Chapter 148 – Time to Depart

Chapter 148 - Time to Depart

Min Kai hung his right hand, watching Tang Fei's swift actions, wanting to speak but holding back.

He knew that Tang Fei was standing up for him, and he couldn't dampen his own spirits at this moment.

Only after everyone had left did he say, "Tang Fei, if my hand wasn't injured, I would be more than happy to do your makeup. But now, it's not possible. You should communicate with the production team to find a replacement makeup artist, and I'll assist."

Min Kai knew that Tang Fei had an incredibly skilled makeup artist. He had assumed that this was the source of her confidence.

"I don't have a makeup artist. I am the makeup artist."

Seeing Min Kai's small eyes widen in surprise, Tang Fei placed her index finger on her lips. "Shh, keep it a secret for me."

Tang Fei was the makeup artist!

So, those exceptional makeup skills from before were actually done by Tang Fei herself?

He had observed closely. Whether it was in "Si Cuichuan" or "Psychic Frenzy," Tang Fei's makeup always perfectly matched her characters.

He even unconsciously developed a hint of admiration for Tang Fei.

He was over forty and had always been wondering which brilliant makeup artist could be so skilled.

To his surprise, it turned out to be Tang Fei herself! It seemed implausible yet somehow made sense. Why would a renowned makeup artist work behind the scenes for Tang Fei?

With this trump card, Min Kai's concerns vanished.

Tang Fei looked at Min Kai's hand, causing him to instinctively withdraw it slightly while his smile became less genuine.

"I'm sorry. If not for me, you wouldn't have gotten hurt."

Min Kai immediately refuted, "My injury has nothing to do with you. It was that gambler Gao Mingyi..."

"I've investigated. You saved me, which led to your encounter with Gao Mingyi."

Min Kai fell silent for a moment before he said, "I don't wish to take advantage of your gratitude, nor do I want to bear the burden of someone else's pity. You can pretend you don't know."

"I sincerely hope that you'll repay my kindness and focus on practical matters. Otherwise, anyone could take advantage of you."

Min Kai frowned, puzzled. "What's education?"

Hmm...

Does this world not have the concept of education?

The heavy atmosphere of their conversation suddenly dissipated.

Tang Fei changed the subject with a few casual remarks. "Why did you come to Qinxi Province?"

Min Kai looked at his right hand and said helplessly, "I couldn't find work in the capital, so someone recommended me here. At least I can earn a wage. Back home, there are children to raise, their music lessons for drums and piano, and a mortgage to pay. If I lost my income for a month, we'd end up sleeping under a bridge."

Tang Fei noticed that when Min Kai spoke about this child who wasn't related to him by blood, there was no trace of anger or betrayal in his expression. Instead, he seemed dedicated to nurturing the child.

Despite his average looks, Min Kai was a kind and gentle person. His heart shone like gold.

People like him were as rare as gold these days.

"I'd like to have you as my exclusive makeup artist from now on."

"I? I'm not capable enough. You don't need to do this just for me. I could be your assistant or apprentice. You can hire someone more skilled for the role of an exclusive makeup artist."

"I believe that your one hand is worth two of others."

"This..."

"Stop arguing with me. It makes me lose face. You're the first person I've asked."

"Alright then."

Min Kai agreed. He needed a decent-paying job, and since Tang Fei was competent, he wouldn't be a burden. With the offer on the table, there was no reason for him to decline.

"I can apply my own makeup, but can you help me with costumes, props, and hairstyles?" The moment she heard his agreement, Tang Fei immediately shifted into work mode.

Min Kai nodded. As a professional, he had his own pride. Since Tang Fei had hired him, he intended to demonstrate his worth.

"We'll be staying in Wangzhuang Village for a month for this show. The disguise should aim to blend in with the locals. Our goal is to resemble the villagers of Wangzhuang."

Arriving a week early, I had researched and found out about a local factory that sold affordable clothing, popular among those over 40. This program's wardrobe included their clothes, confirming my assumption. Choosing this outfit would be a safe bet.

