LOI Chapter 02 — Magazine Consultant

Yan Zhi had finished his cigarette and, after pocketing his lighter, left without engaging in idle chatter with Rong Ke.

The act of borrowing a light, like returning the earring before, was merely an insignificant interlude. Rong Ke remained alone in the corner, smoking. He should have been pondering his relationship with Jiang Si, yet his mind was filled with questions:

Why did Yan Zhi respond to him in Chinese?

If it were an encounter with a fellow countryman abroad, such a response would be understandable.

However, for Yan Zhi to identify Rong Ke as Chinese, he must have overheard his conversation with Jiang Si.

Their exchange was unpleasant, even touching upon private matters. Shouldn’t a normal person pretend not to understand?

Yet, Yan Zhi not only failed to avoid the situation but deliberately showcased his Chinese in front of Rong Ke, as if saying: “Your gossip is truly entertaining.”

Considering that Rong Ke’s understanding of Yan Zhi was limited to encyclopedia entries, he spent considerable time contemplating the reason behind the beauty’s idle interest.

He eventually concluded: he was simply bored.

Or perhaps he wanted to practice his Chinese.

“Are these haters alright?”

Jiang Si’s return flight was delayed due to the weather, leaving him furiously scrolling through Weibo in the private VIP lounge. “Comparing me to Yan Zhi, have they lost their minds? I’m an actor, not a professional model.”

Rong Ke had also seen the trending topic, where someone posted a side-by-side image of Jiang Si and Yan Zhi during the final walk, highlighting their body proportions with a red line and creating the hashtag #Jiang Si Body-to-Head Ratio Comparison#.

Objectively speaking, Jiang Si’s figure wasn’t bad; it was Yan Zhi’s otherworldly proportions that made him look diminutive in comparison.

“Don’t look at it anymore,” Rong Ke replied, continuing to browse for audition news from the crew.

Jiang Si put away his phone and turned to Rong Ke, asking, “Who’s more handsome, me or Yan Zhi?”

Rong Ke didn’t hesitate, “You.”

It was the expected answer.

One was a stranger, the other his boyfriend. Rong Ke didn’t want to speak the truth and upset Jiang Si.

Jiang Si’s expression softened slightly. “I knew it. My appearance is more in line with Chinese aesthetic standards.”

Rong Ke responded with an “mm.”

“Did I tell you?” Jiang Si seemed to remember something, his anger dissipating completely. “I’ve been chosen for the cover of MQ’s New Year issue.”

MQ was a top fashion magazine domestically and internationally, leading the forefront of fashion trends. Many celebrities consider it an honor to grace the cover of MQ.

Unlike other low-threshold magazines, MQ was extremely selective. Just being a top star wouldn’t necessarily be enough to make the cover; they needed outstanding achievements and a strong fashion sense.

This year, Jiang Si landed the Asian endorsement deal with CVV and starred in a major film currently showing. The film was a box office hit during the National Day holiday, estimated to have grossed over three billion. Being invited by MQ was well-deserved.

“That’s great,” Rong Ke said sincerely. “So you’ve been in all four major magazines now.”

The “four major magazines” referred to MQ and three other leading fashion publications. Originally, Rong Ke was unfamiliar with such terms, but being around Jiang Si, he inevitably became well-versed, and he knew they were coveted targets for popular young actors.

“And it’s MQ’s first issue of the year,” Jiang Si said in a good mood. “It’s much more valuable than regular monthly issues.”

Rong Ke had no interest in discussions about celebrity status. Or rather, he held little interest in many things Jiang Si cared about. Once his boyfriend’s anger subsided, Rong Ke returned his attention to his phone.

Jiang Si didn’t notice and continued, “Did you know MQ is hiring consultants?”

“I do,” Rong Ke said.

In recent years, MQ’s sales had plummeted drastically. Fashion bloggers had analyzed the state of MQ China—trying to localize yet unable to let go of its prestigious image, wanting prestige but failing to deliver anything compelling. This left MQ China’s positioning increasingly muddled, prompting the overseas headquarters to recruit consultants worldwide.

“I heard they’ve confirmed someone. Headquarters will directly send someone over,” Jiang Si said.

“A foreigner?” Rong Ke asked indifferently.

“Probably,” Jiang Si wasn’t too sure either. “But it’s certain the most direct way to boost sales is to feature more popular faces on the cover. Starting next year, MQ might not be as selective.”

Rong Ke had no opinion, simply nodding in agreement.

“The later issues will only become less valuable, but at least the first issue…”

Before Jiang Si could finish, his phone rang.

He paused his rambling analysis and answered, “Zhuang-jie¹.”

The frantic voice of Zhuang Kang came through: “Did you and Liu Qing check into a hotel together?”

Jiang Si’s brow furrowed slightly. Glancing at Rong Ke engrossed in his phone, he stepped out into the empty corridor: “Just once. Were we photographed?”

“Crystal clear photos!” Zhuang Kang said angrily. “You are in the limelight now, do you know how many eyes are watching you?”

Jiang Si irritably ruffled the hair at the back of his head. “Help me bury this. Don’t let Rong Ke find out.”

