Chapter 95

Li Chong once again drank to the point of unconsciousness. When he woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. Li Chong rubbed his aching head and thought, "Next time, I can't drink with that fool Gao Changyang!" After Xu Yingji collapsed last night, two more people couldn't handle the alcohol. Then Gao Changyang started his suicidal drinking, downing two bottles of soju in a row. Li Chong had no choice but to follow, who had boasted, "I'll drink as much as you do." Gao Changyang then downed another bottle, and Li Chong started to feel dizzy. The drinking continued endlessly, and Li Chong felt dizzy and disoriented. He quickly took out his bank card, and then he passed out.

Seeing the water on the bedside table, Li Chong picked it up and drank it all in one go. "Not bad, they didn't put salt in it this time." Li Chong already had a good idea of who had brought him back. With those unruly people around, they would definitely call Cheng Youli. Li Chong understood their intentions, but he had a knot in his heart that he couldn't untie. As long as this knot remained, he couldn't make room for anyone else.

By the time Li Chong arrived at the set, it was already afternoon. "You still remember there's shooting today? You might as well not come at all." Zhang Xun started complaining as soon as he saw Li Chong. There was a lot of Li Chong's scenes left to shoot, and the various co-actors and extras had been dragged along for days. That was a lot of money, and Zhang Xun couldn't help but feel pained.

"OK, got it. I'll start shooting now, and I'll go get my makeup done right away." Li Chong knew he was in the wrong, so he didn't dawdle and went to the makeup van to get ready.

The shooting went on for the entire afternoon, and almost every take was perfect, leaving Zhang Xun and So Ji-sub amazed. "You're really something. How do you do it?" Zhang Xun asked during dinner. The number of shots they had completed in the afternoon matched the total from the previous two days.

"Didn't you notice that I always go over the lines with the co-actors before shooting? I let them get familiar with the environment I create, and then during the actual shoot, they follow my lead and perform in the way I want. After all, I'm half a screenwriter and half a director," Li Chong explained while eating, and he also took a piece of meat from Zhang Xun's lunch box.

Zhang Xun thought Li Chong was truly unique. All directors wanted to guide actors to perform as they envisioned, but often the actors couldn't understand the director's intentions or perform as desired. That's why directors preferred experienced actors, whether they were famous or not, as long as they could understand and express the director's vision.

Zhang Xun was lost in thought, not even noticing that Li Chong had taken all the meat from his lunch box.

"What are you planning to shoot tonight?" Li Chong asked after finishing his meal.

"Wait a bit. Cheng Youli said she would come to visit the set tonight, so we'll take a break for a while," Zhang Xun said, drinking water.

"Cheng Youli is coming to visit? How come I didn't know? No one told me!" Li Chong asked in surprise. It was unexpected that Cheng Youli hadn't told him.

"Ha, you were so drunk last night. If it weren't for Cheng Youli calling me to say you were unconscious, I would have come to bang on your door early this morning," Zhang Xun said with a smile that seemed to be enjoying the show.

Before seven o'clock, Cheng Youli arrived at the set with a lot of food and drinks. Zhang Xun knew her, and So Ji-sub didn't need to be introduced. Li Yanxi also knew her a bit.

"Li Chong oppa, how are you feeling? Are you better?" Cheng Youli asked as she walked over to Li Chong.

Li Chong looked at Cheng Youli in a dress and put his jacket on her. "It's only early spring, and you're already wearing a dress. Aren't you afraid of getting cold?"

"Ha, I came straight from a filming location and didn't have time to change. I have a jacket in the car," Cheng Youli said, pleased with Li Chong's gesture.

Li Chong looked at the staff distributing food and asked, "What did you bring? There's no meat in Zhang Xun's lunch."

"Smack..." Zhang Xun kicked him from behind. "No meat? Did a dog take the meat from my lunch box?" Zhang Xun's voice came from behind Li Chong.

Li Chong rubbed his butt and muttered, "When did you sneak up behind me?"

