MQSP - Chapter 42
Chapter 42
Fang Yi looked at Xiao Ye squatting on the ground, so helpless it made one's heart ache. For a moment, she was truly at a loss.
She never expected Xinran's daughter to follow in her footsteps. Fang Yi knew all too well how difficult this path was. Being scorned and cursed was the least of it; Xinran and Yilan had paid for it with their lives! The bloody scenes replayed in her mind like heavy hammers striking her heart, sounding a warning bell.
She didn't dare imagine such an outcome befalling Baiye...
No... setting aside how she could possibly face her old friend, she herself couldn't bear for the same thing to happen twice!
But seeing that Xiao Ye had already fallen in love, and so deeply at that... could love really make a person lose all sense of proportion?
Back then, Gu Xinran, such a peaceful and gentle person, had been exceptionally firm and persistent when it came to matters of the heart. She refused to listen to any persuasion. Fang Yi had talked until she was blue in the face but still couldn't stop her. So today, could she successfully stop her daughter?
"I forbid you from liking women." Fang Yi's gaze was cold and extremely serious.
Hearing this, Baiye pressed her lips together and clenched her fists. She raised her head to meet Fang Yi's gaze directly. There was no fear in her eyes, only a defiant streak. "I don't need your permission to like who I like." She pouted. This was probably the most assertive sentence she had ever spoken in her life.
Fang Yi met her gaze for a moment. Those eyes were just as resolute, just like Xinran's back then, allowing no rebuttal. As expected, she was Xinran's daughter, after all. That defiant spirit in her bones was exactly the same!
But... couldn't you have learned some of your mother's good qualities!
"Auntie Fang, just yesterday you said you would support me in whatever I wanted to do." Baiye sniffled, suppressing the stinging feeling that had welled up.
Fang Yi was taken aback. "That depends on what it is!"
"Liar."
"You!" Fang Yi was exasperated. Looking at the little one who had turned her face away to sulk, she didn't know whether to laugh or cry. So now I'm a liar!
Fang Yi fell silent for a moment. She wondered, if Xinran were here, what would she do?
However, the moment the thought popped into her head, she dismissed it.
If it were Gu Xinran, she would definitely encourage Xiao Ye to pursue it bravely. Even if she ended up battered and bruised, as long as she believed it was worth it, she should press on without hesitation and never leave herself with any regrets!
"Stand up. Wiping your tears at the drop of a hat, what kind of look is that? Are you waiting for others to pity you!" Fang Yi scolded in a low voice.
Baiye looked up at her, then lowered her gaze and thought for a moment. Auntie Lin had said she didn't like it when she was weak.
She rubbed her eyes and stood up.
"I can stay out of this, but I will absolutely not support it." Fang Yi said seriously, though her expression gradually softened. "Do as you see fit."
Baiye's face lit up. She had thought that at this point, Auntie Fang would definitely try to stop her. "Thank you, Auntie Fang!"
Her secret had been shared and hadn't met with strong opposition. The little one was clearly a bit excited. She unconsciously stepped forward and hugged Fang Yi, giving her a silly smile.
Fang Yi kept a straight face. "What are you thanking me for? I only said I won't oppose it, but I don't support it either. I still hope you'll have some sense of propriety."
"Mm-hm, I know! Then, please help me keep this a secret. Don't tell anyone, especially..."
"Mm." Fang Yi nodded with resignation. Her heart was pounding with uncertainty, unsure if she had made the right decision.
Baiye returned to the tent to prepare for the next shoot. The moment she lifted the flap, she sensed something was off. The atmosphere inside was tense. No one was talking; everyone was busy with their own tasks. Even Director Su was tucked away in a corner, explaining a scene to an actor in a very low voice.
"That's strange. What's wrong?" Baiye stopped Chen Ying.
"I don't know. Look," Chen Ying gestured with her eyes toward Lin Yuqing, who was sitting on the daybed with her eyes closed, composing herself. "She suddenly blew up, no idea why..."
