CHAPTER 82

Qin Yinong chose the room on the right-hand side.

These two rooms are basically identical, so it doesn't matter which one she chooses. Both are adjacent to Tang Ruoyao's room. Qin Yinong absentmindedly pointed to one without much thought, intending to discuss it with Han Yuping later and see if there was any room for negotiation.

The production staff didn't disturb them much and left first, reminding the two of them before leaving, "The restaurant is already booked. Both of you can freshen up a bit and then have your meal."

The suitcases were separately pushed into their respective rooms, and the doors were closed.

Tang Ruoyao leaned against the wall adjacent to Qin Yinong's room, trying to hear something. It must be said that the production staff had considered everything thoroughly. Despite the seemingly thin wall, no sound could pass through, completely sealed off. Only by pressing her ear against it could she hear some indistinct noises.

A hint of disappointment flashed in Tang Ruoyao's eyes.

Xin Qian climbed onto the window sill in the bedroom, feeling the damp breeze carrying moisture from the lake, along with the vast view. She seemed amazed by things she had never seen before.

Since Tang Ruoyao couldn't hear the conversation from the opposite side, she let Xin Qian have her moments of surprises.

Tang Ruoyao washed her hands in the bathroom and freshen up her makeup briefly before returning. She saw Xin Qian opening the closet for ventilation, squatting on the floor and organizing her luggage. It could be said that she was efficient and thorough in her work.

Tang Ruoyao: "Let's eat first, we'll tidy up later."

Xin Qian: "Alright."

On this side, there was a lively atmosphere, while Qin Yinong's room was completely silent.

It's not entirely accurate to say that the two rooms are identical. Qin Yinong's room had a balcony. There's still a distinction between superstars and regular celebrities, so Qin Yinong confidently chose the room with a balcony.

Qin Yinong sat on the bench on the balcony and drifted into a trance.

Guan Han tactfully didn't disturb her and went about inspecting the room, checking for any safety hazards.

Tang Ruoyao didn't hear any sound from the other side because there were two people who simply weren't speaking.

Do I really want to stay here?

Qin Yinong wondered.

It wasn't just because they were neighbors, but also because of the quiet space, the kitchen and living room downstairs, which made her feel a sense of "home," a home only shared by her and Tang Ruoyao.

A home represents warmth, attachment, an irresistible feeling, a trap that lures people into its depths.

But at the same time, it was something she had always longed for deep in her heart. She wasn't someone with great ambitions; she had been pushed forward by an unavoidable fate, constantly forcing her to become who she is today.

Perhaps... a daring thought emerged in her mind: to try once again, to strive and seize everything in her hands?

Qin Yinong's heart skipped a beat, almost feeling the sharp sting. She closed her eyes abruptly and stood up.

Guan Han turned around.

Qin Yinong spoke in a subdued voice, "Are you done with the inspection?"

Guan Han nodded.

Qin Yinong took the first step forward, "Let's go."

Tang Ruoyao raised her hand and knocked on the neighboring room's door. Since their first day of living together, she had brought her habit from hotels, knocking on the door with familiarity, but there was no response.

"Senior Qin?" Tang Ruoyao pressed her ear against the door, "Are you there?"

After waiting for a minute, Xin Qian said, "She might have gone downstairs."

Tang Ruoyao furrowed her brow, "Why didn't she call me?"

Xin Qian was puzzled, "Why would she call you?" Are you two already close enough for that?

Tang Ruoyao casually brushed her off as she went downstairs, "It's basic courtesy."

Xin Qian blinked, "Oh."

As expected, Qin Yinong was downstairs, sitting on the sofa in the living room, with Guan Han standing tall behind her.

"Senior Qin," Tang Ruoyao came over to greet her, but her beautiful smile froze on her face for a moment.

Qin Yinong was wearing a pair of large sunglasses indoors, effectively concealing her gaze.

"Miss Tang," Qin Yinong replied, her voice still warm and gentle.

Tang Ruoyao suppressed the strange feeling in her heart, lamenting the fact that she couldn't see Qin Yinong's affectionate peach blossom eyes.

The production staff was waiting on the side, leading the way to go out for a meal once everyone had gathered.

After the meal, they were brought back, and Tang Ruoyao was about to talk to Qin Yinong when she noticed that she seemed tired, covering her mouth with her hand as she let out a soft yawn, "I'm going to take a nap."

Tang Ruoyao looked at the sun sinking towards the horizon outside and said, "...Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon." Qin Yinong held onto the handrail and went upstairs.

