Against the Light - Chapter 137
Chapter 137: PDA Must Start From a Young Age
Gu Xinran stared at her phone, which was quiet to the point of being eerie.
For the past two days, Qu Qi hadn't called her once. Neither had Lin Guo, Qin Qiong, or the others. When she'd been on her honeymoon, they had bombarded her with WeChat messages, eagerly awaiting her return. But now, even Lin Guo had stopped pestering her.
What's more, every time she called, Qu Qi would hang up after an extremely perfunctory exchange.
Wasn't that just too strange?
"What's wrong? Staring at your phone first thing in the morning," Bai Yilan said quizzically.
"Hm? It's nothing. Today's the finale, isn't it? This bunch hasn't given me a single call. I guess they really don't need me anymore."
"Isn't it good that they're letting you rest?"
"It is, but I'm just a little worried."
Bai Yilan sat on the sofa, glanced at the television on the wall, and casually turned it on.
"Where's Auntie Ye? Is she not here?" Bai Yilan waited a moment, but when she didn't see Ye Nan, her large eyes darted around mischievously.
Gu Xinran saw the look in her eyes and knew she was up to no good again. "Even if she's not here, you're not allowed to run off. The procedure is in a few days, so be good." Yesterday, they had both undergone the egg retrieval procedure, and the eggs were already being cultured.
Bai Yilan pouted. Although having a child was now on the agenda, there was no need to be in such a rush.
Sighing in resignation, she propped her chin in her hand and watched the television with an air of boredom.
Before long, the livestream began, and the two of them finally perked up.
"Welcome, everyone, to the finale of 【Queen's Stage】. I'm your substitute host for today, Yan Xi."
The stage lights flared to life, revealing Yan Xi standing center stage. She smiled and bowed to the audience.
"So it's Yan Xi," Gu Xinran nodded.
She had been eliminated in the semi-finals, but her popularity was extremely high, and the audience had voted her the show's most beloved star. Gu Xinran hadn't expected Qu Qi to bring her back in this capacity.
Yan Xi was an experienced actress to begin with, and having competed three times on this very stage, she was extremely familiar with it. She stood there speaking with confidence and eloquence, frequently interacting with the audience. Her stage presence was superb.
"Besides the surprise of having me here today, the production team has also specially invited an authoritative senior from the industry to join us. This senior, I have to say, is truly formidable. So formidable. She is—" Yan Xi extended a hand, gesturing toward the guest seats below.
"Hello, everyone." A cool, clear voice rang out. The audience stared intently at the pitch-black guest section, their curiosity instantly piqued.
Bai Yilan suddenly sat bolt upright, her large eyes wide with surprise.
"??? That voice… sounds a little familiar?"
"Just a little familiar? You can't even recognize your own mother's voice?" Ye Nan happened to push the door open just then, teasing with a smile as she overheard.
"What?!" Gu Xinran and Bai Yilan whipped their heads around in unison, staring at Ye Nan in astonishment.
"You're saying that guest is… is…"
"Hello, everyone. I'm Shi Qing." Shi Qing's voice came from the television right on cue. The lights over the guest section switched on, casting a cool white spotlight from above.
"…" The two exchanged a look, the word 'dumbfounded' all but written across their faces.
"Wait, how did she…"
"Sigh. Life isn't easy; Mom has to put on a show," Ye Nan sighed.
"?" Huh?
"It was to put you two at ease. We thought it over, and only someone of her stature could command the event. She's a titan of a leading fashion enterprise and the public-facing boss of Yi Ren. Her making an appearance was the most appropriate choice, and it also helps boost your prestige."
"…Now I know why my phone has been so quiet these past two days. :)" Gu Xinran gave a wry smile, instantly picturing Shi Qing personally overseeing things, with Qu Qi and the others too intimidated to make a move.
Yan Xi took the initiative to walk down and invite Shi Qing onto the stage. Just standing beside Shi Qing, she could feel an inexplicable pressure. She took a deep, uneasy breath and passed the microphone to her.
Shi Qing accepted the microphone and swept her gaze across the audience.
"Hello, everyone. It is an honor to represent Yi Ren at this variety show gala for the fashion world. I look forward to the contestants presenting a spectacular performance for you all." Shi Qing offered the audience a faint smile, gave a slight nod, and handed the microphone back to Yan Xi.
Yan Xi immediately accepted it with both hands. She made an inviting gesture to escort Shi Qing off the stage, then used her words as a lead-in to introduce the contestants.
"You said before that the work she was busy with… was this?" Bai Yilan recalled the day in the car when she'd felt a pang of resentment because her mother was too busy with work to acknowledge her hospital check-up. It turned out her mother had been running around on her behalf.
"Mhm, of course. Besides you two, what else could possibly get her to make an appearance? Though, she originally wanted to be the host."
"???" That's really not necessary!
