Chapter 27.1

“It’s too small to be of any use,” Lin Jinshen remarked casually, glancing at the extra item with a critical gaze. After delivering his verdict, he took the box from Lu Yi’s hand and placed it nonchalantly on the counter.

It seemed some stereotypes were not easily broken.

Lu Yi didn’t know how to react to Lin Jinshen’s foresight in bringing condoms for a wedding photo shoot. They’d already be exhausted from the day; how could there possibly be energy left at night?

Then again, knowing his boundless energy as a workaholic, it was entirely possible. She could only hope he’d restrain himself.

As Lu Yi prepared to remove her makeup and change, Lin Jinshen stepped out of the room, leaving her some privacy. After a quick shower, she changed into loungewear and lay on the soft bed with a face mask on. Through the airplane’s window, the sky outside was a clear, vivid blue, as if freshly washed.

The faint scent of freesia lingered in the air. She yawned and soon fell asleep.

When she woke up, it was already nighttime. Opening the door, she found Lin Jinshen seated outside. A laptop lay open on the table before him. He looked up and asked, “Awake?”

Still groggy, Lu Yi nodded as she sat down.

She absentmindedly pushed her hair back, rubbing her forehead to shake off the remnants of drowsiness. Once fully alert, she noticed his upright posture. From the moment they boarded, he had been engrossed in work, showing no sign of fatigue.

A flight attendant came over to ask what she wanted to eat. Since Lin Jinshen had already eaten, Lu Yi picked a few dishes and a glass of sparkling wine from the menu. She handled her knife and fork quietly, her chewing almost instinctively slowed to match the silence around her.

The excitement of packing earlier had worn off. Now, she was calm and could already sense how dull this trip might be.

She regretted not bringing Puff (her pet) and wondered if it was asleep now.

After finishing her meal, Lu Yi didn’t feel like going back to sleep. Instead, she picked up a magazine nearby and started flipping through it.

The photography team was seated in another section of the plane. Aside from the crew, it was just the two of them in this cabin.

As Lin Jinshen continued working and Lu Yi read, the only sounds were the faint background music, the clacking of the keyboard, and the rustling of magazine pages. They each inhabited their own world, undisturbed by the other.

Lu Yi was reading a fashion magazine. The cover featured a popular male celebrity—currently at the peak of his fame. In today’s declining print media market, such magazines mostly relied on fan purchases for sales.

Uninterested, she flipped through the pages until she stopped at a feature interview of the celebrity. His side profile felt strangely familiar. Thinking hard, she was sure they’d never met before. Lost in thought, the magazine began to lower in her hands.

She glanced up and realized where the sense of familiarity came from.

His eyebrows and eyes bore a slight resemblance to Lin Jinshen.

Objectively speaking, Lu Yi thought Lin Jinshen looked more striking. His features were sharper, and he exuded the commanding presence of a mature man.

He had unbuttoned two buttons of his shirt, rolled up his sleeves, and leaned back with one leg propped up, maintaining the same posture for a long time. Occasionally, his gaze would shift from his screen to the table, wholly engrossed.

It was almost absurd to imagine someone like him saying things like, “Three times a day” or “The ones I prepared are in the suitcase.” Yet, on Lin Jinshen, this contradiction somehow made sense.

Despite this, he still carried an air of composure and restraint.

But once he loosened his tie and unbuttoned his shirt, he would transform into a completely different person.

Lu Yi rested her chin on her hands, holding the magazine in her lap, lost in thought. She didn’t realize she had been staring until she caught him glancing her way.

“What are you thinking about?” Lin Jinshen asked, his tone calm. He only noticed her zoning out in his direction.

“I was thinking about tomorrow’s wedding photos.” Lu Yi steadied her expression and posed a question. “With your personality, do you dislike being photographed?”

The answer was obvious. Someone like Lin Jinshen was probably the family member who detested photo sessions the most. In mandatory family portraits, he was likely the one with a cool, aloof expression—stoic or outright annoyed.

Lu Yi had seen such a photo in Mrs. Qin’s collection. Even as a teenager, Lin Jinshen had displayed a maturity beyond his years, his face devoid of emotion, clearly unimpressed by the necessity of participating in such events.

