Chapter 10. Fei Ka
The issue of the documentary should be put to the side for now, Hua Ji needed to visit the film crew to report in as well as take his make-up photos while he was there.
Speaking of the make-up photos, Hua Ji once again remembered that fraudulent script and fraudulent plot. Holding onto the small comfort of the script not possibly being even worse after being mostly changed by Director Yu, Hua Ji reported to the production team.
Butterfly Yan recently took over a newbie, so he let Hua Ji head to visit the film crew alone. Hua Ji suddenly felt tired and unloved.
He mumbled, "Just what kind of newbie is this, actually causing Butterfly Yan to treat them so dedicatedly."
"Word goes that the pretty boy Butterfly Yan's managing is a pretty boy military second generation, he wanted to come experience the life in the entertainment circle." The one chatting with Hua Ji was a bro named Fei Ka who was a parrot spirit, belonging to Wan Gu Entertainment along with Hua Ji. Their relationship was neither good nor bad, it was only because they were both casted for 《The Outstanding, Charming Maiden》that they were reporting to the film crew together.
"I guess Boss Wu felt that kid could shield our company further from threats?" Fei Ka shrugged, "After all, our company has more spirits than humans."
Hua Ji curled his lips, he asked, "What about your manager? I remember they're a crow?"
"Ah, he recently needed to transcend a minor heavenly tribulation. Conveniently enough, the Meteorological Department's readings showed that there were thunderstorms in Guangzhou, the weather was extremely suited for transcending tribulations. He headed over there first to scout out the area." Fei Ka grinningly said, "When compared with filming a series, of course the tribulation was more important. Originally, I wanted to cancel the contract and follow the crow to help out, but the crow rejected."
Hua Ji puffed out a laugh, "Transcend the tribulation with him? Be careful you don't attract his tribulation lightning onto yourself."
Fei Ka chuckled, "That's why I'm taking the train with you report to the film crew."
Both were small, third-tier celebrities, after putting on a surgical mask, nobody would recognise them. Rather than wasting petrol to drive there, they might as well just take the train. Anyway, what they spirits lacked the least was time.
Immediately upon reaching the film crew, Hua Ji was whisked away to the dressing room to speedily have his make-up done. After the make-up was done, he didn't have the chance to blink before he was stuffed into a set of bright, red robes. It was obviously a male character, yet the robes were in a female style and were much looser. After putting on the wig and hairpin, he was rushed off to find the director. Director Yu gave him a sweeping glance before saying, "The make-up should be heavier, but not until it's gaudy. The make-up should be heavy but refined and beautiful."
After that, Director Yu stepped back and assessed Hua Ji, only speaking after a long while, "This set is no good, switch to a white one."
The assistants by the side felt mystified, the original Feng Hui Xue was depicted as wearing red clothing. Of course, the director had the most power, he instantly called for people to fetch the white robes, at the same time letting Hua Ji to return to redo his make-up.
Hua Ji's expression was wooden as he was pushed here and there by people. Luckily, he was a monster and could regulate his own temperature, it was much more convenient than air conditioning.
Another half hour flew by, the make-up artist suddenly said, "This should be good."
Hua Ji had just opened his eyes when an assistant delivered a set of pure white robes. His eyebrows twitched, the originally styled eyebrows had an additional thread of charm and allure, as if the outline of the strings of an instrument, causing people's hearts to tremble.
Currently he was wearing a large, red robe, his make-up exquisite, his sleeves were scattered freely, an ancient charm lingering about him, as if time had frozen for him, the feeling of being in the ancient times assaulting the senses.
The assistant was dazed by the sight.
The people nearby were also dazed by the sight.
At this moment, from the dressing room next door, Fei Ka sauntered over, dressed in a full body of black. He also had a wig on, and was randomly tugging on a brown strip of cloth. In the instant that he raised his head, the smiling expression at the corner of his lips scattered, his entire body's atmosphere suddenly changed. His fingers flipped, who knew when there was an extra blade of grass. He held the blade of grass with his mouth and whistled at Hua Ji.
"Yooo, where did this beauty come from?"
