The gentle light of dawn sprinkled on its intricately cut surface, refracting into a dazzling brilliance.
If anything in the world is perfect, this photo undoubtedly is; it seamlessly integrates Iceland’s ancient, mysterious landscape with the model and diamonds, with the mermaid holding "The Light of Dawn" in its mouth. It’s as if she has taken a bite off the snowy peaks of the glacier, or the floating ice covering the crystal-clear lake—a treasure with memories of dreams.
The staff present were so stunned they couldn’t speak.
Cang Er was the first to snap out of it: "Xingyu, you’re even better than I imagined."
Su Xingyu smiled faintly and asked, "Can we wrap up?"
The surrounding staff were a bit dazed. Wrap up? Is it already done? Lately, every diamond shoot involved a full day of work, and today’s outdoor scene was supposed to be difficult, so they prepared for multiple attempts. But it was a shock that the shoot passed on the first try. Everyone eagerly looked at Cang Er, questioning if it was true.
Cang Er smiled again, decisively clapped her hands: "Wrap up."
Only then did the staff cheer, busying orderly with carrying makeup boxes and dismantling tripods. Cang Er asked her assistant to make a cup of tea for Su Xingyu: "You’ve worked hard. If you’d come earlier, I wouldn’t have had to fuss in this icy, snowy place for over a month, delaying so many tasks."
She is the global editor-in-chief of "Cloud," busy every day, so overseeing progress personally was overkill. But it had to be done, as D.B is a major client, and the autumn-winter fashion week’s magazine issue is crucial each year, leaving no room for error. These past days, she flew back and forth to Iceland, mentally and physically exhausted. Read complete version only at novęlfire.net
Su Xingyu took a sip of tea, bitterly smiling: "I told you I can’t be credited for photos, luckily we’re abroad where the staff don’t know me. Remember to keep this secret, use Ling Weilong’s name instead."
Cang Er chuckled: "Ling Weilong? Who’d believe he could shoot such photos."
Su Xingyu seemed anxious: "Cang Er, don’t joke with me, this is very important to me."
Seeing her seriousness, Cang Er composed herself: "Alright, since I already promised no credit, I will keep my word. Rest assured, I’ll issue a confidentiality order to the whole project team; once out of here, no one will know you took the photos. It just benefits Ling Weilong—once these photos are out, his fame will soar."
As they chatted, the supermodel Shekewina had already changed her clothes and approached.
She flashed a friendly smile at Su Xingyu, speaking in English: "Hello, Miss Su, your photography skills are amazing. I’ve worked with many photographers and rarely seen one as outstanding as you." It was a heartfelt comment. Initially, she had refused "Cloud’s" request to pose as a mermaid rising from the water; everyone knew how icy the lake water was, and shooting in such harsh conditions, regardless of the warmth measures, posed a significant challenge.
Her biggest fear was encountering a slow-paced photographer; repeating the shoot could end in sickness.
Unbelievably, this slender girl from the East finished in one shot, the whole process under five minutes—barely viewing before clicking the shutter, greatly reducing the time spent in the water.
Curious, she looked at Su Xingyu: "May I ask why you shot so quickly? Most photographers I’ve seen spend ages on lighting and angles; it’s normal for such big scenes to take hours."
Su Xingyu looked at her: "The weather is cold, I was afraid you’d freeze."
She’s a photographer indeed and led this shoot, but that doesn’t make her tyrannical. The on-site staff—especially the models working at frostbite risk—are her focus. She cares about their working condition, always aiming to capture the best state, meaning speed is crucial without dragging into fatigue.
The word "quick" seems simple but is hard to achieve.
She practiced for years, street shoot after street shoot, honing her outdoor photography skills. This precision in capturing the most moving moments has become instinct, distinct from those slow-paced studio masters.
Shekewina expressed her gratitude: "You’re a kind photographer, Miss Su. I hope we can work together again someday."
Su Xingyu bitterly smiled, grateful enough to have the chance to handle a camera in Iceland this time. Who knows when she’ll sneak a shoot away from Lu Shifeng next.
With the diamond shoot done, Su Xingyu returned to the hotel to rest.
Cang Er asked her: "What’s your plan next?"
Su Xingyu, weary, replied: "I need to stay a few more days to coordinate with Ling Weilong for Huadie Clothing’s ad shoot. I came under Huadie’s name for business, so I must at least fool my household."
Cang Er, exasperated, commented: "In today’s world, how can you fear your husband? Xingyu, I’m telling you, women should strive in their careers so they can kick men who dare dictate them far away."
Su Xingyu wanted to cry: "I do want to kick him away."
But Mr. Lu is the one truly powerful and wealthy! Not just her—no matter if she reaches Cang Er’s level, becoming the editor-in-chief of the world’s top fashion magazine, she wouldn’t dare challenge Lu Shifeng.
Cang Er couldn’t comprehend her troubles: "Unexpected that someone with such innovative ideas and trend-leading photography has such a rigid personal life, seeing her husband as a god? Don’t say you know me."
"Yes, yes, yes, Sister Cang Er." Su Xingyu, overwhelmed, saw her off as if dealing with VIP guests.
Headed to the hotel’s buffet for dinner.
It’s an elegantly themed revolving restaurant, with serene air, soft piano music, and a panoramic city view through the 360-degree floor-to-ceiling windows. Of course, the meal price wasn’t cheap; if "Cloud" hadn’t prepaid generously, she couldn’t afford it herself.
Su Xingyu picking food from the food rack.
She reached for a plate of baked cod but couldn’t grasp it as the rack was too high.
A hand reached over her shoulder effortlessly, taking away the plate.
Su Xingyu turned to see a very tall man standing beside her, with striking features and traces of mixed heritage, and his pair of alluring eyes glimmered with humor as he looked at her.