This Director Is Not To Be Trifled With - Chapter 22
After Song Xian finished speaking, she turned and left, leaving Xiao Yutong standing there stunned for a while. Her words had indeed been polite, yet distant.
Xiao Yutong felt like she was losing her mind. One moment she wanted to draw a clear line between them, and the next she was inviting Song Xian to work together. Song Xian must think she was crazy.
Back in her car, she buried her head in the steering wheel. What was wrong with her lately? It must have been Liu Qianwen driving her mad. That would explain her recent irrational behavior.
It was time to get herself together.
The next morning, Xiao Yutong arrived at the resort half an hour early. Song Xian came with other colleagues from the company. Today, both of them were modeling wedding dresses. The makeup artist did their makeup first before sending them to the dressing room to change.
Song Xian came out first and stood in front of the mirror. Everyone around couldn’t help but praise her. She already had a great figure and was over 170 cm tall. With heels on, she stood above 180 cm. Anyone standing next to her needed to have a strong presence to match her aura.
Xiao Yutong was undoubtedly that person. Though not overwhelmingly taller, her aura balanced everything out perfectly.
When Xiao Yutong stepped out, a collective gasp was heard.
“Wow!”
Yao Mingkai was the first to step up. “Director Xiao, I thought I’d never get to see you in a wedding dress in this lifetime.” He leaned in and whispered, “If I weren’t already married, I’d definitely go after you.”
“Get lost” Xiao Yutong whispered, just loud enough for Yao Mingkai to hear.
She also walked over to the mirror, standing side by side with Song Xian. Song Xian didn’t look directly at her but observed her reflection instead. It was as if that dress had been tailored just for Xiao Yutongshe looked better than any professional model.
Her hair was tied back elegantly in a stylish updo. Her long, graceful neck created a perfect curve in the air. Song Xian remembered the feel of that neck in her hands, the warmth of her kisses there but none of that could be done anymore.
She averted her gaze and turned away. Xiao Yutong turned too, and their eyes met. That one glance held too many unspoken emotions. At that moment, Song Xian had a fleeting thought if only this were their real wedding.
Xiao Yutong’s heart was also in turmoil. She had planned how to face Song Xian, how to remain cold, how to regain her composure. But the moment she saw her, all her plans crumbled.
The wall she had built inside herself collapsed like a poorly constructed dam in front of Song Xian utterly defenseless.
What was going on with her? Could it be… that she liked Song Xian?
The onlookers had no idea the emotional storm brewing between the two. All they could see was how gorgeous the pair looked like a perfect couple. More than just eye candy, they gave off real couple vibes.
Shen Qingjia stood among the crowd, smiling and nodding approvingly.
By 10 a.m., everything was ready for the shoot. But Xiao Yutong wasn’t a professional model. Some poses felt awkward and stiff, and worst of all, there was no chemistry no eye contact or emotional connection between the two.
“Director Xiao, it seems like things never go your way you just can’t seem to get rid of me,” Song Xian said sarcastically.
“It’s for the company. No point talking about ‘getting rid of’ or not,” Xiao Yutong replied, awkwardly placing her hand on Song Xian’s shoulder as instructed by the photographer.
Song Xian took the opportunity to place her arm around Xiao Yutong’s waist, but Xiao Yutong kept her hand between them, preventing her from getting too close.
Looking into the camera, Song Xian said dryly, “Right, all for the company. Even taking wedding photos with someone you supposedly dislike.”
Xiao Yutong turned to her, surprised. “Song Xian, you’re really good at taking things personally. I never said I disliked you.”
“Director Xiao, maybe not with words but your actions certainly say otherwise.” Song Xian suddenly pulled her into a spin and then wrapped her arms around her waist. Xiao Yutong struggled, but Song Xian tightened her grip, her other hand sliding along her waist. “So? How does it feel to be in the arms of someone you ‘dislike’?”
Xiao Yutong was fuming. If she could, she would’ve slapped Song Xian right then. Any guilt she had previously felt toward her vanished.
Just then, the photographer called for a break, and Shen Qingjia motioned them over.
She glanced at Xiao Yutong, then turned to Song Xian. “Song Xian, you’re in your early twenties, right? How many relationships have you been in?”
Song Xian glanced at Xiao Yutong and replied, “Not many just about ten or so.”
Shen Qingjia raised an eyebrow. “Wow, quite a history.” Then she turned to Xiao Yutong, speaking more politely this time, “And you, Director Xiao?”
“I’m not that experienced just one,” Xiao Yutong said. “Besides, I don’t think personal relationships have much to do with work.”
