Global Film Emperor

Chapter 531 Improvisation

"Xiao Chun? What are you doing here?"

It was another day with no free time. Ju Yulin hurriedly passed by with documents in her arms, nodding and greeting her colleagues from time to time. As she passed the front desk, her eyes caught sight of a familiar figure sitting on the chair next to the front desk, playing on her phone. This made her slow down and take a closer look before she spoke in surprise.

"Sister Lin."

Hearing the call, Wu Chun turned around and was pleasantly surprised to see Ju Yulin dressed simply. She quickly put away her phone and waved happily. It was clear that the two had a very good relationship, and there was a feeling of excitement like that of best friends who hadn't seen each other for a long time.

But this feeling of excitement didn't last long before Ju Yulin realized that their reunion meant the official end of her first job. Before this day, she had looked forward to it countless times, but now that it had actually happened, she felt a strange mix of emotions.

There was reluctance, but more than anything, there was a sense of disorientation after being freed. As the saying goes, it is difficult to meet and difficult to part. Although this poem does not describe the work environment, the literal meaning is quite fitting for Ju Yulin. Adaptation is a difficult process, and it takes time to accept separation.

"what happened?"

Wu Chun noticed Ju Yulin's momentary daze after her initial joy, but couldn't understand why she was like this. She asked her in bewilderment, but didn't hear a reply from Ju Yulin. Ju Yulin simply said dejectedly, "It's okay, Xiao Chun, wait for me a moment. I have some documents to deliver. Please wait for me for five minutes."

"it is good……"

Wu Chun nodded and watched her turn and leave quickly. She didn't feel any dissatisfaction that Ju Yulin didn't give her the same enthusiastic response, but she sensed that Ju Yulin seemed a little different.

……

"Director... Mr. Li, teacher."

She knocked three times on Director Meng's door and entered after receiving permission. Just as she was about to hand over the documents, she discovered that Lu Ze and the company boss were also in Director Meng's office. The three of them were drinking tea and chatting happily. When Ju Yulin entered, she turned around with a smile. Having not seen Lu Ze for a long time, she began to feel nervous again and nodded slightly to the three of them from the doorway.

"Xiao Ju, Teacher Lu has arrived, and it's time for us to part ways. I'm very happy to have worked with you during this time, and I hope we'll have the chance to meet again."

"Director Meng, please don't say that..."

Director Meng's words were straightforward, but they left Ju Yulin with a bitter taste in his mouth. As company leaders, they were used to the coming and going of people, so they remained calm and composed. But Ju Yulin was still a young man and had become accustomed to this kind of life.

But this feeling mostly comes from a half-hidden view. Although she works here, all the employees know that she is just a passerby who comes to the company to slack off and experience life. She won't stay for long and won't compete with them. So, the harmonious atmosphere in the company that Ju Yulin sees is just a superficial harmony maintained by a group of veteran employees.

That's why she gets along well with everyone and feels that everyone is kind, but she doesn't realize that this kindness is a tacit illusion set up by everyone. If she were really an intern, her work environment would not be as pleasant as it is now.

"Here is the termination letter. Take it first. The unpaid salary for this month will still be deposited into your account in the middle of the month. Well, Teacher Lu, I have a meeting this afternoon, so I won't keep you any longer."

"Okay, Lao Li, you're busy. I'll take the students and head out now. Thanks for these past two months."

"You're welcome, let me see you off."

Director Meng didn't interrupt, but simply smiled and nodded to Ju Yulin. Then he turned to look at Lu Ze and his boss. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Boss Li got up to see Lu Ze and the others downstairs. Director Meng didn't move, still engrossed in checking documents at his desk. This autumn encounter came to an end at this moment.

……

In the car, with Wu Chun by her side, Ju Yulin quickly forgot her discomfort at losing her job. Lu Ze drove, and the two sat in the back talking about what had happened during this time. They hadn't seen each other for two months, and they had so much to talk about. Lu Ze drove and listened without offering his own opinion, simply observing the changes that had occurred in their lives.

Wu Chun's speech has improved significantly. In the past, she would stutter when she was nervous or excited, which was obvious because she was slow to summarize her vocabulary, meaning her brain couldn't keep up with her mouth. Now, even though her speaking speed is not slow, her speech is very clear and her logic is very clear. The accent she used to carry in a few words has also improved to the point that it is basically undetectable.

