CHAPTER 16

Tang Ruoyao: [Did my sister instruct you to give me the ointment?]

Guan Han: "..."

Guan Han then forwarded this message to Qin Yinong, asking her how to respond.

Qin Yinong fell into silence.

She didn't expect that she had been so roundabout, and Tang Ruoyao was able to guess that Ruan Qin was acting under Guan Han's instructions, and that there must be someone behind Guan Han—herself.

What surprised Qin Yinong even more was that after learning about this, her initial reaction was not anger, but a feeling of pride and satisfaction.

Qin Yinong sat on the couch, holding her phone, repeatedly reading the message that Guan Han had forwarded. Unconsciously, a smile formed on her lips.

The kid is quite clever.

In the next instant, she began to worry for Tang Ruoyao. If she had this level of intelligence, why didn't she channel it into something positive? Instead, she used it to speculate about her own thoughts, making a fuss out of nothing.

Qin Yinong sighed.

Guan Han received a response.

Qin Yinong: [Pretend you don't know about this.]

Guan Han: [Okay.]

During the wait for a response, Tang Ruoyao's palms grew increasingly sweaty. She had to temporarily put down her phone and pull out two tissue papers from the tissue box to wipe off the sweat. Just as she picked up her phone again, it chimed.

She intentionally turned on the notification sound for messages.

Guan Han: [What ointment?]

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

Tang Ruoyao didn't inquire further, and immediately called Ruan Qin.

Ruan Qin had already separated from Guan Han. Still shaken by Guan Han's stern warning, she answered Tang Ruoyao's call with a hint of appeasement in her voice, "What's wrong?"

Tang Ruoyao: "The ointment works really well."

Ruan Qin smiled awkwardly and replied, "As long as it's effective."

Tang Ruoyao continued, "Could you ask Guan Han if there's any more? Can you get me two more boxes?"

Ruan Qin paused.

Didn't Guan Han tell her not to reveal who gave her the ointment?

Tang Ruoyao spoke casually, as if nothing had happened, "Are you still with her?"

Ruan Qin felt a hint of strangeness in her heart but still answered honestly, "No, we're not together anymore."

So they used to be together.

Tang Ruoyao had obtained the answer she wanted. She forcefully suppressed her excitement and said calmly, "Never mind, I'll talk to her about it next time."

Ruan Qin replied, "Okay." After all, it wasn't like she could see Guan Han whenever she wanted.

Tang Ruoyao hung up the phone.

She lowered her head and set the phone down, cradling the bottle of ointment in her palm. She gently rubbed it with her fingertips, unable to control the upward curve of her lips. Her expression softened significantly.

Qin Yinong did care about her. She just didn't want Tang Ruoyao to know that she cared.

Tang Ruoyao couldn't determine the reason for it at the moment, but it was enough for her. She wouldn't ask for anything more than what she had. She would simply strive to remain as she was and make it through the final year.

Perhaps, when she looked back on this experience in the future, it would hold a different kind of sentiment.

If it weren't for Qin Yinong, her current situation would be vastly different. She didn't dare to imagine what it would be like, but she was certain it wouldn't be better than it is now.

One year.

After one year, her contract with Qin Yinong would expire. What would she do then?

Tang Ruoyao slowly narrowed her eyes, lost in thought.

Ruan Qin was easy to deal with and could be ignored. As for others... With Qin Yinong's influence and her newfound status as a popular actress, Tang Ruoyao had indirectly climbed another step in the social ladder. However, she didn't know if Qin Yinong would allow her to make connections outside of their relationship.

Qin Yinong was probably someone who liked to have control and wouldn't allow Tang Ruoyao to break free from her grasp.

Tang Ruoyao bit her lip lightly and dismissed the thought for now.

She should proceed cautiously.

If she were to anger Qin Yinong again, with only one year left, it would be best to behave and avoid unnecessary complications.

Tang Ruoyao picked up the remote control, pressed the play button, and continued watching her documentary.

For now, the only thing she could do was continuously improve her performance and prepare herself for every opportunity that would come her way in the future. The entertainment industry was chaotic and filled with smoke and mirrors, driven by capital and rampant unwritten rules. But that didn't mean talented individuals had no way out. She had already made a breakthrough and had to hold on tightly to it.

