134. Qixi Valentine's Day
That night, when Qin Yang came to pick He Jin up from work, he immediately told him the news.
"I haven't agreed yet. I said I'd think about it." Qin Yang held the steering wheel and turned it gently. There was a hint of pride in his tone, especially when it came to the payment. He beamed with joy. "The endorsement fee is six million a year, and ten million for two years. Before tax, it's said to be enough to become an A-list celebrity. I won't be filmed more than three times. They saw me hesitate, so they said I could raise my request with them."
Six million …!
He Jin was so surprised that he couldn't close his mouth. He found an internship with a monthly salary of less than four thousand after tax. Even if he signed a good contract in the first year after graduation, it was said that the annual salary would start at a hundred thousand. On the other hand, Qin Yang casually did a live broadcast and easily earned two hundred thousand a month. The endorsement fee he just heard was even more outrageous … six million. What kind of magnitude was that?
He Jin thought he could slowly reach the same level as Qin Yang through his own efforts, but now he couldn't help but sigh. People like Qin Yang, who were favored by the god of fate, couldn't be compared at all. They could only be looked up to.
"What do you think?" Qin Yang tilted his head and looked at him. His handsome features looked especially spirited under the streetlights outside the window.
Although Qin Yang was asking for He Jin's opinion, his thoughts and decision were completely shown on his face. He was tempted and he wanted to do it.
What could He Jin say? Oppose? Pour cold water on him? No way.
Indeed, He Jin was afraid that Qin Yang would be exposed. If that happened, he would definitely be implicated. The rumors and slanders in school were a good example. Huaxia University's environment was still relatively academic. After they moved out, the groundless gossip would dissipate within a month. But once the news spread to the entire country, what would he do if the netizens found out about them?
But on second thought, which young man in their twenties didn't have a desire for money and fame? With such a great opportunity in front of Qin Yang, He Jin didn't want him to give up because of his timidity. That would make He Jin feel that he was too selfish.
Qin Yang saw He Jin deep in thought and asked, "Are you worried that I'll be in trouble if I'm exposed? Actually, I've thought about this before. I used to think it was troublesome, but now I don't think so. There are so many successful people in the world. They appear on TV and on magazine covers. Aren't they also living well in this world? In fact, only by climbing to the top of society can we live the life we want. "
Qin Yang's words revealed his strong ambition for his future. He wanted to climb up and become a successful person. There was no reason for He Jin to be a stumbling block on his path.
"If you want to do it … just do it." He Jin smiled at Qin Yang against his will and said this with some difficulty.
As expected, Qin Yang was very happy. He held the steering wheel with one hand and reached out with the other to hold He Jin's palm. "Baby, trust me."
He Jin looked out of the window, his ears red. "Don't be so mushy."
Looking at the lights and traffic outside the window, He Jin felt inexplicably worried. On the surface, this seemed like a good thing, but it made He Jin feel that the peaceful life he had previously thought was just an illusion to deceive himself and others.
"Oh, right." Qin Yang drove for a while and said, "I'm going home this weekend. Do you want to go back with me?"
He Jin was stunned. "To your house?"
"Yes, I haven't been back in a long time. It's my sister's birthday this weekend. Auntie Jiang called me and wanted me to go back for a meal." Qin Yang glanced at him. "I said that I'm renting a house with you. Auntie Jiang asked me to bring you along."
He Jin thought of that kind and gentle woman, nodded, and said, "Okay."
On the weekend, He Jin casually put on clean casual clothes and went out with Qin Yang. He thought that he was only going to have a meal with Qin Yang's stepmother and siblings, so he only bought an exquisite cake for his sister as a gift. He didn't prepare anything else. However, when he arrived at Qin Yang's house that day, he found that Qin Yang's father was also there!
At the beginning of the year, he stayed at Qin Yang's house for a few nights. At that time, Qin Yang's father was busy with work, and He Jin went out to work during the day. He didn't see him, so this was the first time he saw him.
He Jin immediately became nervous. He felt that he wasn't dressed formally enough and hadn't brought any other gifts. It was especially rude.
Qin Yang quietly teased him. "Why are you so nervous? An ugly daughter-in-law has to meet her parents-in-law. Besides, you're not ugly."
He Jin was speechless. When he thought of his relationship with Qin Yang, he was so nervous that he didn't know where to put his hands and feet.
Qin Yang didn't look much like his father. His father was a little shorter, a little chubby, and his facial features were a little rough. He looked very young, about forty years old, and he had the temperament of a typical businessman.
