Against the Light - Chapter 184
Chapter 184: Extra - Auntie Lin X Xiao Ye
On the set, Gu Xinran had just finished her filming for the day and was sitting in the dressing room, letting the makeup artist remove her makeup.
"Sister Ran, what are you looking at that's making you so happy?" the makeup artist asked, noticing her smiling at her phone.
"Hm? My daughter's birthday is coming up. I'm picking out a gift for her."
"Really! How old is she turning?"
"She'll be eighteen this year. A grown-up now."
"Wow, that's so wonderful!"
"Isn't it~" The moment her daughter was mentioned, Gu Xinran's face was filled with pride.
"Eighteen, huh? She should be in college at eighteen, right? Is she going to film academy?"
"Mhm, she's already been accepted."
"Studying acting?"
"No, directing. I took her to a set when she was little, and she saw how composed Yilan was while directing. She thought being a director was cool and has had her heart set on it ever since."
"Oh, a little Director Gu?"
Gu Xinran chuckled. "Oh, stop it."
Before long, Gu Xinran finished removing her makeup, changed her clothes in the dressing room, said goodbye to everyone, and left.
Gu Xinran waited in the car for a while. When she saw Yilan walking towards her, she quickly opened the car door to welcome her dear wife inside.
The two of them drove straight to the mall to pick out a birthday gift for Xiao Ye.
"Is Xiao Ye back yet?" Yilan asked.
"I had Fang Yi pick her up. She should be home soon." Gu Xinran glanced at the time. It was Friday, and Xiao Ye didn't have classes in the evening, so she could come home early.
"In the blink of an eye, the little one is all grown up. We should throw her a proper birthday party this year. Let's get all those old folks back together and have a good gathering with them too."
Bai Yilan nodded, knowing that the 'old folks' Xinran mentioned were their friends from their past lives, like Su Yu and Lu Qing, who had been busy with work and they hadn't seen in a long time.
As the two were talking, Gu Xinran's phone pinged.
Yilan picked up her phone and glanced at it. "Xiao Ye's home."
"Good."
The two arrived at the mall, bought the camera Xiao Ye had been wanting for a long time, and then immediately headed back home.
They arrived home shortly after. They left the gift in the trunk, not bringing it inside, planning to give it to the little one on her birthday.
As soon as Gu Xinran pushed open the door, she saw Xiao Ye in the kitchen helping Ye Nan. The little one had grown even more refined; her features were practically a carbon copy of Yilan's. Her temperament was gentle, but her tendency to face difficulties head-on and not let others bully her was something she had definitely inherited from Gu Xinran.
"Mama!" Hearing the door open, Xiao Ye glanced towards the entrance, immediately dropped what she was doing, and ran over.
Seeing her run over, Gu Xinran's mind couldn't help but flash back to the tiny version of her, who would also come running over on her short, wobbly legs every time she came home.
Xiao Ye looked behind the two of them. "Mama, Mommy, I missed you so much!"
Before Gu Xinran could even feel happy, she heard…
"Where's my present?"
"Did you miss me, or did you miss your present?" Gu Xinran put her hands on her hips.
"Of course I missed Mama~" Xiao Ye decisively hugged Gu Xinran's arm, acting all clingy and sweet.
"Alright, alright. You're a grown-up now, still acting like a child, so fond of whining." Gu Xinran looked annoyed, but she was actually enjoying it immensely.
"Go on, be a good girl and go help. There's no present for you today," Gu Xinran said.
When Xiao Ye heard this, her eyes lit up. She immediately realized her mama had prepared a gift for her! It just wasn't for today! With that thought, she happily returned to the kitchen.
"This kid, it's like she'll never grow up." Gu Xinran smiled helplessly.
Bai Yilan changed her clothes, washed her hands, and went into the kitchen. She called Xiao Ye over and helped her tie up her loose hair. "Have you been eating well at school?"
"Of course. Haven't you noticed I've gotten chubby?" Xiao Ye leaned affectionately in Yilan's arms, enjoying the feeling of being cared for by her mommy.
Yilan asked about some interesting things that happened at school, and the mother-daughter pair chatted animatedly. Ye Nan stood nearby with her hands on her hips and looked at them. "Are you two here to chat or to help??"
