Chapter 49: Sea of Roses, The Girl in the Glasshouse

Lin Shenlu set out with An Muxi.

"Navigation!"

"Flower for Life Rose Manor."

This was a place that filled Lin Shenlu with anticipation.

She remembered once reviewing an article introducing the Flower for Life Rose Manor.

In truth, compared to the vastness of Dali, this spot was rather niche.

Few people came here.

But that did nothing to diminish the irresistible beauty of the place.

Moreover, the entrance fee was cheap—if she recalled correctly, only thirty yuan per person.

A perfect spot to check in and soak in the stunning scenery.

After all, there were few places where you could encounter a rose garden sprawling over three hundred acres.

Roses evoke romance, and a sea of roses is the ultimate expression of it.

Most importantly, if Lin Shenlu remembered right, there was a mountain cottage inside the manor, and by the side of the house lived two adorable alpacas who loved nibbling on rose petals.

Many visitors, especially those who loved taking photos or wedding pictures, would choose to come here for their shoots.

Compared to the crowded Cangshan Mountain, Chongsheng Temple, Nanzhao Island, and other tourist hotspots, Lin Shenlu always preferred seeking out different kinds of scenery.

The drive there was filled with breathtaking views.

On either side of the road stretched golden wheat fields she had never seen before.

At this season, the wheat was not yet ready for harvest, so the ears were not fully golden and translucent.

But from a distance, those endless fields merging with the horizon were truly captivating.

As the wind swept through, the wheat swayed in waves.

Moved by the sight, Lin Shenlu reached out to brush her fingers through the stalks.

On a drive through such a scene, the only song that must be played was "Waves of Wheat in the Wind"!

It was still morning, and the sunlight was abundant—the warm rays shone down on the golden fields, and as the wind blew, the wheat rolled in shimmering waves.

"Under the distant blue sky, golden waves of wheat surge. Once, that was the place where you and I loved. When the breeze, carrying the scent of harvest, brushes my face, I remember your gentle words that once filled my eyes with tears. Mm... la... mm... la...

We once sang in the fields, longing through the winter, but never lived to see the autumn sun illuminate this scene. Let the vows we made drift away, floating with the western wind, like your soft hair that once fragranced my dreams. Mm... la... mm... la..."

Li Jian’s pure voice carried a healing warmth.

It made the journey through the golden fields all the more comfortable for the two of them.

Such a fitting song...

Lin Shenlu even slowed the car deliberately, just to drive a little longer down that straight road through the wheat fields.

...

Soon, they reached their destination: the Flower for Life Rose Manor.

At first glance, the place was filled with a New Zealand charm.

Beyond the endless sights, just ahead, a winding path paved with irregular stones beckoned them deeper inside.

On either side, the path was lined with flowering grasses in full bloom.

Following the trail, one side was bordered by a row of purple lavender, while on the other stood a row of transparent glass houses.

Looking through the glass, you could see an abundance of fresh flowers—and girls within.

Indeed, Dali was never short of flower house girls.

"What’s that? It’s beautiful!" An Muxi exclaimed, pointing ahead.

Following her line of sight, not far away stood a brown wooden cabin.

Another New Zealand-style cottage.

More accurately, a petite chapel.

The roof, built from bark-textured planks, rose to a sharp point, crowned with two crossed wooden beams forming a small cross.

It stood there, as if wrapped in tree bark, nestled amid a meadow of fragrant grass.

The structure was truly distinctive.

Lin Shenlu and An Muxi quickened their pace, just in time to see a white pony emerging from behind the cabin.

Leading it was a girl in a white linen dress.

Her brown hair fell loosely, her head bowed as she guided the pony past the little wooden house.

"Perfect! That natural expression is beautiful!" called a man.

Only then did Lin Shenlu notice a photographer nearby, capturing candid shots of the girl.

A fellow photographer! Lin Shenlu’s interest was piqued.

She herself always carried a camera, after all.

The photographer tipped the brim of his black hat, crouched down, and called out, "Give me some attitude, relax... That’s it, hold it..."

At that moment—blue sky, white clouds, green meadow, white pony, wooden cabin, beautiful girl—a stunning composition unfolded before them.

Lin Shenlu could already envision how the final photo would turn out.

The photographer glanced at his camera’s display.

"Okay, let’s move on to the next location... We’ll need to shoot a video for this one," he said.

"Mr. Bao? Shouldn’t we take a few more shots, just to have more options?" asked the girl leading the pony.

"Don’t worry, my reputation in the industry is solid. Just focus on your best expression, give me your fullest," he replied.

"Of course, thank you, Mr. Bao! When we’re done today, dinner is on me. Tonight, let’s choose the photos in your room," the girl said eagerly.

Mr. Bao, the photographer, cleared his throat lightly.

"No rush, let’s finish shooting first," he replied.

The two of them led the pony away.

Lin Shenlu laughed. "See? That’s how private photographers are these days. If you want great photos, you have to go to their rooms to pick them yourself. There aren’t many pure-hearted, private photographers like me left—so cherish me!"

"Why go to their rooms to pick photos? Don’t regular studios have people select pictures at the company?" An Muxi asked curiously.

"Uh… maybe after shooting outdoors, the girl wants the photographer to shoot a private set for her for free. You know, private shoots are expensive. Usually, after a round of poker, you get the photos for free," Lin Shenlu replied with a nod.

"Poker? What does that mean? Wait… how do you know all this so well?" An Muxi pressed, curiosity piqued.

"Well… I used to moonlight in the photography circle myself. But it got too chaotic, so I quit," Lin Shenlu replied, wiping sweat from her brow.

The two continued walking.

At a crossroads, they came upon an adorable, cartoonish signpost—its bright colors and playful lettering seemed straight out of an anime, and it instantly caught An Muxi’s fancy.

Water Ceremony Platform, Rice Field Ceremony Platform, Influencer Check-In Area, Afternoon Tea in the Flower Fields, Foodie Gathering Spot, Mythical Beast Park…

The cute font paired with vivid drawings on the wooden sign made it especially charming.

"Those glass houses we just passed? You can make flower pastries there by hand… have afternoon tea, and it’s a perfect spot for socialites to check in with their photos!" Lin Shenlu grinned.

"Everything you wanted—white buses, white chapels—you’ll find it all here…"