Against the Light - Chapter 163
Chapter 163: Confirmed Jealousy
Early in the morning, Bai Yilan was awakened by the chirping of birds outside the window. She opened her eyes, lying awake for a moment. A glance at the mother and daughter sleeping beside her in the exact same pose brought a knowing smile to her face.
She rose quietly and went to the bathroom to freshen up.
"Hmm?" Gu Xinran heard the noise and fluttered her eyelids open. She glanced back, stretched lazily, looked at the little one in her arms, then closed her eyes again, gently holding her.
A short while later, Bai Yilan came out of the bathroom to find Gu Xinran resting her chin on her hand, her eyes filled with adoration as she watched their child.
"You're awake?"
"Mhm."
"Why are you up so early?" Gu Xinran asked, then straightened up and craned her neck. Bai Yilan took the hint, walked over, and sat on the edge of the bed. She leaned in and gave her a good morning kiss.
"It's not that early. Jin Shuang and the others are already busy."
Gu Xinran listened closely and, sure enough, she could hear Jin Shuang's voice from the hallway.
"I'm going to take them up the mountain to start filming in a bit. You can stay here with Xiao Ye and sleep a little longer," Bai Yilan said, rubbing some lotion on her hands.
"Alright. Thanks for your hard work."
"I'm leaving then. Oh, and make sure she eats breakfast—she can't skip it. Also, help her put on her lotion. It's a little chilly today, so put her little scarf on her. Don't forget the first-aid kit, and…"
"Okay, okay, I know. Don't worry," Gu Xinran said with a helpless chuckle. No wonder Xiao Ye was such a little worrywart; it was clearly genetic.
"Okay, I'm off then."
"Mhm." Gu Xinran pouted.
"Didn't we just kiss?"
"Mmm~" Gu Xinran whined, not giving in.
"Tsk, look what you've picked up from Xiao Ye!" Bai Yilan feigned annoyance. Seeing that the little one was still fast asleep, she leaned down and gave Gu Xinran a quick peck before finally getting up to leave.
After Yilan left, Gu Xinran got up as well. When she came out from freshening up, she saw the little one's sleeping position and couldn't help but laugh. The child had both her little hands raised above her head, as if making a heart shape. The pose was adorable.
Gu Xinran sat on the edge of the bed, about to sneak a kiss, when she heard a strange, faint sound, like running water.
She listened closely for a moment before it dawned on her. She immediately rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Mmm…" Xiao Ye, who had been sound asleep, suddenly jolted awake. She scratched her head, blinked her little eyes, and looked up at Gu Xinran innocently.
"Did you wet the bed again?" Gu Xinran asked with mock disdain as she lifted the little one out of the covers and carried her directly into the bathroom to get her cleaned up.
"Where's Mommy?" Xiao Ye wasn't fully awake yet. She stood in the small tub, blinking her big eyes with a dazed and adorable expression.
"Mommy went to work. After you finish breakfast, we'll go find her."
"Mmm." Xiao Ye nodded and let out a big yawn.
"Still sleepy?" Gu Xinran smiled and pinched her little nose. She lifted her out of the tub, wrapped her in a towel, and set her on the bed before taking out a toothbrush to help her brush her teeth.
"Mmm."
Soon, the little one was all clean and fresh. After changing her into new clothes, it was time for lotion, but Xiao Ye immediately turned and ran, giving her no chance.
"Hey! Xiao Ye!" Gu Xinran called out, watching helplessly as the little girl pulled open the door and dashed out.
"Xiao Ye, don't run off!" Gu Xinran quickly gave chase. Fortunately, a crew member in the hallway caught the little girl and scooped her up.
"Ah, Auntie, let me go!" Xiao Ye protested, kicking her little legs.
"Sister Ran, what did you do to her? Why is she running away from you?"
"Don't even ask. She's asking for it." Gu Xinran glared, tucking the little girl under her arm and carrying her back to the room.
"Come here. Stand still," Gu Xinran said, her expression displeased as she pointed to the floor in front of her.
Xiao Ye's lip trembled. "Mama, I was wrong~"
"Come here," Gu Xinran repeated, her face stern.
Xiao Ye shuffled over to her side and hugged her leg. "Mama~"
Gu Xinran glanced down at her, then pressed her down over her lap and gave her bottom a light pat.
"Hasn't Mama told you not to run off when we're outside?"
