Limited-Time Attachment - Chapter 3

The theme “The Nightingale and the Rose” was romantic and intense, demanding high expressive power from the model. However, Ruan Jinjin possessed only a raw, innocent quality that clashed with her personality, there was no love in her eyes.

During a break in the shoot, Song Ming walked over to Ruan Jinjin carrying two cups of coffee.

Ruan Jinjin turned her head, looking at Song Ming with a hint of defensiveness.

Song Ming seemed not to notice her subtle rejection. She gently placed one of the cups in front of Ruan Jinjin and curled her lips into a smile. “Americano. No sugar.”

Ruan Jinjin gave Song Ming a suspicious glance before dragging the coffee toward herself. “What are you trying to do?”

“Nothing,” Song Ming replied. She placed her own coffee on the table, sat down beside Ruan Jinjin, and casually stretched out her long legs.

Recalling the words Song Ming had said to her, Ruan Jinjin’s brow furrowed again. She turned to face Song Ming, intending to snap at her, but as her gaze fell upon Song Ming’s profile, she accidentally lost her train of thought.

Song Ming was backlit. Her long eyelashes were cast downward, their delicate tips seemingly dusted with gold.

Song Ming’s beauty was profound; she had inherited the sharp features of her Southern European mother, and her rare green eyes added a touch of mystery. When she looked at someone, those eyes were like a whirlpool, few could pull themselves away from that gravitational force.

Suddenly, an image flashed in Ruan Jinjin’s mind: Song Ming silently scrutinizing her from behind the lens. Her throat felt inexplicably dry.

The arrogant model gripped the Americano and took a large gulp.

Song Ming, who had seemed lost in thought, looked over at the sound and let out a soft laugh. “Very thirsty?”

Ruan Jinjin froze mid-motion. “No.”

Leaning back lazily in her chair, Song Ming asked as if in passing, “Do you have any ideas for the next shoot?”

“You mean ‘The Nightingale and the Rose’?” Ruan Jinjin answered around her straw, her voice a bit muffled.

Her mind was preoccupied, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on what was bothering her. She just felt guilty… especially when she was near Song Ming.

“Yes,” Song Ming smiled, her eyes bright. “Love, do you understand it?”

Ruan Jinjin was stunned. She had no understanding of love, yet at this moment, under Song Ming’s gaze, she felt a wave of restlessness.

The sound of her racing heartbeat was impossibly clear.

Song Ming felt the timing was right.

Since Ruan Jinjin didn’t understand love, she would simply let her experience the feeling.

Originally, the “Nightingale and the Rose” shoot was scheduled for later, but Song Ming had insisted on moving it up.

Through the lens, Ruan Jinjin wore a red dress, her eyes harboring a passion she wasn’t even aware of.

The organizer’s agent had been worrying about this theme for a long time. Ruan Jinjin’s temper was plain for everyone to see, she wasn’t sure if someone with such a thin, flamboyant personality could handle a theme as lingering and mournful as “The Nightingale and the Rose.”

If the final images turned out poorly, not only would the designer be furious, but the CEO promoting the new collection would also hold her accountable.

Fortunately, Song Ming’s involvement was a guarantee of quality. The moment she saw the raw proofs, the agent who had been living in fear for half a month, almost burst into tears of gratitude.

Feng Ting said excitedly, “Song Ming-laoshi, you are my god.”

“Hmm,” Song Ming replied with a faint expression. After reviewing the photos on the monitor, she said, “Get things ready and let Xiao Yang do the retouching. Check my schedule to decide who will shoot the remaining series.”

“Right away, right away!” Feng Ting felt much lighter now that she had something to show her superiors. With an uncontrollable smile, she happily escorted Song Ming out of the studio.

As the two walked side by side toward the gate, a small commotion broke out behind them.

Feng Ting looked back and saw Ruan Jinjin standing at the door of Song Ming’s dressing room, looking extremely displeased as she caught a staff member and asked, “Where is Song Ming?”

