The Movie Queen's Beloved Crybaby Alpha - Chapter 41

Ning Yunshu’s candidness and unabashed gaze finally seemed to make everyone realize something.

But then Ning Yunshu quickly turned back and added, “Besides, my parents really wanted to return to the country to spend time with old friends, so there you go.”

Ye Qinglan’s palms were sweating nervously. Taking advantage of the seat’s angle to hide her movements, she subtly pinched Ning Yunshu.

Ning Yunshu stiffened abruptly, sitting frozen in place, not daring to move a muscle.

The live chat was buzzing with excitement.

-If I’m understanding this right, could it be that Little CEO Ning returned to the country for Ye Qinglan? The way they look at each other is practically electric!

-She said that while looking right at Lanbao! There’s no way it’s not true!

-CP shippers, save your energy. It’s not like Little CEO Ning doesn’t have other friends and family here.

-Even if they’re childhood friends, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re lovers… Ugh, I can’t even fool myself, this is just too good!

Even the people in the van were all wearing gossipy expressions.

The host even asked, “Among these important people you mentioned, CEO Ning, does that include Qinglan?”

Ye Qinglan’s brows furrowed slightly.

Wasn’t the host just stirring the pot with that question?

Ning Yunshu smiled faintly. “We grew up together, what do you think?”

Instead of answering directly, Ning Yunshu turned the question back on the host, who could only chuckle awkwardly. “Well, that settles it. Let’s move on to other questions.”

With that, the host turned to Wei Youning and the others.

Only then did Ye Qinglan finally relax. Just then, her phone vibrated softly. Opening it, she saw a message Ning Yunshu had secretly sent her.

[Ning Yunshu]: Don’t worry, sis, I’ll handle it.

[Ye Qinglan]: I’ll let Sister Ke know about this situation. Thanks for your trouble.

[Ning Yunshu]: Hehe, no need for thanks, just give me a kiss from my dear sister.

[Ye Qinglan]: …

She shot Ning Yunshu a covert glare, to which Ning Yunshu responded with a playful wink.

With so many people around, Ye Qinglan could only grit her teeth and mentally note this down for later.

With the host keeping the atmosphere lively, the group arrived at the homestay in Qiu Shui Town in high spirits.

The homestay was a two-story villa. Due to limited rooms, each pair would share one. When Ning Yunshu heard this, she could barely suppress the grin tugging at her lips.

The others took the news in stride. Seeing this, the host mysteriously added, “For these two days, everyone will have to handle their own meals and daily needs. No takeout allowed.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Youning groaned dramatically. “Oh no, oh no, neither of us can cook. We should’ve brought someone who can!”

Xu Youyou: “Sis, trust me, I can do it.”

Wei Youning: “Thanks, but I’d rather not risk it.”

“Pfft.” Ye Qinglan couldn’t help but laugh.

Wei Youning turned to her. “Qinglan, can you cook?”

Ye Qinglan shook her head. “No…”

Wei Youning: “Then you don’t get to laugh.”

“Fine.” Ye Qinglan pouted and glanced at Ning Yunshu.

Just as Ning Yunshu was about to speak, Bai Xi chimed in, “If you don’t mind, I can cook a little.”

Wei Youning sighed in relief. “That’s our Xi Xi for you otherwise, we’d starve to death.”

Jiang Can timidly raised her hand. “I can cook a little too, but not much.”

Wei Youning clapped her hands. “Perfect! I’ll be your assistant.”

Ning Yunshu also smiled and said, “The more the merrier. I can help out too.”

Wei Youning looked at Ning Yunshu in surprise. “Director Ning can cook?”

Ning Yunshu nodded. “Yes, a little.”

“Great, great. So it’s just our group that can’t cook. Then the two of us will assist you,” Wei Youning said helplessly.

“Now that it’s decided, shall we put away our luggage first? Then we can have some lunch and rest before starting our afternoon activities?” the host asked with a smile.

“Sure.”

Everyone agreed and began choosing rooms. Ye Qinglan’s group wasn’t in a hurry to pick. Bai Qian’s mother chose a room on the first floor, while Jiang Can and his girlfriend also opted for downstairs. The two remaining upstairs rooms were left for Ye Qinglan and Wei Youning’s groups.

Each group chose one side. After settling on their rooms, they went in to drop off their luggage.

The room was well-lit, clean, and comfortable quite upscale for a rural homestay. It had an ensuite bathroom, two 1.2-meter beds, a dressing table, and a wardrobe. At least their luggage had somewhere to go.

After unpacking, they headed downstairs. The others hadn’t come out yet, probably still busy in their rooms. Ning Yunshu decided to check the kitchen for ingredients to prepare lunch, only to open the fridge and find surprise the production team hadn’t provided any food.

The two exchanged glances.

“Are they expecting us to buy our own?” Ye Qinglan blinked.

“Seems so. Let’s wait for everyone to come out and decide what to eat before going shopping,” Ning Yunshu suggested.

Ye Qinglan took out her phone to look up the nearest market when Wei Youning’s group and Jiang Can emerged. Jiang Can’s girlfriend stayed behind, reportedly feeling carsick.

After explaining the situation, they proposed that each person request one dish to avoid waste.

No one objected. Just then, Bai Qian and her mother came out, so they were filled in too.

