The Movie Queen's Beloved Crybaby Alpha - Chapter 31

“How could that be?”

Upon hearing Yun Xi ‘s words, Ning Yunshu instinctively muttered under her breath.

Ye Qinglan, sitting beside her, caught the whisper and couldn’t help curling her lips before reassuring Yun Xi , “That’s not the case at all, Aunt Yun. Please don’t worry.”

“Good, good.” Yun Xi chuckled in response.

“Alright Mom, hurry up and order. I’m starving,” Ning Yunshu said, handing the tablet menu to Yun Xi .

Without ceremony, Yun Xi began selecting dishes while consulting Ye Qinglan’s preferences before finalizing their order. The four of them didn’t order excessively. Once satisfied, Yun Xi set down the menu and summoned the waiter. After confirming their order, the waiter left, leaving only the four of them in the private dining room.

“Aunt Yun, where will you be staying during this visit?” Ye Qinglan inquired. “I recall you sold your previous residence.”

Yun Xi waved her hand dismissively. “No matter. We’ll stay at a hotel for now.”

“Wouldn’t that be inconvenient? Why not stay at my place temporarily?” Ye Qinglan suggested with a frown.

Yun Xi laughed heartily. “No need for that. Having us old folks around would just make things awkward for you young lovers.” She cast a teasing glance at Ning Yunshu as she spoke.

“But—” Before Ye Qinglan could protest further, Yun Xi interjected, “Don’t worry, we’ll be staying at one of our family’s invested hotels. Besides, your Uncle Ning and I might suddenly decide to go traveling again.”

Hearing this, Ye Qinglan had no choice but to relent.

“Don’t worry about my parents, sis. They’ve been having the time of their lives traveling,” Ning Yunshu whispered into Ye Qinglan’s ear, her warm breath brushing against the shell of Ye Qinglan’s ear both ticklish and scorching.

The sensation reminded Ye Qinglan of that disorienting afternoon when Ning Yunshu had murmured her name in the same intimate manner.

“Mmm,” Ye Qinglan managed to reply with forced composure.

Oblivious to her reaction, Ning Yunshu continued chatting with the others.

Their food arrived promptly, as Yun Xi had deliberately avoided ordering complicated dishes. Soon the table was filled, and since everyone was somewhat hungry, conversation flowed between bites until lunch was finished.

With modest portions ordered, there were no leftovers. After the meal, Ning Yunshu first drove her parents to their hotel before returning home with Ye Qinglan.

Upon arriving home, Ye Qinglan called Lin Xuesong, who was visibly delighted to hear about Yun Xi ‘s return and immediately began planning grocery shopping for the next day’s preparations.

After hanging up, Ye Qinglan leaned back on the sofa while Ning Yunshu prepared a plate of sliced watermelon.

With nothing pressing to do, the two spent the afternoon snacking on watermelon, watching variety shows, and playing a couple rounds of games. For dinner, Ning Yunshu prepared something simple before they resumed their TV marathon until late at night, when Ye Qinglan finally stretched and prepared to retire to her room.

“Sis.”

Hearing Ning Yunshu’s call, Ye Qinglan turned to meet her pitiful, puppy-dog eyes.

After a pause, Ye Qinglan stated firmly, “No. Do you want to get kicked off the bed again?”

“But I miss you,” Ning Yunshu attempted to wheedle.

“No,” Ye Qinglan refused coldly.

“Fine,” Ning Yunshu conceded dejectedly, rubbing her nose.

Ye Qinglan glared at her. “Sleep in your own bed properly.”

“Okay then,” Ning Yunshu replied with obvious reluctance.

Ye Qinglan helplessly patted her head: “Be good.”

Ning Yunshu nuzzled against her palm, looking up with eager eyes. “If I’m not good, can I still come inside?”

Ye Qinglan replied expressionlessly, “You’ll be kicked out of the house.”

Only then did Ning Yunshu behave.

“Good, go to bed early. We’re returning to the compound tomorrow,” Ye Qinglan coaxed her gently.

“Okay. Goodnight, sis.”

“Goodnight.”

The two retired to their respective rooms. The next morning, after having some milk and bread, they set out to pick up Yun Xi and Ning Jiesen before heading back to the compound together.

When they knocked on the Ye family’s door, Lin Xuesong answered. Seeing her long-lost friend after seven years, she immediately pulled her into a hug.

“Yun Xi ! You’re finally back!”

Yun Xi was clearly delighted as well, hugging her tightly. “Of course we had to come back, you’re still here in the country, after all.”

Ning Jiesen also greeted her with a smile. “Xuesong, it’s been a while.”

Lin Xuesong shot him a glare. “So it’s your fault we’ve been apart for seven years, huh?”

Ning Jiesen coughed awkwardly. “That’s why I’m here to apologize in person.”

“Hmph.” Lin Xuesong snorted and ignored him.

Ye Qinglan interjected helplessly, “Mom, let’s not stand at the door. We’ll disturb the neighbors.”

“Right, right! Come in, everyone.” Lin Xuesong quickly ushered them inside. Ye Qinglan noticed her discreetly wiping her eyes but chose to look away, helping everyone settle in.

Ye Wentao, hearing the commotion, came out to greet them. Reunited with old friends, he warmly embraced Ning Jiesen before excusing himself to continue cooking in the kitchen.

