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

Chapter 246 The Lost Pony Abandoned

A week passed quietly and uneventfully.

After finishing up his other tasks, Ding Heng finally finalized his trip to the capital.

Lin Man had booked her plane tickets and hotel in advance, and Zhao Yanxi and Wen Jing had also asked their schools for leave.

The four of them, traveling light, set off on a sunny Saturday morning.

At the same time, Baima rode her electric scooter slowly back to the villa.

Pushing open the villa's door, the entryway was quiet and peaceful.

Sister Jiang went out to buy groceries, leaving Wen Shu alone in the living room. She was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, flipping through a thick English vocabulary book.

"You're back!?"

Wen Shu glanced up at Bai Ma, then looked down and continued flipping through her book: "Why are you alone today? Where are my brother-in-law and the others?"

Baima threw her schoolbag onto the sofa and collapsed onto it with a thud, her short legs sticking up and resting on the sofa armrests, looking utterly weak.

"They're gone, they've all left."

"Where did you go?"

"The capital city, I suppose."

Baima rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with sarcasm: "They left in such a hurry, only informing me right before they left, as if they were afraid I'd stick to them! They probably thought I was in their way and would make things inconvenient for them."

Wen Shu put down her vocabulary book and teased with interest, "Why are you angry that they went to the capital?"

Am I angry?

Baima scoffed, feigning disdain.

Wen Shu couldn't help but laugh, but didn't point it out.

She continued, "They're not here, what are your plans for the weekend? Staying home and playing video games? Or going out for a stroll?"

Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed through Baima's mind, and she abruptly sat up from the sofa.

"Xiao Shu, how about we sneak off to the capital and give them a surprise?"

Why are you getting involved? You're just asking for trouble.

What does it mean to make a fool of yourself?

Pema stood tall and proud, saying defiantly, "Why did they leave me all alone? Especially my brother! He always calls me 'little sister,' but he went out to play without me!"

Wen Shu was both amused and exasperated.

She still saw through it but didn't point it out, waving her hand: "I'm not as free as you. If you want to go, go by yourself, don't drag me down with you."

Bai Ma pouted, "Then I'll go by myself."

"Go ahead."

Without looking up, Wen Shu said, "Remember to bring your ID card, don't get lost in the capital."

"Tch, who do you think you're underestimating?"

Baima jumped off the sofa, ran upstairs, and opened her phone to check flight tickets.

The most recent flight, a direct flight from Changsha, costs nearly a thousand yuan.

Without even blinking, Baima selected business class.

But now she was so heartbroken she was grimacing.

It's almost the end of the month, and Qu Zhen has already spent most of the living expenses she received. After paying for the plane ticket, her bank account balance is almost empty.

"So expensive!"

Bai Ma hesitated for a long time with her finger hovering above the payment button, but finally gritted her teeth and pressed it decisively.

With a "beep", the payment was successfully deducted.

Baima tossed her phone onto the bed and began rummaging through drawers and cabinets to pack her luggage.

Clothes, charger, ID card — all stuffed into the backpack.

With her bag on her back, Baima ran downstairs again.

Wen Shu was still memorizing vocabulary in the living room when she exclaimed in surprise, "You're really going?"

"Of course!"

After changing her shoes, Baima opened the door, putting on the airs of an older sister.

"Shu, be a good girl at home!"

"Uh—be careful on the road."

Wen Shuchong waved to her.

"Okay, I know————"

The door slammed shut. Wen Shu shook her head, looked away, and continued looking down at the questions.

Meanwhile, in the capital.

Ding Heng stood in front of Hua Qing's apartment and rang the doorbell.

"Ding-dong—Ding-dong—"

Hurried footsteps came from inside the door, and the lock clicked open. Hua Qing's face was filled with undisguised anticipation.

"Ding Heng, come here—"

Before she could finish speaking, Hua Qing's smile froze on her face.

Behind Ding Heng, three heads popped out at once.

Zhao Yanxi peeked out from the left and waved at her with a grin: "Sister Hua Qing! Long time no see!"

