After a long day of shooting, the makeup artist came to touch up her makeup during a break, and Zhu Shiyu couldn’t hide her fatigue; she was feeling quite worn out.

“There’s just one last set to finish up, and then we’ll be done,” the photographer said, and everyone present looked invigorated. Zhu Shiyu couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

The new shoot location was at a place in the park called “Lovers’ Lock.” Zhu Shiyu hadn’t spent much time in Wenbei City since becoming an adult, and this park was newly built in recent years, so she had never been there before.

When they arrived at the location, they discovered a large lake with a massive red heart sculpture in the center. Swan-shaped figures glided lazily around the red structure, enjoying the peaceful water.

The waves were calm, the evening breeze gentle, and the sky was a refreshing shade of blue.

Following the photographer’s instructions, the couple stood by the lake, with the heart perfectly positioned in the background. The vibrant colors and the couple’s striking features created an almost perfect composition.

Zhu Shiyu just got into position, gently embracing Meng Siyi. Although they appeared intimate, there was still a slight gap between them. She tilted her head back, flashing a sweet smile, while Meng Siyi lowered his gaze, his eyelashes casting shadows on his cheeks, giving him that naturally tender look.

The mutual understanding they had developed throughout the busy day was apparent; they had moved from awkward avoidance to a more relaxed demeanor. With just a command from the photographer, they could strike the poses he wanted.

As Zhu Shiyu maintained her sweet expression, she experienced the challenges of being an actress for the first time.

Inside, she counted the seconds, anxiously awaiting the call to wrap up.

“Alright.” It was as if the photographer had heard her thoughts, and just as Zhu Shiyu was about to loosen her grip and massage her stiff smile muscles, the next moment, he spoke again.

“This scene is fantastic! Let’s take a kissing shot next. Xiaofang, help the bride adjust her veil to cover her face. The groom will lean down and kiss her under the veil.”

At his description, Zhu Shiyu immediately visualized the popular wedding poses seen everywhere—intimate, romantic, sweet, and natural.

She felt a sudden rush of panic and instinctively looked at Meng Siyi.

He appeared momentarily surprised as well. Amid the assistant’s hurried adjustments, the two exchanged bewildered glances until the white veil fell, enveloping Zhu Shiyu in a hazy blur.

Meng Siyi was guided closer, and the space between them shrank dramatically. Their faces were mere inches apart, their breaths mingling, and the noise around them faded into silence.

“This is the atmosphere we want! The groom can lean down now!”

The words from a distance pulled Zhu Shiyu back to reality. She felt awkwardness creeping into her expression, knowing she shouldn’t be nervous. She took a deep breath to steady her mind.

When she lifted her gaze again, she found Meng Siyi still not moving. His eyes rested lightly on her face, devoid of any discernible emotion, and his pupils were calm.

Zhu Shiyu paused for a moment, her thoughts drifting to what Zhu Jinxiao had recently told her about his first love.

After a few seconds of silence, she quietly asked, “Can we borrow a position?”

In this small, intimate space beneath the veil, her words were meant only for him. Meng Siyi heard her but didn’t reply, only falling into a brief silence before finally making a move.

He leaned down, and just as their lips were about to meet, he subtly turned his head, his warm breath brushing against the corner of her mouth.

In the camera frame, the bride closed her eyes, slightly tilting her head back, as she and the groom seemed to be intimately close, appearing to kiss from this angle.

The photographer seemed momentarily taken aback, but he said nothing as he quickly snapped photos and checked the shots.

“Alright! That’s a wrap for today!”

The sky was nearly dark as they captured the final rays of the sunset, forever preserved on film.

On the return journey, Meng Siyi appeared utterly exhausted, leaning back against his seat and falling asleep immediately. The car was silent, with no one speaking.

The assistant turned around and began showing Zhu Shiyu behind-the-scenes photos from the day, and she leaned in to look at them. The images were beautiful yet strangely unfamiliar.

It felt like two dedicated actors who had just completed their assigned task.

Meng Siyi must have truly worn himself out, maintaining his role as a qualified and happy groom throughout the day.

Zhu Shiyu’s gaze inadvertently fell on Meng Siyi’s tired face as he slept, and amid her complex feelings, she found a hint of tenderness.

The character of the beautiful second female lead in stories often seemed to sacrifice everything for the love of the main couple, ultimately enduring loneliness in silence.

She left behind nothing but a reputation for kindness.

Lost in her thoughts, the car suddenly jolted over something, waking up Meng Siyi beside her. Instinctively, he reached for her hand and grasped it tightly.

“Are we there yet?” he mumbled, still sounding groggy.

“Not yet, you can sleep a bit more,” Zhu Shiyu reassured him, holding his hand. He responded with a soft “mm” and drifted back to sleep.

The car continued smoothly down the road, but this time Zhu Shiyu didn’t have the space to think about anything else. She held onto his hand, its slight warmth like a beacon in the dark night, lost in the moment and oblivious to everything else.