After three years of preparation, the highly anticipated adaptation of the popular IP Spring in March Is Just Warm was finally set to begin filming.
The project was enjoying a lot of attention.
However, regardless of the buzz and rumors outside, Director Chen Mu Zhi, a reserved and low-key Alpha, stuck to his usual approach. Just like with all his previous films, he kept the opening ceremony simple and quiet.
In his own words, “This year, same as always. Invite two or three media outlets, no more.”
That morning, a cool and refreshing breeze drifted through the mountains.
Director Chen Mu Zhi stepped out of the car, shivered slightly, and pulled his dark blue coat tightly around him.
Then he noticed a large crowd ahead. A swarm of people stood there, most of them holding cameras, talking loudly over one another.
He frowned slightly and asked the staff beside him, “Is there another event going on here today?”
The staff looked around, confused, clearly unsure what was happening.
Shujing Film City was one of the country’s top filming locations, but it was not open to the public.
Only those with appointments could enter.
Production crews often held their opening ceremonies here, but no one had mentioned another team filming at the same time.
The production director overheard Director Chen Mu Zhi’s question from a short distance away and quickly walked over.
“They’re all here for our opening ceremony,” he explained.
Director Chen Mu Zhi felt a headache coming on.
“I thought we agreed to only invite two or three media outlets.”
The production director looked uncomfortable.
“We did only invite three companies we’ve worked with before. The others came on their own. The lead actors are all high-profile, so a lot of media outlets came to chase headlines and ride the hype.”
A hint of irritation flashed in Director Chen Mu Zhi’s eyes. He thought about asking them to leave, but after a moment of hesitation, he decided against it.
It was a good day, a day to celebrate the start of filming. He did not want to stir up unnecessary trouble.
The conversation ended there. He looked at the crowd and asked, “Are all the lead actors here?”
The production director let out a quiet sigh of relief. He was grateful that Director Chen Mu Zhi was not pressing the issue.
“They are all here. Just waiting for you.”
Inside the crowd, three elegant and eye-catching women stood together.
The one in the middle was especially striking.
She had soft, graceful eyebrows and clear, bright eyes. Her natural confidence shone through effortlessly.
She wore a burgundy plaid dress. The lower hem revealed a portion of her legs, smooth and slender with beautiful lines.
Smiling, Jiang Qing accepted three red envelopes from Director Chen Mu Zhi. She turned first to her right and handed one to Huang Huijun.
Then she shifted her weight and turned left.
“Miss Song, this one is for you.”
For a second, her eyes lost focus. The face she expected to see up close was not where she had imagined it.
She looked a bit farther and adjusted her focus again.
Just outside a polite social distance, Song Qin Ning stood tall and poised. Her posture was graceful but distant, surrounded by an untouchable air.
There was enough space between them to fit half a person.
Jiang Qing was slightly surprised by Song Qin Ning’s behavior. But then she remembered her explanation on WeChat and said nothing.
She extended her arm, holding the red envelope gently between her fingers.
The envelope was shaped like a cute little cat, small and charming. It was hard to imagine how Director Chen Mu Zhi had managed to fit money inside.
“Thank you,” Song Qin Ning said quietly.
“No need to thank me. It’s just part of the tradition,” Jiang Qing replied with a smile.
Since Song Qin Ning preferred to keep a bit of distance, Jiang Qing would respect that.
She decided to treat her as a calm and courteous acquaintance, nothing more, nothing less.
Song Qin Ning reached out to take the red envelope.
Her movements were light and smooth, but because the envelope was small, her hand accidentally brushed against the back of Jiang Qing’s slender hand.
Under the morning sunlight, their fingers looked delicate and glowing, touched by a soft golden light.
The contact lasted less than a second, but it felt like a spark. Song Qin Ning quickly pulled her hand back.
Yet the warmth from Jiang Qing’s skin lingered. It spread from her fingertips straight to her chest, causing her heart to beat quickly and unevenly.
