Weapon seller in the world of magic

After a while, the location shifted to the grand staircase. The concept for this set was ”glamour in motion”, capturing a modern femme fatale.

Hye-rin stepped forward, now dressed in a tailored black Alexander McQueen blazer dress, cinched at the waist. The dress was short yet structured with its sharp lines balanced by the bold statement of her thigh-high leather boots. Tianzhu’s eyes were drawn to her thigh with flawless porcelain skin...

Hye-rin, who was just as looking for Tianzhu too, spotted him staring at her even before the shoot began and once again she smiled to herself, but became rather slightly shy, looking down at her toes...

Right then, Taehyun called out, his voice filled with energy: ”Alright, Miss Lee, come to the position...”

As the second part of the shooting started, Taehyun spoke, ”This is your moment! Think bold. Think unstoppable. You’re walking away from something or someone—but with complete control. Give us that last glance over the shoulder, like you own the world.”

Right at those words, Hye-rin immediately smirked, her expression effortlessly shifting into character. For a moment, there was a glint in her eyes, and a faint hue of pink was seen inside the pupils, but it only stayed for a second.

However, at this, Tianzhu’s facial expression changed. He crossed his arms, standing against the wall, but his attention was placed on the photographer... ”This fellow... he was using the hypnotism on Hyerin. I didn’t notice before. It was subtle, but I guess Hyerin is affected because she is a plainfolk. But what should I do about it? It’s not like he is hurting her... Hmm?” His frown deepened at the thought.

Meanwhile, Hyerin started her descent from the staircase. Taehyun gasped quietly, immediately pressing the shutter.

Click. Click. Click.

From his position by the monitoring screen, Tianzhu once again started paying attention to the beauty, watching the images appear in real time. Each frame was near perfection, but one particular shot stood out—

Hye-rin’s smoky eyes locked directly on the lens with her lips parted slightly as if about to say something, as the lights glistened against her sharp jawline.

Tianzhu blinked. ”That was… something else.” He mumbled involuntarily. Upon realizing, he cleared his throat, looking away. He wasn’t supposed to be this focused on her.

But at the same time, he couldn’t help but remember their first encounter, how dismissive he was, treating her as someone he casually passed in the streets. And now, there was this subtle attraction that made his gaze difficult to pull away from her, even though she wasn’t his type at all. He likes someone who fights like a soldier, not a pretty princess who needs saving.

This subtle attraction caused him trouble, giving him the urge to leave the shoot and return home. However, the shoot still has a segment left. As a result, he was forced to stay behind.

As the next setup was being prepared, the production team moved to the rooftop infinity pool while the sun was slowly descending toward the horizon.

This time, the photoshoot’s concept was ”Serenity and Strength”.

Hye-rin emerged from the dressing area in a sleek Bottega Veneta slip dress with the fabric hugging her frame in all the right places. She was barefoot but each step against the warm tiles exuded a natural grace.

The set design was simple but effective—the infinity pool stretching out behind her with an orange-looking sun in the background, and a crystal glass in her hand, filled with a refreshingly cool, citrus-infused drink.

The photographer, Taehyun, adjusted his camera, looking pleased.

”Alright, Miss Hye-rin, this time, you’re not just looking at the view or came here to rest… You’re a woman at the top of the world, enjoying the moment, owning it. The water, the city, the sky—it’s all yours. Keep a soft but intense gaze.”

Again, as a pink hue of glow appeared in her eyes and disappeared, Hye-rin immediately took her position, leaning against the pool’s edge, one arm resting along the sleek tiles while her other hand lightly cradling the glass. Her fingers traced the condensation on the surface, giving the illusion of someone completely relaxed, yet aware of her own power.

The camera shutter clicked as she looked to the side.

20 minutes later;

As the photoshoot had officially come to an end, the production team immediately crowded around the monitors, reviewing the shots.

Three themes, three completely different moods, but both women had delivered what they were expected to. They were happy, the photographer was also happy, and the staff was also happy that it didn’t take too long. So, yeah, the shoot was considered a success.

When the photographer finally called out, ”That’s a wrap!”, a wave of applause filled the suite.

As the shooting wrapped up, and the bright lights of the set had dimmed, the crew members were scattered around, packing up the last of their equipment. Xueli and Hye-rin, now back in their casual clothes, strolled out of the building with their faces still glowing with the afterglow of the shoot.

