CHAPTER 38

Tang Ruoyao was trapped in the embrace of the woman. Qin Yinong was taller than her, and even slightly lowering her head blocked the light shining from behind, leaving Tang Ruoyao's sight, hearing, and senses focused only on this one person.

Tang Ruoyao decided to close her eyes.

Qin Yinong's breath surrounded her with dominance and gentleness, entwining and enveloping her like an unbreakable thread.

When they were alone, the scent on Qin Yinong's body was always faint, slightly cold. Tang Ruoyao couldn't tell if it was the fragrance of perfume or the natural scent of a woman. She remembered the rich and sweet scent of black poppy she smelled when she met her at school, momentarily losing herself in the memory.

The slight tingling sensation on her lips made her lift her eyelids, but they were too close for her to clearly see Qin Yinong's expression.

It had already been several minutes since she entered the door, closed it, and pressed her against the door panel. Initially, Tang Ruoyao thought she was going to kiss her, but it turned out to be just a brief touch, their lips pressed together, and then nothing else.

However, the arm wrapped around her waist didn't loosen at all, making Tang Ruoyao couldn't help but suspect that she was actually a life-sized doll.

The heart that had jumped to her throat slowly returned to its original place as time passed.

Tang Ruoyao gently embraced her back.

Qin Yinong lightly bit her again, then let go of her arm. With lowered eyelids, she reached up to lightly adjust the collar of Tang Ruoyao's robe that she hadn't messed up at all. Then, she walked towards the direction of the sofa in the living room as if nothing had happened.

Tang Ruoyao behaved very naturally and sat beside her, with a gap of one person's distance between them.

Qin Yinong did whatever she wanted, and Tang Ruoyao unconditionally complied. Even if they were in the middle of something, with things heating up, Qin Yinong could withdraw her hand and call a halt halfway, and Tang Ruoyao wouldn't have any objections. This was just an assumption based on Tang Ruoyao's personal experience. When it came to crucial moments, it was Qin Yinong who refused to stop. Due to the one-time nature of their encounters, Qin Yinong always pushed her to the limit.

But today's Qin Yinong seemed a bit different. Compared to her usual straightforward desire for release, there was something Tang Ruoyao couldn't understand, something elusive.

What could it be? Tang Ruoyao wondered skeptically, squinting her eyes slightly.

The living room's TV was playing a BBC documentary, and authentic English accents could be heard from the speakers on both sides. When Tang Ruoyao opened the door earlier, she had lowered the volume, but Qin Yinong's gaze lingered on the coffee table for a moment before she found the remote control and adjusted the sound back to normal.

Both of them remained silent.

In the many times they had spent together, this was the norm.

Qin Yinong never notified her in advance. When she wanted to come, she came, but once she arrived, she wouldn't do much. Most of the time, she would lie on the window-side daybed, closing her eyes and dozing off. Back then, Qin Yinong used to come very frequently, unlike now, where it took a long time to see each other.

Tang Ruoyao used to live in the school dormitory. Qin Yinong didn't insist that she had to live here, but Tang Ruoyao felt that she would come over on weekends and holidays, and they would often see each other. Qin Yinong didn't object, so she silently carried out this arrangement.

Once, Tang Ruoyao had a late shoot and the dormitory had a curfew. So she went back home, and when she entered the house, she noticed a moving figure in the living room. It was a moonless night, and the house was pitch black. She didn't immediately recognize that it was Qin Yinong.

Tang Ruoyao was startled, thinking it was a thief. Out of instinct, she looked for nearby objects that could be used as weapons while taking out her phone to prepare to call the police.

"It's me." the figure spoke, with a tone that was indifferent, cold, and both unfamiliar and familiar.

Tang Ruoyao turned on the light next to the door, and the bright light made Qin Yinong squint and lower her head.

Tang Ruoyao awkwardly put down the broom in her hand and hummed, "Sister."

