MQSP - Chapter 20
Chapter 20
Lin Yuqing brought the two of them back and took them directly to the dressing room. The studio was in chaos, so not many people noticed them.
"Go get yourself cleaned up." Lin Yuqing's face was stern and her tone was cold. She had wanted to lose her temper, but after learning that Baiye had gone back to find Xiao Bao, she couldn't bring herself to get angry anymore.
Baiye acknowledged her and went into the inner changing room. She was drying her hair a little with a towel when someone knocked on the door. "Open up." Hearing it was Auntie Lin's voice, Baiye quickly opened the door.
Lin Yuqing came in with a clean shirt. Seeing Baiye still in her wet clothes, she frowned. "You're still in your wet clothes? Are you waiting to catch a cold?!"
"I…"
Lin Yuqing handed her the shirt. "Change into this."
"Thank you, Auntie Lin! Uh, Teacher Lin…" Baiye quickly took it. She held it up; it was a perfect fit. But when she was about to change, she realized Lin Yuqing was still standing at the door, not moving.
"Teacher Lin? Is there something else?"
"You… next time, can you please look after yourself first before worrying about others?"
"Huh?" Baiye paused for a moment, then nodded. "Okay."
Just as Lin Yuqing turned to leave, Baiye suddenly called out to her.
"Teacher Lin."
Lin Yuqing stopped and turned back to look at her. She saw the little one give a mischievous smile. "Are you… worried about me?"
Lin Yuqing was clearly taken aback. Did she even have to ask? Wasn't my concern obvious enough!?
So dense. It's infuriating.
"Hmph." She snorted indignantly and left.
Baiye was puzzled for a moment and pouted. So is she or isn't she?
Auntie Lin's temper was truly impossible to figure out.
The downpour didn't let up, accompanied by muffled rumbles of thunder, and it seemed to be getting worse.
Lin Yuqing then remembered Xia Xiaozi's instructions: 'If it thunders, you have to stay with Xiao Ye. She gets scared.' So, she made Baiye stay in the dressing room, forbidding her from going anywhere or leaving her sight. Whenever there was a loud clap of thunder, she would sneak a glance at the little one to see if she was alright. Fortunately, the girl didn't seem to have much of a reaction; she was just resting her head on the table for a nap.
Su Yu was exasperated. Ever since filming began, nothing had gone smoothly. It was either those little rascals fooling around instead of acting properly, or Lin Yuqing stirring up trouble. Now, even the heavens were joining in. The gods must be out to get her!
"Once the rain lets up a bit, you can all pack up. I don't want anyone calling me a heartless boss for making you work in the rain." Although they could have filmed the indoor studio scenes to catch up, Su Yu saw how excited everyone was and didn't want to spoil their fun. People work better after they've had a chance to relax.
"Hehe, we'd never say that," a crew member said cheerfully. Everyone was happy. With the heavy rain outside, a group of them could sit together, enjoy the cool breeze, chat, and not have to work. It couldn't get any better.
"Where's Baiye?" Su Yu looked around but couldn't find her. Lin Yuqing rarely joined group activities; she usually stayed in her dressing room while everyone else chatted. But this was a great opportunity for Baiye to mingle with everyone, so how could she not be here?
"No idea. I haven't seen her for a while."
"I think she got caught in the rain. I saw her go into Qing Jie's dressing room just now. She's probably changing."
"Whoa, are they already starting to build their relationship!?" The group turned to Su Yu with gossipy expressions.
"Director, what kind of grudge does Qing Jie have against Baiye?" Ji Ming was extremely curious. After all, the scene of Lin Yuqing snapping at her earlier that day was still fresh in her mind.
Su Yu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She wanted to know, too!
"Why would you think they have a grudge? I think they get along quite harmoniously."
"Which one of your eyes saw them being harmonious?! Today, I just called out 'Xiao Ye,' and Qing Jie bit my head off! She even asked me what my relationship with her was, to be calling her so intimately! You didn't see the look on her face—like she wanted to eat me alive. It scared me to death!" Ji Ming patted her chest, soothing her own terrified, fragile little heart.
Hearing this, Su Yu was speechless. Wasn't Lin Yuqing being a little too controlling? Had she completely ignored what Su Yu had told her before?
With that thought, she decisively stood up and headed straight for Lin Yuqing's dressing room.
She knocked, then pushed the door open. She saw Lin Yuqing sitting before the mirror, frowning at her script. Baiye was in the corner, resting her head on the vanity. Seeing that the girl hadn't heard her come in, Su Yu walked over for a look. The kid's eyes were closed, her brow slightly furrowed, and her breathing was steady. It seemed she was asleep.
"What's wrong with her?" Su Yu asked softly.
"She's asleep. Can't you see for yourself?" Lin Yuqing shot Su Yu a look. Can't you stand a little farther away when you talk? You'll disturb her rest!
"Did you eat gunpowder or something? Snapping at everyone you see."
"Is there something you need?" Lin Yuqing did her best to keep her voice down.
"I heard you snapped at Ji Ming today. What happened? How did she get on your bad side?"
Lin Yuqing frowned. "Did that happen?"
