Sometimes Xiao He truly admired Ning Jiaqi's creativity.
The entire production team only gave him the complete script, allowing him to contemplate and perform the entire storyline, while the actors performing with him might go to their "deaths" without knowing the full situation, all remaining at the surface level.
However, this approach did have its benefits - among all the actors, his performance would be more nuanced, while others, kept completely in the dark, would naturally react to Xiao He's "performance," making it less likely for them to break character.
It's just that Director Ning trusted him a bit too much, really relying on him to deceive the entire production team...
Xiao He's worries didn't last long before he flew back to Beijing with Sister Liu and the others, preparing for No Bait's opening ceremony.
This time, the entire pre-production preparation for No Bait was kept very low-key. Apart from causing some stir within the industry during casting, fans outside the circle knew very little. Even the opening ceremony was extremely simple, held at the film and television base in Beijing's suburbs without inviting any media for photos. It was just a group of people following the normal procedures - offering incense and paying respects, then preparing to start filming.
Firstly, because this script was quite special - not only was it kept confidential from outsiders, but even from the production team's own members. So Ning Jiaqi didn't want to attract too much attention that might affect the filming.
Secondly, because the production team had very few traffic actors - almost everyone was an acting veteran. Looking around, they were all golden supporting actors from film and television works. The entire production team's style wasn't focused on traffic, so the initial investment in movie traffic wasn't substantial, mainly relying on post-production promotion for momentum.
If we had to point out an exception, Xiao He might be considered the odd one out.
More accurately, in this production team with an average age over 30, Xiao He was the only young man in his twenties.
During the previous makeup test, Xiao He could maintain an appearance around thirty years old with makeup, but during the incense offering ceremony, he wasn't wearing any makeup. Standing among this group, he appeared particularly "conspicuous."
When bending over to offer incense, Xiao He felt like his back was being stared through by everyone.
But he didn't care, ignoring those probing, skeptical, or curious gazes. After placing the incense, he leisurely stepped down from the platform.
Truth be told, if it weren't for Ning Jiaqi's established reputation, several veteran actors might have directly waved their hands and quit.
After all, no one would be happy about being overshadowed by a young actor.
Fortunately, the first scene after opening was exactly the final scene from Xiao He's audition - the investigation team interrogating Shu Yuxiu about the case truth in the interrogation room, only to have Shu Yuxiu turn the tables, requesting the investigation team clear his name and expressing anticipation for their investigation.
Xiao He had already thoroughly studied this scene and performed it effortlessly. Moreover, Xiao He guessed that Ning Jiaqi intentionally wanted him to use his performance in this scene to establish authority within the production team and secure his position.
The actor performing with Xiao He was a middle-aged male actor who frequently played police roles, named Duan Huai - essentially a "police specialist." From table reads to opening, he had never particularly liked Xiao He. Whether it was because he was a "police specialist" while Xiao He was a "villain specialist," his gaze toward Xiao He always carried scrutiny and arrogance, making people quite uncomfortable.
However, Xiao He didn't really want to directly conflict with these people, so he simply pretended not to notice.
Before official filming began, Duan Huai deliberately and subtly reminded Xiao He: "Xiao Xiao, do your best later."
Xiao He glanced at Duan Huai and responded neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Alright, Teacher Duan, let's all do our best together."
Before the opening, Liu Rulan had already taken Xiao He to visit many people in the production team, especially several more prestigious veteran actors. Not only did she bring Xiao He to deliver gifts and express goodwill, but in her words, she intentionally mentioned several teachers like Zhuo Jianhua and Gao Zhenxia praising and being close to Xiao He. Several veteran actors stared thoughtfully at Xiao He, then went to confirm with their old friends.
After receiving affirmative answers, their attitude toward Xiao He softened considerably, no longer openly opposing Xiao He playing the male lead.
As for this Duan Huai... Liu Rulan hadn't taken Xiao He to specifically befriend or gift him.
So Duan Huai probably wasn't important and posed no threat to him.
Xiao He couldn't be bothered to keep him in mind.
However, since everyone said they should all do their best together, he definitely needed to perform well, right?
So when the first scene began filming, Xiao He went all out, portraying Shu Yuxiu to perfection. Even sitting in the interrogation room, at a disadvantage under police suspicion, he remained composed and in control of the entire situation. Throughout the entire dialogue, he led Duan Huai along, completely crushing Duan Huai's presence.
When Ning Jiaqi called "Cut," Duan Huai's face immediately darkened.
After watching the playback, Ning Jiaqi even chuckled and commented: "Not bad, you two coordinated very well, one take success!"
The production team's first scene succeeding in one take was undoubtedly a good omen for everyone.
But Duan Huai felt even more frustrated.
His original plan was to use his acting skills to pressure Xiao He, make this kid show weakness, fail in his performance, and have Director Ning dissatisfied, requiring reshoots.
Then it would be because Xiao He failed the first scene - when others found out, they would definitely have negative thoughts.
After all, in production teams, quite a few people are quite superstitious. By then, definitely more people would have issues with Xiao He.
But he never expected that Xiao He would handle everything perfectly and instead overwhelm him with presence, leading him through the entire plot, exactly matching the script requirements!
Damn it!
"Little He did quite well, able to handle Teacher Duan's scenes even when he's giving his all. I can finally rest assured."
But Ning Jiaqi wasn't prepared to let Duan Huai off, raising his hand to pat Duan Huai's shoulder and asking with a meaningful smile: "Teacher Duan, don't you agree?"
Clearly, as the director, Ning Jiaqi had also noticed Duan Huai's little schemes.
And naturally, he chose to reprimand Duan Huai and stand on Xiao He's side.
Duan Huai understood Ning Jiaqi's implied meaning, a cold sweat trickling down his forehead. Not daring to have any other thoughts, he repeatedly nodded: "I think so too, Xiao Xiao's acting skills are quite good."
Xiao He smiled and responded: "Thank you for the praise, Teacher Duan."
So in the following scenes, Duan Huai didn't dare to deliberately make things difficult for Xiao He anymore - to be precise, he couldn't make things difficult for Xiao He. Xiao He being selected as the male lead naturally had his own worth. During filming, Duan Huai's acting skills simply couldn't suppress Xiao He.
So to avoid others noticing, Duan Huai could only force a smile, "commenting" on Xiao He's acting skills from a senior's position, preserving at least a sliver of his dignity.
Xiao He didn't further target him either, smoothly completing the following plot with Duan Huai.
After finishing the scene, Liu Rulan was already waiting in the rest room.
"How did it go?" Liu Rulan asked with a smile. "No one gave you trouble, right?"
"None." Xiao He spread his hands. "That Duan Huai did want to pull some tricks, but I shut him down. Basically nothing happened."
"Him? That's just how he is. Make him suffer a few times and he won't dare anymore." Liu Rulan snorted with laughter. "He's also an artist from Jiaxing Entertainment. As he's gotten older, he thought his acting skills improved along with his age, only to realize in the end that it was just his temper that grew."
People like this, Liu Rulan couldn't even be bothered to mention to Xiao He - she knew Xiao He could handle them properly.
Sure enough, Xiao He had completely subdued him in one go.