Financial Independence through Cracked Apps-Chapter 48: The Gap Between Suitors

In any case, Sun Wenhao knew he couldn’t resist her, so he refused to believe Lin Shen had no improper thoughts about Jiang Wan.

Although he felt miserable, he was still going to try his best.

After all, he had one advantage Lin Shen couldn’t possibly match: photography!

"There are three camera brands worth buying: Sony, Canon, and Nikon."

Sun Wenhao counted on his fingers as he spoke with flair, clearly intending to show off his expertise in front of Jiang Wan.

"Sony’s A7 series has excellent autofocus, making it great for both video and photos. Canon’s color science and touchscreen are beginner-friendly. Nikon’s Z series is also good, with fantastic image quality. Which brand do you prefer?"

"Sony, I suppose."

Lin Shen got up to get the drinks from the counter, handing Frappuccinos to Jiang Wan and Sun Wenhao.

"How about we walk and talk?"

"Okay," Jiang Wan agreed.

The three of them left Starbucks and opted to take the subway.

Along the way, Jiang Wan attracted the attention of many passersby.

While Hanfu is traditional Huaxia clothing, its stark contrast with modern styles still made people instinctively take a curious peek.

Combined with Jiang Wan’s figure, it was hard for people not to stare in awe.

’So big!’

"If we’re talking Sony, I’d recommend its A7 IV."

In contrast to Jiang Wan, who sat quietly to the side, Sun Wenhao and Lin Shen were deep in a heated discussion.

"The full-frame mirrorless has excellent image quality, great high-ISO performance, and is perfect for night scenes and portraits."

"Its autofocus performance is very powerful, especially the real-time tracking and Eye AF. You could say it’s an industry leader."

"And it also supports 4K 60p video recording, which is great for a video creator like Yan Wei."

"I’ve always just used my phone to shoot videos."

Jiang Wan finally found a chance to jump in. She leaned against Lin Shen’s left shoulder, bringing her face close as she said with a sweet smile,

"Hao, you know so much."

"I’m just really interested in photography, that’s all."

Flattered, Sun Wenhao smiled sheepishly before sneaking a glance at Lin Shen, as if to say,

’See? She calls me Hao. That means we’re pretty close.’

However, he didn’t know that Lin Shen was currently wearing a look of pure bliss, his expression utterly intoxicated.

Because when Jiang Wan leaned over, she brought with her an astonishingly soft warmth.

It made a fire spread through his chest and sent inexplicable ripples through his heart.

’How magnificent.’

AHEM!!

Lin Shen quickly suppressed his weird little thoughts and changed the subject.

"Why don’t you use your real names? You use your online names instead?"

"We’re used to it."

Jiang Wan straightened up, and her sudden movement left Lin Shen feeling a subtle pang of disappointment.

"I see."

"Yeah. Besides, the name Yan Wei is really nice."

Sun Wenhao mustered up the courage to offer the compliment, then looked at Jiang Wan expectantly, trying to get a reaction.

But she just kept looking at Lin Shen, her smile sweet and radiant.

"So? What do you think?"

"I think the camera Brother Sun recommended is pretty good."

Lin Shen turned his head to look at Sun Wenhao.

"How much is it?"

"Just the body alone is sixteen thousand."

Noticing the unconscious intimacy between Jiang Wan and Lin Shen, Sun Wenhao felt a surge of jealousy, but there was nothing he could do.

It couldn’t be helped. Whether in terms of looks or finances, the gap between him and Lin Shen was just too vast.

To make matters worse, Lin Shen was also exceptionally humble and polite, which only added to Sun Wenhao’s pent-up frustration.

’It’s like he’s already won!’

Though resentful, Sun Wenhao continued to offer his advice.

"But you’ll need to pair it with a zoom lens. The Sony FE 24-105mm is a pretty good option. It costs eight thousand."

"Once you buy all the miscellaneous accessories, it’ll add up to around thirty thousand in total."

