MQSP - Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Because of Xue Yuexian's little stunt, filming was temporarily halted. Su Yu quickly ushered the big shot into a dressing room for tea. When it came to Xue Yuexian, Su Yu loved her, hated her, and wanted to smack her all at once. They were actually good friends on a personal level, but the woman was just far too playful. Back when Yilan was still around, she would listen to her advice and restrain herself a bit. But after Yilan passed away, she became completely unrestrained.
In truth, Xue Yuexian was a deeply sentimental person, the type who would go through fire and water for her friends and family. This was evident from the fact that when Bai Yilan and Gu Xinran got together, she was the only one among Bai Yilan's relatives and friends who knew the truth. It showed just how much Bai Yilan trusted her.
"Boss? Great one? I'm begging you, please spare this production! Just let me finish filming this drama in peace, alright?" Su Yu personally brewed her a cup of tea and presented it to her respectfully with both hands.
Xue Yuexian sat in the chair with her arms crossed, glanced at her, and let out a light snort, clearly unimpressed.
"I want that girl. It won't delay your filming. What does it have to do with you?"
"Please don't make trouble for me. She's Lu Qing's most treasured student. If you do anything to her, Lu Qing will kill me!"
"Then that has even less to do with me," Xue Yuexian said with an infuriatingly nonchalant expression.
"Xue Yuexian!"
"Alright, I'm done bickering with you. I'll come see my little baby again tomorrow."
"What, what, what? Little baby? Be a decent human being, will you!" Su Yu nearly gagged. Hearing that term come out of her mouth was enough to give anyone goosebumps!
In another dressing room, Lin Yuqing's brow was also furrowed in worry.
"Qing Jie, what do we do? Why did Xue Yuexian have to target Xiao Ye? She wouldn't actually do something out of line, would she? Xiao Ye is… Ugh, how did it come to this!" Xia Xiaozi paced the floor anxiously.
"I'm on set, and so is Fang Yi. At least on the surface, Xue Yuexian can't touch her yet. Remind Xiao Ye to be careful and keep a closer eye on her."
"Okay, no problem. But I'm afraid Xue Yuexian will play dirty!" Xia Xiaozi was in a panic. It was an open secret in the industry that Xue Yuexian liked to toy with young women. If Xiao Ye was… Xia Xiaozi couldn't bear to imagine it!
"Why did she suddenly show up, and why would she take an interest in Xiao Ye?"
Lin Yuqing shook her head at the question. She was completely baffled as well. "For the next few days, when Xiao Ye is coming and going from work, follow her secretly and protect her."
"Okay, I will."
Meanwhile, in a coffee shop near the Qin Chuan Film Studio.
"Still angry?" Lu Qing passed a glass of lemonade to Baiye. "That's just how Xue Yuexian is. But don't worry, with our Great Manager Fang protecting you, nothing will happen to you."
"Thank you, Teacher Lu, and Auntie Fang."
"Pfft." Lu Qing nearly sprayed out a mouthful of juice. "Don't you feel bad calling her Auntie? Does she really look that old!"
"Auntie is fine. I'm getting on in years, anyway," Fang Yi said, not particularly bothered by it.
"Hey, hey, hey, that doesn't sound like you. If you've become an Auntie, doesn't that mean I've been promoted too?" Lu Qing grumbled.
"Face reality, Auntie Lu!"
"Hmph!"
Watching the two of them bicker, Baiye let out a small laugh, and her mood gradually improved.
"Xiao Ye, give me your contact information. You can call me if you need anything in the future."
Baiye paused for a moment when she heard how Fang Yi addressed her.
"Hey, hey, hey, you're already on such intimate terms after only meeting twice?" Lu Qing nudged her.
"She's my artist. Of course I can call her whatever I want." Fang Yi shot her a look, took out her phone, and exchanged contact information with Baiye.
"Um… Auntie Fang, were you serious when you said you wanted to sign me?" Baiye still looked incredulous.
"Do I look like someone who enjoys joking around?"
Yes.
