MQSP - Chapter 38
Chapter 38
In the morning, before Baiye was fully awake, she felt a cool sensation on her back, along with a slight sting and itch. Groggily, she cracked open an eye and saw Auntie Lin sitting by the bed.
Baiye thought she was dreaming. She wriggled closer to Auntie Lin, resting her head against her leg. She dozed for a moment, but still not satisfied, she raised her arms to wrap around Auntie Lin's waist, pillowed her head on her thigh, closed her eyes, and slept contentedly.
Auntie Lin's hand movements slowed. She stopped applying the medicine and instead began to gently stroke her waist.
The little one looked even more blissful, an unconscious smile spreading across her face.
"Xiao Ye? Time to get up." Xia Xiaozi's voice came from above her head.
"Mmm…" she mumbled in response. Suddenly, something felt wrong. She lifted her head to look, and the person she was hugging wasn't Auntie Lin at all—it was clearly her aunt!
"Eh? Auntie? Why is it you?"
Seeing the look of surprise mixed with disdain on Xiao Ye's face, Xia Xiaozi was completely dumbfounded. Just a moment ago, the girl had been smiling and hugging her tightly, refusing to let go. Now, with a turn of her head, she'd snatched her hands back as if she'd been electrocuted. So she'd hugged the wrong person—was the difference between people really that huge?!
"What's with that expression!"
"Uh…" Baiye snapped back to reality, realizing her expression had been a little too honest. She gave a sheepish laugh. "Good morning, Auntie~~~" she said, flashing her signature sweet smile~
Xia Xiaozi shot her a look, completely helpless against her charms. "Get up. Stop lazing around. We're waiting for you to eat."
"Okay, got it."
During breakfast, Fang Yi called to ask about Xiao Ye's condition. She also asked if she was still going to the set today or if she needed to rest at home for a day. The little one immediately said she was fine and could go to work.
"Oh, right, Auntie, could I trouble you to make me a sandwich?"
"Hm? You want one?"
"No, I want to give it to Auntie Fang. I let her try your sandwich the other day, and she said it was delicious." Xiao Ye smiled, thinking that Fang Yi had been taking good care of her these past few days, so she should bring her some breakfast.
Xia Xiaozi froze. "You gave it to her?"
"Ah, yeah. She never eats breakfast, and I felt bad eating alone in the car that day, so I gave her half. Wh-what's wrong? Was that not okay?" Seeing Xia Xiaozi's worried expression, Baiye was confused.
"Right, Auntie Fang also said she has a friend who makes delicious sandwiches. Don't you two know each other? The person she was talking about couldn't be you, could it?"
"No, I learned from someone else. Did she ask you anything else?"
"No, she didn't ask anything else."
"Mm."
Just as Xia Xiaozi was worrying, she turned her head and saw Lin Yuqing frowning deeply, clearly even more worried than she was.
"Your Auntie Lin wants one too."
"Pfft…" Xia Xiaozi nearly coughed up a mouthful of blood. What the hell! We're worried Fang Yi might figure out Xiao Ye's identity, and what the hell are you worried about!? What are you worried about!!! ╯︵┻━┻
"…???" Baiye was stunned for a moment. Seeing Auntie Lin sullenly burying her head in her congee like a sulking child, she really wanted to laugh out loud.
"Then I'll go learn from Auntie and make one for my Auntie Lin with my own hands!" She flashed a sweet smile at Lin Yuqing. Is Auntie Lin jealous?
After breakfast, Baiye went back to her room to change. Lin Yuqing quietly slipped into the kitchen and saw Xia Xiaozi toasting a slice of bread. Her eyes were fixed on the bread, and a not-so-innocent smile slowly formed on her face.
"Aren't you afraid Fang Yi will recognize your cooking?"
"Whoa! You scared me, lady! Do you always walk without making a sound?" Xia Xiaozi complained, but then she was taken aback by Lin Yuqing's cunning expression. She had never seen such a look on Lin Yuqing's face before.
"I am afraid Fang Yi will recognize my cooking, but since Xiao Ye asked, I have to make it. However…"
"Let's add a little something extra to it," Lin Yuqing suggested. Xia Xiaozi raised an eyebrow and grinned mischievously, clearly on the same wavelength. They exchanged a look, their smiles growing progressively more devious~
"Auntie Lin, Auntie, I'm heading out now."
"Mm, go on. Make sure to give the sandwich to Fang Yi quickly, okay? It won't taste as good when it's cold," Xia Xiaozi reminded her with a smile.
Baiye shivered for no apparent reason. Why does that smile look so fake…
"Auntie Fang, morning!"
"Morning." Fang Yi placed a soft cushion behind Baiye's lower back. "Feeling better?"
"Mhm, much better. It doesn't hurt as much anymore." Baiye smiled and handed the sandwich to Fang Yi. "You haven't had breakfast yet, have you?"
