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

Chapter 54: Before the Start of School

Back at the hotel, Wenjing had already changed her clothes and dried her hair, which was loosely draped over her shoulders.

But she still sat on the edge of the bed, her back to the door, staring blankly out the window.

Ding Heng placed the family bucket on the table, the paper bag rustling as its aroma filled the room.

"Let's eat something first."

Wenjing put on her slippers, slowly strolled to the table and sat down, her expression hesitant and reluctant to speak.

Ding Heng took out a hamburger and handed it to her: "Don't overthink it. Eat and rest well. We'll go back to Xingcheng this afternoon."

Wenjing took the hamburger and softly hummed in agreement.

She lowered her head and began to eat.

He ate very slowly, taking small bites, but very seriously, as if he was trying to swallow something down with him.

Ding Heng then turned and went into the bathroom, filled a basin with warm water, and brought it out to place at Wenjing's feet.

Wenjing bit into her hamburger, her eyes filled with confusion.

"Your foot is injured."

Ding Heng squatted down in front of her: "I bought a special ointment. I'll apply it and soak my feet in it."

After he finished speaking, he reached out to hold Wenjing's ankle.

The girl's body trembled slightly.

But she didn't hide.

He just lowered his head, his voice muffled.

"Thanks……"

"Why are you saying thank you again?"

Ding Heng grabbed her ankle and pulled her foot out of her slipper.

Those small, delicate jade feet fell into his palm.

It was very small and very white, like it was carved from the finest mutton fat jade.

The instep is smooth and delicate, with faint blue vein patterns visible.

Her toes were rounded, and her nails were neatly trimmed with a faint pink hue.

But there were several small wounds on the soles of his feet.

Some of them had already scabbed over, while others were still faintly red, traces of running barefoot on the rough surface.

Ding Heng frowned and took out the tube of ointment from his pocket.

"This is……"

"ointment."

Wenjing said "Oh" and didn't ask any further questions.

Ding Heng unscrewed the lid.

What comes out is a transparent, slightly shimmering gel-like cream with a smooth texture and a very faint, indescribable fragrance.

It was translucent and didn't look like medicine; it looked more like a carefully blended essential oil.

He applied the clear ointment to Wenjing's instep.

It's cold.

Wenjing's toes curled slightly.

Ding Heng pressed his thumb on it and began to apply the ointment.

Start from the instep and slowly, little by little, push it open.

The transparent cream melted on the skin, making the already fair complexion even more radiant and giving it a subtle glow.

His thumb slid along the curve of the instep, tracing the most graceful curve of the arch, and pressed into the shallow depression in the sole.

Wenjing's breathing became erratic.

Her feet are very sensitive.

From a young age, whenever she was playing with her younger sister, she couldn't last more than three seconds if her feet were tickled.

But she dared not hide at that moment.

She could only bite into the hamburger, trying to distract herself with the food and manage to keep her breathing steady.

Ding Heng pressed his thumb on the sole of his foot and gently made circles.

The force was neither too light nor too heavy, like applying ointment, or like... playing with something.

Slide from the arch of your foot to your heel, and then from your heel back to your toes.

His fingertips brushed the base of each toe, then gently massaged between the toes.

"Well……"

Wenjing couldn't help but let out a very soft whisper.

She quickly swallowed the food and swallowed the sound back down.

Ding Heng raised his head and glanced at her.

The girl's face was already flushed.

Her cheeks flushed red down to her ears, then from her ears to her neck; her eyes drooped, and her eyelashes trembled incessantly.

But he didn't stop.

He separated her toes one by one and applied the clear ointment into every crevice.

He pinched her toes with his thumb and forefinger, gently kneading and rubbing them as if he were playing with some precious object.

His entire foot became increasingly lustrous and shiny in his palm, like jade washed by rain.

Then he switched to the other foot.

The same steps.

The instep, arch, sole, heel, toes, and between the toes—every inch of skin was covered with that transparent ointment, which he carefully applied with his fingers.

Wenjing's body was trembling slightly.

She didn't know if she was nervous or... excited.

She could only lower her head and watch Ding Heng's fingers move across her feet, feeling the tingling, electric-like sensations shooting up from the soles of her feet, down her calves, down her thighs, and down to places she dared not even think about.

at last.

Ding Heng released his grip.

