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

Chapter 7: An Apology Must Be Revealed...

The following day at noon, in the lobby of the Chujiang Hotel.

As soon as Ding Heng entered the revolving door, Zhao Yanxi immediately stood up from the rest area and waved vigorously at him.

"Brother Ding Heng, over here!"

Zhao Yanxi changed out of her cosplay outfit, tied her ponytail high behind her head, and let a few strands of hair fall down along her swan-like neck, swaying gently in the wind.

A charcoal black short-sleeved shirt clung to her body, outlining her sharp shoulders and waist; the fabric had a slightly warm feel from being sun-dried. A burgundy sports jacket was casually tied around her waist, half draped over a gray pleated skirt and the other half hanging down the outside, subtly concealing her lower body and adding a touch of playfulness.

The seemingly casual outfit is actually full of subtle details, paired with light makeup, making her look pure, beautiful, and lively.

"good afternoon."

Ding Heng approached and responded with a smile.

Good afternoon!

Zhao Yanxi smiled brightly.

Good afternoon.

Wenjing, standing to the side, followed suit with a greeting, shifting slightly uncomfortably.

Compared to the meticulously dressed Zhao Yanxi, Wen Jing looked like a high school student who had just finished her morning exercise.

A standard student ponytail, a light gray tracksuit, a slightly loose round-neck long-sleeved top, and breathable casual pants.

But perhaps due to the size or design, the top was stretched into an exaggerated curve in front of her chest, making this otherwise ordinary outfit less "ordinary".

Ding Heng glanced at them briefly and casually asked, "Where's Hua Yue? Didn't she come along?"

Zhao Yanxi explained, "She had some family matters to attend to, so she went back to Zhuzhou this morning."

Ding Heng then noticed the two suitcases standing behind them: "Are you also getting ready to go back?"

Wenjing nodded, her voice soft: "I've already found a ride, we'll leave after we finish eating."

Ding Heng glanced at the blazing sun outside the lobby and suggested, "Let's not go too far. Let's just grab something to eat at the hotel; it'll save us the trouble."

"Oh! We're eating here?"

Zhao Yanxi's expression clearly froze for a moment.

Although she came here today with the determination to "bleed big" to treat everyone to a meal to express her gratitude, this is a five-star hotel!

Isn't Ding Heng overestimating the financial strength of a high school graduate?

"It's alright, I'll treat you to this meal."

Ding Heng noticed Zhao Yanxi's predicament.

His idea was simple: save money wherever possible. There was no need to waste money on three poor students who had just graduated from high school, since hotel expenses were zero cost to him anyway.

Zhao Yanxi quickly waved her hand, "How could I... We agreed that we would thank you!"

"Are you really embarrassed?"

Ding Heng raised an eyebrow and teased, "That works too. When you pay the bill later, I'll have them give you a 20% discount."

"20% off?"

Zhao Yanxi immediately made a face, her cheeks puffed out slightly, and she made a wronged yet cute expression.

"Fine, I'll just stay here and wash dishes all summer. Sigh... I don't know if I'll be able to report on time before school starts."

The two exchanged a knowing smile, stopped there, and didn't dwell on who should pay.

Ding Heng then gestured to the doorman to settle his luggage and turned to walk towards the elevator.

Zhao Yanxi naturally followed, walking beside Ding Heng, and began to chat about the fun things that happened at yesterday's comic convention. Her tone was light and her laughter was crisp.

Wenjing silently followed half a step behind the two, watching Zhao Yanxi's slender back and her profile as she chatted and laughed with Ding Heng, her feelings were hard to describe.

Zhao Yanxi has always been like this, from childhood to adulthood.

Like a bright, leaping flame, she is confident, cheerful, and poised, able to quickly become familiar with anyone, whether teachers, classmates, elders, or relatives; no one can dislike her.

Unlike myself, who is always tongue-tied, timid, and whose mind goes blank when nervous.

In a daze, Wenjing heard her mother's usual nagging echoing in her ears:

"Look at Zhao Yanxi, how sweet she is to everyone, how quick-witted she is, and her studies aren't any worse than yours! Can't you learn from her? You're always so quiet and unresponsive!"

"Hey, with your quiet and reserved nature, what will you do when you go to college and enter the workforce... Spend more time with Yan hope and learn from her quick wit."

"You've already graduated high school, how come other people can dress neatly and beautifully, while you just stay at home in your tracksuit all day..."

"Quiet?"

Ding Heng's shout pulled Wen Jing back from her chaotic thoughts.

He had already entered the elevator with Zhao Yanxi, his hand on the open button, and he was looking back at her.

"Oh? They're here."

Wenjing's face flushed, and she quickly ran a few steps and squeezed into the elevator.

The Chinese restaurant at Chujiang Hotel is located on the 3rd floor, specializing in high-end, modern Hunan cuisine in an elegant setting.

