Vera's solo time

Meanwhile, back at Tianzhu's residence;

Vera stretched lazily, her body sprawled across the couch in a way that most would consider uncomfortable, but she found it oddly relaxing.

Her feet were hanging off one side of the sofa, her back against the armrest, and her head tilted upside down, her messy hair flowing down to the floor.

The room was softly lit, with the television providing a background soundtrack as a music show played.

However, Vera wasn't really paying attention to it.

Instead, her eyes were fixed on the screen of her tablet, her fingers scrolling lazily through social media and news updates, occasionally stopping to like a post or leave a quick comment.

She'd been like this for a while, lounging around and letting the hours pass without much care. If one should describe it simply, she's bored.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the robotic assistant glided silently into the room.

"Miss Vera, today's lunch menu includes salmon with quinoa salad, miso soup, and a side of grilled seasoned vegetables, as instructed by Master Qin. Would you like to make any changes or additions?"

Vera didn't immediately respond. She lazily propped her head up with her hand and glanced at the assistant.

The question was a routine one. She hears it every time.

And if she makes any changes, the updated list will go to her dad's email, and she will get a call from him, followed by ten minutes of nagging about how healthy food is good for her body, etc.

"No, thanks," Vera said with a dismissive wave. "Cancel lunch today. I'm heading out."

The robotic assistant paused for a moment, processing her response. Its sensor lights flickered briefly as it acknowledged the change. "Understood, Young Miss. Would you require any assistance with your departure or any other arrangements?"

Vera shook her head, her eyes already drifting back to the tablet in her hands. "No, I'm fine. I've got everything I need."

The assistant tilted its head slightly, perhaps a sign of compliance or maybe just an idle movement. "Reminder: Please ensure you carry your watch with you at all times for safety and security, Young Miss."

Vera sighed, her voice a bit more playful now. "I know, I know. I won't forget. Or else, my old man will get crazily worried."

The robotic assistant seemed satisfied with her response, giving a soft nod as it prepared to exit the room. "Very well, Young Miss. Have a pleasant day."

As the assistant glided out of the room, Vera finally allowed herself to relax again, letting out a contented sigh. She hadn't planned to do much today, but she wasn't in the mood to be cooped up in the house either.

Maybe a walk outside for fresh air?

Nope. It's noon out there. Even if this is December, the sun will still be on the top of her head.

"Hmm… Let's become a tourist."

Vera pushed herself up from the couch, stretching out her limbs before grabbing her jacket and slipping on her shoes. She didn't need the robotic assistant's reminders, but she grabbed her watch anyway.

Throwing on a hoodie and slinging a backpack over her shoulder, Vera grabbed her phone and headed downstairs.

Vera stepped out of the cab and into the bustling streets of Hefang.

The district was alive with energy, especially at lunchtime, as tourists and locals alike swarmed the sidewalks. Vera couldn't help but smile as she watched teens from nearby schools gather around, taking in the lively atmosphere.

She wandered the busy streets, her eyes glancing at colorful shop windows showcasing trendy fashion, skincare, and accessories.

But as much as she enjoyed window shopping, she was hungry. So, food first, shopping next.

"Ah, spicy lamb skewers… my favorite." Vera thought, her stomach rumbling a little. With a quick glance, she made her decision and walked up to a stall where the steam from the bubbling sauce indicated its spice levels.

With careful grace, she picked up a piece of lamb, blew gently on the steamy morsel, and took a bite. "Mm~"

The spicy-sweet flavor lit up her senses again, but she remained composed, chewing slowly and elegantly.

Every few bites, she paused to dab her lips with a napkin she had tucked into her sleeve. She ate with a posture of someone raised in refinement.

From a short distance away, a man with a DSLR camera was snapping casual street photos of the street, vendors, signage, food, and shoes hanging from stalls. But as his lens panned toward Vera, he froze. His finger instinctively pressed the shutter. Once. Twice. Then again.

Click. Click. Click.

He brought the camera down, peered at the preview screen, and his brows lifted. The composition, the lighting, her posture, it all looked like something he would see in a high-fashion spread. Natural and Effortless.

