novelraw Chapter 13 is all about acting, right?
Chapter 13 is all about acting, right?
This guy just shook hands with me, a nobody.
High-intensity acting?
What's the point?!
So, a max-level player is slaughtering newbies in the starting village?
Song Ze wore a flattered smile on his face, but alarm bells were already ringing in his heart.
In his mind, the command exploded silently: Extract!
【Ding--】
[Draw complete!]
[Current skill has been upgraded!]
Countless techniques for evoking emotions, precise control of every tiny muscle on the face, and the art of coordinating breathing rhythm with the rise and fall of lines... all come flooding in.
[System panel refresh]
[Acting Skills (Excellent Level, 480/1000)]
Double jump!
Song Ze straightened his back slightly, and a restrained yet sharp aura flashed from him.
Counterattack phase, begin.
He suddenly stretched out his hands, one above the other, and tightly grasped Wen Ziliang's right hand, shaking it violently up and down.
"Oh my! Professor Wen! I've heard so much about you!"
His waist slumped, his shoulders were deliberately hunched, and his voice was as excited as a vendor haggling at a market.
"I've finally met a living Buddha today! I watch your shows on TV every day; you're my idol!"
Speaking at breakneck speed, blushing with eagerness, eyes gleaming—the mannerisms of a street urchin are fully on display.
The live stream chat exploded instantly.
【Am I seeing things?】
Where's that aloof, talented scholar who played "Sorrow" just now? Who's this lackey?!
[Oh no, even a talented scholar can't escape the cliché of kneeling before a senior.]
The contrast is so stark, I almost dropped my phone in shock.
Wen Ziliang was shaken so badly by him that he barely managed to regain his balance.
He glanced at Song Ze's flushed face, a fleeting, extremely subtle satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
He was a somewhat talented but naive young man, completely lacking in guile and easy to manipulate.
Song Ze sneered inwardly, taking in the slight contempt in the other person's eyes, but his face remained even more naive.
[Wen Shen's facial expression control is amazing; he can still maintain a smile even while being shaken like that.]
Indeed, faced with absolute power and status, even the most talented must bow their heads.
Wen Ziliang withdrew his right hand calmly and gracefully.
"Teacher Song, you flatter me too much. Please, both of you, have a seat."
The three of them walked around the screen of the Suzhou-style garden and sat down around the round mahogany table by the window.
Wen Ziliang waved to order, and the dishes included crab meat lion's head, West Lake vinegar fish, and slow-cooked matsutake soup—all top-notch signature dishes.
He handed the menu back and casually mentioned, at just the right volume, "Speaking of which, the producer of 'Three Lives Three Worlds' happened to have lunch here this morning."
A thought struck Song Ze, and he appropriately raised his head.
Wen Ziliang smiled gently: "Don't worry, I'm not involved in your business dealings. I just happened to overhear him mentioning your song 'Liang Liang' on the phone—the music director really likes it."
"An S+ level project came knocking on his door; Teacher Song's luck is about to change."
The producer had just come for lunch in the morning, and then called Zhang Juan's cell phone in the afternoon?
coincidence?
Song Ze scratched his head and grinned sheepishly, "Good luck, good luck."
Before the food was even served, the intense flattery began.
"I watched the live stream just now. Those lines from 'Sorrow' really hit the nail on the head." Wen Ziliang gave a thumbs up. "In terms of conception and depth, it definitely ranks among the top three in the Chinese music scene. The younger generation is truly formidable."
He picked up the purple clay teapot and poured tea himself, his tone becoming increasingly emotional.
"Especially that kind of unyielding spirit after being wronged—I feel so sorry for you when I see it."
[Teacher Wen is so kind; she personally poured tea and spoke up for the younger generation.]
[This is what a senior should be like! Much better than those sarcastic and cynical ones.]
Wen Ziliang put down the teapot and shook his head: "I don't know who made up such a shoddy piece as 'Late Autumn Ode' to extort money. It's a cheap trick of forging timestamps; it might fool laymen, but it won't fool experts."
Song Ze took a bite with his chopsticks.
"Teacher Wen even knows this?" The surprise was perfectly timed.
Wen Ziliang blew on the steam from his teacup, his smile unchanged: "Although my main profession is acting, I also have a few friends in the music industry. I've seen these kinds of underhanded tricks before."
He smoothly changed the subject, speaking casually as if chatting about everyday things: "But Professor Song's musical talent is indeed extraordinary. While waiting for you this morning, I specifically looked through your previous works—'The Wind of a Summer Night' and 'A Letter to Myself'—their foundation is very solid."
Song Ze was stuffing Dongpo pork when his jaw paused for a moment.
Those songs were posted in the most obscure corner of the platform, and the total number of comments was less than fifty.
Even fans might not be able to find it.
Is this the kind of last-minute preparation Wan Chi-leung, a top-tier actor, did in the morning?
It's definitely not because they value talent.
His inner vigilance surged, but he outwardly kept his head down and ate heartily.
[Wen Shen is really serious about his research; he even listens to songs by obscure artists.]
I'm going to search for these songs; if Wen Shen mentioned them, they must be pretty good.
Am I the only one who thinks this is a bit strange? Isn't Wen Ziliang's attention to Song Ze a little excessive?
