CHAPTER 351: THE SMALL TEMPLE HAS A LARGE DEMON WIND

After the photoshoot with the school uniforms, they changed into sportswear. Each of them held a tennis racket, striking various poses as directed by the photographer.

The photographer stared at the duo behind the lens with an almost greedy gaze. The girl was radiant with youthful allure, exuding calm and charisma; the boy was tall and handsome, fiery like the sun.

Casual snaps already looked like high-quality magazine spreads—more than enough to impress sports brand advertisers during screenings.

"Alright, girl, give me a smile. Perfect... Yes, absolutely flawless."

The girl wore a blue-and-white sports outfit, her slender, elongated figure fully on display—long arms and legs, a natural tennis prodigy at first glance.

The shadow cast by her tennis cap split her face down the middle, dividing it darkly from the bridge of her nose. Her eyes, hidden in the shade, flickered with a cold glint refracted through the lens. Meanwhile, her jawline and shoulders shimmered under the sunlight, forming graceful and fluid contours—clarity meeting charm. Her full lips, lit by the sun, burned red like fire, akin to roses blooming at their peak.

Her face held a paradoxical combination: shadow and light, water and fire. Though seemingly at odds, these contrasts merged mysteriously into harmony, creating a visage cloaked in enigma yet rich with untold stories.

The photographer checked the camera multiple times, still feeling dissatisfied.

He understood that some people were just not photogenic, but the lens failed to capture even a fraction of the girl’s beauty and essence—leading him to question whether it was his inadequacy as a photographer.

Despite pushing his professional skills to their limits, he was barely content with the outcome.

Even so, these shots were a class above those featuring fashion models and celebrities.

"Classmate, have you ever considered joining the fashion world? You’re born for this—don’t let your natural gifts go to waste."

When the shoot wrapped up, the photographer cautiously approached Shen You’an.

Spotting promising talent was a temptation hard to resist.

Before Shen You’an could respond, the vice principal emerged like a phantom. "Sir, what you’re doing here is tantamount to sabotaging the backbone of our country’s future scientific endeavors! You risk being nailed to the shameful pillar of the research community’s history."

The photographer was flabbergasted. All he did was scout for potential in the fashion industry—how did it escalate into such a grave accusation?

The vice principal adjusted his glasses and spoke sternly, "Shen You’an is a student who, since enrolling in first grade, has never relinquished the top rank and consistently earns the annual A-grade scholarship. She has won every engineering and science competition gold medal there is..."

The photographer listened in stunned silence. Lanya High School was renowned as a top-tier institution in Northern China’s education sector—its reputation stellar nationwide. A student who dominated the top rank year after year was undoubtedly a rare genius destined for limitless success.

Wasting such talent in the fashion industry... The photographer swallowed nervously and reluctantly admitted, "Vice Principal, you’re right... I take it back. Shen, better focus on your academics."

One less darling for fashion; one more genius for science—he couldn’t bear that level of blame.

The vice principal huffed coldly, "Now that’s more like it."

Shen You’an offered a faint smile, nodded slightly at both the photographer and vice principal, then turned to leave.

The photographer watched regretfully as the girl’s silhouette receded into the distance.

The boy stepped forward, scratching his head, looking as if he had something to say but hesitated.

The photographer smiled knowingly. "Looking for the negatives, eh? Got it. Give me your email address, and I’ll package them up for you later."

The boy flashed a dazzlingly toothy grin. "Thanks, big bro. I’ll treat you to lunch."

The photographer waved his hand dismissively. "It’s a small favor. I’ve got another job to get to—heading out now."

As the photographer called his crew to wrap up, the school bell rang, and the quiet campus buzzed back to life.

From the first-year academic building to the cafeteria, one had to pass by the sports field. Groups of students strolled together, glancing repeatedly towards the field with curious gazes.

"Did Mr. Jiang and Shen You’an have their photoshoots this morning? What a shame we missed it—they’re already packing up."

"I wonder how the pictures turned out? These will be posted on the corporate website, representing all students under the Lanya Group. Personally, I feel Qin Xiangge or Luuo Yunqi would be better fits. One’s a piano princess destined to perform at international opera houses—boosting the group’s global renown. The other is tomorrow’s star in entertainment! With Luuo Yunqi on the site, Lanya Group would become famous nationwide, wouldn’t it? Shen You’an... What recognition does she have?"

"Shallow thinking—you only care about fame. For an educational group, what truly matters is talent and accomplishment. In those metrics, who beats Shen You’an? Shen You’an is the best representation of Lanya Group."

As they debated their way toward the cafeteria, none noticed Luuo Yunqi walking behind them.

"Yunqi, wasn’t your marketing company planning a promotional photoshoot for you? When is that? Can I come watch? I’ve never seen a shoot in action."

Luuo Yunqi withdrew her gaze from the field. "This afternoon."