Ju Yulin's change was even more pronounced. He greeted Wu Chun with a smile, and the little gestures that used to unconsciously reveal his true feelings were nowhere to be seen. He was very proper in his manners, with his hands on his knees, looking into Wu Chun's eyes and nodding occasionally to give Wu Chun some feedback, which made Wu Chun even more excited to tell him about himself.

That professional demeanor that distinguishes her from a student was already taking shape in Ju Yulin. Lu Ze glanced at the rearview mirror from time to time, then nodded imperceptibly. This was the effect he wanted. It was impossible for Ju Yulin to truly become a workplace elite in such a short time. Lu Ze only needed her to cultivate this professional demeanor, which was enough.

When the conversation turned to the other two, Ju Yulin, who hadn't been by Lu Ze's side for a long time, couldn't help but curiously inquire about their information. This wasn't a secret, and Wu Chun already knew, so she answered Ju Yulin's question on Lu Ze's behalf.

Upon learning of Peng Kuo and Chen Dongsheng's whereabouts, Ju Yulin didn't know whether to laugh or feel sorry for them. Seeing that the car was still moving towards the city, he asked Lu Ze about it.

"Teacher, are we going to pick them up now?"

"Go pick up Peng Kuo. Chen Dongsheng has already gotten off the plane. We'll meet at the restaurant where we first met."

After Lu Ze answered, he didn't join the two girls' conversation anymore, letting them chatter away behind him until Peng Kuo called to tell him that he had crossed the overpass and was waiting for him under it.

Peng Kuo was picked up without any trouble. He was indeed more eye-catching than before he went to Shenzhen. His hair was long and messy, greasy and curly. The temperature in the capital was still quite high at noon. Sweat dripped from his chin onto his yellowish white vest. His jeans had greasy stains from somewhere, like spots on the left and right. He was sitting by the roadside drinking a bottle of mineral water that cost one yuan. When he left Sanhe, the film crew didn't bother to clean up his clothes. They just gave him a train ticket and sent him back to the capital.

"Kuozi, what happened to you? You've gotten so unkempt in just a few months!"

Ju Yulin made a sarcastic remark about Peng Kuo's disheveled appearance. Everyone thought he would retaliate verbally and that they couldn't let him get away with it, but to their surprise, he just waved his hand, didn't say a word, and silently closed his eyes.

He was exhausted, not only from the long hours of sitting in a seat, but also from the lack of nutrition he had been getting. At this moment, his face was sallow, his body was thin, and pimples were starting to appear. No matter how you looked at him, you could no longer see the air of a rich young master.

Seeing him resting with his eyes closed, everyone knew he was exhausted. At first, they chatted quietly to avoid disturbing his rest. But gradually, the smell in the car became off. The two little girls, with their keen noses, sniffed and frowned.

"Kuozi, how long has it been since you washed your feet? They smell awful!"

The two girls couldn't stand it anymore, and Lu Ze was also getting quite annoyed by the smell. He quickly opened the car windows and sunroof to let the odor out, and he started to regret buying that old shoe for him. In the end, it only made things worse for him.

Peng Kuo, who was listening to Ju Yulin and Wu Chun's complaints, remained silent and sat motionless in his chair as if he were dead. Seeing this, the two girls decided not to complain anymore. It was clear that this trip to Sanhe had dealt Peng Kuo a significant blow to his spirit. A handsome and wealthy man like him had been reduced to this state, and continuing to complain would only cause him more severe distress.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, they found themselves in the same private room. Just as Lu Ze picked up the menu, Chen Dongsheng entered. Chen Dongsheng was much darker than before, with sunburn marks on his face, indicating that he had recently peeled. His skin was patchy, resembling a cat with a mottled face. Upon seeing Lu Ze, he gave a stiff bow and sat down next to Peng Kuo.

Are you feeling better?

"I'll be fine after resting at home for a few days, thank you, teacher."

He was still somewhat depressed. In his mind, he was the only one who had fallen behind, as if he had dragged the whole team down. This feeling was definitely not a blow that he could forget quickly, given his sensitive nature.

