At this time, on the Internet, everyone started debating fervently because of Ji Nian's poignant words, and a fan topic directly topped the charts as the number one hot search.
"Oh my, what a warm-hearted treasure of a girl."
"On days when you can't get through, keep yourself busy, and on days when you miss someone, look at the morning sun."
"Everything in the past is but a prelude, and there's hope for all that lies ahead. I'm motivated."
"This reply is incredible, I'm gulping down this bowl of chicken soup!"
"Actually, to be honest, she doesn't really have any scandals. It's just that her acting isn't great, and she caused a scene at Cheng Liran's company after their breakup, which is why she got blasted."
"It's quite pitiful. Back on Happy Camp, that line 'I don't love you anymore' really broke her, and the moment she shed tears was stunningly beautiful."
"I've noticed this girl has principles. Look, after the breakup, she never leaked any of Cheng Liran's scandals. She was ordered to pay him 600,000 and didn't utter a word or make any statements."
"Plus one to the comment above. If it were me, I'd definitely spill all the beans and make a huge mess, haha."
"Is it possible that Cheng Liran doesn't have any scandals?"
"Leaving aside whether he has scandals or not, after that whole scene, she just quieted down. Although she continued her normal work, she never used the relationship for publicity."
"Doesn't singing love songs for her count as publicity? I'm laughing."
"Singing love songs counts as publicity? Speechless."
"I heard that when their relationship was exposed, Cheng Liran's fan club president hasn't posted a single update since then. That whole incident caused quite an uproar for a while."
"I've heard about that too. The fan club president must have felt utterly heartbroken."
"Hey sisters, aren't we getting off track here? How did we end up talking about their relationship?"
While the online chatter was heating up, the person at the center of the debate, Ji Nian, was struggling on set, having to re-shoot the scene numerous times, causing even the director to look anxious.
"Ji Nian, this won't do. You need to really strike her, do you understand?" the director said helplessly.
Ji Nian felt embarrassed too, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it. She had resolved to give the female lead a hard slap, but when it came to actually hitting her face, she hesitated and ended up just lightly brushing past.
"Sorry, sorry director," Ji Nian immediately apologized.
"Ji Nian, it's okay, you need to get into character," Shen Shuyao consoled her from the side.
Cheng Liran, expressionless, spoke up, "Ji Xiao Nian."
Everyone turned their attention to the male lead when he spoke.
Ji Nian looked toward the man, who wore a cold, impatient look on his face.
"This is a film set, not just any random place. You've NG'd four times now. I don't care how good your personal relationship is, but this is work, and I hope you'll have the right attitude. You've already wasted a lot of time." Cheng Liran stared into the woman's eyes, his tone carrying a warning.
Ji Nian stiffened at the reprimand, not knowing if it was her own emotion or that of the character she was portraying, but her nose tingled and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.
"Hold those tears back," Cheng Liran said, raising his voice when he saw the woman about to cry. "I'm just asking if you can do it this time or not."
Ji Nian knew she was in the wrong, but being scolded by the man in front of her still left her feeling wronged. Defiantly, she said, "I can!"
Shen Shuyao looked at the man disapprovingly, her heart aching for Ji Nian. Then she consoled, "Don't cry, Ji Nian. Just ignore me and get into character. Hit me hard, it'll be fine."
Shen Shuyao's words only made Ji Nian want to cry more, and big teardrops started rolling down her cheeks. She tried her best to adjust her state of mind, reminding herself that it would be okay, and that she could definitely do it this time.
Shen Shuyao felt bad and helped wipe Ji Nian's tears, saying, "It's okay, it's okay. We'll just try again."
Ji Nian nodded, using her sleeve to wipe away her tears. With a sullen look, she thought to herself that the director hadn't even scolded her, yet this man was so fierce. The original owner of this body must have been blinded to like such a man with no grace at all.
"Ji Nian, it's alright, we'll try again. Quickly adjust your state of mind and try to get it in one take," the director said, also stunned by Cheng Liran's reprimand.
"Crew, quickly do some touch-ups on the actors' makeup," an assistant director called out.
Ji Nian wiped away her tears and took a few deep breaths. Calm down, calm down, it's just giving a slap, she could do it.
Although it was just acting, she had truly never hit anyone in her life, so it was hard for her to bring herself to do it.
"Alright, actors take your positions," the director said, watching the camera. "Start!"
"What are you?" Ji Nian's red eyes from crying earlier added to the effect of the line, making her seem very angry.
"No, you can't bully me like this!" Shen Shuyao took on a frail look, stubbornly kneeling on the ground.
Ji Nian knew it was time to strike, so she steeled her heart and forcefully landed a slap, the sound ringing out clearly as five fingerprints instantly appeared on the woman's reddened face.
Shen Shuyao staggered from the impact before falling down as scripted, putting on a look of shock despite the stinging pain on her face as tears streamed down.
"You don't deserve to be a celestial disciple!" Ji Nian said viciously after a momentary look of surprise, quickly getting back into character.
"Cut!" The director was exhilarated, liking the momentary flicker of surprise on the woman's face in that last shot. That micro-expression was great.
The moment she heard "cut," Ji Nian relaxed and immediately helped the female lead up, looking at the fingerprints her slap had left and feeling guilty as her eyes reddened again, not expecting to have hit so hard.
For Shen Shuyao, it was her first time filming such a realistic slapping scene, and her face stung, but seeing Ji Nian's remorseful expression, she consoled her, "It's okay, it doesn't hurt."
"Don't say that! It's already swollen," Ji Nian said self-reproachfully before quickly grabbing the ice pack a crew member handed over and gently applying it, apologizing, "Later on when I have scenes where I get beaten, you can really let me have it. Don't hold back at all."
Shen Shuyao laughed out loud, seeing the serious look on Ji Nian's face as she carefully held the ice pack. "I wouldn't be able to bring myself to hit you either."
"You're not angry?" Ji Nian looked at the female lead gratefully, tears welling up again. "I hit you so hard just now."
Shen Shuyao shook her head with a smile. "If it were you, I wouldn't get angry."
Ji Nian was so touched, she was about to burst into tears. "I knew you were the best. I love you the most."
He Yi was already used to their saccharine displays, but the crew members on set were utterly stunned.
In other productions, the actresses were always engaged in overt or covert conflicts, but the atmosphere on this crew seemed quite good. Although there were complicated relationships between the actors, including an ex-couple, they still managed to get along peacefully.
"Shuyao, good work," the director walked over with a smile. "Injuries are unavoidable when filming. Your face will be swollen today, so you can go rest first. We'll film just the male lead and other actors' scenes this afternoon."
"Thank you, director," Shen Shuyao said obediently.
"Ji Nian, keep working hard," the director said with a smile toward the other woman. Although this new actress's acting skills weren't great, she was obedient and willing to work hard and learn, which he appreciated.
"Yes," Ji Nian replied with a smile, encouraged by his words. "Director, you've worked hard too."