"Tell me your address. I'll pick you up and drop you off from now on."
"Huh?" Baiye exclaimed, surprised that Fang Yi would ask such a thing.
"What's wrong? Is it inconvenient to say?"
"Uh… um… I-I live not far from the film studio. You don't have to trouble yourself. I can get to the set on my own."
Fang Yi frowned. "But since Xue Yuexian has made her intentions known, she won't give up easily. I'm worried she might follow you."
Baiye was startled again. She might follow me!?
Noticing her apparent dilemma, Fang Yi said, "You don't have to tell me the exact address. The residential complex or a nearby street?"
"Uh…"
"You can't say that either?"
"You're being a little too secretive," Lu Qing said helplessly.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to your house, nor am I trying to monitor you," Fang Yi added.
"No, that's not it. Auntie Fang, you've misunderstood. I don't doubt you, I…" Baiye hesitated, unsure how to refuse Fang Yi's kind offer.
"I'm temporarily staying at my aunt's place on Linxi Road."
Lu Qing was slightly taken aback. There were several high-end villa communities on that road. Could this kid live in one of them? She never knew Baiye was a secret millionaire!
Fang Yi nodded. "Your crew starts work at eight every day. Let's arrive half an hour early, at seven-thirty. I'll wait for you at the intersection at six-forty."
"Six-forty? That's so early. It'll be too much trouble for you to come all the way from your home. Maybe you shouldn't drive me."
"It's no trouble. I have a vacant property near Linxi Road. I'll have someone clean it up and move there for the time being."
"Uh, um… okay…" Baiye didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It was truly hard to refuse such kindness.
"As for the contract and all that, I'll bring it to you in a couple of days. There's one thing I need to make clear. Although I'm nominally affiliated with Heart Entertainment, if you sign with me, you won't be considered an artist of the company, just my artist. You can pick and choose from any of the resources I have. Whether you want to act, what you want to act in—you can make all the decisions yourself. As for the money you earn, I won't take a single cent. It's all yours."
"???" Never mind Baiye, even Lu Qing was dumbfounded. Could pies really fall from the sky? Why hadn't something this good ever happened to her???
"Hey, hey, hey, have you discussed this with Jiang Boyan??" Lu Qing was stunned. Technically, Fang Yi was part of Heart Entertainment, and the big boss of Heart Entertainment was Jiang Boyan. When she signed an artist, she should have to go through the company's procedures, right? Acting first and reporting later? That was just too willful!
"As for her, you can go talk to her," Fang Yi said, glancing at her with a half-smile.
"But Auntie Fang, this isn't fair to you."
"That's not what I'm after."
"Then what are you after?" Baiye asked, completely confused.
"A good mood." Fang Yi brushed her hair back and smiled, a picture of willfulness.
"Well, some people just can't be bought, but they'll do anything to be happy!"
"…" Well, now she'd seen everything!
For the afternoon shoot, Su Yu postponed the scenes that required intimate interaction between the two leads and filmed some more conventional segments first. At the same time, she searched everywhere for unconventional remedies, trying to figure out how to cure the blushing problem. In the end, she found a method that seemed quite feasible: habit becomes second nature! In short, she had to get Baiye used to being in close contact with Lin Yuqing. She might be shy the first or second time, but after a while, she would get used to it, she wouldn't get overly excited, and naturally, she wouldn't blush so frequently.
However, this method required Lin Yuqing's cooperation. After thinking it over, Su Yu decided she had no choice but to put the squeeze on Lin Yuqing!
Just before wrapping up for the day, Su Yu called Lin Yuqing and Gu Baiye into the dressing room. "From now on, you two will stay half an hour late every evening. You don't have to do anything but stay in this room and figure out how to have close contact without making her blush."
"???" Baiye was completely baffled. There was such a good thing in the world??
"According to my research, habit becomes second nature. You," she said, pointing at Lin Yuqing, "should get closer to her whenever you have a chance. Like holding hands, a little hug, that sort of thing. We'll take it step by step. Otherwise, there's no way we can film the kiss scenes later, let alone the bed scenes."
