The Movie Queen's Beloved Crybaby Alpha (GL , ABO) - Chapter 3

The vibrating alarm clock emitted a muffled sound from the nightstand, echoing through the bedroom bathed in morning sunlight.

Buried under the blankets, the figure finally reached out reluctantly after the alarm’s persistent calls, grabbing the phone to turn it off. Then she slowly sat up from the covers.

Her long hair was slightly disheveled, cascading down her back, while her strikingly beautiful face still bore obvious drowsiness and confusion.

Ye Qinglan sat on the bed for quite a while before finally getting up and heading to the bathroom to freshen up. She had drunk a bit too much last night and caught a chill, leaving her with a faint headache.

After washing up, her mind finally felt clearer. Ye Qinglan hastily ate something to fill her stomach before driving out, planning to visit her parents’ old residential compound.

The compound where her parents lived was the former faculty housing of S University. Both her father and mother were professors at S University and had never moved out of the compound.

The residents there were all familiar with her, and some even greeted her warmly when they saw her car pull in.

“Ye girl is back!”

“Our compound’s movie queen has returned!”

Ye Qinglan smiled and greeted everyone before knocking on her family’s door.

Lin Xuesong opened the door and, upon seeing her, immediately ushered her inside with a smile.

“Our family’s big movie star is back.”

Ye Qinglan couldn’t help but sigh. “Mom, it’s fine when the neighbors tease me like that, but why are you doing it too?”

“What do you mean? I’m just bragging, other families don’t have a movie queen!” Lin Xuesong replied with a laugh.

Ye Qinglan chuckled before glancing around the room. “Where’s Dad?”

“Right here.” Ye Wentao poked his head out from the kitchen. “Just sit tight for now dinner will take a while. No rush.”

“It’s fine, I ate a little before leaving. No hurry,” Ye Qinglan replied.

“Then keep your mom company and watch some TV. I’ll handle the cooking.” With that, Ye Wentao returned to his busywork in the kitchen.

Lin Xuesong pulled Ye Qinglan onto the sofa and asked about her recent life.

“Everything’s fine, nothing much to report.” Ye Qinglan peeled an orange as she spoke. “Sister Ke is very strict about my health, so you and Dad should focus on taking care of yourselves instead. If you need anything, just tell me, I’ve got money now.”

Lin Xuesong listened, her face unable to hide her delight. “What could your dad and I possibly lack? Our salaries are more than enough. You, on the other hand, will definitely have plenty of expenses later keep your money for emergencies.”

“Got it, got it. Here, Ms. Lin, have some orange.” Ye Qinglan handed half of the peeled orange to her mother.

Lin Xuesong stopped nagging and began eating the orange.

“By the way, what’s the surprise you mentioned?” Ye Qinglan tilted her head and looked at her.

“Hmm?” Lin Xuesong blinked.

Ye Qinglan stared. “You called me the day before yesterday and said you’d give me a surprise when I came back.”

“Oh!” Lin Xuesong finally remembered. “That? No rush.”

“Ms. Lin, you’re just teasing me now.” Ye Qinglan gave her a deadpan look.

“Tsk, why the hurry? You’ll get it.” Lin Xuesong waved it off casually.

Faced with her mother’s attitude, Ye Qinglan could only grit her teeth in frustration.

Ye Wentao had prepared a full table of dishes in the kitchen. Just as Ye Qinglan was about to sit down, Lin Xuesong stopped her abruptly.

“What’s wrong, Mom? The food’s ready but I can’t eat?” Ye Qinglan gave her mother a puzzled look.

Lin Xuesong glared at her and said, “Not everyone’s here yet. Wait a little longer.”

Ye Qinglan was confused. “Who else did you invite?”

Before Lin Xuesong could answer, the doorbell rang. She urged Ye Qinglan, “Alright, the surprise is here. Go open the door.”

“What’s with all the mystery?” Ye Qinglan muttered but went to answer the door anyway. However, she froze when she saw who was standing there.

“Uncle and Aunt, ” Ning Yunshu, who was carrying numerous bags outside, instinctively began to speak but choked on her words when she saw who had opened the door.

The two stared at each other for a moment before bang! the door was shut in Ning Yunshu’s face.

What kind of surprise was this? More like a shock!

Ning Yunshu pursed her lips in frustration.

Seeing this, Lin Xuesong hurried forward. “Oh, you silly girl! Yunshu finally comes back, and you shut the door on her!”

She pulled Ye Qinglan aside and quickly opened the door herself, beaming. “Yunshu, come in, come in! Don’t mind Qinglan. Oh my, why did you bring so much stuff? You should’ve just come empty-handed to Aunt Lin’s house for dinner.”

Lin Xuesong was extremely warm, but Ye Qinglan, standing behind her, had a stony expression and refused to even glance at Ning Yunshu.

Ning Yunshu stole a quick look at Ye Qinglan before saying to Lin Xuesong, “Aunt Lin, my parents asked me to bring these. Since we couldn’t contact you immediately about many things, they wanted me to come and apologize in person.”

“This won’t do; it’s too extravagant.” Lin Xuesong eyed the items precious tonics and even two bottles of liquor that must have cost at least ten thousand yuan each.

“It’s just a token of our sincerity. Please accept it,” Ning Yunshu insisted with a smile.

“Oh, this is too much. I invited you for dinner, and you…” Lin Xuesong’s eyes were full of concern.

Finally, as the two continued to go back and forth, Ye Qinglan couldn’t take it anymore. “Mom, just take it. She’s now the chairman of an internationally renowned jewelry group. This amount is nothing to her.”

Her tone was laced with sarcasm.

“Sis,” Ning Yunshu called out softly, looking at her.

