Chapter 23: Progress

After lunch, Li Yan tidied up the newly purchased sports equipment, carried the bag containing the Leica Q2 camera, and went out to the cultural and creative park.

On the way, the taxi traveled steadily through the city, and the afternoon sunlight spilled onto Li Yan's side profile through the car window.

His mindset was composed; the Subject Two exam tomorrow was just a formality for him. He had practiced driving to a considerable level, and the instructor had nodded at him repeatedly, so naturally, he wasn't panicked.

Getting the shooting done in advance today meant he wouldn't have to be distracted tomorrow, killing two birds with one stone.

Thinking of seeing Gangan in a moment, a faint smile appeared at the corners of his mouth unconsciously.

Gangan, a big internet celebrity with over 2 million fans in Luzhong City, could be considered a force not to be underestimated in the local new media field.

Her account's main content was the production and display of Liuli crafts; in the videos, she was always smiling sweetly, dressed freshly yet with a touch of sexy elements, showing the unique beauty of traditional crafts.

For many viewers, such a combination was novel and worth watching.

Internet celebrities like Gangan naturally didn't lack pursuers.

Those who wanted to get close to her, from local rich second generations to wealthy bosses, to various fan "lickers," were numerous.

Gangan had received many gifts, invitations, and even blunt expressions of favor, but she rarely took anyone to heart.

It wasn't that she was aloof, but that she could distinguish between the virtual and the real.

In the internet age, enthusiasm and praise often remained on the surface and didn't equate to real attraction.

Li Yan was an exception.

The two first met at a publicity event for an ancient village; Li Yan's classmate's father was the director of the ancient village in the neighboring district and wanted to use Gangan's influence to promote the village's tourism resources.

Gangan had seen many such collaborations, always treating them with enthusiasm but not deepening the friendship.

However, that day, Li Yan's appearance was a bit special.

He wasn't the type of boy who deliberately crowded over to offer favors, nor did he show cheap "idol worship," but appeared with a calm, confident attitude.

After the event ended, everyone sat around chatting, and Li Yan casually took out his Leica Q2 camera to help take a few photos of the scene.

Gangan knew the camera at a glance, knowing it wasn't cheap, and Li Yan's composure during shooting and his ease in conversation all made her feel comfortable.

Rich, yet not appearing arrogant and domineering;

Having taste, yet not flowing into affectation;

Generous in spending, yet not making people feel like he was showing off.

More importantly, Li Yan wasn't in a hurry to get closer to her, but interacted moderately, leaving room for aftertaste.

Such a person wasn't common in Gangan's social circle.

She had seen too many pursuers offering favors, but few were like Li Yan, where everything appeared so natural.

Thus, gradually, Gangan developed a subtle liking for Li Yan.

It wasn't because his appearance was how stunning—although Li Yan wasn't ugly, he was clean and handsome—but that kind of temperament of lifting heavy as if it were light, his ease with money and resources, and the independence and maturity revealed in his conversation.

This made Gangan feel that this boy, who was quite a bit younger than her, seemed to have experienced a lot, with a unique temperament.

Around three in the afternoon, Li Yan stepped into Gangan's Liuli workshop in the cultural and creative park again.

In the courtyard, there were a few neatly trimmed green plants, and a small pond of clear water reflected the slightly blue sky.

Gangan was wearing a light blue dress, standing by the workbench, and seeing Li Yan come in, she smiled sweetly: "You came so fast?"

"Anyway, I was free today, so I wanted to shoot the materials first, so you have plenty of time to edit."

Li Yan said as he took the Leica Q2 out of the camera bag.

This camera cost over forty thousand; when he bought it, it was only for a freshman girl who liked photography, because sending her photos and works could get closer, although they eventually broke up because he got tired of her.

Fortunately, the camera stayed in his hands and could still come in handy.

Now that the admission notice for the Advertising major at Sichuan University had been received, it would definitely be useful in the future.

Since the two met, some of Gangan's materials were actually from Li Yan's hands.

After all, in order to pursue the freshman girl, he had put in some effort to learn photography.

Although he was a half-bucket of water, he was still a bit stronger than the amateurs.

As the two spoke, she took out a small box containing some Liuli fragments and tools.

"Today I want to shoot the main subject of the manual wire-drawing process, trying to capture the crystal-clear changes of Liuli under the firelight. I've tried shooting with a phone, but the texture is never enough."

Li Yan nodded: "No problem, you start, I'll shoot a few more close-ups. Shoot the arrangement of the utensils and Liuli semi-finished products statically first, then shoot your operation process, portrait expressions, and details; I'll pay attention to the lighting."

As they spoke, Gangan began to light the furnace, and the Liuli blank material gradually became soft and elongated under high temperature.

Her movements were light and skillful, her expression focused, and a hint of enthusiasm showed between her brows.

Li Yan, meanwhile, quickly adjusted the camera parameters on the side and pressed the shutter repeatedly.

The Q2's output was sharp and the colors were full; on the screen, Gangan's focused expression and the warm light of the furnace formed a contrast, and the picture was extremely worth watching.

Halfway through the shooting, Li Yan occasionally stepped forward to help Gangan tidy up the shooting angle, such as signaling her to tilt her head slightly to let the light hit her cheeks better, or letting her pull the Liuli wire longer to capture the tiny color changes.

Gangan was very cooperative; she had no doubts about Li Yan's shooting suggestions because she knew Li Yan understood the trade and knew he wouldn't make pointless requests.

Just after shooting a set of close-up shots, Gangan placed the Liuli product on the rack to cool, turned back and smiled: "Tired? Do you want to take a break?"

Li Yan pressed the playback button on the camera and showed her the photos he had just taken: "Taking a break is fine too. Look at this one, the brightness of the firelight is just right, the texture of the Liuli wire-drawing is clear, and you can see the gradient colors. Your expression is also quite natural."

Gangan looked at the screen, a flash of joy in her eyes: "It's really different, the details are much richer than what I shot with my phone."

Li Yan was indifferent: "The advantage of professional equipment, and of course, shooting experience."

After saying that, he turned off the camera and hung it around his neck, "But now it's just materials, we need to shoot a few more portraits. Let's go to the courtyard, I'll shoot some environmental portraits for you. You stand by that small flower bush, or sit on the wooden stool, just be natural."

Gangan bit her lip and smiled: "Alright, I'll pose however you want me to."

Walking out of the house, a breeze blew in the courtyard, and the sunlight spilled down through the gaps in the leaves, creating mottled light and shadows.

Gangan sat casually on a wooden stool, her hands resting lightly on her knees, her skirt hem hanging down, showing slender lower legs. Li Yan raised the camera, saw her smiling face and exquisite features through the viewfinder, and couldn't help but press the shutter.

"Your side profile has more three-dimensionality from this angle." Li Yan explained, then let her lift her head slightly, "Yes, just like that."

Gangan breathed lightly, her eyes revealing a soft light. ===== CHAPTER 24 =====