[What's with all the sour talk? Wen Shen is just being kind to his juniors.]
The live stream chat was flooded with comments praising Wen Ziliang's character and refinement, while mocking Song Ze for being vulgar and uncouth.
Song Ze didn't care at all.
All my energy is devoted to acting and observing.
When the hot dishes were served, he grabbed his chopsticks and went straight for the largest piece of Dongpo pork, without even using serving chopsticks.
I took a big bite and the oil dripped down my chin onto my T-shirt.
He casually wiped his mouth with his sleeve and continued chewing heartily, the smacking sounds clearly audible in the quiet private room.
"Hehe! You flatter me! Teacher Wen is knowledgeable!" The reply was indistinct, and the way he ate was so crude that it drew attention.
[His eating manners... Was I fooled by his singing just now?]
[Teacher Wen's facial expression control is truly amazing; I would have already started frowning.]
Am I the only one who feels sorry for Lin Shishi? Dating someone like that must be so awful.
[Shi Shi barely touched her food; she was probably too disgusted to eat anymore.]
[Where's the production team? Can you please take Song Ze's microphone off? That smacking sound makes me want to punch someone!]
Wen Ziliang showed a hint of disdain, poured himself another cup of tea, and leaned slightly forward.
"That song 'Liang Liang' also left a deep impression on me. It incorporates a lot of ethnic musical instruments, creating an extremely grand and ancient Chinese aesthetic." He threw out a bait, "What unique experiences do you usually draw inspiration from? It really makes me curious."
They've arrived; let's test their mettle.
Song Ze, his cheeks bulging, stopped chewing upon hearing this, his eyes widening in a daze.
That expression perfectly illustrated what it means to be utterly foolish.
"Hey!" He swallowed the food whole, grabbed a tissue to wipe his mouth haphazardly, and said, "What experience have I had! I was being attacked online the other day, and the company suspended my appearances. I've been stuck at home picking my toes and humming nonsense."
He spread his greasy hands: "Just lucky! A blind cat stumbled upon a dead mouse! I just randomly came across these two pieces!"
[Teacher Wen is so professional; this is about discussing the rhythm of creation.]
But asking Song Ze for inspiration while he's in this dazed state... feels like talking to a brick wall.
Why does this atmosphere feel a bit strange? Like they're trying to get information out of me?
[You're overthinking it. Wen Zhang simply appreciates talent; what's the point of trying to understand this unknown guy?]
Lin Shishi, unable to contain herself any longer, joined in the probing: "What about the arrangement structure? Those off-key chords in the chorus, the transitions are so sophisticated, how were they conceived?"
Song Ze keenly sensed the persistent exploration that lay in her words, a characteristic of a creator.
But he remained nonchalant, waving his hand and continuing to eat: "What chords! I can't even read sheet music! I just randomly strummed the guitar and recorded it because it sounded good. There's no fuss about it!"
A bunch of wild, unorthodox punches, and a mouth full of nonsense.
He perfectly embodied the sentiment, "I know nothing, I'm just a brute."
Wen Ziliang's hand holding the purple clay cup remained still, and his smile remained gentle.
But in the instant Song Ze lowered his head to eat, the reflection in the wine glass precisely captured the fleeting coldness and relaxation in his eyes.
Why do I feel cold?
Relax, but what is the reason for that?
Song Ze sneered inwardly, but still managed to look up with that harmless, fawning smile.
Wen Ziliang withdrew his gaze, no longer interested in probing.
"Teacher Song is such a straightforward person." He picked up his teacup. "This meal is on me today, consider it making a friend."
Song Ze felt relieved, knowing he had passed this hurdle.
He immediately put down his rice bowl, slapped his thighs hard with both hands, and exclaimed in a loud voice, "Oh! How could I possibly accept that! Thank you so much, Boss Wen, for the expense! I'll definitely come back to support you next time!"
This eagerness to accept dispelled Wen Ziliang's last shred of doubt.
[So you're agreeing to a free meal already? Song Ze, where did your pride go?]
Before Wen Shen, who wouldn't bow their head? Song Ze is truly fortunate to have such a friend.
This meal was truly unpleasant to watch. Wen Shen was all respectable, while Song Ze looked like he was just there to freeload.
An hour later, only leftovers remained on the table.
Song Ze slumped in his chair and let out a long burp.
The three walked out of the white marble archway of Yujingtai, where sunlight dappled under the sycamore trees.
Wen Ziliang maintained a polite yet aloof smile as he bid them farewell.
As he turned to go back into the store, he took out his phone from his pocket and glanced at it.
Song Ze was picking his teeth, his peripheral vision fixed on that action.
Before getting into the car, Lin Shishi suddenly spoke up: "I've met Wen Ziliang a few times before. He seems different today."
Song Ze knew in his heart that this girl's intuition was very accurate.
But the play still has to be performed.
He continued picking his teeth, then casually hummed in agreement, "That's how big stars are, they say whatever comes to mind. Besides, they even treated us to a meal."
Lin Shishi glanced at him, and seeing that he didn't care at all, she didn't say anything more.
The live stream is over for today; you can go home now.
The production crew's van was parked by the roadside, and the filming director was just about to greet them.
A nanny van silently slid to a stop behind the minivan.