Chapter 53: Practice More

Zhou Bella usually came across as bold, cheerful, and outgoing, much like a pure and carefree optimist.

However, her actual personality was quite complex.

Otherwise, how could Nono's actions have triggered her other hidden traits?

Now that Lu Yao was asking her to demonstrate in front of so many people, especially those slick and polished internet influencers... wasn't this a bit inappropriate?

Seeing her hesitation, Lu Yao slapped his forehead and said, "My bad!"

He then turned to Zhu Junyan and the others, clearing the room. "You guys step outside for a moment."

Zhu Junyan: "..."

Originally, he had been quite looking forward to Zhou Bella's performance.

Although he had seen Zhou Bella perform on stage at NFA before, this was completely different!

A man has two major hobbies: persuading women of the demimonde to return to a virtuous life, and dragging virtuous women down into the deep end.

Zhu Junyan was guilty of both.

Still, at Lu Yao's word, he obediently chased everyone out of the suite.

Once the room was empty, Zhou Bella instantly relaxed.

She looked at Lu Yao with misty eyes, thinking: For my sake, Brother Lu actually chased even Zhu Junyan away!

He is so doting!

Zhou Bella began to rationalize and convince herself in her mind.

Meanwhile, Lu Yao turned around, took a belt out of the bag he had brought, and folded it in half in his hand.

Then, with a sharp snap—

"Smack!"

Zhou Bella gave a sudden start, then looked at Lu Yao with a mixture of surprise and mild panic.

She realized that Lu Yao's usually handsome and refined face had somehow turned stern. His slightly upturned chin and his gaze—which looked at her as if she were mere trash—made her heartstrings vibrate violently.

That expression...

That look...

It was lethal!

It made Zhou Bella's knees go weak, rendering her barely able to control her own body.

It must hurt a lot to be whipped with a belt, right?

Yet, for some reason, she was almost exploding with anticipation right now.

Zhou Bella, you really are getting bad, she thought to herself.

Facing Lu Yao as he stepped closer, Zhou Bella took a trembling, deep breath and closed her eyes.

"I can endure an even fiercer storm!"

Lu Yao looked at the closed-eyed Zhou Bella and asked in bewilderment, "Why did you close your eyes?"

Zhou Bella averted her face and whispered, "I... I'm a little scared."

Lu Yao chuckled. "I'm not going to whip you."

Zhou Bella: "Huh?"

She opened her eyes, her tone carrying a trace of thinly veiled disappointment.

Lu Yao smiled and explained, "I was just demonstrating for you. In a moment, you'll act just like I showed you: be aloof, let your gaze be full of disdain, and look at people as if they're garbage."

Zhou Bella: "..."

She gave Lu Yao a huffy glare and muttered, "You're the worst!"

Lu Yao's earlier move had served as both a demonstration and a deliberate provocation of Zhou Bella's emotions.

He really was a bit wicked.

Yet, most bad men knew how to keep the tears from falling from a girl's eyes—which was precisely why honest, plain-good guys always lost out in the arena of romance.

Lu Yao leaned in close to Zhou Bella and said, "Do a good job, and there will be a reward."

Hearing this, Zhou Bella instantly perked up.

Fanned by Lu Yao's thorough priming, Zhou Bella's state of mind was quickly adjusted to perfection.

Then, Lu Yao picked up his camera, adjusting angles and capturing shots on the fly.

"Yes! Lift your chin a bit more! Make your gaze colder."

"Right, right, right. Your back is gorgeous—arch it."

Before long, Lu Yao finished shooting the videos and photos of Zhou Bella.

Tonight, Zhou Bella was wearing a pure white, deep-backless long dress. From the front, the dress featured plenty of fabric, fitting snugly and flattering her figure.

From the back, however, Zhou Bella's spine was entirely exposed, the plunging V-line extending all the way down, even revealing her lower back dimples.

At the very bottom of that deep V, a zipper ran downwards, clearly visible.

Even through a photograph, it would subconsciously make the viewer wonder what would happen if that zipper were pulled down, leading to a sudden moment of realization followed by an understanding, knowing smile.

And that!

That was the primary message this provocative outfit aimed to convey.

The clever design of the dress, paired with Zhou Bella's wheat-toned skin and that disdainful, trash-looking glare—created a powerful contrast!

It would ignite a masculine desire for conquest.

It would also stir a niche male desire for submission.

An absolute sweep across all preferences!

Admiring his own handiwork, Lu Yao said with satisfaction, "Bella, you're getting the hang of this faster and faster."

During the shoot, guided and controlled by Lu Yao, Zhou Bella had practically abandoned independent thought, cooperating wholeheartedly with his every command.

This only heightened her eager anticipation.

So, bathed in Lu Yao's praise, Zhou Bella lifted her misty gaze to look at him, much like a little girl awaiting a treat.

A mature man never ruins the mood.

Therefore, Lu Yao put down his camera and said, "Come here."

...

Diagonally across from Lu Yao's suite, Zhu Junyan had rented another one.

He and his group were waiting quietly inside, his mind racing the entire time.

What on earth were they doing in the opposite room?

Ah, man!

I'm usually not like this!

This master of mine seems to be poisonous; he can easily manipulate even the mindset of a veteran playboy like me.

The crucial part was that this was just from the passive influence!

If this were posted online... goodness knows how many old leches it would keep tossing and turning in the dead of night, unable to sleep.

Zhu Junyan realized that this master he had forced himself upon seemed to possess exceptionally seasoned methods when it came to toying with human hearts.

Zhu Junyan lit cigarette after cigarette.

Forty minutes later, the door to Lu Yao's suite finally opened. "Who's there?"

Zhu Junyan sprang up with a start. "Right here."

Seeing Zhu Junyan coming out of the opposite suite, Lu Yao beckoned to him. "Come take a look."

Zhu Junyan immediately led the group of female internet influencers and the summoned staff into the suite.

Zhou Bella was nowhere to be seen in the living room; she must have hidden in the bedroom out of shyness, right?

Pushing those thoughts aside, Zhu Junyan walked over to the desk to inspect Lu Yao's photography results.

On the laptop screen, against a dim yet clean backdrop, Zhou Bella—dressed in her white gown—showed off her exquisite and toned back, turning her head with an aloof, disdainful glance.

Yet, the subtle micro-expressions combined on her face conveyed a hint of impure ambiguity!

An undeniable yet alluring vibe emanated from the photos and videos!

Incredible!

Zhu Junyan finally understood what it meant for "photos to have emotion."

He could instantly feel the reluctant yet aloof disdain captured within the image, and a fire in the depths of his heart flared up instantly!

Taking a deep breath, Zhu Junyan offered his heartfelt and sincere praise, "Master, your photography skills are top-tier! How on earth did you practice this?"

How to practice?

When you reach the point where romance and intimacy start to feel a bit dull, you naturally begin to research and delve into strange, niche directions.

So—

Don't fear being clumsy; just practice more.

Pointing at the photos, Lu Yao told the female influencers, "This state of reluctant resistance, this charming yet restrained allure, is the exact vibe I want you all to project."

The minor influencers exchanged glances.

Wasn't this making things difficult for them?

Each of them had long been hardened by the trials of the nightlife battlefields. Asking them to act out this kind of restrained, skin-deep coquettishness?

Therefore, one slightly plump minor influencer gave a coquettish whine, "Boss Lu, this is way too hard for us. Besides, anyone can tell this little sister has already been 'refined' by you. How about..."

"Why don't you 'refine' us, too?"