Against the Light - Chapter 155
Chapter 155: Auntie, Don't Cry
The two of them barely slept all night.
Last night, the little one had suddenly started crying, as if having a nightmare. She kept shouting things like, "Don't hit me," "Please," and "Mommy." No matter how they called to her, she wouldn't wake up. After a long time of coaxing, she finally sobbed herself back to sleep, her little hands clenched into fists, tightly gripping their clothes.
As the sky brightened, the little one rolled over into Bai Yilan's arms, wrapping her arms around her neck and nuzzling against her, calling "Mommy, Mommy" nonstop.
Bai Yilan's eyes were slightly red as she held her, kissing her again and again.
"Morning, Mommy~" the little one greeted her in a sweet, childish voice.
"Good morning, baby."
"Mommy, why are your eyes so red?" Xiao Ye blinked, looking at Bai Yilan with her little brows furrowed tightly.
"Hm? Mommy didn't sleep well, I'm still sleepy. Can baby sleep with Mommy a little longer?" Bai Yilan kissed her little nose.
"Mmm, okay!" The little one immediately closed her eyes obediently, nestling motionlessly in Bai Yilan's arms.
When Gu Xinran came out of the bathroom, she saw the little one lying in Bai Yilan's arms, secretly peeking at Bai Yilan with one eye open.
"Eh? Pretending to be asleep?" Gu Xinran sat on the edge of the bed, leaning against Bai Yilan's side.
The little one immediately put a small hand to her lips, signaling for her to be quiet. "I'm keeping Mommy company while she sleeps," she whispered in a breathy voice.
Gu Xinran was momentarily stunned. Bai Yilan let out a soft chuckle and rubbed the little one's head. "Alright, Mommy was just teasing you. Are you awake now?"
"Mhm!" The little one nodded and deftly slipped out of her arms, about to get off the bed.
"Come here, let Mama see if you wet the bed." Quick as a flash, Gu Xinran grabbed her and picked her up.
"Ehehe~" The little one grinned. "I did~" she said, a little shyly.
"Hmph." Gu Xinran shot her a look and carried her to the bathroom for a bath.
"Mama, can you wash me faster?" the little one urged.
"Oh? Why the hurry?"
"Hehe~"
"Stop giggling and talk. What are you going to do after your bath?"
"Auntie said she would come early in the morning."
Hearing this, Gu Xinran raised an eyebrow and pinched her daughter's little nose. Hmph, if that auntie of yours dares to show up today, see if I don't break her legs!
Just as she was thinking this, the doorbell rang.
"Ah! Auntie's here!" Xiao Ye bounced up and down excitedly in the bathtub, splashing water all over Gu Xinran.
Gu Xinran rolled her eyes. "Go on, then. Go see your auntie just like this." She huffily dropped her hands.
"Ah, Mama, I'm not wearing any clothes yet. Mama~" Xiao Ye hugged Gu Xinran's arm and shook it, acting cute.
Gu Xinran was helpless, completely defeated by this tactic.
"Alright, alright, be good. Mama will dry you off."
"Mmm, Mommy, can you open the door for Auntie and tell her Xiao Ye is taking a bath and it's not convenient to see people!"
Bai Yilan, who heard this from outside, didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Okay, I got it."
Bai Yilan opened the door and welcomed the group in.
"Good morning, Teacher Bai."
"Are you not fully awake yet? Did we wake you?" Xu Yi asked cautiously, noticing Bai Yilan's red eyes.
"Hm? No, Xiao Ye just woke up early. Come in." Bai Yilan glanced at the several camera operators, looking them over one by one, but couldn't tell which one was the auntie Xiao Ye was so fixated on.
"Is Xiao Ye already awake?"
"Mhm, she woke up very early. She kept saying her auntie was coming and that she wanted to see her. Sigh." Bai Yilan sighed helplessly.
She took the opportunity to secretly observe the other two. When she finished speaking, she saw a young woman's eyes curve into a beautiful smile and immediately determined it was her.
Gu Xinran came out of the bedroom, glanced over, and instantly recognized the camerawoman. She immediately rolled up her sleeves and walked over, stopping right in front of her.
The camerawoman was visibly startled and looked up at her. "Hello, Sister Ran." After speaking, she lowered her head, looking slightly flustered.
Gu Xinran looked at this person who was only as tall as her shoulder. She couldn't be very old, and she was rather thin and small. Seeing her somewhat frightened expression, Gu Xinran's heart softened, and her expression relaxed considerably.
