Exclusive Model for the Top Painter Chapter 30

A Heart Filled with Longing

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Since securing the leading role in Si Qing Ru Xia, Liang Jin has become busy.

Three days a week, he works with Ji Xiuyuan at the National Central Academy of Fine Arts on creative work, and the rest of the time, whenever he is free, he is captured by Yao Yin on the set.

It was only when the film officially started filming that Liang Jin realised what Ji Xiuyuan had warned him about: if Song Kaicheng was a fussy, nit-picking Mama Rong during the filming of the Bluetooth earbud commercial, then Yao Yin was like a demon from hell, the kind that specialises in torturing people.

Now he finally understood why Yao Yin liked to pick newcomers for the lead roles. Because newcomers are like a blank sheet of paper that she can mould, and because only newcomers can withstand her endless torment.

As a result, his time alone with Ji Xiuyuan was greatly reduced.

On the one hand, Liang Jin was a little disappointed, but on the other hand, he felt relieved: ever since he realised his feelings for Ji Shen, he didn't know how to face him.

After he finished filming that day, it was close to midnight once again.

Liang Jin returned to the villa and opened the door gingerly, only to see a warm yellow light in the living room.

Ji Xiuyuan was sitting on the sofa with his computer on his lap, working.

Liang Jin stood in place, staring greedily at his face. Although they had met that morning at the National Central Academy of Fine Arts, it was a work setting and there were others around.

While now, there was only each other.

As much as he didn't want to admit it, Liang Jin really did miss him.

The strange thing was that Ji Shen usually worked in his study or bedroom at night, so why was he in the living room today instead?

Could it be that he was waiting for him?

This thought suddenly popped into Liang Jin's head, and his heart beat a little faster.

When Ji Xiuyuan looked up from his screen and saw Liang Jin, he closed his computer: "You're back? How was work today?"

"It was okay," Liang Jin sat down beside him, "You were right, Ji Shen, Yao Yin is really too perverted!"

Ji Xiuyuan put his computer on the table, then reached out and wrapped his arm around Liang Jin's waist, taking him into his arms, before leaning over to whisper in his ear, "You've lost weight."

Liang Jin swallowed nervously, "It can't be helped."

"No," Ji Xiuyuan's arm was still around his waist, his fingertips tapping against his skin, "from tomorrow onwards, you must eat three meals a day with me."

"... That's a bit difficult, isn't it?"

"I'll make time for it." Ji Xiuyuan tightened his grip slightly, "Could it be that you're even busier than I am?"

"But, why?"

"As my model, you need to maintain a healthy physique,"

Liang Jin felt inexplicably lost, as if everything was just business, until he heard the second half of the sentence —

"if you lose too much weight, I will be distressed."

Like a river bursting its banks or the vast ocean, a surge of warmth and fluttering instantly overwhelmed his heart, shattering any uncertainty or confusion.

No matter what kind of feelings he had, Ji Shen cared for me.

Even if I can't get his love now, let me take advantage of his tenderness under the guise of friendship.

Liang Jin smiled and said, "Okay, I promise you."

———

The next morning, under the watchful eye of Ji Xiuyuan, Liang Jin ate breakfast according to the nutritious recipe.

Eating eggs was particularly painful because he hated egg yolks and used to eat only egg whites. But under Ji Shen's 'caring' gaze, Liang Jin had to force himself to swallow the whole egg honestly, including the yolk.

After breakfast, he was hurried by Yao Yin to go to the set. Ji Xiuyuan, on the other hand, went to the National Central Academy of Fine Arts to attend an academic workshop on the Liao Zhai series of paintings according to his schedule.

The creation of the paintings had now come to an end and specific matters related to the exhibition needed to be prepared. After the last press conference, the National Central Academy of Fine Arts invited Zoe to join the project team as well.

Zoe and Ji Xiuyuan were on good terms and were often seen chatting in secluded areas after each workshop. As a result, rumours spread about the two.

However, the content of their conversation went something like this —

Zoe: "How's your progress? Quickly, quickly, tell me, I'm curious!"

Ji Xiuyuan: "He's been very busy with work lately, there's not much time for him to be alone."

Zoe: "No way? Vincent, time is like a sponge, there's always time to squeeze, that's no excuse!"

Ji Xiuyuan: "But I made a deal with him to eat three meals a day together."

Zoe gives a thumbs up: "Not bad, as expected, that's a bonne idée! When are you going to confess?"

Ji Xiuyuan: "Will it scare him?"

Zoe: "Didn't you say that he was interested in you too?"

Ji Xiuyuan: "Actually, I'm not sure... I don't know if his feelings for me are what I think they are."

Zoe: "That's amazing, I never thought that one day I'd see you acting like someone just learning about love hahaha! I suddenly remembered a saying: L'amitié finit parfois en amour, mais rarement l'amour en amitié. (Friendship sometimes ends in love, but rarely does love turn into friendship.) Try it, turn friendship into love~"

Ji Xiuyuan: "What do you need for a confession? Roses, gifts?"

Zoe: "And sincerity."

When Liang Jin arrived at the National Central Academy of Fine Arts, he saw them standing together.

On the way here, he had been full of joy, looking forward to seeing Ji Shen and having lunch with him, but he had never thought that it would be his own wishful thinking in the end.

From this angle, Liang Jin could see their backs as they stood side by side.

As he approached quietly, he could even hear the whispers of their conversation.

Ji Shen's voice, it was so gentle.

It was a pity that the conversation was not with him.

Liang Jin walked forward in bewilderment, and when he was a wall away from them, he heard Ji Xiuyuan say, "Where is the best place to order roses, are you familiar with any florists in A City?"

Zoe smiled, "Of course, I have a friend who owns a flower shop. Is the gift ready? Be a bit creative so that the person will be touched."

A sharp, short, severe pain spread from his chest, as if his heart had been slashed open.

Ji Shen, what was he doing buying roses and gifts?

Was he going to confess his feelings to someone?

Were they, going to be together?

The pain that tore deep inside his heart intensified and he could barely breathe.

Ji Shen, was going to be with someone else.

Gradually, he lost the ability to think, leaving only a strong sense of unwillingness and pain.

This emotion was so thick and heavy, he felt his throat tighten.

Liang Jin smiled self-deprecatingly, had he already fallen so deeply without realising it?

He clenched his right hand, his nails deeply embedded in his flesh:

Sober up a bit, Ji Shen and I, we are originally from two worlds.

My greed and selfishness for him should have been curbed a long time ago.

This is good, Liang Jin crouched in the corner in despair, thinking to himself: this is good.

What kind of bullshit love is that, I don't need it.

He slowly stood up and walked away in the opposite direction:

After today, I won't love.

‿︵‿︵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 25, 2023