IBKAWB Chapter 18

**Chapter 18: Film Empress Yan Qingbo**

Re-translated by: Namizaki

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Since it was Chi Zhongqiao’s first time recording a show, Zhuang Fu worried he might get nervous and mess up, so he decided to go along.

Chi Zhongqiao looked up and was surprised to see both Zhuang Fu and Zhong Yin. “You’re both here?”

Two tall, living men, each over 1.70 meters tall, were standing right in front of the car. How Chi Zhongqiao managed to completely ignore them remained a mystery.

Feeling like an invisible man, Zhuang Fu gave an awkward smile. “Yes, yes, we are.”

Zhong Yin blinked and smiled at Chi Zhongqiao.

Chi Zhongqiao seemed oblivious to the awkwardness, maintaining his perfect smile as he greeted them before getting into the car with Lu Yuzhou.

Lu Yuzhou had specifically chosen a spacious SUV. The two of them sat in the back, leaving Zhuang Fu and Zhong Yin to take the middle seats.

“Are all your exams finished?” Chi Zhongqiao asked, remembering Lu Yuzhou’s studies. “Once they’re done, you can finally relax a bit.”

Lu Yuzhou replied, “I still have two exams next week, but I can rest a bit now.”

He had indeed been exhausted lately, and even sitting in the car, drowsiness washed over him.

Only when Chi Zhongqiao leaned closer did he notice the fatigue on Lu Yuzhou’s face. Regretting having agreed for him to come, Chi Zhongqiao thought for a moment and said, “It’s quite a drive. Why don’t you sleep for a while?”

Lu Yuzhou really wanted to talk to Chi Zhongqiao for a while. He had been so tense lately, and only when he saw Chi Zhongqiao could he truly relax. He had hoped to chat during the drive, but as soon as he got into the car, he was overcome with exhaustion.

Chi Zhongqiao frowned at the dark circles under Lu Yuzhou’s eyes. “Just sleep. Don’t force yourself to stay awake.”

Lu Yuzhou couldn’t resist any longer. He drifted off to sleep to the soothing sound of Chi Zhongqiao’s voice. In his hazy state, he felt a familiar scent approach and a soft fabric gently draped over him.

This scent…

It’s Brother Qiao’s cologne.

The thought flickered through Lu Yuzhou’s mind before he was pulled into the depths of sleep.

Chi Zhongqiao sighed, resting his cheek on his hand as he watched Lu Yuzhou. Growing boys need their sleep, but this kid is so busy and stressed. He probably lies awake many nights, unable to rest.

Sleeping in the car wasn’t ideal, but at least he was sound asleep.

Chi Zhongqiao pulled out a magazine and began flipping through it slowly.

With Lu Yuzhou asleep, Zhuang Fu had his first close look at the “Prince of Zhaohui” who had suddenly appeared. Knowing he couldn’t be seen, he couldn’t resist glancing at Lu Yuzhou in the rearview mirror. He was intensely curious about the relationship between Lu Yuzhou and Chi Zhongqiao, and his gaze carried a hint of speculation.

Just then, Chi Zhongqiao suddenly looked up and smiled at the rearview mirror.

Zhuang Fu’s heart skipped a beat. He instinctively turned his head, feeling the partition behind him slowly lower. He didn’t dare look back at Chi Zhongqiao’s expression.

Forcing down his embarrassment, Zhuang Fu glanced sideways at Zhong Yin, the usually quiet assistant beside him. Zhong Yin had been staring down at his phone since they got in the car, not once looking toward the back.

Chi Zhongqiao sighed inwardly. Zhuang Fu, as an agent, is too unqualified. In this situation, he should be like Zhong Yin, minding his own business and not letting his curiosity run wild.

He didn’t need to guess what Zhuang Fu was wondering about his relationship with Lu Yuzhou. While agents do have some right to inquire about their artists’ personal lives, any questions should be asked privately. Constantly staring at Lu Yuzhou just because they’re in the same car… it’s incredibly rude.

