MQSP - Chapter 15
Chapter 15
"Gu Baiye, you have some nerve."
Baiye was focused on helping Lin Yuqing rub in some cooling lotion… Auntie Lin's skin was so fair. Her calves were slightly cool to the touch, smooth and tender. It felt absolutely amazing!
Alright, she was actually just focused on staring at Lin Yuqing's legs when she suddenly heard Auntie Lin say that. She subconsciously assumed she'd been caught taking liberties and snatched her hand back as if shocked. She looked flustered, her cheeks flushing uncontrollably.
"You applied to Chuan Ying and kept it from me for a whole year?" Lin Yuqing hadn't noticed her little thoughts and just assumed she had a guilty conscience.
Baiye's heart was already pounding, and hearing this made her even more nervous and flustered.
"Auntie Lin, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hide it from you… uh, no, I did mean to… uh… that's not right either… I…" Baiye was rambling incoherently, scratching her head, not quite daring to look up at Lin Yuqing.
After struggling with herself for a moment, she finally steeled herself and looked up at her. "Auntie Lin, I'm sorry. I know I was wrong about this. I shouldn't have hidden it from you, especially for so long…"
"Um… I was just afraid you wouldn't agree. I didn't mean anything else by it." Baiye unconsciously tugged at the corner of Lin Yuqing's shirt. "I really love acting, and I really want to be in this drama. Could you… give me a chance, please?" That hug from Auntie Lin earlier had been an unspoken encouragement to her, and she suddenly felt that Auntie Lin's reaction might not be as terrifying as she had imagined!
"Why do you want to act in this drama?" Lin Yuqing's peripheral vision caught Baiye's small gesture of tugging on her shirt, and for once, she didn't stop her. At the same time, she found it very strange. Why would she want to act in a GL drama?
"Because… my idol is in this cast! I want to act with her!" This was a rather convincing reason Baiye had come up with after thinking about it all afternoon. She felt that if she explained it this way, Auntie Lin would probably understand her, right?
Unexpectedly, Lin Yuqing didn't respond. Instead, she lifted a hand and very directly pulled her shirt out of Baiye's grasp.
"Um… Auntie Lin?" she called out cautiously.
Lin Yuqing ignored her, focusing on her book.
Baiye lowered her head, knowing this conversation had probably failed again. Auntie Lin, who had been perfectly pleasant just a moment ago, had suddenly turned cold. It seemed this topic had become taboo for her.
Lin Yuqing remained silent, but inwardly, she couldn't help but grumble. This kid's face lights up the moment she mentions her idol. She's never this happy when she talks about me!
She has an idol? Shouldn't I be her idol?!
So annoying!
She then silently tried to recall the actors in the cast, from the two relatively famous actresses playing her vice generals down to those seven little kids. Which one of them could possibly be her idol?
Lin Yuqing was so lost in thought that she didn't realize she had inadvertently given the little one the cold shoulder again.
"Auntie Lin, you should get some rest. I'll head back now."
"Mm," Lin Yuqing grunted, closing her book and getting up to walk toward the bed. "You get some sleep too. Go to the set by yourself tomorrow."
Baiye had just reached the door when she froze. She spun around to look at Lin Yuqing, her joy written all over her face. "You agree!?"
Lin Yuqing glanced at her. "How did you ever pass your mandatory course on emotional control?"
"I… Um! Heh!" Baiye tried to hold back her laughter but failed, letting out a silly chuckle. "Thank you, Auntie Lin!!" She gave Lin Yuqing a deep bow. Lin Yuqing was speechless and just waved her away.
Does she have to be this happy just to see some idol?!
It's really infuriating!
And that Xia Xiaozi, what kind of aunt is she? How could she not know her own niece has an idol? Or are the two of them in cahoots again?!
With that thought, Lin Yuqing walked to the door, pulled it open a tiny crack, and pressed her ear against it to eavesdrop.
Baiye was thrilled. She rushed downstairs, calling out, "Auntie!" as she headed straight for the kitchen to find Xia Xiaozi.
Hearing that, Lin Yuqing's eyelid twitched. Those two really are in cahoots! That Xia Xiaozi is getting bold!
After fuming to herself for a moment, she suddenly realized—was she actually eavesdropping? With a baffled expression, she shut the door.
In truth, she had only relented because she'd had a sudden realization.
Although she didn't want Baiye to act in this drama, since Baiye wanted to act, she would have to take this step eventually. For now, she could film under her watch, where she could protect her a little, help her gain some experience, and do her best to prevent her from being tainted by the industry's bad habits. It was much better than her being out there alone, with no connections or backing. She was so naive, she'd probably be sold and still help the person count the money.
Meanwhile, Baiye was happily helping Xia Xiaozi wash the dishes.
"It wouldn't matter if she disagreed. Director Su has already chosen you," Xia Xiaozi said, happy to see the girl beaming with joy.
"Hehe."
"Alright, stop grinning like a fool. Oh, right, Xiao Ye, I still have to remind you. When you're on set, you must not…"
"Not reveal my relationship with you guys! I know." Baiye agreed instantly, not thinking anything of it. She had always known that her relationship with Auntie Lin was a secret that absolutely could not be told to anyone, or it could bring negative consequences for Auntie Lin.