Lin Man peeked out from the right and added with a smile, "Sister Qing, did you miss us?"

Wenjing stood at the back and nodded shyly to her, "Hello, Sister Huaqing."

Hua Qing's expression was indescribable. Finally, she stared straight at Ding Heng with an unfriendly look.

Ding Heng shrugged, looking completely innocent.

"Sister Qing, what are you doing—"

Lin Man deliberately teased, "It seems like you're not very welcoming to us."

Hua Qing took a deep breath, stepped aside to make way for the doorway, feeling helpless and resigned to her fate.

"Come in!"

The four filed in.

Lin Man walked last, closing the door behind her.

She stood in the entryway, looked around, and clicked her tongue twice. "Sister Qing, your apartment is still a bit small. Why don't you ask the boss to get you a bigger one?"

Hua Qing bent down and took out a few pairs of guest slippers from the shoe cabinet, placing them beside their feet: "I'm just doing a master's degree, it's only three years, why would I need a big house?"

"And what about three years from now?"

Lin Man changed her shoes and walked into the living room, casually stroking Hei Dou, who was dozing on the sofa: "Sister Qing, after graduating from the Beijing Dance Academy, don't you plan to stay in the capital to develop your career?"

For dancers across the country, the capital city offers more resources and more opportunities.

Hua Qing raised her head and unconsciously glanced at Ding Heng.

Ding Heng was squatting by the sofa, reaching out to scratch Hei Dou's chin. Hei Dou purred as he stroked it, looking very pleased with himself.

"It's still early—"

Hua Qing lowered her eyes and said indifferently, "We'll talk about it later."

Compared to developing her dance career, she now hopes that Ding Heng can spend more time with her instead of only visiting once every ten days or half a month.

Zhao Yanxi came up from behind and affectionately took Hua Qing's arm: "Sister Hua Qing, where are you planning to take us these next couple of days?"

Hua Qing pondered, "The capital only has so many tourist attractions, where would you like to go?"

Zhao Yanxi suggested, "How about we go visit your school?"

"no."

Hua Qing refused outright, her tone resolute.

Why?

"There's no reason why, it just means it won't work."

Zhao Yanxi was taken aback by Hua Qing's words. Just as she was about to ask another question, Hua Qing leaned close to her ear and whispered something in a low voice.

After listening, Zhao Yanxi suddenly realized: "Sister Hua Qing, you're right. You still can't bring men to those kinds of places."

Ding Heng was petting his cat when he heard this, and looked completely bewildered: "I didn't say I was going."

"You'd better be!"

Zhao Yanxi gave a light snort, turned around, and said, "Then let's go sightseeing instead. How about the Forbidden City?"

Lin Man chimed in, "It's autumn, perfect for taking pictures."

With everyone contributing their opinions, the matter was temporarily settled.

The girls then went into the dressing room together, and Hua Qing took out the autumn Hanfu that she had prepared in advance from the wardrobe and helped them match them one by one.

Zhao Yanxi was the first to come out, her pomegranate red cross-collar long coat making her look bright and flamboyant.

Lin Man followed behind her, wearing a dark green round-necked robe with an extremely slender waist, and a matching jacket over it, her clothes fluttering as she walked. She was already alluring, but now she had an even more captivating charm.

Wenjing wore a Tang-style pale yellow high-waisted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with a light apricot-colored wide-sleeved blouse over it, looking simple and gentle. The dress was perfectly fitted at the waist, accentuating her slender figure, but the fabric at her chest was stretched into a full curve, creating a sense of being fully covered yet about to burst out, which was captivating.

Hua Qing was dressed as usual in a light gray-white stand-up collar long shirt with a diagonal placket, paired with a dark blue horse-face skirt, looking as cold and aloof as frost.

Ding Heng sat on the sofa, holding Hei Dou in his arms. His gaze swept over the four women one by one, finally landing on Wen Jing, lingering for a second longer.

Wenjing met Ding Heng's gaze, her face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head to straighten her cuffs.

"Let's go."

