CHAPTER 47

Qin Yinong suppressed the impulse to turn back.

Guan Han was just inches away from her and heard the soft gasp Qin Yinong made when she saw Tang Ruoyao, a sound that escaped her due to being overly shocked. The corners of Guan Han's lips lifted slightly, barely noticeable.

She had mentioned getting a copy of Tang Ruoyao's shooting schedule, but Qin Yinong declined. Now, things had taken an unexpected turn.

The crew was supposed to depart at 7:00 AM and have breakfast together on set at 7:30 AM. To be on the safe side, Qin Yinong gave up her plan to arrive at 6:00 AM and deliberately adjusted her schedule to 7:30 AM. Little did she know that she couldn't avoid Tang Ruoyao even then.

What is fate? This is fate.

Xin Qian followed Tang Ruoyao's gaze and her eyes widened in an instant.

"It's Qin... Qin..." she uttered in horror.

"I see her." Tang Ruoyao said calmly, raising her hand to gently lift Xin Qian's chin.

Tang Ruoyao stood still, her heart uncontrollably accelerating. She put on a composed and polite smile, waiting for the two of them to approach.

She stood at the entrance of the buffet restaurant, and Qin Yinong had to pass by her if she wanted to have breakfast.

Qin Yinong took a gentle breath and adjusted herself. She walked calmly towards Tang Ruoyao, and when she was about to approach, she furrowed her beautiful eyebrows and complained in a tone that was neither loud nor soft to her assistant beside her, "We agreed to have breakfast in the room, but you insisted on coming down."

Guan Han: "???"

She was initially puzzled, but then she realized that Qin Yinong was using her as a scapegoat and making excuses!

Guan Han: "!!!"

She felt a sudden jolt in her heart.

Guan Han quickly looked up to see Tang Ruoyao's expression. She saw a tiny crack in Tang Ruoyao's flawless smile, followed by a fleeting gaze filled with intense hostility.

Guan Han: "..."

She opened her mouth, filled with grievances.

Oh, the discerning Empress, today the Emperor is throwing a tantrum, but it has nothing to do with her humble servant!

But it was impossible to speak the truth openly. Guan Han could only tightly seal her lips and let Qin Yinong put one blame after another on her head. 

Tang Ruoyao self-mockingly hooked the corner of her lips.

No wonder Qin Yinong clearly told her not to come downstairs in the morning, yet she met her here in an instant. Amidst the surprise, there was a tinge of bitterness, and even the curve of her lips turned bitter.

Qin Yinong lowered her gaze and discreetly sighed in relief.

Would this perfectly explain why she suddenly appeared in the restaurant?

Guan Han thought to herself: If this continues, I need a raise, or I won't be able to bear this grievance.

In the blink of an eye, both of them composed themselves. Tang Ruoyao mustered a gentle and frugal smile, politely greeting, "Senior Qin."

Qin Yinong maintained her air of superiority and made a sound of acknowledgment.

The two groups walked inside together, with the assistants trailing behind. Qin Yinong took the lead, positioning herself half a step ahead of Tang Ruoyao. Both of them had slender waists and long legs, with beautiful appearances—one cold and aloof, the other gentle and lovely—a perfect match.

"Shall we have breakfast?" Tang Ruoyao asked somewhat redundantly.

"Mm." Qin Yinong nodded.

"Did you rest well last night?"

"It was fine."

Qin Yinong's attitude was neither warm nor cold. Her gaze swept around, and suddenly she stiffened.

Her gaze turned chilly, and she was about to speak, "Guan..."

Before she could finish the name, Guan Han had already rushed out, her low-heeled and high-heeled shoes creating a rapid drum-like sound on the tiled floor of the restaurant. This drew the attention of the onlookers, who started whispering to each other.

What's going on?

Guan Han went straight to a dining table and tapped the surface with her finger, saying, "Hello."

