The sky had been unpredictable for days, but it finally rained on Sunday afternoon.
It was quite heavy.
Wen Tingxue listened to the rain drumming against the car window, her fingers flying as she replied to Yu Wenli's messages.
She was afraid he might come over.
It wasn't that she didn't want him to come.
It was just that he was busy today too.
When he was at home, his phone kept ringing.
It seemed like there were very important matters waiting for him to handle.
But he insisted on waiting for her to leave together, even if their destinations were different.
"You're almost there, remember to send him your location."
Xie Jinyi reminded her after finishing a game.
"Better safe than sorry. Who knows if that small company will rip you off."
Xie Jinyi muttered as she took out a powder puff to touch up Wen Tingxue's makeup.
"The weather is really bad. If your makeup gets ruined by the rain, you'll turn into a little kitten!"
She laughed, tapping the girl's nose with her ring finger, which was already coated with lipstick.
Leaving a touch of delicate pink.
Wen Tingxue, who had been made up beautifully by her, smiled at the words, as gentle as a swaying water lily.
"Nothing will go wrong, see?"
The girl raised the Bluetooth headset in her hand. "When I get there, I'll call him."
Yu Wenli was worried about her going to the interview alone and insisted on being on the phone the entire time, just in case.
Wen Tingxue had already refused his offer to accompany her, so she couldn't refuse this request.
She agreed.
She thought, it's just an interview, nothing to be ashamed of.
Xie Jinyi raised her eyebrows, her eyes teasing. "The great Yu Wenli can't bear to be apart from you for even a minute. Honestly, are you guys..."
She raised her hands, touching the pads of her thumbs together.
Her gossipy gaze was full of ambiguity.
"Oh my goodness!"
Wen Tingxue was so embarrassed she didn't want to talk to her, and Xie Jinyi burst into laughter. "I get it! I understand!"
West River District.
The online auction agency was located on a quaint street off the beaten path, building number 228.
Cars couldn't drive in, so they had to park at the street entrance.
The rain was heavier than before, and there were hardly any people on the road.
Even if there were, most of them were models going for interviews.
They had slender figures and elegant demeanors.
An umbrella could evoke the misty rain of Jiangnan.
Wen Tingxue sighed softly. "I think this is a long shot too."
Their figures were nothing like what a student like her could compare to.
Xie Jinyi patted her head and comforted her. "Don't be discouraged.
"Let's go take a look first. If it doesn't work out, I can find you some part-time work in art."
"However," Xie Jinyi changed the subject, reassured. "Seeing so many people coming, the company should be alright."
"Mm."
Wen Tingxue looked at the four-story red building a few steps away.
She nodded in agreement.
As soon as they reached the corridor.
Yu Wenli called while shaking the water off his umbrella.
"You're here?"
It was noisy on his end, making his voice particularly distinct.
Wen Tingxue followed Xie Jinyi with a sense of calm.
"Just arrived. Brother Yu, are you busy?"
"If you're still busy, I'll hang up. I don't think there's much of a problem, so many people are here." Wen Tingxue didn't want to disturb him.
Yu Wenli, looking slightly tired, pushed aside a pile of discarded drafts.
He leaned back lazily in his chair.
He was looking at a satisfactory piece of sheet music in his hand.
"Almost done. Even if I am truly busy, I can multitask.
"You are not allowed to hang up without my permission, do you hear me?"
Yu Wenli was always worried about her going to interviews alone.
Wen Tingxue stuck out her tongue playfully and then replied obediently, "Okay."
The company was larger than they had imagined, and not small in scale.
The male and female models were interviewed separately, in groups of five, and it was quite strict.
When it was Wen Tingxue's turn, Tong Jiayi happened to be coming out.
Their eyes met, and Wen Tingxue's heart sank by half.
It's over.
She was going to lose another opportunity.
Tong Jiayi glanced at her expressionlessly.
And brushed past her.
Wen Tingxue blinked in surprise. She had expected her to say something sarcastic.
It was rare for her today.
This interview was different from the last one. Besides simple questions about height and weight, there was also a photoshoot.
They called it a model card, to facilitate client selection.
"How was it?"
Seeing Wen Tingxue come out, Xie Jinyi handed her a bottle of water and asked.
"...I don't know."
Wen Tingxue glanced at Tong Jiayi with little confidence.
Tong Jiayi was sitting on a small sofa not far away, looking very confident.
Xie Jinyi patted her shoulder. "It's no big deal. Keep a calm mind. At worst, Yu Da Shen will support you."
Yu Wenli smiled. "I'd be glad to."
Wen Tingxue pouted. "I don't want that."
She could earn her own money.
The waiting time was a bit long.
And it was noisy with the men and women gathered together.
Yu Wenli's side was very quiet, with only occasional instrumental music.
Wen Tingxue was afraid of disturbing him, so she wanted to hang up the phone first.
Yu Wenli was unwilling, but after she coaxed him and promised that there were no traps here,
He finally agreed.
After waiting for about twenty more minutes, the results came out.
There were over sixty models interviewed, and only twelve were selected for contracts.
Tong Jiayi was the first to have her name called.
Then came Wen Tingxue.
She was a complete newcomer, so everyone was surprised when her name was announced.
But after seeing her in person, they found it reasonable.
After all, Wen Tingxue's naturally gentle appearance was very likable.
More importantly, her features were delicate, and her bone structure was excellent, making her naturally photogenic.
After reading the list, the interviewer approached Wen Tingxue separately.
"A shop needs something urgently. Do you have time now?"
Wen Tingxue was taken aback. "...Yes."
The interviewer said, "Then please stay for a while. We'll leave in fifteen minutes for the photoshoot."
"Now?" Wen Tingxue hesitated.
The interviewer smiled and nodded. "Yes, the shop owner picked you at first sight.
"She said you're very suitable for their clothes, so we want you to go now. Is that inconvenient?"
Wen Tingxue pursed her lips. "Can it be next time?"
The interviewer was a bit speechless. "If it's next time, then we'll have to choose someone else."
"Then..." Wen Tingxue hesitated for two seconds, then nodded. "I have time."
Before signing the contract, Wen Tingxue took a picture of the contract clauses and sent them to Yu Wenli.
Only after Yu Wenli said it was fine did she sign.
Xie Jinyi had dance practice in the afternoon and couldn't accompany her to the photoshoot.
She was also worried that Wen Tingxue would be scared alone.
Wen Tingxue encouraged herself. "You get used to it after the first time. Besides, I'm not the only one who was selected."
There were a few other male and female models she didn't know.
Xie Jinyi then took a taxi and left.
Before they set off, Wen Tingxue learned that the place for the photoshoot was a cafe in the west of the city.
It was a completely different direction from the other models.
Wen Tingxue instantly became nervous.
Especially when she opened the car door and saw that everyone inside was male.
She didn't know any of them.
But it felt wrong to refuse.
She had no choice but to brace herself and get in.
The moment she sat down, Wen Tingxue made a video call to Yu Wenli.
"When will you be back? I'll come pick you up."
Yu Wenli was tidying up discarded drafts on his desk. He thought she had already finished her interview and left.
Wen Tingxue opened her mouth, but before she could speak, the interviewer called.
"Where did you go? Why haven't you gotten in the car yet?"
Wen Tingxue's hair stood on end.
There's one more chapter, I'll post it this afternoon. I've been staying up too late lately and can't do it anymore (sad).