Financial Independence through Cracked Apps-Chapter 50: Senior Jiang Wan, an Adept Teaser

Chapter 50: Chapter 50: Senior Jiang Wan, an Adept Teaser

Lin Shen tsked. ’It feels like I wrote my startup proposal for nothing.’

’Still, it’s not a total waste. Once the market gets bigger, I’ll definitely need it for overall planning.’

Just as Lin Shen was pondering the uses of his [Industry Analysis] feature, Sun Wenhao and Jiang Wan were wrapping up their photoshoot.

"Alright, Yan Wei."

Sun Wenhao thoughtfully handed Jiang Wan a tissue to wipe the sweat from her forehead and face.

"What do you think of these shots?"

"They’re great. Thanks for all the hard work, Hao."

Jiang Wan was very satisfied with the photos Sun Wenhao had taken. After all, the two of them had been collaborating for a long time.

But...

"Still, I think the one Lin Shen took has more feeling."

Jiang Wan looked over at Lin Shen, who was lying on the lawn nearby.

"Lin Shen, can you send me that photo later? I’ll ask the client, and if it’s usable, I’ll give you a cut of the ad fee."

"Don’t worry about it."

Lin Shen stood up, patting the dirt from his pants with a light chuckle.

"Your beauty was payment enough."

"Pfft—!"

Jiang Wan couldn’t help but burst out laughing, a teasing smile playing on her lips.

"My, my, Lin Shen. Where did you learn lines like that? I don’t remember you having this side to you in college. Have you been using these sweet nothings to fool a lot of younger girls?"

"If I’d been fooling anyone, I probably wouldn’t have gone through a breakup."

"Oh, I’m sorry."

Jiang Wan hadn’t meant to touch a raw nerve. Her expression turned apologetic, then she rubbed her stomach and smiled gently.

"You both went through a lot of trouble to come take photos with me. Let me treat you to lunch. I hear the local farmhouse restaurants around here are quite good."

"My treat," Lin Shen offered.

"Brother Sun taught me a lot about photography, and I’d like to thank him."

"I didn’t really teach him much,"

Sun Wenhao said, feeling a little sheepish.

After all, he’d only recommended a few cameras. Lin Shen had figured out all the actual photography techniques on his own.

’That kind of talent... it would make most people feel inadequate.’

’If he got his hands on a decent camera, couldn’t he just go pro right then and there?’

’Am I going to be out of a job?’

Sun Wenhao started to panic, getting the distinct feeling that sooner or later, Lin Shen would take his place.

Losing Jiang Wan—the biggest driver of his follower growth—would be one thing. After all, photographers are never short on beautiful models.

But what truly stung Sun Wenhao was the thought that after spending the better part of a year with Jiang Wan and getting nowhere, Lin Shen had just suddenly appeared and swooped in.

SIGH—!

Sun Wenhao fell into a long silence on their way out of the country park.

Lin Shen and Jiang Wan, however, were chatting away happily.

Since visitors to Changxing Island generally arrived by car or tour bus, bicycles had become the most popular form of public transportation on the island.

Lin Shen rented three bicycles and, using his phone’s navigation, led Jiang Wan and Sun Wenhao to a restaurant specializing in local island cuisine.

Tian’s Kitchen.

The restaurant’s simple decor was mixed with modern touches, but every detail was suffused with the unique, homey atmosphere of a farmhouse kitchen.

As if remembering something, Lin Shen walked to the front of the restaurant and casually snapped a picture.

Unfortunately, when he opened the GoGo Maps app, the task hadn’t been completed.

’Does this not count as the scene with the most "homey atmosphere"?’

Lin Shen was a little disappointed.

"Hello, sir. How many?"

"Three. I have a reservation."

Lin Shen led the way as the trio entered a private room, sat down, and began to order.

Braised longsnout catfish, white-cut chicken, wine-scented clover, soy-braised pork bones... These were some of Tian’s Kitchen’s most popular dishes.