Seated at the table was a young girl who instinctively recoiled, one hand hidden under the table. She managed to maintain a forced calmness and greeted, "Hello."

"May I ask if you took any photos?" Guan Han asked politely.

The girl hesitated, "I..."

"Could you please delete them?" Guan Han maintained a friendly attitude.

The girl assured, "I won't spread it to others."

She was a guest at this hotel, and while dining in the restaurant, she unintentionally looked up and saw the celebrities—two of them, to be precise. Especially the fact that these two stars, who seemingly had no connection, were having breakfast together in the same hotel. Even if she wasn't a paparazzo, as a simple bystander, she couldn't help but feel excited.

She had been cautious enough, but she didn't expect the person behind Qin Yinong to be so keen.

Guan Han supported herself on the table, repeating, "Please delete it, okay?"

The woman in front of her wore a white professional suit, with metal-framed glasses resting on her nose. The gaze behind the lenses was icy, and her aura was released with unwavering strength. Under her oppressive presence, the girl dared not even take a breath. After a few seconds of confrontation, she took out her phone and deleted the photo from her album.

Guan Han carefully checked before returning, stepping on her high heels. She nodded slightly and stood behind Qin Yinong once again.

Xin Qian secretly glanced at Guan Han, whose face was as cold as ice, and her astonishment was almost written all over her face.

Just now, it felt like she was watching a TV drama.

Her vision blurred for a moment, and whoosh, Guan Han rushed out and swiftly returned.

They were both assistants, so why was there such a stark difference? Just moments ago, someone had taken a sneaky photo of them, but Guan Han seemed completely unfazed.

Tang Ruoyao clearly felt that the oppressive aura around Qin Yinong had diminished significantly, and the corners of her lips almost straightened into a line.

She was about to speak when Qin Yinong, in a voice audible only to the two of them, said, "Stay away from me."

Tang Ruoyao was taken aback.

Qin Yinong furrowed her brows slightly, as if feeling that her words were inappropriate, and rephrased, "Keep your distance from me."

With that, she took the lead with Guan Han and went to a seat in the corner. Guan Han handed her a hat, which she promptly put on, covering her eyebrows.

Tang Ruoyao's slender fingers hanging by her side curled slightly, her eyelids drooping. She lifted her leg and walked in the opposite direction.

The two of them ended up sitting almost diagonally across from each other in the restaurant.

After Qin Yinong sat down, she didn't get up again. Guan Han fetched bowls and plates, scooping porridge and picking dishes in front of the glass display. Tang Ruoyao stood next to her. Tang Ruoyao didn't speak, but Guan Han felt a chill down her spine and hastened her food selection.

Guan Han picked up the tray and was about to leave.

"Guan Han, wait." A low voice came from behind.Guan Han turned her head to look.

Tang Ruoyao glanced at the food in her tray—plain porridge and side dishes—and whispered, "It's nothing."

Guan Han walked away.

She placed the tray in front of Qin Yinong, who picked up a potato pancake, chewed it briefly, and commented, "A bit greasy," setting it aside. Then, she casually asked, "What did she say to you just now?"

Guan Han shifted the plate with the potato pancake slightly towards herself and honestly replied, "She didn't say anything, just called out my name."

"Why would she call you for no reason?" Qin Yinong raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"How would I know?" Guan Han stuffed a piece of potato pancake into her mouth, creating a gust of wind as she lifted her chopsticks.

"Are you angry?" Qin Yinong's eyes suddenly lit up, unable to believe what she was seeing.

"No, not at all." Guan Han suppressed the nameless anger welling up inside her.

She was just an ordinary assistant. Why did these two treat her like a rival? What's the point?

"Because she didn't talk to you, you're angry?" Logic told Qin Yinong that this couldn't be the truth, but her emotions were leading her thoughts astray. Otherwise, why would Guan Han be angry for no reason?

