Chapter 85: I

Fan Bingbin is only nineteen this year, born in September 1981, still not yet turned twenty. Under the good-natured teasing and rescue from Zhou Xun, who is several years her senior, her face flushed slightly.

She is a proper actress, and although the role with the most screen time she’s played so far has been a maid, it’s still an acting role.

Before her darkening, Fan Bingbin held herself to high standards, otherwise she wouldn’t have been forced by Qiong Yao to sit on a bench for years watching a water dispenser.

Having to do multiple NGs on this MV because of Zhou Yi is unreasonable in every way.

“Zhou Yi, tone it down a bit in your acting.”

Zhou Xun, unable to watch any longer, stepped in herself to give guidance. Zhou Yi was baffled: “What do you mean by toning it down? A jerk is supposed to be like this—I have a friend who’s exactly like this.”

He’d never done MVs with such long dramatic plots before; all he needed was to show his face and sing. He’d never endured this kind of torment.

“...”

Zhou Xun, who had nearly forgotten that his major was law and singing was just a side job, carefully studied the two of them, bit her slightly dry and flaky lips under Beijing’s weather, then took the lead in coaching.

She was self-taught herself; if asked to explain a whole set of theories on how to tone down acting, she couldn’t articulate them clearly. Instead, she simply demonstrated once, showing the feeling, and told Zhou Yi to follow along.

After all, MV acting doesn’t require deep skill—just passable is fine.

After all that gesturing and instruction, not only was Fan Bingbin exhausted, but Zhou Xun was too.

She had to serve as Zhou Yi’s free acting tutor, teaching him how to hold back and how to let loose, forcing herself to play a man so Zhou Yi could imitate, while Fan Bingbin assisted beside her.

After being bombarded with lessons from the two women, Zhou Yi couldn’t say he was a great actor, but at least he now knew where he’d gone wrong and could correct it.

So when three days later, Zhou Xun finished all her scenes and was about to leave, she couldn’t resist a teasing remark—

“I’ve never been this tired acting on a set—on a set, at least the actors don’t need me to teach them.”

“Thank you so much, really, you’ve worked so hard, sis.”

Zhou Yi, knowing it was entirely his fault, hurriedly thanked her: “If there’s ever anything I can help you with, just call me.”

He now understood why Zhou Jianhui had assigned Zhou Xun as the female lead in the MV for “Love Me or Him”—not only because the song was the second single, but also because the plot was something he might not be able to carry alone, requiring Zhou Xun’s help to teach him.

If all else fails, when Zhou Xun releases her next album, he’ll pick a song from his Chinese music library and give it to her. Now they’re under the same company—it’s convenient.

After all, Zhou Xun’s voice is truly unique and well-suited to certain types of songs.

She also has some singing ability, having once performed regularly in bars.

“Alright, I’m off. You two do your best.”

Shouldering her backpack, Zhou Xun left simply and gracefully in her assistant’s car, disappearing from the MV set. From now on, only the scenes between Zhou Yi and Fan Bingbin remained.

Like the scene where the two lie together in a hotel room, or... the kiss scene by the piano.

Honestly, when he saw Fan Bingbin, dressed in a loose red silk pajama, her long hair pinned up, Zhou Yi’s first impression was sheer awe.

This woman suits red perfectly.

Especially bold red or burgundy—these vibrant colors maximize the intensity and allure of her features.

“After this MV airs, I think you’ll become famous.”

Zhou Yi sighed sincerely.

His popularity on the mainland now isn’t something Tao Zhe can match, let alone Fan Bingbin, who didn’t adopt the increasingly non-mainstream makeup trends of this era, but instead, under his guidance, wore makeup that accentuated her assertive charm—purely an elegant, commanding vibe.

Even in this era of diverse aesthetics, where the once-dominant “little white flower” look was no longer the only trend, female stars with such a commanding aura were rare.

Of course, this was also because she was tall enough—even in flats, she approached 170 cm. Put on heels, and her presence alone would be amplified.

“Thanks for the good wishes—if I become famous, I’ll treat you to dinner.”

Wearing heels, Fan Bingbin tilted her head up to look at him, smiled, then walked to the piano in the set and began playing as scripted.

In truth, she didn’t know how to play the piano at all.

Zhou Yi, prompted by the director’s cue after clearing the set, entered the scene, and then came the fiery kiss by the piano.

Zhou Yi’s practiced technique left Fan Bingbin struggling to keep pace—she was entirely led through it, and when he lifted her up, she instinctively sought support with her bare feet, having kicked off her heels.

After the brief pause, this time it passed on the first take, because Zhou Yi dominated the entire scene—Fan Bingbin had little to do.

After Zhou Yi gently set her down with gentlemanly care, Fan Bingbin, having put her shoes back on, looked up at his profile as he turned to speak with the director. Recalling the sensation of being completely led through the moment, her gaze grew complex—but then, as if remembering something, it hardened with resolve.

“What? Not satisfied yet?”

Noticing the woman staring at him, Zhou Yi turned back, grinning teasingly: “You should’ve said so earlier—I could’ve purposely NG’d it then.”

After days of interaction, with Fan Bingbin’s deliberate efforts to get closer, the two had grown less unfamiliar.

“Trying to take advantage of me, huh? Deliberately NG-ing it?”

Fan Bingbin, now standing in her heels and tapping the floor, pouted: “Zhou Xun was right—you don’t look like you’re acting at all. You should be investigated for how many girlfriends you’ve had.”

“Don’t let Zhou Xun mislead you—I’ve never had a girlfriend. Just good sisters and good little sisters. Thank you.”

Zhou Yi rolled his eyes: “Don’t smear my reputation without cause—I’ll sue you, I’ve got a whole network of judges and lawyers, you know.”

“Yes, yes, a pure, innocent college boy—spotless.”

Fan Bingbin shrugged: “Any plans tonight? Want to grab a drink?”

“Can’t tonight—I’m watching a soccer match.”

“Really?” The woman’s eyes lit up, her lips curving: “A match is only ninety minutes—plenty of time left.”

“But I also like watching Go.”

Zhou Yi spread his hands, smirking: “Besides soccer, I’m a Go enthusiast—I really enjoy watching Go matches.”

“Really? For example?”

“In Go, there are terms like miaoshou, ben shou, and su shou, as well as the concepts of the big dragon and capturing the dragon.”

“Sounds interesting. Teach me?”

Fan Bingbin smiled sweetly, and Zhou Yi readily agreed.

That night, still wearing the red silk pajamas from the MV, Fan Bingbin brought wine to Zhou Yi’s room, and under the TV and his instruction, deeply learned Go terminology—

Like the most basic Go expression: Miaoshou controls the big dragon!

(End of Chapter)