"Mmm, you have," Xiao Ye replied in a tiny voice, knowing she was in the wrong.
Gu Xinran sat her up on her lap. The little girl kept her head down, not daring to look up, her fingers twisting nervously.
Seeing her looking so pitiful, most of Gu Xinran's anger melted away.
"Why did you run? You don't like this lotion, do you?" Gu Xinran's tone softened considerably as she asked patiently.
Xiao Ye nodded. "It's not comfy. It's sticky," she pouted, a hint of resentment in her voice.
Gu Xinran chuckled and squeezed a little lotion onto her own face. "It is a little sticky, but it protects your skin. It keeps Xiao Ye's skin soft and supple, so it's nice to touch and kiss." After saying that, she rubbed the remaining lotion onto Xiao Ye's face, quickly spreading it before the little girl could protest, and then kissed her cheek.
Xiao Ye touched her own face and was about to wipe the lotion off with her sleeve when she seemed to remember something and stopped.
Gu Xinran, thinking the little girl had finally seen the light, patted her head with a relieved smile.
Gu Xinran mixed a bottle of formula for Xiao Ye to take with them, then went to the dining hall for two eggs. She peeled one and watched the little girl eat it before the two of them headed up the mountain.
Gu Xinran held Xiao Ye's hand and let her walk on her own. The mountain path was a bit rough, so the little girl walked very slowly. But she enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the way and seemed quite happy.
From a distance, they could see the film crew gathered in front of the small wooden cabin, in the middle of shooting.
Gu Xinran picked Xiao Ye up and whispered for her to be quiet so as not to disturb anyone. She carried her over and stood quietly behind the crew, watching from the sidelines.
"Mama, I can't see," the little girl said, craning her neck but still unable to see what was going on.
Gu Xinran pointed to the monitor in front of a crew member, letting her watch the scene through the camera's feed.
"Who's that grandma?" Xiao Ye asked, pointing at the screen. The person in the shot was stooped and withered, looking ancient and frail. Xiao Ye tugged at her ear, her face full of confusion. She didn't think she'd seen this person before.
"Hmm? Take a closer look, Xiao Ye. You saw her just yesterday." Gu Xinran also stared at the monitor for a moment. She had been stunned by the makeup when she saw it that morning. Xiao Qing had personally supervised the makeup artist to recreate the look as accurately as possible.
The burn scars on her face, the gray robe, the black scarf that covered half her face to hide the scars.
Watching Lin Yuqing's posture and movements, even the way she walked, was spot on. She was portraying the role of an elderly woman to perfection.
"Auntie Lin!?" Xiao Ye's eyes suddenly widened in astonishment. She stared intently at the monitor for a long moment before pointing at the screen and looking at Gu Xinran in disbelief.
The little girl had sharp eyes.
"Is that Auntie Lin?" Xiao Ye asked again.
"Mhm, it's Auntie Lin," Gu Xinran confirmed with a nod.
"But… but… Auntie Lin… how did she get old?" Xiao Ye grew frantic, stammering as her eyes turned red with alarm. Her little mouth puckered, and just as she was about to cry out, Gu Xinran clamped a hand over her mouth and quickly carried her away.
"Mmmph!" Even with Gu Xinran's hand over her mouth, Xiao Ye couldn't stop crying. Her sobs were heartbreaking. "Mmmph… Mama… Auntie Lin… Auntie Lin—"
Gu Xinran carried her a safe distance away before she dared to let go, gently patting her back to soothe her. "There, there, Xiao Ye. It's okay. Don't cry, don't cry."
"Waaah—my Auntie Lin! Mama, waaah—"
Gu Xinran didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She tried to comfort her for a while, but it was no use. The little girl was sobbing uncontrollably.
"Alright, alright, stop crying for a second, Xiao Ye, and listen to Mama." Gu Xinran pressed the little girl's head to her lips and kissed her. "Auntie Lin is fine. It's just makeup to make her look old. She's acting in a movie."
"She's acting. You know what that is, right? Doesn't Mama wear strange makeup sometimes, too? And old-fashioned clothes? Do you remember?"
"Sob… Auntie Lin…"
Gu Xinran chuckled and rocked her gently. "There, there. As soon as Auntie Lin finishes this scene, she'll take off her makeup. She hasn't gotten old, I promise."
"She… she hasn't gotten old?" Xiao Ye asked, looking up with tear-filled eyes, teardrops clinging to her lashes.
