I Became the Koi Actor After Entering the Book

**Chapter 90: A Lifetime Wouldn’t Be Enough**

Translator: Namizaki

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Shortly after the announcement of Chi Zhongqiao’s participation in <The Cage>, the comments section exploded with an astonishing number of responses.

The official statement was carefully worded, describing his role as a “special guest appearance” and clarifying that he would be playing a supporting character. However, since the official promotional campaign for <The Cage> had yet to begin, and Chi Zhongqiao’s role was a dragon entirely dependent on special effects, his official character design had not yet been released.

Moreover, the fleeting glimpse of the dragon in the original poster still featured the previous actor. The poster had to be recalled and reworked, with the dragon section removed until Chi Zhongqiao’s special effects were finalized.

Director Rex intentionally kept audiences in suspense about Chi Zhongqiao’s role. Given Chi Zhongqiao’s immense popularity abroad, Rex was reluctant to reveal his character too soon, publicly stating only that they had stumbled upon a “heaven-sent surprise.”

However, the term “supporting character” seemed to strike a nerve with some Chinese netizens.

The comments were split: Half encouraging Chi Zhongqiao’s foray into the big screen, the other half mocking him for believing “the grass is always greener on the other side.” They criticized him for rejecting leading roles in China to take on minor roles abroad:

“Foreign bit parts must be more appealing than leading roles at home. He’s even willing to pay to get them.”

“LOL, remember that other guy who bragged about landing a role in a Hollywood blockbuster? When the movie came out, you needed a magnifying glass to find him in the final cut.”

“I used to really like Chi Zhongqiao… but can he not get carried away just because he’s getting popular?”

“Yeah, I feel like he’s gotten too big for his britches since he got famous. Instead of focusing on improving his acting, he’s just chasing clout overseas…”

Fans tried to argue that Chi Zhongqiao had only taken the role because the director was Rex, but this only drew more ridicule.

“Yeah, yeah, he’s totally there for the director. Now he can brag about being in a Director Rex film! (Even a cameo counts, right?)”

“Chi Zhongqiao: Professional supporting actor.”

“Hey, don’t insult supporting actors! There’s a difference between a cameo and a supporting role, okay?”

“Seriously? Rex is a commercial film genius. In terms of status, he’s on par with Zhang Zhonghua. What kind of role could Chi Zhongqiao possibly get in one of his movies?”

Chi Zhongqiao’s fans were baffled. The official announcement had only mentioned a supporting role, so why were outsiders calling it a cameo?

But this time, the official channels didn’t come to their defense. They simply released a group photo of Chi Zhongqiao with the main cast and then, as if oblivious to the online uproar, maintained an eerie silence. To those watching closely, this silence felt like tacit approval.

The fans deflated, retreating to their group chats to vent their frustration until Chi Zhongqiao was finally @-ed into responding.

Chi Zhongqiao glanced at the screen filled with red notifications, replying with a wry smile: “Due to contractual obligations, I can’t reveal more about the character for now. Please be patient.”

The main issue was that the posters and special effects weren’t ready. Although filming for <The Cage> had wrapped up yesterday, Director Rex had been holed up in post-production, overseeing the editing and special effects teams. He was so swamped he barely had time to sleep, let alone go online. Even his old friend Zhang Zhonghua got an earful when he tried to reach him.

Meanwhile, Perry was busy with her new film, and Leon had returned to his home country to visit family. During this period focused on special effects, Chi Zhongqiao nearly forgot he’d even acted in the film.

Special effects are no easy feat, especially for fantasy films. Even scenes shot on location require extensive visual enhancements to achieve the magical effects seen on screen. Some films can spend years in post-production just on special effects. Fortunately, <The Cage> had a substantial budget, allowing them to hire multiple special effects companies. Still, the earliest the film could be released was next year, and even making the Lunar New Year holiday slot was uncertain.

Two weeks after filming wrapped, the official <The Cage> account finally released the revised posters. Perry, still busy with her new project, took a moment to nudge Chi Zhongqiao, reminding him of the film. Only then did he suddenly remember <The Cage>.

