Chapter 99 - Runway

There were no words to describe how passionate, raw, and aching the following days had been. Long Mei was afraid that Jin Qing would have claimed it to be a one-time thing. How wrong she had been. 

Jin Qing was cautious around her at first, but then by nightfall, he'd reach for her or she'd attack him, and they'd be in a flurry of moans and wrinkled bed sheets. 

They had not talked about their relationship status, and Long Mei was unsure if either of them were ready to do so, so neither brought it up. 

Long Mei had to appear on a runway that afternoon, but she ran late after having a quickie with Jin Qing in the bathroom. Afterward, he dropped her off like nothing happened and she blew him a kiss as ran backstage. 

"You're late," Luo Nuying said to her with a knowing smile. 

"Sorry," Long Mei breathed. "I slept in." 

Luo Nuying smirked. "Uh-huh." The silver-haired woman turned around to head for her wardrobe change, not believing her for a moment. Long Mei smiled as she followed Luo Nuying.

It took them three hours to prepare their hair, makeup, and runway outfits. 

Long Mei could hear guests arriving and filling the seats, and she wondered if Jin Qing had come. Luo Nuying peaked from backstage and saw Jin Qing with Nikolai, but the Long twins were on the other side of Jin Qing. Her eyes widened as she reared back. 

"Ken and Kun are here," she said breathlessly. 

"Really?" Long Mei questioned. "My brothers are here to support me? That's so sweet." 

Luo Nuying ran back to her seat as she spoke to the stylist, "I need to look my absolute best. This isn't just about the runway." 

Long Mei chuckled. "You're wasting your time trying to make an impression on Kun if that's what you are planning." 

Luo Nuying flushed. "Not at all." 

Long Mei rolled her eyes, not believing her friend for one moment. She thought Luo Nuying was wasting her time. Chasing a man like her brother was no easy feat. All of her siblings were like that. But even Shao Lin was able to penetrate the walls of Long Yat-sen, and he was the most formidable. Perhaps Long Kun would find it in himself to take a chance on Luo Nuying. That is if he lets himself. 

When Long Mei finished getting ready, she was the first to walk the runway. She kept her head high, her walk classy and natural. 

Her twin brothers howled and cheered, embarrassing her while Jin Qing watched her with an expression filled with pride and warmth. 

Luo Nuying had been the last to walk down the stage. Many eyes had followed the previous models before, but she caught the attention of all. Her presence was a fantasy—she was a beauty that many people desired or envied. She walked with her chin held high, her hands at her waist, and her hips swayed slightly. 

Long Kun paid attention to her, watching her with an intense gaze, and their eyes met as Luo Nuying walked on. Long Mei grinned. Perhaps she had been wrong to underestimate Luo Nuying. 

When the show ended, she and Luo Nuying had met up with her friends.

She found Jin Qing, who held flowers in his hand. She smiled, rushing to him, and he caught her with wide arms, embracing her tight. 

"Thank you for coming," she said, her grin wide.

"You were amazing," he told her, his eyes warm.

Long Ken looked at them, not sure whether to be displeased or not, but his gaze went back to his twin as Luo Nuying approached them. Long Mei let her brother think this was a public act between them, but she knew this was not. 

"What do you think of the show?" Luo Nuying asked the twins. 

Long Kun ignored her, but Long Ken answered, "I don't remember. I wasn't paying attention until I saw my sister. The rest was a bore." 

Luo Nuying sneered at him. "Always like you to be so charming, Ken." 

He grinned wide. "It's who I am."

She then turned to face his twin. "Mr. Long Kun, what did you think?"

He regarded her then. "Who are you?"

Ice nearly froze over Luo Nuying, and she nearly shattered in pieces. Ouch. She mustered a polite grin. "Sorry. I am Luo Nuying. We met at the café the other day when I was with your sister?"

Long Kun thought about it. "Ah, yes. I think I remember now. As for your show, just like my brother said, I was not paying attention too."

Luo Nuying's grin reached her eyes. "I beg to differ." 

Long Kun raised a brow. "Oh?"

"I looked at your seats. Ken was one second away from falling asleep, but you were there, watching me." 

Long Kun narrowed his eyes at her. "You think highly of yourself, Miss Luo." 

She beamed. "Why wouldn't I? I know you are not blind." 

Long Kun shook his head, trying to hide a smile. He was going to hit her back with witty words but Luo Nuying had already walked away from him. 

Long Ken looked toward his brother. "You could not have just asked her out on a date?"

"Why would I?" he countered.

Long Ken widened his eyes. "You can't be that ignorant?" 

Long Kun exhaled a breath. "Miss Luo seems like a nice woman but not special enough to tempt me." 

Long Ken rolled his eyes. "Keep telling yourself that, brother." 

Long Kun then walked away from him to compliment their sister. "You were great out there, Mei," he said. 

"I'm glad you came," she responded.

"Yat-sen and Xia wanted to be here too, but they were caught up with some things they needed to deal with." 

"I understand," Long Mei responded. The show was not a big deal either, so she did not expect her siblings to come, let alone her brothers. But she was happy nonetheless. "Will you join us later for a little soirée later?" 

The twins exchanged a glance before looking back at her and saying, "We will go." 

Long Mei was still amazed that the twins did not have to say a word to each other to reach a mutual agreement.