After finishing her makeup, Ling Ning followed Qin Qing to a room dedicated to storing clothes. She looked at the rows upon rows of racks filled with dazzling outfits and felt a little dizzy. If she had to try on each one for photos, they’d be at it until tomorrow at the earliest.
As if she could read Ling Ning’s thoughts, Qin Qing smiled and said, "Not all of them, just the ones on the first row of racks. The others are all my previous works."
"Your works?"
"Yeah. Have you heard of ‘Miracle Nikki’?"
"Miracle Nikki?" Ling Ning’s first thought was of that pink-haired girl traveling around the world. Her second thought was of the world-renowned clothing company that was involved in nearly every clothing sector, serving all age groups—but only won’s clothing. It must be the latter.
Ling Ning nodded, indicating she knew of it. She had read about ‘Miracle Nikki’ online, and the brand’s chain stores could be found along most streets. How could she not know it?
"I used to be their head designer."
Qin Qing said it so casually, but it was a bombshell for Ling Ning. Shocked, she stamred, "Th-then why... why did you...?"
"Why did I quit, right? It was just too exhausting. Being the head designer is practically inhuman." Qin Qing said it with a smile, but there was a touch of bitterness that made Ling Ning feel it probably wasn’t that simple.
"And... where’s Sirou’s father?" Ling Ning suddenly realized she had never seen Qin Qing’s husband around.
"We divorced."
"I... I’m sorry." Ling Ning hadn’t ant to stumble into such a sensitive topic.
Qin Qing smiled slightly and said, "It’s fine, it’s all in the past. Let’s not talk about it anymore. Let’s get started." Saying this, she skillfully took out various photography equipnt from a nearby box and started setting it up.
Ling Ning watched in surprise. Wasn't Qin Qing a fashion designer? Why was she so proficient with photography gear too? Ling Ning had a friend in her past life who was a professional photographer, and even he hadn’t been this adept.
"Don’t look so surprised. I was the head of the photography club in college," Qin Qing said, a hint of pride in her voice. It seed she had quite the accomplishnts in photography as well.
While Qin Qing busied herself setting up the equipnt, Ling Ning grabbed an outfit and went to the adjacent room to change. She was getting more and more used to wearing won's clothing—just days ago, she had felt entirely at a loss about it.
Not long after, Qin Qing had finished preparing the equipnt. Ling Ning took a deep breath, stood in position, and posed as Qin Qing directed.
"Ling Ning, try to make your expression more natural—you're too stiff."
"Relax your body more. You’re too tense."
"What’s on your mind? Your eyes are unfocused."
Ling Ning tried her best to follow Qin Qing’s instructions, but no matter what she did, sothing always seed off. For a first-tir, she was doing fairly well, but Qin Qing was a perfectionist, and she just couldn’t seem to take a photo she was satisfied with.
"Let’s take a break."
Qin Qing sighed helplessly. She began to wonder if her expectations for Ling Ning were just too high. Looking at the photos they’d taken so far, they were good enough to use as display samples, but she still felt that sothing was missing.
Ling Ning sat down on a chair. The poses themselves weren’t difficult, but after holding them for a while, it did get tiring. As she rested, she reflected on what might have been missing from her performance.
At that mont, Ling Ye and Qin Sirou burst in, all smiles. Seeing Qin Qing with a cara, they curiously asked, "Are you taking pictures?"
Qin Qing ruffled Ling Ye’s hair, smiling as she said, "Yes, I am. Ye Ye, do you want to take one of you too?"
"Yes, please!"
"Mommy, I want one too!" Qin Sirou added, excitedly.
And so, Qin Qing began snapping pictures of the two little girls. Seeing their innocent smiles, Ling Ning’s own lips couldn’t help but turn upwards.
Qin Qing happened to catch this mont and quickly picked up the cara to capture it. When she saw the photo, she nodded in satisfaction, exclaiming to Ling Ning, "That’s it! That natural smile you had just now while looking at Ye Ye—that’s perfect."
"A natural smile...?" Ling Ning repeated thoughtfully.
Qin Qing nodded. "Your usual smile is nice, but it feels a bit forced, a little too practiced. It’s different when you smile at Ye Ye—it cos from the heart."
"Alright, let try again." Ling Ning closed her eyes, took a mont to collect herself, and slowly allowed her lips to curl upwards, eventually displaying a stunning, genuine smile.
⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱
"Let’s call it a day for now. After dinner, we’ll continue. You and Ye Ye can stay here tonight," Qin Qing said, putting down her cara and rubbing her tired eyes. Though Ling Ning had quickly grasped the key to a perfect smile, they had wasted so much ti earlier that they still had less than half of the shots needed. More work awaited them in the evening.
"Stay over? But..." Ling Ning began, only for Qin Qing to cut her off.
"I said you’re staying, so you’re staying. No argunts. Do you really think we’ll be done early enough for you to go ho after we finish? What do you want to do—personally drive my little employee back ho? Besides, it’s close to where you work tomorrow. What are you worried about? That there aren't any spare clothes here?" Qin Qing didn't give Ling Ning a chance to object, shooting down every argunt before she could make it.
Ling Ning could only nod, accepting her fate. Qin Qing had made it clear there was no point in arguing, and refusing now would just be impolite. She got up and walked to the window, drawing back the curtain. The sun was just about to set, its golden rays spilling through the glass and wrapping around Ling Ning like a golden bridal gown, dazzling and splendid.
Qin Qing stared, entranced by the scene, montarily forgetting to speak. When she snapped out of it, she hastily grabbed her cara, capturing the mont—this one was definitely going to be a treasured keepsake.
⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱
When Ling Ye heard that they were staying over, she dove into Ling Ning’s arms in excitent, giving her mother a big kiss on the cheek.
As for dinner, they ended up ordering takeout. Between the two of them being preoccupied with the photoshoot, not buying groceries, and the fridge being empty, neither of them felt like cooking. To be honest, they were both just being lazy, so takeout was the only option.
To be fair, the takeout in this world was pretty great—fast too. It usually arrived within half an hour, sothing Ling Ning could only dream of in her past life.
⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱
Author's Note:
This chapter was finished in the middle of the night, so bear with if it’s a bit rough.
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