The Female Lead is Quite Unusual - Episode 34

After that, Lin Wan hurried downstairs and began photographing various still life subjects.

She threw herself into the task with intense focus, applying the techniques she had learned. By the afternoon, she had taken several photos that she felt carried a certain artistic ambiance.

Lin Wan was self-aware enough to know her current photography skills weren’t yet strong enough to confidently share the pictures with Bai Yin.

However, aside from Bai Yin, she didn’t feel as nervous around others. Eager to gauge her own level, she showed the photos to anyone she encountered, asking for their opinions on her photography skills.

Among amateurs, Lin Wan’s photos were actually quite decent. Especially considering she was just starting out, people naturally didn’t want to discourage her and were generous with their praise.

Lin Wan blushed deeply from the compliments. Even though she knew much of it was polite flattery, she couldn’t help but feel overjoyed. When she went to have dinner with Bai Yin, she could barely suppress the smile on her lips.

Bai Yin glanced at her several times, clearly noticing.

Feeling a bit embarrassed and not wanting Bai Yin to see her amateurish work, Lin Wan changed the subject whenever Bai Yin looked her way. “Yin Yin, I plan to get up early tomorrow to take photos by the lake nearby. Is there anything you’d like me to bring back for you in the morning?”

Bai Yin turned her face away, avoiding Lin Wan’s overly bright eyes, and shook her head.

“Alright then!” Lin Wan had already braced herself for the refusal, so it didn’t come as a surprise. As she ate, she mentally mapped out her plans for the next day.

Online courses could only teach the basics, and progress felt too slow. Lin Wan decided to visit places frequented by photographers, where she could ask questions on the spot and further improve her skills.

She had been slightly worried that Bai Yin might want to see her work. Something she would have found hard to refuse.

But perhaps Bai Yin simply had no interest in photography. She glanced at Lin Wan once more, pressed her lips together, and said nothing more, quietly continuing her meal.

Lin Wan breathed a sigh of relief.

When Sister Zhang finished cleaning up and left, Lin Wan remembered her plan to help Bai Yin with her insomnia. She leaned closer and asked Bai Yin what book she’d like to listen to that night. Bai Yin pressed her lips and looked at her but shook her head. “I’ve gotten some medication from Dr. Wang these past couple of days, and I’ve been sleeping better.”

“That’s great!” Lin Wan sighed in relief. “If you still can’t sleep and want me to keep you company, you have to tell me.”

“After all, relying on medication too much isn’t good.”

Bai Yin gave a soft “Mm” in agreement, her gaze lingering on Lin Wan’s face for a moment before she pressed her lips together again.

Lin Wan then returned to her own room.

Having spent the entire day taking photos, she was utterly exhausted. After her shower, she couldn’t stop yawning as drowsiness washed over her.

Still thinking of Bai Yin, Lin Wan sent a message before going to bed: “Remember to take your medicine and sleep early.”

After sending a GIF of hands spinning in circles, Lin Wan could no longer fight off her sleepiness. She set her phone aside and drifted off.

She had set her alarm for 5:30 the next morning. As soon as it rang, she got up, washed up, and headed out.

There was an unread message from Bai Yin on her phone. A reply sent not long after her own message, just a single word: “Mm.”

Staring at that message, Lin Wan couldn’t help but freeze for a moment.

She had been feeling that Bai Yin’s attitude had been a bit odd these past couple of days.

If she said Bai Yin was distant, Bai Yin still responded to everything. If she said Bai Yin was affectionate, Bai Yin seemed to rarely initiate conversations with Lin Wan lately.

But after thinking it over, Lin Wan realized that Bai Yin had always been this reserved. The previous closeness might have been because Lin Wan had found Bai Yin at the Songhe Villa, and during that time, Bai Yin was scared and thus more dependent on her.

Now, Bai Yin had probably moved past it and was gradually returning to her usual temperament.

Lin Wan didn’t feel disappointed: she didn’t want to control Bai Yin’s life, only wishing for her to be healthy, happy, and carefree. The fact that Bai Yin could shake off the shadows of the past actually brought Lin Wan a sense of relief.

Thinking this way, Lin Wan stopped dwelling on Bai Yin’s attitude and headed to the lake to take some landscape photos.

Just as she expected, there were quite a few photographers gathered by the lake, waiting for the right moment. The scenery, untouched by human presence, revealed a natural beauty, and everyone liked to arrive early to capture the perfect shot.

While Lin Wan was admiring the scenery, she herself became part of the scenery in others’ eyes.

Having graduated not long ago and mostly staying in the villa since then, Lin Wan had rarely been exposed to the elements. She looked almost no different from a college student.

After taking a few photos, a young man who appeared to be a university student blushed and approached her. He said he was a photography student and asked if he could take a few photos of her.

Lin Wan, who was just starting to learn photography, readily agreed.

After taking the photos, the young man shyly asked if they could exchange contact information so he could send her the pictures later.

Lin Wan, who was eager for guidance, didn’t refuse and even took the opportunity to ask him many questions.

The young man was extremely enthusiastic and answered many of Lin Wan’s queries. Grateful, Lin Wan treated him to breakfast at a nearby stall before heading back to the villa right on time.

