Against the Light - Chapter 148
Chapter 148: The Little Clinger
Ye Nan gently pushed open the door to the hospital room and peeked inside. Xinran and Yilan were asleep in each other's arms, while the baby slept in her own little cradle, snuffling like a little piglet. The sight filled Ye Nan with affection.
Not wanting to disturb the mother and daughter trio, she quietly closed the door. But as she turned, she bumped right into Shi Qing.
"What are you doing here?"
"Is the baby asleep?" Shi Qing asked, her eyes darting toward the room.
"She is. You just stay put and don't go disturbing them. They're exhausted and need to rest properly."
"I'll just take a look. I won't make a sound."
"That's not happening either! What if the baby wakes up, opens her eyes, and sees someone standing by the bed? What if she gets scared? A baby this small can't handle a fright."
"...Am I scary?" Shi Qing narrowed her eyes.
"Ah, ah, of course not! I'm just worried the baby might be easily startled. Be good and go get some sleep. You've been running around for a whole day and night."
Ye Nan pushed Shi Qing onto the sofa in the lounge, thinking to herself that coaxing her was even harder than coaxing a child.
In the evening, Gu Xinran slowly woke up. She looked at the crimson-streaked sky outside the window. Everything that happened yesterday felt like a fantastical dream.
Lying on her side, Xinran gently stroked Yilan's flat stomach. She had been so incredible these past ten months!
"Mmm…"
A soft murmur came from beside Yilan. Gu Xinran lifted her head and saw the little one stretching her tiny arms as if she had just woken up.
Gu Xinran immediately and quietly got up, circling around to the baby's cradle. To her delight, she found that the little one had opened her eyes. They were quite large, just like hers, and full of spirit!
Overjoyed, Gu Xinran leaned close to the little one's face, trying to make eye contact.
"Xiao Ye? Remember me. I'm Mama, Mama." She held Xiao Ye's chubby little hand and gave it a gentle shake.
"Mama~ Can you say it?" Gu Xinran cooed softly, trying to get the little one to call her Mama, completely ignoring the fact that she had just been born.
"You've said 'Mama' to her more times than she'll ever say it to you," Bai Yilan chuckled. She stretched and propped herself up against the headboard.
"Did I wake you?"
Yilan shook her head and glanced toward the baby.
Gu Xinran immediately pushed the small cradle over. "Look, she's opened her eyes."
"Oh?" Yilan leaned over curiously, equally surprised and delighted. She reached out and gently tapped the baby's nose. "Xiao Ye? I'm Mommy. Do you recognize me? Can you say Mommy? Mommy~"
"…" Gu Xinran shot her a look. This? Just this? And she had the nerve to criticize her?
A knock came at the door. Gu Xinran looked up and went to open it.
She opened the door with a knowing smile. "Come in." She stepped aside, letting the group of people in.
Qu Qi, Fang Yi, Fang Jinghai, Lin Guo, and Qin Qiong, all dressed in sterile gowns, walked in, looking slightly emotional.
"Sister Lan, we're here on behalf of Heart Entertainment to see the Little Boss and to express our sympathies to you. You've worked so hard. Being a mother must be really tough, right?" Lin Guo sat by the bed, taking Yilan's wrist and studying her carefully. Having a baby had really taken a toll on her.
"It's…" Bai Yilan was about to reply when she saw Lin Guo hop off the bed and dash toward the cradle. "Hello, Little Boss! I'm your Sister Lin Guo. Your sister, okay?"
Bai Yilan's face darkened.
"Hey, Little Milk Bun, I'm your Godmother Qu Qi. When you grow up, I'll promote you and make you the biggest and best star, even better than your mama!"
"Baby Xiao Ye, I'm your Sea-View House Godmother. When you grow up, how about godmom gets you a sea-view house?"
"Hey, I'm your Godmother Fang Yi. In a couple of years, I'll teach you programming, C language, how to be a hacker, and Taekwondo. I guarantee no one will ever be able to bully you!"
"Hello, Xiao Ye, I'm your Godmother Qin Qiong. When you grow up, how about godmom takes you acting with her?"