"..." Guan Han took a deep breath, lifted her head to meet Qin Yinong's gaze, and firmly said, "Qin Jie, I'm requesting for a raise."

Qin Yinong set down her chopsticks, propped her chin with one hand, and leisurely replied, "Sure, but you have to tell me why you're angry."

.....

"Tang Tang, did you see that? Qin Yinong's assistant is amazing!" Meanwhile, Xin Qian was still immersed in the scene of Guan Han's swift action, savoring it while eating and exclaiming.

Tang Ruoyao's enthusiasm was low, and she responded with a perfunctory "Impressive."

"When can I be like her?" Xin Qian sneakily glanced back, her face filled with longing.

"Probably when I become like Qin Yinong, you might be able to be like her." Tang Ruoyao replied casually.

"Well, I guess I won't have the chance in this lifetime."

"..."

"You..." Tang Ruoyao looked up and met Xin Qian's broad smile, realizing that she had fallen into her trap and swallowed her words.

"Don't be unhappy." Xin Qian said.

Although Xin Qian was not as sharp as Guan Han, she still had some observational skills. Ever since Tang Ruoyao saw Qin Yinong, something had been off about her. Now her mood seemed even lower.

Tang Ruoyao forced a slight upward curve of her lips and whispered, "Let's eat quickly. I still need to go back to my room and read the script."

"Alright." Xin Qian paused and said, "I believe that one day you'll catch up to Qin Yinong."

Tang Ruoyao smiled but didn't respond.

Changing the topic, Xin Qian clenched her fist and exclaimed with full confidence, "So, I will definitely become an assistant as amazing as her!"

Tang Ruoyao burst into laughter. She coughed, lowered her head, and insincerely said, "Goodluck."

Xin Qian said, feigning anger, "You don't believe in me, do you?"

Tang Ruoyao's lips curled into a smile. "No, not at all."

Xin Qian pretended to be indignant. "You really don't believe in me! Just wait and see, I will prove myself to you!"

Tang Ruoyao nodded and said seriously, "I'll be waiting for you to become amazing."

Some people have simple minds and lack ambitious goals. They can only focus on the present task and strive to do their best. Who can say that such a person isn't likable and respectable?

Tang Ruoyao took a sip of plain congee and indulged in some fantasies, a faint smile playing on her lips.

.....

While laughter filled the air on one side, it was strangely quiet in Qin Yinong's place.

Qin Yinong listened to Guan Han's grievances and guiltily lowered her head, taking a sip of milk. "A-a twenty percent raise, is that fine?"

Guan Han: "...Fine."

Qin Yinong tugged at her earlobe and pretended to be casual. "By the way, why were you two playing games last time?"

Guan Han: "Qin Jie."

Qin Yinong: "Hmm?"

Guan Han lowered her voice. "Miss Yao and I have a clean relationship. She only has feelings for you, and I have no inappropriate thoughts towards her. If you continue to suspect me and lack trust, I don't think I can handle this job anymore."

Her tone was incredibly serious, and Qin Yinong immediately panicked. "I-I didn't... Ah, can't I ask?"

Guan Han corrected her, "You can ask, but don't use such a sour tone."

Qin Yinong asked, "Was I being sour?"

Guan Han nodded and said seriously, "Yes, you were sour. Even more sour than Shanxi aged vinegar."

Qin Yinong widened her eyes and fell silent.

Her snow-white earlobes, partially concealed by her long hair, turned embarrassingly red.

Guan Han lowered her head to eat her sandwich. Not long after, she straightened her face and whispered to Qin Yinong, "Miss Yao and the others are about to leave."

Qin Yinong brushed her long hair aside and turned her face. She saw Tang Ruoyao calmly wiping the corners of her lips with a tissue, while her assistant tilted her head back and finished the last sip of milk, tidying up the tray.

Guan Han glanced at her phone and received a message as expected.

[Should I go back first?]

Qin Yinong raised an eyebrow after reading the message and nodded.

