The Movie Queen's Beloved Crybaby Alpha (GL , ABO) - Chapter 5

After dinner, Ye Qinglan took the initiative to wash the dishes, while Ning Yunshu honored their agreement by retreating to her own room, avoiding further shared space with Ye Qinglan that evening.

That night, both women lay awake with their own thoughts, neither finding proper rest.

When Ye Qinglan awoke the next morning, she heard the faint sound of the front door closing quietly. By the time she finished freshening up, the living room stood empty, but a still-warm single-serving breakfast waited on the dining table.

Ning Yunshu’s coat no longer hung by the door, clearly indicating her early departure. Ye Qinglan gazed at the prepared meal, lowered her eyes momentarily, then ultimately took her seat at the table to eat.

Ke Ying had granted her several days off, allowing proper rest at home. She spent the day watching films, reading books, practicing yoga, and gaming grabbing a simple lunch before Ning Yunshu returned from work.

The sound of the door opening startled Ye Qinglan from her movie-watching and gaming session on the sofa, suddenly remembering the apartment was no longer hers alone.

Straightening up quickly, she saw Ning Yunshu enter, who paused briefly upon seeing her leisure activities before announcing, “I’m home.”

After a beat, Ye Qinglan responded with a noncommittal hum without looking up from her game. Unbothered, Ning Yunshu changed shoes, hung her coat, and retreated to change into loungewear.

Emerging later, she glanced at Ye Qinglan. “I’ll prepare dinner. Any preferences, sis?”

Engrossed in a tense match, Ye Qinglan answered without raising her head, “Whatever.”

Ning Yunshu smiled wryly at this, washing her hands before entering the kitchen. When Ye Qinglan finished her round, the rhythmic sound of chopping drew her attention toward the kitchen, where she saw Ning Yunshu hair tied up in gray loungewear focusing intently on slicing vegetables.

Undeniably, Ning Yunshu possessed strikingly handsome features. Her mixed heritage lent her eyes a Western depth that added sharpness to her countenance.

How strange that someone so adorable in childhood could develop such striking features did secondary gender differentiation alter facial structure? Ye Qinglan mused silently.

Unaware of the scrutiny, Ning Yunshu moved efficiently chopping completed, she heated the wok, added oil, and began stir-frying with practiced precision.

Watching this culinary competence, Ye Qinglan contrasted it with her own years of haphazard meals. Surely her own cooking neglect stemmed solely from busyness, she reassured herself.

Realizing she’d stared too long, Ye Qinglan hastily resumed gaming only to land poorly in the next match, scavenging minimal supplies before an unseen opponent headshot her instantly.

Frustrated, she quit the game and stood, glancing toward the still-working Ning Yunshu. A pang of landlordly guilt prompted her kitchen approach.

“Need any help?” she offered.

Ning Yunshu startled slightly before responding with a gentle smile, “No need, it’s nearly done. Please relax, don’t trouble yourself.”

Seeing her smile, Ye Qinglan uncomfortably averted her gaze and said, “Don’t overthink it. I just feel it’s not right for you, as the tenant, to always be the one cooking.”

Ning Yunshu simply smiled in response. “Then consider it as me paying rent.”

Her tone was light and casual, as if nothing had happened the night before.

Ye Qinglan couldn’t help but mutter, “Is rent really that cheap these days?”

What was meant as an offhand remark made Ning Yunshu frown slightly as she seriously considered it. “You’re right, that’s not enough. How about I take care of all three meals for you?”

“Three meals?” Ye Qinglan blinked.

Looking at her, Ning Yunshu’s eyes filled with helplessness. “From morning till night, only two slices of bread and a carton of milk were missing from the fridge. Sister, do you ever eat properly?”

Ye Qinglan was momentarily speechless, surprised by Ning Yunshu’s keen observation. She then coughed lightly. “But don’t you have work? How would you prepare lunch, and besides,”

“I know,” Ning Yunshu said, seasoning the food as she spoke. “Don’t worry, I don’t mean anything by it. Just think of it as me paying rent. Work isn’t an issue. I’ll prepare a bento for you before I leave.”

With that, she finally looked up. “Dinner’s ready. Let’s eat.”

Ye Qinglan opened her mouth to say something, but Ning Yunshu was already serving the dishes. In the end, she pressed her lips together and went to scoop rice.

Ironically, she was the one who had told Ning Yunshu to let go of the past, yet now that Ning Yunshu seemed to have truly moved on, she found it hard to adjust.

At the table, Ning Yunshu remained quiet. The dishes, much like the previous night’s, were all tailored to Ye Qinglan’s tastes. Despite seven years apart, Ning Yunshu still remembered her preferences just as Ye Qinglan’s parents remembered Ning Yunshu’s. Though they hadn’t been in contact, they hadn’t forgotten each other’s habits.