"alright."

Wenjing let out a long breath.

She thought it was over.

But Ding Heng did not stand up.

He held her feet in his hands and gently, slowly, placed them into the basin of warm water.

A warm touch enveloped me.

Wenjing looked at her feet, which were submerged in water, and then at Ding Heng.

He squatted down in front of her, his hands resting on the edge of the basin.

"Soak it for a while to allow the medicine to be absorbed."

"Um."

Her voice was so soft it was like a mosquito's hum.

Ding Heng did not leave.

He just squatted there, watching her feet soaking in the water.

Those feet looked even more lustrous in the shimmering water, their toes slightly curled, occasionally twitching gently and creating tiny ripples.

He suddenly reached out and gently stirred the surface of the water with his fingers.

Ripples spread out, brushing against the back of her feet.

Wenjing's toes curled up again.

"itch?"

"A little."

Your feet seem a little sensitive.

"sorry……"

"Why apologize? It's not a bad thing."

Ding Heng smiled.

He didn't say anything more, just continued to squat, occasionally reaching out to splash the water, letting the warm liquid flow down her insteps.

ten minutes.

Maybe longer.

Wenjing didn't know how she got through those ten minutes.

When Ding Heng finally said, "Okay, take it out," her legs felt a little weak.

She lifted her feet out of the water.

Water droplets slid down the instep and dripped back into the basin, making a crisp sound.

My own feet—

Wenjing was stunned.

The tiny cuts on the soles of my feet have disappeared.

There wasn't even a trace left.

My skin is whiter, softer, and smoother than before, like the skin of a newborn baby.

The pale blue veins are faintly visible, like the lightest stroke in a traditional Chinese ink painting.

She lifted her foot and took a closer look.

There are no scars.

There was no scab.

There was nothing there.

Ding Heng picked up a towel from the side, wrapped it around her feet, and gently dried them.

Wenjing asked in surprise, "What kind of ointment is this?"

Ding Heng put the towel aside without changing his expression.

"A newly developed, highly effective drug by our country's experts."

Wenjing blinked.

"That... must be very expensive?"

"I'll buy it whether it's expensive or not."

Ding Heng shoved the tube of ointment into her hand.

"Apply this more often and soak your feet to keep them healthy. You can also apply it to any other scars or wounds on your body."

Wenjing looked down at the tube of ointment in her hand, somewhat bewildered.

Is it important to maintain foot health?

"Of course it's important!"

Ding Heng stood up, his tone meaningful: "You'll see the benefits later."

Wenjing didn't understand what he meant, but she nodded and put the ointment away.

"I'll do whatever you say."

Ding Heng then took out another pill from his pocket.

It was a very small, white one, lying bare in his palm without any packaging.

"Come on, open your mouth."

Wenjing looked at the "suspicious" pill.

There was no packaging, no instruction manual, and nothing to prove what it was.

But she didn't hesitate at all and obediently opened her mouth.

"what……"

Ding Heng put the pill into her mouth and handed her a can of cola.

Wenjing took a big gulp and swallowed the medicine.

Ding Heng teased, "Aren't you going to ask what it is?"

Wenjing thought for a moment, then asked, "Would you hurt me?"

Ding Heng shook his head.

Wenjing lowered her head and said softly, "Then I won't ask."

The next second, Wenjing felt a warm current surge through her body.

The warmth started in my stomach and slowly spread to my limbs, fingertips, and toes.

The slight soreness and the faint discomfort in my throat caused by the rain disappeared completely in an instant.

She looked down at her feet again.

It was white and tender, and perfectly intact.

She wiggled her toes and stomped her feet on the ground.

It doesn't hurt at all anymore.

"Amazing..."

Wenjing muttered to herself quietly.

In the afternoon, the two set off back to Xingcheng.

The car drove onto the highway, and the rain stopped completely.

A crack appeared in the clouds, and sunlight streamed through, illuminating the damp world.

Throughout the journey, Ding Heng did not mention anything about Wenjing's family.

Not a single word was mentioned.

He just teased her occasionally, as usual, and told her a joke to make her happy.

Wenjing cooperated well because she knew he was coaxing her.

She knows.

……

After returning to Xingcheng, life returned to a certain peaceful rhythm.

Wenjing lost her job and devoted herself to being Ding Heng's "nanny".

