After Lin Zixi gave her that talking-to, Ye Can at least listened. During the rest of the shoot, she behaved herself much better.
After breakfast, the two of them got into Tong Lin’s car and headed to the airport. Of course, the cameraman could only film their backs this time too—he still wasn’t allowed to ride along.
Lin Zixi fully approved of this arrangement, so she didn’t say anything more. Instead, she got into the car with Ye Can. Ye Can lowered the partition on the rear seat and took Lin Zixi’s hand, acting spoiled as she whined, “I barely slept last night, and you woke me up before six. I’m so sleepy.”
Lin Zixi reached out, pulled her into her arms, and ruffled her soft hair, coaxing her gently. “If you’re that sleepy, rest for a bit. I’ll wake you when we get to the airport.”
But that still wasn’t enough. Ye Can lay down with her head in Lin Zixi’s lap, tilting her face up to gaze at her with sleepy eyes. “Then I want a kiss too. You have to kiss me before I can sleep.”
“Alright, here’s your kiss.” Lin Zixi brushed aside the stray hairs on her forehead and leaned down to plant a soft kiss there. “Now go to sleep, my baby.”
That last endearment made Ye Can’s scalp tingle, but she held it together and said, a little embarrassed, “Who did you learn that from? Using such an intimate pet name now.”
Lin Zixi laughed. “Who else? I learned it from you, obviously.”
Ye Can muttered under her breath, “I don’t remember ever calling you baby.” After all, the most affectionate thing she’d ever called her was “love consort.”
Lin Zixi kissed her forehead and coaxed her with a smile. “No worries—you can call me that next time.”
Ye Can tsked lightly. “Baby? Lin Zixi, you really have no shame.”
Lin Zixi flicked her forehead with a bent finger. “You’re the one who talks the most. Shouldn’t you look touched when I use a pet name? Instead, you turn away and call me cheesy.”
She gave Ye Can a playful glare, stroking her forehead as she said softly, “Are you going to sleep or not? If not, get off my lap.”
“Sleep, sleep, sleep.” With that, Ye Can flipped over, facing Lin Zixi’s abdomen. She wrapped her arms around Lin Zixi’s waist, buried her face in the soft warmth of her belly, and slowly closed her eyes.
Tong Lin always drove steadily, but the road still had its share of minor bumps and jostles. Cradled in Lin Zixi’s arms, Ye Can felt like a baby in a rocking cradle. She drifted off to sleep amid the gentle motion.
She slept deeply the whole way. By the time they reached the airport an hour later, she was out cold.
Tong Lin pulled their luggage from the back seat and watched as the two of them headed inside.
The follow-cam crew had their own bags to manage, and since the show was about female stars struggling without assistants, they weren’t about to lend a hand.
So all they saw was Ye Can casually wheeling both suitcases into the airport by herself.
The staff eyed Lin Zixi, who walked empty-handed, and asked curiously, “Is this how Lin and Ye Can always travel?”
Lin Zixi played innocent. “Always how?”
“You know—like now, with Ye Can handling everything.”
Lin Zixi smiled. “Depends on the situation. We’re both pretty fit, so lugging suitcases is no big deal. When we travel together, whoever’s more tired gets help from the one with more energy.”
She watched Ye Can’s retreating back and added, “I was up late finishing a script yesterday, so I’m wiped today. Ye Can’s picking up the slack for me.”
Hearing that, the staffer sighed. “You two really get along so well.”
Lin Zixi gave a warm smile. “Because we’re sisters, after all.”
“Little sister” Ye Can wheeled the two suitcases through security and quickly found their gate. She led Lin Zixi to the boarding area seats, where a young, pretty girl stood waving at them. “Teacher Lin, Teacher Ye—over here!”
Ye Can clearly didn’t recognize her and shot Lin Zixi a look, silently demanding an explanation.
Lin Zixi leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “That’s Xia Fanxing. A year older than you—the breakout star from last year’s hot singing competition. Super popular. I mentioned her before.”
Ye Can vaguely recalled the name now.
“Oh,” she said, signaling she’d got it. She wheeled the luggage over and greeted Xia Fanxing.
Lin Zixi approached the beaming girl and smiled. “Fanxing came early. Waiting for us specially?”
Xia Fanxing had a sweet face, complete with a dimple on her left cheek when she smiled. Her eyes curved into happy crescent moons, sparkling with genuine delight that put anyone at ease.
“Because I was so excited to meet all these actors I admire,” she said to Lin Zixi. “I got here a bit early.”
Lin Zixi chuckled. “Actors you admire? Probably not me, then.” She pointed at Ye Can. “Let me guess—this one’s your fave?”
Xia Fanxing waved her hands. “I love you both! I adore Ye Can’s acting, and Teacher Lin’s scripts. That Things Unknown to Others you two did together? I’m obsessed.”
She gushed so sincerely that Lin Zixi almost believed she was a genuine script fan.
