CHAPTER 108

Tang Ruoyao didn't choose to knock on the door because Lin Ruohan was upstairs.

She had just rejected someone a moment ago, and now she was meeting Qin Yinong in secret at midnight. If she were caught in the act, even if she felt calm inside, it would inevitably be awkward. It's better to avoid unnecessary trouble since the other person wouldn't stay for long anyway.

After sending the message, Tang Ruoyao pressed her ear against the door, listening attentively to the sounds coming from inside.

Tap, tap...

The sound of slippers running quickly on the floor was subtle, but her keen ears caught it. Then Tang Ruoyao felt her phone vibrate, and Qin Yinong replied.

[I'm going to sleep. Let's talk tomorrow.]

A faint smile appeared on Tang Ruoyao's lips. Qin Yinong's reaction was just as she expected—retreating into her shell at the first opportunity. Although Tang Ruoyao's heart was filled with emotions, longing to kiss and hold her, she repeatedly chose to reject her advances.

Tang Ruoyao narrowed her eyes and slowly gripped the metallic doorknob from the outside...

Even though Tang Ruoyao couldn't see it, Qin Yinong's act was performed very convincingly. When she said she was pretending to sleep, she really crawled into bed, facing away from the door, one hand clutching her phone, waiting for Tang Ruoyao's message.

She waited with intense focus, her heart beating loudly in her chest. She didn't even hear the sound of the door lock turning until Tang Ruoyao turned the handle and the sound "click" of the locked door caught her attention.

Qin Yinong: "!!!"

Tang Ruoyao, who should have been outside the door, appeared inside, looking at her with a smile.

She had such audacity to enter without permission!

Qin Yinong had these thoughts initially, but when she saw the joy in Tang Ruoyao's eyes, it overwhelmed everything else. She suppressed her excitement, not allowing her emotions to show blatantly in her eyes. She had reached the limit of her patience, and it was impossible for her to maintain a cold expression.

So she looked expressionless as she watched Tang Ruoyao confidently approach, stopping a few steps away from the end of the bed, and asked, "What are you here for?"

Tang Ruoyao's tone was naturally familiar, "I'm here to sleep."

Qin Yinong's heart skipped a beat uncontrollably. She raised an eyebrow, gave her a teasing glance, and said flatly, "If you want to sleep, why don't you go back to your own room? Why come here?"

Tang Ruoyao remained unfazed, "Oh, my bed in my room is broken. I came to stay here for the night."

Qin Yinong raised an eyebrow, "Did I agree to that?"

Tang Ruoyao's lips curled up slightly, and under her gaze, she approached again until she was by her side.

Qin Yinong was lying down while Tang Ruoyao stood, looking down on her, putting her in a vulnerable position. Qin Yinong wasn't used to being dominated by her at every turn. She bent her elbow and was about to sit up, trying to support herself.

Unexpectedly, when Qin Yinong was halfway up, Tang Ruoyao leaned in and kissed her, holding the kiss for a long time without moving.

Qin Yinong closed her eyes and silently felt the surge of warmth.

Maintaining the half-sitting position was tiring, so Tang Ruoyao pulled away from her lips and considerately helped her up, embracing her in her arms. Qin Yinong listened to her steady and strong heartbeat and finally didn't say anything to reject her.

As long as Tang Ruoyao wanted, she had a hundred ways to stay here, including but not limited to using her allure, begging persistently, but in the end, she only chose this way. She wanted Qin Yinong to willingly fall into her gentle trap, never having the thought of escaping in her lifetime.

Qin Yinong nestled in her embrace for a while, reaching out to pick up a strand of hair in front of her and slowly twirled it around her finger. The hair was jet-black, contrasting with her fingertips, which appeared even fairer and more delicate.

Qin Yinong didn't look at her, focusing on playing with that strand of hair, and asked knowingly, "Did you... take a shower?"

Tang Ruoyao felt jealous of her own hair and suddenly lowered her head, planting a light kiss on Qin Yinong's forehead.

"Can't you smell it?" she said, then lowered a bit more and kissed Qin Yinong's delicate and petite nose.