Three meals a day, prepared in various ways... every meal feels like Chinese New Year.

That day, Wenjing, wearing an apron, was busy at the stove as usual. Her profile was softly illuminated by the lamplight, and Ding Heng leaned against the door frame watching her.

What are we eating today?

"you guess."

"I can't guess."

"You'll find out soon enough."

Suddenly, the girl's phone rang. The caller ID read: [Dad]

She stared at the two words on the screen, stunned for a few seconds.

Ding Heng advised, "Accept it."

Wenjing took a deep breath and pressed the speakerphone button.

"Feed..."

"Wenjing."

The father, Wen Dahai, spoke through the receiver, his voice carrying a hint of cautious flattery.

"How are things in Changsha?"

"Um."

"Um... your mom acted impulsively that day, don't take it to heart."

Wenjing didn't say anything.

"I've already scolded my brother; it was wrong of him to take your things. That toy... the figurine, right? I'm going to talk to that student's parents and see if we can get it back..."

"Dad, no need."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

"Xiao Jing..."

Wen Dahai sighed, "Your mother... you know, she has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. She hasn't said anything these past few days, but she's actually been thinking about you quite a bit."

Wenjing remained silent.

"I've transferred five thousand yuan to you. Take it and use it first. If it's not enough later, Dad will figure something out..."

"Need not."

Wenjing's voice was very calm.

"Dad, keep the money. My younger siblings will need it for school."

"and you……"

"I'm fine, and I have enough money."

"Okay... then be careful out there."

"Um."

Wenjing hung up the phone, and a notification popped up on WeChat: "[Dad] has transferred 5000.00 yuan to you."

She clicked on it and selected "Refund".

Operation complete.

Wenjing put down her phone and continued chopping vegetables.

……

A week passed quickly.

The day before school started, the two packed their luggage and put it in the trunk.

Get in the car and fasten your seatbelt.

Ding Heng adjusted his seat and turned his head to look at the passenger seat.

Wenjing placed her hands on her knees and took deep breaths repeatedly.

"nervous?"

"Um!"

"I'm nervous too, after all, it's my first time going to university."

"I'm not nervous about that."

"Then what's there to be nervous about?"

"Ding Heng..."

Wenjing called out softly, her tone slightly hesitant.

"Um?"

"When I get to college, what should I say about our relationship when my classmates ask?"

"Say whatever you want, I'll accept it."

Wenjing simply said "Oh" softly and didn't ask any further questions.

Ding Heng stared at her profile.

That fair face, always carrying a hint of timidity.

Those clean eyes, always hiding something.

This little white rabbit is too innocent and naive.

She actually dared to abandon her family and choose to unconditionally trust a stranger she had only known for less than two months.

Although personality and family factors pushed her to this point.

But it was ultimately a high-stakes gamble.

Ding Heng suddenly grabbed Wen Jing's hand, startling her so much that she trembled slightly and turned to look at him.

The man's hands were large and warm, completely enveloping her hands in his palms.

"Quiet".

Ding Heng called her name, his tone solemn.

Wenjing's heart skipped a beat.

What is Ding Heng going to say?

A promise? An instruction? A confession?

Various possibilities flashed through her mind until Ding Heng spoke.

"The noodles this morning were too salty."

Wenjing was stunned.

one second.

two seconds.

Then she said "Oh" again.

A warm feeling welled up in my heart, along with a touch of indescribable joy.

"I'll be more careful next time..."

"I don't know when the next time will be."

Ding Heng released his grip and started the car.

"I'll probably be eating at the school cafeteria from now on. Perfect, what do you want to eat later?"

"Hmm... I heard there's a good pancake place near Hubei University."

"I'm a grown man, I can't just eat pancakes all the time, can I?"

"I'll share half of mine with you, since I don't eat much anyway."

……

The two chatted idly about the possible mundane daily life in the future.

The car drove out of the residential area and merged into the traffic.

Sunlight streamed in through the windshield, warming the entire carriage.

In a daze, a road appeared before Wenjing's eyes again.

Tree-lined paths, red brick walls, students coming and going carrying books.

She and Ding Heng walked side by side under the sycamore tree.

The wind blew the fallen leaves down, swirling them as they landed at their feet.

This time, however, she didn't need to wait.

Everything is within reach!