"??? Wait, how come you're all godmothers and I'm the only sister? You're clearly taking advantage of me!" Lin Guo belatedly realized there was a problem with the generational titles and protested unhappily.
Just as she finished speaking, the little one's lips curved into a warm smile, instantly melting everyone's hearts.
"Aah! She smiled, she smiled! So cute! This is trying to trick me into having a daughter again!"
"Sob, I want to take her home so badly! She's just too cute."
"This girl really knows how to grow, picking and choosing all the best features from her mothers. Who knows how many people she'll charm when she's older."
"Haha, our Xiao Ye is already a heartbreaker, okay? Haven't you seen the comments under Sister Ran's Weibo? So many people are saying they'll wait for Xiao Ye to grow up."
"Little Milk Bun~"
They placed their gifts on the bed—plush toys and various limited-edition dolls that filled the entire cradle, completely surrounding the little one. The baby blinked her big, curious eyes, looking from side to side as if she were examining the presents. Her serious little expression was exceptionally cute.
Before long, the little one yawned again, closed her eyes, and drifted off to sleep. Gu Xinran patted her for a while.
Seeing that the baby was asleep, the group didn't dare to speak loudly anymore and soon left.
Just as they left, Ming Zhen and Xue Yuexian arrived.
"Yilan, how could you not tell me about something as huge as giving birth? I was still on my honeymoon! The moment I saw it on Weibo, I flew right back." Ming Zhen rushed to the bedside as soon as she entered, hugging Yilan. Seeing her exhausted state, her face filled with heartache.
"Does giving birth hurt a lot?"
"It was actually okay. Seeing this little one makes it all worth it."
Ming Zhen walked over to the cradle to look at the baby. "She's so tiny!" she exclaimed, using her hand to measure. The baby was only about the length of her forearm. She was so small that Ming Zhen didn't dare touch her, afraid she might break her.
"This is just too cute. It makes me want to…"
"Have one?" Gu Xinran asked with a smile.
"No, no, no. It makes me want to steal her."
"…?" Was she serious?
Ming Zhen rested her chin on her hands, propped on the edge of the cradle, and gazed at the little one with a smile, looking as if she could never get enough.
"For our first meeting, your godmother should give you a gift, right? But I came in such a hurry this time, I didn't prepare anything." Ming Zhen frowned. She had rushed to the hospital straight from the airport, not thinking about anything but her concern for Yilan.
"Then… how about giving her a few companies?" Xue Yuexian said.
"??? No, no, no, that's not necessary. It's too much." Gu Xinran was stunned for a moment and quickly refused. A boss was truly a boss, offering up several companies just like that…!
"Then give her a few percentage points of shares," Xue Yuexian added.
Bai Yilan helplessly pressed her forehead. Perhaps this was just how bosses were.
"Hey, I've got it." Ming Zhen's eyes suddenly lit up. She took off a diamond bracelet from her wrist.
"This thing can bring you romantic luck. It's how I found your Auntie Xue. You're in luck, little one." Ming Zhen winked at the baby, took her tiny wrist, and fastened the bracelet on her.
"…" Gu Xinran almost burst out laughing. Xiao Ye… was she starting to attract romantic prospects this early?
"You and your strange gifts," Xue Yuexian grumbled.
Gu Xinran and Bai Yilan exchanged a look but said nothing. Your gifts weren't much different…
Ming Zhen and her partner stayed for a long time, only leaving reluctantly when the baby started crying for food.
After they left, Gu Xinran immediately took the bracelet off Xiao Ye's wrist.
"Be good, baby. It's too early for you to wear this. We're in no rush for romance, okay?"
Bai Yilan laughed. Such a doting mother.
"What did Sister Qi call her just now?" Bai Yilan asked.
"Hm?" Gu Xinran thought for a moment. "Little Milk Bun?"
"Yes, that's it. It sounds nice. Why don't we make that her nickname? What do you think, Little Milk Bun?"
Gu Xinran recalled the Xiao Ye from her past life, who had always been sweet and milky-voiced since she was little. It was a fitting name, so she agreed to it.
