Gao Rong searched his memory database for the man’s name.
After a whole lifetime, as if his brain had deliberately hidden the painful memories, Gao Rong’s memory was slightly unclear. What was this man’s name again? Robby? Or Roman?
Probably, Roman.
Gao Rong was unwilling to pronounce that name too clearly.
Those people always loved to call names intimately, as if everyone was completely close.
This person was Chi Lanyi’s first mentor after entering the industry in the past life, a casting director, and agent, most skilled at pushing people onto the stage, and also most skilled at tying people onto the stage.
Very well-known, very capable.
He discovered and launched Chi Lanyi, using his connections to recommend Chi Lanyi’s works to several designers with significant influence in the industry whom he knew well.
Thus, Chi Lanyi from the past life, after dropping out and returning to China, got the opportunity to come back to Paris. Chi Lanyi revered this mentor of his. Sometimes, Gao Rong even felt that Chi Lanyi trusted Roman more than he trusted him.
But ultimately, it was also this Roman who indulged Chi Lanyi in treating alcohol like water, and pills like candy. When the post-fame Chi Lanyi was crushed by the stage to the point of breathlessness, Roman even smiled and said: “Then just find a few more lovers, don’t suffocate yourself.”
Gao Rong knew that for Roman, this was a very normal “suggestion”. Roman himself also lived his life principles this way—one could even say, for people in their circle, living life this way was totally commonplace.
But Gao Rong still detested him.
Detested them addressing each other as “kindred spirits”, detested them resonating in the same place—like two strings that would vibrate at the same frequency with just a light pluck.
What Gao Rong detested even more was that Roman could always deliver those irreplaceable resources, pushing Chi Lanyi to brighter places.
Roman treated Chi Lanyi as a perfect masterpiece, and also as disposable fuel.
—And what made Gao Rong grind his teeth the most, was the unthinking defense Chi Lanyi once gave when arguing with him for Roman’s sake.
Chi Lanyi always told him that Roman had no ill intentions.
Finally, Roman ended his conversation with Chi Lanyi. He handed Chi Lanyi his business card, and as he left the stand, his gaze met Gao Rong’s.
And then, he glanced at Gao Rong in surprise, and smiled at Gao Rong amiably.
That one glance, was like Roman’s appraisal when selecting someone backstage.
Gao Rong stared at him, not smiling at all.
Only after taking several deep breaths did Gao Rong suppress the violent anger churning in his chest. He told himself, the more Roman acted elegant in front of Chi Lanyi, the more he had to act calm in front of Chi Lanyi.
Starting this round anew, he had leverage—this time, Chi Lanyi’s trust had to be placed in his hands first.
“…Gao Rong.” He heard the sound of Chi Lanyi calling his name, that cheerful, slightly bashful voice, “You came?”
Chi Lanyi clutched the several business cards he had received. He held them very neatly, but his fingertips kept rubbing the edges of the paper, as if confirming this wasn’t an illusion: “I… I didn’t expect I would be so popular. Did you see it just now?”
The last few words were tentative, cautious.
“Mm.” Gao Rong smiled gently at him. “I saw it.”
Finally, Gao Rong pressed his breath into his chest. He reached out and held Chi Lanyi’s wrist, smiling at Chi Lanyi’s hopeful yet careful gaze.
“Lanyi, I’m proud of you.”
…
“Georgina said she wants to buy all seven of these pieces. If possible, she also hopes I can turn them into a series. Gao Rong, what do you think? Georgina… she’s that blonde buyer.”
“I feel making accessories isn’t my main career focus. But she likes them so much… I’m so happy. She also said she has a friend who’s a columnist. Her friend really likes my work and hopes to do a small interview with me.”
“And Edmond, that curator. He wants to introduce me to a few collectors he knows. If it works out, he also wants to commission me to do a set of wearable installations and put them in a gallery exhibition.”
“Uh… and Roman. You know what? Roman is actually a casting director… he’s worked with several big brands. I never thought I’d meet someone like this…”
“He said he can introduce me to a few stylists and fashion editors, and maybe, also some designers he knows… Gao Rong, what do you think?”
Inside the villa, Chi Lanyi rambled on and on. Only after enumerating all the connections in his hands did he cautiously look at Gao Rong: “Gao Rong, what do you think I should do?”