The young camerawoman bowed to her, walked around her into the tent, and started setting up her equipment.
【Ahhh, I've waited so long, it's finally here! Good morning, baby Xiao Ye! Mama loves you, muah~】
【Good morning everyone, let me see how many people rushed here early in the morning to see our baby?】
【Me, me, me! raises hand! I even dreamed about our little baby playing statue last night, she was so cute!】
【Obviously, the cutest part was her drooling, hahaha!】
【That's right, that's right, my baby is cute no matter what!】
"Ah! Auntie, Auntie, Auntie! Good morning, Auntie!" Accompanied by a cheerful shout, the little one came running out of the bedroom, heading straight for the tent where her auntie was.
"Auntie, did you miss Xiao Ye?" the little one asked in her sweet, childish voice, smiling so widely her eyes nearly narrowed into a line.
"Mhm, I did."
【Baby! At least look at the other aunties! How can you dote on just one person!!】
【…Do I still have a chance?】
【Ahhhhh, baby, you can't be like this! Aren't you Gu the Sea King? You have to share the love!!!】
【I really never expected that one day I would be jealous of a camera operator!】
【Baby, being devoted is wrong!】
【Sob, sob, baby's smile is so sweet, I really want to squish her!】
"Auntie, Auntie, how did you miss me?" Xiao Ye pouted, tilting her head up with a look of adorable pride.
"Eh?" The camerawoman was taken aback, apparently not expecting such a question.
"Ahem, I missed you in my heart," the camerawoman coughed lightly and said with a smile.
"Heh!"
"Did Xiao Ye sleep well?"
"I slept well. Has Auntie had breakfast? Mama! Let's make breakfast!"
"Is this the only time you remember me??" Gu Xinran planted her hands on her hips indignantly, her eyes flashing as she glared into the tent.
"Hehe~" Xiao Ye giggled. "Mama, Xiao Ye is hungry~"
"Make it yourself!"
"Ah~ Mommy~ Mama is being naughty again!"
"???" Gu Xinran looked at Bai Yilan, dumbfounded. "She's tattling on me!"
"Alright, I saw. Neither of you is being good." Bai Yilan swatted her hand away and glanced at the little one.
Seeing that the recording had already started, Bai Yilan didn't want to disturb them any further. She quickly went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, then returned to the bedroom to change her clothes.
"Xiao Ye, Mommy's leaving now."
"Aren't you going to eat before you go?" Gu Xinran asked.
"No, it's a good chance to have morning tea with Ming Zhen."
"Alright." Gu Xinran walked Bai Yilan to the door, then suddenly felt that something was off. She looked down and realized that the little clingy bug was nowhere to be seen!?
"Xiao Ye? Mommy is leaving, aren't you going to see me off?"
"Huh?" Xiao Ye was leaning against the tent, chatting with her camera auntie. Hearing her mother, she poked her head out.
"Mommy's going now, Xiao Ye."
"Ah, Mommy!" Hearing that she was leaving, the little one got anxious. She scampered over, hugged Bai Yilan's leg, and asked to be picked up.
"Mommy, please don't go, okay?" Xiao Ye's lip trembled.
"Be good. Mommy is going out to buy you some yummy treats and will be back tonight. Aren't Mama and your auntie here with you?"
"Wuwuwu… that's true." Xiao Ye was just about to cry when she seemed to remember that her auntie was also at home with her. Her tears immediately stopped. She sniffled. "Then Mommy, come back early."
"Eh??"
【Hahaha, Director Bai is stunned!!!】
【As expected, the auntie's appeal is the strongest!】
【Wuwuwu, baby, I forbid you from calling anyone else auntie, ahhh!】
【Director Bai, you can't spoil the child. If she needs a spanking, she needs a spanking!】
【Are you a devil for telling Director Bai to hit her child!!】
"Xiao Ye, Mommy's leaving now." Bai Yilan opened the door, looking back one last time, unwilling to give up.
"Goodbye, Mommy." Xiao Ye had brought over a small stool and was sitting obediently in front of the tent, playing with the camera auntie's camera.
"…"
Gu Xinran couldn't stop laughing. Only after receiving a harsh glare from Bai Yilan did she suppress her smile, her expression changing in a second.
Gu Xinran saw Bai Yilan out, and the two shared a hug. "Now you see who loves you the most, right?" Gu Xinran said.