Auntie Lin?
Baiye frowned and looked at her in confusion. Her face was cold, and she looked thoroughly displeased. What was wrong? Wasn't she fine just a moment ago?
"Teacher Lin?" She walked toward Lin Yuqing and called out softly.
Lin Yuqing didn't answer or open her eyes. Instead, she turned her head to the side, making it clear she didn't want to talk to her.
Baiye was baffled again. So... had she made her angry? But she hadn't done anything.
"Teacher Lin, could you rehearse the scene with me?" she asked, gently tugging on Lin Yuqing's sleeve.
Lin Yuqing turned, showing Baiye her back. "Go over the script by yourself. Don't bother me."
Baiye looked at her hand, which had been shaken off, and listened to Auntie Lin's ice-cold tone. Her heart sank. She was really angry, and not just a little.
"Su Yu, what's the next scene."
The moment Su Yu heard her name called by the ill-tempered Lin Yuqing, she immediately trotted over. "It's the scene where An Xi sucks the Gu poison out for you. The kissing scene~"
As Su Yu spoke, she glanced sideways at Baiye with a mischievous grin.
Baiye's pretty face flushed red. Before she could speak, she heard Auntie Lin...
"We're not shooting this scene now. Switch to the next one."
Baiye froze, her face changing color and turning a little pale.
"Hey, wait, wasn't everything fine just now? I've got everything ready, and you just say you're not shooting it!?"
"Director Su." Xia Xiaozi pulled Su Yu aside. "Look at her, she's acting like she ate gunpowder. She definitely can't shoot a good scene in this state. Rather than waste footage and have everyone work for nothing, it's better to give her some time to adjust."
Su Yu thought about it and saw the logic. "But what on earth is wrong with her? Who pissed her off this time??" Her face was full of confusion.
"I honestly don't know. Besides... isn't it common for her to flip moods like this? Maybe she'll be fine in a bit." In truth, Xia Xiaozi was just as clueless. That woman had just gone out for a stroll and came back like this, with a long, sulky face. She had no idea who had provoked her. But, was there anyone on this set who could actually make her that angry? That would be quite an accomplishment.
Lin Yuqing stormed back to her dressing room and slammed the door, allowing no one in. Baiye followed closely behind. She wanted to knock but didn't quite dare. She thought she heard the loud sound of a table being slammed from inside. Her heart trembled as she recalled the last time Auntie Lin had slammed a table in frustration after hurting her.
Without another thought, she pushed the door open and went in, afraid that Lin Yuqing might do something to hurt herself while venting her anger.
Baiye entered the room and locked the door behind her. She stood by the door for a moment, carefully observing Lin Yuqing. The actress was leaning back in her chair with her eyes closed, resting. Sweat trickled down her temples, smearing her freshly touched-up makeup.
Baiye didn't make a sound. She waited quietly, listening as Auntie Lin's somewhat heavy breathing gradually calmed down. Only then did she cautiously walk over to her.
Baiye took a deep breath and stood before Lin Yuqing. Lin Yuqing didn't open her eyes, not even wanting to look at her. Although Baiye didn't know what she had done wrong to make Auntie Lin angry, she could feel it was definitely because of her.
She turned and rummaged on the dressing table, picked up a tissue, and bent down to gently wipe the sweat from Lin Yuqing's temples.
Lin Yuqing turned her head, not letting her touch. Baiye's hand paused, but then she ignored her reluctance and continued to wipe away the sweat. Her temples, forehead, and sideburns were all damp. Baiye wiped them carefully, then brought over a portable fan and aimed it beside her face, avoiding blowing the cool air directly on her.
From beginning to end, Lin Yuqing kept her eyes closed, not looking at her.
