MQSP - Chapter 21
Chapter 21
The rain didn't begin to let up until nearly dusk. Baiye obediently went to the parking lot ahead of time to wait, and less than twenty minutes later, Lin Yuqing arrived.
Lin Yuqing started the car and told Baiye to get in. The little one cautiously looked left and right before scurrying into the car like a thief. The sight was a bit comical, but Lin Yuqing couldn't bring herself to laugh. If it weren't for that accident, why would this little one have to live such a furtive, dependent life?
Even after getting in the car, Baiye was still looking around.
"It's fine," Lin Yuqing said with a smile. "With my level of fame, no paparazzi would follow me in this god-awful weather."
"That's because they have no taste…" Baiye mumbled, pouting.
"Hm?" Lin Yuqing didn't quite hear her.
"N-Nothing."
Lin Yuqing said no more and focused on driving. After sitting for a while, Baiye, clutching the U-shaped pillow she had prepared for Auntie Lin, unknowingly drifted off to sleep.
Lin Yuqing stole a glance at her. The girl's cheeks were rosy pink, and she was holding the pillow instead of resting on it, her head bobbing up and down. It was silly in a cute way.
"Recline your seat and sleep properly," Lin Yuqing said, figuring she couldn't be comfortable like that.
"Mm…" Baiye responded with a low hum but didn't move for a long time. In her half-awake state, she clearly felt a lack of strength. She wanted to recline the seat, but her arms wouldn't budge an inch.
In a daze, she felt a warm body draw near. Even though she knew it was Auntie Lin, she still wanted to open her eyes for a look. She painstakingly pried her eyelids open and, seeing Auntie Lin's beautiful face right before her, gave a faint smile.
Lin Yuqing was focused on helping her with the seat and didn't notice her expression. She was rather exasperated. How could this kid fall asleep like this?
Half an hour later, the car slowly drove into the complex's underground parking garage. Lin Yuqing parked the car and turned to look at the little one sound asleep beside her.
"Xiao Ye?"
Hearing the sound, Baiye fluttered her eyelids. She'd only slept for a little while, so why did she feel even weaker…?
"Auntie Lin…" she answered softly, her voice slightly hoarse, though Lin Yuqing didn't notice.
"Wake up, we're home. You can sleep more when we get back."
"Okay." Baiye raised a hand to rub her throat, which felt noticeably uncomfortable—dry and itchy.
Back at the house, Baiye forced herself to stay awake and prepare dinner. Fortunately, Lin Yuqing didn't have much of an appetite either, so the two of them just made some porridge and had a quick bite.
"If you're tired, go up and sleep. Don't worry about cleaning up," Lin Yuqing said when she saw Baiye taking the dishes to the kitchen. She had sensed something was off with the girl during dinner; she seemed completely listless.
"Alright then, I'll wash them tomorrow. Ahem…" Baiye coughed lightly. "I'll go rest first. Good night, Auntie Lin."
"There might be thunder tonight. If you're scared, you can sleep in my room."
Baiye froze. "Huh? C-Can I?"
Hm? Why couldn't she?
"Okay!" Fearing Lin Yuqing would change her mind, Baiye quickly agreed.
"But you can only sleep on the sofa."
"Okay!" Baiye nodded eagerly. As long as she could sleep in the same room as Auntie Lin, the sofa was perfectly fine!
Baiye excitedly returned to her room, took a shower, and changed into her pajamas.
"Auntie Lin, I'm going to sleep now?" Baiye called out, peering down from upstairs while holding a thin blanket.
"Mm," Lin Yuqing answered without looking up.
Baiye pushed open the door to Lin Yuqing's room and went inside. She turned on the light, and a soft yellow glow instantly illuminated the space. The room was very clean, with a white comforter spread neatly on the bed. Auntie Lin's bed was a double, and it looked especially large. The mattress seemed soft and very comfortable.
After a quick look around, Baiye headed straight for the sofa to the side. It was also very soft; lying down, she practically sank into it. It was incredibly comfortable.