Qin Yang pulled He Jin in front of his father and said bluntly, "Dad, this is He Jin, my boyfriend."
He Jin: "…!!!"
These words had a huge impact on He Jin. He was so scared that his face turned pale, and he was instantly ashamed. He wanted to hide things with all his might, but Qin Yang could always say it without any scruples. He was fearless.
"Oh, when you were seventeen, you stole my bottle of whiskey and got drunk. Was it for this child?" Qin Yang's father carefully sized He Jin up with a faint smile. He Jin found Qin Yang's shadow in the curve of his lips. The other party's gaze wasn't repulsive, but it made He Jin feel a little embarrassed.
"Yes." Qin Yang's tone didn't seem to care.
His father simply asked He Jin a few questions, such as where he was from and what his major was. Halfway through, he was interrupted by Qin Yang's gruff voice. "Don't ask. He's just here for dinner today."
Auntie Jiang chimed in from the side. "That's right. It's rare for Little He to come here. You shouldn't ask too much. It'll make people uncomfortable."
He Jin helplessly tried to smooth things over. "It's fine, it's fine." He wasn't afraid of chatting with the elders. He just felt that it was too strange to be looked at as if he was his future wife.
Qin Yang's father didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He grumbled, "I really don't know who's the biological one!"
The family sat around eating, lighting candles, singing birthday songs to the birthday boy, and giving him presents. It was bustling, and the atmosphere was so good that it made people envious.
He Jin didn't know why he thought of Tolstoy's words. "All happy families are the same. Every unhappy family has its own misfortune."
He hadn't contacted his family for half a year, so he didn't know how his parents were doing. His parents' phone numbers had long been unblocked by He Jin. There were a few times when he wanted to secretly call his father to ask how they were doing. However, he couldn't muster the courage to do so. He Jin was also very upset. Did they not care about his situation at all?
After dinner, Auntie Jiang brewed tea for everyone. Qin Yang's father went to the study to smoke. While Qin Yang was being pestered by his brother, he couldn't help but secretly wave at He Jin out of curiosity. He called him into the study. "Little He, don't be nervous. Uncle just wants to have a quick chat with you."
How could He Jin not be nervous? He didn't know what the other party wanted to talk about, so he said respectfully, "Uncle, please go ahead."
Father Qin slowly took a puff of his cigarette and suddenly said, "I've been observing the two of you for a long time. I feel that you're more mature than Yang Yang." He Jin was stunned. He heard the other party ask, "You're one year older than him, right?"
"Yes, I'm one year older than him," He Jin said.
Father Qin laughed. "That child is more hot-tempered than you. He's also very impulsive."
He Jin: "…"
Father Qin puffed out a cloud of smoke and said, "This kid has been like this since he was young. He's used to indulging himself and hasn't suffered much … It's just that his mother passed away early when he was young. My career was just starting, so I didn't pay much attention to him. At that time, he was very rebellious. He always talked back to me and scolded me. I was very worried that he would go down the wrong path." The man sighed and smiled at He Jin. "But I didn't expect him to be so motivated. After he graduated from junior high, he always made his own decisions. I heard that he made a lot of money playing some game. Now, I don't have to worry about him anymore."
He Jin listened attentively to catch the key points in the man's words.
"He told me that he didn't become what he is today because of me, but because of a friend he met in the game, his first love." Father Qin snickered, as if recalling the scene of Qin Yang saying this with an innocent and stubborn face. Then he looked up and sized He Jin up. "He's talking about you, right?"
He Jin lowered his eyes shyly and softly said, "Yes."
"You don't have to be embarrassed. I won't oppose you two. As a father, I definitely want my child to be happy. Other than the family, I couldn't give Qin Yang the best. Everything else has been smooth sailing for him, and he hasn't encountered any setbacks, including his relationship problems, which I'm most pessimistic about … He said a long time ago that he wanted to wait for you, find you, and be with you. I always thought he was too naive and even laughed at him. I didn't expect him to really do it. Now that I see him so happy, I'm also very happy …" At this point, the man suddenly changed the topic and said, "There's just one thing I need to ask of you."
He Jin hurriedly said, "What is it, Uncle?"
