The Meaning of Taking Photos: The Aunt Who Cried Late at Night

The management team of Pingchuan University's food street decided to cater to the preferences of young people.

At the beginning of this year.

They installed a "giant heart-shaped photo-op board" in the central open space of the street.

The board features a circular button.

With a single press, the number displayed above increases by one, marking a successful check-in at the food street.

At this moment, Lin Yu and his group of friends were gathered under the heart-shaped board.

Shen Buyao: "Why not just have one student press the button nine times and get it over with?" (Click, the sound of the button being pressed)

Chen Qimeng: "Buyao, life needs a sense of ceremony. It's better to press it yourself." (Click)

Xia Yiwei: "This feels like being back in college again, haha, soaking up the youthful vibes!" (Click)

Maomao: "Yiwei, you're not old... Can I press after you?" (Click)

Mo Shangying: "Given our height, let's press earlier. We'll need to stand in front later anyway." (Click)

Ye Mengfu: "I... I want to press it..." (Click)

Chi Qingshui: "This is my first time personally checking in since they installed this board this year." (Click)

Chi Qingchi: "Yeah, it's my first time today too." (Click)

Lin Yu: "Looks like I'm the last one! Everyone, please stand in the positions we discussed earlier. Thanks to our photographer Shi Yanhai for helping out!" (Click)

After pressing the button nine times in succession.

The number on the heart-shaped board changed:

"I am the 【020001】th person to encounter 'Delicious, Delightful, and Beautiful~'"

Across from the heart-shaped board.

Shi Yanhai stood there, holding Chen Qimeng's phone, his face looking utterly defeated, ready to take a photo of the nine friends.

Damn Lin Yu!

Using a phone to take pictures—what photography skills are even needed for that?

This was absolutely intentional!

This jerk not only ruined his and his buddies’ dinner gathering.

But now he was forcing him to personally capture a photo of Lin Yu and Chi Qingshui together!

No matter how good Shi Yanhai was at managing his expressions.

At this moment, the pain on his face was impossible to hide.

From afar, Lin Yu noticed Shi Yanhai's expression, and his mood soared.

Big shot, huh?

Hard to deal with, huh?

Tough guy, huh?

Today, I'm going to make you carry a sack of rice up a few flights of stairs!

"Everyone, please stand in your positions quickly. Squeeze in a little so our class monitor doesn't have to 'suffer' waiting too long."

Lin Yu coordinated everyone's positions.

Chen Qimeng and Ye Mengfu stood to his left and right.

Chi Qingshui stood directly in front of him.

Mo Shangying and Maomao, being about the same height, stood a bit further in front.

The five of them carefully observed Lin Yu's position.

Trying their best to stand closer to him.

For everyone present, except for Chi Qingchi.

It was their first time taking a photo with Lin Yu.

Their emotions varied, but their thoughts were oddly similar.

"Are we ready now?"

Unable to wait any longer, Shi Yanhai couldn’t help but urge them.

Lin Yu waved his hand and called out cheerfully:

"Ready~ Three, two, one, show those big smiles!"

"Click..."

A photograph.

It’s the best proof that a moment in time truly existed.

Many years later.

When your memories begin to blur, and you can no longer recall the details of the past.

A photograph may serve as the best evidence of the beautiful moments you once encountered and experienced.

Of course.

For some, while others are savoring the beauty, there are those whose hearts are breaking in silence...

[Ding!]

【Congratulations, Host! You’ve successfully completed the time-limited mission!】

【The Fire Sea Demon Gang has been completely dismantled, and the host has successfully safeguarded the safety of the sect members!】

【Rewards: Sect Contribution +300, Spirit Stones +600, 1 Free Spin at the System Shop!】

...

After a delightful dinner gathering.

The nurse sister who skipped work during the day was forcibly dragged back to the community hospital for the night shift.

The antique shop sister headed back to Ghost Market Street to watch over her store.

The rest of the group returned to the apartment together.

Lin Yu took responsibility for safely escorting Maomao back to her room.

He even took a photo to report Maomao’s safe arrival to Xia Yiwei.

After leaving Maomao’s room and stepping into the hallway, Lin Yu noticed Chi Qingshui standing alone near the staircase on the first floor, her hands clasped behind her back.

It looked like she was waiting for him.

Could it be that she wanted to explain something about what happened with Shi Yanhai earlier in the evening?

That didn’t seem very much like the typical behavior of the studious young lady.

“Chi, waiting for me?”

Lin Yu approached and asked.

Chi Qingshui nodded and pulled a photography textbook from behind her back.

“This is one of the books you lent me. I’ve finished reading it.”

“I had it in my bag tonight but kept forgetting to give it back to you.”

“I’ve made notes on the key points. If you don’t want to read the whole book, you can check out my notes.”

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow and accepted the two books—one new and one old.

“And the other book?”

Chi Qingshui continued, “The other one is my own book, an extracurricular guide on framing and composition.”

“I think it’s pretty good. You might find it useful too.”

“It could come in handy for your filming assignments. Consider it a return gift.”

【Ding!】

【Brilliant move! Your partner has gifted the host a treasured book she has studied for years, selflessly and with genuine affection!】

【Reward: Spirit Stones +50】

Lin Yu casually flipped through Chi Qingshui’s book. Almost every page had her handwritten notes and annotations.

He glanced at the book’s worn cover.

It was evident that she had gone through it countless times, as the level of wear couldn’t be achieved otherwise.

“Thanks. I’ll make sure to read it carefully.”

“So… should I head upstairs now?”

Lin Yu pointed toward the upper floor.

Chi Qingshui froze for a moment before quickly replying, “Oh, sure.”

After responding, Chi Qingshui turned and walked away faster than Lin Yu.

Only when she heard Lin Yu’s footsteps heading upstairs did she stop her hurried pace.

She turned back with a complicated expression, silently wondering whether Lin Yu had misunderstood her relationship with Shi Yanhai today.

...

Upon arriving on the third floor.

Lin Yu didn’t go straight to his room.

Instead, he stood in front of Chen Qimeng’s door and gently knocked.

“Knock, knock…”

After just two taps, the door creaked open slightly.

It hadn’t been locked.

At dinner tonight, Chen Qimeng had appeared cheerful and gracious.

But Lin Yu could still sense her occasional moments of distraction, revealing the sadness and loneliness she was trying to hide.

He Jing was one of her few “close friends” and “confidantes.”

And today, she suddenly found out that the friendship she had cherished for years was nothing but an illusion.

Behind her back, she had been schemed against foolishly, nearly getting herself into serious trouble.

She didn’t even get the chance to confront He Jing face-to-face, as the latter was already gravely injured and unconscious.

The overwhelming blow of reality.

For someone as sensitive and meticulous as Chen Qimeng, how could she possibly remain unaffected?

She simply chose not to show it at the dinner table, unwilling to let others worry along with her.

Hidden sorrow and distress.

When the night is deep and quiet, and one is alone.

It transforms into cold, icy rain, pounding randomly on the heart.

If he couldn't even perceive this much, how could Lin Yu be worthy of Aunt Qimeng's kindness?

"Aunt Qimeng, may I come in?"

Lin Yu called softly, gently pushing the door open.

He could feel that this door was left open just for him.

As the door swung open,

Lin Yu immediately saw Chen Qimeng sitting by the bed,

and her eyes, red from crying...