Just how big a mess did Selina cause that made Tom decide to replace the female lead?!
The two groups rushing to the set this morning didn’t know, but at least those who understand Tom know that he has absolute control over his own movie, so whether to change the actor is completely up to him as the director.
So no one bothered to ask more, nor would they go and ask Selina just what kind of trouble she caused.
The director came in with the two scriptwriters, obviously this decision was made under urgent circumstances, if it wasn’t urgent, there would be something wrong. After all, they had already filmed a small part of Selina’s scenes yesterday, and now he’s saying to replace her, even though it’s Tom’s own decision, he’s still very angry about it.
The three parties stood in the meeting room, Tom wiped the sweat on his forehead and frowned, “Don’t blame me for being so direct.” His gaze turned to Xi Ze and Jian Anning, “You two should be fine with this, right? Switching from supporting role to male lead.”
Jian Anning thought, of course her little baby has no problem!! But she vaguely felt that Xi Ze might not agree, this kid may look docile and calm on the surface, but he actually has his own strong opinions.
Sure enough, Jian Anning turned around and noticed a slight furrow in Xi Ze’s brow, but it was just a fleeting expression. At least he maintained his usual calm and tranquil demeanor on the surface.
Xi Ze looked up at the director, didn’t say anything, but his silence didn’t mean he agreed – the online army had told him last night that Arnold had never acted in a male-male pairing before.
Tom had his hands clasped behind his back, then turned to look at Arnold and asked, “What do you think? I know you’ve never done this kind of thing before. If you can’t accept it, we can take out the romance part of the script, and you and Xi Ze can both still be the male leads.” It was essentially passing the buck, letting the audience fantasize about it themselves, so the scriptwriters don’t have to add the romance.
Tom had already prepared to delete the romance scenes, after all, no one could force Arnold to do something he didn’t want to do. But no one expected that Arnold would actually say, “Okay.”
Everyone in the room: “………………!!”
Xi Ze’s jaw practically dropped, what the hell?! The online army yesterday clearly said that the god-like Arnold doesn’t do male-male romance scenes!
The meeting room door was closed, but the soundproofing of the built set wasn’t that great. There were sounds of the crew members walking around and talking outside, when Arnold uttered those “Okay” words, the others in the room had a feeling of unreality, as if they were dreaming.
Since entering the room, Arnold had been standing steadily near the door, his aura enveloping that corner. His handsome features tinged with a frosty chill due to his usual impassive expression, looking like an unapproachable and not-easy-to-talk-to man.
But now he stepped forward, the simple lighting overhead shining directly on his head, illuminating his features and expression clearly, everyone looking at him felt that compelling, restrained power that only he possessed.
Xi Ze was stunned, in the entertainment circle he had met and dealt with many people, but people like Arnold he could count on his fingers – this kind of restrained domineering aura and demeanor, truly deserving of the title of god-like. But now wasn’t the time to admire the god-like qualities, he really didn’t want to do a male-male romance scene!
After Arnold’s response, Tom picked up his dropped jaw and reattached it, puzzled, “You…you really mean it?”
Arnold’s amber eyes gleamed under the light, he nodded, without any hesitation or wavering, “I can try, but I can’t guarantee I’ll do well, romance scenes are my weak point.”
Tom’s jaw trembled in excitement, this is great!! Although he didn’t know why Arnold suddenly agreed, if Arnold could indeed break his precedent and do a male-male romance scene, their movie would probably break box office records even if the plot was crap!
Tom raised a hand to rub his chin, excitedly glancing at Xi Ze. In his eyes Xi Ze would definitely have no objections, an opportunity like this is something anyone would seize, so he pointed at Xi Ze and said, “Xi Ze, then it’s settled, if the romance scenes work out we’ll add them, if not it’s also fine, we’ll adjust as we go, you’ll switch from supporting role to male lead…”
Xi Ze was inwardly spitting blood, he’s a straight man! Straight man! Straight man! Acting in this kind of male-male romance scene really goes against his psychological barriers. He’s not a god, not every role can be handled by him. He didn’t speak up earlier because he thought Arnold would refuse, after all, as a big shot, if he refused, Xi Ze wouldn’t have to offend the director. Now look, Arnold agreed without the slightest hesitation.