Baiye covered herself with the blanket, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. But her nose seemed a little stuffy, and she could only catch the faint, fresh scent of mint that lingered on Auntie Lin.
Then, she contentedly fell asleep.
Lin Yuqing was reading a novel online when a sudden clap of thunder outside made her jump, her heart pounding in her chest. A thunderclap that loud and sudden would scare not just Xiao Ye; even she found it hard to handle.
She glanced upstairs, wondering if that little one had heard it and if she was scared.
With that thought, Lin Yuqing checked the time. It was already ten-thirty, about time to rest. She stood up, stretched, and headed to her room to grab a change of clothes before showering in the downstairs bathroom.
She gently pushed the door open. The room was a bit stuffy, so Lin Yuqing instinctively grabbed the remote on the bedside table and turned on the air conditioner.
She glanced at the little one on the sofa. The loud thunderclap from earlier hadn't woken her. She was sleeping quite soundly, her little face flushed red.
Lin Yuqing didn't make another sound, quietly closing the door as she left.
Half an hour later, when Lin Yuqing returned to her room after her shower, she had completely forgotten there was another person on the sofa.
She glanced at the air conditioner's temperature. 26 degrees. This high? How could anyone sleep!
She decisively set it back to 20 degrees, then climbed into bed and burrowed under the covers.
When working outside in the summer, her skin would feel constantly sticky, a sensation Lin Yuqing despised. The thing she looked forward to most each day was coming home at night, showering, and lying in an air-conditioned room under a blanket, keeping her body dry and cool without being too cold. Sometimes, if the temperature was too high, it would be hot under the blanket but cold without it, making for a poor night's sleep. After several experiments, Lin Yuqing had settled on 20 degrees as her perfect comfort temperature.
Turning off the light, Lin Yuqing pulled the covers over her head, closed her eyes, and settled in for a quiet sleep. All the while, she felt as if she had forgotten something. Mulling it over, she eventually drifted off.
"Cough… cough, cough…"
Lin Yuqing was a light sleeper with a strong sense of alertness. Any small noise would startle her awake, let alone a series of coughs coming from inside her own bedroom!
Lin Yuqing opened her eyes but didn't move for a long moment, listening quietly as she collected herself.
"Cough…" Another soft cough, accompanied by the sound of sniffling.
Lin Yuqing froze. She threw off the covers, sat up, and turned on the bedside lamp. Looking toward the source of the sound, she saw a squirming figure completely enveloped in a blanket…
"Xiao Ye?" Lin Yuqing finally remembered what she had forgotten. She quickly got up and walked to the sofa. Bending down, she lifted the blanket to find the little one curled into a ball, shivering.
Lin Yuqing was stunned for a second, then placed a hand on Xiao Ye's forehead. It was clearly hot.
She hurried to turn off the air conditioner and open the bedroom door.
"Xiao Ye?" Lin Yuqing gently patted Baiye, feeling a pang of remorse. How could she have forgotten about her!
"Auntie Lin… cough, cough… I'm sorry, did I wake you…?" Baiye's voice was extremely hoarse and weak. Hearing her words, Lin Yuqing's brow furrowed. Was this child delirious from the fever? She felt awful but didn't say anything, and was even apologizing to her? What was there to be sorry for?!
Lin Yuqing felt utterly helpless. She bent down, lifted the little one into her arms, and carried her to the bed. She tucked her in, wrapping her up tightly in the covers. After that, she had no idea what to do.
She had a strong constitution and rarely got sick. Besides, Xia Xiaozi usually handled these things, so she never had to worry about them.
With that thought, Lin Yuqing decisively called Xia Xiaozi.
"Hello, boss… what's wrong? It's the middle of the night, I just fell asleep…" Xia Xiaozi's voice was heavy with exhaustion.
Lin Yuqing didn't waste time with pleasantries and got straight to the point, briefly explaining Baiye's situation.
