RBNR Ch7: Surprised Feng Chengyu

Backstage, people were coming and going, and the air conditioning was on full blast.

This was the new product launch for Marcos Malory, a very grand event. There had been several rehearsals already, and since the brand pursued perfection, they often had to redo everything over a single detail, taking up a lot of time and making many models suffer. However, securing such a luxurious opportunity was like adding a very glamorous touch to one’s resume. Models would fight tooth and nail for this chance, even if it meant giving up ten other job opportunities.

This was Qin Bao’s first time walking in a Marcos Malory show, and SISI Company placed great importance on it.

Marcos Malory himself was known as the great devil, extremely demanding about details, with a sharp eye. There was an instance where, just before a show, he suddenly felt that a model’s collarbones didn’t complement the clothes, and he pulled the model off the runway. Upon inquiry, it turned out the model had indeed gained two pounds.

People who are still growing have unstable weight and measurements. To ensure he walked well in this show, SISI put Qin Bao on a crash diet with nutritional meals, and he had been eating very little in the past two days.

When he couldn’t bear the hunger, Qin Bao would chew to numb his brain. He had been chewing on that shrimp for five minutes.

Brother Lu had found catalogs from various watch brands, circling the styles that were close to the description, wanting him to choose one.

If they couldn’t get the exact one, a substitute would do.

“None of these look right… Look, let me draw it for you. The watch looks like this.”

With a shrimp in one hand and a pen in the other, Qin Bao drew the watch from memory.

Brother Lu looked at the drawing and wanted to cry: “How is this different from the ones I just showed you?”

Perhaps he was too loud, a nearby blonde model waiting for his turn glanced over: “Which brand?”

Qin Bao told him.

The blonde model said: “Baofenni, huh? Want me to ask for you?”

Before Qin Bao could speak, Brother Lu hastily replied: “Yes, yes, yes!”

The blonde model had heavy makeup with feathers at the corner of his eyes. He looked around as if searching for someone, then pointed to the shrimp on Qin Bao’s fork: “One condition. Give me that shrimp, I’m starving.”

The shrimp had been half-eaten by Qin Bao.

He was stunned for a moment, then took out his lunchbox: “I have other food here.”

“Give it to me! I’m about to die of hunger!”

Seeing his company’s people approaching, the blonde model snatched the fork and swallowed Qin Bao’s half-eaten shrimp in one bite.

Qin Bao: “…”

Look at what they’ve been reduced to.

The other model, about to go change clothes, asked Qin Bao his name, saying he’d get back to him later.

Qin Bao had only given up half a shrimp, not expecting much.

Brother Lu, however, got excited: “Wow, search high and low only to find it effortlessly!”

Qin Bao didn’t understand.

“You didn’t recognize him? That’s An Qingyan!” Brother Lu said, “Didn’t you see the six-pointed star tattoo on his wrist?”

Qin Bao was also shocked: “An Qingyan?”

An Qingyan, one of the most famous supermodels in the entire league, Qin Bao had watched many of his show videos for learning. He knew An Qingyan used to be Baofenni’s go-to model. Now twenty-nine, he had gradually withdrawn from the runway in recent years. It was unknown how Marcos Malory managed to bring him back this time.

Brother Lu was still excited: “With that makeup, even his mom wouldn’t recognize him. He’s quite warm-hearted. Don’t worry, it’s likely reliable this time. If he really remembers, it’s just a matter of a word.”

He also reminded Qin Bao.

“When the media time comes, remember to take a few photos with him.”

Qin Bao: “Why?”

Brother Lu said: “It’s good for you.”

Qin Bao understood and frowned: “I’m not going. If you want to go, go yourself.”

“Don’t throw a tantrum. Since you already know him, what’s the harm in saying a word?” Brother Lu advised, “If you want to climb higher, besides your resume, your connections, your social interactions, everything, even your personal taste, will determine the resources you get next. After Marcos Malory’s launch, there’s the annual show. Do you still want to go?”

