Shadow of Chinese Entertainment

Chapter 293 The Four Great Evil Arts
Hu Xiaobei wiped his mouth with a tissue, and out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that An Xiaoqian's ear tips were still flushed. So he deliberately cleared his throat to divert her attention.

"By the way, I already told the crew yesterday that we're taking a break today."

He finished his last sip of milk and suggested, "How about I take you to Yuntai Mountain? I've heard that the Red Stone Gorge there is particularly spectacular."

An Xiaoqian had just put the last small bite of the bun into her mouth when her fingertips unconsciously rubbed against the water glass, her heart filled with both anticipation and trepidation.

As a national superstar, every time she goes out shopping, it's like an adventure.

In this era, it's common to see celebrities surrounded by fans and passersby, and she certainly didn't want to cause such a commotion.

If he's photographed with Hu Xiaobei again, it might cause another public outcry and bring him unnecessary trouble.

Moreover, she was going back to Beijing that night, and she really didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble or waste the time she could spend alone with Hu Xiaobei.

An Xiaoqian looked up at Hu Xiaobei, a hint of helplessness in her eyes: "I want to too... but..."

She swallowed her food, puffed out her cheeks, and shook her head hesitantly: "Given my current condition, walking on the street would probably cause some trouble."

Besides, I'm heading back to Beijing tonight, so I'd better not. What if I get photographed…”

Hu Xiaobei smiled easily on the surface and even flicked her forehead, but secretly he breathed a sigh of relief.

If you want to go out, things will be easy.

He knew all too well how dangerous it would be to stay in the hotel with An Xiaoqian; the undercurrent of feelings between them could break through the defenses of reason at any moment.

Fortunately, he was prepared.

"That's it? These are minor issues, I'll handle them."

As he spoke, he quickly cleared away the dishes and utensils on the table.

Then, she got up, took out a makeup bag she had prepared in advance from the storage cabinet in the living room, placed it on the dining table, and said smugly, "Look what this is! I'll use my disguise technique on you, and I guarantee no one will recognize you."

The moment the makeup bag was opened, various makeup brushes and bottles were neatly arranged, gleaming softly in the morning light.

An Xiaoqian's eyes lit up as she leaned closer for a closer look, her heart filled with both anticipation and doubt: "Oh, so you prepared all this. But can you really disguise yourself so well that no one will recognize you?"

She tilted her head with a hint of disbelief, her round and cute bun swaying slightly.

In her mind, although Hu Xiaobei's makeup skills were extremely superb, it was still somewhat unbelievable that he could actually use his disguise skills like A Zhu to completely turn himself into a stranger.

After all, very few people in China still associate makeup with disguise.

Moreover, these days, film crews' makeup artists tend to deliberately beautify or uglify characters to fit their established personas, and haven't yet reached the level of the four great Asian sorceries.

(PS: The "Four Great Evil Arts of Asia" are Thai sex reassignment surgery, Korean plastic surgery, daily makeup techniques, and Chinese Photoshop skills.)
"You underestimate me, don't you!"

Hu Xiaobei deliberately raised an eyebrow and tapped her makeup bag lightly with her fingertips: "When we were filming 'Becoming Yourself,' didn't I do your middle-aged makeup? Didn't it look good?"

He appeared confident on the surface, but inside he was still a little nervous, afraid that An Xiaoqian would reject him.

After all, this was the first time he had ever tried this kind of disguise makeup.

An Xiaoqian shook her head and said honestly, "That makeup makes me look very young, not like a middle-aged person at all."

Hu Xiaobei was somewhat speechless and complained, "My makeup is quite realistic, but you're so beautiful and look so young. What can I do? Blame me for being too realistic?"

An Xiaoqian chuckled, glanced at him, and smiled knowingly.

Seeing this, Hu Xiaobei suddenly leaned closer and lowered his voice, his warm breath gently brushing against her ear: "Believe it or not... I can disguise you into the appearance of my dream lover later?"

