CHAPTER 40

Guan Han met Tang Ruoyao's gaze and suddenly had a revelation. Her expression became subtly nuanced.

She was just an assistant, did she even have to be jealous of her? Had she gone crazy?

Guan Han used the forehead thermometer to measure Qin Yinong's temperature, and the electronic display showed 39.3℃.

Qin Yinong took a look and deliberately spoke in a relaxed tone, smiling, "0.2℃ higher than before I've gone to sleep."

She sighed inwardly. Ah, no wonder she felt worse the more she slept.

Guan Han: "..."

Wait, is this something worth celebrating?

Tang Ruoyao became anxious upon hearing this. She took a few steps closer and slowed down when she approached Qin Yinong's side, whispering softly, "Let me see?"

Qin Yinong raised her chin, signaling Guan Han. Guan Han, the chief eunuch, promptly and respectfully handed over the forehead thermometer with both hands. Empress, please take a clear look. The emperor and I have nothing to hide.

Tang Ruoyao was concerned about Qin Yinong and didn't think much about the meaning behind her peculiar gesture.

Tang Ruoyao took a look and indeed, the fever hadn't subsided and had worsened. She hurriedly said, "Take some fever-reducing medicine." Where did Guan Han put the medicine earlier?

Tang Ruoyao turned around to search and retrieved the medicine from a corner of the coffee table. Guan Han had bought a bunch of different types, and she lowered her head to search for the fever-reducing medicine.

Just as Qin Yinong was about to nod, but abruptly stopped and turned her head to look at Guan Han, furrowing her brows and murmuring disapprovingly, "Are you the assistant or is she the assistant?"

Guan Han lamented in her heart: Your Majesty, please open your eyes and see the current situation. Where is your usual sharpness? Your servant is being driven to death by you!

But there was no way to refute, especially not in front of Tang Ruoyao. She could only swallow her pride, bear with it, and continue to serve. Assistant Guan Han quickly went to the kitchen to pour water, while Tang Ruoyao peeled a fever-reducing pill. As she looked up, she saw Guan Han handing a glass of water to Qin Yinong. Her gaze couldn't help but darken.

Guan Han silently prayed.

"Guan Han." Unfortunately, the heavens didn't hear her prayer, and Qin Yinong spoke again.

Guan Han stepped forward and once again took on the task of delivering the fever-reducing medicine.

Qin Yinong swallowed the medicine with water, glanced at the time on her phone screen, and realized that it was already past noon. Thinking back to the unpleasant "experience" in the morning, Qin Yinong decided it was time to leave.

"Let's go. I have something to do in the afternoon, so I'll leave first." The first sentence was directed at Guan Han, while the second sentence was directed at Tang Ruoyao.

Qin Yinong placed her hands on the sofa, preparing to stand up, but suddenly paused. She called out to Guan Han, who wished she could turn into a motionless mascot and not speak or move, "Come here and support me a bit." Although she felt slightly better than before going to sleep, she wanted to be cautious to avoid any embarrassment.

Guan Han supported Qin Yinong's arm while carrying both bags in one hand, and the two of them walked towards the door.

"Sister." Tang Ruoyao called out to her from behind.

Qin Yinong turned around.

The sky outside the window was gloomy. Whether it was Qin Yinong's illusion or not, Tang Ruoyao's face was shaded in the backlight, with her eyebrows and eyes shrouded in shadow, giving off a somewhat melancholic expression.

Qin Yinong furrowed her brows and looked closely. The melancholy on Tang Ruoyao's face disappeared without a trace, replaced by the same gentle and obedient demeanor with a faint smile.

"I made some porridge. Sister, would you like to eat before leaving?"

Qin Yinong hesitated.

As long as Tang Ruoyao didn't mention it, she didn't feel hungry. but as soon as she mentioned it, Qin Yinong felt an emptiness in her stomach.

Guan Han whispered in Qin Yinong's ear, "She made smashed cucumber salad."

Qin Yinong's eyes suddenly lit up.

She stopped in her tracks and said, "Then let's eat here."

This scene was particularly glaring in Tang Ruoyao's eyes.