A sharp glint flashed in Tang Ruoyao's eyes, hidden and imperceptible.

.....

Qin Yinong spent the afternoon in the living room reading scripts. Although the scripts selected by An Ling were of guaranteed quality, Qin Yinong didn't like playing repetitive roles. Actors also had their comfort zones, and when they repeatedly performed the same type of character, they would become too comfortable and fall into a pattern, which inadvertently made their acting appear "slick." Therefore, it was best for an actor to voluntarily disrupt themselves, break out of their comfort zone, and avoid the limitations that comfort imposed on their creativity.

Qin Yinong tossed aside a pile of scripts and surprisingly, the only one left was the script about a same-sex teacher-student relationship that An Ling had given her as a joke. The female teacher in the script was married and had children, constantly struggling between reason and emotion in this forbidden relationship, showing restraint and self-control. Such a role wasn't new to Qin Yinong, but when placed in a same-sex context, it became filled with novelty and challenge.

In previous years, there was a saying that went, "I simply fell in love with a person, regardless of gender." Apart from the difference in the gender of the love interest, there was no distinction between same-sex and heterosexual love. However, in Qin Yinong's eyes, due to the fact that same-sex relationships has minority status and were not brought into the sunlight, lacking the legal constraints that heterosexual relationships had, the purity of emotions between individuals of the same sex sometimes surpassed that between men and women. The sense of reliance, unwavering commitment, and the attraction of souls were aspects worth exploring.

For an impassioned actor, being able to interpret a challenging role that pushed the boundaries of oneself was more important than anything else. As for the question of whether the film could be released in mainland China, Qin Yinong didn't lack awards from the mainland. Furthermore, if the production team was good, there was a possibility of winning awards internationally. This script touched upon feminism, same-sex relationships, and other themes, to some extent aligning with the mainstream international public opinion and the trend of recent awards.

Qin Yinong couldn't help but suspect that Chai Ziqiu had written the script based on foreign selection criteria. Chai Ziqiu was a somewhat arrogant person who had written several commercial scripts with good box office results but had not achieved much in the realm of art films. It wasn't that he couldn't write them; it was just that a successful film involved more than just the script, and often many people could have a hand in it, leading to drastic changes. His few attempts at art films had all met with difficulties and were mocked by certain people in the industry.

With a thought in mind, Qin Yinong swiftly dialed An Ling's number.

An Ling answered in surprise, "Aren't you on vacation?"

Qin Yinong said, "I finished reading the script you gave me."

"You finished already!?" An Ling exclaimed.

Qin Yinong chuckled, "Some I just skimmed through and discarded. Although there are many good scripts, they're not exactly abundant. It takes some sifting through to find the gems."

"Oh, I see." An Ling asked, "So?"

Qin Yinong pinched the corner of the script between her fingers and flipped it, causing it to rustle. "Tell Chai Ziqiu to complete the untitled script about same-sex relationships and give it to me."

"Weren't you complaining that it was incomplete, with no producer or director?" An Ling questioned.

Qin Yinong licked her lips and said, "I'll be the producer myself, and I already have a few candidates for the director. I'll contact them and see."

An Ling had been Qin Yinong's collaborator for many years, and she understood her meaning without further explanation. "You want to establish the reputation of Ping An Media?"

Qin Yinong nodded, "That's right. So, I'll personally oversee the first film."

Qin Yinong had recently established a media company called Ping An Media. With the expansion of her studio, it was necessary to establish a film and television production company. Having a media company would make things much more convenient, whether it was signing new artists or producing films and television shows.

Furthermore, Qin Yinong had a bad reputation. By avoiding the use of her own name, not many people, except for those in the entertainment media, would delve deep into who the owner of Ping An Media was. This was also beneficial for her artists, as it would reduce a lot of malicious attention.

It was a win-win situation for everyone involved, so why not?

An Ling expressed some concern, "Are you sure you'll be able to win awards?"

Qin Yinong raised an eyebrow in disbelief and said, "How is it possible for me to come back empty-handed when I make a move?"

