Why is the system taking my request to photograph a cosplayer seriously?

Chapter 252 The Lonely Dragon Sister

At the end of December, New Zealand enjoys mild summer sunshine.

The group rented two SUVs and began a five-day road trip in New Zealand.

Stop to take pictures when you see beautiful scenery, and grab a bite at a roadside restaurant when you get hungry. Life is relaxed and pleasant.

On the 31st, everyone boarded a plane and returned to the island villa.

new Year's Eve.

Dong Le set up a small outdoor party on the lawn in front of the manor.

Wicker tables and chairs, and warm yellow string lights hanging from the branches, sway gently in the night breeze.

The table was laden with champagne and various desserts, as well as a three-tiered fruit cake.

The girls changed into their own pretty clothes, and the atmosphere became even more lively than when they first arrived.

As midnight approached, Dong Le carried a box of fireworks out of the house and placed it in the open space in the middle of the lawn.

"Would you like to set off fireworks?"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Zhao Yanxi was the first to rush over, and the sparkler was lit, flashing brightly.

Afterwards, the girls lit fireworks one after another and stood in a row. The sparks flickered in the night, reflecting their smiling faces.

Ding Heng raised his camera—click!

The sound of camera shutters echoed in the night wind, coinciding with the midnight chimes of New Zealand.

"Happy New Year!"

Zhao Yanxi was the first to shout loudly, her voice echoing across the open lawn.

"Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year."

After the New Year's Eve celebrations, everyone went back to the living room and had a blast.

More than an hour later, people began to feel sleepy.

Hua Yue was the first to slump onto the sofa and fall into a deep sleep, while Wen Jing and Zhao Yanxi squeezed onto another sofa, their eyes half-open.

close.

Baima was curled up on the carpet, her head resting on a cushion, fast asleep.

Hua Qing and Lin Man leaned against Ding Heng on either side, their breathing gradually becoming even.

Ding Heng, however, was wide awake, gazing silently at the dark sea horizon.

He finished the remaining red wine in his glass, gently moved Hua Qing and Lin Man's arms, and let the two lie down on the sofa. He then pulled a blanket over them.

Pushing open the glass door, Ding Heng looked up at the sky.

It should be 9 PM in China right now, so maybe we can catch the second New Year's Eve countdown.

capital.

Longhe pushed open the hotel room door and collapsed weakly onto the bed.

We got up at six in the morning and the shoot lasted all day, with more than a dozen outfits and several locations.

On the way back, Longhe dozed off to rest, feeling like his bones were about to fall apart.

I also had to listen to Sister Song taking a phone call in the passenger seat, the content of which was nothing more than the company's final arrangements.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Longhe was too lazy to think about it, and too lazy to ask.

In three hours, her contract with the company will officially expire.

Four years.

From seventeen to twenty-one, the most beautiful years of youth.

She makes money for the company, and the company gives her the fame and resources that others can only dream of.

It's not a matter of who owes whom; it's simply a transaction where each party gets what they need.

But as time goes by, feelings will inevitably develop.

At least that's how Longhe feels. Although there have been ups and downs with the company, it's still a "home" at least.

Only today did she realize that the so-called "home" was just a matter of not having settled accounts yet.

Long He sat up abruptly, walked to the window, and pulled back the curtains a crack. Her face was reflected in the glass.

My recent overwork has left me with faint dark circles under my eyes.

She twitched the corners of her mouth, wanting to laugh, but then realized there was nothing funny about it.

The digital clock on the bedside table jumped to 21:00.

Three hours left.

Longhe went into the bathroom and turned the water temperature up a few degrees higher than usual.

She stood under the shower with her eyes closed, letting the hot water wash over her, as a jumble of images flashed through her mind.

Rehearsal room, stage, applause and screams — and the occasional tears secretly wiped away.

I had just finished showering when my phone rang. It was my agent, Sister Song.

"Sister Song?"

"Longhe, that—"

Sister Song hesitated, as if she found it difficult to speak.

