Gao Xi hesitated to speak for a while, in the end still could not hold back, asked Li Yue: “Director Li, do you really like that Miss Meng?”
Li Yue directly nodded: “Of course I like.”
Gao Xi froze for a moment — their Director Li actually had someone he liked? Really damn seeing a ghost, before he had never heard him mention it even once.
He furrowed his brows and carefully sized up Li Yue, only to see that his expression was calm, without a hint of shyness, truly worthy of being their Director Li.
Then immediately after he heard him very seriously say: “Among all the many actors I have seen, Meng Fu’s acting has always been my favorite. If there is a chance…”
Li Yue stopped here. Gao Xi waited for a long time but didn’t hear the next part, he tilted his head and asked: “You’re done speaking?”
Li Yue looked up strangely at him, asked: “What else do you want?”
Gao Xi was once again speechless. He suddenly realized that what Li Yue said about liking was merely expressing his appreciation for Meng Fu’s acting skills. Could Director Li not breathe so heavily when talking? He even thought that he had some sort of feelings toward Meng Fu herself.
Gao Xi didn’t doubt it, after all, back then Meng Fu was so popular, it wasn’t strange that Director Li would pay attention to her.
His phone rang once, Gao Xi looked down — it was Wang Huaiming sending him a message, inquiring about what was going on between Li Yue and Meng Fu.
Very good, he said, he knew he couldn’t be the only one feeling Director Li was acting strange!
Gao Xi sent over the reply Li Yue just gave, not long after Wang Huaiming sent him a big question mark, not knowing whether he thought Gao Xi was sick, or thought Li Yue was sick.
The next day, someone posted online the photo taken last night outside Van Erlan Palace, of Meng Fu falling into Li Yue’s embrace. In the photo, the sky was dark, only Meng Fu’s back was visible, so no one recognized her. The onlookers who never found the fuss too much to stir up first expressed their heartache that Director Li was once again “Peng Ci” [note: “碰瓷” literally “bumping porcelain” refers to falsely accusing someone of causing harm to extort them], then started seriously discussing whether Director Li’s chest muscles were big or not, what it felt like to touch them, and where one could chance upon Director Li.
Gao Xi brought this news to show Li Yue. Li Yue was adjusting the camera lens, swept a glance at it, cursed “are you sick?”, seeing that no one recognized it was Meng Fu, found someone to suppress the trending heat a bit, and no longer paid it any mind.
The male and female leads had already changed and tidied up their clothes, each standing in their positions. Li Yue sat behind the camera, holding the loudspeaker, adjusted every spot he wasn’t satisfied with one by one. Only after he was fully satisfied did he officially start filming.
This shoot lasted most of the day. Today, the actors performed very well, most scenes were passed in one take. After finishing the last shot, they could take lunch break. Li Yue replayed the last take once, said to the male lead: “Go wipe your tears, redo that last one.”
The male lead asked Li Yue while hiccuping: “Still crying, Director?”
He had been crying for almost an hour, his eyes were about to cramp.
Li Yue lifted his eyelids and gave the male lead a glance. Without waiting for him to speak, the male lead quickly nodded: “Cry cry cry, I’ll cry right now.”
The male lead took a deep breath, and the moment Director Li gave the signal, he started crying and wailing, not caring about his image at all, crying so miserably, like tearing his heart and splitting his lungs, hysterical, just short of digging a pit on the spot and burying himself inside.
Only then was Li Yue barely satisfied, starting to film the next shot — but got stuck right here. It wasn’t that the actors’ acting was bad, it was just always a little short of what Li Yue imagined.
Shot after shot, three takes, still no good. Seeing Li Yue’s face getting darker and darker, everyone immediately became silent like cicadas in winter, not daring to make a sound, afraid they would accidentally ignite this powder keg.
You had to know that when Director Li lost his temper, even a split hair was wrong.
At this extremely critical moment, Gao Xi trotted out from the room holding his phone, said to Li Yue: “Director Li, phone call.”
Everyone was moved by Assistant Gao’s spirit of sacrificing himself for others — daring to appear at this moment to attract Director Li’s firepower, may good people have safe lives.
After Gao Xi shouted, he realized the timing was a bit wrong. Just now he wasn’t here; when he came over and saw everyone standing still, he thought they had finished shooting and were preparing to wrap up. He didn’t expect to hit the muzzle of the gun this precisely.
Gao Xi had to brace himself, under the grateful gazes of the crowd, raised both hands to offer up the phone.
Li Yue’s brows were furrowed so tightly they could almost pinch a fly to death. He lowered his head and glanced at it, then reached out to take the phone from Gao Xi’s hands.
Everyone stared nervously at the phone in his hand, not knowing which little unlucky egg was on the other end of the line — better start praying.