Yao Mingkai wanted to speak up in her defense, but Shen Qingjia cut him off. “Normally, you’d be right. But this is a wedding dress commercial. A wedding dress represents a woman’s love and dreams. If you’ve never experienced love, how can customers relate? Surely, you understand this better than I do.”
Xiao Yutong admitted their earlier performance hadn’t been great. Shen Qingjia had a point. But how could there be emotional chemistry between her and Song Xian now?
“You’re right, Shen. Give me a moment to regroup.” Xiao Yutong’s head was spinning she had skipped breakfast, and her stomach was acting up. She didn’t feel well, both emotionally and physically.
Shen Qingjia nodded. “Alright, but don’t take too long.”
Xiao Yutong went to the makeup room. Soon after, Song Xian followed.
There were staff inside, but Song Xian made a subtle gesture, and they quietly left not because they answered to her, but because Xiao Yutong looked so pale no one dared to stay and get caught in the crossfire.
“What’s wrong? Even our Director Xiao has things she can’t do?” Song Xian said as she approached, watching Xiao Yutong leaning against the table.
Xiao Yutong let her arms drop and sighed. “You don’t need to provoke me, Song Xian.”
“I’m not provoking you,” Song Xian said, taking her hand. “Didn’t you say it’s all for the company? Then for the sake of the company, let’s put our personal grievances aside just for today.”
Xiao Yutong was moved. She turned to look at Song Xian. Those clear eyes seemed to shimmer with light again. Then a warm hand cupped her neck, and Song Xian kissed her softly, but enough to stir her heart.
Without realizing it, she closed her eyes and leaned into the kiss. Within seconds, her body felt weak, and she leaned against Song Xian. What was this? Did Song Xian put something in her mouth every time they kissed some kind of drug? Otherwise, how could she lose control like this?
After that kiss, the rest of the shoot went much smoother. They changed into several outfits. One of them required someone to wear a tuxedo. Both of them wanted it. While they both had “top energy,” Song Xian had the edge and in the end, she won.
The onlookers were buzzing. Zhang Xin, already a die-hard fan of the duo, was thrilled especially since she was the only one who knew they weren’t a fake couple.
Zhang Xin: “Look at our Xian Xian, so dominant!”
Zhang Jin: “Nah, our Director Xiao’s still more alpha just shorter.”
Other staff joined in.
“I never noticed before, but they really do match well.”
“So jealous of Song Xian. Standing next to Director Xiao she’s my goddess!”
Zhang Jin shot back, “Then go for it! Got the figure? Next to her, you’d look like a mom dragging her daughter.”
“Fine, fine, I admit it. But like you’re any better!”
As more people joined the discussion, they eventually moved it to a private gossip group, not the company’s official chat.
Later, when Song Xian still in tux hugged Xiao Yutong from behind, her lips brushed Xiao Yutong’s ear. Her ears flushed red immediately. Song Xian noticed and even rubbed against them slightly, causing Xiao Yutong to shiver.
That kiss earlier Xiao Yutong hadn’t pushed her away. She’d even reacted. That meant she still had feelings for her. Then why did she say all those hurtful things before? Was it just because of their boss-subordinate relationship?
But the company didn’t forbid office romances. Was it because of that ex who had hurt her? Ugh, figuring out big sister’s heart was impossible.
The shoot dragged on until around 7 p.m. due to earlier delays.
As everyone wrapped up, Song Xian changed and came out. Shen Qingjia stopped her.
“Song Xian,” Shen Qingjia said, sizing her up from head to toe. “How old are you?”
Song Xian blinked, confused but respectful. “Twenty-three.”
“Height?”
“174,” she answered, starting to get suspicious. Was this… an interview? What’s next, weight? Income?
“Do you like girls?” Shen Qingjia asked.
“Yes,” Song Xian answered honestly.
Shen Qingjia took out her phone, did a bit of tapping, and asked Song Xian to open her WeChat. They added each other, and Shen Qingjia sent her a picture followed by a contact card.
“This is my daughter. Get in touch with her.”
“Uh… Shen, what do you mean?” Song Xian definitely understood, but couldn’t quite believe it. Was she matchmaking her?
“She just went through a breakup. Keep her company.”
Song Xian thought: What kind of “company” are we talking here? Emotional support? Or a sleepover kind? Is this now part of the design department’s job description?
Seeing Song Xian hesitate, Shen Qingjia frowned. “You don’t want to?”
Just then, Xiao Yutong came out from the dressing room. In front of her, Song Xian replied immediately, “Of course not. With someone as beautiful as you, I’m sure your daughter’s stunning.”
Author’s note:
Here it comes.