Qin Yinong softly murmured in response.

Tang Ruoyao was hesitating whether or not to ask why she was here when Qin Yinong casually sat on the sofa, holding a glass of red wine. Her slender legs elegantly and casually crossed as she lazily spoke, "Today is not a weekend. Why did you come back?"

"I had a late shoot for the previous program, and I couldn't enter the dormitory." Tang Ruoyao replied, pursing her lips slightly.

"Go take a shower and rest early."

"Okay."

Rather than being a patron and a lover, it was more like two tenants living together. Apart from occasionally giving her guidance in acting, Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao usually minded their own business. Tang Ruoyao enjoyed reading in the study, while Qin Yinong stayed in the living room and never disturbed her.

Qin Yinong usually came in the evening, so it was rare for them to have daylight hours together. On those occasions, Tang Ruoyao would cook some home-cooked dishes, and Qin Yinong, being a lively person, would loiter around. Tang Ruoyao pursed her lips and went over to invite her.

Sometimes Qin Yinong would sit down and eat with her, while other times she would politely decline. There was no regular pattern.

She was like a puzzle.

Tang Ruoyao didn't know when she had started to develop feelings for Qin Yinong. By the time she realized it, her gaze was involuntarily chasing after her, and the image of Qin Yinong filled her mind.

At that time, they didn't have the close relationship they had now, but Tang Ruoyao inexplicably felt that they had been very close. She was just a step away from touching Qin Yinong's elusive heart.

Sometimes, when she came out of the study to pour water, she would unintentionally meet Qin Yinong's gaze, which seemed to resemble the gaze of someone looking at their beloved. She would momentarily freeze because of it.

However, two years ago, an accident shattered the balance between them, and their boundaries became distinct. Whenever she had wild thoughts, Qin Yinong would remind her with practical actions that they only had a transactional relationship.

If she had been more cautious back then... would things be different now?

Tang Ruoyao tilted her head slightly and looked at Qin Yinong's serene profile.

"What are you looking at?" Sensing the probing gaze, Qin Yinong didn't turn her head. Her fingers, resting on the sofa, twitched slightly uneasily as she asked.

"I'm looking at Sister's earrings." Tang Ruoyao had prepared an answer in advance, accustomed to anticipating her actions.

Qin Yinong was wearing a pair of simple pearl earrings today. They had a round and plump shape, with a lustrous and shiny texture, enhancing the beauty of her fair earlobes.

"If you like them, I can buy a new pair and give them to you." 

"No need." Tang Ruoyao said with a smile. "These earrings look good on your ears, but they might not have the same effect on me."

If she had to receive a gift, she would prefer the earrings that Qin Yinong had worn.

"You have such a sweet mouth." Qin Yinong tilted her head and glanced at her.

Tang Ruoyao took the opportunity to move closer, tilting her face up. Her amber eyes were filled with a warm and affectionate smile, and her lips slightly parted. "Sister, would you like to taste them?"

Qin Yinong gazed at her steadily for a couple of seconds, her eyes deep and profound. Suddenly, she extended two fingers and held onto Tang Ruoyao's chin.

Her grip was gentle, and her slender fingertips slowly moved upward from the chin, brushing against the corner of her lips. Then, she raised her index finger and lightly touched the softest part of her lips.

With her chin forced upward, Tang Ruoyao's breathing became slightly constricted. Unconsciously, she slid her throat and swallowed.

She just stared at the other person, but Qin Yinong didn't make any further moves. It was as if she was toying with a little cat, teasingly close yet keeping her distance.

"Are you thirsty?" Qin Yinong's voice carried a hint of amusement.

Tang Ruoyao couldn't find her voice to reply.

Qin Yinong lightly kissed her lips, like a dragonfly skimming the surface of water.

She also withdrew the finger that was pressing against the corner of Tang Ruoyao's lips.