However, in the next moment, they just watched with wide eyes as Li Yue’s expression instantly softened the moment he got the phone.
Such a master of face-changing!
Shocking! Famous director Li Yue actually could do this kind of thing under the broad daylight!
The female lead excitedly rubbed her hands together, with a face full of gossip, asked: “Who made that call?”
The male lead shook his head — who knew? Even when Director Li’s mom called, they had never seen his emotions change this fast.
Meng Fu’s voice came from the phone, she spoke softly: “Hello, Director Li, I am Meng Fu.”
Li Yue made a sound in acknowledgment, and added a sentence: “I know.”
Meng Fu stood in front of the window, looked up, saw the tall buildings clustered far away, and the endless flow of traffic. She asked: “Director Li, what are you doing?”
“Still filming at the crew.” Li Yue answered.
Meng Fu withdrew her gaze, lowered her eyes to look at her own reflection falling on the window, and smiled: “Did I disturb you?”
“No, the scenes for the morning have already been filmed.” Li Yue said while lifting his hand to signal the others to go rest first.
The staff members on the scene were like being granted amnesty, didn’t expect that this storm would pass just like that. At the same time, they became even more curious about who the person was that called Li Yue — wasn’t this basically a Bodhisattva walking the earth?!
Meng Fu continued to ask him: “Then does Director Li have time today?”
Li Yue didn’t answer her question, instead asked: “Miss Meng, is there something you need?”
Meng Fu hummed a sound and said: “I don’t have anything this afternoon, I wanted to come and take a look at your crew, is it convenient?”
Next, she would be cooperating with Li Yue, and it was necessary to understand him more to avoid many unnecessary troubles later on. Of course, Meng Fu also had her own little selfishness — this Director Li really suited her taste very well.
“Of course it’s convenient.” Li Yue said, “Around what time can you arrive? I’ll have someone wait for you at the entrance.”
“No need, I know how to get there.” Meng Fu said and lightly chuckled.
Li Yue felt as if Meng Fu was standing right beside him, her lips sticking to his ear. He uncomfortably moved the phone a little farther away, but very soon brought it back again.
Meng Fu asked him: “Is there anything Director Li wants to eat? I’ll bring some over?”
Li Yue pressed his lips together and answered: “No need, just you coming is enough.”
Meng Fu laughed: “Then Director Li, wait for me.”
Her voice was gentle, like a breeze carrying honey, softly blowing across the tip of Li Yue’s heart.
“I’ll wait for you.” Li Yue said.
After the call ended, Li Yue lowered his head and stared at Meng Fu’s name on the phone screen, not knowing what he was thinking.
Gao Xi summoned his courage to step forward. Seeing Li Yue’s face flushed red, but combining his expression, it didn’t seem like he was angry. He immediately asked worriedly: “Director Li, why is your face so red? Are you having a fever?”
As he said this, he reached out his hand wanting to touch Li Yue’s forehead, but was slapped away by Li Yue with a “pa” sound: “Stay away from me.”
Gao Xi was confused — wasn’t he his favorite assistant?
Heh, men.
When Meng Fu arrived at the crew in the afternoon, Li Yue was holding the loudspeaker, exerting full power output. The staff all had their heads lowered, faces long and drooping — so the storm that didn’t fall in the morning was actually waiting for them here! Could there be another Bodhisattva come to save them!
Meng Fu was wearing a mask, standing among the extras. Today’s Li Yue was completely different from the one she had seen yesterday. Probably because the ones getting scolded weren’t herself, Meng Fu found it quite interesting to listen to. This Director Li was truly amusing.
Gao Xi was the first to notice Meng Fu among the crowd. During lunch, he had already heard from Li Yue’s mouth that Meng Fu would be coming in the afternoon. He even reminded Director Li to pay a little attention this afternoon — but once their Director Li got fired up, he forgot everything. Gao Xi quickly stretched out his hand and poked Li Yue’s back, reminding him: “Director Li, Director Li.”
Li Yue, holding the loudspeaker, turned his head and asked him: “What are you doing!”
Gao Xi felt like his ears were about to be deafened. He rubbed his ears and said: “Miss Meng is here.”
Li Yue instantly froze, he turned his head following Gao Xi’s gaze, and saw Meng Fu standing in the crowd, smiling brightly as she looked at him.
The sunlight was warm, the autumn wind was gentle, and Li Yue felt as if the whole world suddenly quieted down, only his own heart was thumping wildly.
Meng Fu slowly walked toward him from within the crowd, step by step, getting closer and closer. Watching this scene, Li Yue for a moment even felt somewhat dazed — he recalled a movie he watched several years ago, starring Meng Fu, where she, dressed in rags, walked out from the crowd, resolutely heading toward the one she loved.
