Li Chu didn’t plan on letting her assistant, Qian Duoduo, know about her evening visit to Ning Manqing.
The assistant’s contract was with the company, so if Qian Duoduo knew, Tang Congnan would know, and eventually, the company would know too. Although her relationship with Ning Manqing was innocent, it wouldn’t be good if others let their imaginations run wild.
Though, it wasn’t entirely innocent either, Li Chu coughed inwardly.
“Sister Li, I’ll head out then. I’m staying downstairs. Call me if you need anything; my phone will be on. Remember to lock the door.”
Qian Duoduo helped Li Chu hang up her clothes, checked the hotel facilities, and stood by the door, giving instructions.
Li Chu waved her off. “Okay, go get some rest. See you tomorrow.”
After showering and changing, Li Chu took her script, put on a mask, and went upstairs. Ning Manqing’s floor was above hers.
Before going, she sent Ning Manqing a message and only got into the elevator after receiving a reply.
The lights in the 16th-floor corridor were on. Li Chu stood before the door and knocked.
The door opened from the inside. Ning Manqing stepped aside to let her in but didn’t close the door, leaving it wide open with genuine frankness.
“Let’s go to the sofa. What would you like to drink?”
Ning Manqing had changed into pajamas. After Li Chu sat down, her line of sight naturally fell upon the slender, straight legs beneath the hem of the nightgown.
“Water is fine.”
Li Chu answered quickly, feeling inexplicably awkward, even though the room was large and the door was open.
Ning Manqing went to the mini-fridge, bending over to get a drink.
She seemed to have just showered as well; the nightgown clung to her body, outlining her supple waist.
Li Chu wailed internally, Sob sob sob sob sob, Sister’s waist isn’t a waist, it’s a deadly curved blade.
A glass of cold water was placed before Li Chu. Ning Manqing sat down in the chair opposite her.
“The later part of your performance is mostly fine, but your state during the entrance is still off. You might get more nervous under the camera, leading to an even worse performance. So you need to find the right expression in your eyes, otherwise, you could easily be eliminated.”
Ning Manqing’s posture was relaxed, but her tone was serious.
“I practiced again after I went back just now. Teacher, I think I understand a bit of what you said before, but I always feel like something’s missing.”
Li Chu knew she was right, but she always felt like there was a barrier between her and the character. She tried her best to be seductive or charming, but without makeup and styling to help, her eyes still looked lifeless.
“How much do you understand about this character?”
Ning Manqing tapped her fingers on the armrest, suddenly asking.
“A famous courtesan, worldly and seductive, not very old, a bit cunning and clever, not very brave, an ordinary person.”
Li Chu recalled the scene she had watched many times and summarized.
This was just a minor supporting character in the first half of the movie with little screen time. This was all Li Chu knew from the film clips. She had also flipped through the original book on the way back from the car to the hotel, but the book described Han Tao even less.
Li Chu unconsciously recited the content from the book: “Ling Yun burst in, only to see two people sitting and playfully interacting inside the painted boat. Leaning against Duan Rui was a woman in pink gauze, her pretty white face powdered and rouged. She thought to herself, this must be the recently renowned courtesan, Han Tao. The moment the woman saw her, she leaned softly against her husband and spoke in a soft voice…”
Ning Manqing raised an eyebrow and glanced at her appreciatively. “You’re quite dedicated, actually going to read the original book.”
“It was only because Teacher Ning mentioned it that I thought of looking it up. And I only read this part; the description in the original book is too brief.”
Li Chu wanted to write a character biography to deepen her understanding, but there really weren’t many scenes to analyze.
“Regarding the blank spaces, you can interpret and fill them in yourself. For example, how did Han Tao grow up? There are many ways one might fall into the life of a courtesan. Perhaps she grew up in a brothel since childhood, perhaps she was sold into it midway, or perhaps she entered willingly because she had nowhere else to go in times of chaos. And how did she suddenly get promoted? Maybe because of playing the zither, or dancing, or something else…”
Listening to Ning Manqing’s unhurried voice, Li Chu seemed to see many versions of Han Tao. Each different circumstance and personality created someone who ended up the same yet different.
The feeling was marvelous. Her eyes shone brightly as she looked at Ning Manqing, sketching out the character she understood in her mind, then trying to embody her.
Seeing the light in Li Chu’s eyes, Ning Manqing knew she probably understood. She didn’t interrupt, just propped her chin on her hand and watched her quietly, from her seemingly water-moistened eyes and brows to her dark hair. Li Chu was wearing a white shirt, revealing the beautiful lines of her collarbones.
