Chapter 11.1 (1/2)
Deep in the Act
Translator: Kotoni
Editor: Isalee
First Published on Chaleuria
Chapter 11.1 (NSFW)
They were back at the office building, in one of the ten units that had been booked for the filming. It was known as the Blue Room for the color of its walls, and it served as the set for Fang Chi's home. Currently, Chen Cheng-Sen and Chen Hsin were locked in a heated discussion about the plot, while Zhang Zhun waited at a distance. Seated on a couch in a corner, he listened again and again to the voice message Xie Danyi had left for him.
”Hi… or rather, bye.” After a brief pause, she continued, ”I guess I'll get going now. I shouldn't have affected your work… I wish you hadn't signed on for this project. I regret it now.” With a catch in her voice, she said, ”I'll be waiting for you in Guangzhou. I love you.”
Zhang Zhun replayed the last part of her message one more time - ”I love you” - and his hands tightened around his phone till they began to ache from the strain. From the other part of the room, Chen Cheng-Sen yelled, ”Stop playing with your phone and get to work!”
Zhang Zhun stood up at the sound of the director's orders, switched off his phone, and tossed it to the side. He was dressed in yet another suit for today: an off-white affair with a pin on his lapel, and a saffron-red tie. After Zhou Zheng directed him to a spot before Fang Chi's bed, the script supervisor announced, ”Deep in the Act, scene 212, shot 1, take 1!”
He stood still. After standing for a full minute, he suddenly unbuckled his belt, undid his trousers, and thrust a hand into his pants. With the camera focused on his face, he stared at the unmade bed before him, running his eyes over the falling covers and mussed sheets. His breath quickened, his hands sped up their movements below his waist, and uncontrollable moans welled up from the depths of his throat.
Chen Hsin stepped through the doorway and entered the frame, staring in shock at the man before him. ”What are you doing?”
Zhang Zhun turned his head, smiling in pleasure, untouched by the slightest hint of shame. Chen Hsin's eyes fell on the other man's hands - hands which were still moving rapidly below his waist. In reality, Zhang Zhun was barely touching himself as he continued with his performance. Even so, a deep blush exploded promptly over Chen Hsin's face at the sight. ”You…! Do you really have to go this far?”
Zhang Zhun turned away and continued jacking off to the sight of the bed. Chen Hsin strode over and grabbed the other man, an almost pedantic anger flas.h.i.+ng across his face. Fluttering his long lashes, Zhang Zhun shot him a drunken stare. ”The h.e.l.l you're doing, getting all prim and proper now?”
”Cut!” the director called out as he removed his headphones. ”That was a pa.s.s!”
Chen Hsin and Zhang Zhun parted in silence, turning away from each other. The following shot would be filmed in the nude as well, just like their previous scene. As part of the preparation, a member of the crew turned on the shower in advance. After testing the water temperature, the staff indicated that the setup was ready for the actors' walk-through.
The camera moved into position. Chen Hsin seized the opportunity to start a conversation with Zhang Zhun, ”I think I can do without the rehearsal. What about you?”
Zhang Zhun shook his head in response, refusing to even spare a glance at the other man. Feeling defeated, Chen Hsin turned to Chen Cheng-Sen with a sullen expression and said, ”Let's just get down to it.”
The camera began rolling again. They stepped into the shower and stood under the water, cheek to cheek. Under the warm spray, their wet hair fell back from their faces. As tiny droplets scattered off their skin into a rising mist, Zhang Zhun made the first move and latched onto Chen Hsin's lips, kickstarting the most demanding make out scene in the entire film.
Stage directions: