I Became the Koi Actor After Entering the Book

**Chapter 87: Hollywood**

Translator: Namizaki

*********************

The bedroom was deliberately dimmed, the main light left off.

The plain ring, engraved with only a simple pattern, couldn’t be softened by the dim light, its metallic chill remaining stubbornly present.

Within that coldness lay a steadfastness that defied time and change.

“Will you accept it?”

Will you accept me?

Lu Yuzhou’s gaze was clear and unwavering.

Faced with this scene, Chi Zhongqiao felt more shock than joy. He stood awkwardly for a moment, realizing with helpless resignation that Lu Yuzhou had turned the tables on him. Though he hadn’t planned to propose, he had prepared a confession. What was this now?

Under Lu Yuzhou’s steady gaze, Chi Zhongqiao extended his hand.

Lu Yuzhou exhaled in relief and slipped the ring onto Chi Zhongqiao’s finger.

The plain band only accentuated the slender elegance of Chi Zhongqiao’s fingers. Lu Yuzhou took Chi Zhongqiao’s hand and pressed a kiss to his lips.

Chi Zhongqiao tugged Lu Yuzhou upward with a slight pull.

He licked the corner of his mouth, then pushed Lu Yuzhou down onto the bed, his gaze burning. “I didn’t prepare any other gifts.”

Lu Yuzhou wrapped an arm around Chi Zhongqiao’s waist, inhaling the faint aroma of red wine clinging to his skin. Before he could even speak, a smile lit up his eyes. “Mm.”

Chi Zhongqiao had never been in this situation before. He’d drunk a little to steel his courage, but he was far from drunk, and now he felt a bit flustered. Should he start undressing Lu Yuzhou, or should he take off his own clothes first?

Before Chi Zhongqiao could figure out a way out of this predicament, Lu Yuzhou propped himself up on one arm, leaned in, and kissed him lightly. Chi Zhongqiao’s grip loosened, and Lu Yuzhou, still holding Chi Zhongqiao’s waist, slowly shifted his weight backward.

For two people who loved each other, a kiss could ignite a wildfire.

*****

After his shower, Chi Zhongqiao leaned against the headboard, putting on his silk pajamas. The black fabric gradually concealed the numerous marks on his body as he yawned sleepily.

Lu Yuzhou entered with a glass of warm water. Chi Zhongqiao drank from it, taking two sips before squinting at him. “No more kissing.”

Lu Yuzhou chuckled silently, his expression perfectly innocent, as if he hadn’t been the one stealing kisses from Chi Zhongqiao’s wrist while he drank.

Chi Zhongqiao glanced at him, then rolled over and patted the blanket beside him. “Hurry up and sleep. It’s two in the morning.”

Lu Yuzhou set down his cup and lay down on the bed. Before long, he had pulled Chi Zhongqiao into a tight embrace. Chi Zhongqiao, already asleep, vaguely patted Lu Yuzhou’s back in his sleep.

Lu Yuzhou paused for a moment, then reluctantly kissed Chi Zhongqiao and adjusted the air conditioning temperature before closing his eyes.

The next morning, Chi Zhongqiao woke to the aroma of milk. He sat up and looked around. Lu Yuzhou was gone, but the bedsheets and duvet cover had been changed.

He wondered when the change had happened—he hadn’t felt a thing.

As he stepped out of bed, he felt a strange stiffness below his waist.

He stretched a bit and was about to head to the bathroom when he noticed something off about the room’s layout. He turned his head and froze in shock—this was his bedroom!

The question now was: How had he been magically transported back to his own room without waking up even once?

Stripping away all unscientific factors that contradicted socialist values, there was only one answer: Someone had carried him back.

Who could have carried him?

Who else but Lu Yuzhou?

Their bedrooms were quite far apart, and Chi Zhongqiao shuddered to think of who Lu Yuzhou might have encountered while carrying him back.

Ye Han, the old man’s assistant? Uncle Kun, the family driver? The chef? Or…

For a moment, Chi Zhongqiao considered never leaving his bedroom again.

