Day 8: Unimagined

"Yes, Mr. Lu." Zhao Chao folded his hands and replied, feigning composure despite the unmistakable disbelief etched on the man seated in the office chair.

He himself couldn’t understand why Lu Shuyan had suddenly signed a fifty-million-yuan check for him to give to Si Nian. Only when he tried to contact Si Nian did he realize that all his contact details seemed to have been blocked by her.

Lu Shuyan observed Zhao Chao’s awkward expression.

Then, straightening up, he picked up his phone from the desk and opened the WeChat chat with Si Nian.

He sent a comma.

Sure enough, the reply was a red exclamation mark, followed by the message: “Message sent but rejected by the recipient.”

“The recipient has enabled friend verification. You are not yet their friend. Please send a friend request first. You can chat only after they accept.”

Zhao Chao pretended not to notice the equally awkward message on Lu Shuyan’s screen.

Lu Shuyan snapped the phone shut and tossed it onto the desk with a sigh.

Clearly, he had only been generous and uncalculating. He hadn’t expected that after the plan fell apart, Si Nian would so decisively block all contact methods, nor would he have imagined he’d stoop so low as to switch to another phone number just to ensure the money would reach a former girlfriend who had once deceived him.

Lu Shuyan glanced at Zhao Chao, who sat there, eyes fixed on his nose, seemingly deep in thought.

“Go on down,” he said.

Zhao Chao immediately bowed his head. “Yes, Mr. Lu.”

...

Si Nian finally found a new apartment.

It was in the same neighborhood as Jiang Yihan’s small flat. Conveniently, a tenant with the same layout had moved out, so the two of them wouldn’t have to continue sharing a single bed every day. Plus, living close meant they could meet up and hang out regularly.

Jiang Yihan wasn’t particularly eager for Si Nian to move out.

Though sharing a thirty-square-meter space was cramped, having someone there to prepare a late-night snack after overtime and the comfort of cuddling a sweet, soft girl at night was truly wonderful.

Si Nian quickly settled into her new place.

Her modeling career was gradually gaining traction, especially after the "Mohe" bridal shoot gained some popularity within the circle. Many businesses showed interest in her—beautiful, photogenic, and reasonably priced—it was hard not to want to hire her.

She even received private messages from several influencer MCN companies and modeling agencies hoping to sign her.

But Si Nian declined them all. The pitfalls with such MCNs and agencies were far too common: exorbitant commission rates and frequent disputes that often ended up in lawsuits.

She was fully capable of managing shoots and handling her own bookings independently.

Earlier, Jiang Yihan had mentioned that their magazine was launching a supplement and needed models for an event, so Si Nian submitted her information. She hadn’t thought much of it—after all, even the main fashion magazines’ supplements were usually beyond the reach of small-scale flat models like her who leaned towards the influencer style. Yet, a few days later, the magazine actually invited her for an interview.

Si Nian arrived at the interview venue.

The magazine Jiang Yihan worked for was called Glitz. Their brand-new supplement was named MiniGlitz, aimed at capturing the post-millennial youth market while maintaining the high-end positioning of the main publication.

Many young people were indifferent to fashion magazines because the content felt distant, and the tall, cold, avant-garde models seemed too removed from real life to emulate.

Hence, MiniGlitz’s main goal was to bridge that gap by adopting a more youthful, girlish aesthetic. As part of the launch, they planned a Glitz fashion show.

...

Since the focus was on accessibility, the models chosen for this show weren’t the traditional tall, skinny types. The editor-in-chief decisively decided to use models whose figures and heights aligned more closely with popular aesthetics.

All the outfits and styling were trendy and refined yet completely replicable in everyday life.

This meant that MiniGlitz’s philosophy and content would serve as inspiration for the average girl, helping ordinary women become more beautiful.

Si Nian was at Glitz’s domestic headquarters for the first time.

They rented an entire floor in a prime commercial building. Upon arrival, staff directed her to sign in and wait for the interview.

On her phone, Jiang Yihan was sending encouraging messages: “Good luck, don’t be nervous! Unfortunately, I’m just a junior editor and can’t pull strings. The editor-in-chief is a tough, mean gay guy, but he usually treats beautiful women well. He’s out on a shoot today, so not around the office.”

Si Nian noticed several other girls waiting to be interviewed, some familiar—online micro-celebrities and top-tier models.

Each candidate received a number card, called in turn.

Si Nian took her number and sat in the waiting area, typing rapidly to Jiang Yihan.

Jiang Yihan explained that the show required about thirty models, half of whom were already chosen. Since Glitz’s main publication was one of the top five fashion magazines, the show featured celebrities, idols, big-name influencers, and fashion icons. The remaining slots were selected through interviews by the editor-in-chief. Candidates had to be not only attractive but also fit the show’s style.

