Against the Light - Chapter 177
Chapter 177: Life is Beautiful, All Things Are Lovely
Watching everyone run off in a chaotic mob to surround Qu Qi, Gu Xinran smiled, looking exceptionally happy.
"I also want to thank you, President Gu."
"Hmm?" Gu Xinran turned to see Bai Yilan holding a glass of wine, toasting her in a very proper manner.
"Oh, stop it. You're teasing me again." Gu Xinran shot her a look and turned away.
"I'm serious. If you hadn't worked so hard to prove yourself and helped me resolve my inner turmoil, perhaps before we even reconnected, I would have already…"
"Tsk!" Gu Xinran glared at her and covered her mouth. "Don't bring up the past anymore."
Bai Yilan's eyes curved. She pouted and pressed a kiss to Gu Xinran's hand.
"So domineering," she mumbled.
"Well, I'm not called an overbearing president for nothing."
The two of them looked at each other and smiled.
Bai Yilan raised her glass to her. Gu Xinran glanced at the pale pink liquid inside. "What's this?"
"A cocktail. It's very low in alcohol."
"Is it good? Let me try." A glint of cunning flashed in Gu Xinran's eyes. After speaking, she leaned over and took a sip.
She pursed her lips. It tasted like juice, with a faint peach flavor and just a hint of alcohol. After a moment, Gu Xinran was surprised to discover she hadn't passed out after a single sip! She was instantly disappointed; she had been hoping to use the alcohol as an excuse to do something!
Bai Yilan seemed to have read her mind long ago. Seeing her disappointed look, she couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
"Ahem."
Gu Xinran, slightly embarrassed, coughed lightly and looked around. "Hey, where's Xiao Ye?" She immediately changed the subject.
Bai Yilan also turned to look. When she saw Qu Qi, who was being mobbed by the crowd, holding Xiao Ye in front of her as a human shield, she was startled and quickly ran over to rescue the little one.
Xiao Ye patted her chest, putting on a frightened expression that thoroughly amused the two women.
"The cake is here!" someone shouted.
Everyone turned to look and saw someone pushing a cart out of the elevator, on which sat a large, six-tiered cake.
"Wow! Mama! Such a big, big cake!!" Xiao Ye's eyes lit up. She pointed at the cake, too amazed to speak. Her chubby little lips glistened, and she was drooling from the craving.
Gu Xinran looked at her with smiling eyes, leaned close, and whispered a few words in her ear. The little one looked surprised again and nodded vigorously.
Gu Xinran looked around but couldn't find Lin Yuqing anywhere. Just as she was wondering, she turned and patted Xiao Ye's head. "Xiao Ye, where's your Auntie Lin?"
"Over there!" Xiao Ye pointed with her little hand without a second's thought.
Gu Xinran followed her finger and, sure enough, there she was. This little radar was simply amazing.
The mother and daughter walked to the cake, pushed the cart together, and under everyone's intense gaze, brought it in front of Lin Yuqing.
"Auntie Lin." Xiao Ye walked over and waved at Lin Yuqing.
Lin Yuqing squatted down to be at her eye level.
"Auntie Lin, happy birthday!" After saying that, Xiao Ye opened her arms and gave Lin Yuqing a big hug.
Lin Yuqing was slightly taken aback and looked up at Gu Xinran.
Gu Xinran nodded at her.
"Huh? Is it Xiao Qing's birthday today?" Qu Qi was surprised and immediately took out her phone to look up Lin Yuqing's personal information. The birthday field only listed the year, not the specific date.
"Thank you, Xiao Ye. Thank you, Sister Ran." Lin Yuqing thanked them both and patted Xiao Ye's head.
February 10th was her birthday in her past life.
"Huh, it's Xiao Qing's birthday? Happy birthday! Sister Qi, why didn't you tell us earlier? We didn't prepare any gifts!"
"Happy birthday, Xiao Qing!"