Longhe dried his hair while turning on speakerphone.

"What's wrong?"

"I just received a notification from the company that you need to check out before 12 o'clock."

Longhe stopped moving.

"What do you mean? Who checks out at midnight?"

"that is----"

Sister Song sighed: "The company said your contract expires tonight, so—all the resources arranged by the company, including this hotel room, will only last until today."

After a few seconds of silence, Long He let out a helpless, bitter laugh. "So you mean, I have to move out of here in three hours?"

"I'm already contacting new hotels, you—"

"Need not."

Long He interrupted Sister Song, his voice surprisingly calm: "I'll figure it out myself."

"Longhe————"

"Sister Song."

Long He interrupted again, saying, "Didn't you say that I wouldn't be under the company's management after the contract expires? Since I'm not under the company's management, you don't need to worry about the hotel."

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.

"Longhe, I'm sorry. I—"

"It's not your fault, you're just an employee."

Sister Song didn't say anything more.

Long He didn't say anything either.

The two people were on the other end of the line, and neither of them hung up.

In the end, it was Sister Song who spoke first.

"Then you—be careful."

"Um.

""

The phone hangs up.

Longhe put his phone back on the bedside table, sat on the edge of the bed for a while in a sullen manner, and then found it inexplicably funny.

Over the past few months, she believed she had been cooperative enough.

I attend every scheduled event arranged by the company, accept all available announcements, and cooperate fully with all promotional activities.

She treated this last period of time as a dignified farewell performance, thinking that at least it could lead to an amicable ending.

The results of it?

They won't even give you the courtesy of staying one more night.

Capital truly shows no mercy.

Longhe draped the towel back over the chair and stood up to start packing his luggage.

There aren't many things; one suitcase is enough to hold them all.

She folded the clothes and put them inside, then packed the toiletries into a waterproof bag, and finally picked up the digital clock on the bedside table and glanced at it.

21: 47.

There are still more than two hours until midnight.

Longhe zipped up his suitcase, placed the room key on the bedside table, picked up the suitcase, and left the room.

The corridor was long, and the motion-sensor lights turned on one by one, then turned off one by one behind me.

The elevator doors opened, Long He stepped inside, and pressed the button for the first floor.

Her face was reflected in the elevator wall.

She was dressed plainly, her hair still a little damp, loosely draped over her shoulders.

A black hoodie, dark gray casual pants, and white canvas shoes—he looks like a college student who has just finished evening self-study.

The elevator stopped on the first floor.

My phone vibrated again; it was another message from Sister Song.

[Sister Song]: The new hotel is booked. I'll send you the address. You can just go there directly.

Longhe stepped out of the elevator and typed a reply.

[Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon]: No need.

[Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon]: I have somewhere to go.

[Sister Song]: Where to?

Long He suddenly felt a little irritated.

Where to go?

She didn't know where to go either.

She just didn't want to be controlled by others anymore.

For four years, everything from her schedule and meals to her styling and interviews has been arranged for her. She doesn't need to think or choose; she just needs to obediently carry it out.

With her contract expiring soon, she finally gets a rare moment of relaxation.

[Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon]: Anyway, there's somewhere to go, don't worry about it.

[Sister Song]: Longhe, what about your mother's side?

[Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon]: Sister Song.

Long He took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, and continued typing.

[Longhe]: I am no longer an artist of the company and have not signed a new contract. Can you please stop using my mother to pressure me?

After sending the message, she regretted it a little.

That's too harsh a statement; Sister Song has always treated her well.

[Sister Song]: Okay!

[Sister Song]: Please take care of yourself. Call me anytime if anything happens.

Long He didn't reply. He took out his glasses from his pocket, put them on, and strode out of the revolving door.

In the capital city at the end of December, the nighttime temperature had already dropped below zero.

Long He was dressed in thin clothes, and the cold wind blew in through the collar of her sweatshirt, making her shiver.

She stood by the roadside, watching the passing vehicles, and suddenly didn't know which way to go.

The phone screen lit up.

21: 59.