There was a faint scent of shower gel on the young woman's body, gently wafting into her nostrils, like the sweet aroma of milk. It reminded people of the childhood days running around the streets, holding a milk-flavored ice popsicle in their hands.

Qin Yinong softly replied, "I can smell it."

"Does it smell nice?" Tang Ruoyao asked.

Qin Yinong pursed her lips slightly and remained silent.

"Do you like it?"

Still no response.

Tang Ruoyao chuckled softly in her ear, "I was asking about the scent of this shower gel. Do you like it?" Not asking if you like me.

Qin Yinong's fingertip, twirling the strand of hair, paused for a moment, and she softly hummed in agreement.

Tang Ruoyao's eyes flickered with melancholy as she tightened her embrace around the woman.

Qin Yinong felt a hint of restraint in her heart and gently struggled, saying, "I'll go take a shower first."

Tang Ruoyao didn't let go and teased, "You've been in the room all night without taking a shower. What have you been busy with?"

Busy imagining her and Lin Ruohan having a sweet and romantic dinner outside, then hiding in the room like a little rabbit with red eyes?

Those were all past memories that Qin Yinong didn't want to bring up. She lowered her voice and said, "Let go."

Tang Ruoyao saw that it was time to stop, so she released Qin Yinong. Qin Yinong got out of bed, put on slippers, took a bathrobe, and went into the bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water could be heard.

Tang Ruoyao idled around the room, aimlessly circling. Her gaze fell on the wine bottle and glass on the coffee table that Lin Ruohan hadn't had a chance to put away after leaving. She tidied them up and put them back in the liquor cabinet.

The liquor cabinet was filled with a variety of wines, a dazzling display. Tang Ruoyao's eyes darkened.

Even if she didn't study wine, she could guess that the wines in this cabinet were probably quite valuable. Qin Yinong might be frugal, but the food and drink had to match her status. The production crew couldn't be generous enough to provide her with a whole cabinet of top-quality foreign wines. It was likely that she brought them herself.

Thinking back to Qin Yinong's drunken episode a few days ago, Tang Ruoyao's eyes filled with worry once again. She knew that Qin Yinong occasionally needed a drink to help her sleep, but her alcohol consumption had probably far exceeded healthy limits, and it had become a regular habit.

Qin Yinong wore a snow-white bathrobe, her figure slender like bamboo. Her damp long hair hung loosely behind her, surrounded by a lingering mist. Her fair skin had a rosy glow, moistened by water vapor. The sight that greeted Tang Ruoyao was Qin Yinong standing in front of her liquor cabinet lost in thought.

"Want to drink? Just take whatever you want." Qin Yinong misunderstood and said.

"No," Tang Ruoyao shifted her gaze and asked indirectly, "Does Senior Qin have a deep knowledge of wine?"

"No, I just drink casually." She only sought the numbing effect of alcohol, and it didn't matter what she drank. These wines were all purchased for her by Guan Han. Qin Yinong took a hairdryer from the shelf, plugged it in, turned it on, and the sound of the dryer interrupted Tang Ruoyao's questioning.

She reached out and held Qin Yinong's hand, sliding her fingers to the hairdryer in her hand, and said softly, "Let me do it for you."

Qin Yinong's eyes curved into a small arc, politely declining, "No need, I'll do it myself. Thank you."

Tang Ruoyao tactfully withdrew her hand and let out a soft sigh in her heart.

She climbed onto the bed first, occupying half of it, comforting herself: at least there was another chance to share a bed, and she didn't have to ask her to leave. If there's one, there will be two or three; she could wait.

The sound of the hairdryer stopped, and Tang Ruoyao timely spoke, "Did Senior Qin drink tonight?"

Qin Yinong made a gesture, bringing her thumb and index finger close together, almost touching, and said, "Just a little."

Tang Ruoyao smiled and said, "I see two cups over there."

"Ling Ruohan drank it." Qin Yinong avoided her gaze.

They both knew why Ling Ruohan drank. The moment Qin Yinong thought of Ling Ruohan, she inevitably recalled what happened not long ago. Mature and steady Tang Ruoyao, gentle and considerate Tang Ruoyao, strong and reliable Tang Ruoyao. With each memory, her suppressed emotions surged, eager to break free from the shackles of reason.

