Dark Fire chapter 48

Commercial Shoot

In the afternoon, they filmed a TV commercial.

The commercial focused on the fragrance series Ling Zhuo was currently promoting. The director was a renowned fashion photographer hired at great expense by T&G. Alongside Ling Zhuo was a male model frequently used by T&G.

The shoot took place on a less busy street in the city. Ling Zhuo had already finished his styling at the hotel and was now touching up his makeup in the car.

Lu Chixie chewed gum, leaning back in his seat with his hands behind his head, lazily watching him. Ling Zhuo looked up and met his gaze, “Why are you staring?”

Lu Chixie: “Is there someone else in the commercial?”

Ling Zhuo: “Yes.”

He had received the script for the commercial that morning and had a rough idea of the content. But since Lu Chixie hadn’t asked, he hadn’t shown it to him.

Lu Chixie: “What’s the content?”

Ling Zhuo: “…You’ll see soon.”

Zhang Jing and Yang Ming got out of the car to talk to the staff. Ten minutes later, Zhang Jing returned, looking displeased. Ling Zhuo asked her, “What’s wrong, Jing Jie?”

Zhang Jing: “The model they arranged for the shoot can’t make it today. They want to reschedule for tomorrow. Do they think our time isn’t valuable?”

Ling Zhuo: “What did you say?”

Zhang Jing, annoyed, “I told them if they want to reschedule, they need to compensate us.”

Lu Chixie looked outside. It wasn’t just Zhang Jing; the director seemed very angry too, loudly expressing his dissatisfaction in their language.

Zhang Jing gave Ling Zhuo a few instructions before turning around to communicate with others again. Lu Chixie stepped out of the car, and Ling Zhuo called out to him, “Where are you going?”

Lu Chixie replied, “Just to take a look.”

The issue was that the model had suddenly canceled and rescheduled, leaving Zhang Jing dissatisfied and the photographer unhappy, especially the bearded and scruffy-looking photographer who seemed quite unruly. He spoke loudly as if cursing, and Zhang Jing regretted not understanding his language, making it hard for her to interject.

Lu Chixie walked over and spoke a few words with those people in their language, and he spoke very fluently. The photographer’s gaze shifted to him, and his eyes suddenly lit up. He pointed at Lu Chixie and excitedly spoke to the others, while the brand’s staff seemed hesitant, as if they were undecided.

After a while, the brand representative who had dined with Zhang Jing and others the previous night arrived in a hurry. Zhang Jing sighed in relief and went up to communicate with him in English. The representative apologized first, and then the photographer came forward again, repeating his proposal. The representative assessed Lu Chixie and asked him a few questions. Lu Chixie nodded, and then the representative made a phone call.

Zhang Jing asked Lu Chixie, “What did they just say?”

Lu Chixie smiled and said, “The photographer thinks my image fits the role needed for the commercial and suggested I become the model. The brand’s staff said they need to consult with higher-ups before making a decision.”

Zhang Jing was slightly surprised and opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say.

She had read the script for the commercial that morning. The ad was from Ling Zhuo’s perspective looking at another man, with a somewhat ambiguous tone. If Lu Chixie were to take on the role, the reaction online in China when the ad was released could be quite intense.

However, they had no say in the choice of model. If the brand agreed, Zhang Jing would have to make Ling Zhuo participate.

The person on the phone consulted with their superior for more than ten minutes, during which they even handed the phone to the photographer. The photographer was very excited, speaking constantly and occasionally casting admiring glances at Lu Chixie.

Half an hour later, the official shooting began, featuring Ling Zhuo and Lu Chixie.

Ling Zhuo was still confused, not understanding how the model who was supposed to play opposite him had suddenly become Lu Chixie.

Lu Chixie reminded him, “Just focus on your own performance and don’t overthink it.”

Ling Zhuo looked at him for a moment, calming his emotions, and then turned to his position.

He sat in a convertible parked on the street. In the commercial, his character was a somewhat world-weary playboy waiting absentmindedly in the car. His demeanor was casual and showed a hint of impatience, as if he was disinterested in everything, until his gaze inadvertently fell on a man walking slowly towards the end of the street.

The man was dressed in a well-tailored dark gray coat, understated and low-key, with a perfectly proportioned figure, and was incredibly handsome. His expression, however, was very indifferent and aloof, like a model with the most unique temperament on the runway, elegant as if he were an aristocrat from the last century.

