Chapter 23: The Next Mission

She was not a "natural beauty" in the conventional sense, yet through her poise and personal style, she emanated a refreshing and elegant charm. Combined with a subtle touch of sensuality, she appeared incredibly captivating before the lens.

After shooting a dozen frames, Li Yan nodded. "That’s about right. This material is more than enough for your social media and short video teasers. I can tweak the lighting and shadows a bit in post-production, but the colors straight from the Leica are already excellent."

Gan Gan stood up and smoothed her skirt. "Thank you so much. You’ve been so meticulous with these."

Li Yan packed away his camera. "It’s nothing. We’re friends, aren't we?"

Gan Gan didn't reply immediately, her eyes lingering on him with a hint of quiet appreciation. Friends? Perhaps. She didn't reject the label, but she was clearly becoming more curious about him. It was rare to find a young man with such impressive qualities who lacked the usual air of greed. She had dealt with many wealthy or powerful men, but they always arrived with some urgent agenda. Li Yan was different. He made people feel comfortable and at ease, like a cup of fine, clear tea—not overpowering or superficial, but leaving a lingering, pleasant aftertaste.

Around 5:30 PM, Li Yan checked the time and decided it was time to leave. Gan Gan sounded a bit reluctant. "Leaving so soon? Do you want to grab dinner tonight?"

Li Yan smiled. "Not tonight. I have an exam tomorrow, so I want to head back early and get some rest. Let’s have dinner after I’m done."

A master of the art of "pull and push," Li Yan knew exactly how to play it.

Gan Gan nodded, her eyes showing understanding. "Alright, then good luck with your exam." She waved lightly, standing at the entrance of the courtyard, watching his back as he walked away.

Once he left the creative park, Li Yan hailed a cab home. In the car, he scrolled through the photos on his camera; they were indeed excellent. A sense of satisfaction washed over him—it had been a productive day.

Back home, his parents hadn't returned from work yet. He stripped off his clothes, changed into comfortable sportswear, and took a stroll around the residential compound to scout a suitable route for his morning runs. There was a tree-lined path just outside the gates that looked perfect. Although the system hadn't specified that it had to be at dawn, the "Morning Run Challenge" sounded like it should be done in the early hours. He decided to wake up early tomorrow before his exam for a run, then come back to shower and grab a bite before heading out. With that settled, he set his alarm: wake up at 5:30 AM, run, be back by 6:30 AM for a shower, and leave for the test site at 7:00 AM. Since the driving school wasn't far, arriving by 8:00 AM would be plenty of time. Once he passed his second-stage driving test, he would be completely free.

When his parents returned in the evening, he greeted them and went to the bathroom for a hot shower. At dinner, his mother asked, "Where have you been these past few days? You're never home for dinner."

Li Yan replied casually, "Helping a friend shoot some things, and I picked up some sports gear. I'm planning to start running."

His father smiled. "Running is good. Builds up your health. Don't forget your exam tomorrow."

Li Yan nodded. "Don't worry, it'll be fine."

After dinner, he returned to his bedroom. While exporting the day's photos for backup, he received a message on WeChat from Gan Gan: "Can you send me a few of the unedited portraits to look at?"

Li Yan picked a few fresh, sunlight-filled shots and sent them over. Gan Gan replied immediately: "These are so good, thank you! I really must treat you to dinner sometime."

Li Yan typed back: "How about after I pass my driving test?"

The result of his "pull and push" was already manifesting. Gan Gan sent a "cheering" emoji with the message: "Go for it, I believe in you."

Li Yan smiled faintly, put down his phone, turned off the lights, and went to sleep. Lying in bed, his mind drifted to the system's rewards and his plans for tomorrow. A two-centimeter increase in height would take him from 175cm to 177cm—wouldn't that be an advantage for dating in college? He chuckled to himself; no need to take it too seriously. To him, the world was under his control. Romance, social life, entertainment, and academics were all determined by his own attitude.

If a major influencer like Gan Gan, with over two million followers, was interested in him, it was because he possessed qualities she craved but rarely found: he wasn't flashy, he wasn't fawning, and he had substance without losing his sense of boundaries. Human interaction was meant to be this way. Li Yan appeared lighthearted, but both his material circumstances and his temperament were enough to move people. For Gan Gan, who faced countless suitors—mostly vulgar, superficial, or overly desperate—Li Yan was like that perfect cup of tea: warm, fragrant, and never overwhelming. He spent money without hesitation, yet never made it feel like he was showing off. He used a 40,000-yuan Leica Q2 camera without flaunting it, treating it merely as a tool. This restrained sense of superiority was far more lethal than blind exhibitionism.

In the dead of night, Li Yan took a deep breath and pushed all his thoughts aside. After tomorrow's exam, he could relax for a while. The morning run challenge was about to begin, and university life was just around the corner. With money, charm, and a plan, he didn't need to change his pace for anyone; he simply had to let his life's rhythm unfold naturally. He slowly closed his eyes, and the room fell silent, save for his gentle breathing. Tomorrow would be a new day.

At 5:30 AM, the alarm's buzzing echoed through the bedroom. Outside the window, the sky was faintly brightening, and the city had not yet fully awakened. Li Yan half-opened his eyes, reached out to silence the phone, and lay still for a few seconds to let his brain transition from sleep.

The plan he had set for himself yesterday was to start the first day of his morning run challenge today. Seven consecutive days of morning runs, five kilometers a day, to earn the system reward—a two-centimeter height increase was a tempting prize, and getting his blood flowing before his driving test would help settle his nerves.

He sat up, rubbed the back of his neck, and retrieved the sports gear he had bought the day before. It was a new Nike quick-dry T-shirt, athletic shorts, light running shoes, and a pair of Nike socks with full-length air cushions. Though pricey, they were comfortable and fit perfectly. He wasn't a fitness fanatic, but having high-end gear made the experience much more enjoyable. Problems that could be solved with money were no problems at all to him, as he had sufficient savings and resources.

Dressed and ready, Li Yan tiptoed out of the bedroom; his parents were still asleep. His family was comfortably middle-class, but through three years of smart investing and system tasks, he had accumulated enough wealth to be unconcerned about his spending. Now that the college entrance exams were over, he no longer needed to rush to a desk, but the morning run was a requirement he set for himself.

He walked into the living room, turned on a small light, drank a glass of warm water, did some simple stretches, and headed out. The morning air in the neighborhood was crisp, and a few scattered people were walking their dogs or exercising. Li Yan strapped his phone to his arm, started the running app, and began his jog along the tree-lined path outside the compound.

His stride was light and his pace steady. He didn't sprint; he just maintained an even breath and gradually picked up speed. This was Li Yan's first time actively exercising, not in the plush bed of a hotel room, and he found it wasn't half bad.