Chi Zhongqiao gazed at Lu Yuzhou’s profile, feeling a twinge of annoyance. It’s probably because Lu Yuzhou is young, so he doesn’t show the respect due to a major boss.

Moreover, Zhuang Fu’s reactions were far too slow for an agent.

Chi Zhongqiao closed his eyes.

Forty minutes later, the SUV pulled up in front of the Ginger Candy TV building.

Chi Zhongqiao slowly stepped out of the car and knocked on the driver’s window.

The driver quickly lowered the window. Chi Zhongqiao leaned in and whispered, “Drive carefully on the way back.”

The driver murmured, “Should I wait for you?”

Chi Zhongqiao shook his head. “Take Young Master Lu home. I’ll get back myself after the recording.”

The driver nodded.

Chi Zhongqiao straightened up and watched the SUV disappear into the traffic. Instead of entering the building immediately, he went to a nearby shop and bought a red bean milk tea to take inside.

Ginger Candy TV’s flagship program, <Meeting You>, frequently invited the lead actors from their hit dramas to participate, aiming to boost viewership.

Chi Zhongqiao, lacking the star power of his peers, sat in the communal dressing room, waiting for his makeup. Zhuang Fu had gone to schmooze with the production crew, leaving Zhong Yin to stay by Chi Zhongqiao’s side.

Having arrived early, Chi Zhongqiao distributed the red bean milk tea he’d bought to everyone in the dressing room, greeting them warmly.

The makeup artist was a young woman who had recently joined the team. A devoted fan of the <Empress of the World>, her favorite character was Mu Yan, played by Chi Zhongqiao. After following his Weibo account, she had become a full-fledged “mother fan.”

Yes, you read that right—a genuine “mother fan.”

Now, as she gazed at Chi Zhongqiao, she saw him as her own son.

Aiya, my son is even more handsome in person than on TV! So tall and well-built!

Chi Zhongqiao, clutching his red bean milk tea, stiffened under the intense, maternal gaze of the twenty-something year old makeup artist.

The makeup artist, brush in hand, smiled shyly. “Hello, Brother Qiao.”

Chi Zhongqiao quickly set his red bean milk tea on the table and replied with a smile, “Just call me by my name. You must be tired from work. Have something warm to drink.”

The makeup artist’s expression remained blank, but her inner world had already exploded:

Aaaah, my son gave me something! He’s so well-behaved, fair-skinned, and adorable!

Chi Zhongqiao carefully stepped forward and sat down in the chair, turning to look at the makeup artist. “Excuse me…”

The makeup artist gripped her brush tightly, her eyes burning with intensity. “Yes!”

Chi Zhongqiao: “…Can you… start my makeup now?”

Makeup artist: “Yes!” I can!

Even the oblivious Chi Zhongqiao realized the girl’s enthusiasm was excessive. A thought struck him: This young lady must be a fan. His heart softened, and he smiled at her.

A blush crept across the makeup artist’s face. She felt she might lose control and pounce on him if she kept looking. Patting her cheeks, she lowered her head and opened her personal makeup bag. She didn’t want to use products others had used on her son; she felt safer using her own.

Chi Zhongqiao closed his eyes.

This time, the main cast of the <Empress of the World> weren’t the show’s main draw. The program’s star attraction was the renowned actress Yan Qingbo.

As the makeup artist applied cosmetics to his face, Chi Zhongqiao mentally reviewed his impressions of Yan Qingbo.

Yan Qingbo had already established herself internationally, making her one of China’s top actresses. The show had only managed to secure her appearance because the show’s planner was her close friend. Without their deep connection, it would have been impossible to book her. She had recently spent several months filming a movie abroad and had just returned to make a public appearance on the show, likely to promote her completed film.