Before Tang Ruoyao could even feel the surge of disappointment, Qin Yinong leaned towards her, one hand bracing against the back of the sofa behind her, and the other hand holding her limp hand that was hanging by her side.

The world before her eyes darkened, and her lips were covered with a soft warmth.

Caught off guard, Tang Ruoyao couldn't help but curl her slender fingers and instinctively tilt her slender neck.

Compared to when they were by the door, she had a bit more room to move, but she felt as if she had been immobilized, unable to make a single movement. The warmth from her lips spread throughout her body.

Qin Yinong's fingertips lightly caressed her fair and smooth hand, bringing a slight tickling sensation that intertwined with her fingers. Tang Ruoyao's scalp tingled, and subconsciously, she reached back with her other hand to hold Qin Yinong's hand, preventing her from moving further.

Qin Yinong pulled back, seeming slightly displeased as she clicked her tongue.

Tang Ruoyao reluctantly released her grip, enduring the difficulty.

After a while, Qin Yinong let go of her hand.

Tang Ruoyao breathed a sigh of relief in her heart.

Qin Yinong changed her approach and began caressing the side of Tang Ruoyao's face. With one hand cradling the back of her head, she leaned down and sealed her lips.

.....

Tang Ruoyao held the pillow that Qin Yinong had thrown at her in her arms. Her eyes, still misty with water, watched the figure of the woman pouring water in the kitchen. She raised her hand and touched her cheek, which was still hot. She couldn't help but turn her face away.

Qin Yinong walked over with two glasses of water, one for herself and the other placed on the coffee table in front of Tang Ruoyao, without looking at her.

Tang Ruoyao held the glass with both hands and took small sips.

The documentary on the TV had long finished, and the screen was in standby mode. When Tang Ruoyao went to get water, she also unlocked her phone screen. It had been half an hour since Qin Yinong entered the room.

'No wonder I was so thirsty', Tang Ruoyao thought.

She increased her pace and quickly finished the water in the glass.

Qin Yinong asked her, "Do you want more?"

Tang Ruoyao shook her head.

Qin Yinong looked at her face for a few seconds before averting her gaze. She nodded and got up to open the curtains that had been closed since they entered.

There were streaks of water on the floor-to-ceiling glass, continuously flowing down.

"It's raining?" Qin Yinong sounded surprised.

"The forecast didn't mention rain today." Tang Ruoyao was also taken aback. She followed Qin Yinong and stood beside her. Qin Yinong glanced at her, noticing that she hadn't put down the soft white pillow she was holding. She still hugged it, looking all soft and cuddly.

"Do you have any schedule tomorrow?" Qin Yinong forced herself to look away, trying to find something to talk about.

"I have a program to record in the evening." Tang Ruoyao replied.

"What kind of program is it?"

A hint of surprise flashed through Tang Ruoyao's eyes. Normally, she wouldn't ask Qin Yinong about her specific schedule.

She truthfully told her the name of the program, and Qin Yinong responded with an "Oh," without expressing any opinion.

The atmosphere was too unusual, and Tang Ruoyao tentatively asked, "Do you know about this program, Sister?"

"I don't know." As expected.

Qin Yinong's expression showed embarrassment, and she awkwardly turned her face away.

Tang Ruoyao suddenly felt a bit amused.

The opportunity to chat freely like before was rare, and Tang Ruoyao didn't want to let it slip away. Spontaneously, she explained, "This is a popular program in recent years. The host is known for doing stand-up comedy and is very popular among young people, so the ratings are high. This is Sister Mu, my new manager who arranged it for me. She said that since I just graduated, I should focus on both popularity and acting skills."

Qin Yinong furrowed her brows, a hint of disapproval flickering in her eyes, but she didn't say anything.

"Do you think it's okay, Sister?" Tang Ruoyao insisted on asking her.

"Don't spend too much energy on unimportant matters." Qin Yinong said in a subdued voice. Actors should focus on acting, so why bother with the whole popularity game?