God-like Arnold!! Didn’t you say you don’t do male-male plots?! This story is hosted at g.com.
At this point, Xi Ze could only raise his hand silently, indicating he had something to say. Jian Anning lowered her head and rubbed her forehead, she knew Xi Ze had his own thoughts.
Tom thought Xi Ze was going to talk about the death ending they shot yesterday, and nodded, looking at him, “Actually…”
Xi Ze’s brow furrowed as he looked at Tom, “Director, the male-male plot, I may… not be able to act it…”
Everyone in the room: “………………”
The female scriptwriter almost threw her script down, you’re playing with me!!
She had been Xi Ze’s deranged fan ever since his audition, and knowing he would take this movie, she had specifically polished the role of Aer to perfection. Last night when Xi Ze officially debuted, she hadn’t slept a wink, closely following the situation, witnessing the praise and welcome for Xi Ze on the internet. This morning, with two dark circles under her eyes, when the director notified her to delete the female lead’s scenes and change the script to make Xi Ze the male lead, she was so excited she couldn’t even speak a word. But in her heart, she also knew that Arnold could never agree to act in a male-male romance scene, after all, there had never been such a precedent before, as the scriptwriter of “Dragon Sparrow”, she understood the situation better than the fans who didn’t know the truth, and knew that Arnold and Xi Ze actually didn’t have any special relationship.
But just now when Arnold agreed, she really felt like the whole room was raining celebration fireworks, she was so excited that she almost plopped down on the floor, Arnold agreed! Didn’t they say the two have no relationship? Why does she now feel that Arnold’s feelings for Xi Ze are real love?! What’s going on?!
But before she could even finish getting excited, Xi Ze’s “I may not be able to act it” was like a bucket of cold water poured all over her, the fiery passion in her heart was instantly extinguished!
She was probably the first to realize the fact that “Arnold has feelings for Xi Ze, but Xi Ze has no interest in Arnold”…555555, what should she do, she feels like life has no hope anymore, why did she have to witness this personally, she must have been full when she chose to become a scriptwriter!!
The female scriptwriter was crying in her heart, now she only hopes the director didn’t hear what Xi Ze said.
And Tom, as a commercial film director, didn’t disappoint the female scriptwriter, he selectively turned a deaf ear to what Xi Ze said, just glaring at him briefly before turning and leaving, still hurrying as he walked, muttering to himself, “Then it’s settled!!” Then he told the two scriptwriters following him, “You guys quickly work out the script, make the romance scenes a bit more touching…”
[Female scriptwriter: Director, you’re awesome! Awesome! Yeah!]
Xi Ze: “……………………” He just debuted……………looks like he has no say………….reality is always…………so cruel………….
After the director ruthlessly ignored Xi Ze’s words and left, Sam and Jian Anning couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Xi Ze felt his face burning with embarrassment, rubbing his nose speechlessly, but when he looked up, he unexpectedly met the gaze of the other main party involved.
Arnold raised his eyebrows, his amber eyes looking down at him, the expression clearly showing some displeasure. His aura had even changed a bit, if it was anyone else, they would have curled up into a ball. But Xi Ze felt fine, and just blinked back at Arnold.
The crew member found the set and called out at the door, “Mr. Arnold, the director wants you to go change and get your makeup done, we’ll start shooting soon.”
Arnold finally withdrew his gaze and turned to leave, when Sam was about to follow, he raised a hand and waved at Xi Ze, smiling, “Hi, I’m Sam, nice to meet you. I’ve been with Arnold for so many years, and this is the first time I’ve seen someone refuse to act in a romance scene with him, you’re really one of a kind.” He gave a thumbs up.
Xi Ze: “……………………”
Xi Ze originally had two scenes today, but due to the script change he no longer needed to act, but he still didn’t leave, surrounded by the crew members asking for autographs and photos.