Two hours and one minute left.

Longhe swiped the screen and dialed Huaqing's WeChat number.

"Beep—beep—beep—"

It rang several times before they finally answered.

"Feed?"

Hua Qing's voice was sleepy, as if she had been woken up.

"Hua Qing, it's me."

Long He politely asked, "Um—can I stay at your place for the night?"

"OK."

Hua Qing answered crisply and decisively, without asking why or engaging in any unnecessary small talk.

Long He felt a warmth in his heart.

"You haven't changed the password, have you?"

"No changes."

"Um."

The phone hangs up.

Longhe put away his phone and hailed a taxi.

"Master, go—"

She gave the address of Huaqing Residential Area.

The driver was a middle-aged man in his forties, speaking with a thick Beijing accent. He glanced at Long He through the rearview mirror.

"Young lady, dragging your suitcase so late at night, just got back from a business trip?"

I guess so.

"Thank you for your hard work."

The driver stepped on the gas: "In this freezing weather, you young people are really good at making things happen."

"Aren't you working too?"

"Sigh—just trying to make a living."

'

The two began to chat, and the uncle's enthusiasm finally brought Longhe a touch of warmth in the cold night.

More than forty minutes later, the car stopped at the entrance of Huaqing Residential Area.

Longhe scanned the QR code to pay and dragged his suitcase into the community.

The security guard glanced at her, probably because a resident had given prior notice and didn't stop her.

I went upstairs to change my shoes. Because Hei Dou had been entrusted to a friend by Hua Qing, the room was very quiet.

Longhe turned on the light, sat on the sofa for a while, and suddenly felt cold, a cold that came from the inside out.

She stood up and began to walk around the room.

The bed in the bedroom was made neatly, and there was still a slight smell of detergent on the pillow.

There was a book on the bedside table, "Dancer's Notes," which Hua Qing had been reading recently, with a pencil tucked between the pages.

-

Longhe picked up the book, flipped through it, and then put it back.

She went back to the living room and sat down on the sofa again.

I'm so bored.

She picked up the TV remote, turned it on, and changed several channels, but they were either showing New Year's Eve galas or boring variety shows.

She turned off the TV and tossed the remote onto the coffee table.

Quiet.

Too quiet.

Disturbing.

Long He stood up again, put his glasses back on, and went out the door, preparing to go to a crowded place.

Taxi drivers were stuck on Chang'an Avenue on New Year's Eve.

Longhe's car window was half open, and a cold wind blew in, making her hair messy.

It's better to be a little cold; at least it will make her feel like she's still alive.

"Miss, Wangfujing is just ahead, why don't you get off and take a stroll?"

The driver's voice pulled Long He back to reality.

"Okay, let's stop here."

I scanned the code to pay, pushed open the door to get out of the car, and was immediately hit by a blast of cold air.

Longhe wrapped his hoodie tighter and walked slowly along the pedestrian street.

As she walked, she suddenly felt a little hungry, so she went into a McDonald's.

Longhe took out his phone to order, but found that it was about to run out of battery.

It was New Year's Eve, and the crowds were dense. McDonald's had no empty seats, and even the power banks were all borrowed.

Long He smiled wryly; today was truly an inauspicious day for everything.

She looked around and glanced at the girl charging her phone next to her; the girl's screensaver was an artistic photo of herself.

fan?

Longhe stepped forward tentatively and asked, "Um—excuse me, could I borrow your charger for a moment? My phone is dead."

"Oh—okay!"

Without thinking much, the girl took off her phone, handed over the charger, and even gave up her seat.

"Thanks."

Longhe plugged in the charging port, hesitated for a long time, and then reached out to take off his black-rimmed glasses.

one second.

two seconds.

The girl's mouth was slightly open, and her eyes were wide open.

"You—you are—"

"Shhh."

Long He raised his index finger to his lips and winked at her.

The girl quickly covered her mouth, nodded frantically, and her eyes widened even more.

"You—how could you—"

"Thank you for the charger. Also, could I have two fries? I'm a little hungry."