Father Qin: "You're still young. You'll definitely encounter a lot of problems in the future. Qin Yang isn't as steady as you, and he's also arrogant. When you're with him, give him some pointers and give him some direction …"
At this moment, someone knocked hard on the study door. Qin Yang's voice came from outside. "Dad! What are you doing in there with He Jin? "
Father Qin was stunned for a moment before he smiled again. "Look, I just said a few words to you, and he's anxious again … Alright, you can leave." The man casually took a business card from the mahogany desk and stuffed it into He Jin's hands. "If you have any difficulties in life, you can look for me."
He Jin thanked him and was about to turn around when Qin Yang's father stopped him and called his full name. "He Jin …" He paused and said, "Don't hurt his heart." In an instant, the sharpness in the man's eyes made He Jin nod subconsciously.
Qin Yang rushed in impatiently and aggressively, as if he was afraid that his father would bully He Jin.
"What did my dad say to you?" After the two of them left, Qin Yang tugged at him and asked.
"Nothing much." He Jin pretended to be relaxed and joked with him. "Your dad said you're childish and told you to listen to me more."
Qin Yang: "…"
He Jin raised one of his eyebrows and asked, "Hey, why did you steal whiskey when you were seventeen?"
He calculated that Qin Yang was seventeen about five or six years ago. At that time, the two of them had lost contact for two or three years. Why would Qin Yang's father say that Qin Yang did it for him?
Qin Yang's face turned red and he coughed lightly. "It's nothing, just a dark history."
He Jin: "…"
At the beginning of August, the entire city of A City was in a scorching hot atmosphere. Qin Yang signed a contract with the game company and soon participated in the endorsement promotional video and photo shoot. The shooting didn't take long. Qin Yang was there for two or three days. From the shooting to the post-production to the release of the promotional video, it only took half a month. However, almost overnight, the promotional video of Gods and Demons swept across the city. Even the electronic advertisements in the subway stations had a cool short video of Qin Yang cosplaying in the game!
He Jin was on tenterhooks for a few days, but Qin Yang acted as if nothing had happened. During the day, he played games and watched competitions. Occasionally, he worked on mechanical models. At night, he even found time to cook for He Jin.
On the day of the Chinese Valentine's Day, He Jin was having lunch in the company's cafeteria when he saw a few female colleagues at the next table talking about Gods and Demons.
"Hey, have you seen a game advertisement recently? It's very popular! "
"I can see it on the way to work every day. It's so cool. I want to buy a helmet to play games …"
"I'm concerned about the little fresh meat in the advertisement. He seems to be a new face. He looks very handsome."
"I heard that he's the best 2D idol in that game?"
"I'm behind the times. I don't know what's popular among young people these days. I have a fifteen-year-old niece who is obsessed with this person. The day before yesterday, she went to my sister's house to eat. She saw her looking at the poster and calling him a god …"
He Jin listened attentively. When he saw that they didn't talk about him, he was greatly relieved. Perhaps he was overthinking. Everyone's focus was on the game.
At this moment, his eyes suddenly darkened. A figure blocked in front of him. "He Jin, is there anyone here?" It was a young girl from the accounting department. She was also an intern.
"No one. Have a seat," He Jin said politely.
The girl sat down with a tray and chatted with him enthusiastically. She even shyly asked if he was free after work and asked him to watch a movie with her.
On such a day, the meaning of the girl's words was self-evident. He Jin rejected her. "Sorry, I have a date with … my girlfriend tonight."
He wasn't lying. Qin Yang had already asked him to watch a movie. He just changed the word 'boyfriend' to 'girlfriend'.
The girl said awkwardly, "You have a girlfriend … Why … Why haven't I heard you mention it before?"
He Jin smiled bitterly. He couldn't bear to see the girl's disappointed look. He found a perfunctory excuse. Sometimes, he thought that if he were a girl and had a boyfriend like Qin Yang, he wouldn't need to hide it. He would probably be overjoyed, right?
After work, He Jin went to the parking lot 500 meters away from the company to wait for Qin Yang. To avoid the gossip of colleagues, the two of them specially booked this pick-up point that was completely opposite from the subway station. However, He Jin actually met Manager Qu in the parking lot that night.
"Little He?" Manager Qu was very surprised. "Did you drive here?"
He Jin waved his hand. "No, I'm waiting for someone!"
As he said that, Qin Yang's car appeared. The sapphire blue figure slid to He Jin's side in the night. The street lights at the side of the parking lot seemed to be controlled by remote control. They coincidentally lit up at that moment, illuminating the handsome young man in the driver's seat and the box of intricate roses that was half the height of a person in the passenger seat.
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