“It’s not that easy. You’ve risen too quickly these past two years. There are plenty of people trying to dig up dirt on you,” Zhuang Kang took a deep breath to calm down. “If I can’t suppress it, I’ll find another solution. As for Rong Ke, you handle that yourself.”

“What do you mean I handle it myself?” Jiang Si frowned. “If you can’t even resolve this, what kind of agent are you?”

These were the words Rong Ke heard when he came out of the lounge to remind Jiang Si they could board.

Zhuang Kang was their shared agent. Rong Ke had been free from the company’s management for a long time and wasn’t close with her. But he knew that at least before Jiang Si’s rise, he wouldn’t have dared speak to Zhuang Kang like that.

“What’s going on?” Rong Ke asked as he approached Jiang Si.

“Nothing,” Jiang Si hung up and composed himself. “Why did you come out?”

“We can board now,” Rong Ke said.

–

Several days later.

27th floor of Starlight Tower, MQ China office.

Chen Wen’s avant-garde makeup and stylish outfit made her appear confident as always, but the stifling atmosphere in the meeting room caused the editor-in-chief to break out in a cold sweat.

“This is the theme you’ve set for the first issue of the year,” the man said, tossing the planning proposal onto the meeting table, his eyes devoid of emotion. “’Future Technology’—does it hold any special meaning?”

Chen Wen mustered her courage to speak. “Well, Jiang Si might suit a more technological style, so…”

“So you decided on the person first, then the theme?”

The meeting room fell silent again. The group of industry elites in their thirties and forties were rendered speechless before the young man.

—After all, everyone knew the significance of this influential figure.

The art director in the corner discreetly messaged the WeChat group: I’ve confirmed it for you, the new consultant isn’t an angel, he’s the Yan Wang².

[Art Design Group]

-No way! He looks like an angel!

-What’s he like in person?

-I ran into him getting coffee this morning, my heart rate shot up to 180

-That dramatic?

-Lol, the department next door is saying their filters are shattered

[Beauty Group]

-Why did they send us the King of Hell, work is tough enough TT

-We can’t ask for too much, a beautiful boss with a kind heart doesn’t exist

-But I’ll admit, I’m still attracted to his looks

-Wake up, he even scolded the editor-in-chief! (From the beauty director in the meeting room)

[Fashion Group]

-Is he wearing the BLCG limited edition? Why have I never seen it before

-Must be a custom design, his mother is the muse of a BLCG designer

-Hopefully, he goes easy on us…

While the WeChat groups of various departments buzzed with excitement, the people in the meeting room remained deathly silent.

Yan Zhi leaned back in his chair, surveying the group of bowed heads, and spoke in what he considered a friendly tone, “If you have any ideas, feel free to share.”

At least Chen Wen could handle this, saying, “We evaluated that Jiang Si’s fans have strong purchasing power. Having him on the cover should give us a good start for the first issue’s sales.”

“Since when did MQ’s cover models depend on fans’ purchasing power?” Yan Zhi asked. “If that’s the case, we might as well produce celebrity merchandise instead of a fashion magazine.”

Chen Wen had been in the workforce for so many years, her ability to read the situation wasn’t bad.

She realized that Yan Zhi wanted to focus on content, so the existing proposal would definitely be scrapped. She decided to ask directly, “What did you have in mind?”

“Take this person off,” Yan Zhi glanced dismissively at Jiang Si’s stiff photo in the proposal. “His face lacks expressiveness.”

The people in the meeting room gasped, and Chen Wen anxiously warned her colleagues with her eyes not to let those words get out.

Yan Zhi unhurriedly continued, “For the first issue, I want to try a style MQ has never done before. Find me some expressive faces, and I’ll pick a suitable cover model.”

He then suddenly recalled a face he had seen not long ago and added, “Also, get me the information on Jiang Si’s boyfriend.”

The meeting room fell silent again as everyone exchanged bewildered looks. After a while, someone finally asked in confusion, “Jiang Si is gay?”

Another person looked equally dumbfounded. “Who is his boyfriend?”

Yan Zhi raised his brows slightly. So it wasn’t public?

He couldn’t quite understand why they wouldn’t make it public.

Due to spending so many years in Europe, Yan Zhi was surrounded by relatively few Asian faces, even making him a bit face-blind.

But that face had left a deep impression on him. The features and proportions were impeccably arranged, exuding a natural handsomeness devoid of any embellishments. At first glance, it was as comforting as looking at a perfect circle.

The only regret was that the person’s gaze seemed too distant, lacking depth, making it hard to read.

When returning the earring, he couldn’t even be bothered to say a word to Yan Zhi. Even during the later argument with his boyfriend, he appeared equally indifferent, as if devoid of any personality or thoughts.

At least at that moment, Yan Zhi felt it was a pity – possessing only good looks but lacking an interesting soul, no different from others.

Until that person leaned down to light his cigarette, eyes flickering up through the dancing flame, Yan Zhi saw in that gaze many indescribable things.

It was like a profound sense of storytelling, brushed aside with casual indifference.

Unfamiliar with the entertainment industry’s environment in China, Yan Zhi didn’t know about celebrities’ reluctance to publicize relationships.

He only found it strange. If his boyfriend looked that charismatic, he definitely wouldn’t mind making it public.