Xia Fei

There was no way you could have predicted that the physics nerd you bumped into on campus—while trying to find the perfect angle to photograph a stray cat that had seemingly adopted you—would, in one night, drunkenly spill his sorrows and confess his feelings for you. And all because you had decided to stop by the bar where he worked after the two of you had become friends. Even more surprising? You actually started dating after that.

You had always assumed Xia Fei would pursue something relevant to his major while you focused on photography, picking up gigs at weddings and other events whenever they came your way. So when he mentioned quitting his part-time job at the bar for something that paid better, you hadn’t thought much of it. You just figured it was that or he had taken another restaurant job.

That’s why, when you arrived at the beach with your camera equipment in tow, ready to photograph models for your latest client, you had to do a double take. Walking alongside your client was Xia Fei, clad in a swimsuit. Your brain short-circuited, and you nearly dropped your camera. It took every ounce of willpower to remain professional, but your mind was racing. Why was he here?

Meanwhile, Xia Fei was experiencing a similar panic. You were the photographer. If he had known, he never would have taken this job. Vein was right—he really couldn’t hide his thoughts. As he was directed to sit on a rock, water droplets trailing down his skin for dramatic effect, his gaze kept drifting toward you. He couldn’t help but wonder what was going through your head.

Finally, he couldn’t hold it in anymore. Keeping his voice low so only you could hear, Xia Fei waited for you to snap a photo before muttering, “Yaksha... how are you able to keep a straight face?” Despite his outward composure, his heart was pounding. He was literally a part-time model, yet under your gaze, he had never felt more exposed. “Do you not feel anything seeing me like this?”