An Ling choked, stunned by Qin Yinong's arrogance, and couldn't find words to respond for a while.

Qin Yinong chuckled, "I was just teasing you. Even if I fail, it's not a big deal. Although I haven't saved much money, I can still afford to make a film. Besides, do you think I've been fooling around in the industry for so many years? When I want to make a movie, even if I don't win awards, if someone gives me face, there will be plenty of people willing to invest."

An Ling's interest was piqued as she listened, "Should I invest as well?"

Qin Yinong casually declined, "No need. Mainland China can't even release it, and you won't get much from the box office. It would be a loss for you."

An Ling asked, "Then what about others?" Why would she let others invest?

Qin Yinong saw through her thoughts and said in a plain tone, "They are all outsiders, but you're not."

An Ling couldn't help but feel a warmth in her heart.

Among the artists she had worked with before, there were many young and sweet-tongued ones who could charm people with their words. However, none of them compared to Qin Yinong, who showed her care and special treatment effortlessly. It touched An Ling even more deeply. It was like a wine with a long-lasting aftertaste. It might not have much impact at first taste, but when one savored it, they would find it endlessly memorable.

No wonder they say that the moment when an iceberg melts is the most enticing.

An Ling couldn't help but be drawn to Qin Yinong's charisma and determination. She silently made up her mind to support her unconditionally in this new endeavor.

An Ling suddenly felt a bit jealous of Tang Ruoyao. Just by saying she wasn't an outsider, Qin Yinong treated her so differently. She wished she could devote herself wholeheartedly. Tang Ruoyao must have heard so many sweet words and compliments from Qin Yinong. It was a miracle that she was still alive.

"I'll contact Chai Ziqiu." An Ling said before hanging up the phone, reminding Qin Yinong, "Take good care of yourself."

"I know."

Qin Yinong put down her phone and gently rubbed her tired eyes due to excessive use. The clock in the living room showed half-past three. The alarm she had set in advance went off, and she stood up from the sofa, planning to knock on Ji Shulan's door and wake her up.

Ningning finished school at four-thirty.

Just as she reached the door, it opened from the inside.

A flicker of surprise passed through Ji Shulan's eyes. Her lips stammered as she called Qin Yinong by her nickname, "Dudu."

"Mom." Qin Yinong calmly lowered her raised hand and took a step aside, smiling lightly. "It's time to go."

They left half an hour early to avoid traffic. Fortunately, the road conditions were good, and they arrived at the kindergarten at four o'clock. They sat in the car for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. When the teacher appeared at the school gate, leading the children, Ji Shulan got out of the car with a slight limp and joined the other parents on the side of the road, eagerly awaiting their children.

Qin Yinong, being a public figure, remained inside the car, looking out through the tinted windows.

There were so many children, and they all looked similar with their adorable little faces. Qin Yinong's eyes were already hurting, and staring at them for too long only made her vision blurry. So, she decided to close her eyes.

After a few minutes, or maybe fifteen minutes, the rear door was opened, and light flooded in. Qin Yinong quickly put on sunglasses and a mask, instinctively tilting her head away. Once the door was closed again, eliminating the risk of being secretly photographed, she turned her face.

Ji Shulan was sitting in the backseat with a little girl on her lap. The girl was wearing a snow-white princess dress and shiny black shoes. She appeared to be around two or three years old, with delicate features and bright eyes that glistened like black grapes. She pursed her lips and timidly looked at the woman in front of her, who was completely covered.

Qin Yinong took off her sunglasses and mask, the corners of her lips slightly curved, as she softly asked, "Don't you recognize me?"

The little girl hid in her grandmother's embrace, seeming like she wanted to pounce into Qin Yinong but was too afraid. Ji Shulan encouraged her with a reassuring look, gently pushing her forward. The little girl glanced at Qin Yinong's expression and cautiously climbed onto her lap.

Qin Yinong securely held her with both hands and leaned down to gently kiss her smooth face, which resembled her own.

Immediately, a faint blush appeared on Ningning's small face. She was so shy that she buried her face into Qin Yinong's neck, clutching onto her collar with her small hands, and in a childish voice, she called out, "Mom."

BACK | TABLE OF CONTENTS | NEXT