There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by…
"What?! I'm gone for one day and you've already made her sick?!" Xia Xiaozi nearly swallowed her phone.
"…Cut the crap. What medicine should she take?"
"Um… she has a weak stomach, so don't give her just any medicine. First, try a fever patch to see if her temperature comes down. Have her drink lots of hot water and make her sweat a lot. If that doesn't work, give her some fever-reducing granules. If it's too serious, you should call a doctor to give her a shot."
"A weak stomach?" Lin Yuqing was taken aback. How did she not know that?
"Uh, yeah… Anyway, I have all the medicine I just mentioned in a drawer in my room. Forget everything else for now."
"Okay," Lin Yuqing replied before heading to Xia Xiaozi's room to find the medicine.
Twenty minutes later, Lin Yuqing leaned against the bed and let out a long breath. She had just opened a box of fever patches and stuck them on Baiye's forehead, palms, and the soles of her feet. She'd be damned if this didn't bring the fever down!
And, strictly following Xia Xiaozi's instructions to make Baiye sweat more, she had added another blanket on top of her.
The little one slept restlessly, waking up every so often, so hot she felt like she was losing the will to live. Yet, apart from her head, any body part that managed to escape the covers was forcefully stuffed back in by Auntie Lin…
Baiye was woken by the heat once again. She opened her eyes, feeling significantly more alert. She saw Auntie Lin lying beside her, propped up on one arm, with her other arm resting over her. A sweet feeling blossomed in her heart.
With extreme care, she slipped one arm out from under the covers. But before she could even enjoy a moment of coolness, Lin Yuqing's eyes snapped open. Without a word, she grabbed Baiye's hand, stuffed it back under the covers, and even pulled the blanket up higher, tucking her in more tightly.
"Auntie Lin…" Baiye felt like crying…
Lin Yuqing lifted her eyelids slightly. "Hm? Still feeling unwell?" Her voice was incredibly gentle, so much so that Baiye was stunned.
"Mm… I'm a little… hot…"
"Good, stay hot."
"???"
"Sweating it out will help you get better faster. You didn't say anything when you were sick, so you deserve to suffer."
"…" This isn't my Auntie Lin!
"Auntie Lin, I don't feel bad anymore, really." Baiye blinked her eyes, her tone soft and a little whiny. It sounded like she was trying to be cute—at least, that's what Lin Yuqing thought.
Lin Yuqing felt her forehead again. The fever had actually gone down. Her forehead was just covered in sweat. She got up and removed one of the blankets.
Baiye quickly sat up, wanting to help, but Lin Yuqing shot her a glare. "Just sleep. What are you fussing about for?"
Startled, Baiye obediently lay back down and pulled the covers up on her own.
"Auntie Lin, are you hot? Maybe I should go back to my room to sleep." Baiye glanced at the air conditioner, worried that Lin Yuqing wouldn't be comfortable without it on. However, when she met Lin Yuqing's displeased gaze, she decisively backed down. She pulled the blanket up a little higher, revealing a pair of large, watery eyes. "Good night, Auntie Lin…"
When Lin Yuqing woke up, she looked at the blanket wrapped around her and took a moment to get her bearings. She then realized that the little one who was supposed to be lying next to her, wrapped in a blanket, was gone! Moreover, the air conditioner was on, and the room was cool, meaning it must have been on for a while.
She picked up the alarm clock beside her and glanced at it. It was just past six. What was that little rascal doing up so early? Was she all better?
Just as she was thinking this, she heard some noise from the kitchen. Lin Yuqing frowned. Not resting properly and messing around again. Was she asking for a spanking?
She decisively got up and marched straight to the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Baiye was trying to figure out what to make for Auntie Lin's breakfast. She hadn't felt well last night and hadn't been able to prepare a proper dinner for Auntie Lin. On top of that, Auntie Lin had taken care of her all night. She had to make her something delicious as a reward~
She rummaged through the fridge. Her aunt had bought plenty of vegetables before she left yesterday. But she didn't know how to make many elaborate dishes, or even many hot dishes for that matter. Besides, for breakfast, Auntie Lin usually preferred Western-style food. Hmm… a sandwich and a fruit salad should do.