She had done so much, and yet it couldn't compare to the casual remark from Guan Han. Moreover, the sudden expression of interest that Tang Ruoyao had never seen before. In Qin Yinong's heart, perhaps Guan Han was worth more than ten of herself.

Tang Ruoyao's thoughts were tangled, while Qin Yinong could only think about the smashed cucumber.

For once, Qin Yinong didn't call out to Guan Han. Guan Han hoped that Tang Ruoyao would take the initiative to take over the task of serving the dishes and pouring the porridge. However, as soon as Tang Ruoyao finished speaking, she stood there like a pole, motionless.

Qin Yinong didn't realize that something was wrong and went to the kitchen by herself. After all, she had eaten many meals here, so she knew where all the utensils were. Qin Yinong served herself a bowl of porridge, placed the plate of smashed cucumber on the table, and hospitably asked, "Have you both eaten?"

Guan Han tactfully replied, "I've already eaten."

Tang Ruoyao said, "I've also eaten, Sister. You go ahead."

Qin Yinong stared at the two untouched dishes on the table, feeling suspicious, but she couldn't think of a reason why Tang Ruoyao would lie to her. Maybe she had eaten a Western-style breakfast, Qin Yinong thought to herself and comfortably sat down.

Qin Yinong had a small appetite. Both the porridge and the smashed cucumber salad were delicious. She felt a bit full after eating half of it, but it would be a waste not to finish it. She furrowed her brows, had a thought, and started again, "Guan Han."

Guan Han glanced at Tang Ruoyao, who was sitting opposite her on the sofa and reading a book seriously. She felt like her life was about to end again, but she reluctantly got up and walked over.

Tang Ruoyao's heart slightly stirred, and she kept an eye on the dining table. Guan Han bent down, lowered her head, and Qin Yinong whispered something in her ear.

"Check if there are any takeout boxes or something in the cupboard." Qin Yinong said.

At the same time, she occasionally glanced at the sofa, where Tang Ruoyao was still engrossed in her book, temporarily relieved. After all, eating and taking away leftovers didn't fit her character.

Qin Yinong didn't have much of a good image in front of her own team. Snatching food was a common occurrence, but she happened to carry the three-ton burden of being an idol in front of Tang Ruoyao.

"Takeout boxes?" Guan Han looked hesitant. Who would have disposable food containers prepared in their own home?

"You search first, and if you can't find any, then go out and buy." Qin Yinong instructed.

"Okay."

Guan Han sneaked into the kitchen.

Tang Ruoyao perked up her ears, listening to the movements as if someone was searching for something. She closed her eyes, finally unable to hold her breath any longer, and walked over with big strides, looking down at Guan Han. "What are you looking for?"

Guan Han wore a calm expression, unable to voice her troubles. She said, "Nothing in particular."

"What do you mean by 'nothing in particular'?" Tang Ruoyao pressed on. Was she rummaging through the kitchen in her own house without her permission? Even if it was just going through the motions, she should have ask with her first.

Guan Han couldn't reveal what she was really searching for, so she vaguely replied, "Just... taking a casual look."

"Do you need to open all the doors just for a casual look?" Tang Ruoyao stood her ground.

At first, this place was nominally hers, and she was the host. Even if it caused a scene in front of Qin Yinong, she was in the right. Qin Yinong wasn't someone unreasonable; Tang Ruoyao didn't believe she would mindlessly defend Guan Han.

Guan Han stood up and forced a bitter smile. "Miss Yao."

Tang Ruoyao's anger flared up when she saw that smile. She took a step forward, cornering Guan Han between the sink and the corner of the marble countertop, and spoke in a cold tone, "Speak."

When Qin Yinong arrived, she found her Empress and the Chief Eunuch were practically face to face in the kitchen, looking intimately close.

Qin Yinong raised her hand and knocked on the door frame, her voice as cold as her expression, "What are you two doing?"

Trapped in the corner, Guan Han, caught in the act, pushed Tang Ruoyao's shoulder with a strong desire to survive. Tang Ruoyao, caught off guard, leaned backward, her hand bracing against the edge of the countertop, quickly stabilizing herself.