The playboy tilted his head slightly, watching the man approach without looking away. Their eyes met, maybe just for a second or two. The playboy’s eyes reflected the man’s figure, as if evaluating or being seduced, a mix of panic and forbidden desire surging briefly.

The man had already walked away. The playboy snapped back to reality, turning his head to lightly sniff the air, which only carried a subtle, elusive fragrance.

Because the model opposite him was Lu Chixie, Ling Zhuo felt a bit shy. The photographer was demanding and critical, repeatedly capturing his micro-expressions, and several takes were required before getting it right. By the end, the photographer, with a strong accent, shouted “perfect” with even more excitement.

Ling Zhuo went back to the car to change into another outfit. This part of the commercial was only one-third completed; the rest would be a solo performance by him.

Lu Chixie followed into the car. Under his gaze, Ling Zhuo began to unbutton his shirt, saying, “…Stop looking.”

Even though they had been open with each other several times, perhaps because of the recent shoot, being watched so closely by Lu Chixie made Ling Zhuo feel an awkward sense of shame.

Lu Chixie leaned forward, and Ling Zhuo felt nervous, unable to move with his back against the seat. Lu Chixie gently pinched his earlobe and laughed softly, “Feeling so shy?”

Lu Chixie turned his head and kissed him on the lips. Ling Zhuo was momentarily stunned, then licked his lips.

Twenty minutes later, the second part of the shoot continued.

In this part, the playboy obsessively searched for the scent that seemed to be of his own imagination. He searched every corner of the city, with each scene capturing his madness and longing. His eyes were filled with burning intensity, not hiding anything.

Finally, he stopped in front of a row of display shelves, casually taking down a seemingly unremarkable bottle of perfume from the top, spraying it on a test strip, and sniffing it slowly. His gaze became increasingly fervent, as if both his spirit and desire were boiling and burning at that moment.

Lu Chixie watched from outside the camera. Ling Zhuo’s performance was quite soulful. Playing this somewhat neurotic and delicate character seemed to fit him well. He was just the right amount of pathological—more would have seemed over the top, less would have lacked impact.

The photographer’s expression showed that he was very satisfied with Ling Zhuo.

While Lu Chixie’s appearance, temperament, and physique had initially amazed the photographer, Ling Zhuo, with his nearly perfect Eastern beauty, brought another kind of charm and grace. His performance exceeded everyone’s expectations.

The final part was shot in the studio.

Ling Zhuo, wrapped in a pure white silk bathrobe, lay on a black velvet bed. One leg was stretched out, and the other was bent in a relaxed and lazy pose. He sprayed perfume on his wrist, lifted it to his nose, and deeply inhaled. His slightly closed black eyes were filled with obsession and intoxication, then he gently kissed his wrist, with a kind of indescribable forbidden surge and desire, as if worshiping the most cherished lover.

The photographer captured his expressions from different angles, his eyes filled with excitement.

Lu Chixie watched coldly, his expression somewhat darkened.

After finally enduring until the photographer said “ok,” Ling Zhuo was drenched in sweat and let out a sigh of relief.

That day’s shoot went exceptionally smoothly. What was originally supposed to take at least two days was completed in just one afternoon thanks to Ling Zhuo’s cooperation and the photographer’s enthusiasm. The brand representatives and staff on site were also very satisfied.

Ling Zhuo went to the dressing room to change clothes, and Lu Chixie followed him, slamming the door shut.

Ling Zhuo pushed him away: “Move aside. It’s so cramped in here. I don’t know why you came in.”

Lu Chixie reached out and tugged gently at the belt of his bathrobe, letting it fall open to reveal his pale chest.

Ling Zhuo instinctively pulled at the bathrobe: “Stop fooling around. I’m hungry. Let’s go back to the hotel and have dinner after I change.”

Lu Chixie lowered his voice: “Why are you dressed like this for the shoot? If I hadn’t come today, were you planning to shoot this kind of ad with someone else? And be stared at in public?”

Ling Zhuo helplessly said: “What are you talking about? It’s just a regular job. It’s not like I was shooting something revealing. I haven’t even exposed anything, why are you unhappy?”

Lu Chixie looked at him. Ling Zhuo reached up and touched his face: “Ge, don’t act up. Just let me change first.”

Lu Chixie suddenly grabbed his wrist, pinning him against the wall, and leaned in to kiss him.

“Mm—”

Ling Zhuo groaned as Lu Chixie’s tongue slipped in, wrapping around his deep kiss.