"I know, but isn't there a fee for the appearance?" Tang Ruoyao laughed.

Little did she know that Qin Yinong completely misunderstood her intention and turned to look at her. "Are you short on money?"

Tang Ruoyao immediately replied, "I'm not."

She suspected that if she had hesitated for a moment, Qin Yinong would have handed her a card right away.

But it was already too late.

A flicker of annoyance and surprise flashed in Qin Yinong's eyes, as if she was thinking, "How could I have forgotten such an important thing until now?" She took out her wallet, disregarding Tang Ruoyao's refusal, and handed her a card.

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

After being her financial backer for three years, she suddenly remembered to give her money. Qin Yinong's mood was complicated. Why didn't Guan Han remind her? What was the point of having her as an assistant?

Guan Han, who had just arrived home and planned to get a peaceful sleep, let out a loud sneeze.

They found two cushions and sat side by side by the window, watching the rain. Within the curtain of rain, a few scattered lights from the city flickered.

"Why did you decide of replacing Ruan Qin?" Qin Yinong had been wanting to ask her this question for a while. She wanted to know the key to Tang Ruoyao's change. Was it merely because of her words?

Tang Ruoyao pondered and replied, "Didn't you tell me to fight back?"

"I meant for you to slap her as well." Qin Yinong scoffed.

"Ah?"

"Never mind." Qin Yinong said. "What I meant was for you to replace her."

The seed she had carefully nurtured had finally sprouted, but it was fragile. She couldn't let it grow crooked again due to a careless mistake.

"Oh." Tang Ruoyao's suspended heart found its place. She continued, "I asked my roommate, the one you met before. Fu Yujun, the one you asked Guan Han to add on WeChat. She gave me the idea. She said that just slapping her wouldn't be enough to deal with Ruan Qin, and she was hindering my career. So she suggested applying to the company for a replacement."

Hopefully, Qin Yinong wouldn't find her change too abrupt and suspicious, Tang Ruoyao thought.

So that's how it is.

Qin Yinong couldn't hide her disappointment. She thought Tang Ruoyao had figured it out on her own, but it turned out she sought help from someone else. She had overestimated her. Well, Qin Yinong consoled herself, at least there was some progress.

"You can't always rely on others." Qin Yinong said calmly.

"I will learn and grow on my own. Please give me some time." Tang Ruoyao recalled the phrase "Queen's Flower" that Guan Han mentioned to her. She felt that this statement should satisfy Qin Yinong's expectations.

Qin Yinong's expression softened, and she encouraged her, "Take your time, don't be afraid. If there's anything you can't handle, feel free to come to me." Qin Yinong began to reflect on her previous methods of nurturing Tang Ruoyao, wondering if she had made any mistakes. Perhaps she should have affirmed her more.

For a moment, Tang Ruoyao felt that Qin Yinong's eyes were filled with tenderness, but in the blink of an eye, it disappeared.

Ignoring the strange feeling in her heart, Tang Ruoyao lowered her gaze to their hands, lying side by side on the floor. They were so close that their hands could almost touch each other. It was just a little bit more, but neither of them took the initiative to hold the other's hand.

The rain outside grew heavier, and through the glass, they could almost hear the sound of pouring rain.

The water droplets on the window turned from tiny traces to a grand curtain of water, moistening the entire city.

The curtains in the living room were drawn closed again, the lights in the living room turned off, and the lights in the master bedroom turned on. After a while, they dimmed, leaving only a wall lamp shining, casting two intertwined shadows.

Qin Yinong reached out and grabbed Tang Ruoyao's hand, interlocking their fingers tightly. She pressed her hand against Tang Ruoyao's head and kissed her lips gently.

Tang Ruoyao's flowing black hair spread like water on the pillow, contrasting with the soft, white surface. The hand that was not bound tightly gripped the bedsheet, and the curved knuckles of her fingers looked particularly beautiful.

