KM: Chapter 25

[Five Years Later]

The weather in City A seemed exceptionally hot. The car was stifling, so You Chen adjusted the air conditioning to a cooler setting, finally feeling a bit more comfortable.

He had just resigned from his job last month and casually sent his resume to other companies, thinking it wouldn't be so quick to get a response. He planned to take a few days off, but to his surprise, he received a call the very next day, even skipping the interview process.

He had worked as a photographer for half a year, becoming famous overnight with a set of promotional photos for a brand, which also brought fame to the company. The company received twice as many collaboration requests and tried hard to retain him when they received his resignation letter, offering various enticing conditions, but he remained unmoved and didn't relent.

No one understood what he was thinking. When they learned that his new company was Jiaxing, they were even more puzzled. Jiaxing was not a big company, about the same as You Chen's original company. So why would he leave such good conditions to jump to Jiaxing?

Could it be that Jiaxing offered better conditions?

You Chen glanced at the message from his former colleague and chuckled to himself.

Jiaxing's conditions were just about the same. Both companies were similar, neither better than the other.

It was just that he happened to see a set of promotional photos from Jiaxing last month. The model in the photos was the best condition anyone could ever offer.

Some coincidences are so uncanny they seem orchestrated. He took the path of a photographer, and Ji An happened to take the path of a model.

If Ji An hadn't met him, it would have been fine. But since they met, Ji An could only become his possession once again.

You Chen repeatedly turned down collaborations arranged by the higher-ups, only wanting to wait until the model's name became Ji An. But for some reason, Ji An's opportunities were pitifully few.

Today's shoot, although the model wasn't Ji An, coincided perfectly with the end of Ji An's shoot.

If he couldn't shoot, at least he could meet.

He wondered if Ji An had heard about the new photographer at Jiaxing.

Thinking of this, You Chen's mood became very pleasant.

He drove faster, and when he arrived at the company, the previous shoot had just ended.

You Chen walked into the studio, slowly scanning the room until his gaze fixed on a certain corner.

Got him.

Ji An was hanging his head low, curled into a small ball. He wanted to leave quickly, but he couldn't yet. That gaze was fixed on him, he could feel it, so he didn't dare to lift his head, trembling all over.

He didn't know how long he had been stared at like that when someone called You Chen's name, finally breaking that gaze.

Ji An gasped for breath, using the wall for support to barely stand. He timidly looked in that direction, only to see You Chen's back.

You Chen seemed to have grown taller. Before, he had to look up at You Chen, and now, even standing on tiptoe, he might not reach him.

Ji An quickly rubbed his eyes and turned to another corner to remove his makeup.

Someone called You Chen, and only then did everyone notice the new photographer had arrived. They gathered around eagerly to talk to him.

Ji An sneaked a glance over there. Fortunately, You Chen was tall, and those people couldn't block his face. He could still see You Chen's expression. You Chen was frowning, seemingly unaware of why he was so popular.

Of course, You Chen didn't know.

Ji An rubbed his sore nose, thinking to himself that You Chen shouldn't just be a photographer; he was more suited to be a model. It wouldn't be an exaggeration for You Chen to be a big star.

You Chen had grown taller and more handsome.

More and more people liked You Chen.

It seemed he had been completely removed from You Chen's world, so why did they have to meet again?

Ji An felt a pang of discomfort, wanting to breathe out, but as soon as he relaxed, he choked up, tears falling endlessly. He hurriedly wiped them away with the back of his hand, hearing a dispute arise on You Chen's side.

Ji An looked up, coincidentally meeting You Chen's distant gaze, as if looking at a stranger, cold and detached.

More tears welled up, his whole body starting to ache, feeling inexplicably wronged and utterly miserable. He could only lower his head, pulling at his collar to wipe his tears in embarrassment.

You Chen showed no expression, raising a finger to point at Ji An.

"Let him try."

"Huh?" The brand representative was stunned. "But…"

"Didn't you say he wasn't suitable?" You Chen glanced at the model standing nearby. "There's no one else to replace him now, so just let him try."

"Why?! It was clearly agreed it would be me! My makeup is done, so why change at the last minute?!"

You Chen looked in Ji An's direction without speaking.

The brand representative's sudden change of heart made the scene awkward, yet it played right into his hands.

The model continued to shout, "Why?!"

The assistant pulled him aside to calm him, the brand representative glanced at Ji An, hesitated, then nodded, agreeing, and everyone else tacitly accepted You Chen's decision.

After all, it had been said that this new photographer could act according to his own wishes.

The makeup artist walked up to Ji An, giving him a tug, and said irritably, "It's not like you're the one being replaced, so why are you crying here?"

Ji An was taken aback and asked softly, "What's wrong? Did I… affect you all?"

The makeup artist sneered, "Yeah, who knows why you're crying here? Playing the victim? It's really effective, easily replacing someone else."

Ji An pinched his wrist hard, pretending not to understand the sarcasm in the makeup artist's words. He opened his mouth to ask something else but was pushed hard by the makeup artist, stumbling forward.

Ji An sat dazedly in the chair. The makeup artist was a bit heavy-handed, and he endured without daring to speak, but his body couldn't help but shrink back.

The makeup artist clicked his tongue impatiently, pushing his head from behind, saying, "Can you stop moving?"

Ji An was pushed, and the makeup brush jabbed heavily on his eyelid, causing him to instinctively cover his eyes in pain.

You Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, unable to suppress the hostility between his brows.

"Is this the level of skill Jiaxing's makeup artists have?"

The makeup artist paused, feeling a chill down his spine as soon as he met You Chen's gaze.

You Chen slightly shifted his gaze, looking at Ji An, who didn't dare to make a sound.

"If it hurts, say something. Are you mute?"

You Chen's voice was icy, like an invisible barrier pressing down heavily, leaving no one daring to speak. Finally, Ji An lowered his hand from his eyes, trembling as he said, "Sorry… please, continue."

You Chen's expression turned even uglier, but he said nothing more, raising his eyes to look at the makeup artist again.

The makeup artist took a few deep breaths, suppressing his displeasure and anger, bending down to continue Ji An's makeup, not daring to be so heavy-handed anymore.

Once everything was ready, Ji An was pushed in front of the camera. He knew he should look at the lens, but he couldn't lift his face. Just thinking that the person in front of him was You Chen made his legs weak, and his hands comically moved behind his back, shaking uncontrollably.

You Chen didn't spare him any attention, carefully adjusting the camera before moving to the side to adjust the lighting. Everyone spontaneously released their equipment and took a step back, handing over control to You Chen.

You Chen deliberately shone several beams of light on Ji An in succession, watching him tremble with each one, his lips curling into a barely noticeable smile.

After adjusting all the equipment, You Chen returned to the camera, his gaze fixed directly on Ji An.

"Lift your head, look at me."