Chapter 408: Chapter 324: Want a Shampoo?
Zhou Yun appeared in front of Shen Yao, and Shen Yao was so surprised that his eyes widened.
Shen Yao stared at Zhou Yun intently for a while and asked, "Are you not wearing any makeup?"
Zhou Yun nodded and said, "Bare-faced, Brother Shen, what do you think of me like this?"
"You still look good, beautiful," Shen Yao said.
"Ah, I wasn’t asking you that. Do you think I look like a shampoo girl?" Zhou Yun asked.
Shen Yao nodded and said seriously, "You have that vibe, but are you sure this is okay? Did the makeup artist allow you to go without makeup? I don’t remember there being a requirement for your character to be bare-faced."
"No, it was my own request," Zhou Yun said. "After putting on makeup, I looked too pretty, not much like someone who has been a shampoo girl for a long time."
Shen Yao gave Zhou Yun a thumbs up and said to Director Wan Zhiliang who had been silent all along, "See, worthy of being a Movie Queen, her professional spirit is extraordinary."
Director Wan Zhiliang’s gaze remained fixed on Zhou Yun, but his expression was the same all along. Zhou Yun had no idea whether Wan Zhiliang was satisfied or not.
Shen Yao said, "Your look is a big sacrifice, even bigger than purposely making yourself look ugly. When you deliberately uglify yourself, the audience knows it’s intentional. Going completely without makeup will subject you to even harsher criticism."
"If they want to be harsh, let them. They should look in the mirror first with my features," Zhou Yun confidently said about her own appearance.
Shen Yao laughed and said, "Shouldn’t you be modestly saying it doesn’t matter at this time?"
Zhou Yun put her hands on her hips, very certain, and said, "I am not modest, I am naturally very beautiful."
Shen Yao said, "But your features are really suited for films. Without makeup, you’re like a blank canvas, able to transform into any character, giving you a wide range of roles."
"Brother Shen is truly deserving of his reputation, even finding such a sophisticated way to compliment bare-faced beauty. I’ve learned something," Zhou Yun replied.
...
The crew was setting up the scene methodically.
Zhou Yun and Shen Yao chatted while sizing up the shooting environment they would be using shortly.
Today’s scene involved Shen Yao entering the salon for a haircut, and Zhou Yun, playing the role of the shampoo girl, liking him and snatching him away from her co-workers to wash his client’s handsome hair.
Director Wan Zhiliang called the other actors over.
The shampoo shop owner was played by a very experienced actor who had long been famous, invited by Shen Yao as a guest star, called Yan Zhenxi, who had not yet appeared.
The other speaking shampoo girls were well-known artists in the industry.
One was Meng Ran, a female idol who debuted from a talent show last year.
Another was Liu Yuqian, a young actress who played the fourth female lead in a popular fantasy series a few years ago.
The rest were extras.
This shampoo shop was not a chain, so everyone’s dress was different with no uniform outfit.
Meng Ran wore a very short skirt and a sequined top, dressing very eye-catchingly and sexily.
Yet, her attitude was very good, she was probably two years older than Zhou Yun, but she took the initiative to call her Sister Xiao Yun.
Zhou Yun waved her hand repeatedly and said, "Just call me Xiao Yun."
The other, Liu Yuqian, had braided her hair in a pastoral-style braid, wore cute makeup, and her entire style was fresh and childlike, which also matched her character in the script.
All three dressed in a manner that fit the script’s settings very well.
Director Wan Zhiliang took Meng Ran, Liu Yuqian, and the other extras to walk through the scene first.
Zhou Yun thought she was going to be involved, but Wan Zhiliang said, "Xiao Yun, you and Brother Shen rest for a bit on the side. After they rehearse, you two will come and walk through it."
Zhou Yun was stunned.
She looked at Shen Yao, who appeared completely serene, clearly accustomed to this mode.
So, Zhou Yun stood by for the first time to watch someone else act.
Just then, Zhou Yun heard Shen Yao whispering in critique: "It’s like watching a zombie perform."
He was talking about Meng Ran.
Meng Ran debuted as a talent show artist, never having undergone professional training nor acted before. This was her first drama series, playing a cameo role with few lines. However, Meng Ran’s performance was incredibly artificial, even her allure seemed forced.
Although Shen Yao’s comments were sharp, they weren’t meant to provoke.
Privately, Meng Ran was not a seductive person.
Sure enough, Wan Zhiliang stopped and talked to Meng Ran alone.
Half an hour later, Yan Zhenxi finally showed up, fashionably late.
Even before she arrived, she raised her warm voice, saying, "Little Shen, you really know how to trouble an old lady; I told you I was on vacation, yet you insisted on dragging me here to act. I can’t believe there’s no other actor available?"
The name "Older Wang Xifeng" came to Zhou Yun’s mind.
Such a crisp voice it was!
As soon as Shen Yao turned around, he exclaimed, joyfully greeting her.
"This role could only be managed by you to maintain order," Shen Yao smiled, his eyes crinkling with slight wrinkles, still handsome but missing his youthful charm. He held Yan Zhenxi’s arms, feigning a hug, and escorted her over.
"Sister Yan, let me introduce you to Zhou Yun, who just won Best Actress in the Horizons Unit at the Venice International Film Festival."
"Xiao Yun, Yan Zhenxi, I guess I don’t need to specially introduce her to you?" said Shen Yao.
Following Shen Yao’s cue, Zhou Yun nodded continuously, saying, "Teacher Yan is my idol!"
Yan Zhenxi scrutinized Zhou Yun for a moment and smiled, "You really look distinguished."
Zhou Yun respectfully nodded, "Teacher Yan, hello, I’m Zhou Yun."
Yan Zhenxi asked, "Did you work on Kang Xin’s ’Heart Inquiry’ before?"
"Yes," Zhou Yun nodded, "Are you a friend of Director Kang?"
"For many decades," Yan Zhenxi smiled, "He has spoken highly of you many times to us old friends. I’ve also seen some scenes from ’Heart Inquiry’, you performed with such spirit."
"Thank you for your kind words, Teacher Yan," Zhou Yun said. "I’m truly flattered."
At that moment, Meng Ran, who had just finished a scene, and Liu Yuqian took the initiative to come over.
Meng Ran walked up to Yan Zhenxi, extended her hand, and bowed nearly ninety degrees, saying, "Teacher Yan, hello, I am Meng Ran, so delighted to meet you!"
Following her, Liu Yuqian said, "Teacher Yan, hello, I am Liu Yuqian. I don’t know if you remember me, but we filmed a couple of scenes together two years ago in ’Gate’, and I received your guidance."
Zhou Yun tactfully took a step back to give them space.
Yan Zhenxi greeted everyone with a kindly smile.
"Yuqian, right? Of course, I remember." After saying this to Yuqian, she then looked at Meng Ran, "I know Xiao Ran too, my granddaughter is quite fond of you."
Meng Ran’s eyes sparkled as she said, "Really? I’m so embarrassed, I think I’m blushing."
Zhou Yun noticed Liu Yuqian subtly looking down and rolling her eyes.
"..."
It was unclear what the situation was between Liu Yuqian and Meng Ran.
Zhou Yun reminded herself not to get involved in these conflicts.
Just focus on performing well in her own scenes.
This is what Zhou Yun thought.