Zhang Jin’an finally stood up straight, satisfied. "Did you get the file?"
Jiang Siyang checked his phone again. "I have it now."
"I’ve added notes about the premise next to the dialogue. The lines are very short, so I’ll give you..." Zhang Jin’an glanced at his watch. "Is ten minutes okay? Memorize them within ten minutes."
Jiang Siyang nodded. "I can do that."
"Good." Zhang Jin’an sat back down on the sofa. "We’ll perform in ten minutes. If there’s anything you don’t understand in the meantime, feel free to ask."
Jiang Siyang scanned a few lines. "An alternate-history vampire theme? You don't see those often nowadays."
"True. The book only has moderate popularity, so the market isn't particularly optimistic about it," Zhang Jin’an said.
Jiang Siyang smiled. "But you like this book very much."
"Yeah, I think it’s quite good. The setting is interesting, and the early plot is engaging with a touch of suspense. It’s not too melodramatic, either. I like pretty much every character in it."
Jiang Siyang hadn't read the novel and didn't know the specifics, but seeing Zhang Jin’an express so many thoughts at once, he figured the man must be truly captivated by it. He could only nod, half-understanding.
"Do you want to read it? I can lend it to you," Zhang Jin’an offered.
Jiang Siyang was a bit surprised. "Is... is that okay?"
Zhang Jin’an shrugged. "It’s just lending a book, not a pirated film. I won't get arrested for it. Why wouldn't it be okay?"
Jiang Siyang asked, "There’s a film for this too?"
"...There isn't a film. It’s... sigh, that’s not the point." Zhang Jin’an felt relieved that he’d managed to restrain himself; he’d almost let a dirty joke slip in front of his male fan.
"Oh... then I’d really like to read it," Jiang Siyang said.
"Sure thing." Zhang Jin’an leaned back. "But if you want to borrow it, pass this audition first. It’ll also give me a chance to see how well you’ve learned from me."
"Mm..." Jiang Siyang felt a sudden surge of nerves and returned his focus to the document.
**[Cui Chi (lying in Elisa’s arms, blood trickling from his mouth): I clearly haven't done anything wrong in this life. Why... why treat me like this? Forget it. Saying this now is useless. I’m already dying... I no longer crave an apology from anyone. I only want you to live... to live well.]**
Below that was a line in bold: *“At this point, it is Cui Chi from 600 years ago. To find the traitor, he is faking his death.”*
"Faking death..." Jiang Siyang murmured, his brow furrowing slightly.
He realized this wasn't simple.
If this were just a straightforward death scene, it would be relatively easy; he had notes on death scenes in his notebook. Death scenes generally fell into two categories: lingering attachment or fearlessness. Attachment was more common in dramas—a reluctance to leave the world. This was also relatively easy to act; one just needed to be intense during the performance. Fearlessness meant that while there was attachment, there was no fear of death. This required a sense of calm, even the ability to comfort others. Therefore, the tone only needed to be steady, with some intermittent pauses as if blood were catching in the throat.
This segment began with attachment and ended with fearlessness. Both could be performed; the difference lay in the quality and whether the emotions were appropriate.
However, acting *within* an act—a "play within a play"—increased the difficulty significantly.
If he wasn't mistaken, this scene was likely the most pivotal moment for the character of Cui Chi in the entire series. Whether the character was successfully established depended entirely on this one scene.
Jiang Siyang stole a glance at Zhang Jin’an. Zhang Jin’an was sitting with his legs crossed, his right arm draped over the back of the sofa as he stared intently at his phone, unblinking.
*He must be using this free time to study acting techniques, otherwise he wouldn't be so absorbed,* Jiang Siyang thought, his respect for Zhang Jin’an deepening. Zhang Jin’an was truly a senior worth learning from; no wonder he had achieved such success.
Jiang Siyang gave himself a mental pep talk and began memorizing the lines.
If Jiang Siyang knew that Zhang Jin’an wasn't studying acting but was instead bored and browsing his own "Super Topic" fan page, his face would surely be a mask of confusion.
Zhang Jin’an was completely unaware that he had been categorized as a "hardworking senior" by Jiang Siyang. He was happily scrolling through Weibo.
The latest posts in Jiang Siyang’s Super Topic were all photos from this very mall event.
