"I'm in the Dragon Clan, what the heck is the Naruto Counterattack System?"

"Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic!"

Inside the dressing room, the director paced back and forth, sighing with regret.

She suddenly turned her head to look at Qi Xiuyuan sitting in the makeup mirror, and said excitedly, "That improvisation just now was divine! That expression, that line, the tension was just too good!!"

Although it was known that this guy was a child star, it didn't change the fact that Qi Xiuyuan was only fourteen or fifteen years old. The director only agreed because of his status as a producer and financial backer, and didn't have any hope of success at all.

Let alone playing a serial killer, he'd be lucky to even make a funny face.

In his mind, all Qi Xiuyuan could do was widen his eyes and deliberately create a creepy feeling.

Unexpectedly, it gave him such a big surprise!

Everyone else's acting is so convincing, but Qi Xiuyuan's acting is completely unlike that.

The innocence and cruelty, naivety and madness of childhood are mixed together, and it looks perfectly natural!

"That's incredible." The director shook his head and clicked his tongue in amazement, saying, "We've worked together so many times, and I knew you could play a good boy well, but I never expected you could handle such a complex role."

"Anyone who didn't know better would really think you'd killed people, and not just one or two."

Upon hearing this, Qi Xiuyuan, who was removing his makeup, smiled, but the smile seemed to have a deeper meaning.

Glancing at the male protagonist who was still not recovered in the distance, Qi Xiuyuan shook his head and said humbly, "Actually, it's all thanks to the feedback from the senior. That sense of fear was so real that it made me look like a murderer."

"..."

Upon hearing this, one of the male protagonists twitched the corner of his mouth.

"Your scenes are finished. I'm going to prepare for the next one."

The director patted Qi Xiuyuan on the shoulder forcefully, raised his hand to his ear in a phone gesture, and said in a low voice, "If you have any more ideas next time, remember to call me!"

After saying that, he grabbed the male lead and left the dressing room, leaving only Qi Xiuyuan sitting in the chair and the person who helped him remove his makeup.

"It's finally over."

Qi Xiuyuan sighed and turned to look at the person next to him, but the person's gaze was fixed on the window, seemingly looking at the parking lot in the distance.

However, all that could be seen was the sound of fine rain falling on the window, and the water streaks left by the rain were like leaf veins, making the dim light that originally shone into the room distorted and dreamlike.

"Senior Brother Chu, what are you looking at?"

Qi Xiuyuan's voice interrupted Chu Zihang's thoughts, making his unfocused pupils fixate and no longer dazed. He said expressionlessly, "...It's raining. I'm thinking about how to get back."

"Just find any older woman to take you back."

Looking at that expressionless face, Qi Xiuyuan joked, "With a face like that, even if you don't make a living as an actor in the future, you can still live off actresses."

"..." Chu Zihang glanced at him, then turned his head back, shook his head and said, "I'm just a temporary actor. The crew values ​​you more, which is why they're treating me well."

This methodical way of replying is really Chu Zihang's style.

Qi Xiuyuan, who was already familiar with the other party's tone, didn't mind. He just propped his head up and looked up at the ceiling, sighing inexplicably, "After all, I've been in this industry for seven or eight years now."

Over the past fifteen years, his identity as a "student" has only occupied a small part of his life. What has truly consumed a lot of his time and energy are his identities as a "writer" and a "child star."

It could even be said that at least two-thirds of the fifteen years he spent in this world were spent honing his writing skills, studying music theory, and cultivating himself as an actor.

After all, these days every celebrity aspires to be a triple threat in film, television, and music. The bestselling book that has earned nearly ten million in revenue and this role as the second male lead are just one part of the equation. The ultimate goal is naturally to shed the identity of an artist and become an asset himself.

He is gradually getting his plan on track, which should be a cause for celebration.

But thinking back on what happened yesterday evening, Qi Xiuyuan suddenly felt that the goals he had worked so hard for had suddenly become somewhat meaningless...

It seems that deep down, he craves power far more than wealth, status, or authority...

"Never mind," Qi Xiuyuan sighed and murmured, "Let's leave it at that."

Chu Zihang paused for a moment when he heard his words, but in the end he didn't say anything and continued to help him remove his makeup without saying a word.

Chu Zihang and Qi Xiuyuan have known each other for a long time, probably three years. Perhaps three years is a short time for others, but for Chu Zihang, who doesn't have many friends, three years is a long time.

Qi Xiuyuan knew about his family situation, and he also understood Qi Xiuyuan's personality. Once he made a decision, no one could change it.

All he could do was stay by her side, and if anything unexpected happened, he would draw his sword and rush in.

You encounter Sasuke Uchiha in the Forest of Death. He's frustrated because his brother and father don't have time to practice ninjutsu with him. What do you choose...?

[Option 1: Ignore him. You know Sasuke's personality; you're not like Naruto Uzumaki who automatically gains popularity. Approaching him for no reason will only get you scolded. (Reward: Sealing Technique Branch - D-Rank - Four Black Mist Formation. Those within the barrier will be sealed in their pre-cast state.)]

[Option 2: Try following him; you might find an opportunity to get close. (Reward: Illusion Branch - D-rank - Shiranui; the target will feel as if their body is being burned by flames in the illusion.)]

[Option 3: Serve as a mentor, earn his respect for your abilities, and have him request your training (Reward: Talent Branch - C-rank - Fire Release Chakra Talent, mastering the method of converting non-attribute chakra into fire release).]

Looking at the words appearing on the screen in front of him, Qi Xiuyuan's eyes suddenly turned strange, and he subconsciously glanced at Chu Zihang behind him.

Lu Mingfei was identified as "Naruto Uzumaki" because he was ostracized, but why was Chu Zihang identified as "Sasuke Uchiha"?

Is it because Sasuke will face his "Night of Clan Massacre," and Chu Zihang will encounter his own "Night of Rain," and both will eventually become "Avengers"?

Who is "Uchiha Itachi" and who is "Haruno Sakura"?

"...Ahem, Senior Brother Chu."

After a moment's hesitation, Qi Xiuyuan turned to look at Chu Zihang and tentatively asked, "Are you an only child? Do you have any pets or anything?"

Chu Zihang was clearly taken aback, seemingly not understanding why he suddenly asked such a question, but in the end he shook his head and said frankly, "I am an only child, I don't have any pets, and my mother can't even take care of herself."

Upon hearing this, Qi Xiuyuan was too lazy to guess anymore. He couldn't possibly use the thinking of a normal person to speculate on the judgment of the mental disability system.

Looking at the screen in front of him, he asked directly, "By the way, Senior Brother Chu, did the teacher ask you to participate in the Children's Palace recruitment event at noon today?"

The "teacher" he referred to was their shared kendo teacher, an elderly Japanese man who had spent over a decade in China studying ancient Chinese swordsmanship.

"Hmm." Chu Zihang nodded expressionlessly, "But I said I had to film today and didn't have time."

In fact, according to the original schedule, it would have been too late, but Qi Xiuyuan performed so well today that he managed to increase the speed by half.

"Perfect timing, it's been too long since I practiced, I'm getting itchy." Qi Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow. "I won last time, so our record is still tied at 42-42. Want to join in the fun and practice a bit?"

Chu Zihang paid no attention to the victory or defeat he mentioned. He just glanced at the parking lot outside the window and did not see the familiar Maybach. A hint of disappointment flashed across his eyes.

"Okay." He nodded.

[Your strength has been recognized by Sasuke Uchiha, who has asked you to train him. You have received the following reward: Talent Branch - C-Rank - Fire Release Chakra Talent, mastering the method of converting non-attribute chakra into fire release.]