Chapter 219: Photos and the Hot Spring |
Jiang Linyuan stood on the rocks, looking at Zhang Juntang, and said,
"Should I move a little to the left?"
"That's good."
Zhang Juntang aimed the lens at Jiang Linyuan, click — another shot.
"When did you start learning photography?"
Jiang Linyuan struck a few poses and asked casually.
Crazy Little seemed to never be without her camera.
"High school... back then I used an instant camera."
Zhang Juntang pressed the shutter and replied softly.
Jiang Linyuan didn't press further, since he and Crazy Little weren't especially close anyway.
If you had to label their relationship, besides the admirer and the admired, maybe you could add a coworker of her mother?
"Senior Jiang, that day... what did you say to my mom when you went out?"
Zhang Juntang mustered her courage and finally asked the question she'd been bottling up.
After that day, her mother had inexplicably sent her some messages, mostly praising Senior Jiang.
Why would she start praising him after meeting him once?
"Nothing much, just that Aunt pulled me aside and mentioned she'd met me before."
Jiang Linyuan didn't tell Zhang Juntang that he'd already become a shareholder in her family's business.
If her mother hadn't told her, he certainly wouldn't mention it.
"Ohhh."
Zhang Juntang nodded, not daring to look at Jiang Linyuan.
So Senior Jiang means... he recognized me?
"Um... about before, thank you, Senior."
She whispered.
"Oh... you're welcome."
Jiang Linyuan nodded.
He more or less knew Zhang Juntang was referring to the school bullying incident.
But he had been too focused on fighting back at the time and hadn't paid attention to her, so his memory was vague.
"Senior, do you regret it?"
Zhang Juntang put down the camera, raised her head, and looked at Jiang Linyuan as she asked.
If it weren't for her, Senior wouldn't have gotten into so much trouble back then.
"Why would I regret it?"
Jiang Linyuan said.
The past flows away like urine, leaving behind a stench nobody willingly smells again. Sure, it's foul and life is messy, but at least peeing felt good.
Zhang Juntang stared at him for a long moment, then lifted the camera to hide her face.
Heh heh heh, Senior said he doesn't regret knowing me, I can't let him down, I have to treat him well.
"Senior, do you want any snacks?"
"No, I think we're almost done, let's have Xiao Su and Xiao Yilin take turns."
Refused the feeding!
"Oh."
Zhang Juntang nodded and followed Senior's cue.
If Senior makes me work it means he needs me, if he doesn't it means he's worried I'll be tired, if he talks to me it's because he's afraid I'm lonely, if he doesn't talk it's because he knows my mouth is dry.
They took turns taking a few photos. The seaside scenery was pretty monotonous, and walking around was a bit tiring.
"Juntang, don't you want a photo?"
Seeing the sky darken, Lin Yilin asked.
All afternoon the person taking photos had mostly been Zhang Juntang; she herself hadn't had many taken.
"Me...? I'm not photogenic."
Zhang Juntang waved her hands repeatedly.
"Take one, come all the way to the sea and not keep a memento would be a pity."
Lin Yilin urged.
"Um..."
Zhang Juntang lowered her head and didn't deny it; she did want a photo of herself.
If she could take one with Senior it would be even better.
"My skills aren't as good as yours, but they're decent. Want me to take one for you?"
Jiang Linyuan offered.
Crazy Little had been busy all afternoon, shooting and reshooting; she must be tired.
Suzhu, drawing circles in the sand, looked up when she heard this and glanced at Jiang Linyuan.
Xiao Su, too sensitive—it's just taking a photo.
She watched Zhang Juntang a bit longer, got bored, and went back to watching Lin Lan draw circles in the sand.
Jiang Linyuan took the camera. Zhang Juntang walked timidly to the shore and asked softly,
"Is... is this okay?"
"You boss people around really well when you're taking photos of others. Why are you like this when it's you?"
Jiang Linyuan looked at Zhang Juntang, tiptoeing—so clingy.
"I... I'll try to get better!"
Zhang Juntang blurted out something inexplicable, leaving Jiang Linyuan puzzled.
"By the way, Juntang, one thing I want to ask. That day at the hotpot, why did you run out?"
Jiang Linyuan suddenly said.
"Ah..."
Why bring that up now...?
A panicked expression crossed Zhang Juntang's face as she looked at Jiang Linyuan, only to see him raise the camera and click.
"This one's pretty good, way better than that thief look you had before."
Jiang Linyuan grinned.
Zhang Juntang spun on the spot for a bit, then covered her face and crouched down.
Too ashamed to show her face!
"It's fine, it looks great. Take a look yourself."
Jiang Linyuan handed the camera over.
Zhang Juntang stared for a moment, took the camera, and peeked.
The light played across dark and bright, she wore a white down jacket, her cheeks flushed and full of fluster.
Surprisingly pretty.
"Not bad, right?"
Jiang Linyuan asked.
"Mm."
Zhang Juntang nodded.
Aside from ID photos, no one had ever taken her picture alone.
"One more?"
Jiang Linyuan asked.
Zhang Juntang nodded.
They took several more photos. At first Crazy Little was constrained, but she gradually relaxed.
Sigh, it's like schooling: easy in primary, strict in middle, tight in high school, relaxed in university, and in society, flexible everywhere.
A gradual process.
After finishing the photos, everyone felt tired from walking and found a hot spring to soak their feet.
On the way, Jiang Linyuan sent the seaside photos to the Department Head and got a brief reply.
"The sea is beautiful."
Dismissive! So dismissive!
He forwarded them to Guoguo.
"Brother Jiang, are you in Southern Fujian? The sea is so pretty, are there any portraits?"
Learn from others! Department Head!
Muttering his grievances in his head, they arrived at the hot spring pools, mainly for foot baths.
The girls sat at the pool edge, slipping off various socks, little feet popping out playfully.
All very fair, making it hard at first to tell whose were whose. Uh, Lin Lan's were easier to spot.
"Sister Bamboo, I want cantaloupe!"
Lin Lan sat at the pool edge, swinging her little feet.
The hot spring offered fruit service, not a big deal.
"Take it yourself! All you ever do is eat!"
Lin Zhu snapped.
Jiang Linyuan propped his hands on the pool edge and leaned back, feeling comfortable.
Just then, the foot in the pool suddenly tickled him. He glanced over but couldn't find which foot had touched him.
"Hehe, Xiao Yilin, what were you doing just now?"
"Huh? Did I do something?"
"Your foot."
"What's wrong, is Senior Su's foot uncomfortable?"
"...not you?"
Zhang Juntang sat to the side, her heart pounding.
She'd only accidentally brushed him.
Surely he didn't notice, right?