Chapter 124: Taking Photographs

Seeing Chen Liang pay with such decisiveness, the shop assistant couldn't help but take a few extra looks at him. This camera had been hanging in the shop for quite some time; while many had taken a liking to it, they were ultimately deterred by the steep price.

Moreover, judging by Chen Liang's words, he and his wife saved nearly a hundred yuan a month in wages. What kind of family was this to be so wealthy? It was truly enviable!

Chen Liang spending a massive sum of three hundred yuan on an item could certainly withstand scrutiny. Thanks to his outstanding performance during several major incidents while working in the security department, he had received a promotion.

Although Chen Liang’s current title remained "Security Officer," his administrative rank was high—he was a Grade 21 official. Once the reward for recovering the stolen fortune was processed, he would likely be promoted again to a Grade 20 Deputy Section Chief.

At his age, becoming a section-level cadre—even a deputy one—was quite astonishing.

To put it in simpler terms for a clearer picture: his current administrative rank was on par with the director of a local Public Security Bureau precinct! If Chen Liang were to be promoted just one more level, he would be on equal footing with the leadership of the municipal branch. That makes it easier to understand, right?

The administrative rank that took him ten years of life-and-death undercover work to achieve in his past life had now been attained in less than a year.

As for Xiaoyu, with the help of Old Lu—that treasure of a man—her advancement speed was no slower than Chen Liang’s.

Therefore, if others found out that Chen Liang had bought this camera, at most they would curse him behind his back for being a spendthrift; they wouldn't suspect anything else.

After paying and receiving the receipt from the clerk, Chen Liang hung the camera around his neck and turned to leave. He was now itching to take a few photos of Xiaoyu—preferably ones of a more "intimate" nature! Of course, that was just a fleeting thought; just because they both shared the surname Chen didn't mean he could act like a teacher!

Exiting the trust store, Chen Liang bought several rolls of film at a photography studio and began wandering aimlessly through the city of Sijiucheng. Seeing children spinning tops and rolling hoops in the alleys, he felt the scene was full of the era's charm, so he captured it with a "click."

Later, walking through the streets and watching the endless stream of people, he snapped a few more pictures. He spent the entire journey capturing anything that caught his interest, and by the time he returned to the library, it was already near mealtime.

Having finished her nap, Xiaoyu finally remembered the man she had locked out and hurriedly opened the door, only to find Chen Liang standing there with a lunchbox and a bag of snacks.

As soon as he entered, Chen Liang said with a sarcastic tone, "Well, my dear Comrade Xiaoyu, did you finally remember your man after waking up?"

Xiaoyu, long since immune to this attitude, wrapped her arms around his and said with a sweet smile, "Oh, don't be angry, brother. I'll just eat more ice cream later to make up for it."

If there was anything a serving of ice cream couldn't solve, there had to be a reason for it. Chen Liang hummed, dissatisfied; thinking he could be dismissed with just one serving of ice cream was impossible.

"Comrade Xiaoyu, I must sternly criticize you. How can you tempt a cadre like this? Put your hand on your conscience—doesn't it hurt?"

Xiaoyu rolled her eyes at him internally. *Do you really think I don't know whether my conscience hurts? And can I even reach it?*

Straightening her chest, she swayed his arm gently. "Brother, please don't be angry. I won't do it again next time!"

*Hmph!* Xiaoyu wasn't stupid; she was just saying that. She knew deep down that if she let Chen Liang into the office, she would no longer be the one in control of when she got to nap.

"As long as you know you're wrong. The extra serving of ice cream stands, and you're coming with me for a walk in the park tonight," Chen Liang said, deciding to quit while he was ahead.

"Alright, but brother, there are too many mosquitoes in the park at night. Can't we just stay home?" Xiaoyu asked weakly.

"No, the walk is non-negotiable. What’s there to fear about mosquitoes? We'll just bring some floral water. Can't we overcome such a small difficulty?"

Venturing into the woods had become an addiction, much like visiting a foot massage center in the future. Did he really want to go? No—his feet just wandered there on their own!

"I know, brother! I'll go for a walk with you. Don't be angry, okay?"

After touching her "reins," Chen Liang was finally satisfied. "Good. As long as you listen to your brother, I won't be angry. Let's go eat! There’s an extra serving waiting later!"

"Bah, you lecher! Always up to no good!" Xiaoyu retorted playfully, then allowed herself to be pulled into his arms for lunch.

Sigh! Who made this man her husband, and who made her love him so deeply? As the saying goes, "marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog." Having chosen this path, she would walk it to the end, even if she had to do so on her knees through tears.

*Original Evolution*

But Comrade Xiaoyu, could you please hide the glee in your eyes when you say that? Anyone who didn't know better would think you were suffering some great grievance by marrying Chen Liang!

After a romantic and fragrant lunch, Chen Liang chuckled and let Xiaoyu have her ice cream, and unable to resist, he had a taste of "honey" himself. After they were both full, they had a sweet and peaceful afternoon nap.

When they returned home after work, Chen Liang couldn't resist showing off the camera to Xiaoyu. "Oh! Brother, is this a camera? Wait for me!"

She ran back into the room to tidy herself up, put on her favorite floral high-neck dress, and became Chen Liang's model.

Watching her skin glow as if draped in a translucent golden veil under the soft sunset light, and seeing her stunning face blooming like a radiant summer flower, Chen Liang was mesmerized. He used the film as if it were free, capturing every moment of Xiaoyu with a continuous stream of "clicks."

When the sister-in-law returned home and saw that the second brother and second sister-in-law were taking photos without her, little Chen Hong immediately protested. With her short legs, she ran over "thump, thump, thump" to hug Chen Liang’s leg.

Feeling she had hugged the wrong leg, she let go and ran to hug Xiaoyu instead, finally appearing in Chen Liang’s frame.

A while later, the sister-in-law couldn't resist the vanity of it all and joined in, followed by Chen’s mother. Eventually, the entire Chen family gathered to take photos.

Seeing this, Chen Liang found a tripod, fixed the camera in place, and after arranging everyone’s positions, he set the timer and sprinted over to stand beside Xiaoyu. With a loud "click," the entire Chen family was captured together in the photograph.