It made Ye Qinglan want to ask: if Ning Yunshu remembered everything, why had she stayed out of touch for seven years? But she held back. Having declared the past behind them, she shouldn’t bring it up again.

After dinner, Ye Qinglan tried to wash the dishes herself, but Ning Yunshu stopped her.

“Let me do it consider it rent,” she said, firmly ushering Ye Qinglan out of the kitchen before she could protest.

Left with no choice, Ye Qinglan returned to the living room to watch a movie.

The dialogue from the film mingled with the sound of running water from the bathroom, creating an oddly soothing atmosphere. Combined with the post-meal drowsiness, Ye Qinglan gradually drifted off on the couch.

When Ning Yunshu emerged, she found her asleep.

After a moment’s hesitation, she approached and gently shook Ye Qinglan’s shoulder. “Sister? Wake up.”

Bleary-eyed, Ye Qinglan saw Ning Yunshu looking down at her with concern.

Her long hair was tucked under a shower cap, and despite having just bathed, she was bundled up tightly, revealing nothing but her slender neck.

Ye Qinglan blinked in confusion as Ning Yunshu withdrew her hand and took a step back, maintaining a polite distance. “If you’re tired, you should go back to your room to sleep,” she said.

“Mm, alright,” Ye Qinglan replied, sitting up.

Ning Yunshu smiled. “Then I’ll head back to my room first.”

With that, she returned to her own room.

Ye Qinglan rubbed her temples and got up to wash up before going to bed.

The next morning, as Ye Qinglan stepped out of the kitchen, she saw Ning Yunshu already dressed and ready to leave.

Noticing her, Ning Yunshu grinned. “You’re awake? Breakfast is on the table, and lunch is packed on the counter. You can put the lunchbox in the fridge after breakfast and just heat it up at noon. I’ll make dinner when I get back. I’m heading out now.”

Before Ye Qinglan could say a word, Ning Yunshu hurried out the door.

Ye Qinglan glanced at the breakfast on the table, then went to the kitchen to check on the lunchbox cooling on the counter. Hesitating, she rubbed her stomach.

She had a sneaking suspicion that if this continued, Ning Yunshu would end up fattening her up.

A few days passed like this. Ning Yunshu seemed unusually busy lately, leaving early every morning, but she never failed to prepare breakfast and lunch for Ye Qinglan. In the evenings, she would return straight from work to cook dinner.

Though they didn’t talk much, Ye Qinglan had grown accustomed to Ning Yunshu living in her home. They had even reached the point of exchanging casual greetings.

After a long stretch of leisure, her blissful holiday finally came to an end when Ke Ying called to inform her about a new job.

When Ye Qinglan arrived at the company and entered Ke Ying’s office, she found not only Ke Ying but also Xiao Wenjin there both looking at her with odd expressions.

“What’s wrong? Why are you both staring at me like that?” Ye Qinglan frowned, checking herself over.

Ke Ying adjusted her glasses. “Have you gained a little weight?”

Ye Qinglan’s face fell. “What? Really?!”

Xiao Wenjin burst out laughing but quickly raised her hands in surrender when Ye Qinglan shot her a glare. “No, no, you haven’t. But you do look much healthier. Seems like you’ve been eating properly for once?”

Ye Qinglan fell silent.

“Properly” was an understatement. Thanks to Ning Yunshu’s well-balanced and nutritious meals, she was lucky she hadn’t actually gained weight.

Noticing her silence, the other two exchanged knowing glances.

Ye Qinglan cleared her throat and changed the subject. “Ke Ying, what’s this job you mentioned?”

Ke Ying replied, “President Ning your mother’s friend’s daughter has specifically requested you as the spokesperson for J.S’s new product line.”

Ye Qinglan’s eyebrow twitched. “You didn’t have to emphasize that whole introduction.”

Ke Ying shrugged. “Xiao Wenjin already accepted the deal.”

Ye Qinglan turned to Xiao Wenjin, who immediately raised her hands. “Don’t blame me! The offer was too good to refuse!”

“So you just sold me out?” Ye Qinglan deadpanned.

Xiao Wenjin feigned innocence. “Business is business.”

Rolling her eyes, Ye Qinglan listened as Ke Ying continued, “The venue and outfits will all be arranged by J.S. You just need to go take some photos.”

Ye Qinglan sighed. “Not like I can refuse now anyway.”

“Look on the bright side, when we were making movies before, we latched onto such a thick thigh. Now that the thigh needs us, let’s do our best. Who knows, if the thigh’s in a good mood later, they might keep investing in our films? Sure, we’ve already won awards, but when it comes to awards, who’d say no to more?” Xiao Wenjin said.

“So by your logic, I should thank you?”

“Heh, no need to stand on ceremony. Between you and me, who’s counting?”

“…”

I’d rather not curse, thanks.