Qin Yinong stood in front of the shelf, holding the hairdryer, motionless for a while. Tang Ruoyao waited for a moment and couldn't help but call out, "Senior Qin?"

Qin Yinong closed her eyes, put away the hairdryer, turned around, and calmly said, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm a little sleepy." Tang Ruoyao covered her mouth and yawned.

"Then go to sleep."

"Aren't you going to sleep?"

"I am."

Qin Yinong took off her shoes, lay down beside her, turned to her side, and faced away.

Tang Ruoyao turned off the only remaining bedside lamp in the room and hugged the woman. Qin Yinong didn't resist, not even a momentary stiffness. It was as if she had already become accustomed to her embrace.

Tang Ruoyao quietly held her for a while, and the heartbeat of the two gradually became synchronized.

Tang Ruoyao gently turned the woman's shoulder, turning her towards her. The two faced each other, their eyes met, and their warm breaths brushed against each other's faces, intertwining softly.

The curtains in the room were blocked out the light strongly, pale moonlight was firmly kept outside. When the light was turned off, it was almost pitch black, unable to see one's own hand in front of them.

"Qin Yinong..." the young woman murmured intermittently.

Drawn to each other, they naturally drew closer, their breathing becoming erratic.

In the dark night, only they themselves knew what had happened.

Qin Yinong's consciousness sank into a deeper darkness, her breathing steady and long. Tang Ruoyao didn't dare to turn on the light, only using her eyes to lovingly trace the contours of the other's face in the darkness. Even with a one-in-a-million chance, she didn't want to startle Qin Yinong.

She held on until she couldn't anymore, yawning repeatedly, and her head tilted on the pillow as they embraced each other in sleep.

She slept deeply, not even hearing the alarm clock the next morning. She dreamt of herself steering a small boat, sailing on the vast ocean, with the gentle sea breeze blowing pleasantly, going with the flow. Although the sea surface was calm and peaceful, the boat rocked violently.

Tang Ruoyao felt dizzy from the swaying and grabbed onto the side of the boat, abruptly opening her eyes.

What greeted her were Qin Yinong's enlarged face. Without thinking, Tang Ruoyao half-closed her sleep-laden eyes and leaned over to give her a peck, smiling with a hint of playfulness, "Good morning."

Qin Yinong: "!!!"

You little brat!

But the situation was urgent, and Qin Yinong couldn't afford to settle the score with her. She pushed her forcefully several times, completely waking her up.

Tang Ruoyao sat up and rubbed her eyes. "What's wrong?"

Qin Yinong spoke quickly, urging her, "Hurry back to your room."

Tang Ruoyao asked, "Why?"

Qin Yinong said, "Ling Ruohan is here. If she finds out about you and me..." Her mind suddenly went blank, stumbling over her words.

Tang Ruoyao looked at her mischievously. "About you and me?"

Qin Yinong's thin lips moved, stuttering, "You and me..."

Her ears gradually turned red.

In fact, Qin Yinong didn't express shyness very clearly, but her fair and clean complexion made any hint of blush particularly noticeable. It was as if a touch of rouge had bloomed in warm water, gradually spreading a faint blush.

Tang Ruoyao stared at the crimson hue on her earlobe, and her imagination began to run wild. The few times they had been together were in the dark, where she could only hear Qin Yinong's voice but couldn't see her face, let alone anything else. I wonder if her skin is also like this in other places...

Tang Ruoyao calmed her mind, forcefully pulling herself back to reason and not daring to think further.

"In any case," Qin Yinong struggled with her words, a hint of pleading in her tone, "you should go back quickly."

Tang Ruoyao was softened by the rarely seen pitiful expression on Qin Yinong's face. She glanced at her with a firm gaze, her eyes dark, and placed both hands on her side, leaning over to deeply kiss her.

Qin Yinong: "Mmm."

Then there was a deep silence, and Qin Yinong's slender fingers, which were holding the bedsheets, curved into a beautiful arc.

The silenced alarm on the phone rang again, and Qin Yinong pushed the increasingly flustered Tang Ruoyao away, turned her head to take a deep breath, her chest rising and falling uncontrollably, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed. She scolded in a low voice, "It's too late, go back quickly."

