IBKAWB Chapter 29

**Chapter 29: Precious**

Re-translated by: Namizaki

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Li Xi slipped furtively through the door, tiptoeing towards his bedroom. His hand had just touched the doorknob when Fu Jingshen’s voice drifted from the living room, low and eerie:

 

“Oh, the busy bee is back?”

 

Li Xi froze in shock. “You’re like a ghost!”

 

Fu Jingshen: “Why are you being so sneaky? Did you just return from a heist?”

 

Li Xi turned to face him, a cold smile playing on his lips. “No! I’m back from closing a deal!”

 

A deal?

 

Fu Jingshen stiffened, then sprang up from the sofa. “<The Patriot>?”

 

That couldn’t be right. <The Patriot> was a high-budget drama, and it was the work of a newcomer. Who would dare buy it? What kind of sucker would take that risk? Fu Jingshen had bet against Li Xi selling the script precisely because he was certain of two things: first, Li Xi lacked the connections; second, no client would dare throw money at such a gamble.

 

Li Xi lifted his chin. “Yes!”

 

Fu Jingshen’s expression turned grave as he extended his hand. “The contract!”

 

Li Xi: “Huh?”

 

Fu Jingshen: “I said, show me the contract. Or did you not sign one?”

 

Li Xi shook his head.

 

Fu Jingshen exhaled in relief. Without a contract, there was still room to maneuver. He rubbed his temples and patted the sofa beside him. “Come here, Li Xi. I need to talk to you.”

 

Still bristling, Li Xi stood stiffly by his bedroom door, his face cold.

 

Fu Jingshen immediately chuckled. “Still mad at me? I was wrong, okay? Come here and tell your Brother who you were discussing business with today.”

 

Li Xi slowly moved closer, feeling awkward. “I went to see Young Master Lu…”

 

After listening in silence for a few minutes, Fu Jingshen said, “I’ll go with you tomorrow.” He patted Li Xi’s head. “I shouldn’t have gotten upset over something so trivial. Good thing you went to Lu Yuzhou. Anyone else might have taken advantage of you.”

 

Truth be told, Lu Yuzhou was still a businessman at heart. While he wouldn’t outright cheat Li Xi, the naive fool, he certainly wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to profit.

 

Li Xi, oblivious to Fu Jingshen’s thoughts, lay on the sofa, daydreaming about how the script would look on screen. “What do you think about casting Brother Qiao as the male lead? He’d be perfect as the Imperial Preceptor…”

 

Fu Jingshen’s ears perked up at the name. “Brother Qiao?”

 

“Chi Zhongqiao,” Li Xi replied. “Didn’t you mention him before, saying he was a great actor?”

 

No wonder Lu Yuzhou was acting so innocent, Fu Jingshen thought, rolling his eyes inwardly. Chi Zhongqiao must have been there too.

 

Still, it was fortunate Chi Zhongqiao had been present. Otherwise, Li Xi might have sold himself to that bastard Lu Yuzhou and thanked him for it.

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

<Empress of the World> had concluded, and the day before its finale aired, the main cast for <Invisible Crime> was finally confirmed, with official character portraits shot. The announcement and portrait release coincided with the broadcast of <Empress of the World>’s final episode.

 

Chi Zhongqiao held the cast list, each name on it a mountain of weight.

 

The female lead, Yan Qingbo, was a genuine Jade Pot Award-winning actress, the biggest star in the entire production, and renowned for her acting prowess.

 

The male lead, Ge Fangyu, was a veteran actor who consistently came close to winning Best Actor awards. His lack of wins wasn’t due to any deficiency in his acting skills, but rather sheer bad luck—his competitors always seemed to star in slightly better projects.

 

Beyond the star-studded leads, the supporting cast was equally impressive, comprised of veteran actors and seasoned performers. The entire <Invisible Crime> production team was worlds apart from the hastily assembled crew of <Empress of the World>.

 

Chi Zhongqiao set down the list and let out a long sigh.

