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

Chapter 34: Damaging the Dragon

One percent of health points are deducted?

Does this mean the system just determined that I caused "harm" to Longhe?

Forget it.

Ding Heng shook his head, putting his thoughts aside for the time being.

There were no prompts for "forced completion" or "failure penalty" in the task list. Longhe came to Xingcheng for legitimate work, and I had no need or reason to bother him too much.

Right now, it's more practical to max out Wenjing's purification level.

For the next few days, Ding Heng did not go to the Chujiang Hotel again.

He stayed at home, spending his days playing games with Xie Baoyang and his evenings chatting and joking with Wen Jing and Zhao Yanxi in their small group chat.

Although Wenjing and Zhao Yanxi found Ding Heng's sudden "disappearance" a bit strange, one was busy adapting to her part-time job and the other was secretly agonizing over their competitive relationship, so they didn't ask any further questions.

That afternoon, Ding Heng had just finished a game when Zhao Yanxi sent him a message.

[Lucky Zhao]: Brother Ding Heng! Are you there?! [Kitten peeking out.jpg]

[Lucky Zhao]: Quick, bring your gear to the hotel!

[Lucky Zhao]: We promised to take photos, today is the day!

Ding Heng had indeed promised to shoot a formal film for Zhao Yanxi, so he couldn't refuse.

[Ding Heng]: Okay, what's the theme? I'll get ready.

[Lucky Zhao]: It's a secret! You'll find out when you get here, guaranteed to be a surprise! [Kitten covering mouth and giggling.jpg]

Ding Heng began packing up his camera, lenses, reflectors, spare batteries... filling his camera bag to the brim.

Just as I was about to leave, an entertainment news notification popped up on my phone, with a particularly eye-catching headline.

#Filming at Longhe Star City allegedly involved diva-like behavior, forcibly changing hotels and causing filming delays!#

Ding Heng's heart skipped a beat, and he clicked in to quickly browse.

The article was written in a vague and ambiguous manner, but the comment section was already in an uproar.

Passersby mocked, "The newcomer is getting arrogant," and "He's wasting the staff's time."

Fans frantically tried to control the comments, saying things like "I believe in Sister Long," "There must be a problem with the organizer's arrangements," and "Waiting for an official explanation."

Ding Heng exited the page, his brows slightly furrowed.

Longhe really changed hotels?

Was it because of that phone call I made that day?

He clicked on the milk dragon icon again.

[Ding Heng]: Are you still in Changsha?

The response was still prompt.

[Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon]: Unfortunately, I'm heading to the airport. [Milk dragon sticking out tongue.jpg]

Ding Heng originally intended to apologize, but looking at the silly little dragon and recalling their awkward conversation a few days ago...

He took a deep breath and tapped his fingers on the screen.

[Ding Heng]: Big star, I heard you acted like a diva in front of Teacher He?

【Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon】: So what? What can you do! [Milk dragon looking awesome with hands on hips.jpg]

[Ding Heng]: Holy crap, you're this awesome now?

【Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon】: Of course, if Sister Long isn't awesome, who is?

Through the words, Ding Heng sensed Qingmei's familiar smugness, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

As expected, Long He was still the same Long He, unchanged despite the change in his identity.

This is the normal rhythm of their conversation.

That day was just me being dramatic...

[Ding Heng]: Okay, next time Sister Long comes back to Xingcheng, I'll treat her to a meal.

[Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon]: No problem, Sister Long, I'll arrange your schedule! [Milk dragon grinning.jpg]

After the conversation ended, Ding Heng put away his phone.

Longhe has always been a tomboy with short hair since she was a child. She is straightforward, laughs when she is happy, and curses when she is unhappy. Ding Heng has never treated her as a "girl" who needs to be treated with special care.

The fact that they can joke and tease each other like this shows that they are basically unaffected.

If she really got into trouble because of changing hotels and had a grudge, given her personality, she would have already said something like, "Damn Ding Heng, you've ruined my life, you know that!" without holding back.

With a heavy camera bag on his back, Ding Heng drove to the Chujiang Hotel.

After swiping his card to enter the familiar executive suite, Ding Heng put down his bag, walked to the master bedroom door, and knocked.

"Yan hope?"

"Just a moment! It'll be ready soon!"

Ding Heng leaned against the door and waited. About two or three minutes later, the master bedroom door opened a crack silently.

The curtains inside were drawn tightly, with only a dim reading lamp in the corner providing light.

Where are they?

Ding Heng stepped inside, squinting to adjust to the darkness.

A hand bearing burn marks slowly emerged from the shadows beside the door and gently touched Ding Heng's wrist, its touch slightly cool.

Ding Heng was taken aback.

A delicate female voice, in an almost chanting tone, softly rang out:

"Thank you for guiding me here."

The voice imitation was so perfect that Ding Heng's heart skipped a beat for no reason, and almost instinctively, he turned around and grabbed that hand.

The girl's hand twitched slightly, as if she wanted to pull it back.

Suddenly, a game CG flashed through Ding Heng's mind. After Melina finished her lines, she turned around, opened her arms, and faced the golden tree.

Instead of loosening his grip, he tightened it further, while raising his other hand to gently tap "Melina's" forehead.

What are you doing?

