Why is the system taking my request to photograph a cosplayer seriously?

Chapter 213 The Threads of Love Severed, Yet Beating Again

"really."

Ding Heng put down his teacup and echoed, "But as outstanding as Sister Qing is, she really should change her stubborn temper. She shouldn't always be making things difficult for herself."

Hua Qing pursed her lips and glared at Ding Heng resentfully.

Hou Wangyan scratched his head, feeling that something was wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

The four continued chatting about Hua Qing's boyfriend when Lin Man suddenly took out her phone.

"Auntie, can we add each other on WeChat?"

"OK."

Hou Wangyan took out her phone and successfully added the friend.

Lin Man then said, "Auntie, could you arrange a tour guide for us? We'd like to spend two days in Fenghuang."

"A tour guide?"

Hou Wangyan smiled wryly: "My travel agency is barely operating, so where would I get tour guides? If you want to have fun, just have Hua Qing show you around."

"I'm so sorry, I can't waste Sister Qing's time like this."

Lin Man looked down and tapped her phone a few times, and Hou Wangyan's phone immediately popped up a transfer notification.

Six thousand yuan.

"Xiaoman, what's wrong with you—"

"Guide fee, deposit."

Lin Man smiled and said, "Auntie, don't be so polite, it's nothing."

She had her plans perfectly in mind. As long as Hou Wangyan accepted the payment, it would be perfectly legitimate for Hua Qing to go out with them again in the next two days.

Hou Wangyan was quite embarrassed: "You child—"

"Oh, right, Auntie!"

Lin Man quickly changed the subject: "I'd like to try on Miao ethnic clothing. Do you have any connections?"

"That's easy!"

Hou Wangyan perked up: "There are plenty of clothes in the storeroom at home, there should be something you can wear. Hua Qing, why don't you take Xiao Man to pick out a few pieces and give them to her to take back?"

"good----"

Hua Qing stood up and gestured for Lin Man to come with her.

Lin Man ran over and took Hua Qing's arm.

"Sister Qing, let's go~"

The two quickly went downstairs, arrived at the warehouse, and closed the door. Hua Qing finally couldn't hold back any longer.

"Lin Man, what are you doing?"

"I'll help you."

Lin Man released Kai Qing's arm and wandered around in front of the clothes rack: "Isn't this to give your family a heads-up? You really want to keep this from them forever?"

"You should at least have told me beforehand!"

"I'll give you a surprise."

"surprise?"

Hua Qing said irritably, "You almost scared me to death."

Lin Man turned around, her smile alluring: "Sister Qing, the way you lie to your mother's face is actually quite cute."

Hua Qing blushed.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

'

"I'm not making this up."

Lin Man took a set of clothes off the hanger and held it up against herself: "Sister Qing, you can't lie at all. The way you were stammering just now, no wonder your mother didn't believe you!"

Hua Qing remained silent.

Lin Man continued, "She's probably already thinking about when she'll get to meet her wonderful future son-in-law."

Hua Qing took a deep breath.

"What are your plans next?"

"Since we're already here, let's explore and have some fun."

Lin Man shoved the clothes into Hua Qing's hands: "Here, let's change together!"

Hua Qing haughtily refused: "I won't wear it."

"No, Sister Qing, it's a rare opportunity for you to come all this way!"

Lin Man took down another set: "Even if you don't care about the monk, you might as well care about the Buddha. Maybe the man wants to see it too?"

Hua Qing sighed, "Can't you be serious for once?"

"What did I do that was inappropriate?"

Lin Man looked completely innocent.

Hua Qing was too lazy to argue with her and changed the subject back to the clothes.

"This outfit is too formal, and it's hot outside; it's not suitable to wear out."

"Then, Sister Qing, can you help me pick out an outfit?"

"This one, please."

Hua Qing took off a relatively simple outfit.

"What about you, Sister Qing?"

"I have some in my room!"

In the end, Hua Qing gave in.

Just like Lin Man said, since it's a rare opportunity to come all this way, maybe the men will like to watch it?

upstairs.

The more Hou Wangyan looked at Ding Heng, the more she thought the young man was energetic. She poured him a cup of tea and tried to start a casual conversation.

"Xiao Ding, how long have you been with Xiao Man?"

"About half a year."

"That wasn't long ago, who was pursuing whom?"

"I'd say she pursued me."

Ding Heng smiled sheepishly.

"————"

Hou Wangyan sighed: "If my Hua Qing were half as proactive as Xiao Man, I wouldn't have to worry about this."

Ding Heng comforted her, "Qing-jie is a reserved and good girl, you don't need to worry about her."

What parent wouldn't worry about their daughter?

Hou Wangyan changed the subject: "Xiao Ding, Xiao Man just said that Hua Qing's boyfriend owns an investment company in Hong Kong? Is that true?"

Ding Heng's heart tightened, but he remained outwardly calm: "It should be true. I'm not very familiar with that person."

"Xiao Ding, please don't take offense, but I'm just asking. Hua Qing is such a stubborn girl, all she's ever known is dancing, she's clueless about anything else. You know, she suddenly has a boyfriend, renting her an apartment and buying her a car—I just can't help feeling a little uneasy."