What struck Xi Ze as strange was that many people had dark circles under their eyes, not just one or two, it felt like half the crew hadn’t slept well. Of course Xi Ze didn’t know the reason, he had slept by 11 o’clock, he understood the situation online in the first half of the night, but he had no idea about Selina and Ivy’s heated battle in the second half.
The crew members were very enthusiastic and caring towards Xi Ze. Occasionally, someone would bring him nutrition drinks or recommend nutrition drink brands, proactively coming to greet him.
Xi Ze soon became familiar with the crew members, after chatting for a while, he heard the crew calling out 15 minutes till shooting, so he and Jian Anning went over, wanting to watch Arnold’s on-set scene.
This scene was Arnold’s action sequence, the director was discussing the plot with the action choreographer, while Arnold was swinging a metal pipe, the movements skillful and deft, it was clear he wasn’t a novice. Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping.com.
The two stood at the side, Jian Anning finally had a chance to say to him, “Is it really that you can’t act that kind of romance scene? Or are you worried that if you act with Arnold like that, the fans will keep fantasizing about it afterwards?”
Xi Ze didn’t think that much, last night’s events had taught him that many things are completely out of his control, especially in the entertainment industry environment, he really felt he couldn’t act it, he had never done a male-male romance scene before.
Xi Ze said, “It’s really that I’m afraid I can’t act it.”
Jian Anning nodded, thought about it, then turned to look in the direction of the set, “It seems Arnold has a strong drive for his career this year, he’s never tried this kind of role before, but he’s willing to this time, maybe he really wants to break through.” Then she patted Xi Ze’s shoulder, “But he’s making it too easy for people to misunderstand, I almost thought he was willing because of you.” She paused, then leaned in and whispered in a secretive, gossipy tone like only women have, “You really didn’t know Arnold before? No private relationship? It’s okay if you did, you can just tell me, I won’t tell anyone else.”
Xi Ze silently pushed her hand away, “Sis, you’re overthinking, I really don’t know him.”
At this moment, the director suddenly waved at Xi Ze.
Xi Ze and Jian Anning went over, Tom was actually calling Jian Anning, and after talking to her about Xi Ze’s upcoming work schedule, he didn’t involve Xi Ze at all.
At the time, Xi Ze was standing by a prop wall, made of real bricks for realistic effect, the director and Jian Anning were talking, Xi Ze was standing there and glanced sideways, noticing the female scriptwriter kept looking at him, so he turned and smiled at her.
The female scriptwriter initially smiled back shyly, clutching some scripts and fidgeting, but suddenly she glared at Xi Ze’s side, slowly opening her mouth wide, then raised a hand, waving it while saying something.
Xi Ze was momentarily taken aback, didn’t react in time, it was really noisy on set, and the director and Jian Anning were also talking next to him, but he suddenly felt a sense of pressure, as if someone was approaching, he instinctively turned back, and was immediately locked onto by a pair of icy blue eyes.
Xi Ze: “!!!”
Arnold stood in front of Xi Ze, looking down at him with downcast eyes, the gaze concentrated, his voice like a low vibrating string, “Is it that you can’t act it, or that you don’t want to?”
Xi Ze didn’t expect Arnold to suddenly approach. He was stunned for a moment, his brain blank for an instant, but when he regained his senses, he suddenly heard several shrieks from a distance.
How could they not scream?! The crew members were going crazy!! The female scriptwriter felt like she had died and come back to life several times today!!
Yesterday, even though the internet was in an uproar, the insiders still believed that there was actually nothing between Xi Ze and Arnold, at most the promotional photos were a bit misleading, just the official suppressing the fans.
But now?! Now?!!
Damn, why is Arnold getting so close to Xi Ze?! Why is he looking at him so intently?! Why does Arnold look so deep in affection towards Xi Ze?? When Arnold quietly leaned in, and their gazes met when Xi Ze turned back, this is clearly the momentum of true love, you dare say you have no relationship!?
The official side now also! Does! Not! Believe! it!!
This is simply the protagonist forcing the official to give in, isn’t it!!
Author’s Note: Hihihihi it’s very sweet, I know, I’ll control the degree of sweetness a bit.
Say Arnold has nothing for Xi Ze? Hmph, the author doesn’t believe it!