CHAPTER 113

Tang Ruoyao only hesitated for a moment before understanding what was going on.

In the previous scene, both of them had been fully immersed in their acting. The quilt covered them up to their shoulders, and the camera could only capture the exposed parts. Only the two main actors themselves knew what was happening inside the quilt.

Tang Ruoyao recalled that her hand and actions were quite reckless, no wonder Qin Yinong...

Qin Yinong noticed that the other person was staring at her, and there was a slight hint of embarrassment in her eyes. She uncomfortably shifted her leg and changed her sitting position, breaking the silence first. She said lightly, "Aren't you going to change your clothes?"

Tang Ruoyao was taken aback and looked down at herself.

She was still wearing the pajamas she wore during filming, short-sleeved and shorts, accentuating her long and slender legs.

Moreover, the fabric was quite transparent.

Qin Yinong belatedly thought: Did you come all the way here dressed like this?

Tang Ruoyao also realized that this attire was inappropriate and immediately replied, "I'll go back and change now."

"Wait." Qin Yinong's expression changed slightly, casually stopping her steps and saying, "Isn't your assistant capable of doing such tasks?"

"Huh?"

"Ask her to bring your clothes here, so you can change without having to go personally." Qin Yinong said emotionlessly.

Their dressing rooms were not close, and the thought of Tang Ruoyao having to wander outside made Qin Yinong's gaze darken.

Tang Ruoyao was quick-witted and understood immediately. She said, "Okay!"

Her tone rose, and her voice was clear.

Her voice was cold and her personality was indifferent, so she generally didn't speak like this. It was as if she was whispering in Qin Yinong's ear, soft and sweet, entwining her like a thread made of honey.

It awakened Qin Yinong's memories from a short while ago. Her mouth felt dry, so she picked up the glass of water on the table and took another sip.

"Guan Han," she chose to change the topic.

"Yes."

"Go and call Miss Tang's assistant to bring her clothes over."

"Okay."

After Guan Han left, there were only Tang Ruoyao and Qin Yinong in the dressing room.

Tang Ruoyao naturally walked over to Qin Yinong's side and sat down. She tilted her head and casually rested her chin on Qin Yinong's shoulder, blinking at her. Qin Yinong met her gaze squarely, raised her palm, and pressed it against Tang Ruoyao's forehead, pushing her face away expressionlessly.

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

This action didn't exert much force, but it carried a bit of annoyance and embarrassment.

Blame her for what? Because she dirtied her pants?

Tang Ruoyao chuckled inwardly but didn't expose her. It was not easy to have this opportunity to be together, and if she angered Qin Yinong, she might ruin everything later. So she just sat with her, playing a mini-movie in her mind and gradually filling in the fuzzy details from the filming.

The scene just now was so long. When the movie was released, there would definitely be cuts. Should she privately ask Director Han for an uncut version?

Tang Ruoyao squinted her eyes.

Before long, Guan Han knocked on the door and returned quickly.

Her face showed no expression as she nodded to both Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao.

Tang Ruoyao casually glanced at her and inexplicably felt that she seemed a bit unhappy. Even her footsteps coming from the doorway seemed reluctant.

Guan Han thought to herself, 'Ah, what a great opportunity, but Qin Jie hasn't completely calmed down yet. They must be planning something in the dressing room! I didn't expect to become the biggest third wheel between my CP!'

A trace of confusion appeared between Tang Ruoyao's eyebrows, but she didn't think much of it. She decided to ask Han Yuping for the complete uncut version of the scene later.

Afterward, Xin Qian sent the clothes, and Tang Ruoyao went to the changing room to change. Guan Han glanced at the closed door behind her, and in a low voice, she reported to Qin Yinong, "I've already talked to Director Han. He said he would send you the original footage of that scene to your inbox tonight."

Qin Yinong responded lightly with a sound of acknowledgment.

Guan Han moved her lips, wanting to say something but hesitated.

Qin Yinong lifted her gaze and said, "Speak."

Guan Han leaned closer and whispered, "There are rumors on set that you and Miss Yao have developed feelings for each other and that the love scenes are real."

"Hmm?" Qin Yinong remained calm and composed. "Who is spreading these rumors?"

