Chapter 36: The Young Actor's True Skill

The male and female protagonists are the familiar sort who grow from innocence, slowly maturing as they endure the hardships of the martial world and experience the gains and losses of love and hate. The original novel that inspired the script possesses an especially vast worldview; it tells you that the world is not so easily divided into good and evil. There are many things you must experience yourself to truly understand their bittersweet flavors. That is how the two protagonists come of age.

But the character played by Yun Fu enters the story already as a beautiful woman of almost supernatural strength. Yet behind her power lies an inescapable helplessness. Though her status is lofty, she is but a puppet. She commits countless misdeeds, yet her heart is kind. In the end, she sacrifices herself for the sake of the martial world.

Many have said she is the most tragic antagonist—a villain who did so much wrong, yet whom you simply cannot hate.

—

“Yun Fu’s here! You’re up next with Shi Qian; go over your lines together,” Bai Yu exclaimed with relief as Yun Fu arrived. Only in recent days had he realized Yun Fu was no ordinary person. At the very least, the forces behind her were anything but simple.

Yun Fu had slept poorly the previous night; now she was gloomy and cold-faced, so much so that Shi Qian dared not approach her.

Today’s scene was the protagonists pleading with Qian Xuan to save someone, but Qian Xuan tells them, “In this world, eight or nine out of ten people suffer. I can save one, but not thousands.”

She is a woman whose passions are sharply defined, and so, when confronted by the naive protagonists who wish to save everyone, many confrontations arise. This particular scene is a clash between her and the male lead.

“Three, two, one—action!”

At the director’s call, Shi Qian immediately felt Yun Fu’s transformation and her acting. In that moment, he seemed to truly see the mournful, lonely, and powerful Qian Xuan from the novel.

Originally, he was supposed to earnestly, almost childishly, beg this elder to save the suffering, but faced with Yun Fu—or rather, Qian Xuan’s eyes, deep and still as ancient pools—he involuntarily grew timid.

“Senior, those people… they’re just like us, they…”

In front of the monitor, Bai Yu frowned deeply. He knew something was off. The male lead, Tang Lingyun, shouldn’t be like this. Having just entered the martial world, he ought to be fearless and brash, but this Tang Lingyun…

Just as Bai Yu was about to call “cut,” Yun Fu gently lifted her gaze. At that instant, he heard the collective gasp of everyone around him.

Those eyes held the desolation of one who had seen too much, disappointment in the world, a mocking smile at someone who reminded her of her younger self, and a faint trace of amusement.

She turned slightly; her exquisite face was half sorrow, half indifference. “If life is a cultivation, then the suffering of this life is the blessing of the next. Isn’t that a good thing?”

She sighed softly. “To struggle on in this chaotic world is no better than praying for a good rebirth.”

With that, she smiled, though not a hint of warmth touched her eyes.

A gentle breeze stirred her hair. With slender fingers, she idly brushed a strand from her face and turned away.

The entire set fell into silent awe. Not a single sound, not even a bird’s chirp—everyone was riveted by the two performers, but mostly by Yun Fu, watching as she brought Qian Xuan to life.

In just a few glances, a few movements, a handful of lines, she summoned the novel’s Qian Xuan before their eyes.

Qian Xuan is a woman of contradictions. Played poorly, she would be nothing but a ruthless villain; played well, she is pitiable and tragic. Yun Fu seemed to have poured Qian Xuan’s soul into her own body.

“Cut!” Bai Yu finally snapped out of his trance, once again amazed by Yun Fu’s talent. “Yun Fu’s footage stays. Shi Qian, reshoot with someone else as your partner.”

He realized no one could match Yun Fu’s performance—she simply overpowered every scene.

Bai Yu eyed Yun Fu as if he’d discovered a treasure; just when he thought he’d found all its jewels, there were more, even richer, waiting to be unearthed.

“Yun Fu, thank you for your hard work. Let’s film all your scenes now.”

At the director’s announcement, the crew members who had been ready to move on hurried back. No wonder—watching Yun Fu act was simply thrilling.

Hands in her pockets, Yun Fu nodded lazily.

In that moment, she was nothing like Qian Xuan. Bai Yu began to wonder if there was a switch inside her, flipping between identities.

“Retribution for goodness is just a tale for children. Child, remember this: in this world, the only person you can trust is yourself.”

“When you become strong enough, you’ll realize—growing up is agony.”

“If I could, I’d wish to be born at dusk, so that when I opened my eyes, I could see a whole day ahead.”

“…”

Line after line, belonging to Qian Xuan, Yun Fu delivered flawlessly—the feeling was exactly right. Every take was perfect.

Bai Yu was so excited he nearly added more scenes for Yun Fu right then, but seeing her impatient glance, he dared not.

She could truly seize the essence of a character, making everyone believe they were witnessing the person from the novel.

That day, Yun Fu utterly conquered the entire crew with her talent.

“Did you see? Every scene was perfect—gave me goosebumps!”

“Exactly! If only we could record this and upload it, people would see what young actors can really do. Stop belittling them!”

“Yun Fu is amazing; I really felt like Qian Xuan stepped out of the book!”

“I haven’t even read the novel, but I’m obsessed with her—even as a villain, she’s incredible!”

“I’m a die-hard fan of the original. I’m so grateful Yun Fu took on this role. I never imagined anyone could embody Qian Xuan so perfectly—I’m in tears.”

Such words echoed throughout the set.

Ning Lan heard them as well. Unlike Shi Qian, whose reaction was awe and admiration, hers was rage—her teeth clenched in hatred.

She recalled the scenes where she’d had to redo her lines more than ten times—always when acting opposite Yun Fu.

She was supposed to be the female lead, but Yun Fu had stolen all the spotlight.

She ought to be the one earning everyone’s praise, yet now it was all for Yun Fu.

How could this be? Yun Fu was supposed to be a fool—how could she possibly have such skill?

Had she been deceiving them all along?

The thought made the hatred burn even fiercer in Ning Lan’s eyes.