[Lan Meng cosplay] NARAKA: BLADEPOINT Slack-Off Queen's Poolside Summer Exclusive

This poolside summer custom design set for Lan Meng from NARAKA: BLADEPOINT was finally shot right before summer drew to a close. Because this isn't an official in-game outfit, I'd first like to offer my apologies to fellow fans for being out of character (OOC). As a 9-to-5 worker putting in intense output at my desk every single day, slacking off is practically a passive skill. Cosplaying Lan Meng this time was purely inspired by her iconic persona—a daydreaming queen of slacking off who perfectly hits my current mental state.

Preparing this wardrobe actually involved quite a bit of back-and-forth. Since I was getting into the water, the heavy, layered fabrics from the game were impractical, so I styled a custom sky-blue one-piece swimsuit myself. To preserve Lan Meng's signature aesthetic as much as possible, I selected fabric subtly patterned with water ripples and fish scale jacquard. The halter-neck features a crisscross front, while the sides of the waist are accented with cascading tiers of sheer tulle and ruffles. Once in motion, the sheer fabric floats across the water's surface, creating a dreamy, ethereal translucency. I added a blue bow ornament on my arm as an intentional visual focal point. The wig was one I had prepped previously for another character, and its tone harmonized beautifully with the pool water. To keep long hair manageable around the water, I braided it into a thick fishtail braid at the back, which turned out surprisingly well—channeling an oceanic fairy vibe.

For makeup, to achieve that cool, detached quality, the eye makeup incorporated a purplish-red gradient to add depth, complemented by sky-blue contact lenses. The midday sun was intense, creating strong glare across the water surface that posed quite a challenge for the lighting setup. Crouching along the poolside, the photographer tested various angles and ultimately utilized natural specular highlights to capture this radiant, translucent skin texture. Sitting on the pool steps with hands pressed against the floor and leaning slightly forward served to showcase the tailored curves of the swimsuit while playfully hinting at a stance ready to sprint (clock out of work) at any moment.

To be candid, shooting swimwear outdoors takes a bit of courage, especially maintaining that cool, glamorous composure in front of passersby. But the moment I recalled Monday morning meetings and empty management promises, an icy, detached glare naturally crept into my eyes. What I love most about this set is that comical contrast—a body submerged in relaxing water while the soul is primed to throw punches. Once soaked, the sheer fabric grew heavier and clung to my legs, requiring adjustments to the skirt drape after every movement. At one point, to freeze a water droplet trickling down the hair tips, I stayed crouched on the steps for several minutes until my legs trembled when standing up.

Yet that is precisely where the magic of Cosplay lies. Despite the fatigue, from assembling the outfit and designing the makeup to the actual shoot, the entire process felt like living an entirely different life in a parallel universe. No KPIs, no unread messages—just full immersion in the character. Although this self-styled approach deviated from her original design, it was a worthwhile creative experiment. I hope to tackle a more canonical version next time; that wraps up this summer poolside slacking-off special edition.