What Chi Zhongqiao couldn’t understand was why a major figure like Yan Qingbo, who deserved her own special episode, would be a guest alongside them.

This question could likely only be answered by the production team or Yan Qingbo herself.

The <Empress of the World> cast would appear in the second half of the show, participating in activities alongside Yan Qingbo. After finishing his makeup, Chi Zhongqiao moved aside to make room for others waiting for their turn.

As he reviewed the event schedule, Yan Cheng arrived.

“Good morning! My Lord, you look more radiant every day!”

Chi Zhongqiao put down his phone and greeted Yan Cheng with a smile.

Yan Cheng was currently riding a career high, and her mood was buoyant. Seeing Chi Zhongqiao, her smile blossomed like a flower. “Good morning!”

During their time on the <Empress of the World> set, Yan Cheng had often sought Chi Zhongqiao’s guidance on acting techniques. Over those months, her skills had improved dramatically, and she felt deeply grateful to him.

Chi Zhongqiao handed her a cup of red bean milk tea to warm her hands.

While waiting for her makeup, Yan Cheng eagerly leaned closer to Chi Zhongqiao.

“Teacher Chi, can I ask you something?”

Chi Zhongqiao replied, “Just call me by my name.”

“No, no, no, Teacher Chi, you absolutely must help me!” Yan Cheng pleaded urgently. “It’s like this: my agent got me a role, and I’ve been struggling with the script, completely confused about how to portray the character.”

The <Empress of the World> had become an unexpected hit, and Yan Cheng’s acting skills had improved significantly. Higher-tier production teams began extending offers to her. With a keen eye for quality, she chose an excellent script. Though she was playing a supporting role, the character was likable and had ample screen time.

However, the role proved challenging to embody. In private rehearsals, she couldn’t recapture the effortless fluidity and naturalness she’d felt on set.

“What kind of character is it?” Chi Zhongqiao asked.

“She’s very obsessive, almost crazed when it comes to love,” Yan Cheng explained. “Yet she’s also capable of withdrawing immediately after realizing she’s chosen the wrong person. Doesn’t that seem contradictory?”

“Not at all,” Chi Zhongqiao replied. His smile softened slightly as he spoke about acting. He tapped his slender, pale fingertips on the table, pondering aloud, “Yan Cheng finds it difficult to portray because she hasn’t fully grasped the character’s essence. A character can maintain composure even in moments of madness. Or perhaps she knows her devotion is excessive, even obsessive, but chooses to act on it anyway.”

Yan Cheng, recording with her phone, nodded frantically. “En, en!”

Chi Zhongqiao continued slowly, “Everyone interprets and performs characters differently. Since I don’t have the script, I’ll just give a hypothetical example: I imagine this character is naturally calm. When she becomes infatuated with someone, her emotions are frenzied, but her rationality remains clear—almost like a split personality.”

“Exactly, exactly!” Yan Cheng nodded vigorously, amazed. “That’s incredible! You even guessed her character traits! How would you portray that?”

Chi Zhongqiao replied, “Everyone has their own approach. If it were me, I’d separate the physical and emotional expressions. While your body conveys intense infatuation, your eyes don’t need to be overly sentimental.”

Yan Cheng exclaimed, “Right! Why didn’t I think of that?”

“Clap, clap, clap!”

They turned toward the half-open dressing room door to see a tall, beautiful woman looking at Chi Zhongqiao with admiration. Behind her stood Xu Xingzhou, his face ashen.

Chi Zhongqiao and Yan Cheng stood up simultaneously. “Teacher Yan.”

It was the Film Empress herself, Yan Qingbo, the reigning Best Actress!

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**Author’s Note:**

Young Master Lu: Ah—it’s Brother Qiao’s cologne.

Chi Zhongqiao: Refined Boy / Brother-Husband Obsessed? Do you like it? I’ll buy ten or eight bottles tomorrow and keep them at home for you to use as air freshener.

Young Master Lu: No, thank you.