“One dish?” Bai Qian’s mother frowned, displeased. “Only a few dishes for so many of us?”

Wei Youning smiled awkwardly. “Auntie, celebrities have to watch their figures. We probably won’t eat much, and it’d be wasteful to make too much.”

As Bai Qian’s mother was about to retort, Bai Qian quickly intervened. “Sorry, sorry. Mom’s just worried there won’t be enough. Sister Wei, please don’t take offense.”

Though it was an apology, Wei Youning felt something was off but could only say, “It’s fine, I understand.”

Meanwhile, the live chat exploded:

–

The elder’s just concerned about portions. Wei Youning’s really something, dragging “celebrity diets” into this. If they’re so worried about figures, they shouldn’t order at all. Now my Qianqian’s upset.

–

Are you dumb? It was Young Master Ning’s idea, one dish per person. Perfectly reasonable, catering to everyone’s tastes. Eight dishes for eight people is plenty.

–

Not everyone’s a weight-conscious celeb. What’s wrong with auntie wanting more?

–

Nothing, as long as we don’t waste food.

The comments raged on, unseen by the group, though the awkward atmosphere was palpable.

In the end, it was Ning Yunshu who spoke up, “How about this, we’ll add one more dish. I’ll make a bit extra.”

Bai Qian’s mother muttered under her breath, “A big boss like her, can she really cook?”

Though her voice was soft, everyone still heard it.

Ning Yunshu’s expression remained unchanged, but Ye Qinglan couldn’t help frowning slightly.

However, since the other party was an elder, it wouldn’t be appropriate to retort directly. She took a deep breath and changed the subject with a smile, “I don’t have any issues. What does everyone else think?”

“Fine.” Wei Youning, though a bit stifled, could tell Ye Qinglan wanted to shift the conversation and didn’t press further.

Jiang Can chimed in, “I don’t either. Should we all go grocery shopping together?”

Ning Yunshu shook her head, “No need. It’s just a few ingredients, two of us can handle it. The rest can take a break.”

“Then Youning and I can go?” Wei Youning quickly suggested, “Neither of us can cook anyway.”

Ning Yunshu smiled, “It’s alright, Wei-jie. You and Youning can rest. My sister and I will go.”

As she spoke, she glanced at Ye Qinglan.

Ye Qinglan, also feeling the tension in the room, nodded, “Right, we’ll handle it.”

Wei Youning didn’t want to stay either and simply said, “Then let’s all four go. More hands will make carrying things easier.”

Understanding her intention, Ye Qinglan agreed, “Alright. Teacher Jiang Can and Teacher Bai Qian, you can wait for us at the homestay.”

Bai Qian quickly smiled, “Thank you for your trouble. We’ll tidy up the place while you’re gone.”

Ye Qinglan merely nodded, and the four of them got ready before heading out.

Once outside, Wei Youning let out a long sigh, about to say something, but swallowed her words upon spotting the drone camera in the distance.

Instead, she switched topics, “How does Little Ning know how to cook?”

Ning Yunshu chuckled, “I lived abroad for so long. If I wanted to eat something, I had to learn to make it myself.”

Ye Qinglan added, “Xiao Shu’s cooking is really good.”

Wei Youning teased, “So Qinglan’s already tasted it?”

Ye Qinglan sighed, “Wei-jie, even you’re teasing me now?”

Wei Youning hastily waved her hands, “No, no.”

Ning Yunshu just smiled before asking, “Sister, which way is the market?”

“Over here.” Ye Qinglan pulled up the map on her phone, guiding the way for everyone.

The market wasn’t far. After buying the ingredients, they returned to the homestay.

When they got back, Jiang Can and Bai Qian came out of their rooms and followed Ning Yunshu into the kitchen to prepare lunch. Ye Qinglan and the others tried to help but were gently shooed out by Ning Yunshu.

“Don’t worry, leave it to us. You can wait outside, okay?”

With that, she ushered them out.

The group exchanged glances after being banished from the kitchen. Just then, Jiang Can’s girlfriend emerged and, seeing them loitering, suggested with a smile, “I noticed an orchard behind the homestay. I checked with the program crew, we can pick some fruit and just pay the homestay fee afterward. How about we prepare some dessert for after the meal?”

“That sounds great. Wei-jie, Youning, what do you think?” Ye Qinglan was intrigued and turned to Wei Youning and Xu Youyou.

Xu Youyou eagerly raised her hand, “Me! I’ll go with you, Teacher Ye!”

Wei Youning laughed, “This kid, she’s completely smitten with Qinglan now.”

“Hehe.” The girl grinned playfully.

Ye Qinglan smiled faintly, only to see Bai Qian’s mother coming downstairs. At the time, she didn’t think much of it after all, besides her and Wei Youning’s bedroom, there was also an entertainment room upstairs so she simply extended a polite invitation: “Auntie, we’re going to pick some fruit. Would you like to join us?”

For some reason, Bai Qian’s mother’s gaze seemed somewhat evasive.

“No need, you go ahead. I’m getting too old for such activities and was just about to rest.”

However, the young Xu Youyou noticed something and asked directly, “Auntie, did you need something upstairs?”

Support The Movie Queen’s Beloved Crybaby Alpha