Hua Qing picked up the car keys.

The square outside the Meridian Gate was teeming with people. Zhao Yanxi stood on tiptoe to look inside and exclaimed, "The capital is still so crowded!"

"Compared to National Day, this is less."

"Be careful, don't get separated," Lin Man instructed.

The group passed through the Meridian Gate and walked along the central axis.

Ding Heng raised his camera and looked at the girls through the viewfinder.

"Yan hope, stand next to that pillar. Yes, put your hands on the railing and tilt your head a little to the left—okay."

The shutter clicked away as Ding Heng not only acted as a photographer but also as a tour guide.

They walked and stopped frequently, exchanging a few words at each stop, focusing on interesting anecdotes and historical tales, with Wenjing listening most attentively.

The little white rabbit doesn't talk much, and it's nothing like Zhao Yanxi who runs around taking pictures everywhere.

Wherever Ding Heng went, she followed, gentle and obedient.

Finally, she looked up and asked curiously, "Ding Heng, how do you know everything?"

Ding Heng said seriously, "Ask Doubao."

"Bean bag?"

Wenjing was skeptical.

She felt that even if she asked an AI, it would be difficult to speak as fluently as Ding Heng.

Clear expression is a skill, but being able to express oneself wittily and humorously is even more rare.

Thinking of this, a small sense of vanity suddenly welled up in Wenjing's heart.

Good-looking, good at making money, eloquent, and with high emotional intelligence —

Such an outstanding man is her boyfriend!

Wenjing quietly tightened her grip on Ding Heng's arm, imagining that in the eyes of outsiders, they should be a very ordinary couple.

"Little Jingjing! Come over here for a photo!"

Zhao Yanxi shouted loudly.

"well----"

Wenjing reluctantly let go and jogged over.

Zhao Yanxi put her arm around her shoulder and flashed a V-sign at the camera. Lin Man leaned over from the side, while Hua Qing stood on the far edge.

Ding Heng raised his camera, and the four faces in the viewfinder were all beautiful in their own way.

Click.

Bai Ma swaggered out of the airport. The autumn wind in the capital was drier than in Changsha, and it felt cool on his face.

She was standing in the taxi waiting area at the airport entrance, about to reach out to hail a cab, when she suddenly realized a very serious problem.

She took out her phone, opened her WeChat Wallet, and glanced at her balance.

Well----

I just spent several hundred yuan on plane tickets, and now the money I have left will probably be gone after taking a taxi into the city.

She opened her WeChat Moments again and scrolled through it.

Just three minutes ago, Zhao Yanxi posted an update, geotagged at the Forbidden City, showing four people standing side by side in front of the Jinshui Bridge, smiling brightly.

Lin Man also updated her status with the caption "Autumn Day, Forbidden City, Old Friends," along with the same picture.

Bai Ma pouted, and that awkward feeling welled up inside her again.

She now has two choices.

First, take the Airport Express and then transfer to the subway; it takes about an hour to get to the Forbidden City.

Secondly, call Ding Heng or any of the older women directly and ask them to wait for you.

The second option is obviously wiser and easier, avoiding any hassle.

But Baima just wouldn't accept it!

Why should I?!

They went out to play without me, and only told me when they were about to leave!

Baima shoved her phone into her pocket and strode toward the airport express rail sign.

It's just taking the subway, right? Anyone can do that.

An hour later, Baima walked out of the subway station and, after much hesitation, arrived at the Shenwu Gate, the north gate of the Forbidden City.

Logically speaking, the Forbidden City usually has two exits, and most tourists will choose the North Gate, Shenwu Gate, so there is a high probability that they can ambush Ding Heng and his group there.

But as Baima waited and waited, she gradually became impatient and took out her phone to refresh her WeChat Moments again.

Hua Qing updated her photos two minutes ago, with the location set to Wangfujing Street.

Bai Ma's eyes widened, and her lips twitched.

Wangfujing Street was teeming with people.

To some extent, Wangfujing is just an ordinary commercial street, and similar commercial streets are now springing up everywhere in most first- and second-tier cities.