Fang Yi took it and looked at Xiao Ye. "Thank you." Her gaze was unusually focused, revealing an inexplicable emotion.
"You're welcome. Besides, my aunt made it; I didn't help at all. You should eat it quickly before it gets cold."
"Mm." Fang Yi hadn't planned on eating it right away, but seeing the little one's expectant gaze, she decided to take a bite. After just two chews, her expression froze.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Fang Yi look like she was about to gag, Baiye was stunned.
"Water, water, water… Hsss…" Fang Yi kept sucking in sharp breaths of cold air. Large, unexpected tears streamed down her face as she clutched her forehead, gasping for air.
Baiye quickly grabbed a bottle of mineral water from the back seat, opened it, and handed it to her. Puzzled, she picked up the sandwich and saw a thick layer of green sauce spread on the bread. It had been hidden by the lettuce, so it hadn't looked strange.
Baiye dabbed a little of the sauce and licked it. Her tongue was instantly assaulted by an intense, spicy sting. A cool sensation shot straight to the crown of her head, and tears nearly welled up in her eyes. It was wasabi paste!
Watching Fang Yi uncontrollably wiping away tears beside her, Baiye fumbled to hand her tissues, apologizing all the while. What is wrong with my aunt? Why would she spread wasabi on the bread!
Then she remembered her aunt's fake smile right before she left. She must have done it on purpose!
"I'm so sorry, Auntie Fang! I really didn't mean to prank you, I…"
Fang Yi waved her hand and sniffled. The tip of her nose was red from crying! She looked utterly pitiful.
Baiye found the sight both hilarious and exasperating. This aunt of hers, what on earth is she up to!
When they arrived at the set, Su Yu had already been waiting for a long time. Seeing Baiye, she immediately ran over to ask about her condition. The little one quickly assured her that she was fine and could film as usual, which finally put Su Yu at ease.
Just as Baiye was about to get her makeup done, she saw Lin Yuqing and Xia Xiaozi arrive. She immediately snuck over and dragged Xia Xiaozi away.
"Auntie! What have you done!"
Seeing her reaction, Xia Xiaozi knew Fang Yi must have gotten it bad and couldn't help but laugh. "Hey, hey, hey, let me make this clear. This really didn't have much to do with me. I said to just add a little soy sauce, but that one insisted on using wasabi. She used up half a tube on me; I'll have to go buy more tonight."
"Auntie Lin?" Baiye was skeptical. Would Auntie Lin do something like that? She's not that mischievous, is she?
"Ah, do I look like that kind of mean person to you!" Xia Xiaozi declared righteously.
"Now that you mention it, you really do."
"Tsk, you little brat! I've wasted all my affection on you!"
"Then why would Auntie Lin do that?"
"How should I know? You'll have to ask her."
Baiye felt a headache coming on, but then she remembered Auntie Lin's aggrieved expression at breakfast. She was… jealous? Definitely!
As she thought about it, Baiye couldn't help but purse her lips into a smile. Auntie Lin gets jealous… Hmm… How cute!
I just feel bad for Auntie Fang…
During makeup, the makeup artist said she needed to see the injury on Baiye's back, because the scene involved An Luocheng applying medicine to An Xi's wounds, and the injured area had to be visible.
Although Xiao Ye was a little shy, she obediently complied.
The marks on her back had turned a deep, swollen purple, looking so gruesome it was chilling. "Let's just leave it like this," the makeup artist said. "An injury like this doesn't need any makeup. I couldn't even create a wound that looks so real!"
"Baiye, have you ever used pasties before?"
"Eh? What?" Baiye froze for a second. Pasties? I've never used them…
"Your back will be completely exposed in this scene, so you definitely can't wear a bra. You'll have to use pasties to cover the important parts." After Su Yu finished speaking, she noticed the little one blushing. It was perfectly normal; after all, exposing one's back in front of so many people was practically being half-naked. It was natural to be shy.
"I… this… I…" Xiao Ye was flustered and extremely nervous, instinctively clutching the collar of her shirt.
"What's wrong?" Lin Yuqing had been keeping an eye on Xiao Ye, and seeing her like this, she quickly walked over to ask.
Su Yu briefly explained the situation, and Lin Yuqing understood. The little one was usually very modest. At home, she even wore a bra to sleep. Lin Yuqing had seen how uncomfortable she looked yesterday after Xia Xiaozi had forcibly taken her bra off, let alone asking her to wear pasties and expose her back in this situation.
"Can we change the script?" Lin Yuqing was also in a bind. She didn't want to make the little one too uncomfortable, and more importantly, she didn't want anyone else seeing her body!
"I'm afraid not. This barely even counts as revealing. It's a perfectly normal scene—applying medicine to a wound. The main point is that this is where the two of them connect through comforting, intimate contact, and their feelings deepen. Changing it would ruin the flavor of the scene."
