224: Underwater photography, 900 per photo

Zhao Ya frowned, leaning her body slightly forward as she entered a state of alertness.

Having served in the military, she was particularly sensitive to people with this kind of thuggish demeanor.

Su Qing, as the manager, stepped forward to discuss the specifics with the Bald Man.

The Bald Man quoted a price, slightly higher than the market rate.

Su Qing looked toward Lei Jun, who gave a slight nod.

Spending a bit more money didn't matter, as long as the service was good.

Su Qing then paid the money.

The Bald Man took the money, feeling even more smug inside.

He called over a few companions, all young men who didn't look like decent people.

One of them was particularly brawny, with a Shoulder Dragon tattoo and a fierce glare.

The Bald Man personally took charge of guiding Lei Jun, the Shoulder Dragon was responsible for Su Qing, and the others were each assigned coaches.

While changing into the diving suits, Su Ya felt a bit nervous.

Su Qing quietly reassured her: "It's fine, you have an oxygen tank, and the coach will be with you. It's very safe."

Lin Xiaoya was very excited, discussing with Teacher Tony what kind of fish they might see while changing.

Qin Yu was somewhat distracted, still recalling Lei Jun's calm jump during the bungee earlier.

Zhao Ya changed the fastest; she had already checked the diving equipment once, confirming there were no issues.

Lei Ying and Lei Yue remained silently by Lei Jun's side like two shadows.

Before entering the water, the Bald Man put on a show by giving everyone a brief training session.

While explaining, his eyes kept darting toward Lei Jun, and his hands moved restlessly, trying to "correct" Lei Jun's movements, but she subtly avoided them.

The Bald Man felt a bit annoyed inside.

This woman is quite vigilant.

But then he thought, once they're in the water, wouldn't he be the one in charge?

Everyone gradually entered the water.

The underwater world was indeed beautiful, with swaying corals and colorful small fish darting among them.

Sunlight filtered through the water, forming beams of light, creating a dreamlike, fantastical beauty.

Lin Xiaoya was completely mesmerized, forgetting all her fears.

Teacher Tony gestured excitedly, trying to express how artistic the scenery was.

Qin Yu also found it quite novel.

Su Ya stayed close to her sister; although still afraid, she was also captivated by the beautiful scenery.

However, the beautiful moment was soon shattered.

While Su Qing was intently watching a cluster of corals, the Shoulder Dragon coach swam up beside her, patted her shoulder, then pointed to the waterproof camera hanging around his neck and then at Su Qing, indicating he wanted to take her photo.

Su Qing was taken aback for a moment and waved her hand to decline.

She thought to herself that as long as she was having fun, taking photos wasn't necessary.

But the Shoulder Dragon didn't give up, moving closer and extending nine fingers, then making a "zero" gesture.

Su Qing understood—nine hundred?

Nine hundred for one photo?

She was shocked inside; this price was outrageous!

It was practically daylight robbery! She immediately shook her head firmly, using gestures to clearly refuse again: no photos.

Seeing Su Qing refuse so decisively, the Shoulder Dragon's expression darkened.

He glared fiercely at Su Qing, forcefully poked at the camera, then at Su Qing, made a throat-slitting gesture, and finally held up one finger—she must take one photo!

Su Qing was startled by his actions.

Was this a threat?

Must take a photo?

Anger surged within her, but she was also a bit scared.

But she still shook her head, backing away, trying to put distance between herself and this person.

The Shoulder Dragon completely lost his temper.

He gave a meaningful look to another coach nearby.

The two suddenly closed in on Su Qing from left and right, roughly grabbing her arms!

Caught off guard, Su Qing struggled in the water.

But with the water's resistance and two opponents holding her, she couldn't break free.

Then, the most terrifying thing happened.

The Shoulder Dragon actually reached out and yanked the oxygen mask off Su Qing's face!

Seawater instantly flooded Su Qing's mouth and nose!

A suffocating sensation suddenly seized her!

She struggled violently, flailing her arms wildly, trying to grab the mask, but the two men held her down firmly.

Her lungs burned, her ears rang, and her vision began to darken.

The Shoulder Dragon held the mask in his hand, waving it in front of Su Qing's face, a sinister, triumphant smile on his face.

Photo, or not?

Su Qing was in agony!

She felt like she was about to die!

Were these people insane?

Did they really not fear her drowning?

This realization sent a chill to her bones.

They seemed to not care at all whether she lived or died, only about whether they could extort money.

The fear of death overwhelmed everything.

Under extreme pain and suffocation, she desperately nodded, tears mixing with the seawater.

She'll take the photo!

She'll take the photo!

Only then was the Shoulder Dragon satisfied, roughly clamping the mask back onto Su Qing's face.

Su Qing greedily gulped down oxygen, her body limp and still trembling.

The Shoulder Dragon took the opportunity to snap several photos of her, still shaken and terrified, then swam up to her and said loudly.

"Idiot, you should've just agreed earlier!"

In an instant, Su Qing's relief at surviving was replaced by immense humiliation and anger!

She had been extorted, nearly drowned, and now was even called an "idiot"!

She trembled with rage—how could there be people so lawless!

Were they really not afraid of anything going wrong?

Judging by their practiced manner, this definitely wasn't the first time they'd done something like this!

Su Qing was both scared and furious, filled with helplessness and indignation.

All she wanted now was to get back to shore, as far away from these people as possible... Meanwhile, the situation on the other side was also deteriorating.

The Bald Man's mind wasn't on guiding the dive at all.

He stuck close to Lei Jun, frequently trying to reach out and "correct" her posture—aiming, of course, at areas like her waist and legs.

Lei Jun was exceptionally agile underwater, always managing to avoid his groping hands just perfectly and subtly.

After several attempts, the Bald Man hadn't even touched a corner of her clothing.

The Bald Man began to seethe inside.

This woman, what's she dodging for!

Putting on airs! Once in the water, isn't she at his mercy?

He gave a meaningful look to a companion not far away.

When Lei Jun descended behind a coral reef, relatively out of sight from the others, the Bald Man felt his chance had come.

He moved closer again, this time more direct and bold, reaching out to grab Lei Jun's waist.

Lei Jun's eyes turned cold, her body twisting like a fish, not only dodging but also creating distance in the process.

Through the mask, she gave the Bald Man a cold, piercing stare. That icy, sharp gaze made him inexplicably shudder inside.

But the Bald Man was soon overtaken by greater annoyance.

Damn it, refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!

He completely dropped the pretense and approached again.

This time, it wasn't about taking advantage; he suddenly reached out and yanked Lei Jun's oxygen mask off!

At the same time, his two companions closed in from the sides, the three of them trapping Lei Jun in a triangular formation.

The Bald Man held the mask, his face showing undisguised malice and lewdness. He said loudly.

"Underwater photos, nine hundred each!"

"You must take five!"

Then, he pointed at himself and his companions, making a lewd gesture.

Indicating that during the photo session, they'd get to "have some fun."

Lei Jun's anger instantly surged!

These scum!

Daring to be so brazen underwater, using the lethal method of removing a mask to coerce someone!

They treated human life as worthless, purely for extortion and satisfying their filthy desires!