The Movie Queen's Beloved Crybaby Alpha - Chapter 23

“No way, why is Sister Ye being so secretive? It’s like she’s hiding someone in her room.”

“Sister, the way we are right now,  it feels like we’re having an affair.”

Hearing this, Ye Qinglan’s finger that had been tapping Ning Yunshu’s forehead recoiled as if shocked. She glared at Ning Yunshu through gritted teeth, “Ning Yunshu, if you don’t know how to speak properly, then don’t speak at all!”

Seriously, how could this be called an affair? What kind of affair could they possibly have? They weren’t even at that stage yet there wasn’t even any “affection” to speak of, let alone “stealing” it!

Though she scolded Ning Yunshu aloud and cursed inwardly, the tips of Ye Qinglan’s ears, hidden beneath her long hair, burned uncontrollably.

“My bad, don’t be mad, Sister,” Ning Yunshu quickly soothed, seeing her reaction.

Ye Qinglan kept her face stern. “Our relationship right now is strictly landlord and tenant, plus former friends. Don’t get it twisted.”

Ning Yunshu blinked innocently. “I know. I was just talking about how sneaky we’re being.”

Ye Qinglan flicked Ning Yunshu’s forehead. “Some people should know exactly why that is.”

“Ow, I was wrong.” Ning Yunshu looked up at her pitifully.

Ye Qinglan’s heart softened. She rubbed the spot she’d just flicked and sighed. “Alright, you’ve come all this way rest for a bit. I asked Tiantian to get you some food.”

“Okay,” Ning Yunshu agreed.

“Speaking of which, where are you staying tonight?” Ye Qinglan asked.

“Director Xu already arranged a room for me. Sister Qinyun probably has my things delivered by now. I just missed you too much, so I came to see you first,” Ning Yunshu replied.

Ye Qinglan sighed. There was no point in scolding her further not that she truly wanted to. She told Ning Yunshu to rest while she continued tidying up.

Ning Yunshu watched her work, chatting idly, a smile never leaving her face.

When the door finally knocked, Ye Qinglan motioned for Ning Yunshu to stay quiet and hidden before answering.

Peeking through the crack, she relaxed upon seeing Zhou Tiantian holding takeout. “Just hand me the food.”

“Here. Sister Ye, didn’t you eat enough for dinner?” Zhou Tiantian asked curiously.

Ye Qinglan paused. “I’m a little hungry.”

Zhou Tiantian muttered, “Well, whatever. You’ve been working hard lately, a little extra food won’t ruin your figure.”

Ye Qinglan’s lips twitched. “Don’t worry, I’ll watch my weight.”

Taking the food, she added, “It’s late. Get some rest.”

With that, she shut the door.

Zhou Tiantian stared at the locked door, muttering, “No way, why is Sister Ye acting so shady? It’s like she’s hiding someone in there.”

Then she shook her head impossible and left.

Leaning against the door, Ye Qinglan exhaled in relief once Zhou Tiantian’s footsteps faded. She brought the food inside, where Ning Yunshu sat obediently.

“Alright, let’s eat.”

“Okay!” Ning Yunshu beamed, settling at the coffee table as Ye Qinglan unpacked the containers for her.

“I picked some light dishes you like. Make do with these for now. When we have time later, I’ll treat you to that private kitchen restaurant,” Ye Qinglan said with a smile.

“Thank you, sis.” Ning Yunshu’s eyes curved happily, clearly delighted.

“Eat up.”

“Mhm.”

After such a long car ride, Ning Yunshu was exhausted. Watching her devour the meal in one go, Ye Qinglan helplessly handed her a tissue.

“Slow down, no one’s fighting you for it.”

Ning Yunshu took the tissue and wiped her mouth, then grinned. “It’s just that with you here, even eating feels more enjoyable.”

“Always with the sweet talk,” Ye Qinglan shot her a mock glare.

Ning Yunshu chuckled.

“Alright, don’t go straight to sleep after eating so much. Remember to walk it off,” Ye Qinglan reminded.

“Are you kicking me out already?” Ning Yunshu’s face immediately took on a slightly aggrieved expression.

Ye Qinglan found it amusing. “It’s so late. Everyone will be coming back soon. If you don’t leave now, do you want me to let you stay?”

Ning Yunshu looked at her innocently. “If you’re offering, I wouldn’t say no.”

“No,” Ye Qinglan refused mercilessly.

“Oh.” Ning Yunshu pouted, somewhat dejected.

Ye Qinglan couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, alright. This isn’t home, there are too many eyes here. You should go back and rest. I need to wash up and sleep early too. I have several scenes to shoot tomorrow.”

Ning Yunshu had only been teasing her. Hearing this, she didn’t want to tire Ye Qinglan further and stood up. “Then I’ll head back.”

“Mhm, be careful.”

“We’re in the same hotel, don’t worry.”

“Right, right.”

Ye Qinglan opened the door, checking that the hallway was empty before letting Ning Yunshu out. Ning Yunshu gave her a reluctant glance before leaving, avoiding the elevator in case she ran into returning colleagues and taking the stairs instead.

Watching Ning Yunshu’s slightly flustered retreat, Ye Qinglan finally couldn’t hold back a laugh.

