My System Forces Me to Live off Women

Chapter 294 252: Taking Photos

At eleven in the morning, Shicha Sea Park basked in clear skies and a refreshing autumn breeze.

The noisy sounds of spring and summer had disappeared here; the lake under the railing was as smooth as a mirror. Besides the weeping willows swaying in the wind, the ancient buildings stood silently, with only a few elderly folks strolling leisurely.

"Cut~ Actors, take a break, go change to the next set of clothes in the restroom."

In a corner of the park, things were a bit livelier. All members of the Trinity Studio, the three major shareholders, and the five-person shooting team invited by Xu Manning were busy here filming an advertisement for 'True Self'.

In this shoot, the two teams had different objectives. The first was filming clothes, aiming to highlight the characteristics of the garments.

The latter's role was more supplementary, with the main task being to film Wu Wenyue for video material for the account.

The dream had affected the relationship among Li Peifeng and the other three, inevitably influencing their behavior patterns or future plans. This impact was profound but not immediate; hence their lives continued as usual.

After breakfast, Huang Tianxuan headed to Yandu University with a bottle of red wine. The other three arrived at the studio to meet Mu An'an, Tang Yan, and others before heading to Shicha Sea Park to carry out the day's shooting tasks.

According to the plan, they would shoot exteriors at Shicha Sea in the morning, interior shots in the studio in the afternoon, and exteriors at Yiheyuan in the evening.

By noon, Wu Wenyue and Li Peifeng, the two main actors, were somewhat exhausted due to the demanding schedule.

"Have some water."

The professional director invited by Xu Manning stepped forward to explain to the two, "The next set of clothing is kind of couple-themed, so we'd like you to display intimacy as much as possible. Whether in actions or exchanged glances, try to convey a sense of a couple to better showcase the clothing's qualities. Of course, keep it within your own comfort levels."

"Understood."

Li Peifeng nodded slightly and continued changing. When he came out, he noticed that Wu Wenyue and Xu Manning were wearing the same outfit.

The top was designed similarly to a Tang suit, with a black standing collar and intricate embroidery that resembled snake scales upon close inspection, gleaming faintly yet neatly arranged.

The lower half was long pants with a trailing hem like a trench coat, quirky yet quite stylish in design.

"Why are you wearing it too? Are you joining us as a model for the shoot?"

Li Peifeng casually asked, provoking Xu Manning's retort, "Can't I be on camera?"

"Of course, you're so beautiful and photogenic, why not?"

Li Peifeng chuckled unbothered, lowering his voice, "Couple outfits, seeing me and Wenyue shooting alone must bother you, right?"

"Stop babbling." Xu Manning muttered, "Think more about the best poses to shoot with me!"

"Alright, I'll teach you. I have millions of poses in my mind that can direct you. Just cooperate with me."

Wu Wenyue overheard their whispers, her face turned sour, and a feeling of anger rose within her.

It wasn't because Xu Manning insisted on a group shot disrupting the duo dynamic, but because she felt that ever since waking from the dream, Li Peifeng had been intentionally cold towards her. Was he still angry about her stabbing him? This bastard dares to be mad? You deserve a thousand cuts...

"Let's head to that pavilion first, and then shoot in the boat in the middle of the lake. We'll eat after wrapping up these two scenes."

The director led the group forward, joined by the Trinity Studio team. A bustling crowd gathered in the pavilion, where all departments began their preparations.

"Where's the sword?"

"Props, give the two actresses the Tang blades and the actor a folding fan. Actors, discuss and find your state first."

"Lighting, come over here..."

Xu Manning fiddled with the Tang blade, feeling both excited and a bit unsure. Though they had been shooting all morning, she was mostly spectating and sharing her ideas with the director without acting herself, leaving her unsure of what to do now.

Li Peifeng stepped forward with some advice, "Once we start rolling, keep your eye on the camera. First, face me and pose as if drawing the sword, like this... Then I'll look at you with the fan in hand. Your expression should carry a bit of affection, smile with your eyes. Imagine I'm your senior and you're my junior, training tenderly and sentimentally... That's the first pose, got it?"

Xu Manning placed the sword at her waist, gripping the hilt, and assumed the pose Li Peifeng just taught, her gaze like flowing water, "Like this?"

Li Peifeng made an approving noise, "Yeah, that's the general idea, but your gaze needs to be softer... You get the couple outfit theme?"

Li lowered his voice, criticizing, "I'm your husband! Do you even need to act?"

"Stop it!" Xu Manning chided playfully, closing her eyes to compose herself before reopening them, showing a tender gaze filled with affection and a bit of mystery, "How about this?"

Li Peifeng swallowed, pursed his lips, and spoke with satisfaction, "Excellent, very insightful! Keep that state, and I'll show you the second pose next..."

Amidst his instruction, Wu Wenyue couldn't help but move closer, "And me? What pose should I use to match you two?"

Li Peifeng slightly turned his head, only then seemingly noticing her presence with some surprise, "You? Why not use that widow blade strike that hits my crown?"

With a smirk now playing on his face, he added.

"Okay!"

Wu Wenyue responded with a forced smile, "You're something else! Still holding grudges? Are you even a man, being so petty?!"

Xu Manning instinctively laughed, realizing it felt a bit like schadenfreude, she quickly covered her mouth, "Oh, come on, stop messing around, let's shoot properly.Wenyue, if you can't think of anything, just do the same pose as me."

"I won't!" Wu Wenyue shook her head, "I'll use the widow blade, I'll chop him!" With that, she drew the Tang blade, examining its edge, muttering, "Not sharpened? Such a pity."

"All groups ready, actors in position~"

"Action!"

Upon the director's cue, the three actors assumed their poses. Xu Manning obediently performed the first pose as instructed by Li Peifeng, while Wu Wenyue swiftly drew her sword and aimed it at his head, her eyes bearing a resemblance of someone staring at a faithless man caught in an affair.

"Cut, cut~"

The director expressed approval, "This pose is excellent. Male actor, raise the fan a bit higher, yes!"

...

At half-past twelve, everyone returned to the studio for lunch, but Xu Manning took the opportunity to find the director.

"Director Qian, could you send me the group shots of the three of us from this morning?"

"They aren't edited yet."

Director Qian, holding a meal box, seemed a bit puzzled, "You want them now?"

Xu Manning nodded repeatedly, "No need for edits, just send me two. I just want to post them on social media."

"Okay, I'll ask Xiaozhao to send them to you."

Three minutes later, Xu Manning received several photos on her phone. She took her time selecting and finally chose one where they posed under a tree, looking sweet as Li Peifeng and the two girls either held hands or entwined arms.

"This one will do."

Escalatingly contented, Xu Manning selected it and shared it with her WeChat contact... Huang Tianxuan, then, send!

After a moment of thought, Miss Xu felt that sending just one picture would make the intention to flaunt her romantic life too obvious, so she added a caption;

"(smiling broadly), how's the outfit?"

With a slight hum, she was just about to put away her phone when a WeChat notification popped up...

Huang Tianxuan: "When unsure of something, look in the mirror, you'll understand, little Manning!"