5 Roses

The theme for this issue of the magazine is "The Moment is Eternity."

The sets were designed in advance; as soon as Jiang Ranyun and Yi Feichen arrived, the staff began their hair and makeup.

The first set was for the theme "Birds Flying Over Green Mountains." She wore a vintage dress paired with a slightly exaggerated wide-brimmed lace hat. Yi Feichen had his hair slicked back, wearing a tailored suit under a long black overcoat.

Standing under the studio lights, watched by the staff, Jiang Ranyun and Yi Feichen embraced in front of the lens as the photographer directed.

Snow-white bird feathers fell like a blizzard.

Accompanied by the clicking sound of the camera, the flash illuminated the pair.

It should have been nothing more than ordinary work. Jiang Ranyun closed her eyes, her other senses sharpening. She could feel the bright, scorching heat of the atmosphere lights, the soft brush of feathers against her cheeks, and the photographer’s repetitive cries of "Good, very good!"

What she felt most acutely was the arm Yi Feichen had firmly wrapped around her waist.

Having filmed with him for years, she must have hugged him hundreds, if not thousands of times—why, of all times, did Yi Feichen’s presence feel so vivid and intense today?

"Good, let's move on to the next one," the photographer called out to her assistant, who brought over a white rose with its stem trimmed down to a short nub.

"Feichen, hold the rose between your teeth," the photographer, a top-tier veteran in the industry, instructed. "Then lean in a little closer to Ranyun’s cheek. Yes, that’s it. Feichen, look at Ranyun. Ranyun, turn your face toward me..."

It was a relief not to have to look at Yi Feichen.

Jiang Ranyun couldn't handle his gaze right now.

A moment later, the soft, fragrant rose petals brushed against her cheek, and Yi Feichen’s gentle breath was within inches.

"Ranyun, you’ve stiffened up," the photographer noted. "Adjust yourself, relax. No, no need to smile..."

*

By the time all the looks were captured, it was four in the afternoon.

As they were packing up to leave, Jiang Ranyun learned that the studio had originally been booked by Song Zhiyuan. The magazine had negotiated with him to let Jiang Ranyun and Yi Feichen use it until three o'clock, but they had run an hour over, leaving Song Zhiyuan waiting in another dressing room for an hour.

"An'an, wait a moment," Jiang Ranyun called out to her assistant. "I’m going to go greet Mr. Song. Call the driver and have him wait at the entrance."

After giving instructions, she turned back.

Wu An'an carried Jiang Ranyun’s bag in one hand and dialed the driver with the other, her eyes involuntarily drifting toward Yi Feichen.

Jiang Ranyun and Yi Feichen had come out together. Seeing Jiang Ranyun turn back, Yi Feichen paused and followed her.

For the past two days, Wu An'an had been dying of curiosity—what exactly was going on between Sister Yun and Brother Fei? Unlike the netizens, she had been with Jiang Ranyun for over a year and knew better than anyone that the two had never been involved. How had their relationship become so ambiguous overnight?

The staff on both sides were busy on the floor, clearing away the old set and arranging the new one. Song Zhiyuan was in the dressing room, using the time to touch up his makeup.

"Knock, knock."

The sound of knocking echoed. The assistant went to open the door, recognized Jiang Ranyun, and greeted her.

Hearing the voice, Song Zhiyuan turned around and smiled. "Ranyun!"

He was at that age where a man possesses the most mature charm—handsome, refined, and possessing a classical air.

"Mr. Song," Jiang Ranyun said with a smile, "I'm so sorry. I took up your time."

"It's a small matter. I’m just shooting some promotional photos for my new album; it won't take long. You were previously..." Song Zhiyuan started to say something, but suddenly caught sight of Yi Feichen standing at the door. He paused for a heartbeat.

Jiang Ranyun followed his gaze back. After the shoot, Yi Feichen had changed back into his own clothes—a plain black T-shirt—but he was still wearing the small pink kitten ring she had casually given him yesterday.

"..."

Song Zhiyuan laughed. "How did the shoot go?"

Jiang Ranyun replied, "Very well. Li Wan is very professional."

"She’s the one who shot you?" Song Zhiyuan said. "Then it must have turned out beautifully."

Jiang Ranyun smiled, "I'm looking forward to it."

Song Zhiyuan glanced at Yi Feichen outside again, though his words were still directed at Jiang Ranyun: "That song of yours, I'm almost finished with it. Let me know when you're free to record."

"Really?" Jiang Ranyun’s eyes brightened. "I'll check my schedule and get in touch."

"Good." Song Zhiyuan smiled warmly.

Just then, a staff member called out, "Mr. Song, we're ready for you."

"I won't disturb you any longer," Jiang Ranyun said, waving. "I'm heading out."

"Alright," Song Zhiyuan said. "See you for the recording."

Jiang Ranyun walked out without looking at Yi Feichen. Yi Feichen glanced back at Song Zhiyuan; their eyes met for a fleeting second, and Song Zhiyuan’s smile faded slightly.

Yi Feichen looked away.

