Chapter 83: Advanced Photography Techniques

In the end, he managed to negotiate another twenty thousand off the price.

The Maine Coon cat crashed into the cage, and the shop owner was grinning from ear to ear. From cat cleaning supplies to snacks and toys, they stuffed five large bags, all completely full.

Since it wouldn’t all fit in the car, the shop owner drove them back. By the time they returned to the Half-Mountain Residence, it was already half past six. That evening, Cheng Yao had plans to take Lin Ketong out for a drive.

Lu Mengyao’s home was now much cozier, furnished with plenty of new pieces. She even had a washing machine and potted plants—clearly, some girls were exceptionally attentive. Compared to his own place, which was luxurious but lacked the warmth of a lived-in home, hers felt complete.

By the time the cat was settled, the climbing post and litter box arranged, it was already seven.

“Are you leaving?” she asked.

“What else would I do?” Cheng Yao replied, pausing in his tracks with a furrowed brow.

Lu Mengyao stood blocking the doorway, tugged at a ribbon, pursed her lips, and gazed at him with eyes as clear as water, drawing closer.

“What are you trying to do? Listen, I’m an upstanding guy.”

She smirked, “If you don’t satisfy me today, don’t even think about leaving…” Lu Mengyao forced herself to ignore her embarrassment, refusing to let Cheng Yao go.

If it had been Zhang Ya, she wouldn’t have dared. But with other women, Lu Mengyao could turn clingy and claim the initiative. Even if Cheng Yao wanted to leave, nothing would happen unless she allowed it.

“Is this how you test your officers?”

In the end, Cheng Yao surrendered to the allure of black stockings.

The stockings met their well-deserved fate, reduced to shreds scattered across the floor.

Heh, think you can outplay me?

Cheng Yao laughed dismissively, rubbing his waist, while Lu Mengyao rolled her eyes at him.

[Congratulations! Your intimacy with your cultivated girlfriend has reached 90. You’ve gained “Advanced Photography Skills.”]

Cheng Yao’s eyes brightened. Not a bad life skill, he thought. It might seem useless, but compared to something like street racing, it was far more practical in everyday life.

Lu Mengyao apparently didn’t know what a war god was—otherwise, she wouldn’t have tried such a thing.

After Cheng Yao left, Lu Mengyao’s cheeks were flushed with spring, and she let out a sigh of relief.

Amazing…

So powerful!!!

...

Cheng Yao, of course, saw through her intentions, and took the opportunity to complete his daily tasks.

In high spirits, he left Building Twelve and took the Maine Coon home. As soon as he opened the door, he saw two figures sitting on the sofa, playing with the Samoyed, watching TV, and snacking.

When she saw Cheng Yao, Jiang Yuexi immediately straightened up, sitting more properly.

“Brother, you’re back. What’s that?”

“It looks like a cat,” Jiang Yuexi exclaimed, eyes wide. “Wow, it’s so cute! What kind of cat is this?”

“Maine Coon,” he replied.

“Wow…”

The two high school girls squealed in delight, but Cheng Yao felt no sense of accomplishment.

The Samoyed barked twice, glanced at the Maine Coon, and then slunk off to the bathroom, where it peed on the tiles.

The Maine Coon marched over and swatted the dog, making the Samoyed howl pitifully.

Cheng Cheng and Jiang Yuexi were startled.

“It’s fine,” Cheng Yao reassured them. “It’s trained. With it around, the dog will learn to use the bathroom properly. Just clean up in there—I need to head back to school.”

“Bye! She’s staying over at my place tonight,” Cheng Cheng said, pointing at Jiang Yuexi.

Cheng Yao nodded slightly, showing no objection.

After he left, Jiang Yuexi said enviously, “Your brother treats you so well—not like mine, who just wants to fight with me all the time…”

With their new fluffy companion, the two girls fawned over the Maine Coon, who lay there letting them play, only occasionally asking for some canned food. Clever cat.

The Samoyed, meanwhile, hid in the bathroom, skulking like a guilty dog.

...

Cheng Yao still had to pick up Lin Ketong, so he stopped at a gas station to fill up the tank.

The city was ablaze with lights, and the streets bustled with pedestrians.

Lin Ketong had bought a small apartment here, supposedly for only five or six hundred thousand.

He parked at the entrance and turned on his hazard lights.

He messaged Lin Ketong and waited outside for about twenty minutes before she finally appeared, walking out in a white dress.

When she saw the McLaren by the curb, she walked straight over.

Her expression remained cool, clearly still not forgiving him. “Didn’t we agree not to keep in touch?”

“Should I go, then?”

She didn’t answer; she knew from experience how thick-skinned this man was.

Cheng Yao smiled, “Get in. I’ll talk to you about the company stuff in a bit.”

Eventually, Lin Ketong opened the car door and got in, drawing plenty of looks from passersby.

“That girl is stunning—what a figure!”

“The passenger seat of a supercar never disappoints.”

“Next life, I hope I’m lucky enough. The more expensive the car, the longer and fairer the passenger’s legs…”

The McLaren’s engine purred, perfect for showing off.

Cheng Yao glanced at Lin Ketong in the passenger seat. “What are you wearing?”

The white garment looked like a dress, but also like a camisole, with just one strap. Was this the latest trend?

“It’s a new style,” Lin Ketong replied coolly.

“It looks good,” Cheng Yao said, not pressing further. He drove her to Hubei Road.

There were plenty of crayfish restaurants here, but Longmen was the top choice.

He’d added their WeChat last time, so he’d already reserved a private room and ordered supper.

Inside, it was much quieter. While eating crayfish, Cheng Yao peeled them for her, trying to find a topic of conversation.

Lin Ketong watched the shrimp meat and asked, “What exactly do you want?”

“Beauty, do you have any dreams?”

“Don’t feed me motivational nonsense. I’ve heard enough of that since I started school…” she rolled her eyes.

“Alright,” Cheng Yao chuckled. “The company I’m setting up is focused on online entertainment and star-making. Want to be a celebrity? I think you’ve got more potential than most faces on TV. Your smile is unforgettable.”

“Me? A celebrity?” Lin Ketong didn’t reply, but she wasn’t dismissing her own abilities. She simply knew how deep the waters ran in that world. Minor fame required promotion, major fame required luck, and for anyone to promote you, you first had to know what you were willing to give.

For example, backroom deals.

Out of ten actresses, if not eight, at least seven would be exploited by directors—unless they had a solid background.

Cheng Yao grinned, “You don’t believe me?”

“Believe you? I’ve never heard a word of truth from your mouth…”

“I…”

Cheng Yao said seriously, “You work yourself to the bone for a pittance every month. Look at others, making two-point-eight million in a single day—do you know what that means?

When the time comes, I’ll arrange resources and a public persona for you. I have money and connections. Don’t you have any dreams?”

“I…”

Lin Ketong hesitated. If she could become a star, of course she was tempted.

Seeing her waver, Cheng Yao knew he had her. His connections weren’t fully established yet, but Zheng Yuechan had already agreed to provide him with personas and planning proposals—all successful cases.

He hadn’t gotten these for free, either; he paid a million a year for them.

Where there’s a first time, there will be a second. Once the company grew, would he have any trouble poaching Zheng Yuechan?

Once the company was set up, he would be chairman.

He hadn’t considered this before, but now, with his new photography skills, he planned to be both photographer and agent. After all, who could be more reliable than himself?

Acting as his own agent—just the thought was exhilarating.

...