"See you downstairs." Tang Ruoyao's eyes were gentle as she reached up and touched Qin Yinong's burning cheek. Then she hurriedly left.

After finally sending away the clingy troublemaker, Qin Yinong regained her senses and went to the bathroom to shower and freshen up. She checked herself in the mirror, her lips slightly swollen but nothing to worry about. There were no visible traces in the easily seen areas. Tang Ruoyao could be teasing, but she still had her rationality intact.

Knock, knock, knock一

Guan Han: "Qin Jie."

Qin Yinong used her fingers to comb her long hair in front of the mirror without turning her head. "Come in."

Guan Han entered the room and tidied up the bed for Qin Yinong. However, her gaze suddenly paused when she glanced at Qin Yinong's back in the washroom. She picked up a strand of long hair from the white pillow.

Based on her analysis and comparison as Guan "Sherlock Holmes" Han, this hair definitely did not belong to Qin Yinong. Qin Yinong's hair was longer, while this strand was noticeably shorter. Qin Yinong had dyed her hair black for the movie, but this hair had a lighter shade, not pure black, and looked natural.

Guan Han had shoulder-length hair herself, Lin Ruohan had chestnut-colored big waves, and Xin Qian never had the opportunity to enter this room. The case was solved—the owner of this hair was Tang Ruoyao.

Guan Han lowered her head to search for a trash bin, and above the bin were two crumpled pieces of paper torn from notebooks. She squinted her eyes, lifted her hand, and shook it. Sure enough, she found the same wrinkled ball of tissue.

She pushed her glasses, and a hint of satisfaction flashed behind the lenses.

It had been a long time since Qin Jie last asked her to buy finger c*ts. Wait a minute, why didn't they use finger c*ts? Huh?

Guan Han's smile gradually froze.

Qin Yinong came out of the washroom and asked, "What are you spacing out for? Have you finished tidying up?"

Guan Han calmed her mind and said, "Yes."

She raised her gaze and noticed that Qin Yinong had tied her hair in a refreshing high ponytail today. Her forehead was smooth and full, with a healthy rosy glow on her snow-white cheeks. She was wearing sportswear and canvas shoes, radiating a different radiance. She looked several years younger, and Guan Han was momentarily stunned. She stammered, "Qin Jie..."

A hint of hesitation flashed in Qin Yinong's eyes. She lifted her hand and touched her hair tie, asking uncertainly, "Does it look bad?"

Since leaving her student days behind, she hadn't tied her hair in a high ponytail. Just now, she had stared at herself in the mirror for a long time, feeling... quite youthful.

"No!" Guan Han immediately shook her head and said, "It looks really good!" It matched Tang Ruoyao exceptionally well! Guan Han bet that Tang Ruoyao would be stunned and speechless upon seeing Qin Yinong's appearance. She was a charming and pure female university student. Who could resist that?

"Never mind." Qin Yinong pursed her lips and decided to give up. She removed the hair tie, tilted her head back, and shook her hair, returning to her usual shoulder-length style. "Let's go."

A trace of disappointment flickered in Guan Han's eyes.

Qin Yinong suddenly stopped in her tracks.

A glimmer of excitement appeared in Guan Han's eyes.

Qin Yinong pondered for a moment and said, "By the way, find a funny article from a public account for me, dated yesterday. I'll send it to Lin Ruohan later." She didn't forget the casual excuse she made up.

Guan Han felt puzzled but still responded, "Okay."

"Is she awake?" Qin Yinong asked.

"I don't know. Her room door has been closed all this time."

"Is that so?" Qin Yinong changed direction and headed towards Lin Ruohan's room. She gently knocked on the door three times, and soon footsteps were heard from inside. The door opened, revealing Lin Ruohan dressed neatly. She said, "I just finished tidying up. Shall we go downstairs together?"

Qin Yinong nodded.

As they walked towards the stairs, Lin Ruohan said, "I'm planning to return to Beijing."

Qin Yinong looked slightly surprised and asked, "So soon?"

Lin Ruohan hooked her arm around Qin Yinong's neck, pulling her closer and smiling mischievously. "I knew you couldn't bear to see me go. You act as if you're upset when I mention leaving."

