MQSP - Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Ever since learning about her parentage, Gu Baiye had often found herself spacing out, trying hard to recall things from her childhood. She even tried searching for her mothers online, but strangely, she couldn't find any information about them. There were only records of people with the same names. Wasn't that too strange? No matter what, her mother Xinran had been a superstar who was all the rage for a time. How could there be no news about her at all?

"Xiao Ye, are you changed? It's time to go." Xia Xiaozi knocked on her door.

"Coming!" Baiye answered, putting down her phone. She hurriedly changed into a simple white shirt and jeans. Today, she was going to the hospital to have her stitches removed, and then she was going to meet her mothers' friends. Although she basically knew all of them, this time she would be meeting them in a completely new capacity. It was hard not to feel a little excited.

In the car, Baiye was clearly a bit apprehensive. Xia Xiaozi glanced at her in the rearview mirror and smiled. "Nervous?"

"Mm… I'm okay…" She unconsciously rubbed her neck.

But the moment she raised her hand, Lin Yuqing pressed it down. "Look at you, making a habit of it."

A few days ago, she had seen that Baiye had rubbed her own neck raw. Although Baiye had been deliberately limiting how often she showered these past two days, the unconscious habit of raising her hand to rub her neck had stuck.

Obediently, she placed her hands on her knees, sat up straight with her head held high, and assumed a prim and proper posture.

"By the way, Auntie Lin, will that Xue… Auntie Xue be coming today?"

"She probably will."

"Oh."

"Hand!" Lin Yuqing chided, seeing her right hand unconsciously rising again.

"Er…" Baiye gently tapped her right hand with her left. "You're not behaving."

Lin Yuqing shot her a look. Little rascal.

---

After the stitches were removed without a hitch, Baiye looked at herself in the mirror. It had left a scar. Just to the right of the previous one, a thin, half-inch-long scar was now etched on her skin.

Lin Yuqing frowned at the sight.

"It's okay. I've already prepared all sorts of scar removal products, just in case," Xia Xiaozi quickly said.

"It's about time. We should get going."

"Okay, let's go."

The meeting place was set at Jiang Boyan's house, something she had strongly insisted on. Lin Yuqing also felt that a more private meeting wasn't suitable for a public venue. Besides, Jiang Boyan's home was luxurious enough to rival a five-star hotel. It was spacious, fully equipped with all the necessary amenities, and even had an indoor swimming pool and other recreational facilities. She'd even heard a back garden had been built!

Jiang Boyan had always known how to enjoy life. Hosting Xiao Ye this time, who knew what new tricks she would pull out.

"Auntie Lin, I'm a little nervous…" Seeing the car slowly drive into a luxurious villa district, Baiye started to panic a little.

"It's fine. They're all people you know. Just act as you normally would."

Soon, the car stopped in front of a courtyard. Before Xia Xiaozi could even get out, the gate opened automatically. Xia Xiaozi drove in and parked next to several other cars. Fang Yi's car was there too. Who knew what that woman was doing here so early. She couldn't cook and was only good at getting in the way.

Baiye stared blankly at the magnificent villa before her. Poverty really did limit one's imagination.

While she was still dazed, Lin Yuqing poked her. "Can't you be a little more composed?"

"Heh, okay~"

Just as they were speaking, the main door opened and Fang Yi came out to greet them, heading straight for Baiye.

"You're here. Let me see." She lifted the little one's hair and looked at the wound on her forehead. "It left a scar?"

"It's okay, Auntie Fang. It's just a small scar. Look, if I cover it with my hair, you can't see it." Baiye fluffed her bangs to cover her forehead.

"Alright, come in. I want to introduce you to someone." Fang Yi took Baiye's hand and led her inside, completely leaving Lin Yuqing on the sidelines.

"Hey, can't you see me?" Lin Yuqing was quite displeased.

"Eh? Oh, you're here too," Fang Yi teased.