Baiye turned again and rummaged in the makeup box, taking out a powder puff. She carefully touched up Lin Yuqing's makeup, covering the streaks left by the sweat. Her movements were exceedingly gentle, and from time to time, she would lightly brush her fingers against the actress's cheek. The tight furrow in Lin Yuqing's brow gradually smoothed out.
Baiye then took out an eyebrow pencil and touched up her brows. She wasn't skilled at makeup; the only things she knew how to do were apply powder and draw eyebrows, and she had used all her skills on Auntie Lin.
Finally, she straightened up and carefully examined her work. In truth, there wasn't much of a change, but Auntie Lin's face was just so exquisite that even her anger had a unique charm. The little one found herself staring, completely entranced.
After a long moment of stillness from the person in front of her, Lin Yuqing grew puzzled. Suddenly, she felt a tickle on her eyelids, as if something was brushing against them. She opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was the little one's large, shimmering eyes, full of affection. Her eyelashes were brushing against her own, their noses were touching, and even their lips were a hair's breadth apart—so close she could touch them just by puckering her own.
Lin Yuqing was dazed for a moment, then suddenly remembered she was still angry with her. She tilted her head back, avoiding her.
The little one let out a chuckle. Auntie Lin's discomfort was written all over her face! How cute!
Baiye squatted down and gently took Lin Yuqing's right hand, which was resting on her lap. She opened the palm and saw it was bright red; clearly, this was the hand she had used to slam the table. Baiye brought it to her lips, blew on it softly, and began to rub it carefully.
"Which little fool went and made my Auntie Lin angry again? What will we do if my Auntie Lin gets sick from anger?" she chided, her brow furrowed in mock seriousness.
Those two utterances of "my Auntie Lin" were very pleasing to Lin Yuqing's ears, but!
"Hmph." Lin Yuqing snorted, pulled her hand back, turned slightly to the side, and continued to be angry!
Baiye chuckled softly. She shifted, resting her hands on Lin Yuqing's knees and her little head on her arms, looking up at Lin Yuqing from below.
"Get out," Lin Yuqing said with a dissatisfied glance.
"I can't do that. I have to stay here with you. Auntie Lin is holding in all this anger. What if you faint? I'll have to be the first to call an ambulance!" The little one was being quite cheeky.
"And you're still trying to anger me!" Annoyed, Lin Yuqing raised her hand and slammed it down on the armrest.
But as her hand came down, there was a crisp, loud slapping sound. It wasn't the hard impact of hitting wood. With the sound, the little one before her abruptly pulled back her hand, clutching it to her stomach and rubbing it.
"Are... are you an idiot!" Lin Yuqing was speechless with anger. She had used seventy or eighty percent of her strength in that blow; even her own palm was stinging, let alone Baiye's hand which had taken the hit. Why was this girl so foolish? Why did she have to block it with her hand!
"Come here, let me see." Lin Yuqing was still trying her best to keep her tone even, at least so she didn't sound too worried.
The little one didn't move, just hissed and sucked in sharp breaths of air, pressing her hand against her stomach where Lin Yuqing couldn't see it at all.
Exasperated, Lin Yuqing forcefully pulled her up and made her sit on her lap. She pried her hand away to examine it. The back of her fair, tender hand was completely red and clearly swollen. The more Lin Yuqing looked, the more frustrated she felt. "Do you feel uncomfortable if you're not injured somewhere?"
"But I don't want to see you get hurt..." Baiye mumbled, her heart warming as she saw the unconcealable concern on Auntie Lin's face.
"Why?" Lin Yuqing frowned.
"Um..." Meeting Auntie Lin's burning gaze, Baiye's face flushed red. She turned her head slightly. "N-No reason... I just don't want to..." Her voice was barely a whisper.
Seeing her become inexplicably shy again, Lin Yuqing didn't press the issue and just rubbed the back of her hand.
"Auntie Lin, can you not be angry anymore?"
