In recent days, Jiang Ting’s phone had been ringing off the hook, all from people asking about Xie An’yu. Since there was no information available in the modeling industry or on the internet about Xie An’yu, and no one could find him directly, people could only contact those who had worked with him—like Jiang Ting and Yu Feng.
Those who could get in touch with Yu Feng were generally upper management from agencies and modeling companies. Fewer people contacted him compared to Jiang Ting, and those who did only asked if he was familiar with the model and if he had his contact information.
Yu Feng consistently replied: Not familiar, I have his contact information, but the person values their privacy, so I can’t disclose it.
The sales performance of the latest issue of 《Charm》 was undeniable—it sold out by the fourth day after release. Jiang Ting had known from seeing the sample issue that this issue would sell well, but she hadn’t anticipated such an exaggerated result.
It wasn’t unheard of for an issue to sell out in just a few days, but that usually happened when a popular celebrity was on the cover. If it was a top-tier star in the industry, selling out on the day of release was normal. But Xie An’yu was a complete amateur—how could an ordinary person compare to a celebrity?
Jiang Ting had once told Xie An’yu that shooting with Yu Feng would skyrocket his career. Now, she realized her earlier statement had been an understatement.
The timing was ripe. Jiang Ting contacted Xie An’yu and brought up signing a contract, but Xie An’yu declined.
Jiang Ting couldn’t quite understand: “Why? Has another agency already approached you?”
“No, I just don’t think I’m cut out to be a model.”
Jiang Ting laughed: “Are you joking? Do you have any idea how well this issue sold? It’s not that you’re not cut out for it—you’re perfectly suited.”
Xie An’yu explained, “Sister Ting, I don’t plan to pursue a career in modeling.”
“Would you reconsider? You’re really well-suited for this industry. We can find time to discuss it.《Charm》’s signed models earn no less than celebrities.”
“I’ve made up my mind. Thank you, Sister Ting, but I never intended to become a model.”
Jiang Ting fell silent for a moment and didn’t push further: “Alright then, I respect your decision.”
Xie An’yu hummed in acknowledgment: “Thank you for looking out for me all this time.”
Jiang Ting chuckled: “I didn’t really ‘look out’ for you. I should be thanking you for saving the inner pages of my magazine from being blank. Regardless, meeting you was fate. I hope things go well for you in the future.”
It would be a lie to say she wasn’t disappointed, but Jiang Ting could genuinely tell that Xie An’yu didn’t care for this industry. His personality was like his name—a quiet little island, calm and steady, completely out of place in this flashy circle.
***
Summer was nearly over. Xie An’yu managed to complete his wood carving just before the end of August.
Yu Feng drove to help him transport the carving home.
“Does it still need to be shipped out?” Yu Feng asked Xie An’yu in the car.
“Yes.”
“What did you carve? It looks pretty big.”
“I’ll show you when we get back.”
Yu Feng acknowledged with an ‘Mm’ and continued, “Tang Shu is throwing a yacht party next Friday. She gave me two invitations—one for you.”
“…What kind of party?”
“Her and Irene’s four-year anniversary.”
“They’ve been together that long?”
Yu Feng chuckled: “Mm, they’re like an ‘old married couple’ now.”
Xie An’yu had only heard of people throwing parties for wedding anniversaries, but Tang Shu clearly valued ceremony—she even threw a party for her dating anniversary. Not only did she cherish rituals, but she was also bold and unafraid of public opinion, even eager to announce to the world that she had a girlfriend.
“Why would she send an invitation to me?”
“You’re her work partner. Isn’t it normal to invite you?”
The ‘work partner’ identity felt far-fetched; being Yu Feng’s family member was a more plausible reason.
“Are you going?” Xie An’yu asked him.
Yu Feng nodded.
Tang Shu was an old friend; Yu Feng definitely had to go to support her.
“If you don’t want to go, I’ll find an excuse to decline for you,” Yu Feng said.
Xie An’yu said, “I’ll go.”
Yu Feng reminded him, “Are you sure you want to go? You can’t wear a mask or hat at the party.”
Xie An’yu chuckled, “I know.”
Xie An’yu didn’t really want to go, but since she had personally sent him an invitation and had Yu Feng deliver it, refusing would not only disrespect her but also force Yu Feng to make excuses on his behalf…
Might as well just go.
After returning home, Xie An’yu moved the wood carving to the living room. He unpacked the box, carefully peeling back layer after layer of cushioning paper, and placed the carving on the coffee table.
It was a perfectly square piece of wood, carved not into an object but more like a painting.
“Relief carving?” Yu Feng looked at the carved wood.
“Mm.”
Yu Feng silently admired the piece on the coffee table, which could truly be called a work of art. Xie An’yu had carved the sea’s surface, with rising waves and a protruding reef, the spray crashing against it.
Though seemingly simple, the piece had a powerful visual impact that belied its simplicity.
At that moment, Yu Feng gained a clear understanding of Xie An’yu’s wood carving skills.
To carve such realistic and intricate wave patterns required a tremendous amount of skill. It was like looking at a painting with delicate brushstrokes—rich in detail up close, yet the overall effect was one of hazy artistic feel from a distance.
Yu Feng touched the small reef with his finger and asked Xie An’yu, “Is this a small island?”
Xie An’yu hummed in affirmation.
Yu Feng looked up, “Did you name it?”
Xie An’yu nodded and said, “《Wind》.”
The name fit the piece’s overall artistic conception perfectly. Xie An’yu had carved the wavy sea surface, and though only the sea and reef were depicted, the wind was everywhere, existing in another form.
It was a good name—clean and free-spirited.
Xie An’yu added, “It’s the ‘Wind (Fēng)’ from Yu Feng.”
Yu Feng looked at him and said, “I’m deeply honored.”
