Forgotten Photo Studio

Chapter 125: Women are not allowed to stay in college

“The key is frequency synchronization.” Chen Zhiwei’s fingers lightly stroked a hidden knob on the back of the camera. “The camera’s flash is triggered by electronic signals, but this requires you to inject your spiritual energy into it.”

She gestured for Xu Yan to place his hand on the camera grip: "Feel the energy circuit inside the camera, find that unique resonance point. Just like tuning a radio, you have to be precise to the millimeter."

Xu Yan closed his eyes and applied slight pressure with his fingertips. Soon, he sensed a special frequency node inside the camera, beating rhythmically like a heartbeat.

"Found it." He opened his eyes. "What's next?"

“Adjust your psionic energy to this frequency, and then,” Chen Zhiwei pointed to a dial behind the flash, “adjust this frequency adjuster to the same position. When the two are perfectly synchronized, the runes on the flash will emit a faint glow.”

Xu Yan did as instructed, carefully adjusting the flow of spiritual energy within her body.

Sure enough, the moment he precisely aligned the frequencies, the runes on the flashlight lit up with a faint blue light, like stars being illuminated.

“This is ‘soul resonance’,” Chen Zhiwei explained softly. “When the flash is triggered, it no longer just releases light, but releases an energy shock that is completely synchronized with your soul frequency. Grandpa said that this is enough to instantly dismantle the defenses of most E-level ghosts.”

Xu Yan felt the subtle vibrations emanating from the camera in his hand, as if this ancient artifact was establishing some kind of deep connection with him.

"I understand." He released his grip, his eyes resolute. "This is what I want."

Chen Zhiwei looked at his skillful manner and a hint of doubt flashed through her mind. Xu Yan was learning the process too fast. It was so fast that it didn't seem like he was learning for the first time. Instead, it was like he was reviewing knowledge that he had already mastered.

But she didn't press the matter. She simply removed the flash unit, rewrapped it, and handed it to him, saying, "Remember, this frequency needs to be recalibrated after each use. And..."

She paused, then said seriously, "Overuse will deplete your primal spiritual energy and may even cause you to lose more memories."

Xu Yan took the flashlight and gently ran her fingertips over the runes on it.

“There are some costs,” he said softly, but with unusual firmness, “that must be paid.”

Chen Zhiwei seemed to suddenly remember something, her gaze becoming distant: "Before my grandfather passed away, he entrusted it to me very solemnly." As she spoke, she turned and walked towards the stairs to the attic.

A short while later, she laboriously carried down a camphor wood box.

The box wasn't big, but it exuded the weight of time.

The wood surface has a warm patina, and the wear on the edges is a testament to the passage of time. The brass buckle is engraved with delicate and intricate cloud patterns, while the keyhole is empty.

It's as if it's never waiting for a key, but for a specific moment, a specific person.

Xu Yan gazed quietly at the wooden box, understanding dawning on his mind.

Inside should be the book "The Mirror of Shadows and Light" that he already knows by heart, and that dark gold wide-angle lens.

A weapon he did not intend to use at the moment.

What truly captivated him were the calming films in the box that could counteract most of the camera's backlash.

“Grandpa said,” Chen Zhiwei’s voice pulled him back from his thoughts, “that we can only give it to you after you use that camera to truly seal the first ‘soul’.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Yan's lips curled into a gentle smile, and he teased, "Master instructed me to seal the first soul. But I haven't met the requirements yet, so why did you take it out?" He leaned closer and lowered his voice, "Is this what people often say... 'A daughter grows up and leaves home'?"

Chen Zhiwei's cheeks flushed instantly, and she glared at him, both embarrassed and annoyed: "I'm being kind to you, and you don't even appreciate it! Fine, I'll do as Grandpa said and give it to you when you meet the standard!" Saying this, she pretended to be angry and turned to turn around with the box in her arms. "Alright, alright," Xu Yan quickly stepped forward, gently pressed the lid of the box, and softened his tone, "I'm not joking with you anymore. Zhiwei, I accept your kindness."

Chen Zhiwei calmed down a little, but still said with a hint of reproach, "I'm doing this for your own good. Becoming a Gold-level expert is a very difficult path. Naturally, the more trump cards you have, the better."

Xu Yan nodded repeatedly, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.

He gazed at the woman before him, who was so worried about him, and a memory quietly surfaced in his mind:
He remembered that when he first came to the photo studio after graduating from university, Chen Zhiwei was not yet a permanent resident there.

At that time, she lived with her parents in the north of the city and only visited occasionally on weekends.

Strangely enough, the two seemed to be destined for each other in a past life, feeling an extraordinary affinity upon their first meeting, perhaps because feelings were already planted at that very glance.

Chen Zhiwei also seemed to particularly enjoy pestering him and playing around.

Later, she came more and more frequently, almost every day.

Because her home was too far away, she simply packed her bags and stayed at the photo studio.

From then on, the once deserted photo studio came alive with her arrival, and his wandering heart finally found a home.

"I know," Xu Yan replied softly, her fingertips gently tracing the delicate cloud patterns on the wooden box. "With you here, no matter how difficult this road is, I can keep going."

Chen Zhiwei carefully opened the camphor wood box. The moment the lid was lifted, a faint fragrance of camphor wood and old paper wafted out.

The box was lined with dark red velvet, and inside lay a dark gold wide-angle lens, next to a book with a blue cloth cover called "The Mirror of Shadows and Light," the words on the spine already somewhat mottled.

"So these are the lens and instruction manual for your camera." She gently took out the two items, her eyes shining. "Now you can understand the secrets of this camera even better."

Xu Yan took the camera and the ancient book, his fingertips tracing the cold metal and rough pages, a perfectly timed smile of surprise spreading across his face: "Thank you for your kind gift, Zhiwei."

"What do you mean, 'your Zhiwei'?" Chen Zhiwei's face instantly turned bright red, like a peach blossom in early spring. "When did I ever say I liked you? When did I become yours?" She turned her face away in embarrassment and annoyance, but her ears were burning red.

In that instant, Xu Yan suddenly leaned down and gently kissed her lips before she could react.

Chen Zhiwei froze, as if she had been frozen in place.

Her fingers unconsciously gripped the hem of her clothes, her breath caught in her throat, and only her heart pounded wildly in her chest like a drum.

The kiss was light and brief, yet it felt like an electric current coursing through her body.

Xu Yan stepped back slightly, watching her stunned expression, a gentle yet firm smile curving his lips: "That's not up to you." His voice was deep, carrying an undeniable possessiveness, "What I set my sights on is mine."

He reached out and gently stroked her slightly flushed cheek with his fingertips, as if confirming the return of a lost treasure.

“Now,” his gaze was as deep as the sea, carrying a certainty that transcended reincarnation, “I can stamp it.”

The afternoon sunlight shone through the shop window, turning the dust particles into gold dust.

The camphor wood chest was quietly open, and the pages of the book "The Mirror of the Netherworld" turned gently in the breeze.

(End of this chapter)