The Movie Queen's Beloved Crybaby Alpha - Chapter 30

After Ning Yunshu’s relentless coquettish pleading, Ye Qinglan finally let her off the hook.

Satisfied, Ning Yunshu returned to the kitchen to busy herself while Ye Qinglan waited in the living room.

After bustling about for a while, Ning Yunshu finally finished preparing breakfast, and the two shared a simple meal together.

In the morning, Ning Yunshu was occupied with reviewing reports, while Ye Qinglan passed the time in the living room watching variety shows and doing yoga. When lunchtime rolled around, Ning Yunshu was about to cook but received a phone call.

The caller ID left her visibly surprised.

“What’s wrong?” Ye Qinglan asked, noticing her expression.

“Ms. Yun actually called me?”

The disbelief in Ning Yunshu’s tone was unmistakable.

Ye Qinglan blinked. “Aunt Yun? Why don’t you answer and see?”

Ning Yunshu nodded and picked up the call.

“Hello, Mom?”

“Ning Yunshu, where are you right now?” Yun Xi’s voice came through immediately.

Ning Yunshu glanced at Ye Qinglan. “At my sister’s place. Why?”

“Oh, perfect. Come pick me up, we’ll have lunch with Qinglan,” Yun Xi said cheerfully.

Ning Yunshu was baffled. “Pick you up? From where?”

“Obviously, the airport!” Yun Xi retorted impatiently.

“You’re back?!” Ning Yunshu’s voice was thick with shock.

“Yep. Hurry up and come get me and your dad,” Yun Xi said before hanging up abruptly.

Ning Yunshu stood there, phone in hand, still processing the news.

Ye Qinglan tilted her head. “What happened? What did Aunt Yun say?”

Ning Yunshu looked dazed. “They’ve returned to the country.”

“Huh?” Ye Qinglan was equally taken aback before asking, “Where are they now?”

“The airport. They want me to pick them up.” Ning Yunshu pocketed her phone and headed to the bedroom to change.

“I’ll go with you,” Ye Qinglan said, rising to her feet.

Ning Yunshu chuckled. “My dear sister, if you show up at the airport, your manager will probably have a headache.”

Ye Qinglan frowned slightly, then suggested, “I could wait in the car?”

“Won’t that be boring?” Ning Yunshu teased.

Ye Qinglan shrugged. “I’m used to it.”

Ning Yunshu sighed but relented. “Fine. Let’s go change first?”

“Mm.” Ye Qinglan nodded, and the two retreated to their rooms to freshen up before heading out together.

With a baseball cap, sunglasses, and a face mask, Ye Qinglan was practically in full disguise as she climbed into Ning Yunshu’s car.

The sight nearly made Ning Yunshu laugh.

Ye Qinglan adjusted her sunglasses and shot her a look. “Get moving. If Aunt Yun has to wait too long, you’ll regret it.”

“Alright, alright, we’re off.” Ning Yunshu grinned and started the car.

They drove straight to S City Airport, where Ning Yunshu parked in a secluded corner of the garage. After giving Ye Qinglan a few reminders, she got out to meet Yun Xi and Ning Jiesen.

When she reached the arrivals hall, she spotted the couple sharing an ice cream cone, feeding each other bite by bite.

Ning Yunshu’s expression darkened as she approached. “Mr. Ning, Ms. Yun, finally decided to come back?”

Hearing her voice, Yun Xi glanced over indifferently.

Yun Xi was nearly fifty this year, but she had maintained herself exceptionally well, looking youthful and beautiful. If people didn’t know she was Ning Yunshu’s mother, many would assume she was her elder sister.

“Oh, the busy bee finally found time to pick us up,” Yun Xi remarked coolly.

“Who told you to return to the country without a word? If I had been in a meeting, were you planning to wait here all day?” Ning Yunshu retorted irritably.

“I already checked with Qin Yun that you were free,” Yun Xi said matter-of-factly.

“Alright, alright, let’s go,” Ning Yunshu sighed, feeling somewhat helpless against her mother.

“What’s the rush?” Yun Xi took the last bite of her ice cream cone, looking entirely unbothered.

Ning Yunshu twitched her lips. “Of course it’s urgent someone’s waiting.”

Yun Xi’s eyes lit up as she looked at her. “Lanlan? Where is she?”

Ning Yunshu huffed. “She’s waiting in the car, and here you are dawdling.”

Yun Xi immediately stood up, grabbed Ning Jiesen beside her, shoved the luggage toward Ning Yunshu, and strode briskly toward the exit.

“Her father, hurry! We’re going to see Lanlan!”

She moved so fast, leaving Ning Yunshu behind in stunned silence. Snapping out of it, Ning Yunshu quickly grabbed their suitcases and chased after them.

“Just now, you wouldn’t budge, but the moment you hear Sister is waiting, you sprint off like lightning,” Ning Yunshu couldn’t help but grumble.

“Enough chatter. If it weren’t for Lanlan helping out when you were little, raising you would’ve been a nightmare,” Yun Xi shot back without even glancing at her.

Ning Yunshu pouted.

Meanwhile, Ye Qinglan had been waiting in the car. When she spotted the three approaching, she opened the door and stepped out.

The moment Yun Xi saw her, her face brightened with joy. Even though Ye Qinglan was bundled up tightly, Yun Xi happily rushed forward and pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Lanlan! Aunt Yun missed you so much!”

