What's Wrong with Spoiling You? [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 21

Tan Mu tapped her forehead and said, “You silly child, how could you let our guest buy so many things?”

Tan Yun thought her words sounded insincere, as the smile on her face couldn’t be contained. She replied, “Her hands were too fast—by the time I realized it, she’d already paid.”

Tan Mu poured the shrimp into a basin and said to Yun Bo, who was still preparing vegetables nearby, “Why don’t you go watch TV for a while? I can’t have you working here.”

Yun Bo turned on the faucet. “It’s fine. Watching TV would be boring anyway. I’ll just help out here, as long as you don’t mind.”

Tan Yun tried to move closer to stand beside her, but Tan Mu shoved a handful of garlic into her hands and said, “Wash these and then chop them for me.”

As Tan Mu scrubbed the crabs, she asked, “Yun Bo, how many people are in your family?”

Yun Bo deftly removed the shrimp veins. “Right now, I live alone. My parents are still around, and I have a younger sister.”

Her tone was indifferent, and most people could tell her relationship with her family wasn’t great.

Tan Mu shot a glare at Tan Yun, who was still trying to inch closer, then turned back with a smile. “Where do you usually perform opera? I’d love to come watch sometime.”

Yun Bo calmly rinsed the shrimp. “I don’t work in City A.”

Tan Yun finally managed to peek around and see her. Standing on tiptoe, she asked curiously, “So you don’t work here? Doesn’t commuting back and forth every day tire you out?”

Tan Mu blocked her again. “Wash all these vegetables for me!”

Tan Yun pouted. “Stop blocking me!”

“Look at how diligent our guest is.”

Dinner wasn’t ready until ten at night. Tan Yun brought out the steamed crabs.

Tan Mu sat at the head of the table, holding a bottle of aged red wine, much to Tan Yun’s surprise. She sidled up cautiously and handed her the corkscrew.

When the cork popped out, Tan Mu didn’t even blink. She cheerfully filled Yun Bo’s glass to the brim. “Red wine is good for a woman’s skin.”

“No wonder your complexion is so lovely,” Yun Bo said, swirling her glass. The wine left faint red traces on the sides as she inhaled its aroma and took a small sip. “Exquisite flavor.”

Pleased by the compliment, Tan Mu set the bottle down and gestured at the dishes with her chopsticks. “Yun Bo, you’ve been helping all evening—go ahead and eat.”

Tan Yun looked up at her hopefully. She had deliberately placed the dish she made right in front of Yun Bo, hoping she’d try her cooking.

Yun Bo looked at the potatoes before her and praised them before even taking a bite. “Xiao Yun must help you cook often at home.”

“Only occasionally,” Tan Mu said without praise, picking up a shrimp. “This child only knows how to eat.”

Under the table, Tan Yun secretly kicked Tan Mu, signaling her not to badmouth her.

“Ah, this child! Kicking people after dinner? It’s fine if you kick me, but what if you hit Yun Bo?” Tan Mu scolded, brushing dust off her leg.

Tan Yun bit her chopsticks, sulking at her uncooperative mother. If this kept up, she’d leave a terrible impression on the beauty.

Tan Mu divided the crabs onto plates and said warmly, “Yun Bo, eat as much as you like. Make yourself at home.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

The meal was finally over. Tan Yun eagerly handed a tissue from the table to Yun Bo.

Yun Bo took one to wipe her lips and said, “Thank you for your hospitality, Auntie. Your cooking is truly excellent.”

“It’s nowhere near as good as the restaurants!” Tan Mu stood up to clear the leftovers from the table.

Yun Bo was about to help when Tan Yun grabbed her arm. Smiling at her mother, Tan Yun said, “Mom, I’ll see her home. I’ll come back to help you later.”

This time, Tan Mu didn’t scold her for being inconsiderate and simply nodded. “Go ahead.”

Tan Yun felt as if she’d been granted amnesty and quickly pulled Yun Bo toward the door. She opened it, then swiftly closed it again. “About what my mom said today… don’t take it to heart.”

“Why shouldn’t I?” Yun Bo tilted her head, her gaze suddenly firm. “Auntie loves you very much.”

Of course, so do I.

“I know…”

After this meal, Yun Bo felt her mother-in-law wasn’t as sharp-tongued as she’d thought—she’d only asked a few questions about her family background.

“Auntie and I are like-minded people.” By “like-minded,” she didn’t mean it literally, but rather…

We both love you the same way.

Tan Yun didn’t grasp the deeper meaning and hesitated over whether to return the key. Though she didn’t dare to openly enter Yun Bo’s place, she also didn’t want to give it back.

“What’s wrong?” Seeing her struggle to speak, Yun Bo thought she needed help but was too shy to ask. “Just say it. I’ll help however I can.”

“Um…” Tan Yun leaned against the wall, still conflicted.

“Hmm?” Yun Bo took a step closer, wanting to smooth the frown between her brows with her fingers.

“I… um…” She straightened up, steeling herself. “When should I return the key to you?”

“Return the key?” Yun Bo thought for a moment.

As the other girl reluctantly reached for the red string around her neck, Yun Bo suddenly grasped her wrist. “Do you really want to give it back?”

“I…” No, but… without any proper status, how can I keep it?

“So, Xiao Yun, do you want it or not?” Yun Bo stepped even closer, turning off the hallway light. She exhaled a warm breath against Tan Yun’s ear. “Do you remember what you said in the supermarket today?”

What had she said?

What was it?

“Next time… let’s find somewhere with no people, okay?”

So, she remembered. At this moment, Tan Yun felt like a fish on a chopping board, her back pressed tightly against the wall.

“Why so nervous?” Yun Bo’s fingers traced her cheek. “Xiao Yun’s face is so soft. I wonder how it would feel to kiss it?”

The wall was cool against her back, but her mind was in chaos. Her heart pounded wildly, as if about to explode.

Yun Bo leaned in, slipping an arm around her waist. “Xiao Yun, why aren’t you saying anything? Are you scared?”

Her tongue tangled, rendering her speechless, her ears filled only with Yun Bo’s laughter. “Y-Yun Bo…”

“Wrong!” Yun Bo playfully pinched her nose. “Say it again… I want to hear what Xiao Yun most wants to call me…”