"Heh, to help, to help~"
At the dinner table, Gu Xinran revealed her idea of throwing a big birthday party for the little one.
Shi Qing and Ye Nan, of course, were all for it. After all, an eighteenth birthday coming-of-age ceremony should be celebrated with great fanfare.
Xiao Ye's heart stirred, and she secretly glanced at Gu Xinran.
"Um… Mama, has Auntie Lin been busy lately?"
"She is filming a movie. Why?"
Xiao Ye pouted. "That explains why she's been ignoring me."
"Hm?"
"Nothing, it's just that I've been sending her messages these past two days, and she hasn't replied. Ouch!" The little one suddenly cried out in pain and quickly covered her ears. "Mommy, Mommy, stop pulling!"
"Didn't you say you were paying attention in class? And you were secretly messaging her?"
"I sent them after class!!"
"What did you send?"
"I just asked what she's been up to lately and if she's busy with work! Oof, Mommy, it hurts! Grandma!!"
Shi Qing raised an eyebrow. Yilan immediately let go and even glared at the little rascal. How dare she tattle so brazenly?
Bai Yilan shot a glance at Gu Xinran, signaling for her to do something. Who would have thought Gu Xinran was thoroughly enjoying the show, the words 'taking pleasure in others' misfortune' practically written all over her face!
Yilan was annoyed and gave her a light kick under the table in displeasure.
"Ahem."
After dinner, Xiao Ye ran into the courtyard, peeked into Gu Xinran's room through the window, and seeing that Yilan wasn't there, quickly slipped inside.
"Mama!"
"Hm? Why aren't you in bed yet?" Xinran was already getting ready for bed and was startled by the sudden appearance of this little one.
"Mama, can I use your phone for a second?"
"Hm? What for?"
"Just for a little bit! Please~"
Gu Xinran couldn't resist her whining and reluctantly agreed.
Xiao Ye skillfully opened WeChat, found Lin Yuqing, and sent a message in her mother's tone: 【Busy?】
Less than a minute after she sent it, a reply came.
【Just finished. What's up?】
Seeing this, Xiao Ye raised an eyebrow, quickly took out her own phone, and sent another WeChat message to Lin Yuqing.
【Auntie Lin, are you busy~?】
She waited for three minutes, but there was no reply.
The little one placed both phones on the bed, stared at the screens, and took a deep breath.
Gu Xinran rested her chin on her hand and watched her with great interest. What was with this look, as if she were facing a great enemy?
"What's wrong?"
"Mama, I suspect Auntie Lin is deliberately avoiding me. Look." Xiao Ye handed both phones to Gu Xinran, showing her the reply times from Lin Yuqing.
Gu Xinran was also stunned after seeing it. It really did seem to be the case. Her own message got an instant reply, while Xiao Ye's was met with silence, like a stone dropped into the sea.
Gu Xinran thought for a moment and used her own phone to message Lin Yuqing, 【Have you been in touch with Xiao Ye these past couple of days?】
【No.】
【Xiao Ye's birthday party is next week. Remember to come.】
【I can't make it. I'm filming out of town.】
"???" Seeing this reply, not just Xiao Ye, but even Gu Xinran was completely surprised.
Xiao Ye's expression changed, her face full of disbelief. "Ma-Mama, this?"
"Don't worry yet. Mama will help you ask what's going on. Maybe she's just been too busy these past few days. You know your Auntie Lin—once she gets into a role, she's a different person. She's incredibly dedicated." Gu Xinran quickly tried to calm the little one down.
Xiao Ye calmed down a bit, thought about it, and nodded.
"Go on, go back and get some rest. It's late."
Seeing the unwilling look on the little one's face, Gu Xinran smiled and ruffled her hair. "Go on."
"Okay. Then, goodnight, Mama."
"Goodnight, baby."
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
For Xiao Ye, these two days felt like years. When she messaged Lin Yuqing, she either got no reply or an extremely perfunctory one—just an 'mhm' or an 'ah'. It worried the little one so much that she couldn't even focus in class.
Luyang Film and Television Base.
Fang Yi stood at the entrance, glanced at her watch, and waited patiently with her arms crossed.
Before long, she saw a wine-red car approaching. Fang Yi's expression softened, and a beautiful smile appeared on her face.
