So he simply lay on a blue poolside lounge chair, lazily basking in the sun.
He paid no attention to the glances, friendly and hostile alike, that came his way from the nearby pool.
The guest of honor had yet to appear. He was reportedly resting and would only show up at the evening ball.
Xin Hexue hoped Qiu Yuan was not already dead.
He let his thoughts wander until a strange alpha by the pool gave him a loud whistle.
The man wore nothing but swimming trunks. As he climbed out of the pool, water dripped from his body and onto the ground.
The alpha seemed amused by the beta young man's conservative clothes.
Xin Hexue wore a pure white long-sleeved shirt with a cardigan over it, as though he and everyone around him were dressed for different seasons.
The skin extending from his cuffs was whiter than frost and snow, and there was no flush of heat on his strikingly beautiful face. He looked like cool white jade, fresh and lustrous, yet somehow made people's hearts itch.
Someone stood in front of the lounge chair, blocking the sun.
The young man merely asked softly, "Can I help you?"
His voice was like clear water flowing through a mountain stream.
The strange alpha's tone sounded somewhat frivolous.
"Can I buy you a drink?"
Xi Zhengqing had gone to fetch him drinks and fruit and had yet to return.
Xin Hexue met the strange alpha's ill-intentioned gaze. He had little patience for dealing with someone like him.
He was just about to turn him down.
A hand thrust itself between the two of them.
His blond hair was almost dazzling in the sunlight. The alpha wore sunglasses, and his thin lips held the hint of a smile. "I'm terribly sorry, but he already has a date."
The strange alpha's frivolous expression faded. He was somewhat reluctant to leave, but he was in no position to stand up to Qiu Yuan, so he slunk away.
Qiu Yuan turned to Xin Hexue. "Shall we talk somewhere else?"
Xin Hexue stood up. "Mm."
As he passed a quiet, deserted corner, an arm-tentacle could not resist poking out of the darkness again.
Xin Hexue walked past without looking aside and stepped on it.
Passing by, stepping on it.
The arm-tentacle lay flat on the floor like a pancake. Its mimicry and shapeshifting left the outline of Xin Hexue's footprint on it.
A little cat's paw.
His wife had stamped him...
So happy...
Chapter 29: Face Blindness (29)
Qiu Yuan only had a brief discussion with Xin Hexue about the film.
He added Xin Hexue's contact information and sent him the script file. "Auditions and casting will be held at the end of this month. I'll let you know the exact time and place. Keep in touch."
Qiu Yuan stared at Xin Hexue a little longer. Even though he wore sunglasses, his prolonged gaze felt almost tangible, impossible to ignore.
"Mr. Qiu Yuan, what is it?" Xin Hexue lightly touched his own cheek. "Is there something on my face?"
"No, nothing."
Qiu Yuan's thin lips curved slightly, his tone unreadable.
"I've seen that film my teacher made."
He meant the film his teacher, director Yun Ziming, had once shot on location in the Twelfth District.
The film's theme was
redemption.
It was a story about two protagonists: a boy born in the chaotic slums of the Twelfth District, and a dilapidated robot dumped at a recycling station in the Twelfth District. It followed their adventures in the lower city. In the end, the boy won a wealthy businessman's appreciation and sponsorship, allowing him to study in the upper city and work toward becoming an expert in bionic manufacturing. The robot, too, had its parts replaced and got a whole new look.
The finished film was a somewhat humorous light comedy.
When Qiu Yuan first watched it, the film had left little impression on him.
The lead actor's performance had been somewhat wooden.
He was beautiful, certainly, but he had looked more like a wooden beauty, his acting less heartfelt than that of the robot beside him.
But after seeing Xin Hexue in person at the mountain resort, Qiu Yuan found that things might not be so simple.
The sheer high spirits in his eyes as he drew his bow had been dazzling enough.
Did eyes like those really belong to a young man from the Twelfth District slums?
According to the information he had obtained, even a year ago, Xin Hexue had still been serving as a blood bag to fund his adoptive father's gambling.
He was curious about Xin Hexue's experiences and his purpose, and even about his true identity.
Qiu Yuan did not believe a person's character could undergo such a drastic change in so short a time.
But before he could probe further and exchange a few more words with the young man, Xi Zhengqing returned.
He first asked Xin Hexue why he had not waited for him where he was, then turned to Qiu Yuan with an ambiguous smile. "It looks like you've already exchanged contact information?"
Qiu Yuan had no choice but to drop the subject. Adopting a businesslike attitude, he said, "I had a chat with him, and I'm very satisfied with his looks. But as you know, I've always followed the rules and procedures. There'll be an audition later..."
He shifted to the side, past Xi Zhengqing, and addressed the rest to Xin Hexue. "If there's no problem, shall we say we look forward to working together?"
What an act.
Xi Zhengqing watched him coldly.
Who didn't know Qiu Yuan loved breaking convention and doing as he pleased?
