Chapter 43: Chapter 30: Group Photo with Qing Mei

At nine in the morning, it was time for the photoshoot.

Lu Haoran couldn’t stand beside Su Zelin because the troublemaker was too tall. The photographer assigned him to the center of the last row, while the honest guy was only 1.7 meters tall and could only be in the front row for the boys.

Thankfully, with encouragement from a few friends, he now felt like the coolest guy. Su Zelin wasn’t beside him, but he didn’t feel awkward. He even proudly straightened his back, smiling.

Xiaoyanzi said confident people are the most handsome, I want to show her my most handsome side in the graduation photo!

"Three, two, one, cheese!"

As the photographer clicked the camera’s shutter, various expressions were captured in the morning sunshine, either serious or playful.

After taking more than a dozen shots, the photographer was finally satisfied.

With so many samples, it was enough.

After the graduation photo was taken, Old Guo moved to the front of the group.

"Students, we’ll have our graduation banquet this noon. Before that, you can freely roam and explore the campus, take another look at our beautiful alma mater, but don’t forget the time. Make sure to gather again at the school gate before eleven thirty!"

"Yes, teacher!"

The group dispersed into smaller groups.

Su Zelin, needless to say, was with Lu Haoran, Qin Shiqing, and Tang Yan.

His relationships with other classmates were quite ordinary, including roommates. With his troublemaker attributes, he was seen as a bad student, generally avoided by others. Among the boys, only Lu Haoran could be considered a close friend.

As for Tang Yan, it was mainly through Qin Shiqing that she got familiar with him. She quickly found that apart from his sometimes cheeky mouth, Su Zelin was actually quite nice, talkative, and humorous, with a strong sense of camaraderie.

With a digital camera, they took pictures along the way.

The school gate, pathways, cafeteria, playground, teaching building, dormitory... they left their marks at almost every corner of the campus.

Initially, Su Zelin took photos of Qin Shiqing and Tang Yan while the two girls took photos of the two boys.

But a great chance for pairing up Xiaoyanzi and the cutie couldn’t be missed by Su Zelin.

Hmm, a photo of the boy and girl together needs a spot with good scenery to show off.

When they arrived at a lush, flower-filled field, Su Zelin made his decision.

"Rat, Xiaoyanzi, come on over, I’ll snap a shot of you two together!"

"Huh, me and Xiaoyanzi?"

The honest guy’s face blushed instantly. He hesitated, "This... this isn’t appropriate..."

Though he said that, he felt a slight sense of anticipation in his heart.

"What’s inappropriate? It’s almost 2020, boys and girls can’t take a photo together? Do you think this is feudal society?"

Su Zelin put on a stern face, "Or are you saying you dislike Xiaoyanzi and don’t want to take a picture with her?"

"No, that’s not it, don’t say that!"

The honest guy waved his hand frantically to clarify.

"Then it’s fine!" Su Zelin turned his gaze to Tang Yan, "Xiaoyanzi, do you dislike Lu Haoran? If so, we don’t have to take the picture!"

Lu Haoran suddenly tensed up.

What if Xiaoyanzi doesn’t want to take a picture with me?

Tang Yan was speechless, thinking to herself, "You’ve put it that way, what else can I do?"

However, compared to the troublemaker’s image, she’s always had a good impression of Lu Haoran, finding him reliable and, as good friends, they shouldn’t have any qualms about taking a picture together.

"Of course I don’t dislike him, Lu Haoran is ten times better than you!"

Xiaoyanzi raised an eyebrow.

Lu Haoran finally felt relieved.

Xiaoyanzi is really nice.

But does she truly think I’m better than Zelin?

It might just be a polite remark. How can I compare to Zelin?

"Since both of you agree, then I solemnly announce Lu Haoran and Tang Yan mar... taking a photo together!"

A sly smile appeared at the corner of Su Zelin’s mouth, signaling his success.

The other three felt a bit awkward, especially the honest guy and Xiaoyanzi.

It sounded a little like a minister hosting a wedding in a TV drama...

Qin Shiqing covered her mouth, secretly laughing. She saw through Su Zelin’s intentions but didn’t reveal them; instead, she pinched Su Zelin’s waist, whispering, "You are so naughty!"

Lu Haoran and Tang Yan actually made quite a good match.

Xiaoyanzi was strong-willed, while the rat was just the kind of obedient and docile boy.

Though they were willing to take a photo together, the shooting process encountered new issues.

Maybe because Lu Haoran and Tang Yan were both a bit shy, they stood too far apart.

Su Zelin urged them several times, yet their feet seemed rooted to the spot.

The honest guy was shy, while Xiaoyanzi, as a girl, had to show some restraint, so neither dared to take the first step toward each other.

Su Zelin couldn’t take it anymore and grumbled, "You call this a joint photo? People unaware might think I’m capturing one while accidentally including the other! If such a photo gets out, the reputation of genius photographer Teacher Su will be ruined!"

He shoved the Casio into Qin Shiqing’s hands and went over, dragging one with each hand, forcing them to stand together.

Now the distance was close enough, with their shoulders practically touching. The cutie shivered slightly, feeling an unusual sensation, while Xiaoyanzi’s face also blushed a bit.

Su Zelin inspected them, nodded with satisfaction, "Hmm, this is much better!"

Returning to Qin Shiqing, he raised the digital camera and opened the lens.

"Everyone smile, smile, don’t look like it’s the end of the world. Well then, let’s do a peace sign, 3, 2, 1, cheese!"

He snapped a few sets of joint photos for them, switching backgrounds and poses.

Standing, sitting, even lying on the grass, overhead shots, and even jumping shots—Su Zelin had them try every style he could think of.

