Chu Zhi’s stage costume had quite a few details.
“The Female Shopkeeper” was set in mid-18th century Italy during the height of Rococo fashion culture, when the second use of hoop skirts occurred, paired with tight corsets.
The main character Mirandolina wasn’t nobility, so her clothing was actually much simpler – a dark red dress that was clean and uncomplicated in appearance.
Until the drama club senior pulled out a corset and handed it to her.
Chu Zhi was terrified, stammering: “Do-do-do I have to wear this thing?”
The senior said seriously: “Authenticity, junior, do you know how important authenticity is! Don’t worry, we won’t lace it too tight to make you uncomfortable.”
The girls were changing clothes in the inner room. Chu Zhi hid behind the temporary changing room curtain. The costume was long and had many parts, impossible to put on alone, so the senior in charge of costumes came in to help her.
Chu Zhi’s upper body was nearly bare, her face bright red as she kept her head low, letting the girl help her with the clothes from behind.
Her appearance made the senior laugh: “Why are you so shy? Are you from the south?”
Chu Zhi’s voice was very soft, her bare shoulders uncomfortably shrinking: “I’m local.”
“Ah, I thought you were a soft girl from the water towns1. I have a roommate from the south, the first time I took her to the bathhouse she was just like this, red-faced and absolutely refusing to undress, totally unable to accept northern bathhouse culture,” the senior said cheerfully while bending down to tie the corset strings, clicking her tongue, “Your waist – I feel like this thing is loose on you, if we tighten it anymore it might snap.”
After the clothes were sorted out, another senior did her makeup. Lin Tong and Gu Han also had makeup done, but theirs was just simple light makeup, some foundation and eyebrow filling. This kind of stage makeup was truly Chu Zhi’s first close encounter with it, leaving her once again dumbfounded.
Makeup truly was a magical thing. Chu Zhi originally had very round doe eyes, but now with eyeliner and eyeshadow, her entire eye contour was drawn long and deep, her facial shadows slightly sharp, nose bridge high, lips outlined and full red.
The slightly sharp and mature makeup achieved just the right balancing effect, not looking overdone but instead creating an unusually harmonious brilliance.
Yuan Yi, dressed in knight’s attire, happened to walk in at this time and saw her in the mirror, pausing in surprise.
Chu Zhi also saw him in the mirror and nodded her head slightly as a greeting.
Yuan Yi’s eyes widened a bit as he walked over, stood behind her, and looked carefully at her reflection for a while: “Sister looks beautiful like this.”
Chu Zhi felt a bit embarrassed.
The senior beside them glanced over teasingly: “What do you mean ‘like this’?”
Yuan Yi grinned: “She’s beautiful normally too.”
Chu Zhi also felt her transformation was really quite dramatic, sincerely praising: “Senior, you’re really amazing.”
That senior was still brushing contour on her face: “Last year when the club president played Belle, I did his makeup too. You should have seen him then, truly devastating beauty.”
Yuan Yi was fixing his hair nearby and said helplessly: “Can we let the past stay in the past? I’m playing a handsome guy this year.”
“A handsome guy with ulterior motives.” The octopus dragged a wig past from behind, watching Chu Zhi pick up her skirt and go out to prepare props, suggesting, “Actually, you should keep cross-dressing as the female shopkeeper, and have Ah Zhi cross-dress too, wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
Yuan Yi: “A female shopkeeper taller than the knight?”
Octopus: “…”
The last performance at the school celebration was usually a choir. The drama club’s performance was traditionally scheduled as the second to last act. Chu Zhi was backstage taking one last look at the script while secretly peeking outside.
The street dance club was currently performing. Their shows were always very popular, with handsome boys and pretty girls who were incredibly cool, their hot pants showing off beautiful legs and bottoms, creating an unprecedented high energy atmosphere.
Chu Zhi looked down at her floor-length dress, just hoping she wouldn’t create an awkward atmosphere.
Because she was secretly standing in the back watching, her view was limited and she couldn’t see any of the people below. Chu Zhi silently dragged over a small stool to sit on the side, watching the girls on stage spinning and jumping while spacing out.
Senior Lu should be watching from below too.
He probably prefers this kind of street dance, compared to boring drama.
Maybe he’s watching without blinking.