Guan Han replied, [Okay.]

Tang Ruoyao left with her assistant, and Qin Yinong stayed in the restaurant for a while before heading upstairs.

Qin Yinong's appearance on the set was like a thrilling interlude in the mundane life, but when the music ended, everyone dispersed, and everything returned to calm. Tang Ruoyao didn't ask when Qin Yinong had left. In the afternoon, she went to the set, where Lin Guo'an directed her scenes. He didn't mention anything about Qin Yinong. They had dinner together with the crew, eating boxed meals.

It was evident that Qin Yinong had already left.

Tang Ruoyao put the remaining ointment in her bag. After taking a shower in the evening, she applied it to the mosquito bites. It worked quickly.

At night, she read the instructions on the ointment package under the soft white light. She read it three times from beginning to end, then set it aside on the countertop and picked up her phone to log into her Weibo account.

@Our Daily Life with Q Miss Q:

[She always comes and goes unexpectedly. I don't know when I'll be able to see her again. It seems like I'm always thinking about this question, always longing to see her. It's so pathetic, yet I feel happy when I think of her.】.

Tang Ruoyao turned off the lights and lay on her side, with her arm supporting her head. In her phone, there was a personal compilation video of Qin Yinong in the fan community, and she couldn't help but smile.

Time flowed like water as Tang Ruoyao focused on her work, and the days passed on her phone's calendar. She both anticipated the approaching end date and felt melancholic about the day when Qin Yinong would be completely out of her life.

Two weeks later, Lin Guoan handed her an invitation card.

"What's this?" Tang Ruoyao unfolded the invitation card page and saw that it was a birthday banquet for a well-known veteran actor.

Lin Guoan smiled and said, "It's Jiang Lao's 70th birthday celebration. He's hosting a small party with people from the industry. My wife is traveling abroad, and I need a female companion. Since you're my leading actress now, can you accompany me?"

Jiang Lao was a renowned artist in the industry who was not actively involved in filming anymore. However, he had been in the entertainment industry for decades, with a prominent network and status towering above the rest. Even rising stars like Qin Yinong, who outshone many others, would show great respect to Jiang Lao. Only a select few in the industry received invitations to Jiang Lao's birthday banquet. Tang Ruoyao's current status was not enough to qualify, so this time she was benefiting from Lin Guoan's connections.

Regardless of who she would be making connections with, attending such an event and showing her face would be a great advantage.

Tang Ruoyao held the invitation card and didn't hesitate much before agreeing.

"Thank you, Director Lin."

Seeing her decisive acceptance, Lin Guoan lowered his head and flipped through the storyboards on his desk, coughing uncomfortably.

This invitation card wasn't something he intended to give to Tang Ruoyao. It was given to him by Qin Yinong's instruction, with strict instructions not to let Tang Ruoyao know. Although Lin Guoan had a decent standing in the industry, there was still a gap between him and Han Yuping. The conditions for Jiang Lao's invitation were extremely strict, and even Lin Guoan himself didn't receive an invitation.

Lin Guoan looked at the faint gratitude in Tang Ruoyao's eyes, feeling a mix of emotions. When it came down to it, it was him who benefited from this young girl's connections.

It's really good to have the support of a powerful figure.

Lin Guoan thought to himself.

He didn't see anything wrong with Tang Ruoyao relying on Qin Yinong to climb up in the entertainment industry. It's a competitive industry where those who don't progress will regress. Everyone is sharpening their minds and striving to climb higher. If she has someone to rely on, why should she go empty-handed?

The premise was that Lin Guoan had never considered that the two of them had a relationship as a sponsor and lover. He had always thought they were in a romantic relationship. As for Qin Yinong's situation, despite what the entertainment media portrayed, Lin Guoan had a connection with Qin Yinong. Especially with Lin Guoan and Han Yuping's good relationship, they had privately discussed Qin Yinong, and they had clarified all those rumors. It was all baseless, just manufactured topics.

