Chapter 16: Acting Coy
Chapter 16
Xuan Congnan saw the leaked photos of Gu Shi after he got off the car.
The fans present were all asking if his clothes had the same style.
This was a great business opportunity. Although he had already earned five million from signing the marriage contract, saving money was as natural to Xuan Congnan as eating and drinking.
Seeing money made him want to save.
If he could discuss it with Gu Shi...
“No same style clothing will be released; it’s just for me,” Gu Shi said coldly in the video.
Xuan Congnan: “...”
“What a great chance to make money, and you’re passing it up?” he murmured. “I’m not going to cheat fans, just make it at cost.”
Buzz.
Scavenger: [Image]
Gu Shi’s hair was slicked back by the makeup artist, his indifferent expression exuding an overwhelming sense of restraint and austerity.
In the photo, others were adjusting around Gu Shi’s face.
Xuan Congnan long-pressed to save the image and typed back: [What is this called? You mentioned… makeup and styling before, right?]
Scavenger: [Yes.]
Xuan Congnan: [Looks good.]
Scavenger: [I haven’t started working yet. Are you drawing?]
Xuan Congnan: [No.]
Scavenger: [Can you chat with me for a bit?]
Xuan Congnan: [I’m already keeping you company.]
Gu Shi, sitting obediently in front of the mirror while the makeup artist worked, suddenly smiled.
The makeup artist who had just found a dark eyebrow pencil turned around and stammered, “Mr. Gu, did something make you happy?”
Gu Shi didn’t lift his head, quickly typing on his phone, “Hmm.”
His eyebrows were thick and dark, with sharp arches that didn’t need any pencil; today’s makeup matched Gu Shi’s inherently aloof aura perfectly.
The makeup artist just didn’t want to be idle, feeling guilty about getting paid for nothing.
Scavenger: [Do you think it looks good?]
Xuan Congnan complimented again: [Yeah, it looks good.]
Scavenger: [Hmm.]
The next two weeks were exam weeks; there were no classes, and all students could arrange their own time.
Xuan Congnan reviewed at home and then went to the library in the afternoon.
Xuan Congnan: [I want to discuss something with you.]
Scavenger: [Tell me. I’ll agree.]
Seeing this agreement, Xuan Congnan felt Gu Shi was easy to talk to.
Xuan Congnan: [Can your clothes be made into the same style?]
The dark eyebrow pencil just traced Gu Shi’s brow tail when his ink-black eyes suddenly darkened with displeasure, completely opposite to his earlier joy.
The makeup artist nervously stammered again, “Mr. Gu, are you unhappy again?”
Gu Shi slightly turned his head to avoid the pencil and said, “Stop applying it.”
“Ah, okay. You didn’t need eyebrow makeup anyway.” The makeup artist hurriedly packed up the tools and said, “Alright, we can start shooting directly.”
After leaving, he told Hu Yue standing at the door, “Mr. Gu’s got a cold face again; it’s scary.”
Hu Yue waved it off, “Who cares? He’s got that sour face every day. Now he doesn’t even want to attend class, just wants to be in love all day.”
The makeup artist gasped, “Ah?!”
At home, Xuan Congnan received a message from Gu Shi.
Scavenger: [Can we not make the same style clothes for them?]
Scavenger: [*whimpering and pitiful.jpg*]
Xuan Congnan: “...”
He took out Winsor & Newton paints from the box and tore them open. Seeing Gu Shi’s emoji, Xuan Congnan actually found it... quite cute.
Scavenger: [This is the gift you gave me.]
Scavenger: [Not a gift for them.]
Scavenger: [Don’t release the same style.]
Scavenger: [Congnan, don’t release the same style.]
Xuan Congnan: [But you just said you would agree.]
Scavenger: [Manual retraction.]
Scavenger: [Retraction successful.]
Sitting on a tall stool with his long legs stretched out, Xuan Congnan stared at these messages and couldn’t help but ask: [Are you pouting?]
Scavenger: [Could be.]
A second later, Gu Shi replied: [Yes, I’m pouting.]
Xuan Congnan teased: [I can paint something else for you.]
Scavenger: [Anything else needs to be painted. This one can only be mine.]
Xuan Congnan: [Not even making money?]
Scavenger transferred 52,000 yuan: [Scavenger has transferred you 52,000 yuan.]
Scavenger: [No same style. If you’re short of money, ask me.]
Xuan Congnan quietly inhaled.
He only thought it was a bit fun that Gu Shi called himself pouting and was just teasing him.
If the person involved didn’t want the same style, Xuan Congnan naturally wouldn’t produce it without consent.
Xuan Congnan: [I wasn’t asking for money, just joking.]
He clicked to return the 52,000 yuan.
“Buzz”—[Scavenger has transferred you 52,000 yuan again.]
Gu Shi transferred it back.
Scavenger: [I want to give it to you.]
Looking at the money, Xuan Congnan: [Why 52,000?]
Scavenger: [I’m your partner now; this number is appropriate.]
The brush hovered over the blank canvas for a long time, refusing to fall. Xuan Congnan knew he should paint, but Gu Shi’s message lingered in his mind.
Has Gu Shi already become so familiar with his new identity?
Partner...
Xuan Congnan scratched his nose, unsure what to paint, and gave up.
So far, his note for Gu Shi was still “Scavenger.” Maybe it was time to change it. He needed to get used to this one-year relationship soon.
During two days of work, Gu Shi ran between locations but never missed a meal. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were always together with Xuan Congnan.
