This statement left Xia Yang dumbfounded.
What did he mean by “not decent”? How was it indecent, and what did it have to do with his friend? Reflecting on his words, he seemed to grasp something.
In the end, was it the bathtub play that was the “indecent” trigger?
The ice sculpture tycoon knew quite a bit.
He raised an eyebrow, grinned, and explained, “My friend is definitely decent. The bathtub play is for a magazine shoot. What, Mr. Han, did you think it was something else?”
Han Yi’s gaze lingered on his face for a moment before he looked away, his lashes lowering. “Nothing.”
“I’m going to bathe. Please leave.” With that, he closed the bathroom door behind him.
Xia Yang stood outside for a while, tsking at the blurred silhouette through the frosted glass before returning to his bedroom.
Later that evening, he replied to Yu Ka on WeChat.
[Yang]: My family agreed. When is the shoot? Call me anytime.
After a few minutes, a message popped up in the chat.
[Yu Ka]: Wow~ Finally, we get to work together again.
[Yu Ka]: Brother, you’re definitely the most strictly disciplined idol I’ve ever seen!
[Yang]: Not really, there’s just an old-fashioned person at home. I don’t want to worry him.
[Yu Ka]: Brother, you’re so filial!
[Yu Ka]: My grand-uncle is also an old-fashioned person. I understand your struggle.
[Yang]: …
*
The shoot was scheduled for a week later. Early that morning, the two of them gathered at Yu Ka’s studio and headed to the shooting location together.
While MAN Magazine didn’t have the same high profile as the top four publications, it was Xia Yang’s first fashion resource.
In the styling room, an assistant cheerfully offered them refreshments. After about ten minutes, a tall, slender man with flowing hair walked in.
“You’re here! Let me see this beautiful boy that Ka Ka recommended.”
Yu Ka stood up, greeted him, and introduced him to Xia Yang, “This is the styling director, Leo.”
“Hello, L—”
Before he could finish, Leo suddenly leaned in close, almost touching noses with him.
Xia Yang was startled and instinctively took two steps back.
“The legendary natural beauty! Gorgeous!” Leo pinched his cheek. “Of all the male artists I’ve worked with, your skin is the fairest and most translucent. Even Ka Ka can’t compare.”
“Of course not,” Yu Ka put his arm around Xia Yang’s neck. “I go for the tough guy look. Being fair-skinned would ruin my image.”
“Okay,” Leo clapped his hands. “The previous makeup plan won’t work. I need to adjust your looks now.”
MAN Magazine liked shooting characters with distinct differences, avoiding cookie-cutter molds. With one of them exuding a tough guy vibe and the other a pure allure, the greater the contrast, the stronger the visual impact.
An hour later, their makeup and styling were done.
Yu Ka’s makeup was simple, emphasizing his rugged features. He wore an open black suit jacket, exposing his well-defined muscles. “Add a few more abs,” he requested, slightly insecure about his masculinity.
Leo glanced at him and shook his head. “More than four would make you look like genetically modified corn.”
Yu Ka rolled his eyes and closed his mouth.
The visual of genetically modified corn was too vivid, making Xia Yang laugh so hard his shoulders shook. Leo had to steady his face. “Hold still, let me check.”
Leo had given him a pure and seductive look, with a light foundation, no thick eyebrows, no enlarged eyes, just a light layer of silver glitter eyeshadow and slightly upturned eyeliner. His lower eyelids were dusted with a thin blush, extending to the corners of his eyes, complemented by a couple of tear moles and puffy under-eye makeup, giving him a clear and slightly tipsy appearance—cold yet alluring.
Leo scrutinized him for a moment before pulling out a sparkling accessory from the rightmost drawer.
“We need one more earring, perfect!”
The black lava diamond earring on Xia Yang’s right ear was unique and sophisticated, adding a touch of coolness without looking feminine.
Several assistants gasped in awe, even Yu Ka stared in amazement.
“Brother, you look too good. I officially declare myself your fan. From now on, you and my idol Han Yi are my only crushes.”
Xia Yang swallowed and forced a smile.
In the studio, the lighting technician adjusted the lights from warm yellow to cool white, finally settling on a warm, soft glow.
The porcelain bathtub was placed before the backdrop for their first set of photos, where they needed to sit in the tub.
“Just do your thing, I’ll take a few test shots,” the photographer said, eyeing the scene.
Yu Ka turned to him, seemingly seeking guidance on their poses.
“Uh…” Xia Yang had no experience with magazine covers, his limited photo-taking restricted to selfies.
After some thought, he adjusted his posture, raising his right arm.
Then he made a peace sign at the camera.
Yu Ka: “?”