Ling Zhuo couldn’t resist, so he just gave in, wrapping his other arm around Lu Chixie’s shoulder, and responded with an open mouth. The heavy biting turned into a tender game, with the room filled with ambiguous sounds.

Outside, Zhang Jing grew impatient and sent Yang Ming to knock on the door. Ling Zhuo snapped out of his daze and pushed Lu Chixie away.

Lu Chixie bit his lip one last time, slowly releasing him, and wiped away the saliva at the corner of his mouth with his thumb.

Ling Zhuo was a bit irritated and bit back.

Lu Chixie let him bite, as if they were competing, and eventually, Ling Zhuo’s teeth ached, forcing him to release.

“Zhuo Ge? Are you done? How much longer?” Yang Ming asked cautiously from outside.

“Soon,” Ling Zhuo replied, noticing his voice was a bit hoarse. He cleared his throat and added, “You can go out first and tell Jing Jie that I’ll be out shortly after changing.”

Yang Ming: “Then hurry up.”

As the footsteps gradually faded, Ling Zhuo shot a glare at Lu Chixie: “Jing Jie will definitely suspect what we were doing in the dressing room.”

Lu Chixie released him and leaned against the door, watching him change clothes.

Ling Zhuo ignored him and quickly changed, turning his back.

When they went out, Zhang Jing was still talking with the brand representatives. They mentioned if there were additional shots needed tomorrow, they would need to come back. This was not a problem as the original schedule was for two days, and Zhang Jing readily agreed.

Ling Zhuo stepped forward, and the representatives thanked him and Lu Chixie politely, escorting them to the car.

After closing the car door, Zhang Jing turned to look at Ling Zhuo, her gaze falling on his bitten lip. Ling Zhuo awkwardly looked away, and Zhang Jing sighed, saying nothing.

After dinner at the hotel and returning to their room, Lu Chixie swiped the room card and opened the door. Ling Zhuo followed him, somewhat lost in thought. After closing the door, he reached out and pulled Lu Chixie, leaning his head against his neck and mumbling, “I’ve been smelling this scent all afternoon. I didn’t think it was that pleasant before.”

Lu Chixie leaned against the wall, not moving, and let him stay close: “What about now?”

After a brief pause, Ling Zhuo said, “You smell quite good.”

Lu Chixie chuckled softly, his warm breath falling on Ling Zhuo’s ear. Ling Zhuo felt a tickle and tilted his head, then leaned closer, sniffing from Lu Chixie’s neck to behind his ear, finally affirming, “It definitely smells better on you.”

It wasn’t as strong as the scent straight from the perfume bottle and had Lu Chixie’s personal aroma, which was quite pleasant.

Lu Chixie wrapped an arm around his waist and lightly squeezed: “Is that so? I actually think the shower gel smells better.”

Ling Zhuo snorted lightly: “You have a really unique taste.”

Lu Chixie: “Are you doing this on purpose?”

Ling Zhuo: “What are you talking about?”

Lu Chixie didn’t explain, instead lowering his head to kiss his neck heavily. Ling Zhuo let out a moan, his voice unintentionally rising.

Lu Chixie reached down, lifting him up, causing Ling Zhuo to be startled and quickly wrap his arms around his neck to avoid falling.

Lu Chixie carried him a few steps into the bedroom, and when they fell onto the bed, both were a bit disheveled. Ling Zhuo’s hands were still around Lu Chixie’s neck, and one leg was draped over his waist. He laughed out loud. As Lu Chixie’s kisses descended, Ling Zhuo tilted his head up and eagerly responded.

Their lips met, entwining in a deep kiss. When they were nearly out of breath, they paused, their lips still pressed together. Ling Zhuo continued to smile and whispered, “Kissing your own wrist doesn’t feel like this.”

Lu Chixie’s hand slipped under his shirt, pressing down slowly along his spine. Ling Zhuo could barely handle it, breathing heavily and tensing up.

“What’s different?” Lu Chixie asked, his fingers still wandering.

Ling Zhuo: “The temperature and softness are different, hmm…” The heartbeat rhythm is different too.

Not sure where he was pressed, Ling Zhuo gasped again, his voice becoming sweeter.

“Your lips are hotter and softer,” Ling Zhuo said, unable to continue, “Anyway, that’s it.”

Lu Chixie looked at him with deep eyes. Ling Zhuo felt uncomfortable under his gaze and lifted a hand to block his eyes: “Don’t stare…”

Lu Chixie pinched his waist forcefully and kissed him again.