MQSP - Chapter 74

Chapter 74

The two of them chatted with the Flower Witch for a while. Xiao Ye grew a little sleepy and leaned against the Flower Witch's shoulder, closing her eyes for a nap. The Flower Witch's body went stiff, not daring to move an inch. Lin Yuqing saw this and chuckled to herself. She took the Flower Witch's hand and wrapped it around Xiao Ye's waist.

"Can you try to be a little more natural? Don't be so stiff. This is your daughter," Lin Yuqing reminded her in a low voice. Xinran's hand was rigid, letting Lin Yuqing position it like she was a dumbfounded marionette.

"Mm..." Gu Xinran grunted in acknowledgment. She curled her fingers slightly and began patting Xiao Ye's waist in a passable imitation of a mother.

"It's getting chilly. Why don't you take her back?"

"It's fine. Let's stay a little longer." Lin Yuqing went inside to get a piece of clothing and draped it over the two of them. Then she sat to the side, quietly watching over them.

"Thank you, Qing."

Lin Yuqing smiled but didn't reply.

"By the way, we're getting married."

"Hm?"

"Right here. Will you be our witness?"

Gu Xinran was taken aback. "Here?"

"Yes. We're not leaving. We'll stay here and keep you company." She had already discussed this with Xiao Ye, who had no objections, so she made the final decision.

Gu Xinran shook her head. "This is no place for you two. Look how old you are, and how old she is. You're coming here to retire already? You're not welcome."

Lin Yuqing glanced at her. She had expected her to object, but she hadn't thought she would leave no room for discussion.

"Getting married here is fine. Have you set a date?"

"Not yet. As soon as possible, though. She can't wait." Lin Yuqing looked at the little one with a smile in her eyes.

"Can you do it next month?"

"Hm?"

"My gift won't be ready until next month."

"A gift?" Lin Yuqing chuckled lightly. "You know I don't care about things like that."

"It's not for you." Gu Xinran lowered her head and gently kissed Xiao Ye's forehead. She smiled unconsciously, her eyes full of adoration. For the most important moment in Xiao Ye's life, she had to give her an extraordinary gift.

"Alright, alright. I'm just Xiao Ye's accessory, right?"

Gu Xinran shot her a look. "A very profound realization," she teased.

"Hmph."

"Alright, it's getting late. You two should head back." Gu Xinran gently supported Xiao Ye, letting her lean into Lin Yuqing's arms. Her movements were solemn, her expression serious. "I'm entrusting my daughter to you."

Lin Yuqing looked directly into her eyes and nodded gravely. "I will take good care of her." She held Xiao Ye and glanced down at her.

"Good. Go on."

"Mm."

Lin Yuqing pinched Xiao Ye's nose, rousing the little one. It was too dark, and the path down the mountain was difficult to walk. If she carried her down and something happened, it would be better to wake her up and let her sleep again when they got back.

"Mmm~ Stop it." Baiye whined, swatting Lin Yuqing's hand away. "How dare you bully me in front of my godmother."

"What, are you going to tattle on me?" Lin Yuqing tapped her on the forehead.

"Oof."

"Alright, time to go home. You can sleep when we get back. Your godmother needs to rest too."

"Hm? Okay. Then you should rest early, Godmother. We'll head back now. Goodnight, Godmother!" Xiao Ye said, leaning toward the Flower Witch and placing a light kiss on her exposed forehead. "A goodnight kiss." She smiled sweetly.

Seeing the Flower Witch's eyes curve into a smile, Baiye grinned happily. "I'll come see you again tomorrow."

"Mm."

The Flower Witch watched them leave, and only after their figures had vanished into the night did she raise a hand to touch the spot on her forehead where she'd been kissed, an extraordinary warmth spreading through her heart.

"Auntie Lin, tell me about my mother," Baiye said suddenly as they walked back hand in hand.

"Hm?"

"Mother Xinran."

"Oh? What do you want to hear?"

"Auntie Jiang said that Mother Xinran deceived Mother Yilan."

Lin Yuqing frowned. "She said that?"

"Yes. She said Mother Xinran promised to run away with Mother Yilan, but she couldn't let go of her fame and ideals, so she kept putting it off and never fulfilled her promise. If she had taken Mother Yilan away sooner, maybe what happened later wouldn't have occurred. Is that true?"

"No, that's not right. What she said is wrong." Lin Yuqing shook her head decisively.

"Then what really happened?"

"That movie... Xinran actually filmed it for Yilan." Lin Yuqing sighed softly, recalling how excited Xinran had been when she first got the script, saying she had finally found the screenplay she most wanted to shoot.

"Hm?"

"It was a same-sex themed movie. Xinran wanted to use it to confess her feelings to Yilan. Her original plan was to retire from the industry after filming. By the time the movie was released, she would have already been traveling the world with you and your mother, completely avoiding any extreme criticism. And even if people found out she was a lesbian, if the situation became too severe, she could have taken you both to live in seclusion somewhere scenic. To say she cared about her reputation is a biased view."

"So that's how it was." Baiye came to a realization. It was a good thing she hadn't blindly believed Auntie Jiang back then, or she would have completely misunderstood Mother Xinran!

"Yes. Unfortunately, something happened when they were only halfway through filming. Sigh."

"Why would Jiang Boyan tell you all that?"