Qin Yinong's hand, which hadn't had time to retract, remained suspended in the air. She curled her fingers and casually tapped on the marble countertop as if she had planned to do so from the beginning. Qin Yinong crossed her arms, one index finger leisurely tapping on her upper arm, her stern gaze sweeping over the two of them. "What's going on with you two?"

Just preventing them from playing games together, and yet they were secretly meeting right under her nose?

Tang Ruoyao calmly said, "Guan Han was rummaging through the kitchen, and I came over to see what she was looking for."

Qin Yinong wondered, "Then why were you two so close to each other?"

Tang Ruoyao coldly snorted in her heart. Did she really need to ask that question face to face?

Tang Ruoyao remained unruffled and said, "She refused to answer me."

In her heart, she couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness. Even her smile was gone. It was clear that you preferred her more.

A hint of embarrassment flickered in Qin Yinong's eyes. She cleared her throat lightly and looked at Guan Han, whose eyes were evasive, wearing an expression of "Don't ask, asking will only lead to withdrawal."

In fact, Qin Yinong had caught snippets of the conversation outside, and now that Tang Ruoyao explained, she basically understood the logical relationship behind it—it was a misunderstanding. So she smiled and tried to defuse the situation, saying, "I asked her to look around the kitchen."

Despite everything, she was still defending Guan Han, even willing to take the blame herself.

The polite smile on Tang Ruoyao's face suddenly disappeared.

Could she just say such things indiscriminately? Guan Han frantically signaled to Qin Yinong with her eyes.

Qin Yinong, who was completely focused on Tang Ruoyao, poured oil on the fire, saying, "Don't blame her."

Guan Han's eyes went dark for a moment.

Tang Ruoyao's fingers, which had been tucked behind her, twitched nervously. She took a deep breath and forced a smile, saying, "It's okay, Sister Guan Han, next time you can just tell me directly. It's my order as your sister."

Guan Han lowered her head and stared at the floor tiles, continuing her self-imposed withdrawal.

"Please enjoy your meal, sister. I'll go to the study and read." Tang Ruoyao nodded slightly, politely excusing herself.

Qin Yinong somehow sensed a hint of sadness in Tang Ruoyao's displeased gaze.

In the moment they passed each other, Tang Ruoyao's steps faltered. She lowered her gaze to her own wrist, and a fair and slender hand gripped it tightly. Waves surged in her heart, almost causing a storm to rise, and her heart raced.

"Sister?" The anticipation and surprise in her eyes couldn't be concealed any longer.

"I..." Qin Yinong was slightly taken aback. Why did she grab Tang Ruoyao's hand in that instant? She couldn't recall what had happened in her mind. An impulse drove her, without any conscious thought.

Tang Ruoyao lightly bit her lower lip, anxiously waiting.

After a while, Qin Yinong loosened her grip on Tang Ruoyao's wrist.

The woman casually withdrew her hand as if nothing had happened, and simply said, "Focus on your reading."

Tang Ruoyao's heart grew cold, and she simply responded expressionlessly, "Mmm."

Qin Yinong felt the atmosphere was strange and, almost involuntarily, added, "I'll examine you when I have time."

"Examine me for what?"

"Your study notes." Qin Yinong replied and then urged her, "Go quickly."

She watched Tang Ruoyao's figure enter the study, then turned around to see Guan Han's indescribable expression. Qin Yinong raised an eyebrow lightly, and Guan Han adjusted her expression, reporting in a formal tone, "No takeout boxes."

Before Qin Yinong could give any further instructions, Guan Han picked up her shoulder bag from the couch and walked towards the door, saying, "I'll go buy them from the convenience store outside. I'll be back soon."

Qin Yinong nodded.

One person reading, the other going to buy something. Qin Yinong sat back at the table, calmly nibbling on her cucumber slices. Suddenly, the chopsticks that were feeding her food paused, and her expression became deep and obscure.

She turned her head in the direction of the study, a hint of regret flashing deep in her eyes. She lightly sighed, placing a hand on her forehead.

She must have lost her mind due to the fever.

