IBKAWB Chapter 19

**Chapter 19: Acting**

Re-translated by: Namizaki

****************************

No one knew why Yan Qingbo had appeared in the public dressing room. Chi Zhongqiao suppressed his curiosity.

Yan Qingbo entered the dressing room and looked at Chi Zhongqiao, her eyes filled with admiration. “You truly understood the character.” While understanding a character was only the first step, the subsequent performance remained a challenge. Yet even this initial hurdle had tripped up countless actors.

Chi Zhongqiao replied, “I’m just showing off my amateur skills in front of a Master. I’m afraid I’ve made a fool of myself in front of you, Teacher Yan.”

Yan Qingbo smiled warmly, her gaze gentle. “Not at all. You’re remarkably talented. Besides, I’m a huge fan of the Young General. Seeing you in person, I realize you’re even more handsome than on TV.” Her words were sincere. Even seasoned actors who had been performing for years rarely grasped a character so deeply.

Yan, the Film Empress, was 32 years old this year, yet she still possessed the youthful beauty of a young maiden. When she teased, she raised her eyebrows slightly, exuding an utterly charming girlishness.

As a top-tier international Best Actress, Yan Qingbo possessed not only profound acting skills but also a captivating beauty that could bewitch anyone.

Chi Zhongqiao was surprised to learn that Yan Qingbo actually followed TV dramas.

He bowed slightly, his eyes lowered as if shy, and his voice softened. “You flatter me too much.”

Yan Qingbo nearly gasped, covering her mouth to stifle the sound. The moment Chi Zhongqiao lowered his head and spoke, she almost believed the shy, reserved Young General had stepped out of the fictional world and stood before her.

Even without editing or filters, Chi Zhongqiao perfectly replicated Mu Yan’s image.

Yan Qingbo couldn’t help but marvel inwardly: These newcomers are all little monsters. Their acting skills rival those of seasoned veterans I’ve worked with, and even I was completely drawn into the scene. Her earlier claim of being a Mu Yan fan wasn’t just polite flattery; she genuinely adored the character, so much so that she’d binge-watch the series even during filming breaks.

“It’s too crowded here, and the makeup artists are swamped,” Yan Qingbo suggested. “Why don’t we head to my private dressing room? We can go over the script together while we’re there.”

Indeed, the public makeup room was packed. Yan Cheng, having arrived early, had already secured a spot near the front. Xu Xingzhou, who had just entered, would likely face a long wait.

Yan Qingbo’s suggestion was perfectly reasonable, and the group readily followed her down the steps to her private dressing room.

As they left, Chi Zhongqiao glanced back. The young makeup artist who had applied his makeup was indeed gazing at him with wide, hopeful eyes. He smiled at her and pointed to the red bean milk tea on the table. “Drink it while it’s warm,” he said.

The girl had used products from her personal makeup kit, and Chi Zhongqiao could immediately feel the difference in texture compared to the standard supplies on the table.

The makeup artist blushed and turned away, her heart already brimming with sweetness even before taking a sip of the red bean milk tea. My son is so thoughtful, she thought, feeling lightheaded with happiness.

Even the single-person dressing rooms were ranked by status, though this ranking wasn’t explicit—it existed in the hearts of those who knew. Yan Qingbo’s private dressing room was barely smaller than the communal one, reserved for A-list celebrities.

Yan Cheng and Xu Xingzhou were experiencing this level of private dressing room for the first time. Xu Xingzhou’s earlier sour mood had noticeably improved. For newcomers like them, even being in the same room as the Best Actress was a dream beyond their wildest expectations.

As Yan Qingbo sat with her eyes closed while getting her makeup done, Xu Xingzhou stood nearby, mentally rehearsing how to strike up a conversation with the Film Empress.

Unlike the ambitious Xu Xingzhou, Yan Cheng was Yan Qingbo’s die-hard fan—the real deal. From the moment she saw Yan Qingbo, her cheeks flushed pink, and she seemed dazed, like a little lamb who’d just had a sip of wine.

