MQSP - Chapter 24
Chapter 24
In the car, Lin Yuqing rubbed her forehead, lost in thought.
"Xiao Zi, why is it that Xiao Ye will tell you anything first, but she insists on hiding things from me?"
Xia Xiaozi's hand on the steering wheel trembled, and the car swerved noticeably. "I-I-I… I certainly didn't put her up to it!"
"Then why is it? Is she afraid of me? Am I that fierce? It's not like I eat people." Lin Yuqing was genuinely perplexed.
"Oh, you're not fierce? When have you ever given her a smile? Uh, no, that's not what I meant. I mean…" Xia Xiaozi realized she might have accidentally spoken the truth again and feared Lin Yuqing would hold it against her later.
"It's fine, keep going."
"Can I?"
"Yes."
"I think it's because you always have a stern look on your face. Xiao Ye lost her family when she was young and is extremely insecure. She's afraid you'll abandon her, too. And you really haven't had a proper heart-to-heart with her, nor have you ever shown her a pleasant expression."
"I have recently."
"Then you should keep at it. Xiao Ye is very easy to please. If you show her even a little kindness, she's bound to repay you tenfold, a hundredfold."
Lin Yuqing nodded. "So that's what she's afraid of. Haven't you told her that I would never abandon her?" Is this child overthinking things?
"What good would it do if I said it? A hundred sentences from me can't compare to a single one from you. What Xiao Ye cares about is your opinion of her."
"Oh." Lin Yuqing said no more, carefully mulling over Xia Xiaozi's words.
And while she was thinking, Xia Xiaozi also fell into contemplation. What kind of feelings does Xiao Ye really have for Qing Jie?
When Baiye arrived at the film set, everyone was already bustling about. The newly arrived actors had all changed into athletic wear, ready to learn the martial arts choreography.
For this, Su Yu had specially hired a professional martial arts director. Rumor had it that before entering this line of work, she was the head coach of the city's martial arts team.
"Sorry, I'm late."
"It's fine, you're not late. Hurry and get changed."
After changing, Baiye came out and quickly found her friends. Just as they were greeting each other, they saw Su Yu leading a woman in a white training uniform over to them.
The woman looked to be of a certain age, with faint wrinkles on her face. She had a fierce expression and looked very strict.
"We're done for. It's Coach Yang," Chen Ying said in a low voice.
"Who's that?"
"The head coach of the city's martial arts team. She led the An Qing City team to three consecutive national championships. She's ruthless when training her team members."
"Then what do we do? Besides you, none of us have any martial arts background…"
"What's there to be afraid of? We're just learning a few moves for a role, not actually learning martial arts," Wu Mengmeng said.
While they were talking, the two women had already approached.
Su Yu clapped her hands, calling them over. "Come, come, let me introduce you. This is Director Yang Ping. For the next half-month, you'll be learning some martial arts moves from her. Director Yang is very strict, so don't you dare slack off."
After a brief introduction, Su Yu whispered a few more words to Yang Ping before turning and heading back to the studio.
During the lunch break, the aroma of food filled the studio. In the dressing room, Lin Yuqing had four portable air conditioners blasting at her. It was just too hot today. She had scenes in the afternoon, so she couldn't take off her costume. The clothes underneath were probably soaked through, sticking to her skin uncomfortably. It was miserable.
Xia Xiaozi handed her a glass of iced plum juice to whet her appetite. Lin Yuqing couldn't stand the heat, and when it was too hot, she lost her appetite completely. But if she didn't eat, she wouldn't be able to get through the afternoon shoot, so Xia Xiaozi often prepared iced plum juice for her.
Speaking of food, Lin Yuqing frowned slightly. "Has Xiao Ye eaten?"
Oh, so she knows how to care about the little one now~
"No. She's having a miserable time. Su Yu got Director Yang to train them, and the poor kids haven't even had a chance to eat lunch. They're still out there under the scorching sun getting yelled at. She said if they can't learn the moves, no one gets to rest…" Xia Xiaozi sighed, extremely worried. After all, Xiao Ye had always been the least athletic person she knew. Making her learn martial arts moves was truly asking too much of her.
Lin Yuqing put down the chopsticks she had just picked up. "Let's go have a look."
On the training ground, Su Yu stood to the side, observing. She held a fan to shield herself from the blazing sun as she watched Director Yang meticulously correcting the young actors' movements. She wanted to go over and say a few nice words to let them rest, but Director Yang had just thrown a fit, and she didn't want to get on her bad side.
"What's going on?" When Lin Yuqing walked over, she saw that Su Yu also looked as anxious as if her house were on fire.
"Ugh, don't even mention it. We didn't hire a martial arts director; we hired a tyrant from hell! They've been training for four hours, no food, no water. See over there? She's already made two of them cry. If this keeps up, I think these kids are all going to run away!"
Crying?
Lin Yuqing's heart tightened. She quickly looked in the direction Su Yu was pointing. Thankfully, it wasn't Xiao Ye. Searching around, she found Xiao Ye being reprimanded by Director Yang…
"Can't you even learn a simple thrusting move like this? It's so limp, there's no force at all. Are you afraid to use your strength?" Yang Ping scolded harshly. Baiye was so intimidated she didn't dare make a sound, silently tightening her grip on the wooden spear.
"I'm sorry, Director Yang, I…"
"Sorry, sorry, all you can say is sorry. Is sorry useful? Get back to practicing!"
"Okay."