Just as Lin Shen was about to order a fifth dish, Jiang Wan discreetly tugged on the hem of his shirt, leaned closer, and whispered, covering her mouth with her hand.

"You don’t need to order so much. I have a small appetite; four dishes will be plenty."

"Then I’ll just add a soup," Lin Shen said with a smile. He closed the menu and handed it to the server. His calm, confident air made Jiang Wan sneak another look at him before she asked curiously,

"Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"I remember you quit your job, right? Did you find something that pays better?"

"Something like that."

Lin Shen knew this would come up. With his new "hacked" app, the source of his money was bound to raise questions.

After all, he wasn’t working and his family was solidly middle-class. It was only natural for his casual spending to arouse suspicion.

That’s why Lin Shen had already prepared a story.

"I’ve made a bit of money on some recent investments."

"Oh, really?"

Jiang Wan believed him without a second thought, praising him with a radiant smile.

"Even back in college, I knew you were smart and destined for great things. It seems my judgment wasn’t wrong."

"You’re pretty amazing yourself," Lin Shen said modestly.

"You’ve always been a role model for me, Jiang Wan."

"Oh, you’re laying it on a little thick."

Jiang Wan shot Lin Shen a look, her alluring gaze tinged with a hint of playful pouting that was exceptionally captivating.

"If that’s the case, I don’t recall you contacting me after graduation."

"I was in a relationship back then. It wouldn’t have been right to be chatting with other girls."

"And now?"

Jiang Wan’s beautiful eyes narrowed with playful interest. She propped her chin on her hand, a sly smile on her face.

"So why, then, are you contacting me right after your breakup?"

"Well..."

Lin Shen was momentarily at a loss for words.

He’d resolved to become a player, yet here he was, being completely flustered by an older woman.

’She’s in a different league.’

Fortunately, the server chose that exact moment to bring their food to the table.

"You must be starving after a long morning. Let’s eat while it’s hot."

Lin Shen decisively changed the subject. He picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks and popped it into his mouth, the savory flavor instantly blooming on his tongue.

"Delicious," Lin Shen said in praise. Jiang Wan tried a bite and nodded in agreement.

"It really is delicious. Hao, stop fiddling with your camera and eat."

"Okay."

While Lin Shen and Jiang Wan had been talking, Sun Wenhao had been pretending to be busy fiddling with his camera.

In reality, he was bored stiff but didn’t want to interrupt the flirtatious atmosphere between the other two.

At that moment, Sun Wenhao completely extinguished the last flicker of hope he had for Jiang Wan.

’It’s obvious she’s into Lin Shen. Why am I even trying?’

’The sooner I give up, the sooner I’ll be free.’

Having come to this realization, Sun Wenhao began to wolf down his food, as if trying to vent all his frustrations on the meal.

"This is great! Thanks for treating, Lin!"

"Don’t mention it."

The trio chatted happily through lunch. Afterward, they decided to find a coffee shop to relax for a bit and plan their afternoon.

The summer sun was brutal, after all, and even on an island near the coast, the heat was still oppressive.

*

「Six p.m., as evening approached.」

The three of them arrived at the embankment of the Yangtze River.

This was a famous filming location from the movie *Sadness Flows Back into the River*, so it had attracted a crowd of tourists.

Dressed in Hanfu, Jiang Wan stood out from the crowd, drawing a great deal of attention.

After all, Sun Wenhao, camera in hand, looked very professional.

"Yan Wei, how about you do a little dance? I’ll film one of those short videos that are so popular on TikTok right now."

"Okay."

’Jiang Wan can dance, too?’

Lin Shen found himself staring, momentarily lost in a daze.

Twilight crept across the sky. In the distance, the slowly turning blades of a wind turbine sliced the sunset into shimmering, golden fragments.

At the end of the flat, paved road, Jiang Wan danced. Her sleeves billowed gracefully, her figure was exquisite, and her face was breathtakingly beautiful. She was like a living work of art.