The photo shoot wrapped up without disturbances as everyone put away the decorations. Now, only a crowd lingered over Liu Shan in the living room to look at the outcome on his laptop.
"Wow! I one the best!"
"No, this one is better. Look at the angle. So perfect."
"No, take a look at this one. You can see their emotions captured in their eyes."
Words after words surface from each person while Liu Shan sat in front of his laptop with heavy eyes. He understood that everyone was excited, but how was he supposed to work on the photos with this many disturbances?
He heaves a sigh of frustration and turns to his right. He makes eye contact with his boss and pleads with her for help in silence.
Yue Ling had already changed into a set of comfortable loungewear. She was standing at the side with Lu Tian when she saw her pitiful assistant.
She walks over to the crown around him and decides to help him out.
"Alright, that's enough. Give Liu Shan some space to do his work."
As she comes to a stop next to him, she glances at his laptop screen and sees the photos taken.
She couldn't remember how many times she had changed into a different wedding dress during the shoot. It was also the same for Lu Tian, who had to change suits every time she changed.
She scans the photos, and despite not being full-sized in view, she can tell that Liu Shan did a great job capturing each image.
"Boss, look. This one is my favorite."
Ju Suo's voice suddenly sounds from the side, and she takes the opportunity to click on a photo. It switches out from album to full size, allowing everyone to see.
The photo was one of the few photos taken without prior planning. The two stood facing one another, Lu Tian leaning towards Yue Ling to whisper something to her. However, the most captured moment was how pure Yue Ling's smile was.
It shows how happy she is toward Lu Tian.
Yue Ling gazed at the photo, and her heart softened. She was glad that Liu Shan could capture such a memorable moment with them.
"That one is cute, but I think this one is better."
From the other side came Xu Long's voice. The assistant ever so lightly pushes the petite woman to the side and takes control of the laptop.
He exits the photo and scrolls through the album before finding the one he likes and clicks on it.
Once the photo came into view for everyone to see, he straightened his posture with his chin raised high.
"Now, this is a perfect photo."
Everyone looks at the monitor screen and sees the photo of Lu Tian carrying Yue Ling. However, it wasn't just any kind of carrying.
In this photo, Lu Tian had picked up Yue Ling and sat her on his right shoulder as they stood in front of their collection of cars.
It was an unexpected pose but enough to show the massive smile on the couple's faces.
Xu Long raised his chin higher with his nose growing longer, seeing everyone in awe. He held a proud father look and placed his hands on his hips.
"That's right. Keep looking at the photo. I know, I know. My boss is naturally strong built."
Just as everyone was admiring the photo, their eyes turned heavy when they all heard Xu Long's words. Together, multiple heads turn to look at the assistant.
Lu Tian stood at the side without looking at the photos. He would be lying if he wasn't nervous about how the photos turned out, as this was his first time since he was a child to stand in front of a camera.
However, upon hearing his assistant, the corners of his mouth ever so lightly twitched.
He understood that Xu Long was trying to boost his pride, but he (Xu Long) didn't have to do it in such a humorous way.
"Wow, way to kill the spur of the moment."
The first to speak was none other than Qi Li. He shakes his head before turning to his boss.
"I think all the photos look nice. It'll be hard to choose just one."
Yue Ling couldn't help but smile at her illustrator. He was usually the quiet one and only spoke when he wanted but always knew what to say.
She turns back to look at the laptop screen, and without any need to ponder, she walks away.
"It's getting late. Everyone should go home and rest. Tian and I will discuss which photos to use later."
Hearing her words, Liu Shan was quick to take action. He made sure to save all the photos before closing his laptop as he packed up.
"You guys heard, boss. Go home. Give the couple some space."
He didn't waste another second and scrammed out of the living room with his belongings.
Seeing his quick movements, the others didn't know whether to laugh or cry. However, understanding his words, they too started to pack up their things.
"Hey, Liu Shan, wait for me!"
Xu Long yells after Liu Shan as he frantically gathers his things. Like a wife chasing after her husband, he quickly pursues after the assistant.
"Didn't you hear me? I said, wait for me too. Don't you know how dangerous the world is nowadays!"
Unlike the two assistants, the others decided not to bother with them. In their eyes, Liu Shan and Xu Long were a couple who would never stop bickering.
"Boss, we'll have all pieces of equipment returned tomorrow since it's late."
Gui Zhongmin spoke as he picked up the last vase of flowers. Once he saw Yue Ling nod her head, he and his older brother bid her and Lu Tian goodbye, then left the house.
As everyone left, the once noisy house soon turned into silence.
Yue Ling couldn't believe that just a few minutes ago, the house was decorated to the point of being unrecognizable, and now it had returned to its origin. A part of her was sad that it ended, but at the same time, she was relieved that one plan was over.
She sighs inside and decides to go and check if the front door is locked. After all, everyone had rushed out of the house.
Before she could take a step forward, Lu Tian stopped her. He knew what she was going to do, and being the man of the house, how could he let his wife check the door if it was locked or not.
Yue Ling doesn't refute his offer and lets him go. She watched him walk to the front door, and feeling a little hungry, she decided to turn for the kitchen.
It was already late, but a late-night snack wouldn't hurt since she had skipped dinner. Of course, she was a little guilty of not offering to cook for the others, but she knew that everyone would prefer to go home and rest since it had been a long day.
Unaware of her plan, Lu Tian approached the front door. He sees that it is locked but unlocks it and opens the door.
He frowns when he sees that Liu Shan's car is the only one parked in the driveway. His wife's assistant was the first to leave, so why was he still here?
Thinking that something might be wrong, he opens the door and steps out. The second he stood under the front light, he made eye contact with the assistant.
Liu Shan waves to him from inside the car, followed by the car engine turning on.
Lu Tian gives a slight nod and seeing that nothing is out of sorts, he returns inside the house to find his wife.
While the couple enjoyed the rest of their night, inside Liu Shan's car, he was making a phone call from his car.
The call rang twice before the line connected, and an old man's voice sounded from the other line.
["Ah, Liu Shan. What can I help you with, boy?"]
Liu Shan listens to the old man's words, and with eyes on the road ahead, he answers.
"Manager Luo, sorry for not contacting you sooner. Can we meet now to discuss earlier this morning if you're not busy?"
Manager Luo's laughter could be heard from the other line before continuing the conversation.
["Of course. This old man is never busy these days. I will send you the location to my house."]
Following his words, Liu Shan's phone sounds from his pocket. He takes his phone out and unlocks the message to see the address Manager Luo had sent him.
He quickly connected it to his car navigation and changed the direction he was going.
"I'll be there in ten minutes."
His words fell, and their phone call soon came to an end.
As he drove to meet Manager Luo, his eyes that were focused on the road would constantly gaze out to the dark and gloomy sky in front of him.
Despite just sharing a harmonious moment with his boss and the others, being alone again made him feel like everything had been a dream.
He comes to a stop at a red light and takes a deep breath to steady himself.
"This is for the best, Liu Shan. You, of all people, know this. It's really time to move on."