Wait, I Got in the Wrong Car (GL) - Chapter 18

Lou Anran’s first reaction was to wonder if she had just experienced a brief bout of tinnitus, or maybe she had misheard. Had Mo Ying actually said she was carrying a baby fish?

Their eyes met, and Lou Anran could clearly see her own dumbfounded expression reflected in Mo Ying’s dazzling green eyes. She instinctively glanced at the girl’s belly. The graceful curves of Mo Ying’s figure were perfectly outlined by the sky-blue dress, making her look like a flawless princess who had stepped out of a castle.

“Little one, what did you just say?”

Mo Ying’s cheeks puffed up like a pufferfish. However, a second later, she rephrased her words to be more easily understood, her tone fierce and accusatory. “This is all your fault. I am pregnant with your child.”

As if afraid she had not been heard clearly, she repeated it in her soft, sweet voice. “Your child, child, child, child… mmph.”

Lou Anran immediately clamped a hand over her mouth, stopping the beautiful voice from echoing like a broken record. What once sounded like music to her ears now felt like a demonic chant drilling into her skull, branding that word into her bones, even her soul.

Mo Ying’s soft lips brushed her palm with a fleeting heat. Her warm breath carried a burn that seeped into her skin.

Before Lou Anran could savor the sudden closeness, a wet warmth touched her hand. She jerked away as if burned.

Mo Ying’s pink little tongue had just licked her palm. She bared her teeth in mischief and shouted, “Child, child, child, child!”

Ni Xinyu had her own way of handling things. As a shareholder of Anchen Entertainment, she was involved in the company’s restructuring decisions. But for smaller matters like bringing in new talent, she and Lou Anran never interfered with each other.

Lou Anran had initially recommended the little mermaid to Anchen, but everything else had been managed by Ni Xinyu. After signing Mo Ying, she had let her sit idle for over half a month. From the room next door, Lou Anran could sometimes hear Mo Ying laughing and singing, the television always turned up loud, its childish lines sometimes leaving her speechless.

That, combined with Mo Ying’s current unruly behavior…

Lou Anran put on the expression she usually wore when about to sign a multimillion-dollar contract. Her entire being radiated strict professionalism. “Little one, have you been watching too many low-budget dramas lately?”

Mo Ying blinked and thought seriously. With encouragement from Xiao Qiu and Xiao Ai, she had indeed watched many dramas, picked up trendy expressions, and learned a lot. But she still asked curiously, “What are low-budget dramas?”

Seeing her confusion, Lou Anran figured the outrageous claim from earlier was probably something she had picked up from television. The tension in her chest eased immediately.

Unable to resist, Lou Anran gently ruffled the girl’s soft curls, curling a strand around her finger and playing with it in her palm. “Watch fewer brainless dramas. They’ll lower your intelligence and cloud your judgment.”

Mo Ying stared. “???”

Their heads were so close their breaths tangled together. As Lou Anran’s face grew larger in her view, Mo Ying suddenly remembered a dramatic scene from a drama, one where a pregnant woman confronted a scumbag. Without thinking, she blurted out, “Lou Xiaohei, I’m carrying your child. Are you trying to avoid taking responsibility for us?”

Lou Anran almost laughed out loud. “Little one, you’re a singer, not an actress. You know that, right?” But her laughter faded when she noticed how serious Mo Ying looked. That earnestness made her uneasy.

“That joke wasn’t funny.”

After a moment, Mo Ying drew her conclusion. “Lou Xiaohei, you just don’t want to take responsibility.”

Lou Anran saw the sincerity in her eyes and instinctively pressed her lips together. She tried to soften her tone. “Little one, you can eat whatever you want, but words are another matter. How could you possibly be pregnant with my child?”

They were both women.

Mo Ying lifted her shirt and revealed her pale little belly. “But I am pregnant. If you don’t believe me, touch it.”

