CHAPTER 202: CHAPTER 204: THE SUDDEN ARRIVAL OF A GALLOPING STEED

Nevertheless, this had nothing to do with Su Xingyu.

Considering her relationships with Zhuang Heng and Su Xingqi, whether they took good or bad photos had absolutely nothing to do with her.

She turned around to find a solution to her own problem; no matter what, even if no model was willing to cooperate, she had to shoot this environmental advertisement.

She walked to the tree where equipment was piled up not far away. There were many props prepared by the organizers, offering various choices for models and photographers. She bent down to pick and choose, trying to find a suitable prop to express this theme—since no one was available, she’d use props. Who said environmental photography could only feature people?

After a while of selecting, she picked up an African hand drum.

It was a traditional musical instrument covered in aged leather and ornate patterns, its exquisite appearance akin to a work of art.

She contemplated styling this drum, arranging it from several angles to capture the desolate feeling of the plains persisting amidst changes.

Yet before she finished pondering, she felt her hands suddenly empty as the African hand drum was snatched away by a pair of hands that reached out from the side. Raising her head, she saw Su Xingqi, in her red layered silk top, holding the drum gleefully in front of her. "This drum is mine now," Su Xingqi said easily and leisurely.

"I spotted it first," Su Xingyu blocked her path.

Su Xingqi scoffed, "So what if you spotted it first? I say it’s mine, it’s mine. You don’t like it, bite me."

Of course, Su Xingyu couldn’t actually bite her, but she refused to let this matter go and continued to block her path, "Put the drum down."

"I won’t."

"Then don’t expect to leave here one step."

Su Xingyu’s frame was more slender and petite compared to Su Xingqi. Normally, she would be no match in a bare-handed fight but now, as Su Xingqi was holding such a big drum, it was no easy task for her to break through Su Xingyu’s blockade. The two were stuck in a standoff, confronting each other in the slightly cool breeze of the mountain.

"What’s happening?" Zhuang Heng walked over, her face somewhat stern, "Su Xingyu, again?"

"Put the drum down," Su Xingyu repeated.

"What if we don’t?" Zhuang Heng asked.

"Then neither of you can leave here," Su Xingyu’s clear eyes stared straight into Zhuang Heng’s, having seen through this woman’s weakness now, "Zhuang Heng, aren’t you fond of playing the role? If you’re going to play along, then don’t tug and tussle with me, ruining your image as an elegant lady from the upper class. But if you don’t tussle, it seems you can’t take Su Xingqi and that big drum away at all. The real question now isn’t what I should do, but what you two should do."

Zhuang Heng inwardly cursed Su Xingqi for being foolish, intending to come over to trouble Su Xingyu but now stuck here in a dilemma, needing her rescue.

She paused for a moment, quickly came up with a plan, and walked a few steps to retrieve a small stool from the pile of props under the tree. She said to Su Xingqi, "Sit down."

Su Xingqi didn’t understand her intention but since Miss Zhuang instructed, she obediently sat down.

"Since Su Xingyu won’t let you leave, then we’ll take photos right here," Zhuang Heng smiled gracefully, serenely and composedly, "The scenery here is pretty nice anyway. Qiqi, pose for me a bit, I’ll make the shots beautiful." Saying so, she indeed picked up the camera she carried with her and began shooting trial images of Su Xingqi.

Su Xingqi suddenly realized—yes indeed, if Su Xingyu wouldn’t let them leave, they could just shoot here! Miss Zhuang was really clever!

Feeling smug, she placed the drum down flat—intending to irritate Su Xingyu—and even heavily slapped the African hand drum several times, "Haha, this drum is great, I’m going to take several shots."

Zhuang Heng also laughed, "Sure, I’ll snap as many shots as you want. Qiqi you’re so pretty, you look stunning drumming."

Su Xingqi felt elated with Zhuang Heng’s praise, drumming with even more enthusiasm.

The quality of the drum was excellent, the sound traveled quite a distance, drawing nearby photographers and models who paused their work to look over, some even gathered to watch Su Xingqi drumming.

"That’s an African hand drum, right? Pretty impressive."

"Miss Zhuang’s composition is fantastic! You positioned the model’s drumming hand as the golden ratio on camera, the lighting is just right." Someone commented whilst looking at the viewfinder screen behind Zhuang Heng.

Someone else listened to Su Xingqi’s drumming: "Ms. Su Xingqi, can you really drum? It sounds like random knocks."

Su Xingqi, having randomly drummed for Su Xingyu’s irritation, hadn’t followed any rhythm at all. Upon hearing such remarks, she wasn’t pleased, "Drumming is easy enough, let me show you!"

With that, she drummed more attentively, yet still seemed chaotic and unmelodious.

On the sidelines, Su Xingyu initially planned to rush up and grab the drum back after it was snatched away, but seeing Su Xingqi drumming so messily while being so confident, she couldn’t help but want to watch her embarrass herself a little longer.

While Zhuang Heng holding the camera turned her head and saw Su Xingyu’s mocking expression, knowing she was ridiculing Su Xingqi, she gracefully said to Su Xingqi, "Qiqi, let me teach you how to drum. Drum two strong beats followed by one weak, in groups of three beats, got it?" She had learned a bit of piano from a private tutor before, though different from drumming, she still retained some basic rhythm concepts.

Su Xingqi then genuinely began drumming following the suggested pattern of two strong and one weak beats, which sounded much smoother than before.

Around her, several photographers and models exclaimed in admiration, "Miss Zhuang is remarkable, mastering all types of musical instruments including the African hand drum. Her guidance indeed made Ms. Su Xingqi’s drumming pleasant."

Zhuang Heng smiled modestly, "You’re flattering me; Qiqi herself is smart with natural talent."

Su Xingqi, comfortably immersed in her drumming that she snatched from Su Xingyu, delightedly chimed in, "How can I compare to Miss Zhuang’s expertise? Miss Zhuang is the true musical talent here."

"You both have great musical sensitivity, quite impressive."

"Yes, exactly..." Compliments arose from the crowd.

Su Xingqi continued drumming vigorously but right then, someone unknowingly looked up and their expression changed abruptly, "Look!"

Following his direction, they saw from within the shaded woods beyond the slope several steeds charge out. Leading them was a fiery red horse akin to a stunning blazing cloud, with a female rider leaning forward slightly as she charged this way, her long hair caught in the mountain winds flying unfettered. Behind her, several tall, jet-black horses were also hurtling this way under their respective riders’ steer!

"Danger! Scatter quickly!"

Photographers and models over here shouted in alarm, dodging frantically to avoid the sudden approach and potential collision with the horse group—no trifling matter!

Amongst the chaos, Su Xingqi ended up the worst; sitting beside the drum she moved a step slower than others, barely getting up before the leading red steed had already charged right in front!