The paparazzo jolted, nearly dropping his camera.
He turned to see a girl in a mask and baseball cap, also holding a camera.
"Fellow paparazzo?" he frowned.
The girl grinned. "Yep, buddy. Make some room for me!"
Male paparazzi were common; female paparazzi, less so—most girls here were fanatical fans.
But he didn't care. "No way. Find another spot."
The girl gave him a sharp look. "You're not hired by Li Huanyu too, are you?"
The paparazzo was stunned. "What? You were hired by Li Huanyu? How could she hire two paparazzi!"
The girl squatted down, eyes bright. "You took those mall photos yesterday, right? I regret leaving!"
The paparazzo was even more shocked. "You were there too? What's Li Huanyu playing at?"
If two paparazzi got the shot, it wouldn't be an exclusive—way less explosive!
The girl's brows twitched. "As long as we get paid, who cares. How much did Li Huanyu give you today?"
Irritated, the paparazzo snapped, "Thirty grand."
That was just a portion—the real money was in future traffic!
The girl's eyes widened. Then she said, "Oh."
Noticing her tone, the paparazzo narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean by 'oh'? How much did Li Huanyu pay you?"
The girl smirked. "Mine's definitely more. You're not good enough!"
A man couldn't take being called "not good enough." He stood up, fuming. "Did Li Huanyu tell you I'm not good enough?"
The girl shrugged. "Mine's a hundred grand, for what it's worth."
Feeling humiliated, the paparazzo spotted Li Huanyu stepping out of a chauffeur-driven car.
He stormed over angrily.
Lin Mo, mission accomplished, took out her phone to message Shen Yihan:
[Hurry to the entrance—surprise!]
This was a trendy upscale Western restaurant.
Li Huanyu got out, scanned the area—only a few cars at the entrance.
A satisfied smile curled her lips. Private bookings were the best!
She walked forward gracefully in high heels.
The evening breeze lifted her long hair; she tilted her chin just so.
This angle would capture her best side.
The paparazzo must've arrived!
Last night's worry was for nothing—it was just Shen Yihan's sister.
Probably not blood-related—Shen Yihan never mentioned her.
She knew Shen Yihan loved her deeply, though.
Suddenly, a figure lunged at her. Li Huanyu jumped.
"Who are you?"
The paparazzo, furious, brandished his camera. "I'm one of the paparazzi you hired today! Why'd you pay me thirty grand and the other one a hundred grand!"
Li Huanyu's brows knitted. "What are you talking about? My assistant would never hire two paparazzi!"
The paparazzo raged, "Caught red-handed and still denying it! That female paparazzo was right there… Hey! Where'd she go!"
He looked back—the greenbelt was empty.
But at the restaurant entrance, a tall, imposing figure stood.
Li Huanyu spotted him too, heart racing. She shot a glare at the paparazzo, then scurried to Shen Yihan. "Yihan-gege, why are you out here?"
Shen Yihan stood there, face dark.
Li Huanyu felt his icy aura, trembling. "Yihan-gege, I… "
She guessed he heard her chat with the paparazzo. What bad luck!
Emotions swirling, she bit her lip, eyes brimming with tears. "Yihan-gege, I admit it—I hired the paparazzi. I just wanted some buzz, to land better roles."
"I used you, Yihan-gege. I'm sorry."
She was just an ambitious girl, after all.
Shen Yihan's cold demeanor softened a bit.
He was about to speak when his phone rang.
It was his sister:
[She just wants to rile Gu Jingchuan!]
Was his sister still nearby?
Shen Yihan looked around—no one in sight.
Then he looked up and saw a pale little face peeking from a crooked-neck tree by the entrance.
Shen Yihan's mouth twitched. He replied: [Sis, you don't think so, right?]
Lin Mo rolled her eyes in the tree.
No denying it—Li Huanyu was gorgeous.
In a white dress, slender and delicate, she looked utterly protectable.
Shen Yihan messaged again: [Why are you nearby?]
Lin Mo, not about to admit she came on purpose, replied: [Just passing by. Gotta go, bye!]
Fixing a lovesick brother was tougher than she thought.
Shen Yihan frowned: [Go? Let's eat together.]
Lin Mo: [Do I look like a third wheel? I'm busy.]
Shen Yihan: [With what?]
Lin Mo: [Checking out our family villa. I know the owner now—gonna ask if he'll sell!]
Shen Yihan: [I'm coming with you.]
Li Huanyu's tears threatened to flood like a waterfall, but no one was watching her act.
Shen Yihan was too busy texting!
Who was he texting?
She peeked—saw a contact named "Four Marriages Understand Life."
Li Huanyu died inside. She wiped her tears and called sweetly, "Yihan-gege."
Shen Yihan looked up. "Got it. Let's call it a day. I gotta go."
Li Huanyu's eyes went huge, voice cracking. "What? You have plans again?"
Shen Yihan's brows furrowed.
Li Huanyu swallowed, trying again. "I mean, Yihan-gege, aren't you eating dinner? Skipping dinner's bad for your stomach."
Shen Yihan caught her concern, his cold face softening into a tiny smile. "If you're hungry, go eat. I'm not."
He had to resolve his sister's sleeping situation ASAP.
Shen Yihan turned and left, as if making a firm decision.
Li Huanyu froze. The paparazzo nearby was also dumbfounded.
Before, Shen Yihan doted on Li Huanyu. Now—did this Capital's Buddhist young master switch to the Heartless Path?