[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett":3,"chapter-how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-chapter-49":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","How Can You Be an Emperor of Acting Without Letting Loose?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2324761,4547,"Chapter 49: How Much Is This Gesture Worth?","how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-chapter-49",49,"\u003Cp>“My only beloved son, Wuji, has fallen into the hands of villains.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo’s eyes reddened, his voice thick with sorrow: “I beg my master to rescue him from this evil grasp and raise him to adulthood!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, hot tears rolled down his cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man in the mirror had a scruffy beard, his face etched with grief and the despair of conflicting moral convictions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo wore only a pair of loose shorts, yet his lines and performance pulled Xu Qing into the emotion—as if Zhang Cuishan were about to raise his sword and kill himself—leaving her with a sudden ache in her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t help interrupting in a muffled tone: “Take a break.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo snapped out of his performance, wiped his tears, and turned around: “Qing-jie, what are you doing here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been several days since they last saw each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A surge of joy rose in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I don’t come now, you’ll turn into a drama addict!” Xu Qing glanced at the messy bedroom, shook her head, and removed her face veil: “It’s still over three months until filming starts—you don’t need to push yourself this hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even as she spoke, she felt a flush of shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She seemed idle and unproductive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d held DA Shi’s script for a long time and still hadn’t opened a single page.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m just sitting around with nothing to do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo tossed the thick script onto the desk and rolled back onto the soft bed: “This is my first time as lead—I’m unsure of myself, so I need to truly understand the role.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the man lying on the bed, Xu Qing’s gaze grew hazy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hadn’t seen each other for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His physique had improved even more—each muscle defined, sharply carved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have faith in you,” she couldn’t help stepping closer, her fingertip lightly tracing his cheek: “I remember you never used skincare—how come your skin keeps getting better?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you come here to study my skin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo grinned, pulled her down onto his chest, and reached for her hat: “You’re at home now—why are you still wearing this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a startled cry, Xu Qing buried her head deep into Li Luo’s arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She bit her lip, refusing to look up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have I become ugly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, she quietly asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To prepare for the upcoming military drama, Xu Qing had cut off her long hair, opting for a short, masculine cut—this was why she’d hesitated in the car earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She feared Li Luo wouldn’t like this new look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had she spoken than she let out another soft cry as she was flipped sideways, rolling twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, Li Luo answered questions with action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing with short hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seductive, yet with a touch of playfulness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was another kind of androgynous charm—how could anyone call it ugly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing opened her mouth to say more, but the next moment her lips were sealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm~~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing, having regained some strength, wiped the sweat from her body and slapped Li Luo’s arm: “There’s something in my pant pocket—take it out and look.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rolled over, sat up, and grabbed his discarded trousers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qiong Island?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the two first-class plane tickets in his hand, Li Luo’s expression showed mild surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing pressed against him from behind, looping her arms around his neck with a grin: “You don’t really plan to stay in Beijing for winter, do you? Let’s go south for a vacation—the hotel’s already booked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You need to relax—stop staring at that script.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She parted her silver teeth, gently nipping his earlobe: “That hotel has a hot spring too!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I bought a few sets of Victoria’s Secret.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“White, black, red.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lace-cut.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And some with lace trim!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her soft, sweet voice seeped into Li Luo’s ears, her cooing words leaving him no reason to refuse—his heart pounded wildly, blood surging through his veins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I need to catch my breath.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big sister Qing can’t anymore~~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the freezing winter snow, they braved the storm to reach the airport, flying straight to the warm, summery land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Private beach, emerald sea, blue sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coconut trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sexy bikinis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Xu Qing beside him, Li Luo set aside the pressure of playing dual roles in The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber and fully enjoyed a summer vacation ahead of schedule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They played until just before the semester resumed, then returned to Beijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they knew it, it was March again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing a football-themed TV drama, Yu Feihong returned to Beijing for a brief reunion with Li Luo, then immediately began preparing for the filming of Da Zhai Men 2, bustling like a spinning top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s how actors work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, they’re so busy one project follows another without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After months of idleness, she boarded a plane bound for Jinling, where DA Shi had ordered all actors to undergo military training—filming began in April.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There could be no delays.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By late March, after finishing a class, Li Luo carried a leave application straight to Huo Xuan’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thump~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two large bookshelves lined the office, filled with film and television books; the desk was cluttered, and Huo Xuan was buried in work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher Huo, hello.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closing the door, Li Luo stepped beside the desk and greeted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Luo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Xuan removed his glasses, smiling: “Sit down. What brings you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leave of absence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo respectfully handed over the leave application with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then pulled out a chair and sat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber would take five or six months to film—this semester alone wouldn’t suffice, and he’d likely miss part of his sophomore year too, only able to return occasionally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not requesting a long leave wouldn’t make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, taking extended leave to film wasn’t unusual at North Film; juniors and seniors alike scrambled to join sets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was only a freshman, so it stood out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Xuan scanned the application, smiling: “No problem. I figured it was about time you joined the set—I already spoke to the school on your behalf. Go film with peace of mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Teacher Huo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo nodded gratefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Xuan then offered a few words of encouragement, adding lightly: “You’re only a freshman—you don’t fully understand yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our acting department has an unwritten rule.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tapped the desk, speaking slowly: “Students who film outside school must contribute a sum to the class fund—any amount is fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just a gesture of goodwill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo asked bluntly: “So how much is this goodwill worth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contributing to the class fund wasn’t a problem—he earned plenty outside, while classmates stuck to their studies; he owed them something, just to keep their mouths shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to know exactly how much “goodwill” was expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roughly right was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too little made him stingy; too much made him lose out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spending a little now saved him from being subtly mocked on variety shows later for rarely coming to school.\u003C\u002Fp>",1192,"2026-06-20T17:17:01.025Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ea916368a3fc73645ac257e3de299950a9ceb8bde73fd2502d03637491eaff56","how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-chapter-50","how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-chapter-48",461,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhow-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-cover.jpg"]