The two exchanged a helpless look. "Willing to be a host just so she can hold her granddaughter sooner, huh?" Gu Xinran didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
A warmth spread through Bai Yilan's heart.
Meanwhile, the bullet comment sections, Weibo, and other major online platforms exploded. A minor variety show had actually managed to draw out such a titan. The prestige was off the charts!
Netizens were extremely curious about how Gu Xinran had managed to invite the titan. For a while, the discussion about Shi Qing on Weibo completely overshadowed any buzz about the show itself.
Under Shi Qing's authoritative presence, 【Queen's Stage】 came to a perfect conclusion. The 'Qi-Qi CP,' Huo Jie, Shen Can, and four others became the final winners, forming a bona fide supermodel group for the entertainment industry. They became Yi Ren's exclusive models, landing a series of top-tier fashion resources.
On Weibo, however, the discussion surrounding the show seemed to have just begun.
Topics related to the show dominated the trending charts, and half of them were discussions about Shi Qing.
【Sisters, did you guys notice? President Shi is the founder of Yi Ren! And Bai Yilan is a designer for Yi Ren!】
【To be honest, I've always thought Bai Yilan and Bai Yiyue's names sounded similar. Are they really not sisters? If Bai Yilan is the titan Shi's daughter, then everything makes perfect sense. I really don't think Ran Zai has enough clout to get a titan like her to show up.】
【I agree. Thinking about it now, that time Bai Yilan and Ming Zhen were hospitalized, the three titans showed up. Is it possible President Shi was there to see Bai Yilan??】
【Holy shit, with your analysis, I'm starting to think it's plausible??? So is Teacher Bai the titan's daughter???】
【My mind is blown. If Bai Yilan is the titan's daughter, she's basically won at life. Fame, fortune, love, connections… how did she end up with all the good stuff!】
【Aaaahhh, so is Teacher Bai the titan's daughter or not!!】
Gu Xinran found a moment to check Weibo. Seeing that the comments were flooded with questions about Yilan's family background, she posted a quick tweet congratulating the show on its perfect finale and promptly logged off.
On a matter like this, if the titan herself didn't speak, who would dare respond on her behalf?
And Shi Qing indeed had no time or inclination to reply to netizens. At that moment, she was engrossed in flipping through the children's wear section of a fashion magazine.
"Sister Qing, should we make Yilan's identity public?"
"That's up to her. If she wants to, then we'll announce it." Shi Qing replied without even looking up, dismissing Ye Nan.
Her main concern was whether revealing Yilan's identity would cause her trouble. After all, people would inevitably make a fuss about her background, perhaps using it to negate all her past achievements and hard work by attributing everything to her family connections.
"Alright, then. Hey, you've been at this all day. Can't you take a break?" Ye Nan glanced at the mountain of fashion magazines piled on the adjacent sofa.
The woman had been flipping through them all afternoon, looking exclusively at children's fashion magazines. Whenever she found a style she liked, she'd circle it, expecting Ye Nan to go and procure it for her.
Shi Qing pointedly ignored her.
"Mom? What are you doing?" Bai Yilan asked, pushing the door open.
"Looking at clothes for your child," Ye Nan said.
Bai Yilan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Mom, isn't it a little too early for that? By the time the baby is born, these styles will be outdated."
Shi Qing's hand paused mid-page-turn. She considered it for a moment and realized there was some truth to that.
"Mom, the company is having a celebration party tonight. Xinran and I would like to go," Bai Yilan said, looking at her with pleading eyes.
Shi Qing found it impossible to refuse that look and nodded. "Alright, but take bodyguards with you. Don't stay out too late, and come home early."
"Okay!"
"Hey, don't drink too much! Avoid it if you can!" Ye Nan called after her from the doorway.
Watching Yilan dash out gleefully, Shi Qing shook her head and chuckled. "Look at her. She's about to become a mother, yet she's acting more and more like a child."
"That's because you and Xinran spoil her. You have the nerve to comment."
Shi Qing shot her a look. "She's my daughter. I'll spoil her however I please."
"Yes, yes, of course."
As for the two women, having received permission, they felt a wave of relief and headed straight for the company in high spirits.
Qu Qi was already waiting for them downstairs. The moment she saw them arrive, she rushed to greet them, a group of company veterans trailing behind her.
"Hello, Boss! Hello, Boss's wife!" the group chorused, imitating Qu Qi with a deep bow.
"Oh my, Boss's wife, running around with that big belly of yours. Here, let me help you. We can't have you straining your back." Lin Guo stepped forward, bowing slightly, and took Bai Yilan's hand, placing it on her own arm for support.
"???" Bai Yilan was dumbfounded and glanced down at her own stomach.
"Hey, hey, that's enough out of you," Gu Xinran shot her a look. The woman had started teasing Yilan the moment they arrived.
