C21 It Was a Tacit Understanding Between Them

Upon learning that the photographer snapping her photos was a recent up-and-comer with little fame or experience, she arrived with a chip on her shoulder, ready to put the clueless photographer in their place.

Yet, the initial impression was surprisingly decent.

Ye Tian wasn't taken aback. She had Lin Anna's number—arrogant as ever, she wouldn't show fondness even if she didn't despise someone.

The first day's shoot wasn't without its hiccups, but Lin Anna didn't cause any undue trouble. She cooperated when necessary and didn't voice significant complaints about the final shots.

Consequently, Ye Tian found herself gaining notoriety in New World's rumor mill. Unexpectedly, Lin Anna hadn't given her a hard time but had been remarkably accommodating.

In New World, everyone was worldly and wise. Those with a bit more insight into Lin Anna's character had opted for fieldwork, wary of inadvertently becoming her scapegoat.

Hearing the gossip, Ye Tian could only shake her head and chuckle. The model had simply done her job—why was her cooperation and Ye Tian's apparent good fortune so astonishing?

The good fortune lasted only until the third day.

"This photographer won't do. Replace her; I don't like her," Lin Anna declared candidly in Ye Tian's presence.

Linda was visibly distressed. Director Gu had arranged for Ye Tian to do the shoot, and Lin Anna was not someone to provoke lightly.

But when it came down to it, Linda sided with her own boss—after all, Lin Anna wasn't signing her paychecks.

As Linda was about to voice her refusal, Ye Tian interjected, "Anna, may I treat you to a cup of coffee during the break?"

"Hmph," Lin Anna snorted through her nose, neither accepting nor declining, simply turning and heading downstairs.

There was a delightful coffee shop just across from New World, a favorite haunt of Ye Tian's for a leisurely cup.

"Ye Tian? You do have a sweet smile. Is that what he likes about you?"

Ye Tian paused, taken aback. Who was 'he'?

Her mind immediately went to Gu Qinian.

Just how many romantic entanglements had this man left in his wake? And he specifically requested her to photograph Lin Anna—clearly, he was up to no good.

"Lu Jingyue."

'What?'

Ye Tian's brain couldn't quite catch up. Why wasn't it Gu Qinian?

"Lu Jingyue?"

Lin Anna nodded, her eyes betraying her distaste. "I'll compete with you fairly. Of course, I'm also one to mix personal grudges with business."

"Don't worry, there's no chance for me and Lu Jingyue. I'm married."

Now it was Lin Anna's turn to be taken aback. "Married?"

Ye Tian nodded, using Gu Qinian as a shield.

Seeing Lin Anna's continued skepticism, Ye Tian explained, "Besides, Lu Jingyue is my boss. If there were anything between us, do you really think I'd still be an obscure photographer? Let alone taking pictures for you."

With that, Lin Anna was convinced, though her face showed her embarrassment. Then she latched onto a new piece of information, seizing Ye Tian's hand, "You said Lu Jingyue is your boss?"

"You can't tell me you're into him and yet unaware that New World is his enterprise."

Lin Anna shook her head, a smile playing at her lips—she genuinely hadn't known. That was something her agent would handle.

"I overheard in the restroom that you and Lu Jingyue shared a car, and someone saw you dining together—he even wiped your mouth," Lin Anna said, her voice tinged with resentment.

Ye Tian couldn't help but laugh. Sharing a car and dining together were true, but Lu Jingyue wiping her mouth?

Rumors indeed could be frightening. She had learned that much today.

Had she found out any later, would the rumors have escalated to them entering a hotel together?

"Do you realize how damaging rumors can be?"

Lin Anna nodded in agreement. She was well-versed in the ways of the industry, particularly the paparazzi who had painted her as having a terrible temper. So, she embraced the persona the paparazzi created, making it a defining trait of Lin Anna.

With the misunderstanding cleared up, Lin Anna's animosity towards Ye Tian significantly diminished. She had always liked Ye Tian; it was just the sudden rumor of an unclear relationship with Lu Jingyue that had caused the tension.

I first met Lu Jingyue in Paris during a very important show of mine. Unfortunately, someone envious of my success sabotaged my high heels. As a result, I had a mishap on stage and fell. The heels were so high that I couldn't stand up on my own. At my most desperate moment, he came to my rescue, lifting me up and carrying me off the stage.

As Ye Tian listened, she couldn't help but daydream about Lu Jingyue. She recalled how, after breakfast one day, he had thoughtfully stopped at a pharmacy to buy her medicine and had gently reminded her to take it. There was no denying he was a genuinely caring man.

Naturally, Ye Tian wouldn't dream of sharing this experience with Lin Anna.

"After that incident, not only did I avoid any negative consequences, but I actually turned the situation to my advantage. Far from being sidelined by my company, I found myself in the spotlight once more."

"I saw him a few more times at other shows, but never had the opportunity to say hello."

Lin Anna confided in Ye Tian about her acquaintance with Lu Jingyue, expressing regret that he was unaware of her secret admiration for him.

Ye Tian comfortingly placed a coffee beside her, "You've got this. You've already caught his attention; he's seen you again, even if you're not aware of it."

"He's seen me again?" Lin Anna asked, surprised.

"Without his approval, you wouldn't be able to just show up at any magazine shoot, no matter how influential you are," Ye Tian silently scorned Gu Qinian before mentally replacing the decision-maker.

Upon hearing this, Lin Anna smiled, "Thank you, Ye Tian."

When the two returned, the atmosphere was noticeably serene. While they weren't overtly chatty, anyone could see the mood had shifted.

Had Lin Anna undergone a transformation just from a coffee outing?

There was much speculation among the onlookers, but the morning's shoot wrapped up smoothly amidst the murmurs.

What really set tongues wagging was when Lin Anna, at the end of the shoot, unexpectedly invited Ye Tian to dinner.

Ye Tian caught her manager's look of astonishment and responded with a smile and a shake of her head, followed by a discreet "Shh!" gesture. They both understood the unspoken message.

Ye Tian kept the knowledge of Lin Anna's fondness for Lu Jingyue to herself.

Anna Lin discreetly kept the news of Ye Tian's marriage to herself.

Both shared an unspoken understanding.