Chapter 6: The Photoshoot

Jiang Huaiyu’s sudden movement caught Wen Shuyu off guard, making her instinctively lean back. The dim light in the underground parking lot cast shadows over his face, and before she could process what happened, his expression was back to its usual calm—almost as if she’d imagined everything.

Ever since she agreed to marry him, Wen Shuyu felt Jiang Huaiyu had changed. He seemed less composed, more impulsive, even a little childish.

“Well then, let’s wait and see,” he said, his voice light but confident. “I’m sure you’ll lose.”

Wen Shuyu wasn’t convinced. They hadn’t developed any feelings for each other in over 20 years—how could a marriage certificate change that?

“That’s not certain,” Jiang Huaiyu replied, handing her a brown paper bag. “I think I’ll win. Eat some breakfast; the photoshoot won’t be over quickly.”

Opening the bag, the savory aroma of beef and green onions hit her. Inside were her favorite crispy dumplings, still warm. Next to them was a tea egg, already peeled.

She recognized the logo on the bag—it was from Liu Ji, her favorite place in the southern district, a century-old establishment known for its long lines. They opened at 6 a.m., and the dumplings were usually sold out by 8.

Wen Shuyu loved them but could never wake up early enough to go. She glanced at the dumplings, a question forming in her mind. What time had Jiang Huaiyu gone to get them? They were still warm, clearly kept that way until they met.

“What time did you go?” she asked, popping two dumplings into her mouth. The savory crunch filled her senses, and her cheeks puffed out like a little hamster.

With Jiang Huaiyu, image wasn’t a concern.

“Just after seven,” he answered casually, sipping the matcha latte she’d half-finished. “I jogged past the shop on my morning run.”

That made sense. From Qinhui Garden to the Peach Blossom Park in the southern district, he would pass by the dumpling shop. And jogging was his non-negotiable daily routine—outdoors when the weather allowed, indoors when it rained.

When they arrived at the photo studio, it was packed, but their appointment let them skip the line. Jiang Huaiyu was as meticulous as ever, planning everything flawlessly.

Compared to other couples who brought their own veils and cameras to document their big moment, Wen Shuyu and Jiang Huaiyu seemed almost minimalistic. Their white outfits were the only clue that they were here for their registration photos.

A cheerful assistant greeted them and handed over an album for reference. “Miss Wen, what style of photo would you prefer?”

Wen Shuyu flipped through a few pages and shrugged. “Is what we’re wearing okay?”

The staff member looked them over and smiled. “Yes, it’s perfect.”

At first glance, their clothes seemed like plain white fabric, but upon closer inspection, the subtle patterns matched perfectly. The collar was embroidered with traditional Suzhou-style double-happiness characters and butterflies—delicate and vivid, as if the butterflies were about to flutter off, each stitch a blessing for the couple.

“What about the engagement photos?” the assistant asked.

Wen Shuyu glanced at the wall and pointed. “Cheongsam, I think.”

Even if her husband wasn’t someone she liked, what girl didn’t want to look beautiful?

The assistant led her to the makeup area. “Let’s start with a light makeup look for the registration photos.”

While her makeup took time, Jiang Huaiyu’s was done quickly. He sat nearby, not fiddling with his phone or playing games, just watching her. Occasionally, he’d hand her water or offer candy—earning nods of approval from everyone around them.

As she sat there, Wen Shuyu found herself observing him through the mirror. He didn’t change much with makeup, but it was the first time she’d seen him in a traditional Zhongshan suit. He looked every bit the refined gentleman—elegant and composed.

Noticing her gaze, Jiang Huaiyu raised an eyebrow at her reflection in the mirror, adding a hint of mischief to his otherwise serious demeanor.

Suddenly, she felt a warmth on the corner of her mouth. “You’ve got a little matcha foam,” Jiang Huaiyu said, wiping it away with his hand.

The makeup artist sighed with admiration. “Miss Wen, your husband is not only handsome but so attentive. You two are a perfect match.”

Wen Shuyu let out a dry laugh. “Right.”

From the corner of her eye, she saw the pleased grin on Jiang Huaiyu’s face—he looked far too smug.

Sitting together on a long bench, they both straightened their backs, just like when they were deskmates in elementary school. They stayed in their own spaces, neither bothering the other.

The photographer called out, “Bride, you’re too far from the groom. Move a bit closer.”

Reluctantly, Wen Shuyu inched toward him, one small shuffle at a time, clearly not enthusiastic.

