Fake Love with the Movie Queen - Chapter 20

The live stream camera shifted its focus back to the guests.

Viewers were greeted by familiar faces, their excitement palpable:

Will we get to meet the award-winning actress and the others offline soon?

I got a special pass for the commercial zone! I’m taking a photo with the award-winning actress!

What’s so great about a photo? Not a big deal! Jealousy intensifies

However, some noticed something amiss:

Why hasn’t Zhu Ningyue appeared today?

A reply quickly followed:

Ge Jiang helped her request leave earlier this morning, and then they went offline for a while. Must be something going on.

The live chat buzzed with curiosity for a moment, but the comments were soon drowned out by fans of Chou Qing’an, Sikong Yuan, and others.

Ahhh, just thinking about meeting the award-winning actress soon makes me so excited I could faint!

Goddess Sikong, I love you!

The live stream exploded with unprecedented fervor, the barrage of comments refreshing at a millisecond pace. In the blink of an eye, tens of thousands of messages scrolled past.

Gu Nanxuan and Chou Qing’an changed into the photography shop’s signature aprons.

The light brown aprons bore the shop’s name in bold letters, making it clear which establishment they belonged to.

The shop’s equipment was professional-grade, featuring cameras from a well-known brand.

Chou Qing’an, having posed for numerous magazine shoots, was somewhat familiar with cameras but was still a novice when it came to operating them.

Gu Nanxuan, on the other hand, was quite adept with cameras. She loved capturing their moments together herself and had even bought a camera specifically for that purpose. Whenever they traveled, she made sure to bring it along.

A cardboard box in their study was filled with photos she had taken—each one a cherished memory.

Before any customers arrived, Gu Nanxuan adjusted the camera settings and positioned it at the perfect angle.

Knowing her reputation might deter people from asking her to take photos, she prepared everything in advance.

When tourists arrived, Chou Qing’an would only need to press the shutter, significantly speeding up the process.

The price per photo wasn’t high, but the profit margin was decent.

If they worked efficiently, they might even close the gap between their shop and the others.

As the clock struck ten, many tourists in the scenic area had already obtained special passes for the commercial zone.

The host checked each shop’s readiness. Seeing that the guests had begun displaying their products, they communicated with the scenic area staff: “You can start checking tickets and letting the tourists in now.”

The staff responded, “Understood.”

With that, the previously closed gates were opened, allowing waiting tourists to enter through the ticket-checking lanes.

The photography shop had two cameras—one set up in a fixed position for Chou Qing’an to use, and the other held by Gu Nanxuan to capture the surrounding scenery.

Beautiful Scenery Town truly lived up to its name as G City’s flagship scenic area, with every corner offering picturesque views.

Gu Nanxuan snapped a few shots of her favorite spots before turning the camera toward Chou Qing’an, asking her to pose for a keepsake photo.

Chou Qing’an was accustomed to such moments. With light makeup enhancing her features, she offered a natural, radiant smile.

Her eyes met the lens as she lifted a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

Click—Gu Nanxuan captured the scene, the backdrop and Chou Qing’an’s beauty blending into a breathtaking composition.

“Excuse me, can I get a photo taken?”

A sweet, timid voice came from the side, as if afraid of disturbing them.

Qiu Qing’an turned her head and saw a sweet-looking girl walking toward them, realizing she must be a visitor who had obtained a ticket.

She offered a gentle smile. “Of course, you can.”

The girl beamed with joy. “That’s great!”

She pulled out the scenic area’s exclusive “cash” from her pocket and handed it to Qiu Qing’an, looking at her expectantly. “Can I take two photos?”

Qiu Qing’an took the “cash” from her and asked, “What kind of photos would you like?”

The girl seemed a little shy but still voiced her request. “I’d like one solo shot and one photo with you. Is that okay?”

Qiu Qing’an pointed toward the camera, which was already set up. “Go stand over there, and I’ll take your solo shot first.”

The girl walked over and stood in place, unsure how to pose.

Noticing her nervousness, Qiu Qing’an chuckled. “You can try a few different poses. Later, you can pick your favorite one to keep.”

Since there weren’t many people in the exclusive shopping area yet, she had time to take it slow.

The girl was soothed by her gentle tone, took a deep breath, and recalled the poses she had researched beforehand before striking a few.

Qiu Qing’an seized the right moment and pressed the shutter.

After taking several shots, she stopped and called the girl over to choose.

For the group photo, Qiu Qing’an set the camera to auto-timer and walked over to stand beside the girl.

Gu Nanxuan had been watching from the sidelines the entire time, showing no intention of joining in.

Holding her own camera, she observed the two for a while before suddenly speaking up. “Do you want to try a different spot for the photo?”

The girl was intrigued by Gu Nanxuan’s suggestion and glanced at Qiu Qing’an. “Can we change locations?”

She naturally wanted different backgrounds.

If both photos had the same backdrop, it might look like they were photoshopped.

Qiu Qing’an said, “If we change spots, Nanxuan will have to take the photo for us.”

The girl nodded without hesitation. “That’s fine!”

She just wanted a photo with Qiu Qing’an—who took it didn’t matter.