She tried to grab Lou Anran’s hand and place it over the softest part of her belly. At the first contact, Lou Anran flinched and pulled away.

“Don’t joke around. Two women can’t get pregnant. And…”

Her words trailed off when she met Mo Ying’s clear, innocent eyes. Her blunt reasoning danced on the tip of her tongue but quickly faded.

“If you really want a child one day, maybe there are other ways you can try.”

Mo Ying swatted her hand away, angry. “No! I already have my baby fish. Hmph!”

With that, she stormed off like a gust of wind.

Ni Xinyu was leaning against the wall, fiddling with her phone and checking the time. The audition was already halfway through. If it hadn’t been for Yu Xuan deliberately delaying things, and now Lou Xiaohei suddenly reappearing like a ghost and messing with her sweetheart’s heart, they wouldn’t have lost this opportunity.

Such was fate.

She opened her hand beneath the corridor light, peeking through her fingers at the lost time. A message alert dinged on her phone. She glanced at the email and nearly burst out laughing. It was the first time she had seen someone so eager to pay a contract termination fee.

Yu Xuan had acted swiftly. She canceled the contract without hesitation, even listing out the penalty details line by line. She was more thorough than most seasoned agents in the industry.

It was as if their roles had been reversed.

“Little one. Mo Ying.”

“I hate you.” Mo Ying yanked her hand away from Lou Anran and furiously slammed the elevator button. Her eyes were wide, and in the mirrored elevator door, a flash of golden thread shimmered in her gaze.

“Lou Xiaohei.”

Ni Xinyu quickly replied to the email with two words, “delete it.” Then she smoothly stepped between Mo Ying and Lou Anran, blocking the way.

“Do me a favor and focus on running your company. Stop reaching for things so close to home. Ever heard of not messing with the grass near your own burrow? Why are you doing the opposite?”

Lou Anran was already annoyed. Seeing Ni Xinyu still lingering made her angrier. “Why are you everywhere? Don’t you have anything better to do?”

Ni Xinyu spread her hands. “Please, it’s not like I want to meddle. But if you weren’t constantly chasing my artists around, I wouldn’t need to interfere. Let me make this clear today. I’m protecting sweetheart. If you want to fool around, go to a nightclub and find someone clean. My sweetheart is not available.”

Lou Anran raised an eyebrow. “Are you serious?”

“Absolutely.”

Ding—

The elevator opened. Mo Ying slipped inside without hesitation. Seeing her look of utter disdain, Ni Xinyu smiled sweetly and waved at Lou Anran. “No need to see us off, President Lou. You must be busy.”

Lou Anran, “…”

Mo Ying could feel her eyes on her back and quietly turned away, leaving Lou Xiaohei with a beautifully seductive view. Through the elevator’s mirrored wall, she saw herself hunched like a tired little fish.

Ni Xinyu stood behind her, hesitating. In the end, she said nothing and simply patted Mo Ying’s shoulder. “Hungry? Let’s find a place to eat first. I still owe you a proper welcome dinner.”

At the mention of food, Mo Ying’s spirit reignited.

“I’m starving, so let’s go to the audition!”

“???”

What did one have to do with the other?

Seeing the look of anticipation in her eyes, Ni Xinyu checked the time and called ahead as soon as they stepped off the elevator.

Mo Ying stood still, sipping a few strands of drifting red thread from the air. When Ni Xinyu returned, she smacked her lips pitifully.

“Can I still join the audition?”

Ni Xinyu pinched her cheek with a smile. “Sweetheart, you’re in luck. The audition isn’t over yet. We’re just in time. Let’s go.”

The audition venue was two buildings away from Lou Anran’s office, about a fifteen-minute walk. By the time they arrived, the event was nearing its end. However, due to the buzz around the first round, word of the second round had already started trending online.

Many of the first-round participants were still hanging around, curious to see potential competitors. Some were there to support friends or family. Outsiders holding phones for livestreams and photos were everywhere.