The voice was distorted by the distance to the gate, making it hard to hear clearly. Feng Ting only caught the name “Song Ming,” and her heart skipped a beat again. She couldn’t help but steal a glance at Song Ming, wondering why the two, who seemed to have cooperated well just now appeared to be in conflict again.

Standing in Ruan Jinjin’s blind spot, Song Ming clicked her tongue inwardly. She reached out, slid her sunglasses onto the bridge of her nose, and tucked the stunned Feng Ting under her arm, saying in a rather cheerful tone, “Let’s go.”

Being led away, Feng Ting walked out of the venue in a daze. She thought confusedly. I was just supposed to see her out… I’m not even that close to Song Ming, why is she holding me?

…Song Ming’s embrace was so warm. She wondered what perfume she used, it was light and fresh, yet strangely addictive.

Feng Ting was led all the way to the parking lot.

The arm around her shoulder was withdrawn, and Feng Ting felt a sudden lightness, snapping her back to reality.

Beneath her sunglasses, Song Ming gave a radiant smile and patted Feng Ting on the shoulder. “Today was a pleasure. Thanks to your coordination. Let’s work together again if there’s a chance.”

Over the past few days at the shoot, Song Ming had been lethargic and seemingly indifferent to people. Feng Ting was momentarily dazed, having never seen Song Ming show even a hint of a smile.

Song Ming didn’t mind her distraction. After dropping those words, she turned gracefully into her car and drove away.

In the wake of the McLaren’s exhaust, Feng Ting snapped out of Song Ming’s spell and tried to remember with a headache. What was I worried about just now?

As the scenery blurred past, Song Ming gripped the steering wheel and let out a very pleasant sigh of relief.

Ruan Jinjin was looking for her, and Song Ming didn’t feel negatively about that, but today, she didn’t want to be entangled. With a temper like Ruan Jinjin’s, getting involved would surely be troublesome. Theoretically, Song Ming shouldn’t have provoked her, she didn’t really care if the final photos were “top-tier” or just “good.”

But back in the studio, when she caught Ruan Jinjin’s blunt yet awkward gaze, she saw a depth-charge being thrown into her boring life.

Lately, her life had been too dull; she wanted a bit of fresh stimulation.

Besides, that little model was so proud; surely she wouldn’t actually get her heart broken by anyone.

Halfway home, the car phone rang. Song Ming glanced at it and answered casually.

“Boss Song, finished with the Lovish jewelry series?” the person on the other end asked.

“I suppose,” Song Ming said nonchalantly. “You don’t expect me to shoot the entire line for a contract like this, do you?”

“No, no, of course not. A small job like that couldn’t possibly keep you busy for long,” Ji Shan, the owner of ‘Yue Xi’ who usually acted all dignified in public, pleaded in a fawning, hurried tone. “Boss Song, it’s an emergency! Come back to the studio. I have a job here that must be handled by you. No one else can pull it off!”

“Not going,” Song Ming said without a second thought. “I’m tired.”

“Wait, wait, don’t!” Ji Shan wailed. “Half a month! My dear Boss Song, if you handle this one, I won’t bother you for half a month, okay? You can do whatever you want, and I absolutely won’t disturb you.”

Song Ming gave a light scoff. “If I didn’t want you to find me, do you really think you could bother me?”

“Hehe,” Ji Shan laughed slyly. “It’s only because you’re unwilling to leave A-City. Otherwise, where would I even look for you?”

Ji Shan had said it offhandedly, but Song Ming felt as if a hidden, sensitive nerve had been touched. She frowned. “It’s just a city. Why would I be unwilling to leave?”

Ji Shan was even more perceptive than Song Ming. Sensing he had brought up a taboo subject, he immediately pivoted. “Ancestor, my dear ancestor, please just come.”

Ji Shan looked back at the client waiting nearby and gritted his teeth. “There’s an underwater shoot in a few days. The model is a retired synchronized swimmer. She’s gorgeous with a perfect figure!”

“Oh?” Song Ming’s impatient expression faltered.

“I asked around,” Ji Shan said mysteriously. “She’s just like you, also single.”

“…Hmph.” Song Ming turned the steering wheel. “Do you think I care about that?”