"If you're still really angry, then... you can deal with the idiot who made you angry tonight when we get back. But for now, please calm down. Everyone is waiting for you to film." Baiye coaxed patiently. That kissing scene... she really wanted to film it!!
Lin Yuqing tilted her head. She had lived all these years for nothing, to think she needed a little one to teach her such things!
But that was because she had seen this little brat hugging Fang Yi, and she just couldn't stand it! If she had known, she would never have told Fang Yi about Xiao Ye's identity. Watching her brazenly hug Xiao Ye, while she herself had no suitable reason to stop it, just made her more and more frustrated the more she thought about it!
And this little brat, does she just hug anyone she sees!? Could it really be as Xia Xiaozi said, that she wasn't paying enough attention to her, so if someone else was nice to her, she would throw herself into their arms? But why Fang Yi! In what way was she inferior to Fang Yi!?
"Auntie Lin?"
"Auntie Lin, why are you sweating so much? Are you not feeling well?" Noticing Lin Yuqing was constantly sweating, Baiye used her sleeve to wipe her forehead and asked with concern.
Lin Yuqing frowned, her expression stiffening for a moment. "No."
Baiye felt that Auntie Lin's complexion wasn't right. "Then let's take off your costume to cool down." As she spoke, she reached for her buttons.
"Don't..."
Lin Yuqing failed to stop her in time. Baiye had just undone the first button when her gaze froze. She stared for a moment, seeing that under her costume, Auntie Lin was wearing a thermal waterproof undergarment. She suddenly remembered that for the kissing scene, Auntie Lin had to lie in a tub of cold water. But... had she put on the thermal wear this early...
"Alright, it's hot. Let's go shoot." Lin Yuqing had Baiye stand up, buttoned her costume herself, took a deep breath, and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was satisfied that she had returned to her normal state.
Watching Auntie Lin turn and leave, Baiye stood in place for a moment. Just now, Auntie Lin... was she blushing?
The two returned to the tent, one after the other. The group inside was still at a loss, but when they saw Lin Yuqing enter this time without her fierce scowl and cold glare, her expression back to normal, they all collectively breathed a secret sigh of relief. Good heavens, who was so capable as to extinguish this lioness's fire?
Su Yu was flipping through the script when she saw Lin Yuqing come in. She hurried over. "Let's shoot the scene where you negotiate with Luo Qingyuan first. Get ready."
"Isn't it the kissing scene?" Lin Yuqing frowned.
"Huh? Didn't you not want to shoot it?"
Lin Yuqing shot her a sideways glance. "Since when are you so obedient?"
"???" Su Yu was dumbfounded. So what did this mean? Now that her mood had improved, they could shoot the kissing scene? You're getting spoiled!
"Fine, fine, fine. Clear the set, clear the set! Everyone who needs to leave, go." Su Yu was helpless against this diva. She obediently cleared the set and prepared to shoot.
She called Baiye over to explain the scene.
This part of the story is after An Luocheng has been examined by a doctor, who discovers that not only is there a slow-acting poison in her body, but she has also been afflicted with a poison Gu called the Sleep Gu. The only ways to remove it are for the caster to undo it willingly, or through a method of trading one life for another.
The scene they were about to film was of An Xi, after learning of this method, resolutely deciding to save An Luocheng. It included her farewell to An Luocheng and the moment she sucks out the poison Gu for her.
Lin Yuqing lay on the bed. She didn't have much to do in this scene, as she was supposed to be unconscious the whole time. It was basically a solo performance for Xiao Ye. She turned her head to look at the little one listening intently to Su Yu's direction, wondering if she could carry the scene on her own.
After Su Yu finished her explanation, filming began.
The doctor finished taking An Luocheng's pulse and shook his head.
"Doctor, how is she?" An Xi moved closer, carefully tucking An Luocheng's right hand back under the quilt.
"Most of the poison in her body has been cleared, but this Gu, I really..."
"Gu? What Gu? I thought she was just poisoned."
