The Entire Entertainment Industry Knows the Best Actor Has a Crush on Me - Chapter 8

Qiao Zhiyu quickly pulled out several tissues and stuffed them into Pei Yuan’s hand.

“Wipe it off…”

Pei Yuan gripped the tissues, his face devoid of expression. “Is it that funny? All I see is a desperate man…”

“Pfft…” Qiao Zhiyu could no longer hold it back; his shoulders began to shake uncontrollably.

Everyone around them took note of their interaction, secretly speculating about the nature of their relationship. As the makeup artist worked, the director stood nearby, occasionally offering pointers.

“Trim Film King Pei’s wig again! I don’t want this rigid style, give it some design flair! If you have to, find an illustrator for reference! The same goes for the other wigs!!!”

The stylist scurried off with the wig in a panic.

The director then fixed his gaze intensely on Qiao Zhiyu, making the makeup artist hesitate to continue.

“Thin his eyebrows out more and give them a slight curve. I want that ‘willow in the wind’ look charming and captivating with a single smile.”

The makeup artist spoke up hesitantly, “But… that look is very picky about the face. What if he can’t pull it off…”

“With this face, you think he can’t pull it off? Question your own skills all you want, but don’t you dare question his face!”

“Time is tight, and the workload is heavy! Move it!!!”

The makeup artist dared not speak another word. The male leads were the core of the drama, so every detail of their appearance had to be multi-dimensional and perfect.

The Arrival of a Rival

On the other side of the room, some actors had finished their makeup and were heading out to try on costumes. A woman with striking, bright features emerged from a nearby dressing room, wearing an intricate headpiece and a very elaborate, high-quality costume.

She supported the heavy hairstyle with one hand while fanning herself with the other. Her tone was laced with complaint. “Director, this outfit is too thick. Can’t I wear fewer layers underneath?”

The director dismissed the request immediately. “The character you’re playing is an extravagant egoist. Only these layers can truly convey her wastefulness. Besides, autumn is almost here!”

The woman rolled her eyes privately. Just as she was about to argue, she spotted Pei Yuan sitting in the chair. Her expression shifted to one of delight; suddenly, the headpiece wasn’t heavy and she wasn’t hot.

“Yuan?! What are you doing here?”

Pei Yuan looked over, gave a polite nod, and greeted her. “Sister Bei Qianqing, what a coincidence.”

Qiao Zhiyu’s attention was also drawn toward her.

Bei Qianqing, aged thirty. Three years ago, she had collaborated with Pei Yuan on a serious drama where she played the mother of a missing child. Back then, their “CP” (couple pairing) had been incredibly popular. Bei Qianqing had reached the peak of her fame with that role, but since then, every project she touched had flopped. In recent years, she had faded from the public eye.

Likely due to her past success, she was somewhat arrogant, looking down on her juniors. Qiao Zhiyu knew from his past life that after a brief resurgence, she would soon be ruined by a “workplace bullying” scandal.

In this moment, Qiao Zhiyu greeted her politely, but she treated him as if he were invisible. He gave a mental shrug and closed his eyes, letting the makeup artist continue.

The Subtle Protection

“Zhiyu, can you give me a wet wipe?”

Qiao Zhiyu, who had just closed his eyes, immediately reached for a wipe, but a hand beat him to it. Bei Qianqing pulled out a wipe, her tone enthusiastic. “Did you get something dirty? Let me help you wipe it off, Yuan.”

Pei Yuan blocked her hand as she moved closer and took the wipe from her fingers. Instead of using it on himself, he took Qiao Zhiyu’s hand and carefully wiped away a bit of eyeshadow that had accidentally smudged onto the back of the younger man’s hand.

Qiao Zhiyu’s heart skipped a beat as he whispered a thank you.

Pei Yuan didn’t throw the wipe away afterward. He proceeded to wipe his own fingers long, well-defined fingers. Only after he finished did he speak slowly.

“Doesn’t Sister Qianqing need to adjust her makeup? You should get to work; after all, time is tight and the workload is heavy.”

Who wouldn’t understand the meaning behind those words?

Bei Qianqing gave a forced laugh and left the area with an unnatural expression. Back at her own station, she appeared fine on the surface, but she was fuming inside. We used to be equals! What’s with the ego now? If you’re so great, why are you here playing second lead? Who are you trying to impress?

No one cared what she thought. The entire crew was working at a frantic pace.

A Transformation Complete

After countless revisions to the wigs and makeup, they finally passed the director’s scrutiny. The stylists and makeup artists breathed a collective sigh of relief. The director’s aesthetic was indeed impressive; the two leads looked so good it felt as though they might fly away at any moment.

Qiao Zhiyu had two sets of looks: one for when his character was still a “Princess,” and one for when he reclaimed his identity.

Because of the limited staff, he had to handle the dressing himself. Fortunately, having worn these clothes in his past life, he knew exactly how they worked.

His first look was an apricot-yellow, chest-high Ruqun (traditional skirt) paired with a white silk Daxiushan (large-sleeve robe). Bright yellow and light green silk ribbons draped over his frame, creating a rich, layered effect. Since Chu Mingxin was a neglected princess, his hair remained loose and flowing, the old clothes of his late mother.

Standing before the camera, Qiao Zhiyu’s every smile and gesture looked like a person stepped out of a painting. The photographer gave an “OK” sign; the first set was a success.

They continued through several more changes, removing and reapplying makeup until 3:00 PM. Pei Yuan finished much earlier but didn’t leave; he stayed nearby to watch. Several actors tried to approach him, but the director shooed them away to keep the workspace clear.

By the time they wrapped up, it was 5:00 PM. The director announced: “Go home and pack tonight. Tomorrow, you check into the hotel for the script reading, and the day after, we officially start filming.”