◎Girlfriend’s Perspective Shoot◎
“Su Yicen?”
“Which Su Yicen are you talking about?”
Lin Jinhe restrained her temper and asked seriously, her expression carrying a touch of wry humor.
Song Chan’s red lips curved slightly as she replied with far more composure, “Is there a second Su Yicen in this world?”
The answer was obvious. Lin Jinhe paced back to her office chair and sat down. She looked at Song Chan with worry etched on her face, her previously agitated tone softening considerably.
“Little Song, you don’t need to be so anxious. How about I reach out to Zhou Chiyu? I’m on decent terms with their company boss.”
Though Lin Jinhe was furious, she wasn’t unreasonable. She knew all about the mess on the Weibo hot search. She might have scolded Song Chan harshly, but she didn’t want to push her into a corner.
She certainly wouldn’t force Song Chan, who had just publicly fallen out with Su Yicen, to turn around and beg him for help.
Even if she went herself, would Su Yicen really give her any face?
If this issue delayed the pre-sale hype for the 20th Anniversary Issue, that would truly be a loss not worth the gain.
Song Chan stood in place and saw the concern furrowing Lin Jinhe’s brow. She asked, “Editor-in-Chief, is Su Yicen not suitable as the cover star for the Pure White Series debut issue?”
The answer to that question was self-evident. Su Yicen was undoubtedly the best choice, outshining Wei Lai in every way, from popularity to buzz.
Having Su Yicen as the cover star for the 20th Anniversary Issue, and appearing on the cover of another series issue beforehand, would not only diffuse the public backlash from the Weibo hot search but also boost promotion for the upcoming pre-sales.
But Lin Jinhe knew that Song Chan’s interactions with Su Yicen stemmed purely from work, and they had just had a very public falling-out on Weibo.
She simply didn’t believe Song Chan could get him to come.
Lin Jinhe spoke with earnest advice, “Your public fallout is now known to everyone—even the higher-ups asked me what was going on. I haven’t hauled you in for questioning already as a favor to you.”
“I don’t want to meddle in your personal affairs outside of work, but no matter what, you can’t let it affect the job.”
“Su Yicen is perfect for it, but with how things are between you two now, can you even get him to show? He’s the top idol right now, with schedules booked a year in advance. The Pure White Series launches in less than a month—you…”
Lin Jinhe hadn’t finished speaking when a knock interrupted her.
The urgent, forceful knocking broke her train of thought. She waved Song Chan aside.
“Come in.”
As soon as she spoke, Li Yuchuan pushed the door open and walked in, his face alight with joy.
“Editor-in-Chief, Chan Sister, Su Yicen is here—he’s heading to the photography studio right now.”
“Did the Editor-in-Chief invite Top Star Su to save the day for the Pure White Fashion debut cover?”
Silence. A long silence.
Lin Jinhe took a deep breath and turned a puzzled gaze toward Song Chan. She opened her mouth several times, as if to say something, but only smacked her lips and held back, without calling out Song Chan’s little scheme.
When Li Yuchuan announced Su Yicen’s arrival, Song Chan’s last thread of worry finally eased. As long as he was there for the Pure White Series, sales would far exceed Wei Lai’s projected figures.
But under Lin Jinhe’s scrutinizing gaze, Song Chan felt uneasy, afraid her secret would show. She kept her expression perfectly calm.
A moment later, Lin Jinhe spoke up with instructions. She appeared utterly composed, as if everything was firmly under her control.
“Since the rescue artist has arrived, get to work. Aim to have a decent sample ready before the end of the day.”
She added, “Little Song, you’re in charge of the Pure White Series—make sure you handle it well. No more mistakes.”
Song Chan acknowledged the order. “Rest assured, I’ll get this series done right.”
Li Yuchuan held the door open. Song Chan’s heart secretly raced out of rhythm—this was the first time she had actually looked forward to seeing Su Yicen.
