MQSP - Chapter 54
Chapter 54
Fang Yi called Su Yu to let her know. Fortunately, the food hadn't hit the wok yet, so it wasn't a problem to wait for her. While they were sitting around and chatting, Lin Yuqing and Fang Yi pulled Xue Yuexian aside.
"How have you handled that Ye Jingwen matter?"
"I had her clarify the situation on the school's forum, making a personal statement to clear Xiao Ye's name. That's as far as it goes. If we push it any further, it won't do Xiao Ye any good."
"As for the ones who bullied her, they've all been warned by the school. Truthfully, they were all just incited by Ye Jingwen, used by her. There's no need to get hung up on such brainless people."
"I didn't terminate her contract, mainly because I was afraid that if my actions were too targeted, she might redirect her anger toward Xiao Ye and do something else out of line. I don't have a great way to deal with such a despicable person right now, so all I can do is temporarily appease her and be on guard."
"Are you two big shots satisfied with how I've handled this?"
Lin Yuqing shook her head.
"Then what do you want? For the school to expel them?"
"No. I'm thinking that Ye Jingwen's grudge against Xiao Ye must have started because of this role. But you were the one who meddled in the middle of it, yet she blames Xiao Ye. She's holding such a grudge, and her methods of revenge are so vicious. She seems like a ruthless person. I have a feeling she won't give up so easily."
"What exactly is your relationship with her? Why does she hate Xiao Ye so much? The moment she acted, she wanted to utterly ruin her."
"Uh…" Xue Yuexian's old face flushed, and she scratched her head.
"You really were keeping her?"
"Ah… but that was all in the past. I haven't touched her in a long time, I swear!"
Lin Yuqing and Fang Yi exchanged a look. "You beast."
She really wasn't a picky eater. How could she stomach someone like that!
"Aiya! Alright, alright, can we please turn the page on this!" Xue Yuexian rolled her eyes. She didn't want to talk about this anymore!
"Truly, thirty like a wolf," Lin Yuqing said.
"Forty like a tiger," Fang Yi added.
The two shared a high-five with perfect chemistry and walked away.
"Hey! You two are the same age, how dare you say that about me! I'm just living a more carefree and spontaneous life. I'm being true to myself. Isn't that a good thing!"
Meanwhile, on the other side, Jiang Boyan was giving Xiao Ye a tour of her residence.
"Auntie Jiang, I heard you also built a garden here?"
"That's right. I'll take you to see it. It's right behind my bedroom."
"Okay." Baiye followed Jiang Boyan to the front of her bedroom, then paused.
"What's wrong?"
"Um… it's not really appropriate for me to just enter your bedroom so rashly…"
Hearing this, Jiang Boyan smiled and linked her arm. "It's fine. Treat this place like your own home. Just be casual."
Baiye nodded and followed Jiang Boyan into her bedroom.
The bedroom was spacious, filled with the faint scent of flowers. An entire wall was made of a single glass door, behind which a small balcony had been built. It was artfully arranged with all sorts of exquisite flowerpots, cultivating various flowers she had never seen before.
"Wow…" Baiye breathed out, her head nearly pressed against the glass door.
Seeing this, Jiang Boyan opened the glass door. A gust of wind rushed in, carrying a rich fragrance. Baiye instinctively closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The scent was rich but not overpowering, leaning toward gentle. It smelled so good!
A small stone path was flanked by several flower racks displaying a wide variety of flowers. Having been pruned, they were a delightful sight.
"Auntie Jiang, what kind of flowers are these?"
"Orchids. All different kinds of orchids."
"They're all orchids?"
"Mhm. Look, there are even winter orchids in that enclosure over there. Because the temperature is too high right now, they can only be kept in a low-temperature shed. Once the weather cools down, these other flowers will have to be moved into a greenhouse."
Baiye followed her finger and glanced over. There was indeed a separate, transparent room. No wonder all these flowers had to be planted in pots; it was convenient for both viewing and moving.
It was just that these meticulously pruned flowers seemed to be missing a bit of vitality.
"You like orchids that much?"
"Mhm."
"Do you usually take care of these flowers yourself?"
"I take care of the few pots on the balcony. For the ones in the garden, I've hired a professional gardener to look after them."
"Oh." Baiye nodded.
"If you like them, take a few pots home to grow."
"No, it's okay. I don't know how to care for flowers, so I wouldn't be able to raise them well. If I ended up killing them, I would be letting you down."
Jiang Boyan smiled. "It's alright, as long as you like them."
"Auntie Jiang, you don't have to be so good to me."
"Hm?"
"I know why you're being nice to me. They said you like my mother, but I'm not my mother. I'm afraid that… the greater your expectations, the greater the disappointment will be…"
"You've misunderstood." Jiang Boyan smiled and cut her off. "I do love your mother, and I only love her. I won't treat you as her shadow, you can rest assured on that point. I'm being good to you because I just want to… take good care of you on her behalf."
