How many steps does it take to become a good photographer?

Step one: get a camera. Step two: learn photography. Step three: press the shutter.

Truth was, most things in this world weren’t complicated when boiled down. Just a few clear steps. Beyond specialized professions that might demand innate talent, many skills could be mastered through sheer effort.

What even was talent? Half of it came from childhood environments shaping you later. The other half? That truly mysterious genetic lottery.

Lin Ran had dabbled in photography once. But hating socializing, he’d just learned post-editing instead. He could even do makeup—all hobbies picked up during high school downtime. Back then, he’d needed cash and wanted to satisfy Su Nisheng’s craving for boudoir photoshoots.

Su Nisheng had been right about one thing: *You… holed up in this tiny rental, eating, sleeping, and punching bags all day? That’s unnatural.* She’d tried teaching him countless skills before. Maybe real talent existed—Lin Ran learned absurdly fast. A brain constantly trained stayed sharp. Let it rot with laziness, and dullness was inevitable.

Since he didn’t need to go out tonight, perfect. Lin Ran booted up his computer and searched for major upcoming anime cons. Sadly… none.

*How could there be none? Why no anime cons?*

*Maybe one’ll pop up soon,* he thought, scrolling to find cosplay roles for Xu Zhi. First impressions mattered. With every industry drowning in softcore pandering—everyone competing over skin exposure, relying on heavy Photoshop—Xu Zhi’s beauty alone wouldn’t stand out.

They needed to escape that sleaze trap. Something fresh. Eye-catching.

Lin Ran settled on a legendary character: Princess Hailin, the Ice Sovereign. Truly pure yet alluring. A tough role. It demanded a slender, statuesque figure—luckily Xu Zhi fit perfectly, with porcelain skin. The aura? That could be cultivated. The photos wouldn’t need perfection anyway.

The real headache was the costume. Complex designs like this were rare. Fortunately, Lin Ran knew a brilliant seamstress.

Next: rent a studio for the first shoot. Then hit a con for candid shots with famous photographers. After that? Promotion. That part didn’t worry him.

Everything was set. He just needed Xu Zhi’s measurements. He messaged her the character reference.

*“You really think… I can pull this off?”*

*“If I say you can, you can.”*

*“But… it’s really hard to do well.”*

*“Trust my photography and editing skills.”*

*“I do.”* Xu Zhi typed the words slowly, glancing at the bright sunlight outside. A faint daze washed over her.

Lin Ran always felt strangely distant. No matter how close they physically were, an invisible gap lingered.

She measured her bust-waist-hips and sent the numbers. Lin Ran told her to stay home and wait. She agreed, adding that her mom would be discharged tomorrow.

*“I’ll drive to pick her up,”* he replied.

………………………………

“Hey, Nisheng-jie? Got a low-key car you can lend me?”

“What for?”

“Remember when I pretended to be Xu Zhi’s boyfriend to reassure her mom? She’s getting out tomorrow. Gotta play the part.”

“Aren’t you turning twenty soon? Pick one as a birthday gift,” Su Nisheng suggested lightly.

“No, no—I just need it for a day.” Lin Ran refused. Su Nisheng paused. “I’ll have someone deliver an M3 this afternoon. I’m swamped.”

“Swamped with what?”

“That prisoner I caught personally? The Masquerade organization ambushed the transport. I… shouldn’t go out much lately. Don’t forget you owe me dinner. I’ll collect when this blows over.”

“Stay safe,” Lin Ran said after a beat, hanging up.

That afternoon, a driver dropped off a gleaming new M3. Lin Ran pocketed the keys without a second thought. Drive around for fun? Joke’s on them—6 PM traffic meant his bike would outpace any car.

……………………………………

Su Nisheng stood in Xu Weiyu’s room, watching her cup a cockroach in her palms. Nausea prickled her throat.

“What madness is this?” Su Nisheng frowned at Xu Weiyu’s unnerving focus.

“Secret!” Xu Weiyu whispered conspiratorially. “I’m researching something huge! Only telling you ’cause we’re besties. I’ll spill when it’s ready.”

“And… *this* is your progress?” Su Nisheng stared in horror at the glass cabinet behind her. A ten-legged frog. A snake split into two tails. A rat-sized fly. A dragonfly with six wings. *Genetic mutations?* But Xu Weiyu’s ability was healing.

“Yep! Found a new research path. Being *just* a healer is so boring, haha!”

“Who taught you this?”

“Raven.”

“*Raven?!*” Su Nisheng froze.

“Yeah. He snuck over last night. Taught me this stuff… in exchange for a tiny favor three months from now.” Xu Weiyu’s voice turned sheepish. “Oops. Forgot to mention it earlier.”

“How are you involved with that monster? Do you even know how dangerous he is?!” Genuine fear sharpened Su Nisheng’s voice.

“He’s actually nice! I asked him to take out my trash, and he did.”

“But you called him a creep last week!”

“Well, he *is* a creep. Doesn’t mean he can’t be polite. Still hate him though,” Xu Weiyu mumbled.

“Why didn’t you report him to The Alliance?”

“And say what? ‘He taught me mutant bugs’? They’d lock *me* up!”

“The Alliance wouldn’t—”

“I’m not brainwashed! I’m researching this to help *you*.”

“Help how?”

“Wanna bump up a cup size?” Xu Weiyu grinned excitedly.

“You’ve lost your mind.” Su Nisheng rolled her eyes as Xu Weiyu, gloved hands glowing with energy, dissected a flea’s anatomy. *How is making cockroaches jump cool?!*

“You haven’t eaten in sixteen hours,” Su Nisheng sighed.

“I’m not hungry. These guys kill my appetite. Order takeout if you’re starving… Hey, this is perfect! Hide here while The Alliance hunts The Masquerade. Once I finish my research, we’ll go shopping again!”

Su Nisheng groaned. *Appetite? With those things staring at me?*

She was hiding because “Red Mask”—a criminal she’d captured—had been rescued by The Masquerade’s other three members during transport. They’d left a threat: *We’ll take your life.* Worse, one of them had recently broken through to S Rank. Beyond her paygrade now. Stuck here with Xu Weiyu for who-knew-how-long.

“*YES!*” Xu Weiyu tossed the cockroach into the cabinet and slapped the glass. The insect shot straight to the top. Su Nisheng’s eyes widened at the altered creature and Xu Weiyu’s triumphant grin.

“What’s the *point* of this?” Su Nisheng pressed.

Xu Weiyu winked. “Haven’t you guessed?”

“What?”

“If… I could give *people* these traits? A cat’s speed. A flea’s jump. An ant’s strength. Even eagle wings! Imagine how *cool* that’d be!”

Su Nisheng considered it silently. “It *would* be cool. But… you’ve killed dozens of test subjects. Will you try this on humans next?”

“…Oh.” Xu Weiyu’s shoulders slumped.

After a pause, she muttered, “I think Raven has ideas.”

“You’re *insane*! We don’t even know his allegiance!”

“He only kills bad people! I checked his file with my clearance.” Xu Weiyu shrank under Su Nisheng’s glare.

“You can’t judge a book by its cover!” Su Nisheng flicked her forehead. Xu Weiyu yelped, covering her head.

*Raven does that too,* she thought absently.