An inexplicable tension bubbled up in her chest, a feeling that felt somewhat unfamiliar.
“Little Song.” Lin Jinhe called after her.
Song Chan paused and turned around.
Lin Jinhe gave her a meaningful look. “Remember to thank Su Yicen on my behalf.”
Over half an hour earlier.
Song Chan had just sent Su Yicen a message—without even specifying what help she needed—when Lin Jinhe summoned her to the office for a scolding.
She had thought her vague plea would be dismissed as spam, but instead, he showed up at ZE right when the Editor-in-Chief was doubting her, bailing her out just in time.
This time, she truly owed him a favor.
On the way to the photography studio, Li Yuchuan led the way ahead while Song Chan kept pace behind him.
Once the initial elation from resolving the issue faded, Li Yuchuan realized how mismatched the arriving top idol was with his boss beside him—they had a very public, named-and-shamed feud on the Weibo hot search.
And he had just acted so excitedly about it.
The closer they got to the photography studio, the more Li Yuchuan worried for his future.
He ventured tentatively, stating his position solemnly. “Chan Sister, with you and Top Star Su, I’m absolutely on your side.”
Seeing his earnestness, Song Chan found it amusing and asked, “What issue do I have with him?”
Li Yuchuan blinked in confusion. “Wasn’t it the Weibo hot search…”
Catching himself about to slip, Song Chan schooled her smile into a serious expression.
“Little Li, I’m very professional about work. I don’t mix in personal feelings.”
She thought one sentence would settle it, but it apparently needed repeating.
Before they even arrived, several colleagues stopped Song Chan along the way with their advice.
It all boiled down to: “Su Yicen coming to the rescue is no small feat,” “Keep your emotions in check—don’t let it blow up,” “Naming names was over the top, but maybe this clears up the past grudge.”
By the time Song Chan reached the photography studio, her head throbbed. She had truly underestimated the impact of that CP teardown.
To these clueless colleagues, it felt like putting her and Su Yicen together would inevitably spark a fight.
Mentioned too many times, Song Chan grew annoyed. She hurried along with her head down, avoiding everyone’s eyes, and unwittingly overtook Li Yuchuan ahead of her.
“Hey! Chan Sister, watch the road—careful!”
The words barely registered when Song Chan’s vision went dark. Her head smacked into something.
Soft, solid, carrying a warm breath.
Dazed from the impact, Song Chan didn’t react at first. She instinctively tried to step back, only to feel a strong arm steadying her waist.
A familiar male voice grunted muffledly, his steady tone asking, “Teacher Song, are you alright?”
Song Chan’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice, throwing her pulse into chaos.
“N-No… I’m fine, thank you.”
She rubbed her forehead and retreated. The hand brushing her waist sent ripples through her heart. She looked up at him.
“No need to thank me.”
Su Yicen rubbed his chest. He wore a pure white suit, its noble and elegant cut flowing smoothly. The buttons were neatly fastened, hugging his frame perfectly and making him appear even more upright and striking.
He had blocked Song Chan’s path, shielding her from the wall behind—otherwise, her head would have slammed straight into it.
Su Yicen teased, “Your head’s pretty tough.”
At his words, Song Chan grew concerned and quickly asked, “Are… you alright?”
“I’m fine.” He met her gaze earnestly, his deep, affectionate eyes stirring her.
Song Chan’s eyes widened slightly, momentarily forgetting to respond.
The commotion drew staff from the photography studio. Many came out to see what was happening.
Su Yicen knew that if outsiders spotted anything off between them now, the woman before him would blow up.
His tone hardened, his words polite and distant as he reminded her, “Teacher Song, watch where you’re going next time.”
The surrounding staff, including Li Yuchuan, held their breath after witnessing Song Chan barrel straight into Su Yicen’s chest. They feared an on-the-spot argument.
Thankfully, nothing happened. Seeing the two keep a polite, socially appropriate distance eased everyone’s tension.