The shot in the movie was exactly the same as his current point of view.
“Is Director Li angry?” Meng Fu walked over and asked him with a smile.
The staff members all cast admiring glances toward Meng Fu — this is a true warrior.
Li Yue pressed his lips together, the anger in his heart strangely dispersed by half. He said to Meng Fu: “No, I was explaining the scene to them.”
The actors were about to shed tears — Director Li was clearly explaining the scene while being angry!
Meng Fu indeed had nothing to do this afternoon. She simply stayed in Li Yue’s crew, and discussed with him the remaining few shots.
After all, back then, she was a top actress who had swept through all the major domestic awards; she could easily spot the shortcomings in others’ performances, and could help guide a bit.
The actors, after experiencing Director Li’s bombardment and strafing, now hearing Meng Fu softly and gently explaining acting to them, felt like they were seeing their own dear mother. Whenever they had time, they would crowd around Meng Fu, seeking her advice on all kinds of performance questions.
Li Yue sat behind the camera, hearing the male lead’s question, let out a cold snort: “Even this kind of stupid question you have to ask? What was I thinking when I picked him to be the male lead!”
Next to him, Gao Xi glanced at him, feeling for some reason that the air around was a bit sour — Director Li, you are acting a little strange right now, very strange.
Meng Fu stayed at the crew for several days in a row, and got to know more about Li Yue. Indeed, he was just like others said — he loved getting angry, but was very easy to coax, and Meng Fu even found it a little cute.
The day Meng Fu was leaving, Li Yue escorted her to outside the set, and said: “This time, thank you.”
Meng Fu smiled and said: “If Director Li really wants to thank me, how about treating me to a meal?”
“What do you want to eat?” Li Yue asked her.
Meng Fu said: “Home-cooked dishes would be fine.”
Li Yue wasn’t someone who often went out to gatherings, and for a moment really couldn’t remember any nearby restaurant famous for home-style dishes.
“If it could be cooked by Director Li personally, that would be even better.” Meng Fu’s brows and eyes curved, her face full of anticipation.
“I…” Li Yue originally wanted to say that he couldn’t cook, but when the words reached his lips, he changed and said, “I haven’t had much time recently.”
Meng Fu said: “No hurry, you can owe it first, just remember to repay it later.”
After saying this, she waved at Li Yue, got in the car, and left.
After Meng Fu left, Gao Xi came over and asked in a low voice: “Director Li, don’t you feel you’ve been a bit strange lately?”
“Strange where?” Li Yue asked.
“You and Miss Meng…” Gao Xi said.
“What about us?” Li Yue asked.
Gao Xi was helpless — Director Li, did you really not realize at all?
He asked: “Don’t you feel that the way you treat Miss Meng is completely different from how you treat everyone else?”
Li Yue nodded and said: “Then so what? Is there a problem? If they could act as well as Meng Fu, would I need to be angry every day!”
Really?
Gao Xi always felt there was something wrong.
Before, it seemed they also worked with veteran actors, but back then Director Li wasn’t like this — afraid they’d get cold, afraid they’d get sunburned, even the boxed meals were a grade higher, practically wanting to follow behind them every moment, and from time to time even throwing out a few sour remarks.
When angry, as long as the other coaxed a little, he immediately brightened up.
But since Director Li could say it so firmly, it must be that he was overthinking…Like hell he was!
If Director Li really had no thoughts toward her, he would turn Director Wang’s surname upside down!
Two days after Meng Fu left the set, the movie wrapped up, and after Li Yue arranged the post-production work, he went to participate in the recording of a variety show.
The actors invited to the show had mixed acting skills. Those who were good — everyone praised them together and gave some suggestions.
Those who were bad — considering the capital backing them and their huge number of fans, the judging directors didn’t dare criticize too harshly, only saying “there’s great room for improvement”, and it’s best to find a teacher to systematically study.
Li Yue felt uncomfortable all over watching this, like sitting on pins and needles. If this were on his own set, he would have jumped up and cursed already. But rationality told him: if he exploded now, the post-editing team would have to beep out all his words, and he’d really turn into a “beep-beep machine”.
The program director’s camera was aimed at Li Yue’s face the whole time, watching his expression gradually twist, even becoming a bit fierce.
The director couldn’t help but sigh — Director Li’s face really had too much drama; even if he didn’t speak, this change of expression alone was enough for them to market it once.
The program director had to admit: Meng Fu really knew how to pick people.
Finally, the one who performed passionately on stage was a top traffic male idol.
The three directors present all gave him some face-saving points, but the idol was still dissatisfied, thinking his score should have been even higher.
