Against the Light - Chapter 107
Chapter 107: It's Best to Repay Debts Early
Although the meteor shower was fleeting, the stunning sight left the two of them savoring the memory.
The tourists nearby were also incredibly excited. Many were still loudly discussing the magnificent spectacle, and some mentioned they had recorded it on their phones to post online.
They sat there until ten o'clock, reluctant to leave. It wasn't until a chill set in that Gu Xinran pulled Bai Yilan's waist a little tighter and led her back to the car.
It was already midnight when they returned to the set. All the tents were quiet, and the bonfire was burning brightly. They warmed themselves by the fire for a bit before returning to their tent, where they found a meal on the table, likely left for them by Jin Shuang.
They had a simple meal, washed up, and fell asleep in each other's arms, completely content.
The next day, everyone on set was already in work mode early in the morning.
Spurred on by the crew's frenetic energy, they also got up early.
Bai Yilan obediently took on the role of supervisor for the day, sitting behind the monitor and watching the screen the entire time.
"Sister Lan, don't you think the actor's emotions in this scene are a bit too agitated? Wouldn't it be better if they were a little more restrained?" Jin Shuang asked, habitually turning to Bai Yilan after glancing from the monitor to the script.
"You're a mature director now. You should learn to make your own decisions." Gu Xinran's words left Jin Shuang speechless.
She sighed silently. Fine, I guess I have to rely on myself.
Bai Yilan glanced at her, and Gu Xinran gave a faint smile.
She hadn't said it just to shut Jin Shuang down. She knew Jin Shuang was perfectly capable; it was just that after years of working under Yilan, she had grown accustomed to relying on her. Whenever Yilan was present, she would ask about every little thing just for reassurance. When Yilan had been away, she had clearly been able to manage the crew's affairs on her own.
In the future, the crew couldn't possibly have Yilan overseeing every single film. Jin Shuang would eventually have to take the lead, so it was best to start cultivating her independence now.
With Gu Xinran and Bai Yilan's encouragement, Jin Shuang gradually found her footing, her confidence growing by the day.
The two exchanged a satisfied glance.
The weather was exceptionally hot and dry today, and Yilan couldn't stand the heat. The back of the fresh shirt she'd put on was already damp with sweat, and beads of perspiration trickled down her neck. Gu Xinran's eyes drifted over, and her mind suddenly conjured some rather inappropriate images. In those moments, Yilan's porcelain skin would take on a reddish-orange glow, glistening with a thin sheen of sweat that was exceptionally alluring.
"What are you thinking about?" Bai Yilan asked, fanning herself with her hand. She caught sight of Xinran staring blankly out of the corner of her eye. Turning her head, she saw Gu Xinran's gaze fixed on her neck and immediately raised an eyebrow.
Gu Xinran averted her gaze. "Nothing." As she spoke, she unconsciously swallowed.
Bai Yilan frowned. Noticing the flush on her cheeks and the smile playing at the corners of her lips, she instantly realized what sort of indecent thoughts were running through her head. She couldn't help but scoff, "You old pervert."
"..."
At noon, a crew member carried over two large buckets and called everyone to eat.
"Whoa, it's iced congee! Director Bai, hurry!"
Iced congee?
Gu Xinran's mind raced. Eating cold food so close to her period was something she had strictly forbidden. If Yilan dared to eat it, she'd have the perfect excuse to "deal with" her!
Bai Yilan felt like she was melting from the heat. The moment she heard lunch was iced congee, her eyes lit up. She obediently grabbed a bowl and hurried to get in line.
A moment later, she returned with a full bowl. She looked around and spotted Xinran sitting with the others, chatting. She went over, sat down beside her, and scooped half of the congee into a bowl for her.
Gu Xinran touched the bowl; it was ice-cold. The congee was thick and dotted with pieces of fruit.
On such a hot day, a bowl of iced congee was the ultimate comfort. Everyone was enjoying it immensely. Bai Yilan had just lifted a spoonful to her lips when she suddenly narrowed her eyes. She whipped her head to the side, just in time to see Xinran turn away, avoiding her gaze.
Bai Yilan frowned. How strange, she thought. Why is she staring at me instead of eating her food...
As she thought this, she brought the spoon toward her lips again. The moment the cold grains of rice touched her lips, it dawned on her! Catching Xinran raising a hand from the corner of her eye, she immediately looked up, nonchalantly placed the bowl on the ground, and wiped her mouth.
"Sister Lan, the sand is hot. Your congee will get warm in a minute."
"Mm, I feel like having hot congee."
Oh? Gu Xinran raised an eyebrow. Well, well. She learns fast.
Gu Xinran glanced to the side. "Hey, they have iced watermelon, too. Want a slice?"
Bai Yilan tugged at her collar, trying to cool down. "Heat it up for me, please."
"??? Hot... watermelon?" Everyone stared, dumbfounded.
Gu Xinran burst out laughing. She had a feeling Yilan had seen right through her little scheme.
"Alright, go ahead and eat it if you want. Just have a little." Seeing the way Yilan's throat bobbed as she swallowed, clearly desperate for a taste but trying hard to restrain herself, Gu Xinran couldn't bear to disappoint her and finally relented.
Bai Yilan glanced at her, raised a slight eyebrow, and leaned close to her ear. "A certain someone isn't going to hold this against me later, are they?"