As Su Yu was about to continue, she exclaimed, "Look, look, look! I just mentioned it, and look, she's red again. Are you a chameleon or something!" Su Yu was so exasperated she had to laugh.
Lin Yuqing turned to glance at Baiye and couldn't help but smile. This little habit of hers really needed to be cured.
"Alright, no problem." Lin Yuqing agreed so readily that it surprised Su Yu.
"Then it's settled. Starting tomorrow, I'll have to trouble you."
"Mm."
After Su Yu left, Baiye covered her face, wishing the ground would swallow her whole. Why couldn't she control it! Especially when she looked up and saw Auntie Lin staring at her with a half-smile…
Lin Yuqing walked over and placed a hand on her cheek. It was burning hot. "Why do you love to blush so much? What's going on in that little head of yours?" She gently tapped her on the forehead.
"…Nothing," Baiye mumbled.
"I'll deal with you when we get home," Lin Yuqing said, withdrawing her hand.
"Is Fang Yi taking you home?"
"Um… I only told her my home is on Linxi Road. I didn't give her the specifics," Baiye quickly reported.
Lin Yuqing nodded. "Mm, go on. Don't keep her waiting."
"Okay, I'll go now. Goodbye, Auntie Lin."
"Mm."
Sitting in Fang Yi's car, Baiye still felt a little uneasy. After all, this was only the second time they had met, and Teacher Lu wasn't there…
"Not afraid I'll sell you off?" Fang Yi seemed to sense her anxiety and spoke in a half-joking tone.
"Ahem…" Baiye gave an awkward laugh. "If you sold me, Teacher Lu would settle the score with you."
"I'll let you in on a secret." Fang Yi suddenly adopted a mysterious tone.
"Hm?"
"The two of us are in it together. We specialize in abducting innocent girls like you who haven't even graduated yet." As she spoke, Fang Yi's gaze held a hint of mischief, and her upturned lips curved into a roguish smile.
Baiye's heart skipped a beat, and she swallowed nervously. "You… you've got to be kidding… You're not that kind of person, and Teacher Lu definitely isn't."
"Then tell me, why would I promote you for free, asking for nothing in return?"
"Well…"
"T-Teacher Lu said… some people will do anything to be happy."
"And you believe that?"
Baiye swallowed again, feeling even more apprehensive. To be honest, she didn't really believe it either.
Her mind raced, and she subconsciously turned to look out the car window.
Fang Yi saw this and almost burst out laughing. "Hey, hey, hey, are you planning to jump out of the car?"
"Huh? N-No…" Baiye scratched her head sheepishly.
"Please don't scare me. I believe you're a good person."
Fang Yi smiled.
"You said before that you're staying with your aunt? Is your family not here?"
The topic of family always gave Baiye a headache. Why was everyone so interested in her family!
"My home is in Yu Yang. I just came here for school. Since I have to film during summer break, I'm staying at my aunt's place for now. It's very convenient."
"You're studying here all by yourself? Is your mother okay with that?"
"She is. After all, my aunt is here, and she takes good care of me."
"Auntie Fang."
"Hm?"
"Do I… look like someone?" Baiye was genuinely curious. She could feel that Auntie Fang and Teacher Lu truly had her best interests at heart. Teacher Lu, needless to say, had always looked out for her at school. And today, when that seemingly powerful big shot Xue Yuexian was causing trouble for her, Auntie Fang had no reason to get involved, yet she stepped forward to protect her. Baiye was very moved, but also very confused. When she recalled what Auntie Fang had said to Teacher Lu the first time they met—"She does look a bit like her"—she knew there had to be a connection.
Fang Yi fell silent at her words. Her expression soured, and she focused on driving without saying another word.
"Auntie Fang, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. I won't do it again."
Fang Yi sighed and then smiled. "It's fine."
"Actually, it was my former artist."
"You… look a bit like her."
"Oh." Baiye nodded, not daring to ask any more. Although she was still curious about that person, it was clear that Auntie Fang didn't want to talk about it, so she wouldn't make things awkward for herself.