An Xiaoqian's cheeks flushed instantly, but she quickly realized something was wrong and feigned anger, saying, "Hmm? You have a dream lover?"

Despite saying that, she obediently walked to the dressing table and sat down, ready to see what Hu Xiaobei's so-called dream girl makeup looked like. Hu Xiaobei put the tableware in the kitchen, washed his hands, and came out, leaving only his shadow washing the dishes in the kitchen.

He took his makeup bag to the vanity, took out the sunscreen first, and paused deliberately when he dipped his fingertips into the cream, trying to calm his slightly agitated mood.

"Close your eyes."

His voice was sweet as honey, and his fingertips gently touched An Xiaoqian's cheek, pushing it outwards.

An Xiaoqian obediently closed her beautiful eyes in cooperation.

Hu Xiaobei focused intently on adjusting the shadow on her jawline, reminding herself to concentrate on makeup and not let her mind wander.

But with An Xiaoqian's stunningly beautiful face right in front of him, how could he not have any thoughts while he was doing whatever he wanted?
Feeling her delicate and tender skin, Hu Xiaobei pretended to be calm, but deep down a voice kept saying: Why not suck it a couple of times? It would be so sweet!

The cool touch made An Xiaoqian unconsciously shrink her neck, but she heard Hu Xiaobei's warm and magnetic voice from above her head: "Don't move, or don't blame me if I make you look ugly."

When the foundation brush sweeps across the cheeks.

An Xiaoqian couldn't help but secretly open her eyes, only to be met with Hu Xiaobei's focused gaze. She was momentarily dazed, and her heart skipped a beat.

She was about to speak when Hu Xiaobei stopped her with a look and waved the brush on her nose as a threat: "If you move again, I'll turn you into a matchmaker."

An Xiaoqian, succumbing to the tyranny, had no choice but to close her beautiful eyes and fragrant lips.

Hu Xiaobei reached out and tucked her unruly stray hairs behind her ear. His fingertips touched the skin behind her ear, sending a tingling sensation through him.

He didn't dare to think too much, and then lightly swept the eyeshadow brush, which was dipped in light brown powder, across her eyelids: "This time, I'll give you a natural makeup look..."

He paused, then added, "Just consider it an early adaptation..."

An Xiaoqian took the opportunity to open her beautiful eyes and look up at him: "Adapt to what?"

The two were very close, close enough to see the smiles in each other's eyes.

Hu Xiaobei's Adam's apple bobbed, and he gently tapped the tip of her nose with an eyebrow pencil: "Of course, it's about getting used to the way you look when you go out on a date with your boyfriend."

An Xiaoqian couldn't help but smile.

Before she could even try to be affectionate, Hu Xiaobei quickly picked up an eyebrow pencil and changed the subject: "You should draw your eyebrows flatter to make them look gentler."

When the loose powder from her makeup bag was applied to her pretty face, it looked like a layer of starlight was sprinkled on her face in the sunlight, raising tiny gold dust.

Hu Xiaobei took out a lipstick and deliberately waved it in front of her as she unscrewed the cap: "This color suits you very well."

After saying that, he ran his thumb across her lower lip and said, "Close your eyes and open your mouth."

An Xiaoqian obediently closed her beautiful eyes and then obediently opened her lips.

The lipstick smoothly outlined her lips, but Hu Xiaobei's gaze suddenly froze on her fragrant lips.

He recalled the heated debate of that night, feeling his reason being overwhelmed by desire, and kept thinking of adding words after "open your mouth".

But he still suppressed his impulse and tried his best to complete the final makeup.

Just as their breaths were about to mingle, he suddenly leaned back, and with lingering fear, put the lipstick back into his makeup bag.

"Alright, take a look in the mirror!" For some reason, his voice was a bit deeper than before.

The girl in the mirror had soft eyebrows and eyes, and light brown eyeshadow made her eyes bright. Her lips were slightly full. Although she was very beautiful, she looked completely different from An Xiaoqian's previous appearance.

(End of this chapter)