Chapter 1266 Taking Photos

A "kind-hearted person"?

Several figures suddenly appeared in Zijing's mind.

Furthermore, "just happened to find it unused"? That's clearly illegal occupation! And this outfit and crystal ball, they're way too well-prepared!

"So, you... waited for us here on purpose?" Zijing felt a bit of a headache.

"The threads of fate intertwine here, and I have merely followed the guidance to come and see for myself," Aponia's reply was as enigmatic as ever. Her gaze finally settled on Gretsch, or more precisely, on the amethyst coat that Gretsch was wearing.

Gretchen felt a little uncomfortable under Aponia's gaze, and subconsciously tightened her coat, her cheeks slightly flushed.

A faint hint of understanding seemed to flash across Aponia's eyes. She looked back at Amethyst, her tone calm yet carrying an irresistible power: "Since we've met, it must be fate. Why don't I... let me see for you where the tides of destiny will lead?"

She reached out and gently touched the crystal ball with her fingertips, and a hazy mist seemed to begin to swirl inside the ball.

Amethyst and Gretchen exchanged another glance, both seeing helplessness and a hint of curiosity in each other's eyes. They were already here, and facing Aponia... Although the situation was strange, there seemed to be no reason to refuse?

“Then… I’ll have to trouble Mother Aponia?” Gretsch said softly, with a hint of probing.

Zijing could only nod. He wanted to see what Aponia could "see" in this aquarium's fortune-telling room.

The surface of the misty crystal ball reflected Aponia's calm, unwavering eyes.

"The tides of fate... converge here." Her ethereal voice echoed in the dimly lit room. Perhaps to match her current identity, her words became more mystical. "I saw... guidance and protection, like a lighthouse and a mooring ship."

Her gaze first fell on Gretchen, with the gentle warmth of an elder: "A pure soul, yearning for companionship and the light of inspiration. Your seas are calm and deep, what you need is a harbor that can bring stability and enlightenment..."

Then, she looked at Amethyst, “And your voyage… carries many burdens, with storms lurking beneath. What you need is an anchorage where you can relax for a while, a tranquil berth where you don’t have to carry too many expectations. The thread between you is strong and pure, more like a bond of blood, the care of an older brother for his younger sister, the mutual comfort between lost souls.”

Brother...brother and sister?

Amethyst nodded slightly in agreement, then looked at Gretsch, only to find her blinking, a thoughtful expression on her face. She then seemed to understand, puffing out her cheeks slightly: "Mama Aponia, so cunning..."

Aponia remained expressionless: "Maintaining this pure connection is to follow the direction of the tide." Her words were like a final decision, firmly fixing the relationship between the two within the framework of "family" and "friendship," leaving no room for speculation.

After the divination was over, Aponia stood up very naturally and casually put the crystal ball and cards into a cloth bag, her movements as fluid as if she were tidying up sacred objects in a church.

“Well then, let’s go,” she said casually, as if it were only natural that they would go sightseeing together.

“Let’s go? Mother Aponia, your… fortune-telling shop?” Gretchen pointed to the small house.

"Our mission here is over," Aponia replied casually, and took the lead in lifting the curtain and walking out.

Zijing watched her retreating figure, then glanced at the customers still queuing outside, who were now staring blankly at the "fortune teller" who had suddenly left. She heard dissatisfied murmurs around her: "What's going on? Aren't you going to have your fortune told?" "We've been queuing for so long!"

Zijing sighed helplessly and gestured to Gretchen to "let's go." The three of them left the suddenly "closed-down" fortune-telling shop amidst many puzzled and disgruntled gazes.

……

The atmosphere among the three was initially somewhat awkward. Aponia's presence was too strong; her nun's habit clashed with the aquarium environment, drawing frequent glances from passersby. Gretsch also seemed somewhat restrained by this extra attention, her previously lively interest in gathering material waning considerably.

As they passed a colorful coral reef display tank, a middle-aged man wearing an aquarium vest and carrying a professional camera warmly greeted them: "Would you like to take a group photo? We have professional equipment and backgrounds here, and we can print the photos on the spot!"

Just as Zijing was about to politely decline, Gretsch glanced at the dreamy underwater background on the sample photos next to her, her eyes brightening slightly, and whispered, "It seems...not bad?"

Aponia's gaze swept over the sample films, then she looked at Amethyst and calmly said, "Recording this encounter may also be a trace of fate."

Since the minority had to submit to the majority, Zijing had no choice but to nod in agreement.

The photographer enthusiastically guided them to stand in front of the designated blue backdrop (which will be composited into an underwater landscape later).

"Come closer, you three! Yes, smile!"

The first photo shows the usual formation. Amethyst stands in the center, with Greta and Aponia on either side. Greta gently hugs Amethyst's left arm with a touch of dependence, giving the camera a shy but sweet smile. Amethyst can feel the slight strength and warmth from Greta's arm.

On the right, Aponia stood quietly, her hands elegantly folded in front of her, a pitying and mysterious smile on her face, a stark contrast to Gretsch's intimacy.

"Great! Very good! Let's take another one, something more lively!" the photographer exclaimed. "Sir in the middle, you can bend over a little, and the two ladies can stand a little closer!"

Just as Zijing bent down slightly as instructed, trying to cooperate with the composition, something unexpected happened.

Gretchen still held his left arm, while Aponia on his right suddenly reached out and very naturally and forcefully put her arm around Amethyst's right shoulder, almost pulling half of his body into her arms!

The mysterious touch on her face made Zijing freeze instantly, completely stunned. It was as if her entire head had been stuffed inside, and a faint fragrance wafted over.

“Uh… Aponia?” Amethyst tried to struggle a little, but found that Aponia’s arm, though seemingly casual, was actually very firm.

Aponia glanced down at him, her eyes still calm and unwavering, and said indifferently, "This way, the composition will be more balanced." Her reasoning sounded perfectly reasonable, as if this sudden intimate contact was purely for the sake of art.

Greta noticed the situation, her eyes widened, and she pouted again, muttering something under her breath.

The photographer didn't care about any of that, excitedly pressing the shutter: "Yes, yes, yes! That's it! Very expressive! Be more natural in your expression!"

Zijing could only manage a stiff smile, feeling like a pitiful hostage caught between two powerful figures, unable to move.

They changed the background and poses a few more times, but Aponia seemed to have gotten addicted to hugging him, either putting her arm around his shoulder or gently draping her hand over his back, always maintaining a subtle yet undeniable close contact. Gretchen, though not as proactive as Aponia, remained close to Amethyst on the other side.

Zijing was like a puppet throughout the entire process, spending the longest and most embarrassing few minutes of her life amidst the photographer's misleading praise of her as a "loving family" and the curious gazes of passersby.