"Director Lin." Tang Ruoyao kept the invitation card safely and hesitantly spoke up.

"What's wrong?" Lin Guo'an responded warmly.

Tang Ruoyao bit her lip slightly, looked directly into Lin Guoan's eyes, and gathered the courage to ask, "Will Qin Yinong attend?"

Lin Guoan: "..."

He knew it!

Sure enough, the two of them had teamed up to fool him.

A flash of insight crossed Lin Guoan's mind, and he suddenly understood why Qin Yinong had kept this from Tang Ruoyao. It must be to give her girlfriend a surprise!

Just for this, is it necessary to be so indirect?

Lin Guoan suddenly felt a toothache.

Tang Ruoyao tilted her head slightly and asked with concern, "Director Lin? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No." Lin Guoan shook his head and said, "I don't know if Yinong will go. She didn't tell me. Should I ask for you?"

Of course, Qin Yinong would go! When Jiang Lao was still active in the industry, he had worked on a film with Qin Yinong and considered her as his prized disciple. If Qin Yinong dared not to go, Jiang Lao could pick up his walking cane and give her a beating.

Tang Ruoyao was startled and quickly said, "No need." Then she calmly smiled, "I don't have much acquaintance with Qin Yinong, it would be too presumptuous... Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"

Tang Ruoyao touched her cheek.

Lin Guoan withdrew his indescribable gaze and said, "It's nothing."

He's just playing along with her.

Let's just play along, Lin Guoan had taken acting classes in the drama department before. He cooperated with her performance and said seriously, "Alright, let's settle it that way. You'll accompany me to the event."

Tang Ruoyao nodded.

@My Daily Life with Miss Q:

[One month later, we have to attend a banquet. I don't know if she will be there. It seems unrelated to our daily life. If she's not present, I'll delete this message later (marked).]

.....

"Did you send the invitation card?" Qin Yinong sat on the swing in the yard, and Ningning sat on her lap, wrapping Qin Yinong's long hair around her white fingers, strand by strand.

"I did." Guan Han stood nearby and asked, "Are you going to attend?"

Qin Yinong scoffed, "Would I dare not attend?" She sighed, "Three months ago, Jiang Lao kept reminding me every now and then about my birthday. If you don't come, you can try it. Don't forget, even if I'm filming abroad, I still have to make time for him."

Guan Han pursed her lips, revealing a subtle smile.

Qin Yinong had experienced a lot of hardships in her early years, which shaped her sophisticated and tactful personality. She treated everyone calmly and effortlessly. But there were always one or two people who could see through her and not fall for her smooth talk. One was Han Yuping, whom she addressed as uncle, and the other was Jiang Lao, who guided her into the world of acting. Both of them had one thing in common: their emotions were direct and intense. If they liked her, they liked her. If she did well, they praised her; if she didn't, they scolded her without reservation.

Qin Yinong, as a person, you may try to be subtle and go around her, but she's even better at it. When it comes to confusing people, you won't even know who's being confused. If someone sees through her pretense and confronts her directly, she'll be at a loss. In simple terms, she's not good at facing overly direct and enthusiastic goodwill and emotions.

Qin Yinong and Han Yuping have collaborated in four films over the years. On other sets, she is a big star, and directors and actors are afraid of her, accommodating her. But in front of Han Yuping, she becomes a little girl, incredibly obedient, fearing to anger her parents.

Qin Yinong does have other friends. On the contrary, she has a wide circle of friends. In recent years, many of her friends have seen her hectic work schedule and have subtly or openly suggested, "You should take a break."

Did Qin Yinong listen? No.

Only at the Cannes Film Festival, when Han Yuping earnestly advised her to go home and take a vacation, Qin Yinong rejected several upcoming projects and returned to the country a few days later. Han Yuping claimed to be her uncle and played the family card, and she surrendered faster than anyone else.

