Chapter 1 Bed Scene Breakdown
Today's scene goes horribly wrong.
The Director calls cut repeatedly and finally snaps.
"If I use traffic stars again, I'm an idiot."
"What kind of couple acts so wooden during an intimate scene?"
"You two go adjust and come back for the last take. If you can't act, get out! Replace them!"
The Director is famous in the industry and already has issues with the investor-picked traffic stars.
Now that the shoot stalls, he wants to replace them on the spot.
Lu Xiao hangs his head, radiating defeat.
I sneak over to comfort him when no one notices.
Before I speak, Lu Xiao shakes me off impatiently.
"Can you let me be alone? I know what you're going to say—I'm great, you believe in me, blah blah."
"Do you realize those words are useless? You can't help me at all. Please, just stop bothering me. I'm already stressed enough."
Lu Xiao finds an outlet for his emotions and hisses lowly.
Seeing his breakdown, I hold back and turn away without a word.
Soon after, Shen Yining walks over and discusses something with Lu Xiao.
I see Lu Xiao shake his head in shock at first.
Then he clenches his fists in conflict, glances quickly in my direction, closes his eyes, and nods slightly.
They restart the shoot.
To let the actors perform more naturally and immersed.
The set clears out.
Only the Assistant Director, two cameramen, and me as the Stagehand remain.
Under the covers, the leads exchange a knowing look and start kissing passionately.
Their bodies gradually intertwine beneath the sheets.
Suddenly, Lu Xiao lets out an uncontrollable "uh."
I snap my head up and freeze in place.
The sweat dripping from Lu Xiao's forehead looks real, the veins bulging on his neck look real, even the rhythm and intensity of the movements seem incredibly authentic.
Is it really just blocking under the covers?
Or... are they doing it for real?
This absurd suspicion leaves me disoriented.
As if possessed, I pinch the corner of the blanket at the foot of the bed, wanting to lift it.
But someone shoves me hard from behind.
The Assistant Director's low reprimand rings in my ear.
"Stagehand, what are you spacing out for? Get up there and handle the lighting and sound."
His tone shifts to praise for the leads.
"You're doing great, the emotions are spot on. Keep this up, and we'll nail it in one take."
My brain shuts down, and I numbly hold up the boom mic closer.
The woman's soft moans, the man's heavy pants, all capture clearly.
Lu Xiao's peripheral vision catches me, his movements under the covers pause, a flash of guilt and panic in his eyes, and he stiffens for a moment.
Shen Yining notices his change and arches her waist to meet him.
The moment he's enveloped again, Lu Xiao draws in a sharp breath.
Shen Yining hooks her arm and pulls Lu Xiao's head down to her shoulder, neck, and chest.
The scene continues.
Shen Yining turns her head slightly toward me, raises an eyebrow, and smirks triumphantly.