Chapter 57 – The Makeup Vlogging Crybaby

The makeup artist was a toxic solo stan of Yao Chaowu and had long held a grudge against Chu Yin. Though her skills were exceptional, her professionalism was lacking. When applying foundation to Chu Yin, she deliberately chose a slightly yellower shade and drew his eyebrows short and thick. Under the dim lighting of the makeup room, these flaws weren’t too noticeable, but under the harsh stage lights and camera lenses, the effect would be completely different.

The Immortal Venerable that Chu Yin portrayed was supposed to be ethereally pale, with long, elegant brows and an icy aura. But with the foundation and eyebrow adjustments she had made, Chu Yin ended up looking like a dull, straight-browed blockhead. Handsome, yes, but completely out of character for the Immortal Venerable, which would easily break the immersion for fans of the drama.

The makeup artist smiled slightly and said, “Teacher Chu, all done.”

Chu Yin had been scrolling through his phone with his head down. When he finally looked up, he was startled by his reflection in the mirror and thought, What kind of technique is this? Did she apply my makeup with her feet?

Chu Yin glanced up at the makeup artist and suddenly understood why Yao Chaowu looked so ugly. Aside from Yao Chaowu’s naturally unfortunate face, this makeup artist had added her own masterful touch, turning ugly into legendarily ugly. Only someone with Chu Yin’s god-tier looks could even begin to carry off such a disastrous makeup job.

But not everyone was blessed with his peerless beauty. Chu Yin gave the makeup artist another look, genuinely concerned for her career prospects.

The makeup artist’s heart skipped a beat. Chu Yin’s gaze was inscrutable, as if he had seen right through her little scheme. She forced an awkward smile and said, “Teacher Chu, the show’s about to start. You should head backstage.”

Chu Yin hummed in acknowledgment.

The makeup artist let out a sigh of relief. Initially, she had only joked about giving Chu Yin a “farmer’s makeup” look, but Yao Chaowu had been all for it, even telling her that Chu Yin disliked talking to strangers and wouldn’t complain about the makeup even if he hated it—meaning he’d just have to swallow the insult. It seemed Yao Chaowu was right; Chu Yin hadn’t said a word and just bottled up his anger. The makeup artist gloated inwardly.

What the makeup artist didn’t know, however, was that Chu Yin’s manager had changed. Chen Meixian had never allowed Chu Yin to form close relationships with others, so in the past, Chu Yin was usually accompanied only by an assistant whose sole job was to spy on him—useless for anything else. That was why, when Chu Yin and Yao Chaowu had fallen off the roof together and Chu Yin had sprained his ankle, he had no one to turn to and could only hide in his car and cry alone.

But the two assistants Wei Lai had assigned to Chu Yin were anything but pushovers. One was plump, the other skinny, and both strictly adhered to Wei Lai’s instructions: No one is allowed to bully Chu Yin outside. Clap back boldly—if anyone gets offended, I’ll handle it.

Little Skinny said, “Why does Teacher Chu look so much darker?”

The makeup artist busied herself with organizing her tools and replied, “It’s the lighting. The makeup will look more natural on stage.”

Little Skinny pressed, “But the eyebrows in the official stills don’t look like this either!”

The makeup artist grew even more annoyed. Chu Yin hadn’t even complained, yet this random assistant wouldn’t shut up. “The stills were photoshopped! In real life, eyebrows like that would look ridiculous! It’s not like this is my first year doing makeup!” The implication was clear: If you don’t know what you’re talking about, shut your mouth.

Little Fatty, though smiling gently, delivered a cutting remark: “I know, it’s definitely not your first year. Maybe the reason you’ve spent all these years doing unnoticed stage makeup is because you can’t achieve the look from the stills.”

The makeup artist’s face flushed red with anger. “You—!”

Chu Yin himself didn’t care much about these details. “…Whatever. I’m leaving.”

Just as Chu Yin stood up, someone else walked in—Chen Meixian.

Chen Meixian was wearing a black hoodie and jeans, an uncharacteristically casual look. Chu Yin’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he clenched his fists. The reason? That hoodie was part of a couples’ set. Back in their first year together, Chu Yin had spent ages picking it out, excited to gift it to Chen Meixian so they could wear matching outfits in public. But Chen Meixian had never once put it on.