Looking at Jiang Boyan's affectionate expression, Baiye suddenly understood. It was because Auntie Jiang had lost her composure for a moment when she had changed into the dress earlier, which had made her heart flutter with unease. But if she only wanted to take care of her on her mother's behalf, then she could relax.
In the living room, Su Yu arrived late, complaining the moment she walked in. "Are you kidding me? You have a party and I'm the last one you notify? Did you all forget about me!"
"Hey, why is Yuqing here…" Seeing Lin Yuqing, Su Yu was completely baffled. This entire room was full of her enemies, and what's more, Xue Yuexian was actually chatting and laughing with her. Shocking, truly shocking.
The others exchanged glances. "Did none of you tell her?" they all said in unison.
"What? What little secret are you all hiding from me?" Seeing everyone chuckling in unison, Su Yu was thoroughly confused.
Just as she said that, Xiao Ye and Jiang Boyan walked out.
"Hello, Director Su."
"Eh?" Shocking, shocking, shocking!
"Why are you here?" Still in a state of shock.
She suddenly whipped her head around to look at Lin Yuqing. "Not bad, you. You really managed to snag her?" She grinned slyly and nudged her with her elbow. "I really underestimated you. If I'd known you were this good at chasing a wife, I wouldn't have worried about you at all."
Lin Yuqing shot her a glare. "What are you talking about?" She cleared her throat, her old face turning red.
Baiye unconsciously fiddled with her hair, feeling extremely guilty now that her secret feelings had been exposed.
Their expressions didn't escape Jiang Boyan's notice, and she immediately sensed something was up. "Alright, let's all take a seat. We were waiting for you to start dinner." She beckoned Su Yu over, saving Xiao Ye from her embarrassment.
During the meal…
"What!? She's Xinran's daughter!?"
"Huh? Lin Yuqing has been raising her this whole time???"
"Holy crap, Xue Yuexian, you're not even human! You actually went after your own niece!"
Su Yu remained in a state of shock, frequently glancing between Xiao Ye and Lin Yuqing.
"So you two knew each other all along? And you still pretended not to know each other on set? Were you putting on a show for me?"
"During the audition, you were so against casting her, I actually thought you two had some deep-seated hatred. Don't tell me that was also part of your act? Lin Yuqing, were you secretly laughing at home every day, playing me for a fool!" Su Yu was so angry she was about to slam the table.
Seeing Su Yu's exasperated look, Baiye couldn't help but purse her lips and stifle a laugh.
"And you, what are you laughing at? Ganging up with her to trick me, weren't you? You little rascal!"
"Alright, Director Su, don't be angry."
"Hmph!"
Baiye got up and poured her a glass of juice, but Su Yu wasn't having it and continued to sulk. Seeing this, Xue Yuexian picked up the juice, and together with Fang Yi, they pried her mouth open and forced a gulp down.
"Pfft-cough, cough! You two, is this attempted murder!"
"There, you drank the juice, so Director Su isn't angry anymore," Xue Yuexian declared on her behalf.
"Pah, since when can you speak for me!"
"Hey, but if you can do me a favor, I'll grant you this one." Su Yu's eyes darted around.
"Let's hear it."
"My film needs to pass review. Can you help me out? Even if it's through an online streaming platform."
"The one Xiao Ye filmed?"
"Yes, yes, yes."
"No." Xue Yuexian shook her head, her refusal incredibly blunt. Baiye, sitting beside her, was stunned for a moment.
"Be good, Xiao Ye. It's not that your auntie won't help you, this is for your own good. Besides, Jiang Boyan is right here. Technically, Xiao Ye is part of Heart Entertainment. You should ask Jiang Boyan if she agrees."
Hearing this, Jiang Boyan put down her chopsticks, her expression serious. "I just found out about this myself. For a debut project, filming such a sensitive topic… I don't support it." Jiang Boyan shook her head and patted Xiao Ye's arm. "But don't worry just yet. I can help you pick some scripts with good themes. You can work with whomever you want. I will use all of Heart Entertainment's resources to promote you. You have excellent natural conditions and a head start. It's only a matter of time before you become famous."
Baiye glanced at Lin Yuqing. When she first took this role, she had indeed hoped to take this step smoothly so she could be a little closer to Auntie Lin. But later on, it was purely because she wanted to act with Auntie Lin, to see Auntie Lin every day, to film kissing scenes and bed scenes with her. It was even possible that she hoped life would imitate art…
As for whether it would be broadcast or not, she had never really considered it, nor had she thought about whether she would become famous. As long as she could be with Auntie Lin, that was all that mattered.
"Auntie Jiang, you really don't need to trouble yourself for me."
"And to all the aunties here, you don't need to worry about me. Actually, acting isn't what I want to do most."