Xie An’yu smiled.
The name was derived from Yu Feng’s name, and the inspiration for the piece was Yu Feng as well.
***
Tang Shu and Ai Lin were both wealthy women, and their party was being held on a luxury yacht. Many celebrities, models, and industry elites attended.
Most of the people on the yacht knew Yu Feng. As Xie An’yu stood beside Yu Feng, many people came over to greet him—all of them handsome men and beautiful women.
Xie An’yu finally witnessed just how many handsome men and beautiful women Yu Feng had encountered in his career.
Xie An’yu, carrying his own fame and standing next to Yu Feng, attracted considerable attention. Many recognized him due to his recent ‘popularity’, but since they didn’t know him personally and he stood beside Yu Feng with his ‘do not disturb’ aura, few initiated conversation with him.
Xie An’yu quietly said to Yu Feng: “Brother, I’m going to the restroom.”
Yu Feng glanced at him. “Do you know where it is?”
“I’ll ask a staff member.”
After Xie An’yu left, the man who had been speaking to Yu Feng glanced in the direction he went and asked Yu Feng: “Is that Xie An’yu? The male model on the latest cover of 《Charm》.”
Yu Feng affirmed with an ‘Mm’.
The other man’s tone carried a hint of prying. “You seem pretty familiar with him?”
Yu Feng had no intention of letting people in this circle know about his relationship with Xie An’yu—it wouldn’t be good for Xie An’yu. He replied, “Just casually.”
“Then… is Irene close to him? Does Irene want to promote him?”
“Go ask Irene yourself.”
The man clicked his tongue. “You’ve killed the conversation again.”
“Yu Feng.”
As that person left, someone else approached.
It was Fang Peiming, a talent agent from Yuqian Entertainment—a top-tier agent managing several A-list celebrities.
“You’re not being fair,” the other man said, handing him a drink.
Yu Feng took it, confused: “About what?”
“You said you weren’t close to that model, but it looks to me like you two are quite familiar.”
Yu Feng took a sip of his drink and said, “Casually familiar.”
Fang Peiming was shrewd; he saw through some things but didn’t spell them out. “I won’t argue with you about the rest. I just want to know if he’s signed with an agency yet?”
“No.”
Fang Peiming nodded. “Since you won’t make the introduction, I’ll have to approach him myself.”
“I thought you weren’t taking on new talents anymore?”
Although Xie An’yu had outstanding looks, becoming a star required more than just that. Fang Peiming’s artists either had massive followings or solid achievements. For an agent of his caliber to actively seek out Xie An’yu was something Yu Feng found confusing.
“I’m not taking him on, but there are others in my company who can.”
Yu Feng understood—this was about using Xie An’yu to mentor the rookie agents in his company.
“A matter like this requires the Chef Fang to step in personally?”
“Who made you unwilling to share even a contact method? It just so happens we ran into him here today.” Fang Peiming raised an eyebrow. “Does he have strong backing? Does Irene want to promote him?”
“I don’t know.”
“Keep playing dumb.” Fang Peiming nudged his arm. “Are you his backer?”
Yu Feng turned to look at him. “I could be considered a backer?”
“Your status in the industry doesn’t count as backing? Too modest.” Fang Peiming checked his watch. “He went to the restroom? Why isn’t he back yet?”
He set down his glass and said to Yu Feng, “There’s still someone waiting for me over there. Do me a favor—when he comes back, send me a WeChat.”
Yu Feng nodded.
Afraid that Xie An’yu wouldn’t be able to find him upon returning, Yu Feng stayed put in the same spot. The sea breeze brushed against his cheeks in waves; the deck was pleasantly cool.
***
Xie An’yu had gone to the restroom and, upon returning, found someone still beside Yu Feng. This person, however, had a different vibe from the earlier crowd—also handsome, but strikingly so, tall with a mature demeanor, his expression lazy when he smiled.
He had a cigarette in his mouth and offered one to Yu Feng.
“It’s been so long since we last met, you’ve changed quite a bit from before,” Zheng Qing said to Yu Feng, his tone as flippant as ever. “Seems like you suit my taste even more now.”
Yu Feng said, “I don’t smoke.”
Zheng Qing chuckled and put the cigarette back in the case. “What, quit smoking?”
“I don’t smoke much these days. There’s a kid at home.”
Zheng Qing raised an eyebrow: “I just made a move and you’re already turning me down?”
“Haven’t I already turned you down before?”
“I’m just a persistent thief at heart.”
“You’re not a persistent thief; you’re just bored with too much time on your hands.”
Zheng Qing looked down and chuckled: “Just kidding. When did this famous hottie get an owner?”
“Brother.”
Yu Feng turned his head at the sound. Zheng Qing took the cigarette out of his mouth and tilted his head to look at Yu Feng: “The owner has arrived.”
Xie An’yu was frowning, his displeasure written clearly on his face—he must have overheard their conversation.
“Introduce us,” Zheng Qing said with a smile, looking at Yu Feng.
Xie An’yu’s expression was too sour. Yu Feng was wondering how to coax him later. During his brief moment of silence, Xie An’yu introduced himself: “I’m his boyfriend.”
The author has something to say:
Xiao Dao: *_*
Happy Dragon Boat Festival ^ ^
[dropdown title=”List of Idiom in Chapter 79″]
賊心不死 (zéi xīn bù sǐ): lit. a heart that never dies of evil; not to give up one’s gangster designs; press ahead with one’s sinister designs; refuse to give up one’s evil designs; not be reconciled to one’s failure in evil attempts; unrepentant thief; describing someone who stubbornly persists in harboring evil intentions. The basic meaning of this phrase is to continue engaging in inappropriate behavior without abandoning one’s bad intentions.
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