Chapter 193

The man finished a big bowl of noodles, casually wiped his mouth and said, "My name is Yu Liang, that'll do—let's begin!"

Yu Liang finished speaking, picked up his camera and walked out.

Though he looked scruffy-bearded, he kept the camera in his pocket well protected, wiping it spotless without a speck of dust.

If Su Ruo wasn't mistaken, this camera should be the latest model now.

Su Ruo followed Yu Liang to beside the park; the lake surface rippled, and the green willow branches swayed in the wind.

Yu Liang chose a place with clear mountains and clean water, very suitable for photos; he didn't have Su Ruo deliberately pose, nor did he, like other photographers, ask her to smile.

Instead, he told Su Ruo, "Relax, don't think about the photo shoot—just treat it as an outing for fun and do whatever you like."

Su Ruo had never seen such a photo-taking method before; she found it novel and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Having been reborn, Su Ruo's nature was accustomed to being cool and aloof; if forced to fake a smile she really couldn't manage.

Following Yu Liang's words, Su Ruo gazed at the lake before her, unconsciously relaxing a bit; she deliberately ignored Yu Liang's presence, keeping her body relaxed.

After walking around the lake, Su Ruo had nothing to do, so she simply took out a book from her bag and started reading.

Whenever she started reading, Su Ruo would become completely absorbed; thus, without realizing it, evening arrived, and she rubbed her sore neck before remembering she had come today for a photo shoot.

At the moment Su Ruo lifted her gaze, the photographer pressed the shutter, freezing her in the sunset as the final frame.

At this moment Yu Liang's whole heart was excited; for so many years Su Ruo had been his perfect model. He excitedly walked up to her, tossed out, "Come pick up the photos tomorrow," then left without looking back.

From his hurried figure, Su Ruo could see his excitement and urgency.

Su Ruo rose from the bench, stretched, loosened her bones, then headed home.

How good Yu Liang's ability truly is will be revealed tomorrow.

When Su Ruo returned to the siheyuan, Li Zhaodi had already prepared dinner; the madam asked her, "How did the photographer you found turn out?"

Su Ruo mysteriously blinked at her and said, "You'll find out tomorrow!"

Although she hadn't seen the final photos yet, Su Ruo had confidence in Yu Liang.

The next morning, the madam, Li Zhaodi, and Bai Xinya, the three of them couldn't wait to follow Su Ruo to see the photographer she had picked after several days of careful selection.

They came eagerly, but upon arriving at the photo studio they hesitated, pointing at this dilapidated place that could be called a dangerous building, they asked Su Ruo, "The person you're looking for is in here."

The madam's face showed utter disgust, as if stepping inside would dirty her body.

Just then, Yu Liang rushed out from inside; upon seeing Su Ruo, his eyes instantly brightened a bit.

But at this moment, with two huge dark circles under his eyes, his hair a mess, clearly having not slept all night, Yu Liang looked even more disheveled than yesterday, more like a vagrant.

The madam and Bai Xinya, upon seeing him, instinctively stepped back two paces.

But Yu Liang didn't look at them; he walked up to Su Ruo, holding the photo in his hand, and said excitedly, "This is the most satisfying photo I've taken in all these years."

Su Ruo took the photo from Yu Liang's hand; at the moment she saw the result, even she couldn't help but be startled.

The girl in the photo wore a white dress, her long hair draped over her shoulders, standing amidst clear waters and green mountains, beautiful as a painting.

There was no forced smile or posed stance; everything was naturally and harmoniously beautiful.

Su Ruo's already outstanding beauty was captured by Yu Liang as even more exquisite—like a ten out of ten turned into twelve.

There were also photos of Su Ruo strolling in the sunlight, Su Ruo reading at sunset… each one could be called a classic.

Su Ruo thought she was already calm enough, but seeing these photos her emotions still couldn't be contained and she felt excited.

Su Ruo never expected that she still had these youthful, vibrant moments captured; keeping these photos to look at in old age would surely be meaningful!

At this moment, Li Zhaodi and Bai Xinya were also shocked.

They never imagined that this man, who looked scruffy-bearded and disheveled like a vagrant, would have such superb photography skills.

Their love-of-beauty DNA instantly kicked in; they wished they could immediately have Yu Liang take a set of photos for them too.

Bai Xinya even decided she wanted Yu Liang to take a family portrait for them together.

Fortunately, although they were excited, they hadn't forgotten the purpose of their visit.

Su Ruo had asked for ten photos yesterday, but Yu Liang gave her over twenty; after looking at them, Su Ruo was satisfied with every one.

Although Yu Liang said he would give the photos for free, Su Ruo still paid him, because Yu Liang was so poor he couldn't even afford a meal, and Su Ruo didn't want to take advantage of him.

After Su Ruo paid, she then told Yu Liang her purpose; Yu Liang looked at the madam standing at the doorway, unwilling to come in, and his brows furrowed so tightly they could pinch a fly.

But upon seeing Su Ruo hand over a hundred yuan deposit, he immediately broke into a grin and accepted the money.

"These are just the deposit; if the final results are good, we'll pay the rest, and if the results are good, we can have a long-term cooperation."

Upon hearing Su Ruo's words, Yu Liang's eyes instantly brightened further; as long as his photos satisfied the other party, it was tantamount to finding a long-term meal ticket.

And it was a long-term meal ticket that was generous in spending.

Yu Liang had also been proud before, believing art and dreams were above all; but when life fell into a low ebb, penniless to the point of drinking northwest wind, he felt talking about ideals and art was pure nonsense.

Perhaps one day he will continue to uphold his ideals, but the precondition is that the money in his hands can let him eat his fill, stay warm, and survive.

Yu Liang without hesitation accepted Su Ruo's business.

But the madam, because of her mysophobia, would in no way let Yu Liang come near.

Yu Liang also has a temper; if it weren't for the money, he'd likely have thrown in the towel already.

In the end, Su Ruo and Bai Xinya could only first take Yu Liang to a clothing store and buy two outfits.

After Yu Liang finished washing up and changed clothes, he underwent a complete transformation; his deep eyes and his bearing now had quite an artist's air.

Only then did the madam nod in satisfaction.

Yu Liang was angry enough to blow his beard and stare, but thinking he had gotten two outfits for free, he swallowed his anger.

The group set out for the clothing company, selecting all the autumn new arrivals that fit the madam's size, putting together a full set.

Bai Xinya also specially matched each outfit with accessories and shoes.

The madam was already beautiful; after this styling, she became even more stunning to everyone.

After discussion, Su Ruo and the others finally chose the Forbidden City as the shooting location, because Xia Hua's clothes already leaned toward traditional Chinese style; shooting in the Forbidden City would better add a classical, solemn beauty for the madam.