Espionage: I Have Photo Editing Software

Hua Mao Hotel, private room.

Ten graceful and beautiful Japanese women stood in a row.

Ryosuke Yamagami smiled and poured Wei Renming a glass of wine. "These are all carefully selected candidates for you to choose from."

There were more than 20,000 Japanese expatriates in Shanghai. Selecting ten eligible young women from among them was not difficult, but it was not easy either.

Wei Renming's gaze swept over the ten people, finally settling on a woman.

The woman was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with delicate features and a cold, aloof look, like an ice beauty.

However, these were not the reasons why Wei Renming chose her.

"Her dress was custom-made, and the gemstone necklace around her neck was clearly very expensive. Moreover, she appeared calm and composed, unlike the others who seemed flustered. Coupled with the awe that Yamagami Ryosuke showed when he looked at her, all these signs indicated that her family background was definitely extraordinary."

Wei Renming's face showed just the right amount of appreciation. "This young lady's appearance and temperament are both top-notch, making her the most suitable model candidate."

Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible hint of joy flashed in Yamagami Ryosuke's eyes. "Miss Yukina, please take a seat. The rest of you may leave."

After taking her seat, Yukina Wakasugi looked directly at Wei Renming and asked, "Mr. Wei, do you know me?"

"Nice to meet you."

"Was choosing me something Mr. Yamagami instructed you to do beforehand?"

"No. Why do you say that?"

"Then there's nothing else." Wakasugi Yukina picked up her wine glass and said in a superior tone, "A toast to Mr. Wei. I'll have to trouble you with the filming."

Wei Renming glanced at Yamagami Ryosuke and saw his restrained appearance. A thought arose in his mind. He finished his drink and said with a smile, "Miss Yukina, are you perhaps Yamagami's superior? I've never seen him like this before."

Ryosuke Yamagami said solemnly, "Allow me to introduce you, Ms. Yukina Wakasugi. She is a member of the Administrative Committee of the Residents' Association and works in the Department of Student Affairs."

"A committee member?" Wei Renming was startled.

The Shanghai Japanese Residents Association is a legally autonomous administrative organization for Japanese residents in China, controlled by the Consulate General of Japan in Shanghai. Its highest decision-making body is the Residents Association, which consists of 52 members, all of whom are key figures in the political, business, and cultural circles of the Japanese community in Shanghai.

The Administrative Committee is responsible for the daily administrative affairs of the resident community and has departments such as general affairs, finance, and education.

The Student Affairs Department is specifically responsible for the operation of Japanese schools and the promotion of militaristic education.

If Yukina Ruka is so young, yet she not only obtained the status of a member of parliament but also served on the Executive Committee, then there is only one explanation: she has a very powerful background.

"Surname Ruoshan? Could she be related to Ruoshan?" Wei Renming felt that this answer was almost certain, so he bowed and smiled, "So you are Councilor Ruoshan, my apologies for not recognizing you. I hope you can give me some guidance in the future."

Ruoshan Xuena's lips curled slightly. "I dare not accept such a promotion. Mr. Wei's photography style is unique, and he is a top-notch photographer. It is our honor that you can serve the Empire."

Wei Renming waved his hands repeatedly, "I fell in love with Japanese culture at first sight and have been studying it recently, but unfortunately, I don't understand Japanese, so I haven't been able to delve into it deeply. Since Ms. Wakasugi works in the Student Affairs Department, do you have any recommendations for renowned teachers?"

"Once filming is over, I will arrange for someone to contact Mr. Wei," said Yukina Wakasugi in a calm tone.

"Thank you for your trouble." Wei Renming cupped his hands in greeting and then said, "I have long admired Consul General Ruoshan, but have never had the chance to meet her. Miss Ruoshan shares the same surname as the Consul General; could you perhaps be from the same clan?"

If Yukina Wakasugi doesn't answer, she instead says:

When does Mr. Wei plan to film?

"It can be done after the meal." Wei Renming did not ask any further questions.

The three chatted and laughed as they finished lunch, and then went to Hongkou Park.

The park has been cleared out in order to get the best possible photos.

Feng Xiaotian also directed the Japanese soldiers to set up the scene.

Wearing a light blue kimono, the simple style made her look even more ethereal. When she stood on the lawn, even Wei Renming was struck by her beauty. "Miss Yukina looks absolutely stunning in a kimono."

"Can we start filming now?" Yukina Wakasugi asked.

"certainly."

The filming process is always tedious.

Fortunately, the model was beautiful enough to relieve Wei Renming's fatigue somewhat.

"Wei-san, how are you feeling?" Yamagami Ryosuke asked.

"Excellent!" Wei Renming said with a smile.

"Can it exceed four pieces of Hanfu?"

"It's difficult. But it can't overwhelmingly beat my work either. This bit of room for argument can ease the situation, at least it's better than it is now, right?"

Yamagami Ryosuke knew that expecting to win decisively against the anonymous photographer was asking the impossible. "Anyway, thank you for your hard work! I'll host a banquet to thank Mr. Wei once the photos are developed!"

"Forget the thank-you banquet, we can still find a small pub for a couple of drinks," Wei Renming said in a low voice. "Is there really a connection between Miss Xue Nai and Consul General Ruo Shan?"

Ryosuke Yamagami chuckled, "It's no secret. Miss Yukina is the daughter of Consul General Wakasugi. However, she doesn't like it mentioned."

Why is that?

"I heard that the father and daughter have a very strained relationship, but I don't know much about the details."

Wei Renming nodded. "I will expedite the development of the photos and deliver them tonight. It won't delay tomorrow's publication."

Yamagami Ryosuke breathed a sigh of relief, and looked at Wei Renming with a more intimate gaze. "Wei-san has helped me a lot. From now on, we are friends."

"It has been so for a long time." After saying goodbye, Wei Renming returned to the photo studio and locked himself in the darkroom.

Xue Ning looked at Feng Xiaotian, "Are you shooting on location today?"

She came for an interview a few days ago, and since the store was short-staffed, Wei Renming agreed to the job.

Feng Xiaotian washed his face and drank a bowl of cool tea. After the heat subsided a bit, he said, "I'm going to take pictures for the Japanese."

"Why would you take pictures of Japanese people?" Xue Ning asked in confusion.

Feng Xiaotian laughed and said, "They offered a high price."

"What I mean is, the boss took the photo 'Sunset,' so why would the Japanese hire him?"

"That was just a misunderstanding. The original title of the work was 'The Sun Never Sets,' and I missed a word. Once it's explained, the Japanese naturally won't blame Brother Wei."

"A misunderstanding?" Xue Ning was taken aback.

"yes!"

"How could it be a misunderstanding?"

"Of course it's a misunderstanding! The Japanese are very generous; who would want to offend them for no reason?"

"You mean Wei Renming originally planned to take photos for the Japanese and then enter them in a photography competition?"

"That's right! Brother Wei said it's cultural exchange! A good thing!"

"Good news?" Xue Ning's expression turned ugly, feeling that she had been deceived.

"I'll talk to you now, I need to get back to work." Feng Xiaotian greeted the guests as soon as they arrived.

Xue Ning seemed not to hear, and left the photo studio in a daze.

That night, when Wei Renming was delivering the photos, he encountered an uninvited guest at Yamagami Ryosuke's place.

"I heard you're good at portrait photography?" Kimura Ihei looked Wei Renming up and down, his words revealing a hint of disdain.