Chapter Twenty-Eight: A Personal Model and Exclusive Masseur

If not for experiencing it himself, Xia Shu would never have known that working as a life model could be so exhausting.

After settling into his pose, Xia Shu spent nearly an hour leaning against the wall in exactly the same position. Compared to military training, this was even more grueling—at least during drills, he could move around. Before the painting began, Su Rouxue had added some simple touches of color to him, such as three colored stripes on his right cheek and other little flourishes to enhance what she called the “desire” effect.

Of course, Su Rouxue was more than satisfied with Xia Shu’s performance. “Alright, that’s enough. Thank you, darling,” she said, her eyes curving like crescent moons as she gave her painting its final touches, a contented smile on her face. At the bottom right corner, she carefully inscribed two words: “Beloved.”

Xia Shu let out a breath, finally able to stretch his limbs. As the sunlight filtered in through the curtains, bathing his body, the elegant lines of his figure made Su Rouxue’s heart flutter all over again as she gazed at him. No matter how accustomed she became, whenever that unique charm radiated from Xia Shu, Su Rouxue could not help but feel an inexplicable restlessness in her heart.

Xia Shu had the air of a young man brimming with vitality and handsomeness—both in appearance and demeanor.

“This is really tiring. The pay for a life model must be pretty good, right?” Xia Shu asked, curiosity in his voice.

“A typical life model earns between five hundred and a thousand a day, depending on their overall appearance and professionalism. If they’re particularly outstanding, the pay is even higher,” Su Rouxue replied with a gentle smile.

“That’s quite a high-paying job!” Xia Shu remarked.

“Yes, but the requirements are stringent. A model needs immense willpower and… confidence,” she replied.

“I can imagine,” Xia Shu nodded, understanding her meaning. Just picturing himself standing naked before countless artists or students—if one’s heart isn’t strong and their skin thick enough, who could endure that? The sensation of so many eyes openly observing you is far more unnerving than being secretly watched.

And what if, midway through…

No, it was unimaginable. At any rate, Xia Shu knew he’d only ever serve as Su Rouxue’s private model in this lifetime.

He moved behind Su Rouxue, gazing at the piece she had created for him—it was so lifelike it seemed almost like a photograph. Yet a photo could never be compared to a painting. Telling a seasoned painter that their work looks just like a photo is, in truth, an insult and a diminishment of their skill.

There is an essential difference between a photograph and a work of hyperrealism: machines are devoid of feeling, while humans are not. In some ways, oil painting can capture the human form more faithfully than a photograph. A photo is always somewhat stiff, but an artist’s work contains something purer—a subjective vision and emotion that the painting expresses.

At the very least, Xia Shu could clearly sense a unique soul in Su Rouxue’s creation. Of course, this depth of feeling was only possible because Su Rouxue possessed a truly professional mastery of her craft. As a part-time professor at the school, her ability was beyond question.

“You worked hard too,” Xia Shu said, wrapping his arms around her slender waist from behind and kissing her gently on the cheek. The gesture warmed Su Rouxue’s heart.

Her big boy was truly too good at this!

“I wonder if you’d be willing to be my long-term model,” she teased.

“Of course! Free of charge! Exclusively for you!” he replied.

She laughed. “Alright then. As a reward for your hard work, I’ll give you a massage. We’ll have to start preparing dinner soon, and after we eat, you should head back to school.”

“Okay,” he agreed.

Xia Shu went to Su Rouxue’s bathroom to shower, then emerged wrapped in a towel and lay down on her bed.

Leisure with poetry upon the pillow, and lovely scenery beyond the door when the rain comes.

Su Rouxue’s massage was a perfect blend of strength and gentleness. Every movement made Xia Shu, lying on the bed, feel utterly relaxed. Yet, as a young man in the prime of his youth, his body was highly sensitive. When those pale, delicate hands slid to his waist, he couldn’t help but…

But overall, the experience was pure enjoyment.

“From now on, I’ll be your model and you’ll be my exclusive massage therapist,” Xia Shu chuckled.

“You’re quite the bargainer!” Su Rouxue teased, giving him a light slap on the back. In truth, her cheeks were already flushed with embarrassment.

What am I even doing?!

Straddling Xia Shu as she massaged him, the suggestiveness of the scene was overwhelming. She looked far more skilled than she actually was—her recent professionalism was thanks to the time she had spent watching instructional videos.

To think that these moments of intimacy had, perhaps, been premeditated all along.

In truth, she wanted to say she liked this kind of exchange very much. After all, it was one of the ways she could interact closely with the one she loved.

Xia Shu relished every moment. Though his body trembled and his heart was restless, knowing he would have to return to school that evening made him all the more determined to savor this peace.

He certainly didn’t overthink things as much as Su Rouxue did. He simply marveled that if the two of them ever truly lived together, and life continued on this way, it would be wonderful.

This was, indeed, the life he yearned for.

And when he remembered Su Rouxue’s true identity, Xia Shu couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Perhaps their meeting had been nothing more than a fox’s repayment of a debt of gratitude…