Blazing fire is hard to extinguish chapter 9

 Rendezvous

In the following month, it seemed like Lin Chi’s fortunes had turned. Previously, he struggled to find work and couldn’t start any projects, even struggling to repay his credit card bills.

But this month was exceptionally lucky, with several jobs lining up for him.

Immediately after finishing a magazine shoot, two days later, he found himself playing the gentle and affectionate boyfriend in a commercial, keeping him incredibly busy.

It wasn’t until the end of the month that he finally had some free time. He relaxed with his agent, Ms. Huo Yuning, each of them holding a pizza, sitting on a picnic blanket outside, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

His dear agent, Ms. Huo Yuning, enthusiastically painted a bright future for him.

“… With your looks, sooner or later, you’ll become famous. Don’t be discouraged by our current situation. One day, you’ll be a world-class supermodel, and together, we’ll dominate all the major magazines. But, you have to promise me to maintain your figure. If I catch you sneaking fried chicken late at night, you’re finished!”

After saying this, she glanced at their pizzas and felt her words lacked conviction.

“Today doesn’t count,” she waved her hand. “This is just a rare deceptive meal.”

Lin Chi chuckled at her remark.

Ms. Huo Yuning, twenty-six years old, not much older than him, had a degree unrelated to the fashion industry but stumbled into it with great enthusiasm. Despite many models in their company, she and Lin Chi clicked well, forming a strong partnership. With little backing, their small third-rate company seemed on the brink of collapse when Lin Chi signed on for two years. Over these years, he gained some minor fame, allowing him to pick and choose his jobs.

Lin Chi was content with this.

Although he had an ambitious face and a seductive presence in front of the camera, he was fundamentally easy to satisfy, having endured a rough first eighteen years. This made him care mostly about the present.

Life was good now—some spare cash, freedom, work without compromising his enjoyment of life.

Facing Ms. Huo’s ambitions, he simply nodded in agreement.

“Sure, sure. You’ll be the most renowned model agent in the country one day. Editors will line up to work with you, and all the supermodels will clamor to be under your wing.”

Ms. Huo knew Lin Chi was sweet-talking her, but she nodded in satisfaction, saying to him, “Exactly! So, to achieve our grand vision, you need to stay focused. There’s a university fashion show next week for graduation designs. Be prepared.”

Lin Chi made an OK gesture but seemed distracted, staring at something on his phone.

They spent almost two hours on one pizza, mainly Ms. Huo, as Lin Chi restrained himself to just one slice.

Afterward, feeling energized with a full stomach, Ms. Huo got ready for another afternoon tea social.

Grabbing her car keys, she asked Lin Chi, “Where are you off to? Need a ride?”

But Lin Chi remained seated on the grass, his pale, slender ankles peeking out from his jeans, legs crossed like a student waiting for class.

Waving her hand dismissively, Ms. Huo said, “Fine, suit yourself.”

She didn’t dote on him, leaving him alone.

Lin Chi scanned the QR code on the table and ordered a cup of coffee while sitting on the grass.

Unnoticed until now, a black business card had appeared in his hand—Li Tingyan’s contact information.

Earlier that morning, as he packed up after a shoot, he had spotted Li Tingyan’s card in his wallet. He had paused, not pulling it out, but the golden letters on it lingered in his mind.

Now, sipping his iced Americano, he hesitated whether to message Li Tingyan.

Counting the days, it had been almost a month since he last saw him. This month, despite invitations to bars, he was either too busy or lacked interest, feeling almost abstinent as a monk.

Deciding, Lin Chi scrolled through his phone contacts and sent a message to “Li Tingyan.”

After sending the message, Lin Chi didn’t stay on the grass anymore. He stood up, patted his butt, threw the coffee cup into a nearby trash can, put on his sunglasses, and rode his motorcycle to the gym.

When he was drenched in sweat and got off the treadmill to sit down and drink mineral water, his phone vibrated.

He took it out and saw a concise and brief reply from Li Tingyan.

“Okay. I’ll have someone pick you up the day after tomorrow evening.”

Lin Chi raised his eyebrows and whistled.

Cool.

Even fewer words than his own message.

But there was a slight smile in his eyes as he wiped his sweat with a towel and continued to work on his upper body.

On the evening of the day after tomorrow, a Rolls-Royce Phantom stopped in front of Lin Chi’s building.

Lin Chi was taken aback when he saw it. Although he knew Li Tingyan wouldn’t send anything low-profile, this was quite the show.

The driver was the same silent, middle-aged man Lin Chi had seen before. He had no curiosity, just nodded at Lin Chi without saying a word.

Lin Chi sat in the back seat, twirling his phone in his hand.

Over half an hour ago, Li Tingyan had sent him another message.

It was the hotel room number.

As the scenery outside the car windows flew by, sitting in the luxury car, Lin Chi thought of Li Tingyan’s chat style and almost whistled.

These rich young masters even arrange hookups in such an extraordinary way. Sitting in the back of the car, Lin Chi couldn’t help but feel like a palace maid going to serve the emperor.

But this illusion disappeared when he arrived at the hotel room door.

Because Li Tingyan was already waiting inside, dressed differently from the previous two times in suits.

He was wearing a white casual outfit, sitting in front of the sofa by the window, with a gentle and elegant demeanor. When he saw Lin Chi come in, he wasn’t surprised, just looked up and smiled slightly.

“You’re here.”

The door closed behind him, but Lin Chi didn’t hurry over. He leaned against the door, scrutinizing everything in front of him.

There was a faint scent of incense in the room.

Beautiful teak flooring.

Interwoven dark gray and dark blue decor, the room had an open view, and the sofa and bed both looked soft enough.

And an impeccably handsome man.

Everything was just right.

Lin Chi chuckled, took off his watch, and placed it on the nearby fancy round table.

He walked straight towards Li Tingyan.

With one knee pressing into the edge of the sofa, making a soft indentation, he wrapped one arm around Li Tingyan’s neck.

“Mm, I’m here.”

He lowered his head and nibbled the tip of Li Tingyan’s ear, “Long time no see.”