“Don’t. I can’t possibly be the sister of the great Chairman Ning,” Ye Qinglan retorted coldly, earning another glare from Lin Xuesong.

“I’ll go help Dad.” Seeing the situation, Ye Qinglan decided to leave and headed to the kitchen.

Ning Yunshu looked lost. Lin Xuesong comforted her, “Yunshu, don’t take Qinglan’s words to heart. She’s just upset because there’s been no news from you all these years. Once you explain everything properly and coax her a little, things will be fine.”

Ning Yunshu forced a smile. “It’s alright, Aunt Lin. It’s not her fault. I didn’t handle things well, so she has every right to be angry with me.”

“Oh, you poor child.” Lin Xuesong’s eyes filled with sympathy. “Your mother told me everything and asked me not to blame you. Honestly, if I didn’t know the whole story, I might have reacted like Qinglan. But now that I understand, my heart aches for you having to face all that at such a young age.”

“Aunt Lin…” Ning Yunshu spoke softly, “Thank you.”

“Alright, let’s eat. Don’t worry, Aunt Lin will help you.” Lin Xuesong winked at her.

Ning Yunshu smiled, “Okay, thank you, Aunt Lin.”

“Time to eat!” Ye Wentao announced loudly as he emerged from the kitchen carrying a soup tureen.

“Uncle Ye, let me help,” Ning Yunshu quickly offered.

“Oh, Xiao Ning, you’re our guest. Just sit and wait to be served,” Ye Wentao said, setting down the tureen and gently pressing Ning Yunshu back into her seat.

Ning Yunshu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She was about to say something when she saw Ye Qinglan bringing out the bowls and chopsticks, so she immediately straightened up and sat properly in her chair.

The Ye parents noticed this but said nothing, simply motioning for everyone to sit.

“Your Uncle Ye made all these dishes according to your old preferences. See if they still suit your taste,” Lin Xuesong asked.

Ning Yunshu nodded eagerly, “I love them. I could never get Uncle Ye’s cooking abroad, I’ve missed it so much.”

Ye Wentao was delighted by the praise and laughed heartily, “Glad you like it! Eat up.”

“Okay,” Ning Yunshu replied obediently.

“Bootlicker,” Ye Qinglan couldn’t help muttering under her breath, only to be elbowed by Lin Xuesong, which silenced her as she quietly picked at her food.

Ning Yunshu watched Ye Qinglan’s reaction and pressed her lips together.

In high spirits, Ye Wentao insisted on drinking a few glasses with Ning Yunshu. Unable to refuse, Ning Yunshu opened the bottle of wine she had brought and poured for everyone.

When it came to Ye Qinglan, she said indifferently, “My assistant is off today, so I won’t drink. I’ll need to drive later.”

Hearing this, Ning Yunshu had no choice but to put the wine away.

“Then we’ll leave her be. Come, Yunshu, a toast to your return and your successful career,” Ye Wentao raised his glass to her.

“Thank you, Uncle Ye and Aunt Lin. I also wish you good health and long life,” Ning Yunshu said with a smile.

“Wonderful!” Ye Wentao was so happy that he ended up drinking quite a bit with Ning Yunshu, eventually passing out, while Ning Yunshu appeared unaffected.

Lin Xuesong had to help her husband to the bedroom, leaving only Ye Qinglan and Ning Yunshu in the living room.

“I’ll clean up the dishes,” Ye Qinglan said, standing up to avoid staying in the same room with Ning Yunshu.

“Jiejie,” Ning Yunshu called out softly.

Ye Qinglan paused but continued gathering the dishes.

“Can we talk, Jiejie? I want to…” Ning Yunshu mustered her courage to ask.

“Ning Yunshu,” Ye Qinglan finally looked at her, making Ning Yunshu’s breath hitch unconsciously.

“I know you might have your reasons, but right now, I don’t want to hear them.” With that, she carried the dishes into the kitchen.

Ning Yunshu sat frozen at the table, her expression dimming as a dull ache spread through her chest.

When Lin Xuesong returned and saw this, she was startled. “Yunshu, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Ning Yunshu quickly composed herself and forced a smile. “I’m fine, Aunt Lin.”

Lin Xuesong clearly didn’t believe her but, noticing Ye Qinglan’s absence, seemed to understand. She then asked, “Yunshu, where are you staying now that you’re back?”

“The old house was sold, so I’m at a hotel for now. I haven’t found a suitable place to buy yet,” Ning Yunshu answered honestly.

Lin Xuesong frowned before calling toward the kitchen, “Qinglan!”

Ye Qinglan, who had been called out, reluctantly stepped forward and asked, “What is it, Mom?”

“Yunshu just returned from abroad and has nowhere to stay. Your place is spacious and convenient for commuting, so let her stay with you for a while,” Lin Xuesong stated bluntly.

“No, no, no, that won’t do,” Ning Yunshu quickly stood up, her face full of panic. “Aunt Lin, I..”

Ye Qinglan also frowned and said, “Mom, it’s not appropriate. I’m an Omega, and she’s an Alpha.”

Lin Xuesong countered, “What’s inappropriate about it? You’re an Omega living alone, what if you encounter a criminal?”

Ye Qinglan rubbed her temples. “Mom, that’s not what I meant.”

“Then what do you mean? Even though Yunshu has been away for so many years, we’ve watched her grow up since childhood. She has good character, and besides, she’d never disobey you. What’s the problem?”

Just as Ye Qinglan was about to argue further, Lin Xuesong declared, “It’s settled. Ye Qinglan, if you dare to kick Yunshu out, I’ll kick you out too.”

Ye Qinglan: “???”

Wait, Mom! Whose mother are you, really?!