Qin Yinong said coolly, "Your talent for talking nonsense is getting stronger."

Lin Ruohan laughed and said, "Hahaha, don't expose me like that."

Qin Yinong saw her relaxed and joking, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This time, the "heartbreak" shouldn't be a big deal.

After a while of laughter, Lin Ruohan said seriously, "I have work in Beijing."

"Didn't you say you were taking a six-month break from work?"

"Well, I got emotionally hurt, so I'm using work to distract myself."

"..."

"Why are you making that expression? Don't you believe me?" Lin Ruohan raised her hand to pinch Qin Yinong's face. Qin Yinong's skin was tender and smooth, not like someone almost thirty years old. Lin Ruohan had pinched her twice yesterday and became addicted to it.

"Don't take advantage of me." Qin Yinong didn't get angry, she just laughed and dodged her hand.

These two people, why were they so fond of her face? One liked to pinch, the other liked to bite, hmm... and there was also kissing.

Qin Yinong shook her head to clear her mind.

A chilly and cold gaze locked onto the two of them from below. Qin Yinong followed the gaze and saw Tang Ruoyao standing at the boundary between the living room and dining room. She stood tall, with one hand in her pocket, silently watching them with a rather cold expression.

Qin Yinong suddenly felt guilty for some reason. She raised her hand and grabbed Lin Ruohan's wrist, which was mischievously approaching her face, and whispered, "Someone's here."

Lin Ruohan looked down and finally noticed Tang Ruoyao. Her mood became slightly complicated.

After all, she had just rejected her. Lin Ruohan forgot about teasing Qin Yinong for now and slightly bent her fingers, awkwardly lowering her hand.

The three of them greeted each other.

Qin Yinong quietly moved a little closer to Tang Ruoyao, and the coldness in Tang Ruoyao's eyes softened slightly.

Lin Ruohan didn't notice and said, "I'm not going to the film set today. I bought a morning flight ticket, so I'll go directly to the airport later."

"So soon?" Qin Yinong said. Lin Ruohan hadn't mentioned leaving in the morning earlier.

Lin Ruohan sighed, "The shooting notice is in the evening, so I have to go back early to prepare. Anyway, this drama will wrap up in a couple of months, and then I'll invite you to dinner. You must come."

"Of course."

"If Junior Tang has time, you can come along too." She turned to invite Tang Ruoyao, observing her subtle expression.

She had thought about it for a long time last night, and a vague idea took shape, but she needed evidence.

Unfortunately, Tang Ruoyao was really cold, not to mention showing any emotions, she didn't even show any reaction when she heard the invitation. She calmly replied, "Sure."

Lin Ruohan: "..."

She looked at Qin Yinong, unwilling to give up. Qin Yinong had half-closed eyelids, her thin lips slightly pursed, looking somewhat inscrutable.

With her return to Beijing imminent, Lin Ruohan didn't have more time to investigate. She silently noted this matter down and planned to interrogate her when she had the opportunity.

She declined Qin Yinong's offer to drive her to the airport. At the entrance, she got into the driver's car and waved vigorously from the lowered window, wearing a bright smile. "See you in Beijing!"

Qin Yinong watched her, her usually soft voice rare and several degrees louder as she waved and shouted, "See you in Beijing!"

The black Bentley drove towards the end of the road and disappeared at the corner.

Qin Yinong stood there for a long time, her eyes filled with reluctance.

Suddenly, a coughing sound brought her back to her senses. Qin Yinong turned around and saw Tang Ruoyao leaning against the wall, coughing violently. She approached and asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Tang Ruoyao waved her hand, calmly saying, but her heart felt stifled.

It's all because you keep looking at others and ignoring me.

If Tang Ruoyao didn't know that Lin Ruohan liked her, she would have thought something was going on between them. Qin Yinong seemed eager to see her off.

"Senior Qin, can I ask you a question?" Tang Ruoyao walked back to the room with her, chatting as they walked.

"Go ahead."

"Have you seen the posts online about choosing a consort for you?"

Qin Yinong glanced at her, her expression subtle. "Yes, I've seen them. What's the matter?" She also knew that Tang Ruoyao had been promoted to a noblewoman last year.