Four out of the five had visited this place when they were children, including Ding Heng.

Ding Wenjie is, after all, a top student from Peking University and has worked at CCTV. When he occasionally returns to the capital, he often brings his wife and children with him.

The reason everyone came was simply to broaden Wenjing's horizons.

Compared to the others, Wenjing was visiting the capital for the first time and was looking forward to visiting all the tourist attractions.

Everyone understood each other implicitly, but no one mentioned it. They continued eating, drinking, having fun, taking photos, and checking in as usual.

Just like at the Forbidden City, Wenjing stayed by Ding Heng's side the whole time, without making a fuss. Occasionally, Zhao Yanxi would call her over for a photo, and after the photo was taken, she would obediently return to Ding Heng's side.

Ding Heng asked with a smile, "Why don't you go for a stroll?"

Wenjing said softly, "There's nothing I want to buy."

"Since you've come all the way to the capital, don't keep following me around."

"I just want to follow you."

The little white rabbit's tone was unusually stubborn.

Ding Heng didn't say anything more, and still reached out to pinch her cheek.

"Little Jingjing! Come quick! This store has bunny hats!"

Zhao Yanxi stood at the entrance of a cultural and creative store, holding up a fluffy rabbit ear headband and waving vigorously at Wen Jing.

Wenjing hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Ding Heng.

Ding Hengchong gestured with his chin towards her: "Go ahead."

Wenjing then jogged over. Zhao Yanxi put the rabbit ear headband on her head, then put a pair of cat ears on her own head, and pulled her to stand in front of the mirror.

Lin Man came over from the side, picked up the fox ear headband, put it on her head, and tilted her head in front of the mirror.

Hua Qing stood at the door, glanced into the store, then got back in, continuing to maintain her aloof persona.

Ding Heng walked over, picked up a pair of small deer antler headbands from the shelf, and handed them to her.

"Want to give it a try?"

Hua Qing glanced at him but didn't answer.

"you want."

"Give it a try."

Ding Heng, without giving her a chance to explain, put the shackles on her head.

The antlers were light gold, which, combined with Hua Qing's cool and aloof face, gave her an inexplicable feeling of being a forest fairy.

Hua Qing reached out to stand up, but Ding Heng grabbed her wrist.

"It looks good on."

Ding Heng raised his camera again, aimed it at the girls, and the shutter clicked.

Baima walked from Shenwu Gate around Donghua Gate, then from Donghua Gate to Wangfujing. When she finally arrived at the pedestrian street, panting heavily, the neon lights began to illuminate the twilight.

Zhao Yanxi updated her WeChat Moments again—Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant.

Baima remained silent for a long time.

She shoved her phone into her pocket in dejection and wandered aimlessly along Wangfujing Street, beginning to vent her anger through shopping.

But the more money I spend, the less I have, and my mood gets worse and worse.

As darkness fell completely, pedestrians came and went on the street.

Pema squatted by the roadside and finally realized a more serious problem.

Where is she staying tonight?!

She took out her phone and opened a hotel booking app to search.

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.

Even in fast-food chains in the capital, a night's stay costs three or four hundred yuan.

As for cheaper options, Baima is confident that you'll find them suitable.

She checked her balance, then silently closed the app.

Do you want me to go back to Hua Qing's neighborhood, etc.? They'll have to go home eventually, won't they?

Baima stood up, rubbed her numb legs from squatting, and took the subway to the apartment complex where Xianhua Qing's apartment was located.

At the entrance of the residential compound, the security guard stopped her.

"Hello, who are you looking for?"

"I'm looking for—Hua Qing."

Baima announced the room number.

The security guard looked down at the register: "The resident didn't notify us of any visitors, and the community's regulations don't have resident confirmation that you can let them in. Should we call her?"

"I----"

Bai Ma kept silent.

She wants to make a phone call.

She also knows what she's doing awkwardly.

Something that could be resolved with a simple phone call, she's the one you want to call.

He was still fantasizing about suddenly appearing and startling them, seeing their surprised expressions.

