Espionage: I Have Photo Editing Software

"Photos are artistic portraits. Can the value of art be measured in money?" Wei Renming replied calmly, adding, "However, since the new store has just opened, you two are our first customers and can enjoy a 50% discount."

"A rip-off! Only a fool would come here to take pictures!" Xue Ning stood up, took Xue Wan's hand, and said, "Wan'er, let's go!"

"Sister Xiaoning, don't worry," Xue Wan reassured him, then looked at Wei Renming and said, "Fifty yuan isn't expensive, but are the photos you took worth that price?"

"Ms. Xue, I need to correct you. What I'm taking aren't photographs, they're art!"

Wei Renming paused for a moment, then continued:

"And I can guarantee the final product won't be any worse. If you're not satisfied with the final product, I'll give you a full refund!"

Xue Wan looked at the sample booklet and was quite tempted.

"You really managed to photograph me like this?"

Wei Renming smiled and said:

"Miss Xue is naturally beautiful, far surpassing the models in the album; the final photos will only be even more stunning!"

"Alright, I'll come to take the photos tomorrow morning at nine o'clock!" Xue Wan smiled gently.

"See you there. If you have any clothes you like, you can bring them along." After saying that, Wei Renming glanced at Feng Xiaotian discreetly.

Feng Xiaotian understood and quickly said:

"Miss, you need to pay a deposit of twenty yuan first."

"Okay." Xue Wan took out some banknotes from her handbag and handed them to Feng Xiaotian.

Feng Xiaotian bowed slightly and extended both hands to receive it.

Afterwards, Xue Wan pulled the reluctant Xue Ning away from the photo studio.

"Brother Wei, we really did it!" Feng Xiaotian exclaimed with joy.

"This is just the beginning! Once you've made a name for yourself, don't even think about me filming for you without at least 500 yuan!"

Wei Renming patted Feng Xiaotian on the shoulder and said, "You need to study hard; we'll need your help in the future!"

"Yes!" Feng Xiaotian exclaimed excitedly.

"Also, remember your identity. You are a trainee photographer, not a waiter. Don't bow or bend over to customers easily in the future. That will only lower your status, understand?" Wei Renming reminded him.

Feng Xiaotian's face flushed red. "I...I remember!"

"Relax, don't be so tense, I've got you covered!"

Wei Renming handed over ten yuan and said:

"Here's your salary for this month!"

Feng Xiaotian waved his hands repeatedly, "Brother Wei, you taught me photography techniques, and I didn't even pay tuition. If I were to charge you again, what kind of person would I be?"

He's only been here a few days, but he's already learned more than he did in the previous two years.

He's not stupid; he can naturally tell who truly cares for him.

I know about your family situation!

You have a younger sister, and your mother is bedridden.

The entire family's expenses depended on your father carrying heavy loads at the dock.

I'm saying this not out of pity for you.

I just wanted to tell you.

You'll be eighteen next year, you'll have to take care of this family!

Besides, it's only right to do things for money.

How can I order you around if you don't take a salary?

Or are you saying you don't want to work for me anymore?

"No, no, I want to work here!" Feng Xiaotian hurriedly explained.

"Take your wages if you want to work, otherwise leave!"

Wei Renming shoved the money into Feng Xiaotian's pocket.

"Thank you so much, Brother Wei!" Feng Xiaotian said, choking back tears.

"A man doesn't easily shed tears; what kind of appearance does he make by crying and whining?"

Wei Renming punched Feng Xiaotian in the shoulder and said:

"There's nothing much to do at the shop, go home early! Remember to be there at 7 o'clock sharp tomorrow!"

More than an hour later, Feng Xiaotian returned to the vicinity of Fan Gualong in Zhabei.

This place used to be very prosperous.

However, during the January 28 Incident, it was bombed into ruins by the Japanese and gradually became the shantytown it is today.