"Fang Yi, what kind of agent are you? You don't even know your own artist's birthday?" Qu Qi immediately looked at Fang Yi.
"???"
"Exactly! What kind of agent is that!"
The crowd immediately turned their fire on Fang Yi.
Watching everyone boisterously celebrating her birthday, Lin Yuqing's heart warmed. "Thank you, everyone. And don't blame Fang Yi. I never told her my birthday because I don't really like celebrating it."
"Eh? Why?"
"Why, Auntie Lin?" Xiao Ye furrowed her little brows in confusion.
"Because, with every birthday, you get a year older."
Hearing this, Xiao Ye seemed thoughtful. After a moment, she threw her arms around Lin Yuqing's neck. "Auntie Lin won't get old! Xiao Ye doesn't want Auntie Lin to get old!"
"Mm, okay." Lin Yuqing gently patted her small back.
"You're only nineteen and you're already thinking about getting old. What are us old aunties supposed to do?!"
"Exactly!!"
"That's too much!"
The group grumbled in dissatisfaction.
"Hey, Sister Ran, since you knew it was Xiao Qing's birthday today, did you prepare a gift for her?"
"Yeah~"
"Heh, you think I'm like you guys?" Gu Xinran glanced at the crowd disdainfully, then opened her phone and showed it to them. "I've finalized her work schedule for next year. Just obediently make money for me :)"
"…You devil."
"She's been 'Qi-fied'."
"Come on, let's sing a birthday song for Xiao Qing. This is her first birthday since joining Heart Entertainment."
"Okay~"
Gu Xinran started it off, and the crowd sang the birthday song in a loud chorus. Xiao Ye also clapped her little hands along with everyone, sending birthday wishes to her Auntie Lin.
The celebration party gradually came to an end amidst everyone's laughter. Gu Xinran picked up Xiao Ye; the little one's eyelids were fighting to stay open, she was extremely sleepy. Looking around again, she saw Bai Yilan cornered by Qu Qi, Fang Yi, and Su Yu, clearly showing signs of being drunk.
"Sister Ran, let me drive you back," Lin Yuqing said.
"Mhm." Gu Xinran handed Xiao Ye to her, walked over, and picked up Bai Yilan. "You guys… what good does it do me for you to get her drunk?"
"Eh? Aren't we creating an opportunity for you~" Qu Qi blinked repeatedly at Gu Xinran, sending a chill down her spine.
Isn't this just killing me!
In the car, Gu Xinran settled Bai Yilan down, then held the little one. "Just take me back to my place. If Mom sees Yilan drunk, she'll lecture her."
"Okay."
At Gu Xinran's home, Lin Yuqing helped her carry the little one to the spare bedroom to rest, and then she left.
Gu Xinran went to check the spare bedroom and was relieved to see that Lin Yuqing had surrounded the bed with pillows.
In the bedroom, Bai Yilan was lying face down on the bed, whimpering. Her cheeks were flushed, and her warm breath carried a faint scent of alcohol.
Gu Xinran sat on the edge of the bed and helped her take off her clothes. Bai Yilan was like she had no bones, clinging tightly to her.
Gu Xinran took a deep breath and looked at the person snuggling restlessly in her arms. Her body was burning hot, constantly teasing her. Gu Xinran couldn't hold back a laugh. She really wanted to record what she looked like right now and show it to her tomorrow, so she could see for herself what a mess she was!
"Alright, alright. Sigh, I'm helpless against you." Gu Xinran's words were full of feigned annoyance, but her body was very honest. She turned and switched off the bedside lamp. The room was instantly plunged into darkness. After a moment of silence, the sound of their ambiguous, soft laughter could be heard.
The next morning, Gu Xinran was woken up by the ringing of her phone. She sat up in a daze, grabbed her phone, and quickly answered.
"Hello? Mom?"
"Where are you two? You were out all night and didn't come home?"
"No, no, we're at my place. It was too late when we left yesterday, and it was a bit far, so I just came to my place to rest since it was closer. I didn't get a chance to tell you," Gu Xinran quickly explained.
