Chapter 11 (1/2)
Deep in the Act
Translator: Kotoni
Editor: Isalee
First Published on Chaleuria
Chapter 11
Ocean Star Hotel, thirty-seventh floor, roo area that led to a bedroo screen, and a tiny study tucked into the eastern side of the bedroom Directorial teams and production crews often took up residence in suites like these forthe preparatory periods Apart fro or cards, these rooms were pri calls, script adaptations, scheduling, etc With a thin booklet tightly clenched in his hands, Zhang Zhun sank into the black upholstered couch under him
He had been called in for a screen test - a test of his compatibility with his would-be partner, to be o, the director had seemed rather pleased with his performance Thus, when he received the assistant director's call the day before, Zhang Zhun had assu to notify hih the phone instead: ”Are you free tohai for additional screen tests”
The deirlfriend in her hozhou Nevertheless, he co the ed ”Yes, I will be free to at? I'd like to do so interaction between the leads,” the assistant director, a , replied He chose his words rather carefully and euphemistically, ”As you know, our film is rather unconventional…”
Unconventional was certainly one way of putting it, considering its subjectZhun had been in the irlfriend when he first received the breakdown of the fil ten minutes to read the booklet frorown hair out of his eyes and directed a question at his er, ”Films like these… are allowed now?”
”Dunno” Dressed in an apron and ar1, popped out of the kitchen and continued, ”I heard that they've already got the funds though Haven't you been saying that you wanted to give dra of trying out for drama filo Over the course of his career, he had worked in various capacities - as a body double, fight choreographer, and even the occasional lead in set productions But the fact re been in the industry forhis forties, it was tiood filh depth to truly put an actor's skills to the test
“The subject matter is too risky,” Xie Danyi co in hand ”Leaving aside the question of whether it would survive the censorshi+p process - let's assume that it does - it'll easily cost you your fans once the fil screen if you're not careful”
Petite, lively, and charly sociable, Xie Danyi was a small, exquisite beauty She, too, started out as an actress, but switched to working behind the scenes when she got older She and Zhang Zhun had been together for the past three years, and it was safe to say that their relationshi+p was relatively stable They were even thinking about getting s out for another year or two
”You're just afraid that he'll end up running aith another libly froe, she leaned in further to peer closely at Zhang Zhun's face ”That so? You capable o'that?” she teased Zhang Zhun briefly in Cantonese before turning to take on Xiao-Deng ”I'm not really worried about other men But the two of you see funny withon the table andwith Xiao-Deng, Zhang Zhun began caressing the thin booklet gently He knew nothing about being gay, and the fil that mattered was that he liked the story and found its characters intriguingAnd so here he was, seated in the hotel suite, his hands still stroking the booklet as he awaited his fate — anxious, expectant, and just a little asha swiped behind hiot to his feet and turned around The director, Chen Cheng-Sen, strode into the room He was casually dressed in a white t-shi+rt, ripped jeans, and a battered-looking baseball cap He nodded at Zhang Zhun, ”Thanks for waiting” There were two or three h spirits just beyond the door; Zhang Zhun figured that they were probably the assistant director, the production er, and his would-be partner
”Can't tell that you're already in your late thirties, Xiao-Zhang You don't look your age at all” The director studied Zhang Zhun's face as if it was a painting, ”The shape of your face is perfect And there's a certain boyish char Zhun replied, ”I wish I lookedproductions with a face like mine…”
”You're perfect for this role,” the director returned resolutely, lighting a cigar