Cheng Youli covered her mouth and laughed.

"Alright, everyone, let's start shooting!" Zhang Xun said when everyone had finished eating, and the entire crew got to work.

"Cheng Youli, you should go home early." Li Chong said to Cheng Youli, knowing that the shooting might go on until late.

"Um... I won't go back," Cheng Youli said with a smile.

Li Chong was puzzled. If you're not going back, what are you going to do? Are you going to act in the scene? "I won't have time to talk to you later. We have a lot of scenes to catch up on."

"Cheng Youli, go touch up your makeup. It's your turn next," Zhang Xun called out.

Li Chong was stunned. No way, Cheng Youli is touching up her makeup? This means she's going to act. Cheng Youli blinked at Li Chong and then went to the makeup van.

"What's going on? Director Zhang, does Cheng Youli have a scene? I didn't know that," Li Chong asked.

"Yep, she volunteered. She said she would do a free cameo. How could I refuse such a good offer?" Zhang Xun said with a smile.

"Free cameo? There are only a few female roles in this movie. Besides the lead role of Meina, the next one is the underground lover, So Da's mistress." Li Chong's eyes widened as he looked at Zhang Xun.

Li Chong swallowed hard. "Director Zhang, you didn't let her play the role of the underground lover, Hui Mei, did you?"

"Yep, it's Hui Mei. How about that? I'm being nice to you, right?" Zhang Xun looked at Li Chong with a playful expression.

Li Chong heard the news he didn't want to hear and was hesitant and uncertain.

After a moment of thought, Li Chong said, "Director Zhang, I need to ask her something. Can we delay my scenes for a bit?" Li Chong seemed to have made a decision.

Zhang Xun understood Li Chong's intentions and didn't say anything.

When Li Chong got to the makeup van, Cheng Youli had just finished her makeup. Li Chong shooed the makeup artist away. "Cheng Youli, do you know what role you're playing? Do you know what kind of scenes you'll be shooting?"

"I know. I read the script. I'm playing your underground lover, Hui Mei," Cheng Youli suddenly stood up, wrapped her arm around Li Chong's, and leaned her head on his shoulder.

Cheng Youli whispered, "Since I'm not in your heart now, can't we at least be together in the movie?"

A wave of helplessness washed over Li Chong. "This role isn't suitable for you. Even if you want to act in a movie, you shouldn't choose such a role. It will ruin you."

"I don't care. As long as I can act with you, I don't mind what role it is. I don't care if it ruins my image." Cheng Youli tightened her grip on Li Chong's arm, as if afraid he would run away.

"No, absolutely not. If you play Hui Mei, I won't shoot. I'll pay Director Zhang to find another actor. I'll compensate him," Li Chong said firmly, just as he had when Cheng Youli wanted to act in "The Chaser."

Cheng Youli knew the matter was settled when she heard Li Chong's words. "Do you really not want to act with me? Do I disgust you so much?" Tears welled up in her eyes instantly.

Li Chong's heart ached, and he was at a loss. Anyone would feel the same way seeing a beautiful woman crying in front of them. "That's not what I mean. I just think that with your fame, your first movie shouldn't be like this. I promise I'll find you a lead role in a movie, okay?"

"You're just making excuses. Last time with 'The Chaser,' you said the same thing, and now it's the same..." Cheng Youli said with tears in her eyes.

"This movie isn't mine. I haven't even started my second movie yet. After Director Zhang's movie is finished, I'll write a script that's perfect for you, okay? Don't cry, your eyes will swell and you won't look good," Li Chong promised.

"Really? You won't lie to me this time?" Cheng Youli asked softly, looking down.

"Yes, really. I'll start writing as soon as this movie is done," Li Chong said earnestly.

"Alright, I'll touch up my makeup. You go tell Director Zhang I won't shoot and that he should find another actor. Don't delay the production," Cheng Youli said, still looking down, but with a hint of a smile on her lips.

"Okay, I understand." Li Chong got out of the makeup van and walked towards Zhang Xun...