Only then did Shi Qing let it go.
Gu Xinran hung up the phone and let out a long sigh. She looked down and saw Bai Yilan looking at her with a mischievous expression.
"Morning?"
"What did you do last night!" Bai Yilan, embarrassed and angry, grabbed a pillow and threw it at Gu Xinran.
"Hey! You were clearly the one who initiated it!"
"Pah, impossible! I was drunk!"
"So you're in the right because you were drunk? You're blaming me for your drunken antics?"
"I!" Bai Yilan was speechless. "I'm not like you." In the end, she shot Gu Xinran a sullen look and pulled the blanket tightly around herself.
Gu Xinran didn't know whether to laugh or cry. There was simply no reasoning with her. If she could do it over, she would have definitely recorded Bai Yilan's state last night!
"Where's Xiao Ye?" Bai Yilan, who had been sulking to herself, was suddenly alarmed.
Gu Xinran also froze immediately. "Right, where's Xiao Ye?"
"???"
Bai Yilan panicked. She shot up in bed, not bothering with clothes. Just as she was about to get out, she saw Gu Xinran beside her, laughing heartlessly.
"? Gu Xinran? Are you messing with me?"
"No, no, no, I'm not that stupid. How could I lose our child?" Gu Xinran couldn't hold back her laughter. She pulled the blanket up to cover her. "My bad, my bad. Don't be angry, don't be angry." She apologized profusely.
"Hey, shouldn't you put some clothes on? What if Xiao Ye runs in…" Gu Xinran cleverly changed the subject.
Bai Yilan glared at her. Just as she sat up, the bedroom door was slammed open with a bang. She didn't even have a second to react before diving right back under the covers.
"Mommy, wuwu, Xiao Ye woke up and was all alone. Xiao Ye was so scared, wuwuwu…" The little one ran in, sniffling and crying, heading straight for Bai Yilan. She reached the bedside and was about to lift the blanket, but Bai Yilan immediately held it down firmly.
"Mommy?" Xiao Ye stopped crying, her lips pouted. Her big eyes were filled with confusion, and two large teardrops hung on her lashes, ready to fall.
"Uh… Xiao Ye, Mommy isn't awake yet. Come to Mama, Mama will hold you." Gu Xinran opened her arms to her.
"But… but I just saw Mommy sit up," Xiao Ye explained to Gu Xinran with a serious face.
"Uh, she just turned over. See, she's asleep again."
Xiao Ye leaned over the edge of the bed, staring intently at Bai Yilan's eyes. "Ah! Mommy's eyelid moved! She's pretending to be asleep!"
Bai Yilan was on the verge of collapse, not even daring to breathe too loudly.
Xiao Ye reached out her little hand and gently patted the blanket. "Mommy?" she called softly.
Gu Xinran watched the two with schadenfreude. The next second, a pain shot through her knee as she was kicked. "Ahem… Little Milk Bun, let Mama see if you wet your pants~" She stood up, scooped up the little one, and carried her to the bathroom without another word.
Bai Yilan's ears were perked. The moment she heard the bathroom door close, she shot up and quickly got dressed.
"Alright, all cleaned up! We're coming out now," Gu Xinran said deliberately in a loud voice.
Bai Yilan lay back down on the bed just as before, closing her eyes and pretending to be asleep.
Xiao Ye came pattering out, climbed onto the bed, and crawled under the covers onto Bai Yilan. "Mommy, stop pretending to be asleep!" She rolled over her and snuggled into her arms, nuzzling restlessly.
Bai Yilan lovingly ruffled the Little Milk Bun's hair. "You little thing~" She ducked under the covers and kissed her daughter, making the little one giggle.
The mother and daughter enjoyed the rare parent-child moment.
Seeing this, Gu Xinran also slipped under the covers, wanting to kiss the mother-daughter pair, but was kicked out by Bai Yilan.
