The Movie Queen's Beloved Crybaby Alpha - Chapter 35

For the first time in her career as a professional agent, Ke Ying felt truly challenged.

She pressed her throbbing temples, forcing herself to remain calm, then glared at Ye Qinglan. “First, explain your reasoning.”

Ye Qinglan spread her hands. “Our families are too close. What if paparazzi catch us together during a family outing? Even if we clarify later, many wouldn’t believe us. Better to come clean now than let people speculate.”

Ke Ying frowned, prompting Ye Qinglan to add, “Besides, secrets never stay buried. The more we hide it, the worse the backlash when it eventually surfaces. Public opinion is already polarized since rumors are inevitable, why not steer them in our favor?”

As Ke Ying pondered, Xiao Wenjin interjected, “From a business perspective, Ke Jie, this could be an opportunity.”

Ke Ying shot her a look. “Now you’re playing the businesswoman card? Weren’t you always claiming it was just your lucky charm effect?”

Xiao Wenjin grinned. “Isn’t this part of that luck? If I hadn’t built a good relationship with Qinglan, would we be here now? So why not trust my judgment again? My lucky streak is the real deal.”

Ke Ying resisted the urge to roll her eyes difficult when dealing with her boss. With a sigh, she conceded, “Don’t rush anything yet. I’ll discuss this with PR first, then coordinate with Director Fang. Qinglan, you can reply to Wei Youning for now.”

Relieved, Ye Qinglan nodded. “Understood, Ke Jie.”

A knock interrupted them. “Come in,” Ke Ying called.

Xiao Wenjin’s assistant entered, addressing her boss. “President Xiao, Ms. Qin Yun from J.S Group’s chairman office is here regarding a potential collaboration.”

“Interesting.” Xiao Wenjin glanced at Ye Qinglan, who shook her head in equal confusion. “Escort her to the meeting room. I’ll be right there.”

After the assistant left, Xiao Wenjin stood. “I’ll handle this. You two continue.”

Once alone, Ye Qinglan met Ke Ying’s gaze sheepishly. “Should I leave you to it?”

“Get out of my sight,” Ke Ying grumbled.

Ye Qinglan fled as if escaping a crime scene.

Ke Ying reflexively touched her hairline.

Please let me keep my hair this time.

Outside the office, Ye Qinglan exhaled heavily.

Zhou Tiantian observed her curiously. “Did you upset Ke Jie again?”

Ye Qinglan lightly tapped her assistant’s head. “Would I do that?”

Rubbing her head, Zhou Tiantian deadpanned, “The whole floor heard her yelling earlier.”

“Just consider it as Sister Ke letting off some steam.” Ye Qinglan shrugged. “Alright, enough gossip. Take me home.”

“Sure thing.”

Upon returning home, Ning Yunshu hadn’t arrived yet. Ye Qinglan decided to send Wei Youning a message first.

[Ye Qinglan]: Sister Wei, Sister Ke and the team are currently in a meeting to discuss matters. There shouldn’t be any issues, and they’ll likely contact Director Fang later.

Wei Youning replied quickly this time.

[Wei Youning]: Alright, thank you Xiao Ye for being willing to participate.

[Ye Qinglan]: Not at all, I should say it’s my honor.

After exchanging pleasantries, they both went about their own business.

With Ning Yunshu away, Ye Qinglan took the rare opportunity to enter the study. It had been a while since she’d been there, and a thin layer of dust had settled. She decided to clean it thoroughly while she had the chance. As she wiped down a childhood photograph, her lips unconsciously curved into a smile. After carefully cleaning every corner, she sat in the chair and pulled out a photo album from the shelf.

Inside were pictures from their birth until their separation at seventeen. She had at least three such albums, documenting every important moment with Ning Yunshu even the small, everyday instances had been captured.

She opened it and flipped through page by page. During those seven years without Ning Yunshu, these memories had been her lifeline. Now that Ning Yunshu had returned, looking at these photos made those seven years feel like the blink of an eye. The long, difficult days and nights seemed almost forgotten with Ning Yunshu by her side again.

Closing the album, she leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, warm and peaceful. She dozed off right there in the chair, only waking when she heard the electronic lock of the front door.

Rubbing her eyes, she carefully put the album away and stepped out of the bedroom to see Ning Yunshu changing her shoes, about to head to the bathroom.

Noticing her, Ning Yunshu smiled. “I thought you were resting in the bedroom. You didn’t reply to my message.”

Ye Qinglan checked her phone and saw the missed message, she must have been asleep. Covering a yawn, she said, “I did nap for a bit.”

“Are you done with work?” Ye Qinglan asked, looking at Ning Yunshu.

