Chapter 39 For Whom Did He Come? Qin Wei Jin: "He came for me."...

A series of torrential rains disrupted the filming schedule, and the remaining scenes at the film studio had to be postponed. Considering that everyone was tired from working overtime, Hou Qing finally agreed to give them two days off to rest. The crew will head to the Northwest for location shooting next week.

On his rare day off, Qin Weijin was given new work by Zhan Linzhou. Early in the morning, Mo Ningzhi was woken up by a phone call from Zhan Linzhou, who asked him to take Qin Weijin to a cultural and commercial street in the city center for a brand clothing photoshoot.

Because it was a last-minute call, Mo Ningzhi was completely unprepared when he received the call. He woke up feeling dizzy and his eyes were sore from sleepiness. He drifted into the bathroom, and only after washing up did he feel a little more awake. He planned to go next door to wake Qin Weijin up.

As soon as I stepped out of the room, I smelled a faint aroma of food in the air.

Mo Ningzhi drifted listlessly to the kitchen doorway. The rich aroma wafted even stronger. Qin Weijin, dressed in a loose black shirt with the sleeves casually rolled up, was holding a spoon and cooking porridge.

The early morning sun shone through the half-open window, wisps of steam rising and falling in the warm sunlight. Qin Weijin, tall and slender, with soft strands of hair framing his face, exuded a relaxed, homely air. Perhaps the sun was a bit too bright, he reached out and lowered the blinds halfway down the wall.

When she turned her head, she saw Mo Ningzhi. "You're awake. It's time to eat."

Even though Qin Weijin offered to pay the rent with three meals a day, Mo Ningzhi still couldn't enjoy the fruits of his labor with a clear conscience. Perhaps it was because Qin Weijin's image was too vivid in his mind that he subconsciously thought Qin Weijin should belong to the screen, to the camera, to the handsome male lead with great potential in various scripts, rather than being confined to this small three-foot stove.

Mo Ningzhi hummed in agreement. "Agent Zhan just called to inform you that you're having a haute couture photoshoot today. Do you already know that?"

Hearing his voice, Qin Weijin frowned slightly, put down his spoon, and walked over. "What's wrong with your throat?"

"Hmm?" Mo Ningzhi cleared her throat subconsciously.

Qin Weijin silently touched his forehead with the back of his hand. "It's not very hot. You must have caught a chill. Where are the medicines at home?"

"I'm really fine." Mo Ningzhi pulled his hand away. "I just didn't sleep well last night and got up too early today, so my voice is a little hoarse. Don't worry, I'm perfectly healthy. Let's eat quickly. We're leaving in ten minutes."

Qin Weijin stared at him for a few seconds and then said okay.

Mo Ningzhi didn't take this little incident to heart. He was always in good health and could even take a cold shower in the fall without any problems, let alone just getting caught in the rain in the summer. He confirmed the filming location with Zhan Linzhou on his phone one last time and asked Xiao Liu to drive down to the west gate to wait.

Ten minutes later, just as Mo Ningzhi picked up her backpack, there was a knock on the door.

Mo Ningzhi saw a young, unfamiliar man on the monitor; he wasn't disguised, his entire face was exposed. He opened the door: "Who are you looking for?"

"Hello, I'm an employee of the pharmacy at the north gate of the community. Here's your medicine." The boy handed over a small, transparent plastic bag.

Mo Ningzhi then noticed that the T-shirt he was wearing did indeed have the logo of a large chain pharmacy printed on the front. He looked at the medicine bag, remembered what Qin Weijin had said earlier, and paused, "What's the name of the person who asked you to deliver the medicine?"

"I don't know," the boy said. "They only left this address and gave me 500 yuan for the delivery."

Mo Ningzhi took the medicine bag: "Thank you."

"You're welcome, I'll be going now."

Mo Ningzhi had just closed the door and was examining the medicine in the bag when Qin Weijin changed his clothes and came out of the guest room, saying, "The medicine has been delivered."

Mo Ningzhi shook the box in her hand: "Did you order this?"

"Okay." Qin Weijin turned around and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water, which looked like it had been prepared in advance. "Eat before you go out."

Mo Ningzhi glanced at the various granules and capsules in the bag and felt overwhelmed. "I'm really not sick."

Qin Weijin seemed to have been prepared: "I think I also bought a thermometer when I bought the medicine. I can just take a measurement and I'll know."

Mo Ningzhi: "..."