With that in mind, she took out the necessary vegetables and went to the sink to wash them.
When Lin Yuqing arrived, she saw her washing vegetables. She stood at the doorway with her hands on her hips for a moment. Why did this kid love cooking so much?
"Cough, cough, cough…" Baiye let out a few sharp coughs.
Lin Yuqing heard it and frowned. She walked into the kitchen and saw the little one still diligently washing vegetables, completely unaware that she had entered.
Lin Yuqing was a little annoyed. She rolled up her sleeves, and seeing Baiye's slightly upturned little bottom, she raised her hand and gave it a smack.
"Ouch!" Baiye yelped and jumped straight up. She quickly turned around to look, freezing when she saw who it was. "L-Auntie Lin?"
Lin Yuqing was also taken aback for a second. She actually jumped?
"Oh, you're all better? Messing around in here again." Lin Yuqing collected herself. So she jumps when I touch her too. I'm not happy about losing my special privilege, but the way she jumps is pretty interesting.
"I'm fine. I'll just finish making breakfast and then…" Before Baiye could finish, Lin Yuqing pointed a finger directly at the kitchen door. The meaning was clear: get out.
"But…" Baiye glanced back at the vegetables in the sink.
"Want another smack?" Lin Yuqing raised her hand, putting on a stern face to scare the child.
Baiye quickly shook her head and started to walk out, looking back every few steps. Good heavens, when did her Auntie Lin become so violent…?
"Wait a minute," Lin Yuqing suddenly called out, stopping Baiye.
"Huh?"
Seeing the little one standing there with a dazed look, too scared to move, Lin Yuqing chuckled inwardly. She walked over and glanced at her. The moment she raised her hand, the little one squeezed her eyes shut. Did she think Lin Yuqing was going to hit her?
Lin Yuqing felt helpless. She just gave her a light flick on the forehead, then placed her hand against it to check her temperature.
Baiye opened her eyes, her beautiful, large eyes blinking as she looked at Auntie Lin. Auntie Lin was a little strange today. She had said so much to her, touched her, and was so concerned about her!
Lin Yuqing then placed her hand on her own forehead to compare, but she couldn't tell the difference. In fact, she felt her own forehead was hotter than Baiye's! Wasn't that strange?
With that thought, Lin Yuqing touched Xiao Ye's forehead again, then her own. After repeating this four or five times, she finally came to a conclusion: her sense of touch was unreliable. A thermometer would be much better.
While Lin Yuqing was checking her temperature, Baiye kept looking at her with an expression of pure adoration. It took Lin Yuqing a while to notice. Seeing Baiye's dazed and cute expression, she couldn't resist reaching out to pat her head.
Hm? Why didn't she jump?
The little one had no reaction to her touch. Wasn't that strange? She had just jumped a moment ago!
Could it be the wrong spot?
With that thought, Lin Yuqing's hand moved down and touched Baiye's cheek.
No jump, but her face was very red and hot. She must still have a fever.
Moving further down, her hand rested on Baiye's shoulder. Still no reaction.
Tsk… what the hell.
Lin Yuqing pulled her hand back and stared at her own palm, turning it over and over. "Go on back," she said to Baiye.
"Oh." Baiye was still a little reluctant. She had just turned around when…
"Don't move!" Lin Yuqing called out again.
"Wha—" Baiye started to turn back.
"Don't move," Lin Yuqing said quickly. The little one, with a completely baffled expression, stood with her back to Lin Yuqing, perfectly still.
Lin Yuqing took two steps forward, walked up behind Baiye, looked at her own hand, then at Baiye's small, perky bottom. Singularly focused on testing her theory, she placed her hand directly on Baiye's butt!