Lin Zixi smiled. “No worries—maybe we’ll collaborate someday. For now, let’s sit and chat.”
To ease the newbie singer’s nerves, Lin Zixi kept the conversation going after they sat, gradually helping Xia Fanxing relax.
Ye Can sat beside them, propping her chin on her hand as she watched them chat animatedly. Her expression was utterly indifferent. Lin Zixi glanced over and nearly laughed at her sulky, kid-who-lost-her-candy look.
Xia Fanxing noticed Ye Can’s silence and ventured, “Teacher Ye doesn’t talk much. She really is as aloof as they say.”
Lin Zixi stifled a laugh inside and nudged Ye Can’s elbow, defending her. “She’s a bit carsick. Felt off the whole ride, so she’s not saying much.”
Ye Can nodded cooperatively, putting on a frail expression as she looked at Xia Fanxing and said solemnly, “Yeah, carsick.”
“And no need for ‘Teacher Ye.’ Just call me by name.”
She stared at Xia Fanxing, cool as ice. “I’m Ye Can.”
Xia Fanxing thought, Yup, Ye Can’s totally aloof.
A bit later, Jiang Yue arrived with her assistant. Her makeup was bold as ever—red lips, sunglasses, stylish outfit. She lit up the waiting area like a vibrant spotlight.
Xia Fanxing spotted her first and jumped up, calling out, “Sister Yue! Over here!”
Jiang Yue saw her and grinned wide. “Hey, Fanxing! Long time no see—come give your big sis a hug!”
Of everyone there, Jiang Yue and Xia Fanxing were the closest. Jiang Yue had been one of the mentors on Xia Fanxing’s singing show last year, praising her effusively and giving her tons of support. The fan-shipping hype around their “mentor-student CP” had been massive.
Ye Can, oblivious to industry gossip as always, watched them hug and turned to Lin Zixi, puzzled. “They close?”
Lin Zixi nodded. “Yeah, like teacher and student.”
Ye Can nodded in understanding.
Once Jiang Yue released Xia Fanxing, she turned to Lin Zixi and Ye Can with open arms and a huge smile. “Long time no see, Teacher Lin.”
Lin Zixi smiled and let herself be hugged. As they leaned in, Jiang Yue whispered in her ear, “Teacher Lin, better wrap that scarf tight—or it’ll make for quite the show if someone spots it.”
Lin Zixi’s face froze. She instinctively touched her neck. Jiang Yue burst out laughing, her red lips parting. “Just teasing.”
Fine, this prankster strikes again.
Lin Zixi pulled away, helpless. “Yeah, long time. You big-shot busybody.”
Jiang Yue winked suggestively. “Me, busy? You’re the real workaholic.” She turned to Ye Can, beaming. “Ah, Little Can-Can! Sis missed you—c’mere for a hug!”
Ye Can ducked behind Lin Zixi the second she approached, declaring righteously, “No thanks. I don’t want your hugs. You hugged Lin Zixi, and now you want mine?”
Jiang Yue’s outstretched arms hung in midair. She pouted at Ye Can. “Can-Can, you’re getting less cute by the day. What’s wrong with a quick hug? It’s not like it’ll cost you a pound of flesh.”
Ye Can huffed. “Hugs from others? Fine. From you? It’ll cost me.”
Jiang Yue turned to Lin Zixi, frowning. “Teacher Lin, this how you raise your kid? Cameras are rolling—if rumors start about us not getting along…”
Ye Can peeked from behind Lin Zixi, glaring. “We don’t get along. No need for rumors.”
Lin Zixi rubbed her temple, exasperated. “Enough, you two. Jiang Yue, you know she hates being touched. Quit teasing.”
Jiang Yue pointed at Ye Can’s hand on Lin Zixi’s shoulder, deadpan. “Right. Hates being touched—but loves touching you. Tsk.”
Lin Zixi eyed her chaos-loving friend, thinking, She’s dead set on kicking our closet door wide open.
Just then, Meng Zhiqiu’s voice rang out from nearby. “Teacher Lin! Teacher Lin…”
Lin Zixi, Jiang Yue, and the others turned to see Meng Zhiqiu wheeling her suitcase alongside a steady-faced young woman heading their way.
Meng Zhiqiu took off her sunglasses and greeted them happily. “Nice to see you all again, friends.”
Jiang Yue eyed the approaching Meng Zhiqiu, lips curving. “Oh, look—a heavyweight’s arrived.”
Ye Can poked her head out from behind Lin Zixi, frowning at Meng Zhiqiu. “Yeah, pretty heavyweight.”
She looked up and called out, “Meng Zhiqiu, you put on weight again?”
Meng Zhiqiu halted, shooting Ye Can a death glare. “Ye Can! Always you with the big mouth!”
Lin Zixi sighed inwardly. Should’ve known—with Jiang Yue and Ye Can here, poor Meng Zhiqiu’s gonna get driven nuts in this group.
