Chapter 72.1

Although engaging in that activity is indeed incredibly pleasurable, akin to soaring through the clouds, once or twice is manageable, but more than that becomes torture.

Given Zhou Jingyu’s threat, Wen Tang was also eager to finish the kissing scene as quickly as possible. However, the requirement of three takes was extremely demanding. Wen Tang knew she couldn’t complete it within that limit, so she aimed for five takes. Five takes, meaning two more than Zhou Jingyu’s condition—two additional takes were still acceptable.

With this goal in mind, when the time came and Kexin called Wen Tang to the set, Wen Tang took a deep breath and stepped out with a determined, resolute stride.

Zhou Jingyu, however, did not continue waiting in the makeup room for Wen Tang to return. Despite Wen Tang’s attempts to persuade him, she couldn’t convince him. In the end, he gave her a mysterious look and uttered two words: “Guilty conscience?”

This left Wen Tang speechless.

She wasn’t feeling guilty. She was feeling anxious!

What was she supposed to do when her husband insisted on observing her kiss another man? How could she maintain a composed and focused mindset, completely ignoring that her husband was right there?

This was truly a severe test of Wen Tang’s acting skills.

When Wen Tang emerged onto the set, Zhou Jingyu’s presence attracted considerable attention. Regardless of who she encountered, Wen Tang cheerfully introduced him as her husband, who had come to visit her on set during his break.

Husband????

The crew was stunned!

Everyone knew Wen Tang was about to perform a kissing scene, and given the current circumstances, they couldn’t help but silently wish her good luck.

Finally, Wen Tang arrived in front of the male lead, Liu Yiru.

Performing a kissing scene with her husband watching?

Seeing Zhou Jingyu’s impassive expression throughout, the pressure shifted to Liu Yiru.

Liu Yiru’s scalp tingled with the pressure, and he wanted to quit.

Under Zhou Jingyu’s intimidating aura, both leads felt the pressure, but today’s scenes had already been scheduled, and they couldn’t refuse to perform them. Otherwise, Wen Tang wouldn’t have been so anxious upon learning of Zhou Jingyu’s arrival.

The director didn’t care who was present. When it was time, filming started promptly.

The kissing scene was routine and didn’t require clearing the set. The lighting was ready, the actors were in place, and with the director’s command, the first take of the kissing scene began!

This was the first kissing scene between the male and female leads in the entire film, and it would also be the last. It took place in a perilous environment where the female lead was a police officer and the male lead was an undercover agent. When the female lead’s cover was blown, the male lead gave her a kiss filled with protection and resolve before he diverted the villains and ultimately sacrificed himself.

Take 1—

Due to Zhou Jingyu’s presence, the kiss appeared slightly awkward and unnatural, even without much depth. As soon as their lips met, the director called for a take two.

After the NG, Wen Tang glanced at Zhou Jingyu, who stood among the crowd with a neutral expression and no visible emotion.

The male actor was also affected and looked towards Zhou Jingyu.

Seeing their reaction, the director shouted through the microphone, “What are you all looking at? No matter who’s here today, bring out your basic acting skills!”

The two leads had sufficient acting skills, but their initial state wasn’t adjusted. After hearing the director’s shout, they both took a deep breath.

Wen Tang knew she had to ignore Zhou Jingyu’s presence, or even ten takes wouldn’t be enough. She immersed herself in the next take with full commitment.

The second take began soon.

Take 2—

In a tense, dangerous atmosphere, several villains with guns were closing in. The two actors were hiding in a confined space, holding their breath in the silence except for their mutual breathing. In this life-and-death moment, the man suddenly covered the woman’s mouth with his hand. She widened her eyes in surprise, and the man’s determined, soft lips met hers…

“Cut!”

“Yiru, your head is too tilted. The camera can’t capture your faces!”

……

Two takes ended, but it seemed like just the beginning, with the scene not even fully performed.

After the director’s second “cut,” Wen Tang felt a tingling sensation on her scalp. She turned to look at Zhou Jingyu, who stood there with a calm demeanor, observing them.

But from this calmness, Wen Tang sensed an impending storm.

Three takes… an impossible task.

As expected, the third take also failed.

The reason was that the director felt the male lead’s emotions during the kiss were insufficiently intense. The kiss needed to convey a kind of resolute, unyielding, and desperate love for the person who couldn’t speak their feelings.

Fourth… fifth, sixth… until the seventh take, where the scene was redone repeatedly with various issues arising each time.

After the seventh “cut,” Wen Tang didn’t even want to look at Zhou Jingyu’s expression anymore, feeling the intense pressure of his gaze.

The eighth take, due to some detail issues, also didn’t pass.

The director called “cut” again and announced, “Everyone take a ten-minute break to adjust your state, and we’ll continue!”

Zhou Jingyu had only given three chances, but it had already taken eight… and the scene was still incomplete.

Wen Tang reluctantly approached Zhou Jingyu.

Silently walking over, Zhou Jingyu did not greet her, just standing at a distance and watching her approach.

Once she stopped, Wen Tang slowly looked up, glancing at Zhou Jingyu, who looked at her with no discernible expression.

