One week later, Chen Le underwent a second surgery. Before entering the operating room, 'he' made a phone call to Tan Ye, expressing willingness to be interviewed.
Ten days later, the movie Same or Not was left with only three scenes before wrapping up. These three consecutive scenes were not the final scene in the original work, but the story in the script paused here, leaving the mind in a whirlwind.
The original author and screenwriter, Song Chunuan, after going through the late stages of pregnancy and postpartum blues, finally persuaded her two male leads to allow her to visit the set for the wrap-up. Of course, with the support of her wealthy father, Song Chunuan did not arrive empty-handed. She bought coffee and ice cream cakes for the entire crew.
With her fingers sinking into the soft cushion, Song Chunuan focused intently on the monitor in front of her, lips pursed tightly, not daring to make a sound. Yu Cheng knelt on the ground, trembling all over, a key lying in his palm, his dark eyes unable to hide the immense pain and determination to move forward, with starlight flashing before him like fireworks or shooting stars. Clenching his palm into a fist, his smooth nails leaving deep marks in his palm, he tapped the fist holding the key against his chest three times before finally opening his mouth to say, "Okay."
The filming crew remained silent as Lucheng did not yell "Cut".
Yu Cheng stayed kneeling on the ground, with his right fist pressed against his left chest and his eyes red but dry.
After three minutes, or maybe seven or eight minutes, Zhong Shao approached him and squatted down. "Yu Cheng," he called out, his voice soft.
Yu Cheng, with his half-lowered eyelids, seemed to react when he lifted them and found warmth in Zhong Shao's bright eyes. He heard Zhong Shao say, "I'm here." Coming back to his senses in an instant, Yu Cheng wiped his face and smiled brightly.
Seeing this, Lu Cheng raised the walkie-talkie and said, "Cut!" before handing it to Song Chunuan, who was also emotional, and nodded his chin.
Song Chunuan took it, and a crisp and cheerful voice came from the walkie-talkie, "We wrapped! Congratulations!"
The applause and cheers almost lifted the roof as Tan Ye and Miaomiao, representing the crew, handed bouquets to the two male leads.
Yes, the bouquets were also bought by Song Chunuan on behalf of the crew.
Before leaving the set, Song Chunuan updated her Weibo.
@Nuan-: Filming for the movie Same or Not is a wrap! Thank you to the two male leads! Wrap-up banquet to follow! PS: Also, thanks to my two male leads in life, haha.
The post was accompanied by a fresh group photo of the cast and crew, with the original author and screenwriter Song Chunuan and her four male leads.
Netizens envied the scene where four handsome men surrounded her, feeling she was the ultimate winner in life.
Director Lu Cheng jokingly remarked, "Am I not a handsome man as well?"
The wrap-up dinner is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the hotel where the cast is staying. Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng returned to the hotel separately without meeting each other.
As the doors opened simultaneously, they were surprised and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"We seem to have quite the understanding," Zhong Shao remarked.
Yu Cheng, with a calm yet slightly embarrassed expression, replied, "Indeed."
In the elevator mirror, their tall silhouettes were reflected, both dressed in white tops and black bottoms, the only difference being one wore a shirt while the other wore a t-shirt.
"Did we break character?"
The final scene was supposed to end before Yu Cheng spoke, but he was so immersed in his role that even Zhong Shao didn't call cut. When asked a sudden question, Yu Cheng felt a tickle in his nose but resisted the urge to scratch it, managing only an "uh" in response.
Zhong Shao didn't inquire further about why he momentarily broke character, simply stating, "While on set, it's common to stay in character; however, if you can't break character after filming, then it's time to find out why."
Whether method acting or classical training, many actors tend to develop feelings during a role, but these emotions often fade once the production ends. This blending of character emotions with personal feelings has led to instances where actors have struggled to separate themselves from their roles, as reported in entertainment news.
Just as the elevator doors opened, Yu Cheng, about to step out, suddenly asked, "Zhong Shao, have you ever experienced difficulty breaking character?"
