MQSP - Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Xia Xiaozi had finished making dinner but didn't dare go upstairs to call for Lin Yuqing. That woman had already locked herself in the study for over three hours. It seemed she was truly furious this time.
Inside the study, Lin Yuqing sat at her desk, lost in thought for a long time.
Lu Qing's words from earlier had undoubtedly struck a nerve. Even now, sitting at home, Lu Qing's question—why was she targeting Gu Baiye?—still echoed in her ears.
Had she targeted Xiao Ye? She didn't think so. It was just that where Xiao Ye was concerned, she couldn't help but be overly cautious.
Xiao Ye was only nineteen, a new university student. Her wonderful life was just beginning!
It wasn't that Lin Yuqing had never imagined her entering the entertainment industry. If Xiao Ye had truly been insistent on acting, she might not have objected. In fact, she had already started to waver after Xiao Ye brought it up several times. She had even envisioned herself doing everything in her power to protect and guide her.
But it absolutely shouldn't be now. It was too soon. At the very least, Xiao Ye deserved to enjoy a carefree university life first.
Besides, even if she was desperate to act, it shouldn't be in a project with this kind of subject matter!
Lin Yuqing could have happily accepted her playing a minor female role or even an extra in a conventional project. But to play the female lead in such a niche—or rather, anti-mainstream—drama would bring her nothing but harm!
Lin Yuqing had personally witnessed the public's hostility toward same-sex relationships. The vile things people said could drive a person to their death! She truly didn't dare gamble with Xiao Ye's future.
But seeing how heartbroken Xiao Ye looked today, Lin Yuqing had felt a pang of sympathy. For a moment, she had desperately wanted to give in, just to see the little one smile.
She was truly torn.
"Sigh." Lin Yuqing sighed again. She rose and walked to the bookshelf by the window, staring at a compartment in the far-right corner for a long time. Just as she was about to raise her hand, she froze. Her gaze swept to the window. Down below, under a streetlight, a figure was squatting, curled into a tiny ball, hugging itself.
Lin Yuqing's eyes narrowed. She frowned, turned, and left the room.
"Hey, Qing Jie… dinner? Hey?" Xia Xiaozi called out, but the woman paid her no mind and walked straight out the door.
Lin Yuqing walked quickly behind the building. From a distance, she saw the figure under the streetlight and confirmed it was Baiye. Her steps instinctively softened and slowed.
This child, she thought. Squatting out here all alone so late at night, looking so troubled. She has a home, but she won't come inside. Is she afraid that I'm angry?
Lin Yuqing remained silent, standing quietly behind Baiye and watching her.
Baiye didn't hear anything behind her. She hugged her knees, burying her face against them. She had resolved to go home and face Auntie Lin, ready to accept her anger. But once she reached the building, she lost her nerve. She had been wandering around the complex for nearly an hour, still unable to convince herself to go upstairs.
"Sigh…" Seeing Baiye sigh so dramatically, Lin Yuqing found it rather amusing. Just how worried can one kid be?
She couldn't help but recall what Xia Xiaozi had said before—that her relationship with Xiao Ye was like that of an owner and a pet. She provided food, drink, and a stable life, and in return, the girl did everything she could to please her, never once defying her. Lin Yuqing hadn't thought so at the time, but looking at her now, she had to admit there was some truth to it.
Lin Yuqing had planned to see just how long the girl would squat there, but after less than half an hour, she couldn't take it anymore. "Ahem." She cleared her throat softly, making a small noise.
The little one started, then glanced back. Her expression instantly froze, as if she'd been petrified.
"Lin… Auntie Lin?" she stammered, swallowing nervously.
"What are you… doing here?"
"Let's talk inside. I'm about to be eaten alive by mosquitoes," Lin Yuqing said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. She had been furious, but the incessant mosquito bites had completely drained her of her temper.
"Huh?" Hearing the rare teasing note in Auntie Lin's voice, Baiye was visibly stunned.
Seeing her dazed expression, Lin Yuqing couldn't help but smile. She took two steps forward and held out her right hand, offering to pull her up.
Lin Yuqing hadn't expected that such a small gesture would make the little one's eyes light up.
Baiye lifted her hand slightly, then looked back at Lin Yuqing as if testing her intentions. The hesitation annoyed Lin Yuqing. So, I say you're like a pet, and you decide to act the part even more?
She bent over, reached out, and decisively grabbed Baiye's hand as it hovered in the air.
Baiye instinctively squeezed Auntie Lin's hand. It was so warm!
An unconscious smile spread across Baiye's face. Holding Auntie Lin's hand, she started to stand up, but as she pushed off with her legs, they gave way, numb for a split second. Her body fell backward. Fearing she would pull Lin Yuqing down with her, Baiye abruptly let go and tumbled back onto the ground.
Lin Yuqing froze, her hand still hovering in the air. The moment Baiye had let go and fallen, something in Lin Yuqing's heart had been sharply tugged. "What's wrong with you!" she snapped.
"I'm sorry, my… my legs fell asleep…"
Seeing Baiye's apologetic expression, Lin Yuqing realized the girl had misunderstood. She had only wanted to ask why she'd let go. If she hadn't let go, she wouldn't have fallen!