Xin Hexue remained composed and thanked Qiu Yuan warmly. "I'll be there for the audition on time. I look forward to working with you."
Xi Zhengqing accompanied Xin Hexue on a walk along the deck.
A gentle sea breeze brushed their faces. Whichever direction they looked, all they could see was the boundless ocean. Sunlight shone down from overhead, and shimmering waves rose and fell across the sea.
"The Xi Family has always planned to establish an entertainment company and enter the film and television industry. If you intend to pursue acting as a career, would you consider signing with the Xi Family's company?"
As the weather grew hotter, Xi Zhengqing folded his shirt sleeves over twice and rolled them up to his elbows, exposing his forearms and the strong, powerful lines of an alpha.
Xi Zhengqing continued, "That way, it would be easy to provide you with the best manager and a team of assistants."
If Xin Hexue agreed, he would acquire an entertainment company after he returned.
Xin Hexue smiled at him, his dark hair blown loose and tousled by the sea breeze. "Thank you, Zhengqing."
He gave no definite answer, saying only that he still needed to consider his future work.
Xi Zhengqing respected his choice. On impulse, he raised his arm and gently tucked the stray hair beside Xin Hexue's ear back with his fingertips.
"Eldest Young Master Xi, what a coincidence! I never expected to meet you here. A pleasure, a pleasure!"
Someone came forward to exchange pleasantries, spoiling the moment and breaking the atmosphere.
Xi Zhengqing withdrew his hand and gave a polite, perfunctory smile. "President Chen. A pleasure."
President Chen did not seem to have realized what was going on. He had previously reached an agreement on a project to produce a component with the bionic manufacturing company, so he naturally knew that although outsiders still called Xi Zhengqing the eldest young master, most of the Xi Group's power had actually already passed to this heir.
He continued making small talk, trying to curry favor with the heir, offering a string of empty remarks along the lines of "The sky is so blue" and "This cruise ship sure is a cruise ship."
Just as Xi Zhengqing's patience was about to run out, President Chen seemed suddenly enlightened. He glanced curiously at Xin Hexue and said to Xi Zhengqing, "Young Master, is this your boyfriend? What a distinguished appearance. What a well-matched couple you make!"
Xi Zhengqing's expression brightened. He coughed softly to cover something up, and only after seeing that Xin Hexue showed no resistance did he explain to President Chen, "You've misunderstood. We're not in that kind of relationship. I'm still trying to pursue him."
Compared to the last time, when the suit designer had misunderstood, Xi Zhengqing was more confident this time. He no longer concealed it, openly admitting that he was still pursuing him.
Xin Hexue's ears reddened, and he said softly to Xi Zhengqing, "I'm a little tired. I'll go back to my room and rest for a while."
Every invited guest had a room of their own aboard the cruise ship.
The smile in Xi Zhengqing's eyes deepened. "All right, take a nap. I'll call you when it's time for dinner."
Xin Hexue said, "Mm."
He also gave President Chen an embarrassed but polite nod before leaving for the time being.
A vast, magnificent ballroom occupied the third deck of the cruise ship.
The invitees included far more than the children of wealthy families: political figures, artists, wealthy businessmen... all the prominent people of the Core District were here.
Figures moved through the crowd, glasses clinked, and dancers swept across the floor.
The symphony orchestra played the background music in rapt absorption, notes flowing from moving strings and spilling over the swirling hems of evening gowns.
The classical floral arrangements on the long tables and in the corners lent everything the opulent air of the last century's Gilded Age.
Porcelain plates held walnut brownies, while foxtail lilies rose like torches from crystal vessels. Chefs stood ready beside the buffet, waiting for guests to make requests so they could prepare dishes to order.
It was a scene of flowers and brocade, of blazing fires and boiling oil, as sea-salt lamb chops sizzled in the pan.
Xi Zhengqing had been at Xin Hexue's side, but he had temporarily stepped away after encountering an important business partner.
Only then did the host of the banquet seem to seize the opportunity and walk slowly over to Xin Hexue.
Qiu Yuan leaned against the bar and opened a bottle of liquor. Orange-red liquid gurgled into stemmed glasses. He poured two and pushed one within Xin Hexue's reach. "Would you like a drink?"
Xin Hexue lowered his gaze and glanced at the drink before him.
With past experience as a warning, he kept his distance from alcohol.
Qiu Yuan raised a brow. "No poison, no drugs."
With that, as if to prove it, he tipped his head back and drained his own glass.
"It's liqueur," Qiu Yuan explained. "Fruit-flavored, and not very strong."
Xin Hexue frowned slightly and hesitantly raised the glass.
Qiu Yuan saw only the tip of his pink tongue touch the liquid as lightly as a dragonfly skimming water.
Xin Hexue lifted his eyes to meet Qiu Yuan's gaze through his sunglasses, then perfunctorily set down the glass to show that he had tried it. "Mm."