Exclusive Model for the Top Painter Chapter 20

Indulging in a Kiss During the Qixi Festival

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In a blink of an eye, it was August 14, the Qixi Festival.

Ji Xiuyuan's schedule was full all day, creating work at the National Central Academy of Fine Arts in the morning, and attending the regular shareholders' meeting of the Tian Han Group in the afternoon.

Liang Jin was in a surprisingly happy mood as he looked at the small doll he had made on his desk in his room. This was the only satisfactory work he had managed to produce after staying up for two weeks and failing n times!

The little figurine was about the same height as a mobile phone, but it was incredibly realistic.

At first, Liang Jin started to make it from a photo, but later he decided that it was not the right approach to take, so he started to create it directly from the image of Ji Xiuyuan in his mind, but to his surprise, the result was quite good.

The chibi of Ji Xiuyuan was wearing a simple white shirt, holding a paintbrush in his hand, smiling gently and looking into the distance.

When Liang Jin looked at his own Ji Xiuyuan, he had the absurd illusion that he was really looking at him.

He put the figurine into the prepared gift box, closed the lid and looked at the time, it was 4:20 p.m. At this time, the meeting was almost over, right?

Liang Jin took the gift with him and took a taxi to the Tian Han Group headquarters building. Only after entering did he remember that he had no idea where Ji Xiuyuan's office was.

If he asked him directly, there would be less of a surprise, so Liang Jin planned to go to the reception desk for help.

The female receptionist politely asked, "Hello Sir, how can I help you?"

Liang Jin said, "Hello, may I ask what floor Mr. Ji Xiuyuan's office is on?"

The young lady froze for a moment, "Do you have an appointment?"

"... No."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ji is very busy. Without an appointment, I can't provide you with the relevant information."

After thanking her, Liang Jin stood dejectedly at the front door.

His cohabitation with Ji Xiuyuan had led him to believe that he was an easy man to approach. But the reality was that, as a newcomer to the circle who was not known, he could not even see him.

"A'Liang, why are you here?" Wen Di had just returned from an errand outside and was walking towards the door with papers in his hand when he caught a glimpse of Liang Jin standing next to him.

Hearing that voice, Liang Jin practically wept with joy: "Wen Di! It's great that I ran into you!!! It's Ji Shen's birthday and I'm here to deliver some warmth. But I can't get in and I don't know where Ji Shen's office is, so you have to help me!"

Wen Di looked at his wristwatch, "He should still be in a meeting now, so come in with me first."

"Okay, thank you so much!"

Wen Di led him in and took the elevator straight up to the 23rd floor.

Liang Jin asked, "Does he have any plans for this evening? I mean, will the company be preparing a birthday party or something?"

"There are no plans," Wen Di said as he walked, "Director Ji keeps his work and personal life very separate, and especially doesn't like the company interfering with his private life."

The corridor was thickly carpeted and when they reached a room, Wen Di stopped abruptly,

"But there's a steady stream of gifts from fans or partners, and they're all piled up here."

Liang Jin glanced inside, the room was full of flowers and gift boxes.

Looking at the bright and shiny gifts inside, the little figurine he was holding suddenly looked a little shabby.

Wen Di found an empty small conference room and told Liang Jin to stay inside: "It just so happens that I have to go to the conference site to deliver information, so I'll tell Director Ji for you, you can wait for him here."

After Wen Di left, Liang Jin was the only one left in the room.

He put the gift on the table and stood by the blue glass window, looking out.

High-rise buildings were lined up, and roads were crisscrossed with traffic.

Liang Jin secretly sighed: no matter which way you look at it, Ji Shen is an unattainable existence. I see Ji Shen as a friend, even beyond a normal friend relationship - someone I cherish. I was lucky to have his attention, encouragement and help. But why, then, do I always feel unsatisfied? Always wishing the connection between us could be deeper, more special?

Liang Jin looked at his shallow reflection on the glass window and his heart was in turmoil: Why… is it like this?

"What's on your mind?" The door was gently pushed open, and Ji Xiuyuan, wearing a low-end but classy suit, slowly walked towards him.