At first, Lu Haoran and Tang Yan were stiff, with forced smiles, but they gradually relaxed, and their expressions became more natural.

Once the joint photos were done, they looked over them. Lu Haoran was quite satisfied, but Xiaoyanzi habitually nitpicked.

"This one makes my face look so big, and you call yourself Teacher Su!"

"My legs don’t look long enough; this isn’t the real me!"

"My hair is messy, and there’s no warning!"

"..."

Xiaoyanzi is ultimately a girl, and girls have high standards for their own photos. Su Zelin tried his best, but unfortunately the beauty camera app hadn’t been invented yet, so he couldn’t fully satisfy her.

Qin Shiqing didn’t mind: "Xiaoyanzi, I think your photos are pretty good, even the ones of Haozi are nice! Especially the one where he’s jumping, you must show it off!"

Tang Yan suddenly thought of something and her eyes lit up: "Su Zelin, why don’t you take a few photos with Shiqing? You wouldn’t mind, would you?"

It’s using one’s own weapon against them.

"What’s there to mind? She’s my neighbor after all!"

Su Zelin walked over and sat down nearby, patting the grass beside him: "Come, come, Qin Shiqing, here’s your chance to take a photo with a quietly handsome guy!"

Tang Yan rolled her eyes, thinking this trick wouldn’t work on him. She forgot this guy has thick skin and is super narcissistic, making it seem like Shiqing should feel honored to be in a picture with him.

Qin Shiqing also rolled her eyes at him but still moved her feet lightly and walked over to her childhood friend.

The two sat on the grass, leaning against each other.

Tang Yan felt they didn’t even need guidance for posing; the scene was so harmonious and fitting.

Lu Haoran felt envious, thinking Su Zelin really knows how to relax when taking pictures with girls. Look at how easygoing and carefree they are, unlike himself, nervous to the point his palms are sweating and his body tense.

The two ended up taking several sets, with Su Zelin acting playful while Qin Shiqing remained calm. Their movement and stillness complemented each other perfectly.

After wandering around the campus taking pictures, it was already past eleven. They arrived at the small shop.

The summer shop had paused business, but the owner, knowing graduates were taking photos today, had specially opened in the morning for business.

With more than ten minutes until the gathering, the sun was nearing its noon peak with a scorching heat, leaving the four sweaty, thirsty, and parched.

So Su Zelin suggested: "Let’s go get something to drink to cool off, and let the owner help take a group photo for us!"

Su Zelin’s Casio didn’t have a timed photo feature, so someone had to press the shutter. That’s why there was no group photo yet.

"Sure!"

The other three expressed agreement.

"I’ll go buy the sodas!"

This time, Lu Haoran was quite proactive.

After Su Zelin claimed his prize, he stuffed him with a hundred bucks. Xiaoyanzi had treated him to a week of sodas, and the honest man returned the favor for a week, but there was still quite a bit of money left. No matter what, Su Zelin refused to take it back, so Lu Haoran had to keep it, but he remembered it at heart, and now it was perfect for treating.

Wow, Haozi is quite considerate!

Su Zelin gave him a thumbs up.

Not long after, Lu Haoran returned with two sodas, one Beibingyang and one Jianya Dabaili, first giving them to the two girls.

That’s the cute detail where he considers girls first.

If it were Su Zelin, it’d be different. The rascal would definitely sip his Beibingyang first; whoever got the other soda would be random.

"Look at Lu Haoran—such style!"

Qin Shiqing puckered her lips.

"Don’t compare me to this guy. I never prioritize romance over friendship!"

Su Zelin replied confidently.

"You neither prioritize romance nor friendship; you think you’re the most important. Every time you grab a soda, you drink yours first. But it fits your narcissistic nature!"

Xiaoyanzi corrected.

Just then, Lu Haoran walked out of the shop again, holding the same two sodas.

Su Zelin didn’t even have to say it—he drank the Beibingyang while Lu Haoran took the Dabaili.

Because of Xiaoyanzi, he also started liking this soda.

Sweet, with a pear-like fragrance, just like the taste of first love.

"Haozi, why do you like drinking Dabaili so much? Isn’t this a girl’s soda?"

Su Zelin asked deliberately, though he knew the reason.

"Ah, well..."

The honest man didn’t know how to answer. He couldn’t just say it was because of Xiaoyanzi’s influence; that might lead to misunderstanding.

"Who says guys can’t drink Dabaili?"

Xiaoyanzi blinked her big eyes, coming out to defend Lu Haoran.

"I’ve seen plenty of guys drinking Dabaili; you’re just uninformed!"

Su Zelin sneered: "Those are all sissies. A real man drinks Beibingyang!"

He paused, then added: "But, even if you drink Dabaili, there’s still a way to become a real man."

The cute guy’s eyes shone.

He didn’t want to give up on Dabaili while still wanting to be a real man.

Lu Haoran quickly asked: "Zelin, what’s the way?"

"Just let Xiaoyanzi teach you some skills!"

Su Zelin said casually.

"Go to hell, jerk!"

Xiaoyanzi exploded.

The honest man thought to himself.

If I want to be a real man, what’s it got to do with Xiaoyanzi?

As they were chatting, the shopkeeper appeared in front of them: "Students, are you here for a group photo?"

He recognized them because they came to the shop almost every night before the exam, drinking sodas. Such a small request needed to be met.

"Yes, sir, if you don’t mind!"

Su Zelin handed him the Casio, raising his soda: "Cheers to friendship!"

"Cheers to friendship!"

The others raised their sodas one after another.

"Click!"

Four lively, joyous smiles were permanently captured by the camera.

...

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com