Chapter 55: Everyone Has a "Teacher"

Chen Siyuan had carefully assembled the team for Liu Yifei, and now it was all in place. Beyond the crucial agent, there were a work assistant, a personal assistant, bodyguards, and a dedicated makeup team.

Additionally, a special acting coach had been found specifically for Liu Yifei. This coach was a retired teacher from the Beijing Film Academy, introduced by the esteemed Mr. Wang Jinsong. Highly skilled and familiar with the academy’s teaching methods, the coach was still eager to contribute his expertise. He guided Liu Yifei’s acting every day on set, truly blending theory with practice.

Under his live instruction, Liu Yifei’s performance improved noticeably day by day. Her acting skills were visibly enhanced—this time around, she would no longer be mocked for lacking talent.

The privileges Liu Yifei enjoyed made the novice actresses in “The Story of Golden Powder” green with envy. If they had such conditions, they wouldn’t have to play mere maids! Yet, despite their envy, they dared only to covet silently. After all, Liu Yifei was the daughter of a major investor—no one in the circle wanted to risk offending her.

The entertainment world was neither vast nor tiny; these actresses hoped to avoid a day when they couldn’t even secure maid roles. Among them, only Dong Jie didn’t envy Liu Yifei. Dong Jie also had her own teacher.

“Teacher Chen, what are we learning today?” At a nearby hotel, Dong Jie happily nestled in Chen Siyuan’s arms, a mischievous gleam on her face.

“What do you want to learn?” Chen Siyuan gently tapped Dong Bailian’s pert little hip. Thanks to his efforts, Dong Bailian was evolving exactly as he hoped. Her innocent yet alluring aura at this moment was captivating.

“Aren’t you the teacher? Whatever you teach, I’ll learn,” Dong Bailian bit her lip softly, playing the part of a diligent student. People grow, after all. And Dong Bailian’s rate of transformation, to be honest, was quite rapid.

With Dong Bailian so eager to learn, how could Chen Siyuan afford to be anything less than serious? With a sudden flip, he declared, “Chen... Teacher Chen, what are you going to teach now?” Dong Bailian’s voice trembled slightly.

“What I’m about to teach you will be unforgettable for life!” The tender little Bailian lay limply against Chen Siyuan’s chest.

“Teacher Chen, ‘The Story of Golden Powder’ is progressing fast; filming will wrap soon. Later...” Chen Siyuan gently stroked her hair. “Let me remind you: you should sign your contract with Bright Media, just like Xixi.”

Dong Jie glanced up at Chen Siyuan and nodded, “Okay.”

“Not happy about it?” Chen Siyuan smiled.

She bit her lip, “I want to be like Xixi...”

“Hm?” To be like Xixi? Was that what he just said?

“I heard that in Hong Kong and Taiwan, young actresses without a foundation often find a big boss godfather...” Upon hearing this, Chen Siyuan chuckled, not expecting little Bailian to have such thoughts.

“You want to take me as your godfather?”

Chen Siyuan looked playfully at the two inseparable parts of her.

Dong Bailian’s face instantly flushed, but she mustered courage to look at Chen Siyuan. “You’re tempted, godfather...”

Goodness! That was far more than temptation! Her coquettish “godfather” stirred Chen Siyuan thoroughly.

Little Bailian’s rapid progress seemed almost shocking!

“Naughty! You need to be disciplined!” Chen Siyuan wore a stern expression.

“Godfather, be gentle!” Bailian instantly looked pitiful, her acting truly improved.

But punishment was still due.

...

Near dawn, Dong Jie quietly returned to the hotel where the crew stayed. Once in her room, she sank weakly to the floor. Teacher... or rather, godfather, had been exceedingly strict; the corporal punishment was harsh.

...

“Dong Jie, your complexion is really good; I’m a bit jealous,” Liu Yifei said, linking arms with her on the way to the set.

“Xixi, your skin is even better. Honestly, I envy you more!” Because of Chen Siyuan, Dong Jie felt especially close to Liu Yifei.

“Oh, you two are the shining stars of Golden Powder—stop sowing discord,” Chen Kun sighed as he passed by.

These days, Chen Kun acted cautiously during filming, fearing the two sisters might outshine him.

Thankfully, the wrap of “The Story of Golden Powder” was not far off. Just a little longer, and freedom would come. He hoped to endure these final days.

Liu Yifei and Dong Jie exchanged glances and laughed.

Chen Kun never hid his worries, so their shared amusement was understandable.

At the set, once everyone assembled, Director Li Dawei began his final pep talk.

“Everyone, let’s give it our all today. Our group’s filming is nearly complete, but we cannot slack off. We must finish strong and present our best work!”

“Director Li, stop pumping us up. If these two ladies explode again, I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep up!” Chen Kun cast a deeply worried look.

At that moment, Chen Kun’s acting flared.

Li Dawei shivered and waved his hand, “I’m actually looking forward to you being outshone!”

Chen Kun wailed.

Filming began.

Both Liu Yifei and Dong Jie applied what they had learned.

Liu Yifei, with her on-set coach’s help, improved with every shot, and today was no exception.

Dong Jie, under Teacher Chen’s guidance, had bursts of explosive acting every few days.

Today happened to be one of Dong Jie’s breakout days.

Hence, Chen Kun’s day would be difficult.

When Chen Kun suffered, Director Li was delighted.

Whenever Dong Jie and Liu Yifei shone, Chen Kun was pushed to give his all.

This maximized the aesthetic that Director Li sought—the beauty of Chinese dramas rivaling that of Japanese and Korean productions.

According to Li Dawei, he aimed to learn from predecessors: mastering foreign techniques to surpass them.

Though they couldn’t secure Song Hye-kyo for “The Story of Golden Powder” to appeal to Korean audiences, having connections to Chen Siyuan was even more valuable!

After all, Chen Siyuan’s influence helped Li Dawei break free from his mother’s control.

As the wrap of “The Story of Golden Powder” approached, Chen Siyuan, the major investor, once again visited the set.

Seeing Chen Siyuan on the sidelines, Liu Yifei was overjoyed. When her father was present, she always performed exceptionally.

The other one stirred was naturally Dong Jie.

If she didn’t perform well, would “godfather” punish her more harshly?

Though she secretly longed for it, two days in a row seemed a bit overwhelming!