Chinese entertainment: What's wrong with actresses wanting to improve?

Chapter 18 Hu Jing's Unexpected Discovery

Over the next few days, filming of "Caught in the Web" proceeded smoothly and according to plan.

Fu Yibai demonstrated a directorial control beyond his years, with precise and strict requirements for camera movement and actor performances.

Under his leadership, the entire crew operated efficiently and with focused attention.

As the female lead, Fan Binbin was under the greatest pressure, but she had obviously made extremely thorough preparations. Most of her scenes were able to meet Fu Yibai's requirements after several adjustments. Occasionally, when she had difficulty accurately capturing the emotions, a few words of advice from Fu Yibai could make her see the light.

The two communicated professionally and efficiently on set, full of creative sparks and tacit understanding.

However, after that night when he delivered the late-night snack, some subtle changes quietly began to occur between the two of them.

Fan Binbin's gaze towards Fu Yibai contained not only the respect an actor shows to a director and the desire for recognition, but also an indescribable admiration and fervor.

She no longer hid her affection for Yi Bai. Although she was very restrained on set, her behavior still carried a hint of intimacy.

Four days after that night, Fan Binbin knocked on Fu Yibai's door again late at night.

This time, she didn't bring any late-night snacks. She was just wearing a simple T-shirt and shorts, her hair was slightly damp, as if she had just taken a shower, and she was holding a script and a pen in her hand.

"Director Fu, I'm sorry to bother you."

Regarding tomorrow's emotional outburst scene, I've been thinking about a few details to handle, and I'd like to double-check them with you, in case my understanding is flawed and it delays the filming schedule.

Her reasoning was impeccable, but her eyes shone with a almost scorching intensity.

Fu Yibai let her in.

The atmosphere of professional discussion gradually heated up, and before they knew it, the distance between them had closed and their eyes had met.

When Fu Yibai's finger touched a certain spot on the script, and Fan Binbin's finger inadvertently touched it, the air seemed to freeze.

The next second, Fu Yibai grabbed her wrist, pulled her closer, and kissed her.

This time, it wasn't the tentative, transactional intimacy found in the apartment, but rather a natural attraction and outburst.

Fan Binbin responded enthusiastically and passionately, wrapping her arms around his neck, while the script slipped to the ground and went unnoticed.

Once you do it the first time, you'll do it a second and a third time.

During breaks in filming, Fan Binbin quietly increased the frequency of her visits to Fu Yibai's room at night.

Sometimes it's under the guise of discussing the script, and sometimes it's simply "I can't sleep, I want to talk to you."

And each time, it almost always turns into a fierce collision between body and soul.

Fan Binbin felt like he had discovered a treasure, becoming increasingly captivated by the charming contrast between his focused and aloof demeanor at work and his powerful and passionate personality in private.

She felt that she was not only having an affair with a talented director, but also getting closer to the core of a soul full of ambition and passion.

This mixture of physical attraction and spiritual admiration drew her deeper and deeper into the relationship.

The rest of the crew were not unaware of this.

It's common for directors and leading actresses to get close on set.

However, Fu Yibai's prestige in the crew was growing daily, and Fan Binbin was the female lead, so no one dared to gossip about him publicly.

However, secrets are always eventually exposed.

That evening, after finishing her scenes, Hu Jing returned to the hotel and felt unsure about her upcoming important scene with Fan Binbin the next day.

She was a serious person and didn't want to hold anyone back the next day, so after much hesitation, she decided to ask Fu Yibai for advice.

She was carrying her script and notes when she stepped out of the room and saw a familiar figure.

Wearing a sexy nightgown, Fan Binbin looked around before quickly and deftly swiping her card to enter Fu Yibai's room.

The door opened and closed in just two or three seconds, and the corridor returned to silence.

Hu Jing suddenly stopped in her tracks. She subconsciously took a half step back and hid behind the door, her eyes fixed on the closed door, filled with shock and a stinging pain that she herself did not understand.

Fan Binbin...and Director Fu?

It's so late, and you're still wearing your pajamas...

When all the details are put together, along with some subtle interactions observed in daily life, the truth is laid bare before us.

Hu Jing is not an innocent and ignorant girl. She has heard about this kind of thing many times in the industry, but when it actually happens to her, the impact is still huge.

She stood there for several minutes until her legs started to go numb, then turned around dejectedly and silently walked back to her room.

Hu Jing was unsure of how she was feeling at that moment.

She didn't know when it started, but this young director, who was a few years younger than her, had already occupied a very special place in her heart.

It wasn't just gratitude, but also a thrill of attraction drawn to his talent, focus, and the occasional signs of fatigue.

She knew she might not be good enough for him, but she carefully hid this vague feeling in her heart, regarding it as a private, slightly bittersweet experience during the filming.

But now, this secret sweetness has been shattered by reality.

The bright, radiant, and bold Fan Binbin had already entered Fu Yibai's room in such a straightforward way, and entered a relationship she could never have imagined.

A strong sense of bitterness and resentment welled up in my heart.

On what grounds?

Is it because Fan Binbin is bolder, more proactive, and more willing to let go of her pride?

Am I really that much worse than her?

Director Fu...

Does someone like him really only like the passionate and outgoing type?

Hu Jing sat on the bed for a long time, her thoughts in turmoil.

The initial shock and sting gradually subsided, and another, more intense emotion began to emerge—a mixture of jealousy, defiance, and a long-suppressed desire.

She recalled Fan Binbin's undisguised, possessive gaze when she looked at Fu Yibai on set.

I recall the timidity and inferiority I felt every time I spoke with Director Fu.

I also recalled how familiar and matter-of-fact Fan Binbin was when he entered the room earlier.

A voice grew clearer and clearer in her heart.

"If this is the rule, if this is the only way to get closer to him, or even just briefly have a little bit of his attention and warmth..."

Why should I back down?

Where do I fall short of Fan Binbin?

Once the idea took hold, it spread like wildfire.

Hu Jing's heart was beating faster and faster, and her cheeks were burning.

She walked to the mirror and looked at herself, her eyes glistening with emotion.

She wasn't a stunning beauty, but she had a pretty and pleasing face and a stunning figure.

She wasn't bold enough, but if it were for that person...

Over the next two days, Hu Jing behaved as usual on set, and even studied the script more diligently, delivering an excellent performance.

However, the way she observed Fu Yibai and Fan Binbin revealed a subtle hint of inquiry and determination.

She noticed the occasional satisfied and secretly intimate glances Fan Binbin cast at Fu Yibai, and she also noticed the natural familiarity and ease Fu Yibai showed towards Fan Binbin that transcended that of ordinary directors and actors.

This further solidified her resolve.