The Female Lead is Quite Unusual - Episode 35

How could Lin Wan dare to let Bai Yin wake up early just to accompany her for a photoshoot?

Lin Wan almost blurted out without thinking, “Then I’ll trouble Butler Zhao.”

Bai Yin gave a soft “Mm” before lowering her gaze and pursing her lips. For some reason, Lin Wan felt that Bai Yin seemed a little displeased, but when she looked again, Bai Yin had already returned to her usual calm and unreadable expression.

“Wanwan, could you call Butler Zhao over for me? I have some things to ask him.”

Lin Wan glanced at Bai Yin a few more times, but there was no trace of anything unusual in her expression. Feeling reassured, Lin Wan turned and called Butler Zhao into the room. Worried that they might be discussing company matters, Lin Wan tactfully excused herself and left the room.

Watching Lin Wan’s considerate retreat, Bai Yin’s eyes darkened once more.

She looked at Butler Zhao, who had just entered, her brow slightly furrowed as if deep in thought. She remained silent for a long while.

Seeing Bai Yin like this, Butler Zhao’s heart skipped a beat. Bai Yin had always been decisive and composed in her actions, and this was the first time he had seen her so hesitant and uncertain.

Had something major happened?

Had Madam Li noticed something after the young lady sent the amnesiac Bai Ru back a couple of days ago?

Butler Zhao straightened his posture and cautiously asked, “Miss, if it’s truly unsolvable, should we consult your uncle? I still have a few relatives over there who could help.”

Only then did Bai Yin seem to snap out of her thoughts, her gaze settling on him. She pursed her lips and spoke softly, her tone slightly odd, “It’s nothing major.”

Butler Zhao lowered his gaze slightly, maintaining a polite smile, though his back remained tense.

If it was nothing major, why would Bai Yin act like this? Something must have happened.

“It’s just…” Bai Yin’s expression grew increasingly agitated, her brows furrowed tightly. “It’s about Lin Wan. She recently met a guy from a nearby university.”

“Oh.” Butler Zhao’s expression remained unchanged, but the tension in his back eased. So, it was a conflict between the two! No wonder the young lady was acting this way.

He gave Bai Yin a meaningful look. It was rare to see Bai Yin, who usually remained unruffled even in the face of disaster, showing such emotions.

“I don’t really care about Lin Wan that much,” Bai Yin said, not noticing Butler Zhao’s scrutiny. She seemed to radiate a strange restlessness, her tone gloomy. “But she’s under my care now, and she’s too trusting. If she gets tricked by that guy and ends up crying and whining, it’ll be annoying for all of us.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

Butler Zhao’s gaze deepened as he looked at Bai Yin. It seemed the conflict between them was caused by this male university student.

Tsk, tsk, just look at how worked up the young lady is.

“She’s going to the park with that guy tomorrow for a photoshoot,” Bai Yin’s expression darkened further, her hands gripping the wheelchair armrests tightly. “Early in the morning, just the two of them, and that park is so remote.”

“It’s not that bad,” Butler Zhao couldn’t help interjecting. “People who exercise in the park wake up early. My wife goes to the park to practice Tai Chi as early as five in the morning.”

“The park is huge. There are bound to be secluded corners.”

“In short,” Bai Yin’s eyes flickered as she pursed her lips. “I’ll have to trouble you to go on my behalf this time and keep an eye on that boy. See if there’s anything suspicious about him.”

Oh, so all this fuss was just to sabotage Lin Wan’s date with that male college student.

“You’re too kind, Miss. This is part of my duties.” Steward Zhao responded respectfully, echoing Bai Yin’s words. “Lin Wan is indeed quite naive, and young boys these days are full of tricks. We really should keep a close watch to prevent her from being deceived.”

“Though given that Lin Wan lacked parental affection since childhood, it’s understandable she might be swayed by sweet talk from young boys.” Even as he said this, Steward Zhao’s gaze toward Bai Yin held a clear hint of amusement.

How wonderful! Ever since interacting with Lin Wan, the young miss seemed to be gradually shedding her facade, becoming more and more vibrant.

No one understood Bai Yin’s aloof nature better than him. He had often worried about following Bai Yin down a path of no return, but now it seemed she had finally found an anchor.

Even if it was for everyone’s future, he would firmly keep Lin Wan by the young miss’s side and not let her leave.

Steward Zhao and Bai Yin didn’t talk for long.

Soon after, Steward Zhao opened the door and approached Lin Wan to finalize their departure time for the next morning.

After settling the time, Lin Wan stepped back inside.

To her surprise, Bai Yin wasn’t there.

Bai Yin had picked up a paintbrush and sat before an easel, seemingly preparing to paint.

“Yin Yin, you can paint too!” Lin Wan’s eyes widened, and she couldn’t help asking, “What’s inspired you today? What are you planning to paint?”

“I learned it as a child, but I’m a bit rusty now.” Bai Yin sat upright in her wheelchair, glanced at Lin Wan, her eyes shimmering. “Would you be willing to be my model?”

It wasn’t hard to imagine. Li Ruyue, in her efforts to please Bai Jian, must have forced Bai Yin to learn various talents. Painting was likely one of them.

However, the fact that Bai Yin was willing to paint clearly showed she didn’t dislike the skill.

“Of course, I’m willing!” Lin Wan immediately replied with a smile. “We’re good friends! I’ll cooperate with whatever you ask me to do.”

“Yin Yin’s paintings must be very beautiful.”