"Hmph, this little heartless thing."
Gu Xinran chuckled, gave Bai Yilan a kiss, and watched her enter the elevator.
Back inside, Gu Xinran went to the kitchen and brought out breakfast.
"Has Auntie eaten?"
"I've eaten."
"Oh." Xiao Ye replied, slightly disappointed. It seemed she had wanted to have breakfast with her auntie.
"Hurry up and eat." Gu Xinran served Xiao Ye a bowl of pumpkin porridge, blew on it by her lips, tested the temperature, and only handed it to Xiao Ye when it wasn't hot.
"Thank you, Mama." Xiao Ye said her thanks obediently, held the small spoon herself, and carefully scooped up a spoonful, eating it in a big mouthful.
As Xiao Ye was eating, she suddenly paused, her little brows knitting together.
"What's wrong?" Gu Xinran noticed her movement, used a napkin to wipe the corner of her mouth, and asked gently.
"I think I heard a cough."
"Eh?" Gu Xinran was startled. She listened carefully but heard nothing at all.
"Alright, eat first."
Soon, the two finished their meal. Gu Xinran went to the kitchen to clean up the dishes, while Xiao Ye giggled and wandered from tent to tent, finally ending up in front of that auntie's tent again.
She gently lifted the tent flap and peeked inside.
Gu Xinran stood at the kitchen doorway, secretly peeking out. Seeing her little milk bun run to someone else's tent again, she immediately became unhappy.
"Xiao Ye, come help Mama," Gu Xinran called out loudly.
"Huh? What?" Xiao Ye scampered over.
"Help Mama wash the dishes." Gu Xinran pointed to the dishes in the sink.
Xiao Ye scratched her little head. "Okay," she agreed readily.
Gu Xinran got a stool for Xiao Ye to stand on. She stood behind her, wrapping her arms around her. The mother and daughter washed the dishes together, creating an exceptionally warm scene.
Gu Xinran lowered her head and kissed the little milk bun's forehead. "Why is Xiao Ye so well-behaved?"
"Mmm, Auntie told me to spend more time with Mama."
Gu Xinran's expression froze, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly. Heh, so after all this, she was just listening to her auntie!
"Why are you so set on this auntie?" Gu Xinran was so angry she wanted to grab her by her little ears and sternly warn her not to interact with that auntie anymore! However, after struggling with the thought for a moment, she didn't do it.
How could she bear to truly cut off contact between Xiao Ye and the person she had remembered for a lifetime, the person she had longed for even after reincarnation?
This was probably fate.
Soon, the mother and daughter finished washing the dishes. Gu Xinran had Xiao Ye sit on the sofa to watch TV, while she herself sat on Xiao Ye's little stool, staring intently at the person inside the tent.
"How old are you?" Gu Xinran asked.
The camerawoman didn't dare to look at her. "Eighteen."
"You're out working at eighteen? You're not in school?" Gu Xinran frowned.
"No. Ahem."
"Do you have any family?"
The camerawoman shook her head.
Gu Xinran fell silent.
【What's going on? Is Ran Zai preparing to recruit a live-in son-in-law???】
【???? Ran Zai, get your priorities straight! Xiao Ye is only two, she's only two!!!】
【Isn't Ran Zai a little too concerned about this camera operator…】
"Auntie, you coughed!" Xiao Ye heard the cough again and immediately ran over, her little brows furrowed as she looked at her with a worried expression.
"Mhm, Auntie is fine."
"How can you be fine if you're coughing? Coughing means you're sick!" Xiao Ye said with great seriousness.
"Auntie is not sick."
Xiao Ye stared at her intently, then suddenly reached out a small hand to touch her forehead. "Mama, can you feel if Auntie is hot?"
Hearing this, Gu Xinran carefully observed her complexion. Her eyes didn't seem as bright and lively as yesterday. She also reached out to feel her forehead.
"She is a little warm." Gu Xinran said, getting up to go to the bedroom to get a thermometer. "Put this under your arm, let's check your temperature."
"There's no need, Sister Ran."
Gu Xinran's gaze was exceptionally firm, making it impossible for her to meet her eyes.
"Thank you, Sister Ran."
She took the thermometer, placed it under her arm, and glanced at Xiao Ye, giving her a small smile. "Don't worry, Auntie is fine."
"Mmm. Even though you say that, Xiao Ye is really worried."
