The Movie Queen's Beloved Crybaby Alpha - Chapter 24

The film set was bustling with activity. Despite some nervousness, Ye Qinglan performed flawlessly in her scene, wrapping up smoothly before doing a few additional takes. Director Xu then allowed her to take a break.

Returning to her rest area, Ye Qinglan glanced at Ning Yunshu still seated beside the director, pressing her lips together.

Just then, Zhou Tiantian approached with two cups of mung bean slushies, pushing them toward Ye Qinglan.

Raising an eyebrow, Ye Qinglan heard Zhou Tiantian say, “Young Master Ning said it’s too hot and treated everyone to slushies.”

Taking the drink, Ye Qinglan instinctively looked toward Ning Yunshu, only to lock eyes with her. The next moment, Ning Yunshu quickly turned away, pretending nothing had happened.

Unable to suppress a smile, Ye Qinglan picked up a straw and sipped the slushie.

Hmm, very sweet.

After the morning shoot, Ning Yunshu stayed behind, eating boxed lunches with the crew.

Sitting on a small stool with her meal, it was hard to imagine she was the billionaire chairwoman of a conglomerate.

Xu Su clicked her tongue at the sight. “Honestly, instead of enjoying your luxuries, you insist on fighting us for boxed lunches here.”

Ning Yunshu chuckled, her gaze unconsciously drifting toward Ye Qinglan before she quickly averted it. “If she can endure it, why can’t I? Besides, what’s wrong with boxed lunches? They’re fine.”

Xu Su was speechless.

Young people these days. But whatever. As long as no trouble brewed on her set, she didn’t care.

After lunch, everyone dispersed to rest, and Ning Yunshu returned to her car.

Qin Yun observed her with visible hesitation.

“What is it, Sister Qin Yun?” Ning Yunshu asked, noticing her expression.

“You came all the way here, yet apart from secretly visiting Miss Ye last night, you barely interacted with her all morning,” Qin Yun finally voiced her thoughts. “Do you plan to keep this hidden forever?”

Ning Yunshu smiled. “Now isn’t the right time. If people knew we’re acquainted, it could severely impact her reputation. She’s at a crucial career stage, filming this movie. At least for now, we can’t risk any negative publicity.”

“Has PR been monitoring?” Ning Yunshu turned to Qin Yun.

“We’ve notified all major and minor media outlets in S City,” Qin Yun replied. “Same for A City.”

“Good.” Ning Yunshu lay back on the seat, yawning. “I’ll rest for a bit.”

Qin Yun looked skeptical. “Didn’t you sleep well last night?”

“Ah, well, yeah.” Ning Yunshu’s tone lacked conviction.

She couldn’t very well admit she’d been too excited after seeing Ye Qinglan, and the anticipation of meeting her again today had kept her awake. That was hardly something she could confess.

Having worked with her for so long, Qin Yun knew Ning Yunshu wasn’t being entirely truthful. But with Ning Yunshu already turning away and closing her eyes, clearly unwilling to elaborate, Qin Yun being an excellent assistant understood not to pry into her boss’s private affairs. She quietly returned to her tablet to handle her work.

After the lunch break, Ye Qinglan got off the assistant van and returned to the set, but she didn’t see Ning Yunshu anywhere, which made her a little curious.

She wondered if Ning Yunshu was busy with something or had gone back to the hotel.

But since she was in the makeup room, she couldn’t take out her phone to ask, so she had no choice but to wait patiently until her makeup was done.

Once she finished and stepped out of the makeup room, she scanned the crowd again but still didn’t spot Ning Yunshu. She decided to call Zhou Tiantian over.

“What’s up, Sister Ye?” Zhou Tiantian asked.

“Go check where Ning Yunshu is,” Ye Qinglan said in a hushed voice.

Zhou Tiantian’s lips twitched slightly before replying, “I just heard from Director Xu that Young Master Ning went to take a nap in the car.”

Hearing this, Ye Qinglan relaxed and nodded. “Alright, got it.”

“Qinglan, get ready we’re starting the shoot,” Director Xu called out through a megaphone.

“Coming!” Ye Qinglan quickly responded and headed toward the director.

Meanwhile, Ning Yunshu was sound asleep in the car. When she finally woke up, she rubbed the bridge of her nose and asked, “Sister Qin Yun, how long was I out?”

Qin Yun turned to her the moment she stirred and answered, “Two hours, President Ning. Would you like to go back and rest properly?”

“Two hours?” Ning Yunshu sat up and yawned. “No, that’s enough. Has the crew started working again?”

“They resumed an hour ago,” Qin Yun replied.

“Got it.” Ning Yunshu opened the car door and stepped out, stretching her limbs.

Sleeping in the car wasn’t the most comfortable her body had been too cramped. After a quick stretch, she said, “Alright, I’m heading back to the set.”

Qin Yun hurriedly got out and followed her.

By the time Ning Yunshu returned, Ye Qinglan was already filming. She nodded at everyone who greeted her before making her way to Director Xu’s side and sitting down on a small folding stool nearby.