Jiang Huaiyu leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Fish, you’re too slow. The photographer’s getting impatient.”

She glared at him. “Being too close to you makes me feel hot.”

Though the air conditioning was set to a cool 20 degrees, Jiang Huaiyu bit back a laugh.

The engagement photoshoot went more smoothly than Wen Shuyu had expected. No intimate poses, no kissing—Jiang Huaiyu had made sure of that ahead of time.

After hours of smiling, Wen Shuyu’s face was stiff, and all she could think about was having a huge meal afterward.

As they were packing up to leave, one of the staff stopped them.

“Excuse me, but you two are such a striking couple! Our manager was wondering if we could enlarge your photo for a display and use it in our shop’s promotions. We’d refund today’s photoshoot fee and offer you a free bridal photoshoot next week. We’ll also pay you an additional market-rate fee. How does that sound?”

The young woman looked nervous, wringing her hands as she waited for a response.

Wen Shuyu wasn’t sure whether to agree, but Jiang Huaiyu answered before she could. “We’re fine with that. But wait until after the wedding to use them.”

The staff member immediately smiled and said, “No problem at all! Thank you both, and I wish you a long, happy life together.”

Jiang Huaiyu wasn’t usually the type to seek attention, nor was he one to show off. So what was going on today?

As they left the photo studio, Wen Shuyu gave him a sideways glance and teased, “Are you short on cash? Is your family going bankrupt? Saving a few bucks like this.”

The thought of their pictures being plastered across the southern district for promotional use made her cringe. The last thing she wanted was for everyone to see her and Jiang Huaiyu together.

Jiang Huaiyu responded coolly, “No, just doing a good deed.”

YiYi Studio was the largest photography chain in the southern city, with branches everywhere and ads blanketing subway cars. Sure, he wasn’t a fan of being in the spotlight, but the fact that he wanted their photos displayed was undeniable.

More importantly, he wanted someone specific to notice.

“Wow,” Wen Shuyu said with a sarcastic chuckle. “You’re such a good person. Should I get you a ‘Good Samaritan’ award?”

With that, she turned and headed toward the elevator. Right now, she needed food to deal with her mood.

The sharp click of her heels echoed in the hallway. Click, click, click.

Jiang Huaiyu gently grabbed her arm, his voice soft. “Let’s go get something to eat.”

Wen Shuyu’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she curled her lips. “I want to eat at the restaurant on the top floor.”

Though her mood had mostly lifted, she still wanted to give Jiang Huaiyu a little punishment by making him pay for an extravagant meal.

“No problem.”

Jiang Huaiyu bent down slightly, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “But, Fish, why don’t you want to think about it?”

In the bustling hallway, a few people glanced in their direction. Wen Shuyu stammered, “I… I don’t want people gossiping about us.”

Jiang Huaiyu straightened up. “I thought you didn’t want people to know we’re married.”

That was, of course, one of the reasons.

Caught off guard, Wen Shuyu quickly changed the subject. “I’m starving. Let’s go eat.”

They followed the signs toward the restaurant. It was Wen Shuyu’s first time going, and Jiang Huaiyu’s as well.

The top-floor restaurant had a private elevator, and at the lobby, they were told by the staff that reservations were required. Both of them looked at each other, slightly disappointed.

Wen Shuyu’s brows furrowed. “Let’s go somewhere else.”

She wasn’t the kind to make a fuss. If she couldn’t have it, that was fine.

The restaurant’s name was written in elegant calligraphy—Fuyu Lane. Jiang Huaiyu murmured the name to himself a few times, as if recalling something.

Then he softly said to Wen Shuyu, “Give me two minutes. I’ll make a call.”

Jiang Huaiyu walked off, dialing as he went. Finding a quiet corner, the phone connected, and he spoke. “Senior brother, doesn’t your sister run a restaurant on the top floor of Deyue Center? Called Fuyu Lane?”

On the other end of the line, Song Jinnan, who had just woken up, mumbled, “Yeah, why?”

“Could you do me a favor? I’d like to eat there right now.”

Jiang Huaiyu, a man not usually picky about food, was now asking for a favor to cut the line at a trendy restaurant. Song Jinnan was instantly intrigued. “Is this for you, or for someone else?”

“Can you help or not?” Jiang Huaiyu’s voice turned serious.

Song Jinnan, amused, quickly sent a message to his sister. “All done. Just give them your phone number. But you’ve got to tell me—who are you bringing?”

