My Beloved Has Risen from Death’s Embrace

“What should I do then?”

Xanthea looked at him with a puzzled expression, while Kevin shook his head, “If it were about your performance technique, I could guide you. But when it comes to romantic scenes, they're more about feeling than talking. You have to grasp that on your own. How about this? I’ll give you the day off today. You should take a good rest and dive into the script, trying to find the right feeling and state as soon as possible.”

“Okay.”

"Xan, I know it's tough for someone with little romantic experience, but the reunion scene between Maximus and Phoenix is one of the few emotional high points in the play, and also a highlight that enriches the character of Phoenix. Whether this drama becomes a hit could very well depend on this!

Also, I submitted the pilot proposal for 'Realm of Illusions' yesterday, just waiting for the initial episodes to get approved before it airs. Once it airs, we can't afford any slip-ups in the. subsequent shootings, or it'll all be for nothing. We’re pressed for time and burdened with heavy tasks; you must put your best effort!”

“I understand, Director. I’ll do my best to break through in the shortest time.”

Holding her script, Xanthea returned to her rest room to study it. She thought that reading through the script thoroughly would inspire her, but instead, the more she read, the more confused and agitated she became, losing even the initial state she had.

Love and hatred intertwined, what kind of emotion was that exactly?

“Xan.”Content © provided by NôvelDrama.Org.

There was a knock on the door. Xanthea looked up to see Benjamin in his costume, “Ben, are you done with your scenes?”

“Yeah.” Benjamin walked closer, noticing her furrowed brows and the crumpled script in her hands. “How’s it going? Haven't found the state yet?”

“No, and it seems to be getting worse. The shooting schedule is so tight right now, and I’m stuck at a crucial moment.”

“Don’t blame yourself. For someone who’s never formally studied acting, you’ve done incredibly well. Romantic scenes are different; they require actors to fully immerse and empathize, any slight flaw can be easily spotted by the audience.

It’s normal that you struggle with complex emotional changes since you’re not familiar with your co-star and haven’t been in love.”

“What should I do then?”

As Xanthea looked at him, she suddenly remembered he started as a child star and his reputation as the leading actor in the industry, a true "veteran" with extensive experience in romantic scenes.

“Ben, you’re a senior in the industry, do you have any quick tips for romantic scenes that you could teach me?”

“Quick tips?” Benjamin chuckled, “There are some, like if you could develop real feelings for your co-star like Phoenix does for Maximus, the performance would naturally blend with the character. You'll become Phoenix, and Phoenix will be you. Naturally, it will spark, achieving the perfect state.”

“Haha,” Benjamin laughed, “I was just joking. But seriously, if you really can’t find the right state, I do have some emergency acting techniques I can teach you.”

“Of course, what do you think I’ve been doing all these years? I’ve faced similar challenges and gradually figured out some techniques. They might not fool a professional insiders, but they can deceive the audience well enough.”

Benjamin saw her eager expression and smiled warmly, “Don’t get too excited yet. It’s not that simple. There are many concepts and details involved, and it can’t be explained in just a few words. Plus, it requires practice, and we don’t have time right now, I have more scenes this afternoon.”

“How about this evening?” He suggested. Then as if struck by a thought, he raised an eyebrow, “Xan, I heard from Mr. Lopez that you rented a place near the western areas of Crestwood for the shoot. How about I come over this evening and coach you?”

“No need to thank me.”

Benjamin genuinely smiled. He had thought she might hesitate, but unexpectedly, she didn’t seem guarded against him at all. Could it be that in her heart, he was also a very close friend?

In the evening, Benjamin finished his scenes and joined Xanthea in the car, heading to Sunset Hills Estates.

"Click."

April captured the two's silhouettes, flipping through the photos she had collected over the days. "Realm of Illusions" had been submitted for review and would soon be aired. It was time to leak these images before Xanthea became a sensation!

At the commercial center of Crestwood CBD, Twin Towers.

“President, Hans—the General Manager of Public Relations for Starlight Media, is at the front desk. He says he has something important to report. May I let him come up?”

“Yes, yes, I understand!”

The receptionist put down the phone and smiled politely at Hans, “You may go up now, our president is in his office.”

“Thank you!”