So why was he wearing it now, parading it in front of Chu Yin? What was he trying to say?

Chen Meixian glanced at Chu Yin and frowned slightly before saying coolly, “Redo his makeup. He can’t go on stage like this. Use a lighter foundation shade, extend the tail of his brows, and tone down the lipstick—his lips should look thinner.”

The makeup artist: “…”

She was a little afraid of Chen Meixian. His word carried far more weight than that of two assistants, so even if she was cursing him to hell in her mind, she still forced a smile and said, “Teacher Chu, since everyone seems to think this version isn’t ideal, let me adjust it a bit for you.”

Chu Yin brushed her hand away. “No need.”

Chen Meixian’s voice darkened. “Brother Yin, don’t be childish about work. You need to take responsibility for the production and the show.”

Chu Yin hated it when Chen Meixian lectured him. He kicked the swivel chair and pulled on his jacket, ready to leave. Coldly, he snapped, “Stop yapping! Chen Meixian, you’re not my manager anymore—you have no right to tell me what to do. What kind of shit do you think you are?!”

Chen Meixian shrugged and smirked. “If I’m shit, what does that make you? A flower? Well, if I could be the manure beneath you again, I wouldn’t mind being shit.”

A shiver ran down Chu Yin’s spine. He didn’t want to waste any more words and turned to leave. But Chen Meixian closed the door, rolled up his sleeves, and approached Chu Yin. “I can do your makeup for you. After all, the best makeup style for you was designed by me.”

Chu Yin: “You? Get lost, shameless bastard!”

To Chu Yin now, Chen Meixian was like an alien to humans—both disgusting and terrifying. He shoved the swivel chair forward, blocking Chen Meixian’s path. The two assistants didn’t know the full history between Chu Yin and Chen Meixian, but they could tell Chu Yin was deeply uncomfortable around him. They stepped in front of Chu Yin protectively. Little Fatty smiled sweetly and said, “Mr. Chen, sorry, but Teacher Chu doesn’t like people getting too close to him.”

Chu Yin squeezed a few drops of makeup remover onto a tissue and wiped roughly at his face. The yellowish foundation gave way to his naturally fair, flawless skin—like wiping dust off a piece of pristine jade. The process was oddly satisfying to watch.

Every makeup artist had their own personal cosmetics, but the ones scattered on the table were cheap, shared products. Chu Yin glanced at them, picked up an eyebrow pencil, and tilted his head slightly as he casually sketched in his brows. The color was natural, the arch slightly lifted—elegant yet masculine. His entire aura transformed instantly.

He, Chu Yin, this peerless beauty of a 0, absolutely knew how to do his own makeup!

Long legs, toned muscles, and a face that barely needed makeup—his natural beauty was simply too overwhelming. Everyone else in the room was trash in comparison. Chu Yin even felt like shaking his ass in celebration, but his ass-shaking privileges were reserved for one person only!

Chu Yin licked his lips in the mirror, softening the bright lipstick shade. Then he suddenly turned his head and stared straight at the makeup artist. “Hey.”

The makeup artist stiffened in fright and stammered, “Ah—what?!”

Chu Yin said, “Keep trying.” The subtext was clear: Learn from me. Don’t give up—maybe one day you’ll be as good as me.

Makeup artist: “…” Aaaaargh, I’m so pissed! Chu Yin, you green tea bitch!

“I’m leaving.” Chu Yin shot Chen Meixian a disdainful glance. “Take off the clothes I bought you. They’re an eyesore.”

Chen Meixian’s heart raced at that look. He faintly sensed that this version of Chu Yin was both unfamiliar and nostalgic—intensifying his urge to dominate him.

The old Chu Yin had also been fierce, but it had been a front, a defense mechanism to keep people at bay. This new Chu Yin, however, was bold and unrestrained, flaunting his claws without fear, as if he’d found someone who would always have his back. It made Chen Meixian want to grab him by the neck and peel those claws off him, one by one.

Chen Meixian stared darkly at the direction Chu Yin had left, his fingers clenching as if trying to grasp something. He loved seeing Chu Yin riled up—it meant Chu Yin still had feelings for him. And as long as that was true, he could still find a way to control him.