“Yes,” Ning Yunshu nodded. “How about on your end?”

“Everything’s fine. By the way, what was the collaboration you asked Sister Qin Yun and Xiao Wenjin to discuss today?” Ye Qinglan asked curiously.

Ning Yunshu chuckled. “It’s about appearing on a variety show. Given your company’s PR capabilities, there might be a tough battle ahead. So, I proposed a collaboration, J.S’s PR team can lend a hand.”

“If you’re involved, your company’s PR team will have to act anyway,” Ye Qinglan remarked.

“True, but there’s a difference between taking the initiative and being forced into it, right?” Ning Yunshu winked.

Ye Qinglan found the words oddly familiar. After a moment, she realized wasn’t this what she had said to Ke Ying? Now she understood how Ke Ying must have felt.

Ning Yunshu smiled. “Don’t worry, Sister. I’ll need your help with this too.”

“Me?” Ye Qinglan was puzzled. “What do you need me to do?”

“If you’re free tomorrow, sis, could you go shopping with my mom? I’ll treat you both to dinner after I get off work,” Ning Yunshu said with a smile.

Ye Qinglan blinked, then laughed in realization. “How many paparazzi did you bribe?”

“Not many,” Ning Yunshu shrugged.

“Just enough to guarantee a trending topic by 8 PM tomorrow.”

Ye Qinglan clicked her tongue. “The last time I made it to the trending list was thanks to a movie.”

Ning Yunshu chuckled. “My dear sister, after winning Best Actress, getting on the trending list is a piece of cake for you.”

Ye Qinglan scoffed. “So, what else do you need me to do?”

“Nothing, just act natural,” Ning Yunshu replied as she headed toward the bathroom.

“Everything’s already arranged. Oh, and I’m covering all expenses tomorrow.”

Her tone was cool, her demeanor even cooler until she stepped into the bathroom and suddenly turned back, looking sheepishly at Ye Qinglan.

“I’ve always wanted to say that line.”

With that, she ducked into the bathroom to wash her hands.

Ye Qinglan burst into laughter, completely unrestrained.

This Ning Yunshu, how could she be such an adorable domineering CEO?

Ning Yunshu stubbornly stayed in the bathroom until Ye Qinglan finished laughing. When she finally emerged, she deliberately wore a stern expression, but the moment Ye Qinglan saw her, she couldn’t help laughing again.

Ning Yunshu flushed with embarrassment. “Sis, stop laughing.”

Ye Qinglan really couldn’t help it, especially seeing Ning Yunshu trying so hard to pretend nothing had happened while recalling her earlier words.

“S-sorry, I just can’t hold it in, hahaha!” Tears even welled up in the corners of her eyes.

Ning Yunshu glared at her, then marched over and trapped Ye Qinglan against the couch.

“If you keep laughing, I’ll kiss you,” she threatened, her tone soft despite her fierce expression.

Not wanting to push her too far, Ye Qinglan quickly stifled her laughter and cupped Ning Yunshu’s face, planting a kiss on her cheek.

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop. I’m hungry go cook.”

But Ning Yunshu didn’t move. Instead, she pointed at her lips. “Only a kiss here will make it better.”

Ye Qinglan stiffened. “Ning Yunshu, don’t push your luck.”

Ning Yunshu remained stubborn. “You laughed at me. Shouldn’t you make it up to me?”

Ye Qinglan’s gaze wavered, but seeing Ning Yunshu’s unyielding expression, she finally bit her lip and leaned in, pressing a fleeting kiss to Ning Yunshu’s lips.

“Happy now?”

Ning Yunshu beamed, finally releasing her.

“Very. Wait for me, sis I’ll start cooking right away.”

Humming, she headed to the kitchen.

Ye Qinglan shook her head in amusement.

Still such a child.

After dinner, the two lounged around watching TV before heading to bed.

This time, Ning Yunshu swiftly claimed Ye Qinglan’s bed, arranging the pillows and lying there expectantly.

Ye Qinglan was torn between exasperation and amusement.

“Ning Yunshu, have you no shame?”

“I just want my sister.”

Ning Yunshu answered without hesitation.

Ye Qinglan was utterly speechless, but there was no way to kick him out now. She could only sigh and lie down on the bed with her back to Ning Yunshu before turning off the lights.

Yet the moment the lights went out, she heard rustling sounds. Just as she was about to turn around to see what Ning Yunshu was up to, she was suddenly pulled into his arms, his embrace wrapping around her waist.

The familiar warmth pressed against her back, and she could feel his breath against her hair, making her tense up instantly.

“Ning Yunshu, what are you doing?”

“Sister, since we’re going on a variety show together, when are you going to make our relationship official?”

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