 

Zhuang Fu, ever concerned about the Little Prince’s future, immediately snatched the list to examine it.

 

Zhong Yin had already taken a peek and was so intimidated by the cast that he dared not utter a word, fearing even a loud breath might disturb Chi Zhongqiao’s deep contemplation.

 

Zhuang Fu gasped for air several times. “This… being in a production like this must be incredibly stressful, enough to crush a person.”

 

He glanced at Chi Zhongqiao’s expression and stammered, “You’re the youngest in the cast. Everyone will be more understanding when you join the set… This is also an incredible learning opportunity! Acting alongside so many seasoned actors—countless people would envy you to death!”

 

Chi Zhongqiao calmly replied, “I heard Senior Brother Zhou passed his audition.”

 

Zhuang Fu blinked in surprise. “Yes, yes, he did.”

 

After a moment’s thought, Chi Zhongqiao said, “He’ll probably join the set before me. He might be even more nervous. Brother Zhuang, should you go check on him?”

 

This is bad! Yunmo’s first time in a production like this—he’s probably too anxious to sleep!

 

Zhuang Fu immediately rushed out.

 

Zhong Yin whispered, “Brother Qiao, aren’t you nervous?”

 

Chi Zhongqiao replied, “Not at all. Every production by Director Fu has a star-studded cast like this. I knew what I was getting into when I accepted the role.”

 

The only thing he hadn’t anticipated was the female lead’s star power. He never imagined an A-list actress like Yan Qingbo would return to television dramas.

 

Zhou Yunmo, whose character had numerous scenes with the female lead, was likely to have a complete mental breakdown upon learning that Yan Qingbo would be playing the role.

 

Chi Zhongqiao took a sip of water and calmly said, “I’m heading to class.”

 

Zhong Yin, standing behind him, hesitated before blurting out, “Brother Qiao, you should at least check the trending topics! Your popularity is about to explode, and you’re still going to class?!”

 

Ever since the cast announcement for <Invisible Crime>—including the male and female leads and supporting roles—Chi Zhongqiao’s name had been repeatedly trending across forums and social media. Even his own fan groups and official fan page were in chaos.

 

Fans were frantically asking each other, “Is my son really going to be in <Invisible Crime>?”

 

“Seriously? Holy shit, my son’s getting serious clout now…”

 

“Baby Qiao’s really hitting the big time this time!”

 

“Wait, I still can’t quite believe it. That’s Fu Jingshen—he’s won so many major awards! The female lead is Teacher Yan, the male lead is Ge Fangyu, and every supporting actor is a recognizable veteran… and now Baby Qiao’s playing the second male lead?”

 

“Sisters, have faith in Qiao Qiao. His acting skills are more than up to par. He’s already worked with Teacher Yan on the show.”

 

“Holy shit! The official character posters are out!”

 

The once-lively group chat suddenly went silent. Ninety percent of the online members vanished, all rushing to the official account to spam the character posters.

 

Yan Qingbo’s poster undoubtedly took the top spot. The fierce female detective, bearing visible injuries, rested one hand on her hip holster while the other lightly touched the corner of a wall. Her gaze was cold and sharp.

 

Beneath the image, a flood of comments read: “I can’t take it! I’m gonna turn gay!”

 

Ge Fangyu’s poster followed Yan Qingbo’s. His character wasn’t a police officer but a forensic pathologist. Shedding his usual tough-guy image, Ge Fangyu, clad in a white lab coat, exuded the unique icy aura of a forensic scientist.

 

Further down…

 

A man in a black coat was arranging a vibrant bouquet. The bright sunlight and cheerful color palette of the scene contrasted sharply with the half-dried bloodstains frozen on the hand holding the shears.

 

The man’s gaze, fixed on the flowers, was as tender as if he were gazing at a lover from a past life. Yet his movements were ruthless, the base of the vase littered with crushed leaves and severed stems.