Hearing her say it so matter-of-factly, Xia Xiaozi felt a pang of sadness. This child was just too sensible.
"Mm, good girl," Xia Xiaozi nodded.
"Oh, right, Xiao Ye, is Lu Qing your performance class teacher? How come I've never heard you mention her?"
"Teacher Lu? You know her?" Baiye paused. Her aunt knew Teacher Lu?
"Uh… I've met her before, but we're not that close. She… um, seems to care a lot about you?" Xia Xiaozi wasn't sure how to ask. The fact that Lu Qing had shown up at the set today, and for Baiye of all people! Her level of attention toward Baiye made Xia Xiaozi a little uneasy.
"Hm? Teacher Lu has always been very good to me. Auntie, do Teacher Lu and Auntie Lin know each other too?" Baiye remembered being in Teacher Lu's car today. When she mentioned Auntie Lin, a look of disgust had crossed her face. Baiye had sensed then that there must be some history between them.
"Wait, you said she's always been good to you? Since when?"
"She's looked out for me ever since the very first performance class."
"Did she ever ask about your family situation?"
"She did. I told her the truth—that my home is in Yu Yang and my mother is a middle school teacher. Is something wrong?" Baiye asked, confused.
"Nothing, you answered well." Xia Xiaozi hesitated. The words telling Baiye to keep some distance from Lu Qing reached the tip of her tongue several times, but she couldn't bring herself to say them. After all, Lu Qing was her teacher, and it seemed she treated her well.
"If she says anything to slander your Auntie Lin, don't you dare believe it!" After some thought, she decided to at least give her a warning.
"Do they have some kind of conflict?" Baiye frowned.
"That's not for you to worry about. It's ancient history." Xia Xiaozi glanced at the time. "It's getting late. Little kids should be in bed. Go on."
"Oh."
"Hey, if you're not going home for summer break, remember to tell your mother."
"Okay, I know." Although Xia Nan was her adoptive mother, she treated her as her own. Baiye could feel it, and she was deeply grateful.
Back in her room, Baiye still couldn't contain her excitement. She was actually going to film a drama with Auntie Lin! And they were going to be a CP! She could finally see Auntie Lin every day! Every single day!!
The girl was anything but calm, tossing and turning in bed, clutching her phone and reading the script over and over. She was lost in her own excitement until two in the morning, when she finally, drowsily, fell asleep.
In the morning, Lin Yuqing emerged from her room, yawning.
"Good morning, Auntie Lin!" Baiye was already dressed and washed up, looking simple and clean in a white crew-neck T-shirt and light blue capri jeans.
Lin Yuqing froze for a second. She was still in her pajamas, but this kid was already fully dressed and ready to go?
"Hurry and get washed up so you can eat. Breakfast is ready!" Baiye flashed a sweet smile, her little dimples popping out to join the fun. It was a smile that made people feel incredibly comfortable, yet Lin Yuqing couldn't quite bring herself to feel happy. The thought that Xiao Ye was smiling so brightly mostly because she was going to the set to see her idol left a strange, sour taste in her mouth.
"What time did you get up?"
"I seriously doubt she slept at all last night! I heard her clattering around in the kitchen just after five," Xia Xiaozi said, also yawning as she came out of the room next door.
"Hehe, morning, Auntie! You two go eat. I have to head out! I arranged to be at the set at nine for a makeup test, so I can't be late!" Baiye gave a simple report of her schedule.
Xia Xiaozi was delighted to hear this. Ah, it was so nice having this little one at home. She didn't have to get up early to make breakfast; she could just wake up to a ready-made meal!
After speaking, Baiye smiled at them both and headed toward her bedroom, her wonderful mood written all over her face.
"Hey, you're leaving this early? Why don't you come with us in a bit? I can drop you off nearby."
"It's okay! I can go by myself!"
"This kid," Xia Xiaozi said with a helpless smile. The girl had been in a state of constant excitement since last night.
Just as Xia Xiaozi finished speaking, she caught sight of Lin Yuqing standing beside her with a displeased expression. Good heavens, who managed to upset her this early in the morning?
As Xia Xiaozi was wondering, Lin Yuqing suddenly shot her a fierce, unprompted glare, leaving her completely bewildered. What was going on? She hadn't done anything!
"You've gotten bold recently," Lin Yuqing said coldly.
"Huh? What? I… I haven't! When have I ever possessed something like boldness!" Xia Xiaozi declared righteously.
Xia Xiaozi could clearly feel an intimidating aura radiating from Lin Yuqing and didn't dare meet her gaze. Why on earth was she suddenly aiming her fire at her?!
"You're in cahoots with her, ganging up on me, aren't you?" Lin Yuqing narrowed her eyes, advancing on Xia Xiaozi step by step. With every move, Xia Xiaozi felt an invisible pressure bearing down on her.
"I've been framed, boss! I really haven't!"
"Auntie Lin, Auntie, I'm heading out!" Baiye appeared at just the right moment.
"Hmph." Only then did Lin Yuqing back down. She shot Xia Xiaozi one last glance before turning and heading downstairs.
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