“I’m not sure how it will turn out.” Bai Yin curved her lips slightly and gestured for Lin Wan to sit by the gauze-curtained window, handing her a book and a new notebook. “Wanwan, move over a bit and sit there.”

As she spoke, Bai Yin glanced at Lin Wan again, her expression showing a hint of concern. “You can read a book you’re interested in or take notes, but it’s best if you don’t use your phone.”

“Will that disturb you and your friends chatting? If it’s really not possible, you can use your phone.”

“Not at all, I don’t have many friends to chat with. My uncle and grandmother are busy with renovations these days, so they probably won’t have time to contact me.”

Lin Wan glanced at the book Bai Yin had handed her. Surprisingly, even Bai Yin’s study had a collection of portrait photography. She continued, “Don’t worry, I can definitely sit still.”

To reassure Bai Yin, Lin Wan simply turned off her phone.

As she lowered her head to read, she could feel Bai Yin’s gaze occasionally resting on her. At first, she felt a bit nervous, but gradually, Lin Wan became engrossed in the book, relaxed completely, and focused intently on her reading.

This book introduced the works of many portrait masters, along with interviews where these masters shared their experiences. Lin Wan benefited greatly from it and took out a notebook to jot down notes one by one.

However, her favorite piece in the entire collection was not by any of the renowned photographers but by an elderly man from a village.

The old man used his camera to capture many moments with his wife. Though his wife had ordinary looks, in the old man’s lens, her eyes and brows radiated unmistakable joy, making her appear incredibly infectious.

Love is the most touching work of art.

Lost in thought, Lin Wan finished the entire collection and looked up, only to realize that Bai Yin had also set down her paintbrush at some point.

“Can I take a look?” Lin Wan glanced at Bai Yin’s expression, which had returned to its usual calm and unreadable state. She couldn’t discern Bai Yin’s feelings or whether she was satisfied with her work.

Bai Yin nodded.

Putting down the book, Lin Wan walked over slowly, already resolved in her heart: no matter how Bai Yin’s painting turned out, she would heap praise on it.

But when she actually saw Bai Yin’s painting, Lin Wan couldn’t help but widen her eyes.

The person in the painting was Lin Wan, yet not quite Lin Wan.

She saw a version of herself by the window.

In the painting, Lin Wan’s expression was gentle yet resolute, her demeanor serene. Bright sunlight bathed her, the gauze curtain swayed slightly, and her hair was a bit disheveled. The entire piece had a vibrant color palette, evoking a sense of tranquil contentment, as if the artist had painted it with joy, hoping to preserve that fleeting moment forever.

“Yin Yin, you made me look so beautiful!” Lin Wan exclaimed from the bottom of her heart. “I never imagined I could look this lovely.”

“Can I take a few photos and post them on my social media?” Lin Wan was so excited she almost wanted to show off to the whole world that she had an incredible friend like Bai Yin.

“Wanwan has always been beautiful.”

Bai Yin slightly raised her chin, her gaze sweeping over Lin Wan’s bright, joyful eyes. Her throat moved slightly before she looked away. “You can take as many photos as you like. This painting was always meant for you.”

“Really?” Overjoyed, Lin Wan couldn’t resist stepping forward to hug Bai Yin, then quickly let go, took out her phone, turned it on, and began snapping pictures of the painting.

“Then I’ll go online later and buy a frame to mount this painting.”

The vibrant tones of the painting, captured through the phone’s lens, took on an added softness, making the Lin Wan in the painting appear even more radiant.

The more Lin Wan looked at it, the more she loved it, and she immediately posted it on her social media.

[Look at the amazing painting my incredible friend made for me! From now on, this is how I look!] accompanied by four photos.

As soon as Lin Wan posted it, Butler Zhao liked it and commented: Miss Bai’s work is as outstanding as ever. It seems all those awards she won as a child; were not in vain.

Butler Zhao truly was the most loyal butler. He even remembered the names of every award Bai Yin had won as a child!

Lin Wan’s admiration for Butler Zhao grew even more.

She recalled that the awards Bai Yin had won were all highly prestigious. If Bai Yin hadn’t been admitted to film school and had continued on this path, she might have become a very famous painter by now.

The more Lin Wan learned about Bai Yin, the more her heart ached: Bai Yin was so talented and versatile. She ought to shine brilliantly and capture the world’s attention. Yet she remained confined within this villa, with others even spreading rumors that she suffered from a mental illness.

Lin Wan was determined to find a way to let the world see Bai Yin’s radiance!

After replying to Butler Zhao with, “Wow! As expected of our young lady,” Lin Wan was about to turn off her phone when a new message unexpectedly popped up in the chat window.

It was from the photographer guy she had met that day.

The new message was a voice note.

Earlier, the guy had sent Lin Wan several messages, saying he wanted to bring her breakfast the next day and asking what she’d like to eat. He had even sent the locations of several restaurants.

When Lin Wan didn’t respond, he had tried calling her via voice chat.

Since Lin Wan’s phone had been off, he naturally couldn’t get through.

Lin Wan tapped on the new voice message. The guy’s voice sounded hurt: “Lin Wan, did I do something wrong? You had time to post on your Moments, but you didn’t reply to me.”

“My bestie was painting my portrait, and I just turned my phone on.”

Feeling a pang of guilt, Lin Wan sent a voice message to explain. Beside her, Bai Yin glanced over, then suddenly smiled and spoke as if joking.

“Wanwan, is it that guy who took photos for you again?”

“Between my painting and his photos, whose work do you prefer?”