Extra 2: How to play "subordinate offending his superior"

[1]: Da Wang, you're so shameless.

[xw]: ?

[1]: The new song chart topper, Rose Riddle, lists Lin Jianlu and you in the singer section.

[1]: Are you a singer? You're clearly just an actor, and you're even trying to take a share of the credit.

[xw]: Really? Let me check.

[xw]: Lin Jianlu himself requested it. I wasn't aware.

[xw]: Chen Yimo, you're jealous!

[1]: Look at your smug mug.
Work stolen from https://chipoholictranslations.blogspot.com/p/homepage.html
"Lin Jianlu!" Xie Wang yelled out from the kitchen. "Why is my name included on your new song?"

Lin Jianlu was sitting at the dining table, pouring milk into his coffee. Hearing this, he replied, "You gave me the inspiration for the lyrics."

Xie Wang pushed the freshly toasted bread in front of him. "Eat something before you go out."

Since their wedding, the two had been fooling around at home for several days. It wasn't until last night, after Xie Wang got scolded by his agent, that he reluctantly started preparing to get back to work.

"Are you going to the company today?" Xie Wang asked.

"I can't." Lin Jianlu gently hooked his index finger under his collar, revealing the mottled reddish marks on his neck. "It's not very appropriate."

His manager had scheduled a meeting at the company today to discuss the summer concert plans, but he postponed it because of this.

More importantly, Xie Wang's new movie was holding styling tryouts and starting filming today, and Lin Jianlu wanted to go watch.

Xie Wang looked at his "masterpiece" in front of him and smiled nonchalantly: "You can't blame me for this. Half of it is your own fault."

While others shared assets after marriage, what Lin Jianlu handed him was a massive folder full of Fierce A. It was almost enough to send Xie Wang spiraling into an anger-induced susceptibility period. He grabbed Lin Jianlu and dealt with him thoroughly after that.

At this moment, the still sleepy omega's eyes were only half-open, his lips were redder than usual, and he was slowly chewing on two slices of freshly toasted strawberry jam bread. His black hair was slightly messy, with a few strands sticking up.

"Da Wang," Lin Jianlu said, "My manager asked me to check with you. Can my summer concert freeload on your popularity?"

"What would I do there?" Xie Wang asked. "Dancing?"

Wouldn't all those dogs of Lin Jianlu in the audience rush him off the stage?

You know, ever since he and Lin Jianlu got their marriage certificate, there were countless people who envied and hated him.

"You probably won't be dancing." Lin Jianlu chuckled at the mental image. "They want you to sing the ending theme song of Hidden Blade because my manager said that by then, the film should have just been released as a summer movie."

"No problem." Xie Wang said, "Start teaching me to sing from today, and I promise my performance won't embarrass you."

"Alright," Lin Jianlu agreed.

The new movie Xie Wang had taken on was called "The Night Before." It was a big-budget sci-fi production, and the investor, Yu Ran, had invited the same director from "Hidden Blade" to direct it.

Having just married Xie Wang, Lin Jianlu naturally tagged along to visit the set.

"Good morning, Lin Jianlu," the director greeted him. "We meet again."

Director: "Have a seat. There happens to be a scene that I'd like you to guest star in."

Lin Jianlu: "..."

He wasn't really interested.

This type of sci-fi, action-packed setting with all the fighting and killing was way out of his wheelhouse as a non-professional.

"Don't be so quick to refuse," the director said, having read his thoughts. "Go talk to the screenwriter first."

Lin Jianlu: "The screenwriter?"

Wei Lan was sitting by the futuristic fighter jet model, which the production had spent a fortune on. He was holding a bag of soy milk in his mouth, clutching a laptop, and pulling at his hair.

"LanLan," Lin Jianlu stopped by the fighter jet. "The production you mentioned joining is the The Night Before crew?"

"Morning, YoYo," Wei Lan greeted him listlessly. "I just found out this week that your husband is the lead actor."

"I feel so sick. So many large-scale battle and confrontation scenes, and I had to tweak every single line of dialogue myself," Wei Lan said. "If that damned Yu Ran wants to mess with me, he should just say so outright."

Lin Jianlu: "....."

"The director just mentioned wanting me to make a cameo. What's that about?" Lin Jianlu asked.

