Baihe Fan

Chapter 10: 8 Seconds

The variety show recording was scheduled for half a month later. In the meantime, Xia Linxia and Ji Fengxue had to continue pretending to be a couple according to their contract. They went out for meals together occasionally and posted a few affectionate photos. The news that they would soon be participating in a love-themed variety show generated a particularly enthusiastic response.

On the day of the photoshoot for the promotional posters, Xia Linxia and Ji Fengxue donned the suits and wedding dresses prepared by the production team.

“Why do I have to wear a wedding dress?” Xia Linxia thought it made her look too feminine, not fitting her big sister image. So, she rushed into Ji Fengxue’s dressing room just as the latter was putting on a shirt. Surprisingly, Ji Fengxue screamed first, “Why didn’t you say something before changing clothes?”

Ji Fengxue was speechless and slowly buttoning up her shirt, “What do you want?”

Xia Linxia closed the door and said, “I don’t want to wear the wedding dress.”

“Why not?”

“Because it looks cheap. The diamonds on it are plastic, the skirt is a bit dirty, and I’m sure it’s been worn by many people before.”

Ji Fengxue took a deep breath and glanced at her, “That’s all?”

Xia Linxia nodded, “Yes, that’s the current list of reasons.”

Ji Fengxue thought for a moment and suddenly asked, “Have you acted before?”

“Of course! I’ve played many leading roles!” Xia Linxia said proudly, lifting her chin. “I’ve acted as a princess and a big star! So beautiful!”

“Beautiful, but lacking substance,” Ji Fengxue said indifferently. “The audience will get visually tired after a while. You should try different roles, characters with more emotion and soul.”

Xia Linxia frowned, pondering, and asked curiously, “Like what?”

“Like a spoiled young lady who reluctantly wears an outfit she hates. Such a character is very intriguing,” Ji Fengxue smiled slightly, a unique and indescribable charm appearing in her eyes.

Xia Linxia was taken aback for a moment. She pursed her lips, turned around to leave, and muttered under her breath, “Fine, I’ll wear it. My charm isn’t limited to this anyway.”

Ji Fengxue listened to her mutterings, couldn’t help but curl her lips, put on the suit jacket, and looked at herself in the mirror with a satisfied smile.

The suit indeed looked better than the wedding dress. She had gone to such great lengths to persuade her because she herself didn’t want to wear that wedding dress. It was too cumbersome, and… she had always thought she would wear it at her own wedding.

Half an hour later, Ji Fengxue sat at a round table in the photography studio. Behind her was a white backdrop, and the table was adorned with lilies and desserts.

“Hey, it’s just a photo shoot. Why did you choose such complicated outfits! This is driving me crazy. It’s hard to walk, and this waist is too tight. Huaimeng, help me,” Xia Linxia’s voice came before she did.

Ji Fengxue looked up from the table, her eyes flickering.

She saw Xia Linxia walking in wearing a white wedding dress, surrounded by staff. The fitted corset outlined her slender waist and swan-like neck. She wore a golden crown, her long hair was up, and her features, although inherently fierce, were softened by the romantic wedding dress, leaving only stunning beauty.

She held the fluffy skirt with both hands, the hem trailing on the ground.

The staff helped her while exclaiming, “Linxia, you look stunning in this wedding dress, absolutely beautiful. You’ll definitely dazzle the audience!”

Xia Linxia smiled arrogantly, “Stop talking nonsense and hurry up so we can finish and go. This dress is killing me! If the photos don’t turn out well, I’ll hammer you!”

The photographer laughed, “With a beauty like you, even random shots would look like masterpieces.”

“Well said,” Xia Linxia laughed as she walked to the center of the studio. The staff retreated, and as she moved as instructed, her arm was caught by a cold hand.

“Careful,” Ji Fengxue steadied her.

Xia Linxia felt a tingling sensation where she was touched and thought to herself that this woman might have used some kind of poison, like the acupressure technique from the martial arts novels.

“Linxia, look at the camera. You can look at your wife anytime,” the photographer said, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

Xia Linxia retracted her gaze and turned to face the camera. They were given various poses to strike together.