Just as they reached the doorway, Baiye stopped. She had noticed a beautiful auntie she had never seen before staring at her. But that person… she seemed to have seen her in that photograph.

"Xiao Ye, this is Jiang Boyan. You can call her Auntie Jiang. I'll let you in on a secret: she was a loyal follower of your mother Yilan, and she was once Xinran's love rival." Fang Yi leaned in and whispered in Xiao Ye's ear before leading her to Jiang Boyan.

Hearing that she was her mother Xinran's love rival, Baiye couldn't help but take a closer look. She was wearing a simple white dress, not the least bit flashy. She was only a little taller than Baiye herself, not as tall as Auntie Lin, and had a similar figure. She seemed like a very serene person. For some reason, looking at her gave Baiye a very warm feeling. Moreover, the look in her eyes was filled with a deep affection, but it wasn't the same passionate affection Baiye felt when looking at Auntie Lin. It was gentler, warmer, just like… the way her mother Xia Nan looked at her!

"Hello, Auntie Jiang. I'm Baiye," Baiye greeted her politely.

Jiang Boyan smiled faintly, walked closer, and raised a hand to affectionately stroke her cheek. Then she took a step forward and pulled Xiao Ye into her arms, one hand around her waist, the other stroking the back of her head. Baiye's body stiffened at first, but under Jiang Boyan's gentle caress, she gradually relaxed. Her head rested lazily on the woman's shoulder, and she unconsciously raised her arms to hug her back. It was so strange. Why did this Auntie Jiang give her such a warm feeling? Was it because she looked a bit like her mother Yilan? In the photo, her mother Yilan had been wearing a long white dress, simply yet elegantly styled, looking as gentle as water.

Seeing the two of them embracing, Fang Yi deliberately turned to glance at Lin Yuqing's expression. As expected, it was awful! She couldn't help but laugh to herself. She went over and poked her. "Relax. I asked Jiang Boyan. She just hopes to take good care of Yilan's child on her behalf. She doesn't have any other feelings for Xiao Ye, so you can stop looking like you're about to eat someone. Besides, Lu Qing said the two of them seem to have made some progress lately."

Lin Yuqing shot her a look. Is my expression that fierce? Besides, I don't care what feelings Jiang Boyan has for her, and I care even less about what's going on between her and Lu Qing!

"Hmph." Lin Yuqing turned her head to the side. She refused to look at them.

"Xiao Ye is here." Lu Qing came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands. Seeing the two of them hugging, she also walked over and patted the little one's head.

"Teacher Lu."

"Good girl." She affectionately pinched her cheek.

"From now on, you can just call me Auntie Lu."

"Oh? Not afraid of being called old?" Fang Yi said.

"'Teacher' is too formal. Besides, I should face reality. I'm already a thirty-seven-year-old old auntie, after all." As she spoke, she casually glanced at Jiang Boyan.

Baiye smiled. "Okay, Auntie Lu."

"Mmm~ Such a good girl~"

"I'll get back to it then. Xiao Zi, come and help. Fang Yi is too much of a troublemaker."

"No way, I'm helping too!" Fang Yi volunteered. She had no desire to be a big, bright third wheel! And from the looks of it, that old vinegar jar was definitely going to get jealous. She couldn't handle that, so it was better to make a run for it.

"Sit, sit." Jiang Boyan quickly ushered everyone to their seats. She had a maid prepare and serve tea, and also had a fruit platter brought out and placed in front of Xiao Ye. "I didn't know what fruits you like, so I prepared a little of everything. Why don't you try some?"

When Baiye saw the fruit platter, she was visibly stunned. The tray was huge, and just as Auntie Jiang had said, it had every kind of fruit, including many that were out of season, like cherries, mangosteens, papayas, and durian. There were also many fruits she had never even seen, let alone eaten. The arrangement was exquisite; the watermelon had even been carved into a floral pattern!

