Jiang Shining looked down at the qipao she was wearing, her eyes revealing a hint of surprise.
“This outfit… is that expensive?”
Song Ya: “It’s Xiangyunsha, a luxury fabric native to China. Naturally, it’s precious, but it suits you perfectly.”
After expressing her admiration, Song Ya opened the folding fan and handed it to Jiang Shining. “Strike a pose!”
Jiang Shining felt a bit hesitant. “I’m not very good at it.”
She was afraid that wearing such expensive Xiangyunsha would result in poor photos.
Song Ya adjusted her black-framed glasses, placed the fan in front of her face, half-concealing it, and tilted her head upward.
“Like this! Okay?”
As she spoke, she winked at Jiang Shining.
Before Jiang Shining could react, Lin Momo, who was grinding coffee nearby, chuckled first.
Seeing both of them turn to look at her, Lin Momo closed her mouth.
Song Ya handed the folding fan back to Jiang Shining. “Want to give it a try?”
Jiang Shining took the fan, slowly opened it, and imitated Song Ya’s earlier gesture, tilting her head slightly upward.
Although she had never modeled before, Jiang Shining knew she had to look at the camera. Her captivating almond-shaped eyes glanced toward Song Ya.
“Like this?”
Click, click.
The response was the frantic sound of the camera shutter.
Jiang Shining learned quickly. After Song Ya taught her a few times, she grasped the technique.
Her movements became increasingly smooth and natural.
Until the wind chime at the door rang.
Ding-dong.
“Hello, welcome.”
As a coffee shop waitress, Jiang Shining reflexively recited the greeting before looking toward the door.
Qin Wang stood at the entrance, his gaze fixed on her.
At that moment, Jiang Shining was still holding the pose Song Ya had arranged for her—her right hand slightly raised, supporting the folding fan, while the tasseled silver hairpin on her head swayed gently with her movement.
This was the first time he had seen Jiang Shining wearing makeup.
It was also Qin Wang’s first time seeing her in a qipao.
Seeing Qin Wang staring at her in a daze, Jiang Shining felt a bit self-conscious.
“Is it… weird?”
She still hadn’t seen what she looked like now.
“Beautiful.”
“It suits you very well.”
After saying this, Qin Wang closed the coffee shop door.
He walked toward Jiang Shining.
Glancing at Song Ya, who was holding the camera, his gaze returned to Jiang Shining.
“A new part-time job?”
Jiang Shining nodded. “Yes.”
Feeling somewhat embarrassed by the presence of an unfamiliar man in the shop who was staring at her intently, Jiang Shining asked, “I’m still working. Would you like some coffee?”
Qin Wang nodded.
Lin Momo, who was nearby, quickly filtered the freshly ground coffee and added ice cubes.
In less than two minutes, a cup of coffee was placed on the counter.
Lin Momo: “Iced Americano.”
Qin Wang took the iced Americano from the table and found a seat in the shop.
It was the same corner as before.
Qin Wang didn’t disturb Jiang Shining further, almost like a background prop.
Song Ya, looking at the cool-faced guy in the corner, nudged Jiang Shining and asked curiously, “Who is he?”
Jiang Shining: “My not-yet-ex-boyfriend.”
“Oh… boyfriend, uh, wait.”
Song Ya suddenly realized the prefix in Jiang Shining’s words and looked at her new model with disbelief.
She couldn’t imagine that the gentle beauty in front of her seemed like someone who would keep multiple romantic interests.
Jiang Shining tilted her head. “Are we still shooting?”
Song Ya: “Yes!”
Whether she kept romantic interests or not, having such a beautiful girlfriend was a win regardless.
Click, click.
The shutter sound continued.
In the quiet coffee shop, Jiang Shining was like a figurine displayed in an exhibition case. Song Ya kept changing her into beautiful dresses, and every movement captivated Qin Wang.
He felt that today’s coffee not only lacked bitterness but was even excessively sweet.
……
Song Ya put down her camera.
