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

Chapter 255 The Girls' Arrangements Before the New Year

The moment before the winter break ended his exams, Ding Heng went to the old street on the outskirts of the city.

Ding Heng had already arranged for the renovation of his maternal grandparents' shop.

The two adjacent shops were combined, making the whole space twice as big. The shelves were rearranged, the lighting was brighter, and three more employees were added.

Grandpa no longer has to guard the counter all day, and can now free up his hands to go to the river to play chess and fish with his old friends.

Grandma couldn't stay idle. She stopped working as a cashier and started wandering around the store instead.

When Ding Heng pushed the door open and came in, the old lady's face lit up with a smile.

"Heng Ya is here?"

He then glanced behind Ding Heng, his gaze landing on the black sedan outside the shop.

"Where's Wenjing? Didn't she come with you?"

"She hasn't finished her exams yet."

Ding Heng took a can of cola from the freezer and opened it: "I'll bring her to see you when I have a holiday."

Grandma nodded, then her gaze drifted towards the door. The Mercedes window was half-open, and a figure could be clearly seen in the driver's seat.

"Is the one driving your classmate?"

"My secretary, Lin Man. It's on my way, I'll give her a ride home."

Ding Heng tilted his head back and took a big gulp of cola, letting out a comfortable breath.

"secretary?"

Grandma frowned slightly, her tone a mixture of surprise and worry.

"You're a college student, and you're even hiring a secretary?"

Ding Heng didn't explain further, but turned around and waved towards the door.

Lin Man pushed open the car door, got out, and quickly walked into the store.

Her outfit today was much simpler than usual—a long black down jacket, thick dark gray casual pants, and flat snow boots.

Her hair wasn't styled much, loosely tied back, and she wore almost no makeup.

But the alluring charm that emanated from her very bones was ultimately undeniable, making her worlds apart from the virtuous and quiet woman.

Lin Man walked up to her grandmother and bowed politely: "Hello, Grandma. My name is Lin Man, and I am Ding Heng's secretary."

Grandma responded politely, looked Lin Man up and down, hesitated, but ultimately didn't say anything unpleasant.

"Please sit down, let me pour you a cup of tea."

"Grandma, don't bother, I'm not thirsty."

"When in Rome, do as the host does; once you're here, you're a guest."

Grandma had already turned and walked into the inner room, but after taking a few steps, she turned back and waved to Ding Heng: "Heng, come and help me find where I put the tea leaves."

Ding Heng followed him inside.

As soon as the curtain to the inner room was drawn, Grandma's polite demeanor vanished, and she grabbed Ding Heng's sleeve and lowered her voice.

"That girl—is she really your secretary? Or is she something else—?"

The old lady hesitated for a long time, probably unable to come up with any decent words, so she simply said, "Wenjing is such a good girl, you—you can't learn those shady ways, hiring some kind of secretary just because you have money, and then flaunting it outside."

Ding Heng was both amused and exasperated: "Grandma, what are you thinking? Lin Man is a top student, and she's helping me manage the company now, earning me a lot of money every year."

Grandma asked skeptically, "Really?"

Why would I lie to you?

"Tsk—"

After thinking about it for a long time, the grandmother finally realized that her grandson's attitude did not seem like he was lying.

She sighed softly and reached out to straighten Ding Heng's collar: "I don't care about your companies or anything like that. You need to know that Wenjing is a really good girl."

"I know, I know."

Ding Heng gave a perfunctory reply and shoved his grandmother towards the door, saying, "Grandma, don't worry, Wenjing will definitely be your granddaughter-in-law."

"That's more like it."

With reassurance, Grandma returned to the shop.

Lin Man was sitting on a bench next to the counter. When she saw the two of them come out, she immediately looked up and smiled at her grandmother. Her smile was gentle and proper, and there was not a single fault with it.

Her grandmother exchanged a few pleasantries with her, asking questions such as "How many people are in your family?" and "What do you do for a living?" Lin Man answered them all respectfully and sincerely.