Neither of them spoke again. Soon, they turned onto Linxi Road, and Fang Yi stopped the car at the intersection. "Is this okay?"
"Yes, this is fine. It's not far from here. I can walk the rest of the way. Thank you."
"Alright, go on. Send me a text when you get home."
"Okay. Goodbye, Auntie Fang."
Baiye got out of the car and walked a short distance before looking back. Fang Yi's car was still parked at the intersection, so she quickened her pace.
Inside the car, Fang Yi watched Xiao Ye until her figure completely disappeared from sight before retracting her gaze.
A moment later, her phone chimed with a notification. She picked it up and saw a text from Xiao Ye, saying she was home and not to worry.
Placing the phone aside, she started the car and drove slowly in the direction Xiao Ye had gone.
Baiye had just stepped through the front door when Lin Yuqing and Xia Xiaozi also returned.
"Hey, you're back early today. Did Fang Yi drive you?"
"Auntie, yes, Auntie Fang brought me back."
"Pfft, she let you call her Auntie?"
"Uh… I thought she looked about the same age as Auntie Lin, so I just called her that. She didn't seem to mind."
"Are you saying I'm old?" Lin Yuqing suddenly interjected.
"Not at all! Auntie Lin is forever young and the most beautiful!" The little one's survival instincts were on full display.
Lin Yuqing went upstairs gleefully to take a shower.
During dinner, Xia Xiaozi was still a bit curious. "Is Fang Yi easy to get along with? Is she fierce?" After all, Fang Yi used to be very snarky, and she had often been on the receiving end. Besides Gu Xinran, Fang Yi rarely showed a pleasant face to anyone.
"She's very easy to get along with, and she loves to joke around. She's not fierce at all."
"My goodness, she's had a personality change… Tsk, tsk, tsk…" Xia Xiaozi was greatly surprised.
"Hm? Also, I think Auntie Fang is a person with a lot of stories. By the way, Auntie, don't you know Auntie Fang?"
"What about it?"
"Then do you know who her former artist was? Auntie Fang said I look a bit like her."
Lin Yuqing and Xia Xiaozi both paused, their chopsticks hovering over the food.
"Uh… she…" Xia Xiaozi stammered, stealing a glance at Lin Yuqing. "That… that was a long time ago. I-I don't remember it very clearly either. It's just that Fang Yi experienced it firsthand, so her impression is probably deeper."
"Oh…" Baiye nodded, a little disappointed. She couldn't very well ask Auntie Fang about it, which meant it would remain an unsolved mystery.
"Did Fang Yi say anything else?" Lin Yuqing asked.
"No."
"Mm."
"Let Xiaozi clean up after dinner. After you shower, come to my room." Lin Yuqing put down her bowl and chopsticks and went back to her room.
"Huh?" Baiye felt a little panicked. Go to her room… Did I do something wrong again…
"What's wrong? What did you do now?"
"I… I don't think I did anything…"
After getting ready, Baiye knocked on Lin Yuqing's door with a sense of apprehension.
"Come in."
She pushed the door open and went inside.
"Auntie Lin, you were looking for me?"
"Mm." Lin Yuqing didn't look up. "Your performance during filming today was very poor."
Baiye's heart sank, and she couldn't help but lower her head.
"Come here." Lin Yuqing glanced at the sofa beside her, gesturing for Baiye to come and sit.
Baiye obediently walked over and sat down next to Auntie Lin.
"Tell me, what were you thinking about during the shoot?"
"I…" Baiye felt incredibly guilty. She couldn't even speak, let alone lift her head. She could clearly feel Auntie Lin's penetrating gaze on her, and a nervous sweat broke out on her skin.
"Look up at me." Lin Yuqing's tone was calm, as if she were intentionally sending a message that she wasn't angry, but was simply trying to help her identify the problem and find a solution.
"I… I wasn't thinking about anything."