Lin Yuqing frowned. "You'll spoil her like this. Once her palate gets picky, she won't want to eat ordinary fruits anymore."

"It's fine. Whatever she likes, I'll have fresh ones sent over every day."

Baiye didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I'm not a child anymore, you don't have to spoil me like this. And Auntie Lin, why do I feel like you're afraid I'll be lured away by Auntie Jiang's delicious food? Am I that fickle!

"Please don't go to the trouble, Auntie Jiang. I don't usually eat much fruit. Anything is fine."

Hearing this, Jiang Boyan picked up a bright red cherry and held it to Xiao Ye's lips. "Not liking fruit isn't a good habit, you know."

"I can get it myself…" She started to say, but seeing Auntie Jiang's expression, which clearly said she wouldn't stop until she had fed it to her, she relented.

"Is it good?"

"Mhm, it's very sweet."

Lin Yuqing watched coldly for a moment before turning her head away. Out of sight, out of mind!

"Try this one too."

"Mhm, thank you, Auntie Jiang!"

Auntie Jiang, Auntie Jiang, it just rolls off your tongue! I never knew you were so quick to warm up to people!

As Lin Yuqing was sulking, the little one beside her called out, "Auntie Lin?"

Lin Yuqing turned her head to the side, not looking at her.

"Auntie Lin~~" Baiye tilted her head as well, looking directly at her face. "Auntie Lin, open your mouth. Try it, it's really sweet!" She held a small cherry to Lin Yuqing's lips.

The proud Lin Yuqing turned her head away again, refusing to look at her!

"Then I'll eat it myself." Baiye looked at her profile. "I'm eating it, okay?" "I'm really eating it!"

With that, she popped the cherry into her own mouth. "Mmm, so sweet~~"

Lin Yuqing grew annoyed and turned back to glare at her. "You… Mmph…" The moment she opened her mouth, a cherry was popped inside. Baiye grinned at her. "It's sweet~"

Lin Yuqing's anger vanished. She chewed. It was indeed sweet. She opened her mouth, but before she could do anything, the little one attentively held out her open palm to her lips.

Lin Yuqing glanced at her. "You're not grossed out by me?"

"Of course not!"

Lin Yuqing's temper completely subsided, and she even felt a small thrill of joy. She spit the cherry pit into Xiao Ye's hand.

"Want another one?" The little one picked another big, red cherry and dangled it in her hand.

"It is pretty sweet. I'll have one." The saying about being unable to criticize someone after accepting their food probably described her perfectly at that moment.

As Lin Yuqing was happily eating, she noticed Jiang Boyan was gone. Oh, no wonder this little rascal finally remembered me!

"Where is she?"

"She said she has a gift for me and went to get it."

"Auntie Lin, I don't think I can withstand these capitalist sugar-coated bullets much longer. Let's go home as soon as we finish eating!" The little one felt that one shouldn't accept rewards without merit. Auntie Jiang was being too good to her, and she felt a little undeserving.

"Oh? You can't withstand them? So what are you going to do? Stay here and never go back? Or now that you have Auntie Jiang, you don't want me anymore?"

That sentence was dripping with so much jealousy that even Baiye could hear it. The little one wrinkled her nose and sniffed dramatically. "Why does it smell so sour? Did Auntie Xiao Zi knock over the vinegar jar?"

Lin Yuqing didn't react at first, but seeing Baiye's mischievous smile, she figured it out. "Gu Baiye, are you getting bold enough to tease me just because you have people backing you up now?"

"No, no, how would I dare~"

As they were joking, Jiang Boyan returned. "What are you talking about that's so amusing? I rarely see Yuqing smile."

"It's because she doesn't smile often that she looks especially beautiful when she does," Baiye chimed in.

Jiang Boyan paused, glanced at Lin Yuqing, and nodded. "That's true."

"Come and see. I made this for you." Jiang Boyan opened a gift box. Inside was a white floral dress. The floral pattern seemed to have been doodled with light blue ink, simple yet elegant.

