CHAPTER 60: CHAPTER 61: STREET PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

He didn’t answer, turned around and left the bedroom, shutting himself in the study.

Su Xingyu didn’t urge him, perhaps he needed some time to accept this. In the following days, her attitude towards him was lukewarm, not as haggard and desperate as before, but also not enthusiastic.

Their relationship’s future depended on his decision.

On the evening of the second weekend, he came back from the company and placed an application form in front of her, "You said you wanted photography because of your love for the world, then I will organize a street photography contest under the name of Blade Group. The public will vote for the most beautiful photo. If you can win first place, I will accept your claim."

Surprise flashed in her beautiful eyes, "So if I can win first place, I can openly become a photographer in the future?!"

"Yes." Lu Shifeng emphasized, "Only first place, the most beautiful photo. Those dark, twisted, inhumane ones don’t count. He hopes that when she picks up the camera, she captures the beauty of the world."

"Okay, no problem!" She agreed without thinking because she knew this might be her only chance.

The news that Blade Group was holding a photography contest in town spread quickly. As a world-leading camera brand, Blade enjoys great prestige not only among professional photographers but also among amateur photography enthusiasts. Plus, this competition doesn’t limit the registration threshold, meaning both professional and amateur photographers can participate, attracting numerous responses.

In just a week, thousands of applications were received.

Lu Shifeng told Su Xingyu the news and asked, "Do you have confidence?"

Su Xingyu seemed very calm, "You guys from Blade hosting such an event, lots of participants was expected, wasn’t it?"

Lu Shifeng was unhappy, "What do you mean ’you guys’ from Blade?"

Su Xingyu raised her eyes slightly, "Alright, our Blade."

Now needing his help, she thought for a moment and said, "Lu Shifeng, I don’t even have a camera of my own now, and can’t participate in the contest. Can I borrow some money from you to buy a camera first?"

His expression turned more displeased, "Borrow?"

Su Xingyu: "..."

No way, even if she had tried hard, she still couldn’t completely depend on him; she never used the additional card he gave her and even forgot about it, so she asked to borrow money.

Lu Shifeng looked at her coldly, "Originally, you could have used the additional card to buy directly, but since you’re so distant, don’t expect to cut corners. Su Xingyu, solve the camera issue yourself, you are not allowed to borrow money or equipment. If I find out you are using a camera that isn’t yours in the contest, expect to be disqualified."

"Lu Shifeng!" She shouted in anger.

Lu Shifeng was unmoved, his voice carried a hint of mockery, "Do you think only you can draw boundaries?"

Su Xingyu was so angry she felt liver pain, yet she couldn’t do anything against him. This man was probably sent by God to restrain her; once she met him, nothing went smoothly. "If I have to solve it myself, then I will," she was provoked and responded, "Don’t think I can’t manage things without you!"

Lu Shifeng responded to her with a cold laugh.

The street photography contest proceeded vigorously, flooding Blade Group’s official website with eye-catching photos. Even media outlets were stirred up, reporting extensively on the contest across platforms from TV stations to WeChat and Weibo.

Su Xingyu was finally free from Lu Shifeng’s restriction and could go out to capture street photography.

That day, as she was leaving, she ran into Xia Ling, the innocent and beautiful girl who rushed to her like a koala, "Xingyu, Xingyu, I missed you! Your husband is a nutcase, really let the servants block me from entering, I never get to see you!" Then, she vented her anger at how abnormal Lu Shifeng was.

Su Xingyu agreed but had to comfort the cute girl, "Alright, now you’ve seen me, haven’t you? My house arrest has been lifted, and if you miss me, you can call me, I can come to your place and hang out."

"Really? That’s great!" The girl, who was just indignant, quickly smiled, "Then can you hang out with me now? Ziheng went abroad again, boo hoo, it’ll take several days to come back, I’m so bored."

To be honest, Su Xingyu really envied this girl; it seemed like she did nothing but play daily, and she wondered how the girl managed her time for concerts and events. Su Xingyu declined politely, "No, I have things to do, Blade Group is hosting a street photography contest right now, I entered and have to hurry out to capture the streets."

"Street photography?" Xia Ling’s eyes brightened, "I’ll go too!"

But she immediately wore a bitter face, "Oh, it won’t work, every time I go out, I have to have a bunch of people with me, or I get surrounded by fans, they’re terrifying."

Su Xingyu laughed lightly; this was the trouble of being a big star. Don’t be fooled by Xia Ling’s freedom in this wealthy area; it’s because the security measures are so strict that common people can’t enter. As soon as she leaves this area, a superstar like Xia Ling definitely can’t walk the streets alone.

She comforted her, "Be good, I’ll show you the photos when I take more, and we’ll pick them together." It’s currently the preliminary stage; each contestant can upload one photo, and select the top ten based on votes from each district for the semi-finals. So, contestants would take many photos and pick the best one for the contest.

Xia Ling reluctantly agreed, still unwilling, "Come on, Xingyu, if you took me out for street photography, don’t just talk about the best photo in town, I’d help you win the best photo worldwide award."

"Yes, yes, you are the best." Su Xingyu smiled. In a way, Xia Ling wasn’t wrong. Her stunning face itself caught the eye, plus being a big star used to attention, her powerful presence in front of the camera would definitely make surefire stunning shots. Su Xingyu actually wanted to photograph her, even considered taking candid shots of her amusingly interacting with pets, which could easily win first place.

But Lu Shifeng’s words dispelled her idea, "Don’t photograph Xia Ling, that’s cheating." Disregarding the photographer’s skill, Xia Ling’s own fan base would probably propel the photo to first place.

Blocked by Mr. Lu from any cheating routes, Su Xingyu could only sigh.

"By the way, Xingyu," Xia Ling looked at her curiously, "You’re going out for photography, why aren’t you carrying a camera?"

Today, Su Xingyu was dressed casually, empty-handed, looking nothing like someone heading out to take photos.