Under Su Yu's tutelage over the years, Fang Yi's temperament had become much calmer. She had grown her hair long and dressed more maturely, perfectly embodying the 'cool sister' vibe.
The car stopped beside her. Fang Yi walked over, pulled open the door, and was just about to get in to give her wife, who was visiting the set, a loving kiss when she was dazzled by the person sitting in the passenger seat.
"You Little Ancestor, why aren't you staying put at school? What are you doing here!?"
Xiao Ye beamed, revealing a smile identical to Yilan's. "Hi, Auntie Fang! Long time no see!"
"Long time no see, my foot! Don't you have class today? Did you tell your mothers you were coming here?"
"Uhm… I'll tell her later?"
"?? Su Yu?" Fang Yi looked at the person in the driver's seat.
"Ah, skipping class, what's the big deal? Did you never skip a class in college?"
"…??" Fang Yi was dumbfounded.
"Hehe~"
"Auntie Fang, has Auntie Lin been very busy recently?"
"Hm? Xiao Qing? She's been okay, not particularly busy. Hey? You came all this way to see your Auntie Lin, didn't you? So you didn't come to see me after all? I'm jealous now," Fang Yi said with dissatisfaction, crossing her arms.
"How could that be~ I came to see both of you~"
"Hmph, as if I'd believe you."
Xiao Ye chuckled mischievously.
Before long, they arrived at the set. From a distance, Xiao Ye immediately spotted Lin Yuqing, who was in the middle of filming. She was playing a female general, her bright silver armor stained with blood, and she was currently fully immersed in her character.
They stood to the side and waited for a while. Su Yu glanced at the little one, who was staring at Lin Yuqing with shining eyes, not even blinking. She looked just like a little stalker, with the exact same expression she had when watching Lin Yuqing act in their past life.
"Hey, are you a little too mesmerized?" Fang Yi tapped the little one's head.
"Ahem." Xiao Ye coughed lightly and reined it in a little.
Soon, the take was over. Lin Yuqing had just breathed a sigh of relief when she turned her head and saw Xiao Ye. She immediately frowned, and her expression instantly turned cold.
Xiao Ye had been looking at her with a wide grin, but upon seeing her expression, her smile gradually faded.
Fang Yi and Su Yu exchanged a look. This woman… she could never hide her smile whenever they talked about Xiao Ye, so why was she suddenly acting like this upon seeing her in person??
"Auntie… Auntie Lin." Xiao Ye bit her lip, looking at her uneasily, and greeted her timidly.
"It's Tuesday. Don't you have class?" Lin Yuqing said coldly. As she spoke, she walked towards the changing room without even giving Xiao Ye a proper look.
Su Yu frowned. The way she was acting was exactly the same as in their past life.
In their past life, there was a period when she was always cold towards Xiao Ye. It wasn't that she didn't care about her; she just naturally had an icy expression. The little one had gradually melted her heart, so why had she suddenly reverted to this today??
Xiao Ye was silent for a moment, then turned and followed her.
"Has filming been very hard for you lately, Auntie Lin? I just wanted to come and see you," Xiao Ye explained.
"It's not hard. Go back to school."
Xiao Ye was a bit dazed. She had imagined many different scenarios before coming, but she had never expected Auntie Lin to give her the cold shoulder like this.
"Auntie Lin, what's… what's wrong?" Xiao Ye walked up beside her, wanting to see her expression.
Lin Yuqing turned, went straight into the changing room, and shut the door, leaving her outside.
Xiao Ye looked lost. She turned back to look at Su Yu, who could only shake her head.
Before long, Lin Yuqing came out, having changed into casual clothes. Her black shirt gave off a slightly intimidating aura. Xiao Ye had never imagined she would see such a sense of distance on Auntie Lin's face!
"Auntie Lin? What's wrong with you?"
"Go back to school. Don't make me say it again."
"I… okay. Then, my birthday party is this Sunday. You… you'll come, right?" At that moment, Xiao Ye suddenly lost her confidence.
Lin Yuqing was silent for a moment. "We'll see."
"Fang Yi, take her back."
"I… I just got here to see my wife, can't we… Okay." Fang Yi was helpless. What was all this about?
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