Feeling all eyes on her, Song Chan cleared her throat to break the silence. She finally stated the reason for asking Su Yicen to come.
“Teacher Su, if you could step in for the ZE Pure White Fashion cover shoot.”
Su Yicen nodded slightly, his mild tone full of warmth. “No trouble at all. Happy to help.”
This was the complete opposite of his usual aloof demeanor. Even Feng Zheng beside him couldn’t help muttering.
A sharp, cold glance silenced Feng Zheng.
Su Yicen turned back to Song Chan, softening again. “Teacher Song, shall we start?”
Following Song Chan’s lead, Su Yicen arrived at the shooting set.
The scene had been set up long ago to match the Pure White Fashion theme—everything from the backdrop and props to the artist’s outfit was in pure white elements.
Monotonous white was the hardest color to shoot, yet it suited Su Yicen’s aura perfectly.
But his style differed from Wei Lai’s, so using Wei Lai’s previous plan wouldn’t work. Photographer Wang Gang had to scramble and adjust the scheme.
After a few test shots, inspiration struck Wang Gang. He asked, “Song Editor, what if we shoot Teacher Su from a girlfriend’s perspective?”
At the monitor, Song Chan listened to Wang Gang’s reasoning. Her gaze drifted unbidden to the man in the distance.
Su Yicen sat on a white high stool, legs crossed in cool, noble poise. His indifferent, icy gaze swept over, exuding stern chill—like the epitome of a top idol gentleman.
With how he blended into the set, a girlfriend’s perspective would indeed look better.
Noticing Song Chan’s look, Su Yicen caught her eye keenly. His cold gaze softened, his dark pupils tracking her movements.
His attention stayed fixed on Song Chan. Soon, he sensed something off.
He could tell, despite her efforts to hide it, that displeasure lingered in her heart.
Su Yicen’s chest tightened sharply, aching as if gripped. He wanted to approach and ask why, but he knew she wouldn’t tell—and she’d mind him closing the distance publicly.
Once the plan was set, Wang Gang conferred with Su Yicen, who got into character quickly.
But with his mind elsewhere, his focus kept drifting through the crowd to seek Song Chan’s figure.
After several sets of samples, Su Yicen’s looks were flawless, but from the girlfriend’s perspective, they fell short.
The two had been at it for half a day.
Wang Gang sighed helplessly. A forty-something burly guy at 180 cm tall, with a full beard—a rough man through and through—trying to sync with Su Yicen for a girlfriend’s perspective was just too awkward for both.
A man who had toughed it out half his life admitted defeat for the first time.
Wang Gang said, “It’s tricky. The girlfriend’s perspective idea is great, but I’m not syncing well with Teacher Su.”
He hesitated, wondering if they should switch plans again, but two hours in, they had zero usable shots.
Changing schemes midstream again wouldn’t leave enough time.
As everyone floundered, Su Yicen lifted his eyes meaningfully toward a certain someone and spoke with pointed intent.
“Isn’t there a female staffer here who knows how to shoot?”
His cool, low voice was like a spring rain awakening Wang Gang’s parched mind.
“There is!” Wang Gang responded eagerly, turning to Song Chan. “Our Song Editor does! She’s shot tons of viral artist pics on set before!”
Struck by inspiration, Wang Gang slapped his forehead and approached her with the camera.
“Song Editor, why don’t you give it a try.”
In an instant, Song Chan became the focus of every gaze in the photography studio.
Embarrassed and flustered, she wanted to refuse but had no good reason.
Like being ducked into it, Song Chan ended up at the shooting position. She knew Su Yicen had deliberately steered it her way.
She fiddled with the camera in her hand for a long time when suddenly darkness fell before her. That familiar cold voice rang in her ear, enunciating each word with a gentle tone.
“Teacher Song, hurry up.”
“I’m in a rush. We need to make time.”