After receiving the reservation confirmation on his phone, Jiang Huaiyu smirked and replied, “Thanks, but that’s classified.”

The call ended with a click, leaving Song Jinnan shaking his head at his friend’s secretiveness.

Jiang Huaiyu returned to the lobby, where Wen Shuyu was absentmindedly kicking at the air, clearly bored.

“Fish, let’s go.”

Wen Shuyu flashed a grin and teased, “Jiang Huaiyu, did you sell your looks to get this sorted out so fast?”

He turned to face her, his expression serious. “Attorney Wen, selling one’s looks is illegal.”

“Oh, you’re no fun,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. He had always been this way, ever since they were kids.

The elevator took them straight to the top floor, where they were greeted by a server who led them to a table by the window. From there, they could gaze out at the serene Qingyi Lake. The water sparkled in the sunlight, dotted with vibrant lilies and lotus flowers, creating a scene that looked like a stunning oil painting.

It seemed Song Jinnan had gone out of his way to make sure they got the best seat in the house.

Wen Shuyu opened the menu but wasn’t particularly interested in anything. She ended up ordering a classic set meal.

The restaurant boasted ingredients from all over the world, praised for their freshness, though the taste didn’t impress her much. It was more of a place for wealthy kids and influencers to check in at than a true culinary destination.

Back at his own home, Song Jinnan received a video from the restaurant manager, and after glancing at it, he shot up from his chair.

By the window sat a stunning couple. The girl was smiling, and the boy looked at her with warmth. It was like watching a living, breathing painting.

The girl across from Jiang Huaiyu was someone Song Jinnan didn’t recognize, but it was clear something was up. Jiang Huaiyu’s behavior was way out of character—he peeled crabs for her and even cut her steak, acting like the perfect boyfriend.

Song Jinnan couldn’t help but marvel. The old “stone-faced” Jiang had finally met his match.

Wen Shuyu, meanwhile, was used to being taken care of. She ate quietly, and though the food was alright, she knew if she had paid for it herself, she would’ve felt ripped off. She had money, but she wasn’t foolish.

After the meal, Jiang Huaiyu settled the bill. “Fish, Mom asked a tailor to make your cheongsam. We need to go home to get your measurements and review the design.”

“Ugh, such a hassle,” Wen Shuyu sighed, slumping in her chair. “If I’d known it would be this much work, I wouldn’t have agreed to marry you.”

“It’s too late, Fish,” Jiang Huaiyu replied with a teasing grin.

Wen Shuyu couldn’t help but feel like she’d boarded a pirate ship, one she could never escape.

As the sun began to set, a sleek black Maybach drove from the city center toward the suburbs.

Two tailors awaited them in the living room, ready to take Wen Shuyu’s measurements. She set her bag down and led them to the bedroom, where they began measuring everything—beyond the usual bust, waist, and hips, they carefully measured her shoulders, torso, and a dozen other dimensions.

Wen Shuyu discussed her preferences with the staff. The name tag on their uniforms read “Qinghe.”

Wen Shuyu recognized Qinghe as the boutique where both her mother and Jiang’s mother frequently ordered custom qipaos. It was the most understated but hardest to book. Her engagement qipao needed to be completed within a week, clearly a result of special connections.

After sending off the tailor, Jiang’s mother said, “Yuyu, I’m so happy for you. If Huaiyu mistreats you, make sure to tell me, and I’ll set him straight.”

“Of course, Auntie, you’re always the best to me,” Wen Shuyu replied, hugging Jiang’s mother.

Jiang’s mother genuinely liked her and had always considered her like a daughter.

With everything moving at a whirlwind pace, both families were constantly busy—finalizing the wedding menu, guest lists, dowries, and other details. Wen Shuyu felt like a bystander, hands-off.

Jiang Huaiyu pulled out a tablet. “Yuyu, take a look at the ring design.”

“You designed this?” The designer’s signature on the bottom right corner read “XU,” and Wen Shuyu recognized Jiang Huaiyu’s handwriting.

“Yes.”

They had agreed on this to avoid hassle, yet Jiang Huaiyu had put in the effort to design the rings himself rather than simply buying pre-made ones.

“Why not just buy them? Custom orders are so much trouble.”

Jiang Huaiyu’s eyes were as distinct as raven feathers, his expression resolute but soft, like a warm sunbeam. “Getting married to you is a major event in my life. I don’t want to settle for anything less or be perfunctory. From the very beginning, it’s the most important thing to me—nothing else compares.”

