The Movie Queen's Beloved Crybaby Alpha - Chapter 54
In the homestay, the group was singing and making merry.
But Ning Yunshu froze in place as if someone had hit pause.
Ye Qinglan, looking like she’d just pulled off a successful prank, chuckled softly as she withdrew from Ning Yunshu’s side and took a sip of red wine.
Then she urged, “Hurry up and peel them.”
Ning Yunshu gritted her teeth, mentally noting this down, but obediently began shelling the shrimp for her.
After the fun and games, they cleaned up the living room of the homestay before heading upstairs to their respective rooms to rest.
Having had a bit to drink, Ye Qinglan decided to take a shower, only to be cornered by Ning Yunshu in the bathroom.
“What are you doing? Get out, I need to shower,” Ye Qinglan said, trying to push her out.
But Ning Yunshu simply caught her hand, then leaned in close, locking eyes with her.
“Jiejie, do you remember what you said earlier?”
Ye Qinglan guiltily averted her gaze. “What? Did I say something?”
“You don’t remember?” Ning Yunshu immediately put on a wounded expression before leaning in to lightly nip Ye Qinglan’s lips.
“If Jiejie doesn’t remember, that’s fine. I do. And if you won’t admit it, I’ll just take what’s owed however much I feel like.” Her voice dropped low, laced with amusement.
“No, wait!” Realizing she’d played too far, Ye Qinglan tried to struggle free.
“Shh.” Ning Yunshu kissed her lips.
“Save your energy, Jiejie. Keep your voice down unless you want Wei-jie and Teacher Du to hear?” she said with a grin.
“You!” Ye Qinglan glared, but Ning Yunshu didn’t waste any more words, opting instead to kiss her properly.
As they stumbled back, they accidentally bumped the showerhead, sending warm water cascading over them.
The next morning, Ye Qinglan groggily opened her eyes to find Ning Yunshu changing clothes, the T-shirt falling over her slender yet subtly toned waist.
Still drowsy, she turned over to go back to sleep.
Noticing she was awake, Ning Yunshu turned and leaned over her. “Time to get up, Jiejie. We have a flight to catch.”
Still sore from last night, Ye Qinglan ignored her, pulling the covers over her head.
Ning Yunshu chuckled softly, tugging the blanket down to press a kiss to her earlobe.
“Get up now, or I’ll kiss you again.”
Ye Qinglan’s eyes flew open as she turned to glare. “Ning Yunshu! Don’t push it!”
Ning Yunshu feigned innocence. “But Jiejie was the one who went back on her word. Punishment was due.”
Ye Qinglan gritted her teeth before finally relenting. “Fine. Go wash up. I’ll get dressed.”
Ning Yunshu smiled softly. “Alright, alright. I’m going.”
But before leaving, she still pressed one last kiss to Ye Qinglan’s cheek.
“Good morning, Jiejie.”
Only then did she head to the bathroom.
Ye Qinglan finally sat up and grabbed fresh clothes to change into.
By the time they finished packing and went downstairs, the others were also preparing to leave. With different destinations, they said their goodbyes at the homestay before parting ways.
Ye Qinglan and Ning Yunshu took a car to the airport, checked in, and boarded their flight back to S City.
Upon returning to City S, Qin Yun drove them both home.
Then, Ning Yunshu found herself pitifully locked outside Ye Qinglan’s bedroom door.
“Big sis, open the door for me~”
“You can sleep in the side bedroom for the next two days!” Ye Qinglan’s annoyed voice came from inside the room.
Unable to coax the door open, Ning Yunshu sighed.
An agitated cat wasn’t easy to placate.
Fortunately, luck was on her side, Lin Xuesong suddenly called.
“Hello, Mom?” Seeing the caller ID, Ye Qinglan hesitated but answered.
“Qinglan, are you two home yet?” Lin Xuesong asked.
“We just got back. What’s up?” Ye Qinglan countered.
“Come home for dinner tonight. Aunt Yun and the others will be there too,” Lin Xuesong said cheerfully.
Ye Qinglan paused, thinking of Ning Yunshu still shut outside her door.
“What’s wrong? Where’s Yunshu?” Lin Xuesong pressed when she didn’t respond.
Ye Qinglan rubbed her temples. “It’s nothing. I’ll let her know in a bit, she’s outside right now.”
“Good. Come over early this afternoon.”
“Got it. Don’t worry.”
Hanging up, Ye Qinglan sighed and finally stepped out of the bedroom, only to find Ning Yunshu gazing at her with puppy-dog eyes.
Truthfully, Ye Qinglan wasn’t that angry just exasperated by how bold some people had become.
She sat on the sofa and crooked a finger at Ning Yunshu.
Ning Yunshu immediately scurried over.
“If you ever lose control like that again without considering the setting, you’ll be staying in a hotel alone,” Ye Qinglan warned, pinching her earlobe.
Ning Yunshu nodded obediently. “I’ll be more careful next time.”
Satisfied, Ye Qinglan added, “Get ready, we’re heading to the family compound later.”
“Did Aunt Lin call?” Ning Yunshu asked.
