Kidnapping a Daddy as a Gift for Mommy

50. Re-shooting the old scene

Translator: Flying Lines
Proofread by Claire.KK

Xia Xingcheng couldn’t bother to care about them, she pulled Gu Xingxi away and said, "Ignore them, let's go."

Gu Xingxi did not understand what Xia Xingcheng called him here to do, but still he followed her obediently to the studio. He saw the equipment already prepared in the studio and looked at Xia Xingcheng puzzled.

"Right, I forgot to tell you, today is to make you adapt to the camera and take publicity photos by the way. We’ll just use your old look from ‘Love Through Time’ to take the photos."

After saying that, Xia Xingcheng gave Gu Xingxi an encouraging smile.

She believed that Gu Xingxi would not let her down even after such a long time.

Gu Xingxi nodded gently, but there was still some fear in his eyes. Because he hadn't faced the camera for too long and didn't know whether he could still do it.

Being aware of Gu Xingxi's concerns, Xia Xingcheng softened her tone and said, "Don't lose your confidence. I have always believed that you are the best. You go and get ready. We'll start in a moment."

Because of Gu Xingxi’s nervousness, Xia Xingcheng specially talked to the photographer about the control of the image. When she came back, she saw Gu Xingxi staring blankly in a corner.

Looking at Gu Xingxi's concerning expression, Xia Xingcheng gently walked to him and told him the shooting was about to begin.

The photographer and the gaffer were already in place. Gu Xingxi wanted to step forward but then he stopped. A hint of fear flashed in his eyes.

"Believe in yourself, you can do it!" Xia Xingcheng's voice was firm. Although her tone was a bit serious, she still curved out a little smile.

But Gu Xingxi stepped forward hesitantly. Under the light, he was a handsome man in black trousers and white shirt, handsome but with natural melancholy, his face was clean and elegant.

Xia Xingcheng was watching him and was very satisfied with his look, so she told the photographer to start shooting.

But when the photographer held up his camera and pressed the shutter, he caught another picture, and he couldn't help but frown.

Xia Xingcheng saw the shooting stopped after it only had begun. She asked curiously, "Is there anything wrong? Does he need more makeup? "

The photographer shook his head, sighed and replied, "It's not me. As you can see, Gu Xingxi’s is not in the right state. At the moment I took the picture, he actually evaded the camera subconsciously."

Xia Xingcheng saw the photo just taken, and she did not notice it. Gu Xingxi's eyes even dodged away.

"Gu Xingxi, don't be nervous; act natural. Let's do it again." Xia Xingcheng did not blame him, but encouraged him with a smile instead.

"OK, I, I understand." Gu Xingxi squeezed out an unnatural smile, and even his speech became hesitant and cowardly.

The shooting started again.

When the flash light flashed, Gu Xingxi did the same thing once again; he was even more nervous than before.

The long-standing gloom pervaded his mind. Repeated forbearance had intensified the pressure instead. Gu Xingxi felt that his consciousness could not control his body and he became more and more depressed.

After several failures, the photographer began to show impatience too. He even sat down to drink water and play with his phone, waiting for Gu Xingxi to really get into the right state.

Xia Xingcheng was also extremely anxious, pondering how to help him.

All of a sudden, she remembered the TV series “Love Through Time”, which Gu Xingxi debuted in. Although as a newcomer, his acting was still green at that time, he still performed well in the classic scene with ease and depth, it was deeply moving.

Xia Xingcheng went to Gu Xingxi who was standing aside and staring blankly and asked, "Do you remember the role you played in that TV series? After being betrayed by the girl you love, you went mad and became possessed by the Devil?"

Gu Xingxi was stunned a little and nodded perplexedly. "Of course I remember, but taking publicity photos is not the same as acting."

"I know. But if you try to re-enact it again, maybe you can channel the feeling and make the shooting work." Xia Xingcheng advised him patiently.

Although Gu Xingxi still had no confidence, he followed Xia Xingcheng's advice and re-enacted the old scene with everyone watching.

However, Xia Xingcheng found that even it seemed so easy to perform in the past, now his performance was poor and stiff.

As Xia Xingcheng was sighing repeatedly, Gu Xingxi casted a firm look at her. "Let me try again, maybe I’ll get familiar with it."

Xia Xingcheng nodded. He performed the scene several times in a row, but his acting was still superficial.

Repeated failures made Gu Xingxi chagrined. He was so anxious that he pinched his palms till it almost sweat. The more he tried, the more he failed.

Xia Xingcheng looked at his bewildered appearance; her heart was filled with anger and disappointment. A rage welled up in her.

"If an actor cannot act out the soul of the role, it is better for him to go to the circus and play the clown!" Xia Xingcheng said fiercely, her fine eyebrows puckering tightly.

Feeling the sudden change in her attitude, Gu Xingxi seemed like a frightened child, afraid to speak with shame even more.

At this point, the photographer who was waiting by came over, shrugged and complained to Xia Xingcheng: "Please, I have other appointments today. If he can’t do it, let’s make another appointment another day. Don't waste our time, OK?"

This photographer was well-known in the industry, which was why Xia Xingcheng was trying so hard to make Gu Xingxi take the photo shoot.

She hoped that the best photographer could take the best publicity photos of Gu Xingxi.

At this moment, Xia Xingcheng caught a glimpse of Gu Xingxi’s wooden expression and her anger finally burst out.

"What are you staring at? You have been buried for several years now. Has it worn off your ambition already? I want you to answer my question. Was your initial career choice wrong and you only deserve to spend your entire life squatting in a corner with your head buried between your knees?"

Hearing Xia Xingcheng's harsh words, Gu Xingxi was shocked. He moved his lips and tried to speak, but nothing came out of his mouth.

Now in Xia Xingcheng's view, Gu Xingxi seemed to be a mute. Xia Xingcheng was even furious and did not know how to wake him up.

She sneered: "Silence, huh? Great! Then we are done! If you choose to quit, I will let you. I'm going to the manager now to exchange you for someone else!"

Xia Xingcheng swept over him with her sharp gaze. There was also a hint of disdain in her anger, as if she no longer had any hope for him.

Hearing that, Gu Xingxi, who was looking down in silence, suddenly frowned tightly. His body was trembling, and his fists were clenched tightly, like a man struggling desperately in the water.

The others looked at Xia Xingcheng's glaring expression, and no one dared to make a sound. They were all frightened by her imposing manner.

With a deep breath, Xia Xingcheng was about to say something again, when suddenly she saw Gu Xingxi staring at her, with his eyes full of tears.