Sitting beside Peng Kuo, one with a dark complexion and the other with a sallow one, the two unfortunate companions exchanged a glance, but found it difficult to smile, remaining silent. Even when the food was served, they had no appetite. The meal was very somber. Although the two girls tried to liven things up, they didn't succeed. This wasn't because the two lacked masculine ease, but simply because they hadn't yet detached themselves from the lives they had become accustomed to. This emotional state needed to be alleviated, it needed time, and it was clearly impossible to excite them with excessive insistence.

After dinner, Lu Ze wanted to do a final review with the group. After all, the film crew would be heading to the capital tomorrow to audition the trainees, and time was tight. Although Lu Ze had a lot of confidence in them, he still needed to go over the script one last time to give them some reassurance.

The vehicle set off again and arrived at the drama academy, where the four instructors would give their final summary today. The four classrooms were connected, and if you listened carefully, you could hear the sound of lines being read aloud from the next room.

To give the two boys some time to adjust, the two girls took the lead, starting with Ju Yulin, who went over the scene with Lu Ze one last time. At the most crucial moment, Lu Ze poured himself a cup of tea, and the assessment officially began.

The script was handed to the table. Lu Ze spoke first, opening the script and fixing his gaze on Ju Yulin, saying slowly, "You must be very sad."

The middle-aged man's deep voice, like a soft, frosted material, was comfortable and emotionally resonant. His five words, though seemingly simple, could be the spark that ignites others. Ju Yulin sat in her chair, her eyes closed, waiting for Lu Ze to appear. The next moment, she opened her eyes, as if possessed by a spirit.

With her feet crossed and toes touching the ground, she smiled and rubbed her hands together. Then she crossed her hands together, flipped her wrists, turned her left hand so the back of her hand was facing up, slowly lowered her head, didn't say anything, just shrugged and laughed awkwardly in a low voice.

"Just let me know if you need me, okay?"

"It's okay~"

The voice, barely a whisper, was a rejection; her vocal cords were rubbing together, and it sounded like she was squeezing out the words with all her might. It was clear that her actions just now were carefully planned, and now her emotions were slowly building up, preparing to explode.

No one can get into character as quickly as Lu Ze. His speed in getting into character is already astonishing. It's a very clever approach. He uses pre-designed language and actions to buffer his emotions. Lu Ze is happy, but he doesn't show it. Instead, he hopes to put more pressure on her and raise her threshold for exploding.

"If you need money... take these first."

"I do not want."

"Listen to me, take it. Things at home are more important. Take it, and I'll get more if it's not enough."

"I said I don't want it."

"Why bother?"

These words seemed to have touched a nerve. She looked up, tilted her head, and stared directly at Lu Ze. Her eyes were red and glistening with tears. She had long, straight black hair, fair skin, and a pair of alluring eyes that bore a striking resemblance to Harada Mieko. It was a kind of beauty that evoked a protective instinct in people. This scene was captured on the hard drive, and once it was edited, many people would surely be captivated by Ju Yulin's good looks.

Why bother? Have I done anything wrong?

"Is this a question of right or wrong? I just want you to live a life free of burdens."

“The way you help me is becoming a burden to me. I am grateful for your help, but it also makes me feel like all my efforts are in vain. I work hard and try to earn money, but I still have nothing, while you can easily solve my problems in life. I can't accept changing my family environment in this way.”

Lu Ze stopped speaking, crossed his hands and rested his chin on them, his eyes filled with satisfaction, waiting for her to continue. The other three trainees sitting beside him also held their breath, not daring to disturb Ju Yulin's current state, while also silently marveling at Ju Yulin's transformation. Most of the time, one is unaware of their own progress; only outsiders can perceive it more directly. Perhaps Ju Yulin was simply recalling the hardships of the past few days and was moved by these emotions, without realizing that her acting skills had improved significantly. But it was precisely those days of honing her craft that gave her the temperament to fit the role.

Seeing that Lu Ze didn't speak, she looked up, trying to alleviate her sense of powerlessness over not being able to change her own circumstances and her extreme envy of men's lives. She forced an apologetic smile and said, "I'm sorry, I don't really like accepting a lot of help from others. I don't think I have the ability to repay it. I'm very sorry."

"It's ok."

"I'm glad you understand, thank you for your concern..."

"You did a good job, your emotional control was just right. I think for this scene, the audition was fine, unless other actors auditioning are more capable than you. But it's not a big problem. Actors who are more capable than you generally won't consider romance dramas. Good, you've got this feeling. Don't forget it after you sleep in tomorrow morning. Go and rest. Wu Chun, you're next. You have five minutes to prepare..."

