Shadow and Light: The Bride Who Clicks Her Way to Love-Chapter 249 - 262: The Masters’ Circle

The matter of her being with Lu Shifeng was exposed only yesterday.

If she goes into the company today, everyone will surely stare at her; she doesn’t want to be surrounded like a panda.

Thinking about it, how about going street photography? After all, it’s been a long time since she casually strolled around and took photos. Why not let herself relax?

So, Su Xingyu picked a lightweight camera and happily went out.

She chose a bustling street in S City, where lush sycamore trees lined both sides, and charming boutiques and cafes stood in rows, appearing as beautiful as a fairy tale in the clear autumn sunlight. She snapped a few shots casually; maybe the scenery was too beautiful, as the photos turned out especially well today. Almost every picture was a work of art with none being wasted.

Gradually, a few people gathered around her, mostly elderly men who were fellow photography enthusiasts nearby.

One elder amiably praised her: "Little girl, nice camera, the Blade TP450 is great for street photography. But why are you using a fixed lens? Fixed lenses aren’t good."

"What’s wrong with fixed lenses?" another elder carrying equipment argued, "You zoom lens users can’t compete with the results of fixed lenses!"

"Fixed lenses are good, huh? Many things are either too far or too close to capture—can’t grasp it at all!"

A group of people started to debate noisily. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Su Xingyu glanced at them and smiled helplessly. Having mingled in street photography from a young age, she was familiar with this crowd—most were amateur photographers who took pictures as a hobby post-retirement, sometimes for fitness. Their skills were generally average, but they loved giving advice, comparing equipment, and each believed they were the best. They were also very warm-hearted and endearing.

In the photography circle, this group had a special nickname: ’Old Masters.’

When Su Xingyu was a little girl, carrying a camera salvaged from a garbage truck to secretly shoot on the streets, she received plenty of care from these ’Old Masters.’

For instance, they would teach her how to use the camera in her hands—after all, her mother had never taught her directly, and merely relying on mom’s notes along with her own exploration was quite challenging.

For instance, they would lend their cameras for her to try out a few shots, boasting, oh no, explaining the powerful features of their cameras;

For instance, when she encountered something she didn’t understand, they would explain it to her in great detail;

For instance, they would hand her a cup of hot water when it was cold;

And further, they were worried about her safety as a little girl and would often escort her near home, only leaving once they saw her safely inside...

Even now, when Su Xingyu recalls all this, a sense of warmth fills her heart.

So, she smiled and mediated, softly explaining, "Both types of lenses have their advantages. I just came out today casually to shoot. Using a fixed lens means adjusting distance by myself, which I like as it gives a real sense of proximity between the photographer and the object. It feels authentic and lets me immerse myself better into the scene. If there’s a specific shooting need, sometimes zoom lenses can be really useful."

This explanation was flawless; she had known from a young age how to quell disputes among the Old Masters.

Sure enough, several elders looked at her approvingly: "The little girl has a deep understanding of photography!"

They praised her, asked what she had shot, and wanted her to show them the photos she took before.

No wonder they were curious, as most of those playing street photography around were their type of Old Masters, and rarely any young people—especially a pretty girl showed up.

Solely Su Xingyu’s appearance was enough to evoke great goodwill from them.

Su Xingyu modestly said, "Casually taken shots, nothing particularly good." She had indeed shot without any strict adherence today, going with her whims, neglecting formal rules and frameworks. Some shots clearly violated conventional composition principles, considered as innovation and attempts, not necessarily successful, but she liked them herself.

"No problem, let’s have a look." The elders persuaded, "Young people are all restless; how many can shoot well? Let us give you some pointers."

Su Xingyu smiled again, didn’t refuse, switched the camera screen to view mode, and showed them her photos one by one.

"Hey? This leaf is just blocking the light, the color is too dark, not bright enough," said one elder of her photograph, "Look at how lifeless that cat appears?"

"You don’t get it; that’s called decadent beauty," another elder mocked him, "But little girl, didn’t your focus run off? It’s all blurry, so the zoom lens is still better..."

"Shaking, huh? I’m telling you, the hand must be steady..." A third Old Master began a long lecture.

Su Xingyu simply pursed her lips and smiled gently, quietly listening.

At this moment, time felt tranquil, making her feel as if back to the past. No matter what bothersome matter she encountered, she could just go out street shooting, chatting with these photography hobbyists, and the whole world would seem perfect.

She didn’t tell them that the focus was intentionally off, aiming for a slightly dreamy but not too gloomy style, like photographers hesitantly approaching a cat in the photo, wanting to shoot it but hesitant about disturbing it—reflecting a slightly contradictory feeling. The fleeting lens was somewhat hesitant and lazy, yet not frantic, much like the peaceful autumn moments slowly fluttering by.

Photos are capable of conveying emotions, and she hoped people could interpret the underlying emotions through the pictures.

If they couldn’t, it would be her experimental failure, or simply an encounter with the wrong audience. She wouldn’t force an explanation.

Works speak for themselves.

She listened to the elders debate with a smile while her mind wandered leisurely, suddenly interrupted by a female voice breaking the serenity—

"Su Xingyu?"

A voice filled with surprise and disdain.

The familiar voice prompted Su Xingyu to turn her head, finding it was Su Xingqi, clad in a burgundy Hepburn-style autumn dress with lace gloves, a classical lady ensemble, and her arm linked with Qin Mu beside her.

She bumped into them here—Su Xingyu realized she stood just a few steps away from a well-known couple’s café; perhaps these two came for a date?

Ignoring Su Xingqi, she courteously smiled at the elders around her: "Sorry, I have something to do, I’ll be going."

With that, she turned off the camera screen, intending to leave.

"Xingyu." This time it was Qin Mu who called her, "Are you really with Lu Shifeng?"

Su Xingyu paused her steps, simultaneously, the elders who were about to disperse paused as well—Lu Shifeng? That name echoed like thunder, could it refer to the Lu Shifeng they imagined?

Su Xingyu looked displeased, turning towards Qin Mu: "Who I’m with is none of your business, right? Mr. Qin, do you really see yourself as the world’s police?"

"Xingyu, can’t you speak without snark?" Qin Mu frowned, kindly looking at her, "I know breaking up with you hurt you, I’m sorry about that, okay? But you can’t trash yourself like this. Do you really think Lu Shifeng sees you as a girlfriend like the newspapers claim? Don’t be too naive, okay?"