The heat on her skin also rose sharply.
“Was that static?” Jiang Qing rubbed her fingers together thoughtfully. She didn’t notice anything unusual.
Song Qin Ning already knew what caused the strange reaction. It had everything to do with the pheromone compatibility between her and Jiang Qing.
She casually tucked a soft strand of green hair behind her ear and replied calmly, “Yes. You didn’t feel it?”
Jiang Qing’s gaze followed the motion of her hand moving through her hair.
“No, I just thought your hand felt cold. It didn’t feel like static at all.”
As soon as she finished speaking, her eyes paused on Song Qin Ning’s exposed ear.
The tip of her ear had turned red.
A warm blush had taken over the usually pale skin, and the tiny beauty mark there looked like it might catch fire at any moment.
Jiang Qing had never paid attention to Song Qin Ning’s ears when they talked before.
But that flush of red was so different from her usual cool and elegant appearance that it stood out right away. It reminded Jiang Qing of the softness hidden beneath Song Qin Ning’s calm surface. The contrast made her want to tease her a little, to see if the blush would spread even more.
But just as she was about to speak, she remembered Song Qin Ning’s “no close contact with Alphas” rule. They were also standing in front of so many people. So she held the words back and said nothing.
None of the media nearby noticed what had just happened.
They were too busy rushing to post updates on social media, all trying to be the first to land on the trending list.
Just a few minutes ago, several sharp-eyed reporters had picked up on the unusual distance between two of the three female leads. They immediately filmed it and spun it into a dramatic story.
One reporter came up with the most attention-grabbing headline, which quickly shot up the rankings.
“Shocking: Distance Between Stars at Opening Ceremony Sparks Rumors. Did Song Qin Ning Support Jiang Qing Only Because of Industry Pressure?”
The conversations and gossip quickly turned into a wave of commentary about the rising star and the so-called resource-backed actress with no talent. Both Jiang Qing and Song Qin Ning were used to these kinds of rumors and did not let them affect their mood.
But standing nearby, Huang Huijun was not so calm.
She hated Jiang Qing for getting roles so easily. She hated Song Qin Ning even more for taking the second lead role that could have been hers. What made her even angrier was how all the reporters only cared about the two of them. She felt invisible, like she didn’t even exist.
That bitter taste of being ignored constantly reminded her that her best years were over. Her golden era had already passed.
Huang Huijun kept up a polite smile, but inside her heart was full of jealousy.
Right now, the person who posed a bigger threat to her was not Jiang Qing, who relied on family background, but Song Qin Ning, who was clearly rising fast.
If something happened to Song Qin Ning, then she could take that second lead role for herself.
She had already given up on Sun Haoyi. He was useless and too obsessed with the wrong things. What she needed now was a new partner.
She did not have high standards.
She only needed someone with the same goal as her. Someone who disliked Song Qin Ning as much as she did.
Her eyes moved slightly and landed on a tall Alpha beside her, with long legs and wavy hair.
Just as she was about to look away, she noticed Jiang Qing suddenly turning her head.
Those sharp and confident eyes locked right onto her.
.
After the ceremony ended, Jiang Qing did not leave right away.
Once most people had left, she walked toward a small pavilion by the pond.
During the incense offering earlier, Huang Huijun had approached her and said there was something she would be very interested in. She asked Jiang Qing to meet her there after the ceremony.
Huang Huijun was watching the colorful koi swimming in the water when she heard the sound of footsteps behind her. She turned around.
Jiang Qing was already standing in front of her.
With her arms crossed, Jiang Qing looked at her and asked, “What is it you wanted to say?”
Her first impression of Huang Huijun had never been good. She only came because she was curious what kind of news Huang Huijun thought she would care about.
Huang Huijun lifted her chin slightly.
“This is something you’ll definitely be interested in.”
Jiang Qing casually twirled a lock of her hair around her fingers, then let it fall.
“It is.”