He retreated into the bathroom and silently locked the door.

Forget it. I’ll just shut myself in for a while.

But his attempt at isolation proved futile. After standing there for a few minutes, having just finished washing up, he heard the door open outside.

There was no need to guess who would brazenly enter his room like that.

Chi Zhongqiao peeked out of the bathroom.

Lu Yuzhou entered carrying a tray. The slow-simmered porridge emitted an enticing aroma. He glanced at Chi Zhongqiao, the corners of his lips curving slightly. “Qiao-ge, come have breakfast.”

Chi Zhongqiao was about to step out when he glanced back at the mirror, smoothing down a stray strand of hair before closing the bathroom door.

*****

<Invisible Crimes> experienced a massive surge in positive reviews in the United States, with Shang Tang’s shocking twist stunning American audiences. Even before the twist, the series had already enjoyed decent viewership due to its compelling subject matter, making it one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful exported dramas. By early June, Shang Tang’s revelation had propelled the plot to a dramatic turning point.

While national contexts vary, the suspenseful twists and heart-pounding tension inherent in crime dramas resonate universally, making them highly marketable worldwide.

The success of <Invisible Crimes> thrilled domestic fans and reminded many Chinese viewers of the terror the series had once instilled. When it first aired in China, <Invisible Crimes> was a true cultural phenomenon. In the days when entertainment options were scarce, it would have been the kind of show that emptied the streets as everyone rushed home to watch.

Some fans translated foreign reviews of <Invisible Crimes> into videos and posted them online, attracting a flood of clicks from both dedicated viewers and casual observers.

Articles and videos with titles like “How Foreigners View China’s XXX” always piqued people’s curiosity. When viewers discovered that the comments were overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the ingenuity and dedication of Chinese criminal investigators, their national pride surged uncontrollably.

<Invisible Crimes>, though a crime drama, often depicted the ordinary happiness of ordinary people. After the resolution of major cases, scenes of countless lit windows would tug at viewers’ heartstrings, while also offering foreigners a glimpse into everyday life in China.

So this is what China is really like? It’s completely different from the outdated, dilapidated image portrayed in some rumors. Their streets are even newer than ours!

Incredible! What is this country really like?

When students studying in the United States were asked about their homeland, they could now answer with unbridled pride: “Of course our country isn’t old and run-down! It’s beautiful, and it’s only getting more beautiful. You’re all welcome to visit us!”

<Invisible Crimes> had become like a beautiful little key, clicking open the cultural door between foreign countries and China. It allowed them to glimpse a fragment of the ancient, mysterious Eastern nation.

The United States has its blockbusters, Japan has its anime, and Korea, where they eat kimchi every day, exports countless dramas. Does China really have no cultural exports to be proud of?

No, in fact, there are many.

They simply haven’t been properly packaged or given the opportunity to cross borders. Excellent culture, even across the vast gulf of time and cultural differences, can shine brightly in other countries.

Chi Zhongqiao sat on the plane, listening to the various conversations around him. The corners of his lips curled slightly—they were discussing <Invisible Crimes>.

The plane soon took off, and the passengers settled into silence.

Chi Zhongqiao put on his eye mask and closed his eyes to rest.

He was now on a flight to the United States. Du Yusheng, still burdened with Yan Yiyun’s affairs, couldn’t leave.

Before boarding, Chi Zhongqiao had reassured Du Yusheng, “Brother Du, when I said I was going for further studies, I just meant taking a couple of acting classes in the US. I’m not acting in anything, so there’s nothing to worry about. Just focus on getting work for Yiyun.”

Du Yusheng thought it over and realized Chi Zhongqiao was right. He could only watch as Chi Zhongqiao boarded the plane.

*****

By the time Chi Zhongqiao disembarked from the plane, it was already late at night. He yanked off his mask and let out a long sigh of relief. If there was one good thing about being abroad, it was that foreigners couldn’t tell Chinese faces apart. As long as he dressed modestly, he could walk down the street without being recognized.