"You made it? You know how to make clothes?"

"I study it when I have free time. It's a good way to pass the time."

"Do you like it?" Jiang Boyan smiled and held the dress up to Xiao Ye. The size looked perfect.

"Mhm! I love it! Thank you, Auntie Jiang!"

"Go and try it on, okay?"

"Eh? Right now…?"

"Mhm." Jiang Boyan led her into a bedroom, then stepped back out and waited quietly by the door.

Lin Yuqing watched and sighed silently. That dress was very similar to Yilan's usual style. Is she trying to see Yilan's shadow in Xiao Ye? But Xiao Ye is Xiao Ye, not a substitute for anyone.

Lin Yuqing stood up and walked over. "That dress…"

"I know what you want to say. I just want to see it one more time. That's all," Jiang Boyan said.

"You should move on. Lu Qing is a good person. Don't let her down."

Hearing this, Jiang Boyan glanced toward the two people busy in the kitchen. "But I have someone else in my heart. If I force myself to accept her under these circumstances, I'd be hurting her."

Lin Yuqing frowned but didn't press the issue further.

Just then, the bedroom door opened. Xiao Ye emerged wearing the simple, elegant floral dress. When Jiang Boyan turned at the sound, she was momentarily dazed. For an instant, she thought she saw Bai Yilan! That serene, tranquil girl who loved to wear white floral dresses!

Baiye didn't wear dresses often. She looked down, shifting from side to side, feeling awkward all over. And without safety shorts on, she felt particularly insecure.

"Auntie Lin, does it look good?" Baiye held the hem of her skirt and did a little twirl.

Lin Yuqing pursed her lips into a smile, watching her slightly clumsy movements. Yes, beautiful. Like a fluttering moth.

"Auntie Jiang, what's wrong?" Seeing Jiang Boyan staring at her, unable to tear her eyes away, Baiye grew a little flustered. This gaze was different from the gentle one before. It was intense—no, it was exceptionally intense!

Jiang Boyan shook her head, her eyes slightly red.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Jiang Boyan turned to get the door, avoiding losing her composure.

Baiye was busy preening for Auntie Lin when she suddenly heard a voice that terrified her.

"Yilan!?"

Baiye followed the sound and met Xue Yuexian's shocked gaze. The little one shuddered and immediately hid behind Lin Yuqing, gripping her arm tightly.

"It's okay, Xiao Ye. Don't you remember what I told you? She's your Little Aunt. She's not a stranger or a bad person. You don't have to be afraid."

Seeing Baiye's reaction, Xue Yuexian snapped back to reality, standing at the door, at a loss. Jiang Boyan pulled her into the house. "You have to apologize for your ridiculous behavior."

Xue Yuexian nodded and walked toward Lin Yuqing. As she got closer, Baiye unconsciously raised a hand to her neck again. Lin Yuqing saw it, pushed her hand down, and pulled her in front of herself. "Don't be afraid, she won't eat you. If you're still angry, you can hit her a couple of times to let off steam. She absolutely won't fight back."

Baiye didn't know whether to laugh or cry. What was all this?!

"Xiao… Xiao Ye, I'm sorry. Your Little Aunt apologizes. What happened that day… I was too reckless. But I never really wanted to hurt you. If I had, you would have long… er, no. What I mean is, I just wanted to scare you. No, that's not right. Not scare you, scare her. Because I realized she cared a lot about you, and I wanted to get revenge on her, so…" Xue Yuexian glanced at Lin Yuqing.

Baiye pressed her lips together tightly, her hands unconsciously clenching into fists.

Xue Yuexian looked down and saw them. "Hey, your hands, your hands!" she said hurriedly, afraid that Baiye would dig her nails into her palms again like that day.

"If you're angry, you can hit me, just don't hurt yourself again!" She rushed forward and pried Xiao Ye's hands open.