Lin Yuqing said no more. She stepped forward, squatted down, slid one arm around Baiye's waist and the other under her knees, and effortlessly lifted the little one into her arms.
Baiye was completely dumbfounded. Today's Auntie Lin was a little strange. No, she was very strange!
"Lin… Auntie Lin, are… are you all right?" Baiye swallowed weakly, her body so stiff she didn't dare move a muscle.
"What is it?" Lin Yuqing frowned. What's with that expression? Is being held by me that terrifying?
Baiye shook her head and secretly bit her lip. This wasn't a dream!
Auntie Lin was holding her! In an intimate princess carry, no less!
At that moment, Baiye felt like the happiest person on earth. All her previous worries vanished, and her heart and eyes were filled with nothing but her Auntie Lin.
"Feeling better?"
Baiye was debating whether she could wrap her arms around Auntie Lin's neck when the question snapped her out of her daze. "Huh?" She looked around and realized they were already in the elevator. That was fast!
"Your legs. Are they still numb?"
"Er…" Baiye opened her mouth. Numb? Or not numb?
Hmm… they're not really numb anymore, but if I say that, Auntie Lin will put me down…
But lying is wrong…
So, maybe they can be numb for just a little longer?
"Umm… what do you think?" she asked, blinking her big, beautiful eyes at Lin Yuqing.
Lin Yuqing had to fight back a laugh. Is this girl an idiot?
She decisively set her down. "You're too heavy. I can't carry you anymore."
"Oh…" Baiye was a little disappointed. She stood obediently to the side. "I'll eat less from now on," she mumbled under her breath.
"You dare," Lin Yuqing's expression changed in an instant. She shot her a glare, a complete transformation from the person she was moments ago.
Baiye guiltily lowered her head, not daring to say another word.
That embrace felt like a wonderful dream. Even now, she couldn't tell if it had been real.
Lin Yuqing keyed in the code and opened the door. Xia Xiaozi was just putting on her shoes, about to go out and search for them. Seeing her return, she let out a genuine sigh of relief. "Qing Jie, I was just about to go look for you! Where did you go? Hey, Xiao Ye, how did you two end up together?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing. Didn't you say she wasn't coming home today?"
"Yeah, that's what she told me." Xia Xiaozi was confused, too. She had specifically asked her earlier.
"I… My roommates all went home, and I don't have a key, so I couldn't get into the dorm."
"If your roommates all went home, why didn't you come home?" Lin Yuqing frowned, her tone turning cold.
"I…"
"All right, all right, she's home now, so don't scold her," Xia Xiaozi interjected. "Have you eaten? Do you want something?"
"No, thank you, Auntie. I'm not hungry."
"I asked if you have eaten," Lin Yuqing said, annoyed. Why does this child only listen to half of what's said?
"Umm… no…"
Lin Yuqing shot her a look. "Come to my room after you've eaten." With that, she went upstairs.
The two exchanged a look. "What was that about?" Based on her knowledge of Lin Yuqing, Xia Xiaozi could sense that she wasn't actually angry. When Lin Yuqing was truly angry, her intimidating aura radiated from within; it wasn't this kind of stiff, forced sternness.
Baiye shook her head, indicating she had no idea. But Lin Yuqing's command to come to her room after dinner made her heart flutter with panic. She had a feeling Auntie Lin was about to settle the score.
Having completely lost her appetite, she hastily choked down a few bites. Then, buoyed by Xia Xiaozi's various words of encouragement, she headed upstairs, feeling like a martyr marching to her doom.
"Auntie Lin." She knocked on Lin Yuqing's door.
"Yes, come in."
Baiye pushed the door open and saw Lin Yuqing at once, lying on her side on the sofa, reading a book.
She walked over, feeling a little awkward. "Auntie Lin, you…" As she came to a stop in front of her, she noticed three conspicuous, fingernail-sized red welts on Lin Yuqing's fair calf—most likely the mosquito bites from earlier.
"Auntie Lin, please wait a moment," she said, then quickly left the room.
A moment later, Baiye rushed back into the room. Lin Yuqing watched her, baffled, as the little one knelt in front of her and took out a bottle of insect repellent lotion.
"Just leave it there."
"Let me put it on for you!" Baiye said, her eyes full of expectation. It was a look Lin Yuqing found impossible to refuse, so she said nothing.
Baiye sprayed the lotion into her palm and then gently applied it to Lin Yuqing's leg. Auntie Lin's legs are so fair and smooth! She was wearing a nightdress that ended just past her knees, leaving her calves completely exposed. Her legs were long and straight, with elegant, flowing lines. They were beautiful.
Lin Yuqing felt a sense of resignation. It seemed the girl had suddenly grown bolder. Was she no longer afraid of her?
Propping her head on her hand, she studied Baiye. Seeing her kneeling there, her expression so focused and earnest, Lin Yuqing couldn't help but be reminded of the audition. The way she had knelt before her then, her affectionate gaze full of dramatic flair—it was just like this.
Hmph, this girl's acting skills are impressive. Can she get into character anytime, anywhere?
Comments
Post a Comment