Grandma's expression softened a little, but she wasn't as affectionate as she was towards Wenjing.

After sitting for a while, Ding Heng stood up to take his leave.

Grandma saw Ding Heng to the door, held his hand, and gave him a few more words of advice, nothing more than "study hard" and "don't overwork yourself." Lin Man had already gotten into the car, started the engine, and the heater was blowing loudly.

The car drove out of the old street and turned onto the main road.

Lin Man gripped the steering wheel with both hands, her gaze fixed straight ahead: "Boss, do my grandparents not like me very much?"

Ding Heng smiled helplessly: "They're the older generation, they're conservative in their thinking, don't take it to heart."

"What do they think I am?"

Lin Man asked casually and teasingly, "An frivolous secretary? Or the kind that's specifically designed to seduce the boss?"

Ding Heng remained silent.

Lin Man turned to look at him, then turned back: "Actually, it's not really a misunderstanding."

"7

Ding Heng raised his hand and gently patted her head: "Alright, stop being so dramatic."

Lin Man stuck out her tongue and didn't continue the topic.

As the car rounded an intersection, Ding Heng suddenly asked, "Where are you planning to go for the New Year?"

"I?"

Lin Man blinked and asked in a soft, charming tone, "Boss, aren't you going to take me with you for the New Year?"

1

"Go and make the arrangements. Let's all have a lively New Year this year."

"Okay."

Lin Man answered decisively, her face beaming with a bright smile.

The Mercedes returned to the underground parking garage and came to a stop.

Ding Heng didn't turn off the engine. He switched to the driver's seat, and Lin Man got out of the car with her bag. She bent down and leaned close to the car window: "Boss, drive carefully."

""

"Um.

"6

Ding Heng drove out of the garage, and in the rearview mirror, Lin Man was still standing there waving at him, her figure gradually shrinking.

School gate.

Zhao Yanxi was wearing a long, off-white down jacket, with a scarf wrapped around her chin, leaving only her eyes showing. She was standing on tiptoe, peering into the intersection.

Wenjing stood next to her, wearing a light pink short cotton jacket, her hair tied in a ponytail, her cheeks slightly reddened by the cold wind.

The suitcases stood at their feet, one large and one small, one black and one pink.

The Mercedes stopped, and Ding Heng got out of the car and put his suitcase into the trunk.

Zhao Yanxi opened the back door and got in, with Wen Jing following closely behind.

The moment the car door closed, a wave of warm air rushed out.

Zhao Yanxi pulled her scarf down: "Finally finished the exams, I'm exhausted."

Ding Heng started the car and asked, "How did the test go?"

"What else can we do? As long as we get through it, that's fine."

Zhao Yanxi turned her head and asked, "Xiao Jingjing, what are your plans for winter break?"

Wenjing replied, "I'll go home to check in today, and then—we'll see."

"Just checking in?"

Zhao Yanxi drawled out, her tone laced with sarcasm: "So, you're just going to follow Brother Ding Heng, right?"

Wenjing blushed slightly and didn't reply.

"I also want to celebrate the New Year with you."

Zhao Yanxi pouted and muttered something under her breath.

Ding Heng glanced at her in the rearview mirror: "Will your parents let you go?"

"cannot."

Zhao Yanxi sighed, "My mom has called several times to urge me to go back, afraid that if I stay in Xingcheng with you during the Spring Festival, I'll just be wasting my time! Also, my uncle brought his girlfriend home this year, and he asked me to help him take a look."

"Then you should stay home and wait. I'll pick you up on the second day of the Lunar New Year."

"Second year of junior high?!"

Zhao Yanxi sat up straight, her tone serious: "Brother Ding Heng, you'd better keep your word."

Don't worry!

Ding Heng was both amused and exasperated.

Zhao Yanxi's family situation was always a problem, at least during her university years, she couldn't be as quiet as Wenjing.

The car first turned into Zhao Yanxi's residential area.