"It came up in conversation when I was staying at Auntie Jiang's house."

"Oh." Lin Yuqing nodded. "Alright, let's not think about that anymore. Let's think about us. How about we get married next month?"

"Umm..."

"Hm? What's with that expression? Weren't you the one who couldn't wait?" Lin Yuqing asked, surprised by the little one's hesitation.

"Or do you think that's too late?"

"Hey! Of course not! Shameless!"

Lin Yuqing stopped, bent down, and scooped Xiao Ye up by her bottom. "What? Do you have to be shy before we get married?"

"Stop it! Put me down, it would be so bad if someone saw." Baiye looked around furtively, like a thief with a guilty conscience.

"Who's going to be out here in the middle of nowhere?" Lin Yuqing was exasperated with this little coward.

"Aiya! Auntie Lin!" Baiye gave her a light punch.

Afraid she might slip, Lin Yuqing hoisted her up a little higher. "Xiao Ye, it's time to change how you address me."

"Eh?"

"We're about to get married. You shouldn't call me Auntie Lin anymore," Lin Yuqing said, looking at her expectantly.

"Then what should I call you?" Baiye pretended to be clueless.

"Tsk, do I have to spell it out for you?"

"Yes, you do. I've never been married before, so of course I don't know," the little one said with a straight face.

"Tsk! Are you looking for trouble? There's no one here to protect you," Lin Yuqing said in a half-threatening tone.

"Hurry and put me down. I'm heavy, aren't you tired?" Baiye tugged at her ears with both hands, sensing that Lin Yuqing was getting a little breathless.

"Call me it first."

"Call you what?" Baiye didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She really didn't know what she was supposed to say.

"Hm?"

"Alright, alright, umm... W-Wife?"

The moment the word left her lips, both of them froze. Tsk, hearing those two words come out of Xiao Ye's mouth, why did it sound so awkward?

Lin Yuqing mulled it over. It really was awkward. It didn't have the warm, sweet feeling she had imagined. Was it because Xiao Ye was too young...?

"Ah, I've got it!" Baiye suddenly exclaimed.

"Hm?"

"Wife... granny!"

"...! You're just asking for it!" Lin Yuqing got annoyed, hoisted her directly onto her shoulder, and started walking home quickly.

"Feeling bold now that you have backup, are you? Gotten brave, have we?"

"Auntie Lin! I was wrong! I won't be naughty anymore, please spare me!" Baiye immediately begged for mercy.

"In your dreams. It's just been too long since I last taught you a lesson!"

"Nooo, I'm sorry!" the little one whined, kicking her legs.

Lin Yuqing reached up and patted her little bottom. "Behave yourself."

"Wuu... Auntie Lin..."

Lin Yuqing was in the middle of her tough talk when they arrived home. As she was pondering where to discipline this little rascal, she suddenly noticed a figure sitting by the bonfire.

"Where have you two been? Going out so late."

From the voice, it was Jiang Boyan.

"Auntie Jiang, save me!"

Lin Yuqing quickly put the little one down and poked her on the forehead. The little one immediately scampered over to Jiang Boyan's side and even stuck her tongue out at Lin Yuqing.

My wife is too naughty. I've probably spoiled her!

"What's wrong? What's wrong?" Jiang Boyan quickly shielded the little one behind her.

"Hehe." Baiye gave a mischievous laugh. "Eh, Auntie Jiang, why aren't you asleep?" She had clearly settled them all in before leaving earlier.

"Xue Yuexian kicked me awake, and I couldn't get back to sleep. I noticed you two weren't here, so I came out to look. Where did you go?" Jiang Boyan said, feeling Xiao Ye's hand. It was ice-cold, so she quickly took off her own outer coat and draped it over her.

"I'm not cold, Auntie Jiang. We went up the mountain..." Baiye paused. "To the summit to watch the fireworks. They look even better up close!" Without needing a reminder from Lin Yuqing, she had consciously omitted anything related to the Flower Witch.

"By the way, Auntie Jiang, I have a question. Can you help me think? After Auntie Lin and I get married, what should I call her?"

"Eh?" Jiang Boyan was taken aback. "Call her wife... uh..." Jiang Boyan also found it a bit awkward.

"It's weird, right?"

"Mm... it is a little..."

"'Wifey'? That's even more awkward..." Baiye pouted, deep in thought.

"'Darling'?"

"Isn't that a little too generic?"

"Hmm..."

Lin Yuqing stood by, silently watching the little one rack her brains over this form of address.

Finally, Jiang Boyan surrendered. "Why do you have to change what you call her?"

"Hm? Because our relationship is different now," the little one answered gleefully.

"But if it sounds awkward, it's better not to change it."

Xiao Ye thought for a moment. "Okay, I've decided."

"Oh? You've figured it out?" Lin Yuqing looked expectant.

"Mhm. I've decided to keep calling you Auntie Lin, because that name is one of a kind. After all, who else calls their lover 'Auntie'!?" The little one winked playfully.

"Are you saying I'm old?" Lin Yuqing was very unhappy.

"Of course not~" She walked over to her, taking her hand and swinging it back and forth.

Lin Yuqing pouted helplessly. "You little rascal."

Fine, "Auntie" it is, she thought. After all, the age gap is what it is. Normal terms of endearment probably wouldn't be quite right anyway.

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