"That's right, she hasn't. You haven't even grown up yet, so how could she get old?"
"Sniffle…"
Sensing that the little girl in her arms had calmed down considerably, Gu Xinran glanced at her and smiled helplessly. "Why were you so sad, Xiao Ye? Can you tell Mama?"
"Sniffle, I was scared," the little girl said, wiping her own tears away with a sniffle.
"Oh? What were you scared of?"
"Getting old."
Gu Xinran nodded. "Mhm. We won't get old. Auntie Lin won't get old, and Mama and Mommy won't get old. We'll stay with you forever and ever."
"Mhm!" Xiao Ye nodded emphatically.
"Now, wipe away your tears."
"Mmm, they're gone."
"Good girl." Gu Xinran nuzzled her cheek. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted an abandoned swing set. She carried Xiao Ye over to take a look.
"Mama, what's this?" Xiao Ye asked curiously.
"It's a swing. Have you ever been on one?"
"It's so big?" Xiao Ye was a little surprised. "It looks like a big chair."
"That's right. It's a two-person swing." Gu Xinran set Xiao Ye down.
"Xiao Ye, how about we fix this swing together?"
"Hmm?"
Gu Xinran inspected the swing. It was mostly in good shape; the joints just needed to be reinforced with some rope. With that in mind, she found a couple of ropes near the set, tied them securely, wiped the seat clean, and then placed Xiao Ye on it.
"Ooh!" The little girl was a bit afraid of falling. Her little hands hovered in the air, frozen in the same position as when Gu Xinran had been holding her. She didn't dare move a muscle.
"Don't be so nervous. Mama tied it very tightly," Gu Xinran reassured her with a smile. She walked around behind her and gave the swing a gentle push.
As she felt herself start to sway, a happy smile spread across the little girl's face.
"Is it fun?"
"Mhm! Higher, Mama!"
"I can't. This one doesn't have a safety bar, and you're so light you might fly right off," Gu Xinran explained patiently, continuing to push her gently.
Xiao Ye nodded, only half-understanding. Even though her little wish wasn't granted, she was still having a wonderful time.
"I thought I heard a certain little milk bun crying a moment ago. What happened?" Bai Yilan asked with a smile as she approached, seeing the mother and daughter having so much fun.
"Ah! Mommy!" Xiao Ye stretched out her little arms, asking to be picked up.
Bai Yilan smiled and lifted her into her arms. She checked her eyes, then nuzzled her cheek and took a sniff.
"Oh? You were so good today and put on your lotion?"
At the mention of that, the little girl's face filled with grievance. She pouted and huffed. "I didn't want to, and Mama spanked my bottom."
"Hmm?" Bai Yilan raised an eyebrow and looked at Gu Xinran.
"Hey! You little rascal, don't you go telling tales on me! You were the one who ran off first," Gu Xinran quickly explained.
"Oh?" Bai Yilan raised an eyebrow again.
Xiao Ye grinned at her, then wrapped her arms around her neck and buried her face.
"Did you run off?" Bai Yilan asked.
"Don't be mad, Mommy. I was wrong~" the little girl mumbled, quick to admit her mistake.
Bai Yilan huffed and gently pinched her little ear.
"Why were you crying earlier?"
"Oh, she saw Xiao Qing's old-age makeup and thought she'd really turned into an old woman. It scared her," Gu Xinran explained.
Bai Yilan understood and chuckled helplessly.
"Mommy, where's Auntie Lin?" Xiao Ye lifted her head and looked around.
"Look, she's resting over there," Bai Yilan said, pointing.
Xiao Ye followed her finger, then struggled to be put down.
The moment Bai Yilan set her on the ground, her little legs started pumping as she toddled over to Lin Yuqing.
"Hey, Xiao Ye?" Bai Yilan called, but the little girl paid her no mind, acting as if she hadn't heard a thing.
"Just look at her," Bai Yilan complained, looking at Gu Xinran with displeasure.
Gu Xinran just chuckled. "Just let her go. The more you try to stop her, the more determined she'll be."
"Sigh." Bai Yilan let out a heavy sigh.
"Auntie Lin!" Xiao Ye called out in her sweet, childish voice.
Before Lin Yuqing could react, the other crew members started laughing. "Look, the little milk bun is here to visit the set!"
"Mhm! I came to see Auntie Lin!"