A buzzing sound filled Baiye's head. Her body went completely rigid, unable to move, until that warm hand gave her a gentle pat.
"Ah!" she shrieked, jumping straight up and running away in a hurry without looking back.
She finally jumped…
So her electric switch is on her butt.
Lin Yuqing let out a long breath. That whole experiment had been quite exhausting!
Watching the little one's retreating back, Lin Yuqing crossed her arms. Mm, she's even cuter when she's running away blushing.
Tsk, but I can't make her get a fever again just to see her run away blushing. Oh well.
Baiye fled back to Lin Yuqing's bedroom in a panic. She climbed onto the bed and hid herself under the covers. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, what had her Auntie Lin just done?! How could Auntie Lin suddenly become so… wei… weird…!
Of course, Lin Yuqing had no idea that her thoughtless actions had thoroughly scared the little one. But thinking about how red and hot her face had been, she started to worry. Had her temperature gone up? Was she getting a fever again?
She decisively went to Xia Xiaozi's room and found another box of fever patches.
When she returned to her room, she saw Baiye huddled under the covers. She glanced at the air conditioner and turned it off.
"Are you still cold?"
At the sound of her voice, Baiye peeked out with one eye and saw Auntie Lin bringing over the blanket from the sofa!
"Not cold, not cold!" Baiye quickly shook her head. She did not want to be smothered under two blankets and suffer from the heat again…
"Put this on first. Is your fever back? This is what you get for messing around!"
Baiye didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Auntie Lin, I'm fine, I'm really fine…"
Lin Yuqing wasn't listening to any of that. She ordered her to lie down obediently and rest properly.
Sigh. The first day without Xia Xiaozi, and I miss her.
I can't even take care of myself, and now I have to take care of a sick child. It's so much trouble.
Lin Yuqing lay on her side at the edge of the bed, propping her cheek up with one hand, her eyes half-closed. She hadn't gotten nearly enough sleep, having spent the whole night fussing over the little one. Her head felt groggy.
Baiye secretly opened her eyes, which darted around. She didn't dare move, only carefully tilting her head to look at Auntie Lin. Auntie Lin's hearing was too good; she noticed every little movement! And she could hear things even while asleep. It was better not to disturb her and let her sleep properly.
She stared at Lin Yuqing's coolly beautiful face for a while. Auntie Lin was so pretty even without makeup. Her skin looked so soft, it must be nice to touch. Mm, Auntie Lin's eyelashes are so long and thick. It's a shame I can't get any closer, or I'd definitely count them!
Mm~ Auntie Lin's eyes are so pretty too, her brown pupils rippling with a seemingly fatal attraction. They're so captivating you just can't… wait…
Baiye froze and blinked. She realized Auntie Lin had opened her eyes at some point and was now looking right at her.
The little one stuck out her tongue, feeling like she'd been caught doing something bad. She silently shrank back into the covers, leaving only her two little black-bean eyes blinking.
Lin Yuqing frowned. Does this kid get extra clingy when she's sick? How many times has she blinked those big innocent eyes at me! Don't think I won't be fierce just because you look innocent!
"Why aren't you sleeping?"
"Sleeping now…" Baiye's mouth was hidden in the blanket, her voice muffled. The moment she closed her eyes, she opened them again. "Oh no, it's already six o'clock." She started to get up.
"Don't go today. I'll ask Su Yu for a day off for you." Lin Yuqing placed a hand on Baiye's shoulder, stopping her from getting up.
"But…"
It was still raining outside. She was so clumsy, what if she got soaked again?
"But I just joined the cast, it's not good to be absent," Baiye insisted, surprisingly firm.
Lin Yuqing was furious. Fine, don't listen. You deserve to suffer. What do you mean, 'not good to be absent'? I bet you just want to go see your idol! You've even learned to lie! If it weren't for the fact that you're sick, I'd give you a good spanking! Is seeing your idol more important than your health?
"Then go by yourself. I'm going back to sleep." Lin Yuqing rolled over, turning her back to Baiye. Out of sight, out of mind.
