Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
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James was right. Afterward, they contacted Ace, but upon hearing about the need for a body double, she immediately refused.
“If a body double can do the job, why would you be needed?” the little girl said bluntly.
Her gaze fell on Si Huang, scrutinizing him closely, as if trying to understand why he didn’t want to appear topless.
Men and women were different; for men, simply showing one’s upper body was not a problem. As long as the figure wasn’t too bad, with a master photographer and post-production retouching, the result was sure to be satisfactory.
It’s just that Ace’s personality was paranoid, and Qin Fan could be incredibly stubborn.
He was not the conservative, rigid, or stubborn type, otherwise he wouldn’t have agreed to support Si Huang in pursuing this path.
It was just a topless scene, and if the other person was a man, it would be okay, but it had to be a woman.
Even if he was ignorant, he couldn’t not know that a woman’s upper body shouldn’t be exposed casually— he didn’t want Si Huang to be seen.
Qin Fan had never considered this before, and now he didn’t find it strange. His razor-sharp gaze swept over the crowd, his unmistakable displeasure etched in the air, leaving everyone caught in its presence feeling a surge of pressure.
“Appearing half-naked from the start is simply a design to grab the public’s attention.” After a while, Si Huang had come up with a new idea. “But showing flesh is the most base tactic.”
Of course, the most base tactic was also the most direct.
If your figure is truly good, showing it isn’t a sin. Plenty of Western celebrities have shot to fame with just a bit of flaunting.
Si Huang also believed that with the capital of the Metis Company, they wouldn’t resort to relying on revealing flesh for publicity. Even if it did, they would only create artistic beauty.
But since this matter had fallen on her, she had to change it, no matter what the excuse.
Ace asked, “You mean, you can achieve this without showing any flesh?”
“Of course,” Si Huang gave her a firm answer.
The little girl shook her head, “The plot can’t be changed. The data has been submitted.”
With these words, everyone felt the air around them grow even more oppressive. And the source of this oppression? It was the man named Arnold.
Most adults would be overwhelmed by the pressure of Qin Fan’s displeasure, but Ace showed no sign of backing down. She just stared at Si Huang stubbornly, “You won’t back down just because of this little challenge, will you?”
The little girl glared at her with a look that seemed to say, “Don’t let me look down on you.”
It was a childish provocation.
Si Huang wouldn’t be fooled by this, but she genuinely had no intention of throwing away this opportunity or giving up on a worthy opponent just because of this little challenge.
“We can’t change the plot, but we can change the details,” Si Huang repeated her proposal.
Ace curled her lips, remained silent for two seconds, then compromised. “How do you want to change it?”
She thought to herself: If it weren’t for that bast**d Arthur, I wouldn’t have chosen you so easily! This isn’t a concession; it’s a willingness to listen to my partner’s advice!
Si Huang smiled at her but didn’t immediately explain it to her. Instead, he returned to the self-made group and shared his ideas with the designer.
After listening, the designer agreed to give it a try and design Si Huang’s concept within a day.
“If the final shot doesn’t turn out the way I expected, you’ll still have to take off all the necessary clothing!” Ace warned Si Huang mercilessly.
Si Huang replied, “I’ll satisfy you.”
Ace pouted again but didn’t say anything to discredit him.
They were partners now.
Ace remembered this clearly.
Since Si Huang’s suggestion had temporarily solved the issue of the semi-nude photos, James took her to the prop room.
The props for the character’s costumes were already prepared. Armor and other items weren’t complete sets, but rather accessories, so as long as the chosen person wasn’t too thin or too tall, they would fit.
As for the costumes, they would require tailoring to Si Huang. As a middle-aged man, holding a ruler and waiting for props, was about to take Si Huang’s measurements, Si Huang gestured to Yu Ling, who cleverly understood her intention and stepped forward to provide Si Huang’s measurements. “These are Si Huang’s latest full-body measurements. There’s nothing wrong with them.”
The middle-aged male costume designer glanced at Si Huang, then at Ace.
Ace asked, “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Yu Ling nodded.
“Then let’s use this.” Ace was quite relaxed about this.
Because ever since Si Huang said he refused to take semi-naked photos, she had suspected that he might have mysophobia or some other fetish, not wanting others to see his body, or strangers to touch his body or something. Ace had seen many people like this, so it didn’t seem strange to her. Even she herself didn’t like to expose her body or be touched by others.
As for why she didn’t get angry or reject Si Huang when he kissed the back of her hand when they first met?
This was also one of the reasons why she finally agreed to let Si Huang become her partner, as it meant that he didn’t disgust her.