Everyone roared with laughter and swarmed around them.
"Sister Ran, I missed you so much! You're so heartless, not even coming to see us after you got back. What do you think we are to you?!"
"My cash cows," Gu Xinran replied.
"…That's harsh."
"Teacher Bai~ So are you two really having a little 'Gu-de-Bai'?"
"That name is awful!" Bai Yilan's expression darkened.
"Really? I think it sounds pretty good. You're not calling the baby that?"
"Have you picked a name, then? How about we all brainstorm?"
"No need. We've already chosen a name: Gu Baiye."
"Baiye? Xiao Ye? That's quite artistic. It definitely sounds better than Gu-de-Bai!"
"It does, it's a lovely name! Wow, the baby has a name! Xiao Ye!" The group grew inexplicably excited.
Gu Xinran stood with her hands on her hips, watching them for a moment. This bunch… whose child is this, anyway?
The two of them were swept along with the crowd, listening to everyone chatter excitedly about Xiao Ye the entire way. One person would declare they were going to be the godmother, then another would chime in. By the time they went up one flight of stairs, six godmothers had already volunteered.
Gu Xinran could only press a hand to her forehead.
The third-floor conference hall had been decorated for a reception. The entire cast and production crew of Queen's Stage were there for the celebration party.
When Gu Xinran and Bai Yilan appeared, surrounded by the crowd, the previously noisy hall erupted into a unified cheer.
Qu Qi pushed the two of them onto the stage.
Gu Xinran took the microphone, looked out at the familiar faces in the audience, and gave a smiling bow. "Everyone has worked so hard during this time. I personally regret that I couldn't be here with you all. My original intention for this show was to recruit some talent into the Heart Entertainment family, to help us grow and expand rapidly."
Gu Xinran paused, and the crowd burst into laughter.
"Now that the show is over, I'm not sure if that plan came to fruition."
"It did!!"
Hearing the response from the audience, Gu Xinran was surprised. "Oh?"
"Yan Xi and Huo Jie!! They're a couple! Boss! We hit the jackpot!"
"What?" Gu Xinran was a little stunned, but she couldn't stop a massive grin from spreading across her face.
Bai Yilan quickly scanned the crowd for Yan Xi and Huo Jie and spotted them—they were even wearing matching pendants!
"They really are together?" Gu Xinran still found it hard to believe. Yan Xi, a Movie Queen! The pillar of Light & Shadow Entertainment!
"We're together, yes, but as for the 'marrying in' part, let's just…" Yan Xi herself replied.
"I'm going to draw up the contract right now!" Gu Xinran declared, putting down the microphone as if to leave.
"Whoa, whoa, Boss, there's no rush! You can write it after we eat. She's right there; she's not going anywhere," Fang Jinghai said, stopping her.
"They're really a couple? I feel like I'm dreaming. Are there any others?" Gu Xinran's eyes gleamed as she scanned the crowd.
"One couple isn't enough for you? You're too greedy!"
"Hahahaha~"
"Everyone, please find your seats. We can eat and chat," Qu Qi announced.
Everyone began to take their seats.
"Xinran, Guozi and I got these protective amulets for you. One for you and one for Teacher Bai." Qin Qiong took out two amulets and placed them in Gu Xinran's hand.
The two were pleasantly surprised. "Thank you. That's so thoughtful of you."
"It was Guozi's idea. She said you and Teacher Bai are too high-profile and will inevitably attract jealousy. With what's happened before, plus Teacher Bai's injury this time, it's pretty scary. You need to be careful, too."
Gu Xinran was touched and patted her arm. "I understand. I'll be more careful from now on. Thank you."
"There's no need for formalities between us."
"Mhm."
"Xinran, Yilan, we have a gift for you, too. Congratulations on your marriage." Qi Qiuyan and Qi Yuwei walked over. Qi Qiuyan held a beautiful gift box, which she opened and presented to them. Inside was a pair of exquisitely handcrafted baby shoes, no bigger than the palm of her hand and utterly adorable.
"We weren't sure what to get you, but when we saw on Weibo that Teacher Bai was pregnant, we thought we'd give you something for the baby. The shoes aren't valuable, but we made them by hand—one each."
"The craftsmanship is wonderful!" Bai Yilan took them, examining them closely. She adored them instantly; she had absolutely no resistance to such tiny things.
"Thank you so much. We'll treasure the thought behind them."
"When are you two planning to hold your wedding ceremony? I was hoping to learn from your experience, but you two just went and had a destination wedding," Qi Yuwei said.
"We're in no rush for the ceremony. We'll wait a few years," Gu Xinran said.
"Why?"
"We'll wait for our child to grow up so she can be our flower girl and witness her mothers' romantic love story with her own eyes."
"Huh? Does that mean you won't even spare your own child?"
"Mhm. After all, PDA must start from a young age."
"???"
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