Hou Wangyan's tone was subtle: "You know, in our line of work—girls who are too pretty sometimes inevitably encounter temptations. It's not that I don't trust Hua Qing, it's that I'm afraid she'll be deceived."

Ding Heng smiled bitterly to himself—Hou Wangyan was worried that her daughter would be "kept" by someone.

He answered frankly, "Auntie, don't worry. Although I'm not very familiar with that person, I've done some research on him. He's a respectable businessman, and he cares about Hua Qing."

Hou Wangyan was still a little worried: "If he's such a good catch and likes Hua Qing, why doesn't he go to her in person?"

"I'm just busy—once the relationship is more stable, Hua Qing will bring her back for you to see."

"Stable? What do you mean by stable? Does it only mean stable when her belly gets big?"

"Cough cough cough————"

Ding Heng coughed again, choked by the fumes.

Hou Wangyan continued, "Xiao Ding, do you think what Auntie said makes sense?"

Ding Heng suppressed a laugh and nodded seriously: "Auntie is right. But I think Sister Hua Qing's boyfriend is probably also considering your feelings, thinking that he should be fully prepared before visiting to avoid being abrupt."

Hou Wangyan's expression softened slightly: "I hope so — but I'm afraid those rich people will just play around and leave, not taking feelings seriously."

As they were talking, Hua Qing and Lin Man returned to the living room and each changed into a set of Miao clothing.

Hua Qing's long hair was tied up with a silver hairpin, revealing her cool and aloof face.

She wore a dark blue, short-sleeved jacket with intricate colorful embroidery on the collar and cuffs, and layers of silver chokers that accentuated her long, slender neck.

She wore a long pleated skirt with silver ornaments on the hem that jingled as she walked.

Lin Man, on the other hand, has a completely different charm.

Wearing the same style of Miao clothing, she deliberately unbuttoned one more button on her top, revealing a section of her fair collarbone through the slightly open neckline.

The silver necklace hung loosely around her neck, swaying gently with the rhythm of her walk.

They're wearing the same outfit, one a Miao holy maiden, the other a Miao witch.

Lin Man twirled around Ding Heng and asked, "Honey, is it pretty?"

Ding Heng nodded: "It looks good."

"Do I look better in this or does my senior look better?"

"Forehead----"

Ding Heng looked troubled.

Hou Wangyan grinned from ear to ear: "Alright, stop teasing Xiao Ding. If you like it, take it."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Ding Heng rose to take his leave.

Hou Wangyan saw her to the door: "Xiaoman, come visit often when you have time."

Lin Man nodded in agreement, then winked at Hua Qing.

Hua Qing understood: "Mom, I'll go for a walk with them."

"Go on, go on, don't come back too late."

The three of them went downstairs and walked out of the building. Hua Qing finally couldn't hold back anymore and lightly punched Ding Heng's arm, saying, "What are you doing, playing along with her nonsense!"

Ding Heng rubbed his arm innocently: "I missed my senior, can't I even come to see her?"

Hua Qing punched him again: "All you do is say nice things!"

Ding Heng laughed out loud: "Otherwise what? Should I tell Auntie, 'Don't worry, your daughter is someone I'm keeping'?"

Hua Qing blushed and was about to make another move.

Ding Heng simply pulled her into his arms: "Senior, you're a tour guide today. Hitting a client will get you complaints!"

"Ugh————"

"Besides, since I've spent so much money, could the tour guide provide some special services?"

Hua Qing's face flushed crimson, and she finally forced out two words through gritted teeth.

"abnormal----"

None of the three were in the mood to leisurely stroll around Fenghuang Ancient Town, and went straight to the best hotel in the area.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Whether they were saints or demonesses, they all succumbed to the demon's staff techniques.

It lasted until 6 p.m.

Clothes were scattered around the room, extending from the doorway to the bedside.

Miao clothing, including outer garments, short jackets, embroidered belts, silver bracelets, earrings, and headdresses, were scattered all over the ground.

Hua Qing lay limp on the bed, her eyes glazed over, her mind still in a daze.

The bathroom door wasn't closed properly, and the sound of rushing water mixed with Lin Man's intermittent sobs, making it difficult to hear clearly.

"Boss—they know they were wrong—"

It came and went, swallowed up by the sound of water.

Hua Qing's mind was in a mess, and what she was thinking about had nothing to do with the absurdity she had just experienced.

Lin Man is right, she's not good at lying at all.

Hou Wangyan worked in a tourism song and dance troupe for more than ten years, and later opened a travel agency. He had seen all kinds of people.

His clumsy acting skills could never fool his own mother.

Her silence at the time doesn't mean she didn't have her own thoughts.

When I get home and close the door, I'll ask the questions I need to ask sooner or later.

Hua Qing closed her eyes and buried her face deeper into the pillow.

A slight soreness lingered in my lower abdomen, and my legs felt a little weak, but nothing compared to the turmoil in my heart.

My phone suddenly rang, and the caller ID showed "Mom".

