Exclusive Model for the Top Painter Chapter 46

The Boy Abducted by God

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9 a.m., international art department of Tian Han Group.

Anderson, the curator of the American Art Museum, has come from afar to discuss the creation of the [Platonic Love] series of paintings with Ji Xiuyuan.

Platonic love is a concept of love named after the philosopher Plato, and in modern society symbolises a purely rational spiritual relationship. But if one were to go back to ancient Greece and open Plato's original text 'Symposium', it would be clear that its original meaning actually referred to the love between a grown man and a beautiful boy.

It was after attending their wedding in France that Anderson came up with the idea for this theme: a perfect fusion of ancient Western culture with modern Eastern elements, a highly unique innovation in aesthetic art.

The first painting, entitled 'Abduction – Lure', is inspired by Homer's 'Iliad' and tells the story of Zeus, the king of the gods, who takes a beautiful young prince captive after falling in love with him at first sight.

One day, looking down across the world from Mount Olympus, Zeus caught sight of Ganymede, a young prince of Troy playing with his friends. Fascinated by the young prince's outstanding beauty, he swooped down in the form of a giant eagle and gently captured the beautiful boy, taking him as his lover.

The original poem the 'Iliad' reads:

Tros bore three immaculate sons,

Ganymede grew up to be a man of great beauty,

the gods saw his beauty,

they kept him in the immortal realm of the gods.

Ganymede was Zeus' only male companion and his most favoured of them all. As the wine server of the gods, he travelled between the banquets of the gods. It is said that each time he offered his lover Zeus a drink, he would lift the cup and touch it to his lips, then turn the glass halfway around before handing it to Zeus.

The scene that the painting is intended to show is that of the young prince who has just been taken captive by Zeus, frightened and confused, helpless and expectant. The panic of being taken from the human world and the anticipation of a new life in the divine world.

The stylist finished Liang Jin's make-up, he wore a Greek-style rectangular robe draped over his shoulders, and his short, slightly curly hair fell smoothly over his ears. When viewed from the side, his long, white legs were faintly visible beneath the robe.

The young man's fine figure and gorgeous face were breathtaking, just like the young boy in the poem.

At that moment, he was half lying at the foot of a statue of Zeus. Biting his lower lip, his eyes brimming with tears. Looking up at the king of the gods, begging for his mercy and pity.

Ji Xiuyuan quietly approached and crouched down beside him, whispering to him, "Xiao Jin... the way you look now, it's really easy to attract people to commit crimes."

Liang Jin smiled at him, "We're at work now, Ji Shen! At this moment, I only have Zeus in my eyes!" He pointed to the statue of the god beside him, "If anyone is going to commit a crime, it's him."

Ji Xiuyuan slid his fingertips over his lips, "You'll know who's committing the crime when you get home tonight."

———

At 7 p.m., Liang Jin was invited to attend the premiere of the film 'Si Qing Ru Xia'.

The film was the only literary film Yao Yin had directed this year, and although it was niche, it was exquisite. At the premiere, in addition to the film's lead actors, many well-known directors and critics within the circle were also invited.

The main actors were seated in the first row, and when Liang Jin took his seat, he discovered to his despair that Yu Shan's seat was next to his own again.

Trying to ignore this fact, Liang Jin chatted with Ying Jinshi, the actress who played the female lead next to him. It was only when the film was about to start that Yu Shan arrived late and sat down next to Liang Jin in a grand manner.

He looked Liang Jin up and down for a while and said in a questioning tone, "Why do you have a ring on your hand?!!"

Liang Jin was speechless: "Emperor Yu, what do you think? Did the ring suddenly arrive on my hand of its own accord?"

"You're married?"

"Yes."

Yu Shan couldn't believe it: "If I remember correctly, you should be just in your early twenties, why are you so thoughtless?"

"Emperor Yu, when you hear the happy news of someone's new marriage, you should send your blessings, not talk nonsense. Didn't anyone teach you this?"

Yu Shan sneered disdainfully, "I just don't like those false courtesies, in other words, I live a very real life."

It was the first time he saw someone speak so rudely in such a refreshing way, and Liang Jin planned to turn off the mic immediately and stop talking to him.

Yu Shan was like a dogskin plaster, "I'm serious, do you want to try it with me? I'm very good at it." (Angel: Dogskin plaster is a metaphor for someone who deceives others.)

"I'm married, please show some respect."

"You can cheat even if you're married."

Liang Jin clenched his fists together, "Emperor Yu, let me remind you, I don't have a good temper and I like to hit people."

When Yu Shan remembered that he was a black belt in Taekwondo, a drop of cold sweat slipped down his forehead and he immediately changed his tone, "Just kidding, do you have to be so serious? How can you attract fans if you're this violent and can't take a joke?"

"Sorry, I don't have any fans, I don't care."

Yu Shan was speechless for a moment, he just couldn't understand why this person would neither listen to reason nor bow to force!

As the lights went out, the giant screen began to show 'Si Qing Ru Xia'.

The camera showed a bright summer day, with the sun burning brightly. S, played by Liang Jin, emerges from a dilapidated bus wearing a black felt hat and arrives in this charming and laid-back town.

A group of children laugh and play as they run past him, while a tranquil woman stands in the shade next to him. She is holding a pale green umbrella, her head bowed as she reads a book, as if she is waiting for someone.