“I do.”

Qin Bao admitted but with a look of disdain.

“But if I can, I can. If I can’t, I can’t. I won’t ride anyone’s coattails.”

Brother Lu’s next words got stuck in his throat: “You…”

Qin Bao had already gotten up to change clothes.

Teenagers are proud and unwilling to bow to rules, so Brother Lu didn’t say anything further, thinking that if the other party was really willing to help Qin Bao, there would still be a chance to make a connection.

After the work was done, Qin Bao was about to leave, not even attending the cocktail party.

Brother Lu panicked and launched into a long speech, Qin Bao argued with him for a few sentences, and without even eating, took a cab to the competition venue.

*

“Bro, you’re sure you’ll come, right?” Feng Chu called.

“I got you the best seat, best view, so you can see if my skills have improved.”

“Yeah, I’m almost there.” Feng Chengyu, driving his new car, had already arrived near the venue, “I still have work, not sure how long I can stay.”

Feng Chu finally felt at ease: “Alright, I’ll go warm up with my teammates again. Bro, wait and watch the game!”

The car drove into the ground parking lot, and he saw a few people gathered at the entrance from a distance, with one person squatting on the ground.

The game hadn’t started yet, students were entering the venue one after another. Seeing more and more people stopping, Feng Chengyu got out of the car and walked over: “What’s going on?”

“Someone fainted!”

“Should we call an ambulance?”

The person on the ground hadn’t completely lost consciousness, their limbs were shaking, their mind unclear, muttering something.

Feng Chengyu approached and bent down, hearing a weak complaint: “Who fainted… idiot.”

The person was wrapped up tightly, wearing a hat and mask despite the hot weather. Seeing the backpack, it was clear they were a student, cursing even in such a state.

“How are you? Do you feel unwell anywhere?” Feng Chengyu asked.

The person replied: “…I’m fine, just didn’t eat.”

This didn’t seem like heatstroke, more like hypoglycemia.

“Does anyone have any sugar?” Feng Chengyu asked, “Sugary drinks will also work.”

The young Alpha had a mature demeanor, his attire suggesting he wasn’t a teacher at the school, but his presence calmed the scene, and several eyes turned to him as if waiting for his instructions.

The students shook their heads, someone loudly offered to buy some.

“…In the bag.”

The person on the ground weakly uttered two words, one hand feebly gripping Feng Chengyu’s pant leg, the back of the pale hand showing blue veins.

Feng Chengyu indeed found some filled caramels in the bag, very sweet, seemingly prepared by the person themselves.

Taking off the mask, Feng Chengyu was somewhat surprised.

What a coincidence, it’s Xiao Bao from the Qin family.

Feng Chengyu remembered, his cousin Feng Chu and Qin Bao went to the same high school, probably also here to watch the game. No wonder Feng Chu insisted on him coming; there was a reason.

First speeding, now hypoglycemia, this kid seemed to live a chaotic life.

“Open your mouth.”

Feng Chengyu peeled the candy and reminded.

Qin Bao’s hat brim covered half his face, he dazedly opened his lips, letting the other’s fingers place the candy inside, the slightly bitter-sweet taste filling his mouth, and his body seemed to stop shaking as much.

After feeding the candy, Feng Chengyu instructed the onlookers to disperse, allowing for better air circulation.

Seeing the other was still a bit out of it and unlikely to stand up soon, Feng Chengyu lifted him horizontally: “I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Lifting him, Feng Chengyu was surprised.

So light.

Lighter than someone of this height should weigh.

Qin Bao was so hungry his stomach was stuck to his back. After getting out of the car and walking a few steps, his legs went weak, and his vision blackened. Now, after eating the candy, he felt much better, though still completely weak, but he firmly refused.

“No.”

He half-opened his eyes, the hat brim blocking his view, only seeing the buttons on the other’s shirt.

“…No need. Put me down.”

