Chapter 77:
Winnie: “Actually, if you became a looks blogger, you’d gain tens of thousands of followers in minutes. Your face is like heaven force-feeding you meals. Looking across the entertainment industry, there aren’t many prettier than you.”
Meng Shuyou: “I don’t want to show my face.”
Winnie: “This is called, clearly able to rely on your face to eat, but insisting on relying on strength.”
Winnie: “Based on my bit of experience, first thing is to nail down your account positioning. Usually post some drafts, share some of our daily class life. This is the traffic code. A lot of people will be curious about our life studying abroad. Once fans grow, there will definitely be people commissioning work from you.”
Meng Shuyou: “Okay, I got it.”
Winnie: “Once you post your first artwork, tell me. I’ll use my account to drive some traffic to you. Though the traffic isn’t much, it’s at least a little bit.”
Meng Shuyou: “Thanks, Winnie. Once I get commissions, I’ll buy you a gift.”
Winnie: “Why be polite with me? Perfect timing, I need to manage my account too. Gain a few more fans and maybe I can take an advertisement for some pocket money. I’ve been spending money hand over fist these two months, and my finances have been sanctioned by my mom.”
–
Those two days, Meng Shuyou specially self-studied some editing techniques online, researched others’ on-beat videos, and figured out a little trick.
She shared some illustration design homework from elective classes she’d completed before. After posting her first artwork, it got a few hundred likes.
Backstage, someone soon commissioned her to design a shop promotion poster.
After clarifying the other party’s requirements and settling the price, Meng Shuyou took the job.
That night, Pei Yuzhou didn’t return until ten o’clock.
He pushed open the door to the bedroom. She was alone, holding the tablet and sitting on the balcony sofa chair. The cool white light added a hazy feel in the night.
Her fluffy bun had a few strands of hair scattered, blown open by the wind. Her side profile was serious.
He tossed his suit jacket aside and walked over. “What are you doing up so late instead of sleeping?”
Meng Shuyou turned her head at the sound and met his gaze. “Drawing a draft.”
Pei Yuzhou undid his shirt buttons. “Drawing at this hour?”
Meng Shuyou didn’t check the time. “I’ll finish it right away.”
Pei Yuzhou walked closer, took the tablet from her hand and set it aside, then picked her up. “Draw tomorrow. Go take a shower.”
She protested. “Just a little bit left.”
“Can’t draw tomorrow?”
“This is a commercial draft. It’s quite urgent.”
“How much pay?”
“Six hundred.”
Pei Yuzhou kicked open the bathroom door and glanced down at her. “Six hundred bucks worth all this effort?”
Meng Shuyou was speechless.
Of course he wouldn’t care. He wouldn’t bat an eye at six million, let alone six hundred.
Actually, she knew that if she asked, Mister Pei wouldn’t stint on that bit of money. But she also didn’t want to owe him too much. She couldn’t repay it, and anyway, she’d have to rely on herself in the future.
The bathroom door closed. Pei Yuzhou set her on the vanity and deftly unzipped her top. “I’m going on a business trip tomorrow. Won’t be back for two weeks. Be good and stay here. Call if there’s anything.”
Hearing this, Meng Shuyou’s brows and eyes softened. “Okay.”
Her waist could finally rest a bit.
Ever since sleeping together, the bed sheet was changed almost every day. Sometimes even the sofa cushions weren’t spared.
Mister Pei’s stamina was too good. She could barely keep up.
That kind of thing wasn’t good in excess.
Pei Yuzhou caught the subtle expression on her face and pinched her hard on the waist. “Pretty happy I’m leaving?”
An ambiguous low moan escaped Meng Shuyou’s lips. She blushed and denied it. “No.”
She took the initiative to wrap her arms around the man’s neck, making up for it. “I’ll miss you.”
“Is that so.” Pei Yuzhou’s fingertip lifted her chin, his gaze roaming her face. “Then don’t sleep tonight.”
Meng Shuyou’s pupils dilated. “No…”
The ending sound was swallowed by him.
His breath was scorching and forceful. The pecking kisses lingered in her ears.
Shirt, trousers, lace trim top, denim skirt scattered on the floor.
His Patek Philippe mechanical wristwatch was casually tossed on the marble countertop.
Pei Yuzhou supported the back of her legs and carried her to the shower.
Meng Shuyou clung tightly to him, their bodies pressed together.
The shower turned on, warm water drenching their bodies.
The glass enclosure fogged up.
Pei Yuzhou pinned her against the wall for a deep kiss, his body dripping wet with water droplets trailing down his muscle lines.
Meng Shuyou was held up, her legs wrapped around his waist, her chest heaving, heartbeat and breathing in disarray.
–
Two hours later, the bathroom door opened.
Pei Yuzhou carried the completely limp little girl out.
Meng Shuyou was so sleepy her eyelids were fighting. Back on the bed, she immediately burrowed into the quilt, sniffing the faint lemon-pine scent on the pillow and bedding, her brows relaxing.
Pei Yuzhou turned off the light, got into bed, reached out to hook her waist and pull her into his arms.
Meng Shuyou leaned against his chest. Her scalp was tugged, and she complained softly. “You’re pulling my hair…”
Pei Yuzhou lifted her head and brushed her hair behind her.
Her long hair spread like seaweed across the pillow.
Meng Shuyou found a comfortable position and fell deeply asleep.
When she woke, the sun was high. She was the only one left in the room.
The spot beside her was cold. Pei Yuzhou must have left a while ago.
Meng Shuyou came to her senses. Her arm reached out from the quilt. Just as she was about to get up, she suddenly noticed something extra on her wrist.
She lifted her hand to look and almost thought she hadn’t woken up yet.
Where did this bracelet come from? When was it put on? She had no memory of it at all.
Full diamond inlaid platinum bracelet, top polishing craft, exquisite texture and shine.
She remembered. This was the bracelet Mister Pei had bid on at the charity auction that day. Hadn’t he said it was a gift for someone?
Meng Shuyou sat up on the bed and found her mobile phone, dialing Pei Yuzhou.
The call connected.
She spoke first. “Mister Pei, the bracelet—was it you who put it on me?”
Pei Yuzhou was in the lounge at the departure hall. “Who else would you think?”
“But why give it to me?”
“Wanted to give it, so I did. No need for so many whys.”
“It’s too valuable. I can’t accept it.”
A bracelet worth over thirty million. Meng Shuyou didn’t even dare wear it out.
The man’s voice was casual. “Then just take it off.”
Meng Shuyou really set down the phone and tried to remove the bracelet.
However, this bracelet seemed custom-made for her. Not too big, not too small, with absolutely no space to remove it.
“Can’t take it off,” she said.
“If you can’t take it off, then wear it properly.” Pei Yuzhou stood up from his seat. “Boarding now. Hanging up.”
Meng Shuyou gave up. “Oh.”
The call ended.
She examined the bracelet on her hand closely and noticed an opening on the inner side. It probably needed a tool to open.
Whatever. Deal with it later.
Thinking of the draft she hadn’t finished, she quickly got up to wash up and tidy, completing the finishing touches.
–
The account management was going well. Followers came steadily. Many liked Meng Shuyou’s art style. She was good at using light and shadow changes and high-saturation color to create a sense of transparency, while emphasizing line aesthetics, which caught the eye.
More and more people were commissioning her backstage.
Besides working at the art gallery, she stayed home drawing drafts, her free time fully occupied.
