Chapter 27: Reality: Occupation

Chapter 27: Reality: Profession

Ming Yiyang's three-star hotel was gone.

At this moment, he sat facing Chi Zihe on a train heading to Guang City. He was studying information about Yan Qiling, while Chi Zihe peeled an apple beside him, his lips never ceasing to move:

"Young people should eat more fruit, strive to grow another two meters."

"Go ahead and send me flying then."

Taking a bite of the apple with a crunch, Ming Yiyang continued chewing while keeping his eyes on his phone:

"So, he's been a small model for magazines for three years, and now he's still modeling... How does that relate to the Wujian World? The only thing I can figure out from this information is why he carries hair wax with him all the time."

"Well, you might get away with hitting him, but if you so much as touch a single strand of his hair, he'll definitely be after you."

Chi Zihe split the remaining apple into segments with his bare hands and picked up one piece to savor slowly.

"In the future, we'll be working together. You should adjust your attitude a bit. Let me tell you, a Celestial Rank Wujian Master is someone neither you nor I can handle. But with him around, there's a chance for everyone to survive."

"Sounds impressive."

Ming Yiyang kicked off his shoes and propped his long legs up on the soft couch. Leaning half-against the pillow, he nibbled on fruit.

"You're getting more and more exaggerated. What's his background?"

"Not something I can easily explain."

Chi Zihe picked up another piece and waved his hand dismissively. "I'm not trying to be secretive, but if you're interested in him, it would be faster to ask him directly. Hey, if it weren't for this absurd slaughterhouse incident, I wouldn't have dared to invite him at all."

"In his hands, we're like pawns in a game. The feeling of being subject to someone else's decisions – you won't understand it until you've experienced it in Wujian Realm... Oh, you've already worked with him... How does that make you feel now?"

The young man pondered sincerely before admitting, "He's quite capable, but he's overly meddlesome and cares too much about his image. So much so that he'd even risk his life for it."

"At that time, he was assaulted and half his body was burnt. I took care of him all night, but the next day, he insisted on getting dressed, not caring about infection."

Chi Zihe recalled something and wore an expression as if he wanted to speak but hesitated.

Ming Yiyang noticed his hesitation and asked,

"Is your tooth acting up again?"

Chi Zihe forgot what he was going to say,

"What do you mean 'again'? My teeth are in perfect condition! I eat two apples after every meal, guaranteed to live until ninety-nine!"

The young man showed a disdainful look,

"Two high-sugar fruits a day, no wonder your blood sugar stays high and your teeth aren't in good shape."

Chi Zihe felt awkward and immediately shot back,

"Well, what about you? Staying up late, smoking, drinking every day. You might not see it now because you're young, but when you reach my age, you might be even worse off than me."

"Just the other day, he was encouraging me to have a vibrant nightlife, but on the train, he changed his mind."

Ming Yiyang quickly finished off the nuts, tossed the shells into the trash, and resumed studying his materials on his phone:

"Still, it's a bit odd that for someone like Yan Qiling, if you don't stubbornly lure him into the company, you'd let him work independently."

"Why would we want to recruit him?" Chi Zihe said leisurely.

"In the company, we'd have to pay him, but with personal connections, we can get his services for free."

The young man turned his head to look at him and slowly uttered three words:

"You really are something, Chi Skinflint."

In June in Guang City, typhoons were common.

-

Fortunately, they learned upon arrival that the typhoon had already passed.

Unfortunately, a light drizzle persisted in the sky, as the aftermath of the typhoon left the atmosphere damp and oppressive, highly uncomfortable.

Ming Yiyang was accustomed to such weather, but Chi Zihe, dressed in his Taoist robe, was not.

The frugal Taoist, who usually opted for walking to save money, rarely took a taxi – his eagerness to reach their destination was palpable.

They arrived at Xinhepu Road, where a row of standalone buildings with orange and white facades, each accompanied by a small courtyard, lined the street. They stopped in front of a structure bearing a sign that read "Historical Cultural Heritage Building."

Ming Yiyang glanced at the sign and asked,

"He lives here?"

Only the affluent could afford properties in this area, especially those of this size. If he recalled correctly, the starting price per square meter was 70,000 yuan, and the cost of older houses was anyone's guess.

"Yes, I even helped him find this property – it took quite some effort," Chi Zihe replied.

As they spoke, a burly man emerged from the house.

His orange hair, illuminated by the sun, was neatly combed back and braided into five different colored plaits.

This man had a square face, large ears that stuck out, with pointed tips pointing upwards. Despite the oversized sunglasses that concealed his eyes, his appearance still conveyed a sense of sternness.

He should have been a cool character, but unfortunately, he was wearing a Hawaiian floral shirt and a pink cartoon apron around his waist, making him appear rather unconventional.

Even someone as experienced and knowledgeable as Ming Yiyang was momentarily taken aback.

Without waiting for them to speak, the man pulled open the iron gate to greet them.

"Mr. Chi, Mr. Ming. Our gentleman has gone out to take photos and won't be back until around six. Before he left, he instructed me to entertain you both. Please come in."

Looking at the man's respectful demeanor, for some reason, Ming Yiyang couldn't help but recall Yan Qiling's bold declaration, "I have money."

Not only did he own an old mansion in a prime location, but he also had a... robust nanny living with him.