【Ahhh, this mother-daughter pair is too sweet! So sweet!!】
【This camera operator is truly winning at life!!】
【Ran Zai is so kind, being so concerned about a camera operator. Is she really not planning to recruit her as a live-in son-in-law???】
【Pfft, I was really touched, but then I saw what you wrote and burst out laughing. A live-in son-in-law, really??】
A short while later, the camerawoman took out the thermometer. Gu Xinran immediately reached out and took it from her. She glanced at it: 37.2°C, a slight fever.
Gu Xinran immediately got up and went to the bedroom, brought back some fever medicine, dissolved it in hot water, and handed it to her, gesturing for her to drink it.
The camerawoman was deeply moved. Just one look at her and her eyes turned red. "Thank you." Even her voice was a little choked up.
"Xiao Ye, make sure Auntie drinks her medicine, okay?" After saying this, Gu Xinran turned and went back to the bedroom to put away the medicine box. She sat on the edge of the bed with a solemn expression.
So thin and small, with no family, already out making a living at just eighteen. She didn't even know how to take care of herself when she was sick and was still insisting on working.
Thinking of the Lin Yuqing from her past life, Gu Xinran's heart ached with a sharp pang.
The Xiao Qing from her past life had been just like this—abandoned by her family, forced to make a living at a young age, working as an extra, a stunt double, getting beaten black and blue. If she hadn't met her, who knows what would have become of her.
To think that in this life, she would once again…
Gu Xinran took a deep breath. Right now, her mind was no longer on the fact that this person had stolen her daughter's heart, but was filled with heartache and regret for her dear friend.
Gu Xinran took a moment to compose herself and adjust her mood. When she came out to the living room, she saw Xiao Ye holding an empty cup, sitting on the little stool and watching her Auntie Lin without blinking.
Gu Xinran was deeply moved. She stood quietly at the doorway, watching for a while.
"Hey, Mama, Auntie was very good and finished all her medicine," Xiao Ye held up the small cup in her hand and announced proudly to Gu Xinran.
"Is that so? She was that good?" Gu Xinran walked over with a light laugh, stroking Xiao Ye's head. She then went to the kitchen, poured a cup of hot water, and passed it through the window.
"The weather has been changing these past two days. You all should be careful too. How about you each have a packet of cold medicine as a precaution?" Gu Xinran then looked at the other two camera operators.
"It's okay, Sister Ran, we're fine." Xu Yi was extremely grateful!
Xiao Ye was very well-behaved today. It seemed she knew her auntie was sick, so she didn't run around much. Most of the time, she sat obediently on the sofa watching TV, occasionally turning her head to glance at the auntie in the tent.
Before they knew it, the day had passed.
In the evening, Gu Xinran was playing with Xiao Ye in the living room, waiting for Bai Yilan to come home for dinner, when she suddenly heard the sound of someone frequently clearing their throat from the nearby tent.
Gu Xinran frowned, walked to the front of the tent, and squatted down, staring inside.
"Sister Ran… you?" The camerawoman swallowed and cleared her throat very lightly.
"Is your throat itchy?" Gu Xinran asked.
"Ahem. A little."
"If it's itchy, then cough. Why are you holding it in?"
Gu Xinran's frown deepened. "Did the medicine not help?"
"It's much better, I'm fine now." The camerawoman quickly shook her head.
Gu Xinran sighed inwardly and glanced at the time, guessing that Bai Yilan would be back soon.
"Auntie, are you feeling really uncomfortable?" Xiao Ye looked at her auntie with wide, worried eyes.
"Not at all."
"Mmm, then can Xiao Ye touch you?" the little one asked, holding onto the tent.
"No, you can't. Xiao Ye should stay away from Auntie."
"Why!"
"Auntie can't pass the germs to you. Be good, Sister Ran." The camerawoman looked at Gu Xinran.
It dawned on Gu Xinran. She nodded and quickly carried Xiao Ye to the side. Her little milk bun had a particularly weak immune system and would get sick whenever the weather changed.
"Ah, Mama, I want Auntie!" As soon as Gu Xinran carried her away, Xiao Ye grew anxious, kicking her little legs.
"Be good, Xiao Ye. If you get sick, Mommy will have the doctor give you a shot again. Aren't you scared?"
"I want Auntie! Mama, Mama! Auntie is really uncomfortable, Mama!!" Xiao Ye pointed at the tent, so anxious she was on the verge of tears.