He smiled to himself and muttered under his breath, "That's a great shot."

Without wasting another moment, he slung the camera strap around his neck and approached the food stall, careful not to startle her. When he reached within polite speaking distance, he gave a courteous bow.

"Excuse me," he called gently.

Vera turned her head, still chewing. She blinked, slightly surprised.

The man offered a business card with both hands. "I'm sorry to bother you," he began in clear, respectful Mandarin. "I'm a fashion photographer. My name's Song Taehyun. I work with Xcess Agency."

Vera wiped her mouth again with her napkin and accepted the card, her expression cautious but curious.

"I was taking some street shots earlier," he continued, "and… well, I accidentally took a few photos of you. You looked incredibly natural. I know it was without consent, and I truly apologize for that. But I just had to come over and tell you… You have a remarkable presence."

Vera blinked in surprise at the photographer's words of praise. "Me?" she repeated, her voice laced with genuine curiosity.

With a soft chuckle, Taehyun raised his camera again, showing her the photos he had just snapped.

On the screen, Vera saw herself, mid-bite of a sweet and spicy lamb skewer, her posture still elegant and graceful, her expression serene, as if she had turned a food stall moment into a photo shoot. The portrait mode photos looked even more polished.

Despite the simplicity of the scene, the shots were undeniably good.

Vera tilted her head, then nodded slowly, acknowledging the quality of the images. "It looks… good," she admitted, glancing at the screen again. The photos were indeed striking, but she hadn't expected to appear so composed while eating street food.

After a moment of thought, she asked, "Can you send these to me?"

"Of course." Taehyun smiled and quickly transferred the images to her phone via Airdrop. As the files were sent over, he added, "If you're interested in exploring youth modeling, you can contact me at Xcess Agency. Just let me know."

The two teens who had been watching from a nearby corner gasped in surprise.

They had been quietly observing the exchange and were now witnessing something unexpected: an actual talent scout from Xcess Agency.

One of them, a girl, whispered to her friend, "Did you just see that?"

Vera, sensing their excitement, glanced at them and asked. "Is the company… really good?" She didn't know much about modeling agencies, only knew about Entertainment agencies.

The girl nodded enthusiastically, a sparkle of excitement in her eyes. "Yes, it's a very good company. They produced a lot of great artists. Have you heard of Galaxy? They're from Xcess."

Vera's eyes widened. "Galaxy?" she repeated, a sudden flash of recognition lighting her face. She'd heard of Galaxy before, back in St. Petersburg. They were incredibly popular there, with songs that were often on repeat in her playlist.

"Galaxy is from here?" she asked, genuinely surprised.

The girl nodded proudly, confirming her words. "Yes. They're one of the biggest groups under Xcess. You should check them out if you're interested in the Idol industry."

Vera's mind raced for a moment. Galaxy's popularity was huge. The thought that she could somehow be connected to such a group was both exciting and overwhelming.

With the photos now on her phone, Vera turned back to Taehyun. "Thank you," she said with a warm smile. "I'll think about it."

As Vera began to walk away, lost in thought, the photographer turned to leave as well, but just as he stepped onto the pavement, his phone rang. Pulling it from his pocket, he answered with a quiet, "Hello?"

He listened for a moment before responding, "Mm-hmm. No need to try convincing me, Hyung. I agree to shoot with those actresses."

There was a slight pause as the voice on the other end spoke.

"Let's say I'm in a good mood today," Taehyun continued, a smile tugging at his lips as he glanced back at Vera walking off in the distance. "Anyway, reply to Elle Asia, I'll accept the shoot. Have them get back to me with the concept details."

Ending the call, he put his phone back in his pocket and walked away while humming.

Meanwhile, from a distance, on the top of a nearby building, a man in a suit was watching her through binoculars. He had a frown on his face, watching the exchange. "Who is this fellow that approached the young miss? I need to run a background check on him." He looked around, spotting a few CCTVs. He gave a subtle nod to himself. "Okay."