Exclusive Model for the Top Painter Chapter 58

Depicting Hidden Selfishness

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After the trailer for 'The Legend of Changqing Swordsman' was aired, it caused a great response in the market, and as a result, Liang Jin was awarded the Most Popular Newcomer Award at the A City Film and Television Night, with the award ceremony being held at the A City Media Centre on Friday night.

With his previous works, Liang Jin had already made a name for himself in the modelling industry, but he was still a complete new face in the film and television industry. This time, Liang Jin's participation in the Film and Television Night Awards Ceremony was purely to cooperate with the film crew and accompany them as they go through the motions.

The Film and Television Night was organised by A City Radio and Television Station once a year, and the most prestigious awards were the Best Actor and Best Actress awards.

Apart from that, the Best Director, Best Cinematographer, Best Screenplay and the Judge's Award also attracted a lot of attention.

Liang Jin was able to receive the Most Popular Newcomer Award, partly due to the popularity of 'The Legend of the Changqing Swordsman', but more so because the judges took into account his brilliant performance in the film 'Si Qing Ru Xia'.

Although the award itself was nothing too valuable, it was nevertheless a good sign.

Although he had known Yu Shan for quite a long time, it was still the first time Liang Jin had witnessed the film emperor's elegance under the spotlight.

The male host's voice was passionate: "It's no surprise that Emperor Yu won the Best Actor Award. I was trying to whet everyone's appetite, but everyone here is acting as if this is the way it should be, and I even suspect that I'm the last one to know the result!"

The hostess next to him continued, "As we all know, Emperor Yu has had a lot of great works this year. First, he acted in the Hollywood-funded sci-fi masterpiece 'Interstellar Knight 3', and then he played Li Shimin in CCTV's fine historical drama 'Sui and Tang Dynasty'. But nothing stood out more than his portrayal of the male lead in 'Era'. This drama focuses on the struggles and dilemmas of contemporary youth, providing a breakthrough idea for growing up against the odds in the context of the new era. It is thanks to his brilliant performance in this drama that Mr. Yu is taking home the Best Actor Award for the third time, so let's give him our best wishes!"

The scene resounded with warm applause.

Under the bright beams of light, Yu Shan was dressed in an elaborate swallowtail tuxedo, with a black Windsor bow tie. With exquisite features, flowing eyes, and a pleasant voice, he exuded a gorgeous and noble charm, "Thank you, I'm honoured."

The male host asked, "Emperor Yu, do you have anything you want to say to everyone?"

Yu Shan smiled, "Maybe next year, you will be able to see me again. I haven't thought of an acceptance speech yet, let's talk about it next year."

Liang Jin was outright speechless, this was too crazy, wasn't it?

This year's award ceremony wasn't even over yet, and he was already planning for next year.

However, from the crowd's reaction of laughter and applause, Yu Shan has been acting like this for more than a day or two, and the entertainment industry was particularly fond of his style.

Is this the so-called "top stream" in the circle, being capricious?

Then my family's Ji Shen is also in the top stream, he is just much more low-key.

Every time he won an international award, his speech would always be indifferent and calm.

When he returned, he would throw all the trophies, medals, certificates and so on into the display cabinet of the studio, and those honours, which seem to be unparalleled to outsiders, could only be lined up in a corner to collect dust.

Every time someone came to visit the studio and saw the pile of awards thrown in the display case, there was no one who did not stare in disbelief.

Ji Shen would always say, "However, being among them is nothing."

The visitors would then immediately show even more admiration.

Liang Jin suddenly figured out that this was called: invisible pretence is the most deadly!

It seems that my Ji Shen is in a higher bracket after all!

He once again raised his eyes to look at the glowing and impressive film star on the stage and secretly sighed:

The difference between this person on screen and off screen is too big!

How would his fans feel if they knew that he was actually an arrogant, childish, irritable and difficult to serve young master?

Liang Jin suddenly thought of Ruan Jun and looked over towards him.

Only to see Ruan Jun standing not far from the stage, his eyes closely following Yu Shan's figure as if looking up to his god.

———

The coast of A City was economically developed, and the film and television industry was the most prosperous.

Therefore, this award ceremony was particularly grand.

Although the award Liang Jin received was insignificant, the trophy was quite impressive.

When he held the crystal trophy in front of Ji Xiuyuan and praised it wildly, the latter gently smiled and said, "Xiao Jin, do you know who the designer of the trophy is?"

"How would I know!"

"Guess."

"It must be from some master artist!"

"And who do you think it could be?"

"Wait, no way!" Liang Jin said incredulously, "Could it be my Ji Shen?"

"How clever."

"Ji Shen, it's really you!" Liang Jin proudly said, "Fantastic! I say, this thing is so classy! So good looking! So uniquely artistic! I declare that from today onwards, it is my favourite trophy! I'm going to put it on my bedside to worship every day!"

Ji Xiuyuan suddenly said in a deep voice, "Xiao Jin, I suddenly have an inspiration."

"Hmm?"

"An idea about a painting."

"What kind of painting?"

Ji Xiuyuan leaned in softly, "In the centre of the stage, at the focus of the converging beams of light, you stand naked and proud. Like a king who controls everything, you are crowned within the universe. The universe revolves around you, you are my world. All of my life will submit to you."

