Pulling a sensitive, introverted kid from the countryside into a photoshoot, making him pose naturally under the lighting, smile nicely for the camera, tilt his chin to just the right angle, and maintain a gaze that’s neither too soft nor too hard—this was truly asking too much of him.

By the end of the first day, though the older sister kept saying, “Great, great,” the photographer’s expression while reviewing the shots made it clear the results weren’t good.

Miao Jiayan changed back into his own clothes and finally felt much warmer.

That evening, the sister drove them into the city for stone pot fish, probably to help Miao Jiayan warm up to the photographer. She even brought the photographer along for the meal.

“This guy’s name is Xiao Di—just call him Brother Di,” the sister said, pointing at the photographer. “Don’t let his grumpy face fool you. He’s actually a total goofball. Super chill when he’s not working—you can even play games with him.”

Miao Jiayan had been intimidated by him all day and was still a little scared.

“Say something, stop pretending,” the sister said, slapping Brother Di hard on the back. He had been drinking, and the sudden hit made him spill his drink all over himself.

“Are you insane?!” Brother Di’s face darkened as he stood up, shaking out his clothes.

The sister leaned on the table, laughing hysterically. Miao Jiayan handed over some tissues, and Brother Di took them with a muttered “Thanks,” wiping at the sticky mess. The more he wiped, the angrier he seemed to get.

“God, I’m dying—you’re such a mess!” the sister kept laughing, turning to the two boys. “Don’t let him scare you. Even when he’s mad, he won’t actually do anything.”

Miao Jiayan sat next to Chen Chao, half-expecting the photographer to storm off. But after cleaning himself up, Brother Di just sat back down with a scowl.

“Are you scared of him?” the sister asked Miao Jiayan.

He didn’t dare admit it, so the sister turned to Brother Di. “Stop scaring the kid. What are you, some kind of demon?”

Brother Di asked a server for a new cup and poured himself another drink. “This is just my face—what am I supposed to do about it?”

The sister had brought them out to eat hoping to ease the tension, so she kept trying to make Brother Di seem more approachable. But it didn’t work—the two boys just kept their heads down and ate without joining in. Chen Chao didn’t like fish, so Miao Jiayan kept serving him coconut chicken instead. Chen Chao especially liked the coconut strips in it.

Chen Chao had spent the whole day at the shoot. Though he didn’t have to do anything, it was still exhausting. He’d napped on the ground earlier and hadn’t been comfortable.

Once they’d mostly finished eating, he wiped his mouth with a napkin and said, “It’s not Brother Di’s fault. Miao Jiayan’s just timid.”

The sister said, “Of course it’s his fault. Dead-fish eyes, always glaring—annoying.”

Chen Chao replied, “It’s necessary. He doesn’t know how to pose, so he has to listen to Brother Di.”

His words sounded polite, but his tone was cold, with no hint of flattery. The sister smirked and asked Brother Di, “You catch that? His big brother’s also saying you’re too harsh.”

Surprisingly, Brother Di laughed. “Yeah, I caught it.”

Under the table, Miao Jiayan gently nudged Chen Chao’s arm, signaling him to stop.

Chen Chao continued, “You knew what you were getting when you picked him to shoot. Otherwise, you’d have just hired a model.”

He hadn’t said much all day, keeping to himself, but now that he was full, the words came out.

“He’s obedient. If you want something, just tell him. Yell at him if you have to—he won’t get mad or hold a grudge.” Chen Chao glanced at Miao Jiayan before adding, “But don’t keep scaring him either. He was completely lost today, and when he’s lost, your shots get worse.”

Right then, Chen Chao really did seem like an older brother—one who was displeased after watching his younger sibling get glared at all day.

Brother Di and the sister both laughed. Leaning back in his chair, Brother Di studied Chen Chao and asked, “How old are you?”

Chen Chao answered calmly, “Seventeen.”

