Exclusive Model for the Top Painter Chapter 70

True Love Without Fear of the World

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The next day, Liang Jin deliberately got up early and dragged Ji Xiuyuan to the pride parade.

Ji Xiuyuan has never been fond of noise, not to mention crowds. However, seeing Liang Jin's excited appearance, even though he had a lot of reluctance, it dissipated in an instant.

On the way to the gathering place, as long as it was related to the parade, Liang Jin practically bought everything he saw.

In his opinion, this kind of consumerism belonged to supporting the civil rights movement, and was justified and worth encouraging.

So within half an hour of leaving the hotel, Ji Xiuyuan had put on a six-coloured rainbow jacket that he had bought, and of course he had his own, making it look like a custom-made couple's suit.

He also bought a palm-sized rainbow flag and asked Ji Xiuyuan to hold it for him; there was also the mascot of the parade, a silly bear doll, which was also stuffed in Ji Xiuyuan's arms.

Seeing that there were more and more things in his hand, Ji Xiuyuan reminded, "Xiao Jin, I can't hold anymore."

Liang Jin frowned and pondered for a while. There happened to be a stall selling pride parade culture tote bags in front of him, he immediately purchased one of the largest sized bags and threw in all of the souvenirs he had bought, "This is the perfect solution!"

"Xiao Jin, I'm curious. Aren't you usually very resistant to communicating in English? Why were you able to switch freely and answer questions fluently when you were shopping this morning?"

It was only then that Liang Jin reflected retroactively: throughout the morning, he had actually managed to complete numerous purchases in an unusually smooth manner without asking Ji Shen to help him, relying on his own plastic spoken language.

So he confidently replied, "Ji Shen, this proves that human potential can be stimulated! I think I can do it again!"

While this was going on, there was a middle-aged man in the crowd, waving at them with gusto: "Hey! Mr. Ji! My amigo! Glad to see you here!"

The enthusiastic uncle, who had a beard and a big smile, and was wearing a pride parade polo shirt with a rainbow flag sticker stuck to his face, rushed up to shake hands with them cheerfully.

Liang Jin listened to the two of them chirping and chattering in bird language, but didn't understand a thing.

From time to time, the uncle gave him a bewildered smile, which made Liang Jin a little embarrassed. He could only pretend that he understood, and give him a polite smile as well.

After a long time, when the conversation was over, Liang Jin asked Ji Xiuyuan, "Ji Shen, is he your friend? What did you guys talk about?"

"Xiao Jin, just now you said that human potential can be stimulated."

"Isn't that a failure to inspire? I can only buy things without a teacher."

"He's Samuel, a well-known art investor in Washington. We met each other at an art auction a few years ago."

"Oh, he seems very lively."

"He's very passionate about civil rights activism and has recently been investing in LGBT-related art projects. I happened to meet him and he wanted to invite me to create paintings on related themes for him."

"So did you say yes?"

"Xiao Jin, do you want to travel to Spain?"

"Why are you suddenly talking about travelling?"

"Mr. Samuel is Hispanic-American, and he wants me to go over there to gather some material for my paintings."

"Wow, sounds like a publicly funded trip?"

"It just so happens that I'd like to go out there with you."

"Awesome! When are we going?"

"We'll return to China first to take care of some related affairs, and after the contract is negotiated, we can leave."

Fierce cheers suddenly came from the crowd, accompanied by whistles and applause, it seemed lively.

Liang Jin fixed his eyes on the crowd, and it turned out that there was a big beauty with a hot body not far away, who was proposing to her girlfriend.

Coincidentally, the target of this beauty's proposal was the young lady who gave them a brochure in the cafe last night.

At the moment, they were smiling, embracing and kissing each other, with six-colour flags flying around them, accompanied by kind words of encouragement and blessing.

Someone shouted, "We are so proud to be ourselves! Love is love!"

The crowd of onlookers chimed in, "Love is love!"

Liang Jin's inner emotions rose and fell, and could not be calmed for a long time: true love is always without fear of the barriers of the world, and possesses the power to transcend all norms.

Love is love.

———

After returning to China, it was time for the annual Vogue gala.

This time, Liang Jin, as a professional model, received an official invitation for the gala.

At this time a year ago, he never imagined that he would be in this situation today.

Looking at the gold-stamped invitation in his hand, Liang Jin had an impulse to burst into tears as he said to Ji Xiuyuan, "Ji Shen, am I dreaming?"

Ji Xiuyuan hugged him and sat him on the sofa, saying in a low voice, "Are you so overwhelmed just from receiving the invitation? If you get the award, won't you be crying with joy?"

"I'm not going to cry!!! I don't think it's possible to get an award, right? There are only three awards for the modelling category every year at the Vogue gala, and so many people are eyeing them. By the way, you are Tian Han's biggest boss, you must know the results of the awards in advance! Hurry up, confession leads to leniency, resistance leads to strictness!"

"If I confess, what's the benefit? Hmm?"

"Yuan Yuan, we're family now, we can't be so calculating."

"I'm just small-minded and calculating."

"Ji Shen, to be a person, we must learn to be tolerant and generous. As the saying goes, take a step back and the sky becomes broader. Forget it, it's useless to talk to you, what do you really want?"

"I want to do it at the venue of the Vogue gala dinner."

"No way! There will be cameras!"

"Then in the lounge."

