Shadow and Light: The Bride Who Clicks Her Way to Love-Chapter 391 - 404: You’re the Big Sister, She’s the Aunt

After a few words, the children hadn’t had time to react, but the surrounding adults were already shocked.

Indeed, they all thought Zhuang Heng treated the children well before, always encouraging them to photograph well. But now, as Su Xingyu narrated, they discovered Zhuang Heng was just making things difficult. Was it really okay to use the standards of professional models who have practiced for years or even decades, to demand from children taking their first shoot?

For a moment, many people’s gazes towards Zhuang Heng were somewhat unusual.

Zhuang Heng felt uneasy being looked at, wanting to say something, but completely at a loss as to how to defend herself.

In fact, from the start, her intent in finding these left-behind children was more for show than genuine sincerity. These children were just tools for her to seek fame and profit. How could she seriously consider their feelings? When she was around Lu Shifeng in the past, she never really cared about Jue’s education, so even though she was already a mother of a three-year-old child, she was clueless when it came to parenting.

Unlike Su Xingyu, who spent a lot of effort on Han’s education, and could instantly see there were major issues with Zhuang Heng’s approach.

"Ha, Mrs. Lu is truly remarkable, no wonder Mr. Lu entrusted your young master to Miss Axing. Miss Axing’s parenting insights surpass yours by countless streets, Miss Zhuang." It was a sarcastic voice from Cloud’s staff. They had been holding a grudge against Zhuang Heng for occupying territory, and now seeing an opportunity to slap Zhuang Heng in the face, they surely wouldn’t miss it.

"What do you know?" Zhuang Heng, embarrassed and angry, had to refute at this point, "Su Xingyu, don’t mislead the children! You’ll only make them slack off like this!"

"Whether the children slack off is not your decision," Su Xingyu did not budge, but only retorted Zhuang Heng once without continuing, instead gently reassuring the children, "I was watching while you posed, and you all did very well, quite impressive."

"Really?" Zhuzhu and the others asked cautiously, their originally gloomy faces slowly lighting up.

They had spent all morning here but couldn’t satisfy Zhuang Heng despite their efforts, and the sense of defeat nearly shattered their confidence.

But now, being praised by Su Xingyu was like a despairing traveler in the desert seeing hope, and suddenly they had hope.

"Really," Su Xingyu smiled.

"Then can we... can we continue shooting?" A boy named Shitou spoke up, looking at Su Xingyu then nervously at Zhuang Heng, "Could we continue shooting?"

Zhuang Heng was resentful that they didn’t listen to her and were easily won over by Su Xingyu, she slightly darkened her face to appear selflessly fair, saying, "No, you haven’t met the requirements, you haven’t met the requirements. Society isn’t a place where you can achieve the best just by working hard, you’re all left-behind children, coming from impoverished households, you must understand this truth earlier, to stand firm in society, understand?!"

She was extremely stern by the end.

The Cloud staff, the facility team, and some from Fengren all looked at Zhuang Heng with disdain, many of them pitied these children. If it weren’t for Su Xingyu’s previous remarks, they might have agreed with Zhuang Heng, but Su Xingyu made them realize Zhuang Heng was imposing unattainable goals on these unprepared children, hence they couldn’t respect Zhuang Heng anymore.

Someone who talks better than they perform, an uninformed person might genuinely think she is a strict teacher.

Unfortunately, strictness may be true, but she may not be a teacher; her behavior now was more like nitpicking those children.

Eventually, even the person in charge from Fengren urged her, "Miss Zhuang, these children are tired today, why don’t we reschedule?" Unlike Cloud’s situation, this shoot was for a public service ad, and the models were left-behind children spending little in a day. Even with repeated reshoots, the wasted venue fees and labor costs were limited. Moreover, they indeed took up too much of others’ space.

Zhuang Heng, seeing even her own people backing Su Xingyu, was furious, and didn’t want to lose face here.

If she were to clash with Su Xingyu and Su Xingyu won, how would she face the media and public afterward?

Whatever happens, retreat wasn’t an option!

Thinking this way, Zhuang Heng was even more resolute: "Whatever happens, we must finish this advertisement today! Miss Axing," she turned to Su Xingyu, "You care about the model’s appearance fees, right? I’ll pay for it! What’s this money for the sake of art, for an excellent work? You’re stingy with this money, but I’m not."

It sounded as if Su Xingyu was very petty.

Su Xingyu was infuriated enough to laugh: "This isn’t about money."

"Don’t pretend, you’re just after the money, aren’t you?" Zhuang Heng scorned, "Otherwise why would you take on so many commercial ads? If you’re really not in it for the money, you should take on public service ads like I do!"

It was getting more and more absurd.

Su Xingyu didn’t want to follow her rhythm and engage in nonsense. She was here to work today, not to cause trouble, so she continued addressing the children: "Auntie recommends you don’t shoot today."

"Sister." One child said.

"What?" Su Xingyu was taken aback.

"Sister." Another child said, looking at her with a sweet smile, "Sister’s eyes are so beautiful, not auntie. She——" pointing at Zhuang Heng, "She’s the auntie."

Su Xingyu paused again, unconsciously smiling.

Even those around couldn’t help but smile, children do speak without constraints. To be honest, even with a mask on, Su Xingyu looked very young, slender figure, clear eyes, soft voice. In contrast, Zhuang Heng, perhaps due to years immersed in the workplace, or accustomed to wearing suits and curling her hair, looked mature.

Zhuang Heng beside was simply furious, these little brats, weren’t they blatantly saying she was older than Su Xingyu!

Yet, despite the anger, she had to maintain an indifferent look, stubbornly keeping up her elegance, repeatedly reminding herself not to argue with the children, not to argue with the children...

Once not in front of this many people, she would certainly teach those children a lesson!

Zhuang Heng secretly vowed to herself.

Su Xingyu smiled and said to the children, "Then, Sister suggests you don’t shoot today. Let’s reschedule, okay?"

"Why," Dou asked puzzledly, "Sister, today if we try harder, even if we can’t reach the TV’s pretty sisters, we can still be our best."