The Female Lead is Quite Unusual - Episode 33

Portrait photography is actually the most challenging.

Bai Yin is naturally beautiful and would look good in any casual shot, but the real difficulty lies in capturing the essence of the person, fully expressing their individuality.

In a way, the more beautiful a person is, the harder it is to photograph them well.

Lin Wan didn’t plan to start by photographing Bai Yin right away.

She intended to take it slow. First capturing scenery, then gradually learning the techniques of portrait photography, and finally attempting to photograph Bai Yin.

After all, Bai Yin had high aesthetic standards. If the first photos turned out poorly, she might not be willing to let Lin Wan photograph her again in the future.

Lin Wan didn’t want to see that happen.

Although she had indeed become Bai Yin’s good friend, that was under the premise that Bai Yin was confined to the villa. Moreover, there was still an employer-employee relationship between them, and Lin Wan didn’t feel entirely at ease when facing Bai Yin.

And the truth was, Lin Wan could easily be replaced.

To stand by Bai Yin’s side for the long term, she couldn’t always rely on Bai Yin’s protection. Lin Wan wanted to distinguish herself from others by having a unique skill, something that would allow her to stand confidently and openly by Bai Yin’s side.

So, early the next morning, as soon as the sky brightened, Lin Wan took her camera outside, experimenting with adjusting the settings and photographing flowers and plants, then submitting her assignments to her online course instructor.

By the time she finished all this, she suddenly realized it was already 9:30 a.m.. Bai Yin had probably finished her breakfast.

Oh no! She was late!

Although Butler Zhao hadn’t strictly set a time for Lin Wan to accompany Bai Yin, Lin Wan had always made it a point to start at 9 a.m. on her own. This was the first time she had been late.

Lin Wan hastily grabbed a few steamed buns to eat and hurried to Bai Yin’s room.

Sure enough, Bai Yin had already washed up, finished her breakfast, and was sitting at the table.

As always, Bai Yin was magnanimous. After Lin Wan explained that she had been delayed by some matters, Bai Yin glanced up at her, her gaze lingering on the camera hanging around Lin Wan’s neck. She softly hummed in acknowledgment, then lowered her head and continued reading.

Bai Yin didn’t ask any questions, and Lin Wan breathed a sigh of relief. She sat down beside Bai Yin and began reading the book she had previously picked from the shelf.

Her grandmother’s shop was set to open in a few days, and Lin Wan had drawn a lot of inspiration from the book. Like creating portable small packages, building the shop’s brand effect, and customizing corresponding packaging.

Lin Wan couldn’t help but discuss her plans with Bai Yin.

Bai Yin lowered her gaze and didn’t comment on Lin Wan’s ideas. Lin Wan thought she might disapprove and was carefully wording her objections, making Lin Wan anxious. But to her surprise, Bai Yin picked up her phone and called Butler Zhao, instructing him to contact the design department of their company to create a batch of packaging.

“I didn’t mean to take advantage of you or ask for your help.”

Lin Wan hadn’t expected Bai Yin to do this and couldn’t help widening her eyes. She had already browsed online shops for custom packaging and was ready to place an order. She hadn’t intended to seek Bai Yin’s assistance. She just wanted to share her plans with a good friend.

“It’s fine,” Bai Yin put down her phone, pursed her lips, and lowered her eyes. “The company has a design department anyway. It’s convenient.”

As she spoke, Bai Yin turned the page of her book and asked softly, “Wanwan, is there anything else?”

“No, nothing else.”

It took Lin Wan a moment to respond, and she couldn’t help pursing her lips.

For some reason, she always felt that Bai Yin’s attitude seemed a bit odd, yet there was nothing unusual about Bai Yin’s tone or demeanor.

Lin Wan thought it over and decided she was just being overly sensitive.

At this point, it seemed like anything she said would come off as awkward, and it was true that everything she had now was thanks to Bai Yin.

No matter how fragile Bai Yin appeared, the social resources she possessed were something Lin Wan could never match.

Lin Wan didn’t like this feeling.

Even though Bai Yin didn’t seem like a ruthless person, she was still the one in control between them. She could take back everything she had given at any moment.

Originally, Lin Wan had started taking photos on a whim, but now she genuinely wanted to master the craft: once she reached the peak of photography and could even make a living from it, if no one else could capture Bai Yin as beautifully as she could, then she could truly stand on her own beside Bai Yin.

With this thought in mind, Lin Wan picked up her phone, put on her headphones, and began focusing intently on learning video editing.

Time flew by, and it wasn’t until Sister Zhang called her that Lin Wan snapped out of her trance, realizing it was already time to prepare lunch.

In the past, Bai Yin only ate porridge, and Lin Wan would always rack her brains over Bai Yin’s meals, trying every way to get her to eat a little more. But now, Bai Yin’s appetite had improved somewhat, and she had started accepting more dishes. Every day, Sister Zhang would ask Lin Wan if Bai Yin had any cravings.

“Yin Yin, is there anything you’d like to eat?” Lin Wan asked as usual.

Following Bai Yin’s usual habit, she would reply with “whatever” or “anything is fine,” leaving everything for Lin Wan to decide.

But this time, for some reason, Bai Yin thought for a moment and then softly said, “I’d like some diced lotus root.”

Lin Wan was taken aback for a second and glanced carefully at Bai Yin, but Bai Yin didn’t look back at her. Her eyes were slightly lowered, her lips pressed together, and her jawline tense, as if she were a little upset.

“Is there anything else you’d like?” Lin Wan, however, felt a bit happy: Bai Yin had preferences now, was becoming more expressive of her emotions, and was growing more vibrant.

