Shadow and Light: The Bride Who Clicks Her Way to Love-Chapter 141 - 142: Bullying Her Because She’s New

Su Xingyu smiled gently and shook her head: "Grandma, I can handle it myself."

While managing the colorful embroidery threads with delicate fingers, she explained to the old lady about the events after she left campus, how she joined Cloud Group, and how she participated in the street photography competition. Of course, she skipped over the authoritarian and unpleasant conflicts involving Lu Shifeng.

The old lady listened intently and praised her: "Good child, you really have it tough."

"Well, who doesn’t have it tough," Su Xingyu continued to smile lightly, "Just like the embroidery in Grandma’s hands, it takes decades to master; Lu Shifeng may seem successful day to day, but I know he has to rise early and work late into the night, leaving and returning under the stars... Compared to him, what I’ve dedicated to photography is far less."

The old lady nodded silently, feeling even more satisfied with her granddaughter-in-law, thinking what a well-mannered and considerate child she was.

She felt an increasingly stronger desire to help Su Xingyu and asked: "What photos are you busy working on lately?"

Su Xingyu replied: "A friend recommended me for an opportunity with M.J, but M.J said I’m not well-known enough, so I’m figuring out how to increase my reputation."

"M.J?" The old lady recalled it was a top men’s clothing brand, "If you can work with them, it’s a great opportunity, make sure you seize it. As for boosting your reputation..." She thought for a moment, "I remember Liancheng mentioned once about a very authoritative magazine in the photography field called ’Light and Shadow World’? I wonder if they’re still publishing."

During that time, the Mu Family was in the camera business, and Mu Liancheng often discussed industry matters with her.

Su Xingyu responded: "Yes, Grandma. That magazine is quite expensive and every issue features high-quality photos, it’s a benchmark in the domestic photography scene."

"Still around..." the old lady mused with a hint of nostalgia, realizing how much things change. "Liancheng said, ’Light and Shadow World’ often hosts competitions, like annual awards for best photographs and photographers. If you manage to win one, M.J definitely won’t have any problems with you."

Su Xingyu thought it was indeed a feasible idea; why hadn’t she considered it before?

So she said: "Thank you, Grandma, I’ll try when I get back. I heard the magazine’s annual selections are held at the year’s end, but there are quarterly competitions. I’ll submit some of my previous photos, winning a quarterly award would also be good. Then M.J can acknowledge me, and even if they don’t, I can use the award to gain admission to other brands. As my works increase, M.J will eventually recognize me."

"You are Liancheng’s descendant, you will succeed." the old lady said.

Su Xingyu continued to chat with the old lady, and as the sky darkened, she returned to the courtyard she shared with Lu Shifeng.

Lu Shifeng was gone during the day and returned at night looking exhausted.

Su Xingyu helped him remove his clothes, he lifted her delicate chin and lightly pressed a kiss on her lips: "Xingyu."

She looked up at him: "What’s up?"

His slightly rough fingertips gently stroked her cheek but he said nothing; after a while, he let go and went to the bathroom.

Su Xingyu felt puzzled and asked the maid Yan Ruoxi who followed him in: "Where did the young master go during the day, who did he meet?" Why is he acting so unusual?

Yan Ruoxi replied politely: "The young master went to see the old man and talked all day in the study."

Su Xingyu frowned slightly, they only talked, but why did his expression look like he had been through a fierce battle? "Really just talking?" Su Xingyu asked.

Yan Ruoxi lowered her head and answered: "It really was just talking, but... the old man has been strict with the young master since he was little. Every time he goes to the study, he gets thoroughly scolded."

... No wonder.

Lu Shifeng’s expression was just like a student who did poorly on a test and got severely reprimanded by his parents!

Su Xingyu shook her head, realizing how difficult the Lu Family was to deal with—not just for her, it must be tough for Lu Shifeng too.

She dismissed Yan Ruoxi and entered the bedroom, fluffing up his pillow, turning down the bed covers, adjusting the light to the right brightness... and placing a cup of warm water on his bedside.

A child scolded by their parents always needs warmth, she knew this.

Sure enough, when Lu Shifeng came out of the bathroom wrapped in a white towel and saw all this, he didn’t say anything but there was a gentle gleam in his eyes. He held her in his arms again, whispered affectionately for a while before reluctantly letting go. "Tomorrow morning, we’re going home." he said.

Her heart stirred slightly; he meant returning to their home, not the city—but home.

Wasn’t this old, intricate mansion his home in his mind? His real home was actually the small villa in the city?

There it had his clean and crisp black, white, and gray hues, and her roses...

She smiled softly: "Alright."

The next day, they got back into the Bentley they arrived in, heading for the city.

Lu Shifeng returned to his hectic work schedule, whereas Su Xingyu, concerned with the ’Light and Shadow World’ magazine, checked online and found she qualified for the "Best Quarterly Photography" and "Best Newcomer of the Quarter" award categories. She selected a few of her past works, printed and mounted them according to submission requirements, and went to the magazine’s office. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Despite being in an isolated, old district, the magazine was in a premium area, with ancient trees lining the quiet streets, and sparse pedestrians.

Inside, Su Xingyu approached a young girl painting her nails behind the spacious reception desk.

She politely asked the girl: "Excuse me, sorry to bother, I’m here to submit for the quarterly award, where should I go?"

The girl didn’t lift her eyes.

Su Xingyu patiently repeated her question.

The girl finally, impatiently, glanced at her: "Submission time is over, deadline was noon, you didn’t know?"

Su Xingyu was taken aback, she really didn’t; the website said today was the last day but didn’t mention a deadline hour.

She asked the girl: "Could you make an exception? It’s my first time submitting, I’m not familiar with the rules, thank you."

"Exception?" The girl sneered, lifting her eyes to disdainfully look her over, "What do you think this is, a market? Really now."

After that, she lowered her head to continue painting her nails.

Even with Su Xingyu’s good temper, she couldn’t help but feel some anger. She raised her voice slightly: "I’m here based on your website’s timeline, if the site says the deadline is the 16th, it should be the 16th by midnight. The lack of clarity on noon is your oversight; I shouldn’t bear this loss. You need to let me in."

The girl slammed the nail polish down, stood up, and scolded her sharply: "Are you annoying or what? Really think you’re something special? I’ll tell you, many try to scam us! Everyone thinks they’re a talent, yet don’t see the trash they’re shooting! Your worthless stuff, ha, take it and roll! We wouldn’t even let you clean our toilets!" She assumed Su Xingyu was a newcomer, not famous, so she could bully her without concern.