Xiao Ye relaxed her hands but didn't pull them out of Xue Yuexian's grasp.

"You didn't hurt them, did you?" Xue Yuexian asked worriedly, gently blowing on her palms. "Hm?" She looked up at her, concern written all over her face.

"Your auntie is asking you a question," Lin Yuqing said, speaking up for Xue Yuexian for once.

Baiye shook her head. "No." She pulled her hands back and put them behind her.

Xue Yuexian saw the small gesture, and a flash of disappointment crossed her eyes. She really won't forgive me…

Seeing her dejected look, Baiye glanced at Auntie Lin, then pursed her lips. "I… I haven't forgiven you yet. So you… have to be on your best behavior."

"Eh?" Her words undoubtedly lit a spark of hope in Xue Yuexian. "Okay! I'll definitely be on my best behavior! Er, how do I do that?" Xue Yuexian agreed, then paused in confusion.

Baiye frowned, her expression serious. "No more bullying other girls."

Xue Yuexian's face flushed. "Yes, I promise! I'll never bully pretty young girls again!"

"Just young girls?" Lin Yuqing questioned with a cold face.

Xue Yuexian was flustered. "I wouldn't want an old woman like you even if you threw yourself at me!"

"Xiao Ye, don't forgive her." She took Xiao Ye's hand and started to walk away.

"Mhm!"

"Hey, hey, no, no, no! I was joking, just joking!"

"I promise that from now on, I'll listen to my little niece about everything and never do anything out of line again, okay?" she swore earnestly.

Baiye hid a smile and glanced at Lin Yuqing.

"Then we'll forgive her for now. But if she does it again, we'll disown her. You have plenty of aunties who dote on you; we're not short this one."

"Tsk! I'm her real aunt! Can you guys even compare?!" Xue Yuexian gritted her teeth and shot Lin Yuqing a look.

"Ahem." Baiye cleared her throat. Xue Yuexian immediately looked at her like an eager lackey, waiting for her command.

"I'll listen to Auntie Lin. If you do it again, I won't want you anymore," Xiao Ye said with a stern face and a hint of smugness.

Xue Yuexian was delighted. She subconsciously reached out and brushed Xiao Ye's cheek. "You little thing."

"Oh, sorry about that. It's… a habit, a habit," she said with an apologetic grin.

Watching from the side, Lin Yuqing found it amusing. Xue Yuexian was a formidable figure in the entertainment industry, yet this little one had her completely tamed. It was true that everyone had their match.

"So, can you call me 'Little Aunt'? I really want to hear it."

"Tsk, give her an inch and she'll take a mile." Lin Yuqing glanced at her, then pulled Xiao Ye back to the sofa to continue eating fruit.

Xue Yuexian immediately followed, attentively picking out fruit for both of them, even serving Lin Yuqing.

"Xiao Ye, just say it once, I want to hear it~~ Mmm~~"

"Little Baby Xiao Ye~~ Mmm~~~"

"Hiss…" Lin Yuqing rubbed her arms. "Acting cute at your age. It's disgusting."

"Exactly." Jiang Boyan also felt a chill, instantly losing her appetite.

Baiye truly didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Why was this person so clingy…

"Is everyone here?" Xia Xiaozi came out to check.

"Auntie, there's still…"

"YES!!!" Xue Yuexian answered from the side, her voice exceptionally loud. It startled Baiye, who then saw her look of utter satisfaction and realized what had happened. She was completely helpless against her.

"What are you 'yes'-ing about? She was calling me." Xia Xiaozi shot her a look. "What is it, Xiao Ye?"

"It seems Director Su hasn't arrived yet."

The moment the words left her mouth, everyone in the room froze as if petrified. Baiye looked around, completely baffled.

"Did… any of you notify Su Yu…?"

No one answered. Those who could stare at the ceiling stared at the ceiling. Those who could eat fruit ate fruit. The one fawning continued to act like a lackey.

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