Tianzhu was waiting by the exit, leaning against the wall. He held out two iced Americanos in his hands. ”Good job, both of you,” he said, his voice full of approval.

”Thanks,” Xueli replied with a grateful smile, taking her cup. She then nodded at Hye-rin, who also reached out for the other drink.

”Thanks for your hard work too,” Hye-rin said, sipping the coffee.

The sound of car engines echoed from the parking lot, and Yuna brought the vehicle to the entrance for Xueli. However, just as she was about to walk toward the vehicle, Xueli’s eyes wandered briefly to Hye-rin, who exited the hotel alongside her and was seen beside her brother. She hesitated for a moment with her fingers drumming lightly against her cup.

”Xiao Zhu,” she said suddenly, speaking in a formal tone. Maybe it is because Hye-rin was standing around.

He turned toward her, his smile fading into a look of curiosity. ”Yes?”

”I was just thinking,” she continued, glancing at the others briefly. ”Yuna and I are going to Jingmin’s place. He might get intimidated if there are too many people around and you are barely an acquaintance to him, so… we’ll go alone.”

Tianzhu blinked, processing her words for a second. ”The manager? Oh, right, I almost forgot about him.”

”Yeah, we need to go,” she replied with a nod. ”But... I was wondering if Hye-rin could drop you off at the Central Park bus stop on the way. It’s near her place and convenient.”

Both Hye-rin and Tianzhu looked at each other, surprised by the sudden suggestion.

”You want me to drop him there?” Hye-rin asked, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. ”I didn’t expect that. But I’m fine with it. No problem.”

Tianzhu rubbed the back of his neck, a little flustered. ”Thanks, Miss Lee,” he said awkwardly, trying to suppress a smile. ”I guess it’s on the way, right?”

Hye-rin seemed like she was suppressing her smile too, ”Of course. It was.”

Tianzhu nodded again, his cheeks slightly flushed as he looked away. There was an awkward silence between them for a moment before Xueli spoke up again. ”Thanks, Rin Rin. I’ll catch up with you later, then.”

Hye-rin waved her hand dismissively. ”No worries, you go do your thing, Unnie.” She then turned to Tianzhu. ”Alright, let’s go. I’ll drop you off.”

Tianzhu stepped into the passenger seat of her vehicle, buckling his seatbelt as Hye-rin slid into the driver’s side.

The car glided smoothly through the streets of Hangzhou with the golden hues of the late afternoon sun filtering through the windows. For a while, neither of them spoke.

Tianzhu stared out the window, watching the city pass by in a blur of modern glass buildings and tree-lined streets. Meanwhile, Hye-rin’s fingers lightly tapped against the steering wheel in a rhythmic pattern, as if she were lost in thought.

Eventually, he was the one who spoke first, breaking the awkward silence between them. ”So… I heard that your manager’s on maternity leave.”

Hye-rin glanced at him briefly before nodding. ”Yeah.”

He hesitated before asking, ”Then… how come the agency still hadn’t hired a temporary manager for you? You must be busy.”

Hye-rin chuckled softly, her grip on the steering wheel relaxing. ”It’s not like I’m drowning in work right now. Just a few photoshoots, some CFs here and there. Nothing major.”

Tianzhu raised an eyebrow. ”Still, wouldn’t it be easier to have someone handling your schedule?”

She tilted her head slightly, considering his words. ”Maybe. The Agency also offered me one. But I turned it down.”

”Why?”

A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, though it carried a certain nostalgia. ”Because Hyesoo-unnie has been with me for twelve years.”

Tianzhu didn’t say anything, just listening as she continued.

”When my girl group disbanded six and a half years ago, things were rough. Work was scarce, and suddenly, I wasn’t an idol anymore. I don’t know what to do back then. After all, I’m a plainfolk, I didn’t graduate from a great university, and my singing skills are quite mediocre. The only thing I’m confident in is my dancing skills… Our CEO is on the verge of pushing me to serve some VIP clients for investments. It was then…”

She let out a deep breath with her eyes still on the road. ”During that time, Hyesoo-unnie saved me by bringing an investment. To save my career, she contacted her ex-husband and convinced him. But in exchange, her ex offered me a role in the drama, Princess in the Castle.”

”Oh, yeah, I remember that one… My daughter likes it…” Tianzhu nodded in approval.