Zhao Yanxi got out of the car, and Ding Heng followed behind her, taking her suitcase out of the trunk.

Wenjing stayed in the car, looking down at her phone.

As the elevator ascended, Zhao Yanxi suddenly asked jokingly.

"Ding Heng, are you nervous about going to Wenjing's house for the first time later?"

"What's there to be nervous about? It's much easier than meeting your parents."

"Her parents really see you as a golden catch."

Zhao Yanxi chuckled: "Don't mess it up."

Ding Heng did not respond.

The elevator doors opened, and Zhao Yanxi's door was ajar. Zhou Rongmei's voice could be heard from inside.

"Yan hope is back? Come in quickly, it's cold outside."

Zhao Yanxi pushed her suitcase into the house, and Ding Heng followed behind, changing his shoes in the entryway.

The living room was steamy. Zhou Rongmei was busy in the kitchen wearing an apron, while Zhao Xingguo sat on the sofa looking at his phone.

Seeing Ding Heng enter, Zhao Xingguo put down his phone and nodded to him: "You're here? Have a seat."

Ding Heng sat down on the sofa and chatted with Zhao Xingguo for a few minutes.

It's nothing more than school finals and winter break plans.

Zhao Xingguo asked casually, while Ding Heng answered naturally.

Zhou Rongmei poked her head out from the kitchen: "Xiao Ding, are you staying for dinner tonight?"

"No, Auntie."

Ding Heng stood up: "My friend is still waiting for me downstairs, I have to take her home."

Zhou Rongmei said "Oh" and didn't try to stop her.

Zhao Yanxi poked her head out of the bedroom and waved to him: "Brother Ding Heng, drive carefully."

"Um."

Ding Heng went downstairs and got back into the driver's seat. Wen Jing moved to the passenger seat and leaned over to ask.

"How is it?"

"What, how is it?"

"Yan hope's parents—didn't they invite you to stay for dinner?"

"I left it there. I told my friend was waiting downstairs."

"friend?"

"Isn't that right?"

"I guess so —"

Wenjing scratched her head awkwardly.

Ding Heng started the car and drove towards Wen Jing's house.

As she got closer to home, Wenjing became increasingly nervous.

It all started with a falling out with my family during the summer after my senior year of high school, then we managed to reconcile during my sister's wedding in October, and today I brought Ding Heng home for the first time.

Wenjing believes she has grown a lot and can at least view family relationships objectively and make the best choices.

But when the time came, she realized that she was only twenty years old and not old at all.

Ding Heng reached out and gently ruffled her hair: "Don't be nervous, it's not like it's the first time you've met your parents."

"Last time is last time, this time is this time."

Wenjing muttered softly, "Anyway—it's not quite the same."

Ding Heng laughed out loud: "What's the difference? Aren't they both your men?"

Wenjing blushed and didn't say anything more.

The car stopped downstairs at Wenjing's house.

Ding Heng turned off the engine and took out several boxes of gifts from the trunk.

Wenjing walked ahead, her steps faster than usual, as if to bolster her courage.

The staircase is still the same as before, two motion-activated lights are broken, the walls are peeling, and there is a thin layer of dust on the handrail.

Wenjing stopped at the door, took a deep breath, and raised her hand to knock.

Wen Shu opened the door.

"Sister, brother-in-law."

She had already received Wenjing's message and was not surprised at all. She stepped aside to let the two of them in.

Wen Dahai sat on the sofa, while Luo Guihua poked her head out from the kitchen.

"Little Ding's here? Come in, come in quickly, it's cold outside."

Wenwan and her husband were also there, and they both stood up to greet them, their expressions somewhat unnatural.

Only his younger brother, Wentao, was curled up on another sofa, engrossed in playing video games without even looking up.

Ding Heng placed the gifts on the coffee table, and nodded to Wen Dahai and Luo Guihua: "Uncle and Aunt, we came in a hurry and didn't prepare anything."

"You're here, why did you bring anything?"