"..." Gu Xinran chuckled and lowered her head. "Of course."
Hearing that, Bai Yilan was instantly relieved!
She picked up her bowl and began to eat with gusto. The cold congee finally helped her cool down a bit. Then, with Xinran's permission, she took a bite of iced watermelon, the word "happiness" written all over her face.
The day passed in the blink of an eye.
That evening, Gu Xinran washed up early and lay in bed, absentmindedly flipping through a book.
Bai Yilan quickly slipped under the covers, pressing close to Xinran for warmth. This place was really something else. It was hot enough to make you question life itself during the day, but at night it was as cold as deep winter. The temperature swing was just too extreme.
Gu Xinran set her book aside, turned, and wrapped her arms around Bai Yilan, stroking her chilled body.
"Are you cold?"
"Mm-hm."
"Then... how about we work up a sweat?"
"???" Bai Yilan froze. She had just snuggled into Gu Xinran's embrace, but that one sentence startled her so much that she immediately leaned back, putting some distance between them.
"What?"
After she asked, she saw Gu Xinran smiling—a smile that was both a little guilty and very wicked. It was clearly exactly what she'd thought!
"You old pervert!"
"Alright, alright, we don't have to work up a sweat," Gu Xinran said, scooting closer to hug her again.
"Then how about we settle our accounts?"
"? Settle accounts?" Bai Yilan tried to squirm out of her embrace again, but this time there was nowhere to retreat. She could only let the old pervert hold her.
"Look, your period is in three days. Today, you had iced congee and iced watermelon. Didn't we just write up that guarantee yesterday? And today you..."
"Wait! You said you wouldn't hold it against me later!"
"Hm? What did I say, exactly?"
"You said... 'Of course!'"
Gu Xinran's eyes curved into crescents. "Of course... I will hold it against you~"
"!!"
"That's outrageous!"
Gu Xinran laughed heartily. Holding this warm, soft body in her arms... was quite the test of her self-control.
"Keep your voice down. These tents aren't very soundproof."
"Hey, no, no, no! Let me owe you this one! Just this once!" Bai Yilan pleaded. If she accidentally made any... strange noises, it would be more than just embarrassing!
"Owe me?" Gu Xinran raised an eyebrow, a cunning glint in her eyes.
"Yes, I'll owe you. We can settle it when we get home."
"Alright, but I'll be charging interest."
"You're too much!"
"I'm a businesswoman, after all. A businesswoman doesn't get out of bed for anything that isn't profitable."
"You..." Before Bai Yilan could finish, Gu Xinran buried her face in the crook of her neck, her warm breath tickling her skin.
Gu Xinran's tongue darted out for a light lick before she sucked gently, leaving a small hickey just beside her collarbone.
"That's today's interest payment." Gu Xinran smacked her lips in satisfaction and looked down at her handiwork with an appreciative gaze, as if admiring a masterpiece.
Bai Yilan's face flushed red, and she quickly rolled over to face away from her.
Gu Xinran chuckled. Stroking Yilan's back, she mused aloud, "Hmm, let me think... what kind of interest should I collect tomorrow?"
"..." Please, just act like a decent human being!
Gu Xinran ended up staying for a week. If she didn't have to rush back to film her show, she would have gladly stayed longer. After all, every extra day meant more interest accrued on a certain someone's debt. Just collecting the interest payments these past few days had left her feeling incredibly satisfied.
During that time, she and Yilan had intentionally delegated authority to Jin Shuang, becoming mere observers. Jin Shuang made all the decisions, and regardless of whether they were right or wrong, the two of them never interfered.
She was already quite capable; she just lacked opportunities to take the lead. With their deliberate guidance, she grew quickly, allowing Yilan to feel confident entrusting the crew to her.
These past few days, the two of them had mostly stayed out of the way, wandering around and visiting the local tourist spots. It was practically a vacation.
On this day, the two of them rose early to pack their bags, preparing to head home.
"Xinran, why don't you just go back by yourself? Let Sister Lan stay with us for a few more days," Jin Shuang said indignantly. She had invited her as a guest of honor, only to have her whisked away.
"Hm? I have no objection," Gu Xinran said. "Yilan, why don't you stay a few more days? Filming is almost wrapped up anyway. You can just head back with everyone else when it's done." Gu Xinran swore her words were completely sincere, with absolutely no threatening undertones.
"No, no, no, no, I want to go home," Bai Yilan said, completely out of character. She shook her head so vigorously it was like a rattle drum, her tone exceptionally firm.
Jin Shuang looked utterly confused.
Gu Xinran shrugged and held up her hands as if to say, See? She's the one who wants to go. I'm really not forcing her.
"Sister Lan..." Jin Shuang tried again.
"You can do it. You'll be fine. You're amazing. Be more confident," Bai Yilan said perfunctorily, continuing to pack her bags with brisk efficiency.
Gu Xinran kept her head down, trying to stifle her laughter, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably. Suddenly, she felt a chill run down her spine. She looked up and was met with a vicious glare from Yilan.
Bai Yilan was absolutely furious.
This woman was too wicked! She collected interest from her every single night, and with it compounding daily, the interest now amounted to more than the original debt! Bai Yilan was starting to think that if this continued, she'd never be able to pay it off in her lifetime!!
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