The Movie Queen's Beloved Crybaby Alpha - Chapter 17

Ye Qinglan had just changed her clothes when people started arriving one after another.

After exchanging greetings, Ye Qinglan prepared to meet Director Xu. But beside Director Xu, she spotted a prominent figure.

It was a woman in her thirties, in the prime of her life, with a lazy expression and a smile playing on her lips as she conversed with Director Xu.

Ye Qinglan immediately recognized her Du Wenjun, the former triple-crown domestic film queen who had temporarily retired from the film industry for three years due to an injury.

Ye Qinglan couldn’t help but be surprised. Du Wenjun was a classic memory for their generation, and even Ye Qinglan herself could be considered a fan. However, Du Wenjun had disappeared from the film industry for three years. Why had she suddenly returned now, and why was she here?

Though puzzled, Ye Qinglan stepped forward to greet them.

“Director Xu, Teacher Du.”

“Oh? Ready to go?” Xu Su assessed Ye Qinglan’s outfit.

Dressed in a police squad uniform, Ye Qinglan looked capable and composed, exuding the aura of a police captain.

“Not bad,” Xu Su finally commented.

Ye Qinglan smiled modestly.

Meanwhile, Du Wenjun sized her up and said, “So this must be Teacher Ye? Not bad at all, quite the presence.”

“Yes, thank you for the compliment, Teacher Du,” Ye Qinglan replied promptly, looking somewhat reserved.

Du Wenjun laughed heartily and waved her hand casually. “No need to be so formal. We’ll be working together for the next two months.”

Ye Qinglan’s face instantly filled with astonishment.

Du Wenjun was going to collaborate with her? As an assistant director or an actor?

Du Wenjun winked at her and said with a smile, “Fang Wen, member of the police squad, reporting to Captain Song.”

Ye Qinglan’s jaw dropped in shock. She never expected Du Wenjun to be making a comeback and not even as the lead role. By her calculations, Du Wenjun would only be the third-billed actor.

This was completely inconsistent with Du Wenjun’s status! Moreover, Ye Qinglan was the lead, which meant their positions should have been reversed.

How could she possibly deserve having Du Wenjun play a supporting role for her?

As if sensing Ye Qinglan’s thoughts, Xu Su spoke up, “Don’t overthink it. She’s been away for too long and is a bit rusty. This role is to help her ease back in. Just focus on your own work and don’t dwell on it.”

Hearing this, Ye Qinglan felt slightly less pressured.

“Alright, you should go change now, Qinglan. Get ready, we’ll shoot your scenes first,” Xu Su instructed.

“Got it,” Ye Qinglan replied.

Du Wenjun shrugged and said, “Alright, alright, I’m on my way.”

After Du Wenjun left, Xu Su took Ye Qinglan into the shooting area.

With so many people involved, the shooting progress was relatively slow. They took individual promotional stills and numerous group photos until Xu Su was satisfied.

Once everything wrapped up, everyone dispersed to attend to their own matters. Ye Qinglan checked the time, it was almost time for Ning Yunshu to finish work. She decided to send her a message.

[Ye Qinglan]: “I’m done shooting. Heading home now.”

After a short wait, a reply came.

[Ning Yunshu]: “Okay, my meeting’s over too. I’ll head back now. See you at home.”

[Ye Qinglan]: “Mm, see you at home.”

Ye Qinglan chuckled as she put away her phone, then turned to Zhou Tiantian and said, “Take me home.”

Zhou Tiantian knew exactly why Ye Qinglan wanted to go home, so without asking any questions, she drove her back.

As Ye Qinglan was heading upstairs, she suddenly received a call from Lin Xuesong.

“Hey, Mom, what’s up?” Ye Qinglan asked while unlocking the door, phone in hand.

Ning Yunshu, who had just come out of the bathroom, was about to greet her but noticed Ye Qinglan was on a call. She simply nodded at her before heading into the kitchen to busy herself.

“Qinglan, are you done with work?” Lin Xuesong asked from the other end of the line.

“Just finished,” Ye Qinglan replied, slumping onto the sofa. “What’s up, Mom? Calling me out of the blue like this.”

“Ahem,” Lin Xuesong cleared her throat lightly. “I just wanted to check in on you.”

Ye Qinglan rolled her eyes. “Dear Ms. Lin, you didn’t call me once during that entire month I was in training.”

“Well, I didn’t want to disturb you!” Lin Xuesong’s tone betrayed no hint of guilt.

Ye Qinglan rolled her eyes again, this time at the ceiling. “If you’ve got something to say, just say it. I just got home and haven’t even washed my hands yet.”

“What’s Yunshu up to?” Lin Xuesong asked.

Ye Qinglan’s expression clearly said, “I knew it.” She replied, “She’s cooking.”

“Yunshu can cook now? Look at her, and then there’s you, still can’t even boil water,” Lin Xuesong sighed.

Ye Qinglan’s lips twitched. “Mom, that’s not fair.”

Lin Xuesong ignored her protest. “Thank goodness I had Yunshu move in with you. At least she can make sure you eat properly.”

“So I should thank you for that, huh?” Ye Qinglan gritted her teeth.

“You’re welcome.”