Liang Jin came back to his senses and smiled: "Thinking about what to have for dinner, have you finished the meeting?"

"Mhmm." Ji Xiuyuan walked closer to him, "So, have you thought about it?"

"Nope," Liang Jin picked up the gift box from the table, "Happy birthday, Ji Shen!"

Ji Xiuyuan took the box solemnly, "I want to open it now, is that okay?"

"Of course you can!"

When Ji Xiuyuan opened the box, there was a momentary pause in his expression before a gentle smile appeared: "Did you make this yourself?"

"Yes! I spent countless nights, devoted my heart and soul, and spent huge amounts of money to create this!" Liang Jin poked the chibi version of Ji Xiuyuan's head, "Look at him, how perfect he is!"

Ji Xiuyuan: "Can I take it that you're complimenting me?"

Liang Jin: "You are already perfect, Ji Shen!"

Ji Xiuyuan carefully put the doll back into the box, "I like it very much, thank you."

Liang Jin was a little embarrassed by how seriously he thanked him, "It's good that you like it..."

Ji Xiuyuan raised his eyes to look at him, "Do you have any plans tonight?"

"No."

"Do you want to have dinner together? Treat it as spending my birthday with me."

Liang Jin's mind went blank for a moment, although it was indeed Ji Xiuyuan's birthday today, it was also Qixi Festival. Having dinner together at such a sensitive time would inevitably lead to romantic thoughts... But the other party was Ji Xiuyuan, and there was no way he could refuse: "... Okay."

The mall was bustling with couples, and as far as the eye could see, it was full of lovers in pairs.

Liang Jin and Ji Xiuyuan were walking side by side, and their striking appearance caused a lot of heads to turn, there was even a young girl excitedly discussing with her companion, "That couple is so handsome!!!"

Liang Jin was embarrassed, but Ji Xiuyuan seemed to be in a good mood as he approached him and asked, "What do you want to eat for dinner?"

"I'm fine with anything, it's your birthday, you decide." Liang Jin deliberately and boldly added, "I'll pay the bill tonight!"

Passing by a Western restaurant, the campaign team at the entrance shouted vigorously, "Romantic event for Qixi Festival, big price cuts all over the place! Don't miss it! 10% off with your marriage certificate, wishing you a long and prosperous life! 20% discount for a live kiss! A deep French kiss comes with a free gift!"

Ji Xiuyuan paused, "Let's go to this place."

The service staff immediately gathered around, "Good evening, gentlemen! Welcome to Jingyu Western Restaurant, there is a special event for Qixi Festival tonight, are you two interested in participating? It's very romantic."

Ji Xiuyuan asked knowingly, "What kind of event?"

"May I ask if you two have a marriage certificate? Foreign ones are fine."

Liang Jin was just about to explain that they were not a couple, but Ji Xiuyuan flatly replied, "No."

"Then you can consider our [Charge for Love] kissing challenge, as long as you kiss for more than a minute, you can enjoy a 20% discount!"

Ji Xiuyuan leaned down slightly and whispered in Liang Jin's ear, "Want to try?"

The onlookers' adrenaline levels instantly shot up, and a few young ladies were even excited and anticipating it.

Liang Jin's face immediately turned red: "Ji Shen, don't… play jokes on me."

Ji Xiuyuan said frankly, "I don't mind selling myself to help you save money."

Liang Jin was stunned, "No way Ji Shen, are you serious?"

Ji Xiuyuan didn't answer, but gently put his arm around him and whispered, "If you don't like it, just push me away."

Liang Jin was frozen in place as he watched Ji Xiuyuan slowly bend his head and press his lips to his own.

Screams and applause began to ring out all around.

But Liang Jin felt that everything was in a blur, all of his senses were now converging between their intertwined lips and tongues.

He was very gentle.

His kiss was long and delicate, like a melodious piece of music.

Ji Xiuyuan was kissing him.

Just the thought of it made it impossible for Liang Jin to think, let alone push away.

He heard his heart beating faster and faster, more and more rapidly, as if it was about to burst out of his chest.

On the night of this Qixi Festival, he gradually lost his mind and became addicted.

‿︵‿︵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: May 10, 2023