I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

The photography studio was very large with extremely high ceilings. Various lighting equipment had been set up, and staff members were busy moving around.

Right in the center, a man with a small braid and wearing a black overall vest was adjusting his camera when he heard the noise and looked up.

It was photographer Chen Xu.

"Teacher Chen, it's been a long time." Lan Manwen greeted her with a smile.

"Sister Lan." Chen Xu nodded, his gaze falling directly on Shu Zi, looking her up and down without any expression. "Go change into your first outfit first. Your makeup and hair are all ready."

His attitude was very professional and direct, without any unnecessary formalities.

Shu Zi didn't mind and followed the costume assistant to the dressing room.

The first outfit was a light apricot-colored tulle skirt, layered upon layered, the hem swaying gently as she walked, light and graceful.

The makeup artist gave her a very light base makeup, very light eye makeup with only peach-colored eyeshadow and thin eyeliner, rose-pink lip color, and her hair was permed into soft waves and loosely draped over her shoulders.

"Looks good." The makeup artist nodded in satisfaction. "Your skin is really good; you hardly need any concealer."

When praised by the teacher, Shu Zi almost floated on air, but remembering what Sister Wen had said, she whispered and humbly said "thank you".

As Shuzhi stepped into the photography area, she subconsciously squinted when the lights shone down on her.

"Relax, don't be nervous."

Chen Xu's voice came through the camera, "Look at me here, yes, relax your shoulders, tuck your chin slightly... good, eyes, give me a bit... ethereal feeling, imagine you're looking at something very far away, but it's like you're not looking at anything at all."

Shu Zi adjusted her posture and expression according to his instructions. At first, she was a little awkward, but soon, with Chen Xu's clear instructions and the constant "click" of the camera, she slowly found her rhythm.

"Very good, that's settled."

She turned around, and yes, her skirt swung up.

"Perfect!"

"Change into the next outfit. This one needs a bit more power, a colder expression, and yes, keep your eyes fixed."

The photoshoot went very smoothly. Although Shu Zi is not a professional model, she has a strong understanding and good adaptability. Under Chen Xu's guidance, she handled several styles quite well.

Lan Manwen stood behind the monitor with his arms crossed, occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones with the magazine editor next to him, his face practically screaming, "As expected of my people! They're just that awesome!!"

When Shuzi was changing into her third outfit, she sat in front of the makeup mirror touching up her makeup and overheard two staff members next to her, who were tidying up their clothes, chatting quietly.

"...Really? That painting Shu Zi gave to Gu Yan, was it really Aci's?"

"Absolutely true! I have a friend who's an art appraiser, and he said the brushstrokes and the signature are absolutely genuine. So many collectors would beg and plead to get their hands on Aci's paintings..."

"Who is Shu Zi? How did she manage to get Aci's painting and then give it away so easily?"

"Who knows? Maybe they have family connections, or maybe they know Ah Ci personally? Ah Ci never shows his face; he might be a reclusive master who likes to mentor talented younger generations?"

"Putting everything else aside, Shu-Tzu is seriously gorgeous!! If I were a guy, I'd be a fan!"

"Then go for it! What if the gender doesn't block you out?"

Shu Zi, who was applying eyeliner and forced to listen to the whole thing, was speechless.

I'm not a lesbian!

The last look was a sharp white suit, with her hair all combed back and tied into a neat low ponytail. Her makeup also emphasized the contours of her eyebrows and eyes, giving her an effortlessly cool and confident look.

This set was shot the fastest; Chen Xu wanted this refreshing yet slightly cold aura.

"Okay, that's a wrap!"

Chen Xu put down his camera and finally showed his first smile of the day. "You did a good job, better than I expected. Some of your photos will definitely go viral."

"Thank you, Teacher Chen." Shu Zi breathed a sigh of relief and bowed slightly.

"Hurry up and change your clothes, don't you have things to do tonight?" Lan Manwen walked over, exchanged a few more pleasantries with Chen Xu and the editor, and then urged Shu Zi.

By the time I went back to the dressing room to remove my makeup and change back into my own clothes, it was almost five o'clock.

Shu Zi quickly reapplied her light makeup in the car, changed her suit pants into more comfortable jeans, and put on a light apricot short trench coat, looking neat and tidy.

"I've sent you the address, just go there." Lan Manwen glanced at her phone and said to the driver.

The car merged into the evening rush hour traffic and sped off towards the west of the city.

On the way, Shuzi's phone vibrated incessantly in her pocket.

The group chat interface pops up—

The biggest sleeper within a hundred miles: "@Everyone, come out now! I have something to tell you all."

Cute and clueless: "Report!"

A little figure: "Play!"

The sleepiest person within a hundred miles: "I told you, don't get excited, huh?"

A little brat: "If you keep stammering, I'll kill your dog head!"

The sleepiest person within a hundred miles: "...I'm going to have a marriage alliance."

The group was silent for a full minute.

The sleepiest person within a hundred miles: "...Where are you all?"

A little guy: "Dead (smile)"

Cute and clueless: "Already dead +1 (smile) (smile)"

The one who sleeps the most within a hundred miles: "Don't die yet, stay alive!"

The sleepiest person for miles around: "Erkang's hand.jpg"

A little girl: "Who is it?! Why are you only telling me now! Don't you love me anymore?!"

Cute and clueless: "Yeah! Is there no love left?! Which pig stole you away?! I'm going to report this to the central government!!!"

Cute and clueless: "I'm going to cause trouble!.gif"

The person who sleeps the most within a hundred miles: "Um, this guy... you guys know him."

A little creature: "Who!"

The sleepiest person within a hundred miles: "...He Yuzhuo"

The group chat fell into a deathly silence once again.

The biggest sleeper within a hundred miles: "Hello~ Is anyone still here?"

On the bus—

Shu Zi, with an absolutely enormous, bewildered expression, was struck dumb and fell into deep thought.

When did those two... hook up?

In just a few days, what earth-shattering news did she miss?

Sitting next to her, Fang Zhizi noticed that Shu Zi suddenly seemed to be out of her body and couldn't help but ask, "Sister Zizi, what's wrong with you?"

Before Shu Zi could answer, Fang Zhizi started talking to herself, "Is she nervous? No way, your magazine shoot went so smoothly today..."

Lan Manwen turned around when she heard the noise, frowning slightly: "What's wrong?"

Shu Zi shook her head, her face full of grief: "It's nothing."

I feel like the world has deceived me!

Aa ...

Lan Manwen glanced at her, making sure she was really alright, before saying casually, "We'll be there soon."

Shu Zi nodded, took a deep breath, and picked up her phone again.

A little girl said, "I can't check my phone right now because I'm busy. @Fangyuanbaili's sleepiest person, you'd better tell me everything clearly tonight, from beginning to end, word for word, right in front of both of us!"

After sending the message, Shuzi turned off her phone and continued to contemplate life.