Besides, she had observed Gu Nanxuan a few times and felt she seemed quite professional.

Gu Nanxuan didn’t disappoint. Not only did she guide them on posing, but she also helped adjust the girl’s hairstyle.

When the girl received the photos, she was overjoyed. “You take such beautiful pictures!”

If not for the previous scandal on social media, she might have become Gu Nanxuan’s fan.

Still, she couldn’t help but feel a growing fondness for her.

Gu Nanxuan accepted the compliment calmly. “Thank you.”

After sending off their first guest, several more visitors arrived one after another.

Qiu Qing’an pressed the shutter for each of them.

For those who wanted group photos, Gu Nanxuan occasionally stepped in to help.

Most of the visitors were easygoing.

Only a few were more demanding—some complained about the scenery, while others refused to let Gu Nanxuan take their photos.

Qiu Qing’an handled everyone with a smile, keeping an extra eye on Gu Nanxuan’s mood when dealing with difficult customers.

Gu Nanxuan, however, seemed completely unfazed, treating those people as if they were air.

Gradually reassured, Qiu Qing’an focused even more on taking photos.

Time slipped by, and soon it was around 11:30.

Their operating hours were from 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–17:00 daily, totaling five hours.

In another half hour, they could take a break.

Gu Nanxuan adjusted her camera, planning to change the shooting angle for Qiu Qing’an in the afternoon.

As she turned the lens, a woman in a red dress suddenly appeared in the frame.

The woman was alluring, with a seductive figure, her long hair half-down, delicate bead chains draped over her neck and shoulders. She walked toward Gu Nanxuan step by step.

With each movement, her fair skin shimmered faintly under the sunlight.

The live-stream audience couldn’t help but marvel at the sight of her:

Wow, she’s gorgeous.

Who is this beauty? I need her full profile in ten minutes!

Gu Nanxuan looked up at the approaching woman and immediately guessed who she was, her expression darkening.

Jiang Mengxi stopped in front of her, her red lips curving into a smile. “Can you take a photo for me?”

Gu Nanxuan’s voice was cold and stiff. “No.”

Unfazed by her indifference, Jiang Mengxi laughed at her guarded demeanor, leaning in closer and blowing a teasing breath. “You recognized me, didn’t you?”

Gu Nanxuan took a few steps back, wrinkling her nose at the heavy fragrance. “You dressed like this just so I would, didn’t you?”

Jiang Mengxi’s outfit today was identical to one Qiu Qing’an had worn before—one of the looks that had gone viral.

But while Qiu Qing’an had carried it with gentle elegance, Jiang Mengxi exuded a far more sensual and coquettish aura.

As Gu Nanxuan scrutinized her, Jiang Mengxi did the same in return.

She reached out, twirling a loose strand of hair near Gu Nanxuan’s cheek. “Do you always act this cold around her?”

“How could she like someone so dull?”

“None of your business.” Gu Nanxuan disliked her lack of boundaries and swatted her hand away, retreating further.

Jiang Mengxi suddenly wrapped an arm around her waist, whispering provocatively in her ear, “Keep backing up, and you’ll fall.”

Her tone was intimate, as if they were close.

Gu Nanxuan bristled like an angry dog, shoving her away. “Can you act normal?”

She glared at her warily.

“I am talking to you normally.”

Jiang Mengxi saw nothing wrong with her behavior, instead winking at her.

“Are you blushing?”

Gu Nanxuan didn’t want to engage further and turned to leave.

“Hey, don’t go!”

Jiang Mengxi chased after her, reaching the edge of the steps before “accidentally” tripping and lunging toward Gu Nanxuan.

Gu Nanxuan dodged swiftly.

But Jiang Mengxi pivoted smoothly, falling right into Qiu Qing’an’s arms as she approached.

A surge of anger flared in Gu Nanxuan’s chest. She yanked Jiang Mengxi away from Qiu Qing’an. “Enough already!”

People around them turned to stare.

Jiang Mengxi steadied herself, about to complain about the roughness, but noticing the onlookers, she smiled. “Of course, I’ll stop.”

“Just take a few photos of me with Qing’an, and I’ll leave. Deal?”

Gu Nanxuan forced herself to calm down. “Two photos max.”

Jiang Mengxi didn’t mind. “Two it is.”

She blinked playfully. “But they only count if I like them.”

Expressionless, Gu Nanxuan pointed to a spot. “Go stand over there.”

Jiang Mengxi obediently walked over and then beckoned to Qiu Qing’an, “Qing’an, come over here.”

Qiu Qing’an ignored her and turned to Gu Nanxuan, “Maybe we should just forget it?”

They weren’t short of a photo or two, and Jiang Mengxi didn’t seem like someone who could be easily dismissed.

“It’s fine, go ahead.”

Suppressing her anger, Gu Nanxuan raised the camera and aimed the lens at the two of them.

As if oblivious to Gu Nanxuan’s almost murderous glare, Jiang Mengxi deliberately linked arms with Qiu Qing’an and leaned intimately against her shoulder.

Then she shot Gu Nanxuan a provocative glance.