C20 Taking a Picture!

"Han Xiao?" Lee Yiran came to her senses, taking a closer look at the woman. "I've seen her photo online before. That's definitely Han Xiao."

"Wow, Han Xiao is actually here at Mirrora Manor. Sister Yiran, could you get her autograph for me?" Zhou Yu pleaded, tugging at Lee Yiran's arm with a sweet tone.

Han Xiao and another woman had already chosen a seat by the window and settled down.

Lee Yiran offered a gentle smile. "Zhou Yu, you're seventeen now. Do you really need me to do this for you?"

"Moreover, from what I've read online, Han Xiao is quite aloof. I doubt she'd give me an autograph even if I asked," Lee Yiran added, shaking her head.

"You're right. Sister Han Xiao always looks so serious online. If we just go up and ask for her autograph, she's sure to refuse," Zhou Yu sighed, her spirits deflating.

"But it's so frustrating. It's not every day you get to meet Sister Han Xiao. Who knows when we'll get another chance?" Zhou Yu lamented, her appetite for the delicious food before her fading.

Meanwhile, a server was placing several dishes on Han Xiao's table.

Han Xiao appeared at ease, unfazed by the attention she and her companion were drawing from the other patrons—she was accustomed to the spotlight.

Noticing Zhou Yu's dejected look, Zhou Wen looked up and smiled, "Zhou Yu, you're after Han Xiao's autograph?"

"Yes, I'm a huge fan. I'd love to get her autograph, and a photo with her would be amazing," Zhou Yu responded eagerly.

Zhou Wen mused over yet another fan of Han Xiao, finding the whims of these young ladies quite elusive.

But his fondness for Zhou Yu was genuine, especially since she had supported him during his confrontation with Zhang Zifan.

Zhou Wen believed he could lend a hand to Zhou Yu, considering his acquaintance with Han Xiao.

Knowing Han Xiao better than they did, he was confident she wasn't as standoffish as they imagined. She would likely agree to an autograph, and a photo wasn't out of the question either.

With this thought, Zhou Wen smiled reassuringly and said, "I'll go ask for you."

"Really?" Zhou Yu's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Absolutely. I'm acquainted with Han Xiao, so getting an autograph is a piece of cake," Zhou Wen replied with a casual smile.

"I might even be able to arrange for you to take a photo with her," he added confidently.

Zhou Yu's face broke into a delighted grin. "You better not be pulling my leg."

"Zhou Wen, you sure talk a big game to get girls' attention," Lee Yiran said with a displeased expression. "Who does Han Xiao think she is? How could you possibly know her?"

"It's not for you to say whether I know her or not," Zhou Wen shot back without mincing words.

He was fed up with the girl before him. Despite her good looks, her condescending demeanor was off-putting.

"Zhou Wen, just because Tang Qing stepped in and you dodged a bullet with Zhang Zifan, don't start thinking you're invincible," Lee Yiran stated haughtily.

She was convinced that Zhou Wen had just lucked out by connecting with Elder Xu.

In her view, Tang Qing's assistance to Zhou Wen was a trivial effort. She was skeptical about Zhou Wen having any real clout.

Without Tang Qing's intervention, Zhou Wen would have been left battered and bruised by Zhang Zifan.

He had barely been rescued, yet Zhou Wen didn't seem to know when to back down, continuing to spout nonsense and even hoping for a photo op with Han Xiao.

The audacity!

Zhou Wen couldn't help but chuckle and retorted, "Escape? You actually think I can't handle Zhang Zifan and his crew?"

"You think you can take on that bunch with your build?" Lee Yiran scoffed, giving Zhou Wen a dismissive once-over.

Zhou Wen just shook his head, feeling there was no point in continuing the conversation with Lee Yiran.

"Zhou Yu, I'll go get that autograph for you. If Han Xiao is up for a photo, I'll give you a shout," Zhou Wen said with a sense of certainty.

"Putting on an act!" Lee Yiran scoffed.

Zhou Yu glanced at them both and chuckled. "Zhou Wen, let it go. It's not that serious. It's just an autograph, not a necessity."

"Don't worry about it," Zhou Wen assured her, setting down his chopsticks and rising from his seat.

"Go ahead, let's see how you're going to get that autograph!" Lee Yiran mocked with a sneer.

Zhou Wen made a beeline for Han Xiao, completely ignoring Lee Yiran who was trailing behind him.

"Why did Zhou Wen walk away?" Hui Yuming asked, looking up, bewildered. He had been so engrossed in his meal that he hadn't caught any of their conversation.

"Zhou Wen claims he knows Han Xiao and even wants to get an autograph for Zhou Yu. It's utterly ridiculous," Lee Yiran remarked scornfully.

"Han Xiao?" Hui Yuming scanned the room and spotted Han Xiao by the window, with Zhou Wen approaching her.

"It looks like Zhou Wen really does know Han Xiao," Hui Yuming mumbled to himself, though his voice was so low that the others nearby didn't catch it.

Near the window, before Zhou Wen could get close, Han Xiao and the woman across from her turned their heads at the sound of footsteps.

"Zhou Wen, what brings you here?" the woman opposite Han Xiao exclaimed with surprise.

Zhou Wen was taken aback.

She looked vaguely familiar.

He racked his brain, faces and names flickering through his mind.

"Lin?" Zhou Wen ventured uncertainly.

"You've forgotten Lin in just a few days? I even bandaged your wounds for you!" the woman replied, clearly annoyed.

"Lin, I hardly recognized you out of uniform," Zhou Wen said with a chuckle.

The woman facing Han Xiao was none other than Lin Jing. Her long hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and her makeup was subtle.