The costume designer also said that he would modify the costumes as soon as possible, and the few of them left.
Originally, it was agreed that James would lead Si Huang and the others to visit the Metis company, but in the end, even Ace was accompanying them.
Everyone returned to the hallway in front of the glass room where they had previously confronted each other. Ace said, “As artists, we have to perform in front of everyone. We can’t be afraid of crowds or venues. Therefore, most of the interior of the Metis is completely transparent. Whether we are rehearsing or receiving guidance, we may be observed by onlookers.”
Yu Xi and Yu Ling, brother and sister, looked a little uneasy when they heard this. They suddenly realized that even the seemingly glamorous lives of celebrities were not easy.
“Will there be people watching us when we’re filming?” Si Huang asked a key question.
“You shouldn’t have asked me.” Little Ace suddenly flashed a mischievous grin, revealing her two adorable little canine teeth. “I’m Ace Mephistopheles, you’re my partner, and our opponent is Arthur Stoker. So we’re bound to be watched by a lot of people!”
“I see.” Si Huang, undeterred, mimicked her mischievous grin. “How about we give them a surprise together? Hmm, or should I say, a scare?”
“Haha,” Little Ace laughed happily. “I hope your confidence isn’t fake, or I’ll definitely be mad tomorrow.”
Si Huang made no further promises; everything depended on tomorrow’s performance. Her intentions were clear.
Originally, after the assessment, they could each go back to prepare, but Si Huang and Ace’s harmonious relationship surprised Louis and the others. So they all had lunch together before parting ways.
Returning to the hotel, Si Huang began making serious preparations.
The confidence she’d displayed before Ace and the others wasn’t a facade; it stemmed from strength, but strength didn’t guarantee ease.
No one could truly see through a character’s true nature and grasp their essence at first glance. Especially since this character wasn’t a human being, but a magical being.
Have you ever seen a demon? Do you truly know what a demon looks like? And how can you be sure that your understanding of a demon is the real thing?
Playing a god or demon as a human is inherently challenging, because you never know what they truly look like, but you have a general idea: they’re definitely different from humans.
As a human, you can’t continue to think of yourself as a human. How can you portray that?
Si Huang fell into a frenzy of intense concentration on her work, a change that was palpable to everyone.
She spent her lunchtime in her room, poring over research, cramming character insights, personality traits, and action tips from the production team.
This level of utter dedication was unlike anything Yu Xi and the others had ever seen. Even Qin Fan confined himself to the living room, not disturbing Si Huang.
It wasn’t until lunchtime that Yu Xi knocked on Si Huang’s door several times, prompting her to come out. When no one answered, Qin Fan personally went to her room and invited her out.
When the door opened, Si Huang emerged. Though her face and appearance remained the same, Yu Xi and Yu Ling felt as if there was a stranger before them.
An indescribable aura, as if tangible, lingered around her, affecting every area she passed.
Yu Xi’s initial thoughts were forgotten.
Dinner was spent in silence and even their breathing was deliberately subdued.
Si Huang, after setting down her knife and fork and wiping her mouth with a napkin, glanced at Yu Xi and Yu Ling.
That glance made the siblings straighten their backs as if facing a formidable enemy. A tingling sensation shot up their tailbone, and cold sweat broke out on their foreheads.
They simply felt that Si Huang’s eyes now possessed a captivating presence, it was captivating yet dangerous.
Luckily, Si Huang didn’t stare at them for long. Then without a word, she stood up and went back to her room.
After which Qin Fan, who had been equally silent the entire time, stood up as well, striding after her, stepping inside before the door closed.
“Huh…” Yu Xi sighed softly at the table.
“Brother, what’s wrong with Si Huang?” Yu Ling’s heartbeat was almost unstoppable.
Yu Xi thought for a moment. “Maybe he’s trying to get into the role? I think I’ve heard of this somewhere, immersing yourself in the character before filming… But I’ve never seen Si Huang like this before, like he’s had a whole new soul!”
Yu Ling stammered, trying to say something, but then swallowed it back.
She suddenly felt like she really should let it go.
Being Si Huang’s personal makeup artist was great.
But if she became his girlfriend, or if they took things a step further, she wasn’t sure she could handle it. Si Huang’s sudden transformations at home were going to be thrilling!
This time, he was a god or demon, but what if next time, he was a murderer?
It wasn’t that Yu Ling didn’t trust Si Huang, but she didn’t believe she could handle acting like that without being startled.
Elsewhere, in the room.
The two siblings had no idea what kind of nosebleed scene was taking place inside.
Si Huang held the tall man captive, lifting his shirt, and looking through him, “So that’s how it is.”
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