"Then why couldn't you get into character? And why did you keep blushing? People tend to blush when they're shy, guilty, or embarrassed. Which one are you?"
Hearing this, Baiye wished the ground would swallow her whole. Could she say she was all of the above…?
"Does it make you embarrassed for me to hold you? You don't like it?"
"No!"
Baiye's response was so firm that it brought a small flicker of joy to Lin Yuqing. "So you're just shy?"
"Mm… mm." Baiye nodded.
"Why? I could understand if you were shy being held by someone else, but why me? It's not like I haven't held you before."
"Because…"
"Hm?"
Because I like you…
Baiye only dared to think it, not say it out loud. And then, she uselessly blushed again.
"Speak. Tell me why," Lin Yuqing continued to ask patiently.
"I… um…" Baiye's head felt hot, her heart was racing, and even her palms began to sweat. "I… How could I not be shy when my idol is holding me!" Baiye squeezed her eyes shut and braced herself.
Lin Yuqing looked astonished. "Idol?"
"Me?"
"Isn't your idol Ji Ming??"
After mustering the courage to confess, Baiye found Auntie Lin's reaction completely unexpected. And what did this have to do with Ji Ming…?
"When did I ever say my idol was Ji Jiejie… I… The one I like is you. It's always been you…" Baiye bit her lip, her voice dropping to a whisper on the last part. She didn't know if Auntie Lin had heard her clearly.
But then she noticed the corners of Auntie Lin's mouth turning up unconsciously, a clear look of happiness on her face. Did this mean that Auntie Lin wasn't opposed to her liking her?!
At that thought, Baiye felt happy too. The scene devolved into two people foolishly grinning, each lost in their own excitement.
"But you can't keep going on like this. Let's try Su Yu's method," Lin Yuqing said, coming back to her senses with the worry of a doting mother.
"Hm? What?"
"Habit becomes second nature."
"…" Baiye suddenly remembered what Su Yu had said about her and Auntie Lin staying behind for half an hour every day to engage in close contact to help her overcome her blushing.
Lin Yuqing sat up straight, patted her own lap, and gestured for Baiye.
"Huh? W-What for…"
"I'll hold you."
Baiye froze. She had never imagined Auntie Lin would so gently and proactively say to her, "I'll hold you…" Something that had once seemed impossibly difficult, even out of reach, was spoken so easily from Auntie Lin's lips.
She pursed her lips, took a deep breath, and tried to calm the wild fluttering in her chest. "C-Can I?"
"Mm."
Just as Baiye was about to move.
"But let's be clear first. No blushing."
"…" Wasn't that asking the impossible!
"I'll… try my best… You have to give me time to overcome it!"
"Mm."
Baiye carefully sat on Lin Yuqing's lap. "Am I heavy? Will I crush you?"
Seeing that the little one didn't dare to put her full weight on her, Lin Yuqing chuckled softly, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her into her embrace, lifting her feet off the ground so that she was completely nestled in her lap.
Sure enough, the girl blushed!
Baiye could feel her cheeks burning and felt a little embarrassed. "Um… Auntie Lin, you said today… that I look especially cute when I blush. Is that true?" Her big eyes blinked, looking at her expectantly.
"Mm." Lin Yuqing nodded with a doting smile.
"Well, if I overcome my blushing habit, won't I be less cute?" Baiye furrowed her brow, looking quite troubled.
It dawned on Lin Yuqing. So that's what this was about. This little one had learned to set traps for her?
"Then you're only allowed to blush in front of me. You have to overcome it for filming."
"That's asking too much…" she pouted unconsciously. The sight of her pouting so charmingly filled Lin Yuqing's heart with delight, and she couldn't resist teasing her.
"If you're still distracted and letting your mind wander during filming tomorrow, I'll have to use some extreme measures to help you remember."
"What?" As soon as Baiye asked, she noticed Auntie Lin's hand behind her move down a little and give her a light pat. She instantly understood.
"Aiya!" She covered her face, kicking her legs in embarrassment. Auntie Lin's gone bad! This isn't my Auntie Lin!
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