Five days later, Bai Yilan was discharged from the hospital.
That day, a large crowd of reporters surrounded the hospital entrance. The two of them generously accepted interviews and thanked everyone for their concern.
As they neared their home, Ye Nan gave them a mysterious look, then pulled open the door. "Surprise?"
Both of them froze, staring into the house. For a moment, they didn't even recognize it as their own home.
The house, originally designed with a simple and elegant style, was now awash in pink. The paintings Shi Qing liked were gone from the walls, replaced by cartoon graffiti. Hydrogen balloons of all shapes and sizes floated near the ceiling. The furniture's sharp corners and edges were all wrapped in soft foam, and a thick carpet covered the floor. The entire room exuded a warmth, like a princess's chamber.
"Your mother designed all of this herself," Ye Nan said.
The couple exchanged a look and walked inside, stunned. A faint, milky scent filled the air, creating an incredibly warm feeling the moment they entered.
Bai Yilan turned her head and saw a figure in her room. She walked over and saw her mother standing by the bed, personally arranging the dolls on the headboard. After a moment, she seemed dissatisfied, rearranged them in a different way, and continued to do so, tirelessly and with exceptional care. The sight instantly filled Bai Yilan's heart with warmth.
"Ahem." Ye Nan coughed lightly as a reminder.
Shi Qing heard the sound and turned to look at Yilan.
"Mom, did you arrange all of this?" Yilan was so moved she was on the verge of tears.
Shi Qing nodded and walked toward her. Mother and daughter looked at each other for a moment.
Just as Bai Yilan was about to give her a hug to express her gratitude, she saw her mother walk right past her, heading straight for the cradle in Xinran's arms.
"Little Milk Bun, welcome home. Grandma arranged all of this for you. Do you like it?"
"…" Bai Yilan's mouth twitched slightly. Heh, in the end, her love was misplaced.
Seeing her crestfallen expression, Gu Xinran couldn't help but gloat.
During this period, the entire family revolved around Xiao Ye.
Led by Shi Qing, she would sneak into their room every morning before her walk to take a peek. If she saw the little one was awake, she would secretly carry her away, claiming she didn't want the baby to disturb their rest.
However, this behavior was strictly forbidden by Ye Nan.
That night, Gu Xinran was lying on the bed with Xiao Ye nestled in her arms, earnestly teaching her to say "Mama."
Bai Yilan came out of the shower and saw this scene, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Well, here we go again.
"Honestly, she's so little. Even gurgling is an effort for her. How could she possibly say 'Mama'?"
"Our Xiao Ye is a smarty-pants. She'll learn as soon as I teach her, right?" Gu Xinran nuzzled Xiao Ye's nose. "Come on, say it for your mommy to hear~"
After she spoke, she received no response from the little one. To save face, she lowered her head and imitated the baby's voice, calling out in a milky tone, "Mama~"
"Pfft, stop that." Yilan saw right through her. She dried her hair and sat on the edge of the bed.
Having just showered, her skin was fresh, smooth, and fragrant. Not only was Xinran captivated, but even the little one's gaze was drawn to her.
"Oh," the baby cooed at her, reaching out with her tiny hands to grab her.
Yilan found it amusing and offered her finger. The little one immediately latched on.
"Look at this girl, she's quite strong." Yilan tugged at her hand but couldn't pull it free.
Smiling, she wrapped the little one in her arms and cuddled her affectionately.
Gu Xinran watched from the side, her eyes filled with envy. Her fragrant, soft wife, whom she hadn't even gotten to hug yet, had been snatched up by this little thing!
The baby whimpered a few times.
"There, there, are you sleepy? Alright, let's go to sleep." Coaxing the little one, she placed her in the cradle. But the moment she put her down, the baby started to cry, startling her into picking her up again.
"Don't cry, don't cry. What's wrong?" Yilan soothed her gently, and the baby actually stopped crying. She whimpered and pouted, her little expression exceptionally aggrieved, which made Yilan both laugh and feel for her.
She patted her for a while, and once the baby fell asleep, she gently placed her back in the bed. But the little one started crying again.
