C45 Compensation

Ye Tian was taken aback by Kawase Yuki's actions, while Ren Chuchu and Ye Ziyan were seething with anger. They had never imagined that Ye Tian would have a guardian angel. And to top it off, this guardian angel was not only handsome but also incredibly generous! Despite his casual attire, it was clear to any discerning eye that his clothes were costly. The camera he presented to her was the limited edition model she had long coveted but never managed to purchase. This only indicated that this man was someone of extraordinary status!

Jealousy raged within her, and with gritted teeth, she approached him, mustering what she believed to be an irresistible smile. "Hello, sir. Are you a friend of Ye Tian's too? What a coincidence, I'm Ren Chuchu." She reached out her hand as she introduced herself.

Ye Tian turned to look at her, her mouth stretched so wide it nearly reached her ears, and couldn't help but smirk. "Coincidence? You're not my friend. Could you please not strut around like a peacock in heat? You're practically drooling."

Ren Chuchu's face stiffened at the blunt mockery, caught between wanting to smile and not, her complexion turning a mix of red and white with mortification. Kawase Yuki's response only added to her embarrassment; he didn't even glance her way but gently prompted Ye Tian instead. "Please take it. Check if it suits your needs. The competition is about to start, and you need to give it your all."

Ye Tian turned back to face the lavish gift, feeling somewhat sheepish. However, she quickly reasoned that she shouldn't back out of the competition, considering the effort she had put into it. She couldn't give Ren Chuchu and Ziyan the satisfaction of seeing her falter. With resolve, she accepted the gift and thanked him with a radiant smile, "In that case, I gratefully accept. Rest assured, I'll strive to make it to the finals!"

Her words were confident, but inwardly, she was in turmoil. She had accepted the gift reluctantly and planned to investigate its cost later, intent on repaying him. After all, she didn't believe in accepting rewards without merit, and she wasn't well-acquainted with him to accept such an expensive gift. Just then, the hall echoed with the announcement that the competition was about to commence.

Ye Tian flashed a smile at Yuki Kawase and cheerfully said, "I'm heading off first. After it's all over, dinner's on me!"

With those words, she spun on her heel and made her way toward the competition stage.

Yuki Kawase returned the smile, watching her figure fade into the distance before he nonchalantly strolled off.

Throughout the entire time, he hadn't spared a single glance at Ren Chuchu and Ye Ziyan.

The two women, utterly ignored, wore expressions of extreme displeasure.

Ren Chuchu, failing to make a connection with Ye Tian, directed all her frustration at her, her face flushing between shades of anger and envy.

Ye Ziyan's gaze was filled with malice. She couldn't stand seeing anyone be kind to Ye Tian, nor could she tolerate Ye Tian's consistent good fortune!

The thought of Ye Tian faring well filled her with teeth-grinding envy!

...

Unaffected by their animosity, Ye Tian paid no mind to their sentiments.

When her turn came to enter the small photo studio, she surveyed the models inside and already had a concept in mind.

The semi-final's theme, 'Emotions,' required the models to express themselves through body language and facial expressions, while the photographers needed to capture their own inner feelings. Other photography skills were equally crucial.

Having pondered the theme beforehand, Ye Tian now circled the studio, pinpointing her preferred angle and lighting. She then began to communicate with the models.

In short order, she captured a piece she was pleased with.

After expressing her gratitude to the models, she reviewed the photos on her camera, murmuring to herself.

The images produced by this camera were leagues beyond her own—a true testament to the adage, "you get what you pay for."

If she managed to advance to the finals, it seemed Yuki Kawase had indeed given her a significant leg up.

With this in mind, she resolved to treat Yuki Kawase to a fine dinner that evening, despite the pinch to her wallet.

Once her entry was submitted, a lengthy wait ensued. Yet, Ye Tian sat among the contestants, utterly composed.

At last, the semi-final results were announced, and she had made it to the finals in third place!

"Yes!"

A small surge of excitement washed over her. As people began to trickle out, Ye Tian scanned the crowd.

Spotting the person she was looking for, she quickened her pace, a sly smile playing on her lips as she approached.

"Ren Chuchu, right?"

At that moment, Ren Chuchu was conversing with Ye Ziyan as they walked. When Ye Ziyan suddenly ran up to her, Ren Chuchu's brow furrowed in irritation.

Despite advancing to the finals, she had placed below Ye Tian, which was a source of frustration for her. She fixed Ye Tian with a frosty glare and snapped, "A good dog doesn't stand in the way. Move!"

Ye Tian couldn't help but chuckle. "Oh? Weren't you all smiles trying to cozy up to me earlier? Why the sour face now? Someone might think you got eliminated."

"It's just third place! What's there to be so smug about?" Ren Chuchu was incensed.

Ye Tian, not interested in further conversation, opened her hand in front of Ren Chuchu and cut to the chase, "Whether I'm proud or not is none of your business. Just give me the money, and I'll be on my way."

Ren Chuchu's frown deepened, her expression one of bewilderment, "What money? Have you lost your mind?"

From the sidelines, Ye Ziyan couldn't resist taunting, "Ye Tian, have you gone mad over money? Asking someone you barely know for cash? Why don't you just beg on the streets?"

At those words, Ye Tian's gaze turned piercingly sharp. "Even if I were a beggar, I'd still be a lawful citizen with rights. Whether your friend here can say the same, well, that's debatable."

Ren Chuchu was taken aback, "What are you implying?"

"My point is straightforward." Ye Tian turned back to her, presenting the damaged camera. "We both know what happened to this camera. If you're sensible, you'll pay up. If not, I won't hesitate to involve the police."

This revelation left Ye Ziyan and Ren Chuchu visibly startled.

"You! That's absurd! You broke the camera yourself; it has nothing to do with me!"

Ye Ziyan, backing her up with a steely tone, added, "Ye Tian, you'd stoop so low for money! Your baseless accusations could get you sued for defamation by Chuchu!"

"Defamation?" Ye Tian let out a derisive snort, then, in full view of both of them, she removed the memory card from the camera.

Ren Chuchu, what a stroke of luck. I've captured a photo of you dealing with the man who bumped into me in that corner. Although the photo doesn't reveal what you handed him, I'm confident the police will be able to tell once they zoom in. Was it a card or cash? And that man, I'm sure the police will track him down in no time."

After her declaration, she gestured toward a distant camera, as if to reinforce her point.

"See, if necessary, they can always check the surveillance footage. There's bound to be a trail. Ren Chuchu, surely you don't want to get hauled off to the station over a petty sum of money, or for a charge related to damaging someone's property?"

She then turned her gaze to Ye Ziyan, her smile brimming with implication.

"Ye Ziyan, with your popularity plummeting, do you really want the paparazzi camping out at the police station's doorstep waiting for you?"

Caught off guard by the turn of events, Ren Chuchu and Ye Ziyan's complexions went pale.