Dark clouds gathered in the sky, thunder roared, and the rain poured heavily.

Moisture seeped in through the partially closed window, bringing a coolness with it. It was too late to close the window now. Qin Yinong tugged at the corner of the blanket and moved to the outer side to shield them from the wind.

Tang Ruoyao lifted her forehead, which was resting against Qin Yinong's shoulder. Her unfocused eyes moved slightly. Qin Yinong gently caressed her cheek and guided her back to the pillow, softly saying, "It's just rain."

Tang Ruoyao's head was spinning, and she didn't quite hear what Qin Yinong said. All she knew was that the woman leaned back against her, her breath warm.

In the northern summers, rain showers were usually brief, but tonight was different. It had been raining continuously from around ten in the evening until early morning. Qin Yinong tossed something from her fingers into the trash bin, casually put on a bathrobe, and got up to close the window that had been blowing cold air all night.

Warmth filled the room instantly.

Tang Ruoyao leaned against the headboard, coughing. She pulled the blanket up to her chin, leaving only her head exposed.

Qin Yinong asked, "Are you catching a cold?"

Tang Ruoyao's throat throbbed with pain, making it difficult for her to speak, so she shook her head instead.

She looked into Qin Yinong's eyes, which carried a sense of inquiry.

Qin Yinong could sense the probing in her gaze. She felt a bit guilty, realizing that she had been too overwhelming. They hadn't seen each other like this during their previous encounter. Just now, Tang Ruoyao had almost thought she was going to die.

Understanding Tang Ruoyao's expression, Qin Yinong felt a flicker of discomfort in her eyes. She cleared her throat and said, "I'll go boil some water."

She moved quickly, and Tang Ruoyao blinked her eyes, barely catching a glimpse of her figure. The corner of the bathrobe disappeared around the corner of her sight. Tang Ruoyao's eyelids grew heavy, and she closed her eyes wearily.

Qin Yinong stood in the kitchen, hands covering her face. From the gap between her palms, one could see her reddened ears.

Originally, Qin Yinong didn't intend to keep Tang Ruoyao occupied for so long. She had only planned to extend their time together slightly compared to their previous encounter.

However, as soon as she heard Tang Ruoyao's voice, she became excited. Today, for some reason, Tang Ruoyao seemed particularly open, and the two of them were in sync. Qin Yinong unintentionally got carried away with her excitement.

The water in the electric kettle had boiled and automatically switched off. Qin Yinong reflected on herself in the kitchen, letting out a deep sigh. She poured a glass of warm water and returned to the bedroom.

Tang Ruoyao, who had been sitting at the head of the bed, had already fallen asleep. Her body had unconsciously slid down, and when Qin Yinong entered, she was almost at the edge. Qin Yinong quickly walked over, set down the water glass, and gently supported Tang Ruoyao's shoulders, laying her flat.

In her sleep, Tang Ruoyao cleared her throat, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Qin Yinong's gaze softened as she touched the small bump between Tang Ruoyao's eyebrows. Unable to resist, she lowered her head and kissed it.

"It hurts." Tang Ruoyao murmured with her eyes closed.

"Where does it hurt?"

Tang Ruoyao pulled one hand out from under the blanket and pointed to her throat before placing it back.

Qin Yinong couldn't help but blush, both on her face and at the roots of her ears, as she recalled their previous interaction. She scolded herself inwardly.

Tang Ruoyao was sound asleep.

Qin Yinong rummaged through the house, bothered by the wide sleeves of her bathrobe. She ended up rolling them up to her shoulders, looking rather disheveled as she searched from the bedroom to the living room, and from the living room to the guest room, not even sparing the kitchen and bathroom.

Guan Han fell into a deep sleep, but a phone call pulled her back from the realm of dreams. She startled awake, reaching out to turn on the bedside lamp and grabbing her phone from the nightstand. Squinting her eyes, she looked at the caller ID.

