SG 60

The packaging box in his hand still felt heavy. Zhao Ke set the items down on the workbench. Without discussing specifics about how to collaborate, he asked, “Xiao Yan, have you ever considered focusing on making pottery instead of opening a shop? You can just work on the pottery, and I’ll find someone to help you run the shop.” 

“I’ve thought about it, but the shop isn’t profitable. If I hire someone else, I won’t make any money.” Yan Anqing honestly said the reason he didn’t hire anyone to help run the shop was because even if he hired someone for a half-day, after paying the staff, there wouldn’t be much left after the month’s earnings.

“If you don’t have to pay, and someone helps run the shop for you and pays you extra, and you just work on the pottery, are you willing to cooperate?” Zhao Ke finally got to the point. 

Yan Anqing looked at Chu Baiyan in disbelief and asked, “Then what do I need to do?” 

“I have a professional team that will record a video of you making pottery. You can choose to show your face or not, and you can even wear a mask. You only need to apply for a video account, which you can keep yourself, or you can give it to my team to keep. ” 

“Every video will be sent to you first, and then uploaded to the short video platform after confirmation. Your store company will send someone to help you run it, and each type of ceramic will also be listed in the account’s window, so that customers who don’t come to the store can also buy it online.” ” 

Many people like traditional Chinese crafts, and where there is traffic, there will be revenue. The company’s revenue comes from other products and advertisements listed in the window, and some soft advertisements suitable for your pottery style will be implanted. For example, if your ceramics have incense holders, the soft advertisement implanted is ancient incense sticks, which does not feel out of place.” 

“The contract is for a profit-sharing arrangement, which won’t be lower than what you’d earn from running your own shop. And as your following grows, your earnings will continue to rise. The company has a professional team to manage your marketing, so you don’t have to worry about traffic. This way, you can focus on your pottery, and the company will handle everything related to managing your shop and your online presence.” 

Zhao Ke briefly explained the terms of the partnership. He owns a media company specializing in marketing influencers. 

This time, when he asked his assistant to help Xia Zhifei arrange for someone to make the video, he discovered that Starfish Pottery perfectly met the company’s needs for talent discovery. It promoted traditional culture, and the owner had a good personal image, which sparked the idea of collaborating. 

“Here’s the person in charge’s business card. I’ve already told him. If you have any questions, feel free to ask him directly.” Zhao Ke pulled out a card and handed it to Yan Anqing. 

“Can I ask how many people are on the recording team? Will he be needed during the recording? Anqing isn’t very good with strangers and would feel uncomfortable around a large group of people.” Chu Baiyan asked a very practical question. The offer was tempting, but he was more concerned about whether Yan Anqing would accept the recording process. 

Everyone else was only interested in the money, and few paid attention to the details of the shoot. Zhao Ke offered an appreciative smile. “No need to cooperate. Just do what you normally do in front of the camera. The photographer will record everything and edit it later as needed.” 

“The pottery is all made indoors, so the two of us are enough. Besides, you can accompany him while he records. The schedule will be discussed in advance.” 

He then looked at Chu Baiyan and invited him, “You have good looks. Would you consider becoming an actor?” He also owns an entertainment company. 

Chu Baiyan immediately shook his head. “Thank you for your offer, Mr. Zhao. I’m socially anxious and can’t handle any job that requires interacting with people.” 

“That’s true. Acting requires too much personal time sacrifice.” Zhao Ke didn’t force him, picking up the box next to his workbench. “We won’t bother you anymore. Once you’ve made up your mind, contact the person on the business card directly.” 

Just after New Year’s Day, Starfish Pottery launched accounts on major short video platforms and released its first video. The man in the video didn’t show his face, but instead showcased the shop’s popular “No Berry Troubles” mug, transforming from a lump of clay into a charming mug adorned with a 3D strawberry pattern. 

The video received an enthusiastic response. Although the previous incident had passed, everyone was still struggling to find a place to support and encourage the shop owner. Finally, he had a personal account, and everyone was leaving comments under the video, expressing their love and support. 

The contract had already been signed, and Grandma agreed it was feasible. Yan Anqing didn’t like talking to people, but business requires human interaction. Being able to just make pottery and still make a profit was perfect. 

After signing the contract, the company team came to take a look. The current studio was too small for filming, and there was a risk of crowds during busy times. 

Yan Anqing and Chu Baiyan discussed it and decided to move out. The second floor would be used as a workshop, while the entire first floor would be used as the shop. This way, his pottery making wouldn’t be affected by the business below. The starfish also moved upstairs, so they wouldn’t have to worry about being disturbed. 

The company hired a professional construction team to convert the second floor into a one-bedroom, one-living room apartment. A single bed was placed in the small bedroom, perfect for Yan Anqing’s midday naps. Outside, there was a large studio with a traditional Chinese-style backdrop, making it convenient for both pottery making and filming. 

Because of the studio renovations involved, the first video was delayed. When Yan Anqing saw the sample footage, he was stunned, unable to believe it was him. With the added background music and narration, it felt like a documentary. 

Without the shop, Yan Anqing’s evenings were completely free. When Chu Baiyan had a commercial performance, he could quietly design at home, having ample time to turn his mental images into tangible objects. 

When Chu Baiyan wasn’t performing, he’d take Yan Anqing for drives, just to see the scenery. He’d take him to restaurants he’d recommended online and to see new movies. 

Yan Anqing’s sense of discovery was slowly expanding. With Chu Baiyan holding his hand tightly, he no longer felt intimidated even when walking on crowded streets. 

More often, they’d stay home, enjoying the quiet time of their own. Yan Anqing still maintained his daily routine of visiting the aquarium except Mondays. Every mermaid knew him, and whenever he stood in a designated spot, they would greet him. 