Although the show’s concept was everyday wear that ordinary girls could imitate, the fashion industry’s hypocrisy meant that aside from lowering height requirements by about ten centimeters, all other standards were even more stringent.

They had received thousands of resumes and model cards, and after the first round of screening, only about a hundred remained.

Si Nian, initially unbothered, grew nervous after Jiang Yihan’s vivid description.

She desperately wanted this gig—not so much for the pay but because Glitz’s year-end events were star-studded. Though this was just a supplement launch, the exposure would far surpass that of bridal shoots. A successful appearance would definitely boost her social media presence.

Without a company backing her promotion, and with only a modest fanbase of about ten thousand after “Mohe” gained some attention, this was a crucial opportunity.

Taking a deep breath, Si Nian heard the staff call her name and number.

It was her turn.

She rose quickly and walked toward the interview room.

Inside, several people sat with printed model profiles and scoring sheets. The editor-in-chief was seated in the center.

Si Nian stood against a pure white backdrop.

Although she was a flat model, she had learned runway walking and maintained decent form despite infrequent practice. Wearing the required plain white T-shirt and jeans, she first posed from various angles, then walked a short runway segment.

“Stop,” the female deputy editor said. “Don’t be so serious. This isn’t haute couture. Smile.”

Si Nian adjusted and walked again.

One of the brand representatives leafed through Si Nian’s model card photos while comparing her in person, murmuring, “Not much difference from the photos.”

The entire interview process was much faster than Si Nian expected.

She could read nothing from the interviewers’ faces—no clear indication of approval or rejection. They all scribbled notes on their sheets and then dismissed her.

Si Nian remained dazed on the subway ride home, lacking confidence.

Since she lived in the suburbs, the subway emerged from underground to aboveground.

Across from her, a young couple openly displayed their affection, oblivious to their surroundings. Unable to bear it, Si Nian turned away, gazing out at vast fields and plains juxtaposed with the city’s rising steel skyline, suddenly reflecting on the past years.

...

Five years ago, she had been busy juggling part-time jobs and classes.

One day, after a part-time shoot, she hurried back to campus for a credit lecture but was late.

She sneaked into a large lecture hall through the back door, which was already full. She struggled to find an empty seat, ducking and carrying her bag as she made her way.

She had to pass a row of students already in class.

Most students were annoyed by her late arrival and the intrusion but stepped aside to let her through. She whispered thanks and apologies.

Just as she neared her chosen seat, she tripped on a chair leg.

She lost her balance and fell directly onto a male classmate’s lap.

The loud noise caused everyone to turn around, including the professor, who said, “Latecomers, please find your seats quickly.”

Ignoring the stares, Si Nian looked up at the classmate who had caught her.

Her first thought: How had she never noticed someone so handsome at school? Perhaps because her part-time work kept her away most of the time.

As she tried to get up and apologize, she caught a flicker of suppressed impatience and disdain in the young man’s eyes, as if he was restraining himself from pushing her away.

Thus, Si Nian’s first impression of Lu Shuyan was thoroughly negative.

Later, she learned she had mistakenly attended the wrong lecture that day, which explained why the financial jargon confused her; her intended lecture was next door.

At that time, she never imagined she would end up involved with that arrogant classmate.

In truth, she had never planned on a relationship. Love was never on her radar, and she lacked interest in such haughty classmates. Only upon learning that he was the heir of the Lu family, with a previous girlfriend who had received an eight-figure breakup settlement after three months, did her curiosity stir.

Si Nian sighed.

Clearly, first impressions matter—one should not become close with those who initially leave a bad taste.

Also, one should be diligent, brave, honest, and kind, and avoid scheming ways.

The subway announced the next station. The clingy couple across remained engrossed in each other.

Si Nian stood and headed home.

She bought groceries to cook dinner for herself and messaged Jiang Yihan, saying that if she worked late tonight, she wouldn’t need to order takeout; she’d save some food for her.

Standing by the stove, watching the corn and pork ribs simmer, Si Nian recalled the early days when she often visited Lu Shuyan’s off-campus apartment. Later, when his father fell ill, he took over Rongsheng early. They lived together, and no matter how late Lu Shuyan worked, she always prepared a late-night snack for him, playing the attentive girlfriend to perfection.

Several times, when Lu Shuyan drank too much at social events—still young and embroiled in power struggles with the Lu family’s board—his mother’s absence left him relying on her to care for him all night, exhausting herself.

Si Nian lifted the pot lid and forcefully sprinkled a pinch of salt into the soup.

It was as if she was adding a dose of poison to the hangover soup she once made for Lu Shuyan in the dead of night.