In terms of props, the production team provided underarm crutches, regular canes, and wheelchairs. Given the budget constraints and need for speed, the wheelchair was ruled out. Disguising as a disabled person, a regular cane wouldn't suffice, so we settled on the underarm medical crutches.

For your hairstyle, let's go with a simple ponytail, with the ends slightly tousled using a heated styling rod. Some scattered strands should be left loose, and I'll add some gray highlights to your hair."

"Let's apply the face mask first. I'll fix your hair and then get your outfit ready. It'll make the makeup application smoother later."

As Min Kai took charge, his confidence naturally returned.

Meanwhile, in the makeup buses positioned southeast and north, Jiang Xiaoying, Song Li, and Xiao Yuan were also getting ready.

Jiang Xiaoying chose hearing impairment, and so did Xiao Yuan. Song Li hesitated, and by the time she decided, the hearing impairment option was taken. She was left with no choice but to opt for a leg disability.

With the face mask on, Tang Fei closed her eyes.

Her focus shifted to the card slot. The recent reward for completing a new mission, a makeup card, was now the most suitable one to use.

Customized Makeup Card: Ink Sketch

"A six-star makeup card that allows the host to personally fill in three attributes to form a four-star makeup card."

The true value of this six-star level lies in its customization. Once the three attributes are filled in, the makeup card is downgraded to a standard four-star one.

Tang Fei's face felt cool and soothing, bringing her a great deal of relaxation.

As Min Kai styled her hair, he chattered in her ear about how he had made the face mask using cucumber, seaweed, the white flesh of watermelon rinds, and egg whites. He also boasted about his son's intelligence and filial piety, mentioning how he would massage his shoulders and make homemade birthday cards, as well as play the drums skillfully...

Tang Fei pondered which three attributes she should assign to the Ink Sketch card.

Left leg disability, middle-aged, resilience.

Being middle-aged was a necessity. Resilience likely referred to the strength required to traverse mountains and rivers despite the leg disability to reach her destination – a crucial quality to possess.

These three attributes should suffice.

Tang Fei filled in the three attributes with utmost confidence.

The words "Left Leg Disabled" immediately glowed red.

"The attribute cannot generate a makeup look. Please, Your Majesty, refill it."

Indeed, the disability of her left leg couldn't be portrayed through makeup. Her attempt to take a shortcut had failed; she would have to personally embody the condition herself.

This required daily accumulation and observation.

Tang Fei began to seriously contemplate the mindset of a disabled person. If one day she lost the function of one of her legs, what traits would she possess?

She would find movement difficult and require assistance from others, thus becoming a burden. She might fear being despised and become overly sensitive, overthinking every glance from others as a sign of disdain.

Upon this realization, she opened her eyes and saw Min Kai.

Perhaps Min Kai had such thoughts, fearing pity from others. He might worry that after an initial outpouring of sympathy, the long-term inconvenience in their interactions might lead to resentment.

Long-term care for chronically ill parents often tests the patience of even the most dutiful children, let alone strangers.

In order not to be ostracized, to prove that she is no different from ordinary people, she would likely push herself to exercise, to walk at a pace comparable to, if not faster than, an average person's stride.

Remarkably resilient, with great endurance, yet inwardly vulnerable and stubbornly tenacious.

In Tang Fei's mind, an image took form, much like how one would invoke a God Card. She filled in all the characteristics of this person's personality, appearance, and background.

Without divine summoning cards, she had still mastered the technique.

Maturity, resilience, and inferiority—these three attributes should suffice!

As the attributes were written down, they shimmered in unison, etching patterns onto the blank card which then transformed into a swirling mass of clouds. Gradually, it contorted into shape.

The image of a parent with numerous wrinkles, a serene gaze, and half-lowered eyelids appeared on the card.

