The Heroine Pays Me to Fall in Love (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 37

Su Jin’s skin was pale as snow, and against that black shirt, her beauty stood out even more strikingly.

Jiang Zhinan fell silent for a moment before finally pressing her lips together and standing up. She took the palette, walked to stand before Su Jin, and lifted her head to meet her gaze.

Su Jin didn’t speak either. She just stared quietly back at her, eyes meeting eyes. A moment later, the corners of her lips lifted slightly.

“What’s wrong?” she asked softly, her voice low enough for only Jiang Zhinan to hear. “What’s the matter, President Zhou? Afraid to start?”

“How could I be?” Jiang Zhinan blinked, trying to sound composed. “I just don’t quite remember how to do this anymore. It’s been years since I last picked up a brush.”

Of course, that was only an excuse.

The real reason was that she didn’t dare to touch her.

The woman before her was so beautiful she seemed like a work of art—holy and untouchable even when doing nothing at all, as though any careless touch would be a form of desecration.

Jiang Zhinan knew her own drawing skills all too well—somewhere around kindergarten level. She could turn a bird into a chicken with just a few strokes. If she actually put that kind of “artistry” on Su Jin’s skin, she might get punched for it.

Sensing her hesitation, Wang Xiran chuckled and spoke up encouragingly.

“It’s fine, President Zhou. It’s just a few flowers. I can teach you.”

As she said that, she reached out and wrapped her hand around the one Jiang Zhinan held the brush with. Dipping it into the red pigment, she guided it toward Su Jin’s chest.

Su Jin frowned slightly at the sight but didn’t move away. She endured it, waiting until Wang Xiran finished painting.

The red pigment was vivid—like liquid blood. It spread, twisted, and bloomed across Su Jin’s chest, gradually forming the faint outline of a flower.

“See, President Zhou?” Wang Xiran murmured by her ear, smiling as she spoke. “Here’s where you turn the brush and here’s where you smooth it out.”

It looked almost intimate—like a pair whispering softly to each other.

Su Jin didn’t even know what was wrong with her today. Just seeing the two of them standing so close together made her chest tighten with irritation.

Right now was no exception. Watching Wang Xiran grip Jiang Zhinan’s hand so tightly made her feel as if someone had stepped on her tail. Her temple throbbed with each pulse.

This was ridiculous.

Su Jin took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay composed as she waited for them to finish. When Wang Xiran finally let go, Su Jin took a step back, her face cold.

“What’s wrong?” Wang Xiran arched an eyebrow. “Are you feeling unwell?”

“You should let Zhou Ying handle it now.” Su Jin’s tone was calm but firm. “She’s smart—she’s already learned.”

Before Jiang Zhinan could even respond, Su Jin added, “She can do it.”

Jiang Zhinan: “…”

“Alright then, President Zhou, you go ahead.” Wang Xiran smiled, seemingly catching on to Su Jin’s impatience. She released Jiang Zhinan’s hand and turned to prepare other materials.

In the end, only the two of them remained—Jiang Zhinan standing there with her brush, and Su Jin, chest bare beneath the light.

“I really don’t know if I can,” Jiang Zhinan sighed, unsure what Su Jin was thinking. “What if I ruin it?”

“Go on,” Su Jin replied. “I watched how it’s done. If you mess up, I’ll teach you.”

There was no room for refusal in her tone.

Jiang Zhinan stared at her for a long moment before letting out a soft breath. “Alright, then don’t move. I’ll start.”

“Mm.” Su Jin nodded and stood perfectly still.

There was something inexplicably obedient about her in that moment.

Once Jiang Zhinan actually started, things went more smoothly than expected. The flower design wasn’t that complicated, and after seeing Wang Xiran demonstrate it once, she gradually got the hang of it.

All the while, Su Jin kept her eyes on her like a supervisor overseeing work, gaze sharp and unwavering.

Jiang Zhinan could almost feel what that look meant—it said if you mess this up, you’re dead.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Zhinan steadied her hand and painted with painstaking care. This time, she didn’t make a single mistake.