The poster had been completely redesigned. Not only was the original Dragon actor replaced, but the background had also changed. The original poster featured a dark, underground base, while the new one depicted a seaside farewell. The male and female leads stood on the shore, surrounded by the creatures they had rescued from the base. Chi Zhongqiao, playing the half-Dragon, stood in the crashing waves, as if silently watching his friends depart.

The new poster was far more refined than its predecessor. Beyond the three leads, all supporting characters were grouped into distinct sections, representing land, sea, and air. Chi Zhongqiao, as one of the supporting actors, was fortunate to be the sole aquatic character, making him easily visible.

Beneath the poster, the official cast list was updated, prominently featuring Chi Zhongqiao as the Dragon.

<The Cage> had been generating buzz since filming began, boosted by the star power of Perry and Leon and the reputation of Director Rex. Even before its release, the film had already amassed a dedicated fanbase, and the new poster quickly ignited a fresh wave of excitement.

The poster revealed a new setting, and after fans had scrutinized Perry and Leon, their attention shifted to Chi Zhongqiao, who hadn’t appeared in previous promotional materials. Some fans of crime and suspense dramas immediately recognized him from <Invisible Crimes>.

While American blockbusters featuring Chinese actors are common, it’s rare to see a Chinese actor shine to this extent. This isn’t because Chinese actors lack talent or ambition, but because it’s incredibly difficult for them to succeed in foreign lands.

Director Rex is renowned in Hollywood for his penchant for hiring exceptional foreign actors, earning him widespread acclaim. His works are instantly recognizable for their distinctive “Rex-style” aesthetic, characterized by scenes that evoke a fairytale-like sweetness. Regardless of the plot, the visuals alone make his films a feast for the eyes.

How this rugged man manages to create such delicate beauty remains a mystery.

Although <The Cage> marks his transition to a darker genre, the poster’s color palette still bears Rex’s indelible stylistic stamp.

Within this visual framework, the Dragon riding the crest of a wave takes on a unique beauty, its soaring, cloud-piercing form perfectly aligning with Chinese aesthetics.

Few Americans have truly studied Chinese dragons, sparking curiosity about this mythical creature. However, the poster primarily features the three main characters, with the supporting cast’s faces deliberately obscured, further fueling fan speculation.

After over ten days of feigning silence, Chi Zhongqiao’s official accounts suddenly sprang back to life, posting a flurry of updates. Most notably, the official information account finally addressed the recent online controversy surrounding the “extra” role.

Though it seemed more like a slap in the face to those who had previously mocked the situation.

The official account released a poster, simultaneously revealing Chi Zhongqiao’s character: Dragon, a pivotal figure who would drive the plot’s turning point.

The poster clearly depicted anything but an extra.

“Smack.”

Those who had blindly taken sides earlier suddenly felt a phantom sting on their faces, desperately wanting to delete their past comments.

Before fans could even grasp the significance of the “pivotal figure” designation, the official account released a video clip.

Upon opening the video, Rex, unshaven and looking slightly disheveled, appeared on screen, greeting viewers in broken Mandarin.

“Hello, viewers! I’m Rex.”

After the greeting, to avoid his heavily accented Mandarin distracting viewers, he switched back to English: “In a few months, my new film <The Cage> will be released. I’m deeply grateful for the attention from Chinese fans and hope the film meets your expectations.”

“During the filming of this movie, I had the good fortune to meet Qiao. Oh, he’s truly a stunning young man, radiating the essence of China. I’m sure you’ll all fall head over heels for him, right? I know I have! I absolutely adore him! By now, you’ve probably heard about Qiao’s role in the film. Yes, he plays the Dragon—an incredibly beautiful and majestic dragon. In China, dragons symbolize good fortune, and in <The Cage>, the Dragon brings hope and rebirth to our protagonist.”

“The Dragon is a pivotal character. Before filming began, we auditioned countless actors, but the one we finally cast was unable to participate due to unforeseen circumstances. Fortunately, Qiao came to the M Country! My friend Zhang happened to know Qiao and told me about his exceptional acting skills. I invited Qiao to audition, and he was absolutely perfect—a flawless embodiment of the Dragon I had envisioned! He’s a gift from the heavens to our production team! Without him, I can’t imagine who else could have brought the Dragon to life!”