Despite being out, Lin Jing wasn't wearing a dress but a simple top with black trousers and flat shoes.

"Mirrora Manor isn't allowing visitors today. How did you get in?" Lin Jing asked, her expression one of curiosity.

How did I get in?

"I'm here with a few friends. They have some connections, so we were able to get in," Zhou Wen explained after a pause.

There were certain details he preferred to keep from the two women.

"You know Sister Han Xiao?" Zhou Wen quickly steered the conversation away, not keen on delving further.

Han Xiao smiled and said, "Lin Jing and I go way back. She was the one who informed me that you were at Big Valley School, which is why I came to interview you."

"So that's what happened," Zhou Wen suddenly understood, realizing why Han Xiao had come to interview him so quickly. It was Lin Jing who had let slip his information.

"Han Xiao, a friend of mine would love to have your autograph and take a picture with you. Is that okay?" Zhou Wen inquired, a hint of hope in his voice.

"Friend?" Han Xiao's gaze followed Zhou Wen's to a table where two girls and a boy were sitting. The girls were strikingly beautiful and delightful to look at.

With a smile that hinted at something more, Han Xiao responded, "Zhou Wen, go ahead and invite her over."

"You mean you'll do it?" Zhou Wen asked, his surprise evident.

"Of course, Han Xiao agrees. Hurry and bring your lady friend over!" Lin Jing's eyes twinkled mischievously at Zhou Wen, her voice stressing the words 'lady friend.'

"Don't get the wrong idea!" Zhou Wen protested, noticing the suggestive looks they exchanged.

Zhou Yu was great, but Zhou Wen had never thought of her in that way; his heart belonged solely to Su Qin.

Turning, Zhou Wen headed back to his seat with a dejected expression. The ladies' thoughts were too impure.

Lee Yiran and the others, too far away to overhear Zhou Wen's conversation with Han Xiao, saw his downcast face. Lee Yiran taunted, "Zhou Wen, weren't you off to get an autograph? Where is it?"

"Don't talk big if you can't deliver. It just turns people off," Lee Yiran declared haughtily.

Ignoring her, Zhou Wen approached the table and announced, "Zhou Yu, let's go. Han Xiao has agreed to the photo."

"An autograph?" Lee Yiran paused, her surprise evident. "What did you say? A photo?"

"Don't you dare lie! How could Han Xiao be swayed by just a few words from you?" Lee Yiran challenged, incredulous.

Zhou Yu was equally skeptical, murmuring, "Zhou Wen, you better not be lying!"

"I'm not lying to you," Zhou Wen replied, exasperated.

"It's impossible, just impossible. You're just trying to save face by deceiving Zhou Yu!" Lee Yiran accused coldly.

"So, Zhou Yu goes over, and Han Xiao, out of politeness, can't refuse. Is that your plan?" Lee Yiran asked smugly.

Zhou Wen had been talking to Han Xiao with his back turned, so his expression was unclear to onlookers. However, he returned with a look of dejection, making it obvious that Han Xiao had turned him down. Despite this, Zhou Wen was still trying to save face and coax Zhou Yu into believing otherwise. Lee Yiran didn't want Zhou Yu to be misled or hurt.

"Are you out of your mind?" Zhou Wen snapped angrily.

"I hit the nail on the head, didn't I? You're lying, and that's why you're upset!" Lee Yiran retorted, her chin tilted up defiantly.

"Xiao Yu, don't go with him!" Lee Yiran said, turning to pull Zhou Yu aside with a look of concern.

The sound of high heels clicking on the floor echoed again. They all turned to see Han Xiao and another person approaching.

Zhou Yu's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Lee Yiran felt a surge of annoyance, blaming Zhou Wen's presumptuous behavior for Han Xiao's approach.

"Ms. Han, hello. I'm sorry for my friend's intrusion," Lee Yiran said as she stood up, addressing Han Xiao.

"Disturbance?" Han Xiao looked puzzled.

"Didn't he just ask for your autograph?" Lee Yiran inquired.

"And for a photo as well," Han Xiao replied with a smile.

"Yes, exactly!" Lee Yiran agreed, nodding eagerly.

"Zhou Wen, what's the holdup? We've been waiting for you for ages. If you weren't going to bring your friend over, we had to come ourselves," Lin Jing interjected.

Lee Yiran's intuition told her something was off. Did Zhou Wen actually know them?

"Zhou Wen, I've signed the name already. Your friend can come over for the photo," Han Xiao offered, handing a slip of paper to Zhou Wen, who quickly passed it to Zhou Yu.

"What?" Lee Yiran was stunned.

Zhou Wen really did know Han Xiao.

"Zhou Yu, don't just stand there, come on over," Zhou Wen encouraged.

Nervously, Zhou Yu rose from her seat. Zhou Wen took out his phone and snapped a picture of her with Han Xiao, which Zhou Yu promptly shared with her social circle.

Lee Yiran's cheeks burned with embarrassment as she sat awkwardly, her head bowed.

...

Soft light bathed the green tabletop.

A deep maroon pool cue glided across the table, coming to rest behind a white ball.

With a swift pull back, the cue thrust forward, and the white ball was propelled with a sharp crack.

The white ball struck a red one, which was pocketed into a corner hole of the table.

"Nice shot, Han Xiao!" Zhou Wen exclaimed.

They were in the billiard room at Mirrora Manor, all engaged in a game of pool.

Han Xiao smiled, sweeping a stray lock of hair from her temple.

Lacking any particular plans and with the sun blazing outside, Han Xiao had proposed a game of billiards, and so they had all gathered here.

"These two ladies are pretty good!"

Their enjoyable game was interrupted by an untimely voice from the doorway, as a figure emerged.