Chapter 49: No Shame
After hearing him out, An Yi looked at Huo Beixing—eyes closed, waiting to be awakened—and froze for a few seconds. He had absolutely no intention of playing the prince.
Right now, the other man’s mind was not fully developed. If he really lowered his head and kissed him, then according to the laws of Green Jinjiang, that would count as a crime.
Knowingly breaking the law—impossible to sentence lightly.
The moment he lowered his noble head, the next day it would be straight to the little dark room, tears behind iron bars.
What a joke. Little Frog was a righteous, kind-hearted law-abiding citizen. How could he possibly do something like that?
An Yi patted the blanket covering Huo Beixing. “You’re not getting up?”
Eyes still closed, Huo Beixing said, “If no one awakens me, then I’ll sleep forever.”
An Yi nodded in understanding. “I see.”
Huo Beixing waited excitedly. =3=
An Yi smiled brightly. “Then go ahead and sleep.”
Huo Beixing: !!!
That’s not how it’s supposed to go! That’s not what the script says! There’s no such scene!
An Yi was completely refusing to follow his script. Huo Beixing opened his eyes and moved as if to throw off the blanket.
But An Yi was quick enough to pin the blanket down and reached out to shut Huo Beixing’s eyes again.
“If you’re sleeping, your eyes need to stay closed.”
“Wife!”
An Yi covered Huo Beixing’s mouth. “Shh! No talking either.”
Huo Beixing: ……
Actually, sometimes it was pretty fun teasing Huo Beixing a little. Sitting on the big bed, An Yi had the spring sunlight warming his back.
After An Yi removed his hand from Huo Beixing’s mouth, the other man spoke, sounding somewhat unhappy. “That’s not right.”
His black, thick hair had turned all soft and fluffy in the sunlight. “What part isn’t right?”
Huo Beixing muttered, “The prince is supposed to kiss the princess awake.”
“I’m not playing the prince.”
“Then what are you?”
“The witch who puts the princess to sleep.”
Huo Beixing: ……
Slowly, Huo Beixing opened his eyes again, both hands clutching the blanket, and looked at An Yi with deep grievance written all over his face.
I’m really going to throw a fit. I truly am going to throw a fit.
An Yi patted his dog head and looked at the one-meter-ninety, strong and healthy princess lying on the bed. “Alright, the princess is awake now. Get up and come eat.”
Huo Beixing yanked the blanket over his head. “I’m not going! If you don’t kiss me, then I’m never eating again!”
An Yi sat there quietly watching him, unmoved.
That trick was one he’d already used to death back when he was little.
But when he’d used it as a child, it hadn’t worked on his foster father. So now that he was grown, it still didn’t work on him.
Food still had to be eaten. An Yi shook Huo Beixing a little. “Why do I have to kiss you before you’ll go eat?”
One eye peeking out from under the blanket, Huo Beixing answered, “Because if you kiss me, then it proves we’re the number one best in the world.”
An Yi blinked. “Who told you that?”
Had Where Does the Runaway Bride Escape To updated with some new outrageous plot again?
Huo Beixing told the truth. “I went to the boxing gym yesterday. The assistant coach said it. He and his girlfriend do that. He said that means they’re the number one best in the world.”
An Yi blanked out for a few seconds, never having expected that Huo Beixing had simply run into someone else being lovey-dovey at the boxing gym.
Given Huo Beixing’s mental age, the assistant coach had probably had no idea how to explain it properly, so he’d just said that.
Just imagining the scene was enough to make one’s scalp go numb with awkwardness.
An Yi coughed lightly, his face a little red. “That’s because they do that, so they count as the number one best in the world. We don’t.”
Huo Beixing protested, “Why don’t we count?”
What, was this discrimination based on relationship status now?
An Yi asked him, “What kind of relationship do they have?”
“They’re a couple.”
“And what kind of relationship do we have?”
Huo Beixing fell silent and sank into serious thought. Then he lifted his head to look at An Yi. “What kind of relationship do we have?”
An Yi: “……A marriage relationship.”
Huo Beixing: “So?”
An Yi began brainwashing him. “We’re not a dating couple, so using that method on us doesn’t work. It can’t prove we’re the number one best in the world. Different relationships need different ways of proving things.”
Huo Beixing was no longer some eight-year-old who only knew how to throw people into trash cans. His eyes were full of suspicion. He simply didn’t believe it.
His peach-blossom eyes narrowed. “Wife, you’re not trying to avoid kissing me, are you?”
Hadn’t he said he liked him most?!
The other man practically radiated hard to fool from head to toe.
Keeping his expression unchanged, An Yi said, “Of course not. Didn’t I already say that different relationships need different ways of proving things? For example, you and Zhao Ningzhuo are the best friends in the world. So are you supposed to go kiss him?”
Hearing that, Huo Beixing was instantly horrified. He couldn’t even imagine such a scene. His entire face was full of rejection.
Even a crocodile would have nightmares hearing that.
So he had misunderstood his wife. Although, to be fair, he did feel that biting mouths with his wife wouldn’t really be a problem. In fact, a small hidden part of him had even felt a bit expectant about it.