She suddenly felt thirsty, picked up the water glass on the table, took a sip, and swallowed.
“Teacher, I think I get it! Let me act it out for you!”
Li Chu leaned back on the sofa, getting into character.
She didn’t need to act much, just the demeanor of Han Tao’s entrance when the camera zoomed in.
A rosy face brimming with spring charm; even her smile carried an intoxicating allure.
” Wrong. “
Ning Manqing shook her head, negating Li Chu’s performance.
Li Chu froze slightly, still in character. Her seductive charm intertwined with confusion, creating a unique state – utterly innocent, yet utterly tempting.
Ning Manqing’s gaze was glued to her face, her mind blanking for a second. She paused for a moment before saying, ” Right, just like that. “
She picked up the glass again and took another sip, cooling the heat rising within her.
“Huh?”
Li Chu was a bit lost. Like what, like what?
Ning Manqing beckoned her closer with a finger. Li Chu unconsciously moved nearer.
“Performance is performance, not imitation. When your own image contrasts with the character, just act as yourself. Don’t try too hard to stick to the original. The Han Tao you saw was also that teacher’s own interpretation. If you just followed the original text, would you act like that?”
Ning Manqing lowered her head to ask, looking straight into Li Chu’s eyes, as if wanting to see into the depths of her heart.
“You’re acting too deliberately. You can’t portray that… world-weary feeling. Charm doesn’t have only one interpretation. Some portray it as fiery, some as wild, some as gentle. And you are suited for…”
Ning Manqing carefully studied Li Chu’s face, resisting the urge to reach out and touch it.
Innocent yet proactive, guileless yet tempting – this state of being both pure and seductive was perhaps what suited her best right now. It was a state even she couldn’t escape.
She knew exactly how captivating it was.
Ning Manqing suddenly felt reluctant to tell her, reluctant to guide her, because she knew that if this side of her were revealed, it would attract a lot of affection and covetous gazes.
Ning Manqing felt a surge of irritation. Perhaps it was the Alpha genes acting up, the inherent desire for control and possession ingrained in her blood, displeased that the charm of her Omega – charm she herself had taught – would be seen by others.
“And I’m what? Teacher Ning?”
Li Chu looked eagerly at Ning Manqing, who had trailed off mid-sentence, feeling like she was on the verge of enlightenment.
“And you are suited for… purity .”
Ning Manqing slowly completed the sentence, lowering her head to avoid Li Chu’s gaze, and drained the water in her glass.
She is not her Omega, Ning Manqing told herself, expressionlessly pouring herself another glass of ice water.
“Purity?”
Li Chu pondered for a moment, then nodded firmly.
At first glance, it seemed like an adjective completely unrelated, even opposite, to the term “famous courtesan,” but Li Chu thought about it and realized it could work.
Why not? Playing innocent, playing the “green tea” type. In the context of the book’s setting, that would be very attractive to straight men.
Han Tao was originally a bit of a “green tea” character. Just like how she knew the person bursting in was Duan Rui’s wife, yet not only did she show no embarrassment at being caught red-handed by the wife, she deliberately leaned against Duan Rui and subtly belittled Ling Yun, saying she was ugly and didn’t even have the looks to be a prostitute.
Because the original actress’s performance was so overwhelmingly charming and seductive, Li Chu had been solely focused on emulating that direction. Now, with Ning Manqing’s words, she had a complete epiphany.
Li Chu paced around the room, internalizing that state, then excitedly pressed down on Ning Manqing’s chair, causing Ning Manqing to look up at her.
Li Chu excitedly ran over to Ning Manqing and said, “Teacher Ning, I’ve got it! Watch!”
Ning Manqing couldn’t help but glance at Li Chu’s stomach, then nonchalantly looked away again.
She had just suddenly recalled a biological fact: Omegas only conceive after being completely marked, and she hadn’t gone that far.
Li Chu didn’t notice her gaze. She grabbed a throw pillow to represent Duan Rui, leaned against it, and smiled gently at Ning Manqing.
She looked delicate and pitiable, like pale pink peach blossoms on a branch, blooming throughout the courtyard.
“Why has this lady trespassed? My boat never welcomes female guests.”
Ning Manqing thought, if she were really Ling Yun, she would probably throw Duan Rui off the boat, then spend a fortune, lift this pretty little lady’s chin, and ask, “Doesn’t welcome female guests?”