"Look at her, she understands everything. She has an answer for whatever you say."
"She really does."
"So, Xiao Ye, what do you want to be when you grow up? Want to be an actress?"
"An actress? Mama is an actress!" Xiao Ye replied with a smile. She thought for a moment, then added, "Auntie Lin is an actress, too!"
"That's right. What about you? Do you want to be one, too?"
Xiao Ye blinked and looked over at Lin Yuqing, as if waiting for her opinion.
"Hey Xiao Ye, since you like Auntie Lin so much, why don't you act out a scene with her? I'll film it for you, and we can see if you have a talent for acting," Jin Shuang suggested playfully.
"Acting?" Xiao Ye looked confused.
"That's right. You can act however you want and say whatever you want." Jin Shuang gestured to a nearby camera operator, who immediately wheeled a camera over and focused it on the little girl.
Xiao Ye stared at the camera curiously for a moment. "Can you see me in there?"
"You bet!"
Xiao Ye grinned, finding it magical.
"Alright, come on. Now, listen to Auntie Jin Shuang." Jin Shuang walked over and placed Xiao Ye in front of Lin Yuqing, who was sitting on the steps, watching the little girl with a smile in her eyes.
"Stand right here, Xiao Ye. Let's act out the scene where you meet Auntie Lin for the first time. Do you understand? Pretend this is the very first time you've ever seen her. Think about what you would say and do."
"Isn't that a bit much for a kid? She's only two. Can she even understand all that?"
"Yeah, just do whatever you want, Xiao Ye. We'll film it for you. It'll be a nice memory of you growing up."
Xiao Ye scratched her ear, looking from Lin Yuqing to Jin Shuang.
Gu Xinran and Bai Yilan, who had been on the swing, saw the group teasing their daughter and found it amusing. They walked over and hid behind the crowd to watch.
"Are you ready, Xiao Ye?" Jin Shuang asked.
Xiao Ye stuck out her tongue to lick her lips, then took a very serious-looking deep breath. With a solemn expression, she announced, "Ready!"
The onlookers couldn't help but chuckle, but they kept it quiet so as not to disturb the little girl while she 'got into character.'
"Alright. First Meeting, Scene One, Take One… action!"
Everyone immediately held their breath and watched the little girl intently.
Xiao Ye looked up at Lin Yuqing and grinned. "Auntie, you're so pretty~"
"Pfft…" The moment she said it, the onlookers nearly broke character and laughed.
Lin Yuqing couldn't help but chuckle, either. She pressed her lips together. "Is that so?"
"Mhm~" Xiao Ye stared, mesmerized, into Lin Yuqing's eyes. She seemed to zone out for a moment, then suddenly broke into a grin and covered her face, looking a little shy. It seemed she was remembering how she had kissed Auntie Lin's eyes the night before.
"Heh." Xiao Ye giggled to herself, resting her arm on Lin Yuqing's leg and naturally snuggling closer.
"Is she getting shy? What's there to be shy about?" a crew member asked with a laugh.
"How can she be so cute? I just want to pinch her cheeks~"
"Why are you so sweet-tongued?" Lin Yuqing asked with a smile, brushing a fingertip against the girl's lips.
Xiao Ye immediately pouted and sniffed her own lips. "How do you know my mouth is sweet? You haven't even kissed it."
"Huh?" Lin Yuqing froze for a second. Was that what 'sweet-tongued' meant?
"Do you want to kiss it and see?" Xiao Ye asked with a completely serious expression.
"Haha, who did she learn that from?" Jin Shuang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Was this public flirting acceptable?
Lin Yuqing was at a loss. Before she could even respond, she felt a murderous aura nearby. She knew without looking that the two of them were hiding somewhere, watching.
"I don't need to kiss it to know it's sweet, because you're very sweet, Xiao Ye."
"Then do you want to kiss my face?"
"Oh? Why is that?"
"Mama put lotion on me, and I don't like it. But Mama said it protects my skin and keeps it soft and supple, so it's nice to touch and kiss. Do you want to try?" Xiao Ye asked, pointing to her own soft little cheek.
"Wow—Sister Ran, how do you usually raise your child! She's such a flirt already. What's she going to be like when she grows up?" Jin Shuang exclaimed, unable to take it anymore as she playfully condemned Gu Xinran.
"Exactly! Who could possibly resist such a soft and sweet little girl!"