The small room upstairs was still reserved for Guan Han to use, and as for Xin Qian, she stayed on the first floor. Tang Ruoyao didn't mind at all. After all, the downstairs of the villa was still part of the villa. Qin Yinong, as the superstar, would naturally want to be closer to her assistant. She never even considered the possibility of staying upstairs.

However, what she didn't expect was that Tang Ruoyao had once tried to make her leave this house. Guan Han was aware of her relationship with Qin Yinong and usually acted appropriately, knowing what to see and what not to see, what to say and what not to say.

But Xin Qian was different. If something were to happen between her and Qin Yinong that they couldn't control themselves, it would be troublesome to have her around. And if, by some chance, they couldn't restrain themselves even on the first floor, then Xin Qian would be more than just troublesome.

But despite her longing, Qin Yinong didn't bring it up proactively. She couldn't say it because if she did, it would be as clear as daylight to everyone.

Tang Ruoyao indulged in beautiful fantasies for a moment and let out a sigh.

Xin Qian came from behind the front desk with two bottles of juice and asked her with a silly and sweet expression, "Do you want to drink?"

Tang Ruoyao gave her an annoyed glance.

What an airhead.

Xin Qian: "???"

Qin Yinong had no idea about the complicated thoughts in Tang Ruoyao's mind. She hadn't slept and made a phone call to Han Yuping.

Han Yuping had already arrived, and he probably checked in by now. Han Yuping and the higher-ups of the crew arranged for him to stay somewhere else.

Han Yuping was probably busy, as he only uttered one word, "Speak."

Qin Yinong hesitated, "Uncle, I'm not very comfortable living in this house."

Han Yuping said, "Wait."

After a few tens of seconds, Han Yuping calmly reported a string of numbers, "This is the production manager's phone number. If you have any issues, talk to them directly."

Qin Yinong: "..."

Han Yuping said indifferently, "Is there anything else?"

Qin Yinong was tongue-tied, "No..."

She should have known that Han Yuping wouldn't care about such trivial matters. Bringing this up to him was like seeking a solution in the wrong place.

Qin Yinong called Guan Han.

Guan Han, who was on the same floor, knocked on the door and came in.

Qin Yinong tiredly pinched her forehead and said, "Go find out if there's anywhere nearby that we can stay."

Guan Han grasped the key point, "A place to stay?"

Qin Yinong remained silent for a moment and said, "Somewhere quieter, safer."

Guan Han nodded " Okay." and calmly left.

After Guan Han left, Qin Yinong felt a headache coming on. Filming on the set, these two conditions were not easy to fulfill. Unless she wanted to completely separate herself from the entire crew and live alone in a faraway place.

As expected, when Guan Han returned with information, she shook her head. Within a radius of twenty miles, this building was the best option, without a doubt.

"Forget it," Qin Yinong waved her hand, "You can go downstairs first."

Guan Han said, "Miss Yao has already gone upstairs and is in her room."

Qin Yinong raised an eyebrow.

Guan Han continued, "If you want to go downstairs, you can take a walk in the yard to relax."

Qin Yinong absentmindedly nodded, but it took her a while to realize that Guan Han could see that she was avoiding Tang Ruoyao.

Under the moonlight, the night was serene.

Qin Yinong leaned against the balcony railing, looking up at the softly glowing moon in the night sky, trying her best to ignore Tang Ruoyao's presence next door.

The next door and the opposite door were ultimately different. The opposite door was separated by corridors and two doors, while the next door was only separated by a wall. When her gaze swept over, she would inexplicably pause for a moment, wondering what the person on the other side was doing at that moment.

Qin Yinong took the hairdryer out of the drawer and placed it on the table. Would she come to borrow the hairdryer again?

Tang Ruoyao was taking a shower in the bathroom, warm water cascading from head to toe. She closed her eyes and didn't know what she was thinking about. Her legs went weak, almost losing her balance. She quickly reached out and leaned against the wall, trying to shake off the jumble of thoughts in her mind.

After finishing her shower, her heart was still burning hot. She stood by the window for a while, letting the cold wind cool down her flushed face. As Qin Yinong expected, she went to knock on the door of the adjacent room.

"Senior Qin, about my room..." Tang Ruoyao, with wet and dripping long hair, looked lively and spoke with a smile.

"The hairdryer is broken, right?" Qin Yinong turned around and handed her the hairdryer she had prepared in advance. She raised an eyebrow and said, "I bought a new one, no need to return it."