Hua Ji's eyes flashed with an amused expression.
That year when Fei Ka just took a human form and came down from the mountain, the first words he said when they met were these very same words.
Hua Ji smothered his expression, faintly lifting his chin and brushing away the non-existent dust on his clothes. His long lashes drooped, covering the light glinting from his pupils, giving off the feeling of disdain and contempt. He didn't even give Fei Ka a look, as if Fei Ka didn't exist, regarding him as thin air.
This sort of downplayed action, the arrogance that this portrayed was more intense than the script's lines by a certain degree.
The people nearby were dumbstruck.
Fei Ka's role was that of an unserious layabout flaneur on the Jianghu. He harboured a secret love for the Female Lead, yet because of his inferior status, ultimately never confessed his feeling, only using the status of an elder brother to help the Female Lead. At the halfway point, the Female Lead pleaded with him to save the Male Lead, and in the end, he died for the Male Lead!!
…… That's right, the helpless person who held a secret love for the Female Lead died for the Male Lead = =
Regardless of how one put it, this big bro's screen time was not little. Even though he was a cannon fodder, he was still considered an important cannon fodder. He had much use in advancing the relationship between the Male and Female Leads. This person was also established as one who used the minimum amount of effort to achieve the results he desired, there was much in common with Feng Hui Xue's selling point.
Of course, the name also had much to be ridiculed, he was named An Lian~[1]
A girl mumbled, "The Sect Leader and Feng Hui Xue, Male Lead and An Lian, this should be the pairings?"
The girl beside her nodded her head, "Seeing these two looking face-to-face, I have a…… 'watch that woman carefully, don't let her play around with my man'…… kind of déjà vu!!"
"Ah, wait wait, aren't they the tragic duo?"
"…… Holy shit, that's a perfect summary, you're right!"
Although the whisperings between the girls were at a low volume, Hua Ji and Fei Ka were monsters, they could naturally hear the girls' giggles.
The two shared a look, simultaneously revealing helpless smiles. Hua Ji coughed once, looking towards the white robe in the assistant's arms. He was about to open his mouth when Director Yu walked over.
"What are you all blankly standing around for?" Director Yu said, "Is the make-up done?"
By his side followed the Second Male Lead Li Shun Hua and Female Lead He Bai.
Li Shun Hua and He Bai had already fully dressed up. Being cultivators, they naturally suited ancient clothing more than typical movie stars. Li Shun Hua wore a set of green robes, a cultured and refined, scholarly air coming off him. On the other hand, He Bai was wearing a white dress, her face carrying a smile, seeming unpredictable, yet also inexplicably giving off a subtle feeling of an immortal.
The four of them gathered together, the feeling of déjà vu grew stronger. It was as if they resided in a different world, as if they lived in the flourishing ancient times, while the rest of them lived in the concrete jungle of the modern world.
Director Yu blankly stared at Hua Ji, before suddenly slapping his head and saying, "Where's the red pen?!"
The assistant hurriedly handed over paper and pen, Director Yu began scribbling on the paper, only speaking after writing for a while, "En, let Feng Hui Xue wear this set for now, regarding that set of white robes, leave it for now. Afterwards, the plot needs to be changed again."
Everyone present was shocked, Hua Ji this youngster actually made Director Yu change the plot for him?
In an instant, the film crew were filled with turmoil.
Acting in complementary scenes[2] with Hua Ji, the Devil Sect Sect Leader was an ordinary-looking senior with deep knowledge about the fundamentals of acting. On this day, he was also taking his make-up photo. Standing outside of the crowd, he saw this scene and his heart felt somewhat astonished.
Truthfully speaking, if it weren't for Director Yu personally giving him a call to invite him, he didn't plan to accept the role. When all was said and done, it was obvious that this TV series was meant to promote newbies, he had no need to step forward for people to trample on. However, now it seemed as if it wouldn't be as he assumed. Even if it was to promote people, the people being promoted still had ability, perhaps the scenes together would become very delightful.
Speaking of the complementary scenes, Director Yu looked in all directions, spotting the Devil Sect Sect Leader.