**[@JiangShuiSiYang]: #JiangSiyang# 20150719, Peter Mall event. [Heart] Our Siyang wouldn't look out of place standing with a boy group. He even secretly greeted the fans below. Those who came to the scene today really hit the jackpot. I’m obsessed. [Image] [Image]**
**[@imgjvjb]: #JiangSiyang# 20150719, Peter Mall event. I swear, the photos aren't even one-ten-thousandth as good-looking as he is in person. In reality, Siyang’s legs are even longer, he radiates a youthful aura, and his smile is so gentle. Gege has done so many mall performances, and he’s looked good every time, but this has to be the best one in years. [Image] [Image]**
Zhang Jin’an clicked on a few. These photos were high-definition, looking as if they’d been taken from the front row; even the sequins on Jiang Siyang’s clothes were clear. Having been there himself, Zhang Jin’an agreed—the photos didn't do the real Jiang Siyang justice.
Zhang Jin’an looked up at Jiang Siyang. The younger man was looking down at his phone, his lips moving slightly as he whispered his lines.
The hair at the back of Jiang Siyang’s head had been trimmed short, leaving the skin of his nape looking incredibly clean. Because he was thin, his cervical vertebrae were slightly prominent, and there was a small gap at his collar.
Zhang Jin’an really wanted to poke a finger in there. Jiang Siyang would definitely jump in surprise, and the reaction would be hilarious.
Zhang Jin’an scrolled further, marveling at how well these fans could praise someone. If he were the one posting, he’d probably just say "He’s here" or "He’s talking."
**[@SiyangsDragonfruit]: #JiangSiyang# 20150719, Peter Mall event. Clad in the sun, moon, and stars, you fell into our sight from the sunlight, taking away a breath of wonder and love. [Image] [Image]**
**[@LuluButNoSentientBeings]: #JiangSiyang# 20150719. The bamboo sighs softly, mourning the passing years. Only in meeting you does the world turn, bathed in invincible radiance.**
**[@SiYangLikeWaterYears]: #JiangSiyang# 20150719. I fear the kiss of the goddess Venus was given only to you.**
*The kiss of Venus, huh? Does Venus know about this?*
Hyperbole aside, the photos were excellent. The "fansite masters" with their long lenses really lived up to their reputation.
Zhang Jin’an took the opportunity to search for "Zhang-Yang Unstoppable" to see if there were any new fanfics. He found a short one that was quite amusing. It was about Jiang Siyang turning into a child and forgetting everything except him.
**[Jiang Siyang blinked his clear, bright, large eyes: Who are you?**
**Zhang Jin’an said seriously and deeply: I am your father.]**
"Pfft..." Zhang Jin’an almost laughed out loud, remembering where he was just in time to hold it back.
**[Jiang Siyang tilted his head, a finger pressed to his lips, still puzzled: Father? Then where is my mother?**
**Zhang Jin’an: Your mom is de— Your mom went to a very far away place.]**
Zhang Jin’an thought, *Damn. The bilingual version.*
Zhang Jin’an was dying of laughter reading this. Each segment was just a short snippet, but every one was full of memes. He loved this kind of writing interspersed with internet slang; it was incredibly funny.
He was reading with great relish, and if Jiang Siyang hadn't called out to him, he wouldn't have noticed that ten minutes had passed.
"Ge, I’m ready."
"Oh, ready?" Zhang Jin’an hadn't quite snapped out of the "crack-fic" headspace yet as he looked at Jiang Siyang with a smile.
He saw Jiang Siyang nod. "Ready."
"Alright then." Zhang Jin’an exited Weibo and opened the camera function. He pointed to the empty space in front of the coffee table. "Make do with this and perform here. I’ll record it to show Director Tang later."
"Okay." Jiang Siyang stood up and walked to the front of the coffee table, facing Zhang Jin’an.
Zhang Jin’an uncrossed his legs and sat up straight. Holding his phone and looking at Jiang Siyang through the screen, he was very satisfied with his choice.
The lighting in the lounge was good and bright. Jiang Siyang stood straight with his eyes cast down. His skin was excellent—not exceptionally pale, but virtually flawless.
According to the author’s description, the past-life Cui Chi was a blonde man as beautiful as a goddess; he was the kind of person for whom all things would flock to without a word. The present-day Cui Chi was a free-spirited, eccentric, yet stoically enduring man who had reined in his sense of distance, his appearance closer to that of an ordinary person.
While acting ability was paramount, the face was also important. One had to establish a face suitable for the role. You couldn't have a seventy-year-old play a fifteen-year-old, after all. This was why they were particularly demanding about the second male lead's appearance. If they chose someone with an average look, how could they embody the line: "With one look back, all the beauty of the world is willing to die for him"? Not only the audience, but the costars would be pulled out of the scene.
If one were to distinguish between "strikingly handsome" and "pleasant to look at," Jiang Siyang definitely fell into the category of handsome that one would never tire of looking at. First and foremost, Jiang Siyang had passed the appearance test; his looks were truly suited for Cui Chi.
