Chapter 25 You, a woman who's cheated on her husband...

They chose the pavilion outside the waterside pavilion as the backdrop, and Shen Rong, with her years of experience in editing her WeChat Moments, selected the most photogenic angle.

"Just stand here and take the picture from a slightly lower position. This will make our proportions look especially long and slender. Also, be sure to include the background in the shot."

Shen Rong went on and on, listing a whole bunch of demands, but Lu Lin listened patiently as she finished.

He urged Shen Rong to stand over, as they were about to take pictures.

Back then, cameras used film, which was very expensive, and unlike in later times, you couldn't just delete and reshoot if you weren't satisfied.

Shen Rong solemnly instructed the two to pose properly before standing in place himself.

"Look at the camera," she whispered to the two of them.

Lu Lin was already at 321.

The lights flashed, and time stood still.

Shen Rong ran over, instinctively wanting to see the effect, and only realized she couldn't see it after grabbing the other person's hand.

"You've worked hard, you can go back now, I won't keep you any longer." She was a little resentful, and began to discard those who had helped her, taking the camera and shooing her away.

Lu Lin smiled, not taking offense, and turned to leave. Lu Xuan clicked her tongue, thinking that her sister-in-law was really something, managing to make her cold-faced brother so obedient.

She should learn more so that she can be just as impressive in the future.

Turning the corner of the courtyard, Lu Lin slowed his pace. Through the latticed window, he could clearly see the situation inside the courtyard. Shen Rong was taking pictures of Lu Xuan and Jiang Yufen with her camera.

She would always find the right angle first and then instruct them on how to stand properly.

Anyone who didn't know better would think she was a professional photographer, but Lu Lin remembered that Shen Rong had never touched a camera before.

Is she not going to hide these tails anymore?

A roll of film can take 24 shots, and it was used up quickly. The most shots were taken of Lu Xuan, followed by Jiang Yufen, and very few of Shen Rong's shots were taken. This was because Lu Xuan and Jiang Yufen had not yet mastered the photography skills and had wasted several shots. Shen Rong was heartbroken and decided not to take any more shots herself.

Lu Xuan said regretfully, "I should have asked my brother to take two pictures of you first."

Shen Rong didn't care: "I'll take them next time too." She held up her camera, "I'll send the photos back to you after I get them developed."

Lu Xuan nodded.

When Shen Rong returned to her room, she found Lu Lin still there and asked, somewhat puzzled, "Didn't you go out?"

Lu Lin: "If I go out, I'll just be dragged out for drinks. My injuries haven't healed yet." Does that mean he was waiting for her in the room?

Shen Rong nodded, almost forgetting that he still had an injury on his back.

She leaned closer and asked, "Does this need to be taken back to Pingcheng to be washed?"

"Is it all taken?" Lu Lin asked her.

Shen Rong nodded: "I'll pay for the film. Is it expensive?" I feel so bad for borrowing someone else's camera to take so many pictures.

"Your tone changes when you have money," Lu Lin teased her. "I'm not that stingy to ask my own family for money."

Lu Lin reached out his hand: "Give it to me, I'll wash it for you later."

Since that's so kind, Shen Rong won't stand on ceremony.

"Remember to get several copies of the group photo printed."

Seeing that she really enjoyed taking photos, Lu Lin casually said, "How about I take you out for a walk tomorrow? Would you like to take some more pictures?"

Shen Rong nodded vigorously, asking him if he still had any film.

Lu Lin replied, "There should be another scroll." He remembered that it was brand new when he brought it home, and he hadn't used it in the past two years.

"Then take some pictures of me tomorrow too. I just can't seem to learn how to do it. I didn't get any good ones today." Shen Rong's eyes were so bright that it was impossible to refuse.

The next day, after breakfast, the two went out together.

Lu Lin drove her out of town himself. There was a mountain there, with an ancient temple halfway up the mountain, from which one could overlook the entire town.