This was the first time S met the heroine, Xia Qing.

The sunlight pours over him through the clouds. As S looks at this strange girl, it is as if he is struck by Cupid's arrow and the love in his heart begins to sprout.

Yu Shan commented, "The acting here is slightly juvenile, but conversely it's a good thing, adding a sense of youthfulness to the character."

Later, the plot progresses to the point where S and Xia Qing become friends and Xia Qing goes on a blind date with the scumbag Luo Zhou, while S is secretly sad and drinks to drown his sorrows.

As Liang Jin watched the scene, he immediately recalled his own state at that time: he and Ji Shen were not yet together at that time, and he was thinking wildly and being jealous indiscriminately.

He had thought that this matter had been revealed a long time ago, but he never expected that the film would have captured his exact state of mind at that time. Looking at himself on the screen, Liang Jin was so embarrassed that his scalp tingled.

Yu Shan added, "The acting here is very good, the emotions are very sincere."

Could it not be sincere? Liang Jin inwardly complained, I was acting with Ji Shen in mind, every scene was genuine!!!

When the film came to S beating up the scumbag, Yu Shan sighed repeatedly, "What a beauty, why did you fight so viciously?"

Liang Jin really wanted him to shut up.

The climax of the film was the scene between Yu Shan and Liang Jin.

When R, played by Yu Shan, kidnaps the heroine and threatens S, there were gasps from the audience.

It has to be said that Yu Shan's performance was outstanding, and he portrayed a crazy and obsessive psychopathic killer in a vivid and clear manner. Liang Jin's performance was also noteworthy, but only he himself knew how much torture he had to endure from the director in order to achieve the best results.

Yu Shan tilted his head and said to him, "I think the role of R has a deeper meaning."

Liang Jin pondered, "He represents S's past and sins."

"No, that's not what I want to say. On an emotional level, he actually likes S, to the point of obsession."

Liang Jin was dumbfounded, he remembered that this was a film with a normal orientation???

Yu Shan continued, "R obviously intended to kill Xia Qing, why did he have to design a situation where S had to choose one of two? Because he wanted to psychologically break down S's defences, he wanted to ruin everything good between S and Xia Qing. In other words, he is declaring in an extreme way: S and I are the only ones of our kind, and he ultimately belongs to me, whether now, in the past or in the future. This kind of affection is not, by any stretch of the imagination, in the realm of normal friendship. What's even more terrible is that he succeeded in achieving his goal."

"He didn't succeed."

"He did succeed. Although the film has an open ending, Xia Qing dies and S's relationship with her ends without a trace."

"No, he didn't succeed." Liang Jin said seriously, "Although R ostensibly ruined S's happiness, the feelings between S and Xia Qing are all the more precious because of it. In my opinion, the key to a man's emotions does not lie in the length of time, let alone in who he is with, but in where his heart and soul belong. To be with the one you love, even if it is only for one day, it is worth tens of thousands of years. Xia Qing died and S lived on forever in her place. More importantly, S will never be able to reciprocate R's feelings, if any exist between them."

Yu Shan stared at the movie screen without saying a word.

Liang Jin said, "He will only hate him more."

Yu Shan smiled, "Intense hate is sometimes love, isn't it?"

The lights came on again and the credits began to roll on the screen.

Chief Director: Yao Yin

Executive Director: Xing Yi, Ju Lan

S/Quan Cheng: Liang Jin

Xia Qing: Ying Jinshi

R: Yu Shan (special appearance)

Liang Jin looked at the rolling cast list and said softly, "The understanding of the script and the characters will be biassed depending on one's perspective. There are a thousand Hamlets in the eyes of a thousand people, and maybe that's what it looks like to you, Emperor Yu. But I'm afraid I can't agree with you, as I've always had a clear distinction of love and hate."

As the premiere ended, it was drizzling outside.

It was already winter, and the night had added to the chill.

It was not far from home, and Liang Jin stood at the entrance without an umbrella, contemplating whether to take a taxi or run back in the rain.

Yu Shan walked past him and deliberately asked, "Where do you live? Shall I drop you off on my way?"

In the darkness of the night, a man arrived with an umbrella.

Under the streetlight, Liang Jin saw his figure clearly and smiled, "No need, he's come to pick me up."

Yu Shan followed his gaze to see Ji Xiuyuan, wearing a dark Chesterfield coat, walking this way through the night.

Liang Jin ran to his side through the rain and Ji Xiuyuan naturally took his hand, "Are you cold?"

"A little! It's winter already!"

Ji Xiuyuan took off his coat and draped it over his shoulders, "Let's go back and have some hot soup to warm you up."

"Okay."

Wrapping his arms around Liang Jin's waist, Ji Xiuyuan leaned down slightly and kissed him on the lips.

In the silvery rain, the sizzling tenderness quickly ignited a certain strong desire.

Although he knew that he must have done it deliberately to show a certain movie star, Liang Jin was still particularly cooperative and wrapped his arms around his neck, making the kiss even deeper and more entwined.

After the long kiss, Ji Xiuyuan asked, "Still cold?"

"Not cold, even a little hot."

"En." Ji Xiuyuan said, "Later, when we get back, it can get even hotter."

‿︵‿︵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: June 29, 2023