My autobiography is definitely not a tragedy!
Chapter 343 - 226: Photography Techniques

Chapter 343: Chapter 226: Photography Techniques

"Bang!" Wang Zhao Ping, who had been on the phone for quite a while, slipped back into the car, relieved, and shut the car door.

"Captain Wang, what phone call lasts more than half an hour? Did the missus check in on you?"

"It’s much more serious than that!"

Qin Xiaoru looked over with some confusion.

She then noticed that Captain Wang’s expression seemed much more solemn compared to before he stepped out.

"Captain Wang, what’s happened?" she asked, puzzled.

"Hmm! Plans have changed! Notify all teams immediately, quietly block all exits near the target, and prepare to arrest at any moment!"

"Ah?" Qin Xiaoru was stunned, and suddenly felt a rush of urgency.

"Wasn’t the plan to play the long game for a big catch?"

"The fish is too big, we can’t handle it, but don’t worry, I have other arrangements for the big fish!"

Arrangements or not...

What about my debut performance?!

...

Above the azure ocean with surging waves, a white behemoth was slowly making its way towards another port on its global journey.

At over three hundred meters in length, the size of the ship rivaled an aircraft carrier, making nearby passing cargo ships look insignificant by comparison.

The words "Carnival Dream" were clearly visible on the side of the gigantic vessel.

And in the distant view, the long-missed vast land was already in sight...

Inside the control room at this moment,

A blond, blue-eyed man with a big beard confirmed the course was correct, stood up from the captain’s chair, and spoke with an English accent.

"We’ll be docking soon, and there’s a lot of work to do tonight. I’m going to get some rest; the rest is up to you, Bill."

"Sure, Captain Steve, you can count on me!"

First officer Bill nodded, then took over the command seat.

Steve exchanged a look with the second officer next to him, then left the control room to reach a secluded part of the deck.

"Is everything arranged?"

"All set. The goods can be on board before nine tonight, ensuring no delay to the auction."

The second officer was a burly man with bronze skin, speaking fluent English, and of Asian descent.

He wasn’t just Captain Steve’s trusted aide; he was also in charge of security on the ship.

If Meng Lang had been there, he would have noticed the inverted cross tattooed on the back of his hand...

"Hmm! This batch of goods from Country Hua is an important item for the auction; no slip-ups, got it?"

"Don’t worry, Captain. This isn’t the first time my brothers and I are running this route for Country Hua, we guarantee nothing will go wrong!" The Asian man grinned.

"Hmm! I’m going to take a nap now. The rest is up to you!"

"Yes!"

Watching Steve’s back as he left, the second officer took out a cellphone and dialed a number.

"Hello! We’re about to dock; how are things on your end?"

"Boss, everything’s ready; we’re just waiting for your signal!"

"Good, I’ll be on board to meet you. Be careful, and make sure you don’t get noticed by the cops."

"Don’t worry, boss. As long as we don’t run into the coast guard, those cops are as good as blind!"

"Okay! Set off!"

...

"Boss has signaled, let’s roll out!" After hanging up the phone, Scavenger alerted his companions.

"Right! I’ll drive."

While his companion went to start the car, Scavenger pulled out a pack of cigarettes, took one out, and lit it, taking a deep drag with satisfaction.

"Phew~"

The white smoke filled his lungs, and Scavenger felt his weary spirit instantly revitalized, even his clouded eyes seemed a bit brighter.

With the cigarette in his mouth, he opened the iron gate.

A twisted smile appeared at the corner of Scavenger’s mouth, as if he saw another hefty sum of money beckoning him from outside the gate...

Soon, the small truck slowly pulled out of the courtyard.

Scavenger was about to turn and close the iron gate to get on the truck when suddenly, a barrage of footsteps sounded from around him.

Although his body had been hollowed out by contraband, at this "highlight moment," Scavenger’s keen senses quickly picked up that something was wrong.

"Not good!"