"Aren't you going to the set today?"
"Didn't sleep well. Not going." Lin Yuqing yawned, being quite willful.
When Baiye heard that, she thought, if Auntie Lin isn't going to the set, then who would I be going to see?!
A happy thought bloomed in her mind. Did this mean she could lie in bed with Auntie Lin all day?
"Why haven't you left yet?" Lin Yuqing glanced back at her. You're disturbing my sleep!
"I… um… I want to sleep a little more!" Baiye decisively lay back down, inching a little closer to Lin Yuqing in the process.
"Not going to the set to see your idol?" Lin Yuqing had been thinking it, and it accidentally slipped out. She regretted it a little after she said it. Was she paying too much attention to the little one?
"My idol? My idol isn't going to the set today either!" Baiye lifted her head, her smile exceptionally bright.
!!!
When did she get in contact with Ji Ming?!
"Auntie Lin?" Baiye turned on her side to face Auntie Lin's back. She puffed out her cheeks and mustered her courage.
"What?"
"Um… can I… have a hug?"
"A hug for what? How old are you, still needing a hug?" Lin Yuqing didn't turn around or even open her eyes. Go ask your idol for a hug. Why are you asking me?
Baiye pouted, a little disappointed. Right, this was her Auntie Lin. Everything this morning had just been an illusion!
It was nearly noon when Lin Yuqing woke up. With no one to disturb her and no noise around her, she had slept very comfortably. It would have been even more comfortable if her stomach wasn't growling.
She gently turned her head to look. Baiye was still asleep. Her cheeks were no longer so red, now a faint, tender pink. The little one's breathing was steady, her brow relaxed. She was sleeping peacefully. For once, Lin Yuqing patiently watched Xiao Ye, taking in her delicate and refined features, which did bear a striking resemblance to Gu Xinran.
As she watched, she saw the little one's eyelids twitch slightly. Pretending to be asleep?
Lin Yuqing didn't say anything. She got up quietly and went straight to the kitchen. She was truly hungry. She took a tomato from the fridge and started munching on it while trying to figure out what to cook. Just then, she heard someone entering the code on her front door. She quickly peeked out to see.
The door opened, and a weary-looking Xia Xiaozi walked in.
"Why are you back?" Lin Yuqing's sudden voice made Xia Xiaozi jump, nearly leaping into the air.
Lin Yuqing pouted. Her jumping isn't as cute as Xiao Ye's!
"Qing Jie, why aren't you at the set? Where's Xiao Ye? You didn't let her go to the set by herself while she's sick, did you??"
Am I that heartless??
"She's sleeping in the room. It's good you're back. Make me something to eat, I'm hungry."
Xia Xiaozi felt a little like laughing. With Xiao Ye sick, this one couldn't even get a meal!
"Hold on, I'll go check on her first."
Xia Xiaozi changed her shoes and headed upstairs. She was thoroughly surprised to find Xiao Ye sleeping in Lin Yuqing's room. She tiptoed inside.
The moment she sat on the edge of the bed, Baiye opened her eyes. "Auntie?" Her tone was surprised and a little confused, but definitely not delighted.
"What, you didn't want me to come back?" Xia Xiaozi huffed lightly, an 'I see right through you' expression on her face.
"Of course not…" I just haven't had enough alone time with Auntie Lin yet…
Lin Yuqing came in right after, shooting Xia Xiaozi a reproachful glance, her expression clearly saying, 'See, you woke her up!'
Xia Xiaozi raised a hand to feel Xiao Ye's forehead. She then pulled her hand back, leaned down, and affectionately pressed her own forehead against hers. When Lin Yuqing saw this, her eyes went wide. Was she checking her temperature? Or was she taking advantage of the little one? Right in front of her, too! How bold, how outrageous!
"It's fine, the fever seems to be mostly gone. Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"
"I'm fine, much better now. Auntie Lin took very good care of me."