Guan Han pursed her lips. "Everyone is talking about it." They even secretly shipped the two of them. As soon as they saw her trying to avoid it, they acted as if they had caught only something!

Guan Han continued, "Now that the news of Miss Yao changing clothes in your room has spread, it will only add fuel to the fire."

Qin Yinong nodded in response, lowered her eyelids, and didn't say much.

The intimate scene ended here. If rumors spread, let them spread. It wouldn't take long for these baseless speculations to die down. Besides, everyone signed a confidentiality agreement and wouldn't go around talking nonsense.

Guan Han looked at her calm expression and felt a hint of unease in her heart.

"Oh, by the way," Qin Yinong looked up at her, "book two tickets back to Beijing."

"When?" Guan Han asked.

"Tonight."

"So soon?"

"It's been a long time since... I saw her. She called me yesterday and said she missed me." Qin Yinong's eyes softened, and she spoke gently, "I haven't been home in two months. It's time to go back and visit."

"Alright."

Guan Han went to make the arrangements.

Not long after their conversation, Tang Ruoyao came out of the changing room. She was wearing a white sleeveless dress with a small suit jacket on top. She wore high heels, and the dress reached her knees, revealing a fair and slender portion of her legs, giving off an elegant and refined yet innocent and delicate charm.

Along with the clothes, there was also a lipstick, the color was just right, making her lips appear red and luscious, plump and tempting.

Tang Ruoyao stood at the door and didn't immediately approach. She looked at Qin Yinong with anticipation.

Qin Yinong saw through her thoughts, glanced at her from head to toe, curved her lips, and commented, "Not bad."

Tang Ruoyao's heart blossomed with joy. She took a little skip but immediately restrained herself and walked over gracefully.

"Are you going back to your place, Senior Qin?" Tang Ruoyao asked.

Qin Yinong nodded, "Yes, to pack my luggage." Her thin lips twitched slightly, then tightened. She didn't tell Tang Ruoyao about her plan to go back home.

Tang Ruoyao said, "I need to pack my things too. Let's go together."

Qin Yinong responded, "Hmm."

She stood up from the couch and walked out first. Tang Ruoyao stared at her back, her gaze deepening as she secretly thought about whether she could persuade her to have some intimate moments tonight. Once they returned to the filming set, they might not have such a convenient opportunity to share a bed again. It was their last day, and she wanted... a little more time, a more profound memory.

Qin Yinong noticed that Tang Ruoyao hadn't followed and turned her head back. Without waiting for Qin Yinong to prompt her, Tang Ruoyao quickly took a few steps and walked side by side with her.

Tang Ruoyao hadn't forgotten about Mu Qingwu. She had arranged to meet Mu Qingwu at a restaurant for a detailed discussion. But for now, she needed to go back first, and she didn't mind hitching a ride in Qin Yinong's car as many times as possible.

This scene in the afternoon was the last one, and once they finished shooting Han Yuping made an announcement to wrap up. The crew members started packing up the props and loading them onto the cars, creating a busy yet relaxed atmosphere on set.

Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao walked side by side, causing the hidden fans of their CP (couple pairing) to stop their actions and discreetly glance around. Once the two passed by, they resumed their work as usual.

Tang Ruoyao looked back and raised her doubts. 

"Senior Qin, don't you think there are too many people watching us?"

"No," Qin Yinong replied calmly without changing her expression.

"Oh." Did she misjudge the situation?

It was not yet 4 o'clock, and the sun was high in the sky, casting its rays beyond the shade of the trees. Guan Han timely held up an umbrella to shield Qin Yinong's head. It was just a short distance to walk, and Xin Qian naturally didn't have the foresight to do so. Tang Ruoyao, young as she was, didn't mind basking in the sun for a while and instead looked up at the dazzling sun.

The gentle sunlight shadow of the sun cast a warm glow, and a smile appeared on her lips. She seemed to be radiating happiness.

Qin Yinong was momentarily stunned by the sight, then walked past her.

After Qin Yinong had walked a short distance, Tang Ruoyao ran up to her and cheerfully called out, "Senior Qin!"

It was that upward inflection in her tone again. Tang Ruoyao had been in a great mood all day, like a free bird.

Qin Yinong couldn't help but curl her lips upwards.