Chu Zhi imagined Lu Jiaheng slouching in his chair, watching the girls on stage and smiling lazily, saying: “Not bad…”
“…”
The scene was too real, vivid, and rich in detail, and completely matched his character. Maybe he was just like that right now.
Chu Zhi was annoyed by her own imagination. She propped her chin on her hand and let out a heavy huff.
Before she could finish huffing, she was pulled up by the senior who had done her makeup earlier: “Don’t rest your chin on your hand, you’ll rub off the powder!”
Chu Zhi was startled and quickly put her hand down, carrying her stool back backstage to sit down, her back straight as a board, chin slightly raised, afraid of her collar rubbing against the foundation.
She sat near the edge, with deep red curtains beside her, partition walls behind the curtains, and temporary changing rooms for the girls set up further inside.
Called changing rooms, but really because the inner dressing room space wasn’t enough, they had diagonally hung several curtains in the corner to partition off spaces for temporary changing.
The stool had no back, and after sitting for a while Chu Zhi felt tired, so she turned around to lean against the wall.
But as she turned, she caught sight of someone in her peripheral vision.
Lu Jiaheng was also leaning against the wall, standing right behind her, who knows how long he’d been there.
When she turned around, she met his deep gaze directly.
Seeing her turn around, Lu Jiaheng didn’t move at all, didn’t even blink, still intently looking at her.
Chu Zhi began to wonder if this person hadn’t recognized who she was.
After all, her makeup transformation was really quite dramatic. The stage makeup itself was very heavy – even she was shocked when she saw it.
Chu Zhi stood up.
She was wearing very high heels with thick platforms, now probably around 1.6-something meters tall. Standing up, the height difference with Lu Jiaheng was noticeably reduced.
Although there was still that much of a gap.
But Chu Zhi was still full of confidence.
She’d never been this tall in her whole life!
Although she felt she should at least say hello, and wanted to ask why he’d come backstage, she still didn’t want to pay attention to him.
Chu Zhi raised her chin, walking somewhat awkwardly in her high heels, preparing to brush past him.
To be honest, with her red gown and heavy makeup, she did have quite a proud and cold beauty feel.
Lu Jiaheng raised an eyebrow, watching her walk towards him step by step, getting closer, about to pass by his side.
Just as they were about to brush past each other, he suddenly grabbed her wrist, his grip very light but somehow carrying an undeniable authority, gently pulling her wrist towards himself, bringing her back.
Chu Zhi was caught off guard, pulled back a step by this movement.
She wasn’t very practiced in high heels and nearly lost her balance, having to quickly put out a hand to steady herself against the wall.
Chu Zhi steadied herself, pressed her lips together, head slightly lowered, not speaking.
For some reason, she actually felt a bit unwilling to let Lu Jiaheng see her current appearance.
The makeup felt like it made her look a bit fierce.
But isn’t that what she needed right now?
Chu Zhi’s internal theater was running wild. Thinking about how this person had always been so excessive, her little devil quickly grabbed its trident, stabbed the little angel away, and took command while baring its teeth.
Be fierce to him, be fierce!
Chu Zhi thought as she raised her head again, glaring at him fiercely, which should have been quite intimidating.
She had thought he would at least be slightly stunned, or taken aback?
This was stage makeup that took an hour to apply!
But Lu Jiaheng didn’t even blink.
Not only did he not blink, he even smiled.
He seemed to be amused by her, his lips curving up as he lowered his eyes and unhurriedly met her gaze: “You’ve grown taller.”
Chu Zhi: “…”
Why did her mature makeup have zero effect on him when even Yuan Yi had been stunned for quite a while?
Chu Zhi felt utterly defeated.
The fierceness she had puffed up earlier completely deflated. Her wrist was still in his grip, and she tugged lightly a couple times but couldn’t break free.
Lu Jiaheng ignored her small movements, instead gripping a bit tighter.
“Are you angry?” he asked softly.
“…”
“Why are you angry?”
“…I’m not angry.”
Lu Jiaheng narrowed his eyes: “Lying?”
She lowered her head again, sounding a bit uncertain as she tried to pull her hand back: “Let go of me first…”
“Why are you angry.” He persisted.
Chu Zhi was about to die from frustration.
How was she supposed to answer this question?!
The street dance group in front had just finished performing and were coming back backstage. It was already crowded backstage, and now it was absolutely packed. From inside came the faint sound of someone calling Chu Zhi’s name.