Ding Heng chuckled and casually turned on the main light switch in the room.

The warm white light shone through, instantly dispelling all the deliberately created mystery and gloom.

Standing in front of him was Zhao Yanxi.

But it's not entirely the Zhao Yanxi of everyday life.

The woman wore a brownish-pink wig and her cosplay outfit was exquisitely tailored and had a heavy, luxurious feel.

One eye was cleverly "stitched" together with special translucent tape, and the eye was made up with exquisite eye makeup. The corner of the eye drooped slightly, presenting a compassionate and empty expression.

She tilted her head back, a radiant smile spreading across her face that was completely at odds with the "Melina" persona.

"Does it look like it?"

Ding Heng looked at the girl and remained silent for a few seconds.

It must be admitted that Zhao Yanxi put a lot of effort into this custom-made outfit, from clothing and makeup to details.

It wasn't just the physical resemblance; the tone of voice she imitated, the gesture of reaching out, and even the scent and lighting deliberately created in the room... all were striving to recreate the image of that slender girl burdened with a mission.

For a fleeting moment, Ding Heng even experienced a kind of dazed illusion.

"picture."

Ding Heng nodded, expressing his sincere admiration.

Zhao Yanxi's smile grew even brighter. Ding Heng's reaction made her absolutely certain that she had made the right gamble.

To win over a man, you really have to use your heart...

"I wasn't kidding, was I? Isn't it a surprise?"

"Why are you cosplaying Melina?"

"Because you like it!"

The girl's answer was concise, direct, enthusiastic, and frank, without the slightest hesitation.

Ding Heng took a deep breath and it took him a while to calm himself down.

Zhao Yanxi's cosplay is indeed very accurate, but no matter how accurate it is, Melina is just a virtual character that he likes, nothing more.

What truly touched Ding Heng was the girl's quiet attention to his preferences and her efforts to respond.

He didn't know how to respond to such a straightforward sentiment, so he habitually changed the subject with a joke.

"I thought I'd get some other 'perks' today."

"Benefits? You mean the set I kept in my bag when I was drunk last time?"

"To be honest, I'm quite curious."

"Don't worry, you'll see it someday, and..."

Zhao Yanxi leaned closer to Ding Heng, her tone light and ambiguous: "Only you can see this."

Ding Heng didn't respond and turned to walk towards the living room.

"Let's go to the courtyard behind the hotel. The lighting and background there are better for outdoor shots."

"Okay!"

Zhao Yanxi immediately got into character, lifted the hem of her slightly heavy cloak, and stepped forward to catch up.

The subsequent filming went smoothly.

Zhao Yanxi had clearly studied Melina's posture and expression carefully, although she still occasionally revealed her own bright and cheerful temperament.

But under Ding Heng's guidance, they were able to quickly adjust and capture that aloof, resolute yet subtly sorrowful spirit.

Ding Heng was also very engrossed in filming, constantly adjusting the angle and lighting, trying to use the camera to recreate some of the feeling of the character in his mind.

The filming wrapped up around noon.

The two returned to their room, and Ding Heng began tidying up the equipment: "I'll fix the film when I get back tonight, and give it to you as soon as possible."

"No rush, no rush!"

Zhao Yanxi waved her hand. She was about to remove her makeup and change into casual clothes when she suddenly rushed over and grabbed Ding Heng.

"Let's take one more picture! Just one!"

"Still filming?"

"Group photo! To remember the occasion!"

Without saying a word, Zhao Yanxi pulled Ding Heng to the large dressing mirror in the walk-in closet and held up her phone.

"Click."

The image freezes.

At noon, the two went to the hotel's Western restaurant.

Zhao Yanxi, holding her phone, looked at Ding Heng with a smile: "Brother Ding Heng, I posted our photo together on WeChat Moments again, okay?"

Ding Heng was cutting his steak and didn't even look up when he heard this: "Whatever."

Zhao Yanxi lowered her head, typing and muttering to herself.

"Hmm? The Faded One and His Little Wooden Piece... Click send."

She put down her phone contentedly and began to work on the salad in front of her.

After taking a few bites, she suddenly seemed to remember something and casually said, "Oh right, Brother Ding Heng, didn't I tell you a few days ago that a celebrity lives next door?"

"Um?"

"They are all very nice and approachable."

Zhao Yanxi used a fork to pick up a piece of tomato and put it in her mouth, chewing and reciting as she did so.

"We bumped into each other at the executive lounge for afternoon tea a couple of days ago, chatted for a bit, and hit it off quite well."

"How did we become so compatible?"

"Hmm... it's that kind of chemistry between girls, I can't explain it to you... I even added them on WeChat."

"Add me on WeChat! Who did you add?"

"all."

"Did Longhe also join?"

"right!"

Zhao Yanxi looked at Ding Heng strangely, not understanding why he was reacting so strongly.

"Sister Longhe is a very nice person. Is there anything wrong with her?"

"without……"

Ding Heng lowered his head and tried to drink water to hide his emotions.

Zhao Yanxi actually added Longhe on WeChat?

There shouldn't be anything... right?

The system interface popped up without warning the next second.

【Wings of Calamity: Dragongrass】

[Current Status: Enraged Evil Dragon]

【HP: 94%】