CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: WHAT A HANDSOME COUPLE!

He Chen urgently rode his bike, taking Ye Manman to find a photography studio. This studio’s storefront was small, and business was lackluster, almost deserted.

But there weren’t many photography studios in the town.

And it wasn’t just this place; every studio’s business was bad.

Because most families during this era were ordinary, and there wasn’t extra money to spend on photography. After all, taking a photo would cost most workers more than a month’s salary.

Who has nothing better to do with their money to go get their photo taken?

The owner was sighing while cleaning the cameras and lighting equipment in the store when He Chen strode in with his long legs.

"Boss, can you take wedding photos?"

The owner, a skinny old man with glasses, never expected anyone to come for a photo today, so he was startled when he heard the voice.

When he turned his head and saw them, both were so handsome!

He quickly put down the cloth he was holding and went over to greet them.

"Yes, yes, we can take photos. There’s black and white for 10 yuan per photo and color for 15 yuan each. Do you want black and white or color?"

"That expensive?"

Ye Manman thought a color photo would be only ten yuan or so; she couldn’t help but exclaim.

A single color photo cost most people a month’s salary; no wonder people in this era mostly didn’t take color photos.

Everyone thought that black-and-white photos worked just fine as memories.

However, He Chen didn’t hesitate at all.

"Color photos, please. We want two, one wedding photo of us both, and a solo one of her."

Ye Manman looked up, not very approving.

"Why do you want a solo photo of me? It’s so expensive."

Though He Chen now made nearly two thousand in total, they couldn’t just splurge like that.

Ye Manman, though bold in shopping, considered price and quantity, like controlling her first clothing purchase to within thirty, and He Chen’s suit within fifteen.

If it exceeded that, it wasn’t worth it.

Given how fast times were changing, there was no need to waste money on unnecessary things.

He Chen looked down at her, a little embarrassed.

"I want to keep it in my room..."

"Is that okay?"

He didn’t want to tell her directly, fearing she’d think he was weird for wanting to look at a photo when they spent so much time together.

But he really wanted it.

The wedding photo could stay at home, but he could carry Ye Manman’s solo photo, looking at it whenever he thought of her, feeling more motivated in everything he did.

Perhaps his tone was too pitiful; Ye Manman pursed her lips and agreed.

She felt she hadn’t been good enough to him, hardly paying attention to him, and now they were still sleeping in separate rooms...

It seemed natural for He Chen to have such thoughts.

"Alright, then come this way, comrades. We have a background setup here, just like a photo taken under a peach blossom tree, exactly the same."

The owner was thrilled at landing a big order, showing his enthusiasm.

However, when he led them to the so-called peach blossom tree background, Ye Manman couldn’t hold it in.

She frowned her beautiful brows, her tone filled with uncontrollable disdain.

"Is this the background? Just a board?"

"This can be used countless times, right? If everyone uses this board as the background, wouldn’t the photos be all over the place?"

You couldn’t really blame Ye Manman for being dismissive; after all, the large peach blossom tree photo pasted on a wooden board was ugly and rigid. She had never seen such a simple "background" before.

The owner was a little embarrassed, crossing his hands, slightly hunching his back.

"This... this is just how photos are taken, comrade. Our background board here was bought at a high price, and the effect is particularly realistic."

He attempted to persuade Ye Manman, but she already felt exhausted internally.

Realistic, my foot...

It’s her fault.

She’s not in the modern era now. Where were the amazing photographers in such times? Having a studio open was already a blessing.

She chose to keep quiet.

He Chen didn’t know much about these things either. Noticing Ye Manman seemed unhappy, he prepared to take her to find another studio.

However, Ye Manman knew deep down that no matter how they searched, the result would be the same, and according to the owner, this board might actually be the most "realistic" background.

After all, it was a real peach blossom tree photo pasted on it, right?

At least it wasn’t painted on...

"Never mind, we’ll do it here."

She held He Chen’s hand; after once again opting to adapt to the simplicity of this era, her face no longer showed any disdain.

He Chen repeatedly confirmed that she was truly willing before returning with her to the background board.

The board was large, with a stool in front of it.

He Chen wanted Ye Manman to sit for the photo, but the owner poked his head out.

"Comrade, you’re too tall, even taller than the background board. This stool is for you. You sit, and your wife stands next to you. It’s just the right height; you both look so good, the effect will certainly be great."

Hearing this, He Chen turned to see the board, reportedly the most realistic background, and found he could see the board’s top edge and beyond from his perspective. Reluctantly, he sat down.

Ye Manman didn’t mind standing or sitting, but she didn’t want a stiff photo with one sitting and one standing, having nothing to do with each other, not looking like a wedding photo at all.

So she leaned closer to He Chen and softly said.

"He Chen, rest your head on my shoulder."

He Chen was initially sitting upright, his upper body straight as can be, feeling nervous and excited.

Ye Manman’s soft and gentle voice suddenly appeared by his ear, making him shiver inside. Turning his head, he found they were so close.

Her arm was tightly against his, and he could easily lean his head on her shoulder...

Still hesitant to lean over, Ye Manman suddenly reached out her hand.

Her delicate hand lightly reached for his chin, the soft and smooth touch carrying a faint subtle fragrance unique to Ye Manman, nearly enchanting He Chen’s soul away.

Seeing him unmoved, Ye Manman clicked her tongue, directly using her other hand to press his head over.

He Chen was startled by her actions, almost jumping up, but he held back, carefully resting his head on her slender shoulder.

She was indeed so petite.

Even wearing a slightly padded shoulder suit jacket, her shoulders were so slim. He Chen worried his big head might be too heavy and hurt her.

Then he heard Ye Manman’s voice again.

Her voice was as soft and clear as ever, as if she were pouting, but this time, her voice was closer than ever.

It was like they were whispering sweet nothings with their heads together, intimately close.

"Smile, hear me? Open your mouth and smile happily."

Ye Manman instructed him, concerned he’d feel shy about smiling, so she deliberately tickled his chin.

The tickle made He Chen’s chin itch, his heart itching to no end, finally unable to keep a straight face, opening his mouth with a laugh.

At this moment, Ye Manman instructed again.

"Boss, just like this, take the photo."

After speaking, she also leaned her head, resting it against He Chen’s, revealing a bright and sweet smile.

"Click!"

The moment was frozen in time.

The two were intimately close, heads leaned against one another, Ye Manman’s slender, fair hand cradling He Chen’s chin, a finger slightly raised as if to tickle him again.

Meanwhile, He Chen had replaced his stern expression with an open and cheerful laugh, as if what had just happened was the happiest thing in the world.

After the photo was taken, the owner couldn’t help but exclaim.

"What a handsome couple, truly!"