"You can't even control your own little habits, are you kidding me? The audition is tomorrow, and I've emphasized this so many times, and you still can't change? Stop crying! What's the use of crying? Hold it in!"

Just as they were having a good talk, Old Song's roar came from the next room, startling Lu Ze's students so much that they shrank back, not to mention the person being scolded. Although Lu Ze also felt that it was absurd that after more than two months of training and being stressed so many times, he still couldn't control his little actions, but there was no point in continuing to scold him, and the camera was still filming. Lu Ze got up, didn't let the students follow him, and went out by himself, intending to act as a peacemaker.

As Lu Ze walked to the window of the next classroom, the teachers from the other two classrooms also came out after hearing the commotion. Seeing that Lu Ze had already come out, they did not come out again, but gestured for Lu Ze to persuade Song Guiyuan more, and then closed the door again.

Lu Ze peeked in like a thief, stretching his neck to look inside. Only because Lu Ze was tall enough to show his neck could he see it. If he were even a few centimeters shorter, the people inside would easily be frightened, thinking there was a head floating in the corridor.

Looking into the room, Song Guiyuan was sitting on the podium. He had probably slammed his fist on the table, and his teacup had overturned, spilling tea leaves and water stains all over the floor. The girl was standing obediently in the center of the classroom, wiping her eyes and sobbing. The other three students were looking down at their noses, mouths, and minds, seemingly lost in thought.

No one noticed him, so Lu Ze had no choice but to knock on the glass to get Old Song's attention. He beckoned him to come out, and the next second, Song Guiyuan told the girl to reflect on her actions, while he pushed open the door and walked out.

“I heard about what happened. No matter how many times you tell her, it’s up to her whether she learns or not. If she doesn’t learn, there’s nothing you can do. So why are you getting so angry? Besides, the cameras are rolling. Aren’t you afraid of making a fool of yourself in front of the whole country?”

"I'm just plain stupid. Don't say anymore. I need to take some blood pressure medication later. You know, she's a really talented kid, but she just has to waste her talent. I've told her what to do, but she won't listen. I said her acting is bad, but she asked me how I can say it's good. Me? Tell me, what am I supposed to say? I've been holding back, holding back until now, and now it's a real crisis, and she hasn't made any progress at all. What am I supposed to say? I'm speechless."

Did you say you would guarantee her a spot in the cast?

Am I sick?

"That settles it then. We're filming a variety show, not a school that guarantees job placement. You have to be good yourself to succeed. What can you do if she doesn't study? Even the Emperor isn't worried, so why are you?"

This was quite direct. If she didn't want to learn, he simply taught her once and then left her to fend for herself. After all, she would have to walk her own path from now on, and the teacher had already fulfilled his responsibility. Lu Ze was usually straightforward, but when he looked at the camera that was filming, he spoke more subtly.

"Stop talking, I regret it too. Sometimes, I really want to help them. They're all trainees, and I'd rather have a whole village fall behind than leave anyone behind. I wanted to send them all to the group. As soon as I saw their problems, I wanted to help them correct them as soon as possible. But I was too hasty and spoke like I was giving orders. What was meant to be a good thing turned into something that made me furious. Okay, I understand. You can go back now."

Lu Ze glanced at him and nodded. In fact, he knew why Lao Song was anxious. One reason was that he did something bad with good intentions, and the other reason was definitely the pressure he had put on Lao Song. The other two teachers were the same.

They had too much faith in Lu Ze's teaching abilities, and didn't even doubt that all four of Lu Ze's students would be selected by the production team. Although they didn't want to compete with Lu Ze, they were all big names in the industry after all. If all four of Lu Ze's students were selected, while only one or two of their own students got into the production team, it would be a loss of face for them from an outsider's perspective.

It's all about saving face, which is normal. To put it bluntly, the pressure still comes from Lu Ze, so Lu Ze can't say anything. They just chatted for a few words and then went their separate ways. It wasn't until Lu Ze grabbed the doorknob and was about to open it that Song Guiyuan reacted, turned his head, frowned, and asked, "Hey, you bastard, who are you calling names?"

"..."

The variety show storyline is ending, and the script will be arranged immediately.

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(End of this chapter)