Lu Lin guessed she would like it.

Today, Shen Rong dressed up in her finest clothes to take beautiful photos, so she was willing to climb mountains. As it turned out, Lu Lin was right; the scenery here was stunning, and the town looked beautiful in the photos as well.

The two didn't return home until dark. Lu Xuan felt a little jealous when she saw this: "Big brother has a sister-in-law and has forgotten about his little sister."

She really wanted to go out and have fun, but they didn't even offer a polite invitation.

"Didn't you say you were tired of seeing it all?" Lu Lin glanced at her expressionlessly.

Lu Xuan felt threatened. Although she didn't dare to argue back, she still made a face and quickly hid behind her mother.

“Your sister-in-law hasn’t seen it before, so she finds it novel. You’ve been there countless times throughout the year, and you always complain about how tiring it is to accompany me to burn incense.” Mother Lu gently patted her daughter.

Shen Rong was also a little embarrassed; she had genuinely forgotten.

"Next time, I'll definitely take you next time."

Seeing that her sister-in-law was easy to talk to, Lu Xuan pouted and said coquettishly, "Next time won't be until next year. Besides, there's not much fun around here. Why don't you take me to Pingcheng for some fun?"

Lu's mother gave her a hard slap on the forehead.

"I knew you were full of tricks. Your older brother and sister-in-law are going to Bincheng soon, and she's pregnant with your nephew. They won't have the energy to take care of you."

Lu Xuan defended herself: "I can take care of my sister-in-law. My brother is never home, so I can keep her company. I've finished my studies now, so can't I go out and see the world?"

"Go tell your father," Lu's mother glared at her.

Lu Xuan fell silent; her father definitely wouldn't agree.

Lu Lin frowned: "You're not going to study anymore?"

Lu Xuan looked to her mother for help.

Lu's mother explained, "She doesn't want to learn either, so I think we should just let it go. She's already learned what she needs to learn. Your father also thinks so. Let her learn the rules at home for a few years, so she can relax for a few years. After that..." Once she becomes someone else's wife, she won't be so free.

However, she didn't say the last sentence in front of her two daughters-in-law.

Shen Rong was also somewhat surprised. Lu Xuan was only fifteen years old. Did she not go to university?

Back in her room, she couldn't help but ask the question that had been bothering her.

Lu Lin frowned, also feeling that Lu Xuan should continue her studies. He stood up and said, "I'll go talk to Dad."

The Lu family doesn't have a rule that daughters can't study, but sending their daughters to schools in other places might not be so easy.

The girls in the Lu family are studying alone away from home. The world outside is chaotic, and their families are worried. No girl in the Lu family's generation has left home to go to university yet.

It's a pity they're going to Bincheng; otherwise, finding her a school in Pingcheng shouldn't be difficult.

"Aren't there any schools in Bincheng?"

Yes, but their families wouldn't feel comfortable letting them take Lu Xuan away.

"We still need to let her continue her studies. We can't let her stay at home all day playing cards and having fun, or she'll become a useless person."

No one knows what Lu Lin and his father said, but the result was that Lu Xuan would continue her studies. Not only her, but other girls in the family would also have to study, and the family would hire several tutors from outside to teach them.

Lu Xuan was dumbfounded. She just wanted to go to the city for some fun. Was her older brother really that ruthless?

She ran to Shen Rong to complain, crying miserably.

Shen Rong felt a little guilty, as if she was one of the culprits who had caused her such a miserable situation.

She comforted Lu Xuan, saying that it's good to learn more, as learning makes people progress.

"But sister-in-law, I don't want to improve at all." She said with tears welling up in her eyes, her words righteous and firm.

Shen Rong's smile froze on her face. Why doesn't this child like chicken soup?

In the end, I managed to appease her with a few handbags. It's true what they say, from ancient times to the present, that handbags can cure all ills!

Two days later, the third branch of the family's patriarch's birthday finally arrived.