"Okay, thanks."

Lin Shen asked curiously.

"What do you do for work?"

"I’m a grad student."

Sun Wenhao replied with a wry smile, sighing to himself.

’I guess it really was a pipe dream for someone like me to think I could pursue Jiang Wan.’

’I should just give up.’

The three of them got off the subway at Five Continents Avenue Station, then bought tickets for a bus heading straight to Changxing Island.

Once on board, Jiang Wan naturally sat with Lin Shen, leaving Sun Wenhao to take a seat next to a stranger.

’Was it a pity?’

Sun Wenhao didn’t think so.

He had already come to terms with it.

’Outstanding people are naturally drawn to each other. There’s no need for a chase. All it takes is for someone to break the ice at the right moment. And that’s exactly the state Lin Shen and Jiang Wan are in now.’

That’s what Sun Wenhao believed.

In reality, however, the two had only recently reconnected and didn’t share the ambiguous-looking atmosphere he perceived.

The reason Sun Wenhao got this impression was simply because of Jiang Wan’s personality; she had a way of speaking to everyone in a tone that was gentle yet mixed with a dash of playfulness.

"I remember you said you quit your job."

Jiang Wan looked over at Lin Shen and asked with concern.

"Did you run into some kind of trouble?"

"Relationship problems," Lin Shen admitted frankly.

"My girlfriend and I broke up."

"I knew it."

As if she’d expected it all along, Jiang Wan patted Lin Shen’s shoulder in a comforting gesture.

"Don’t worry about it too much. With what you have to offer now, you’ll meet an even better girl."

"I hope you’re right."

Lin Shen and Jiang Wan chatted and laughed, and in just a dozen minutes or so, the awkwardness from three years of not seeing each other melted away as their rapport grew warmer.

Especially when they started talking about their college days, the conversation just flowed endlessly.

Seeing how well the two were getting along, Sun Wenhao could only close his eyes, put on his headphones, and listen to music. Out of sight, out of mind.

...

♪~This was clearly a film for three, yet I’m the one who’s never named...~♪

"Damn it!"

Sun Wenhao quickly changed the song, feeling like he wanted to cry but couldn’t. The more he thought about it, the more aggrieved he felt.

’But I was here first!’

*

*

"Whoa——!"

After getting off the bus on Changxing Island, Jiang Wan couldn’t help but spread her arms wide, tilt her head back, and take a deep breath with her eyes closed.

The sky was high and clear, and greenery stretched out in every direction.

A gentle inhale brought the refreshing scent of grass and seawater, a mixture that relaxed the mind and lifted the spirit.

"So this is what it feels like to escape the city," Jiang Wan couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

"When I’m old, I’m definitely going to find a small country home and live out my golden years in peace."

"You’re only twenty-six. It’s a bit early to be talking about that," Lin Shen chuckled.

"Why not find a boyfriend first?"

"So you’ve learned to tease your senior, have you, Lin Shen?"

Jiang Wan’s smile remained gentle, but her hand had already shot out to give his side a light pinch.

It didn’t hurt, but the threat was crystal clear.

Startled, Lin Shen immediately jumped a good distance away. He clutched his lower back and said with a wry smile,

"I was wrong."

"That scared?"

Jiang Wan covered her mouth to stifle a giggle, her beautiful eyes sparkling mischievously.

"You know, I remember hearing that if a guy’s lower back is too sensitive, it means his kidneys aren’t doing so well."

"Wanna find out for yourself, Senior?"

Lin Shen joked back, leaving Sun Wenhao, who’d been unable to get a word in, completely stunned.

’Seriously, man?!’

’You’re really not afraid she’ll get mad at you for making a dirty joke?!’

However, to Sun Wenhao’s surprise, not only did Jiang Wan not get angry, but her eyes even flickered downwards for a moment as a sly smile spread across her face.

"Are you sure?"