"What's going on?" Gu Xinran found it strange too. She was usually so well-behaved when sleeping on her own. Why not today?
"I don't know." Bai Yilan was also a bit puzzled. She held the baby and patted her, then tentatively tried to put her in the cradle. Before she was even fully down, she started crying again.
Well, now they knew.
Bai Yilan placed her directly on their large bed, right next to herself. The little one didn't cry at all and even nuzzled against her.
Bai Yilan lay down on her side, cradling the little one. "Sleep now, baby. Goodnight." She kissed her forehead. The baby's little eyes blinked a few times before closing.
Gu Xinran didn't know whether to laugh or cry. How was this little thing even clingier than her?
But when it came to being clingy, she had never admitted defeat.
Lying down on the other side of the baby, she reached over her and slipped her arm under Yilan's neck for her to use as a pillow.
Yilan glanced at her and smiled.
A short while later, just as Gu Xinran was drifting off, she felt a gentle push. She groggily opened her eyes to see Yilan still awake.
"Hm? What's wrong?" she asked softly.
"Go sleep on the sofa."
"???"
"Huh?" For a second, Gu Xinran thought she was dreaming. "What?"
"Go sleep in the living room. I'm afraid you'll roll over onto the baby."
"…" She looked down at the little one who had taken over her spot on the bed, her little belly rising and falling as she slept soundly.
"I won't roll onto her. You know how I sleep, I'm very still." Gu Xinran tried to fight for her right to sleep in the bed.
"Be good."
But she was dismissed with a single word from Yilan.
Reluctantly, she picked up her blanket to leave, but still feeling wronged, she walked back to the bed and gave Yilan a fierce kiss. She then glared at the little one and made a gesture as if rolling up her sleeves to hit her. Yilan laughed and pinched her, shooing her away.
The next morning, when Shi Qing got up for her morning exercise, she saw Xinran sleeping on the sofa and was a little confused.
"How did you manage to annoy Yilan?"
"Mom, let's go steal the baby together."
"??? What?"
Before they knew it, the little one was almost a month old.
Gu Xinran had been feeling incredibly wronged during this time.
Ever since the day the little one insisted on staying in their bed, she would cry incessantly every time she was put back in her cradle. Yilan had tried to ignore her, but her heart softened in the end.
As a result, Gu Xinran and Bai Yilan had basically been sleeping in separate beds, afraid they might accidentally roll over onto the baby at night.
This day, Gu Xinran woke up early, folded her blanket, and carried it back to the bedroom. She glanced at the mother and daughter on the bed. The little one was sleeping in her spot, grinning foolishly in her sleep, probably dreaming of something wonderful. She looked exceptionally cute. Gu Xinran huffed, her nose twitching. You're having a great time, aren't you? Do you have any idea how lonely your mother is, sleeping on the sofa every day?
When Bai Yilan opened her eyes, she saw Xinran sitting up against the headboard, watching her.
"Hm? Where's the baby?" Bai Yilan looked around but couldn't see Xiao Ye.
Gu Xinran raised an eyebrow.
"Did you not see me sitting here?"
"I saw you, I saw you. There, there. Where's Xiao Ye? Did Mom steal her away again?"
Gu Xinran's expression visibly cooled.
She was sitting right in front of her, yet she had been ignored time and time again. Her eyes were only for the child. Could they even go on like this?
"What's wrong? My, what a strong smell of jealousy~" Bai Yilan sniffed the air theatrically and teased her with a smile.
Xinran shot her a look and turned her head away, pretending to be angry.
"Not talking to me anymore?" Bai Yilan scooted closer and naturally rested her head on her shoulder.
Gu Xinran shrugged her shoulder, not letting her lean. "Go on, go lean on your Little Milk Bun. Don't lean on me."
"Hahaha, why are you getting jealous of a baby?"
"Is this about me being jealous of her? It's about you not paying attention to me! I've been sitting here all morning, and the first thing you do when you wake up is ask about the baby. Did you not see me?!"
"And I've been sleeping on the sofa for half a month! You two are all sweet and cuddly, but what about me, what about me, what about me?"
