CHAPTER #23
Most of the junior high school graduates had to go to cram school, but not the twins and not their girlfriends. Both Lu He and Qihe were acting as tutors for Chyou and Mey. They did a few double-dates too, but mostly just gave their individual attention and time to their girlfriends. Lu He split his time between Chyou and his acting. Qihe was still working security jobs for his father, doing modelling or commercials and playing in more e-sports competitions. Street fighting was still happening too, but not as frequently. Qihe didn't have time to search out fights, but if challenged he always accepted.
Mey and Chyou became good friends, just because of dating the twins, but found they had a lot of similar interests. Mey asked for Chyou's advice. "Qihe is spending more and more time working. And his nights are all about e-sports. I feel like an after-thought or like his time with me is just a burden. What should I do?"
Always a realist, Chyou replied. "Well the good thing about him doing constructive things, is he's fighting less right?"
"True and I am thankful for that, because sometimes those fights have been pretty violent and I worry he'll get seriously hurt. I dare not say anything, because I don't want him angry with me and I knew he was a fighter when I first approached him. But I'm lonely."
"Do you have work or hobbies too?"
"I work at a convenience store. I just got the job, because Qihe is always busy in the evening, so I took the night shift. I get trained tomorrow tonight."
"Maybe try scheduling a date with Qihe, so you get his undivided attention."
"Maybe. He was so awesome as a boyfriend the first week after graduation," Mey sighed. "I know Lu He is busy with his acting, don't you feel lonely too?"
"Sometimes. I've been taking language courses, because one day I want to work in the USA. I am planning to sign up for the exchange program while in senior high."
"I remember that you had top marks in English class, so that doesn't surprise me. Everyone seems to be going forward with their lives, except me."
"Have you thought about what career you want in the future?" Chyou asked, while drinking from her coffee mug.
"Maybe a nurse or medical technician. God knows I've fixed up Qihe so many times."
Both girls laughed and ate some of the pastries that arrived at their cafe table. While they chatted about school and careers, Mey got a phone call from Qihe.
"Remember that tournament I was playing in last night?"
"Yes, you cancelled our date for it."
"Sorry, I'll make it up to you this afternoon. I won the tournament. They're interviewing me too."
"Is it another trophy or did you get some cool stuff?"
"Cash prize. I'll take you out to dinner, you can choose anywhere."
"Your house and you feed me… naked." Mey smirked and stuck her tongue out at Chyou, as she made faces.
Qihe laughed, "okay I'll be your servant."
"Are you picking me up or should I just come to your house at like 7 pm?"
"I'll come get you after I leave Seven Cranes Entertainment. That's where the interview is being held."
"Okay, sounds good." Mey ended the call.
"Ooohhhh, you're a kinky girl!" Teased Chyou.
Ignoring the comment, Mey asked, "after this you are going to Seven Cranes Entertainment to see Lu He right?"
"Yes, why?"
"I'll come with you. Qihe is being interviewed there due to winning his e-sports competition last night. So I'll wait for him there, instead of him coming all the way to my house and picking me up. I'll split the price of a taxi with you."
"Okay that would be awesome."
The girls left the coffee shop and went to Seven Cranes Entertainment. Once there they headed up to the floor where the Twin's managers were. Lu He wasn't there yet, but they did catch a glimpse of Qihe. He was walking beside a guy, as the girls approached.
"You're the best Qihe. Do you want to play professionally on my team?"
Mey turned to Chyou and whispered, "he'll decline. Qihe always declines joining a team."
The two came upon reporters, one of which had strawberry blonde hair. He asked the guy beside him, "what are those people doing?"
"TV interviews, that's what the champion teams do. They also have to promote the sponsors of their team."
The strawberry blonde girl got pushed from some of the other reporters and began to fall backwards. Qihe caught her and they made eye contact. "Watch your back."
She just stared at him and then sprung out of his arms. "Thank you!"
Qihe returned to the guy that was walking with him, "yes I will join your team."
"Wow, that's so awesome!"
The crowd of reporters focused on Qihe, because he held a trophy. They were trying to get his attention, including the strawberry blonde girl. She jumped up and down, trying to see him. The crowd parted to make way for him and he grabbed her microphone. "Isn't it an interview?"
A camera flashed and the girl replied, "I heard that you don't have interest in playing on an e-sports team."
He raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't interested… but you only interview champion teams." Qihe handed her his trophy and moved past.
As he walked down the hall away from the reporters, Mey made her presence known. She knew he'd been flirting, but chose to ignore it. "Hi, are you all done here?"
"Yes. Hi Chyou, Lu He's assistant said they should be done soon. Want us to wait with you?"
"No, you guys can go, thanks though."
"See you soon Chyou," Mey said as she left with Qihe.
He noticed she was quieter than usual. "What do you feel like eating, while I'm acting as your servant?"
"Fried chicken wouldn't make a mess or whatever you want."
Glancing at her, he saw she was keeping her eyes down. If there was going to be drama, he wanted it now rather than later. "Something wrong?"
"No, I'm fine."
He knew those words were like a loaded nuclear bomb. He guessed, "I was just being nice to that female reporter, she was being shoved by the male reporters there. You're my girl."
Part of her didn't believe him. After all, he was only with her because she had pursued him relentlessly and he probably was just waiting for someone better to come along. Well if Qihe was going to dump her soon, she'd enjoy being his girlfriend as much as possible.
"I know… you like to flirt, it's okay. But if you get tired of me, just say it."
"I'm not a coward, I'll be honest and tell it to you straight," Qihe promised.
"So you joined an e-sport team, will you stay on it once we start senior high school?"
"Yes. Not much will change, except I might go out of town for some competitions with the team."
"Are you Chyou?" A girl asked her breathlessly.
"Um… yes."
"Thank God I found you! Hurry, we need you to stand in as a model for Lu He's photoshoot. The model ate something bad and has food poisoning! Lu He had a feeling you'd be waiting for him here. Let's go!"
"But I've never modelled before!" Chyou protested as she was dragged out the door by his assistant manager.
"Well you should," Ru Shi smiled. "The car is waiting to take us to the photoshoot."
Chyou was explained everything on the way to meet Lu He. On arrival she was whisked first into wardrobe and then to the makeup and hairstylist. Finally she was ushered to where Lu He waited.
"You're a life saver, the whole shoot would've been cancelled!" He hugged her, careful not to mess up her makeup.
The photographer barked at the lighting people, but was so nice when directing Chyou how and where he wanted her to stand. "You're a natural, but that's expected from someone Lu He would have as a girlfriend."
Chyou blushed under the compliments from the staff and her smile came out with what Lu He whispered in her ear. She began to relax and the clicks, flashes and whirling sound from the camera were tuned out.
"Lu He put her into a deep dip… that's it, hold that pose!" The photographer shouted excitedly.
When Lu He stood her back up suddenly, the spontaneous movement caused Chyou to put her hands on his chest, with a surprised face. The camera loved it. Next the wardrobe for both of them changed and then she took some individual shots, while Lu He was prepped. And so the shoot continued.
"Drink some water, the heat from the lights can wear you out," Ru Shi explained handing Chyou a bottle.
"Thanks. I didn't know modelling was so exhausting."
"Sometimes it can be. But it's still not as tiring as when Lu He is acting."
By the end of the photoshoot, after all the wardrobe changes were complete, the photographer invited Lu He and Chyou to look at some of the frames. "The photos turned out better than with the professional model we had earlier. I definitely want to work with you again Chyou."
"Wait until you see the pay you get from doing this. I'll introduce you to my manager." Lu He called out, "Ru Shi is he in the office?"
"He'll be at Seven Cranes until 8pm. I'll call him now and tell him we're on the way there."
Chyou said good-bye to all the photography staff, "thank you everyone for making me look beautiful today."
"We hope to work with you again soon!"
"That's a wrap people, pack up," the photographer announced.
Ru Shi came to walk Chyou and Lu He out to the car, "he's aware of what happened today. If you want to model Chyou, we can draw up a contract when we arrive."
"Do you think I should Lu He?"
"Yes, I'd love that. And you'll like the extra money, trust me."
"Okay, I'll do it. You'll help me right?"
Lu He nodded, "Ru Shi and I both will. The key is learning how to bring emotions out with just your eyes and how to move your body, while being aware of the lighting. If you have those basics, all the photographers will love you because it makes their work easier."
On arrival at Seven Cranes Entertainment, Lu He's manager met them and showed Chyou to his office. She read over the contract and so did Lu He. After he nodded that the terms of it were good, she signed it.