For a moment, Gu Xinran even felt like she was the great villain tearing the two of them apart…
"Alright, Xiao Ye, be good." Just as Gu Xinran was at her wit's end, she suddenly heard the sound of the door opening and felt a wave of relief.
"What's wrong? Who's bullying our little milk bun?" The moment Bai Yilan entered, she saw the little one crying and struggling in Gu Xinran's arms. She quickly changed her shoes, ran over, and took Xiao Ye into her arms, gently comforting her.
"What's wrong, Xiao Ye? Stop crying first and tell Mommy."
"Wuwu… Auntie, Auntie is s-sick, and Mama, Mama won't let me see her, wuwu…" Xiao Ye sobbed, large tears plopping down onto her clothes, making Bai Yilan's heart ache.
"Okay, okay, don't cry, don't cry. What happened? What's going on?" Bai Yilan turned to look at Gu Xinran.
Gu Xinran let out a heavy sigh and shot a helpless glance at this little rascal. So she's really going to tattle on me, huh!?
She turned her head to look at the tent. "Come out," she said to the camerawoman.
The camerawoman hesitated for a moment, then obediently came out.
"You stay here and watch Xiao Ye. I'm taking her to the hospital."
"Huh?" Bai Yilan was stunned, not having processed the situation yet.
"S-Sister Ran, you don't have to. It's okay, I can just go home and take some medicine." The camerawoman took two steps back.
"Be good."
After saying that, Gu Xinran went back to her room to change.
"Hey, your foot still hasn't healed, it's not convenient. You stay home with Xiao Ye, I'll take her." Bai Yilan stopped her, put Xiao Ye down, and turned to grab a coat, draping it over the camerawoman's shoulders. "Let's go."
"I want to go too! Mommy, take Xiao Ye with you, please! Xiao Ye wants to be with Auntie! Mommy, I'm begging you!" Xiao Ye ran over and grabbed the camerawoman's hand. "Auntie's hand is so hot, Mommy!"
Seeing Xiao Ye making such a fuss, Bai Yilan felt a bit helpless. She picked up the little milk bun, walked to the bedroom, and put a coat on her. "Thank you, Mommy!"
Gu Xinran had also changed her clothes. "Let's all go together."
【??? What's going on? In the blink of an eye, everyone in the house left, leaving just two camera operators. What are we supposed to watch…??】
【So… it's a family of four now?】
【The little camera operator has successfully risen in rank??】
【Are they paying way too much attention to this camera operator??】
【This feels a bit fake… like they're putting on a show… making such a big deal out of a fever, the whole family revolving around one camera operator. It's so awkward.】
【They're overdoing the persona, trying too hard. If she's really sick, just send her home and get a new camera operator. Is all this necessary? This camera operator must be one of their own, right? Is this a sob story? Didn't Xiao Ye say she'd met this auntie before?】
【I just don't get it, what's there to hate on? The person is sick! If it were you, wouldn't you take them to the hospital? You'd just let them keep working for you while they're sick?】
【Ran Zai did the right thing, nothing wrong with it. Are camera operators not human? Can't they get sick? If they're sick, can't they be shown a little concern? Now do you see where Xiao Ye gets her good upbringing from? Hello? All you haters?】
Online, a heated discussion erupted over Gu Xinran's family interrupting the recording to personally accompany the camera operator to the hospital.
At that moment, in the car, Bai Yilan was focused on driving.
Gu Xinran was holding Xiao Ye, sitting in the back seat with the camerawoman.
The camerawoman looked at Bai Yilan in the rearview mirror, then at Gu Xinran, and her eyes gradually turned red.
"Auntie, are you scared of going to the hospital too?" Xiao Ye climbed off Gu Xinran's lap and sat between the two of them, her small paw tentatively taking the camerawoman's hand.
The camerawoman looked away, clenched her fist slightly, and secretly, gently, held Xiao Ye's small hand. "I'm not scared."
"Then why are you crying? Auntie, don't cry, okay? It makes Xiao Ye's heart hurt." The little one's lip trembled, and she was on the verge of crying with her. She held her hand with both of her own, as if praying devoutly.
Hearing her words, the camerawoman's nose tingled, and her bright eyes instantly filled with a misty haze. She bit her lip and turned her head to look out the window. "Mhm, Auntie isn't crying," she said, her voice slightly choked.
Comments
Post a Comment