It displayed "Boss" unmistakably.

Guan Han quickly answered the call and promptly got out of bed, skillfully dressing with one hand. "I'm awake. What can I do for you?"

"Buy some throat lozenges and have them delivered."

"Alright."

Guan Han hastily freshened up, put on her glasses, and went downstairs to her car. She drove to a 24-hour pharmacy near Tang Ruoyao's house and made a brief stop. Half an hour later, she knocked on Tang Ruoyao's door.

Naturally, it was Qin Yinong who opened the door.

Qin Yinong took the plastic bag from Guan Han and said, "Thank you for your trouble."

Guan Han replied, "No, it was my negligence."

As a competent personal assistant, she had only remembered to prepare one thing and had overlooked the throat lozenges. It was her dereliction of duty.

Qin Yinong opened the bag and found not only the lozenges but also cold medicine inside, looking surprised.

Guan Han pushed her glasses up her nose.

Qin Yinong silently put the cold medicine into the drawer of the coffee table.

Guan Han asked, "If there's nothing else, may I leave now?"

Qin Yinong still had some humanity left in her and pointed towards the guest room. "It's late, so why don't you stay here and sleep? You can go back tomorrow morning."

Guan Han shook her head. "I'm familiar with my own bed."

Qin Yinong let her leave then.

Qin Yinong took the throat lozenges to the bedroom and placed them on the bedside table. Tang Ruoyao was sound asleep, and Qin Yinong didn't want to wake her up just to feed her the lozenges. But she couldn't fall asleep herself, so she sat by the edge of the bed, quietly watching Tang Ruoyao's peaceful sleeping face.

Tang Ruoyao didn't sleep very peacefully. She kicked her legs and moved her hands, tossing the blanket aside. Qin Yinong reached out and felt the sticky sweat on her body, shaking her head and laughing. She wondered why Tang Ruoyao always sweated so much.

Qin Yinong changed into a sleepwear and tightened her robe. She adjusted the air conditioning to a slightly lower temperature and tucked the blanket back in. She looked at the temperature setting and thought it was too low, fearing it might cause a cold, so she raised it again.

Whenever Tang Ruoyao started kicking the blanket, Qin Yinong lowered the temperature.

This cycle continued throughout the night.

The next morning, Qin Yinong rubbed her face, which had almost become stiff from laughter, and kissed the back of Tang Ruoyao's hand before quietly leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

Qin Yinong lay down on the couch in the living room, covering herself with a thin blanket and closing her eyes.

Tang Ruoyao, without any notifications or alarms, slept until ten o'clock in the morning. The soreness in her throat had improved compared to the night before, but she still felt some discomfort. Her gaze swept over the throat lozenges placed on the bedside table, and she peeled one and put it in her mouth.

Although the side she was leaning against felt familiarly cold, Tang Ruoyao didn't rush out to find someone. Instead, she sat on the bed, lost in thought.

She woke up in a daze last night, seeing a figure sitting by the bedside. They gently held her hand and kissed the back of her hand repeatedly, endlessly.

Afterward, she drifted back to sleep, still unsure whether it was real or just a dream.

The more Tang Ruoyao recalled, the more uncertain she became, so she temporarily set it aside. She looked down at herself and saw that her clothes were already on, so she adjusted her clothes and opened the bedroom door.

"Sister?" she called out.

A gentle response came from near the window, "Awake now?"

The voice was hoarse and deep, with a heavy nasal tone. Tang Ruoyao sensed something was wrong and quickly approached. She saw Qin Yinong's unusually flushed cheeks and reached out to touch her forehead, which was burning hot.

"You have a fever." Tang Ruoyao pursed her lips and said, "I'll go get a thermometer."

"No..." Qin Yinong tried to stop her but weakly lowered her hand.

Author's Note:

Did the sister drink the water Tang Ruoyao brought? Please answer.

BACK | TABLE OF CONTENTS | NEXT