Wrapped in the hug, Ye Qinglan chuckled and returned it. “Aunt Yun, I missed you too.”

“Lanlan, it’s been so long,” Ning Jiesen greeted warmly as he approached.

“Uncle Ning, it’s been a while,” Ye Qinglan replied with a nod, still held firmly by Yun Xi.

Ning Jiesen smiled, while Ning Yunshu, still lugging the suitcases, huffed. “Alright, alright, Sister shouldn’t be exposing herself outside right now. Save the catching up for the car.”

“Got it, got it. Her father, you take the front seat. I have things to talk about with Lanlan,” Yun Xi instructed before pulling Ye Qinglan toward the car.

“Ah, Aunt Yun, ” Ye Qinglan glanced at Ning Yunshu, still holding the luggage, but before she could say anything, Yun Xi whisked her away.

“Don’t mind her. Come, sit,” Yun Xi said, completely disregarding Ning Yunshu as she ushered Ye Qinglan into the car.

Before getting in, Ye Qinglan looked back at Ning Yunshu, who merely shrugged helplessly with a smile before hauling the luggage to the trunk.

Once everything was loaded, she got in and drove the group away.

Inside the car, Ye Qinglan removed her sunglasses and mask. Yun Xi beamed. “Seven years have passed, and our Lanlan has blossomed into such a beauty. Before, I could only see you in theaters but now, I finally get to see you again.”

As if reminiscing, Yun Xi let out a long sigh.

Ye Qinglan’s gaze softened. She squeezed Yun Xi’s hand reassuringly. “It’s alright, Aunt Yun. That’s all in the past now.”

Yun Xi shook her head, gripping her hand tightly as she said, “Our family owes you the deepest apology.”

Ye Qinglan smiled faintly and replied, “Given the circumstances, I completely understand.”

Hearing this, Yun Xi glanced at Ning Yunshu, who was driving but still eavesdropping on their conversation, and asked, “Did Yunshu tell you everything?”

“Yes,” Ye Qinglan answered softly.

Yun Xi sighed and patted Ye Qinglan’s shoulder. “Just don’t blame her for this one thing.”

Ye Qinglan’s eyes flickered slightly as she murmured, “Mm.”

Noticing the tense atmosphere in the car, Ning Yunshu quickly cleared her throat.

“Ahem, well, Ms. Yun, have you decided what to have for lunch? We only had breakfast and haven’t eaten lunch yet,” Ning Yunshu said with a laugh.

“You’re the big boss shouldn’t you be the one making arrangements? We’ll just wait to be served,” Yun Xi said, instantly switching from melancholy to bossing Ning Yunshu around, as if she hadn’t just defended her to Ye Qinglan moments ago.

Ye Qinglan pressed her lips together, struggling to suppress a smile.

Ning Yunshu shot a resentful glance at Ye Qinglan through the rearview mirror before saying, “Fine, I’ll handle it. Should we invite Uncle Ye and Aunt Lin?”

“Not this time. We just got off the plane and are still a mess. Let’s visit them properly tomorrow after we’ve settled in,” Yun Xi quickly interjected.

“It’s really no trouble. My parents would be thrilled to hear you’re back,” Ye Qinglan said with a smile.

“No, no. After all these years away, we should be the ones apologizing in person. We can’t have your parents making the trip. If it weren’t for Yunshu staying at your place, I’d have gone to see you directly,” Yun Xi insisted, shaking her head emphatically.

Ning Jiesen chimed in with a smile, “Your Aunt Yun is right. Let’s visit properly tomorrow, and you and Yunshu can join us. Our families should have a proper reunion. For today, let’s just keep it simple with a casual meal.”

Seeing their insistence, Ye Qinglan relented. “Alright then, we’ll follow Aunt Yun and Uncle Ning’s lead.”

“Now that’s more like it,” Yun Xi said cheerfully.

Ning Yunshu then declared, “In that case, let’s go to the private kitchen downstairs from my office.”

With everyone in agreement, Ning Yunshu called Qin Yun to reserve a table before driving the group there. Upon arrival, she bundled herself up tightly before leading them into the building and to the restaurant.

The private room was ready. As soon as Ye Qinglan entered, she removed her hat, sunglasses, and mask, exhaling deeply in relief.

“If anyone saw me, I’d have a lot of explaining to do to Sister Ke,” Ye Qinglan joked, glancing at Ning Yunshu.

“Don’t worry. Unauthorized photography is strictly prohibited here,” Ning Yunshu reassured her.

“That’s a relief,” Ye Qinglan replied. “I’d hate to have Sister Ke nagging at me.”

Ning Yunshu chuckled. Observing their interaction, Yun Xi looked between the two, as if piecing something together, then smiled at Ye Qinglan. “Lanlan, I forgot to ask earlier has this girl Yunshu been causing you any trouble while staying with you?”

“Not at all,” Ye Qinglan quickly shook her head in response. “There’s been no trouble at all, Aunt Yun, don’t worry. I’m often away filming, and for these past few months, it’s been Ning. Xiao Shu looking after the place. She’s been a huge help.”

As if afraid Yun Xi wouldn’t believe her, Ye Qinglan even avoided calling Ning Yunshu by her full name.

Seeing this, Yun Xi’s eyes curved into happy crescents as she glanced at Ning Yunshu and said, “That’s good to hear. I was afraid this girl might have upset you somehow.”

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