Lin Yuqing stood with her hands on her hips, watching, her brow furrowing unconsciously. Su Yu saw this from the side, and her eyes lit up. "Hey, someone's bullying your wife. Go be the hero!" It was most appropriate for Lin Yuqing to step in. After all, both of them had foul tempers. If they started arguing, she could step in and play the peacemaker, and things would be easier to resolve.
Su Yu's plan was sound, but she knew Lin Yuqing wouldn't cooperate so easily. Just as she was trying to think of how to persuade her, she saw Lin Yuqing lift the hem of her costume and stride right over!
Su Yu's eyes went wide. Well, well, look at her, getting protective now!?
Lin Yuqing took two steps and then stopped. A little closer now, she watched the little one practice her moves. Her weapon was a wooden spear, and she was currently practicing a thrusting motion. It was just as Director Yang had said—her thrusts were limp, completely lacking force. No wonder the woman was angry.
But looking at the little one again, it was clear she was exhausted. It was already impressive that she hadn't burst into tears like the others. She had always preferred quiet over activity and rarely exercised in her free time. Her physical fitness was definitely not up to par.
Lin Yuqing glanced up at the vicious sun. Four hours. It was really a lot for her to endure.
Lin Yuqing sighed. Although she really didn't want to meddle, her legs were already honestly carrying her over. Just as she reached Xiao Ye's side, before she could even plant her feet, a cry of alarm came from a distance. "Look out—!"
Lin Yuqing had no time to react. In her peripheral vision, she saw a silver whip whistling toward her. It was followed by a sharp ding as the tip of the whip struck her back armor. Fortunately, the force wasn't very strong; it only left a white mark on the armor. Lin Yuqing frowned slightly and turned to look at the person who had swung the whip, her eyes glinting menacingly. If she hadn't been standing right here, wouldn't that whip have struck Xiao Ye!?
"Auntie Lin!" When Baiye turned her head at the sound, she saw the dangerous scene unfold. She covered her mouth in alarm, stifling a scream in her throat.
Wu Mengmeng stood frozen in place, a chill running down her spine under Lin Yuqing's ferocious gaze, too scared to move.
"What happened!" Su Yu rushed over, looking from one to the other.
"Director Su, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I don't really know how to use this whip, and I accidentally hit someone while practicing. I really didn't do it on purpose, I…" Seeing Wu Mengmeng on the verge of tears, Su Yu quickly patted her shoulder before jogging over to Lin Yuqing.
"Yuqing, where are you hurt? Let me see."
"I'm fine." Lin Yuqing raised a hand and glanced at Yang Ping, who was now approaching, then shot Su Yu a meaningful look.
"Director Yang, let's have them take a break. Look at them, they're so tired they can't even hold their weapons steady."
Seeing that nothing serious had happened, Yang Ping was also a little shaken. She took the opportunity to let everyone rest.
In the dressing room, Su Yu forcibly removed Lin Yuqing's costume to check her injury. Fortunately, the armor had actually done its job. Coupled with the fact that Wu Mengmeng didn't know how to use a whip and hadn't swung it with much force, it had only left a faint, thumb-length red mark on her back.
"Alright, lucky for you, you're thick-skinned. As long as you're okay, I can rest easy." Su Yu let out a long sigh, taking the chance to tease Lin Yuqing.
Lin Yuqing wasn't in a bad mood. She took the opportunity to change into a dry inner shirt, finally free from the sticky sweat.
When Su Yu came out, she saw Baiye pacing anxiously by the door. She naturally assumed the girl felt responsible for Lin Yuqing's injury and was afraid of making her angry. "Baiye, it's okay, don't be scared. This has nothing to do with you. She won't give you any trouble."
"Director Su, can I go in and see her?" Baiye clutched her cold, clammy hands, unable to hide her anxiety and worry.
"Go on, go on. Look how scared you are." But Su Yu just thought she was terrified.
When Baiye pushed the door open and entered, Lin Yuqing was leaning back in her chair, resting with her eyes closed. She had changed into a clean white shirt, the top buttons undone. In the mirror's reflection, one could vaguely see her delicate collarbones. Auntie Lin's profile was so beautiful, her lips exquisitely shaped, the lines from her cheek to her chin distinct and perfect.
Baiye closed the door behind her. Lin Yuqing opened her eyes. "Why aren't you resting?"
"Auntie Lin, can I… take a look?"
"It's nothing, I'm not hurt. There's nothing to see. Go eat and rest. You have a tough afternoon ahead of you."
"Just let her take a look. Otherwise, she won't be at ease all day," Xia Xiaozi chimed in from the side. Hearing this, Lin Yuqing relented. She reached up and undid two more buttons on her chest. Seeing the faint hint of her deep cleavage, Baiye's mind went blank with a buzz.
Lin Yuqing waited a moment, but there was no movement from behind her. Didn't she want to see the injury? Do I have to take it off myself for you to see?
With that thought, Lin Yuqing undid another button, tugged at her shirt, and pulled the fabric completely off her right shoulder, presumably exposing the mark.
Still, there was no movement from behind her.
"Ahem, hey, where are you looking?" Xia Xiaozi noticed Baiye's flushed face and her eyes glued to the mirror's reflection, and couldn't help but give her a reminder.
Hearing this, Lin Yuqing looked up. Following Baiye's gaze in the mirror, she looked down at herself. Wasn't that just her underwear? Black, plain, nothing special. What was there to look at?
…!?
Lin Yuqing suddenly snapped back to reality. Her face flushed red as she yanked her shirt back up, fumbling angrily with the buttons.
"Lin Aun—"
"Get out!" Her tone was ice-cold, but even its chilliness couldn't hide her beet-red face.
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