“No good, still missing something.”
Jiang Shining asked in confusion, “What’s wrong?”
“The model material is enough, but isn’t the shop owner looking for promotion? Perfect, I still want a cover, and none of these shots are suitable for it.”
Song Ya stared at the cover, looking troubled.
“Something is still missing.”
Song Ya pondered.
A few minutes later, she glanced at Lin Momo, who was sitting upright in the café, and suddenly, inspiration struck.
“You, come out.”
Suddenly called out, Lin Momo felt both nervous and excited.
“Are you going to photograph me too?”
Lin Momo stepped out from behind the coffee bar.
Song Ya sized up Lin Momo from head to toe, then rolled up her sleeves.
“Come, strike this pose… yes, Jiang Shining, move closer, lower your head.”
“No, don’t shake! Stop shaking!”
Looking at Lin Momo, whose hands were trembling like she had Parkinson’s, Song Ya was speechless.
“I’m only photographing your hands, not your face.”
Lin Momo looked at Jiang Shining’s face pressed against her palm, on the verge of tears. “It’s not about whether my face is in the shot or not, it’s just that this… isn’t appropriate.”
She was extremely nervous.
Lin Momo, who only worked part-time and had never even posted on social media, had an instinctive fear of the camera.
Song Ya sighed. “Then what should we do? We’re only missing the final set of photos.”
“We can’t just find a male model now.”
Song Ya was frustrated, leaning against the café’s counter.
But when she spotted the pair of hands with distinct knuckles holding an iced Americano glass in the corner, her eyes suddenly lit up.
Song Ya looked at Jiang Shining and lowered her voice. “How about asking your not-yet-ex-boyfriend to give it a try?”
“Just a few shots.”
Him?
Jiang Shining turned to look at the corner of the café.
Qin Wang, quietly watching her.
She thought that if she asked, Qin Wang probably wouldn’t refuse.
“Alright.”
Wearing high heels.
Jiang Shining walked toward Qin Wang, who was sitting there. In the quiet café, the sound of her heels was particularly distinct.
Watching Jiang Shining approach, Qin Wang tightened his grip on the glass.
Jiang Shining stopped at his table.
Since she was asking for a favor, her voice softened.
“Qin Wang, take some photos with me, and I’ll treat you to coffee, how about that?”
An iced Americano cost twenty-eight.
As a model, she earned four hundred an hour. No matter how she calculated it, Jiang Shining felt she was worth it.
Qin Wang looked at her.
In truth, it wasn’t just taking photos—no matter what request Jiang Shining made, he would agree.
“Okay.”
Café
Looking at the tall, cool guy walking ahead, Song Ya was very satisfied.
A handsome guy and a beautiful girl standing together always looked pleasing to the eye, no matter what.
Song Ya raised her camera again.
“Lift your hand, yes, just like that, perfect. Jiang Shining, move a little closer, yes, that’s the vibe.”
Qin Wang’s hand rested near Jiang Shining’s cheek.
Click, click.
The shutter sounded.
After taking the shots, Song Ya continued giving directions.
“Yes, that not-yet-ex… uh, male model, place your hand near your chin. Good, both of you move closer, a little more.”
The distance between them grew smaller and smaller.
Qin Wang stared intently at Jiang Shining, who was wearing light makeup and was now within arm’s reach.
Under his gaze, Jiang Shining’s eyes shimmered with a faint blush.
Cover posters were all about appeal.
Song Ya glanced to the side, where Lin Momo was watching them while munching on cookies.
“Sis, don’t just stand there.”
A reflector appeared in front of Lin Momo.
Song Ya said, “Hold it up higher, make it brighter.”
The next moment, sunlight from outside the café window was refracted onto Jiang Shining’s face. Already somewhat shy, Jiang Shining squinted slightly under the sudden glare.
The pearls on her hairpin and those around her neck gleamed brilliantly, as if casting a halo around Jiang Shining’s entire figure.
Click.
The sound of a camera shutter echoed.