Qin Yinong kept an eye out, while Guan Han packed the remaining half plate of cucumber slices into a takeout box, sealing it with multiple layers of plastic bags, and securely placing it in her spacious shoulder bag.

"Wait for me here for a moment." Qin Yinong instructed Guan Han before she knocked on Tang Ruoyao's study door by herself.

After about ten minutes, Qin Yinong came out with slightly swollen and a remarkably vibrant red lips.

Guan Han thought to herself, Impressive, she even knows how to use her looks to her advantage.

"Let's go." Qin Yinong said.

"Don't you need to say goodbye to Miss Yao?" Guan Han asked, knowing the answer already.

Qin Yinong glanced at her, feigning annoyance, but her eyes revealed a charming allure, completely different from before she went in.

"Don't talk nonsense, let's go." she replied.

Guan Han couldn't help but marvel at the captivating tone in her voice.

Qin Yinong took the lead, and Guan Han followed behind. As they reached the entrance, Qin Yinong glanced back, and it seemed like the door to the study moved slightly, but she couldn't tell if it was just her imagination.

Inside the elevator, Guan Han dutifully positioned herself as a background prop.

She had just caused a big mess and didn't want to actively put herself in the line of fire.

Qin Yinong's smile didn't last long. Once she got in the car, she leaned to the side to rest, breathing heavily, resembling a sick person. Her fever hadn't subsided; Guan Han used the thermometer in the car to measure her temperature, and just like at Tang Ruoyao's house, it was still 39.3°C.

"Maybe you should lie down for a while." Guan Han suggested. The car was quite spacious, which was why many actors chose to stay in them when the accommodation conditions on set were difficult.

"I'll do it later." Qin Yinong replied, casually lifting her left hand and playing with the platinum ring on her pinky finger. She then asked, seemingly nonchalant, "Is the game fun?"

Guan Han shook her head. "Not really. I'm not good at it. Miss Yao happened to be there and she helped me."

Qin Yinong didn't seem to blame her, just nodded lightly and asked, "What's the name of the game?"

Guan Han reported the name and asked, observing Qin Yinong's reaction, "Shall I download it for you?"

Qin Yinong furrowed her eyebrows lightly. "No need. I don't have time to play games. They're just for kids."

Guan Han went along with it. "Alright."

Qin Yinong fell silent after that, closing her eyelids. She appeared to be resting.

Guan Han turned her head to look at the bustling traffic outside.

After a while, Qin Yinong said, "There's something very important that I just found out last night."

Guan Han turned back, and Qin Yinong's eyes shifted slightly, but she didn't open them, lazily leaning against the seat without moving.

"What is it?" Guan Han asked.

"As the sponsor, I'm supposed to provide an allowance. Did you know that?"

"...Yes, I knew," Guan Han replied, puzzled why she was being asked this.

"Why didn't you remind me?" Qin Yinong's voice was filled with dissatisfaction.

Late in questioning her.

"..." Guan Han fell silent for a moment and said, "Have you never given an allowance before?"

"I gave her a card last night." Qin Yinong chuckled lightly, a hint of amusement or anger indistinguishable in her tone.

Guan Han fell into silence once again.

This was something she couldn't be blamed for.

The process back then was quite convoluted. After Qin Yinong intercepted Tang Ruoyao, she had initially intended to set her free. However, Tang Ruoyao took it upon herself to believe that Qin Yinong had replaced her with someone else, making her Qin Yinong's possession. Furthermore, Qin Yinong had heard some rumors that the original sponsor seemed particularly reluctant to let go of Tang Ruoyao and planned to make some moves to bring her back. Qin Yinong also had her own considerations and decided to take over officially, using the situation to her advantage and gaining a legitimate status that others couldn't easily meddle with.

Guan Han handled all the procedures in between and didn't inquire further. She had given Tang Ruoyao a card, but it was a one-time payment with a limited amount. The resources provided by Qin Yinong were the main support. Later, Tang Ruoyao earned a considerable amount of money from film projects, endorsements, and advertisements. While she couldn't be called a wealthy woman, she was self-sufficient and had more than enough.