“Qiao already has a dedicated fanbase in the M Country. I’ve heard he has a television series yet to air, so I want to wish him success with his new show in advance. I’m certain that in the days to come, even more people will become captivated by him.”

“Slap, slap.” Two quick slaps. Perfect, symmetrical.

After the video finished playing, the audience remained in a daze. Though they knew M Country citizens tended to exaggerate, surely there must be some substance behind such lavish praise, even after stripping away the hyperbole?

Before fans could erupt in celebration, the official account retweeted director Zhang Zhonghua’s post:

[Zhang Zhonghua: “Young people stepping out of their comfort zones to pursue broader horizons—that courage deserves praise! Your acting is already exceptional. I hope you’ll remain humble and continue to advance! @Chi Zhongqiao”]

The post included a photo of Chi Zhongqiao and Leon rehearsing their scene.

In the photo, Chi Zhongqiao wore simple, muted clothing, his profile sharp and refined. A soft filter lent him an ethereal, otherworldly aura, as if he were a distant, untouchable deity.

The netizens who had previously mocked Chi Zhongqiao’s minor roles covered their faces. Hey, hey, hey! Three slaps is going too far!

After a brief grumbling session, they quietly deleted their posts, pretending the whole incident never happened.

Some netizens, curious about why Old Zhang, who had never interacted with Chi Zhongqiao before, would suddenly speak up for him, speculated about possible financial transactions. But sharp-eyed viewers quickly circled Zhang Zhonghua’s name on the production crew list.

Director Rex and Assistant Director Zhang Zhonghua. This lineup alone sent film enthusiasts into a frenzy. The collaboration of two powerhouse directors, coupled with the participation of outstanding Chinese actors, made this film an irresistible project to support.

“Brothers and sisters, give us your attention!”

The skeptical netizen: “…My bad, my bad. I was being too cynical.”

*****

Mid-July

Lu Yuzhou and Chi Zhongqiao returned to China.

Only on the day of their return did Chi Zhongqiao finally understand the old man’s true intentions: He had Lu Yuzhou clear out the thorns in the M Country branch, then handed the harmless scepter of power to Lu Zhuo.

With this arrangement, the two brothers now had distinct spheres of influence. Though they would still collaborate, the other shareholders would ensure no major conflicts arose. This was the best solution the old man could devise to protect both his Grandsons.

They were family, and their feud hadn’t yet reached an irreparable point. As an Elder, he naturally wanted to safeguard both of them.

On the day Lu Yuzhou returned to China, Lu Zhuo was dispatched to the M Country.

The Brothers didn’t even get a chance to meet before parting ways.

Chi Zhongqiao asked, “Does Uncle Lu have no objections to this decision?”

Lu Yuzhou shook his head. “I’ve already gotten Lu Zhuo out of plenty of trouble. If he keeps acting up, he’ll only anger Grandfather. Besides, the business in M Country is still in its early stages. It lacks the deep-rooted connections of the domestic market, which is a disadvantage, but it also avoids the complex and tangled relationships here. Compared to staying in China, Lu Zhuo is better off in M Country. He’s not stupid; he knows this.”

Chi Zhongqiao smiled. “I thought you wouldn’t want to pave the way for him.”

Lu Yuzhou’s lips curved slightly. “I’m not particularly keen on it, but if it means getting rid of him sooner, I’d even help him build up the company. It’s better than him constantly causing trouble in China, dragging down the company, and wasting my time dealing with his messes.”

Leaning closer, Lu Yuzhou chuckled softly. “Once he’s gone, I’ll have more time to spend with you, Qiao-ge.”

Chi Zhongqiao felt the slight tremor of Lu Yuzhou’s chest as he laughed. He leaned back a little and murmured, “Isn’t over a month of clinging enough?”

“Never enough,” Lu Yuzhou replied. “Not in a lifetime.”

The greatest regret is never knowing each other, missing a lifetime of longing.

After living for over twenty years, Lu Yuzhou finally understood that one cannot harbor resentment. Even hedgehogs have soft bellies. Moreover, such a demeanor is incompatible with tenderness.

Lu Yuzhou lowered his head and embraced his beloved in a deep kiss.

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 🙂