Soon, several vivid, blood-red blossoms bloomed on Su Jin’s chest, lifelike and breathtaking.

“Not bad, right?” Jiang Zhinan asked proudly. “Looks pretty good, doesn’t it?”

“Mm.” Su Jin nodded, but somehow, Jiang Zhinan caught a faint trace of disappointment in her eyes.

“Alright,” Wang Xiran called before Jiang Zhinan could say more. “Everything’s ready, Su Jin.”

“Got it,” Su Jin replied, walking over to the camera and sitting down on the chair Wang Xiran had set up against the backdrop.

“Try a few poses,” Wang Xiran said, guiding her. “Don’t overthink it—just move however feels natural.”

“Okay.”

Su Jin leaned back into the chair, posture relaxed yet deliberate. Her expression was focused, lips curved into a faint smile—like a lion resting after the hunt.

Wang Xiran was instantly captivated. After years of photographing stiff, self-conscious models who couldn’t express emotion even in perfect poses, this kind of natural grace was rare.

It had been a long time since she’d met someone who looked so effortlessly beautiful.

Excited, she fired the camera flash repeatedly, snapping shot after shot, then quickly set up for the next set.

Jiang Zhinan helped throughout—at first too nervous to get close, but eventually even helping Su Jin zip up her dress without hesitation.

By the time they were finally done, it was nearly eight o’clock.

The city lights in the distance were dazzling, casting faint glimmers even over the half-finished building around them.

When Wang Xiran finished the final set, she excitedly pulled them over to look at the photos, promising to send them a copy after sorting.

“Sounds good.” Jiang Zhinan smiled gratefully. “Thank you for your hard work. I’ll transfer your payment once I get home.”

“No rush.” Wang Xiran waved a hand. “I really enjoyed this shoot. Call me again next time.”

“Definitely.” Jiang Zhinan smiled again and said goodbye. Then she and Su Jin left the studio together.

Though it was still summer, the sky had gone completely dark. The night breeze carried a refreshing chill.

The two of them walked side by side beneath the starlit sky.

The darker the surroundings, the more brightly the stars seemed to shine—and somehow, Su Jin beside her shone the same way.

Jiang Zhinan glanced over without thinking. The sharp angles of Su Jin’s face had softened in the dim light; her lips curved faintly, her gaze calm, her features gentle in a way that felt entirely new.

Gone was the fierce woman she remembered. In her place was someone quiet, almost tender.

Noticing her gaze, Su Jin turned her head. Her eyes gleamed under the light. “What is it?”

Jiang Zhinan shook her head, just about to answer—when her phone suddenly rang.

She offered Su Jin an apologetic smile before answering.

“Boss?” Chen Bin’s voice came through the line. “How’s everything going? Should I come pick you up?”

“No need,” Jiang Zhinan replied while walking forward. “We’ll grab a ride back ourselves. Get some rest—you’ve been running around all day.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Chen Bin laughed. “Getting to pick you up is an honor! Others would kill for the chance, but I wouldn’t trade it away!”

His sincerity made Jiang Zhinan laugh, eyes crinkling in amusement.

They chatted a bit more until she reached the intersection, where she finally hung up.

Maybe it was from talking in the cool night air too long, but as soon as she ended the call, she started hiccupping again—harder and faster than before.

“What’s wrong with you?” Su Jin sighed, turning to look at her. “Hiccupping again?”

“I don’t know,” Jiang Zhinan said between hiccups, voice broken and uneven.

Su Jin raised an eyebrow, then leaned closer, her voice low and teasing. “Didn’t I warn you? If you start hiccupping again, I’ll kiss you.”

“Who are you trying to scare?” Jiang Zhinan laughed through her hiccups. “You’re bluffing.”

Stubborn as ever—she never believed anything until she saw it herself.

“Is that so?” Su Jin murmured, her lips curving as something unreadable flickered in her eyes.

Before Jiang Zhinan could react, Su Jin tilted her head—

—and softly kissed her lips.

Who said it was a bluff?

See? I kissed you, didn’t I.