Chi Zhongqiao whispered, “Let’s ask Teacher Yan for some autographs before the recording starts. Did you bring anything?”

Without hesitation, Yan Cheng pried open her phone case, pulled out several glossy photos, and then retrieved a neatly sealed shirt from her bag.

Chi Zhongqiao stared in confusion. “What’s this?”

Yan Cheng pressed her hand against the shirt’s packaging and whispered, “I bought it at an auction for a fortune. It’s a shirt Teacher Yan wore.”

Chi Zhongqiao: “…Impressive, truly impressive.” He pulled out two autographed photos, which he had prepared in advance. As a newcomer, it was only natural to ask a senior for two signatures. He had even worried that Yan Cheng might not have brought anything and planned to give her one of his.

Yan Cheng hugged the shirt gleefully. “These photos of yours are great too, and they’re limited edition! I don’t have any. After Teacher Yan signs them, can I buy one from you? Hey, Brother Qiao, would asking for five signatures be too greedy?”

Chi Zhongqiao replied, “I don’t know if that’s greedy, but I can’t give you my photos. I’m a big fan of Teacher Yan too.”

The original owner of his body had been a fan of Yan Qingbo, and after transmigrating, Chi Zhongqiao had watched several of her films, each one a masterpiece. He had even studied one film in particular, analyzing it repeatedly, making him a genuine fan of Yan Qingbo.

Yan Cheng: “Brother Qiao!”

“What’s all the commotion?”

Yan Qingbo, having finished her makeup, turned to look at the two of them and smiled.

She gestured to the makeup artist and said softly, “Come get your makeup done.”

Xu Xingzhou swallowed the words he was about to say, forced a smile, nodded to Yan Qingbo, and sat down in the chair to wait for his makeup.

Yan Qingbo settled onto the sofa, her eyes immediately landing on the photos spread across the coffee table. She couldn’t help but chuckle. “What’s all this about?”

Yan Cheng’s face flushed crimson. “I-I’m a fan of Teacher Yan, so I wanted to ask for an autograph…” Her voice trailed off as her blush deepened, her eyes darting furtively to the two photos Chi Zhongqiao held in his hand. She genuinely didn’t have those two.

Chi Zhongqiao snatched the photos and clutched them protectively to his chest, his message clear: Don’t even think about it!

He did like Yan Qingbo, but not to the point of guarding her photos like this. The real reason he cherished these photos was because Lu Yuzhou had gone to great lengths to find them for him.

Yan Cheng withdrew her gaze, visibly disappointed.

Yan Qingbo, amused by their antics, signed both their photos and casually picked up the script to chat. “There’s a talent show later. Should you two practice a bit more?”

Yan Cheng had signed up to play the flute, while Chi Zhongqiao had surprisingly chosen calligraphy.

Yan Qingbo’s curiosity piqued. “Qiaoqiao, you practice calligraphy?” She blushed slightly after using the nickname. “Your fans call you that. May I use it too?”

Chi Zhongqiao nodded. “Of course. I studied calligraphy for a while, so my handwriting is passable.”

In his early years, he frequently encountered setbacks in his career, leaving him restless and frustrated. To calm his mind and cultivate inner peace, he began developing hobbies to avoid dying of frustration from constant misfortune. However, being relatively young, he dabbled in many hobbies without truly mastering any, except for calligraphy. After practicing for nearly a decade, his handwriting had become remarkably beautiful.

Yan Qingbo couldn’t help but ask, “So the scene in episode 31 where Mu Yan writes a letter home was not done by a ghostwriter?”

She vividly remembered the exquisite calligraphy—the Young General, pen in hand beneath the lamplight, his strokes flowing gracefully across the page. The scene truly deserved the phrase “a beauty like jade.”

Chi Zhongqiao smiled and nodded.

Yan Qingbo exclaimed in amazement, “If “that” level of calligraphy is just ‘passable,’ then what hope do the rest of us have?”