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

Qin Yinong smiled faintly. "Is there anything else?"

Tang Ruoyao: "...No, there isn't."

Qin Yinong said, "Goodnight."

Tang Ruoyao hesitated for a moment. "...Goodnight."

Qin Yinong closed the door and leaned against it, taking a deep breath.

It had only been a little over half a month, and it felt like a whole day had passed already.

Tang Ruoyao stood frozen in place, lowered her head, and looked at the hairdryer in her hand, silently laughing.

Qin Yinong's panic seemed too real, hadn't she adjusted yet? If this continued, she would be at a disadvantage.

Tang Ruoyao licked her lips, staring at the tightly closed door. After standing there for a while, she turned around and came face to face with Guan Han's expressionless face and her deep gaze through the partially open door of the diagonally opposite room. 

Tang Ruoyao's breath suddenly hitched, and her heartbeat almost stopped.

Why does she always appear and disappear like a ghost?!

Tang Ruoyao forced a smile and hurriedly returned to her room, her heart pounding in her chest.

Guan Han closed the door and used her phone to inform Qin Yinong about Tang Ruoyao's reaction outside the door. She didn't want to, but she was an all-powerful assistant with professional ethics.

Guan Han sighed.

When would she finally see her CP (couple pairing) fall asleep together?

She didn't pay much attention to it before, but since joining this crew, she felt that the two of them were becoming more and more compatible, a perfect match made in heaven.

Qin Yinong knew she needed to quickly adjust back to her original state. She couldn't dominate the situation, but at least she needed to be evenly matched, not letting Tang Ruoyao make relentless advances.

But... things don't always go as planned.

Early the next day, Qin Yinong, relying on her superb acting skills, successfully teased Tang Ruoyao as she had wished. When they arrived on set, Han Yuping called the two of them together for a scene rehearsal.

Today, they would be filming the scene where the two finally go on a trip away from home, briefly staying in a hotel, and then holding hands as they walk on unfamiliar streets. It was not a complicated shot, with very few lines, but it would test the actors' skills.

Han Yuping had a good understanding of Tang Ruoyao's acting skills, so sometimes he didn't rigidly assign specific actions and expressions, allowing her to freely interpret the role.

"Even in a strange city, Shen Muqing can't fully relax. At the beginning, you walk half a step behind Han Zifei. Han Zifei intentionally stops and waits for you, showing a hint of dissatisfaction in her eyes. This dissatisfaction is not angry, but rather a bit coquettish." Han Yuping explained to Tang Ruoyao, "Boldly showcase your youthfulness, you can make it slightly cute, it's best to make people's hearts melt, be more natural, can you do that?"

Tang Ruoyao thought for a moment, feeling confident, and said, "I can do that."

Qin Yinong pursed her lips tightly.

When Tang Ruoyao acted like this normally, she found it incredibly cute. If she added some coquettishness and cuteness, Qin Yinong feared she would once again act according to her nature.

Han Yuping said a few words to Tang Ruoyao again, then turned to Qin Yinong and said, "What about you..." He noticed that Qin Yinong seemed to be spacing out, so he raised his hand and waved it in front of her. Qin Yinong indeed sluggishly blinked her eyes and looked at him.

Han Yuping frowned. "What are you doing?"

Qin Yinong replied, "I'm thinking about the script, you say."

Han Yuping found it easier to direct her. "Grasp the character's personality, react according to Xiao Tang's performance. Oh, when she holds your hand, you should feel shy and happy, but don't show it too obviously. Convey it through your eyes."

Qin Yinong didn't speak but made an "okay" gesture with her hand.

"On the set of 'True Colors,' take one... action!"

During her university days, Han Zifei participated in various activities and often went on trips with classmates, so traveling was not something new to her. But this time, as she was going with Shen Muqing, she was in a state of excitement.

She looked around, her steps light as if she could take flight.

Shen Muqing was much more composed than her, and she was curious. She used her eyes to assess this city, which was completely different from her hometown. It was more open and vibrant, with a vitality akin to the morning sun.

Just like the flowers blooming boldly in front of her at this moment.

She didn't know when she stopped looking at the surrounding buildings and instead focused her gaze on Han Zifei. Her eyes curved, and in her shiny black pupils, there was only the figure of Han Zifei, sparkling brightly.

A couple holding hands passed by Han Zifei, talking and laughing.

Han Zifei's eyes shimmered with a hint of envy. She turned her head to look at Shen Muqing, who was half a step behind her, as if it had been that way from the beginning. Han Zifei's excited mind gradually calmed down.