"Among those consorts, who are the ones who truly have a good relationship with you?" Tang Ruoyao asked earnestly.

In the world of palace intrigue, love and rivalry intertwined, and there were many fake friendships. Haomei Hua ranked as a virtuous consort, but behind the scenes, she was a sworn enemy of Qin Yinong. As for the various other ranks like Jiu Pin, Jie Yu, Mei Ren, and Cai Rén, it was even more confusing. Most of them had worked with Qin Yinong at some point.

Her question delved into Qin Yinong's interpersonal relationships, crossing a line, but she was willing to take the gamble that Qin Yinong would tell her.

Things were different now, and she had confidence.

Qin Yinong hummed, as if seriously contemplating.

Tang Ruoyao patiently waited.

Sure enough, Qin Yinong didn't disappoint her, pondering before answering, "Apart from Lin Ruohan, there are three others who truly have a good relationship with me. The rest are merely acquaintances, fueled by media hype." She mentioned a few names, one being a prominent actress, another being a singer enshrined in the industry. When she heard the third name, an alarm bell rang in Tang Ruoyao's mind.

Before Tang Ruoyao could think too much, Qin Yinong explained in a gentle tone, "She is a relative of mine."

"A relative?" Tang Ruoyao pondered.

"Yes." Qin Yinong didn't say much. The Ji family had many descendants, and there were always one or two who took an unconventional path and entered the entertainment industry. Since she was already in the industry, she naturally took care of them.

That child was a grandchild of the Ji family, not surnamed Ji, but it didn't matter even if she mentioned it.

"Do you meet her often?" Tang Ruoyao continued to ask, her lips almost forming a straight line.

Qin Yinong shook her head. "Maybe once a year?" It would be during the Ji family's family banquet.

Tang Ruoyao smiled brightly, intimately linking her arm with Qin Yinong's.

Her change in demeanor was so swift, and her smile was so radiant that Qin Yinong felt momentarily unaccustomed. But the brilliantly beautiful smile that had always been reserved for her on the usually distant and icy face gave Qin Yinong an eerie sense of vanity and contentment.

Unconsciously, the corners of Qin Yinong's lips turned upward.

The two of them sat on the first-floor sofa for a while. When it was time to leave, Qin Yinong patted Tang Ruoyao's hand, indicating for her to let go. She spoke softly, "Alright, it's time to go to the set."

Usually, she would depart first, riding in her own car, while Tang Ruoyao would leave later, taking the car arranged by the crew.

Tang Ruoyao gave Xin Qian a signal.

Tang Ruoyao had finally assigned her a task again, and Xin Qian was so nervous that her palms were sweating. She tightly pinched her fingers behind her back, composedly saying, "Tang Tang, there was a call just now. They said the crew's car broke down on the way and can't make it here."

Tang Ruoyao frowned. "How did that happen?"

Qin Yinong: "..." She had already anticipated what would come next.

Tang Ruoyao looked at Qin Yinong, feeling hesitant. "Senior Qin, what do you think about this..."

Qin Yinong's gaze was somewhat ambiguous.Tang Ruoyao knew that Qin Yinong could see through her act, so she brazenly waited for her response.

After a pause of about three seconds, Qin Yinong said, "You can ride with me in one car."

"Thank you, Senior Qin." Tang Ruoyao curved her beautiful phoenix eyes and smiled lightly at her. She leaned her head on Qin Yinong's shoulder, her voice sweet enough to melt Qin Yinong's heart.

Qin Yinong's heart was feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Last night, she was still a gentle and domineering CEO, but today she had become a sweet and lovely wife. Tang Ruoyao changed her tactics too quickly, and she couldn't keep up. However, she had to admit that no matter which role Tang Ruoyao played, she couldn't resist it.

Qin Yinong's heart was pounding like a drum. She calmly distanced herself from Tang Ruoyao and took the lead to step out. "Let's go."

Tang Ruoyao hurriedly caught up, taking two steps for every three steps Qin Yinong took, and once again, she held onto Qin Yinong's arm.

Qin Yinong: "..."

Author's Note:

The longest path that Sister Qin has walked is Tang Ruoyao's tactics.

Guan Han (suddenly realizing): Tactics? What tactics? Are we talking about finger c*ts???

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