Qin Yinong doesn't need just a superficial approach. When it comes to interpersonal relationships, she exercises a lot of restraint and discretion. Only by forcefully breaking through without giving her room to think, can there be a chance of occupying her heart.

Family relationships are like that, and so is romantic love.

She is a lukewarm stream, a cold and solid iceberg, with a hidden fire underneath that can only be truly ignited by intense flames.

"Will you be meeting Miss Yao again?" Guan Han asked.

Qin Yinong waved her hand and wearily pinched her brow.

She had been pondering for a long time whether to send an invitation to Tang Ruoyao. The reason for not sending it, of course, was that she didn't want to meet again in such a short period of time. But sending it was paving the way for her future.

As Tang Ruoyao had thought, Jiang Lao's 70th birthday celebration had invited very few people. Undoubtedly, it wasn't a gathering for influential figures in the industry, where a mere stomp of the foot would shake the entire circle. To be able to attend such an event, even if it was just a superficial encounter, was a rare opportunity.

Even Qin Yinong couldn't guarantee how long she would have to wait for another opportunity like this if she missed this one. She and Tang Ruoyao didn't have much time left. Before that time came, she would place more chips in her hands to ensure a smooth future for her.

However, she couldn't afford to be too obvious about it. With the Ji family already in the picture and Jiang Lao following behind, if it fell into someone else's hands, she feared she would become arrogant and domineering in the industry, which was not what Qin Yinong wanted to see.

Qin Yinong trusted Tang Ruoyao's character, but she wouldn't take risks, so she extended an olive branch to her in the name of Lin Guo'an. Whether she could seize the opportunity or not would depend on Tang Ruoyao herself.

Guan Han tactfully stopped asking further questions.

A gentle breeze blew, causing the leaves of the vines on the swing frame to sway slightly.

Ningning had been quietly playing with her mother's hair. Seeing that the two adults had stopped talking, she paused and blinked her big eyes, asking in a childish voice, "Who is Miss Yao?"

"It's nobody special, just one of Mom's colleagues." Qin Yinong smiled and gently rubbed Ningning's smooth cheek with her thumb.

They had originally been talking in the garden with Guan Han, and Ningning ran over halfway and climbed onto Qin Yinong's lap. Qin Yinong thought she was a well-behaved child who listened well, didn't make a fuss, so she let her stay and didn't censor her speech as she would with another child.

Ningning turned her eyes around and said innocently, "Is it that pretty sister?"

Qin Yinong was taken aback. "Which pretty sister?"

Ningning tilted her head and answered with an innocent face, "The pretty sister you often watch at home. You said she's your colleague last time."

Guan Han suppressed her laughter. So it turned out that Qin Jie secretly watched the edits at home.

Qin Yinong: "???"

It had been a while since that incident, and Qin Yinong tried to recall, "Did I say that?"

Ningning nodded her little head, "Yes, you did."

Qin Yinong: "..."

Ningning: "Is it that pretty sister?"

Qin Yinong was speechless and awkwardly replied, "Yes."

Ningning grinned with a smug expression and shook her head, "I knew it."

"You knew what?" Qin Yinong lightly tapped her forehead and couldn't help but chuckle, "You mischievous little one."

"I know you like her." Ningning giggled.

Guan Han: "Pfft!"

Qin Yinong raised her eyelids and shot a cold glare, saying, "Are you bored or something?"

"I'm going to help Aunt Fang pick vegetables!" Guan Han saw the situation wasn't favorable and quickly fled.

Qin Yinong cleared her throat awkwardly, composed herself, and prepared to educate little Qin Jia Ning. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she hesitated and didn't know where to start.

Ningning was much more relaxed than her, sitting on the swing chair and tapping her shiny leather shoes.

"When will you bring the pretty sister to our house to play?"

Author's Note:

Tang Ruoyao: Sister, when do you plan to come and marry me? The water in the cups is almost getting stale.

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