HuaYu: Starting with Photography to Navigate the Entertainment Industry

"Okay, come on over, I'm in the photography academy building right now."

"Okay, we'll be there soon."

After hanging up the phone, Xu Lang looked at Zhou Man and Zhang Hanyun, "I have a few friends coming over soon. You can come along if you want."

For her own future, Zhou Man was willing to go all out, and in doing so, she also risked Zhang Hanyun's life.

"Okay, it's perfect that we can all get together, it'll be more lively."

Does this work?

Xu Lang had underestimated Zhou Man's resilience.

"Let them follow if they want," Xu Lang said, getting up and walking outside.

Watching Xu Lang's retreating figure, Zhang Hanyun spat out, "What kind of bullshit master is he!"

The thought of having to follow him filled Zhang Hanyun with annoyance and grievance. "Sister Man, this guy is so arrogant, he doesn't act like a master at all. Why are we looking for him?"

"Ugh!"

Zhou Man was also helpless, silently thinking, "Do you think I want to be here begging for mercy? It's all because President Li forced me to."

But on the surface, she still advised, "I've seen the photos he took of Zhang Liangying. They really captured her fighting spirit in the face of hardship and despair, which makes people feel sorry for her."

If he can capture your cuteness and charm in photos, elevate your image to a higher level, and gain more support, then it's all worth it.

After saying that, she led Zhang Hanyun and followed Xu Lang out.

Xu Lang arrived outside the teaching building and was looking around when he saw a girl waving at him from a distance. "Xu Lang, we're here."

No need to look, it's ex-girlfriend number 1, Shen Qingyue.

Standing next to her were two boys. Xu Lang looked at them but didn't recognize them; they probably weren't from their year.

After all, in the entire Pixian County, only a handful of students from the county's No. 1 High School can get into Beijing in a year.

These people, even if they are not familiar with each other, must know each other.

As expected, Shen Qingyue introduced them to the two of them:

"Xu Lang, this is my senior from Beijing Foreign Studies University, Wang Xuan. He's a sophomore. In our Pixian County, his family is very famous, they're among the richest."

At the level of the richest person in the county?

This is quite a prestigious title; the net worth must be at least in the tens of millions.

"Ohhhhh!"

Xu Lang suddenly remembered that in his previous life, Shen Qingyue broke up with him less than a month after the start of the semester and went to be with her senior, Wang Xuan.

"What, did you come here specifically to show off to me?"

As Xu Lang was thinking, Shen Qingyue continued to introduce, "This is Wang Xuan's buddy, Bai Yang, who studies computer science at Beihang University. He's also from our Pixian County."

As soon as Shen Qingyue finished speaking, Wang Xuan walked over and patted Xu Lang on the shoulder, acting like an older brother.

"Brother Xu Lang, you've just arrived in Beijing. If there's anything I can help you with, just let me know. We're from the same hometown, so don't be shy."

"There is something I really need Brother Wang's help with."

Xu Lang didn't stand on ceremony. "I made a mistake when I applied for my major. I originally wanted to apply to the directing department, but I ended up in the photography department. Brother Wang's family is very powerful and has connections everywhere. Could you talk to the principal and ask him to transfer me to another department?"

"What?"

Wang Xuan couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat from his forehead. "Damn, you actually dared to bring that up!"

"Brother Wang, don't pay him any attention. He just loves to talk nonsense."

Shen Qingyue glared at Xu Lang. She wasn't stupid; of course she could see that Xu Lang was just making fun of Wang Xuan.

"Haha, it's nothing, Brother Xu Lang is really joking."

Although Wang Xuan said this, he secretly resented Xu Lang, thinking, "This kid embarrassed me the moment we met, he's really despicable."

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Bai Yang quickly changed the subject:

"Xu Lang, everyone says there are lots of beautiful girls at the Beijing Film Academy. I even saw your 'Women Are Just as Good As Men' column online, and I heard you even filmed it. Could you introduce us to some of these beauties?"

As he was speaking, Zhou Man led Zhang Hanyun to stand silently behind Xu Lang, without saying a word.

"Um?"

Shen Qingyue sized up the two of them. "Xu Lang, and those two..."

"Oh, this is Sister Man. She's here to talk to me about some business. This is her younger sister, Xiaohan. She came over for the weekend."

Xu Lang concealed Zhang Hanyun's identity because he really didn't want to cause trouble, after all, Zhang Hanyun is quite famous now.