Yan Cheng was equally envious. Her own handwriting was barely legible, and she had long coveted that letter, simply because the calligraphy was so stunningly beautiful.

As they chatted, Xu Xingzhou finished his makeup and quickly vacated the chair, allowing Yan Cheng to take her turn.

Xu Xingzhou sat on the sofa with a smile, having eavesdropped intently during his makeup session. As soon as he settled down, he smoothly interjected, “Teacher Yan, you’re performing a song, right? I especially love your rendition of the theme song from ‘Resentful Farewell’…”

Yan Qingbo maintained her gentle smile, listening attentively but saying little.

Yan Cheng turned back to her makeup, rolling her eyes at Xu Xingzhou’s words. Even his flattery is clumsy, she thought. His attempts at playing the straight man lack sincerity.

Yan Qingbo’s silence emboldened Xu Xingzhou to continue the conversation. Determined to establish himself as humble and eager to learn, he diligently sought her advice on acting techniques.

Just as Xu Xingzhou admitted his weakness lay in explosive emotional delivery, Yan Qingbo paused thoughtfully. “Let’s take a specific example,” she suggested gently. “In last night’s episode, the scene between you and Chi Zhongqiao…”

Xu Xingzhou’s face gradually turned green.

Chi Zhongqiao nearly burst out laughing, quickly lowering his head to pretend to be absorbed in his phone.

The Film Empress is ruthless, he thought. Xu Xingzhou’s face must feel like it’s been slapped with a stiletto heel.

Once Yan Cheng finished her makeup, the production crew arrived to call them for rehearsal. Although the show wasn’t live, there would be a live audience present during the taping.

The rehearsal went smoothly. Just as they were about to break for lunch, Chi Zhongqiao received a call from Lu Yuzhou. He answered, “Hey, Yuzhou? Yeah, I won’t be home for lunch. What’s up?”

Lu Yuzhou stood by the bedroom window, staring at the withered branches below. “Want me to bring you lunch?”

Chi Zhongqiao leaned back in his chair and chuckled. “Don’t be silly. It’s a good half-hour drive from home. Why not just take a nap?”

Hearing the slightly whiny tone in Lu Yuzhou’s voice, Chi Zhongqiao lowered his voice to coax him. “I’ll be back as soon as I’m done recording. It won’t be long. How about I bring you something nice when I get back?”

Lu Yuzhou’s mood gradually relaxed at the sound of Chi Zhongqiao’s voice. He sat on the windowsill and murmured in agreement. After chatting for a while longer, Lu Yuzhou, mindful of Chi Zhongqiao’s need to eat, finally hung up.

Yan Qingbo teased with a smile, “What was that? Girlfriend checking up on you?”

Chi Zhongqiao shook his head, laughing. “No, just the kid at home.”

Yan Cheng interjected, “Brother Qiao, that tone you used just now—that’s how you’d coax a girlfriend, not a kid! Come clean, are you seeing someone?”

Chi Zhongqiao said calmly, “This General’s heart belongs only to the nation. I have long since cast aside thoughts of life and death, let alone matters of romantic love.”

Yan Cheng scoffed, “That’s not true at all, Young General! You adore me!”

Yan Qingbo burst into laughter at their banter.

Xu Xingzhou, however, was still mulling over Yan Cheng’s casual remark, “That’s exactly how you’d coax a girlfriend.” Combined with Chi Zhongqiao’s expression when answering the phone, Xu Xingzhou’s gaze gradually turned subtle.

For a newly debuted male celebrity who relies on his looks to attract attention, having a romantic partner would be a devastating blow to his career. If exposed, it could cost Chi Zhongqiao over half his fanbase.

After all, the primary fan base of male stars consists of girlfriend fans and mother fans. Once a relationship is revealed, these fans are bound to desert him!

*************

**Author’s Note:**

Yan, the Film Empress: Come, let’s discuss that scene we had to reshoot multiple times! (*^ω^*)

Xu Xingzhou: QwQ

Beauty Qiao: *Eating popcorn*