Gu Xinran stood by the bed with her hands on her hips, watching the two of them. "Xiao Ye, how about you help Mama tidy up the house today?"
"Ah? Okay!"
"Good girl. Then Mama will make you breakfast first. What do you want to eat?"
"Dumpling soup!" The little one immediately raised her two little paws happily.
"Okay~"
Gu Xinran kissed each of them on the forehead before going out to prepare breakfast.
After eating, the family of three began to tidy up the house. The little one helped energetically, putting all her little toys into a box until it was full, then arranging it neatly. Afterward, she ran to the study to help Gu Xinran organize the bookshelf.
Gu Xinran taught her how to arrange the books according to a system, and the little one learned with exceptional seriousness.
Before long, Xiao Ye had Gu Xinran stand aside while she brought over a small stool and seriously helped organize the bookshelf herself.
Gu Xinran stood with her hands on her hips, watching for a while. Bai Yilan also came in. Seeing that Xiao Ye could already help her mama with chores, the two of them couldn't help but look at each other and smile, their faces filled with the gratification of proud mothers.
With a "thud," a book fell. Xiao Ye let out a small cry, immediately climbed down from the stool, and picked the book up.
"Xiao Ye, are you okay?"
"I'm okay." The little one shook her head. Just as she was about to put the book back, she said, "Huh? There's a piece of paper here!" Xiao Ye brought the book back, flipped through it, and indeed found a piece of paper.
Gu Xinran and Bai Yilan exchanged a look, walked over to see, and were both instantly dumbfounded. The entire page was filled with four words, written over and over: 'I will be good'
"!!! Gu Xinran!" Bai Yilan gritted her teeth, glaring fiercely at Gu Xinran.
"Ahem. Xiao… Xiao Ye, give that to Mama. You can't look at this." Gu Xinran scrambled to take the paper back.
Xiao Ye scratched her head, looking confused. "What is that?"
"…Mama will tell you when you're a little older."
"!!"
Feeling Bai Yilan's death glare, Gu Xinran gave an awkward smile, turned, and ran, quickly hiding the paper somewhere else.
For the entire morning, the family of three tidied the house. At noon, all three of them collapsed onto the sofa in unison, thoroughly exhausted.
"Xiao Ye, what are you looking at?" Gu Xinran noticed the little one had found a book from somewhere and was looking at it with great interest. She sat up almost reflexively, ran over to take a look, and saw it was a photo album.
"This is Mama, and this is Mommy. Why isn't Xiao Ye here?"
"Hmm?" Gu Xinran sat beside her and looked for a while. The photos in the album started from when she and Bai Yilan had reconnected. Many were taken when the two of them were on set. Looking at them now, she could see that her self from a few years ago was still a tiny bit green.
"Because at that time, Mommy wasn't pregnant with Xiao Ye yet."
Gu Xinran flipped a few more pages. "Here, look at this one. Mommy's belly is getting bigger, right? Xiao Ye is in Mommy's tummy."
"Mmm."
"Here, look. This is the first photo of Xiao Ye after she was born."
"So ugly!"
"Pfft… Newborn babies all look like that. They grow up slowly. Here, look, aren't you getting prettier and prettier?"
Xiao Ye grinned, giggling, and nodded emphatically.
Hearing the lively conversation between the mother and daughter, Bai Yilan also came over to have a look.
The photos stopped on the day of Xiao Ye's third birthday. The little one was still engrossed and pointed to the words on the album cover. "Mama, what do these words say?"
"Life is beautiful, all things are lovely."
The little one nodded as if she half-understood.
"Xiao Ye, no matter what difficulties you encounter in the future, we must face them with a smile. Mama and Mommy will always be by your side. Okay?"
"Mhm!"
"Xiao Ye has something to say to Mama too."
"Hmm?"
"Xiao Ye will love Mama and Mommy forever and ever."
The two women were slightly taken aback. Looking at the little one's focused expression, a wave of warmth spread through their hearts, and they simultaneously leaned down to kiss their little baby.
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