Ye Qinglan couldn’t help but rub her temples. “You didn’t call just to ask about this, did you?”

“Bring Yunshu home for dinner this weekend. I already checked with Xiao Ke, you’re free.” Lin Xuesong had clearly planned this in advance to preempt any excuses.

Ye Qinglan hesitated before replying, “You didn’t even think to ask me first, did you?”

“Of course not. I’m just informing you. Bring Yunshu with you no excuses,” Lin Xuesong insisted.

“Fine, fine. I’ll hang up now,” Ye Qinglan said exasperatedly before ending the call.

She then glanced toward the kitchen where Ning Yunshu was working.

Just what kind of spell had Ning Yunshu cast on her mother?

Despite her mild annoyance, Ye Qinglan went to change and wash up. When dinner was served, she brought up the topic.

“Mom wants us to go home this weekend. Are you free?” Ye Qinglan asked.

“Aunt Lin wants us to visit?” Ning Yunshu blinked, then thought for a moment. “I don’t have anything planned. We can go.”

“Good. If you couldn’t make it, I’d never hear the end of it from Mom,” Ye Qinglan grumbled without thinking.

Ning Yunshu smiled warmly. “Then I’ll do my best to spare you from Aunt Lin’s lectures.”

Ye Qinglan shot her a look. “And who’s the reason she lectures me in the first place?”

Ning Yunshu fell silent, looking sheepish.

Ye Qinglan huffed. “Let’s eat. After dinner, you’re carrying me in ranked.”

“Got it!” Ning Yunshu replied eagerly.

After dinner, the two played games together until ten o’clock, when Ye Qinglan urged Ning Yunshu to rest.

Ning Yunshu looked reluctant, only obediently going to bed after receiving a gentle head pat from Ye Qinglan.

It was like coaxing a child, yet someone clearly enjoyed it.

Over the next few days, Ning Yunshu worked during the day and pestered Ye Qinglan to play games at night. Meanwhile, Ye Qinglan had grown wiser, she busied herself with her own affairs during the day, reading scripts and working out, deliberately avoiding the game so Ning Yunshu could carry her to higher ranks at night.

On Friday, Director Xu’s film was officially announced, along with the cast’s promotional stills.

Official Weibo of Ten-Day Action V: Sheng Ying Media Entertainment Co., Ltd. has officially formed the production team for Ten-Day Action, investing 50 million yuan. Sheng Ying Entertainment’s head @Lu Ming serves as producer, renowned screenwriter @Jiang Ying as writer, and @Xu Su as director. Starring @Ye Qinglan, @Xu Zhaoyang, and @Du Wenyun, the film tells the epic tale of women defying fate in a feudal society to forge their own destinies.

Below the post was a set of nine promotional photos.

MilkBunnySugar: AHHHHH, finally! Director Xu’s new work!

WindRisesWithLan: Our Lan’s career is finally taking off, she gets to work with a big director now! Go, Lan, go!

LookIntoMyEyes: Wait, who do I see? Du Wenyun?! She’s making a comeback?!

OrangeOrangeOrange: Holy crap, Du Wenyun, Xu Chaoyang, and the newly award-winning Ye Qinglan, this production is going all out!

XuYourPeace: AHHHH, the sisters are all so cool! I want them to step on me!

LemonOvernightWhat: Someone take the above commenter away before they get banned!

The film’s announcement instantly boosted its popularity.

With Ye Qinglan’s collaboration with J.S still trending, the new film sent her fame skyrocketing.

Numerous brands extended partnership offers, leaving Ke Ying rubbing her thinning hairline while grinning ear to ear.

Baldness is fine if the money’s good.

She had the PR team repost the film’s Weibo and, with the production’s permission, shared some behind-the-scenes training photos of Ye Qinglan.

WindRisesWithLan: AHHHHHH, Lan is so cool! Those legs, that waist, those muscle lines, I’m obsessed! Also, I finally got first comment!

LanFlyFree: Ugh, my daughter is so cool! Sis, can you not limit yourself to genders? I’m a Beta, but I’d gladly bottom for you!

LoveLanWhat: Take the above commenter away they’ve lost it, switching between “daughter” and “sis.”

NinthTale: Wow, do actors really train this hard for a film? Ye Qinglan looks so dedicated!

LanFlyFree: To the above being Lan’s career fan is a blessing. Also, don’t stop me, I just wanna go wild!

All in all, the promotional wave was a huge success. Other studios followed suit, releasing their actors’ training photos, pushing online anticipation for Ten-Day Action to its peak.

Yet despite the online frenzy, Ye Qinglan paid no attention, she and Ning Yunshu were preparing to return to the family compound.

Once Ning Yunshu got off work, she drove Ye Qinglan straight there.

Lin Xuesong was delighted to see the two arrive and quickly invited them to sit down.

Ye Wentao was busy in the kitchen, so the two kept Lin Xuesong company with conversation. At one point, Ning Yunshu excused herself to use the restroom and left the living room. Seizing the opportunity, Lin Xuesong pulled Ye Qinglan aside and asked,

“So, how’s your progress with Yunshu going?”

Ye Qinglan: “???”

Wait, Mom! Do you even hear what you’re saying?!

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