Exclusive Model for the Top Painter Chapter 9

Slightly Scorching Heat in the Rain

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The curtains in the studio were half drawn, and the afterglow of the setting sun poured in, giving a different kind of softness to the light and shadows.

Ji Xiuyuan sat at his easel, but he was not as engaged as he had been in the past, he was a little distracted.

Liang Jin had secured an audition for an advertisement for a brand of Bluetooth earbuds and had left the house early in the morning. Now, the sun was setting, and he hadn't returned yet.

Ji Xiuyuan turned on his cell phone, and on the screen was a cold digital clock. The text message he had sent to Liang Jin an hour ago had not yet received a reply.

He put the cell phone in his pocket, got up and left the easel, stood by the window, and looked out into the distance.

There were a few chicks on the manicured lawn, and the water in the pool was glistening in the sunlight.

Everything was as usual, but there was something missing.

His cell phone vibrated softly, he immediately pulled it out to check it, and a news item appeared in front of him:

[Unexpected attack on a subway station in the city! The attacker was in possession of a restricted weapon, injuring many people!]

An extremely bad thought suddenly came to his mind, and he didn't think twice before calling Liang Jin's phone.

The 'beep' that came from the receiver filled the air with anxiety, and after ten long seconds, a mechanical voice sounded: "Hello, the number you have dialled is temporarily unavailable..."

Ji Xiuyuan's eyelids trembled slightly, and he called again.

Still no answer.

He stubbornly dialled the number again and again until the seventh call, which after three beeps, was finally answered.

"Hello, Ji Shen?"

Hearing this voice, it was as if his entire body was relieved. His frown finally eased, and Ji Xiuyuan's voice was low: "Why haven't you come back yet?"

"Oh, sorry, I just saw your text message." Liang Jin explained, "There was an incident at the subway station today, I did a favor..."

The nerves that had just been relaxed were tense again, and before hearing him out, Ji Xiuyuan immediately interrupted, "Where are you now?"

"F University Affiliated Hospital."

"I'm coming over."

"Huh? There's no need, Ji Shen, things are basically settled, I..." Liang Jin looked at the phone that had been disconnected in his hand and became lost in thought

He was indeed there when the subway station was attacked. But when he approached the scene, the person's weapon had already been wrestled away. Together with a group of other keen citizens, he was able to subdue the man and help bring the injured victims to hospital, but that was all.

But it seems that Ji Xiuyuan has misunderstood.

Someone next to him joked, "Oh, is your girlfriend getting a little bit nervous? Is she coming to pick you up?"

Liang Jin was embarrassed: "No, that's not it."

"Why are you blushing if it's not?"

"It's embarrassment, not blushing." Liang Jin retorted, "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll beat you up."

This man was a man named He Xing, whom Liang Jin had met at the subway station during his act of bravery.

He Xing shrugged his shoulders and said goodbye, "Then I'll leave first, I won't eat any more dog food, so you can wait for your girlfriend here by yourself."

Liang Jin: ......

He found a corner in the hospital lobby and idly watched the crowds come and go.

A figure emerged into the light, striding firmly towards him. Their eyes met silently, like magnets attracting each other, sending a jolt of electricity through their hearts.

Ji Xiuyuan came to his side and rubbed his hair, asking softly, "Are you hurt?"

His expression was so gentle that Liang Jin's heart seemed to lift up and float in the air, stepping on a cloud.

"How is that possible?" His heart was beating so fast that he could only use excited words to cover it up, "I've never been injured in a fight like this before."

"What would you like to eat tonight?"

"Can we cook at home?"

"Yes."

"Great, Ji Shen, I want to cut the meat this time!"

His cell phone vibrated and Ji Xiuyuan took it out to check it, frowning, "We might have to get a ride home."

"What's wrong?"

"I was in a hurry to park when I arrived, so I didn't pay attention to the road and my car was towed by the traffic police."

Liang Jin laughed gloatingly and put a hand on his shoulder, "I never thought there would be a time when Ji Shen would fumble with his car, haha."

Ji Xiuyuan asked, "Do you know how to call a taxi?"

Liang Jin was shocked, "You don't know how to call a taxi?"

"Mhmm," Ji Xiuyuan explained, "I usually have my trips arranged by Wen Di or my company, or I drive my own car. When I was abroad, I did know how to use a taxi, but I never used a taxi app."

Liang Jin opened the map on his cell phone and looked at it for a while: "This place isn't far from home, about three kilometres, why don't we walk back? Consider it exercise."

"Okay."

A City is by the sea.

It was nearly dusk and the sun had mostly set, leaving only a pale orange silhouette on the sea.

The two were walking side by side, and as the wind lightly swept over them, several seagulls passed by.

Liang Jin said, "That's a fat seagull, it's making me hungry."

"Seagulls, scientifically known as Larus canus, have a brownish iris; the beak, feet and toes are dark orange; the wings are quartz grey, and the tail is pure white. The meat is sour and sinewy, and is not recommended as a base ingredient."

Liang Jin's desire vanished in an instant: "Right, seagulls are good friends to humans, how can we eat them?" He winked at Ji Xiuyuan, "As expected of Ji Shen, you even know this, you wouldn't have eaten it, would you?"

"No, I once drew an illustration for 'Fundamentals of Ornithology'." Ji Xiuyuan turned to him and asked, "How was the audition today?"

"I feel okay, but the results won't be out for a week or so." Feeling a sudden coolness and a wet vapour in the air, Liang Jin reached his hand out and caught a few raindrops: "Ah, it's going to rain."

Ji Xiuyuan raised his eyes and saw that the curtain of clouds was hanging low in the distance, a sign of a rainstorm: "Let's hurry up."

"Mmm."

Although the agreement was made properly, no one quickened their pace.

The rain grew denser, wetting both of their hair, and the fresh air was laden with the lingering smell of grass and flowers.

A thunderclap rang out, and the rain suddenly turned sharp and poured down on them, soaking their bodies to the bone.

Liang Jin looked at Ji Xiuyuan with bright eyes: "Ji Shen, you look so cool right now. It's like one of those movies where the villain appears decent on the outside but is actually ruthless!"

He stood in front of Ji Xiuyuan and pulled up the collar of his shirt, pulled his hair, which was soaked from rain, back from his forehead, and commented, "It's perfect, Hollywood is a loss without you!"

Infected by his enthusiasm, Ji Xiuyuan's eyes also seemed to light up with burning stars, silently watching as the rain traced the side of his face, wetting his hair and slipping into his clothes.

Liang Jin said beside his ear, "Ji Shen, I know a shortcut!" He took Ji Xiuyuan's wrist naturally and led him into a nearby alley.

This was a residential area with historical charm, mostly two- or three-storey brick buildings with flowering plants in the courtyard, some of which were in such good condition that they were attached to the outer walls.

Strolling down the alleyway takes people's mind off the rain and adds a hint of romance and fun.

Ji Xiuyuan even had an illusion, wishing that the winding alleys could be longer and longer.

When they arrived at their house, it was night. As the streetlights came on, they lit up the rain like silk in an instant.

Liang Jin smiled and said, "It's a good time for the lights to come on, it's like they're welcoming you home."

Ji Xiuyuan gazed at him attentively and did not reply.

The only thing that remained was a beating heart, which leapt vividly and hotly in the cool rain.

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

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Translator Notes

Please feel free to comment any mistakes I made so I can improve and do better as I go through the book.

Translated: April 22, 2023