Chapter Sixty-Seven: Confidence, Guidance, Opening Banquet

Lin Xing was indeed rather bewildered.

Where did Feng Qing get that level of confidence?

And he even told him not to mess things up.

“What nonsense are you spouting? You—”

Feng Wei could instantly sense disaster from his son’s words and was about to scold Feng Qing, but Feng Qing simply said, “Alright, Dad, I’m heading back to the hotel. I won’t be joining this afternoon. My great-uncle said he doesn’t need me anyway…”

“You—”

Feng Wei was so angry he nearly spat blood, but Feng Qing had already turned and left.

“I’m sorry, Xing, you had to witness that,” Feng Wei said with a wry smile. “I’ve spoiled this child rotten.”

“Not at all. I find Feng Qing pretty decent—very sincere, which is rare in this industry,” Lin Xing replied with a smile. “It’s always better to be straightforward than to stab people in the back. In that sense, Feng Qing is already ahead of most. Look at how many seasoned veterans in their twenties act like robots, every emotion performed for show. If Feng Qing ever turned into one of those, you’d really have something to worry about…”

“Come on, Xing, no need to flatter me. That rascal is nowhere near as good as you say,” Feng Wei waved his hand, though it was clear his mood had improved. Even if he knew Lin Xing was being polite, it was still pleasing to hear—after all, what parent doesn’t like to hear their child praised?

“Xing, Feng Qing only has five scenes, all of them opposite you…” Feng Wei finally got to the point.

In the show, he played a member of the investigation team, and basically had no scenes with his own son, not even in the same unit.

Especially since Lin Xing had met with Situ Hui during the filming of “Comedy Must Laugh,” after which Situ Hui had gone straight to Feng Wei and said:

Lin Xing had been underestimated by the public, both in terms of acting and character.

That’s why Feng Wei thought to bring his son along for a meal with Lin Xing—to help them get acquainted, since Feng Qing’s five scenes in “Storm Against the Underworld” were all with Lin Xing.

Who could have predicted that Feng Qing would look down on Lin Xing entirely?

“Brother Feng, you’re being too polite. We’re all actors, all here to make the best show we can. There’s no question of who has to accommodate whom. I’ve heard from Sister Hui that Feng Qing is very talented,” Lin Xing replied humbly. “We’ll all improve together.”

With those words, Feng Wei was reassured. At least Lin Xing truly was, as Situ Hui had said, a man of remarkable emotional intelligence.

Then he thought again of his own hapless son.

Feng Wei felt that even his food had lost its flavor.

Before the afternoon script reading, Feng Wei returned to Feng Qing’s room.

As expected, Feng Qing was playing a video game.

“You still have some time before joining the crew, but can’t you at least look at the script? You—”

Before he could finish, Feng Qing cut him off. “Dad, it’s just five scenes, what’s there to look at? Besides, didn’t I train for a month with Uncle Kong? He says I’m fine.”

Feng Wei could feel his blood pressure rising again. “I’m telling you, can’t you learn a thing or two from Lin Xing—”

“What should I learn from him? He’s barely literate. If my brother Yao hadn’t been framed, would Lin Xing ever have made a comeback?” Feng Qing replied impatiently. “Dad, really, what’s our status compared to his? Why do you lower yourself to greet him? Haven’t you noticed that even Uncle Ren can’t be bothered with Lin Xing?”

“You blockhead…”

“Enough, Dad, just leave it be. When it’s time to shoot, I’ll show Lin Xing what real acting is,” Feng Qing declared confidently. “I’ll make sure to impress him.”

Feng Wei: “???”

…

That afternoon, as expected, Feng Qing didn’t show up for the hotel’s script reading.

In the days that followed, he remained absent, while Lin Xing stayed diligently.

The script reading sessions lasted two days, and during that time, Lin Xing gained a much deeper understanding of “Storm Against the Underworld.”

Kong Tian had once said that while Lin Xing might lack innate acting talent, he had a gift for understanding characters and scripts.

Just yesterday, Lin Xing wanted to ask Ren Yi for advice, and Ren Yi had said with a smile, “Xiao Lin, I can’t figure out why you insist on acting in serious dramas. Wouldn’t it be easier to just coast through idol dramas and make money with your looks?”

Lin Xing smiled in turn, “I’m already thirty-one. How many more years can I get by on looks alone? Besides, if there’s anything the entertainment industry isn’t short of, it’s good-looking faces. What then—wait until I’m over forty and still play idols with a wrinkled face?”

He paused, then added, “That’s not what I want. I hope to walk steadily on the path of an actor.”

“Heh.”

Ren Yi chuckled. He’d acted opposite plenty of traffic stars before, and they were all much like Lin Xing. Early on, he’d been naïve enough to try teaching them how to act.

And the result?

Best not mentioned.

At first, Ren Yi had been subtly mocking, but after hearing Lin Xing’s answer, he just smiled and said no more.

Anyone can talk the talk.

Ren Yi didn’t take Lin Xing’s words too seriously, but when Lin Xing asked for advice, Ren Yi was still willing to give guidance.

That was the kind of person Ren Yi was—judging by actions, not by people.

That’s also why Kong Tian had said Lin Xing could approach Ren Yi for help in the crew.

The other veteran actors, when Lin Xing asked for advice, would simply say, “Xing, you’re doing just fine, I see no problem at all.”

A faint sense of distance made Lin Xing naturally give up, whereas Ren Yi, though cutting in his words, really would teach you.

“Lin Xing, look this way, yes…”

“You can put on your glasses now, give us a smile.”

…

Today was the first day of shooting, which meant it was time for costume photos, as they needed to release a batch for the opening ceremony tomorrow.

So the photos were taken today.

Ren Yi, Wang Fei, Song Wen, Shang Xia, Wu Jun, Cao Xiang, Lin Xing, and the other main cast all had their costume photos taken.

This was the benefit of the script reading.

Because everyone had developed a deep understanding of their roles, they were all completely in character for the photos.

The production team had to quickly select some of these photos so that after tomorrow’s opening ceremony, the official social media could release them in sequence.

Lin Xing wore a suit for the shoot, but his hair was long and he wore sunglasses.

This was Zhou Bo’s look in the later part of the series.

That evening, Zu Ming invited all the actors and staff to dinner.

It was treated as the kick-off banquet.

“Tomorrow, once we officially start filming, everyone must get into character. Let me make this clear from the start—I don’t care about your background or status. If anyone underperforms, you’re out.”

At that moment, Zu Ming resumed his tyrant-on-set persona.

…

…