Chapter 152: Memories of Ugly Fish

Five minutes later, Tang Yi found a sign in a secluded corner of the botanical garden that described a plant species said to be extremely rare in the world. He stood beside it and handed his phone to Chouchouyu.

Click!

Taking the phone, Tang Yi glanced at the photo of himself standing shoulder to shoulder with Lalulace and thought Chouchouyu’s photography skills were quite good.

He showed the photo to Lalulace, who felt happy to have a picture taken with Tang Yi. Yet, when she glanced at the composed Chouchouyu not far away, a sudden unease crept over her.

Pulling at Tang Yi’s shirt hem, Lalulace whispered, “Do you think this might not be right?”

Tang Yi looked puzzled. “It turned out great.”

Lalulace widened her eyes. “I mean, always having Chouchouyu take the photos—don’t you think it’s a bit off?”

Tang Yi didn’t hide his plan at all and smiled. “Otherwise, why would I bring her along?”

Lalulace was speechless. She had sensed something fishy when Tang Yi agreed to let Chouchouyu come along last night.

Apparently, he had long since made up his mind. Taking photos is definitely inconvenient for just two people traveling; you can’t keep bothering strangers. Having a third person makes everything easier.

Chouchouyu looked indifferent. “It’s fine. I’ll just take the photos for you guys.”

Lalulace said, “Then, I’ll take photos of you too.”

“I don’t need any,” Chouchouyu said, startled and waving her hands. “No, really, I don’t need any.”

“Of course you do!” Lalulace exclaimed. Feeling her suggestion was excellent, she snatched the phone without waiting for a reply and pushed Chouchouyu to stand next to the rare plant.

“Stand still now.”

“Don’t move!”

“If you move again, I’ll have to use telekinesis!”

Lalulace took on the air of an overbearing CEO. After some coaxing and threats, Chouchouyu obediently stood still. But inexperienced at photography, she took a long time to focus before finally capturing the shot.

Tang Yi had wanted to stop this, especially when he noticed the strange expression on Chouchouyu’s face. He began to realize something.

However, seeing Lalulace’s enthusiasm and Chouchouyu’s half-hearted compliance, he said nothing more.

“You don’t seem very happy,” Lalulace said as she looked at the photo and noticed the same.

In the picture, Chouchouyu pressed her lips together, forcing a smile that looked stiff and unnatural. Even Lalulace, so pure and naive, couldn’t be fooled.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have dragged you into taking photos,” Lalulace said, though innocent, she had a kind of telepathic sensitivity. She had been caught up in the moment and hadn’t sensed others’ feelings until she saw Chouchouyu’s photo, which immediately calmed her down and revealed Chouchouyu’s unusual emotions.

“It’s okay,” Chouchouyu replied, maintaining an indifferent front.

Tang Yi glanced at the uneasy Lalulace, sighed, and finally asked, “You and him have been here before, haven’t you?”

“Him?” Lalulace looked confused, then realization dawned.

Chouchouyu said nothing.

Tang Yi understood. He had sensed something off earlier. Chouchouyu had no guide map or notes, yet she was very familiar with the place—it was clearly not her first visit.

Plus, that strange expression on her face looked nostalgic, mixed with sadness and disgust.

The answer was almost obvious.

Chouchouyu and her former owner, Su Chengtao, had definitely been here before, perhaps many times.

Lalulace hurriedly searched her phone. “I’ll delete the photos, then we should leave quickly.”

She felt guilty, thinking it was her fault for reminding Chouchouyu of unpleasant memories.

But Chouchouyu stopped her. “Lalulace, don’t bother. Actually, I’ve never been photographed before. He never took pictures of me, so every time we came here, I was the one taking photos. Heh, my photography skills are way better than yours.”

Chouchouyu’s attitude was surprisingly positive. She leaned closer, pointing at her earlier photo and teasing Lalulace with a playful smile, yet her tone remained respectful.

Their photography skills did differ greatly.

Tang Yi could imagine that since Su Chengtao despised Chouchouyu so much, he would never take photos of her or with her.

“That’s just too much!” Lalulace was angry.

She hadn’t talked much about Chouchouyu’s past with Su Chengtao before, so both she and Tang Yi only knew that Su Chengtao disliked the girl.

Tang Yi was equally indignant. “So you were just a photo-taking tool on their outings? That’s really awful. How could a man be like that?”

Both girls shot him a glance.

You’re no different, they seemed to say.

Why do you have the nerve to say that?

Without much self-awareness, Tang Yi took back the phone from Lalulace. “In that case, don’t delete the photos. We have time today anyway. I’ll take the photos for you both.”

Chouchouyu hesitated, about to object.

Tang Yi added, “Avoiding it won’t solve anything. You were born in this city; this place holds your memories and childhood. You have to leave some marks of those memories. Let us help complete them, so your memories aren’t just about that scoundrel.”

Chouchouyu paused, swallowing back her objections.

This guy, though a bit of a lecher, always seemed to make a lot of sense when he spoke.

She studied Tang Yi intently, as if wanting to truly know him.

Unfortunately, Tang Yi had already walked away.

This time, he made Lalulace and Chouchouyu stand side by side, taking on the role of the photographer.

His photography wasn’t much better than Lalulace’s, but in the photos, Chouchouyu’s expression looked noticeably more natural.

Afterward, the three took turns visiting various spots in the botanical garden for photos.

Chouchouyu photographed Lalulace and Tang Yi, while Tang Yi took pictures of Lalulace and Chouchouyu.

During these moments, Tang Yi casually chatted with Chouchouyu, asking where they planned to go next, how the day’s itinerary was arranged, and whether she was familiar with the places.

Gradually, Tang Yi began to understand.

The places Chouchouyu planned to visit were mostly ones she had been to before.

Perhaps she was trying to rediscover some memories from her past.

Whether she was reminiscing or trying to say goodbye, she never said, and Tang Yi didn’t ask.

But it seemed that Chouchouyu and Lalulace had a good relationship.

Every time they took photos, Chouchouyu would voluntarily link arms with Lalulace.

At first, Chouchouyu hesitated, but as she grew accustomed, especially after seeing Lalulace’s complete acceptance, she even held her hand while walking without taking photos.

The two girls walked side by side, making Tang Yi seem like an unnecessary third wheel.