When the Side Character Gets a System and Travels through Difference Worlds-Chapter 95: Chi Mo 49

Chi’s mom insisted, "You just didn’t tell me."

Tan You considered it. "Alright, maybe I was too busy and forgot. It wasn’t anything important anyway."

"It wasn’t really being in a movie. I just performed a dance. I didn’t do any acting. What’s the difference where I dance?"

Chi’s mom exclaimed, "How can that be the same? Dancing on a small stage versus dancing in a famous director’s movie—how could they possibly be the same? My daughter’s made it big!"

Tan You said helplessly, "It’s really not that big a deal, is it? Haven’t I been doing well lately?"

"Of course you have, but that doesn’t stop me from being even happier right now." Chi’s mom’s face lit up. "The tickets are for tomorrow night? Should we all go as a family? We can go right after we finish our New Year’s visits."

Chi’s dad was excited too. "Yes! My daughter’s first movie! There’s no way we’re missing it!"

Tan You put a hand to her forehead. "It’s not *my* movie. I just have a tiny, tiny part..."

But Chi’s dad and mom weren’t listening to a word she was saying. The two were already discussing what to wear to the movies tomorrow... Tan You felt numb. ’Whatever,’ she thought. ’As long as you’re happy.’

Despite thinking that, Tan You found that she was in a surprisingly good mood. Perhaps it was because Chi Mo’s parents were such enthusiastic supporters. No matter how small the matter, they treated it as something precious.

At this thought, Tan You couldn’t help but sigh. That was why, after seeing someone else’s parents, and then looking back at her own, she truly understood the difference. As for wanting her own parents to change, Tan You shook her head. ’Better to just forget it.’

That evening, Tan You was ultimately unable to refuse Chi’s mom’s demands and ended up dressing up. Of course, her so-called "dressing up" merely consisted of a little lipstick and some eyeshadow.

Chi’s mom was a little dissatisfied, but then she thought about her daughter’s current looks. She was beautiful no matter how she dressed.

On the way to the movie theater, Chi’s mom was in an excellent mood.

Tan You found it amusing. "You’re that happy?"

Chi’s mom replied, "Of course. I never realized how much a girl can change as she grows up. You’ve become so beautiful."

When Chi’s mom had first seen Tan You again, she had been utterly shocked. On television, she had just assumed it was beauty filters and post-production effects. But in person, she discovered her daughter was even more beautiful than on screen.

Worried that her daughter had gotten plastic surgery, Chi’s mom had poked and prodded her all over, only relaxing after confirming that every part of Chi Mo was original.

Tan You said, "I was always pretty. I’ve just blossomed now."

’This was the only excuse she could use.’ She wasn’t about to mention her "beauty value," was she? ’Absolutely not.’

Chi’s mom nodded. "That’s true. Say, do you think anyone will recognize you at the theater? You’re genuinely famous now."

Chi’s dad added, "It’s more than that. Everyone in our entire neighborhood knows our Paopao is famous now."

Tan You chuckled. "I doubt it. Bundled up like this, who could possibly recognize me?"

With a hat, mask, and scarf, only her eyes were visible. Who would have the superpower to recognize her like this? Tan You was very confident about this. Sometimes she even suspected that paparazzi shots of celebrities were secretly leaked by their own teams.

The three of them chatted idly. Even though finding a parking spot took a while, it did nothing to dampen Chi’s mom’s spirits. The thought of seeing Chi Mo on the big screen made her steps feel exceptionally light.

The seats Director Liu had given them were excellent; the three of them were right in the prime viewing section. Looking around, the theater filled up quickly. Clearly, everyone was anticipating Director Liu’s film.

Tan You sat quietly, a little expectant herself. ’What will I look like through the lens of a great director?’

Halfway through the movie, Tan You could already hear faint sobs around her. She shifted slightly in her seat, her interest waning. She felt like an outsider, watching everyone else cry or laugh.

She glanced over at Chi’s mom and saw that her eyes were red. She had clearly been swept up in the movie’s emotions.

Tan You raised an eyebrow slightly. ’Am I too calm?’ ’But this isn’t so bad,’ she considered. ’Being too calm makes it hard to be deeply affected. If I were overly sentimental and emotional, I’d have a mental breakdown sooner or later.’

Chi’s mom sniffled, trying hard to hold back her tears. "When is your part coming on?"

’How would I know?’ Tan You frowned. "Just keep watching. I don’t know either."

The moment she spoke, the score suddenly swelled. Chi’s mom jolted. "What the—"

Tan You’s interest was piqued. ’Back then, I just danced. The score must have been added in post-production. Hearing it now, the effect is pretty good.’ 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Just as she looked up, Chi Mo’s face appeared on the big screen. Hearing the gasps from the audience around her, Tan You’s lips curled into a slight smile. ’I didn’t realize all these directors liked such extreme close-ups.’

’It’s one thing for a variety show director to film like that, but Director Liu too?’

Seeing herself on the big screen felt strange; Tan You found it a little awkward. But seeing how captivated everyone was, she thought, ’Maybe I didn’t do so bad after all?’

As she was thinking this, Tan You saw Chi’s mom wipe away a tear. "Who could watch this and not cry?"

The sounds of people wiping away tears and blowing their noses echoed throughout the theater, yet not a single person was willing to look down. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the screen. Even as their eyes stung and tears streamed down their cheeks, no one could bear to blink.

Tan You resignedly wiped her mom’s face. The performance had been emotionally grueling for her to film. But looking back now, those feelings could no longer move her.

’Perhaps it’s because I’m the one who performed it,’ she mused. ’If it were a different dancer, maybe I’d be just like the rest of the audience.’

The dance sequence was less than three minutes long, but for those three minutes, the theater was utterly silent. Tan You sighed. ’Don’t tell me Director Liu was actually right?’

Perhaps because everyone’s emotions had been wound up to such a peak, after Tan You’s dance scene was over, the mood in the theater for the latter half of the film was somewhat listless. Although people still laughed and cried, it lacked the fervent engagement from the beginning.

After the movie ended, the audience filed out in an orderly fashion. Tan You walked behind Chi’s dad and mom. She was a little confused. "Didn’t everyone just say it was such a tearjerker? Why are they going to buy tickets again?"

Chi’s dad explained, "It is a tearjerker, but it’s also genuinely a beautiful film. And for a movie like this, how could watching it just once be enough?"

Chi’s mom added, "They won’t be able to get tickets. I just checked. All the showtimes for the next few days are sold out."

Tan You chuckled. "Then let’s head back. Dad should drive. I haven’t driven in years."

Chi’s mom said, "I wouldn’t dare let you drive either."

"When I saw you dancing, I kept thinking, ’Is that really my daughter?’ When did she become so poised and composed?"

Tan You’s expression didn’t falter. "It’s what the dance required. A dancer has to convey emotion."

Chi’s mom thought about it and agreed. "That’s true. I saw a completely different side of you today, totally unlike the you I remember."

Tan You said calmly, "It was a requirement for the dance. I’m still me. I was simply channeling many different emotions."