Luo Guihua was polite in words, but her eyes were already glancing at the bags.

She sat down on the sofa, kept pouring tea and offering fruit, and began making small talk.

"Xiao Ding, how's your company doing lately?"

"good."

"Wenjing told me your company is in Hong Kong?"

"Yes, the registration address is over there."

"Does that mean you have to fly there frequently?"

"No need, there are professionals to take care of it."

Luo Guihua nodded and asked a few more questions.

It's nothing more than questions like "What does the company do?" and "Is it doing well?"

Ding Heng answered each question with neither arrogance nor servility.

Wen Dahai sat beside him, occasionally chiming in with a few polite words.

Wen Wan didn't say much throughout, only occasionally glancing at Ding Heng with a complicated look in her eyes.

Seeing that it was almost time, Ding Heng stood up to say goodbye.

Luo Guihua invited him to stay for dinner, but Ding Heng said he had other things to do and would come again next time.

Wenjing followed him downstairs, her steps much lighter than when she went upstairs.

Once inside the car, Wenjing let out a long breath.

"That scared me to death."

"Your mom isn't going to eat you."

"I'm afraid she'll ask all sorts of questions, like about your company, or about us—"

"Didn't you answer quite well?"

Wenjing pursed her lips and remained silent.

Ding Heng started the car, and Wen Jing suddenly blurted out something.

"Ding Heng, could you please stop buying things for my parents so often in the future?"

"What's wrong?"

"I'm afraid they'll think you're easy to talk to and will come to you for everything in the future."

Ding Heng laughed out loud: "Why are you worrying about this?"

"I'm not worried, I'm just—"

Wenjing couldn't continue, so she simply shut her mouth.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Ding Heng doesn't plan to have too much contact with Wenjing's family; he'll just observe the proper etiquette during holidays.

As for how to get along, that's entirely up to Wenjing.

The next morning, Baima dragged her suitcase out of the school dormitory, looked back at the dormitory, and said goodbye to her roommates one by one.

The phone rang; it was a message from Ding Heng.

[Ding Heng]: Finished the exam?

[White Horse is Not a Horse]: Just finished the exam! [Little Horse Spinning.jpg]

[Ding Heng]: At the school gate.

Baima dragged her suitcase and ran downstairs.

The black Mercedes was parked on the side of the road. She opened the back door, stuffed the suitcase inside, and then climbed into the passenger seat.

"Brother!"

Baima rubbed her cheeks, which were red from the cold wind: "I'm freezing!"

Ding Heng started the car: "How did the test go?"

"It'll do, at least it won't break."

Bai Ma fastened her seatbelt, her short legs dangling off the edge of the seat: "Brother, what are your plans for winter break?"

"It's not decided yet."

"You have to tell me in advance so I can arrange a time to hang out with you."

"You're not in Changsha during winter break?"

"I have to go home this year!"

Pema's tone softened: "This year, the first day of the Lunar New Year falls on the same day as the Tibetan New Year, so my mother has to go back. There are many things to take care of after the earthquake there, and she needs to go back to be the pillar of support."

Ding Heng glanced at her sideways: "Your mother went back alone?"

"You'll definitely take me with you."

Baima shrugged: "Uncle isn't with her this year either. I can't just leave her all alone."

Do you want to go back?

"Whether you want to or not, you have to go back."

Baima's short legs swung even faster: "My mom is all alone. Although she doesn't say it, she's actually quite tired. She has to worry about all those herders, those officials, and all those messy things. I can't really help her much when I go back, but at least I can keep her company and talk to her."

Ding Heng didn't speak, but also reached out and gently rubbed Bai Ma's head.

Bai Ma didn't dodge, letting Ding Heng rub her hair until it was all messed up.

Ding Heng withdrew his hand: "Do you want me to go back with you?"

"No need. I can manage on my own."

Baima chuckled and added, "Besides, you have so many sisters-in-law to keep you company, you can't spare the time."

"You're quite considerate of me."

"Of course, she's your most caring little sister."

