)! Indonesian use the phrase ‘jebakan batman’ or ‘PHP’ to describe such situation if I’m not mistaken, HAHAH. Sorry readers, we got to wait a bit more before our Chen Chen truly fall in love (more like finally realizing their feelings and all that) with Ren Jing~
A tiny bit of announcement, chapter 43 and 44 are going to be a lot longer than usual, so I’ll split them into parts. Sorry about that! >_child kitten would also appear, do look forward to the pair of father and son, they’re so. damn. cute! cute!! cute!!! Important things must be repeated 3,000 times!!!
Oh and, I’ve thought of re-translating chapter 1 until 18. What do you think? Note though; this is not to say that I’m better than previous translators or the like. I simply wanted to ’embrace’ the story better, and I think I could do so by doing everything from the start. It’s also refreshing to read again from the start, all by myself, I think.
I also have a somewhat lengthy stuffs to say in the spoiler tag below. It’s nothing important so I advise you not to read it unless you got the time and patience muahahah.
Thank you for reading as always. Belated Merry Christmas, happy new year, and have a nice holiday, everyone! See you later~Unimportant babbling
First of all, this will be the last time I’d write such lengthy T/N. No one likes a lengthy and unimportant T/N I know, which is why I’ll refrain from doing so in the future unless it’s necessary.
So… 2019 has reached its end, right. I must say, I become much worse this year. Really. I didn’t get any better as a person, but worse instead. In short, I’m not doing any better in 2019, to be honest. I won’t get in details about what since it’d basically become a thesis on how much I hate myself LOLOL.
In conclusion… To all of my readers; to everyone who have been nice to me; to everyone who have to see my shits yet tolerated it and stayed… I’m sorry. And, thank you. Really, thank you. I know I didn’t deserve any of them, but still, I’m grateful. It’s not enough I know, but once again, thank you.
A tiny bit of trivia, Ye Chen said something similar, too. It’s around the end of the chapter if I’m not mistaken. Something along the line, “I’m afraid to be this happy… I’m afraid I didn’t deserve any of them.” T____T
So, uhm… Happy new year, I think. I was actually wondering how I could survive another year. It’s weird, to be honest. Life barely has its meaning anymore, but I’ll just go with it, I guess. No promise on anything, but I’ll keep doing whatever I could.
I know this is ironic coming from me, but please take care of me for another year, too. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll do my best. I love IYDFILYD, so of course, I’d really like to continue this roller-coaster story full of love, chuckles, and definitely some angst, until the end. I hope you would took the ride with me to see what lies in the end, too!
potats out.