The photographer's single "but" silenced all the villagers.

"Although taking photos is free, you will still need to pay for developing the photos yourself."

After the photographer finished speaking, all the villagers fell even more silent.

The two photographers guessed that the villagers would likely be deterred by the news that developing photos would cost money.

But they didn't expect the villagers to fall silent, which made them feel very embarrassed.

In the end, Grandma Huang came to the rescue, saying, "That's normal. I asked in the city before, and it costs at least one yuan to take a picture."

"We've already gotten a great deal by being able to take photos for free."

Finally, Grandma Huang asked the question that everyone was most concerned about, but also most embarrassed to ask.

"Excuse me, comrades, I'd like to ask how much it costs to develop photos?"

Seeing that someone had finally spoken, the photographers smiled gratefully at Grandma Huang.

Then, without waiting, he said, "It's not expensive. It usually depends on the size of the photo. Smaller ones are only one or two cents each."

Grandma Huang felt that the price was actually acceptable and completely acceptable to her.

This price was incredibly cheap compared to the prices she had previously inquired about for family portraits in the city.

"That's really not that expensive, right everyone? Haha."

Grandma Huang turned to the other villagers and spoke, trying to get their approval.

When the other villagers heard the price for developing the photos, they didn't just remain silent.

Their faces were filled with the desire to escape.

When Grandma Huang asked them her question, they could only politely but awkwardly agree.

"Hehehe, yes, it's not really that expensive, hahaha."

"Yes, it's not expensive, but I suddenly realized that taking pictures isn't very useful. Maybe next time, haha."

"Yes, yes, the price isn't expensive, but we've always stayed in the village, and it's a bit inconvenient to go to the city to develop the photos."

"So I'll wait for another opportunity to take the photos, haha."

These are all pretty good excuses.

Some villagers said as they left, "My water is gone, I need to go back and fetch some, so I'm leaving now."

"I think I heard my rooster crow. It probably laid an egg. I need to go back and collect it!"

"I forgot to wash my clothes, I'm going back to do them!"

"My grandson seems to be crying, I'll go home and comfort him!"

As Grandma Huang watched the increasingly outrageous excuses they gave for leaving, she found it both funny and heartbreaking.

What's funny is the excuse they gave; it's obvious as an excuse.

It's heartbreaking because it's so hard for villagers to make money, even though the village workshops just recently distributed dividends.

However, for the villagers who are used to being poor, they are reluctant to spend a single penny unless absolutely necessary.

Ultimately, it's because they suffered too much hunger and hardship in the past, and they feel that they can only feel secure when they have money in their own hands.

Although the photographers' goal was to discourage the villagers from taking their pictures.

But when they actually saw the villagers scatter in droves, they still felt somewhat uneasy.

When Huang Qinqin and the others surrounded the villagers, they also came over.

She noticed the photographer's somewhat unnatural expression and knew they might be bothered by the villagers' reaction.

Huang Qinqin walked over to them and began to explain in a low voice.

"Actually, the villagers aren't stingy; it's just that they don't have the opportunity to make money."

"The work points they earn throughout the year are barely enough for them to make ends meet."

"Moreover, many times a family together can't earn more than a few yuan a year. Have you noticed the clothes the villagers wear?"

What are the clothes the villagers are wearing?

The photographer hadn't actually paid attention to that.

When they heard Huang Qinqin's question, they turned their necks slightly and took a look at the villagers' clothing.

Then they discovered that the villagers' clothes looked like they had been worn for a long time.

Because most of them have already been patched up and have been washed until they're almost white.

The two photographers felt even worse now, not because they felt upset that the villagers weren't asking them to take pictures.

Moreover, they felt guilty for having just thought that the villagers were too materialistic and stingy.

They deserve to die!

The villagers are barely getting enough to eat and wear, and yet they still think of them like this!

Seeing that Huang Qinqin's few words had made the photographers stop worrying and even showed expressions of remorse, they were amazed.

Grandma Huang admitted defeat, especially when she heard Huang Qinqin talking nonsense.

While it's true that the villagers might not be dressed very well, it's not entirely because they don't have money.

It was because they didn't have many cloth coupons, and going to the city was also very troublesome.

Even if most villagers have cloth, they will only wear old clothes when they are working.

Of course, some villagers are indeed quite poor.

However, there are not many truly poor people in Huangjia Village now, since the pickled vegetable workshop has already distributed the profits after the autumn harvest.

The two photographers felt increasingly guilty and even suggested, "How about we pay for a group photo of the villagers?"

"We'll cover the cost of developing the photos, what do you think?"

Huang Qinqin was startled. Oh no! She realized she might have used too much force!

She quickly waved her hand and refused, saying, "No, no need!"

"The villagers in our village are very kind and honest. They'll feel burdened if you do this. It's really not necessary!"

To avoid them dwelling on the matter, Huang Qinqin quickly changed the subject: "By the way, have you taken Dundun's photos yet?"

"Once we've finished taking the photos, we'll go home and call everyone over to get ready for another photo shoot."

Upon hearing Huang Qinqin ask this question, the photographer slapped his forehead hard.

"Oh dear! I almost forgot, I was just about to talk to you about this."

"I took a lot of photos, and although they were all very good, I always felt that something was missing."

Huang Qinqin asked curiously, "How did you take pictures of Dundun just now?"

She waved to Dundun: "Dundun~ come here to Auntie~"

Dun Dun had just thought about going to find Huang Qinqin, but when he saw that Huang Qinqin was talking to someone else, he didn't go over to disturb her.

Now that Huang Qinqin has called him, he immediately opens his arms and runs over.

"Little Auntie~ Dundun's here~"

Hehehe~

Huang Qinqin looked at Dundun, who suddenly started grinning foolishly after coming over, and originally wanted to bend down and rub his cheeks.

But since my belly was blocking the way, I could only squeeze his little hand instead.

"DunDun, how did you take that picture?"

"Can you demonstrate it for your aunt again, okay?"