Both were seasoned professionals. As soon as the camera clicked, they could find the best angles and poses. However, this time, the photographer was not satisfied.

“Something’s missing,” the photographer pointed at the imported photos on the computer, “Individually, you’re both beautiful, but this is a couple’s poster. Your eyes haven’t connected. Are you shy?”

Both fell silent.

“How about this? Take a break, then sit facing each other and look into each other’s eyes for eight seconds!”

Xia Linxia: “…”

Ji Fengxue: “…”

The staff thought it was a good idea and urged them to sit down.

It’s said that if two people gaze into each other’s eyes for eight seconds, they’ll easily fall in love.

Xia Linxia scoffed at this. Could you fall in love with someone in just eight seconds? Nonsense. She had seen countless handsome men and beautiful women over the years and hadn’t truly fallen for any of them. This was just something made up online, not worth believing.

She rested her chin on her hands and nonchalantly stared across. But Ji Fengxue wasn’t looking at her, making her raise her hand in annoyance, “Teacher, Ji Fengxue is cheating. She’s not looking at me!”

Staff: “Ji Teacher, why aren’t you looking at Lin Xia? Are you two fighting?”

Ji Fengxue: “…”

She sat slightly sideways, legs crossed, glanced at the carefree person opposite, sighed, then slowly moved her chair to sit straight and focused on her peach blossom eyes.

First second.

Xia Linxia: Hmph, what’s the big deal, old woman.

Third second.

Xia Linxia: Hmph, why isn’t she moving? What’s she thinking?

Fifth second.

Xia Linxia: Did she just blink? Why? Is my beauty too much for her? I’m truly a beauty killer!

Seventh second.

Xia Linxia: Did she just smile? I think I saw the corner of her eye move slightly! What’s so funny? I’m dying to know!

Seventh and a half seconds.

Xia Linxia: This woman isn’t bad looking. If she smiled more… So, what is she laughing at, ahhhhh!

Eighth second.

Xia Linxia: Hmph, it’s just eight seconds. So easy!

Click—

“Perfect! This shot is perfect!” The photographer captured the moment and eagerly displayed the photo. The staff made exaggerated sounds, “Whoa~~~”

Xia Linxia: “…”

“Let me see,” she got up, lifting her skirt, and didn’t notice the small step in front of her, stepping into the air.

“Ah!!”

The sudden misstep made everyone gasp, but Ji Fengxue caught her around the waist.

Xia Linxia instinctively held onto her arm, looking up at her profile. After a moment, she awkwardly stood up and whispered, “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” Ji Fengxue’s tone was cold. Xia Linxia guessed she only helped because of the people around. If they were alone, Ji Fengxue might have wished for a worse fall.

Thinking this, Xia Linxia snorted and walked steadily to the photographer.

Ji Fengxue stood still, casually retracting her hand, rubbing her palm. The warm touch still lingered, with a faint, sweet fragrance.

“This photo is perfect! Are you satisfied?” The photographer’s excited voice broke her thoughts. She looked at Xia Linxia, who was arguing with the photographer, and walked over curiously to see the photo.

In the photo, the two beautiful women sat facing each other, eyes lingering, eyelashes slightly curved, and both had a hint of a smile. Xia Linxia rested her chin on her hands, smiling broadly, while Ji Fengxue maintained a restrained smile.

A female staff member exclaimed excitedly, “Oh my god, the photo turned out so beautiful! It’s so sweet!”

Xia Linxia couldn’t believe she was smiling and smiling so foolishly!

Turning her head, she saw Ji Fengxue looking at the photo with great interest and quickly reached out to cover her eyes. “Don’t look! We need to retake it!”

The fragrance of perfume filled the air again. Ji Fengxue pulled her hand down and smiled, “This one is good. It looks nice.”

“No way! I look too silly in this one.”

“You look beautiful,” Ji Fengxue added.

“Fine then.” Hearing her say this, Xia Linxia couldn’t help but smile.

Even her rival said she looked good, so it must be the best photo!