If his family knew he was starving to the point of hypoglycemia, he could kiss his modeling career goodbye.

The person holding him didn’t seem to have any intention of putting him down and said, “Don’t underestimate hypoglycemia, you need an IV.”

“No… just a few minutes.”

Qin Bao’s long eyelashes trembled, his nose moist with sweat, leaving marks on the other’s white shirt.

“I know… thank you.”

Feng Chengyu didn’t insist further, originally intending to take him to the car, but considering the other was an underage Omega, it wasn’t convenient in a confined space. He found a shady spot nearby and put him down.

This was a student support booth, with a large umbrella and chairs. A kind student handed over a bottle of mineral water, which he opened and helped Qin Bao drink.

Qin Bao, being proud, refused to be fed, turning his head and weakly raising his hand to hold the bottle.

There was a row of Sanskrit tattoos on his pale forearm, their meaning unknown.

Feng Chengyu quietly helped him hold the bottle, watching him drink the water bit by bit. The boy’s Adam’s apple moved, a bit of water trickling down from the corner of his mouth, along his chin, to his slender neck.

Inside the venue, the atmosphere was heating up.

The host was saying something excitedly, the audience responding enthusiastically, perhaps supporters of the two teams were competing, cheers rising higher and higher, becoming indistinct outside the venue.

The fan at the booth was rotating, blowing cool breezes.

The cheerleading team took the stage inside.

Our school’s team.

Qin Bao thought vaguely.

This tune was passed down through generations, every cheerleading team used it to start, not very creative, but the performance was great, each member had a special skill.

From the momentum, they had already overpowered the opponent, they were sure to win today.

This classmate who got the candy had good taste.

Also a nice person.

Wonder which school he’s from, should I write a commendation letter?

The phone rang.

The person beside him seemed to have walked a bit farther away, Qin Bao opened his eyes to see the blinding evening sun, and a tall figure outlined in silhouette. A faint scent of perfume drifted into his nose with the breeze, familiar and pleasant.

That person was on the phone, voice low, couldn’t hear clearly.

Qin Bao rested his eyes.

After a while, there were rustling sounds, and that person peeled another candy and handed it over. Qin Bao took it and ate it himself: “Thank you.”

The person asked: “Do you want more water?”

Qin Bao shook his head.

He closed his eyes and rested for a while, then suddenly heard someone call: “Qin Bao.”

“Qin Bao.”

Each call grew more urgent.

He opened his eyes and saw Shan Yiming’s face.

Shan Yiming didn’t look pleased, his brows furrowed: “What happened to you? How did you end up with hypoglycemia from hunger?”

Qin Bao sat up a bit, his voice floating from hunger: “Do you have anything to eat?”

Shan Yiming took out a steaming box of takoyaki, not sure where he got it from.

Qin Bao used to dislike this, but this time he couldn’t afford to be picky. He ate quickly, probably not looking much better than when An Qingyan stole half a shrimp from him. He asked Shan Yiming, “When did you get here? I heard your car was confiscated by your family.”

“Yes.” Shan Yiming said, “I took a taxi here. As soon as I arrived, I saw you being helped onto a chair.”

Qin Bao initially wanted to apologize for riding a bike without permission, but Shan Yiming’s comment shifted his attention: “Where’s the person who helped me just now?”

Shan Yiming had a strange expression: “He left because he had something to do.”

Qin Bao: “Did you ask him which school he goes to, what grade, which class?”

He needed to thank him.

Shan Yiming’s expression grew even stranger: “What grade…which class?”

Qin Bao nodded.

Shan Yiming said, “The person who just helped you was Feng Chengyu.”

Qin Bao’s mind went blank for a moment: “Who?”

Shan Yiming: “Feng Chu’s older brother. Tu Yisen said he came to watch the game today, and the takoyaki was bought for you by him.”

It took about ten seconds for Qin Bao’s brain to reboot, and he slowly said, “Oh, it’s Feng Chengyu.”