Ning Yunshu offered to help but was stopped by Lin Xuesong.

“Let your Uncle Ye handle it. Sit down and chat with me and your parents.”

Ning Yunshu obliged. “Alright.”

“Ah, seven years, and this place hasn’t changed a bit. Being back here finally feels like coming home,” Yun Xi mused.

“You realize that now? What were you thinking when you secretly sold the house back then?” Lin Xuesong chided.

Yun Xi pleaded, “My dear sister, I was wrong. We were just worried about the future and had no choice. Please forgive us.”

Lin Xuesong feigned sternness. “Fine, but no more disappearing for years without a word.”

“Deal. I promise.” Yun Xi agreed quickly.

“That’s more like it.” Lin Xuesong finally smiled.

Yun Xi then said, “We came back to apologize in person and also to see how the kids are doing.”

Her gaze shifted to Ye Qinglan and Ning Yunshu, who were whispering to each other.

Now everyone was looking at them.

For some reason, Ye Qinglan felt caught and coughed, straightening up and putting some distance between them. “Aunt Yun, don’t worry. We’re doing just fine.”

Yun Xi smiled knowingly. “Good. Lanlan, if Yunshu ever upsets you, just tell me. I’ll set her straight.”

Ye Qinglan forced a chuckle. “Thanks, Aunt Yun.”

Yun Xi ‘s words made it sound as if she and Ning Yunshu had directly negotiated the matter.

At this thought, Ye Qinglan glanced subtly at Ning Yunshu beside her, only to see the latter grinning from ear to ear.

“Mom, don’t worry. I’ll listen to my sister and won’t make her angry,” Ning Yunshu said cheerfully.

“Yunshu is very well-behaved. It’s just that someone here is still sulking and throwing a tantrum,” Lin Xuesong suddenly remarked.

Ye Qinglan’s face darkened. “Mom, why don’t you just name names?”

Lin Xuesong shrugged. “I didn’t say anything wrong.”

Ye Qinglan: “…”

Truly her own mother exposing her flaws without hesitation.

Yun Xi waved her hand dismissively. “It’s fine. Lanlan is focused on her career right now. There’s no need to worry about Yunshu.”

Ning Yunshu’s lips twitched as she whispered to Ye Qinglan, “Do you think we were switched at birth? Why do they both favor the other’s family?”

Ye Qinglan nodded in deep agreement. “I suspect the same.”

“Suspect what?” Lin Xuesong and Yun Xi immediately turned their heads in unison.

“Nothing,” the two replied, shaking their heads like rattles.

Clearly, neither mother believed them, muttering to each other, “They were definitely bad-mouthing us.”

“At least they’re united on this.”

“Exactly.”

Ye Qinglan didn’t want to say another word.

Fortunately, Ye Wentao poked his head out from the kitchen at that moment. “Alright, everyone, get ready dinner’s about to be served.”

“I’ll help,” Ye Qinglan and Ning Yunshu said simultaneously, even standing up at the same time.

Realizing this, they exchanged bewildered looks.

“Pfft!” Yun Xi couldn’t hold back a laugh.

The other two also burst into laughter.

Ye Qinglan kept a straight face, grabbing Ning Yunshu’s wrist and pulling her toward the bathroom.

“Wash your hands. Then help serve the food.”

“Got it.” Ning Yunshu didn’t dare say another word, obediently following behind Ye Qinglan.

The two helped set the table, and Ye Wentao opened a bottle of wine, pouring a glass for everyone except Ning Yunshu, who was left with only a glass of orange juice.

Ning Yunshu pouted but had to accept it, she was driving later, so juice it was.

The dinner was lively, and in high spirits, everyone drank a little too much even Ye Qinglan ended up flushed and tipsy.

Ye Wentao was the first to collapse, while Ning Jiesen and Yunshu held up relatively well. Only Lin Xuesong, who hadn’t drunk much, remained sober.

Ning Yunshu helped Lin Xuesong clear the table, then turned to see Yun Xi holding Ye Qinglan’s hand, pouring out years of guilt. She didn’t know what to say.

“Yunshu, will you be alright handling this alone?” Lin Xuesong asked, eyeing the three drunk individuals. “Why don’t you let Lanlan stay here for now and take your parents to the hotel first?”

Ning Yunshu shook her head with a smile. “No worries, I have a plan.”

Then, she made a call and summoned Qin Yun.

Qin Yun was a little exasperated, but she was familiar with Ning Jiesen and Yun Xi . Seeing her arrive to take them back to the hotel, the two reluctantly stopped clinging to Ye Qinglan and left with Qin Yun.

Once Qin Yun had taken them away, Ning Yunshu helped the slightly unsteady Ye Qinglan bid farewell to Lin Xuesong before driving her home.

Parking in the underground garage, Ning Yunshu turned to find Ye Qinglan fast asleep against the car seat, her peaceful expression making Ning Yunshu’s heart melt instantly.

She gently shook Ye Qinglan and called softly, “Sister, we’re home. You can sleep upstairs.”

Ye Qinglan opened her eyes groggily, still not fully awake. Seeing this, Ning Yunshu leaned over to unbuckle her seatbelt first.

But just as she moved closer, Ye Qinglan suddenly pulled her into an embrace. Before she could react, a tipsy kiss landed on her lips.

“Xiao Shu, I missed you so much.”

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