Who were you thinking of during the shoot

Qiao Xi had only wanted to capitalize on their success, ride the buzz, and generate some profit for the company.

Who knew things would end up like this.

She stared dazedly at the famous photographer before her, her entire head one enormous question mark.

Fang Weihui adjusted the camera settings and had Yan Ningke step up for a few test shots to get a feel for it.

But how was he supposed to get a feel for it? With no experience, he could only stand there foolishly and submit to the flash's judgment.

When ability reigned supreme, someone else would have to accommodate you.

Likewise, with enough skill, even a pile of shit could be shot like a blockbuster...

Pah, no, it couldn't.

Fang Weihui flipped through the photos on the camera, his brow furrowed tightly enough to crush a mosquito.

Poses could be staged, but the look in someone's eyes could not.

Fang Weihui had standards to uphold. He would not allow himself to produce anything that looked like shit.

For a moment, the atmosphere froze.

Everyone exchanged looks. Those who knew the trade dared not speak, while those who didn't had nothing to contribute.

Yan Ningke felt a little defeated too.

Qiao Xi perked up. At last, she could be useful.

Ever since she came in, everything had been arranged for her.

She had sat on the sofa like a mascot, doing nothing but eating and drinking.

"Just a moment. Could I have a word with Teacher Yan?"

Fang Weihui glanced at her and nodded silently.

Qiao Xi pulled Yan Ningke into the dressing room.

"Teacher Yan, is there someone you like?"

Yan Ningke pressed his lips together and blinked.

Qiao Xi understood. She straightened his collar and said with a smile, "Just think of the camera as the person you like, and then..."

She gave him a meaningful smile.

"Pull out all the stops and seduce him!"

The shoot resumed. Qiao Xi found a bottle of mineral water and used a needle to poke tiny holes in the cap.

Yan Ningke was sitting on a stool draped in red cloth, working himself into the mood, when a spray of water suddenly hit his face.

He looked up in surprise, and Fang Weihui swiftly captured the instant.

The young man wore a white silk shirt with the top two buttons undone, a belt outlining his perfect waist, and fitted suit trousers that accentuated his firm backside.

Snow-white skin, delicate features, deep red lips, and long, wet lashes-at the instant his eyes opened, he looked both innocent and alluring.

Fang Weihui said nothing, simply pressing the shutter over and over.

Yan Ningke gradually found his stride, the innocent, unknowing look in his eyes growing increasingly sensual.

Qiao Xi knew plenty about this sort of thing. She found some rouge, dabbed a little at the outer corners of his eyes, and handed him a glass of red wine.

"Teacher Yan, he's been watching you the whole time."

Fang Weihui: "..."

Under the lights, Yan Ningke's eyes shimmered. Wherever his gaze fell, he seemed to be looking at someone, yet no one met his eyes. Like a butterfly, he left people's hearts itching.

Red wine slid down his throat, his prominent Adam's apple bobbing slightly. Dry-ice fog swirled around him, and through the haze, he looked vividly enticing.

Yan Ningke had long forgotten the camera was even there and treated it as though he really were "performing."

He lightly licked the wine from his lips. Against his luminous white skin, that blood-red hue looked bewitchingly seductive, and every shifting glance brimmed with allure.

Suddenly, the corners of his mouth curved upward.

Someone in the studio drew a sharp breath.

A blank slate could be a good thing or a bad thing.

With the right approach, you could achieve twice the results with half the effort.

Fang Weihui had initially thought today would be hard work, but instead, he finished the job remarkably quickly.

Yan Ningke had no technique; emotion alone carried him through. Even after the shoot ended, his eyes still held a seductive pull.

Qiao Xi said, "...Teacher Yan, rein it in. We're done!"

Those words snapped him out of his dream.

Yan Ningke raised a hand and patted his forehead, forcing himself out of character. "Oh, oh. Sorry, I got carried away."

It was already dark when they came out. Qiao Xi declined his offer of a ride and took a taxi with her assistant.

After saying goodbye to Lin Yechen, Yan Ningke got into the car and left in style.

Because he had been so immersed earlier, he now wanted desperately to see Shao Ke.

He urged the driver to hurry the whole way. The driver's skills were first-rate, and although he didn't understand the rush, he still got him back to the villa swiftly, smoothly, and precisely.

Shao Ke was watching the video Lin Yechen had sent him. Hearing a car engine switch off outside, he calmly placed his phone facedown on the table and looked toward the door.

The main lights were off, with only a few floor and table lamps lit in the corners.

Yan Ningke opened the door, his eyes quickly locking onto the cool, distinguished man on the sofa.

He dropped his backpack, hurried over, and plopped down right beside him without any attempt to keep his distance.

"I'm back!"

He had been in such a hurry to leave that he hadn't even removed his makeup, and a faint red tint still lingered at the outer corners of his eyes.

A hint of danger flashed through Shao Ke's eyes. "How did the shoot go?"

Thinking of what he had done during the shoot, Yan Ningke gave a bashful smile and answered vaguely, "Pretty well, I think."

After all, he had finished the job by fantasizing about the man himself, so Yan Ningke felt a little guilty.

As though unaware of Yan Ningke secretly rubbing against him, Shao Ke replied without a change of expression, "Really? I thought it looked very good."

Yan Ningke stopped moving and snapped his head up. "You saw it?"

He thought it over. Right, Shao Ke's assistant had been there.

Since he had already been seen through, Yan Ningke stopped pretending. He draped himself bonelessly over Shao Ke and leaned in for a kiss.

Unexpectedly, he was pushed away. Unwilling to accept it, Yan Ningke whined impatiently, "Gege."

Shao Ke held him back by the shoulder, then caught his chin, pressing his thumb firmly against his crimson lower lip. "Who were you thinking of during the shoot."

It wasn't a question. It was as though he already knew the answer but wanted Yan Ningke to say it himself.

Yan Ningke gave a light lick with the tip of his tongue, too embarrassed to say it, his eyes full of pleading.

"Tell me. Who were you thinking of?"

The other man showed no mercy, and Yan Ningke surrendered completely. "You. Only you!"

A soft chuckle sounded in the dim atmosphere. The restraint fell away, and Shao Ke indulgently let him kiss him with eager urgency.

As they kissed, at some point Shao Ke lifted him onto his lap.

They were both adults, and the signs of arousal were obvious.

Yan Ningke looked at him with wet eyes, lightly pecking his earlobe in an attempt to please him.

"Gege..."

Shao Ke's entire body went taut. He tipped his head back, closed his eyes, and let out a long breath before setting him down.

Yan Ningke: "?"

"Go back to your room and sleep."

Just listen to that nonsense!

Yan Ningke refused to believe it. He clung to Shao Ke and tried to climb back onto him, only to be stopped by a warning look.

After watching him return to his room, turning back every few steps, Shao Ke pressed his brow.

It was normal for a young man to be impulsive, but he wasn't one. He couldn't let Yan Ningke run wild and hurt his body.

Besides, many things remained unclear, and they hadn't defined their relationship. He couldn't let desire override reason while everything was still so uncertain.

Outside the window, moonlight covered the ground, tree shadows swayed, and the night breeze brushed gently past.

Without his knowing when it had begun, the young man's figure had filled his entire heart, little by little.

As the seed fell to the ground, it took root and sprouted.