The fan area was filled with excited screams and cheers, but none of them were for Jiang Qing.
She didn’t feel upset or bothered. She simply glanced in the direction of the fans, then walked confidently toward the media zone, letting the flashing cameras focus on her.
The bursts of light from the cameras were brighter than daylight. They sparkled across her body like falling stars.
When the open fan visit time came to an end, the actors returned to the set to continue filming.
Of course, the media didn’t leave either. Their visit had been arranged to document the filming process and report on the project’s progress.
On set, everything had already been prepared. The stage, extras, and lighting had all been arranged.
To avoid spoiling key plot points, the production team had chosen not to film a major scene in front of the press that day.
Instead, the scene focused on the complicated bond between a princess and her maid. Though they were still deeply in love, the trials they had faced had created distance. Each woman kept secrets buried in her heart, too heavy to speak aloud. They met each other with gentleness and peace, hiding the burdens they carried.
In this scene, the princess wore a simple pleated gown that trailed to the floor. Her waist was clean and unadorned, and the delicate bells she usually wore, which once rang softly with each step, were now gone.
“Ready to roll,” the director said through the walkie-talkie.
At the edge of the canopy bed, the princess and her maid sat facing each other.
“I will always love you and protect you,” the princess said.
She looked deeply into the maid’s eyes. Her gentle fingers traced across the maid’s beautiful face, inch by inch, as if trying to memorize every feature.
The maid placed her hand softly over the princess’s. Her voice was calm and sincere. “To protect you and love you, Your Highness, is my life’s unwavering purpose.”
Moonlight, thick and silver, poured through the carved windows and flowed silently across the floor, witnessing their vow.
The maid wore the same warm, indulgent smile she always did. Although countless thoughts filled her heart, she held them in and said nothing.
What was the point of speaking? It would only trouble her princess even more.
Besides, she truly believed that nothing could disturb the future they would share.
Suddenly, she turned her face slightly to avoid the camera. Her long, thick lashes trembled faintly and cast a small shadow beneath her eyes.
Her slender figure curled inward just a little. Aside from the princess—no, aside from Jiang Qing—no one noticed. The rest of the crew was still fully focused on the performance.
As the faint scent of something cool and refreshing drifted toward her, Jiang Qing immediately understood what was happening.
The director had not called for a cut yet.
Following the script, Jiang Qing placed one arm gently around Song Qin Ning’s shoulders and pulled her close.
Song Qin Ning sank fully into her arms.
It was a bold motion, but Jiang Qing performed it with care and tenderness.
Her cheek was hidden by Song Qin Ning’s soft hair, blocking the camera’s view. No one noticed her lips move slightly as she whispered, “Miss Song, are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” came the quiet reply from within her arms.
Jiang Qing rarely broke character.
Now, her eyes remained closed, every sense heightened.
The source of the Omega’s scent was so close that if she lowered her head even a little, she would be able to touch it.
Jiang Qing released a faint wave of Alpha pheromones, just enough to soothe the Omega in her arms. It was so light that it would vanish with the breeze, yet still effective enough to calm Song Qin Ning’s reaction.
But her teeth ached.
The temptation to bite down and mark the Omega’s gland was overwhelming. The desire spun in her mind, constant and relentless, whispering that this scent must be sweet and worth tasting.
The urge didn’t fade until the Omega in her arms gradually relaxed. The heat had passed, and her restlessness disappeared.
Jiang Qing finally allowed herself to breathe again.
Thank goodness.
Rational thought had won over instinct.
She didn’t even want to imagine what kind of chaos would break out if she marked Song Qin Ning in front of the entire crew. Besides, she was not someone who would act without permission. She would never mark her without consent.
More importantly, Jiang Qing considered Song Qin Ning a friend. But from Song Qin Ning’s side, things were still uncertain. If she crossed the line and left a mark, it could ruin everything.
If Song Qin Ning got angry and refused to speak to her again, all the effort she had put in so far would be wasted.
“Cut.”
The director’s voice finally called out the end of the scene.
The reporters behind him were silent for a brief moment, then everything burst into noise like boiling oil hitting water.
“Wait, does Jiang Qing have a twin sister? That performance couldn’t be real, right?”
“No way. Oh my god. That was absolutely stunning. I can already imagine the trending topics going crazy!”
“Director Chen really knows how to pick actors. Who knew Jiang Qing would have such a breakthrough? I was completely drawn in.”
The reporter who spoke looked back at the footage on the camera and couldn’t stop praising it.
Voices of admiration filled the room. Even after Jiang Qing walked past them, she could still hear their discussions from behind.
“When she walked by just now, I saw her eyes were actually red. Her acting is on another level now.”
Jiang Qing remained quiet.
That was not because of acting. It was just a normal physical reaction triggered by being so close to an Omega.
Walking beside her, Song Qin Ning suddenly spoke.
“Does what you said last time still count?”
Jiang Qing had a feeling she knew what Song Qin Ning was referring to, but still asked, “What do you mean?”
“The temporary mark,” Song Qin Ning replied.
“It still counts. I’m fine with it. Just let me know when.”
“Tonight at eight. My room.”
“Alright.”
At eight o’clock sharp, Jiang Qing arrived.
Song Qin Ning opened the door for her.
Jiang Qing couldn’t help but stare for a moment at what Song Qin Ning was wearing. Her loungewear was unexpected.
She wore a loose-fitting pale mauve pajama set covered in prints of running white geese. It was completely different from her usual elegant and polished wardrobe. It looked like something picked up from a street stall during a clearance sale.
“My mom bought this,” Song Qin Ning said quickly, as if she needed to explain.
“Your mom has great taste,” Jiang Qing replied with a straight face.
She followed Song Qin Ning into the living room and sat down on the couch.
It was time to begin the mark.
Although the last attempt had not worked out, Jiang Qing had gone back and read everything she could find about how Alpha marking worked. She had memorized every detail and was far more prepared now.
“Miss Song?”
“Hmm?”
Song Qin Ning sat facing away from her but leaned back slightly at the sound of her name.
“Are we considered friends now?” Jiang Qing asked.
She noticed Song Qin Ning blink quickly beneath her long lashes. After a short pause, she replied, “Yes. We are.”
All of Jiang Qing’s effort had not been in vain.
The beautiful lead she had been hoping to grow close to had finally acknowledged her as a friend.
Jiang Qing’s gaze settled gently on the smooth, pale skin at the back of Song Qin Ning’s neck, but she made no sudden movement.
Instead, she spoke in a soft voice, full of warmth and teasing affection.
“If you let me call you Qin Ning, I’ll start the mark.”