“I’m not particularly fond of it,” Lin Jinshen admitted.

Closing his laptop, he looked at her directly. “But don’t worry. I’ll cooperate as much as possible for tomorrow’s wedding photos.”

Lu Yi wasn’t overly concerned. She had only brought it up as a casual topic and didn’t have high expectations for him. Her only hope was that the photos wouldn’t end up looking like a divorce announcement.

Still, she decided to offer some emotional support. “I believe in you.”

—

The plane landed at dawn. The sky was just beginning to brighten as the sea breeze stirred, lifting the hem of Lu Yi’s dress. She held onto the brim of her wide-brimmed hat to keep it from flying off.

The photography team disembarked first, taking a hotel-arranged car to the resort.

“This way,” Lin Jinshen said, gesturing. As he passed by her, he naturally took her hand.

Lu Yi froze for a moment. Just then, another gust of wind swept through. As she tried to steady her hat, it nearly flew off, but a large hand pressed it down on her head.

She found herself pressed tightly against his firm chest, appearing as though they were an intimately close couple.

They remained in this position until they got into the car.

“Mr. Lin, Mrs. Lin,” the hotel manager greeted them warmly, turning from the passenger seat to enthusiastically introduce the island’s sights and activities.

They were staying in the largest villa at the resort.

The villa featured a Hawaiian style—a harmonious blend of wood and stone. Palm trees and other broad-leafed plants surrounded the property, with some overflowing from pots to creep along the ground.

Outside the villa’s yard was an infinity pool. Its deep blue bottom sparkled under the sunlight.

The photography team was staying in a villa behind theirs.

Upon arriving, they had an hour to freshen up before the makeup team would arrive to prepare them for their first shoot, timed with the afternoon sunset.

Lu Yi’s three suitcases were delivered to the bedroom, along with Lin Jinshen’s. She began unpacking her clothes, hanging them neatly in the wardrobe.

When Lin Jinshen entered after speaking with the hotel staff, Lu Yi had already emptied one suitcase. He opened his own suitcase, only to be greeted by a burst of bright colors. His first instinct was to take her clothes out.

Picking up one piece, his brows furrowed at the scant fabric. The thin straps twisted around each other, leaving him puzzled about the garment’s construction.

Even the dresses were daring—backless with only a few crisscrossing straps and plunging necklines that dipped to the navel.

To be fair, his interactions with Lu Yi were limited.

Most of the time, she dressed in professional attire due to work. On formal occasions, her outfits were elegant and conservative.

As Lu Yi placed her skincare products in the bathroom, she turned and noticed him holding one of her dresses, his expression as if he’d encountered something otherworldly.

“Is there a problem?” she asked, puzzled.

“Are these meant to be worn outside?” Lin Jinshen asked, lifting his gaze.

“Of course,” Lu Yi replied matter-of-factly. “What else would I wear them for? Around the house?”

For you to see?

Though she didn’t say it, the implication was clear.

Lin Jinshen’s face remained tense, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly. He took all her clothes out—so few that they fit in one hand—and placed them on the bed. “You can hang these up.”

It felt as though holding on for even a second longer would set it ablaze. Unable to endure, he hurriedly let go.

Lu Yi: “…”

She hadn’t expected her few outfits to elicit such a strong reaction from him. If she changed into them right before his eyes, would he throw a cloth over himself just to shield his sight?

What surprised Lu Yi even more was the flush spreading across Lin Jinshen’s ears. He lowered his head to arrange the suitcase, lips pressed into a firm line, maintaining his usual air of righteousness. Yet, was he feeling embarrassed?

They’d already faced each other openly in bed without a hint of awkwardness, but now her clothes made him blush?

Suppressing a laugh, Lu Yi began hanging her outfits one by one. If just these caused such a reaction, how would he react to her swimsuit? Would he frown, pinch the bridge of his nose, and accuse her of lacking decorum?

An hour later, the makeup team arrived.

Lin Jinshen had already briefed the photography team, emphasizing his expectations: complete the tasks within the set time. He made it clear he disliked wasting anyone’s time—his own or the team’s.

His strict and aloof tone served as a warning: this was for wedding photography, not a leisurely vacation.

The team got to work.