 

**Comments:**

 

[ I Hear Your Voice in the Wind V: Is this my Qiao? Is it really him? I didn’t even recognize him at first glance! ]

 

[ Instant Noodles Without Ham: Holy shit, is this the same actor who played Mu Yan? ]

 

[ Wild Ferry, No One: Method acting at its finest… This isn’t my Qiao Qiao! ]

 

Even those who weren’t Chi Zhongqiao fans were stunned by the photo. The promotional image itself had a warm, bright tone, and Chi Zhongqiao’s expression was perfectly normal—you could easily Photoshop him into any romance drama as the devoted second male lead. Yet, for some reason, it sent a chill down your spine.

 

[ Buried in Her Son’s Arm, Crying: Momma, is this… the villain or the devoted second male lead? He looks a bit dark, I’m scared. ]

 

These were some of the netizens. The other group, always with their peculiar angles, were adept at finding drama where none existed. Although Chi Zhongqiao’s role in <Invisible Sin> had nothing to do with Xu Xingzhou, the gossip-loving crowd couldn’t resist comparing the two.

 

[ Aiya, Xu Xingzhou debuted a year earlier than Chi Zhongqiao, yet his resources still seem inferior to Chi Zhongqiao’s. ]

 

[ He did play the male lead, but his popularity doesn’t seem to be growing as fast as CZQ’s, does it? ]

 

[ Isn’t CZQ the biggest winner of <Empress of the World>? He’s risen to the top in a single leap! His luck is truly unbelievable. ]

 

[ Uh… I heard XXZ’s next project is an idol drama? He’s still the male lead, though, so it’s not too bad, right? A male lead is a male lead. ]

 

[ “Not too bad”? Are you serious, upstairs? That’s Fu Jingshen we’re talking about, the director of masterpieces like <One Hundred Li Long Street> and <Four Weeks to Resurrection>! You think his scripts are on the same level as idol dramas? CZQ may not be the male lead, but he’s still the second male lead. A crime drama like <Invisible Sin> can’t revolve solely around the male and female leads; the second male lead will definitely be involved in the case plots and have substantial screen time. ]

 

[ Since ancient times, male leads and female leads have been loved, but since ancient times, second male leads have been even more beloved. I bet CZQ will become more popular than XXZ after <Invisible Sin> airs. I don’t know why, but I always felt their images were different. Even though CZQ is a newcomer, he carries himself with such grandeur. ]

 

[ It’s probably his acting skills. Not to brag, but the difference is obvious when he shares scenes with other actors. It’s just… different. They’re clearly on different levels. ]

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

Neither Chi Zhongqiao nor Xu Xingzhou paid much attention to the trending topic. Their focus was entirely on the Annual Drama Festival, scheduled for early January.

 

<Empress of the World> had been nominated.

 

Chi Zhongqiao hadn’t expected <Empress of the World> to qualify for this year’s festival, and he was genuinely surprised when the invitation arrived.

 

“Best Supporting Actor nomination, right?” Chi Zhongqiao asked as he tore open the invitation.

 

Zhuang Fu nodded.

 

Chi Zhongqiao glanced at the nomination list on his phone, formulating a rough plan. He set the invitation aside.

 

Zhuang Fu continued, “You have a strong competitor for Best Supporting Actor this year. Deng Pei from <Fragrance That Pierces the Bone> has really surged in popularity. His performance in that drama was outstanding, and he’s no newcomer either. His fan loyalty might even surpass yours, so for this award… you need to be prepared.”

 

While the majority of the Best Supporting Actor award’s votes came from the judges, online voting still accounted for a significant portion. This was where fan support would be crucial.

 

Deng Pei wasn’t exactly a newcomer, but he wasn’t an old-timer either. He and Xu Xingzhou had debuted around the same time, but Deng Pei had never achieved the same level of fame. This year, he played the second male lead in <Fragrance That Pierces the Bone>, and like Chi Zhongqiao, he became an overnight sensation. In terms of popularity, he was now nearly on par with Chi Zhongqiao.

 

Zhuang Fu glanced at Chi Zhongqiao’s expression and cautiously offered a preemptive warning.