However, according to the "rules" or contract provisions, Qin Yinong was supposed to deposit money into her account monthly or give her some pocket money. How would Guan Han know that Qin Yinong hadn't given her a single cent or shown any awareness of being a sponsor?

"Didn't you read the contract?" Guan Han asked.

"What contract?" Qin Yinong first looked puzzled, then suddenly realized, "Oh, you mean the one we signed back then?"

"Yes."

"I read it."

Guan Han was about to open her mouth, but Qin Yinong filled in the next sentence with a deep tone, "But I forgot." It was such a distant matter that she couldn't remember. She had just glanced at it casually, never seriously considering herself as someone who was sponsoring a lover.

Guan Han: "..."

She asked, "So, what should we do now?"

Qin Yinong rubbed her temple with a headache and said, "Make it up to her." Sleeping for two years without giving her any money, what kind of person had she become?

Guan Han stole a glance at her and hesitated, "You... might not have that much liquid capital." [Liquid capital, also called quick assets, liquid assets and fluid assets, is an asset that's ready to convert into cash.]

Qin Yinong raised her eyes abruptly, "What are you saying?"

Guan Han carefully recalled her financial situation, then handed over her tablet, swiped her face, and searched the internet for a while before confirming, "It's true, you don't. Most of it has been invested or locked in financial products. Last month, there was a 1 million yuan investment that matured. Didn't you use it to build a Hope Primary School?"

"In that case, how much do I have left that I can use?"

"In the frequently used card, there's still..." Guan Han lowered her head to check, "598,000 yuan." She pushed her glasses up her nose and calmly said, "It's barely enough to cover Miss Yao's salary for a year, but it's still 2,000 yuan short."

Qin Yinong leaned her head back, covering her face with one hand.

She suddenly remembered something, took a deep breath, then abruptly lowered her hand and anxiously said, "Please check the balance in the Bank of China card with the ending digits 4523 for me."

Last night, she had given that card to Tang Ruoyao. Upon hearing her financial situation, Qin Yinong felt a foreboding sense of unease.

After finishing the search, Guan Han almost burst into laughter but restrained herself, maintaining a serious expression. "88,000 yuan, quite auspicious." Hahaha, not even enough to buy an expensive handbag! What a stingy sponsor!

Qin Yinong's face turned red and pale, feeling extremely embarrassed.

Guan Han reminded her, "You still have time to transfer the money now."

Qin Yinong gritted her teeth, "Where's my phone?"

Guan Han handed her bag and phone over.

As Qin Yinong transferred all the money from the commonly used card to the Bank of China card ending in 4523, Guan Han spoke up again, saying, "You should leave some for yourself. What if Ningning wants a toy? Your other cards aren't linked to electronic payments."

Qin Yinong pressed the delete key and left herself with 100,000 yuan, transferring the rest to the card that now belonged to Tang Ruoyao.

After completing the transfer, Qin Yinong, the famous actress, felt exhausted. She had a faint headache from the fever that had left her feeling dizzy. She couldn't understand how she, the all-powerful superstar, had ended up in this situation.

"When does my latest investment mature?"

"At the end of this month, there's a 2 million yuan investment."

"Good." Qin Yinong said with determination. She had already decided to transfer that entire amount to Tang Ruoyao.

Unaware of the impending large transfer, Tang Ruoyao had actually left the card given to her by Qin Yinong on the coffee table in the living room. She hadn't remembered it until now.

She peeked through the crack of the study door as Qin Yinong and Guan Han left. Then she opened the door and went to the kitchen to tidy up the dishes. To her surprise, everything was neatly arranged, and the plates and bowls were placed back in their original positions.

Guan Han must have tidied up, she thought.

She raised her hand and touched her lips. The soft and smooth sensation from their passionate kiss seemed to linger, making her throat involuntarily swallow. They had been in the study, with Qin Yinong holding her between her arms and the back of the chair, kissing each other deeply, almost losing control.

Every time Qin Yinong left, Tang Ruoyao needed some time to calm her emotions and regain her composure.

But this time, she didn't have much time. She received a phone call, instantly pulling herself out of the surging tide of emotions and becoming incredibly calm.

