The Sickly Beauty Gives Up Struggling [Rebirth] Chapter 214

Jian Fu arrived at the rooftop to find the makeup artist touching up Lin Zhen’s makeup.

Lin Zhen was slightly crouched, eyes closed, letting the makeup artist dab and pat his face with a powder puff. He looked particularly obedient.

Sister Mei stood with her arms crossed, glancing at her watch while checking the progress of the shoot.

“I think the neckline could be opened up a little more. What do you think, Zhenbao?”

Lin Zhen blinked and opened his eyes slightly, his long lashes fluttering. Initially dazed, he looked down at the already prominent neckline revealing much of his collarbone. Embarrassed, he softly replied, “Um… sure, whatever works.”

Sister Mei chuckled, “Don’t be shy! Your style is usually very well-behaved, but you need to try something different now and then. A bit more boldness, maybe a wilder vibe, and your fans will find it refreshing.”

The rooftop of District Nine offered a unique view. In one corner stood a pile of discarded metal logos from various iterations of District Nine’s history.

Some of the logos were rusted, exuding an aged charm, yet the emblem of District Nine remained distinct.

Though Cen Xiao’s apology on behalf of the former Ghost-Eye Unit Team Leader had put District Nine in the spotlight, it still retained an air of mystery and exclusivity to outsiders.

When these historical imprints, layered with rust and faded paint, converged, they created a fascinating, artistic aesthetic.

The photographer was particularly fond of this corner and took several photos of Lin Zhen there.

Jian Fu leaned over to glance at the camera, casually remarking, “The wind’s not strong tonight, huh?”

The photographer turned to him, “Perfect! Hey, buddy, help out for a moment. Stand in front of the metal logos with your back to the camera and let Lin Zhen rest his arm on your shoulder. We’ll take a few test shots.”

Jian Fu blinked in surprise. “Me? In the frame?”

The photographer reassured him, “Not really. You’re just a prop. We’ll edit it in post, and your outline will barely be visible.”

Skeptical but cooperative, Jian Fu stepped into position with his back to the camera, facing the pile of discarded metal. “Like this?”

Lin Zhen, makeup finished, walked toward Jian Fu.

An assistant stepped forward to unbutton one more of Lin Zhen’s shirt buttons. As the shirt opened further, even more of his chest was exposed, revealing the full curve of his collarbones.

A cool breeze sneaked in through the gap, making Lin Zhen’s cheeks flush slightly.

Following the photographer’s instructions, he draped his right arm over Jian Fu’s shoulder and leaned lightly against him. “Should I look at him?”

The photographer instructed, “Lower your head slightly, then lift your eyes to the camera. Keep your expression a bit rebellious. You can lean on him more.”

Obediently, Lin Zhen leaned closer, his chest almost pressing against Jian Fu’s arm. His shirt crumpled slightly, creating a natural, disheveled texture.

Jian Fu took a sharp breath, feeling a little dizzy. He murmured, “Smells so good.”

Lin Zhen let his hand fall, fingertips brushing against Jian Fu’s shoulder blade. “What smells good?”

Jian Fu coughed lightly, “Uh, you. You smell amazing.”

With the close proximity, Lin Zhen’s semi-unbuttoned shirt and languid posture leaning against him felt like some midnight indulgence.

Lin Zhen took a quick sniff of himself. “Probably the makeup products. They’re all scented. Once I wash it off, it’ll be gone.”

Jian Fu whispered back, “It smells really nice.”

The words drifted gently into the soft night breeze, but Lin Zhen still caught them. A slight smile crept into his eyes as he lightly patted Jian Fu’s shoulder blade. “Alright, let’s focus on work.”

The photographer aimed the lens at Lin Zhen. “Don’t stand so straight; that looks too tame. Bend one leg slightly and lean your weight on him. Make your gaze a bit colder. Good… Now, add your own touch, interact with the prop. I’ll capture a few candid shots.”

Lin Zhen turned to Jian Fu, his fingers tracing along Jian Fu’s neck, slowly sliding from his shoulder to the base of his ear. Then, he gently lifted Jian Fu’s earlobe with his index finger.

His gaze was daring and mischievous, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. Yet, because the person in front of him was Jian Fu, he moved without hesitation, as if it all came naturally.

Perhaps, deep down, this was what he had been waiting for—a chance to break through the fragile barrier between them.

