Chapter Seventy-Two: The Greater the Storm, the Higher the Price of Fish

September 27th, Wednesday, light rain.

“Black Tide” has been filming for twelve days since its commencement on the 16th, and Lin Xing has unknowingly been part of the crew for eight days now.

During these eight days, Lin Xing’s group C has consistently been directed by Bai Yan. Zhu Ming has not appeared on set; he commands remotely.

But today was different—Zhu Ming arrived early at the scene.

“This won’t do, where have you ever seen a rag so clean?”

“And the chef’s uniform doesn’t have a single trace of oil or smoke—how is that acceptable?”

“Lin Xing’s styling is off, and his face is too pale, it’s distracting.”

…

Zhu Ming remained as meticulous about details as ever.

On set, Bai Yan and Old Zou were present, quickly running through lines with the actors.

Today’s scene was a pivotal one—a major scene for Lin Xing.

His counterpart was veteran actor Zhou Guang.

Zhou Guang was only a cameo, with just a handful of scenes in the drama. He played another entrepreneur from Jinghai City, who clashed with Shen Ming over a bid midway through the story.

Then Zhou Bo handled the matter for Shen Ming.

By this point, Zhou Bo had grown increasingly ruthless, since he had already accepted Shen Ming as his godfather.

“All right, we won’t start shooting just yet—let’s run through the scene first,” Zhu Ming addressed everyone.

The group took their scripts and rehearsed their lines and positions.

Since none were novices, each knew instinctively how to block for optimal lighting and camera angles.

Fifteen minutes later, filming began.

“Come, President Wu, this dog meat hotpot is a real tonic,” Lin Xing said with a smile to President Wu, played by Zhou Yang. “There’s nowhere else in Jinghai you’ll find this flavor—it’s my cousin’s secret recipe…”

As he spoke, Lin Xing gestured to the chef standing nearby. “Isn’t that right, cousin?”

The chef nodded lightly, his face showing a fawning smile.

President Wu sat down but remained silent.

No banquet comes without ulterior motives.

This was evident from President Wu’s expression alone—alert but unyielding.

“When I was young, my cousin treated me well. We were poor, my mother left early, and my father always thought I was a bastard. He only cared about fishing at sea, so I often ate at my cousin’s house.”

“My cousin’s family was well off, there was meat at every meal, and they’d call me ‘mongrel dog’—each time I repeated it, I got a slice of meat, each time I said it, another slice.”

“Mongrel dog!”

Page (1/3)

“Mongrel dog!!”

“Mongrel dog!!!”

…

Lin Xing recited these lines with a smile, but the smile on his face was disturbing.

Not only could he not stumble over the lengthy monologue, but he had to modulate his tone, revealing Zhou Bo’s madness.

Did his cousin really treat him well?

If he did, would he call him “mongrel dog”?

“Mongrel dog, here!” Lin Xing raised his hand in a gesture of reporting for duty.

“That’s how it was back then. But after all these years, I still have to thank my cousin. Without his family, I might have starved to death. That’s why I opened this restaurant and made him head chef. I, Zhou Bo, always repay kindness!”

Lin Xing pointed to the chef. “Of course, my cousin can’t call me ‘mongrel dog’ anymore, because…”

Here, Lin Xing deliberately paused, then suddenly burst out laughing. “Because I cut his tongue out.”

President Wu’s expression changed abruptly, his chopsticks frozen in his hand.

“You don’t believe me? Come on, cousin, open your mouth and let President Wu see if it’s been cut out.”

…

On the monitor, Lin Xing’s performance carried a hint of madness—but just enough.

Ren Yi was likewise surprised.

Last night, Lin Xing had consulted Ren Yi about how to approach this scene, and Ren Yi felt that since Zhou Bo was hosting a “Hongmen Banquet,” intimidation should be the focus.

After all, this was the first threat—a good moment to set the rhythm.

So Ren Yi thought it could be played a little wilder, given this was Zhou Bo’s childhood trauma; he deeply hated his cousin. But Lin Xing’s performance surpassed Ren Yi’s expectations.

Most actors express “madness” with exaggerated gestures and expressions, playing up arrogance and aggression. Such performances rarely draw the audience in.

It’s all too easy to overdo it and end up portraying a lunatic.

But Lin Xing’s was exactly right.

A madman.

He was evil, and his portrayal had two layers: Zhou Bo performing as a character, and Lin Xing performing Zhou Bo’s performance.

Ren Yi had always thought Lin Xing’s questions were just for show, but later realized Lin Xing’s queries were getting more detailed.

Not to mention, seeing Lin Xing’s acting on set today.

The scene continued.

This was a key moment because it was an exchange—a real confrontation.

The filming pressed on.

…

“Zhou Bo, you don’t need to scare me with this. Who doesn’t have someone backing them?”

Page (2/3)

At this moment, President Wu said coldly, “Zhou Bo, you’re being too domineering. All the previous plots of land went to you, and now I can’t even have one?”

“President Wu, you’re right.” Lin Xing smiled. “In Jinghai, we are domineering. Whatever my godfather wants, he gets. Anything the Shen family desires must belong to the Shen family.”

President Wu replied, “Do you really think Shen Ming can cover the sky with one hand? Can the Shen family really withstand the storms of Jinghai?”

“I wouldn’t know. I used to sell fish—I only know…”

Here, Lin Xing paused, then suddenly said, “The bigger the storm, the pricier the fish.”

In that moment, Lin Xing fully immersed himself in Zhou Bo’s character. The original script had him say, “I just do what my godfather says.”

But Lin Xing felt Zhou Bo wouldn’t say that.

After all, he never fully trusted Shen Ming.

The bigger the storm, the pricier the fish.

That was Zhou Bo’s true outlook.

…

“Changed the lines?” Bai Yan glanced at the script, a look of bewilderment on his face.

“Director Zhu…”

Bai Yan started to speak, but Zhu Ming stopped him. “Don’t say anything.”

On set, only the director can call “cut.”

If the director hasn’t called “cut,” the actors should keep performing.

Immersed.

Zhu Ming hadn’t expected Lin Xing to become so absorbed in the role.

He wasn’t surprised when Ren Yi, Wang Fei, Song Wen, or even Zhou Guang as a guest star got into character.

But Lin Xing?

“Cut!”

Two minutes later, Zhu Ming called it.

“Director Zhu, I’m sorry, it was my mistake,” Lin Xing snapped out of his role at the call, quickly apologizing. “I just suddenly felt Zhou Bo would…”

“No, you weren’t wrong.” Zhu Ming cut off Lin Xing’s apology. “You changed it well—the double meaning fits Zhou Bo’s character perfectly.”

…

…

Page (3/3)