Request for Renewal

Chapter 231

The mornings in the imperial capital never disappointed, especially the morning rush hour, which could cure anyone of their arrogance.

By the time the four of them arrived at the entrance of the Palace Museum, the sun was already high in the sky, but this didn't dampen their enthusiasm in the slightest.

As soon as he stepped out of the car, Ye Jinliang was dumbfounded by the sheer scale of the scene before him.

"Holy crap! Look at this sea of people. Those who know would say we're here for a tour, but those who don't might think it's the six major sects besieging Brightness Peak. Even Zhang Wuji would have to wait in line here."

When the vermilion palace walls and golden glazed tiles truly came into view.

The profound sense of history that had settled over time still made their hearts skip a beat.

"Wow! It feels just like a blockbuster movie. The photos here will definitely turn out amazing!"

Pei Susu excitedly grabbed Ye Zhenzhen's hand, both of their eyes instantly lighting up as if they had full special effects turned on.

"Seeing it once is better than hearing about it a hundred times. It's so much more stunning than those heavily edited photos online!"

"Hundreds of years of royal grandeur. It feels like every single brick is telling a story."

Ye Zhenzhen tilted her head up and took a deep breath, as if she could smell the scent of history.

Gu Ran looked at the excited backs of the two girls, then turned and nudged Ye Jinliang with his elbow, lowering his voice.

"Don't just stare at the walls, look at the people! We have a heavy task today. Be smart, and try to take a few godly photos of Susu that she can use as her profile picture, got it?"

"Don't worry, Brother Gu!"

Ye Jinliang patted his chest loudly, wearing a solemn expression as if he were facing death unflinchingly.

"I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!"

Gu Ran raised an eyebrow, deciding not to expose him.

The kid's palms were sweating, yet he was still pretending to be calm.

After getting their tickets checked and passing through the Meridian Gate, their field of vision instantly opened up.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony stood tall and majestic, and the floor tiles in the square looked mottled and weathered by time.

The two girls were like two larks just let out of their cages.

One moment they were pointing at the eaves in amazement, and the next they were leaning against the railings striking poses.

Gu Ran and Ye Jinliang consciously took on the roles of imperial guards with swords and ruthless human bag-carriers.

"Zhenzhen, come here quick! The lighting is absolutely perfect, it has a built-in skin-smoothing effect!"

Pei Susu pulled Ye Zhenzhen to stand by the white marble railings in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

"Gu Ran, time to work! Take a picture for me!"

The young woman suddenly turned around and shoved her phone into Gu Ran's hands.

He took the phone, a mischievous smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

He didn't crouch down; instead, he held the phone up high and took a direct overhead shot.

This was the legendary straight man's deadly angle, specifically designed to ruin long legs.

"Done. Wrapping up."

Gu Ran handed the phone back, his movements smooth and fluid.

Ye Zhenzhen took it full of expectation, but her smile instantly froze upon looking at it.

Following that, a furious roar echoed across the square, startling countless pigeons into the air.

"Gu-the-dog-Ran! Do you want to die?! My 1.7-meter-long legs were shot by you into a 1.5-meter Hobbit! What kind of underworld composition is this?!"

She was so angry that she raised her small fists and started swinging at Gu Ran.

Gu Ran dodged nimbly while arguing back with self-righteous confidence.

"Hey, hey, hey, Dr. Ye, mind your image! This is called the God's perspective, understand? It makes you look petite and cute. It's so artistic! Such a lovely contrast!"

"Artistic my foot! You stay right there! If I don't beat you to death today, I'll take your last name!"

Watching the two of them bickering and playing around, Pei Susu's eyes were full of envy.

This kind of interaction was simply the ceiling of romance, completely relaxed and effortless.

"Your turn! Make me look thinner and my legs longer!"

Pei Susu waved at Ye Jinliang.

"You got it! Just watch me!"

Ye Jinliang sensing that his moment to shine had arrived, immediately entered first-degree combat mode.

To find the right angle, he squatted in a horse stance one moment, and practically lay flat on the ground the next.

His postures were even more alluring than someone practicing yoga.

His cheeks were flushed red, but his expression was incredibly serious.

It gave off the vibe of an honest man risking his life for a cause.

