Why did the system take my request to take photos with a cosplayer seriously?

Hua Qing raised her hand and punched Hua Yue on the shoulder, not too hard: "You're joking about your sister too, aren't you?"

Hua Yue smiled faintly and gently rubbed the spot where she had been punched.

"I'm serious."

She suppressed her smile and became more serious.

"Sis, you've changed a lot since you got together with Ding Heng. Before, you were always so tense, like everyone owed you money. Now... at least you smile. And you haven't stopped dancing either, in fact, you're getting better and better. So now I really understand, only you know whether you're living a good life or not."

Hua Qing didn't reply, her gaze returning to the sea.

The sun had already sunk most of its way down, leaving only a last sliver of orange-red on the horizon.

Hua Yue continued, "Today I'm also benefiting from your good fortune; I can brag about it for a year when I get back."

"Don't follow my example."

Hua Qing's tone became serious: "I'm not a good role model."

"Learning from you?"

Hua Yue chuckled and said, "Sister, you're overthinking it. I don't have the means to learn from you."

Hua Qing looked her up and down and nodded.

"Too."

Hua Yue's smile froze instantly.

"Hey! Sis, what do you mean by this? You're really not giving me any face, are you?"

Hua Qing couldn't help but laugh out loud.

As the sun completely sank below the horizon, the orange-red hue on the horizon slowly faded into pale purple.

Shouts came from inside the house; Wenjing was telling the two of them to go back for dinner.

Dinner was a Chinese meal specially arranged by Dong Le.

Strangely enough, in this secluded private estate in New Zealand, you can actually find authentic boiled beef and sauerkraut fish.

While it may not be as good as the culinary skills of top restaurants in China, it is still a rare find in the Southern Hemisphere, thousands of miles away.

The candlelight flickered on the long table, and the girls sat in a circle around it, completely relaxing the atmosphere.

Zhao Yanxi, Wen Jing, and Hua Yue sat close together. The three best friends rarely had the chance to talk, so they chatted much more than usual.

After Dong Le finished his welcoming remarks politely, he gestured to Lin Man and Ding Heng as he prepared to leave. The two of them followed him out one after the other to discuss the itinerary for the next few days.

Wenjing was the quietest, her gaze constantly shifting between Huaqing and Huayue, and she would suddenly think of Wenshu.

At this time, Wenshu should have already started her vacation and returned to Zhuzhou.

I'm alone in my cramped room doing my homework, occasionally I see photos on their social media feeds, and then I silently give them a like.

Wenjing lowered her eyes and tapped her chopsticks lightly on the edge of the bowl.

If... I were to openly tell my family about my relationship with Ding Heng, just like Hua Qing did, would Wen Shu also be able to come out and see the world?

Wenjing had considered being honest.

But she was afraid.

She was afraid of being gossiped about behind her back, and afraid her younger sister would look at her strangely...

"Clap."

A pair of chopsticks reached over and put a small piece of beef into her bowl.

Ding Heng returned and sat down next to Wen Jing.

"Why aren't you eating? Is it not to your liking?"

"No."

Wenjing quickly lowered her head and ate a mouthful of rice.

Ding Heng didn't press further, as he could roughly guess what the little white rabbit was thinking.

One of his purposes in agreeing to let Hua Yue come over this time was to set an example for Wen Jing.

It seems to be working quite well so far. Ideally, before the winter break, Little Rabbit will choose to be honest with Wen Shu on her own.

Everything is difficult at the beginning, and you can't rush it...

Chapter 251: The Lonely Dragon Sister

In late December, New Zealand enjoys mild summer sunshine.

The group rented two SUVs and began a five-day road trip in New Zealand.

Stop to take pictures when you see beautiful scenery, and grab a bite at a roadside restaurant when you get hungry. Life is relaxed and comfortable.

On the 31st, everyone boarded a plane and returned to the island villa.

new Year's Eve.

Dong Le set up a small outdoor party on the lawn in front of the manor.

Wicker tables and chairs, and warm yellow string lights hanging from the branches, sway gently in the night breeze.

The table was laden with champagne and various desserts, as well as a three-tiered fruit cake.

The girls changed into their own pretty clothes, and the atmosphere became even more lively than when they first arrived.

As midnight approached, Dong Le carried a box of fireworks out of the house and placed it in the open space in the middle of the lawn.

Would you like to set off fireworks?

"I want it!"

Zhao Yanxi was the first to rush over.

The sparkler was lit and shimmered brightly.

Afterwards, the girls lit fireworks one after another and stood in a row. The sparks flickered in the night, reflecting their smiling faces.

Ding Heng raised his camera—click!

The sound of camera shutters echoed in the night wind, coinciding with the midnight chimes of New Zealand.

"Happy New Year!"

Zhao Yanxi was the first to shout loudly, her voice echoing across the open lawn.

"Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year."

……

After the New Year's Eve celebrations, everyone went back to the living room and had a blast.

More than an hour later, people began to feel sleepy.

Hua Yue was the first to slump onto the sofa and fall into a deep sleep, while Wen Jing and Zhao Yanxi squeezed into another sofa, their eyes half-open and half-closed.

Baima was curled up on the carpet, her head resting on a cushion, fast asleep.

Hua Qing and Lin Man leaned against Ding Heng on either side, their breathing gradually becoming even.

Ding Heng, however, was wide awake, gazing silently at the dark sea horizon.

He finished the remaining red wine in his glass, gently moved Hua Qing and Lin Man's arms, and let the two lie down on the sofa. He then pulled a blanket over them.

Pushing open the glass door, Ding Heng looked up at the sky.

It should be 9 PM in China right now, so maybe we can catch the second New Year's Eve countdown.

…………

capital.

Longhe pushed open the hotel room door and collapsed weakly onto the bed.

We got up at six in the morning and the shoot lasted all day, with more than a dozen outfits and several locations.

On the way back, Longhe dozed off to rest, feeling like his bones were about to fall apart.

I also had to listen to Sister Song taking a phone call in the passenger seat, the content of which was nothing more than the company's final arrangements.

Longhe was too lazy to think about it, and too lazy to ask.

In three hours, her contract with the company will officially expire.

Four years.

From seventeen to twenty-one, the most beautiful years of youth.

She makes money for the company, and the company gives her the fame and resources that others can only dream of.

It's not a matter of who owes whom; it's simply a transaction where each party gets what they need.

But as time goes by, feelings will inevitably develop.

At least that's how Longhe sees it. Although there have been ups and downs with the company, it's still a "home" at least.

Only today did she realize that the so-called "family" was just a matter of not having settled accounts yet.

Long He sat up abruptly, walked to the window, and pulled back the curtains a crack. Her face was reflected in the glass.

My recent overwork has left me with faint dark circles under my eyes.

She twitched the corners of her mouth, wanting to laugh, but then realized there was nothing funny about it.

The digital clock on the bedside table jumped to 21:00.

Three hours left.

Longhe went into the bathroom and turned the water temperature up a few degrees higher than usual.

She stood under the shower with her eyes closed, letting the hot water wash over her, as a jumble of images flashed through her mind.

Rehearsal room, stage, applause and screams... and the occasional tears secretly wiped away.