"No, no, you're welcome."

The girl hurriedly pushed the fries in front of her over and squeezed a packet of ketchup onto them.

"Longhe, shouldn't you be at the New Year's Eve party? My friend said your group has a performance tonight—"

"That was pre-recorded, a rehearsal."

Long He smiled sheepishly: "I was bored, so I came out for a stroll."

"one person?"

"Um."

Longhe picked up a French fry, stuffed it into his mouth, chewed, and asked, "Are you spending New Year's Eve alone too?"

"My boyfriend is looking for a parking space."

"oh----"

The two looked at each other in silence.

"that----"

The girl finally couldn't resist: "Can we take a picture together?"

Long He glanced at her.

The girl quickly promised, "I promise I won't post it on WeChat Moments! I'll just—I'll keep it to myself!"

"OK!"

Longhe readily agreed.

The girl quickly took out her phone and opened the camera.

Longhe leaned closer and smiled at the camera.

"Click."

The image freezes.

The girl's face was dazed: "I—I actually took a picture with Long He—"

Long He stood up: "I'm leaving now. See you again someday!"

"Your phone—"

"Ten percent is enough."

Longhe unplugged the charging cable, put his phone in his pocket, waved to the girl, and turned to walk out of McDonald's.

The night grew deeper.

Longhe walked slowly westward along Chang'an Avenue. His phone vibrated again; it was another message from Sister Song.

[Sister Song]: Which hotel did you go to?

Longhe did not reply and continued to follow the flow of people.

Go where there are lots of people.

Because in crowded places, at least you won't feel too lonely.

Midnight is getting closer.

Longhe was swept along by the crowd and unknowingly walked to the center of the square.

There were people all around.

Couples were embracing, families were with their children, and groups of friends were taking photos together.

Everyone had a smile on their face, and everyone was waiting for the new year!

Standing in the crowd, Long He felt increasingly like an outsider, his heart empty.

At times like these, she would always think of Ding Heng.

Which woman is his brother with right now?

brother----

This word is really useful.

It can be used for both offense and defense.

When you want to get closer, say "We're like brothers"; when you want to keep your distance, say "We don't talk about this between brothers."

Long He didn't know what he really wanted either.

She was just—very lonely and very tired.

I really want to know if there's anyone waiting for her on this road.

My phone vibrated again.

This time it's Yang Sijie.

[Mom]: Where are you?

[Mom]: I'll send you the terms of the new contract to your email. Take a look, and if there are no problems, we'll arrange for you to sign it the day after tomorrow.

Longhe has already reviewed the new contract.

A twelve-year contract.

For a female artist, twelve years is basically equivalent to a contract of servitude.

This means that the best years of her life will be bound tightly by that piece of paper, and she will have to obey the "big boss" she has never met.

Longhe had no idea where his mother got her confidence from.

Unfortunately, Yang Sijie had given her so much that she didn't even have the courage to refuse.

So even if she was unwilling a thousand times in her heart, she couldn't say it.

[Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon]: Okay!

It's almost midnight.

The people in the square began the countdown.

"19-18-"

The sound waves surged in from all directions, completely engulfing Longhe.

"765—"

She stood motionless in the crowd.

"432"

She closed her eyes.

"—!"

'

Cheers erupted.

Light effects burst forth overhead, turning the night sky into a dazzling spectacle.

People hugged and kissed, shouting "Happy New Year!"

Suddenly, Long He heard a voice coming from behind him, cutting through the hustle and bustle of the crowd.

It's very light.

But it's very clear.

"Longhe".

Hearing the sound, Long He turned around abruptly and saw Ding Heng grinning at her.

A white short-sleeved shirt, dark gray casual pants, and a pair of canvas shoes.

On a winter night when everyone was bundled up in thick coats, he was dressed as if he had stepped out of summer.

"You, you, you————"

Long He stammered, but Ding Heng didn't give her a chance to ask questions. He quickly stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.

Happy birthday, bro!