Zhang Jin’an pursed his lips and said, "Please begin your performance."
To say Jiang Siyang wasn't nervous would be a lie. The industry giant he had admired for so long was sitting right in front of him, recording his every move with a phone.
This was his chance to act in the same drama as Zhang Jin’an. He had to seize it.
Jiang Siyang took a deep breath, quickly running through the lines and the movements he had just planned in his head. After three heartbeats, he slowly opened his eyes.
It began.
Zhang Jin’an leaned forward, moving closer to watch.
From the very start, Jiang Siyang’s performance was different from the other three. He didn't raise his hand, but his left hand wasn't idle either. Zhang Jin’an noticed that his left hand was tightly gripping the fabric of his trousers on his thigh, creating several sharp creases.
Zhang Jin’an raised an eyebrow and looked up to see Jiang Siyang’s brow slightly furrowed as he looked at him with a heavy gaze.
"I clearly haven't done anything wrong in this life. Why... why treat me like this?" Jiang Siyang spoke quickly, his articulation noticeably forceful; one could hear the gritting of teeth. But because his voice was naturally gentle, what reached Zhang Jin’an’s ears was a sense of indignation mixed with restraint.
As the lines continued, Jiang Siyang’s voice gradually slowed. "Forget it..." He even let out a sigh, his voice catching. "Saying this now is useless..."
"I’m already... dying." Zhang Jin’an caught a glimpse of Jiang Siyang’s left hand slowly relaxing, dropping naturally to his side. His articulation was no longer so distinct; he whispered slowly, as if he had a mouthful of something. This surprised Zhang Jin’an; he had noticed all these small details. Being meticulous was good, of course, but the more meticulous he was, the harder it would be to convey the "falseness" of the fake death. He wondered if Jiang Siyang understood this.
If Jiang Siyang continued acting like this until the end, while it would be good, Zhang Jin’an would honestly be a bit disappointed.
He kept watching.
"Cough, cough... I no longer crave an apology from anyone..." Jiang Siyang’s furrowed brow smoothed out. He looked at the lens with a gentle gaze, but only for a few seconds before turning away to cough again. "Cough, cough..."
Zhang Jin’an was stunned for a moment, then smiled with satisfaction.
The eyes do not lie. Whether there is love or regret within them will be exposed to the audience.
And Zhang Jin’an, watching from such a close distance, saw that in those eyes, besides heat, there was...
"I only want you... to live, to live well." After saying the last line, Jiang Siyang closed his eyes, and Zhang Jin’an pressed the button to stop recording.
"Good work," Zhang Jin’an stood up, clapping. "That was a good performance."
"Thank you," Jiang Siyang bowed to him.
"You’re very good at utilizing your strengths." Zhang Jin’an walked around the coffee table to stand in front of Jiang Siyang, raising a hand to point at his own left eye. "Your eyes."
Jiang Siyang blinked, then smiled with pleasant surprise. "You... you noticed?"
"Of course. Otherwise, I’d be doing a disservice to your hard work." Zhang Jin’an held up his phone; the screen wasn't on, but he held it as if taking a photo of Jiang Siyang. "There were three times you didn't look at the lens—or rather, you did, but it was like a fleeting, unintentional glance."
This was a very small detail. If it hadn't been Zhang Jin’an acting as the interviewer but Director Tang instead, Jiang Siyang’s subsequent coughing might have truly seemed like he was just acting out coughing up blood.
But Zhang Jin’an understood actors too well. No one would rashly add extra business to a scene without a reason.
When people lie, they subconsciously avoid the gaze of others. Thus, Jiang Siyang’s coughing was merely a piece of acting *within* the character. Setting aside whether it was clumsy or not, the point was that in those eyes, besides the heat, Zhang Jin’an had clearly seen a guilty, evasive flicker when he glanced at the lens—the look of someone afraid of having their secret seen through.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 崔驰 | Cui Chi | Character name from the novel/script. |
| 伊丽莎 | Elisa | Character name from the novel/script. |
| 超级话题 / 超话 | Super Topic | A community feature on Weibo for fans of a specific celebrity or topic. |
| 站姐 | Fansite Master | Dedicated fans (usually female) who run fansites and take high-quality photos of celebrities. |
| 长炮 | Long lens / Telephoto lens | Professional camera equipment used by fansite masters. |
| 沙雕文 | Crack-fic / Silly fic | Internet slang for humorous, nonsensical, or meme-heavy fanfiction. |
| 张扬不下 | Zhang-Yang Unstoppable | The CP (couple) name for Zhang Jin'an and Jiang Siyang. |
| 戏中戏 | Play within a play | Acting within acting; in this case, a character faking death. |