Honestly, the way they were acting really did feel like they were having a secret affair.

Chuckling to herself, Ye Qinglan closed the door and went to wash up.

Ning Yunshu’s visit had lifted her spirits. After a bath, skincare routine, and drying her hair, she curled up in bed and started messaging Ning Yunshu again.

[Ning Yunshu]: It’s been an hour and a half since I left you. I miss you so much.

[Ye Qinglan]: Ning Yunshu, I never knew you could be this clingy before.

[Ning Yunshu]: That’s because we used to be together all the time, even sleeping during school days.

Her reply was utterly shameless.

But Ning Yunshu wasn’t wrong. From childhood, they’d attended the same kindergarten, elementary school, and middle school. Until Ning Yunshu went abroad in high school, they’d been inseparable. Living in the same compound as neighbors, they’d often slept over at each other’s homes, sometimes sharing the same bed.

Their closeness made other siblings envious.

It was only after Ning Yunshu went abroad that their relationship changed irreversibly.

At this thought, Ye Qinglan’s gaze dimmed. If not for those events, she and Ning Yunshu might have even gotten married by now.

[Ning Yunshu]: Sis, are you sleepy?

Noticing Ye Qinglan hadn’t replied, Ning Yunshu grew concerned.

Ye Qinglan quickly pulled her thoughts back from the past.

[Ye Qinglan]: “No, I was just thinking about some things.”

[Ning Yunshu]: “What things?”

[Ye Qinglan]: “Like how you were sickly and cried a lot as a child. Every time you had a fever or cold, you’d whimper endlessly. When Aunt Yun couldn’t calm you down, she’d come find me. Strangely enough, you’d stop crying the moment you saw me.”

She didn’t mention what exactly had come to mind. After all, those were all in the past now. It was time for her and Ning Yunshu to start anew.

[Ning Yunshu]: “That’s just because you’re the only one who makes me feel safe.”

[Ye Qinglan]: “If Aunt Yun and Uncle Ning heard that, you’d be in for another lecture.”

[Ning Yunshu]: “It’s fine. As long as you don’t tell them, they’ll never know.”

[Ye Qinglan]: “And what if I do tell them?”

[Ning Yunshu]: “You must have your reasons if you do. puppy eyes”

Ye Qinglan muffled her laughter under the covers.

[Ye Qinglan]: “Aren’t you afraid I might sell you out?”

[Ning Yunshu]: “Would you really have the heart to? puppy eyes”

Well, of course she wouldn’t. But she had to keep up appearances.

[Ye Qinglan]: “Hmm, we’ll see how you behave.”

[Ning Yunshu]: “Then I’ll do my best to make sure you don’t sell me off.”

They continued bantering like this until it grew late, finally bidding each other goodnight before falling asleep.

The next morning, when Zhou Tiantian came to pick up Ye Qinglan, she was surprised to see her in high spirits, a faint smile lingering on her face, a stark contrast to the tense demeanor she’d had recently due to filming pressures. It was as if she were a completely different person.

“What are you staring at?” Ye Qinglan asked, noticing Zhou Tiantian’s gaze.

“You seem to be in a good mood today, Sister Ye?” Zhou Tiantian ventured.

“Yeah, I suppose I am,” Ye Qinglan admitted without hesitation, though she offered no further explanation.

“Let’s go,” she said, heading straight for the elevator.

Zhou Tiantian watched her retreating figure, puzzled. It seemed like something had been off about her boss since last night, but she didn’t dare pry. She simply followed Ye Qinglan to the set.

They arrived early, Xu Su hadn’t shown up yet so they went straight to the dressing room to change into costumes and apply makeup. By the time they stepped out, the rest of the crew had gradually trickled in.

Then, a commotion erupted at the entrance. Sensing something, Ye Qinglan immediately looked over and, sure enough, saw Xu Su walking in with Ning Yunshu in tow.

“Is that Young Mistress Ning? What’s she doing here?”

“No idea. Maybe she’s checking on the film’s progress?”

“Or maybe she’s here to see Director Xu? If I’m not mistaken, they go way back, don’t they?”

Whispers spread across the set, but Zhou Tiantian was utterly dumbfounded.

Well, well, now she understood why Ye Qinglan had been acting strange. She must have known Ning Yunshu was coming today.

Wait, no. If that were the case, then Ye Qinglan must have met Ning Yunshu last night. That takeout she’d been sent to buy was probably for her too.

Mystery solved, folks!

Noticing everyone’s surprise except Ye Qinglan’s at Ning Yunshu’s arrival, Director Xu cleared her throat and announced, “Young Mistress Ning is just here to observe. Carry on as usual. Everyone, get ready. We’ll shoot the first scene in ten minutes.”

“Yes, Director!”

Everyone responded, and Ning Yunshu nodded to the group before following Xu Su to the camera for discussion, not sparing a single glance toward Ye Qinglan.

Somehow, while Ye Qinglan felt relieved, she also couldn’t help but feel a twinge of resentment. It wasn’t until Director Xu called everyone to work through the megaphone that she finally stood up and headed toward the set.

Even though this wasn’t her first time acting, at this moment, Ye Qinglan found herself inexplicably nervous.

After some thought, she concluded, well…

It was all Ning Yunshu’s fault!

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