 

Chi Zhongqiao remained calm, his heart rate steady as a straight line on a monitor. He was past the age of chasing fame, and he had a realistic assessment of his chances for winning an award.

 

Although <Fragrance That Pierces the Bone> initially seemed to be neck-to-neck with <Empress of the World>, both becoming major television hits this year, <Fragrance That Pierces the Bone> ultimately faltered in its later episodes. Its overall impact paled in comparison to <Empress of the World>, and due to its slightly weaker plot and themes, it fell short in award nominations.

 

Moreover, in the original novel, the second male lead from <Empress of the World> had won the Best Supporting Actor award, which served as a reassuring precedent.

 

Chi Zhongqiao said, “Awards can’t be rushed. If I win, I win; if not, it’s fine too. It’s almost noon, and I’m meeting Yuzhou for lunch. I’ll see you later.” With a wave, he left, leaving Zhong Yin and Zhuang Fu to exchange bewildered glances.

 

“Brother Qiao’s attitude is truly remarkable,” Zhong Yin marveled.

 

Zhuang Fu retorted, “It’s like the Emperor isn’t worried, but his eunuchs are dying of anxiety.”

 

Zhong Yin, filled with admiration for Chi Zhongqiao, insisted, “I really think Brother Qiao has a good chance. His performance was just too good! Seriously, Brother Zhuang, have you seen the <Empress of the World> supertopic? Half of it is filled with fan art of Brother Qiao. He’s genuinely popular, no less than Deng Pei.”

 

Zhuang Fu glared at him. “Don’t talk nonsense. Deng Pei has several acclaimed works and a fiercely loyal fanbase. How long has Zhongqiao been famous? Do his fans really have that kind of dedication?”

 

In this day and age, with so many voting campaigns, who would bother rallying support for someone they didn’t truly love?

 

Zhuang Fu continued, “I’m not trying to be pessimistic, but Deng Pei’s agency is strong, his Manager has connections, and his experience speaks for itself. We need to acknowledge this gap. Do you understand?”

 

Zhong Yin obediently lowered his head, but his heart remained unconvinced. He might lack professional expertise, but as a viewer, couldn’t he still recognize exceptional acting?

 

Deng Pei’s performance was good, but compared to Chi Zhongqiao’s portrayal of the Young General, it always felt like something was missing. It was hard to pinpoint exactly what, but it lacked that extraordinary, moving quality.

 

Besides, Brother Qiao’s magpie spirit and living Koi fish character is sure to win an award.

 

As the two were fretting, Chi Zhongqiao suddenly turned back. “The Annual Drama Festival is coming up soon, Brother Zhuang. Remember to arrange my outfit.”

 

Zhuang Fu slapped his forehead. “I almost forgot! I’ll get on it right now…”

 

“No need,” Lu Yuzhou, who was standing beside Chi Zhongqiao, interrupted. “I’ve already taken care of it.”

 

Zhuang Fu: “…President Lu?!” Right, Chi Zhongqiao had mentioned going to dinner with President Lu earlier.

 

Chi Zhongqiao turned to Lu Yuzhou. “When did you arrange this?”

 

Lu Yuzhou gently pulled him closer, and Chi Zhongqiao turned to face him. As they walked out together, Lu Yuzhou explained, “I had a feeling Brother Qiao might attend this year’s Annual Drama Festival, so I ordered it in advance. It should arrive in a few days. Brother Qiao can try it on for sizing. I’ve been busy these past few days and completely forgot about it until you mentioned it today.”

 

“What if I don’t end up needing it?”

 

“Then we’ll just keep it for later. It’s not like it’s anything precious.”

 

As their voices faded into the distance, Zhuang Fu stood rooted to the spot, feeling utterly insignificant as the Manager.

 

Zhong Yin craned his neck, his voice filled with envy. “President Lu is so good to Brother Qiao! He even had his clothes prepared in advance.”

 

How expensive are celebrity outfits? President Lu had casually dismissed them as “nothing precious.” That could only mean one thing: In President Lu’s eyes, Brother Qiao was far more precious.

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