It wasn't until they were nearing the banquet hall that Zhong Shao responded, not directly answering, "How many times has this happened?"
He was referring to the situation where he couldn't break character at one o'clock that afternoon.
"This is the first time," Yu Cheng replied.
Zhong Shao showed a mixture of relief and admiration, telling Yu Cheng, "I've had a similar experience before."
They then changed their demeanour and entered the banquet hall.
The closing banquet proceeded as usual, thankfully without any cliches during the speeches. Jifu, one of the financiers, expressed his gratitude, "As one of the story prototypes, thank you to all cast and crew for realizing this absurd dream together." Another financier, Song Ling, added, "As another story prototype, I thank my sister for finding excellent actors to match the prototypes!" Director Lucheng commented, "It took over a decade to collaborate with my old friend Zhong Shao. Let's not do this again next time; he's more meticulous than I am." Screenwriter Song Chunuan requested, "Two male leads, consider my goddaughter's position?" Lead actor Yu Cheng stated, "In the vast universe, our love and my love for the film 'Same Different' crew are equally profound!" Lead actor Zhong Shao remarked, "This has been a unique filming experience that I cherish." As a good crew bonds over time, their reluctance to part is hidden beneath laughter and drinks.
Later, Zhong Shao and Yu Cheng, as the leads, thanked the crew at each table, then managed to slip away unnoticed by everyone.
With a click, the door opened. Zhong Shao pressed Yu Cheng against the door, their eyes meeting, revealing a mix of intoxication and clarity. "Yu Cheng, are you sober?" he asked.
"I think I drank less than you," Yu Cheng replied with a hint of a smile, "Are you sober now, Zhong Shao?" Zhong Shao stepped closer between Yu Cheng's legs, their bodies inches apart, his breath brushing against Yu Cheng's ear, carrying a hint of mint, intoxicating the senses.
Tilting his head down, his lips grazed the soft hair around Yu Cheng's ear, warm breath tickling his ear canal, "I'm now more aware than ever of the boundary between roles and actors; right now, I am Zhong Shao. And you?"
In a place unseen by Yu Cheng, a smirk played on Zhong Shao's lips, "Did you mistake Yu Yue for me this afternoon?"
Yu Cheng tensed briefly, then in the intimate space, a candid yet captivating "yes" resonated.
Zhong Shao leaned in further, but instead of taking control as expected, he hesitated.
Two debaters from the same team presented contrasting arguments but remained steadfast in defending our side. Despite engaging in a heated 1v1 debate until their voices grew hoarse, they exchanged a smile, shook hands, and reconciled. Ultimately, they found common ground.
As they lay bare on the bed, a thin layer of sweat glistened on their bodies in the dimly lit room where silhouettes were visible, Yu Cheng seemed to have the upper hand momentarily. Zhong Shao didn't seem to mind.
Yu Cheng half rose, opened a drawer.
"So, this was a long-planned strategy," Zhong Shao chuckled.
Yu Cheng provocatively retorted, "Did you not prepare as well?"
Zhong Shao was candid, "I did prepare."
Under the scorching sun, a torrential downpour fell, pounding the rising sea level. The collision of raindrops and the sea sounded like drumbeats, shaking hearts and limbs. In an instant, the seemingly calm sea surface churned with waves, each one bigger than the last, in an endless cycle. The waves surged higher and larger, challenging each other's position, with no one willing to yield. As the sun rose instead of setting, the sunlight pierced through the water, creating numerous small rainbows, radiating joy and delight.
"Who am I?"
The two individuals, tirelessly, switched positions once more. Zhong Shao leaned against Yu Cheng's forehead, the heavy breathing penetrating the room with a mix of swirling passion, filling the air with a salty scent.
"Zhong Shao, you are Zhong Shao."
Yu Cheng did not realise how much he enjoyed being addressed by his full name.
Actions replaced words, sweat mingled, and they came together.
In the world of adults, there is no need for excessive verbal declarations of "I like you," because you know, and I know.