"Oh, that." Wei Lan calmed down, squinted and revealed a sly smile. "When I found out you'd be visiting, I specially rewrote a necessary plot for you. I think it's gonna be exciting~"

Lin Jianlu: "?"

"I'll show you." Wei Lan pulled a few sheets from a thick stack of script drafts. "It's perfect for you and your Fierce A. You'd barely have to act."

Lin Jianlu read through the script. It was a scene where Xie Wang, playing a pilot, betrayed his own base.

"You'll play the base commander," Wei Lan said. "I love the white uniform designed by the costume department. I think it'll look amazing on you."

Lin Jianlu believed him, and Wei Lan went back to cursing Yu Ran—creatively and without using a single vulgar word.

From a distance, Lin Jianlu spotted Xie Wang, now in a pure black pilot's uniform. He was wearing short leather boots, and a gun holster was strapped to his thigh.

"You should change into your costume too," Wei Lan said. "Today, they're filming the scene where he betrays the base. You'll only be on camera for a few minutes."

"Okay," Lin Jianlu agreed.

Just as Wei Lan had said, the white uniform of the base commander suited him perfectly. The fabric was slim-fitting, making the person in the mirror look tall, slender, and elegant.

His black, slightly messy hair framed his brows and eyes, and the makeup artist pressed a white military cap on his head.

"You have cold, sharp features but they're still a bit childish," the makeup artist told him. "I'll make you look a little more mature."

The lines at the corners of his eyes were lengthened subtly, and as Lin Jianlu looked at himself in the mirror, his original appearance remained unchanged, yet his expression carried an added calm and composure. Work stolen from https://chipoholictranslations.blogspot.com/p/homepage.html

"Let me see." Xie Wang, who'd been chatting with a supporting actor, cheerfully burst into the makeup room, only to freeze in his tracks. "Wow, your production team's styling is mindblowing."

According to the script, Lin Jianlu and Xie Wang had two scenes to film together. One was where Lin Jianlu, as the high-born commander, bullied Xie Wang's low-status character. The other was when Xie Wang's pilot character betrayed the base and stormed into the command room to take his revenge.

"He's basically a cannon fodder villain," said Wei Lan, the film's associate screenwriter, pushing up his glasses. "After the protagonist searches him and grabs the secret order, he activates the base's self-destruct program and croaks."

That's really... a great cameo.

Lin Jianlu thought to himself.

"Da Wang, teach him to beat you," the director instructed with practiced ease.

Xie Wang: "..."

"Do you have your own thoughts on how to handle this scene's plotline?" Xie Wang asked first.

Even though he was already a highly professional and popular actor, Xie Wang still respected Lin Jianlu's opinion when it came to filming.

Lin Jianlu thought for a moment, then raised his hand and slapped Xie Wang's cheek lightly.

The alpha's soft chuckle sent a numbing buzz through his ears.

"Commander," Xie Wang murmured against his ear, "Don't go seducing your subordinate."

Lin Jianlu: "..."

"I'll teach you," Xie Wang said. "Sit in the chair."

Lin Jianlu did so.

"You're sitting too properly." Xie Wang adjusted his posture with his hands. "Rest your right elbow on the armrest, lean your head on your hand, and press your cap down. I want that elusive, commanding aura."

Lin Jianlu tilted his head, gazing indifferently at the alpha before him.

The tall alpha knelt down in front of him.

"Step on me," Xie Wang said. "Step on my shoulder."

Lin Jianlu lifted his foot, clad in white military boots, and lightly pressed it against Xie Wang's shoulder.

"Commander," Xie Wang chuckled again, his hand reaching up to grip Lin Jianlu's ankle through the white boot. "Stepping so lightly—are you plotting something bad against your subordinate?"

"....." Lin Jianlu pursed his lips slightly and stepped a bit harder.

"Kick me," Xie Wang added.

Lin Jianlu did it. The alpha fell to the ground with the momentum, diving into character almost instantly. As Xie Wang hit the ground, his gaze was full of the fierceness of someone who'd been unbearably humiliated.

Lin Jianlu had never gone head-to-head with Xie Wang in this type of confrontation scene before. The palpable intensity emanating from Xie Wang froze him in place for a moment.