Chu Zhi heard it and was about to respond when Lu Jiaheng’s free hand suddenly covered her mouth.
Chu Zhi’s eyes widened.
Yuan Yi was calling her while coming out from inside. Chu Zhi and Lu Jiaheng were standing by the wall, with the street dance club members standing in front blocking their position. Yuan Yi in his knight costume looked around, walking closer to where they were.
Lu Jiaheng glanced back at him, licked his lips, and released his grip on Chu Zhi’s hand.
Before she could react, his long arm swept around and caught her under her arms, directly lifting her up.
With her feet suddenly off the ground, Chu Zhi almost cried out in surprise.
Lu Jiaheng glanced sideways at Yuan Yi who was about to walk over and see them, bent his arm slightly, and carried her forward like a doll.
Chu Zhi’s eyes widened, her ears turning red as she kicked her legs a couple times like a little rabbit picked up by its ears, urgently saying: “What are you doing! Put me down!”
Lu Jiaheng ignored her, carrying her through the dark red curtains toward the temporary changing rooms at the end.
He went to the innermost one, turned sideways, directly slipped in with her, put her down, reached back to pull the curtain closed, and hooked it shut.
Chu Zhi was dumbfounded.
She stood there not knowing whether to walk away or stay, completely shocked by this person’s actions.
Actually, just now he had only lifted her up, there hadn’t been any other body contact, not even enough to count as a hug.
Even though he hadn’t touched her anywhere except with his hands, Chu Zhi felt like she was burning up, her whole body hot all over.
Outside was the bustle of people laughing and talking, separated by a layer of dark red curtain, inside was completely quiet.
Chu Zhi didn’t dare speak loudly, afraid people passing outside would hear.
Chu Zhi took two steps back, leaning against the wall, raising her head with eyes sparkling with what might have been embarrassment or anger.
The makeup was heavy – at this close distance the eyeliner swept up at the corners of her eyes, adding a hint of allure.
The lipstick was slightly overdrawn, making her lips appear fuller, deep red and plump. Her white teeth lightly bit her bottom lip, creating a striking contrast of red and white.
Her neck was slender, her collarbone’s lines smooth and beautiful, below was her slim waist and frame wrapped in the dress.
When Lu Jiaheng lifted her just now, he had a moment of panic.
Such a tiny thing, light as a feather, even lighter than he’d imagined.
The bones under his hands were so delicate it felt like if he used just a bit more force, she would break.
Lu Jiaheng had brought her in carefully, almost reverently.
The noise outside grew closer, and a girl entered next door, probably changing clothes. Only separated by two layers of curtain, the slight sound of fabric rustling was clear as if right beside them.
He lowered his eyes to look at her.
She was leaning against the wall, him standing in front of her, looking down at her, seemingly enclosing her entire person before him.
The temperature backstage wasn’t low, and seemed to be continuing to rise, the air seeming to be mixed with something else.
Lu Jiaheng took a step forward.
Chu Zhi shrank back again, looking extremely nervous, as if she didn’t dare even breathe.
He was about to speak.
Chu Zhi’s eyes widened and she quickly raised her hand to cover his mouth.
Next door that person was still changing clothes, fabric rustling.
Chu Zhi pointed next door, shaking her head at him, her cheeks crimson.
Although she hadn’t done anything wrong.
But, but a man and woman secretly hiding in a changing room…
Chu Zhi’s ears were red as if they would drip blood, her arm raised high to cover his mouth, refusing to let go.
Lu Jiaheng didn’t move, letting her cover his mouth.
After a while, he slowly raised his hand to grab hers and pull it down. One foot stepped half a step forward as he bent down, his lips approaching her ear.
He let out a soft laugh, his breath hot as he whispered in a low voice, his tone like sand: “Little Zhi, let me ask you something.”
Chu Zhi felt his extremely oppressive closeness, his breath burning her ear, frozen in place, just staring forward with wide eyes.
A tiny sound escaped her throat, like a whimper.
Lu Jiaheng was lowering his head to hover above her neck hollow, his head against the wall, not yet speaking.
The curtain was suddenly pulled twice, accompanied by a somewhat urgent female voice: “Is someone in there? I need to go on stage soon, could you please hurry?”
[Author’s note:
Caught in the act!!!!!!!!
Caught in the act!!!!!!!!
Hehe, Lu Jiaheng, let’s see how you get out of this one!!]
Leave a Reply