Chapter 2969: You Are My Fashion Darling 28

Jin Chen didn't dodge; he just let him stick close.

Black snake…

He ran through the scene in his mind, nodded, and asked, "Any rewards, Chief Chenshu?"

Jin Chen tilted his head, eyebrows slightly raised as he looked at Chenshu, lifting his hand from the armrest to hook his palm.

By Chenshu's side these days, he hadn't exhibited any stress reactions for a long time; his overall state had improved considerably, and he sometimes unconsciously clung to others.

Jin Chen, however, took it in stride—and even found it a bit enjoyable.

Chenshu's palm tingled from the teasing of Jin Chen's fingertip; he lowered his head to kiss Jin Chen's lips, then pulled back slightly, chiding, "You've got plenty of energy, no matter how much work I have to handle."

Jin Chen blinked innocently, face cold as he retorted, "Every time it's you who kisses first."

Chenshu: '……'

Chenshu helplessly raised his hand, poked Jin Chen's forehead, and said, "Sit still; let the makeup artist do your makeup."

I'll swing by later to watch you film.

Jin Chen finally let out an 'oh', taking it as agreement.

He turned back to his seat, faced the makeup artist in the mirror, and began describing the revised concept.

The makeup artist's eyes lit up, he nodded repeatedly, and immediately began preparing.

Chenshu stood to the side watching for a while, then turned and left to attend to his duties.

The styling took longer than expected, as if Jin Chen had truly walked out of the deepest jungle, a black snake cultivated to perfection—beautiful yet extremely dangerous; even the veteran makeup artist and assistants couldn't help exclaiming in awe.

Jin Chen faced the mirror, blinking expressionlessly.

The person in the mirror, aloof-eyed and cheeked with eerie scales, also blinked.

His outfit was all black, light fabric, with only a touch of bamboo leaf embroidered on the shoulder, making it strikingly conspicuous; the black snake in human form, hidden among vines, that speck of green on the shoulder was the sole splash of color.

Jin Chen picked up the prepared neckpiece beside him, put it on, turned, and walked out of the tent.

The filming spot was Jin Chen's choice—a place where vines entwined and the old tree's thick branches were covered in unknown vines.

Photographer Jake, seeing Jin Chen's look, got excited, rubbing his hands and exclaiming how awesome it was.

Behind the dense thicket not far from Jin Chen's filming spot.

Min Heng hid in the corner; his styling today was hunter-themed, his face painted with oil colors, he wore a leather vest, and held the decorative bow and arrow provided by the Program Team, but his thoughts were clearly not on the filming.

He clutched a wooden cage hastily wrapped in clothing; through the fabric one could hear a chilling hiss.

It was a black snake he had snatched before entering the jungle, taking advantage of everyone's inattention.

Min Heng's teeth clenched with a grating sound, and he looked resentfully at Jin Chen ahead.

What gives him the right to be so effortless, to win Chenshu's unreserved favor, to clear his stigma, and to keep rising?

And yet I'm like a stray dog, about to be eliminated, even the last hope shattered!

He couldn't just admit defeat! If Jin Chen runs into trouble, if he gets scared by the snake here, gets hurt, or even just makes a fool of himself… Chenshu might be disappointed in him, and the Program Team might reconsider his value! He still has a chance! Yes, just like before—as long as Jin Chen is off his game, as long as he needs help, I can regain attention.

Min Heng glanced around.

Jin Chen's photographer Jake was lowering his head to check the photos he'd just taken; a safety officer stood a bit farther away, back to them, communicating something via walkie-talkie with command.

Other contestants and staff were busy in their own areas, and no one noticed this secluded corner.

A heaven-sent opportunity.

Min Heng's heart pounded, cold sweat beading on his forehead, but he couldn't afford to worry about it now.

He lifted the clothing wrapping the snake, and with the decorative wooden stick in his hand he hoisted the startled black snake up.

The black snake, suddenly exposed to light and air, grew more terrified, its tongue flicking rapidly as it emitted a threatening hiss.

A flash of cruelty crossed Min Heng's face; he mustered all his strength, aimed at Jin Chen's direction, and hurled the wooden stick with the writhing black snake atop it straight toward Jin Chen's feet.

The black snake, shaken by the impact, grew even more panicked.

Within a few seconds, the first to notice the abnormality was photographer Jake, closest to Jin Chen.

Watch out!

Jake exclaimed instinctively; years of shooting in the wild had given him an innate wariness of snakes.

The safety officer also heard the commotion, spun around, saw Jake's terrified expression and the abnormal rustling of leaves beside Jin Chen's feet, his pupils constricting, and warned, "Watch out! There might be a snake at three o'clock!"

Staff and contestants from other areas were drawn by the sudden shout and warning, and all turned to look.

Meanwhile, Jin Chen, at the eye of the storm, had already lowered his gaze at the same moment Jake shouted, his sight falling to his feet.

The snake's cold, vertical pupils met Jin Chen's downcast, equally unwarmed peach-blossom eyes amid the dappled light and shadow.