"Congratulations, Empress, for obtaining a Four-Star Makeup Card: Resilient and Self-effacing Middle-aged Woman."

?

This name is simply a concatenation of the attributes!

It lacks any aesthetic appeal.

Is it really that difficult to come up with a pleasant-sounding name? I'll refrain from commenting on 'Gorgeous Courtesan' and 'Abandoned Empress,' but isn't this one a bit too crude?

System: Please rename the item as per your preference.

Tang Fei: Alright, this name is decent. Simple and unassuming, it embodies the virtue of humility and the return to one's true nature.

System: ...

Tang Fei put on the modest makeup card she had assembled.

Upon wearing it, fine lines appeared around her eyes and on her forehead, her nasolabial folds deepened, her eyelids drooped slightly, her double eyelids became more pronounced, and her eyelids appeared looser.

From her collection of cosmetics, Tang Fei chose black powder and skillfully mixed it to create a dark, bronzed complexion for herself.

She also tousled her hair to make it look more natural and slightly disheveled.

After an hour and a half, when the production team knocked on the door, they were utterly astonished to see Tang Fei stepping out of the vehicle.

Tang Fei's right leg was bent backward, hidden within the wide black trousers, leaving her knee down completely exposed.

She wore a black cotton base layer beneath a red plaid jacket that reached her knees.

The peculiar appearance of her right thigh was concealed, while her lower leg dangled freely, swaying back and forth as she hobbled down with her crutch.

Tang Fei's face seemed to have aged thirty years instantly. Sun-baked and wind-toughened, her skin took on a bronzed hue with deepened wrinkles, and her cheeks appeared slightly hollow.

Her wispy bangs were frizzy and scattered by the wind.

The director was utterly stunned.

Director: "Teacher Tang? You... did all this in an hour and a half?"

If they hadn't been watching the entire process, they might have suspected that Tang Fei had somehow managed to bring in a top-notch special effects makeup team.

No other group could have achieved such a result.

From Tang Fei to Sister Fei and then Teacher Tang, the director's spirit had been severely battered within a single day.

Director: "Is it that uncomfortable? Our show isn't that strict. I thought we were ruthless, but I didn't expect you to be even more so with yourself!"

Tang Fei: "It's fine. I don't have much experience in living or observing disabled individuals, especially those with leg impairments. To better disguise myself, I resorted to this quick fix. Once I get used to it, I'll remove it."

She forced her body to adapt without prior experience, then gauged its reactions. If one consistently relied on one armpit for support, their spine and shoulders would develop a tilt. Thus, Tang Fei lifted her right shoulder, while her entire skeleton leaned to the right.

In her current state, even if someone pointed at her and claimed she was Tang Fei, others might not recognize her.

No wonder Tang Fei dared to let Min Kai be the sole makeup artist. He turned out to be an absolute master!

The favor-seekers' eyes glittered with admiration as they looked at Min Kai.

He's still so skilled despite his injured hand! If he hadn't been injured, his work would've been nothing short of miraculous!

The spectators who had been waiting for a spectacle became the laughing stock. Stuttering and pointing at Tang Fei, they were rendered speechless. No one paid them any attention anymore. Instead, everyone admired Min Kai and gathered around Tang Fei to commence shooting.

Favor-seekers? Offending the currently popular Tang Fei and a renowned makeup artist, their status as favor-seekers might well come to an end.

With such poor conduct, they deserve it!

The director, energized, felt that it was well worth it to have Tang Fei on board. "Teacher Tang, we'll start the countdown now. You should set off."

Tang Fei: "They're also starting at the same time, right?"

Director: "Yes, they'll depart simultaneously."

Tang Fei swung her crutch, exerted force with her left leg, and dashed forward, swaying unsteadily but swiftly.

She examined the map while heading to the bus stop to check the routes and fares.

The film crew almost lost track of her again. No one had expected Tang Fei to be so fierce, moving with one leg as swiftly as if she were jogging. The cameraman struggled to keep up with his equipment.