Bai Ma tilted her head and smiled at him, looking so cute.

Back in the villa's garage, Ding Heng turned off the engine and looked at Bai Ma.

Baima was unbuckling his seatbelt, fiddling with the buckle a couple of times, but couldn't get it off.

Ding Heng leaned over to help, and with a "click," the seatbelt snapped open.

The two suddenly closed the distance, so close that Ding Heng could see the curve of the little girl's eyelashes.

Baima took a deep breath, then quickly turned her face away, pushed open the car door, and jumped out.

"Brother, I'll go upstairs and pack my luggage!"

Ding Heng followed her upstairs.

The door to Baima's room on the second floor was half open, her suitcase was spread out on the floor, and her clothes hadn't been folded yet.

She squatted in front of the box and stuffed the clothes in one by one, much faster than usual.

Ding Heng leaned against the door frame, watching her busy herself.

"Pema".

"What?"

"If you have nightmares again tonight, call me."

"Um."

Baima lowered her head, feeling a warm glow in her heart.

Winters in the capital are drier and colder than in Changsha; the wind feels like knives on your face.

When Ding Heng walked out of the airport, it was already completely dark.

Hua Qing's car was in its usual spot at the Chengchechang parking lot, leaning against the car door.

Ding Heng walked over and opened his arms. Hua Qing didn't flinch, letting the man wrap her in his embrace.

"Senior, did you miss me?"

Hua Qing didn't say anything, but simply raised her hand and gently patted his back, as if complaining.

"Let's go."

Ding Heng released her and opened the driver's side door: "Are you driving or am I driving?"

"Let me do it. You must be tired coming all this way so late at night."

"My senior is so thoughtful."

"snort!"

The car drove out of the airport and merged into the traffic.

"What time is your performance, senior?"

"Tomorrow night at 7:30."

"Did you reserve the tickets for me?"

"Hmm. Front brick."

Ding Heng leaned back in his chair, quietly observing Hua Qing.

He wondered if it was just his imagination, but Hua Qing's profile seemed to be softening. The coolness in her eyes was still there, but she no longer seemed as unapproachable as before.

"What are you looking at?"

Hua Qing noticed Ding Heng's gaze but didn't turn her head.

"Look at my girlfriend."

"Scumbag—"

Hua Qing muttered and grumbled.

The following day's performance was held at the Experimental Theatre of a theater in the capital.

All three hundred seats were fully occupied.

Hua Qing was the grand finale, performing a new solo dance that lasted about twenty minutes, which was met with thunderous applause at the end.

The fairy stood in the center of the stage, slightly out of breath, with a thin layer of sweat on her forehead. Her eyes searched the audience and quickly locked onto Ding Heng's position.

Ding Heng got up, went around to the backstage area via the side passage, and presented flowers as usual.

Hua Qing took the flower, lowered her head to smell it, and smiled slightly.

It was almost 11 o'clock when I got back to the apartment.

Hua Qing went to take a shower, while Ding Heng helped her pack her luggage in the living room.

After Hua Qing finished showering, she squatted down next to Ding Heng.

"Ding Heng".

"Um?

'

"I've already talked to my family, and I'll be spending Chinese New Year with you in Yongxing City this year."

Ding Heng's hands stopped moving: "Did Auntie agree?"

"Yes. She said I'm already twenty-three—and that I should decide my own life's most important matters."

Ding Heng turned his head and met Hua Qing's gaze.

The fairy lowered her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

Ding Heng reached out and repeated the action he did for each girl, gently rubbing Hua Qing's head.

"You're such a good girl, senior."

Hua Qing blushed and slapped his hand away.

"Hate."

Ding Heng laughed out loud, stuffed the last item into the suitcase, zipped it up, and stood up.

Hua Qing stood up as well, and the two stood facing each other, very close to each other.

Ding Heng extended his hand: "Let's go home."

Hua Qing hesitated for a second, then raised her hand and placed it on top, their fingers intertwined.