After Transmigrating into a Scumbag Alpha, I Had a Happy Ending with the Heroine (LILY , ABO) - Chapter 9

Because there had been a long break between shoots, both Jiang Qing and Song Qin Ning’s makeup had oxidized and needed touching up. Their outfits also needed to be retouched and restyled.

Jiang Qing was the first to get ready again.

The photographer was already in position.

The studio was rented by the hour, and to stay on schedule, the photographer decided to start with Jiang Qing’s solo shots.

Solo shots usually appeared in the magazine’s inner pages.

Jiang Qing had no objections.

The moment she stepped in front of the camera, her entire aura shifted. She casually struck a variety of poses, seemingly relaxed, but every movement, every glance over the shoulder, every subtle expression carried powerful presence and emotional pull.

It was as if she had practiced these motions thousands of times. Each transition between poses flowed like water—smooth, confident, and highly professional.

In fact, the photographer found it hard to keep up with her rhythm.

This was the same actress the photographer once saw in a television drama, where Jiang Qing’s acting had been so stiff and exaggerated that it made her cringe so badly she nearly broke her expensive EOS C300 camera.

Since then, she had sworn never to watch anything with Jiang Qing in it, not even if her favorite idol was in the cast.

When she learned she would be photographing Jiang Qing, she felt as if she had been struck by lightning.

Jiang Qing had a reputation for poor acting and weak camera sense. If the photos turned out badly, it would be someone like her—the low-level staff—who would take the blame.

But in the photography team, she was the youngest, practically invisible. When the job came up, everyone pushed it around until someone remembered she existed, and it landed on her.

She had planned to get it over with quickly. A few barely usable shots would be enough.

What she didn’t expect was that the woman in front of her lens now seemed like a completely different person from the one on screen.

It was as if Jiang Qing had awakened, transformed. Every movement, every nuance carried new life.

An actor or model’s appeal doesn’t come from exaggerated expressions. Sometimes, restraint creates the most natural beauty.

That beauty, measured and balanced, was what Jiang Qing exuded in this moment. The camera didn’t need her cooperation—it followed her naturally.

Surprised, the photographer set aside her earlier dismissiveness and focused completely, syncing her pace with Jiang Qing’s.

“Great. Take five, then we’ll shoot the next set,” she said, energized as she lowered the camera.

She hadn’t expected the session to go this smoothly.

Maybe they could even wrap up early.

The summer sun was harsh. Indoors, the air conditioning was slow and the space poorly ventilated. It was stuffy and hot.

Jiang Qing was wearing a full suit.

By the end of the set, beads of sweat had formed at her temples.

He Shu handed her water and tissues, then held up a small fan to cool her off.

Five minutes later, the photographer returned for the next set.

The crew had already rearranged the backdrop, and Jiang Qing stepped up again.

A staff member handed her a prop—a single rose—to use in the next pose.

The photographer pointed toward a black leather sofa. “We’ll shoot this set over there.”

Just then, Song Qin Ning stepped out and saw the scene.

The flash lit up rhythmically, and the Alpha in front of the lens didn’t even blink, completely absorbed in her work.

She sat with her legs crossed, a rose delicately held in one hand. A glimpse of her pale wrist peeked from her sleeve. Her chin tilted upward at a perfect thirty-degree angle, her white neck taut and graceful like a swan’s.

Song Qin Ning’s gaze lowered. The Alpha’s figure was tall and well-proportioned, elegant and refined.

The stylist had dressed Jiang Qing in a white V-neck blouse under a tailored black blazer. There were no accessories or bright colors, yet the contrast with her porcelain skin created a striking visual impact.

When she gently pressed the rose to her lips, the only two red tones—the flower and her lipstick—overlapped. But it was her lips, more vivid and luscious than the rose, that captured all the attention.

Like a plum blossom blooming silently in winter snow, the image delivered a powerful visual punch.

For Song Qin Ning, this version of Jiang Qing was far from the careless young lady she once knew. Her dedication made an impression.

She thought Jiang Qing’s eyes looked completely different. Every look, every flicker of emotion was lively and expressive, not the empty stillness she remembered.

She held a small fan in her hand. The breeze stirred her blouse slightly.

Then suddenly, Jiang Qing turned, and their eyes met.

Song Qin Ning froze for a second, then instinctively looked away.

When she looked back up, Jiang Qing’s gaze had already moved on. She was now striking a side profile pose, looking over her shoulder with a faint smile at the corner of her lips.

Song Qin Ning’s cheeks flushed unexpectedly. She felt embarrassed for no reason.