Jian Fu’s breath quickened, just as Lin Zhen’s bold and piercing gaze locked onto him. His dark, bright eyes sparkled, just as Jian Fu had envisioned countless times before.

But that wasn’t all. Lin Zhen’s warm fingertips teased Jian Fu’s earlobe, and even the slightest tremble transmitted directly to his heart.

This was more exhilarating than he had imagined.

The photographer grew excited. “Fantastic! So natural, and this style suits you perfectly. Lin Zhen, you’ve got to push your boundaries more often—this level of tension is incredible!”

Steel beams, streaked paint, rust, midnight, neon lights, tangled vines, a disheveled youth, and a silhouette hidden in the shadows—all these elements fused into a stunningly dynamic, captivating scene.

Once the shoot wrapped up, Lin Zhen’s eyelashes fluttered briefly. He calmly stepped away from Jian Fu and nodded politely to the photographer. “Thank you for your hard work, sir.”

The photographer grinned. “I’ll head back to edit the photos right away and try to have them done before you board the plane. This shoot is bound to stand out!”

Sister Mei beamed with satisfaction. “Thank you so much! We’ll eagerly await the final edits.”

Meanwhile, “prop man” Jian Fu scratched his nose and turned away, feeling a bit dejected.

He wished Lin Zhen had stayed close to him a little longer. How could the shoot end so quickly? He wouldn’t mind being a background prop forever!

After bidding farewell to the photographer, Lin Zhen turned to see Jian Fu daydreaming. With a smile in his eyes, he patted Jian Fu’s arm. “What are you thinking about? Let’s go!”

Snapping out of his thoughts, Jian Fu instinctively grabbed Lin Zhen’s wrist. “Alright, let’s go, let’s go.”

Lin Zhen didn’t pull away, letting Jian Fu hold on.

With time running out, Lin Zhen quickly said his goodbyes to Cen Xiao and Li Rong before rushing back to the hotel to change.

He swiftly removed his makeup, took a quick shower, and changed into his casual clothes. With a hat pulled low and a mask on, he headed to the underground parking lot.

By the time they left, most of the other celebrities had already gone, leaving the parking lot nearly empty.

After a long day, Lin Zhen finally relaxed as he settled into the car seat.

Sister Mei glanced back at him. “Zhenbao, why don’t you take a nap? You’ve been up all day.”

Without needing further encouragement, Lin Zhen leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes.

As the car exited the underground lot and hit a speed bump, it jolted slightly, causing Lin Zhen’s head to bob with the motion.

Jian Fu, noticing how thin Lin Zhen had become, couldn’t help but move closer. Carefully, he reached out and gently placed his hand on Lin Zhen’s face, guiding his head to rest on his shoulder.

“You… can lean on me and sleep. It’ll be more comfortable. I won’t move,” Jian Fu said softly, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

Lin Zhen didn’t respond but allowed himself to rest against Jian Fu’s shoulder, entrusting his full weight to him.

Jian Fu gazed at Lin Zhen’s sleeping face with a sense of indescribable satisfaction.

Before meeting Lin Zhen, he could never have imagined that being kind to someone could bring him so much happiness.

Sister Mei glanced back, seeing Lin Zhen sound asleep. She smiled warmly.

At first, she had been reluctant about Lin Zhen bringing his friend into the entertainment world. But now she realized that having Jian Fu by his side made Lin Zhen genuinely happy at work.

The car drove for an hour before arriving at the airport, and Lin Zhen had no choice but to wake up.

Still groggy from sleep, his eyes were slightly swollen, making it inconvenient for him to meet the fans who had come to send him off.

Jian Fu had no choice but to shield him, using his body to block the view as he escorted Lin Zhen all the way to the VIP passage.

Meanwhile, Sister Mei handed out small gifts from the car to the fans who had come, thanking them for their efforts.

In the departure lounge, Lin Zhen had woken up a bit more and was staring blankly at the pitch-black airport runway.

Jian Fu handed a bottle of water to his lips. “Drink some water.”

Lin Zhen obediently tilted his head back and took a big sip. After finishing, he couldn’t help but mumble, “Tomorrow’s scene is in the morning.”

His only rest time seemed to be while traveling. Once he arrived at the set, it would be straight to makeup and then into filming.

The thought left him feeling a little hopeless.

Jian Fu pondered for a moment. “Tomorrow’s a big scene, right? The one where you regain your martial skills after going blind and fight a group of people?”

Lin Zhen nodded. “Yeah, why?”

