1139 I Want to Make You Stay 17

They returned to the Gu family mansion to see that Lin Mingxi was already waiting for them.

There was a delectable spread of dishes laid across the dining table. The food was vibrant and had a pleasant aroma.

"There's too much food for the three of us," said An Xiaoning.

"When Beicheng came back from the office, he said that it's been a long time since the three of us ate together. Look, most of these dishes are your favorite ones. Tell me honestly, do you feel like we love you?"

"Of course I do." An Xiaoning picked up a piece of tofu with her chopsticks and said, "I made a mistake just now. I mean the four of us. I forgot about the baby in your stomach. Mingxi, you must eat more."

"I've gained so much weight… Xiaoning, look at me, I've gained almost ten pounds," said Lin Mingxi, pinching her own face.

"Ten pounds is nothing. Many expectant mothers gain dozens of pounds. You'll lose the weight after giving birth to the baby."

"Did you gain any weight when you were pregnant with Yiheng?"

An Xiaoning recalled her pregnancy and answered, "I did, but not much. Well… I just don't gain weight easily."

Upon hearing her words, Lin Mingxi immediately exclaimed, "Ah, Hubby, did you hear that? Xiaoning is making me detest her!"

Gu Beicheng blinked at her and said, "It's alright, you'll get used to it."

Stomping her feet on the ground, Lin Mingxi said, "Hey, Hubby, whose side are you on, exactly?"

An Xiaoning burst into laughter and said, "Expectant mothers ought to stay calm at all times. Why are you still so cranky?"

"I can't stand the fact that my husband is still biased toward you."

"Come and hit me if you can't stand it."

"Hubby, look!"

"Okay, okay, both of you shall be hit fifty times, will that do…"

Lin Mingxi smiled widely and said, "See, Xiaoning, my husband just loves defending you."

"Yes, yes, yes, I've seen it all. Brother is always so nice to me."

"…"

—

Xiao Yue scurried toward Xiao Chenyang with an umbrella in hand. She made an OK sign with her hand and said softly, "Cousin, everything is settled. I've placed the ingredients in the hotel's kitchen. I've told the hotel staff to store them in the refrigerator."

"Got it. How many more scenes are there to be filmed for today?" he asked.

"There are more night scenes to be filmed tonight. I reckon they'll end around midnight."

"They still have to work at night after a long day of filming. Do they take the actors to be slaves?"

Afraid that others would hear him, Xiao Yue said, "Lower your volume, lest others hear you."

"Go get a thin blanket from the hotel staff."

"Alright, I'll go get it now."

Xiao Chenyang nodded and turned around to see that Fang Erlan was walking toward him. She appeared rather eager and seemed to have something to say to him.

When she reached him, she said, "There's a kissing scene to be filmed tomorrow. I've asked the director just now and she forbids me from staging the kiss."

To her surprise, Xiao Chenyang's face did not grow sullen and he simply said, "At this point, does it really matter whether the kiss is staged or not? You're going to kiss him outside of filming anyway. You don't have to ask me for permission."

They spoke in an extremely soft voice that could be heard only by themselves.

He continued staring at Fang Erlan, after which she said softly, "We talked about this before filming began…"

He changed the subject and asked, "Xiao Yue said that you're going to have to work until midnight. Is there anything you'd like to eat?"

"I want to eat some steamed pea cake, but I doubt there are any available for purchase at this hour. Get Xiao Yue to buy me a bowl of noodles in the evening."

He nodded and said, "Got it."

"I'll go to the set now, then."

"Okay."

Fang Erlan turned around and walked away. She knew that he was staring at her without even having to turn around to look at him.

Perhaps his gaze was too intense.

She felt an urge to verify her guess.

In fact, she had really done so. After walking past the crew members, she turned around and met his eyes.

She turned around within just seconds.

Filming ended only at 11:45 pm. Fang Erlan was beyond exhausted.

However, filming would resume soon the next morning, for they could not afford any delay.

Hence, the most important thing that she had to do now was to zoom back to her room to get some sleep.

"Xiao Yue, where's Cousin?"

"Cousin called to say that he'll be returning in a few minutes."

Thinking that he must have gone to buy some supper, Fang Erlan sat in the chair and waited patiently.

"Sis Erlan, drape this over yourself. It gets chilly at night."

Upon the sight of the thin blanket in her hands, Fang Erlan asked, "Did you return to the hotel to get this?"

"Cousin told me to."

"Okay." She draped it over her shoulders and continued waiting for him.

A car pulled over slowly, and a woman who resembled Yu Caiwei alighted from the car. At seeing Fang Erlan, the woman greeted, "Hello, Ms. Fang."

"You are…?"

"I'm Yu Yiwei, Yu Caiwei's sister."

Fang Erlan quickly shook Yu Yiwei's extended hand and said, "Oh, she's getting her makeup removed and changing out of her costume. But how did you know me…?"

Yu Yiwei smiled and answered, "I'm currently staying in Wei Ni Estate and I know your boss, Ms. An, personally. Of course, I've also read the news about you online. You're signed to her studio, right?"

"Yes, yes."

Yu Yiwei put on a rare smile and asked, "Ms. Fang, do you only have your assistant with you? Where's your bodyguard?"

"He went out to handle some matters. He's not here."

"Oh, I see. I'll go visit my sister now, then."

"Sure," Fang Erlan answered with a smile.

After Yu Yiwei left, Fang Erlan said to Xiao Yue, "Look at this Yu Yiwei, she's so much more polite than her sister."

"Sis Erlan, you should never judge a book by its cover. I don't know why, but I feel like she's really aloof and standoffish."

"Let her be, we barely know her anyway."

"You're right."

Xiao Chenyang returned less than two minutes later with a few bags of food. He placed them on the table and said, "Have some food before you go home."

"Alright," Fang Erlan agreed while staring at the plastic bags in his hands.

Surprised to see the steamed pea cakes, she asked, "Where… did you buy them from?"

"I requested a store owner to make them on the spot. I only bought a few because I was afraid that you wouldn't be able to finish them."

Fang Erlan smiled at him and said, "They must be delicious. I'll try it now."

He handed her the bag of steamed pea cakes, after which he poured each of the three bags of noodles into a disposable bowl. They had a bowl each.

"Cousin, what kind of noodles are these?" Xiao Yue asked.

"Stir-fried noodles," he answered.

Fang Erlan gave Xiao Yue a piece of steamed pea cake and said, "Try some too."

Xiao Yue looked at Xiao Chenyang before shifting her gaze onto the steamed pea cake. She said, "Cousin bought it especially for you. Sis Erlan, you should have them instead."

"There are quite a few pieces. Here, take it."

Xiao Yue grabbed it and began eating it in small bites.

Fang Erlan handed a piece to Xiao Chenyang and said, "Have some too. You deserve the most credit since you were the one who bought it."

"I'll pass. You enjoy it yourself," he said while separating a pair of disposable chopsticks. He then began eating the noodles.