"... I'll reluctantly agree." Liang Jin really wanted to know the outcome and could only tearfully agree, "Now, tell me about the awards!"

"Xiao Jin, although the Tian Han Group is the initiator and organiser of the Vogue gala, in order to ensure impartiality, the awards judging committee is a completely independent organisation that is not influenced by any third party. That's why, over the years, the awards presented by the Vogue gala have not lost any of their significance, and have always been regarded as the highest honour in the industry."

"So, you mean you don't know?"

"Xiao Jin, I never said I know in advance." Ji Xiuyuan added, "But you can't change what you promised."

"On what basis? You're committing fraud!!!"

"Xiao Jin, you told me to confess, I did confess truthfully, so how is it a fraud?"

Liang Jin extremely regretted it, why did he give him the runaround every time???

On the day of the gala, at five in the afternoon, it was once again Wen Di who drove to the villa to pick them up.

Ji Xiuyuan and Liang Jin were dressed in exquisite evening suits and walked down from upstairs side by side.

Wen Di teased, "Chairman and Chairman's wife are in this style, do they want to get married again tonight?"

Liang Jin corrected him with a smile, "I'm your Director Ji's husband."

Ji Xiuyuan squared his shoulders and said, "If you're referring to the special event at the Vogue gala, there is indeed this intention."

What special event ah! How can you talk to Wen Di about this kind of thing!!!! Liang Jin's ears instantly turned red, "Shut up!"

Wen Di acutely sensed that there was something subtle going on, and it didn't sound like he should know, so he quickly changed the topic and said, "Our big star in the modelling world, are you ready to win the award?"

Liang Jin picked up, "Why do I remember last year you said that my chances of getting an award were lower than buying a lottery ticket and getting ten million?"

Wen Di shrugged, "Times are different now. You even managed to secure our Director Ji, what else is impossible?"

At 7 p.m., the Vogue gala officially kicked off.

Unlike last year, Liang Jin's seat was located in the area of the invited shortlisted candidates.

The awards for the gala were divided into two categories: the designer category and the model category. When it was time to present the designer awards, Liang Jin was already nervous and his palms were sweating.

Bei Sha deliberately came to his side and softly encouraged him, "A'Liang, do you remember how I told you last time that you would definitely be invited to the gala this summer. See, hasn't this come true?"

Liang Jin smiled, "Yes, by your good fortune."

"Guess who the Style of the Year Award will go to?"

The modelling group has the Style of the Year Award, the Best Model Award and the Best New Talent Award, with the Style of the Year Award being the highest award.

Liang Jin guessed a few of the top names in the industry, all of which were dismissed by Bei Sha.

She explained in a low voice, "The people you mentioned do have extraordinary strength. However, the Vogue judging committee not only looks at the candidates' commercial achievements, but also emphasises their artistic achievements or outstanding contributions made in the fashion industry. Unluckily, none of these few big names have had any amazing works this year."

"Is it going to be in your pocket again, Sister Bei Sha?"

Bei Sha laughed softly and said, "I wish it were so, but it's not possible; there's no case where the same person has won the top prize two years in a row at the Vogue gala, not to mention the fact that my performance this year has been mediocre."

Her words were followed by the end of the awards for the designer category.

The chairman expert of the judging committee walked up to the centre of the stage and opened the award envelope for the model category.

Liang Jin's heart practically jumped into his throat.

Holding the microphone, the chairman of the judging committee slowly and leisurely announced, "I regret to inform you all that after the judging committee's careful evaluation, no phenomenal works have emerged in the fashion industry this year. In accordance with the principle of "rather go without than be content with anything less satisfactory factory", I would like to announce on behalf of the Vogue Gala Judging Committee that the Style of the Year Award is vacant. Next, the Best Model Award and the Best New Talent Award will be presented."

Liang Jin couldn't help but sigh, "Bei Sha, you're too godly! No one could actually win the top award this year!"

Bei Sha sighed, "Those old men on the Vogue judging committee are just stubborn, but that's precisely why this award is so glamorous and impressive."

Liang Jin was immersed in this conversation, but suddenly he heard his own name. His heart thumped, and he asked tremblingly, "Bei Sha, did that old man read my name just now? Am I hallucinating?"

Bei Sha said, "It wasn't a hallucination. A'Liang, you've won the Best New Talent Award, congratulations!"

After coming down from the stage, Liang Jin still felt that it was unreal.

Carrying the heavy trophy in his hand, he jumped in front of Ji Xiuyuan and murmured in a low voice, "Ji Shen, I actually won an award!"

Ji Xiuyuan rubbed his hair, "Mhmm, Xiao Jin is awesome."

Liang Jin raised the trophy in front of Wen Di and waved it, "Wen Di! I got the award!"

Wen Di pushed the glasses up the bridge of his nose, "Yeah yeah, I suggest you buy a lottery ticket on your way home later, maybe double happiness will come your way."

Liang Jin pressed Ji Xiuyuan into his chair and whispered to him, "What should I do Ji Shen, I want to kiss you so badly right now."

Ji Xiuyuan violently pulled him into his arms, held the back of his head, and tenderly covered his lips.

The surroundings immediately resounded with shouts of shock, and countless gossiping gazes swept their way.

Wen Di had long been accustomed to this, and said to the dazed staff on the side, "What's so strange? This is the daily love between Director Ji and his wife, young people just haven't seen the world."

‿︵‿︵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: September 5, 2023