Chapter 37: Steamed Buns

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After solving the most difficult set of makeup and styling,

Sister Xu became even more proficient with the following three looks.

Second Look: Dark-patterned Battle Armor after Demonization (the later blackening transformation).

Makeup and Hairstyle: Long hair is completely disheveled, with the hair color shifting to dark red or deep purple, paired with blood-colored eye makeup and demonic facial patterns to highlight the frenzied state after demonization.

Third Look: Bound Hair with Golden Patterns and Grand Attire (Banquet/Negotiation scenes).

Hairstyle and Accessories: The hair is fully bound within a golden crown inlaid with malachite, with fine gold chains dangling from both sides; long silver earrings are worn to balance the sense of luxury with an aura of evil.

And the final look: Light-colored, flowing gauze robes (Daily life/First encounter with Hua Qiangu).

This was also the least strenuous,

Simply wiping away the outlined eyeliner to reveal Gu Qing's original state.

Long hair hangs loosely over his shoulders, with only a small silver ornament tucked behind one ear, providing a visual impact of "gender ambiguity" that perfectly fits the plot point where Hua Qiangu mistakenly calls him "Sister" during their first meeting.

By the time these four sets of makeup were finished,

The bright sky had long since faded.

"Director, can I go now?"

Gu Qing's waist was numb from sitting; he reached out, wanting to strip off the light-colored gauze robes.

"Ah Gu, wait a moment. Just wear this outfit and take a photo with Liying. The crew can use it for promotion later."

After a few hours of interaction,

As Gu Qing naturally radiated his charm, even Lin Yufen had changed her way of addressing him, and their relationship had become closer.

"Ah Gu?"

This familiar form of address made Gu Qing somewhat miss his Teacher Zhang.

He stood up and walked toward the exit with steady, measured steps.

In contrast to his role as the second male lead,

As the female lead, Zhao Liying's styling was even more complex and troublesome; she was still enduring the "torture" of the makeup artist.

"Knock, knock~"

"Liying, is it convenient to come in?"

"Director Lin, please, come in."

Hearing Lin Yufen's voice, the sleepy Zhao Xiaodao immediately perked up.

In order to star in *Hua Qiangu*, she had even gone to blows with her manager.

The biggest reason was the quality of the director,

Which made Zhao Liying believe this drama would be a hit!

Though she was unrefined and a bit clumsy, just an ordinary girl from the countryside...

It was precisely because she was ordinary,

That Zhao Liying understood what kind of television dramas ordinary girls like to watch!

For example, the conventional idol dramas where three women chase one man, throwing themselves recklessly into love, even facing tragic endings where they sacrifice themselves.

*Hua Qiangu* was the reverse: three men chasing one woman, each being loyal to love and remaining steadfast to the female lead until death.

How could an ordinary girl with fantasies about love not love it?

"Liying, look who I've brought with me!"

Lin Yufen pushed the door open with a smile.

"Who?"

Zhao Liying leaned against her chair, tilting her head in confusion. Upon seeing the newcomer, her mouth hung slightly open

Gu Qing stood against the backlight, his light purple gauze robes billowing in the draft, the silver ornament tucked in his wig reflecting a cold, starlight-like shimmer as he looked up.

"Pre..." Gu Qing prepared to greet her.

Zhao Liying: "Who are you?"

Gu Qing: "?"

"Hahaha, in the drama, you have to call him 'Sha Jiejie' (Kill Sister)."

Lin Yufen's laughter was very hearty.

"Sha Jiejie?"

Zhao Liying froze for a moment, then her bun-faced expression turned to one of disbelief. "Wait, you... you are Gu Qing's younger brother?"

"Mhm."

Gu Qing gave a forced smile.

"Sister, stop for a second!"

Zhao Liying spoke to the makeup artist,

Dragging her light purple gauze skirt, she jogged over to Gu Qing's side, circling him like a butterfly.

Cupping her bun-like face, she looked up, her large eyes sparkling with excitement, making "wow" sounds incessantly.

"Little brother, you are way too good-looking!"

"Thanks, I'm a man."

"Sha Jiejie, you are way too good-looking!"

"..."

"Ow, ow, ow—"

"Sha Jiejie, don't use so much force, my makeup is going to smudge!"

Zhao Liying struggled and pleaded for mercy.

Beside them, Lin Yufen wore an "auntie smile."

In the storyline she was filming, Gu Qing and Zhao Liying were her male and female leads; she desperately wanted them to get along well.

As for Huo Jianhua?

Not close!

"Little brat, go back to your makeup."

Gu Qing pushed away the small head leaning in close, returning the lines from the script.

This venomous tongue of his truly made one want to give him a swat.

Once Zhao Liying finished her styling,

Under the guidance of the lights and the photographer, Gu Qing struck poses and finished his promotional photos.

"Sha Jiejie, can I take a photo of you?"

Zhao Liying raised her phone, asking with great anticipation.

"Sorry, Liying, our flight is about to depart, we have to leave in a hurry..."

Li Li quickly took hold of Gu Qing, apologetically pulling him away.

During this period,

Zhao Xiaodao had been slandered by her manager as a "low-class woman."

How would she dare let Gu Qing take a photo with her?

If it were posted,

Wouldn't her precious baby's reputation be ruined?

"But I meant... just take one of him..."

Watching his departing back, Zhao Liying's expression dimmed as she murmured to herself.

Why did no one believe that she had never done those things?

The slandering manager had already been sued,

But it would take some time to win the case.

Or even after the clarification,

Would those netizens who hated her feel any shame for their insults?

"Sister Liying, look at Teacher Gu!"

Her little assistant beside her called out excitedly in a low voice.

"What?"

Zhao Liying instinctively looked up, only to collide with a pair of gentle eyes.

The youth was being pulled backward by his manager; his light purple gauze robes billowed in the wind like flowing clouds, and the silver ornament in his hair jingled, shattering the glow of the sunset behind him.

Gu Qing suddenly raised his right hand a bit higher to make Li Li's pulling less awkward, while his other hand quietly made a crooked peace sign toward Zhao Liying

"Remember to use a beauty filter."

*Click—*

Zhao Liying pressed the shutter button on her phone, reading his meaning through his lip movements.

"Pfft—"

Her almond eyes curved into crescents, and her lips curled up before her consciousness could catch up; her two cheeks of baby fat puffed out with her smile, glowing like freshly steamed buns.

"Xiao Yu..."

"What is it, Sister Liying?"

"The sunset is so beautiful..."

"But I think Teacher Gu is even more beautiful."

The little assistant was completely mesmerized. "He's so kind and polite, he's exactly like he is on the *Running Man* show!"

Working as an assistant in the entertainment industry,

One expects to have close contact with their favorite idols or artists.

But once they actually do, many assistants undergo a process of "disenchantment."

You can never imagine what glamorous-looking artists might do in private.

"By the way, Sister Liying, you just met Teacher Gu and immediately said he 'acted well.' I was scared to death."

The little assistant patted her chest in trepidation. "Luckily he was magnanimous and didn't take it personally, otherwise you would have been criticized again."

"Is saying he acted well wrong?"

Zhao Liying was somewhat dazed.

"Teacher Gu is filming a variety show, a reality show! Sister, when you say he 'acted well,' aren't you mocking him for being fake?"

The little assistant said earnestly, "You didn't see Teacher Gu's manager's face—it turned pitch black when he heard you say that!"

"Fortunately Teacher Gu didn't mind and even smiled at you. But then you said he looks like a woman... who talks to people like that?"

"I..."

Zhao Liying hugged her head in embarrassment, her face falling. "Am I... am I that stupid?"

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(End of Chapter)