Chapter 22: Progress

After lunch, Li Yan tidied up his newly purchased sports gear, grabbed the bag containing his Leica Q2 camera, and headed out to the Cultural and Creative Park.

On the way, the taxi glided smoothly through the city streets, the afternoon sunlight streaming through the window casting a warm glow on Li Yan’s profile.

He remained calm and composed; tomorrow’s driving test was merely a formality. He had practiced driving extensively, and his instructor had repeatedly given him nods of approval, so there was no need for anxiety.

He had taken care of the filming today, so tomorrow he could focus entirely on the test—a win-win situation.

Thinking about seeing Gan Gan soon, a faint smile unconsciously curved his lips.

Gan Gan was a major local internet celebrity in Luzhong City, boasting over two million followers—a considerable force in the local new media scene.

Her account primarily showcased the creation and display of glass art. In her videos, she always wore a sweet smile, dressed in a fresh style with a hint of sensuality, revealing the unique beauty of traditional craftsmanship.

For many viewers, this combination was novel and captivating.

Naturally, someone like Gan Gan attracted many admirers.

Those who wished to get close to her ranged from wealthy second-generation locals and prosperous businessmen to countless devoted fans.

Gan Gan had received numerous gifts, invitations, and even awkward advances, yet rarely had she truly cared for anyone.

It wasn’t pride on her part but rather a clear discernment between the superficial and the genuine.

In the internet era, enthusiasm and praise often remained surface-level and did not equate to authentic attraction.

Li Yan was an exception.

They first met during a promotional event at an ancient village. Li Yan’s classmate’s father happened to be the director of the neighboring district’s ancient village and sought to leverage Gan Gan’s influence to promote the village’s tourism resources.

Gan Gan had seen many such collaborations—always warm but superficial.

However, Li Yan’s presence that day was somewhat different.

He was not the type to ingratiate himself or display cheap idol worship; instead, he appeared with a calm, confident demeanor.

After the event, as everyone gathered casually, Li Yan casually took out his Leica Q2 to snap some photos on-site.

Gan Gan immediately recognized the camera’s value, knowing it wasn’t inexpensive. His ease in handling the camera and his natural, unforced conversation put her at ease.

Wealthy, yet without arrogance;

Tasteful, yet not pretentious;

Generous, yet never boastful.

Most importantly, Li Yan did not rush to get close to her but maintained a measured interaction, leaving room for intrigue.

Such a person was rare in Gan Gan’s social circle.

She had encountered many suitors showering her with attention, but few like Li Yan, for whom everything felt so natural.

Gradually, Gan Gan developed a subtle fondness for him.

Not because of extraordinary looks—though Li Yan was neither unattractive nor unkempt—but because of his effortless poise, his ease with money and resources, and the independence and maturity evident in his speech.

This made Gan Gan feel that, despite being much younger, this young man had a wealth of experience and a unique charm.

Around three in the afternoon, Li Yan stepped once again into Gan Gan’s glass workshop within the Cultural and Creative Park.

The courtyard was adorned with neatly trimmed greenery and a small clear pond reflecting the pale blue sky.

Gan Gan wore a light blue long dress and stood by the workbench. Seeing Li Yan enter, she smiled sweetly, “You’re here so soon?”

“I was free anyway today, so I thought I’d get the footage done early and give you plenty of time to edit,” Li Yan replied, pulling the Leica Q2 from his camera bag.

This camera, priced over forty thousand yuan, had originally been purchased for a photography junior he once fancied; it was meant to help break the ice by taking group shots and her portfolio photos, though the romance eventually fizzled.

Fortunately, the camera remained with him and was still useful.

Now that he had secured admission to a prestigious advertising program, it would certainly come in handy.

Since they met, some of Gan Gan’s footage had actually been shot by Li Yan.

After all, he had put effort into learning photography to impress the junior.

Though only an amateur, he was still a notch above casual hobbyists.

As they conversed, Gan Gan pulled out a small box containing glass fragments and tools.

“Today, I want to film several stages of the hand-drawn wire process, aiming to capture the crystal-clear changes of the glass under the firelight. I tried filming with my phone, but it never quite captured the texture,” she explained.

Li Yan nodded. “No problem. You start, and I’ll take several close-ups. First, we’ll shoot the static arrangements—tools, semifinished glass products—then your process, facial expressions, and details. I’ll pay close attention to the lighting.”

As they spoke, Gan Gan lit the furnace, and the glass blanks gradually softened and stretched under the intense heat.

Her movements were light and skillful, her expression focused, with a flicker of passion in her brows.

Li Yan swiftly adjusted the camera settings beside her, pressing the shutter repeatedly.

The Q2 produced sharp images with rich colors. On the screen, Gan Gan’s focused expression contrasted beautifully with the warm glow of the furnace—the composition was truly captivating.

Midway through the shoot, Li Yan occasionally stepped forward to help adjust the angles, suggesting she tilt her head slightly to catch better light on her cheek or stretch the glass threads longer to capture subtle color gradients.

Gan Gan cooperated fully, trusting Li Yan’s expertise and knowing he wouldn’t make pointless requests.

After finishing a close-up series, Gan Gan placed the glass pieces on a rack to cool and turned with a smile. “Tired? Want to take a break?”

Li Yan pressed the playback button on the camera, showing her the recent shots. “A break sounds good. Look at this one—the brightness of the firelight is just right, the texture of the drawn glass is clear, and the gradient colors are visible. Your expression looks natural, too.”

Gan Gan’s eyes lit up with delight as she studied the image. “It really is different—much more detailed than what I get with my phone.”

Li Yan replied calmly, “That’s the advantage of professional gear, plus some experience.”

He then turned off the camera and hung it around his neck. “But these are just raw materials. We still need to shoot some portraits. Let’s head outside to the courtyard—I’ll take some environmental portraits of you. Stand by that little flower patch, or sit on the wooden bench. Just keep your expression natural.”

Gan Gan bit her lip and smiled. “Alright, I’ll pose however you want.”

They stepped outdoors, where a gentle breeze stirred the courtyard, and sunlight filtered through the leaves in dappled patterns.

Gan Gan casually sat on a wooden bench, hands resting lightly on her knees, her skirt draping to reveal slender legs.

Li Yan raised the camera, peered through the viewfinder, and captured her smiling face and delicate features, pressing the shutter.

“Your profile looks more three-dimensional from this angle,” he explained, then asked her to tilt her head slightly upward. “Yes, just like that.”

Gan Gan breathed softly, her eyes glowing with a gentle light.