"Then clear the set when we film."
Su Yu was speechless. It wasn't some highly revealing scene with a lot of exposure. They needed to clear the set just for a bare back!?
"She's shy. Do you want to see her turn completely red?" Lin Yuqing glanced at the little one, who shrank back.
"Fine. I'll clear the set then. We'll leave only three cameras and two crew members. That way you won't have to be shy, right?"
"Uh… mm…" Baiye nodded.
Su Yu sighed inwardly. What are we going to do when it's time for the bed scene? I was hoping to direct them from the side. Looking at the situation, they probably wouldn't need anyone there at all—just set up a few cameras and let them roll.
"Oh, right. Here, go change into this." Su Yu got a set of pasties from the props master.
Baiye took them, her pretty face flushing red in an instant. The things were shaped like breasts, very small, and just as Su Yu had said, only big enough to cover the crucial parts. They were flesh-colored, opaque, soft, and felt a little cool to the touch.
"Know how to use them?" Seeing the little one holding the pasties reverently in both hands, staring at them with a dumbfounded expression, Su Yu found it hilarious.
Baiye shook her head. She really had never used them before, nor had she ever seen anyone use them…
"Then… shall I help you?" Su Yu's eyes gleamed. Just as she was about to grab the pasties, her 'paw' was clamped down by two hands.
Fang Yi and Lin Yuqing had grabbed Su Yu's wrists from the left and right. The two even exchanged a glance.
"No need to trouble yourself. She's my artist. I'll do it."
Lin Yuqing's face was dark as she met Fang Yi's gaze. Though she said nothing, her grip on Su Yu's wrist tightened in a silent struggle. Neither was willing to let go or back down.
"Ahhh—can you two let go of me first!!!" Su Yu yelped, hopping in pain.
"Aiya~ Of course, something like this should be left to me~ I'm wearing pasties right now, you know. I can show you if you don't believe me, little baby~" Xue Yuexian popped up out of nowhere again, hooking an arm around Xiao Ye's neck and whispering that she would show her her own pasties.
"That's enough, all of you…!"
Baiye shook off Xue Yuexian's hand, mortified. "I-I… I can do it myself!"
Seeing Baiye's indignant expression, the group couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Baiye sat in the dressing room, looking at the pasties, then down at her own chest. She still couldn't bring herself to do it. She already felt awkward taking off her bra at home, let alone out here.
After all, she had always felt that while a bra was restrictive, it gave her a tangible sense of protection and security. Without it, she felt empty inside. Putting everything else aside, she herself would feel very insecure.
Besides, these pasties didn't even have straps. Would they stick? Wouldn't they fall off? What if they fell off by accident? Wouldn't everyone see everything?
The more Baiye thought about it, the more panicked she became. She'd been having an internal battle for half an hour.
The onlookers outside had all dispersed. Lin Yuqing hadn't left; she waited in the makeup room. Based on her understanding of the little one, she knew it would be very difficult for her to take this step.
Sure enough, half an hour had passed with no sound from inside. Su Yu had come by four times, knocking and asking, only to be told "soon" from within.
After waiting a little longer, Lin Yuqing got up and knocked on the dressing room door.
"I… I'm… almost done!"
"It's me. Open the door."
The person inside seemed to hesitate for a moment before opening the door a crack. A small head peeked out, looking left and right. Seeing that no one else was in the makeup room, she looked at Lin Yuqing with a miserable expression. "Auntie Lin… I can't do it…"
Lin Yuqing really wanted to laugh. She entered the room and locked the door from the inside.
"Why not?"
"I… this thing… I don't feel secure. I'm afraid it'll…"
"It won't fall off." Lin Yuqing couldn't help but chuckle to herself. The little one's worries were a bit unnecessary.
"But I…"
"Do you want me to help you?"
"No no no no no no!" The little one shook her head like a rattle drum, scrambling backward, terrified that Auntie Lin would personally take matters into her own hands.
"Then shall I teach you?"
"Eh? You've used these before?"
"Once. When I was wearing a formal gown. The shoulder straps looked too ugly showing, so I had to use them."
"Oh…"
"Alright, hurry up and change. I've been waiting for you for half an hour." Lin Yuqing looked impatient.
Baiye shrank back. "Then… then could you please go out first…"
"What? I can't watch either?" Lin Yuqing frowned. Can't I watch? Why can't I watch? I still have to show you how to put them on!
Baiye didn't know whether to laugh or cry. What do you mean, 'I can't watch either'? Do you really think you should be allowed to watch…!
"Stop being so coy. If you don't do it now, I'll help you," Lin Yuqing threatened the little kid, not very kindly.
"Don't, don't, don't! I'll change, I'll change!" Baiye quickly turned her back. Oh my god, how can Auntie Lin bully someone like this!
