Chapter 11: Taking Photos

“Qi Ze, I found the camera, thank you!”

Qi Ze was leaning on his hand with the other flipping through a thick English book. He looked up at her and said calmly: “I’m compensating you, I don’t want to owe you anything.”

Jiang Mingyue widened her eyes. “We’ve been through life and death together, we’re practically life-and-death friends, and you’re still talking about owing or not owing!”

Qi Ze gave her a speechless glance before flipping to the next page of his book. “Who said we’re life-and-death friends?”

After saying that, he couldn’t help but glance at her shoulder. Feeling a little awkward, he asked: “How’s your injury?”

Jiang Mingyue casually lifted her shoulder. “Much better. If I don’t touch it, I can’t feel any pain.”

She then handed him a small cake. “Auntie made these small cakes today. They’re really delicious. I brought one for you to try.”

“No need, thanks.” Qi Ze’s gaze returned to his book.

Jiang Mingyue was persistent. She opened the cake box and held it in front of him. “Look, it smells so good!”

Fresh fruits decorated the pure white cream on top, wrapped inside the soft bread. The sweet fragrance mixed with the creamy scent, spreading through the air.

Having eaten one this morning, Jiang Mingyue couldn’t help but swallow and found herself staring at the cake.

“Tsk.”

Qi Ze clicked his tongue in annoyance as the cake blocked his view, then lazily lifted his eyes to look at Jiang Mingyue.

But seeing her round, pleading eyes fixed on the cake, unwilling to look away, he felt both speechless and somewhat amused.

A faint smile flickered across his eyes.

With a snap, Qi Ze closed the book and pushed her hand aside. “I’m not eating it. You eat it yourself.”

After saying that, he laid down on the table, preparing to sleep.

“Well, you’re really missing out, you’ve missed a delicious treat.”

Although she said it was a shame, her hand didn’t hesitate at all as she picked up the cake and stuffed it into her mouth.

She took a big bite, and the cream exploded in her mouth, mixing with the flavor of the fruit. Wuwuwu, it was so delicious.

Jiang Mingyue ate with abandon, lost in the moment. She unconsciously stamped her foot, and with a bit too much force, she accidentally bumped into Qi Ze’s leg.

Qi Ze peeked an eye out from his arm and quietly looked at her.

Jiang Mingyue seemed to sense something and suddenly turned her head, meeting his gaze.

Her cheeks were puffed out from the food, and her eyes were round and shiny. Qi Ze blinked, feeling a little awkward, like he’d been caught peeking.

Just as he was about to say something, Jiang Mingyue’s eyes curved into a smile, and she mumbled: “What’s wrong? Do you want some?”

She raised the last bite of the cake in her hand. “Too bad, there’s only one bite left.” she said, then stuffed it into her mouth, closing her eyes in satisfaction.

Qi Ze sighed inwardly: “Childish.” and closed his eyes, turning his head in the other direction to continue sleeping.

“Deskmate, look here?”

Liu Wenqi turned her head in confusion, her round face and big, puzzled eyes were irresistibly cute.

Jiang Mingyue quickly pressed the shutter and showed the photo to her deskmate. “How’s it? Is it good?”

Liu Wenqi glanced at herself in the photo, feeling a little shy. “I don’t look good in pictures.”

“No way, you look great, look at your photo! Your face is round, your eyes are big.”

“Let me see, let me see.” He Jiaqi leaned over from behind.

Jiang Mingyue handed him the camera. “Take a look, isn’t it nice?”

“Yeah, it’s pretty good. I never noticed that Wenqi looks so good.” He Jiaqi teased as he glanced at Liu Wenqi.

Liu Wenqi’s cheeks turned slightly red. She didn’t say anything, just lowered her head and continued with her homework.

Jiang Mingyue: “That’s because you don’t have an eye for beauty.”

He Jiaqi fiddled with the camera. “How do I take the picture? Is it this button?”

As he spoke, he aimed the camera at Jiang Mingyue.

“Yes, that’s right.” she said, giving a thumbs-up in front of the lens.

Click.

“Let me see how it turned out.”

Jiang Mingyue couldn’t wait to see how He Jiaqi had photographed her.

“Of course it looks good.” He Jiaqi handed her the camera with confidence.

“Oh my gosh, what is this? My eyes aren’t even open.” Jiang Mingyue couldn’t bear to look at it and quickly deleted the photo.

At that moment, Chen Xiangyi came over with snacks, handing out a pack of dried bayberries to each person. She saw Jiang Mingyue holding the camera and asked in surprise: “You bought a camera?”

“Yeah, do you want me to take a few pictures for you?”

Although it was compensation from Qi Ze, it was because her own camera had broken, so she could consider it her own purchase anyway.

“Sure, sure!” Chen Xiangyi put down what she was holding, adjusted her clothes, and glanced around the classroom, feeling that the environment wasn’t great. “Let’s go outside and take some photos.”

The two of them walked outside to the railing.

“Stand in front of the railing, rest both your hands on it, and look towards me.”

Chen Xiangyi followed Jiang Mingyue’s instructions, feeling a bit amused. “You’re making this sound so professional.”

Jiang Mingyue quickly captured the moment when Chen Xiangyi smiled, then proudly said: “Of course. Look, how’s this?”

“Did you already take it?” Chen Xiangyi was surprised and took the camera from her. “Wow, not bad, sister! You took such a good picture. Send this to me.”

Having someone recognize her photography skills, Jiang Mingyue was very happy. “No problem, I’ll export it and send it to you when I get home. Let me take a few more for you.”

Jiang Mingyue seriously began taking more pictures of Chen Xiangyi, not noticing that Qi Moyang was walking toward them from afar in the background.

Wu Chengxuan followed closely behind Qi Moyang and teased: “Oh, isn’t that Jiang Mingyue? Is she secretly taking photos of you?”

“Hmph.” Qi Moyang also noticed the person holding the camera and aiming it at him. He furrowed his brows, not responding.

Wu Chengxuan continued: “I haven’t seen her bothering you these past few days. Did she really give up on you, or is she just playing hard to get?”

Qi Moyang, with a cold face, stepped forward, and Wu Chengxuan, wearing a look as if he were about to watch a good show, followed behind.

Jiang Mingyue had just finished taking a photo of Chen Xiangyi and was about to show her the result when someone suddenly blocked her view.

She looked up and saw Qi Moyang’s face, dark as though she owed him eight million.

Without hesitation, he spoke in an authoritative tone: “Delete it!”

“What?” Jiang Mingyue was confused.

“Delete the photo you just took, and don’t make me say it again.” Qi Moyang said, his tone cold and dismissive.

Jiang Mingyue was speechless. “Why should I delete it? How is my taking pictures bothering you?”

Wu Chengxuan spoke up with a sharp tone: “Jiang Mingyue, you really want to make it clear, don’t you?”

“Just say what you want to say.”

“Fine. Delete the photos you secretly took of Moyang!” Wu Chengxuan said loudly, one word at a time, as if making sure everyone around could hear.

“Uh-huh?” Jiang Mingyue was even more confused.

Chen Xiangyi also looked bewildered. “Did you guys make a mistake? We’ve been taking pictures this whole time. Who’s secretly taking photos?”

Wu Chengxuan snorted. “We all saw her secretly taking pictures with the camera. Don’t deny it. Everyone knows she likes Moyang. She says she won’t bother him, but behind his back, she’s secretly taking photos. Isn’t she ashamed?”

Jiang Mingyue was left speechless and stunned. Not wanting to argue any further, she handed them the camera without a word. “Take a look, see if there are any photos of him that I secretly took.”

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Lucia: Can we also have Shamelessness Value?

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