"Yeah, right. Her, take care of someone? It's a miracle if she doesn't cause trouble."
Lin Yuqing stood with her hands on her hips. This Xia Xiaozi was really asking for it!
"You probably haven't eaten either, right? What do you want to eat? Auntie will make it for you." Xia Xiaozi dotingly ruffled Baiye's hair, her voice incredibly gentle.
"Why don't you ask what I want to eat?" Lin Yuqing walked over, grabbed the hand Xia Xiaozi was using to pet Baiye, and decisively kicked her out of the bedroom.
Staring at the closed door, Xia Xiaozi was completely baffled. She had just gotten back. How had she managed to offend her again?
Watching Lin Yuqing's actions, Baiye was surprised. A bold idea popped into her head. "Auntie Lin?"
"Hm."
"Are you jealous?"
!!!
Me! Jealous?!
I wouldn't be jealous even if I watched Xia Xiaozi eat you up and rub you bald!
Seeing Auntie Lin's expressionless and slightly disgusted look, Baiye felt a little disappointed. She had guessed wrong after all…
"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, was there a burglar in the house?!!" Xia Xiaozi shrieked.
Hearing the noise from outside, Lin Yuqing first froze, then pursed her lips to hide a smile.
"Auntie Lin, what's wrong?" Baiye heard it too and looked at Lin Yuqing curiously.
"It's nothing. Get up and drink some water." Lin Yuqing handed her a cup of hot water, her tone exceptionally gentle. The little one happily sat up and drank, creating a scene in the room that couldn't have been warmer.
Meanwhile, Xia Xiaozi… faced with her completely ransacked bedroom, was on the verge of a breakdown! The bedside table, the desk, even the drawers in her wardrobe had all been pulled out, their contents scattered all over the floor. It was clear someone had been looking for something.
Xia Xiaozi slapped her forehead. She remembered Lin Yuqing asking her where the fever medicine was, and she had just said it was in a drawer in her room… Alright then, this must be the masterpiece of that ancestor of hers. The destructive power was comparable to a typhoon!!!
During the meal, Xia Xiaozi felt that the atmosphere in the house today was strangely different. There was less coldness and a bit more warmth, but what she couldn't figure out was why, since nothing seemed to have changed from usual.
"You two both took the day off today? Did Su Yu get suspicious?" Xia Xiaozi suddenly realized.
"Oh!" Baiye gasped, a little worried.
"It's fine." Lin Yuqing, on the other hand, was completely unconcerned. "Su Yu's brain isn't that sharp."
Xia Xiaozi ordered Baiye to rest at home for two days, only allowing her to go to the set once she had fully recovered.
Baiye was late today. By the time she arrived at the set, it was almost ten o'clock, and filming had already begun.
Today's shoot was on a soundstage, in a dark room that had been built. It would be more accurate to call it a torture chamber. The set was incredibly stuffy, with several braziers burning inside. In the center stood a wooden crucifix-style rack, smeared with dark red fake blood, a chilling sight to behold.
Not far from the rack was a water prison. The gate was currently wide open, and crew members were testing the water's temperature and depth.
Seeing this, Baiye suddenly remembered. This part must be where An Luocheng advises the king to let her take a few of the children on a military campaign. The king, on a whim, decides to test the children's loyalty. He has the guards outside the hall arrest the children on charges of An Shuai's treason, throws them into the sky prison, and has them brutally tortured to force them to admit that An Shuai did indeed have treasonous intentions. According to the script, the little ones were tortured to within an inch of their lives but never said a single bad word about An Shuai. Little An Liang's hands were nearly broken by the finger press!
"Big Sister Xiao Ye! Look how miserable I am!" Xiao Bao spotted Baiye in the crowd and came bouncing over. Baiye looked at her. The little girl was wearing… a blood-stained garment! Her clothes were covered in whip marks and bloodstains, her face was grimy, and her hair was a mess. She looked as miserable as could be.