Pei Susu was highly amused. This wasn't taking photos; this was clearly using his body to mop the floor tiles.

"What are you looking at so intently?"

Seeing the person in front of her staring so seriously at the phone, she leaned in out of curiosity.

Ye Jinliang was startled by her sudden proximity and flailed around, almost dropping his phone.

His face instantly turned the same shade of red as the palace walls next to them.

"N-nothing, I was just checking if I blurred your beauty."

Pei Susu peeked at the screen.

Truth be told, although the composition was a bit typical of a straight guy, his candid timing was good, and he perfectly captured the atmosphere.

"Not bad, Photographer Ye, you've got some skills!"

Pei Susu praised him with a smile.

Ye Jinliang was so flattered he lost his bearings, scratching his head with a silly smile, his IQ instantly dropping to zero.

"Hehe, you have a good foundation. You'd look good even wearing a potato sack."

Just then, Pei Susu noticed that Ye Jinliang's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat.

He had been running and squatting to find the right angles just now, which was indeed exhausting.

Without thinking much about it, she casually pulled a tissue from her bag and naturally raised her hand to wipe his forehead.

"People who don't know would think you came to the Forbidden City to move bricks. Why are you sweating so much?"

Boom!

Ye Jinliang felt his brain suddenly stop working.

Her warm fingertips brushed across his skin through the tissue, and the faint fragrance from her body lingered at the tip of his nose.

His entire body stiffened like the stone lions in the square, temporarily forgetting even how to breathe.

"You... um... I..."

He stammered, his tongue seemingly tied in a dead knot, unable to form a complete sentence.

Not far away, the young couple who had just called a truce happened to witness this scene.

The young man raised an eyebrow at Ye Zhenzhen with an expression that said he shipped it.

She also couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle. It seemed this thin veil between them wouldn't last much longer.

"Oh my, my—"

Gu Ran deliberately dragged out his words, his tone so ambiguous you could practically see the tension.

"Public place, mind your image! Handing out dog food before we even bought the tickets?"

This shout instantly burst the pink romantic bubbles.

Ye Jinliang trembled in fright and subconsciously took a step back, looking exactly like a teased young bride.

Pei Susu also snapped back to reality. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she withdrew her hand in embarrassment.

Ye Jinliang glared at Gu Ran with grief and indignation, howling internally.

Brother Gu! Can you be human for once?!

That electric feeling from just now, couldn't I get a one-minute extension on it?!

Gu Ran walked over, threw a buddy-buddy arm around Ye Jinliang's shoulders, and whispered in his ear.

"Don't glare at me. I'm striking while the iron is hot, get it? If I don't push you a little, are you planning to hold it in until the next century?"

Ye Jinliang froze for a second, then gave Gu Ran a look that said, Adoptive father, please accept my bow.

For the rest of the itinerary, the atmosphere was noticeably different.

Gu Ran held Ye Zhenzhen's hand, strolling leisurely among the red walls and green tiles.

Occasionally, he took a couple of blockbuster-esque photos of Ye Zhenzhen, maintaining a relaxed vibe.

As for the pair in front, although Ye Jinliang still acted like a sidekick, Pei Susu would frequently turn around to wait for him.

Their fingertips would occasionally touch, and the air was filled with the sour-sweet stench of romance.

Approaching noon, the four of them exited through the Gate of Divine Prowess, and their stomachs cooperatively started growling with hunger.

"We've had our fill of spiritual food, now it's time to appease the temples of our organs."

Gu Ran waved his hand grandly.

"Let's go, destination: Nanluoguxiang! That's a foodie's paradise. Nobody is allowed to leave today until they're stuffed."

"I've been dying to try Wenyu Cheese and churros for ages!"

Pei Susu instantly bounced back to life, pulling Ye Zhenzhen over to share her travel itinerary.

"Brother Gu, it's my treat this time! Nobody fight me for the bill!"

Ye Jinliang was feeling exceptionally generous. After all, the favor of that tissue from earlier had to be repaid with a massive feast.

Gu Ran shot him a half-smile.

"Sure thing, Boss Ye is feeling generous. I won't hold back, then. I'll make sure to only order the most expensive things on the menu."

Chatting and laughing, the four of them made their way toward Nanluoguxiang.

The sunshine was perfect, and the breeze was gentle.

......