"Then what do you want to do? Tell your auntie, and I'll definitely help you achieve it!" Xue Yuexian seized the opportunity to show off.
"What I want to do… I've been doing it all along." Baiye gave a sweet smile, then lowered her head to eat. The others stared at each other, completely baffled. Lin Yuqing didn't understand either. At the entire table, only Fang Yi was secretly smiling, calmly picking up food as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
The meal was very harmonious. The group of old friends also let go of years of estrangement and resentment. Lu Qing and the others formally apologized to Lin Yuqing and thanked her for taking such good care of Xiao Ye.
As the party was winding down, Jiang Boyan suggested that Xiao Ye stay for a few days, saying she had even prepared a bedroom for her. However, Xiao Ye politely declined. Fortunately, Auntie Jiang didn't insist, otherwise she really wouldn't have known how to refuse.
On the way back, the little one was sprawled out in the back seat, rubbing her round belly. The aunties had been piling food onto her plate just now—try this, have some of that—and she had eaten a lot without realizing it.
As she was rubbing her stomach, a mischievous hand reached over and poked her belly.
"Aiya, Auntie Lin! No poking, I'm so full."
"You have no self-control," Lin Yuqing chided with a smile.
"That's not true. Auntie Jiang and Teacher Lu kept adding food to my plate, and Auntie Xue too. Were they trying to fatten me up like a little pig?"
Lin Yuqing smiled and placed a hand on her stomach, gently rubbing it.
Baiye turned her head to look at her. Auntie Lin actually had such a gentle side! She couldn't help but close her eyes, a look of pure enjoyment on her face.
Feeling pleased, her eyes darted around, and she leaned close to Lin Yuqing's ear. "Auntie Lin, are you afraid they'll steal me away?"
Lin Yuqing's hand paused, her expression stiffening. She shot her a look. "Then go with them. I don't want—mmph…" Halfway through her sentence, the little one covered her mouth.
"Don't say things like that!"
"Mhm, mhm." Lin Yuqing nodded. With her mouth covered, she couldn't make a sound, just muffled agreements, which roughly meant she had conceded.
Only then did Baiye grin and remove her hand.
"You little brat." Lin Yuqing wiped her mouth in distaste and glanced at her.
Lin Yuqing turned her face away, looking out the car window and ignoring her.
After a while, the little one still hadn't come to coax her. She glanced over and saw her still rubbing her own stomach, not having noticed she was angry. Was her anger not obvious enough?!
A little later, Lin Yuqing gave in. She scooted closer to the little one. "You said just now that acting isn't what you want to do most. What is it, then?"
Lin Yuqing had thought about it for a long time but couldn't figure it out. Wasn't acting what she loved most? She had fought so hard for this role back then.
"It's… uh…" Baiye was about to blurt it out but stopped abruptly, swallowing the rest of her sentence. Her eyes darted around unconsciously.
"Hm?"
"It's…"
"It's hanging around in front of you every day, annoying you, watching you get so mad at me but being helpless to do anything about it. That… that makes me really happy!"
"Hiss!" Annoyed, Lin Yuqing raised her hand as if to hit her. But seeing the little one quickly shut her eyes, looking both cowardly and scared, she silently lowered her hand and turned away to sulk.
I'm really angry this time! It's very obvious, so hurry up and coax me!
"Auntie Lin~?"
"Are you angry?" Baiye rested her little head on her shoulder, rubbing her chin against it.
Lin Yuqing shifted her body, dodging her.
The little one then wrapped her arms around her arm and shook it. "Auntie Lin~?"
Lin Yuqing tried to pull her hand away, but the little one held on tightly, even grabbing her hand. Their fingers inadvertently intertwined and clasped together firmly.
Lin Yuqing froze and turned to look at her. The little one froze too, feeling very guilty under Auntie Lin's gaze. She reluctantly let go, holding onto her wrist instead.
"Auntie Lin, don't be angry. I was just teasing you."
"Mhm," Lin Yuqing replied distractedly, looking down at her own hand.
The little one closed her eyes and leaned against her shoulder.
"Sleeping right after eating. Are you a little pig?"
"I am." Baiye nodded with a playful smile, but she did look sleepy, her eyes barely able to stay open.
Lin Yuqing wrapped her left arm around her back and pulled her into an embrace, letting the little one rest her head in the crook of her neck. Her whole body was pressed against hers. Baiye was startled, her heart pounding. Her forehead was against Auntie Lin's neck. This was too intimate! Even more intimate than when she held her while she slept!
"What are you two doing…" Xia Xiaozi glanced in the rearview mirror, so startled she almost slammed on the brakes. This kind of intimate gesture… was a bit much, wasn't it? Did the boss get provoked by that group of people today?
"Just drive the car properly. I'm going to sleep. Drive steadily."