Su Yu was exasperated. She couldn't tell if the woman was playing dumb or had genuinely forgotten. "Let me warn you. Don't take it out on people who are close to Baiye just because you can't do anything to her yourself. Be careful, or I'll add a kiss scene for you!"
"Then again," Su Yu speculated boldly, "this little one is so cute, adding a few more kiss scenes wouldn't be a loss for you, would it? Or maybe you want a kiss scene but are too embarrassed to say it, so you're deliberately picking on her?" Sure enough, as soon as the words left her mouth, she saw the old fellow blush.
"Nonsense!" Lin Yuqing slammed the table, annoyed.
Su Yu was feeling smug when she caught a glimpse of Baiye stirring in the mirror's reflection. The girl didn't get up, though. Su Yu tiptoed over and peeked. She saw that the little one's pretty face was also bright red. She couldn't help but purse her lips to hide a smile. Blushing like that just at the mention of a kiss scene. So innocently cute.
Not wanting to make things too awkward for them, Su Yu dropped the subject and didn't expose the fact that Baiye was pretending to be asleep.
"We're wrapping up early today. You should head out too once the rain eases up."
"Mm."
Su Yu then patted Baiye's shoulder. "We're done for the day. Where do you live? Want me to give you a ride home?"
"Mm… Director Su…" Baiye rubbed her eyes and sat up. Her eyelids were heavy, and she looked listless.
"Are you okay?"
"Mm… I'm fine. I can get back on my own later. I won't trouble you."
"Alright then. Be careful on your own."
Baiye mumbled an acknowledgment, but her mind was elsewhere entirely.
【Baiye: OMG! What did I just hear? They can add a kiss scene? If Auntie Lin picks on me, they can add a kiss scene?? Then does that mean she…】
"Hey, what's wrong? Your face is so red. Do you have a fever?" Su Yu noticed the little one was acting stranger and stranger, her face as red as a monkey's bottom. She reached out to feel her forehead.
"No…" Baiye dodged slightly, giving an awkward smile. She unconsciously stole a glance at Lin Yuqing, but when she saw Auntie Lin looking right at her, she immediately averted her gaze, not daring to look again.
Lin Yuqing was indeed watching Baiye. She was curious. The last time Su Yu patted Baiye's head, she'd jumped right up. This time, when Su Yu touched her, she didn't jump, but she clearly flinched away. Is there an electric switch on her head or something? Why such a big reaction?
But she never jumped when I touched her. Hmm, is this my special privilege?
Happy.
Thinking this, Lin Yuqing's mood brightened considerably. But a moment later, she felt something was off. Have I… ever patted her head??
Lin Yuqing fell into deep thought, trying hard to remember. It seemed she hadn't. The most she'd done was hug her, right? Hmm…
By the time Lin Yuqing snapped out of it, Su Yu had already left. Only she and Xiao Ye remained in the room. She really wanted to test right now whether Xiao Ye had an electric switch on her head, but they were on set. It would be terrible if someone suddenly walked in and saw. Better to wait until they were home.
"You're leaving with me later."
"That's not necessary, Teacher Lin. I'll go back by myself. The bus is very convenient."
Lin Yuqing frowned. "Enough nonsense." Taking a crowded bus in this weather? Did the rain wash her brains out?
Baiye pressed her lips together. If someone saw them, it would cause trouble for Auntie Lin. Maybe it was better if she left first. Thinking this, she hurried into the changing room to grab her wet clothes. "Um… Teacher Lin, I'll be going now." She gave a hasty farewell and turned to leave.
Lin Yuqing was furious. She shot up, strode past Baiye, and blocked the doorway. Then she turned and looked down at her, scrutinizing her. "Am I that scary?" Her expression was stern, her tone grim. She unconsciously straightened her posture, an intimidating aura radiating from her.
"If you leave with me, am I going to eat you?" Lin Yuqing controlled the volume of her voice.
Baiye was a little flustered. "But… if someone sees…"
Lin Yuqing suddenly understood. So that's what she was afraid of. She wasn't deliberately trying to defy her.
Her expression gradually softened. "It's fine. Go wait for me in the parking lot first."
Baiye nodded dumbly, purely out of fright. What's with the glaring every time there's a disagreement…
Looking at Baiye's slightly dazed and cute appearance, Lin Yuqing felt an urge to smile. She unconsciously raised her hand. Only after her hand was raised did she realize what she was doing. But it was already halfway up; wouldn't it be strange to pull it back now?
So, she simply raised it a little higher and rested it on Baiye's head, watching Baiye's reaction intently.
The girl just froze for a second, a little surprised, a little flushed. She didn't dodge or jump away. She was as docile as a little kitten, letting Lin Yuqing stroke her head however she pleased.
After a long moment, Lin Yuqing withdrew her hand. She looked down at it, then walked back to her seat with a puzzled expression. Strange. Why didn't she jump? Was I patting her wrong? But how else do you pat a head? How did Su Yu do it before?
Lin Yuqing rubbed her forehead, trying hard to recall, completely unaware that Baiye was still standing at the door.
The girl stood motionless, her face as red as a monkey's bottom. She clutched her chest with both hands, not even daring to breathe loudly, overcome with excitement and surprise. Auntie Lin… Auntie Lin patted her head! And it was such an intimate, gentle touch!
Aaaaaaaaaah—
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