She stopped and stood still, waiting for Shen Muqing to catch up.

When Shen Muqing met her gaze, there was a hint of avoidance in her eyes, deliberately pretending to be clueless.

In front of a large crowd, the two of them... were not suitable.

"Shen Muqing!" Han Zifei was both angry and annoyed, lightly stomping her foot.

Her soft and melodious voice seemed to blow air into Qin Yinong's ears, somewhat intoxicating. A tingling sensation, accompanied by an itching and numbness, rose from the base of her spine. A sudden surge of invisible current ran through her hair.

She almost trembled lightly.

Qin Yinong knew that Tang Ruoyao could act coquettish, but she didn't expect her to be this coquettish. Her acting skills had also improved significantly. Her body movements no longer conflicted with her eye expressions. She was naturally charming and effortlessly petulant.

Guan Han touched the goosebumps on her forearm and thought, 'Who can handle this?'

Xin Qian stood next to Guan Han for a moment.

Guan Han gave her a glance and said. "What's the matter?"

Xin Qian hugged her arms. "I feel a little cold." Perhaps seeing the other person taking the initiative to interact with her, she exchanged pleasantries with Guan Han, her role model as an assistant. "Sister Guan Han, how do you think this scene was performed?"

Guan Han's response came with a chilling effect. "I don't know."

It was performed brilliantly!

Qin Yinong couldn't resist anymore and obediently walked up, walking side by side with Tang Ruoyao.

Tang Ruoyao was satisfied, her eyes flickering as she glanced at Qin Yinong's hand, attempting to intertwine their fingers like other couples.

Qin Yinong hesitated for a moment but eventually allowed her to hold her hand.

.....

"Cut."

Just as Han Yuping called for a cut, Qin Yinong withdrew her fingers from the gaps between Tang Ruoyao's fingers and took the water handed over by Guan Han. She took two sips, seamlessly transitioning as if she was genuinely thirsty and in a hurry to drink water.

She silently prayed in her heart, hoping that Han Yuping wouldn't pull any more tricks and start over.

She didn't know if Tang Ruoyao added extra scenes on her own or if her emotions just got the better of her, but just now, not only did Tang Ruoyao intertwine their fingers, but her thumb kept lightly caressing Qin Yinong's index finger and the back of her hand.

Clearly, Han Yuping didn't hear Qin Yinong's prayer and demanded perfection. "Xiao Tang, the lighting in the previous scene wasn't well done. Let's do it again."

Tang Ruoyao looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, Senior Qin. Could you please do it with me for one more take?"

Qin Yinong waved her hand. "It's fine."

They had to shoot the scene three times before it passed. Qin Yinong felt relieved. She sat down and rubbed her hand that had been entwined with Tang Ruoyao's for three scenes, dispelling the rising sense of strangeness.

Tang Ruoyao walked over with large strides, her eyes and eyebrows filled with the passion of love, without any concealment. It was easy for her to get into character like this, and Qin Yinong was no longer surprised.

"Senior Qin."

Qin Yinong suppressed the urge to avoid her, lifted her eyelids, and glanced at her casually. "What is it?"

"Do you have any hand care tips, Senior Qin?" Tang Ruoyao sat beside her and asked earnestly. After holding hands and touching, there couldn't be a better topic to discuss.

Qin Yinong didn't want to engage in conversation and replied directly, "No."

Tang Ruoyao moved closer by another two points and proactively placed her hand in front of Qin Yinong's eyes. "Take a look at my hand..."

Before she could continue, Qin Yinong frowned and scolded, "Move it away."

This little brat was becoming more and more presumptuous and disrespectful.

Tang Ruoyao awkwardly retracted her hand, and after a moment, she pursed her lips and whispered in a slightly aggrieved tone, "I accidentally got a paper cut just now."

Qin Yinong furrowed her brow, seemingly trying to restrain herself, but couldn't resist asking, "Is it bleeding?"

Tang Ruoyao spread her fingers and showed her a bloodstain on the inside of her middle finger, slowly seeping blood.

Qin Yinong looked back and glanced at Guan Han.

After Guan Han walked away for a while, she came back with a medical kit in hand.

Guan Han crouched down and said, "Let me apply medicine for you."

Tang Ruoyao looked confused. She had rushed over to play the victim as soon as her hand was scratched by an A4 paper. She didn't want Guan Han to handle it for her.

Guan Han carefully disinfected her wound with a cotton swab.

