Chapter 21.1 (1/2)
Deep in the Act
Translator: Kotoni
Editor: Isalee
First Published on Chaleuria
Chapter 21.1
The photoshoot ended after three in the afternoon. On their way back, Zhou Zheng received a call in the car. After making some acquiescent noises on the phone, he instructed the driver, ”Head straight to the KTV lounge, the one we went to previously.” Then, he turned around and explained, ”The director's throwing a welcome party for you, Wu-laos.h.i.+.”
Wu Rong was quite the party animal: he relished excitement, he enjoyed having fun, and he loved the feeling of alcohol rus.h.i.+ng to his head. ”Took him f***ing long enough!” he exclaimed, ”I'd quit if he put it off any longer!”
Chen Hsin sat coldly in the middle row. He looked into the rearview mirror and saw Zhang Zhun's hair showing up as a black spot in the corner of the back row. He knew nothing about Zhang Zhun's second shoot with Wu Rong; similarly, Wu Rong knew nothing about their shoot either. He was the first to get out of the vehicle when they reached their destination, but he hung back on purpose and waited. As Zhou Zheng emerged from the car, Chen Hsin pulled him aside. ”They're filming a bedroom scene next?”
Lighting a cigarette for the other man, Zhou Zheng replied in the affirmative, ”Yes, with a closed set.”
Closed set. Feeling a little sour, Chen Hsin asked, ”When is he leaving?”
”Probably this weekend,” Zhou Zheng answered, knowing whom Chen Hsin was referring to. ”He doesn't have many scenes left.”
They snuffed out their cigarettes, crushed the sticks underfoot, and entered the lounge together. When they opened the door to the room, they saw countless bottles of beer waiting on the tabletop. The main light was on. Seated on the black soft couch, Wu Rong slung an arm around Zhang Zhun, hugging the other man with a cigarette in his hand. He leaned in close, making a nuisance of himself as he bugged Zhang Zhun for a joint number, ”But why? C'mon, what's wrong with singing 'Clingy' with me?”
”No go.” Zhang Zhun was puffing away on a cigarette as well. ”Your taste in music sucks.”
As they continued bantering back and forth, the rest of the crew arrived. Chen Cheng-Sen headed straight for Wu Rong as soon as he stepped through the door, insisting on exchanging first drinks with him. A great lover of alcohol, Wu Rong immediately knocked back three drinks without fuss. Then, pointing at the jukebox machine, he ordered, ”'Clingy', by Second-Hand Rose!”1
Wu Rong loved rock music, Northwestern and Northeastern styles alike. When the music came on, he began hollering at the top of his lungs:
Together we row, looking at the scenery, looking at the scenery
Rowing till the boat leaks, the water rusts
Together we ride the wind, looking at the scenery, looking at the scenery
Riding till the wind is randy, the mist scorched
Not understanding what Wu Rong was singing, Chen Hsin turned around to look at the subt.i.tles on-screen:2
Third watch, together we enter your bedroom
Getting onto your ivory bed
Unb.u.t.toning the flower bag, releasing the scent of chrysanthemum
A fresh flower is picked by this lad, hiya, oh hiya
You're asking me if it's nice
Still confused, he turned to Xiao-w.a.n.g, who was sitting next to him. ”What's this song about, exactly?”
Xiao-w.a.n.g was a little embarra.s.sed by the question. Cupping a hand around Chen Hsin's ear, he whispered, ”It's about that sort of thing!”