Gao Rong had maintained a calm smile the entire time. He looked at Chi Lanyi’s email inbox—this past week, he had been sifting through and researching these cooperation opportunities for Chi Lanyi.
He calculated the commercial influence of several well-known buyers including Georgina, researched the reliability of several insiders’ qualifications including Edmond. The fashion world was never short of collectors fervently thirsting to unearth uncut jade. Each one of them eagerly hoped to find a new star, so their own taste, their own investment, could increase in value.
Only when he saw the name “Roman” did Gao Rong’s mouse scroll wheel pause for a beat.
No matter what, in terms of qualifications, in terms of connections, Roman was indeed the one among these people with the most exploitable value.
In the last life, Chi Lanyi only got to know Roman a few years later. But now, Gao Rong’s early appearance had actually triggered a butterfly effect—Gao Rong himself, had brought Chi Lanyi to Roman’s side.
“I think, if you want to sell, you can give these few pieces, respectively, to these few people.” Gao Rong meticulously planned for Chi Lanyi. “Georgina clearly prefers the style of the waist cincher and the veil. She can make you famous. I’ve looked at her marketing cases from the past few years. As for Imogen…”
Gao Rong said the names of those interested parties one by one, arranging all the plans clearly and logically according to the principle of maximum benefit.
Chi Lanyi humbly listened to this heap of things that made him dizzy and disoriented.
He didn’t understand, but he felt that Gao Rong was truly amazing.
If only he could let Gao Rong keep helping him manage these things outside of design—Chi Lanyi thought again, a little dejectedly.
This past week, his mind had been restless. The unprecedented success at the exhibition made him feel ecstatic. Chi Lanyi almost uncontrollably buried himself in the studio. He created non-stop, constantly making accessories, preparing his design competition.
Chi Lanyi realized that he had ambition. He couldn’t restrain the desire to stand on the stage, to stand under the light and express himself. He wanted everyone to see his expression.
That feeling of mastering everything made him feel transcendent, beyond the mundane, ecstatic.
But the flood of work emails left him at a loss. Chi Lanyi was very anxious. His time was too limited. He didn’t know which opportunity was best, who could publicize him better, from whose hands he could get what he wanted most.
Which workshop had the most suitable craftsmanship? Which gallery wouldn’t arbitrarily tamper with his creative intent for the sake of the exhibition? Who was sincerely appreciating him, and who was just packaging him for the sake of philistinism, and after getting his works, would discard him like worn-out shoes?
Chi Lanyi was so nervous he was almost going insane. His mood swung wildly, sometimes floating among the clouds. He felt he had to do so much, to show his brilliance in front of the world. He was incredibly confident, feeling that he was almost perfect.
But at other times, he suddenly fell into despair. He looked at that pile of emails, feeling that he simply couldn’t face all this. He didn’t know where to start, how to, in communication with each person, mutually articulate clearly, and then reach the best result worthy of him.
So, thank goodness Gao Rong was here.
Thank goodness Gao Rong was by his side, helping him handle these.
Without realizing it, Chi Lanyi pressed closer. Gao Rong’s body heat and scent were right there beside him. He almost forgot the unpleasantness from two weeks ago, about Chloe being sent away.
And besides, Chloe was doing quite well in London now. Just today, Chloe had shared her experience of going sea fishing in the group chat. She had made many new friends there too.
Thus, Chi Lanyi leaned even more self-righteously. He buried his whole self against Gao Rong. Gao Rong paused because of his closeness, his gaze shifting away from the two characters “Roman”.
“What’s this?” Gao Rong reached out to stroke the back of Chi Lanyi’s neck, like stroking a very soft cat that depended on him. “Why are you acting spoiled again.”
“Gao Rong, it’s so great to have you.” Chi Lanyi said all clingy and sticky.
Suddenly, at that very moment, Gao Rong thought about how in the past life, doing PR, being an agent, bringing Chi Lanyi back into the Paris design circle—that was originally Roman’s job.
But this life was different. The authority over this in this life was, for now, still in his grasp.
Even though Gao Rong knew that what Chi Lanyi needed at this moment wasn’t Gao Rong, but someone who would allow him not to be responsible.