“So then how does a marriage relationship prove that two people are the number one best in the world?”
“The marriage certificate proves it. You don’t have that with anyone else—only with your spouse.”
Huo Beixing suddenly understood. So that was it. Didn’t that mean he and his wife had already proven they were the number one best in the world ages ago?
Once he understood the truth, Huo Beixing stopped sulking, threw off the blanket, and went downstairs to eat with An Yi.
An Yi was long since used to his sudden emotional shifts. He didn’t forget to remind him, “If you ever run into people biting each other’s mouths again, just turn your head away, okay?”
Huo Beixing made a puzzled sound. “Why?”
An Yi: ……
Because that’s something you have to pay to see.
Not suitable for children.
The moment they sat down at the dining table, An Yi received a call from Lin Jiu.
“What are you doing?”
“Eating breakfast.”
Lin Jiu pulled the phone away from his ear and checked the time. It was almost eleven.
“You sure?”
“Then lunch.”
“You really are adaptable.”
An Yi smiled shyly. “Just one of my well-practiced personal skills.”
Lin Jiu: ……
They hadn’t seen each other for several months, so they first chatted a bit about how the other had been doing lately, and only after that got to the main point.
“The brand just messaged Gu Lingling. They want our studio and another one to arrive at the brand’s main building by twelve noon. Starting today, we officially move into designing the autumn collection.”
An Yi was eating a fruit sandwich. “Why twelve?”
“They said they’re taking us out to eat first.”
An Yi immediately put down the food in his hand. “Oh, in that case I’ll stop eating now, so I don’t get too full later.”
Lin Jiu was stunned. “What kind of nonsense are you talking?”
An Yi: ???
Lin Jiu said, “I forbid you from underestimating yourself like this. Who was it that ate five grilled sausages after lunch back at the competition grounds?”
An Yi: ……
When had he ever eaten five? Three at most!
The one who ate five was obviously you!
Still, when he heard it was going to be a high-end Western restaurant, An Yi obediently listened to Lin Jiu’s advice.
After all, Western restaurants might have many dishes and many styles, but each serving was tiny. You ate and still felt as though you hadn’t eaten at all.
There was less than an hour before noon.
An Yi hurried through his meal, changed into a different outfit, and went out, telling the driver to hurry on the road.
With ten minutes left before the appointed time, he arrived smoothly at the brand’s main building.
The moment Gu Lingling spotted him, she waved enthusiastically and called him over. Though Pink Crystal Girl’s Heart hadn’t seen each other for several months, for the three of them, several months didn’t feel much different from a few days. There was no awkwardness at all.
As An Yi came over, Lin Jiu raised a hand and patted him on the back. “Why so late? Did eating take that long?”
“Traffic jam on the way.”
Lin Jiu said, “Then next time tell the traffic to pay more attention.”
An Yi: ……
You really do know how to be considerate.
An Yi took something out of his pocket and handed it to Gu Lingling, who was standing nearby. “This is for you.”
Gu Lingling lowered her head. It was a bracelet.
An Yi said, “I went traveling recently, saw it, thought it suited you, so I bought it. Consider it a New Year gift.”
Moved, Gu Lingling said, “An Yi.”
Lin Jiu immediately asked, “What about mine?”
“I brought you chocolate.”
“Where is it?”
“In my stomach.”
Lin Jiu: ……
We’re cutting ties!
Now that all three members of Pink Crystal Girl’s Heart had arrived, they noticed another studio not far away with nearly ten people in it. Compared to them, it was basically a single great duang lump.
The other studio was called Sky, meaning a future as vast and boundless as the sky. Most of their members were in their early twenties, all bright and energetic young men and women, and their clothes were far grander than those of the three of them.
Quite a few rich second-generation kids in there.
Though if you looked at it proportionally, their own studio also had a pretty high percentage of rich second-generation kids—two out of every three.
The man leading the other group sized up Pink Crystal Girl’s Heart while waiting alongside them. He had no particular impression of this studio. During the competition, they’d paid more attention to the studios that looked much grander, and he hadn’t expected that another studio that won along with them would look this plain. “You’ve only got three people?”
The three of them twitched an ear.
Gu Lingling turned to face him.
An Yi: “Only?”
Lin Jiu: “Three people?”
The man frowned. He hadn’t said anything wrong. “Is there a fourth one I’m missing? Honestly, with a brand this big, only bringing three people feels kind of insincere, doesn’t it?”
An Yi: “Insincere?”
The man said, “What else would it be?”
Lin Jiu stepped forward, eyes wide. “Our studio brought everyone from the chairman all the way down to the cleaning staff, bastard!”
The man: ……
Sky studio: ……
So there were really only three of them?
Suddenly, it felt sincere after all.
The two studios didn’t have to wait long. Right at noon, the brand’s representative arrived. The one who came was the brand’s chief designer.
This designer was already well into his fifties, but in terms of clothing and grooming he was a fashionable old gentleman, looking at least ten years younger than his real age.
His designs had won awards multiple times in international competitions. In his fifties, decorated with honors, his status in the design world was anything but ordinary.