"…" Xia Xiaozi felt incredibly wronged. I want to sleep too…
"Go to sleep." The hand Lin Yuqing had protecting Xiao Ye's back patted her gently. She lightly brushed her chin against the corner of her eye, as if wanting to kiss her forehead, but then suddenly changed her mind.
"Mhm," Baiye responded, closing her eyes. She took a light breath, her nose filled with the faint, clean scent from Auntie Lin. Auntie Lin's embrace was exceptionally warm.
The car drove smoothly, swaying gently, which was indeed perfect for sleeping. Lin Yuqing glanced down. The little one in her arms had the corners of her mouth turned up, looking quite content. She looked out the window; they were still a ways from home. So she closed her eyes for a nap as well. For some reason, whenever she held the little one, she felt very sleepy. Was it because her small body was just too soft and comfortable to hold?
In a daze, she felt a tickle in her palm. She cracked open her eyelids and glanced over without moving. The little one was using her finger to trace something in her palm.
Baiye was completely focused on writing, not realizing that Auntie Lin wasn't asleep.
She carefully wrote 'like you' and then drew a small heart.
Just as she was smiling, Auntie Lin's hand moved!
"Hey, hey, hey…" Auntie Lin pinched her cheek and even tugged at it. It was definitely getting distorted!
"You little thing, miscalculated, didn't you? My palm isn't ticklish." She sounded exceptionally smug.
"…"
"Okay, okay, I was wrong! Stop pinching, it's going to get misshapen!"
"Hmph." Lin Yuqing let go and tapped her on the forehead. "Not well-behaved at all."
"…" She felt sooo wronged!
Auntie Lin was still the same Auntie Lin. Even when she was being gentle, she was just as unromantic!!!
It was infuriating.
"Did I pinch you too hard?" Seeing the little one's gloomy expression, Lin Yuqing subconsciously thought she had been too rough just now and hurt her.
Baiye pouted, not wanting to talk to her! She was also a little guilty. She hadn't been asleep, but thankfully she hadn't understood. If she had understood…
Strange. She was unhappy that she didn't understand, but she was also scared that she would. Why was she so conflicted!
Thinking about it, the little one even confused herself. But when she turned her head, she saw Auntie Lin's slightly flustered look, which was just too cute. So she deliberately pouted. "Hmph." She put on a grumpy little act.
Seeing this, Lin Yuqing quickly raised a hand to rub her cheek. "Does it still hurt? I didn't mean to."
Watching Auntie Lin's nervous state, Baiye burst out laughing. Aiya, what a rare sight!
Lin Yuqing raised an eyebrow and glared. "Gu Baiye, you've gotten bold, haven't you? You dare to trick me?"
"No, no, I didn't~ It really did hurt when you pinched me just now~" The little one hugged Lin Yuqing's hand, acting cute.
Xia Xiaozi watched the whole thing with a cold eye. "Are you two flirting?" she asked with a very serious tone. No matter how you looked at it, their intimate interactions had already surpassed the bounds of family affection!
Hearing this, both of their expressions stiffened. Baiye immediately pulled her hand back and sat up properly on the side by the car door, a little farther from Auntie Lin.
"Just drive your car," Lin Yuqing said, glancing at Xia Xiaozi with displeasure.
"Qing Jie, tell me honestly, what are your feelings for Xiao Ye?"
Lin Yuqing frowned. Seeing Xia Xiaozi's rare, serious expression, she unconsciously avoided her gaze.
What feelings…
The feeling of wanting to watch her every moment.
The feeling of holding her and never wanting to let go.
The feeling of wanting to see her smile, see her make a fuss, see her carefree and untroubled by anything.
The feeling of… wanting to spend the rest of her life with her.
"Qing Jie, you couldn't be…"
"Alright, stop dawdling here. She probably ran back to take a shower again." She left Xia Xiaozi behind and chased after the little one.
Xia Xiaozi stood there in a daze, at a complete loss.
Back at home, Lin Yuqing went straight to Xiao Ye's room. The little one had just changed into her pajamas and was about to duck into the bathroom when Lin Yuqing caught her in a hug.
"Hey, Auntie Lin, can't I just not take a shower! Where are you taking me?"
Lin Yuqing ignored her, carrying her directly back to her own bedroom and tossing her onto the bed. "I'm sleepy. Sleep with me."
"Eh?"
"Um… okay."
Lin Yuqing lay on her side. Baiye lay on the edge of the bed, and Lin Yuqing wrapped her arms around her from behind. One hand was tucked under her neck, the other around her waist, locking her in her embrace so she couldn't move.
This was the first time Auntie Lin had held her like this from behind. It was so comfortable, so warm, so addicting.
She grabbed the hand around her and held it tightly against herself, wishing she could just melt into her. She truly wished time would freeze at this moment, so she could stay in Auntie Lin's arms forever and ever, never to be separated again.
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