Rebirth from the Ashes

Zhou Zhen was shaking with rage as Shen Xi walked away. Stomping her foot, she pointed at Shen Xi. “Hold it right there! Do you hear me? I said stop!”

Taking Zhou Zhen as a dog barking behind her, Shen Xi went with the extras.

Zhou Zhen had got her eye on that girl. She clenched her fists and scowled at Shen Xi. If only looks could kill. Just wait, revenge was a dish best served cold. She intended to tell Mr. Wang, the director, to chase the girl out of the set!

The associate director was frazzled on the set. After throwing Shen Xi a set of soiled clothes, he directed the makeup artist to paint her face before getting a martial art instructor to teach the others the moves.

This was for a fighting scene where Xue Chenhuan, the main character played by Yu Yuanxi, was discovered by a gang of panhandlers before a fight in front of an inn ensued.

Shen Xi soon came out with changed clothes.

Feeling the tension from the pressing director, the associate director had not gotten a good look at Shen Xi. He only noted she was a beautiful young lady, but pretty faces were a common find in the film and TV base. It was not like he could remember all of them.

The associate director’s eyes lit up following Shen Xi’s appearance. The great makeup captured the essence of the character named Huazi. The greasepaint breathed life to the character of a beggar compared to the other extras. The associate director pointed at the makeup artist. “Redo their makeup according to hers.”

Look at the makeup on these other extras. The associate director was going to get it from Mr. Wang later. There would not be a comparison in the absence of a good and a bad, but unfortunately, the situation now was not the case and the quality showed.

Caught in between a rock and a hard place, the makeup artist glanced at Shen Xi. “Sir, she did the makeup herself.”

Jesus. Her jaw dropped to the ground when she watched the girl apply her makeup. The girl performed miracles, changing her jawline and face shape like magic. It could be passed off as cosmetic surgery!

Most importantly, it only took Shen Xi mere minutes for the beggar makeup to come to life. The makeup artist was now convinced she was not worthy of her job title.

“She did it?” The associate director took stock of Shen Xi, but there was no time to ask questions. “I’ll add a hundred yuan to your pay for each painted face. Do the same on them.”

The extras on set were mostly here for the money. Who would say no to cash?

Shen Xi did not refuse. She took a headcount and tallied the numbers to eight. The original makeup artist’s work was not too shabby, so a minor touch-up was sufficient. It would not take too long.

The associate director urged her. “Hurry up. The scene’s coming right up and Mr. Wang is waiting.”

Shen Xi replied, “Sure.”

The associate director’s opinion of Shen Xi changed for the better as he was impressed by her composure. His eyes popped out when she worked her magic. “Um… Would you consider becoming our makeup artist? I’ll give you a fixed salary of 5,000 yuan plus commission with insurance and housing funds paid for. Of course, we can also throw in a few scenes if you’re into acting.”

Shen Xi was caught between laughter and tears. He genuinely thought she was an extra. God knows she was only here to visit the set as a fan. “I don’t have the time.”

The associate director frowned. What was taking up her time? Be it a makeup artist or an extra, she would be stuck on set all day for work to begin. “Why don’t you have the time?”

Surprised by the relentless questions, Shen Xi answered, “I was dragged here as a makeweight. I’m not an extra. I’m just a fan of Yu Yuanxi.”

Amid the mind-blowing moment, the associate director turned to the extras. These were familiar faces who had been with the set to this day. They had probably been in at least eight to ten scenes.

The extras nodded their heads to vouch for the girl. The young lady was Yu Yuanxi’s fan and not an extra. The associate director looked scary when he called her over!

They believed that the girl felt threatened by the associate director’s mean looks.

Refusing to give up on a rare talent, the associate director practiced perseverance. “Please consider joining our production team. We pay well. I can discuss with the director if it doesn’t come close to the figure you have in mind.”

The nearby makeup artist watched with expectant eyes. She could learn a thing or two, maybe even be her student if this cosmetics guru joined the set. She had never seen such amazing makeup skills.

With such skills at hand, she would sit on top of the world of cosmetics! Oh, she could die and go to Heaven.

Shen Xi thought to herself, ‘It’s not like you can afford me since I style celebrities with the likes of Fu Qingye.’ She shook her head with a smile, “I don’t want to waste your time. I’m too busy.”

Although disappointed, the associate director was not going to insist since she made up her mind. He could lead a horse to the water, but he could not make it drink. Still, he added. “Come find me if you ever change your mind. We’ll always have a spot for you here.”

A makeup guru like her was high in demand everywhere. Perhaps the salary they could offer was not to her liking. The associate director planned to discuss with Mr. Wang later.

It only took Shen Xi a jiffy to paint the extras’ faces.

The associate director happily bobbed his head and took them to the set.

Wang Cai the director was bowled over but quickly tickled pink when the associate director led the group of beggars in. The makeup went well with the characters. He complimented the accompanying makeup artist. “Lil’ Liu, you did it this time. You’re getting better with your makeup.”

The makeup artist, Lil’ Liu glanced at Shen Xi before attempting to explain that it was not her work. Nevertheless, she did not get the chance to as the director hastily jumped straight to directing after giving the kudos.

Shen Xi’s eyes went right to Yu Yuanxi who was dressed in pale blue brocade, looking like the fine and poised gentleman that he was. He was definitely a man of all seasons.

The movie “Mirror” was about the motherland, depicting Great General Xue Chenhuan’s twisted fate. Despite falling into treacherous ploys, being second-guessed by the emperor, and being misconstrued by the people, he served and protected the nation and its people. Alas, he suffered a tragic end by losing and dying on the battlefield.

Feeling a pair of eyes on him, Yu Yuanxi returned a smile. He was plagued by a sense of uncertain familiarity from the little beggar. It was a weird feeling.

He recognized these extras who were hired and coached by Mr. Wang. Since it was the same bunch of people each time, Yu Yuanxi could identify their friendly faces even if they had not shared any conversations.

It was his first time seeing the skinny beggar in the middle who smiled at him. She must be new.

With all the extras and actors accounted for, it was time to start the shoot.

The martial art instructor recapped the moves and pain points to the extras. He even took the time to tell Shen Xi to do as the others and not to feel restricted in case she forgot the moves.

The temporary extra was a fan of Yu Yuanxi, dragged by the associate director to fill in the numbers, so she had not been through formal training. The martial art instructor could not afford the scene to blow up in his face and for the director to throw a tantrum at him.

The associate director and martial art instructor watched anxiously by the side when the extras got onto the set. They were fixated on Shen Xi, afraid she might feel Mr. Wang’s wrath for poor acting.

Mr. Wang did not hold back when running his mouth because he held himself to a high standard. The extras were replaced multiple times and this bunch pulled through the scolding and were the last ones standing.

If she was yelled at, they would be too since they were the ones who hired her. They would be given a dressing-down if they did not do a good job preparing her for the role.

The associate director was praying for Shen Xi to not f*ck up while waiting for a response from his assistant, whom he asked to look for the original extra as a backup.