Liang Jin immediately grasped the point: "Ji Shen, standing naked means that I need to strip naked?"

"Xiao Jin, this is body art."

"???? Not a single piece left?"

"Mhmm."

"This... I disagree!!! I'm a model with a bottom line!!!"

"This series of paintings is called Treasure and will be the theme of my international exhibition for the first half of this year. The idea that just came to mind will be the first painting in this series, King. Xiao Jin, shall we go to the studio?"

"No!"

"What's wrong?"

"I'm a traditional Chinese gentleman who grew up learning about male virtues, I'm not going to get naked!"

Ji Xiuyuan coaxed him, "Xiao Jin, be obedient. This painting will be kept as my private collection and will not be exhibited to the public."

"You promise!"

"Of course," Ji Xiuyuan said, "I'm not willing to share it with anyone."

"Then why are you talking about a series of paintings, international exhibitions, and so on!"

"This painting will open up my mind for inspiration." Ji Xiuyuan whispered, "You can also understand it as a little bit of affection between us."

"Ahhhhh you're really... so perverted!"

"Xiao Jin, promise me, okay?"

Liang Jin didn't have the slightest resistance to the gentle Ji Shen at all, he wrapped his arms around Ji Xiuyuan's neck and kissed him on the lips, "Fine, fine! You can do whatever you want!"

After the first draft of the painting was completed, Ji Xiuyuan, in the spirit of striving for excellence, pulled Liang Jin to discuss some shameful details. Such as:

"Xiao Jin, do you think that for this part, a lighter colour would be better? I remember that it only gets darker in colour after every lick and bite."

"I don't want to discuss this topic with you!"

"The lines here are beautiful, when I drew them, I couldn't help but think..."

"You're an international top-class painter, where's your professionalism?"

"Xiao Jin, when I'm facing you, I'm just myself. Only with you do I have the most vivid desires and deepest stirrings of inspiration."

Liang Jin did not have any resistance to Ji Xiuyuan's lingering words of love, and every time he listened to them, his ears softened, his heart fluttered, and he took the initiative to send himself into his trap.

The so-called gentle trap was nothing more than that.

———

That afternoon, Liang Jin received an audition notice in his mailbox, and the sender was A City's Department of Culture and Publicity.

The content mentioned that A City intended to shoot a city promotional film. After careful examination by the director's team, he was invited to come to A City Radio and Television Station for an audition on Wednesday morning.

This was a promotional film for the city!

And it's an official promotional film produced by A City's Department of Culture and Publicity!

If he could be selected, it would definitely be a big boost for his career!

He happily told Ji Xiuyuan about this and asked him if he had a good chance of success.

Ji Xiuyuan asked, "You really want to get this opportunity?"

"Definitely!"

Ji Xiuyuan pondered for a while, "The auditions are on Wednesday, so the results should be out by next Wednesday. If the director's team decides relatively quickly, by Friday at the earliest, you'll be able to receive the news that you passed the audition."

"Ji Shen! You mean, I have high hopes?"

"Mhmm."

"But why? There are many more big shots in the modelling world than me!"

"Because the official promotional videos place the most importance on a model's personal qualities, mental outlook, overall ability and whether or not their resume is clean. Although you debuted late, this is actually an advantage." Ji Xiuyuan paused for a moment before saying, "Furthermore, those people in the directing team are more or less friends with you."

"Who is in the directing team?"

Ji Xiuyuan opened a file on his cellphone and read in a low voice, "Yao Yin, Xing Yi, and Ju Lan; these three are your old acquaintances from when you were filming 'Si Qing Ru Xia'. Zheng Yangping, the director of 'The Legend of the Changqing Swordsman', is also participating in this casting. There are three others you don't really know, but the most important one is Ouyang Zheng, who has absolute say over the entire directing team."

"Ouyang Zheng! I know him! The film he directed won an Oscar!"

"If it was someone else, the probability of you getting the role would be between 60-80%, but with Ouyang Zheng directing, the probability of picking you is over 90%."

"Why?"

"Director Ouyang was an old friend of my father's for many years, and he also has some friendship with me. His style is to treat newcomers and old people equally, regardless of their background and without prejudice. I've read all the profiles of the male lead candidates, and it's true that no one can compare to you. Just perform normally during the audition, I'm sure Director Ouyang will make a fair judgement."

When Ji Xiuyuan said this, Liang Jin was instantly filled with confidence.

After a while, he reacted, "But Ji Shen, why do you know so much about this?"

Ji Xiuyuan rubbed his hair, "Because I'm the special artistic advisor for this promotional film."

Wednesday morning, A City Radio and Television Station.

Liang Jin arrived for the audition, and unexpectedly bumped into a whole bunch of acquaintances!

Yu Shan wore sunglasses and raised his chin at him, and was followed by his tall little assistant, Ruan Jun.

Shu Yue was carrying a guitar, talking and laughing with his band mates, and as soon as he saw him, he immediately jumped up and waved.

Zhou Hai, as one of the sponsors, wore a work ID and stood with the leaders who came to inspect the site, with the air of a business elite.

Entering the audition site, Yao Yin, Zheng Yangping, Ouyang Zheng, and others were seated at the judges' table.

Oh, there was also his Ji Shen.

Liang Jin thought to himself: this crew could be really lively!

‿︵‿︵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: August 4, 2023