Song Yuan arrived late, her elegant figure wrapped in a royal blue, form-fitting gown. She waited impatiently in a corner for her number to be called. Her enchanting peach blossom eyes scanned the crowd with disdain. A single beauty mark near the corner of her eye made her delicate face even more striking.

Her fingers flew across her phone screen as she sent complaints to her sponsor. Just then, Mo Ying walked in alone.

Mo Ying looked like an angel who had accidentally wandered into the mortal world. Her stunning golden curls fell gently on both sides of her face, and a sweet smile curved her lips. She possessed a naturally captivating charm. Anyone who met her clear green eyes, as pristine as water, could not help but marvel.

So beautiful.

Like a delicate porcelain doll.

Song Yuan frowned slightly, trying to find some flaw in Mo Ying, something she could criticize or dismiss. She scrutinized her from head to toe, nearly wishing she could part her hair strand by strand in search of imperfection. But in the end, all she could do was envy the girl for having such lifelike golden curls and a face so pure it seemed kissed by the divine.

She scoffed, jabbing her phone screen with a finger, and muttered disdainfully, “Probably just a pretty face.”

Mo Ying sensed the burning stare from behind, but she had long grown accustomed to such attention. After all, she was a little mermaid who embodied both beauty and wisdom.

Her bright green eyes sparkled with curiosity as she scanned the room, one hand supporting her head while the other covered her mouth as she slurped up the drifting threads of essence in the air. Auditions were great. So many colorful threads floated around the room.

She secretly chewed, and the hunger immediately eased.

“H-hi.”

Mo Ying choked slightly, letting out a hiccup that she could not tell was from fullness or hunger. She quickly covered her mouth and looked at the short-haired girl in front of her with dark eyes like grapes and twin dimples that appeared when she smiled.

Wanqi Tianxin nearly died from a cuteness overload at the sight of Mo Ying’s chipmunk-like cheeks stuffed with energy. Internally, she squealed like a groundhog, though on the outside she tried to maintain her smile, even if it was barely holding together.

“Don’t be scared. I just wanted to ask, are you… you know, that one?”

She lowered her voice dramatically, winking at Mo Ying in an exaggerated fashion. But no matter how hard she tried, even as her eyes twitched from the effort, the message did not get through.

“Are you the little mermaid who sang Second Brother’s song during a livestream?”

“Oh!” Mo Ying’s eyes lit up. She lowered her voice as well and asked, “Are you a fan of mine?”

Wanqi Tianxin nodded enthusiastically. The two of them looked like secret agents recognizing each other. They quietly moved to a more secluded corner to whisper.

“Didn’t you know? The audition only gives you one minute. That’s not enough to finish a full song. We have to make the most of every second. Just perform a dolphin note!”

“A dolphin note?”

“Yes! Just sing like you do in your livestream. You can do it. I believe you can make it to the very end.”

Wanqi Tianxin’s number was called before Mo Ying’s, and she had no time to finish gushing about how excited she was to meet her idol. Just before leaving, she reluctantly grabbed Mo Ying’s hand and quickly exchanged WeChat IDs.

“I’ll wait for you outside. Come find me afterward.”

Mo Ying held her phone and waved goodbye to her newly made friend. Only about a dozen people remained in the room. She continued to slurp threads of essence. But soon, her number was called.

She remembered Wanqi Tianxin’s advice and picked a song that reached the climax early. The moment her ethereal dolphin note rang out, the room fell completely silent.

…

At the exit, Ni Xinyu munched on a sandwich. When she saw Mo Ying, she hurriedly swallowed the last bite and quickly walked over.

“Hungry?”

Mo Ying had not expected the auditions to be so packed. Maybe it was the excitement in the air, but the entire building was filled with red and gray threads. Her lips were still tinted red, as if she had eaten chili.

“Not too bad.”