Hua Qing's heart tightened. She subconsciously sat up, cleared her throat, and tried to make her voice sound normal before pressing the answer button.

"Hello, Mom?"

"Hua Qing, dinner's almost ready. Where are you all strolling around?"

"I'm taking a walk with Lin Man along the riverbank. We'll head back soon."

Are your classmates coming over for dinner?

"I don't think so—"

Before Hua Qing could finish speaking, a short, startled cry suddenly came from the direction of the bathroom.

She almost reflexively moved the phone away from her ear, her fingers tightly covering the microphone.

"Hua Qing? What's that sound?"

Hua Qing put the phone back to her ear, her heart racing.

She took a deep breath and tried to make her tone sound normal.

"It's nothing, Lin Man—she tripped and almost fell."

"Be careful, don't just look at your phones and not watch where you're going."

"Okay, Mom—I'll be right back."

The phone hangs up.

Hua Qing leaned back, her heart still pounding and her face burning.

The sound of water in the bathroom stopped, and Ding Heng slowly walked out and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Senior, do you want to wash up again?"

Hua Qing didn't move, lost in thought.

"Senior?"

Ding Heng shouted again.

"I'm not washing anymore."

Hua Qing then responded, "I have to go home for dinner."

"Aren't you going to eat with us?"

"My mom probably has something to say to me—"

Hua Qing threw off the covers and got out of bed, bending down to pick up her scattered clothes: "I'll come over again tomorrow to go shopping with you."

"Do you need me to step in?"

Hua Qing turned around and met Ding Heng's gaze.

The man's eyes were serious, without the slightest hint of politeness, and he had no intention of running away.

"We'll see."

But Hua Qing still couldn't muster the courage: "Right now—you should focus on being Lin Man's boyfriend."

Ding Heng reached out and pinched her cheek: "Senior, are you jealous again?"

"No way!"

Hua Qing pouted and muttered something under her breath.

"Scumbag—"

When I opened the door, Hou Wangyan was busy in the kitchen.

Taking advantage of her inattention, Hua Qing quickly slipped into her room and began to wipe away the various traces of men and women on her body.

After confirming that her mother couldn't tell anything was wrong, she threw the dirty tissue into the trash can, changed into a loose-fitting house dress, tied her hair back up, and left the room.

There were two dishes and a soup on the table, all of which were her usual favorites.

Hou Wangyan casually instructed, "Go wash your hands first."

Hua Qing hummed in agreement, turned around and went into the kitchen to wash her hands, then sat down opposite her mother.

Hou Wangyan picked up her soup bowl, took a sip, and suddenly asked, "Qingqing, do you have a photo of your boyfriend?"

Hua Qing silently picked at her food, saying, "He doesn't like taking pictures."

"Are there still young people who don't like taking photos these days? Even if they're not good-looking?"

Hua Qing didn't reply, focusing on eating the rice in her bowl.

Hou Wangyan abruptly put down her chopsticks, her tone suddenly becoming serious: "Hua Qing, are you hiding something from me?"

Hua Qing looked up and met her mother's gaze, then quickly looked away.

"no."

"You've always been like this since you were little; you can't look people in the eye when you lie."

Hua Qing placed her chopsticks on the rim of the bowl and didn't move them.

Hou Wangyan stopped beating around the bush: "Hua Qing, are you... being kept by someone?"

Hua Qing replied hesitantly, "No, not really."

"What do you mean by 'not count as'?"

He said I was his girlfriend, and I was willing to be his girlfriend.

"you----"

Hou Wangyan was speechless for a moment, so she simply asked directly.

Did he give you money?

"Yes, it was given."

"How many?"

"I currently have a fixed allowance of 60,000 yuan per month—plus other expenses."

Hou Wangyan gasped.

Sixty thousand!?

"And then he even rented an apartment and bought a car for you in the capital?"

"Um."

"No wonder you had money to travel all over Europe during the summer vacation —"

Hou Wangyan gave a bitter smile.

She wasn't angry, nor did she object; she simply asked softly, "When will you bring it back to show your dad and me?"

Hua Qing lowered her head, her voice muffled: "Can we wait a little longer?"

Hou Wangyan picked up her chopsticks again, took a piece of lettuce and put it into Hua Qing's bowl, her tone softening.

"Don't worry, learning to dance isn't a major life decision. It's your choice, Mom won't force you!"

Hua Qing didn't say anything, lowered her head, and ate the rice in her bowl one bite at a time.

Meanwhile, at a riverside hotel restaurant.

Ding Heng's chopsticks froze in mid-air, his eyes suddenly glazing over.

Lin Man had just peeled a shrimp and was about to put it into Ding Heng's bowl.

"Boss? What's wrong?"

"It's nothing."

Ding Heng snapped out of his daze and shook his head.

He picked up the water glass on the table, took a sip, and then looked back out the window.

In my mind, the system interface slowly faded away.

[Progress of severing emotional ties: 2%]

The numbers, which hadn't moved for a long time, suddenly started jumping again.

(Don't worry, it won't be any melodramatic or sentimental stuff!)

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