He didn’t have time to warn his companion and instinctively tried to run.

But how could the plainclothes police lying in wait outside let a cooked duck fly away?

"Freeze!" "Trying to run?"

Scavenger hadn’t even managed a few steps before being pressed to the ground by several muscular men using their hands and feet.

With his face contorted against the ground, he struggled to look towards the small truck, only to find his accomplice had already been forcefully pulled out.

Just like himself, he was being handcuffed by others.

Moreover, another seven or eight people, armed, had directly charged into the courtyard!

Qin Xiaoru stood outside the crowd, looking aggrieved, holding a pair of handcuffs in her hand.

Yes, Captain Wang had finally allowed her to participate in a frontline operation, but...

With so many big men crowding around, there was hardly any room to move; how was she supposed to squeeze in to handcuff anyone?

"Who... who are you? Why are you arresting us?" Scavenger still harbored a sliver of hope, struggling to speak.

"We’re from the Su City Criminal Police Team. As for why we’re arresting you... do I need to explain? Heh!" Wang Zhao Ping sneered.

"Captain Wang, no one’s inside the house!"

"Search thoroughly; don’t miss any spot!"

"Yes!"

Seeing the situation under control, Wang Zhao Ping then went to the rear of the small truck, frowning at the padlock on it.

"Captain Wang, we found a set of keys on the driver!"

After trying the keys for a moment, Wang Zhao Ping unlocked the door of the small truck.

Inside the truck’s cargo area was a stack of beer crates, appearing to be just an ordinary truck used for transporting beer.

"Move it!"

After moving about a dozen crates of beer...

"Found it!"

Wang Zhao Ping’s eyes lit up; indeed, in the midst of a pile of beer crates, he saw several black waterproof bags.

"Bring them down carefully; don’t bump into anything!"

The officers clumsily retrieved the items, placing them in a row on the ground.

Watching this, both Scavenger and his accomplice had ashen faces.

And in their hearts, they both lamented.

It was over...

Wang Zhao Ping took a look and saw a total of 5 black waterproof bags, immediately stepping forward carefully to unzip one of them.

Soon, amidst a pile of cushioning foam, he caught a glimpse of blue.

It was... a blue and white porcelain vase!

Following that, various kinds of cultural relics were successively removed and laid out on the ground.

Apart from Qin Xiaoru reluctantly acting as the "photographer" with the law enforcement recorder, Wang Zhao Ping and his fellow officers were all smiles.

Although the big fish had not yet been caught, this little fish was already delicious enough!

"Captain Wang! Check this out!"

A police officer suddenly pulled out a black object from another waterproof bag.

It turned out to be a Black Star pistol!

...

Five-thirty in the afternoon.

"Whoosh~ Whoosh~" The wind howled past the ears.

The red Porsche had its convertible roof open and sped along the coastline.

In the driver’s seat, Yan Weiwei, dressed in a white evening gown with a black blazer over it, appeared to have dolled up with particular care today, her hair curled into gentle waves and her face lightly made up, wearing a crystal four-leaf clover necklace that looked quite valuable.

The sea breeze lifted her hair, revealing her delicate collarbones, slender neck, and the perfect profile of her face, transforming from a sloppy older sister to an urban goddess in an instant.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Cough! The change is a bit too drastic; I almost didn’t recognize you just now." Meng Lang touched his nose.

Yan Weiwei today was like a different person compared to her usual self.

Talking about... being alone with a beautiful woman and spending a night on a cruise ship, even though it’s for legitimate business, dressing up so carefully could easily lead people to misunderstand it as a date...

Catching a glimpse of Meng Lang’s odd gaze on her from the corner of her eye, Yan Weiwei’s face became slightly unnatural, but on the surface, she still managed to display her usual haughty demeanor.

"Hmph! That’s only because I usually can’t be bothered to dress up! How about that, have you fallen for my charm? Is your heart racing?"

