"Oh, I just raise some cattle, fish, that kind of thing."
Looking at the delicate face in front of him, with just a hint of foxy charm, Jiang Hai was clearly not very interested. Part of it was because of Pra Walton, and part because Selena Gomez was here. But mostly, Jiang Hai simply wasn't into these types of models.
"Uh, I see… okay."
Hearing his cool response, Kendall Jenner couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
She could tell Jiang Hai wasn't interested, so after exchanging a quick glance with Gigi Hadid, who was standing nearby, she turned and left. In the distance, Taylor Swift and the others, who had been observing the interaction, looked dissatisfied.
"What's wrong with this guy? Kendall's great! How can he not be into women?"
Taylor Swift frowned, her pale face offset by her bright red lips.
"Alright, forget it. Let's mind our own business. I've already got my man for the night."
Selena Gomez shot her a look, clearly annoyed. She was growing more and more irritated with Taylor.
With that, she turned her back on Taylor Swift and Ellie Goulding and walked straight toward Jiang Hai.
"What should we do now?"
Ellie Goulding looked at Selena's resolute figure and sighed, concern in her eyes. "I really don't want to see her get hurt again."
"We need to come up with a plan…"
Taylor Swift narrowed her eyes, watching Jiang Hai stand up in the distance.
"Ah, you're back. This beer tastes kind of weird though…"
Ignoring Taylor and Ellie, Jiang Hai gave Selena a grin, pointing at the bottle in his hand.
"This one's from the Netherlands—it's called Desperado. Strong stuff. It's mixed with tequila, so it's got a sweet aftertaste. If you're not used to it, it'll feel strange."
Selena laughed as she explained.
"Really?"
Jiang Hai raised the bottle, glancing at the English label, still a little puzzled.
"Come on, I'll introduce you to my friends. All gorgeous, I promise."
Selena laughed again, patting his shoulder and leading him over to the lively crowd nearby.
As they approached, several women turned to look. Even if they didn't know who Jiang Hai was exactly, word about him had already spread through the modeling world. They had heard the name—even if they didn't show it when he arrived. Now that he was coming over, smiles started to appear.
"There'll be 42 models tomorrow: 15 Angels and 27 top-tier models. Not all of them are here—your fellow countrywomen Xi and He, for example, aren't. But we've still got quite a lineup. This is Adria Lima—she's from Brazil."
Selena didn't seem fazed by the attention and casually began introductions.
Adria Lima was first. One of the most famous models in the world, she had earned $6 million in 2013 alone—third on the global list that year.
Why introduce her first? Because the Victoria's Secret stage practically belonged to her. Born in 1981, she held the longest contract with the brand. At 1.78 meters tall, she didn't fit the usual South American stereotype—tall, slightly bronzed, and elegantly built, with long legs rare even among her peers, and wavy brown-black hair. She was stunning.
When she stood to shake Jiang Hai's hand, she applied subtle pressure—just enough to feel slightly uncomfortable. Jiang Hai wasn't the type to flirt easily, though, so he politely withdrew his hand after a moment and smiled.
"This is Alessandra Ambrosio, also from Brazil," Selena continued, introducing the woman beside Adria.
Ambrosio was more reserved. She simply shook hands, smiled, and stepped back. Unlike Lima—divorced just last year—Ambrosio was married to a wealthy businessman. She wasn't lacking anything and had no special interest in Jiang Hai.
Then came the rest:
"Behati Prinsloo, Candice Swanepoel, Attacker Aldridge, Elsa Hosk, Martha Hunt…"
Jiang Hai greeted them all politely.
Their looks? Objectively stunning by Western standards. Their bodies, especially, were incredible—long legs, toned waists, confidence in their posture. Despite the snow outside, they wore light, revealing outfits in the private box, seemingly unaffected.
They didn't mind being admired. But tonight, Jiang Hai was uncharacteristically gentlemanly. He didn't stare. His calm demeanor and measured smile made Selena Gomez feel quite pleased.
After the round of introductions, Jiang Hai returned to his seat and kept drinking, with Selena never leaving his side.
Around 11 p.m., the gathering began to disperse in preparation for the next day's show. Jiang Hai left with Selena Gomez—who was now wearing his very rustic, very uncool jacket.
But to her, it didn't matter. Because it was Jiang Hai's.
Outside, they took a car arranged by the club. Jiang Hai was planning to check into a hotel, but to his surprise, Selena told the driver to take them to her home instead.
Once they arrived, Selena pulled him straight into her villa. As soon as the door closed, she pushed him against it, her face closing in.
Jiang Hai understood exactly what she meant.
He cupped her cheeks and kissed her lips.
After a long, lingering kiss, they pulled apart. Selena smiled.
"You were really good tonight. Not like the Jiang Hai I know. All those white busts and legs—and you felt nothing?"
"Of course I did. But you were with me. And I knew if I held out, you'd reward me."
He smiled, leaning close to whisper.
Selena laughed, tugged at his clothes, and led him into the next room…
There's no need to elaborate further. Though Jiang Hai was still in his so-called "semi-saint" mode, he was, after all, a young man.
He may not have offered spiritual energy, but handling Selena Gomez physically was no problem at all.
They stayed busy until around 2 a.m., then fell asleep in each other's arms. By the time they woke up the next day, it was already noon. They ate brunch together before Selena went to the event venue.
Jiang Hai, meanwhile, strolled around New York before heading over as well. Unlike the celebrities walking the red carpet, he entered early. His seat was up front, arranged by Selena, but he wasn't there for the limelight.
He sat quietly, observing unfamiliar stars arriving. A Black man took the seat next to him. Jiang Hai didn't recognize him, but nodded politely when greeted.
Then Taylor Swift arrived.
As a five-time Grammy winner, she drew attention wherever she went. After signing autographs outside, she walked into the venue and, spotting Jiang Hai, made a beeline for him.
She looked at the Black man seated beside him.
"Hey, Jay-Z. Where's your wife? It's not right for you to be watching this alone…"
She smirked playfully.
Jay-Z looked visibly uncomfortable. "I said I took time off to come watch. Don't know if you believe it."
"Whatever. But I need to swap seats with you—mine's over there."
Taylor gestured, and Jay-Z sighed.
Clearly, this was a setup. He didn't know who Jiang Hai was, but he knew it couldn't end well.
Jay-Z moved to her seat. Taylor took the one next to Jiang Hai.
He didn't react—he only knew she was Selena's friend. But the audience behind them began whispering excitedly.
"Hey, you remember me!"
Taylor leaned over and said softly.
"Yeah. You're Selena's friend. Though you two don't seem to get along very well."
Jiang Hai's blunt reply made Taylor puff up her cheeks in irritation.
"Listen—I know about you and Pra Walton, you scumbag. I won't let you be with Selena."
Her voice was low, but firm.
"Haha, is that so? Thanks for the hard work."
Jiang Hai chuckled. Now he understood. This woman had it out for him because of Selena.
But she was free to try.
Though... his relationship with Selena might not be what she thought either.
"You—!"
Taylor seethed but held back. She was a public figure, after all.
She sat down again, glaring daggers at him.
"Let's just enjoy the show. It's starting. And by the way, glaring at me won't cost me a thing."
Jiang Hai touched his nose, shrugged, and turned toward the stage.
Taylor must've heard him—but perhaps it was the realization that this would be televised that made her suppress her anger.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed. A soft glow outlined the stage, flashing across the checkered floor. Blue light turned red, then sparked into gold.
The first model appeared.
(To be continued…)