I Love Her Because She’s Dim-Witted And Filthy Rich - Chapter 3

Day two of filming.

The first scene was a sequence between Duan Bainian and Wu Yang. It was completed in a single take, a textbook-perfect performance.

As Duan Bainian finished her scene and stepped off the set, she took the down jacket handed to her by Xiao Yuan and asked, “Do you know which scene Su Miao’s part is scheduled for?”

Xiao Yuan shook her head. “How would I know? I’m too busy trying to avoid that canary; I wouldn’t bother paying attention to her scenes.”

Duan Bainian shot Xiao Yuan a look. “Didn’t I tell you not to say things like that in public?”

Xiao Yuan replied defiantly, “I’m not the only one saying it. Everyone is saying it now.”

Seeing that Duan Bainian didn’t believe her, Xiao Yuan pointed toward Su Miao in the corner and said, “Look, is there anyone within a ten-mile radius of her? No one wants to have anything to do with her.”

Duan Bainian looked over. Indeed, Su Miao was standing all alone in the corner, silently reading her script. Aside from her assistant, there wasn’t a soul near her.

Duan Bainian was somewhat puzzled. “If I say I dislike her, it’s because she snatched my role. But the rest of you have nothing to do with her—why don’t you like her either?”

Xiao Yuan handed Duan Bainian some hot water. “It’s not exactly that we dislike her. The rumor going around the crew is that Wu Yang doesn’t like her and you don’t like her either. You two are the only ones with any fame in this crew. People in the entertainment industry are experts at reading the room. She’s just a nameless newcomer and hardly a prize catch; why would anyone bother proactively approaching her?”

“If she were more proactive about talking to people, she might make a few friends. But look at her, looking so timid—does she look like someone who would initiate a conversation?”

Duan Bainian smiled. “Just go get my script for me. I’ll look over the upcoming lines.”

Xiao Yuan said, “Fine, sit for a moment, I’ll be right back.”

Just as Duan Bainian took the script and was about to flip it open, she heard the director shouting through a megaphone, “Su Miao! Su Miao! Come here, it’s your turn!”

She hadn’t expected Su Miao’s scene to come so soon.

That morning, she had rehearsed the lines with Su Miao again. It seemed that the copying had actually been effective, as Su Miao was smoother than the night before.

Seeing that Su Miao was about to start filming, Duan Bainian stood up and walked forward, intending to see how things went.

Su Miao in character was quite different from the Su Miao of daily life.

In the scene, Su Miao would frown with sorrow, laugh with surprise, or act coy and spoiled.

Though it was a bit over-acted and looked a little strange, compared to the issue of constantly getting her lines wrong, it was actually quite acceptable.

The first half of the scene went relatively smoothly, with lines going back and forth between Wu Yang and Su Miao.

However, they soon reached the section involving a long monologue. The director called “Cut” and told Su Miao to prepare herself properly.

Yet, it was useless. Su Miao “NG” (No Good) once again.

A flare of nameless anger rose in Wu Yang. “Can you do this or not?”

Su Miao’s face turned bright red. “I’m sorry, Teacher Wu, I… I’m a little nervous.”

The director hurried forward to smooth things over, offered Su Miao some words of comfort, and continued filming.

Another NG.

Wu Yang’s face darkened completely. “If you can’t even remember your lines, what are you doing here acting? Do you enjoy watching the entire crew get dragged behind because of you?!”

Su Miao stood there blankly, staring at the ground, speechless.

Thinking of that “idiot” who had stayed up until three in the morning copying lines the night before, Duan Bainian felt a pang of guilt in her heart.

She walked forward and said to the director, “Director, the lines will be dubbed in post-production anyway. Why not just let Su Miao count numbers for this scene to get through it? Every day on this location costs money, and everyone’s schedules are hard to adjust. It’s really not cost-effective to keep dragging this out.”

This was a last resort. The director let out a long sigh. “Alright then. Su Miao, just say numbers in a moment. Remember to say the numbers with some emotion.”

In this way, by the fifth take, the scene finally came to a stumbling end.

Wu Yang went off to rest with a dark expression; his temper could still be heard from a distance.

Duan Bainian also returned to the rest area to continue reading her script, but she was poked by Xiao Yuan.

Duan Bainian turned her head. “What is it?”

Xiao Yuan rolled her eyes. “The canary seems to be coming for you.”

Duan Bainian looked up, and sure enough, Su Miao was walking toward her with a flushed face.

Su Miao rubbed her nose awkwardly. “Just now… thank you for helping me out.”

Duan Bainian smiled. “It was just a small favor, don’t take it to heart.”

Su Miao said in a low voice, “Are you free tonight? I’d like to treat you to dinner.”

Duan Bainian refused without a second thought. “I’m very happy that you want to treat me to dinner, but I’m afraid I won’t have the time. I’m truly sorry.”

Having been rejected, Su Miao looked a bit flustered. “It… it’s okay. Next time then.”

Duan Bainian said gently, “Alright, next time.”

Su Miao pointed into the distance. “Then I’ll head back to the dressing room first.”

Watching Su Miao leave, Xiao Yuan remarked again, “Sister, you’re too miserable. You clearly hate that canary to death, yet you have to maintain the act of a gentle older sister.”

Duan Bainian smiled but didn’t respond.

Xiao Yuan continued to herself, “Speaking of which, since you dislike her, why did you help her out just now?”

Duan Bainian tapped Xiao Yuan’s head with the script. “I’m thirsty. Go buy me a cup of milk tea.”

Xiao Yuan gave a dissatisfied huff before slowly getting up. “Wait here.”

At 8:30 PM, Su Miao arrived at Duan Bainian’s room right on time, carrying a pen and paper in her hand.

Duan Bainian’s expression was strange. “What are you doing with the pen and paper?”

Su Miao replied somewhat bashfully, “Aren’t we supposed to continue copying lines later?”

Duan Bainian: “…” Could this idiot be any more literal? She believed whatever she was told? Had she actually become addicted to copying lines all night?

Duan Bainian averted her eyes. “Um… no need to copy lines today. I thought of a new method to help you.”

Su Miao’s eyes instantly lit up. “There’s another method? Are… are you really that amazing?”

Duan Bainian: “…” She could tell she was amazing just from that?

The confusion from the previous night resurfaced in her mind. How did an idiot like this manage to land a “sugar daddy”?

So, she asked tactfully, “I heard you used connections to get this role. Is that true?”

Su Miao gave a soft “mm-hm.” “My mom found the connection for me.”

This answer was truly unexpected.

“Your mom? I heard it was your… your boyfriend?”

Su Miao’s large eyes were full of confusion. “Boyfriend? I don’t have a boyfriend. My mom doesn’t let me date early.”

Duan Bainian was stunned for a moment, and once she reacted, she couldn’t help but want to laugh.

True. With an idiot like her, who would be blind enough to fall for her?