After making sure Bai Yin finished her breakfast, the photos from the young man arrived.

It had to be said, the young man had some skill in photography.

Even without any makeup, in the candid shots he captured, the soft light smoothed out any imperfections in Lin Wan’s face. She appeared relaxed and captivating, standing among the reeds by the lake as if nothing in the world could hold her back.

Lin Wan hadn’t expected to look so beautiful in his photos. Delighted, she saved them to her album and quickly sent him a few thankful stickers.

A voice message came in reply. The young man’s voice was extremely shy.

“If you like this style of photography, I can teach you next time we meet. Have you thought about where you’d like to shoot next? I have a few locations in mind, would you like to take a look?”

Lin Wan, who had been unsure where to go for her next shoot, brightened at the suggestion and was about to reply when Bai Yin suddenly spoke up: “Wanwan, who are you chatting with?”

“A friend I met this morning. He takes great photos and is very helpful.”

Lin Wan looked up to see Bai Yin wheeling herself over, her eyes fixed intently on Lin Wan.

“Wanwan seems to really like his work,” Bai Yin said, her gaze shifting as a gentle smile touched her lips. “May I see the photos he took?”

Lin Wan was curious about Bai Yin’s level of pickiness when it came to photos, so she immediately opened the chat window and enlarged the photos in the chat history for Bai Yin to see.

At first, Lin Wan didn’t think much of it. After all, she hadn’t taken the photos herself. But as she watched Bai Yin scrutinizing the pictures carefully, a sense of unease crept into Lin Wan’s heart. She couldn’t help but ask, “Yin Yin, what do you think?”

“Not bad.”

“It’s mainly because Wanwan is so pretty, so the photos turned out beautiful too.”

Bai Yin’s tone sounded utterly sincere.

Even though Lin Wan suspected Bai Yin might just be being polite, her cheeks still flushed with warmth.

Bai Yin’s smile grew even gentler. “Wanwan, could you send these photos to me?”

“Of course.”

Lin Wan replied immediately and forwarded the photos to Bai Yin’s phone. Thinking that Bai Yin rarely asked for anything, perhaps she really liked this style, Lin Wan couldn’t resist asking further, “Yin Yin, do you like this kind of photography style?”

“If you do, I can ask the photographer to come over and take a set for you too.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Bai Yin’s gaze lingered on the photos Lin Wan had sent, then swept over the camera that had been inseparable from Lin Wan lately. She narrowed her eyes slightly. “I just suddenly realized photography seems quite interesting.”

“Wanwan, could you teach me?”

Bai Yin looked up, her eyes shimmering as she glanced at Lin Wan, then lowered her head as if a little embarrassed. “I want to take beautiful photos of you too.”

–

Bai Yin’s words were so charming. Who could resist a friend who wanted to take lovely photos of them?

Indeed, the feelings between good friends were mutual, weren’t they? That must be why Bai Yin had now developed the desire to take photos for her.

“I’m still a beginner myself and don’t know much.”

“Once my skills improve in a few days, I’ll teach you.”

Lin Wan was deeply moved, but considering how physically demanding the recent photoshoots had been, she couldn’t bear to put Bai Yin through such exhaustion. So, she decided to delay for a while, hoping that Bai Yin’s enthusiasm might fade by then.

With that thought, a sense of urgency arose in Lin Wan’s heart: if Bai Yin’s passion hadn’t waned by then, she would have to take on the responsibility of teaching her and couldn’t remain half-skilled anymore…

Besides, since she herself had such beautiful photos, Bai Yin naturally deserved even better ones.

Holding onto this idea, Lin Wan replied to the guy’s message: “Can you send me the locations you’ve chosen? I’ll check how far they are from me. If any are nearby, I’ll go.”

Lin Wan also sent a voice message, which Bai Yin naturally heard.

When she finished and looked over at Bai Yin, she found Bai Yin staring at her with a strange expression.

Lin Wan didn’t know what was wrong with her. Though she felt completely innocent, under Bai Yin’s gaze, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt.

“Then I’ll wait for Wanwan to teach me.” Looking more closely, Bai Yin’s smile deepened, and her voice softened even further. “Where are you planning to go to learn photography tomorrow?”

Just then, the guy sent over a few locations. Lin Wan noticed that one of the parks wasn’t far from where they were, so she decided to go there for shooting the next day.

Lin Wan selected a location and informed the young boy, also letting Bai Yin know.

“What a coincidence,” Bai Yin narrowed his eyes.

“Steward Zhao happens to have some business to attend to outside recently. He can give you a ride along the way,” Bai Yin said softly. “While you’re taking photos, he can also assist you.”

“But I’ll be setting off around five in the morning.”

Lin Wan widened her eyes, startled, and quickly spoke up: How could she dare let Steward Zhao assist her.

“Steward Zhao is older and naturally a light sleeper,” Bai Yin seemed not to notice Lin Wan’s polite refusal and continued, “This isn’t a problem for him.”

“If you feel uncomfortable going out with Steward Zhao.”

“Or,” Bai Yin’s gaze fell on Lin Wan, his mind flashing to the photos the boy had taken. He pursed his lips and unconsciously tightened his grip on his phone. “Shall I accompany you instead?”