Jian Fu’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Do you think I could make a cameo? I’ve been watching the filming for so long—I’ve pretty much got the hang of it. I might not be able to play the lead, but I could handle a supporting role. I really want to be on TV!”

Lin Zhen’s eyes curved with amusement. “Sure, I think the director would agree. Free background actor.”

Jian Fu grinned. “Hehe, when the show airs, I’ll make my whole family watch!”

Lin Zhen couldn’t help but laugh.

Suddenly, he felt like there was something to look forward to tomorrow.

He realized he was quite curious to see Jian Fu act—and even more curious to act alongside him.

Jian Fu always had a way of turning a bad mood around.

Just then, Sister Mei suddenly perked up. “The photos are ready! Zhenbao, I’ve picked ten of them—take a look and see which one you like for posting on Weibo!”

Lin Zhen took Sister Mei’s phone. “Let me see.”

In the photos, Lin Zhen’s gaze was wild, his shirt slightly open, exuding a completely transformed aura. Combined with the unique background and carefully adjusted tones, the images were impossible to look away from.

Jian Fu’s physique was also outstanding, seamlessly complementing the aesthetic of the photos. Although the shots tried to minimize his presence, the details where Lin Zhen’s fingers touched hinted at the beautiful contours beneath Jian Fu’s black shirt.

At that moment, many other celebrities who had attended the art exhibit were already posting their promotional photos online. The official account was boosting them onto the trending topics list, featuring stunning images of various stars.

However, because all the photos shared a similar backdrop, it was easy for viewers to notice the lack of novelty.

Online comments were lukewarm:

“Qing Li still looks beautiful, and this red dress is elegant, but that’s about it—nothing extraordinary.”

“Rumor has it that Qing Li’s team had a disagreement with the hotel, which might explain the lackluster photos.”

“I’m so familiar with this glass curtain wall—it’s been used by my past favorite stars and their predecessors!”

“Beautiful people, great outfits, everyone looks fine, but nothing stands out.”

“Supportive comments: gorgeous photos, rare event, and all couture outfits!”

“The couture designs are impressive. No wonder there’s so much support.”

“They’re all up now, but honestly, nothing feels fresh…”

“Beautiful shots are done; the subpar ones are still being edited, LOL.”

“Haha, I won’t name names, but you know who I mean.”

Lin Zhen selected six photos, added the brand’s name, and hit send.

Sister Mei had already coordinated with the studio. As soon as Lin Zhen posted on Weibo, the brand’s account immediately endorsed the post, and his photos were added to the trending topics list.

The Hazelnut Pastries had been anxiously waiting. Upon hearing that Lin Zhen had entered the VIP passage with his face covered, they worried that his condition might not have been good enough for a decent shoot.

But when the photos dropped, the fan groups exploded with excitement:

“OMG!”

“Is this my baby? He’s so wild and charming! Ahhhhh!”

“I’m dying, he’s stunning! But where is this background? The metallic vibe is so unique!”

“These photos are amazing—I was worried the hotel backdrop would be boring, but Zhenbao’s shots are in a completely different style!”

“Low-key, that shot with the hand on the shoulder is oozing chemistry. Anyone else notice?”

“I noticed! I used to think Zhenbao was just cute, but this is the first time I’ve found him sexy!”

Within moments, tens of thousands of comments pushed Lin Zhen’s Weibo post to the top of the trending topics list. Amid the sea of glass walls and rooftop gardens, Lin Zhen’s photos with a rusty metallic aesthetic stood out uniquely.

“Honestly, Lin Zhen won today. These photos are stunning—I’m in awe.”

“Who says Lin Zhen isn’t fashionable? These photos perfectly showcase the designer’s vision. With this shoot, Lin Zhen is practically guaranteed to be a regular client for this brand.”

“True, this shoot is outstanding. He’s found his unique style, and his path in the fashion world will only get smoother.”

“The photographer nailed it, and Lin Zhen really pushed his boundaries. Can other stars please stop taking cliché shots on glass stairs and rooftop gardens? So overdone.”

“Uh… did anyone notice the logo in Lin Zhen’s photos? It’s from Blue Pivot’s Ninth District. Where exactly were these taken?”

“I heard the hotel is near the Ninth District building?”

“I’m not sure, but can anyone just casually shoot photos in a place like that? It looks like a rooftop!”

“Then we can’t blame other stars for not being creative. From what I know, it’s tough to gain access. Lin Zhen’s team is impressive!”