Lin Shiyu was puzzled by the question. He just thought that if two people were to play music together, they should practice together. Yet Zhong Qi’s counter-question made this simple question seem unexpectedly complex.

After a moment of thought, Lin Shiyu asked, confused, “Are you two fighting?”

Zhong Qi cast a disdainful glance at him, as though he was looking at a fool.

“Not everyone is like you.” Zhong Qi nonchalantly leaned his arm on the guitar and spoke provocatively, “Setting off a fire at the slightest thing, and can’t even sleep after failing to jump through a stone door.”

“How do you know I’m upset and can’t sleep–” Lin Shiyu closed his mouth, realizing he’d been toyed with by that person again.

“Get out and play,” Lin Shiyu sat down at his desk. “I want to sleep.”

Zhong Qi remained calm. “Go outside and sleep then.”

“Where can I sleep?”

“Where can I go and play?”

Lin Shiyu took a deep breath and seriously considered throwing his math textbook at Zhong Qi’s face.

Zhong Qi started playing the guitar on his own. Lin Shiyu was forced to endure his private concert. Luckily, Zhong Qi’s skill was good enough for Lin Shiyu to bear listening.

As Lin Shiyu listened to the guitar, he muttered to himself, “Let me love you.”

This caught Zhong Qi off guard. “You’ve heard of it?”

“I sing it to my sister every night to help her sleep.”

“You can sing?”

“Why would I not be able to sing?”

“I can’t tell.” Zhong Qi spoke frankly. “You don’t seem to have any artistic skills.”

Lin Shiyu simply ignored him, but Zhong Qi suggested, “Do you want to sing a song? I’ll accompany you.”

“No.” Lin Shiyu found it odd. He wasn’t going to start singing for no reason in front of others.

“It seems you can’t sing well.”

Lin Shiyu was provoked, and glared at Zhong Qi. “How do you know if I sing well or not?”

“If you don’t sing, how would I know if it’s good or not?”

The two remained silent, an imminent stand-off, but Lin Shiyu suddenly calmed down, saying, “It’s absurd to sing to you.” 

He then turned and left the classroom.

The standoff reached a stalemate.

Zhong Qi watched Lin Shiyu leave, then lowered his gaze and continued practicing “Confession Night.”

In a split second of distraction, he saw Lin Shiyu standing under the shadows at the studio, his lips moistened with a light-colored lipstick, soft and clean. He envisioned what kind of musical notes would emerge when those lips opened. He wondered what version of Lin Shiyu might appear.

 

….

 

“200.”

Zhao Bin obediently handed over 200 yuan to Lin Shiyu.

“Little brother, didn’t I tell you? You’ve been here several times already. Why don’t you trust me?” Zhao Bin looked helplessly at Lin Shiyu, who was being made up in the chair.

“Who’s your brother?”

Zhao Bin raised his hands in surrender, then turned to fiddle with the camera.

After the first photoshoot, Lin Shiyu came a few more times. Each time, Zhao Bin kindly gave him the payment upfront, never worrying that Lin Shiyu might take the money and run. However, the enthusiasm he displayed every time the camera lens was focused on Lin Shiyu made him uncomfortable.

Lin Shiyu changed into a Japanese-style black polo shirt, loose gray casual pants, and sneakers. He stood sideways for Zhao Bin to take pictures, thinking that with over 800 yuan saved up, he might be able to buy a nice pendant for his mother.

“Very good. Your figure and temperament are very suitable for modeling.” Zhao Bin roughly scanned through the photos and suddenly asked, “Shiyu, do you want to shoot outdoors?”

Lin Shiyu was mentally calculating how much a good pendant would cost and absentmindedly replied, “For more money.”

“Adding money is not a problem,” Zhao Bin said helplessly. “The main thing is, in outdoor shoots, your face is revealed. If you’re willing to show your face, then of course we can increase the payment.”

“Then don’t shoot.”

Zhao Bin couldn’t help but sigh. “You, kid, has anyone ever told you that you speak like you’re asking for a beating?”

Lin Shiyu was concentrating on his thoughts, and was irritated by Zhao Bin’s indifferent and unnecessary remarks. He looked at him coldly. “Yes. So what?”

Zhao Bin was taken aback for a moment, and his comment made him feel uncomfortable. He quickly resumed his friendly smile. “Just chatting, don’t get upset.”

After three hours of shooting, Lin Shiyu had his makeup removed by Xiao Ran and was preparing to leave the studio.

Before he could take more than a couple of steps, Zhao Bin, carrying a bag, caught up with him and walked alongside. “Heading home?”

Lin Shiyu distanced himself from Zhao Bin. “Hmm.”

Zhao Bin didn’t seem to mind the obvious aloofness. He asked casually, like a friendly big brother next door, “A classmate used to drop you off, but they haven’t done so recently?”

“He had something last time, so it was on the way.”

“That’s why I am offering to take you home today.”

Lin Shiyu looked at him with a ‘what are you talking about?’ expression.

“Alright, don’t look at me like that. I was just kidding.”

“I’m going back to school now,” Zhao Bin told Lin Shiyu. “How about experiencing the college atmosphere in advance?”

“I don’t want to.”

“Wow, no matter what I suggest, you always refuse.”

Zhao Bin following him all the way to the bus stop already made Lin Shiyu very annoyed. His next words were inexplicable. “Do I know you well? Why should I go to your school?”

Both in tone and expression, Lin Shiyu was far from friendly. However, Zhao Bin stared at his face for a moment, then suddenly recovered, hastily saying, “I’m sorry, it was just a random question, don’t get angry.”

Lin Shiyu found this person very strange and didn’t want to engage in further conversation. Luckily, the bus arrived just in time, and he swiped his card to board, leaving Zhao Bin behind.

 

Edited by: Jaisland

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