Genius Playground

WHOOSH...

A plane streaked a white line across the high blue sky. Under the bright sun, the lush maple trees were turning a deep red, their leaves drifting down to form a carpet on the ground below.

This was Dazhi River Park, located on Zhahang Road in the Minxing District of East Sea City, right on the banks of the Dazhi River.

An oasis far from the city center, Dazhi River Park had few visitors, but it boasted beautiful and colorful scenery.

It featured not only river views but also a forest of red maples, reed-filled lotus ponds, grassy fields for camping, and winding bridges with gazebos.

While it might have been a bit too simple for a holiday outing, it was a perfect location for aspiring photographers to practice their craft.

It had to be said, even though Chi Xiaoguo’s grades at East Sea University were rock bottom, and even though her reading comprehension was a total mess... when it came to photography, she was genuinely experienced and highly skilled. She had even managed to find a remote, little-known park like this.

”The scenery here is amazing. You’ve got options for both close-ups and wide shots. It’s great for getting good pictures!”

A camera hung around Chi Xiaoguo’s neck as she walked at the front, explaining things to her three club members.

”I’ve already taught you the basics of how to use a camera. As for the other details, like adjusting the parameters, you don’t need to worry or get too hung up on them for now.”

”Photography is an art, but it’s also different for everyone. Instead of trying to please the masses with textbook techniques, it’s better to start by pleasing yourself with the angles, lighting, and feelings you like best.”

”In other words, when you get into something, it should be driven by passion and freedom, not by some by-the-book optimal solution. It’s just like in the *Dragon Ball* manga. You can’t be like Vegeta, who tried to become a Super Saiyan just for the sake of becoming one. Instead, you should take it step by step. Once your feel for it and your technique reach a certain level, it’ll all come naturally, and everything will just click.”

”Ahem. You all understood what I just said, right?”

...

However, her passionate and high-minded speech didn’t seem to land very well.

While Jiang Ran and Cheng Mengxue could vaguely follow along, Fang Ze, who hadn’t grown up in the Dragon Country, was completely lost by the muddled explanation.

”Sorry, I got the first part, but I was totally lost after that.”

Fang Ze shook his head in confusion.

”That was a bit too philosophical. Why don’t you try being a little more metaphysical?”

”She means we should just shoot whatever we want.”

Jiang Ran translated for him.

”What President Xiaoguo means is that, as beginners on your first shoot, you shouldn’t get bogged down in the technical stuff. It’s better to just relax, experience the joy of photography itself, and shoot however you feel like.”

Fang Ze’s face lit up with understanding. Put in plain English like that, he got it.

”Here, Fang Ze, let me show you.”

As the nominal vice president, Jiang Ran raised the camera hanging on his chest, pressed his eye to the viewfinder, and looked toward the forest of red maples on the other side of the river.

’Not bad. What a view.’

He skillfully loaded the film, turned the lens, and adjusted the focus, bringing the scene in the viewfinder into sharp clarity. Then, he gently stroked the shutter button, feeling the warmth of the sun and the whisper of the wind...

Finally, he pressed the shutter button down hard!

CLICK.

A perfect photo, perfectly taken.

”See? Just like that.”

Jiang Ran looked at Fang Ze.

”A film camera is a little more complicated, but in terms of operation, it’s actually ninety percent similar to a digital camera.”

”Senior!!!”

Up ahead, Chi Xiaoguo suddenly spun around and shrieked at him.

”What’s wrong?” Jiang Ran asked, bewildered.

”The! Lens! Cap!!!”