HuaYu: Starting with Photography to Navigate the Entertainment Industry

Chapter 62: Playing the Poor

The once quiet coffee shop became lively after the man's arrival, attracting the attention of customers at other tables.

Xu Lang sat right next to him, closest to him. He watched as the man tried to drag Zhu Zhu away, but he just watched without moving or stopping him.

Xu Lang understood very well.

"I've only met Zhu Zhu two or three times. We're not even ordinary friends; he's just a potential client at most."

The person who rushed in clearly has an unusual relationship with Zhu Zhu. What would it look like if I tried to stop him?

Zhu Zhu, who was being dragged along by that person, was somewhat anxious and embarrassed, and struggled to say:

"Brother, let me go."

"open?"

The man was furious. "Instead of studying properly, you come here to film this nonsense. I'm ashamed of you. Come back with me right now. Your grandpa is about to be driven crazy by you."

"Uh...you're hurting me."

Zhu Zhu struggled for a moment, but couldn't break free.

Left with no other choice, she could only turn to Xu Lang and smile apologetically, "Teacher Xu, please wait for me a moment."

After saying that, she took the initiative to push the man out of the coffee shop.

Xu Lang, holding his coffee, watched Zhu Zhu and the man's retreating figures, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.

"Brother? Grandpa?"

This relationship is quite complicated!

Fortunately, Zhu Zhu returned alone not long afterward.

Xu Lang observed her expression; she seemed both angry and embarrassed.

When she got back, she plopped down opposite Xu Lang, picked up her coffee, and drank it as if venting her frustration.

"If you have something to do, you can go back first. We can talk about taking photos later," Xu Lang said.

Zhu Zhu put down her coffee cup, grabbed her head with both hands and shook it vigorously, causing her once smooth long hair to become somewhat disheveled.

"fine."

She raised her head, her expression turning somber, her eyes moistening, and her voice trembling with a sob.

"That person was my uncle's cousin."

"Cousin? Why would he care about you?"

"Ugh!"

With a sigh, Zhu Zhu's face was full of helplessness as he slowly spoke.

"I was born in a military compound. My grandfather was a founding major general, my father is an entrepreneur with a net worth of over 100 million yuan, and my uncle and my cousin also work in government agencies. They are stable and respectable jobs."

In their words, "Of the whole family, I'm the only one who's causing trouble; I insisted on becoming a model and entering the entertainment industry."

At this point, she suddenly raised her head, grabbed Xu Lang's hand, and her voice trembled with excitement.

"You know what? I have absolutely no interest in doing business or pursuing a career in politics. I just love being a model and an actor. My dream is to enter the entertainment industry."

But they just don't understand. They insist that I took some revealing photos and that it was disgracing the family.

Because of this, my dad is going to sever ties with me and is even threatening me with my living expenses to completely cut off this path for me.

I'm stubborn too; the more they try to control me, the more I rebel.

Since starting university, I haven't spent a single penny of my family's money; I've supported myself entirely by working as a model and doing part-time jobs.

The more Zhu Zhu spoke, the more aggrieved she felt, and tears streamed down her face.

After pausing for a while, she continued:

"I could have lived a life of luxury like a princess and didn't have to suffer like this, but I just couldn't accept it."

On what grounds?

Zhu Zhu's voice rose three octaves.

Why should they be allowed to dictate my life?

Why can't I live life the way I want?

Is it just because I have a grandfather who was a founding major general?

Is it simply because they are entrepreneurs or government officials?

I am not satisfied!

I want to live the life I want, according to my own ideas.

After saying this, Zhu Zhu looked at Xu Lang earnestly, gripped Xu Lang's hand even tighter, and

"Xu Lang, do you think what I'm doing is right or wrong?"

Will you support me?

"Well..."

Xu Lang hesitated for a moment, wondering how to respond.

But after thinking it over, his attention was drawn to the soft warmth in his hands.

He subconsciously squeezed Zhu Zhu's hand; it felt fleshy and soft. A thought struck him.

"Is this what the books mean by 'soft and boneless'?"

But seeing Zhu Zhu staring at him with slightly moist eyes, he felt that it was inappropriate for him to think about being "soft and boneless" at this time.

Bringing his thoughts back, Xu Lang chuckled awkwardly.

"How do you want me to support you?"

Zhu Zhu held Xu Lang's hand and rubbed it back and forth, making the "fleshy" feeling even more obvious.

He didn't follow Xu Lang's lead, but changed the subject:

"Xu Lang, I've been following you since the first episode you filmed for Re Yizha. I also know that you filmed Zhang Hanyun from Super Girl, and you helped Re Yizha get the audition role."

I've collected all the photos of yours that I could find, and I look at them often. Each time I look at them, they're different; your work has a soul.

Although you are young, I can see that you are a very talented photographer, and you will definitely have a bright future.

As she said this, she leaned forward, raised Xu Lang's hand, and placed it on her chin as if making a wish.

"Um?"

Xu Lang's heart suddenly skipped a beat. His keen sense of touch told him that the back of his hand seemed to have touched a place he shouldn't touch casually.

Those were Zhu Zhu's M-shaped lips, thick, soft, and bouncy. Even though it was just a seemingly unintentional, fleeting touch on the back of his hand, Xu Lang couldn't help but feel his heart race.

"What does this girl mean?"

Did she really bump into it by accident?

As he was lost in thought, Zhu Zhu continued:

"Xu Lang, to be honest, I really don't have much money right now. The money I make as a part-time model is only enough to support myself. It's really difficult for me to spend several thousand more on photo shoots."

Can you help me?

As Zhu Zhu spoke, her almond-shaped eyes were fixed on Xu Lang. Seeing that there was no special expression on his face, she quickly added:

"Xu Lang, don't get me wrong, I don't want to take advantage of your photography skills, I just want to..."

After a pause, Zhu Zhuzhi said:

"I was just wondering if you could pay me for the photoshoot on credit. Once I get a job at FHM and my appearance fee goes up, or if I get a GG contract, I'll definitely pay you back as soon as possible."

At this point, she once again took Xu Lang's hand as if making a plea.

This time, Xu Lang's senses were even more pronounced.

Zhu Zhu's M-shaped lips touched the back of his hand again.

Hiss~~~!

The soft, bouncy texture made Xu Lang tremble involuntarily.

The feeling was like being electrocuted!

Xu Lang was certain that Zhu Zhu's encounter was not accidental; it was deliberate, a subtle hint to him.

"That Zhu Zhu is too good at it!"

Xu Lang didn't even want to pull his hand away.

Fortunately, Xu Lang had conquered countless peaks and canyons, and although Zhu Zhu's M-shaped lips were alluring, they were not enough to intoxicate him.

Xu Lang's hand trembled slightly as he withdrew it.

Seeing Zhu Zhu's somewhat surprised look, he smiled gently and said:

"Zhu Zhu, I really admire your indomitable spirit."

"Don't worry, the money is negotiable. The key is how to take this photo for FHM. It has to impress their editors."

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Zhu Zhu quickly agreed, "I'll have to ask you to think about this for me."

"No problem, this is my job."

As Xu Lang spoke, he tapped his forehead with his hand.

"I still have an idea, but here..."

Xu Lang looked around, and Zhu Zhu immediately understood.

"This isn't very convenient. How about this, I'll go get a lounge so we can discuss this properly?"

"Hmm, not bad."