How Could I Possibly Have a Daughter After Reincarnating?

After finishing her makeup, Ling Ning followed Qin Qing to a room dedicated to storing clothes. She looked at the rows upon rows of racks filled with dazzling outfits and felt a little dizzy. If she had to try on each one for photos, they’d be at it until tomorrow at the earliest.

As if she could read Ling Ning’s thoughts, Qin Qing smiled and said, “Not all of them, just the ones on the first row of racks. The others are all my previous works.”

“Your works?”

“Yeah. Have you heard of ‘Miracle Nikki’?”

“Miracle Nikki?” Ling Ning’s first thought was of that pink-haired girl traveling around the world. Her second thought was of the world-renowned clothing company that was involved in nearly every clothing sector, serving all age groups—but only women’s clothing. It must be the latter.

Ling Ning nodded, indicating she knew of it. She had read about ‘Miracle Nikki’ online, and the brand’s chain stores could be found along most streets. How could she not know it?

“I used to be their head designer.”

Qin Qing said it so casually, but it was a bombshell for Ling Ning. Shocked, she stammered, “Th-then why… why did you…?”

“Why did I quit, right? It was just too exhausting. Being the head designer is practically inhuman.” Qin Qing said it with a smile, but there was a touch of bitterness that made Ling Ning feel it probably wasn’t that simple.

“And… where’s Sirou’s father?” Ling Ning suddenly realized she had never seen Qin Qing’s husband around.

“We divorced.”

“I… I’m sorry.” Ling Ning hadn’t meant to stumble into such a sensitive topic.

Qin Qing smiled slightly and said, “It’s fine, it’s all in the past. Let’s not talk about it anymore. Let’s get started.” Saying this, she skillfully took out various photography equipment from a nearby box and started setting it up.

Ling Ning watched in surprise. Wasn’t Qin Qing a fashion designer? Why was she so proficient with photography gear too? Ling Ning had a friend in her past life who was a professional photographer, and even he hadn’t been this adept.

“Don’t look so surprised. I was the head of the photography club in college,” Qin Qing said, a hint of pride in her voice. It seemed she had quite the accomplishments in photography as well.

While Qin Qing busied herself setting up the equipment, Ling Ning grabbed an outfit and went to the adjacent room to change. She was getting more and more used to wearing women’s clothing—just days ago, she had felt entirely at a loss about it.

Not long after, Qin Qing had finished preparing the equipment. Ling Ning took a deep breath, stood in position, and posed as Qin Qing directed.

“Ling Ning, try to make your expression more natural—you’re too stiff.”

“Relax your body more. You’re too tense.”

“What’s on your mind? Your eyes are unfocused.”

Ling Ning tried her best to follow Qin Qing’s instructions, but no matter what she did, something always seemed off. For a first-timer, she was doing fairly well, but Qin Qing was a perfectionist, and she just couldn’t seem to take a photo she was satisfied with.

“Let’s take a break.”

Qin Qing sighed helplessly. She began to wonder if her expectations for Ling Ning were just too high. Looking at the photos they’d taken so far, they were good enough to use as display samples, but she still felt that something was missing.

Ling Ning sat down on a chair. The poses themselves weren’t difficult, but after holding them for a while, it did get tiring. As she rested, she reflected on what might have been missing from her performance.

At that moment, Ling Ye and Qin Sirou burst in, all smiles. Seeing Qin Qing with a camera, they curiously asked, “Are you taking pictures?”

Qin Qing ruffled Ling Ye’s hair, smiling as she said, “Yes, I am. Ye Ye, do you want me to take one of you too?”

“Yes, please!”

“Mommy, I want one too!” Qin Sirou added, excitedly.

And so, Qin Qing began snapping pictures of the two little girls. Seeing their innocent smiles, Ling Ning’s own lips couldn’t help but turn upwards.

Qin Qing happened to catch this moment and quickly picked up the camera to capture it. When she saw the photo, she nodded in satisfaction, exclaiming to Ling Ning, “That’s it! That natural smile you had just now while looking at Ye Ye—that’s perfect.”

“A natural smile…?” Ling Ning repeated thoughtfully.

Qin Qing nodded. “Your usual smile is nice, but it feels a bit forced, a little too practiced. It’s different when you smile at Ye Ye—it comes from the heart.”

“Alright, let me try again.” Ling Ning closed her eyes, took a moment to collect herself, and slowly allowed her lips to curl upwards, eventually displaying a stunning, genuine smile.

⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱

“Let’s call it a day for now. After dinner, we’ll continue. You and Ye Ye can stay here tonight,” Qin Qing said, putting down her camera and rubbing her tired eyes. Though Ling Ning had quickly grasped the key to a perfect smile, they had wasted so much time earlier that they still had less than half of the shots needed. More work awaited them in the evening.

“Stay over? But…” Ling Ning began, only for Qin Qing to cut her off.

“I said you’re staying, so you’re staying. No arguments. Do you really think we’ll be done early enough for you to go home after we finish? What do you want me to do—personally drive my little employee back home? Besides, it’s close to where you work tomorrow. What are you worried about? That there aren’t any spare clothes here?” Qin Qing didn’t give Ling Ning a chance to object, shooting down every argument before she could make it.

Ling Ning could only nod, accepting her fate. Qin Qing had made it clear there was no point in arguing, and refusing now would just be impolite. She got up and walked to the window, drawing back the curtain. The sun was just about to set, its golden rays spilling through the glass and wrapping around Ling Ning like a golden bridal gown, dazzling and splendid.

Qin Qing stared, entranced by the scene, momentarily forgetting to speak. When she snapped out of it, she hastily grabbed her camera, capturing the moment—this one was definitely going to be a treasured keepsake.

⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱

When Ling Ye heard that they were staying over, she dove into Ling Ning’s arms in excitement, giving her mother a big kiss on the cheek.

As for dinner, they ended up ordering takeout. Between the two of them being preoccupied with the photoshoot, not buying groceries, and the fridge being empty, neither of them felt like cooking. To be honest, they were both just being lazy, so takeout was the only option.

To be fair, the takeout in this world was pretty great—fast too. It usually arrived within half an hour, something Ling Ning could only dream of in her past life.

⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱

Author’s Note:

This chapter was finished in the middle of the night, so bear with me if it’s a bit rough.