"I'm the most miserable one," Little An Liang grumbled as she ran over, holding up her hands for Baiye to see. They were covered in fake blood, sticky and disgusting…
Baiye's eyelids twitched. "Is this scene already finished filming?" she asked, patting both of their little heads.
"Yeah, it's done! The next scene is A-Niang getting revenge for Liang Jie!"
"Oh?" Baiye smiled, vaguely remembering. This was a scene that really highlighted An Luocheng's tsundere nature. She was heartbroken that the children were hurt but acted as if nothing was wrong, never mentioning it and putting on an indifferent front, before silently beating the prison guards half to death.
As they spoke, Lin Yuqing had already changed her costume. She had taken off her armor and was now in a white martial arts outfit. Her shiny black hair was tied up in a high ponytail that fell to her waist. Her expression was stern, her face tinged with anger. It looked like she was already getting into character.
"Big Sister Xiao Ye, I'm going over now. You have to watch my acting carefully, okay!"
"Okay, go on."
With Su Yu's call of "Action," Lin Yuqing's face darkened, her thin lips pressed tightly together. She strode into the torture chamber, two vice generals following closely behind.
The few prison guards inside were lazily dozing off. They were startled by the sudden loud noise, and before they could even see who had arrived, the one closest to the door was sent flying by a kick.
The actor was attached to a wire. The moment Lin Yuqing lifted her foot, the actor was yanked backward, crashing into the wall, making the kick look incredibly powerful.
Lin Yuqing's brows were furrowed in anger. "Who hurt my Liang'er's hands!" she roared.
"Cut." Su Yu frowned. "Yuqing, it can't just be anger and fury here. There needs to be a hint of heartache. It shouldn't be deliberately performed, but an unintentional, heartfelt reveal." As Su Yu spoke, she called Little An Liang over. "Look, your daughter was beaten like this. Don't you feel heartbroken?"
"…" Lin Yuqing was speechless. No wonder this Su Yu had insisted that Little An Liang not remove her makeup…
"Come on, look at her. Show me some heartache."
Lin Yuqing glanced down at the little one. To be honest, she… really couldn't feel any heartache…
She didn't like children.
Lin Yuqing silently closed her eyes, trying to recall a time she had felt heartbroken, a time when her chest had felt the sharp pain of a needle piercing it. It seemed to be when she saw Xiao Ye's thin, frail back after she had decided to quit.
At that thought, Lin Yuqing's heart clenched. When she opened her eyes, the first person she saw in the crowd was Baiye, who was watching her intently.
Lin Yuqing looked down at Little An Liang, reached out to ruffle her little head, and nodded at Su Yu, signaling that she had found the feeling.
Acting requires genuine listening, genuine observation, and genuine feeling. This is especially true for channeling emotions. An emotion that is performed dryly will be immediately obvious to the audience, what is known as being fake or having poor acting skills. To improve their control over emotions, most actors pay more attention to the events around them or put themselves through certain experiences, memorizing the feelings of those moments. When they need to use them, they recall the things that stirred their emotions to channel their own feelings and express the corresponding sentiment.
When filming began again, Lin Yuqing burst into the torture chamber, once again sending the guard at the door flying with a kick. She walked to the torture rack and stared at the mottled bloodstains on it, her gaze hardening. The muscles in her jaw tensed slightly. "Who hurt my Liang'er's hands." Unlike the thunderous roar from before, her tone was somewhat grim, as if the words were being forced through gritted teeth.
This time, Lin Yuqing's emotions were not outwardly explosive but more restrained. Yet, the less she moved, the more one could feel a sense of suppressed pressure, an anger on the verge of eruption. Her intimidating aura was palpable, but her gaze remained fixed on the bloodstains on the rack, as if through them, she could see the image of Little An Liang being tortured.
This one really gets it with just a little guidance. Even Su Yu couldn't help but give her a thumbs-up.
Auntie Lin is amazing! Baiye's eyes were sparkling, her star-struck adoration on full display.
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