Last time, Xuan Congnan said it was troublesome and suggested Gu Shi live in the neighboring city, but Gu Shi firmly refused, and they never brought it up again.
At meals, Xuan Congnan urged Gu Shi to eat more so he wouldn’t lose weight from all the running around.
Before returning from the neighboring city, Gu Shi changed back into his own clothes and asked, “How much do you weigh now?”
Xuan Congnan had just weighed himself before dinner and cheerfully said, “114.6 jin.”
Gu Shi said, “Hmm, eat more.”
Xuan Congnan replied, “You eat more too.”
He took a sip of water and asked, “Where else do you have work coming up?”
Gu Shi shook his head, “I’m done with recent work and can rest now.”
Xuan Congnan nodded, “Then stay home and don’t run around.”
Gu Shi: “Okay.”
Next week was his college’s exams, with an art assignment to complete. He had to review all the theory and knowledge classes, so Xuan Congnan got busy.
He had been disciplined since childhood—once he decided to do something, he would accomplish it.
His home studio was enough for his exam review, but Zhang Que, who had poor self-control, needed supervision.
Half a month ago, Zhang Que told Xuan Congnan that once the review period came, he wanted to study together in the school library—an unforgettable favor.
Xuan Congnan went back to the school studio to paint.
It had been a long time since he was there, and it felt different.
Inspiration was a strange thing. The brush kept falling on the canvas, and Xuan Congnan couldn’t notice how quickly time passed. Many classmates were working overtime here, and he had set his phone to silent to avoid disturbing others.
“Is there something wrong with mine? The more I look, the stranger it seems,” Zhang Que asked in a breathy voice, looking at his own painting.
Xuan Congnan glanced over, “The lighting isn’t enough.”
Zhang Que suddenly realized, “Ah, right.”
After a while, he asked, “Have you arranged your summer plans? How many students are you taking this time?”
“Two.” Xuan Congnan thought of the boy and girl he’d already met. “Both excellent and easy to teach.”
Zhang Que made a sour face, “Teacher Jin criticized my color usage the day before yesterday. I don’t even dare to tutor others for fear of misleading them.”
Someone who could enter a renowned art college couldn’t be that bad, Xuan Congnan said without looking away, “You’re being humble, don’t pretend.”
Zhang Que shrugged and laughed, “Anyway, I can never compare to you.”
“It’s different. I had private tutoring as a child,” Xuan Congnan said.
Zhang Que: “I know, your mom is an artist.”
Xuan Congnan responded lightly, “Mm.”
Zhang Que said, “No talent means no matter how much tutoring you get, it won’t work. Don’t be humble.”
Evening fell, and the oil painting was one-third complete; Xuan Congnan decided to finish the rest tomorrow.
When he checked his phone, he was startled.
Five missed calls.
Eight WeChat messages.
Scavenger: [Congnan, aren’t you coming back for lunch today?]
Scavenger: [You didn’t tell me in advance yesterday or today.]
Scavenger: [Are you painting at school?]
Scavenger: [Congnan, it’s time to eat lunch.]
Scavenger: [Congnan, I’m hungry.]
Scavenger: [Congnan, come back quickly.]
Scavenger: [*pitiful, weak, helpless, hungry, faint.jpg*]
Xuan Congnan hurriedly packed up, dropping his brush and almost scrambling to pick it up.
“What’s wrong?” Zhang Que asked. “Are you going somewhere?”
Xuan Congnan said, “Someone at home has fainted from hunger.”
Zhang Que: “???”
He shouted after Xuan Congnan’s already departing back, “Who do you have at home?”
On the way, Xuan Congnan first messaged Gu Shi.
[Sorry, my phone was on silent.]
[I’m coming back now.]
[I’ll bring you food.]
Not going to the cafeteria, Xuan Congnan bought dinner off-campus, seemingly trying to make up for Gu Shi’s missed lunch.
Before, when they were just roommates, it was fine if one didn’t come back. Now that they were... partners, Gu Shi being hungry made Xuan Congnan feel a bit guilty.
Back home, Gu Shi sat alone on the living room sofa. Hearing the door, he came out holding a pillow, “You’re back.”
His voice was low, as if he was too hungry to have much strength.
Xuan Congnan lowered his head, “Sorry.”
Gu Shi asked, “Did you just paint in the studio today?”
“Yes,” Xuan Congnan said. “There were many people there before exams. I didn’t want to disturb anyone, so I put my phone on silent.”
Gu Shi: “It’s okay.”
Xuan Congnan: “You must be starving.”
Gu Shi nodded, “Yeah. Hungry.”
Xuan Congnan quickly took the food to the dining room next to the living room and placed it on the table. “Come eat.”
Gu Shi followed his steps and replied, “Okay.”
Sitting down, he didn’t move his chopsticks but just looked at Xuan Congnan with pleading eyes.
Though he didn’t blame Xuan Congnan for not coming home, his actions carried a tinge of grievance.
Xuan Congnan: “.”
He pushed a delicate little box he had bought along with the dinner to Gu Shi.
Inside was a small cake topped with a cute little dolphin decoration.
Xuan Congnan whispered, “Eating something sweet can really lift your mood. Don’t feel wronged; you’re back now.”
Gu Shi’s gaze deepened as he looked at Xuan Congnan, unseen by the latter.
“I do feel wronged,” he said.
With such bluntness, Xuan Congnan was at a loss and thought for a long time before saying, “Then, what kind of compensation do you want?”
Gu Shi said, “Can I sleep in the same bedroom as you?”