Reborn into the Obsessive Love of a Dark and Twisted Shadow Queen - Chapter 4

Cross-dressing—a term of art among actors—refers to actors playing roles of the opposite gender, a practice that originated in theater.

The widely popular Legend of the White Snake is a classic example.

However, the entertainment industry now has no shortage of actors. Every production has actors who paid their way onto the set, and the meticulous casting standards of the past have long been abandoned. If they can’t find a man with feminine features, they simply cast a woman instead, prioritizing quantity over quality.

As a result, cross-dressing roles have become virtually nonexistent.

I thought you were competing for the female lead, Xueyi, and wanted to rehearse lines with me, Ji Qingshu said softly.

The class video project has a tight deadline. Are you planning to take it lightly, Xueyi, or treat it seriously?

Hearing Ji Qingshu’s gentle inquiries and recalling her earlier actions, Chu Xueyi felt an overwhelming urge to flee the room.

She remembered the online comments: many people joked that encountering such a disturbingly obsessive character in a novel would be thrilling and exciting, but in real life, you’d immediately call the police.

Chu Xueyi desperately wanted to escape. Having finally been reborn, she had no intention of plunging back into the whirlpool of romance.

Even though she sensed Ji Qingshu’s concern for her and felt a fleeting flutter of attraction, she still believed that running away was the best course of action.

The dazzling Queen Ji was best admired from afar.

Chu Xueyi was content to remain a casual acquaintance in Ji Qingshu’s phone contacts—close enough to ask for resources when needed, but not too close.

N-no, thank you, Chu Xueyi stammered, her fingers gripping her phone tightly.

The paper scripts hadn’t been fully printed yet, so everyone was using digital versions on their phones.

As soon as she finished speaking, she turned to leave.

Xueyi, you’ve been so diligent in class these past few days. I can tell you’re serious about learning acting. Why don’t we practice together? It’ll also help us guide the other students tomorrow.

In the past, Ji Qingshu would have retreated to a dark corner, her fingers digging into her palms, watching Chu Xueyi and Su Shiyu huddle together. She would have let the bitterness swell endlessly in her heart.

But now, she wouldn’t do that.

Finally… finally, Chu Xueyi seemed to be growing weary of her wavering attitude toward Su Shiyu.

Ji Qingshu knew she couldn’t let this perfect opportunity slip away, even if it meant resorting to underhanded, despicable, and dirty tactics.

Chu Xueyi stopped in her tracks.

Indeed, if she truly wanted to improve her acting skills, she needed Ji Qingshu’s guidance.

The woman had won the Best Actress award before turning thirty, her artistic talent far surpassing that of the drama school’s professors.

After all, acting was a profession that relied heavily on innate talent.

Ji Qingshu, are you suggesting we rehearse together?

Mm-hmm, Ji Qingshu nodded.

Of course, it’s late tonight. If you’d rather not practice now, we can go to the school’s performance hall tomorrow.

Ji Qingshu’s words gave Chu Xueyi complete freedom to choose.

A flicker of warmth stirred in Chu Xueyi’s heart.

Hmm… While this might be a bit shameless, getting free acting lessons from Queen Ji was something many people would dream of.

Though… this was essentially throwing herself to the wolves.

But, as the saying goes, Nothing ventured, nothing gained! Without great storms, how could the biggest fish rise to the surface?

I’ll practice!

Chu Xueyi blurted out the words almost instantly.

She had dedicated her entire life to acting. Though her previous life had ended prematurely, it still counted as a lifetime.

How could she not yearn for the title of Best Actress?

Seeing Chu Xueyi’s fervent reaction, Ji Qingshu was slightly surprised. She couldn’t understand why Chu Xueyi had suddenly become so eager to attend class.

It was as if… as if she had been reborn and finally realized the importance of studying.

Regardless, their desires aligned perfectly.

Let’s review the script first. Then we can practice our scenes together.

Ji Qingshu opened her phone, her eyes half-lowered as she meticulously scanned the text on the screen. With just a few glances, she refreshed the lines she had already nearly memorized in her mind.

Chu Xueyi, however, took much longer to read the script. By the time she had carefully finished the plot, more than ten minutes had passed.

The video assignment was an excerpt from a foreign film, requiring them to perform only a fifteen-minute scene.

This fifteen-minute segment likely contained the film’s most iconic moments.

After reading it, Chu Xueyi’s ears flushed red. The scene had minimal dialogue, relying heavily on unspoken communication through glances and expressions.

For actors, conveying emotion through the eyes is even more challenging than delivering lines.

Basic training can teach you to express joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. Anger manifests as fiery passion, a flushed face, and a strained neck. Sorrow is hidden deep within, expressed through tear-rimmed eyes and stifled sobs.

But eye acting…

Let’s work on this scene, Ji Qingshu said, pointing to the first scene on her phone. Chu Xueyi immediately knew why she had chosen this ambiguous scene between the male and female leads.

Because Ji Qingshu had a secret crush on her.

Chu Xueyi! If you don’t run now, when will you?!

You saw it in class the other day and just now—Ji Qingshu’s affection seems… abnormal. You’ve finally escaped Su Shiyu, who treated you like an ATM, and now you’re rushing headfirst into another fire pit?!

No… absolutely not!

As long as she didn’t confess her feelings, Ji Qingshu wouldn’t try anything.

But learning from the future Queen Ji was an invaluable opportunity she couldn’t miss!

In a mere moment, Chu Xueyi had made her final decision: she would stay.

She lowered her gaze to the script page. It was a scene from a film where the male lead harbored an almost pathological obsession with the female lead. The female lead was a wealthy heiress, while the male lead was merely a servant in her household.

He deeply loved the heiress, keeping his feelings hidden.

But the heiress, fully aware of his affection, deliberately avoided acknowledging it, instead constantly teasing him with subtle provocations.

The scene Ji Qingshu had chosen was the one where the male lead was helping the female lead put on her shoes. His untrimmed fingernails accidentally scratched her skin, causing her to fly into a rage and kick him away.

Wait… was Ji Qingshu expecting Chu Xueyi to kick her away?

Chu Xueyi recalled Ji Qingshu from her previous life—a dazzling superstar who commanded attention wherever she went, constantly pursued by cameras and paparazzi.

She had encountered Ji Qingshu several times at charity galas and major award ceremonies.

The other woman favored a crescent-white fishtail gown, its surface shimmering with dazzling diamonds. Chu Xueyi admitted to herself that she was green with envy.

But I’m not bad-looking myself, am I?

Otherwise, why would Ji Qingshu like me?!

Chu Xueyi had always been confident in her looks and figure.

Hmm, as expected of myself—I even managed to bewitch Queen Ji!

Just sit still. I’ll do all the work.

Chu Xueyi: Wait, why does that sound so… weird?

Ji Qingshu gave the script one last deep scan before setting her phone aside. She knelt down, slipping into character almost instantly.

In the mere blink of an eye, her gaze shifted, transforming into that of a diligent servant.

First, Ji Qingshu removed Chu Xueyi’s slippers. Then, she performed a flawless pantomime: her right hand held an imaginary shoe while her left hand cradled Chu Xueyi’s ankle.

The instant their palms touched, Chu Xueyi felt her heel sink into a soft, yielding warmth. A jolt of electricity crackled from her heel, surging up to her heart.