As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, Sister Sun, the restaurant manager, greeted me with a beaming smile: "Little Ding, you're here! The usual three dishes today?"

Ding Heng pointed to the two girls behind him: "We have friends here today, could you please get them a menu?"

"Okay!"

Sister Sun readily agreed and then turned to instruct the waiter, "Take Xiao Ding and his friend to Tingfeng Pavilion."

Two weeks ago, Ding Heng was working a summer job at the hotel's Chinese restaurant, responsible for serving food and providing table service. He got along well with Sister Sun.

Until the system awakens and designates the entire hotel as his "territory".

Although he can enjoy all the hotel's resources at will, the system also restricts him from directly obtaining any monetary benefits through the hotel.

Not only could he not transfer funds from the hotel's account, but even the wages he was entitled to for his hard work over the past two weeks were deemed "insufficient permissions, unable to be issued" by the system.

He even tried to cheat the system by booking rooms for free and reselling them, but was warned by the system for "insufficient permissions".

Initially, because he couldn't get his salary, Ding Heng did indulge in "revenge" at the hotel for a few days, eating and drinking well every day, and getting massages and saunas.

But by now, I'm getting a little tired of it...

In Sister Sun's eyes, Ding Heng was no different from other regular customers; he was a money god who could bring her commissions.

As she walked, she enthusiastically promoted her products: "Xiao Ding, does your friend like seafood? The grouper that just arrived today is quite good, as are the finest clams and king razor clams, they're still very lively."

Since it's free, why not eat it? Ding Heng turned to Zhao Yanxi and Wen Jing and asked, "What do you want to eat?"

Zhao Yanxi's eyes lit up, but she replied reservedly, "We don't understand, we'll do whatever you say."

"Okay, I'll go take a look first."

Ding Heng turned and walked towards the seafood section, while the two girls went into the private room and took their seats, receiving menus from the waiter.

Wenjing glanced at the price and couldn't help but gasp. She quietly nudged Zhao Yanxi, her eyes filled with panic that "this is too expensive."

Zhao Yanxi was also secretly shocked by the price, but she tried her best to remain calm. In the end, she gritted her teeth and ordered a few dishes that looked relatively "ordinary".

After ordering, the waiter left the private room.

Wenjing immediately leaned closer to Zhao Yanxi and lowered her voice, "Yanxi...didn't we agree that we'd treat? This..."

Zhao Yanxi jokingly replied, "Sure, take out your phone first and see if our combined Alipay credit limits are enough for this meal?"

Wenjing pursed her lips: "Yanxi, I'm being serious!"

Zhao Yanxi sighed, "My little Jingjing, can you use your brain? Ding Heng can live in a place like this all the time, do you think he's short of money for this meal? Whether it's thanking us or apologizing, the point isn't how much money was spent, it's the sentiment, it's the sincerity! Understand?"

"Then... how do we show sincerity?"

Wenjing blinked, not quite understanding.

Zhao Yanxi glanced at the quiet and well-maintained sweatshirt, then suddenly reached out and grabbed the zipper, tearing it open with a "whoosh".

At the zipper opening, a section of fair and slender collarbone was revealed, along with the full and perky rounded contours below, tightly wrapped in a fitted sports T-shirt.

Zhao Yanxi said jokingly, "Look, this is sincerity!"

"Hey! What are you doing!"

Wenjing's face flushed instantly, and she hurriedly covered her collar and zipped the zipper back up.

Zhao Yanxi was amused by Wenjing's reaction, but then she quickly put away her joking expression: "I'll ask you one last time, Xiaojing, do you really have absolutely no feelings for Ding Heng? Don't let me win him over and then you hide away and cry your eyes out."

Wenjing's eyes darted away: "I... I've only known him for a short time..."

Her views on love are mostly still within the framework of those pure love shoujo manga.

The male and female protagonists always have to go through a long process of meeting, getting to know each other, and understanding each other. Their feelings gradually warm up and ferment through countless warm or tortuous daily interactions.

She and Ding Heng had only known each other for a day.

Zhao Yanxi looked at Wenjing with exasperation and lightly tapped her temple with her finger: "Old-fashioned!"

Suddenly, there was a gentle knock on the door of the private room. The waiter from before pushed the door open and came in with a smile, saying, "Ladies, Xiao Ding would like you to go to the seafood tank and choose some seafood together."

"Okay, coming!"

Zhao Yanxi smiled and excitedly got up to go out.

Wenjing didn't move, sitting quietly in place, her heart still beating a little fast.

Her fingers unconsciously touched the zipper of her sweatshirt. After hesitating for a few seconds, she slowly pulled it down again, revealing her delicate collarbone and the alluring curve of her upper body.

But the blush at the base of her ears lingered...