The caller was her manager, Mu Qingwu.

Mu Qingwu: "Have you eaten?"

Tang Ruoyao honestly replied, "No."

Mu Qingwu: "Then come out and have a meal. I'll pick you up downstairs. See you in half an hour. Wear something presentable. After dinner, we won't be coming back. We'll head directly to the Guangdong Broadcasting Center to record the program."

"Okay."

Tang Ruoyao hadn't carefully looked at herself when she woke up in the morning, but now standing in front of the full-length mirror, she could clearly see a few ambiguous red marks scattered on her body.

Both of them were artists and knew that they couldn't leave obvious marks on their bodies, so they always paid extra attention. Last night, Qin Yinong was surprisingly patient, and the preparation work was lengthy. They became extremely passionate, losing a bit of their rationality.

In Tang Ruoyao's hazy memories, there were a couple of instances where she had begged Qin Yinong for more. She couldn't resist the gentle warmth and couldn't help but move erratically, wishing for more excitement. Eventually, things became too stimulating, and it seemed that she had left a few red marks on Qin Yinong's body from her nail scratches.

Tang Ruoyao stood in front of the mirror, blushing.

This is... insane.

Tang Ruoyao returned to the master bedroom and took a quick shower. After browsing through her wardrobe, she chose a classic light blue long dress with a sleeveless, cinched waist design. Her slender waist showcased her figure perfectly. The hem reached just below her knees, exposing her ankles, and she paired it with high-heeled sandals, revealing her beautifully proportioned legs.

It was cool, yet formal at the same time.

She grabbed a matching handbag, headed downstairs, and it happened to be exactly half an hour, neither too early nor too late.

The car stopped in front of her, and Tang Ruoyao bent down to get in as assistant Xin Qian opened the door. Mu Qingwu's gaze shifted away from her wristwatch, and there was a hint of approval in her eyes. "Very punctual."

"It's only right, Sister Mu." Tang Ruoyao nodded in response.

The vehicle started moving slowly.

Mu Qingwu smiled and said, "That's not always the case. I often encounter artists who make me wait. Let me tell you about another artist I'm currently managing. Always forgetful, always making me wait for at least ten minutes."

Tang Ruoyao noticed that although Mu Qingwu said this, there was no hint of blame in her tone. It sounded more like she was talking about her own absent-minded and careless child at home, with a hint of indulgence.

She thought to herself, it seems that Mu Qingwu really is raising children with genuine affection.

Mu Qingwu continued, "But I can wait for my own artists. If it's someone else making me wait, I'll get angry."

"After all, they're not family." Tang Ruoyao pondered and said.

"Exactly, exactly." Mu Qingwu replied. "If they're not my artists, I couldn't care less about them."

Both of them burst into laughter.

Tang Ruoyao remained quiet, with most of the conversation led by Mu Qingwu. Tang Ruoyao would respond with a couple of words or briefly express her opinions. Mu Qingwu was a great conversationalist, able to discuss any topic and had extensive knowledge about the industry. Tang Ruoyao hadn't heard about these things before when she was with Ruan Qin, and she was eager to soak up all the information.

Since they changed managers that day, this was their second meeting. Although they had chatted on WeChat, they were still somewhat unfamiliar with each other. But a single conversation instantly brought them closer.

"What is your goal in this industry?" Mu Qingwu clasped her hands together, stared into Tang Ruoyao's eyes, and asked with anticipation.

She didn't seem like a typical manager but more like a gossip-loving friend of the same age. In reality, Mu Qingwu wasn't that much older, around thirty-three or thirty-four years old, so it was reasonable to consider her an older sister figure.

Tang Ruoyao's first thought was of Qin Yinong, unrelated to emotions. Qin Yinong was indeed her goal, so she honestly admitted it.

"Qin Yinong, huh," Mu Qingwu pondered, propping her chin with one hand. "She's quite something, but don't follow her example and have affairs everywhere."

Tang Ruoyao's expression subtly froze for a moment as she pursed her lips. "...Mmm."

I am her affair.

Author's Note:

Several chapters later.

Mama Mu: My daughter has fallen so early! I'm furious!

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