Photographer: “…”
Such a pretty kid, but his thought process was a bit off. Making a peace sign in a photoshoot—was he going for a goofy beauty look?
Shaking his head, the photographer strode towards the tub.
“Both of you sit on the edge of the tub, Xia Yang side-saddle, Yu Ka straight on, let Xia Yang lean on you…” he instructed, gesturing.
Xia Yang nodded and complied, adjusting his position and sneaking glances at the photographer.
Xia Yang… It didn’t sound local.
With professional guidance, their style finally returned to normal.
In the shot, Yu Ka stared straight ahead, his back straight, legs apart, his black velvet suit open to reveal his bronze chest and abs. Xia Yang leaned against his shoulder, one leg bent, the other naturally extended, not fully side-sitting, his body at a 45-degree angle, head slightly lowered, gaze following.
“Nice, nice, hold it, Yu Ka, relax your shoulders a bit more.
“Xia Yang, a bit more seductive, give me some sexual tension…”
Sexual tension? What was that?
“Sir,” he raised his hand, “can you explain what sexual tension is?”
“It’s that inherent allure,” the photographer patiently explained. “Something that makes you want to get closer, touch, even… You figure it out.”
“Oh.” Xia Yang understood. Essentially, it was sexual attraction.
At the mention of that term, a certain person flashed in his mind—Han Yi.
Calm on the surface, yet harboring a torrent beneath. Even without speaking, just sitting there, he exuded a deadly allure from within.
That must be it!
He felt he grasped the essence of it.
But he couldn’t reach Han Yi’s natural level of sexual tension and had to rely on external aids.
After some thought, he half-removed his shirt, letting it hang below his shoulders, exposing his shoulders and collarbones. Initially, he wore a white tank top underneath, but now he requested a black one instead.
Then he gestured to Leo, pointing to his shoulder. “Could you paint a bite mark here, not too obvious, just enough to be seen.”
“Got it.” Leo turned to discuss with the photographer, both agreeing.
Once done, Leo cut a few rips in Xia Yang’s jeans, threw the belt out of the tub, and draped a tie over his thigh.
“Perfect! Absolutely perfect!” Leo clapped his hands.
With the lighting and photography ready, Xia Yang stared straight at the camera, not smiling, just slightly tilting his chin and parting his lips.
“Great eye contact! Very good!” The photographer praised, satisfied with the composition.
Unexpectedly, the goofy beauty turned out to be a treasure, able to adapt quickly!
After this set, they did another lying and sitting combination, wrapping up the morning’s shoot.
“Great job, both of you! Have something to drink.” An assistant brought over juice and coffee.
Yu Ka excused himself to the bathroom, while Xia Yang sipped his coffee, waiting to discuss some matters with the client later.
Nearby, the photographer and a few others gathered around, reviewing the raw photos.
“These came out fantastic. They might even go viral!”
“Goosebumps!”
Curious, Xia Yang approached, “Sorry to interrupt, may I take a look?” he asked politely.
Everyone made room for him, and the photographer patted his shoulder, letting him get closer. “You have a natural talent for stills. This one, especially this one, looks very high-end.”
Xia Yang felt flattered.
“Could you send me one?” he waved his phone, seeking approval.
The photographer thought for a moment, then nodded, instructing his assistant to send him a compressed version, reminding him to enjoy it privately and not share it on social media.
Half an hour later, they left the studio.
Having earned his first paycheck, Xia Yang intended to treat Yu Ka to a nice meal.
However, Yu Ka was busy with another engagement, so they had to postpone. They bid each other farewell, and Xia Yang took a cab home, admiring the photo on the way. Suddenly, his WeChat chimed.
It was Han Yi.
Surprisingly, his plastic husband had initiated a conversation.
[Han Yi]: Where are you? I need to talk to you.
[Yang]: On an unknown road, just finished a shoot. Let me show you~
He sent the photo to Han Yi, deliberately censoring Yu Ka’s exposed chest and abs for certain reasons.
[Yang]: Eyes pregnant yet? ^_^
[Yang]: The big photographer said my stills are top-notch, sexual tension maxed (Note: Sexual tension means the kind of attraction that makes you want to kiss, hug, and even… beep beep).
[Yang]: So, what do you think? Looking for your feedback~~ [Shy cat licking its tail].
After a long while with no reply, Xia Yang suddenly remembered that Han Yi had something to discuss.
He’d been too busy flaunting his sexual tension, completely forgetting the matter at hand.
[Yang]: Oh, right, you said you had something to talk about? What is it?
Almost immediately, two new messages popped up.
Both responses still addressed the previous topic.
[Han Yi]: Not much.
[Han Yi]: Untidy, indecent.
The author has something to say:
Xia Yang: “Old-fashioned relic, are you from the Stone Age?”
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