Gu Xinran was filled with grievances that she had to vent.
Bai Yilan pressed her forehead, her pretty face blushing slightly. Counting the days, it really had been over half a month since they started sleeping separately.
"Didn't we agree before? That once Xiao Ye was born, we'd just go through the motions with her. What is the meaning of this now?!"
"Pfft… Alright, alright, don't be angry. It's my fault, okay? There, there, I shouldn't have neglected you." Bai Yilan quickly patted Xinran's head to soothe her.
"Yilan, sleeping separately is really affecting our relationship. We can't cuddle when we wake up, and there are no goodnight kisses before bed. I haven't been able to hold you in so long."
"Mm, okay, I know. I won't play favorites. How about tonight, we try sleeping together?"
"No! Tonight, I want it to be just the two of us!"
Bai Yilan raised an eyebrow, her eyes narrowing as she scanned Gu Xinran.
"Just a simple night for the two of us. Just being able to hold each other while we sleep is enough," Gu Xinran replied with a serious expression.
"Then what about the baby? She's at a very clingy stage right now."
"Let Mom sleep with her?"
"Will that work…?"
"She's already a month old. It's time to train her self-reliance!" Gu Xinran declared righteously.
"…" Bai Yilan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. You really are her biological mother, huh.
During dinner that evening, Gu Xinran brought the matter up with Shi Qing, who immediately and happily agreed.
However, the happiest person was undoubtedly Gu Xinran. After half a month, she was finally going to be graced by Yilan's favor!
That night, after they both showered and lay in bed, they shared a long-awaited embrace. Gu Xinran was feeling content when she suddenly felt that something wasn't quite right. Why was she the one lying in Yilan's arms, with Yilan holding her and gently patting her back…?
Gu Xinran looked up with a resentful expression. Bai Yilan also seemed to realize it. "I've been holding the baby so much, it's become a habit."
"Don't mention her," Gu Xinran whined coquettishly.
After whining, she paused. What was with her own milky voice… why did it seem like she was gradually becoming 'Ye-ified'…?
"Alright, alright, we won't mention her. Ready for sleep?" Yilan habitually stroked her head, her tone gentle, as if coaxing a child.
"Mmm…" Gu Xinran nodded. They closed their eyes and fell asleep in each other's arms.
Ten minutes later, Bai Yilan opened her eyes. "I wonder if Xiao Ye is asleep yet, or if she's making a fuss."
"Don't mention her," Gu Xinran said.
"Okay."
A few more minutes passed, but neither of them felt sleepy.
"Do you think Xiao Ye is picky about where she sleeps?" Gu Xinran asked.
"…?" Weren't we supposed to not mention her?
They looked at each other and shared a wry smile.
"How about I just bring her back, and I'll go back to sleeping on the sofa."
"Oh? Not jealous anymore?"
Gu Xinran pouted. She still was.
But she was also genuinely a little worried. Even she found her own thoughts contradictory.
Perhaps this was a mother's love. :)
"Forget it. Mom should be fine. After all, it's rare for us to have a night to ourselves." Yilan smiled and stroked her head, her eyes full of affection.
Hearing this made Gu Xinran beam. She snuggled deeper into her embrace, holding her little wife tightly.
"You're just like Xiao Ye, always wanting to burrow into someone's arms," Yilan said, gently stroking her back.
"Hm? Isn't that backward? If anyone's like anyone, it should be her being like me."
"Right, right. You two, mother and daughter, are just the same. So clingy."
Gu Xinran giggled, burying her face in Yilan's chest. She rubbed her chin against her, pushing the fabric aside so her lips could touch her firm skin.
"Hey, stop messing around." Yilan arched her back and patted her lightly, chiding her in a tiny whisper.
Xinran's smile only grew wider. After becoming a mother, Yilan not only radiated a maternal glow and was impossibly gentle, but even her voice had softened. Her soft hums were particularly suggestive without her even realizing it. Gu Xinran's hands grew mischievous, deliberately poking her ticklish spots.
"Aiya, stop it, you're being so annoying~"
It was music to Gu Xinran's ears, and she savored every moment~
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