“I’ll take you somewhere tomorrow.” Before going to bed on Sunday night, Chu Baiyan passed his arms under Yan Anqing’s arms and wrapped them tightly around his chest. 

“Where are we going?” Yan Anqing had just been tossed around for a long time and was so sleepy that his eyelids were fighting. 

“You’ll know tomorrow, go to sleep.” Chu Baiyan kissed the back of his neck, and his large palms pressed against Yan Anqing’s chest, holding him tighter in his arms, so close that he could feel his heartbeat. 

The next day, when the car arrived at the destination, Yan Anqing discovered that it was a high-end constant-temperature swimming pool. 

“Shall we go swimming?” He and Chu Baiyan had been to the swimming pool a few times later, but that was in the summer. Now that it was just after the Chinese New Year, he still felt cold even with his down jacket. 

“You guessed half right.” Yan Anqing opened the car door and got out, taking out a large bag from the trunk. 

The swimming pool was in good condition, very warm inside, and even the shower room had its own door. It was just after the Chinese New Year and it was morning, so there were not many people in the pool, as if it had been reserved. Yan Anqing changed into his swimming trunks and came out. He saw Chu Baiyan standing at the door waiting for him with a very short towel tied around his waist, which barely covered his lower body. 

The two walked to the edge of the swimming pool. There was a long fish tail on the ground, and next to it was the big bag that Chu Baiyan had just carried. 

“Remember this fish tail?” Chu Baiyan asked as he stood behind him, and took the professional life jacket beside him to help Yan Anqing put it on. 

Yan Anqing nodded. This fish tail was the one on Chu Baiyan’s body on the “merman” plate, his favorite fish tail. Chu Baiyan has many fish tails, and they are not the same every time. 

“Do you want to know how I become a mermaid?” Chu Baiyan held Yan Anqing’s shoulders and asked him to turn around and face him. 

“Can you change back after?” Yan Anqing looked at the swimming pool, which was much smaller than the water area in the aquarium. He was actually a little worried about what to do if Chu Baiyan couldn’t change back?

Chu Baiyan squatted down, first flattened the fish tail that had just been placed by the pool, then took out a pair of flippers from his bag and put them in from the bottom of the fish tail at the tail fin position. Turning to explain to Yan Anqing: “Swimming in the water depends on these flippers. It’s not that your legs automatically turn into fish tails once you enter the water.” 

He lifted the fish tail with a layer of skin and took Yan Anqing’s hand, letting him touch it and feel the thickness of the fish skin. 

“Will it turn you into a fish?” Yan Anqing lifted it up, and the fish tail was quite heavy. 

Rolling it down from the waist until the flippers could be seen, Chu Baiyan sat down by the pool, took out a pair of diving socks and put them on his feet. 

“Putting on diving socks will protect your feet from being rubbed by the fins.” 

Chu Baiyan slipped his feet into the fins, then pulled the fish skin up around his ankles. He paused, almost reaching the point covered by the towel. “You can’t wear swim trunks under the fish skin. It’s too thin and tight, and your underwear will show through, which isn’t flattering.” 

He then lay down flat on his back, untying the towel and draping it over his lower abdomen to minimize exposure. He then pulled the fish skin up from under the towel and removed the towel from around his waist. The fish tail fit perfectly between his hips. 

“Do you see?” Chu Baiyan lay on the ground, looking at Yan Anqing. 

Yan Anqing, witnessing the entire process, still found it fascinating. Having spent so much time together, he’d mostly known Chu Baiyan was human. But subconsciously, he worried that Chu Baiyan would one day transform into a mermaid and swim back into the sea, never to be seen again and that everything that had happened between them was just a fantasy. 

Now he knew Chu Baiyan wouldn’t return to the sea, and that he could transform into a “mermaid” just for him. 

“Come here, come closer to me.” 

When Yan Anqing walked to him and squatted, Chu Baiyan took his hand and pressed it on the belly of the fish: “Did you touch it? Does it count as fulfilling your wish?” 

Yan Anqing touched it from top to bottom without any hesitation, and pinched it through the fish skin, and his wrist was grabbed by Chu Baiyan. 

“Put on the wig in the bag for me.” Chu Baiyan sat up. 

Taking out the long silver hair from the bag beside him, Yan Anqing helped him put it on his head, just like the first time he saw him in the water. The difference was that Chu Baiyan was so close to him today that he could hear his breathing and heartbeat, and touch every part of his skin. 

Turning over and jumping into the water, Chu Baiyan swam back and forth in the pool. At such a close distance, Yan Anqing could clearly see every movement of Chu Baiyan in the water. The heavy fish tail seemed to be attached to his body, swinging freely. This was the “mermaid” that really existed in his life. 

“Come down.” Chu Baiyan swam back to his side and poked his head out of the water. 

Yan Anqing went down the little steps. The swimming pool was deep, but there was a life jacket to help him float on the water. 

“Now that you know I can’t become a real mermaid, do you still love me?” 

“Yes.” Yan Anqing answered without thinking. He loved Chu Baiyan, no matter if he was a human or a mermaid, a mermaid that could turn into a human, or a human that could turn into a mermaid, he loved them all. 

“Give me your left hand.” 

Chu Baiyan took out a ring from somewhere and put it on Yan Anqing’s ring finger. 

“I love you.” Chu Baiyan held his arm, leaned over and kissed the lips of the man who was still in a daze. 

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Baby.” 

Yan Anqing raised his left hand and looked at the ring that sparkled in the light. From this moment on, his “mermaid” belonged to him alone. 

End