Brother Di nodded. “You remind me of myself at seventeen or eighteen.”

“You’re still like that now. You think you’ve grown up?” The sister, already prepared for Chen Chao’s temper, wasn’t surprised. “You’ve just gotten taller since then—essentially the same person.”

Brother Di looked at Chen Chao with something like nostalgia. “Nah, it’s different. Back then, I’d have walked out by now. At the very least, I’d have snapped back.”

Chen Chao had spent the day watching Miao Jiayan shiver in shorts, anxiously trying to follow directions he wasn’t even given, hesitantly glancing over from a distance. The frustration had been simmering in him all day.

“Alright, I get it, little bro,” Brother Di said, surprisingly agreeable. “I’ll be nicer tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Brother Di,” Chen Chao said with a nod. “Sorry for the trouble.”

“I know you’re cursing me in your head—stop with the thanks,” Brother Di said, amused.

“No, really, I’m not,” Chen Chao replied, shaking his head earnestly.

True to his word, Brother Di was much gentler the next day. Miao Jiayan, having been worn down the day before, was visibly more comfortable.

After a short while, Brother Di reviewed the shots and praised, “Not bad.”

Miao Jiayan wasn’t sure if he meant it or was just being polite. The night before, Chen Chao had scolded him again for being too passive, warning that people would take advantage of him if he never stood up for himself.

The second day went much smoother. Once he got into the rhythm, Miao Jiayan improved quickly. As long as he ignored the camera, he was fine—yesterday, he just hadn’t learned to focus on things outside the lens.

But the previous day’s photos had to be retaken, so they had to stay longer.

Chen Chao had no complaints. If the shots weren’t good, retaking them was fair.

That night, Miao Jiayan took a hot shower—his legs had been aching from the cold. When he came out, Chen Chao was on the phone.

It was Chen Guangda, checking in on how they were doing.

While talking, Chen Chao waved Miao Jiayan over. Miao Jiayan went and sat on Chen Chao’s bed, waiting for him to finish the call.

The room was chilly. Fresh out of the shower and wearing only pajamas, Miao Jiayan looked especially slight with his arms propped on the edge of the bed. Mid-conversation, Chen Chao tugged the blanket over to him, and Miao Jiayan wrapped himself up in it like a cocoon.

“We’ll need a few more days,” Chen Chao told Chen Guangda. “I’ll call you before we head back.”

Miao Jiayan, bundled up like an egg with his hair tied in a little bun, gazed at Chen Chao with simple, clear eyes. Chen Chao smiled and flicked his forehead lightly.

“Do you like doing these photoshoots?” Chen Chao asked after hanging up, plugging in his phone.

Miao Jiayan didn’t particularly like or dislike it. He wasn’t averse to it, but he wasn’t passionate either. He answered honestly, and Chen Chao followed up, “If they ask you to shoot again next time, will you do it?”

Miao Jiayan thought for a moment. “Probably, yeah.”

“Why?” Chen Chao looked at him. “Because they pay you?”

“It’s just...” Miao Jiayan searched for the right words. “I don’t dislike it, and it’s not tiring. Aside from being a little cold, it’s fine. And... it makes me feel useful.”

Chen Chao said, “You were already useful.”

Miao Jiayan smiled at that, and Chen Chao teased, “Don’t smile like that for photos—it looks silly.”

“I can’t even smile properly during shoots,” Miao Jiayan said, grimacing. “I don’t know what to smile about.”

They chatted like that under the blanket, and eventually, Chen Chao got cold too. Miao Jiayan spread the blanket a little wider to cover Chen Chao’s legs. Their feet and legs touched, just like when they were in middle school—natural and close.

Later, Miao Jiayan got tired of sitting and lay down on his side, watching Chen Chao from across the bed.

His gaze was soft, quietly fixed on him.

Chen Chao asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Miao Jiayan turned away, facing the door instead, and smiled faintly. “Just spacing out. I’ll stop.”