“You’re clearly starving.” Ni Xinyu handed her a takeout box. “Do you want this? If not, I’ll treat you to something big. All-you-can-eat seafood? Hotpot?”

“Can I bring my Fourth Sister?”

Ni Xinyu inhaled slowly. Deep breath in, deep breath out. Finally, she shoved the box into Mo Ying’s hands.

“Be good. We’ll save the feast for when the audition results come out. For now, eat this.”

…

“Can I take you home?”

“Okay.”

Deep down, Ni Xinyu really did not want her precious sweetheart being led astray by that twisted Fourth Sister.

“It’ll take about a week for the results. In the meantime, I’ve arranged a few instructors for you. Xiao Ai will pick you up tomorrow. Be good at home, and don’t run around.”

“I’m always well-behaved.”

But later that night, after thinking she was full and content, the little mermaid was once again awakened by a familiar hunger. Remembering past lessons, Mo Ying did not dare slap her tail in the bathtub. She quietly got up and padded barefoot across the soft carpet.

“Baby fish, you are just too naughty. Fourth Sister and the others said I was such a well-behaved baby. I slept quietly all the time.”

She poked her pale belly with a finger. Since the familiar flower mark was nowhere to be seen, she climbed back into the bathtub, letting the water rise above her body. Her golden tail swayed above the surface.

Only when the flower reappeared did she feel like she was truly talking to her baby fish.

“You’re always so restless. Nothing like me at all.”

Then who did it take after?

Like Lou Xiaohei?

Mo Ying splashed out of the tub, pacing back and forth in irritation. She jabbed her belly again. “You can’t be like her. She doesn’t even want you.”

Her stomach gurgled in response, the hunger sharper than before. It burned in her chest and stomach. She picked up her phone several times, ready to call Yu Xuan. But just then, familiar purple-red threads slipped through the narrow crack of the secret door.

She slurped a few strands and, still unsatisfied, stood behind the secret door. “Open, or not?”

Her hand brushed the door several times.

“Baby fish, maybe you should decide.”

After rubbing her belly thoughtfully, she pushed the door open with excitement and tiptoed to the bedside.

The person inside was frowning, clearly caught in a dream. Her sharp features had softened slightly.

Mo Ying quickly slurped some more threads, hoping to finish before Lou Anran woke up. But curiously, it didn’t take much to feel satisfied. That intense hunger faded almost instantly.

She stared at the sleeping figure, then looked down at her flat belly. “Could it be… are you the one causing trouble?”

Her baby fish was too small to answer.

The next day, before Mo Ying could even leave the house, Yu Xuan rushed over. The two of them squeezed into the narrow bathtub, their bodies pressed uncomfortably close.

Mo Ying’s golden tail could barely stretch out. “Why not go to the pool downstairs? Mine is big too.”

After explaining about cameras and surveillance, Yu Xuan changed the subject.

“Xiao Wu, have you been feeling extra hungry lately?”

Mo Ying was miserable, struggling just to stay full. “Yes, I’m really, really hungry. Fourth Sister, baby fish eats so much, I don’t think I can feed her anymore.”

Her lips quivered in frustration.

Yu Xuan noticed the golden threads gathering in her green eyes and quickly comforted her.

“Xiao Wu, it’s not that your baby fish eats too much. She just needs another person with shared bl00d to help feed her.”

Mo Ying’s eyes widened in shock.

So baby fish needed Lou Xiaohei, too?

Yu Xuan gently stroked her head.

“It’s my fault. I overlooked it. Your Second Brother called me today. After hearing about your situation, he reminded me.”

Mo Ying was still stunned, so much that she missed the part about her Second Brother.

“No wonder I’ve been so hungry every day.”

Yu Xuan’s gaze darkened. Her resentment toward Ni Xinyu deepened.

She gritted her teeth and whispered to Mo Ying, “Don’t be afraid, Xiao Wu. I’ll teach her a lesson.”