With the medical kit present, Han Yuping noticed and furrowed his brows. "Who got injured? Where is the injury? Should we go to the hospital?"

Qin Yinong shook her head. "It's not me."

Tang Ruoyao's face felt hot. This was nothing compared to a real injury, so she was too embarrassed to mention it.

Qin Yinong finally gained an upper hand and eagerly revealed Tang Ruoyao's involvement. "Miss Tang got scratched by the paper."

Han Yuping asked, "Did her finger get cut off?"

Tang Ruoyao was extremely embarrassed.

Qin Yinong suppressed her laughter and said, "No, it didn't..."

Just as she said that, Tang Ruoyao suddenly used her uninjured hand to poke Qin Yinong's arm, giving her a pitiful look. Qin Yinong raised her hand and spared her, smiling at Han Yuping, "Please go on with your work. It's fine, I'll take care of this immediately."

Han Yuping looked at one person, then the other, and said, "You two..."

He hesitated for a moment and then left.

Guan Han unwrapped a band-aid, deliberately slowing down her movements. Qin Yinong's voice sounded faintly, "Give it to me."

Qin Yinong took the band-aid and placed it on Tang Ruoyao's barely visible cut, which had already stopped bleeding. Her fingertips inevitably touched Tang Ruoyao's fingertip.

With these occasional warm touches, the band-aid was successfully applied.

Tang Ruoyao touched the band-aid on her finger and her eyes focused. "Thank you,Senior Qin." She couldn't even let outsiders touch her hand, yet she claimed not to like her?

Qin Yinong smiled faintly. "You're welcome."

There was another scene to shoot in the evening.

After finishing his boxed meal, Han Yuping sat in his seat, flipping through the script to be filmed later. A hint of complexity suddenly flashed in his eyes.

He stood up abruptly and knocked on the door of Qin Yinong's dressing room.

Qin Yinong put down the script, surprised. "Director Han?"

The assistant stepped aside, Han Yuping didn't sit down, he just stood there with a serious expression. He went straight to the point, "Are you in a relationship with Tang Ruoyao?"

If Qin Yinong had any water in her mouth, it would have all spurted out by now.

Fortunately, she wasn't drinking water. Qin Yinong took a deep breath and asked, "How did you figure it out?"

"I figured it out from everywhere!" Han Yuping scolded her without reservation, "I didn't expect you to have such a lack of ethics and actually preying a recent graduate kid!"

"It's not like that." Qin Yinong couldn't help but chuckle. "How am I preying on her? What's wrong with being in a relationship? Who said we can't be in a relationship on set?"

Han Yuping didn't answer, but his expression confirmed his thoughts.

He was pretending to scold her, but he didn't expect his deception to succeed.

Qin Yinong's heart skipped a beat at that moment.

Qin Yinong sat upright and said, "Director Han, listen to me."

"I won't listen." Han Yuping calmly sat down, his face no longer showing anger. He adjusted the hem of his shirt and said in a plain tone, "How does it feel to be in love?"

"It's okay, I guess." Qin Yinong instinctively answered, with a bitter smile. "Come on, we're not really dating."

"Do you think I would believe that?" Han Yuping asked calmly.

He was straightforward, not foolish. These two had been inseparable these days, acting nervous over the tiniest scratch on their hands, bringing medicine and first aid kits as if it was a big deal. Even a mother wouldn't be so concerned.

"I think you would believe it, you are wise and perceptive, surely able to see the essence through appearances." Qin Yinong blinked.

"Heh." Han Yuping replied with a cold smile, not giving her any face.

"Uncle, things aren't what you think." Qin Yinong tried to remedy the situation.

"Go and get ready, we're about to start shooting." Han Yuping dismissed her without listening to her nonsense, and left with a final remark, swift as the wind.

"Director Han!" Qin Yinong chased after him to the door, but Han Yuping took big strides and had already gone far.

Tang Ruoyao was always paying attention to the activity in the lounge. When she saw Han Yuping come out in a hurry, with an inscrutable expression, she thought something had happened inside and stood up. Han Yuping, who usually didn't pay much attention to her on set except for work, stopped in front of her with a strange look in his eyes, scanning her up and down.

"Director Han," Tang Ruoyao nervously spoke up.

Han Yuping remembered the scene they were about to shoot, and this pair of young lovers must have been even more intimate behind the scenes. A furrow formed on his brow, and he stiffly and seriously said, "Rest early tonight."

Tang Ruoyao: "Huh?"

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