Chapter 83 Taking Portrait Photos of Ma Xiaotao
The two of them walked for a while before finding a secluded grassy slope at the foot of a low mountain. The grass there wasn't particularly lush but full of life, and a small spring bubbled nearby—an ideal spot for camping.
"Let's set up here~"
Ma Xiaotao looked around, satisfied. She began pitching the tent, lighting the night lamps and preparing the campfire.
She also sprinkled beast‑repelling powder around the perimeter to ward off wandering low‑level soul beasts.
Though this area was far from the Star Dou Forest, low‑rank beasts would occasionally wander out to hunt at night. The repellent worked wonders against them—an essential for any Soul Master camping outdoors.
Of course, that rule only applied on the outskirts. Deep inside the Star Dou Forest, without real strength, anyone camping overnight would likely become fertilizer by morning.
Ye Chen, meanwhile, retrieved pre‑purchased food, vegetables, and spices from his spatial soul device. He built up the fire and began roasting meat.
They both worked busily until everything was ready.
"Sister Xiaotao, how about I take a few more pictures of you~?" Ye Chen suggested with a smile.
Though the sky had darkened, the mood was perfect. He'd already taken plenty of daytime shots—now it was time for some evening portraits.
Besides, there was nobody else around. The photo session could be… a bit bolder.
"Sure~"
Ma Xiaotao agreed without hesitation.
Ye Chen's photos from earlier had pleased her greatly, and no woman would ever complain about having too many beautiful pictures of herself.
Ye Chen set up lighting near a flat rock and guided her into place.
"Okay, keep your expression natural~"
"Smile!"
"Good, lift your leg a little higher~"
"Mm‑hm, now your hand—yes, just like that~"
"Sister Xiaotao, you're a natural model~"
"Yes, this one's great—and this one too~"
"Move your hips back a bit~"
"Spread your legs just a little… mhm…"
"Try taking off the shoes—yes, that's perfect~"
"Now look straight at the camera—yes, step closer—like that!"
Click, click, click—
The shutter kept flashing softly as Ye Chen masterfully directed each angle.
Ma Xiaotao followed obediently, though several poses seemed dangerously revealing…
Still, since only Ye Chen could see, she didn't mind all that much—though she had a strong suspicion he was doing it on purpose.
Half an hour later, Ye Chen had taken over three hundred photos before he finally stopped.
"Alright, come on, let me see~!"
Ma Xiaotao leaned over eagerly as Ye Chen organized the prints, snatching a thick stack from his hands.
"Mm~ this one's nice. Oh, this one too—and this one's even better! Xiao Chen, your photography skills are amazing~"
She couldn't stop smiling at photo after photo of herself. But then her expression shifted slightly as she noticed a few… questionable ones—close‑ups of her feet, her thighs, and a few frames that looked far too seductive, with some clear wardrobe accidents.
There was no mistaking it—Ye Chen had taken those deliberately.
"These pictures…"
Before she could finish, Ye Chen quickly snatched the bundle back.
"Ahem, those came out wrong—technical error," he coughed, shoving them behind his back.
"Error, my foot! You did that on purpose! Hand them over—I'm burning them!" Ma Xiaotao huffed angrily.
"No way, they're pictures of you! Burning them would be bad luck."
"Then give them to me—I'll keep them safe."
"Nope! I already took them; I'm hanging them by my bed!"
"Then you'd better not do anything weird with them!"
"How could I? I'm not that kind of guy."
"…"
After some playful wrestling, Ye Chen found himself pinned flat on the grass, still clutching his "forbidden" photos close to his chest.
"You're impossible… fine, I'm hungry. Make something to eat," Ma Xiaotao said crossly, cheeks flushed.
"Alright, alright~ the barbecue's almost ready anyway."
Ye Chen wriggled free and checked the grill—a small soul tool capable of regulating its flame perfectly.
As he approached, the fragrant aroma of roasted meat wafted through the air.
Satisfied with the doneness, he sprinkled on his custom spice blend and opened two bottles of wine before handing a skewer to Ma Xiaotao.
"Hmph, not bad, not bad. Though still a bit worse than mine~" she said smugly, her eyes curving with delight as she ate.
Of course, she was simply hungry—food always tasted better that way.
"Mm, no doubt, Sister Xiaotao's cooking is the best~" Ye Chen said quickly, showering her with praise.
It wasn't empty flattery; her breakfast skills alone proved her talent. Compared to her, his own cooking simply couldn't compete.
He continued grilling vegetables and other sides, feeding her bit by bit.
…
Within half an hour, they had eaten nearly everything he'd brought.
Soul Masters, with their immense life force, could go for days without food—but when they did eat, their appetites could rival several ordinary humans combined.
When the fire finally burned low, they leaned back together on the slope, side by side, gazing up at the vast sky glittering with stars.
Suddenly, a streak of light flashed across the heavens—then two, then three…
A meteor shower.
"Ah! Shooting stars!"
Ma Xiaotao gasped, overjoyed. Though she'd heard the legends, she had never seen one with her own eyes.
Ye Chen grinned. "Sister Xiaotao, make a wish! Shooting stars are rare—once in a hundred years! If you wish upon their glow, your dream might come true~"
"Really?!"
She clapped her hands excitedly, then closed her eyes at once to wish.
Ye Chen didn't make a wish. Instead, he quietly lifted his camera and snapped a few photos.
Ma Xiaotao's earnest expression under the shimmering meteors was absolutely charming—picture‑perfect.
"What are you doing? Why aren't you making a wish?" she asked, turning to see him snapping away, exasperated.
"I already did," Ye Chen said with a smile.
"Oh really? What did you wish for? Tell me!" Ma Xiaotao pressed, eyebrows rising in curiosity.
"I can't tell you. If I do, it won't come true."
"Oh, come on~ just tell me~ hurry up!"
She wasn't taking no for an answer. She lunged forward, straddling him as her hands grabbed his cheeks, tugging playfully.
"Nope, not saying. If I tell you, you'll just get mad," he insisted stubbornly.
"As if! I promise I won't get mad—now say it!"
Still sitting astride his shoulders, she continued to pinch his face mercilessly, determined to extract his secret wish by force.
(END CHAPTER)
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