Bai Yin shook her head, gave Lin Wan a deep look, and said nothing more.

“Then I’ll go help Sister Zhang in the kitchen.”

With that, Lin Wan got up and headed to the kitchen. Feeling a lingering sense of guilt, she decided to make an extra nourishing soup for Bai Yin.

But after Sister Zhang brought the meal upstairs, Lin Wan didn’t sit beside Bai Yin as usual, trying to make her presence felt.

She quickly ate a few bites of her own food and then picked up her camera to start shooting again.

This time, she had set an alarm and didn’t end up late like in the morning, arriving in Bai Yin’s room right on time. However, having to interrupt her shooting plans left her feeling a bit preoccupied.

In the afternoon, while keeping Bai Yin company, there wasn’t much to do since Bai Yin spent most of her time resting. Lin Wan planned to ask Bai Yin about going outside for some activity after she finished eating, hoping she might even persuade Bai Yin to step out for some fresh air. That would be perfect!

Just as she expected, when she returned to Bai Yin’s room, Bai Yin had almost finished her lunch, but she was still pushing around the majority of the rice in her bowl, not bringing it to her mouth.

Though she had ordered the dishes herself, Bai Yin’s appetite seemed to have waned again, leaving more than half of the food untouched on the table.

“Miss, are you feeling unwell?”

Seeing the leftover food, Lin Wan couldn’t help but furrow her brows. With Sister Zhang present, she couldn’t reach out to touch Bai Yin’s forehead and could only ask softly.

“I’m fine,” Bai Yin murmured, lowering her eyes.

“Wanwan, where did you run off to?” Sister Zhang chimed in with a teasing smile. “Usually, when you’re around chatting with her, Miss is in a better mood and has a better appetite. Today, with you gone, of course she couldn’t eat much.”

Was that the reason?

Lin Wan widened her eyes, not believing she had such a significant influence on Bai Yin.

“No.”

Normally, Bai Yin would just laugh off such teasing remarks, but for some reason that day, she denied it almost immediately. “I was just too hot earlier.”

As if to prove her point, Bai Yin took a few more sips of congee and ate a few bites of diced lotus root.

“Take your time, Miss. Let me adjust the air conditioner for you.”

Lin Wan paused for a moment, not doubting Bai Yin’s words. She picked up the remote to adjust the temperature and cracked the window open slightly for ventilation.

Only when Bai Yin finally set down her chopsticks did Lin Wan share her plan.

“Wanwan, I just bought a new camera and I’m still getting the hang of it. I’m really into it right now. I was thinking of going to the garden later to take more photos. Do you want to come with me?”

Lin Wan had thought that since Bai Yin had already visited her home and met her grandmother, she might be less resistant to going out. Perhaps she could even teach Bai Yin how to take photos.

But Bai Yin seemed as unwilling as ever to leave the house. She shook her head.

“Sorry, Wanwan, I don’t want to go out. You go ahead by yourself.”

Lin Wan glanced at Bai Yin, who kept her eyes slightly lowered, still avoiding Lin Wan’s gaze.

Not wanting to push her, Lin Wan asked softly, “Then how long can I stay in the garden to take photos?”

At this, Bai Yin finally looked up at her, narrowing her eyes slightly. “How long do you want to take?”

“Of course, the longer the better!” Lin Wan blurted out without thinking.

Noticing Bai Yin’s pursed lips, Lin Wan realized she had spoken too hastily and quickly tried to smooth things over. “But I’d much rather spend time with my most beautiful and kind-hearted Miss Yin! I’ll finish as quickly as possible, no more than an hour.”

“You really like taking photos that much?” Bai Yin finally spoke again.

Lin Wan caught sight of her picking up her phone again and, without a second thought, quickly grabbed Bai Yin’s hand.

“Yin Yin, listen to me. I just bought this new camera and really don’t want to get another one. Please don’t contact Butler Zhao.”

“Yin Yin?”

Bai Yin’s gaze fell on Lin Wan’s hand gripping her arm, her expression seeming somewhat dazed. Lin Wan had to call her name again.

Only then did Bai Yin set down her phone, pursed her lips, and lowered her head slightly.

Clearly, she had indeed been considering asking Butler Zhao to gift Lin Wan a new camera.

Bai Yin’s thoughts were just too easy to guess!

She must have been bothered by her fastidiousness again and hadn’t expected Lin Wan to refuse, leaving her pride wounded.

Lin Wan immediately released Bai Yin’s hand, instead clutching her sleeve, and coaxed softly, “Yin Yin, my skills are really too poor right now. Using a high-end machine would just be a waste. It’s better for me to practice with my own equipment first. Once my skills improve, I’ll beg you to buy me one then.”

Acting coquettishly was something that became easier with practice.

Meeting Bai Yin’s gaze, Lin Wan blinked her eyes earnestly, tugging at Bai Yin’s sleeve while calling out “Yin Yin”.

Bai Yin’s throat moved slightly, her eyes fixed on Lin Wan’s lips. Her gaze lingered for a moment, as if recalling something, then she abruptly averted her eyes.

“Let’s do as you say!”

It took a while before Bai Yin finally spoke in a hoarse voice.

For some reason, even though Bai Yin appeared at her most fragile, as Lin Wan looked at the slender curve of Bai Yin’s neck and her delicate profile, listening to that slightly raspy voice, her heartbeat suddenly skipped a beat.

“Thank you, Yin Yin.”

After a long pause, Lin Wan swallowed and spoke in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.