He had cherished this for years; how could he leave it to someone else?

Jiang Huaiyu’s earnestness made Wen Shuyu feel a pang of guilt.

Since deciding to marry, she had been approaching it with a laid-back attitude, confident that their parents would provide the most extravagant wedding. As for her, she had no expectations and didn’t want to get bogged down in the details.

Unlike ordinary couples who meticulously manage every detail and eagerly anticipate the wedding, she had assumed Jiang Huaiyu would approach it the same way—more of a procedural formality.

Instead, he had quietly designed a pair of rings rich with meaning and symbolism.

Jiang Huaiyu’s words were so sincere they could be mistaken for a confession of love. If she didn’t know him well, Wen Shuyu would have believed it.

“I didn’t realize you had such a strong sense of ceremony.”

Wen Shuyu looked at the tablet’s screen, where the men’s ring was a flowing, deep blue like the sea, and the women’s ring featured a heart and a delicate little fish. The fish’s eye was set with a diamond, symbolizing their co-existence with water.

Scrolling through the 3D view, Wen Shuyu saw their initials engraved inside the rings, WSY and JHX, connected by a heart.

She had done something similar in high school, finding her crush’s name among the beads in a small shop, and paired it with her own on a keychain. Back then, she was too shy to include the full names, opting only for surnames.

Jiang Huaiyu’s attention to detail made it feel as though they were long-time lovers.

The sense of ceremony, after countless revisions, had become a habit for him.

“Yuyu, do you have any suggestions for changes?” Jiang Huaiyu leaned in, his voice a soft whisper in her ear.

The close proximity made Wen Shuyu’s ears flush warm. “No, it’s perfect. You did a great job.”

Before the engagement party, Wen Shuyu needed to handle a previous divorce case. She and Jiang Huaiyu hadn’t seen each other for four days, and they had agreed to return to the villa together.

Uncertain of when she’d finish, Wen Shuyu called Jiang Huaiyu. “I’ve scheduled a meeting with the client. I’ll drive back myself.”

Her tone was cold, a routine notice.

Jiang Huaiyu paused his typing and twirled his pen. “Yuyu, send me the address. I’ll pick you up when you’re done.”

Without much thought, Wen Shuyu declined, “No need to trouble yourself.”

The word “trouble” lingered in Jiang Huaiyu’s mind. He said firmly, “Yuyu, tomorrow we’re getting engaged. I’m not just your neighbor or classmate anymore—I’m your fiancé, your closest person. You can ask me for anything.”

His one sentence led to a lengthy response. Wen Shuyu’s brow furrowed in irritation. “I’ve sent you the address. If you want to wait, then wait.”

Wen Shuyu met with Qin Siwan at a café downstairs from the law firm, where they had a private room to help ease the client’s emotions.

Qin Siwan’s husband arrived late, looking scholarly, much like Wen Shuyu had imagined.

Despite some bumps along the way, the meeting went relatively smoothly and ended earlier than expected.

As Wen Shuyu and Qin Siwan emerged from the private room, they saw Jiang Huaiyu waiting in the lobby.

Seeing Wen Shuyu, Jiang Huaiyu immediately approached and took her bag. “Yuyu, is it over?”

“Yes.” Wen Shuyu turned to bid farewell to Qin Siwan. “We’ll be in touch later.”

Qin Siwan asked, “Wen lawyer, is he your boyfriend or husband?”

Wen Shuyu instinctively replied, “Neither.”

A mix-up occurred, and Qin Siwan looked apologetic. “Oh, sorry for the confusion. I won’t keep you.”

Wen Shuyu smiled and waved. “It’s fine. Goodbye.”

After updating Meng Man, Wen Shuyu and Jiang Huaiyu headed to the parking lot.

The car ride was silent, with Wen Shuyu sensing a sudden shift in Jiang Huaiyu’s aura but not understanding why. Her own mood was low, and she had no desire to speak.

The car was a cocoon of quiet darkness, the atmosphere heavy.

Wen Shuyu leaned back in her seat, catching up on sleep with her phone clutched in her hand.

The summer evening sun, filtered through the glass, cast a distant, sleepy glow over her.

As the car slowed to a crawl in the evening rush hour, her phone lit up with a notification: “Ding.”

Jiang Huaiyu glanced over to see a friend request.

【Yuyu, are you getting engaged to Jiang Huaiyu?】

Sender: Lu Yunheng.