Chapter 31

When it comes to lighting, Ruan Xizhi is a professional.

Every time she sets the lighting, it’s a highlight, and the photos she takes hardly need any edits or color adjustments—just print them as they are.

What started as simply fulfilling Grandma Su’s wish caught the director’s eye, who suggested posting it on Weibo for everyone to see this beautiful moment.

Grandma Song had no objections, and Ruan Xizhi, of course, didn’t either. Even Xing Xiaochi, who appeared out of nowhere, had no objections.

Yes, everything was going smoothly until Xing Xiaochi suddenly popped up from somewhere and decided to join in.

But luckily, his appearance didn’t affect the overall feel. In fact, it added a touch of warmth.

So, when these photos were posted, the internet exploded.

They didn’t even realize they were contradicting their earlier comments, instead, a group of people were shouting “Absolutely beautiful!”

It didn’t take long before this Weibo post from the official account made it to the trending topics.

[Sihasaha, absolutely beautiful!]

[Oh my, this must be the only wedding photo like this in the world!]

[I’d call this the “most beautiful wedding photo”!]

[I feel Ruan Xizhi’s effort here, she’s the brightest star in the night.]

[This is telling us that age doesn’t matter when it comes to shining—if you dare to live brilliantly, you remain yourself.]

[So, this was what Ruan Xizhi wanted to express?]

[Is it just me, or does Xing Xiaochi look like part of the family with Grandma? It’s so heartwarming.]

[Indeed, the last two photos look like Grandma is holding her grandson.]

That evening, Ruan Xizhi took Xing Xiaochi and Grandma Song back to the villa.

Grandma Song kept smiling, very pleased with the wedding photos, and shared them with her husband.

When he saw the photos, he immediately called her.

“Who took these? They’re really beautiful!”

Sheng Shanhao laughed so widely, “When I was young, I was poor and didn’t get to take good wedding photos with you. Now, I can finally make up for that regret. I need to thank the person who took these photos properly.”

Grandma Song replied, “A pretty girl.”

“They’re from a variety show.” Grandma Song added, “They’re not asking for anything from me, so don’t make a big deal out of it. Just thank them quietly.”

Sheng Shanhao: “Don’t worry, I know.”

“By the way,” he suddenly remembered, “How’s Tongtong? Is she adapting to this kind of shoot?”

Grandma Song: “It’s all good. Let the child see different aspects of life, and get more exposure to the outside world. It’s great.”

“You just say that, but you don’t know who’s worried about running so far.” Sheng Shanhao teased her with a smile but stopped short, “When are you coming back? I’ll arrange for someone to pick you up.”

Grandma Song’s tone changed from kind to a bit stern: “We’ll see, I’ll come back once I’ve had enough fun. Bye.”

Sheng Shanhao: “…….”

Grandma Song looked at the photos again. No matter how she looked at them, she loved them, and as a result, she also started liking Ruan Xizhi even more.

That night, after finishing work, Wang Mingdong received a call from the Chairman of Shengshi Group, who said they were interested in collaborating with them.

Wang Mingdong was pleasantly surprised. “What kind of collaboration are you thinking of?”

Shengshi Group had previously invested in a traditional Chinese painting variety show, which became a massive hit across the country, and the final paintings were auctioned off, with one reaching a bid of 80 million.

Due to its inspirational theme and excellent content, it was selected for prime-time television, and now they were preparing for the second season of Traditional Chinese Painting, drawing immense attention.

So when Shengshi Group called to discuss a collaboration, Wang Mingdong was incredibly excited.

“They want to invite you and the kids to help with the opening as the special guests for the first episode,” they said.

Opening?

Wang Mingdong was thrilled when he heard this. He wasn’t a fool; such an opportunity was as rare as winning the lottery.

He immediately agreed, “No problem, we’ll fully cooperate.”

However, there was one thing he couldn’t figure out—why had they suddenly approached them for this collaboration?

But soon, the other party explained.

“They were very generous in their praise,” they said, “Your group’s wedding photos are truly stunning. They have a strong traditional Chinese style.”

Now it made sense!

Wang Mingdong smiled, “Thank you for the compliment, all credit goes to Teacher Ruan.”

“Mm, she’s really great.”

After hanging up, Wang Mingdong still couldn’t snap out of the surprise.

He couldn’t help but marvel again at how Ruan Xizhi was their program’s lucky star. People online called her the “Euro Emperor,” and it was indeed true!

Such a big fortune, he had to make sure to keep her well taken care of!

However, the photos had spread far and wide across all major platforms, and when Sheng Yue came out of the operating room, the nurses at the front desk were gossiping quietly.

“This is the most beautiful grandma I’ve ever seen!”

“Ruan Xizhi is really something—she managed to capture such wedding photos. I wish I could hire her for my wedding!”

“What are you dreaming about?”

When she walked past, Sheng Yue casually glanced at the photos on a phone screen and her pupils shrank.

The person in the photo looked very familiar.

It seemed like…

“Can I see that?” Sheng Yue removed her mask.

The nurses all recognized Sheng Yue, the most famous thoracic surgeon in Haicheng, who had been called in to consult on a particularly difficult surgery in the capital.

When they saw her in person today, they were surprised at how young and beautiful she was.

“Is this it?” the female nurse handed her the phone, excitedly introducing, “Freshly developed wedding photos! The grandma is in her seventies or eighties, yet she still looks amazing—it’s really incredible and absolutely beautiful!”

Sheng Yue looked at the so-called “absolutely beautiful grandma” and saw that it was her mother—Song Wenlan.

“……”

Indeed, it was beautiful, but this beauty was different from the usual—it had a profound, soul-stirring Chinese aesthetic.

The dark night, the red traditional wedding gown, a beam of light shining from above, illuminating one side completely, like the only light in the darkness.

It was brightness, it was transformation.

Such a photograph was breathtaking.

“Who did the shooting?” Sheng Yue asked, still curious about the photographer after looking through the pictures.

The nurse, excited, responded, “It’s Ruan Xizhi! We thought she was just a minor celebrity, but turns out she’s a hidden big shot!”

Sheng Yue repeated the name, “Ruan Xizhi?”

She returned the phone to the front desk nurse with a gentle smile. “Thank you.”

The nurse, seeing her smile, felt her heart flutter and quickly waved her hand. “No, no, it’s nothing, Professor Sheng. You’re too polite.”

After the surgery was completed, Sheng Yue rushed back to Haicheng overnight.

On the way back, for some unknown reason, the name Ruan Xizhi kept popping into her mind.

She looked out at the dark sky through the airplane window, narrowed her beautiful eyes, and muttered softly to herself.

“Ruan Xizhi.”