“Cut! Great job. Qinglan, take a break. Chaoyang, you’re up next.”

“Got it.”

Just as the scene wrapped, Ye Qinglan noticed Ning Yunshu sitting beside Director Xu. She wanted to ask if she had rested well but held back, simply nodding at her before retreating to the rest area.

Ning Yunshu also wanted to chat with Ye Qinglan but couldn’t find a good excuse.

Director Xu, however, shot her a glance. “What, feeling better after your nap?”

“Much better,” Ning Yunshu said. “How many scenes are left for today?”

“Two. Once we’re done, we can wrap up. I’ll notify everyone later,” Director Xu replied.

“Great. Thanks for your hard work, Director Xu,” Ning Yunshu said with a smile.

Director Xu glared at her. “Not hard work just bad luck.”

Ning Yunshu chuckled.

After the final two scenes were shot, Director Xu announced through the megaphone, “That’s a wrap for today. President Ning is treating us all to dinner tonight.”

“Woohoo!” The crew erupted in cheers.

Once the venue was announced, everyone headed out in their cars.

Originally, Ye Qinglan had planned to take Ning Yunshu out for a private meal, but since Ning Yunshu was treating the entire crew, their little get-together would have to wait.

After all, if the two of them went out alone, they risked being spotted. But with the whole group, there was no such worry.

The only downside was the lack of privacy.

Ning Yunshu had chosen a high-end buffet restaurant and booked the entire place for the crew.

Du Wenyun smacked her lips and said, “Truly worthy of President Ning, with wealth so vast it’s intimidating.”

“To achieve such success at just twenty-four, we really can’t compare,” Wei Youning chimed in.

Ye Qinglan, meanwhile, subtly curved the corners of her lips.

“Alright, enough admiration. I’m starving after a whole day of filming, let’s grab some food,” Xu Zhaoyang interjected. Only then did the group pick up their trays to select their meals.

After choosing some dishes she liked, Ye Qinglan found a spot with the others to sit. Just as she settled in, she noticed someone taking the seat beside her. Assuming it was Du Wenyun or Wei Youning, she turned her head only to be startled by the sight of Ning Yunshu.

“Huh? President Ning, what brings you here?” Du Wenyun asked in surprise.

Ning Yunshu smiled. “Mind if I sit here for a bit?”

“Not at all! We just didn’t expect you to join us. Where’s Director Xu and the others?” Du Wenyun quickly replied.

“Director Xu is over there. I thought I’d come check in on everyone you’ve all been working hard lately,” Ning Yunshu said warmly.

“You’re too kind, President Ning,” Du Wenyun responded.

“Absolutely, having you here is an honor,” Wei Youning added with a grin.

Ning Yunshu waved it off. “Nonsense. I haven’t done anything, it’s all thanks to your efforts.”

Then, she turned to Ye Qinglan, her eyes crinkling with a smile. “Teacher Ye, you don’t mind me sitting here, do you?”

Ye Qinglan instinctively shook her head before realizing she should probably speak. “Not at all,” she added.

Ning Yunshu beamed and gestured to the others. “Please, everyone, have a seat.”

Snapping out of their daze, the group finally settled down.

Though initially reserved, Ning Yunshu’s easygoing and talkative nature quickly put everyone at ease, and soon laughter filled the table.

Everyone, that is, except Ye Qinglan.

Caught completely off guard by Ning Yunshu’s sudden appearance, Ye Qinglan was utterly bewildered. By the time she regained her composure, Ning Yunshu was already chatting and laughing with the others, making her own tension and preoccupation all the more obvious.

“Teacher Ye, is something wrong? Does the food not suit your taste?” Ning Yunshu suddenly asked softly, having noticed Ye Qinglan’s distracted state. Aware that her bold move might have unsettled her, she spoke gently.

“No,” Ye Qinglan replied, snapping back to reality with a faint smile. “I just didn’t expect President Ning to sit beside me so suddenly,” she added with a ‘pleasant’ grin.

Realizing she’d upset Ye Qinglan, Ning Yunshu sensed trouble and quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, I just wanted to greet everyone properly. Last time we met was during training, and I was too busy to talk much. Now that I’m here, I had to make it up to you all.”

Ye Qinglan knew this wasn’t the place to settle scores, so she smiled. “No need to apologize, President Ning. It’s my issue. We’re happy to have you here.”

“Qinglan’s right,” Wei Youning chimed in, seemingly oblivious to the tension.

Seizing the opportunity, Ning Yunshu raised her glass. “Then, let me propose a toast to all of you, thank you for your hard work.”

The group raised their glasses in return. “You’re too kind, President Ning.”

After downing a glass of red wine, the atmosphere at the table became lively again, with even Ye Qinglan occasionally chiming in with a few words.

Just as the conversation was heating up, Ye Qinglan felt Ning Yunshu gently nudge her lower back. Then, with deliberate strokes, five characters were traced on her skin:

“Big sister, don’t be angry.”

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