“Mm. Aunt Yun’s going too,” Ye Qinglan confirmed.
“Should I pack a few things before we leave?”
“Sure.”
After a quick freshening up, the two drove to the compound.
Lin Xuesong was chatting with the other elderly ladies in the courtyard and waved when she spotted them.
“You’re back so soon? I thought it’d take you longer.”
Ye Qinglan approached with a smile. “You called, didn’t you? Didn’t want to keep you waiting, so we came straight over.”
“Aunt Lin,” Ning Yunshu greeted.
Lin Xuesong beamed. “Yunshu, you must be exhausted after these past couple of days?”
Recalling last night, Ning Yunshu rubbed her nose. “I’m fine. Big sis had it rougher.”
Catching the implication, Ye Qinglan shot her a discreet glare.
Of course, Lin Xuesong remained oblivious and simply chuckled. “It’s still early, why don’t you two rest inside for a bit?”
Ye Qinglan shook her head. “No need. We slept on the plane and feel fine now.”
“Then go watch TV or something. There’s washed fruit in the kitchen help yourselves. Your dad isn’t back yet, so I’ll stay out here a while longer.” Lin Xuesong shooed them away.
Slightly exasperated but ignored, Ye Qinglan had no choice but to lead Ning Yunshu inside.
Turning on the TV, she brought out the fruit from the kitchen, and the two settled in the living room to watch.
Before long, the door opened to reveal Ye Wentao returning with groceries.
“Oh, you two are already here,” Ye Wentao said with a smile.
“Uncle Ye, you’re back. Let me help you,” Ning Yunshu offered, starting to rise.
“You’re back. What delicious things are you making tonight?” Ye Qinglan asked, eyeing the bags in Ye Wentao’s hands.
“No need, no need. As for what it is? Just wait and enjoy it tonight,” Ye Wentao chuckled, gently pressing Ning Yunshu back into her seat.
Seeing Ye Wentao’s insistence, Ning Yunshu had no choice but to remain seated.
After putting away the groceries, Ye Wentao busied himself in the kitchen. Soon, the sound of cheerful chatter could be heard from the courtyard.
Ning Yunshu listened carefully. “That must be my mom and the others.”
The two got up to open the door and saw Lin Xuesong and Yunxi walking arm in arm, with Ning Jieson trailing behind, laden with bags.
Quickly, Ning Yunshu and Ye Qinglan stepped forward to relieve Ning Jieson of his burdens.
Inside, Lin Xuesong and Yunxi chatted animatedly while Ye Qinglan poured water for everyone before joining the conversation.
Only Ye Wentao remained busy in the kitchen.
When the meal was ready, Ye Wentao called everyone to the table. Over drinks, Yunxi asked about Ye Qinglan’s future plans.
Understanding the implication, Ye Qinglan smiled. “I’ll aim for another Best Actress award. That way…” She glanced at Ning Yunshu. “It won’t be seen as settling for Xiao Shu.”
Ning Yunshu pouted. “What do you mean ‘settling’? It’s not settling at all. If anything, I don’t want you to feel like you’re settling.”
Ye Qinglan patted her head. “Well, think of it as me not wanting to constantly be the subject of public scrutiny.”
Yunxi sighed in understanding. “You always think things through too carefully.”
Ye Qinglan’s lips curved slightly. “At the very least, we can’t satisfy everyone, but I don’t want either of us to get hurt because of this.”
“The online environment is more polarized than ever. I don’t want Xiao Shu to face unfair treatment because of me,” Ye Qinglan continued. “So after I win another Best Actress award, I think the criticism will die down.”
Lin Xuesong interjected, “Don’t worry. These two will be family sooner or later. We shouldn’t fret they have their own plans. And compared to us, they’re probably the most eager ones here.”
Yunxi nodded in agreement. “You’re right. I’m being too impatient.”
“Don’t worry, Aunt Yun. The day will come when you’ll hear me call you differently,” Ye Qinglan said with a smile, pouring her a drink.
“Good, good. I’ll be waiting for that day,” Yunxi replied cheerfully.
After the meal, Ye Qinglan and Ning Yunshu arranged for Qin Yun to take Yunxi and Ning Jieson back to their hotel, while Zhou Tiantian drove them home.
Once inside, Ye Qinglan caught Ning Yunshu’s wrist as she moved to tidy up.
“Xiao Shu, I know this isn’t entirely fair to you, but please wait a little longer for me. Eventually, I’ll announce to everyone that I want to be with you.”
Hearing this, Ning Yunshu smiled warmly.
“Wait? Of course I’ll wait. You waited seven years for me, what’s a little more time?”
“Don’t worry, sister. I’ll always be here to support you and believe in you.”
Ye Qinglan’s eyes shimmered slightly as she reached up to cradle Ning Yunshu’s face, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to her lips.
Ning Yunshu was overjoyed and was just about to deepen the kiss when Ye Qinglan quickly pulled away.
“No, not today. I haven’t recovered yet.”
Left with no choice, Ning Yunshu touched her own lips, savoring the lingering sensation.
“Alright then.”