Before he could react, the bag in his hand was snatched away. Qin Weijin had bought an infrared thermometer, and there was no need to wait. He just put it on Mo Ningzhi's forehead and the result came out.

"38.6." Qin Weijin said, "Is this what you meant by 'nothing's wrong'?"

Mo Ningzhi: "..."

He lowered his eyes silently and took the bag himself. The staff at the store were very attentive; the dosage and frequency of use were written on the medicine boxes with a marker. Mo Ningzhi picked out a box of easy-to-swallow capsules, broke off two, and swallowed them with water.

The water in the cup was neither too hot nor too cold, just the right temperature for taking the medicine.

"You've finished eating, can you go now?"

Qin Weijin frowned and remained motionless: "I'm giving you the day off today. Don't go out. There's going to be a downpour this afternoon."

"No need, I'll feel better soon after taking the medicine."

Qin Weijin still frowned.

Mo Ningzhi sighed helplessly: "Agent Zhan just said that Xiao Guo had to take the day off today because of family matters, Xu Hangxing went on a business trip to the coast, and Brother Jin and Zhang Yuyu can't handle everything by themselves."

Qin Weijin wanted to say something, but Mo Ningzhi grabbed his shoulder, forced him to turn around, and pushed him out the door. "Let's go, let's go. If we don't leave, Manager Zhan will be so angry he'll grind his teeth."

"..."

Urged on by Mo Ningzhi, they arrived at the filming location on time.

This is a very classic cultural street, with large bluestone slabs paving the streets and alleys, white walls and black tiles, and various teahouses, taverns and handicraft workshops lining the streets, making it quite unique.

Zhan Linzhou also made a rare appearance on set, personally participating in the filming. "We're shooting two scenes today, two different styles. This afternoon we'll shoot in an indoor studio. Xiao Guo is on leave, so you two will have to work a little harder. Consider today as overtime."

Zhang Yuyu was already used to this kind of work intensity, and nodded: "I understand, Brother Zhan."

But when Zhan Linzhou looked at Mo Ningzhi, he paused for a moment and asked, "You don't look well. Are you sick?"

"I caught a bit of a cold, and I've already taken some medicine," Mo Ningzhi said.

There's no time to find someone now, so Zhan Linzhou patted him on the shoulder: "Tell me if you're not feeling well, don't push yourself."

"good."

...

The filming activities are in full swing.

This time, Qin Weijin was shooting the high-end collection of the globally renowned luxury brand Vespera. The brand was very wealthy and rented the entire street for outdoor shooting. The street was decorated with brand-related elements, and many jewelry and bags that are hard to find on the market were used as temporary decorations.

The shoot was originally scheduled for the end of next month, but due to a competitor's sudden announcement of an earlier release date for a similar haute couture collection, Vespera, in order to seize the spotlight, suggested to Zhan Linzhou that the shoot be moved forward to prepare materials for an early release. Therefore, the shoot was somewhat rushed.

"Qin, long time no see, you're still as handsome as ever." Thorne, the makeup artist from the styling team, was a tall white man with light blue eyes and a striking head of blond hair. He came out of the makeshift dressing room, laughing as he hugged and kissed Qin Weijin on the cheek.

Qin Weijin speaks fluent English. As Vespera's global ambassador, he is very familiar with the brand and has worked with Thorne before. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Thorne began applying his makeup. "This time, the haute couture style leans towards classic, so the makeup will be a bit heavier to highlight your facial features. I hope you can start with the 'Priest' outfit. Your face is perfect for this kind of dark clothing. I can't wait to see the finished product."

Qin Weijin nodded. "You're in charge. I'll follow your instructions."

With professional staff handling the clothing and makeup, Mo Ningzhi and Zhang Yuyu didn't need to do any extra work; they only needed to take care of Qin Weijin's personal affairs.

Qin Weijin had just finished her makeup and was about to change when Zhan Linzhou suddenly rushed over, heading straight for the dressing room, "Thorne, hasn't your photographer arrived yet?"

"What?!" Thoren jumped up, shocked. "Where did that lazy Dax go? I knew he'd mess up again! Wait a minute, I'll go call that unpunctual jerk."

Ten minutes later, Thoren returned, grumbling, "Due to the torrential rain, the damn flight was canceled. Dax took the high-speed train instead, but he got into a car accident after getting off the train and broke his right arm. He can't film anymore. God, what am I supposed to do?"

This shoot is imperative, and it needs to be both fast and high-quality. Time can't be delayed any longer. Zhan Linzhou said, "I'll contact other photographers to fill in."