"Get up," Xie Wang said, dropping the menacing expression. "Don't be afraid of me. Walk over, kick me a few more times, and then say 'Get out.'"

With Xie Wang guiding him step by step, it was impossible not to perform well.

Lin Jianlu transformed into the haughty commander, cold and cruel, kicking his subordinate lying on the ground without mercy.

Xie Wang cursed under his breath, "YoYo, aim for my arm or leg. Don't kick me in the nuts."

Lin Jianlu: "......Sorry."

"Then say 'Get out!' and have someone drag me out. That's it," Xie Wang concluded. "Super easy. Way simpler than the scenes in Hidden Blade."

Acting-wise, it really wasn't hard. For Lin Jianlu, the only challenge was enduring the overwhelming aura Xie Wang exuded when in character, without flinching.

"Great effect, you two," the director called out after a few test shots. He gave the go-ahead to move on. "Next scene: status reversal—Da Wang, now you'll be terrible to your wife."

For this part, Lin Jianlu was completely at a loss on how to act again.

"This one's easy," Wei Lan came over and whispered to him, "Just think of it this way: you're the Flower of Gaoling, and now a Fierce A subordinate is offending you, his superior."

["Flower of Gaoling" is a metaphor meaning a noble, cold, and unattainable beauty—someone who is admired from afar but emotionally and socially out of reach.]

Lin Jianlu: "?"

As expected of Wei Lan—he seemed to get it right away.

"Just stay cold and proud," Wei Lan continued, "Let Xie Wang lead the scene. He's really a champ at this."

In the second scene, the rebel forces had overpowered the base. The commander, dressed in an immaculate white uniform, was locked in the command room but still sat proudly and loftily in his chair, looking down at the low-ranking alpha pilot who walked up to him step by step.

The alpha strode forward, lifting his gun to press it against the base commander's collarbone.

"When you kicked me out back then, did you ever think this day would come?"

"Hold on for a second—switching to close-up," the director called out.

"The next part might get a little rough," Xie Wang said softly. "It'll be over quickly. If you feel uncomfortable or upset, just say stop, and we won't continue, alright?"

Lin Jianlu nodded.

He'd read the script and it was all right. Wei Lan had written it conservatively. The only uncertainty was how Xie Wang would interpret it.

"Shoot, shoot, shoot!" The director urged. "Don't keep chatting there, you two! Da Wang, you'll be fine. I'm worried about Lin Jianlu losing the mood—he has a history of that."

Lin Jianlu: "..." Work stolen from https://chipoholictranslations.blogspot.com/p/homepage.html

The alpha in front of him instantly transformed back into the rebellious pilot. The cold, black barrel of the gun pressed against his neck.

"The base's secret order. Hand it over," the alpha growled, his voice low and menacing.

Lin Jianlu didn't have any lines in the script, so he just kept his face cold and said nothing.

He simply lifted his chin to stare at the person in front of him without fear.

The alpha sneered: "Hiding it, huh? I'll find it myself."

Xie Wang's black-gloved hands ran all over Lin Jianlu's chest, abdomen, and waist, checking his cuffs and pockets.

"I won't give it to you," Lin Jianlu delivered his line. "I'm right, you're wrong."

"I almost forgot." The cold muzzle of the gun pressed against Lin Jianlu's lips, the alpha's voice turning icy and gloomy. "Is there anything hidden in this mouth of yours, Commander?"

The alpha pressed the gun harder, and his black-gloved fingers probed between Lin Jianlu's lips and teeth.

The once high and mighty commander was now pinned to the chair by the ordinarily insignificant low-ranking pilot, his half-open eyes tinged with red.

Suddenly, the base's red lights flashed, and the self-destruct sequence began.

"Cut!" the director said, "Da Wang, go ahead and coax your wife. You weren't soft at all when bullying your wife."

"There, there," Xie Wang took the water his assistant handed him. "YoYo, have some water."

Lin Jianlu had been coughing, and mouth was slightly red.

The script only said to frisk, but Xie Wang's handling of it was indeed more in line with the protagonist's character.

"Commander, don't be mad," Xie Wang held his hand and kissed the back of it. "It was just acting."

And I will never betray you.

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