She was waiting for her turn to shoot. It was completely normal to look.

Why did she look away?

And why did it feel like she had just been caught staring?

Later, when Jiang Qing turned again as part of her pose, her gaze brushed past Song Qin Ning once more.

This time, Song Qin Ning didn’t look away.

She stared straight back, as if competing with her, eyes sharp and direct like a supervisor inspecting work.

Jiang Qing lifted the rose and held it in front of her left eye, letting her other eye peek through. She smiled right at her.

The moment was beautifully framed, and the photographer quickly captured it.

“Perfect. That shot was great. This set is more than enough. Thank you, Teacher Jiang.”

Behind Song Qin Ning, Xiao Yu was fuming.

She muttered, “Ning Ning, Jiang Qing just challenged you!”

Song Qin Ning raised an eyebrow. “What?”

Xiao Yu whispered, “She smiled at you in that provoking way. I saw it clearly. She’s trying to get under your skin.”

Song Qin Ning said nothing.

Jiang Qing stepped out of the frame. It was now Song Qin Ning’s turn.

As the two passed each other, Jiang Qing stopped her. “Hold on.”

She reached out and gently brushed away a fine strand of hair from the corner of Song Qin Ning’s lips.

Song Qin Ning reflexively moved back slightly, but not by much. It was almost as if she trusted her.

Jiang Qing’s fingertip brushed softly against her cheek. It felt cool, like polished jade.

Song Qin Ning, however, felt something like a brief electric current spark across her skin, a light, tingling sensation.

A string in her mind pulled tight.

The feeling was unfamiliar, like the first warning signs of her heat period.

Even though she had already taken as many suppressants as possible, Song Qin Ning still had to be extra careful.

Her irregular heat condition had yet to be cured.

She cleared her throat and said,
“Miss Jiang, thank you. But next time, just let me handle it myself. After all, physical contact between two Alphas isn’t really proper.”

In the original novel, Song Qin Ning didn’t like being physically close to Alphas. That was part of the reason people called her the “Ice Beauty.”

Jiang Qing could understand her reaction.

To be honest, she didn’t think the female lead was cold at all.

Take what just happened, for example. Song Qin Ning hadn’t even looked her in the eye when she spoke, probably because she was feeling shy.

But with her reserved personality, she wouldn’t admit it directly. That’s why others misunderstood her as cold and distant.

Still, that whole line about Alphas avoiding physical contact sounded a little strange in this context.

Jiang Qing hadn’t leaned in because of anything romantic. She just genuinely thought Song Qin Ning was a good person.

Besides, she was a certified face enthusiast. She simply loved looking at beautiful women.

And someone like Song Qin Ning, whose beauty was almost on par with her own, naturally made her want to admire her even more. In her eyes, beauty always had the final say.

After quietly appreciating Song Qin Ning’s stunning features up close, Jiang Qing softly said,
“Good luck.”

Song Qin Ning gave a quiet reply,
“That was pretty good, earlier.”

By the time Jiang Qing realized what she meant and turned around, Song Qin Ning was already walking away, leaving behind a graceful figure like moonlight in the wind.

Her photo shoot also went smoothly.

Huang Huijun showed up only at the tail end of it.

Once her solo shots were finished, it was time for the group shoot.

Three actresses. Only one could stand in the center.

The magazine team left the decision to them.

After all, none of the three women were easy to offend.

Jiang Qing truly didn’t care where she stood.

With her looks, even the edge of the frame would naturally become the new center.

But before she could say anything, Huang Huijun jumped in.

“Oh, I won’t fight for the middle. I’ve been on so many magazine covers already. It’s time to let the younger generation have their moment.”

In her mind, Huang Huijun was smug.

Everyone knew Jiang Qing hated Song Qin Ning. There was no way the two of them would agree. Surely, they’d argue until things got ugly. Then she could sit back and enjoy the chaos.

Thinking about this, Huang Huijun could barely contain her glee. Her gaze darkened as she watched the storm she thought was about to begin.

But without hesitation, Jiang Qing spoke naturally.

“Then Miss Song should take the center.”

Song Qin Ning looked at her in surprise. She hadn’t expected that.

“Maybe we should let the staff decide instead,” she said.

Jiang Qing replied with calm logic.

“Your outfit is burgundy, while Hui Jun and I are both wearing black and white. From a color aesthetics standpoint, it makes the most sense for you to stand in the middle. Trust me. Even if we asked the staff, this would be the result.”

When the three of them finally stood in place for the group shot, Huang Huijun remained off to the side, still trying to figure out how things had ended up this way.