Gu Xinran didn't dare say a word. She just kept her head down, staring intently at the ground.
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her waist. Gu Xinran sucked in a breath but didn't dare make a sound, her face turning red from the effort.
As for Lin Yuqing, she looked at the little girl's rosy cheeks, opened her mouth, but then hesitated.
Heaven knew how much she wanted to nibble on this soft, tender little girl, but…
To save her own skin, Lin Yuqing could only take a deep breath and gently brush the girl's cheek with her fingertips. "Mmm, it feels very nice. So you have to be a good girl and wear your lotion from now on, okay?"
"Really? Okay!" Xiao Ye nodded obediently.
Listening from the side, Gu Xinran and Bai Yilan's hearts were breaking. Normally, no amount of coaxing or scolding would work; putting on lotion always ended in a tantrum. But now, a single casual remark from Lin Yuqing was treated as gospel. How infuriating was that?
"Alright, isn't the break about over?" Bai Yilan spoke up.
"Ah! Mommy, I'm acting with Auntie Lin!" Xiao Ye exclaimed upon seeing Bai Yilan. She immediately ran over to hug her leg, eager to share her excitement.
"Oh, really? You're quite the actress, wanting to do a kissing scene right off the bat!"
"Huh? What's a kissing scene?"
"Hahaha." Everyone burst out laughing at Bai Yilan's pouty expression.
"Sister Lan is a confirmed daughter-slave."
"Hmph." Bai Yilan huffed and shot a glare at the crowd.
"Mommy, was my acting good?"
"Are you sure you were acting? Hmm? What actor doesn't listen to the director? Didn't Auntie Jin Shuang tell you it was a first meeting? Who asks for a kiss the first time they meet someone? Does that make any sense?"
Xiao Ye scratched her head, her little brow furrowed in confusion.
"Haha, Sister Lan, you're being too hard on her. She has no idea what you're talking about."
"She's getting serious."
"Then you teach me, Mommy!"
Bai Yilan thought for a moment. "Alright."
She took Xiao Ye's hand, led her back a few steps, and gave Jin Shuang a nod.
"Here we go. First Meeting, Scene One, Take Two… action!"
At Jin Shuang's cue, Bai Yilan led Xiao Ye over to Lin Yuqing.
"Xiao Ye, say hello to this auntie," Bai Yilan instructed.
The corners of Xiao Ye's mouth turned up, about to break into a smile.
"No smiling," Bai Yilan immediately corrected.
Xiao Ye looked up at her, stunned for a second, then obediently closed her mouth and stopped smiling.
"Auntie, you're so pretty—" Before Xiao Ye could finish, Bai Yilan clapped a hand over her mouth.
"You're only allowed to say, 'Hello, Auntie.' Don't add your own lines!"
Xiao Ye looked completely lost. She scratched her cheek and nodded hesitantly.
"Pfft…" The onlookers were about to burst from holding in their laughter.
"Alright, say it again," Bai Yilan said.
"Ahem. Hello, Auntie. I—"
Bai Yilan made a shushing gesture.
"I can't even say my name is Xiao Ye?" Xiao Ye was completely baffled.
"Nope."
"After you say 'Hello, Auntie,' you just say 'Goodbye, Auntie.' That's it," Bai Yilan corrected her daughter's lines.
"Huh??"
"Mhm. Come on, one more time."
"Hahaha, look at Xiao Ye's face! She's questioning her entire existence!"
"The kid must be thinking, Is this mom really a professional?"
"Hahaha, quiet down! Let's keep watching!"
Xiao Ye nodded blankly and followed Bai Yilan to stand before Lin Yuqing once more.
"Hello, Auntie," Xiao Ye said, then paused.
"Goodbye, Auntie."
After obediently delivering her lines, she was immediately pulled away by Bai Yilan, who turned her around and started walking back.
The little girl's head was full of question marks, and she even seemed to let out a faint sigh.
"Hahahaha, why does this scene feel so familiar? Shouldn't we be tagging Teacher Yu right about now? Hahaha!" Jin Shuang was laughing hysterically. She remembered the time Gu Xinran and Lin Guo were filming an intimate scene, and a certain jealous person had done the exact same thing, finding fault with everything Lin Guo did. She only backed off after Teacher Yu gave her a scolding.
"What are you tagging her for!" Bai Yilan glared, shooting Jin Shuang a vicious look.
"Hahahaha!"
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