Feng Xiaotian walked into this cluster of low-rise buildings constructed from reed mats, bamboo, and discarded wooden planks.

The sewage underfoot and the stench filling his nose and mouth did not affect his mood in the slightest.

"Mom, little sister, I'm back!" Feng Xiaotian lifted the tattered burlap sack, bent down, and went inside.

This "house" is only five or six square meters, with wooden planks placed on stones, serving as a bed.

"Brother." Feng Xiaohe, who was thirteen or fourteen years old, peeked out from under the dry, blackened, tattered quilt when she heard the voice, her face full of joy.

A gaunt woman lay beside her.

"Why are you back so early today?" The woman was only in her forties, but she looked like a sixty-year-old.

"There's nothing much going on at the shop. Brother Wei told me to come back and rest early." After putting down the roast duck and liquor, Feng Xiaotian took off his short-sleeved shirt and handed it to his sister.

Feng Xiaohe took the clothes, crawled into bed and put them on, then got out of bed, sniffed the air, and exclaimed with delight, "Brother, you bought some delicious food?"

"Yes! I also bought a few feet of coarse cloth. I'll have Aunt Liu make you a couple of outfits later, so you can get out of bed dressed even when I'm not home." Feng Xiaotian tore off a piece of duck leg and handed it to his sister.

As they were talking, a dark-skinned man walked into the shed.

"Father, you're back."

The man nodded silently, then, seeing the food and coarse cloth, asked, "Where did you get the money to buy these?"

Feng Xiaotian lowered the curtain, took out a wad of cash, and said in a low voice:

"Brother Wei paid me my salary today, a total of ten yuan. I spent a little over one yuan on these things, and the rest is here."

The old father frowned and said, "How can you charge wages as an apprentice? If you take money, who will teach you any skills?"

As he spoke, he pulled out two yuan from his pocket, handed it to Feng Xiaotian, and said, "Pay the money back to them tomorrow! You hear me?"

Feng Xiaotian pushed his elderly father's hand away, his neck stiff as he said:

"Dad, Brother Wei said he'd kick me out if I didn't take his wages. Besides, Brother Wei is genuinely trying to teach me skills."

He would take me with him when he took photos and developed them, explaining each step to me.

Sometimes, he would repeat himself several times because he was afraid I wouldn't understand.

Unlike at Huisheng Photo Studio, where they only bullied me, making me do odd jobs and tiring work, they wouldn't let me touch the camera or even enter the darkroom.

Brother Wei also said...

Once I've learned how to be a photographer, let me be one.

"They opened a branch, and they want me to be the store manager!"

"You're not lying?" the old father asked, half-believing.

"real!"

Feng Xiaotian said excitedly:

"Brother Wei is a very capable man!"

I learned how to take photos in just three months in Shanghai!

He charges 100 francs for a single set of photos now!

More expensive than Shen Shidi and Wang Kai!

The old father squatted in the corner, smoking his pipe silently.

After a long while, he finally spoke.

"If someone is nice to you, it's because they have a kind heart."

We should remember the good things others have done for us.

If you've taken the money, you have to do your job well.

Be more diligent and quick-witted, and do more and talk less.

We must not be ungrateful.

"Dad, I promise I'll work hard!" Feng Xiaotian stuffed the money into his father's hand. "This is Brother Wei's advance payment for this month's wages, and there will be more next month!"

"You've only been here half a month and you're already paying me so much?" the old father asked, looking up.

Feng Xiaotian scratched his head and said:

"Brother Wei is helping me out. The work I do isn't worth that much money."

"We can't just take it for free. Once Nizi's clothes are finished, have her go to the shop to serve tea and water and help out!" The wrinkles on the old father's forehead seemed less deep.

"I'll talk to Brother Wei about it later."

Feng Xiaotian suddenly realized that his father, whom he always remembered as having inexhaustible strength, had become very thin and small.

"Dad, I bought you some liquor..."

"Okay, let's have a good drink, you and me."