Xu Lang's introduction was exactly what Zhou Man was thinking, as she didn't want any more trouble.

"oh."

Shen Qingyue and the other two sized up Zhou Man and Zhang Hanyun.

"what?"

Bai Yang pointed at Zhang Hanyun and said, "Brother Xuan, doesn't this girl look like Zhang Hanyun from Super Girl?"

"You know what, it really does look a bit like it."

Does it look a bit like it?

Ha ha!

Zhang Hanyun started rolling her eyes again.

"Zhang Hanyun is now an idol for little girls, and many children imitate her style of dressing."

Xu Lang gave a casual explanation, then changed the subject, "Come on, I'll take you around the school, maybe we'll run into some celebrity."

So, the six people who had inexplicably come together walked towards the school.

As they walked, the group split up:

Wang Xuan followed Shen Qingyue closely, showering her with attention and making her giggle repeatedly.

Bai Yang walked alone on one side, looking around, his eyes constantly glancing at the beautiful women passing by, feeling a strong urge to strike up a conversation.

Zhou Man stayed by Xu Lang's side, occasionally mentioning the promotional photos.

Zhang Hanyun, standing next to her, kept picking at leaves and kicking pebbles, looking utterly bored.

Xu Lang was also helpless about this awkward combination.

He also realized that the so-called hometown association of Shen Qingyue was actually just Wang Xuan using an excuse to invite Shen Qingyue, and Shen Qingyue, for some reason, insisted on bringing them to find Xu Lang.

"Are you trying to annoy me?"

As for Zhou Man and Zhang Hanyun, Xu Lang was really embarrassed to refuse because of Zhou Man's insistence.

As he walked along the road, he was thinking about how to take pictures of Zhang Hanyun, but after thinking for a long time, he couldn't come up with any ideas that could surpass her current image.

The six of them strolled around the school, and it was almost noon.

According to Xu Lang's plan, everyone should go back to their own homes and find their own mothers.

But Wang Xuan wouldn't have it. He insisted on showing off his status as the "richest man in the county." "Come on, just tell me what you want to eat for lunch, it's on me."

Hey?!

Since you're willing to be the sucker, then so be it.

Xu Lang welcomed this kind of thing.

That's what he thought, but he still wanted to make it sound more convincing aloud.

"Brother Wang, let's forget about it. We both have big appetites and are picky eaters. It wouldn't be right for us to eat too much or too little."

"What's wrong with that? Just eat as much as you want. We're all from the same hometown, no need to stand on ceremony."

"Since Brother Wang has said so, it would be disrespectful for him if we didn't go. Let's go to Tang Palace Seafood Restaurant then. I've heard their seafood is pretty good."

"Tang Palace Seafood Restaurant?"

Wang Xuan glared at Xu Lang, cursing inwardly, "You've got some serious ruthlessness!"

He's been in Beijing for two years, so of course he knows about Tang Palace Seafood Restaurant. A meal there costs at least 500 yuan per person.

"Hey, Brother Wang, isn't this too expensive? If you're worried about the price, then forget it. We can just go to the Chengdu snacks next door."

Xu Lang had a good idea: Wang Xuan wanted to show off next to Shen Qingyue, so how could he not be ruthless in his "cut"?

Wang Xuan glanced at Shen Qingyue beside him, gritted his teeth, and said, "Xu Lang, what are you saying? Do you think we brothers can complain about the price of a meal? Let's go, it's Tang Palace Seafood Restaurant today."

Five hundred yuan per person, three thousand yuan for six people, Wang Xuan felt that was acceptable.

The distance wasn't far, and the six of them strolled leisurely towards Tang Palace Seafood Restaurant.

As Xu Lang walked, he waved to Zhang Hanyun, "Little girl, want to play something fun?"

"What's fun?"

Zhang Hanyun was bored, but when she heard something interesting, she became interested.

"Click!"

Xu Lang gestured with his hand as if to cut, then glanced at Wang Xuan.

"That kid was trying to show off to me. When we order food later, let's not hold back and give him a good thrashing. How about it? You got it?"

"What's there to be afraid of?"

Zhang Hanyun was going through a rebellious phase of adolescence, so she was naturally interested in these kinds of "pranks." Suddenly, she was no longer bored, her eyes sparkling as she nodded repeatedly.

Zhou Man saw all this and felt it was wrong, but she didn't dare to offend Xu Lang, so she could only turn a blind eye.

Ugh!

Do whatever you want!