Thorne clutched her head and wailed, "Unfortunately, we weren't so lucky! The photographers in your country have a different shooting style than we usually do, and several of the photographers we've worked with happen to be at Fashion Week! God, why is God punishing me like this!"

Qin Weijin lowered his eyes, seemingly lost in thought. After a moment, his gaze settled on a spot on the set. "What if this person is Leander's student?"

Thorne's wailing abruptly stopped: "What did you say? A student of the master photographer Leander? Where is he?"

Zhan Linzhou was also taken aback.

Qin Weijin smiled slightly, turned his head to look into the distance, and said, "Ning Zhi, come here for a moment."

Mo Ning was confused, and just as she reached the makeup artist's door, Thorne enthusiastically grabbed her hand, "Are you Leander's student?"

Mo Ningzhi had never been able to resist the enthusiasm of Westerners. He tried to pull his hand away, but couldn't. He forced a smile and said, "That's right."

"What works do you have? Or an impressive resume? It would be best if I could see some pieces that showcase your skills!"

Mo Ningzhi was completely unprepared for such a question, and his subconscious defensiveness made him tense up, causing him to pause briefly.

"Seven years ago, he participated in the Fulka Era of People Photography event, and his work was featured on the cover of the country's Heroes magazine. Five years ago, he won the silver medal at the Nordic Universities Joint Photography Exhibition. In the same year, his portfolio 'Tears of Pearls' won the Sodini Fashion Photography Gold Award. Three years ago, he won the South Mustin Summer International Photography Gold Award, participated in the annual fashion photography celebration, and was named 'Fashion Photographer of the Year.' Two years ago..." Qin Weijin recited a long list of glittering resumes in a fluent and natural tone.

Zhan Linzhou was dumbfounded.

He only had a superficial understanding of Mo Ningzhi's resume. After all, in his impression, a master's disciple would never condescend to become an artist's assistant. No matter how outstanding Mo Ningzhi was, he was insignificant compared to the big shots in the industry.

I never expected this person's resume to be so dazzling.

Zhan Linzhou felt the world had become both dreamlike and abstract: "With such a resume, why do you want to be Wei Jin's assistant?"

Mo Ningzhi: "..."

That's a good question.

“That’s not the point.” After Qin Weijin finished speaking, he turned to Thorne and asked, “With that kind of resume, do you think he’s qualified for this shoot?”

Thorne seemed stunned as well. He gaped comically, and it took him a while to react before he suddenly clapped his hands: "Of course! My God, I know who you are! Alaric! You are Alaric! I've seen your tear pearl! You're simply a savior sent by God!"

Before Mo Ningzhi could react, Thorne pushed him to the center of the set, handed him several pieces of equipment, and said in a serious tone, "The camera is in your hands, Alaric. I believe you can create works that will impress us!"

Mo Ningzhi: "..."

Things happened so fast that others hadn't even had time to react.

Holding the familiar camera, he stood there stunned for a moment before slowly turning his head to look at the distance.

How did Qin Weijin find out about his experiences abroad?

Not only Mo Ningzhi wanted to know this, but Zhan Linzhou also did. After Thorne took Mo Ningzhi away, he pestered Qin Weijin, following him around and asking endless questions. "I knew Mo Ningzhi was a student of Leander, but I didn't know he was so amazing. When did you find out? Why didn't you tell me? With such a background, why would he be your assistant? Good heavens, this is the most shocking thing I've experienced today. Photographers in the industry with similar qualifications to him might not even be able to snag him even with a million-dollar annual salary. We really struck gold! Hey, can you say something? Are you going to suffocate us by not saying anything?"

Qin Weijin walked into the dressing room, finally raised his eyes, and said, "Mo Ningzhi likes me very much."

"?" Zhan Linzhou was taken aback: "Huh?"

"Didn't you want to know why he became my assistant?" Qin Weijin picked up a heavy, pure black men's suit from the hanger, preparing to change, and smiled gently as he looked down. "He came for me."

"..." Zhan Linzhou felt like something was rusted in his brain. "No... huh???"

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Author's Note: I forgot to mention, this is all fictional. All plot points serve only to support the protagonist. For example, the photography-related awards and figures mentioned in this chapter are all made up by the author and have no basis in reality. Just know that Mo Ningzhi is incredibly, incredibly, incredibly amazing—the kind of amazing that suddenly catches your eye, hehe [eared rabbit head][eared rabbit head][heart][heart]