Gao Rong’s stroking force increased. He knew Chi Lanyi had class tomorrow morning, but as he stroked, his movements gained a layer of implication.
Chi Lanyi leaned against him obediently, also not remembering about class tomorrow, sticking to him even more docilely.
Even knowing Chi Lanyi had to get up early tomorrow, Gao Rong still carried him to the bed. On the bed, Gao Rong embraced him, kissed him, using his hands to ignite Chi Lanyi bit by bit.
At this moment, he immensely enjoyed Chi Lanyi’s pleasure in his hands.
Chi Lanyi kissed him, panting, and said: “Fang Heng and Solene also came to the exhibition that day… Solene has been much warmer to me at school this week. She seems to really admire me. Fang Heng is still weird, but I can tell, he also appreciates my talent…”
“Focus.” Gao Rong pinched his waist. “When you’re with me, don’t think about others.”
Chi Lanyi also laughed. He lowered his head, wetting Gao Rong’s fingers with his mouth. His eyes were also moist, and he said softly: “When I’m with you, of course I don’t think about others.”
Gao Rong smiled, and pushed his own hand inside.
That night, they were extremely entangled, like trees and dodder vines, gentleness and hardness intertwined.
Until halftime, when Gao Rong was wiping Chi Lanyi’s thigh with a tissue, Chi Lanyi covered his eyes with his arm and said: “I just remembered, I have class tomorrow… I’m screwed…”
“Just wear a high-collar top to cover it, wouldn’t that do?”
“I can only sleep five hours… and I’ve been wearing high-collars for over a week now. A few days ago Amy saw it and asked me why I’m dressing like that.” As Chi Lanyi spoke, he blushed. “Seems like since the day of the exhibition, we’ve been doing this every day…”
Gao Rong laughed. He lowered his head and kissed the inside of Chi Lanyi’s skin, causing Chi Lanyi’s calf to spasm: “Doing what?”
“J-just… just this…” Chi Lanyi was so shy he could die. “Isn’t our frequency a little too high? Sometimes not just at night, but morning, noon, spare moments too…”
Gao Rong kissed his ankle again: “You don’t like it? I feel like you’ve been adapting more and more. Although still a little bit green.”
Chi Lanyi refused to say. Gao Rong thus deliberately pinched him. After a long while, Chi Lanyi made a sound like a kitten begging for mercy: “It’s… it’s okay…”
“Just okay?”
“I-I like it. I like it, okay!” Chi Lanyi was bitten soft by Gao Rong. He was a little annoyed, and started scratching Gao Rong’s hair in return. “You’re so mean!”
“Mean and you still like it?” Gao Rong said with a straight face. “Then I’ll have to be meaner.”
Chi Lanyi stealthily lifted his eyelids to glance at Gao Rong, as if looking at a bad guy he didn’t recognize. Gao Rong’s heart softened at this glance. He originally wanted to go again, but thought it over and let the sleep-deprived Chi Lanyi off the hook.
The two embraced and fell asleep. After a long time, Chi Lanyi sighed: “If only it could always be like this.”
“Always like what?”
Chi Lanyi snuggled deeper into Gao Rong’s embrace in the warm bed: “Always being with you.”
Gao Rong smelled the floral scent in his hair, his heart feeling like water rippling.
Perhaps, just like this, start over again with Chi Lanyi. Gao Rong told himself. Right now, they were truly happy.
Even though Roman appeared just like in the previous life, it didn’t change anything, did it? Roman wouldn’t snatch Chi Lanyi from his hands. On the contrary, now Roman and Chi Lanyi’s interactions had to go through his vetting. Chi Lanyi, compared to the once-met Roman, clearly trusted him more.
Roman was indeed a useful professional. Excluding those bad lifestyle habits, he was indeed wholeheartedly helping Chi Lanyi, appreciating Chi Lanyi.
Perhaps, in this life, Gao Rong could be the one in control from start to finish. He could absolutely utilize Roman’s abilities and exclude Roman’s harmful parts.
Looking at Chi Lanyi curled up snugly in his arms, Gao Rong thought so with confidence.
Gao Rong closed his eyes. Now, he was very much looking forward to tomorrow morning. He looked forward to Chi Lanyi waking up in his arms again. He would smell the freesia scent in Chi Lanyi’s hair, look at Chi Lanyi’s shy eyes, and think about how his life had finally started anew.