Mother Lu led them to the third branch's residence, which was located in the southwest of the Lu family mansion. It was a three-courtyard complex, very neat and elegant.

The custom here is that men don't celebrate their full birthdays. The old man is seventy-nine this year, so he has to celebrate his eightieth birthday early.

The younger generation came forward to wish him a happy birthday, and he happily handed out red envelopes to them. Shen Rong also received one, but the old man gave her another one.

"It's for the baby in my belly. I don't know if I'll be able to see him born next year."

Mother Lu spat twice: "Uncle, what are you saying? It's auspicious and prosperous. You'll be celebrating your 100th birthday and witnessing your great-grandson's wedding. Don't try to renege on our wedding money."

The crowd echoed this sentiment, surrounding the old man and saying auspicious words.

"What are you afraid of? I was just saying. I've lived to this age and I've long since seen through things. I'm very happy that you've gone to such lengths to celebrate my birthday. You are all so filial."

The old man's son knows his father best. That's just his personality; he's really open-minded and doesn't have any taboos or rules. The only fear is that he might say something that's too frightening.

He smiled and told Shen Rong to quickly put away the red envelope, then said to the old man, "Tianming's wife will accept this year's gift on his behalf, and you can give it to our son personally next year."

He then invited everyone to drink and watch the play, saying, "The wine in the front yard is ready, and the play in the back yard is about to begin. Everyone, please take your seats."

Today, not only members of the Lu family are here, but also other relatives and friends have come to the wedding banquet.

The opera had already started playing, but Lu Xuan didn't want to listen. She was whispering to her girlfriends, mainly showing off the various trinkets her sister-in-law had given her.

Some people touched the bracelet and watch on her wrist, looking somewhat envious.

"This must be very expensive, right?" The little girl touched it again and again with longing.

Lu Xuan had never been short of money, so she really had no concept of money: "I don't know. My sister-in-law said it wasn't expensive. She had several yuan, and she also gave one yuan to my second sister-in-law."

Everyone was envious and wished they had such a generous sister-in-law.

Someone nearby was displeased and snorted, "Sister Xuan, you're from a respectable family, don't be so easily bribed."

Lu Xuan's expression was not good. She liked her sister-in-law and didn't want others to talk about her like that, but this person was her great-aunt, so she couldn't stand up and scold her.

She could only force a straight face and say, "My sister-in-law is from a prominent family, and she has no bad possessions. You, my great-aunt, have seen the world, so naturally we cannot compare to you."

Everyone knows that my great-aunt was a child bride and has never seen anything good.

Although no one dared to laugh at their elders, some couldn't help but lower their heads and shrug their shoulders.

Shen Rong, who was standing nearby, also heard a few words and was deeply moved. She hadn't expected Lu Xuan to defend her like this.

The great-aunt's face was droopy, her lips twitched slightly in anger, and her eyes were sharp as knives as she looked at the little girl in front of her with a malicious smile.

"You shouldn't get too close to your sister-in-law. She's a woman without any virtue and might corrupt you."

Lu Xuan was furious and stood up to retort, "You're talking nonsense. My sister-in-law and brother are doing well. You're just jealous."

The great-aunt's cloudy eyes sized up Lu Xuan, and she felt a sense of satisfaction at seeing Lu Xuan's exasperation.

"You treat a woman who has cheated on you like a treasure. The Lu family is becoming more and more unruly. Xuan'er has also gone astray. Now she always counts on her elders."

She snorted coldly and said fiercely, "I think we should find you a husband tomorrow and let them teach you some manners."

"You..." Lu Xuan's face turned pale with anger, and tears welled up in her eyes. She had never argued with such a shameless and unreasonable elder before, and she was speechless for a moment. However, she was still angry and wanted to hit him, but Shen Rong hugged her back.

"Stay calm, don't let the old master's birthday banquet go badly. I'll talk to her."