Xiao Ling was incredulous. "This afternoon?"

Luuo Yunqi nodded. "I already asked the class teacher for leave. I’ll head out after lunch."

"That’s so sudden."

"The company hired Yu Guang Studio. Their schedule is tight, and today’s the only slot available."

Xiao Ling suddenly clapped a hand over her mouth, gasping in delight. "Yu Guang Studio? Is that the one I’m thinking of? Their work is iconic—the go-to for A-list celebrities seeking to immortalize their images in classic photography. Many stars have to book them way in advance, and even then, it’s not guaranteed."

Having followed the fashion scene closely, Xiao Ling was no stranger to Yu Guang, hailed as the top photographer in the industry. Countless models and stars yearned to work with him.

Luuo Yunqi, a newcomer, receiving such treatment made Xiao Ling feel a twinge of envy.

"Being able to hire Yu Guang—your company treats you well."

Luuo Yunqi smiled faintly. "Go ask for leave, then join me this afternoon."

Xiao Ling’s eyes sparkled. "Really? I’ll go request leave right now!"

As Xiao Ling dashed off in excitement, Luuo Yunqi mulled over something, then pulled out her phone and made a call.

"Miss Luuo, I thought you were prepping for your promotional shots. Did something go wrong?"

"President Xu, I just wanted to thank you. I wasn’t expecting you to hire Mr. Yu Guang—he’s been a role model of mine for years."

"Ah, about that—after some research, the company concluded that you’re the most marketable element in this film. So, we decided to allocate our efforts accordingly. Hiring Yu Guang was a challenge; we had to pull strings and call in favors. It helped that he happened to be traveling to Qingzhou for work, otherwise securing even one session would’ve been impossible. Miss Luuo, seize this opportunity—if you catch Yu Guang’s eye, your path in the fashion industry will smooth out considerably."

Luuo Yunqi’s lips curved into a smile of confident pride. "I won’t let you down."

At least her company had the foresight to see her marketing potential and make an early bet on her.

After hanging up, Xu Xintao muttered, "This girl sure is lucky, stumbling into such golden opportunities—it’s all luck, more than talent, that stands out in this industry. Looks like I placed my bet correctly."

Though the words he said to Luuo Yunqi sounded impressive, the reality was simpler: his team had sent Yu Guang Studio an invitation without much hope. Surprisingly, Yu Guang accepted.

The studio responded saying they were already heading to Qingzhou for other business and could fit Luuo Yunqi’s session in as part of the trip.

Getting Yu Guang to personally oversee a shoot for a newcomer—this was truly a stroke of fortune worthy of the heavens.

With Yu Guang involved, her prospects in the fashion world were already set to soar upon debut.

Xu Xintao hummed cheerily, then asked his assistant, "What’s the status on that rookie named Miss Qi? Her company really refused the offer?"

"Yes, President Xu. They said Miss Qi is busy prepping for her exams and doesn’t have time. Her company will fully handle all the movie promotion."

Xu Xintao sneered coldly. "Such arrogance for a small-time company matched with a rookie. Let’s see how much noise they can make."

~

"Boss, I found a restaurant nearby called Taotie Records—it’s rated pretty high, affordable and tasty, plus it’s close to the photo studio. How about we go there?"

The man fiddling with his camera didn’t even look up. "Your call."

"On it."

The man shifted the lens towards the massive indoor sports complex looming in the distance, its grandeur amplified under the blue sky and white clouds.

Say what you want, but Lanya High School was truly wealthy—the campus facilities were built far better than any renowned university in Jingzhou.

Adjusting the focus, his lens fell on a pair of passing students outside the sports field fence, their vibrance irresistible.

Narrowing in, he locked onto two boys walking together—a stark contrast in their demeanor yet equally striking: one aloof as the moon, the other warm as jade.

"Click." Caught in his frame, the boys’ figures were forever preserved in eternity.

The man nodded in satisfaction. This Lanya High School truly was a treasure trove—each student radiating incomparable charm. If they ever debuted as a group, they’d outperform the entertainment scene by a mile.

But remembering the vice principal’s advice earlier, he quickly dismissed the thought. The entertainment industry was far too corrupt—better to keep these bright young talents untouched.

Suddenly, his phone chirped with a notification. He glanced down at the screen.

—Don’t forget your promise! Dinner’s on me.

Smiling slightly at the message, he typed back: Ten meals at Wangyue Building.

—Damn it, Yu, you extortionist!

—Come on, I’ve heard you’re running an entertainment company now. Surely you can afford ten meals at Wangyue Building? Besides, I even stood up for your rookie—you’re really that stingy?

—Fine, fine, Brother Yu, have it your way. I’ll get you a membership card there—you can go anytime.

—Finally, that’s more like it. Wait for my good news.

Pocketing his phone with a grin, the man gestured to his team and boarded the van. "Lunch first, then work resumes this afternoon."