Chapter 53 Counterattack

Xia frowned and stepped up to look through the clothes. Angrily, she said, "These clothes are so plain, you'll just look very tired on-screen. Did Jiang Lingyun do this on purpose? I'm going to look for her!"

"Xia, there's no need," Yan Wen called out to her softly and shook her head. "Since we're overseas, don't give the crew any problems. I think this one is fine."

She pointed out a blue dress with a simple design that would highlight her qualities.

"Is it really okay?" Xia was angry, but she respected Yan Wen's choice. Also, if Yan Wen did so, she must have a plan!

Xia waved the crew member out.

"Backstage is not for me to show off my beauty, but my professionalism. Being too dressed up will only turn people off. Could you ask the make-up artist to change my hairstyle?"

If Jiang Lingyun wanted to be a dolled up peacock, then she would be the opposite. This was not a red carpet, and clothes were only props.

Both Xia and Chen Yu nodded in agreement after she explained.

Before filming the second part, Jiang Lingyun showed up in a long evening gown with a diamond hairpiece. That was all, but it was showy enough that a few of the directors, including Jason, muttered amongst themselves.

"What's she wearing? What a joke," they said to each other in English.

"Did no one tell her that it's an outdoor venue? How long can she walk in those heels?"

Jason shook his head. At that moment, Yan Wen walked into view dressed in the clothes prepared by the crew. Her hair was done up simply and her make-up was natural. With her warm smile, she gave off a fresh and elegant aura. Compared to overdone Jiang Lingyun next to her, Yan Wen looked like a flawless pearl.

The directors gave subtle nods of approval and did not say anything else.

Jiang Lingyun still thought that she was outshining Yan Wen, and strutted as she walked out.

The filming venue was outdoors, and after ten minutes of walking, Jiang Lingyun was beginning to look tired. She spotted the scenery pooled on the ground and knitted her brows. "We're filming here?"

Jason just glanced at her but did not answer.

The filming schedule had been given to them long ago. A professional actor would not ask such a stupid question at this juncture.

"Could you both please prepare? We will be giving you different scripts. Please do a run-through, we will be filming your whole script-memorization process. After that, change into your costumes and we will do one take."

"One take?" Jiang Lingyun pursed her lips unhappily.

The crew member shook his head and turned to leave.

"What's your role?" Jiang Lingyun glanced at the script in her hand. She had been assigned the role of the female lead's aunt! She did not want such an old role.

"Female lead Xenia."

"Let's swap!" Jiang Lingyun snatched the script out of Yan Wen's hand before she could protest, and stood under a nearby tree to start memorizing her lines.

Yan Wen gave a wry smile but did not protest. The hidden cameras had already started filming when the crew members passed them their scripts. Jiang Lingyun had probably not read the filming schedule and did not know that her actions would be unerringly captured on film.

There were not many lines, but the character was difficult to get into. The scene was an excerpt from a classic film: Auntie Jade had sacrificed everything for Xenia's happiness, including taking on a large debt. When Xenia found out, she was extremely grateful and let Auntie Jade live out her last years with her.

Yan Wen thought Auntie Jade was a very challenging role. By the time the director said to start, she was already in character.

The scene started with Jiang Lingyun walking over in her evening gown. As she set her eyes upon Yan Wen, she did not portray any of the verve required.

"Auntie..."

Yan Wen then stepped towards her, flawlessly portraying the character's loss for words, and the hesitant look in her eyes.

"Xenia, why are you here?"

The directors looked at the screen, waiting for Jiang Lingyun's performance in anticipation. After all, as Grand Entertainment's supported artiste and future Golden Dagger Best Actress nominee, she had to have some skill.

However...

Jiang Lingyun did not get completely in character and still treated Yan Wen as her love rival. Her line delivery was stiff and the directors all frowned.

Was this considered acting?

But the female lead's personality was difficult to grasp. Jiang Lingyun was probably not fully ready, and they did not stop filming.

Unknowing of her own issues, Jiang Lingyun recited her lines in front of the camera without regard for staging. She was only aware of how she looked...

She was made up very prettily, but this was acting, not a red carpet. She just stood there, all show and no substance.

Conversely, Yan Wen had not only portrayed the inner feelings of the character but with her experience, even her actions moved the audience and let them feel as if she really was the character.

Her clothes did not matter at all. Her eyes perfectly portrayed the soul of the character.

This was a real actor.

Even her breathing was well controlled. In the span of turning around, her tears started flowing.

The camera zoomed in on Yan Wen's tears and then quickly panned over to Jiang Lingyun. This was when she needed to supply a suitable reaction, but she had frozen with a look of disdain on her face. She only slowly delivered her lines after she noticed the camera on her.

By this time, the directors were all unhappy.

Jason scanned the script. The next few minutes were all Jiang Lingyun's, but none of them were interested in continuing.

The role was not the most important thing in acting, but to be able to transform oneself into the soul of the character. Jiang Lingyun might have thought she had picked the better role, but her carelessness had her become Yan Wen's foil.

Even when Jiang Lingyun was delivering her lines, Yan Wen stayed in character without any hesitation. Anytime the camera turned to her, she was Auntie Jade.

Her attitude and expression were acted to perfection.

She might not have acted these past few years, but that had not affected Yan Wen. In fact, her performance was even more realistic.

"Alright! Costume change."

After the directors announced this, Yan Wen bowed slightly towards the cameramen and directors, thanking them, before turning to accept water from Xia. On the other hand, Jiang Lingyun suddenly relaxed and fanned herself as she strutted back to the lounge.

While they were changing, the cameras recorded the directors' evaluations of the actors' performances. For the sake of maintaining good ties, the directors did not linger on Jiang Lingyun's terrible performance. When evaluating Yan Wen, they were very serious.

"Her performance exceeded my expectations. I'm really looking forward to her future performances."

"When Yan Wen was acting, it seemed to be like a fairy had descended to earth. She is unique and is so flexible, it enhances her ability to immerse herself in the character. An actress like her is hard to come by. I believe she can go far in her acting career."

It was the first time in the show's history that the directors had given such high praise.