"Old Pal Yan, come come come, stand beside Feng Hui Xue to take a photo together."
The Devil Sect Sect Leader wore a full body of black clothing, embroidered with golden spider web patterns, looking extremely gorgeous. He smiled upon hearing his words, In the next second, his expression changed sharply, instantly going from an ordinary person's attitude to an imposing, bitingly cold and awe-inspiring manner. He looked around disdainfully from the corner of his eyes, seeming cruel and untamed. Meanwhile, Hua Ji faintly angled his body sideways and lowered his head, displaying a respectful and obedient look.
The Devil Sect Sect Leader lifted his hand and lightly stroked the hair by Feng Hui Xue's ears, his expression indifferent, appearing full of emotion yet also emotionless. Even though Hua Ji's head was lowered, his eyes were directed towards the camera, his slightly narrow pupils rippled with light, the picture of…… alright, some people would interpret that as wholehearted loyalty, some people would interpret that as being full of tender feelings. In any case, The Devil Sect Sect Leader and Head General Manager Feng Hui Xue's make-up photo was perfectly captured.
After busying for an entire day, the make-up photos had concluded. Hua Ji received his own script and information script. He looked over the timetable, his scenes were largely scheduled towards the later stage, the Female Lead He Bai wasn't a full-time actor, she also needed to take some time to get into the role. After a short time, it still wouldn't reach his turn.
《The Outstanding, Charming Maiden》this show had three big industry names in it, the first was the Male Lead that Director Yu often used, word was he would arrive the next day. The second was the senior surnamed Yan who was acting the part of the Devil Sect Sect Leader. The third was the Female Lead's Master's actor, Bai Mei Tai.
Director Yu's intention was to invite Bai Mei Tai to bring along He Bai, until He Bai got into her role, before they began filming in earnest.
Hua Ji calculated the time, if He Bai put in extra effort, they could finish his parts in one month. However, if He Bai took too long to properly get into character, it was possible that he would still be at the set even when Lord Jellyfish took the College Entrance Examinations.
This was called internal hurt.
The usual convention for the Entrance Examinations was the family members waiting outside the Examination grounds to give the children encouragement. Hua Ji felt that since Lord Jellyfish treated him so well, he should also accompany him to the Examinations.
If he requested for a leave from the film crew at that time…… oh, he wasn't some kind of bigshot, Director Yu would kill him!
If there's difficulty, turn to the company.
Hua Ji made a call to Boss Wu, after the old tortoise heard what he had to say, he replied, "Relax, at that time I will let you take a leave."
After all, to them, shooting a show was nothing much. If they could build up a relationship with a powerful person, it was worth more than countless numbers of television shows.
Hua Ji hung up in satisfaction.
Far away in B city, Lord Jellyfish held a language book with one tentacle, held a pencil with one tentacle, held a reference book with one tentacle, completing math problems with one tentacle, with one tentacle…… ah no, with two tentacles, busily clacking away on the keyboard.
He opened a webpage, before the webpage even loaded, an advertisement popped out.
Lord Jellyfish was preparing to close the webpage when he saw a picture load onto the page.
His movements froze.
TN: Sorry for taking one week, as you may have heard, I wasn’t feeling up to snuff to translate since my great grandmother died last Wednesday and the past week has been filled with funeral stuff. Chinese funerals – at least in my country – has the wake going on for five days, with prayers and chanting on the first, fourth and last day to pray for the spirit to be at peace. The second and third day is for the family members of the deceased to entertain the guests who came to pay respects. Since I am a direct descendant of my great grandmother, I have to be present for all five days, hence the delay.
[1] The reason why Hua Ji said that the name was ridiculous is because even though the words are different, 安炼 and 暗恋, they’re both pronounced as An Lian, only with different intonations. 安炼 is the character’s name, while 暗恋 is the words for secret love (literally ‘love that’s hidden in the darkness’). So it’s a bit on the nose to name the character that.
[2] Hm, this one is written as 对手戏 and is a bit hard to describe. Basically it’s a scene/dialogue/interactions between two characters that are supposed to be complimentary/accompanying. I chose to translate it as complimentary scene.