A little hot.
Lu Zhen thought this for the fourth time while sitting in a luxurious studio.
He touched his neck and found a thin layer of sweat on his skin. It was May and the four-orange flowers outside the window were in full bloom, but the room he was in was still heated.
Lu Zhen looked at his watch again. Fifteen minutes had passed since the bald man brought him into the studio.
"Mr. Lu, please wait a moment. The boss will answer the phone as soon as it's connected."
The bald man left behind some nonsense before he left. His strange accent and the gesture of his hands clasped together made Lu Zhen certain that he was a Thai. After all, he had just returned from a vacation in that country.
The room across the wall was filled with the aroma of wine. Fan Xiao was sitting on an exaggeratedly large single sofa, lighting a match seemingly bored.
Swish, flames jumped out, bright and dazzling, burning slowly and gradually going out until only a twisted and charred wooden pole remained.
There were more than a dozen black wooden sticks in the ashtray. After throwing the burning match in his hand into the ashtray again, Fan Xiao raised his head and looked at the young man behind the glass.
It was a one-way glass, and behind the glass was Lu Zhen sitting alone on a high chair.
"Are you sure he is You Shulang's..." Fan Xiao paused and chose a word, "lover?"
The bald man nodded and replied "OK" in Thai.
Fan Xiao suddenly smiled. He picked up the red wine beside him and took a big gulp. Then he slowly wiped the moisture from the corner of his lips with his thumb.
"Such a glorious, holy, and powerful person actually likes men!" He seemed to have heard the funniest joke in the world, "Sure enough, there is no perfect person in this world."
Putting down the wine glass, he stood up and slowly walked to the glass. Coincidentally, Lu Zhen over there also turned his head and looked towards the glass.
Fan Xiao frowned slightly and muttered to himself, "Man? Lover?" After a while, the wrinkles between his brows gradually smoothed out, and a hint of amusement appeared in his eyes, "What would You Shulang's lover smell like? Also the smell of wild roses?"
The door was finally opened, and a tall man with a faint smile on his face walked in.
Lu Zhen stood up from the high chair and looked over with a faint gaze. He knew what he looked like that was most charming and could leave a deep impression on others. But the moment he saw the man, the pretended indifference in his eyes was replaced by amazement.
The man who walked in was very handsome. He was dressed casually, the black shirt was soft and smooth, clinging to his strong skin, outlining his perfect figure. The open neckline slightly revealed the sexy curve between his collarbones, and the Buddha statue ornament on his chest made his neck look slender and toned. His hair was as black as ink, his hair was smooth, his features were handsome, his eyes were deep and charming, and they were like a star.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I just happened to receive an important work call, so I have to delay Mr. Lu's time."
The man pursed his lips slightly, his apologetic smile revealing maturity and grace.
"It's okay, just waited a little while."
The impatience of waiting for a long time gradually dissipated due to the man's dazzling appearance and gentle smile. Lu Zhen politely asked: "I will cooperate next..."
"Fan Xiao." The man extended his hand. "I'm sorry for not introducing myself in advance."
When Lu Zhen shook the hand, he felt a little flustered. After a brief handshake, he whispered his name: "My name is Lu Zhen. How should I cooperate with Mr. Fan next?"
"You just have to sit still."
"Do I need to change my clothes?"
"No, your beauty is pure and does not need any other help." Fan Xiao was tidying up his drawing board. He looked up and said with a smile, "I hope my description does not offend Mr. Lu."
Lu Zhen shook his head and replied a little embarrassedly: "Call me Lu Zhen, everyone calls me that."
"Everyone?" Fan Xiao lowered his head and fiddled with the paintbrush in his hand, asking casually, "Does your lover call you that, too?"
He raised his head, and behind him was a window of sunlight. He said naturally in the bright sunshine: "Although it may be a bit rude and strange, I want to establish a relationship with my painting subjects that is different from others, a familiar, trusting and even intimate relationship, just like you and your... lover."
"But don't worry, this relationship is only temporary. Apart from describing your appearance with a pen, I will not have any substantial contact with your body."
"I hope you can understand what I am saying. After all, I once fell in love with a cup and a flower when I was painting. I think I will also fall in love with you temporarily. I hope you will not object to my love, the love of a man."
