Chapter 79
That holiday in the south of France, filled with bright sunshine and passionate vows, is like a carefully sealed crystal ball. It is eternally beautiful in memory, but it also clearly marks the end of a relatively peaceful time.
The timeline of reality moves forward steadily but irresistibly.
A few years passed.
Su Rui truly made his mark in the fashion photography world with the remarkable images he captured for Shen Qingyuan in Paris. The reputation generated by those images served as a catalyst for his continued success, securing him numerous collaborations with celebrities and magazines. His lens became increasingly refined and precise, particularly adept at capturing the juxtaposition of vulnerability and strength in his subjects. No longer an intern at a fashion magazine, he now possessed his own portfolio and a steadily growing reputation, securing a solid and recognized position within the industry, albeit not at the highest level.
After establishing a firm foothold in the Asia-Pacific market, Ling Yao began a strategic career shift. He released his first solo single, exploring a musical style distinct from his idol group days, showcasing a more mature musical taste and stage presence, which received enthusiastic responses. This led to an increasing number of performance invitations, variety show appearances, and brand engagements in China. He began appearing more frequently at airports, studios, and commercial events in China, demonstrating a strong and swift return.
While this shortened the geographical distance between them, the physical barriers remained the same. Ling Yao's domestic schedule was as tight as compressed cookies, and frequent travel became a regular occurrence. Meanwhile, Su Rui's studio, largely based in China, was packed with filming commitments.
Their meeting place changed from a sunny town in a distant foreign country to those secretive, expensive, and unpopular "safe houses" in the city - usually the top hotel suite where Ling Yao stayed, or some private apartments under his name that few people knew about.
The frequency of their meetings may be higher than when Ling Yao was overseas, but the pattern seems to have fallen into a cycle.
It was often late at night. Ling Yao, having finished a long day of work, returned to his apartment, exhausted but still brimming with the glow of his stage fame. Su Rui, on the other hand, might have rushed in from a filming location in another city, carrying her camera and laptop.
The door of the suite closed silently, completely isolating the outside noise and prying eyes.
Ling Yao would first give him a strong, outside-air hug, a touch of impatience, as if to confirm his presence. Then there might be an eager, even rough, kiss, as if to release stress and longing. Su Rui always accepted meekly, even actively responding, trying to soothe his obvious fatigue and tension.
They would share a hastily delivered late-night snack from the hotel. Ling Yao would ask about Su Rui's recent work, listening to her talk about which artists he'd filmed and what progress he'd made. He'd offer affirmation, his tone tinged with legitimate pride—"Of course my Rui Rui is amazing"—but a fleeting, subtle scrutiny might flicker deep in his gaze, especially when he heard the names of certain collaborators.
Most of the time, it was pure rest. When Ling Yao was exhausted, he would rest his head on Su Rui's lap while she massaged his temples, or they would simply lean against each other, watching a dull movie, savoring this moment of undisturbed tranquility. Su Rui's fingers would gently run through his meticulously styled hair, feeling his gradually relaxing body. The ring from southern France was still on Su Rui's finger, flickering silently in the dim light of the room.
These secret rendezvous, like hyperbaric oxygen chambers, briefly provided them with a respite, a chance to reassure themselves of their existence and connection. The warmth and intimacy were genuine, and Ling Yao's care behind the scenes was just as meticulous—he would remember Su Rui's preferences, cover him with a blanket when he accidentally fell asleep, and quietly clear obstacles for him when he encountered a difficult partner.
But some things were indeed changing subtly. Ling Yao, under the pressure of his fledgling domestic career, was becoming increasingly anxious, his control growing quietly in the details: his increasing "concern" about Su Rui's schedule, his subtle inquiries into his social circle, and the occasional subtle hint of impatience over the slightest displeasure.
Su Rui could feel the invisible thread slowly tightening, a slight feeling of suffocation coming and going. But as he looked at the fatigue in Ling Yao's eyes and felt the strength of his embrace, he would attribute the discomfort to his own pressure and his own sensitivity. He continued to indulge in this twisted warmth, using repeated secret meetings to strengthen his dependence.
Beyond the hotel's heavy curtains, a bustling city that never sleeps lies. Inside, two people, in a cramped, private space, rely on each other's body heat for warmth, yet seem to be silently walking towards the eye of a destined storm. Beneath the surface of their love, despite their frequent separations, lies an undercurrent surging ever more rapidly.
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