The forest, now clear of thick fog, let sunlight pierce through, casting dappled shadows on the bewildered girl's face. She curled her lips into an awkward smile, shook her head at Eugene Willow's gossipy eyes.
"No?" Eugene Willow shrank his neck, looked at Jane in surprise, and lowered his voice to ask, "She isn't underage, is she?"
"Nineteen."
"Nineteen and never been in love?"
Though it was just a benign question, Rosie Scott sensed a hint of disdain from it. She counted her past and present lives and couldn't find a single experience she could call love.
"Never been in love."
Eugene Willow snapped his fingers and laughed, "That's right, never been in love. Your character, Evelyn Namgon, has never been in love. But, young lady, surely you've had a crush on someone, right?"
"When you're portraying Evelyn Namgon, you must know that liking someone should be shown through your eyes, that overflowing affection, that without a word spoken, should be felt. Only then will there be chemistry, and the audience can empathize."
Eugene Willow still had scenes to film today. After saying a few words, he was about to leave. Before leaving, he patted Rosie Scott on her shoulder and encouraged, "Don't worry, young lady, there's plenty of time ahead. We actors lacking in romantic experience isn't necessarily a bad thing."
The young girl blinked her eyes and watched the old drama expert's disappearing figure. Turning her head, she saw Jane's dropped jaw: "Ms. Lindsey, Mrs. Willow suggested I have more romantic experiences."
"Don't think about it. You're my artist now. You want to date? Wait until you're famous to talk about that," Jane flipped through the script again, standing in front of the camera lens, adjusting: "Rosie, let's do it once more."
——
After yesterday's incident, Melody Sutton had become much more low-key. She didn't disregard the director and producer's advice, and Blake Shaw gave a lot of guidance from the side. Though her acting skills were limited, she coordinated well, so with Director Clarke's masterful filming techniques, progression was possible.
"Alright, everyone, actors and crew members, go have your lunch boxes, take a break for two hours." Director Clarke used the walkie-talkie to inform everyone.
In the Ancient Village, there were plenty of parking spaces. Most artists would drive motorhomes here. Conditions were tough; if food, clothing, and other daily needs had to follow the ancient village style, it would be too inconvenient.
Blake Shaw's motorhome parked in a shady place. His entourage comprised elites, adept at handling everything from dealing with clients to personal dining.
Wearing flowing silver-white hair, secured with a jade coronet, his face was chiseled; his makeup effortlessly impressive; male actors often emphasize eye makeup, and for someone with Blake's natural gifts, lower eyeliner and some highlighting around the eyes were enough to vividly portray the character.
The white immortal robe was made of the finest silk, a jade belt cinching his slim waist, and pristine white boots. To showcase Immortal Venerable's unique traits, the crew put a lot of effort into wardrobe, makeup, and styling.
At this moment, Lisa, as Blake Shaw's current manager, was fuming with anger. She was holding back a belly full of fire about the rumors of Blake Shaw and Melody Sutton's entanglements spreading throughout the crew. If not for the lack of signal in this Ancient Village, the news might already be all over the internet, causing chaos.
"Blake, you're not a newcomer anymore. Do you think doing this is protecting Melody Sutton?" Lisa gnashed her teeth, her bangs couldn't hide the veins on her forehead; her neat short hair, broad figure in a bright red suit, immediately labeled her as a career woman, somewhat similar to Jane's demeanor.
"I'm sorry, Lisa, I can't ignore Melody, I brought her into this industry, I have to take responsibility for her."
"Retract those silly ideas," Lisa said in a low voice. They were, after all, still on set. Although no one seemed nearby, walls could have ears. A slip here would cause a massive uproar: "Do you still not understand, that little girl is using you. Her parents' kindness to you is separate; you should honor them, not get intertwined with a crafty girl; you know how hard you've worked to reach where you are."
Blake Shaw's face was clouded with worry. When he recalled Mr. Sutton and Mrs. Sutton's dying wishes, his heart weighed heavily. If it could be as easy as Lisa suggested, all this wouldn't have happened.
"Lisa, I can't repay Melody's parents, they've already..." His throat seemed stuffed with cotton, taking a long time before he continued, "have already passed away, just last month."
Lisa was suddenly at a loss for words. She took a step back and turned away as if thinking of a solution. Her hair had been falling out in clumps these days. She'd handled plenty of scandals involving her artists, but Blake Shaw, as an emperor-tier actor, was the company's cash cow. If this scandal broke, it might start a storm in the entertainment industry.
"We'll discuss this matter later. Right now, I just ask that you keep your distance from her. I've already arranged for the assistant to approach everyone in the crew, ensuring any photos of you and Melody Sutton won't leak. But, remember, in this era of big data, traces are left everywhere. If you continue recklessly, all your achievements could be destroyed."
Blake Shaw's eyes reddened, his body tense. Even Lisa could see his internal conflict, but unfortunately, hardening his heart was the only way to thrive in the industry.
"I understand, Lisa." Blake Shaw reluctantly agreed. Lisa sighed and walked away. She hadn't slept for several days, thinking about this issue day and night. The company was still unaware of this; if it was discovered that a girl group member had gotten involved with a national film emperor, public opinion would be unbearable.
Melody Sutton, on the other hand, while looking at the lunch box with no meat, angrily threw her chopsticks on the ground, kicking the box over and shouting at Jesse, "What kind of food is this? Are you trying to starve me? How am I supposed to eat just vegetables?"
Jesse swiftly picked up the lunch box and whispered, "Please, for all that's holy, anybody can complain about the food here except you."
"I....." Melody Sutton, reminded by him, remembered everyone in the crew knew the food budget was cut due to her increased pay as the lead actress. Those eating the boxed lunches were probably cursing her.
Melody Sutton felt choked, both literally and metaphorically, turning away with arms crossed, "Get me some instant noodles."
In minutes, Jesse brought her a tub of instant noodles. As Melody Sutton was about to eat, Jesse held her back, "Let me snap a picture first. We can post it on Weibo to engage with fans."
Melody Sutton had to comply, forcing a smile and posing several times before losing patience: "Are you done?"
"Yes, yes." Jesse sat aside editing the pictures, slimming her face, enlarging her eyes, and trimming her waist slightly.
Just as Melody Sutton slurped a mouthful of noodles, she noticed a pair of pink flats. Looking up, she saw Rosie Scott's annoying face: "What are you doing here? Do I look like I enjoy your company that much?"