Chapter 19
Author: Mr. Big Horn
“Oh, the artist,” Qiao Yizhi explained to Yan Zhen, making an exaggerated up-and-down hand gesture. “They’re quite emotional.”
Before Yan Zhen could respond, a soft voice drifted over: “A-Lei, I can’t do this anymore.”
It was like a whip had struck Yan Zhen.
The red that had just faded from his vision surged back up.
Yan Zhen felt the world crumbling beneath his feet, collapsing silently, with him at the center.
Everything around him became a blur.
Images and sounds were distorted by an unseen force, shrouded in a bizarre fog that warped them, sometimes close, sometimes far, like sinister water weeds in a deep, mythic pool, twisting and paining his nerves.
He heard Qiao Yizhi’s voice, asking him in confusion what was wrong, trying to stop him kindly, saying that even if he liked the artist’s work, it was impolite to rush over so abruptly, especially when the artist was working—although this studio was just for minor adjustments and food delivery… “A-Zhen? A-Zhen, what’s wrong… Damn, is this sculpture really that eerie?”
Yan Zhen had no idea what he said or did to Qiao Yizhi.
All he heard was a voice that sounded like his own, urgently asking, “Where?”
He saw himself roughly shaking off Qiao Yizhi’s hand.
…It didn’t seem like him at all.
With his upbringing, he shouldn’t be so impulsive and rough.
But who could say for sure… At this moment, he couldn’t care less about propriety.
All he thought about was Su Jinxin.
The precious person he held in his heart.
He was always so careful with Su Jinxin, never saying a harsh word, considering everything a hundred times over, fearing that one wrong move could cause irreparable damage…
But now…
He heard Su Jinxin and Shi Lei arguing.
Their voices came in fragments:
“…A-Lei, please… it’s my fault, I know, I’m sorry. I suggested this series back then, and now it’s almost done but… This is my fault, but…”
“Do you know how much time and effort I’ve put into this series? We’re nearly finished, and you… Were all those drafts in my studio for nothing? I’ve even designed the lighting, and you…”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t…”
“Apologies mean nothing. I don’t accept them. Finish the work or get out.”
“A-Lei…”
“Fine, I chose the wrong partner. That’s on me.”
“Please, listen…”
“Get out. Don’t touch my hands. They’re valuable.”
Every word felt like a spark landing in Yan Zhen’s heart, burning a blackened hole. Without thinking, he pushed open the half-closed studio door. The scene inside hit him like a small nuclear explosion:
Su Jinxin was completely naked, covered in oil and paint, exposed under the harsh studio lights. Every protruding bone was highlighted painfully. Despite it being summer, the studio’s air conditioning was set very low. Shi Lei wore long sleeves, but Su Jinxin shivered, standing on one foot to keep warm. Yan Zhen could imagine the stiffness, trembling, and goosebumps of that body.
Yet Su Jinxin seemed oblivious to his discomfort, desperately reaching for Shi Lei’s hand.
Shi Lei brushed him off with a wave—either losing his balance or slipping on the oil and paint—Su Jinxin cried out and fell backward…
“Jinxin!”
Yan Zhen lost his mind, rushing to catch him in his arms, instantly getting covered in messy paint.
Shi Lei went crazy: “Who the hell are you? How did you get in here? Mr. Qiao? Didn’t you say no one was allowed to disturb me while I was working?”
Qiao Yizhi was just as shocked: “Holy… Teacher Shi, you said the model was…”
Yan Zhen didn’t waste a word, lifting Su Jinxin and turning to leave.
Only then did Su Jinxin realize who was holding him, his pupils widening in shock. Instinctively, he curled up in self-protection, making a soft, desperate sound like a dying animal, his body trembling uncontrollably.
Shi Lei rushed forward: “Who are you? What are you doing? Put my model down!”
He was much shorter than Yan Zhen, his legs thin under his work pants, nowhere near as strong as Yan Zhen’s arms. But his glare was fierce, like a wolf.
Yan Zhen’s face darkened, but before he could act, his chest was grabbed tightly: “Mr. Yan, please don’t. He doesn’t understand, you…” Su Jinxin’s eyes were red with urgency. Yan Zhen took a deep breath and turned away: “Yizhi, I’m taking him. Handle this if you can. If not, I’ll deal with it myself later.”
Shi Lei, being sharp, immediately caught on, a shadow crossing his face: “Su Jinxin, this is your sponsor?”
“I… He…” Su Jinxin was at a loss for words, his face purple with anxiety, unable to breathe properly.
“Heh, you’ve been corrupted by this? Abandoning your original goals? Fool. Don’t forget, when capital comes into the world, it drips with blood and dirt from every pore.” Shi Lei sneered, baring his teeth and narrowing his eyes, making an insect-like motion as he stepped aside. “Get out. Don’t dirty my studio. You’re weaker and more corrupt than I thought.”
“A-Lei…”
Yan Zhen didn’t give anyone else a chance to speak.
He wrapped Su Jinxin in his jacket, saying, “Spare no expense,” before carrying him out.