Zhong Yin helped him with a bag. “Brother Qiao, where are we staying?”

“With Yuzhou.” Chi Zhongqiao replied.

“Me… me too?” Zhong Yin stammered. Am I going to choke on their lovey-dovey PDA?

Chi Zhongqiao nodded and waved Zhong Yin over. “Let’s go. Yuzhou’s waiting outside.”

Zhong Yin’s eyes widened in alarm.

The thought of having to endure President Lu’s icy glares while simultaneously being force-fed the couple’s affection made Zhong Yin’s stomach clench.

When they arrived at Lu Yuzhou’s villa, the driver parked the car in the garage. Zhong Yin followed Chi Zhongqiao inside, his steps hesitant and nervous.

“The bedrooms on the second floor are mostly empty.” Lu Yuzhou said. “Which one do you want?”

Zhong Yin replied awkwardly, “Any room is fine, as long as it’s close to Brother Qiao…”

“That won’t work.” Lu Yuzhou interrupted calmly. “Qiao-ge is staying with me. My bedroom is next to the study and the piano room.”

“Then… then I’ll take that room!” Zhong Yin blurted out, pointing to a bedroom at random. He glanced tearfully at Chi Zhongqiao and stammered, “I-I’ll go tidy up now.”

With that, he scurried away.

Chi Zhongqiao hadn’t realized Zhong Yin could move so fast.

Lu Yuzhou leaned in and kissed him. “Zhong Yin has a good eye for things.”

Chi Zhongqiao chuckled. “With you being so fierce, who wouldn’t?”

Lu Yuzhou smiled and took Chi Zhongqiao’s hand, the bodhi seed bracelet on his wrist clinking softly.

Chi Zhongqiao glanced down at it and smiled faintly.

Before coming to the United States, Chi Zhongqiao had planned everything meticulously. He could attend classes while exploring Hollywood, since few people in America recognized him, allowing him to move freely. On his first day of class, he even drove himself, leaving Zhong Yin behind.

However, the reality surprised him. Quite a few people in the class recognized him, especially the girls, who were very interested in him and eager to sit next to him. To American girls, Chi Zhongqiao’s face was irresistibly charming. Though he stood over six feet tall, he still exuded a youthful aura.

After just a few days of classes, Chi Zhongqiao had already grown tired of hearing the word “cute.”

The instructor was a Chinese expatriate who initially paid little attention to Chi Zhongqiao. One day after class, however, he suddenly called Chi Zhongqiao over.

The instructor, Xia Chu, sized Chi Zhongqiao up and down before slowly smiling. “I saw your performance in <Invisible Crimes>. You did a remarkable job.”

Unsure of Xia Chu’s intentions, Chi Zhongqiao offered a few modest pleasantries.

Xia Chu said kindly, “No need to be nervous. An old friend of mine mentioned you the other day. He happens to be looking for an actor for a role and asked if you’d be interested in auditioning.”

Chi Zhongqiao almost thought he was hallucinating. He couldn’t help but look puzzled. “Me?”

Xia Chu nodded. “You probably know my old friend. His name is Zhang Zhonghua.”

Zhang Zhonghua—China’s only Director to have won three Oscars Awards for Best Director.

Chi Zhongqiao froze for a moment, wondering if either he or Xia Chu had taken the wrong medication.

Xia Chu chuckled. “I’m not joking! Old Zhang is Qingbo’s Father-in-law. He recognized you from when you took Qingbo to the hospital last time!”

Chi Zhongqiao asked cautiously, “I thought Teacher Yan’s husband’s surname was Cheng.”

“Oh,” Xia Chu replied, “Old Zhang is a henpecked husband. His son takes his Mother’s surname.”

Zaki~ English is not my first language, but I’ll try to get the translations as close as possible to the Author’s work. If you see any grammatical errors or mistakes in the translation, please feel free to drop them in the comments section so I can correct them immediately. Thank you and Happy Reading 🙂