Next Friday, he would also fly to New York with Chi Lanyi to attend Chi Lanyi’s exhibition in New York. Chi Lanyi had now gained the acknowledgment of the aesthetic throne in Paris. Next, he should gain amplified, scaled-up recognition in New York.
Even though, these were just a few accessories. But this would be the beginning of Chi Lanyi’s career path in this life.
Suddenly, Gao Rong thought, perhaps he could also take Chi Lanyi to Long Island, let Chi Lanyi meet his parents.
He wanted his parents to also know that in this life, he had decided on Chi Lanyi.
Just as his thoughts were swelling, suddenly, Gao Rong heard Chi Lanyi’s voice: “Gao Rong… there’s another thing, I feel weird about it…”
“What thing?” Gao Rong hooked Chi Lanyi’s cheek.
At this moment, he believed immensely that he could resolve all matters for Chi Lanyi. Just as Chi Lanyi in this life trusted him immensely.
But what Chi Lanyi said next, was something that made his entire body freeze.
“My family hasn’t called me in a long time… When I called Mom, she also answered very hastily.”
“Has something happened with my family?”
Gao Rong’s voice was impeccably gentle: “What did your mom say?”
“She said there was a patient causing trouble, some problems with the family’s capital chain… but Dad and Brother are still working hard.” Chi Lanyi looked somewhat worried. “Gao Rong, I’m a little worried about them.”
“Don’t worry.” Gao Rong’s voice was very light, as if dragging him toward a safe place. “Your parents have been in business for so many years; they’re definitely more professional than you.”
Chi Lanyi nodded in Gao Rong’s arms, though his brow was still furrowed.
Remembering how Chi Lanyi had vomited that day after receiving the call from home, Gao Rong looked at the crease of worry between Chi Lanyi’s brows and felt very uncomfortable.
In the past life, Chi Lanyi had never been willing to talk about family matters with him. Gao Rong only knew he had severed ties with his parents, and had a very poor relationship with his older brother, who often publicly ridiculed him.
In this life, Gao Rong had proactively investigated Chi Lanyi’s family. The stubbornness and conservatism of this family made him frown. After knowing that Chi Lanting had bullied Chi Lanyi since childhood, Gao Rong felt even more that this family was utterly unforgivable.
In Gao Rong’s view, Chi Lanting had harbored intense hostility towards his younger brother from beginning to end. Chi Lanyi’s father, Chi Kuang, also had nothing but contempt for his son—he had never considered letting Chi Lanyi inherit the family business. Telling Chi Lanyi to study economic management and come back to assist his older brother in running the hospital was just about squeezing Chi Lanyi’s value, keeping Chi Lanyi under his watch, preventing Chi Lanyi from going out and “shaming” him.
And what about Chi Lanyi’s mother, Mu Rou?
Perhaps she had a little love for her youngest son. But that love was too little; not enough to cover her constant emotional demands on her youngest son, and not enough to make her defend her youngest son in front of her husband and eldest son.
That’s why, before, Gao Rong never had any psychological barriers about ruining the Chi family. He felt they deserved it.
So much so that right now, Chi Lanyi’s worry almost made him feel a sense of betrayal.
After a long silence, Gao Rong said: “Do you love your family very much?”
This time, Chi Lanyi didn’t speak for a very long time. Finally, he said softly: “I don’t know either…”
Gao Rong’s arms around him tightened a little more. Chi Lanyi said thinly: “At least, I love my mom. She’s very beautiful. She… has been gentle to me.”
“Mm.”
“And my brother, my dad… Gao Rong, you know what? My dad went to New York once when he was young. He wanted to expand the family chain hospital bigger, he went to ask Americans for investment.” Chi Lanyi said. “In the end, he didn’t get it. He said those Americans looked down on him from their high horse, mocked him, looked down on him.”
Chi Lanyi curled up again, as if afraid of the cold: “…When I got the opportunity to go to New York, there was a moment when I thought, if Dad knew I achieved great success in New York, would he change just a little bit… his view of me.”
“…You shouldn’t think like this.” Gao Rong’s voice suddenly went cold, like the back of a blade brushing past. “What he thinks has nothing to do with you.”