Am I that easily seduced by beauty?

Although Meng Lang was astonished, he wouldn’t show weakness.

"Don’t worry, I used to be jittery, but now the little deer has grown up; it walks very steadily."

Yan Weiwei: "..."

The shortest conversation in the world is when a stubborn tsundere meets a Leo...

"Tsk! You were in such a gloomy and dispirited state the other day... If I’d known, I would have given the ticket to Haitang instead," Yan Weiwei muttered under her breath with a pout.

"What did you say?"

The wind was strong, and Meng Lang didn’t catch what she said.

"I said to be careful with that little deer of yours. Once it grows antlers, it can easily stab the heart!" Yan Weiwei shouted as she moved closer.

Meng Lang: "..."

Half an hour later, the two of them successfully arrived at their destination.

Su City International Cruise Terminal!

The weather was clear today with very high visibility at sea.

The two stood at the edge of the pier, where they could see the ocean, sunset, and the slowly docking cruiser, all coming together like a timeless and beautiful painting...

Meng Lang had no interest in appreciating the scenery; his entire attention was captivated by the cruise ship that was anchoring.

The towering cruise ship, bright with lights, allowed viewers to see the ant-like movement of passengers above.

Standing in front of such a massive vessel, one could clearly feel the insignificance of human beings.

Just like Meng Lang in the face of destiny...

He sighed.

Just when he had barely figured out a viable thread through this world, he had no idea what Wang Zhao Ping was up to, so enigmatic. He better not throw any spanner in the works.

If the situation turned sour...

If it really came down to it, he would have to prevent Yan Weiwei from boarding the ship, even if he had to fake an "appendicitis escape."

"Quick, quick, quick! Take a photo of me! This scenery is so great, I’ll send it to Haitang later!"

Facing such a beautiful scene, Yan Weiwei immediately showed her innocent side, excitedly telling Meng Lang.

With that, she took off the blazer and handed it to Meng Lang, then ran toward the shore.

"Snap it with this background! What are you spacing out for, hurry up!"

"Uhm..."

Looking at Yan Weiwei in her white evening dress, with the sea breeze lifting her skirt and her smile so radiant, this perfect scene left Meng Lang somewhat dazed.

This moment felt just like that specific moment...

His heartbeat inexplicably sped up, and his little deer wasn’t so steady...

Could this be what they call "The grass is always greener on the other side"?

"Hurry up!"

It was only after Yan Weiwei’s urging that he came back to his senses.

He pulled out his phone with a complex expression and aimed it at Yan Weiwei.

But instead of opening the camera, he opened the photo album and paused on one of the pictures.

Sunset, cruise ship, a white evening dress, and a radiant smile...

Yeah! A perfect live-action recreation...

"What are you dawdling for! Are you done taking the photo?"

"Uhm... it’s done."

After hesitating for a moment, Meng Lang still responded.

"Quick! Send it to me. Is your photography skill up to par? I’m planning to post this on social media... Huh?"

Upon seeing the photo sent by Meng Lang on her phone, Yan Weiwei paused for a moment.

Then she looked at Meng Lang with some surprise and delight.

"Not bad, Xiao Meng! I thought a techie guy like you would be terrible at taking photos, but it turns out you’ve got some skill! Tsk tsk! I see you in a new light now; you really are a hidden gem!"

Obviously, Yan Weiwei was extremely satisfied with the photo, generously offering the praise that she normally spared.

This composition, angle, focus, color balance, exposure... sheer perfection!

No need for editing; it’s social media-ready!

Seeing Yan Weiwei’s elated face, Meng Lang inwardly sighed with resignation.

You might not believe it if I say it out loud.

My photography skills... are also hacked...

Who knows, when I get old, I might even be able to hold a photography exhibition?

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~"

Just then, a series of odd roars started to come from above them, growing louder as it got closer.

This seemed to be...

Propellers?!

Meng Lang looked up only to become completely dumbfounded...