Rebirth: The Temptation of a Supermodel

He just coming out of Louis Vuitton's flagship store in City B, Francis had a moment of daze as he looked at the various branded bags he was carrying. Ever since he got together with Colin, he often wondered if he would still choose Colin if he could start over. Freshly graduated from the Art Department of X University, he was selected to participate in a high-end brand's next season fashion show. During his career's peak, he met the then-hot emerging designer, Colin. Colin and Francis were both naturally gay. They slept together shortly after meeting. Colin claimed it was love at first sight, and with relentless pursuit involving flowers and diamond rings, Francis eventually gave in and agreed to be with him, even though it initially started as a mutual one-night stand. However, just a few months after they got together, Colin used various means to persuade Francis to quit his job. Later, if it weren't for that incident and Colin's dislike for him being in the spotlight, Francis would not have moved from the front stage to behind the scenes, working as a planner. Now, Francis's work schedule is regular and short, while Colin's studio is growing bigger and busier, leaving him with less and less time to spend with Francis. Apart from shopping, Francis either stayed home playing games or went alone to watch fashion shows. Living such a dazed life, Francis felt very disoriented and began to miss his days on the runway. Although it was tough, having to diet to maintain his figure and only sleeping a few hours a day, those days made Francis feel truly alive. Francis never imagined that his lover would be entangled with a woman at home! He knew that woman; she was Stephanie, a globally renowned model. Today, he had just returned from an exhibition in France. After the exhibition, having nothing to do alone there, he decided to end his trip early to surprise Colin, only to be shocked himself. The bedroom door was ajar, and he could hear Colin's magnetic voice and Stephanie's coquettish laughter. Francis, standing frozen outside the bedroom door, looked through the gap to see the pair who had just finished their affair, flirting in bed. He suppressed his almost explosive emotions, took out his phone from his bag, and decisively pressed the record button. Just as he was about to push the door open, he heard Stephanie, with red-painted nails, drawing circles on his lover's body and asking, "What do you think would happen if Zhiran found out?" Francis's hand stopped. He heard Colin chuckle and say contemptuously, "Haha, that man is so stupid; how could he possibly know? He really thinks I'm gay! Besides, I've grown tired of him these past few years. If he hadn't been so hard to get at first, making me use some tricks to get him, I wouldn't have stayed with him this long. I still prefer women like you. Playing with a man is just a game. Only a woman like you deserves to stand by my side." "Hmph, you're just sweet-talking me!" Stephanie glared at Colin. Colin flipped over, pressing her beneath him, and said breathlessly, "No sweet-talking! I'll tell him clearly once he's back from France. If he's sensible, I'll give him some money for old times' sake. Otherwise, he shouldn't blame me for being ruthless." "Oh, you're so bad!" Stephanie giggled. Colin raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "You love me for being bad, don't you?" "Who loves you? Shameless!" ... Standing cold at the bedroom door, listening to the sounds of the bed and their banter, Francis suddenly felt an icy chill and his mind went blank. He wanted to cry but instead laughed silently. He didn't know how he left the home he had shared with Colin for almost four years. When Francis came to his senses, he had already left, his steps heavy as lead, but he continued walking aimlessly. Watching the colorful crowds on the street, he felt increasingly lost. The world was so big, yet there was no place for him. His parents died early, and he was raised by his grandparents, who also passed away the year he was admitted to college. He sold the old house and moved alone to City A. After finally making new friends and actively facing life, he met Colin, who promised not only because of his talent and looks but also because Colin said he would treat him well for a lifetime and give him a home. And Francis believed him. Thinking back now, what a load of crap! All lies! Walking until he couldn't walk anymore, Francis looked up in a daze and saw a bar called MAX with flashing neon lights. He walked in with his bag. The bar was nearly empty and very quiet. He found a corner seat, ordered four bottles of tequila, and started drinking mechanically, one glass after another. Not knowing how much he drank, Francis began to feel dizzy, swaying and slumping over the table. At that moment, a man came over and advised, "Don't drink anymore. Whatever happened, you shouldn't torture yourself." "What do you know?!" Francis's pent-up emotions finally exploded. He looked at the three or four blurred images in front of him and started ranting incoherently, crying and laughing... Then he lost consciousness. Francis had a dream where he told himself never to be so foolish again, like a woman making a man her whole world, always following Colin's lead. Francis thought, if there were a next life, he would become the world's top model. Only work won't abandon you. The more effort you put in, the more rewards you get. To hell with love. The next day, Francis groggily opened his eyes and found the place somewhat familiar but couldn't recall where it was. Struggling to get up from the bed, he looked around the room in confusion. To his surprise, the furnishings were exactly like his grandparents' house in the small town! Could it be that Colin and Stephanie's betrayal drove him crazy, making him dream of home out of longing?