He quickened his pace and caught up to Jiang Ranyun, grabbing her wrist.

Jiang Ranyun was a bit annoyed. "What are you doing?"

Though she had agreed to play along, it didn't mean she enjoyed him interfering in her private social life, especially when he stood there with that scrutinizing look.

Yi Feichen spoke slowly: "Song Zhiyuan is thirty-six."

Jiang Ranyun: "..."

She said deliberately, "That doesn't stop him from being very handsome."

"He used to play rock and roll."

"Rock and roll is also very handsome."

Yi Feichen stopped in his tracks, his brows slightly furrowed, until he saw the playful glint in Jiang Ranyun’s eyes; his expression gradually softened.

His hand slid down, his fingers interlacing with hers—ten fingers locked tight.

Jiang Ranyun hesitated for a moment, but didn't pull away, letting him hold her hand.

"I don't like him," Yi Feichen said.

"Are you jealous?"

After two seconds of silence, Yi Feichen admitted candidly, "Yes."

Jiang Ranyun really wanted to burst out laughing. She had never seen this side of Yi Feichen—it was incredibly amusing. Before today, she couldn't have imagined what Yi Feichen would look like when jealous. Now, it actually seemed kind of cute.

"There's no need," Jiang Ranyun said, wanting to pat his shoulder, but her hand was occupied, so she let it go.

Yi Feichen interpreted her words as: she had nothing going on with Song Zhiyuan and never would.

Jiang Ranyun, however, was thinking that once he recovered, he would realize how unnecessary this "jealousy" was and how much of a dark stain it would be on his history.

Holding hands, as they reached the entrance, Jiang Ranyun shook her arm. "Yi Feichen, let go. If there are paparazzi, we'll be trending again."

"Don't be so surprised," Yi Feichen didn't let go. "Once they get used to it, we won't trend anymore."

Jiang Ranyun felt helpless. She was doing this entirely for his own good. His current persistence would only add more embarrassing history that he wouldn't be able to bear looking back on later. He would regret this.

"You can't possibly take my car back to the hotel with me, can you?" Jiang Ranyun asked.

"I can," Yi Feichen looked at her deeply. "I had Xiao Luo book a room at the hotel."

Jiang Ranyun: "..."

She could only say it was fortunate.

"Fine, you can come back with me," Jiang Ranyun said. "You go check in, I'll go pack my things."

Yi Feichen looked at her, caught off guard.

Jiang Ranyun gave a mischievous smile. "What are you thinking?"

Yi Feichen: "..."

"Get rid of your weird thoughts! I'm packing to head to the airport!" Jiang Ranyun said. "The flight is at 7:30. I'm going to Hainan to record a variety show. Do you want to come along?"

She tilted her head to look at him.

Yi Feichen: "..."

He wanted to. But his already scheduled work commitments wouldn't allow it.

He said in a low voice, "I have an event in S City tomorrow..."

They still ended up leaving the building holding hands and getting into the same car.

Wu An'an saw Yi Feichen coming along and quickly scrambled into the passenger seat, leaving the back seat for the two of them. Xiao Luo got into Yi Feichen's car, which followed behind.

The car was very quiet.

Jiang Ranyun turned her head to look at Yi Feichen beside her, her gaze sliding down to the kitten ring.

She never thought he would actually wear it, let alone wear it out so openly.

In just two short days, he had shattered her expectations in so many ways. Jiang Ranyun even felt a subtle sense of loss. After this farce was over, she and Yi Feichen might never be able to return to their former professional state.

However, despite this, as she boarded the plane to leave S City, Jiang Ranyun felt a sense of relief that she would be getting away from Yi Feichen.

The more she saw of the side of Yi Feichen that no one else knew, the more she worried that one day, when he recovered, he would be so humiliated that he would "kill her to silence her."

The show Jiang Ranyun was recording in Hainan was a pastoral lifestyle variety show streamed live. She was a guest for just one episode, arriving that night and leaving the next night—a total trip of about a day and a half.

As soon as she landed, the production crew picked her up, and the live broadcast began.

To her surprise, among those picking her up was the other guest for the episode: the popular young idol, Jin Binghe.

"Senior!" He held a large bouquet of champagne roses and greeted her excitedly. "So happy to see you! I'm a huge fan!"

"Thank you." Jiang Ranyun accepted the flowers.

On the way, they chatted, and Jiang Ranyun learned that, like her, Jin Binghe was a student at the Film Academy's acting department, having just graduated this year.

A historical drama he filmed while in school had become a massive hit earlier this year, gaining him a huge following. With his agency's strong backing, his resources had skyrocketed, and his popularity was climbing steadily.

...

Watching the live stream, Yi Feichen realized that not everyone in the world shipped the "Fei-Ran" pairing.

He was very puzzled.

How could anyone, the moment Jiang Ranyun and Jin Binghe met, be typing "I ship it" in the comments?

Ship what?

Jiang Ranyun would never fall for a green kid like Jin Binghe.

And she wouldn't like an old man like Song Zhiyuan, either.