Indeed, he was wealthy.

However, it had only been a few days since he left the hospital, and he was already going out for photo shoots... Did burns heal that quickly these days?

"You were able to take a picture despite being in such a state?" the young man asked directly.

The braided tough guy replied respectfully, "Sir's healing ability has always been extraordinary. He's already back to his original state. Thank you for your concern, Mr. Ming."

Noticing that the two were still standing at the door, he promptly invited them, "Please come in, it's quite hot outside. Don't risk getting overheated."

Chi Zihe stopped his enthusiasm but still spoke decently, "Thank you, but I have a business meeting later. I'll go straight to him. Has his assistant changed?"

The cool guy immediately took out his phone, "Sir has changed assistants. The previous one might not be aware of his current schedule."

"I recall that Mr. Ming is shooting at the Sumi Tower today, but he'll change locations in an hour. Mr. Chi can get in the car first. I'll send you the detailed address later and inform Mr. Ming."

With Ming Yiyang in tow, Chi Zihe hailed a car and headed straight for the Sumi Tower.

"You mentioned a business matter earlier. Are you referring to the interview for the newcomer that your senior recommended?"

"Yes, I've heard he's quite popular."

"Why didn't you schedule the interview first and then arrange a time? It seems rather rushed."

The Taoist priest couldn't help slouching his shoulders upon hearing this.

"Well, we're both busy people."

"Yan Qiling never stops working; he's the king of workaholics. If he were to take a sudden break, it'd be like he vanished from the face of the earth. If you waited for him to have free time before looking for someone, the opportunity would be long gone."

-

Yan Qiling's workplace was in the underground swimming pool of the Sumi Tower.

The area had been booked by the production team, so despite the comings and goings, it remained relatively quiet.

A tall, slender woman with an ID badge around her neck emerged from the building. She was about 1.65 meters tall, wore sneakers, and had a large sun hat on her head, with her hair tied up in a neat ponytail. Her outfit exuded both vitality and confidence.

She quickly recognized Chi Zihe and approached briskly.

"Are you Teacher Chi?" she asked.

"I am. You must be his assistant. How should I address you?" Chi Zihe responded.

The girl replied, "Just call me Tuan Mi."

Tuan Mi was one of the few people who didn't show any obvious astonishment upon seeing Ming Yiyang.

Her dark eyes calmly swept over Chi Zihe's and Ming Yiyang's faces before she turned to lead them inside. Throughout their encounter, she merely gave them a cursory glance as if they were strangers, which prevented any sense of intrusion.

Several large spotlights illuminated the water's surface by the pond. Divers in wetsuits descended, carrying waterproof pouches containing portable lights.

Others seemed to be engaged in their own tasks, creating an atmosphere of bustling activity.

Tuan Mi tidied up the beach chairs, inviting them to sit down:

"Professor Yan just went into the water. You two can wait here for a moment. After this scene is shot, he'll likely take a break."

As soon as the words left his lips, a figure clad in blue emerged from the water, sending a shower of sparkling droplets into the air.

A familiar face entered Ming Yiyang's line of sight, and his expression became inscrutable as he gazed at the person under the spotlight.

He had always known that Yan Qiling had an attractive face, but it had never held his attention.

Except for that fleeting moment at the observatory, he had mostly overlooked the man's appearance most of the time. Instead, he had been observing the subtlest of expressions on that tranquil, unrippled visage or searching for fleeting emotions behind the mechanical, glass-like eyes.

Yet now, the man's appearance had suddenly become impossible to ignore.

His gaze involuntarily followed the elongated, aqua-gold fish-fin earrings that dangled from the man's ears.

The plastic earpiece shimmered with a gradient iridescence, adorned with slender silver teardrop-shaped sequins that glinted against the man's alabaster neck.

His wet, flowing hair drifted in the water.

The blue ombre at the ends of his hair melded seamlessly with the water, vividly undulating with the ripples.

That shade of blue seemed to echo the man's deep, oceanic eyes at that moment.

Gilded scales-like patterns were painted delicately on the contour of his lower eyelids, accompanied by a sprinkling of glitter.

Ming Yiyang thought to himself that Yan Qiling must truly be wearing colored contact lenses this time.

The man floated in the water, listening to the photographer who had also emerged from its depths.

The photographer showed him photos from a portable camera, and the man nodded slightly, occasionally offering some remarks, lifting his gaze inadvertently.

Their eyes met for a brief moment.

In that fleeting encounter, Ming Yiyang caught a glimpse of surprise flickering across the other's face.

Yan Qiling's gaze swiftly shifted to Chi Zihe beside him, a knowing smile gracing his lips as he nodded gently in acknowledgment before turning back to listen to the photographer.

In that moment, he exuded an inexplicably powerful allure. Unconsciously, those around him found themselves captivated by his illuminated form, his features, and the earnest expression on his face.

Seemingly reaching an agreement with the photographer, the man submerged himself into the water once more, vanishing from sight like a genuine bluefish, leaving all observers in awe.

That dazzling and graceful movement was akin to a breeze sweeping across a mountain ridge, carrying a hint of the sea's saltiness along with it.

The young man gazed at the rippling surface, dimly realizing the truth.

This was beauty.

A beauty unique to this person, unparalleled and unmatched.