Baima then went to the exit of the community garage, picked up her schoolbag, squatted down, and stared blankly at the row of gates at the garage exit.

The atmosphere in the room by the lake in Fudian was just right.

Hua Qing's house is only so big. Last time Long He came, Ding Heng had no choice but to sleep on the sofa, let alone five people.

After taking a bath, the girls changed back into their "Hanfu" (traditional Han clothing).

Zhao Yanxi wore a thin pink silk dress, revealing a large expanse of fair skin, and her long, bare legs were crossed.

Lin Man's gray-white antique-style halter dress barely covered the top of her thighs, and was just level with the top of her black stockings.

Wenjing only wore an ancient-style bellyband with white stockings, which made her exaggerated figure create a realistic visual impact reminiscent of a modern servant.

Compared to the other three women who were "competing for attention," Hua Qing appeared simple, wearing a coarse linen skirt that revealed her curves.

Lin Man teased, "Sister Qing really knows how to dress."

Hua Qing glanced at her expressionlessly, and then retorted—

The outfit was originally a surprise she had prepared for Ding Heng tonight, and she had even planned to dance with him.

But now that she's so embarrassed, she'll dance for the man another time.

Ding Heng raised his camera again and pointed the lens at the four people.

"Come on, look at the camera."

The four girls sat down on the sand dunes in turn.

On the left, Zhao Yanxi flashed her signature sweet smile, while Wenjing nestled in her arms with a slightly flushed face, appearing both obedient and shy.

On the right, a seductive fox spirit gently embraces a cool and aloof fairy. Her clothes are still on, revealing her figure, and their styles complement each other perfectly.

"Click."

The shutter clicked continuously, and the four people stopped and changed their poses.

Sometimes they lined up in a row, sometimes they were in pairs, their skirts piled up, their stockings intertwined —

The sound of camera shutters continued until late at night.

"What time is it?"

Zhao Yanxi took another shower and changed into casual clothes.

Lin Man opened her phone: "It's almost one in the morning."

"I'm a bit exhausted—and hungry!"

Zhao Yanxi leaned closer: "Do you want to go get some late-night snacks?"

"Okay."

Wenjing couldn't help but chime in, "I'm a little hungry too."

Lin Man took out her phone and started looking up the address.

Ding Heng sat up in bed, picked up the coat draped over the back of the chair, and put it on.

"You guys go to the kang (heated brick bed), I have something to do."

He lowered his head to button his shirt, his tone indifferent.

Zhao Yanxi looked up: "What's wrong? It's so late at night."

"Pick someone up."

Who is it?

Hua Qing asked curiously.

Ding Heng went to the door to exchange beggar's items, glanced back, sighed, and smiled.

"Some lost, idiotic idiot!"

At the entrance of the community garage.

Baima was huddled in the corner next to the garage exit, her short legs together and her chin resting on her knees.

The night wind blew in from the garage entrance, making her shiver.

Stinky brother — Bad brother —

She grumbled and cursed, but the more she cursed, the more aggrieved she felt.

My phone battery was down to only 5% and was about to shut down automatically.

After much hesitation, Baima finally opened Ding Heng's chat window.

Forget it, I'll just keep my head down and eat first.

She pressed the voice call button.

"Beep—Beep—"

Ding Heng did not answer. Just as Bai Ma was about to dial again, the phone screen suddenly went black, and Bai Ma's blank face was reflected on the screen.

The power is out!

Bai Ma's nose tingled, her eyes began to redden, and she collapsed in grievance.

Suddenly, a tall figure blocked the light from her face.

Pema sniffed, preparing to get up.

"Excuse me, I'll leave right away."

She instinctively thought it was a security guard, since they had come to chase her away seven or eight times before.

The next second, a familiar voice came from above, its tone teasing.

"Yo!"

Baima suddenly raised her head.

"Isn't this my dear sister? What are you doing begging in the capital?"

Ding Heng stood with his hands in his pockets, looking down at the viewer.

His appearance is so annoying!