Over the next several months, the two studios would be working together with the brand’s own team under his leadership to design the autumn clothing and accessories.
The designer maintained a baseline level of courtesy in how he treated them. He did not belittle them simply because the two studios in front of him were mostly composed of young people.
After all, never look down on the poor young.
And after spending so many years moving through the industry, the old man knew how to adapt very well.
If most of them had been middle-aged, then it would’ve been: never look down on the poor middle-aged!
If they’d all been old, then: never look down on the poor elderly!
As far as he was concerned, age and experience didn’t matter. As long as someone could design good work, he treated them all equally.
After that, the whole group went to a Western restaurant. The brand had booked the entire place.
At the table, the designer told a cold joke to lighten the somewhat serious atmosphere. Though his status in the industry was high, he personally didn’t put on any airs at all.
“You’re all young people, full of spirit, so there’s no need to be too restrained. I’m not some old fossil. From here on, everyone can just get along with me like friends.”
The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere relaxed noticeably.
Seeing things gradually grow more lively, the designer seemed very satisfied and continued, “The reason the brand was slow to release the competition results before was that the final few studios submitted finished products that exceeded expectations. To be honest, from my perspective, the designs from your two studios were indeed very striking. Being selected was absolutely deserved.”
“I’m very happy to be working with you on the upcoming autumn concept, and I also have a piece of news for you.”
The moment he said that, the entire table went quiet.
An Yi noticed no one else was asking, so the student raised his hand.
The designer laughed hoarsely. “You can just speak.”
“What’s the news?”
The designer explained at length. “At the end of this year there will be a major international design competition—famous, prestigious, and not something just anyone can enter. The qualifications for registration are extremely strict, and you need to be recommended by a notable figure. As it happens, I have one recommendation slot in my hands.”
The moment those words fell, the cheerful atmosphere instantly went still.
Holy hell.
Ultimate one-out-of-two selection.
Who else but me?
Neither of the two studios was the type to politely yield.
Seeing how stiff the atmosphere between both sides had become, the designer laughed. “Young people, don’t be so tense.”
Internally: Fight! Fight!
Were young people really not the type to roll up their sleeves anymore?!
Then he continued, “I’ll choose which of your two studios gets that slot based on how you perform during the design of the autumn concept that follows. Of course, if either of you wants to directly yield the opportunity to the other, that’s also acceptable. After all, our Huaguo has the traditional virtue of modesty and concession. So? Anyone here willing to give it up?”
An Yi answered immediately, “Our studio has no such virtue.”
Wang Meng from Sky gave a small cough. “Our studio does.”
Lin Jiu shamelessly replied, “Then give it to us.”
Wang Meng’s expression changed on the spot. “We’re also lacking in morality.”
Designer: ……
Did you think there would be some kind of hot-blooded scene where everyone declared, We’ll rely on our own strength and compete fairly?
How could that possibly happen~~~
Both studios wore exactly the same kind of face.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, something you might encounter but could never seek out. There was absolutely no way either side would give it up voluntarily.
Of course, if the price was right, that could be a different matter.
Wang Meng exchanged glances with a few of his teammates, and they immediately had a plan.
In this world, there was nothing that money couldn’t solve.
And if there was, then you simply used more money.
Taking advantage of the moment when An Yi and Lin Jiu went to the washroom together, Wang Meng slipped out after them.
Sometimes, winning wasn’t only about strength. Luck played a part too.
Even if the odds were ninety-nine point nine percent, that still didn’t mean certainty.
And just now, the designer had clearly pointed out an easy road. If the other side voluntarily withdrew, then the slot would fall to their studio.
An Yi and Lin Jiu stood at the sinks washing their hands when Wang Meng pushed the restroom door open and came in.
“What a coincidence. You’re washing your hands too.”
As he spoke, he found an empty spot and put his hands under the sensor faucet, joining them.
“What do you think about the competition slot the designer mentioned?”
An Yi replied, “A lot of thoughts.”
Wang Meng asked, “For example?”
Lin Jiu said, “Your studio withdrawing.”
Wang Meng: ……
You really don’t even pretend.
“And what would your studio do if we withdrew?”
An Yi replied, “Of course we’d thank you!”
Wang Meng: ……
He gave a small cough. “Actually, regarding that competition slot, I wanted to discuss it with your studio. If your studio withdraws and lets us have it, we naturally won’t let you give it up for free. We’re willing to offer twenty million and buy the slot from you. What do you think?”
“Twenty million?” An Yi repeated.
Wang Meng nodded. It looked like this little pretty boy was tempted.
But the next second, Wang Meng only felt his collar tighten. Lin Jiu had grabbed him by it, chuuni mode activated. “Twenty million? Who exactly are you looking down on, bastard?!”
Wang Meng: ???
Anyone hearing him now would think he’d just offered two yuan.
Author’s Note:
The idealistic, Pink Crystal Girl’s Face: We will never yield, money cannot buy our dignity, we will win everything with our strength.
The true face of Pink Crystal Girl’s Heart in reality: Is that all?