Although she was very embarrassed, she had indeed delayed for too long. Baiye regretted not having changed decisively earlier. And why did she open the door for Auntie Lin! Now she was standing right behind her, watching. Wasn't this just too weird!!!
While her thoughts were wandering, a warmth enveloped her from behind as someone hugged her. Immediately after, the hem of her shirt was lifted.
"Hey!" Baiye panicked and tried to pull away, but Lin Yuqing held her firmly. "Don't move. Be careful of your injury." Lin Yuqing stopped her movements, soothing her in a soft voice.
After her initial panic, Xiao Ye gradually calmed down. The main reason was that as soon as Auntie Lin hugged her, she lost all resistance, unable to stop herself from craving the warm embrace.
"I didn't hurt you, did I?" Lin Yuqing asked worriedly, her tone impossibly gentle. It completely shattered the little one's psychological defenses. She lowered her head and shyly shook it. "No," she responded in a small voice.
"Don't fidget. I'll help you take it off." Lin Yuqing said, then added, "It's fine if I see."
"Eh?" The little one frowned. Those words sounded a bit familiar. Thinking back for a moment, she remembered yesterday when her aunt was helping her change. She hadn't wanted to take off her bra, but her aunt had said it would press on her injuries and forcibly took it off for her. Her aunt had also said it was fine for her own aunt to see.
So, when Auntie Lin said that, was she thinking of her as family? But… just family?
Lin Yuqing didn't notice Xiao Ye's slightly crestfallen expression. She carefully helped her take off her clothes. When she undid the clasp of her bra, the little one flinched, instinctively covering her chest with her hands. Lin Yuqing saw this and knew the little one must be terribly shy. Without any further movements, she picked up the pasties, reached around from behind, and held them out in her open palm for the little one to take. She then turned her head to the side, having no intention of taking advantage of the girl.
Xiao Ye secretly glanced back at her. Seeing that she wasn't looking, she breathed a small sigh of relief.
"Just stick them on."
"Mmh." Xiao Ye obediently did as she was told. She focused on figuring it out for a moment and managed to get it done.
"Auntie Lin, I'm done."
"Mm." Lin Yuqing, who had kept her back to her the whole time, heard her and picked up the fitted t-shirt from the side, helping her pull it over her head.
"There's no need to be shy about this kind of thing. It's perfectly normal to wear these when filming."
"Mmh…" Xiao Ye nodded. Even after getting dressed, her hands still instinctively hovered over her chest. Seeing this, Lin Yuqing pushed her hands away. "Head up, chest out. Be more confident. Don't always be so timid. It makes people want to bully you."
"Ahem, I mean… it makes people think you're easy to bully…" Lin Yuqing's face flushed. She had accidentally blurted out the absolute truth!
After leaving the dressing room, Lin Yuqing realized, Were my actions toward the little one just now too intimate? I didn't scare her, did I? But seeing her being so coy with the pasties, and after she'd been in there for so long, Su Yu would have definitely done something. Rather than let Su Yu do it, it was better to help her herself and save the little one from further embarrassment.
Alone in the dressing room, Baiye replayed Auntie Lin's intimate actions in her mind. She didn't know if it was her imagination, but she felt that Auntie Lin was acting strangely. The most direct evidence was that her hugs were becoming more and more practiced!
The little one pursed her lips and snickered, but this was immediately followed by a deep worry. Auntie Lin, does she really just see me as family? If so, does that mean I have no chance at all? Should I maybe give her a little hint…
But what if she doesn't have any other intentions? If I rashly confess to her, will she be repulsed by me? Or distance herself from me?
The more Baiye thought, the more uneasy she became, her heart pounding. Then she suddenly remembered her aunt saying it was Auntie Lin's idea to prank Auntie Fang today. She was jealous, wasn't she? Because I wanted to bring Auntie Fang breakfast, and she said, "Your Auntie Lin wants one too."
'Your Auntie Lin…'
Filled with doubt, she arrived at the training ground. Su Yu was clearing the set, shooing all the men back to the soundstage. A few camera operators set up their equipment in the tent and then slipped away, leaving only Su Yu, her assistant Wang Qiong, and two female camera operators.
The thick tent flap blocked the light from outside. Inside the tent, a single candelabrum was lit, its dim yellow flame flickering.
Baiye entered the tent. Lin Yuqing was already sitting by the bed, looking at the script while toying with a small white medicine bottle in her hand.
Su Yu was explaining the scene to her. Seeing Baiye enter, she glanced at her. "All changed?"
"Mhm."
"Alright. If you're changed, then take off your clothes."
"…!!!" That was sudden!
Lin Yuqing almost burst out laughing. Even without looking up, she could imagine the wonderful expression on the girl's face. She glanced around; thankfully, there was hardly anyone left in the tent.
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