The doctor shook his head. "No poison can make someone so lethargic. She has been afflicted with a Sleep Gu. Those afflicted have only one symptom: drowsiness. This Gu lies dormant in the human body, surviving by absorbing the host's nutrients and vital energy, causing the host to be listless and drowsy all day, until their vital energy is completely depleted and they die in their sleep. This Gu, unless the caster willingly removes it, otherwise..."
An Xi's body stiffened. She swallowed unconsciously and glanced back at the peacefully sleeping An Luocheng.
"Is there no other cure..." Although she was still standing, she looked as if her soul had left her body.
"Well..."
Hearing the doctor's response, An Xi gradually came to her senses. She grabbed the doctor by the collar. "Speak!"
"You... you need to calm down..."
"Sigh, the method of trading a life for a life... what difference is there from having no method at all!"
"Wh-What? A life for a life?"
"Correct. The Sleep Gu will not easily leave its host. But if a new host body is better than the original, and is willing to accept it, it will likely switch hosts on its own."
"This general has been consumed by the Gu for many days; her vital energy must be greatly damaged. Right now, if anyone is willing to accept this Gu, they could save her life. But if that happens, the new host will..."
An Xi nodded and released her grip. "I understand."
She staggered back two steps in a daze and fell into a seat by the table. Her mind felt blank as she stared vacantly at An Luocheng.
"She can't die."
"She can't."
An Xi slowly rose and walked, step by step, to the side of the daybed. She knelt on the floor, took An Luocheng's hand from under the quilt, and pressed it against her cheek, rubbing it gently with a look of contentment.
"A-Niang, in the future... in the future, I... I won't be able to make you angry anymore..." Her voice caught with a sob, but she still forced a smile.
"Doctor, I'll have to trouble you to make the preparations."
After the doctor left the tent, An Xi shifted forward again, resting her head on An Luocheng's shoulder. She closed her eyes and smiled faintly, savoring this brief moment of peace.
"Cut."
At the sound, Baiye looked up. Seeing Auntie Lin open her eyes and smile at her made her very happy!
As they prepared for the second scene, Lin Yuqing was already lying in a wooden tub. The water nearly submerged her body. Baiye knelt by the tub, holding her so that her upper body could lean against her.
"Teacher Lin, is the water cold?" Baiye put her hand in the tub to test the temperature. It was still a little warm. Since Auntie Lin was wearing the thermal suit, it probably wasn't cold.
"I'm fine. Just focus on your acting, don't worry about me."
"Ah, okay."
Baiye swallowed, her gaze fixed on Lin Yuqing's slightly pale lips. Finally, she had finally waited for this moment. She could finally kiss Auntie Lin openly! And on the lips, too!
Baiye was so excited she didn't even hear Su Yu call "action," and was still waiting with a heart full of joy.
"Cut! Baiye, you're distracted."
"Ah? Uh... sorry..."
Baiye stuck out her tongue. Lin Yuqing opened her eyes and glanced at her. "Focus."
"Mm-hm!"
"Ready, action!"
Baiye silently reminded herself to be serious. She heard the call for "action" very clearly this time. Her eyes were fixed on Auntie Lin's lips. She swallowed unconsciously and slowly lowered her head, moving closer to those alluring lips.
Almost there!
Any second now!
Just a little more!
Baiye couldn't help but get excited, and a fine layer of sweat beaded on her palms.
Auntie Lin's lips are so beautifully shaped, so...
"Cut!"
Baiye's movement halted. She looked at the lips that were so close she could touch them just by puckering her own, her face a mask of indignation!
She whipped her head around and glared angrily at Su Yu. Why the hell did you call cut!!!
"Your lines! Where are your lines? Did you eat them?" Su Yu tapped the script, displeased.
"What lines?"
"Tsk, you're supposed to ask the doctor if you need to use your tongue!"
...That's a question I can answer myself!!
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