Wen Tang: “……”

She could feel it.

Her husband was really, incredibly upset.

Wen Tang quietly reached out with two fingers, tugging at Zhou Jingyu’s sleeve. He ignored her.

Wen Tang tugged again. Zhou Jingyu’s gaze remained distant, his tone cold as he asked, “What are you doing?”

At this point, Wen Tang didn’t care about appearances. She threw herself into his arms and cuddled, pleading, “Please don’t be angry. If you’re angry, I won’t be able to perform well.”

Zhou Jingyu coldly uttered two words, “Eight times.”

Wen Tang: “……”

You really keep track precisely!

But she certainly couldn’t complain about her husband now, so she hugged him and reassured him, “It’s not intentional. You saw it too. It’s the director who is too demanding. We did well, but he just won’t accept it. I’m really helpless!”

Knowing Zhou Jingyu wouldn’t confront the director, Wen Tang shifted all the blame to the meticulous director.

Zhou Jingyu clearly wasn’t convinced by her excuse, but since Wen Tang rarely begged him this way, with her usually being the one to throw a tantrum for him to calm her down, Zhou Jingyu’s expression softened considerably by the time they were to resume shooting.

But it only seemed that way.

Before Wen Tang returned to the set, Zhou Jingyu held her hand, slightly smiling as he leaned in to whisper with a hint of threat, “Do you really want to spend the whole day in bed with me tomorrow?”

Wen Tang: “……”

Of course, she didn’t want that! With a look of determination, she braved herself to return to the set.

When Zhou Jingyu first arrived on set, the crew was shocked to learn he was Wen Tang’s husband. However, due to their brief interaction, the nature of their relationship wasn’t clear.

But after the ten-minute break, everyone finally understood—Wen Tang was incredibly skilled at being affectionate! She also cared about her husband’s jealousy and anger! She cared so much about him!!!

Astonishing.

Before filming, Wen Tang and Liu Yiru, the male lead of the film, met at the corner of the set. They both sat in the corner, mentally preparing for their scenes, and awaited the director’s instructions.

Wen Tang tilted her head slightly and spoke to Liu Yiru in a hushed voice, so no one else could hear: “Let’s be serious this time. Put aside all distractions and try to get it right on the first take.”

She said this because she could feel Zhou Jingyu’s presence not only put pressure on her but also significantly affected Liu Yiru.

Liu Yiru had only been in the industry for two years, still considered a semi-newcomer, and his acting was prone to flaws. Originally, performing alongside Wen Tang had already made him feel immense pressure. During their early scenes, there were numerous NGs. It wasn’t until they became more familiar with each other that things improved. Now, with the added challenge of a kissing scene and Zhou Jingyu watching closely, Liu Yiru was understandably tense.

Wen Tang said, “Don’t be nervous. Just think of it as if it’s only the two of us. Follow the script exactly as it says.”

Liu Yiru took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.

The director signaled.

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Action!”

Footsteps grew closer. Ding Fan pressed his back against the wall, sweating nervously, his forehead and clothes damp from the stress.

He had been undercover for six years, enduring countless hardships for the sake of justice, to convince the criminals that he was one of them. He had done many things against his will, and now everything hinged on this moment. The woman beside him was his childhood friend; they had grown up together, attended military school together, and vowed to serve their country. She had thought he was dead for six years.

But now, their reunion was marked by a farewell.

He couldn’t bear the thought of her dying—she was the person he had sworn to protect from childhood!

As the footsteps grew nearer, he knew if he didn’t distract them, they would both die. The criminals were numerous, and there was no way to avoid them.

Unless he led them away, he could buy her a chance at survival.

The decision of life or death was made in an instant, but he was reluctant to leave her. Without any warning, he kissed her with the finality of goodbye. It was the first and the last time.

Their lips touched briefly and then parted.

The next moment, he raised his gun and walked away.

Lu Yi didn’t have time to process the fleeting kiss before she was shocked by his actions and grabbed his hand. “What are you doing?”

He tried to pull away forcefully, but she clung tighter. “Don’t go. If you’re going to die, we die together!”

She pulled him close and kissed him passionately, catching him off guard.

She loved him, missed him, and had never imagined she would see him alive again. How could she bear to watch him die in front of her again? If death was unavoidable, she wanted to face it with him. This kiss was filled with longing, despair, and pain, but no fear. Their lips and tongues entwined, clinging desperately. Her gaze was resolute, her determination unwavering. She was willing to sacrifice her life for her country and for him!

However, he never gave her that chance.

Not in the past, and not now.

“Kitten, are you here? Come out, and I promise I won’t kill you!” The criminals’ taunting words echoed like a cat playing with a mouse.

They were getting closer. Just around the corner, they would find them.

In a critical moment, he pushed her away and charged out…

“Cut!”

The director’s command brought a sense of relief with the two words: “It’s a pass.”

Wen Tang couldn’t help but turn to Zhou Jingyu, her lips curving into a pleased smile.

However, she noticed Zhou Jingyu’s gaze was fixed on her lips.

Wen Tang’s joy evaporated instantly.

Even though the kiss scene was completed, her husband was still upset and angry. What was she supposed to do?!