Lu Zhen's fingers suddenly hooked, his face was tinged with a faint glow, and he said softly: "I can understand, but I don't know how to do it?"
"Just sit there quietly." Fan Xiao looked at him, "And tell me what your lover calls you?"
"Why do you think I must have a lover?"
Fan Xiao opened the acrylic paint and squeezed it onto the palette without even looking up: "Intuition."
"Guessed it right? Then what did he call you?"
"Zhenzhen."
"Zhenzhen...Okay, Zhenzhen, now stand up straight, sit sideways on the chair, and look into the mirror."
You Shulang handed the car keys to the valet and was led into the restaurant by another waiter. As the soothing music played, he saw Lu Zhen, who was dressed exquisitely.
The waiter pulled out a chair, You Shulang nodded in thanks and sat down. After taking the order and the waiter left, he asked Lu Zhen with a smile, "Did I forget an important date? Why did you come to such an expensive restaurant to eat?"
Lu Zhen raised the corners of his lips and pretended to be sad: "If you forget the important anniversary, will I let you eat? It's better to let you starve."
You Shulang smiled and raised his eyebrows, then poured white wine into Lu Zhen's glass: "Why is that? Tell me what it is, and it will make me happy."
"I made a lot of money today." Lu Zhen was a little proud. "Three hours is equivalent to half a month of photography for the studio."
"What's so good about this job?"
"Be a mannequin for the painters."
You Shulang paused while spreading the tablecloth, then returned to his normal state: "Since you are happy about making money, drink a few more glasses with me today, don't get drunk with just a little."
"Don't you get to do whatever you want when you're drunk?"
You Shulang took a sip of wine, smiled and nodded: "This is a good suggestion."
Lu Zhen leaned his chest against the table, leaned forward, and asked in a low voice: "Do you think I'm going to be a nude model?"
You Shulang rubbed his fingers on the wall of the goblet and replied in a deep voice: "I think you will have your own judgment, and the decision you make will definitely benefit yourself."
Lu Zhen rolled his eyes: "Can't you just ask me directly? Aren't you tired of just guessing it in your stomach?"
"I just don't want you to..."
"Embarrassing?"
You Shulang did not refute: "So, you didn't do that?"
"Of course, I can't take off my clothes for a few bucks." Lu Zhen snorted, "I was wrapped tightly from head to toe and sat on the stool for three hours."
You Shulang reached out and held Lu Zhen's hand and squeezed it gently: "Are you tired?"
"I'm not really tired, I'm just hot." As if the heat in his body had not yet dissipated, Lu Zhen unbuttoned a button under his collar, "The room is not cold at all, but he insisted on turning on the air conditioner and heating."
The steak was already on the table. You Shulang elegantly picked up the knife and fork and cut the whole piece of beef into small pieces.
"Him? Your employer?"
"Yeah." Lu Zhen thought of the man who was painting seriously in the sun. After each stroke, he would look at him again, his gaze lingering on him for a long time, affectionately, mistily and gently, as if he was looking at his real lover, and his eyes were filled with his beautiful appearance.
Sometimes, the man would suddenly call him "Zhenzhen", and in the empty and quiet room, the magnetic voice would vibrate the air.
"Zhenzhen, stop being naughty and sit still."
"Zhenzhen, are you tired? It will only take a while."
"Zhenzhen, you are beautiful in my painting."
Lu Zhen quickly collected his thoughts and looked at You Shulang who was already cutting steaks. He said, "It seems that he just returned from abroad and doesn't know the hourly wage of domestic models. I got a bargain this time. I may not get such a good deal next time."
Lu Zhen, who was cheerful and lively, raised his glass and said, "Don't think about it. One time is better than no time at all. Come, let's drink to the beauty of tonight."
You Shulang also raised his glass, his eyes full of love: "To the beautiful you tonight."
Lu Zhen bit her lip, blushed and said softly, "Come to my place tonight?"
You Shulang slowly rolled up his eyes, and a cold voice came out from his thin lips. His tone was sexy and seductive, and the sense of oppression was fully revealed: "Then I advise you to drink less. I don't want to C a drunkard who can't scream."