Listening to his pretentious words, Li Yue finally couldn’t endure anymore.
He lowered his head, quickly flipped through this idol’s profile, then raised his head and asked: “How many points do you want? You think you deserve it? How did someone like you even graduate from Dongxi Drama Academy? Which teacher taught you? Does your teacher know you could turn an emperor character into this? Is someone sitting on your back? Why can’t you stand straight? You’re playing an emperor, not a eunuch. Whose voice are you squeezing your throat to sound for? Bad acting, no presence, poor lines — you’re almost thirty already, not young anymore, why are you still like this? And not just you, the few before you too. Do you know how painful it was watching you all act? I almost wanted to tear up the contract on the spot. What you were doing — you call that acting?”
The traffic idol originally wanted to use this variety show to transform his image.
After being scolded by Director Li like this, he cried on the spot.
Li Yue, seeing it, didn’t soften, continuing: “You know how to cry? Just now when I saw your face twitching, I thought you couldn’t even make that expression.”
An old director nearby came out to smooth things over: “Actually, it wasn’t that bad, right?”
“Are you serious?” Li Yue turned his head toward the director sitting on his right and said directly, “Even character portraits in games have more expressive faces than him.”
The old director felt Li Yue’s hostility was really too heavy.
He believed young people should be treated more kindly, so he said: “His performance was very restrained. Although a bit immature, it’s not completely without merits. There were subtle changes in his gaze. Director Li must not have observed carefully enough, didn’t notice it.”
Observe carefully?
If he looked any closer, he’d go blind.
If the role was for a blind person, then honestly, his performance just now was quite fitting.
Li Yue turned and said: “If that’s what you think, then for your next movie, if you don’t hire him as your male lead, that’s a bit unreasonable.”
“Ah…”
The old director wasn’t stupid — he shot art films. If he really invited such a ‘great deity’ into his movie, his own reputation would be completely ruined.
He said: “This still has to consider the investors’ opinion.”
Li Yue let out a “heh”, folded his arms across his chest, and didn’t speak anymore, full of mockery.
Once this episode aired, Li Yue was immediately pushed onto the trending topics in all kinds of postures. Truly worthy of being a man who could bring blood and storms wherever he went.
The gossiping onlookers all said: Director Li, fly freely! Carry your own pots! [note: “有锅自己背” means taking responsibility for your own troubles/mistakes; “锅” (pot) is slang for blame/trouble]
Every time Gao Xi saw Li Yue’s name on the trending board, he would feel that if Director Li ever became a celebrity, he would definitely be a top star.
But thinking again, if he really changed careers to be a celebrity, probably by the second day after debut, he would get banned across the whole internet.
Li Yue himself completely didn’t care about the various arguments on the internet, every day still doing what he should do, and along the way squeezing out time to practice his cooking skills.
When he finally achieved a little success, he at last dared to invite Meng Fu over to taste it.
It had to be said, when Meng Fu received the invitation, she truly felt a sweetness — this Director Li’s tenderness seemed to have all been given to her.
He was handsome and talented; it was really hard for anyone not to be moved.
Meng Fu carefully dressed up, bringing a gift, and came to Li Yue’s home. Director Li had indeed bitterly trained his cooking skills — now he could even carve flowers out of carrots. He even carved a little rabbit and gave it to Meng Fu, who knows how long he practiced for that.
Meng Fu played with the little rabbit in her hand.
After Li Yue turned off all the fires, she spoke up and asked: “It feels like something got into my eye, could Director Li help me take a look?”
Li Yue quickly walked up to her, lowered his head, carefully pried open her eyelid — in those dark, bright eyes, his face was clearly reflected.
The warm breaths intertwined together, carrying a faint citrus fragrance.
Li Yue’s heartbeat inexplicably started to speed up.
But he quickly regained his senses, let go of his hand, and said with a red face: “I didn’t see anything.”
“Then maybe there’s nothing,” Meng Fu blinked and asked him, “Director Li, is my makeup today pretty?”
“Pretty.”
Li Yue said this, and his face turned even redder.
He turned awkwardly around and began scooping the dishes out of the pot.
Meng Fu pressed her lips together and chuckled lightly.
She glanced at the squirrel fish on the plate [a famous sweet-and-sour Chinese fish dish, named because the fish is cut and fried to look fluffy like a squirrel], then pretended to ask casually: “Director Li, do you have a girlfriend? Director Li’s future girlfriend is really going to have good fortune eating.”
“Don’t have one.” Li Yue replied.
Meng Fu lifted the corners of her lips, followed behind him, and continued asking: “Then Director Li, are you lacking a girlfriend now?”
Li Yue answered subconsciously: “Nope, being alone is pretty good.”
Meng Fu: “……”
This idiot!