With The Backing Of A Powerful Figure: He's Gone Wild In The Modeling World - Chapter 14

At that moment, as he walked down the steps, he looked up and saw the man.

The man was dressed in a sharp black suit and sat in a chair with a relaxed posture, yet his gaze was fixed intently on him. He was tall, seemingly taller and broader than Zhan Zhiqing himself. His hair was slicked back, and his gaze was as sharp as an eagle’s, looking at him as if he wanted to strip the clothes right off his body.

However, Zhan Zhiqing did not feel any disgust.

Instead, he wanted to get closer, much closer. He had been lonely for too long. Sometimes, in the middle of the night, he would wake up from the sheer skin hunger and longing he felt. While the touch of others usually made him uncomfortable, this man alone inspired a desire for proximity.

He often suspected that the man from the show and the man from the plane were the same person. At times, he felt certain of it; at other times, he felt he was simply losing his mind.

He looked down at the swirling water in the bathtub while feeling a deep sense of sorrow and an indescribable regret. He felt like a freak or a pathetic soul who could only fantasize about being loved, embraced, and kissed in the dark of night.

The next day was the editorial photoshoot.

Wei Ming arrived as early as ever. Once everyone was gathered, he excitedly announced today’s theme: Couples!

The bus took them to a specially constructed set. When they saw the elaborate, classical costumes backstage and the sharp white fangs laid out on the dressing tables, everyone realized it was a dual themed shoot.

The models clustered together as Wei Ming placed two boxes on the table and clapped his hands. “Listen up, everyone! You need to draw lots, men and women separately. Those who draw the same colored ball will be paired together. Today’s theme is: The Vampire and His Human Lover! Of course, we will not make you actually wear the fangs.”

“As the vampire, you must ensure you look fashionable while projecting a thirst for blood and a longing for your lover. As the human, you need to express both a loathing for the vampire and a deep affection for your partner.”

“This means you must learn to act. You are playing characters and playing with emotions. In this industry, you will encounter all sorts of clients who will make all sorts of demands.”

The contestants stepped forward one by one. Zhan Zhiqing drew a blue ball, and the female contestant who drew the matching blue ball was Shen Lin. He gave her a small smile because at least he knew Shen Lin would be cooperative during the shoot.

Each contestant sat at a dressing table while waiting for the makeup artists. They each held a slip of paper describing their persona. Set in a Western medieval period, everyone had a different role: a noble, a priest, or a commoner.

Zhan Zhiqing drew the Priest, which was the most difficult role. For a priest to have a lover was already scandalous, but for that lover to be a vampire was even more extreme. It meant he had to portray not just love but a profound internal conflict. Choosing between serving God or surrendering to Satan was a heavy burden to carry.

He wore a black, high collared robe with a white lining that peeked through at the neck and cuffs. A long silver crucifix hung over his chest, and his long hair was slicked back.

Shen Lin was dressed as a noblewoman in a magnificent hoop skirt with her hair piled high. She held a seashell fan and wore pale foundation with bold, dark lipstick.

The production team had created a specific set for the shoot. Zhan Zhiqing and Shen Lin were placed in a corner of a noble mansion. The priest looked solemn in his black and white attire while holding a scripture book, yet his head was tilted to the side while exposing his smooth neck for the noblewoman’s appraisal. The noblewoman stood behind him with her hands pressing on his shoulders as her chin brushed against his collar with a faint, wicked smile playing on her lips.

They instantly transported the photographer into that strange medieval world.

Changing positions, the noblewoman gripped the priest’s chin while enticing him to lower his eyes. He looked both deeply infatuated and perfectly holy. Wei Ming provided only minor guidance while allowing the two to express themselves.

At first, Shen Lin struggled to get into character. Her allure was too forced while lacking both desire and love. Fortunately, Zhan Zhiqing was an excellent guide. Just by sitting there with his eyes downcast, no one would doubt he was a priest. His long hair and the ascetic nature of the profession were a perfect match. Yet his narrow eyes could shift a gaze so seductively that he perfectly portrayed a priest whose soul was half in heaven and half in hell. It was exceptionally fashionable.

Their shoot was early in the day. Once they removed their makeup, they could relax. Next was Zhou Xing. She was paired with Yu Can, who played a vampire doctor in a plague mask, while Zhou Xing was a pale, frail patient. Their confrontation in the clinic was also perfect.

Then came Le Xin, who was lucky enough to be paired with Cao Yan. Perhaps because they were a real couple, no acting was required. The sparks between a commoner girl and a noble vampire set the dark streets of the set on fire.

Zhan Zhiqing stood with Zhou Xing and Shen Lin. Shen Lin whispered, “I heard they are already together.”

Zhou Xing, being taller than Shen Lin, draped an arm over her. “No wonder. It is like lightning striking a wildfire.” Though she was mocking them, it was undeniable that the passion between Le Xin and Cao Yan was intense. Even simple physical contact looked intimate and heavy with tension. Wei Ming stood to the side with a knowing smile while seemingly having seen through everything.

When the shoot ended, Wei Ming snapped his fingers and announced they could return to the house.

Zhan Zhiqing felt exhausted. His skin hunger was a periodic affliction. When it flared up, he craved the touch of another intensely. However, during these periods, the touch of anyone other than a specific person made him feel nauseous. It was an unhealthy state of mind, and Zhan Zhiqing was doing his best to control it.

Back in his room, he filled the tub with hot water. Yet as the ripples touched him, he only felt the void in his heart grow. He crossed his arms over his chest while trying to comfort himself with the gesture, but it was like drinking poison to quench a thirst.

He desperately and urgently wanted someone to wrap him up entirely, to be held in a man’s firm embrace, to have his back gently stroked, and to be kissed and held close. Zhan Zhiqing indulged in this beautiful fantasy, and the man holding him in his dreams still had that same face.

It was only when the warm water turned cold that he snapped out of the fantasy.

Zhan Zhiqing frowned. His body felt heavy, and he was likely getting sick. He quickly dried off and went to bed. He still had to face the judges’ evaluations tomorrow. Even if he was going to collapse, it had to be after that.

Early the next morning, a groggy head and a heavy body confirmed his suspicion that he had indeed caught a cold. He touched his forehead. Fortunately, he did not have a fever, but he was coughing. He decided he would need to go to the hospital for an IV drip immediately after the scores were announced to avoid affecting next week’s competition.