Tang Ruoyao came over and intimately linked her arm with Qin Yinong's, instinctively seeking her comfort and leaning into her embrace. Qin Yinong's eyes softened, and she softly reminded her, "We're still on set."

"I know," Tang Ruoyao said. Then she rested her chin on Qin Yinong's shoulder, disregarding the surroundings, and murmured softly, "I haven't kissed you again."

Qin Yinong: "..."

So, your original plan was to kiss me?

After enduring the remaining part of the set, they settled into the car. Tang Ruoyao immediately grabbed Qin Yinong's hand, interlocking their fingers. Qin Yinong made a symbolic struggle but ended up being led by her.

The assistants glanced at each other, all with smiles in their eyes. Among the five of them, three or four had been with Qin Yinong for three to four years, while the others for one or two years. Without exception, they all received her favor. Although their relationship with Qin Yinong was officially superior-subordinate, in reality, they treated her like a younger sister. Yes, a younger sister, not an older sister. Although Qin Yinong appeared domineering and mighty outside, she was approachable and gentle in private, often joking with them. The contrast was so great that everyone adored their boss with inexplicable affection.

Looking at Tang Ruoyao's anxious appearance and the overflowing love in her eyes, it was enough to bring comfort to the assistant team.

The assistants couldn't help but nod repeatedly as they watched the affectionate couple. Suddenly, they met Guan Han's cold gaze, and all the pink bubbles in the air burst. Everyone sat up straight, avoiding eye contact.

Guan Han, the strict and impartial director, had everyone shipping the couple, except for herself. They didn't dare to act recklessly.

Guan Han sat in the car, fireworks playing in her mind, colorful ones, with shades of red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple.

When she got out of the car, she shook her head slightly to clear her mind and regain her usual calmness. She followed Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao into the house.

As soon as they entered the door, the two stopped at the doorway and locked eyes.

Neither of them moved, their gazes entwined.

There was something stirring in the air, hot and restless, spreading outward from the center formed by the two.

Guan Han swiftly bent down to change her shoes, utilizing her stealth technique, and disappeared from their line of sight within ten seconds.

Tang Ruoyao couldn't wait for even a second. Taking advantage of the situation, she pressed her palm against the wall, leaning in and kissing Qin Yinong.

Qin Yinong's lips were soft and sweet, as delightful as jelly. Every time they kissed, if time allowed, Tang Ruoyao would slowly devour the rosy blush on her lips bit by bit.

But today was different. Tang Ruoyao was breathless and restless, wanting to swallow Qin Yinong whole from the very beginning, consuming her greedily.

It was probably the aftermath of the afternoon filming.

Qin Yinong felt the same way.

Both of them were a little excited, hormones running wild, their minds clouded and unclear.

As time passed, Tang Ruoyao's suit jacket remained at the entrance, and Qin Yinong sat on the shoe cabinet, legs dangling, leaning down to kiss her. Qin Yinong's ten fingers delved into Tang Ruoyao's hair, using them as a comb, slowly and gently brushing through her long hair. Each stroke lightly pulled at the scalp, tingling and itching at the same time.

Tang Ruoyao let out a soft moan, bracing herself on the shoe cabinet to steady her stance.

She pulled Qin Yinong down, her back against the entrance, and took the initiative to hold her hand...

As the receiver.

Qin Yinong's gaze became hazy, and without realizing it, she followed Tang Ruoyao's lead.

Until Tang Ruoyao's cheeks were burning hot, continuously humming in her ear, getting softer and more tender. Qin Yinong suddenly realized and promptly stopped. It was like a bucket of cold water pouring down on her, and her face became extremely unpleasant.

Tang Ruoyao held her and didn't say anything, calmly accepting the situation as if she had anticipated it.

The two of them went upstairs together.

Tang Ruoyao went to her room first to change clothes and then knocked on Qin Yinong's door.

Guan Han was not in her room, and Qin Yinong personally opened the door, raising an arc of curiosity in her eyebrows.

Tang Ruoyao was wearing a simple T-shirt, jeans, white sneakers, and had reapplied her lipstick, which was now a very light color.

Tang Ruoyao reported to her obediently, "I'm going out to have dinner with my manager and will be back before nine. If there are any delays, I'll send you a message in advance."

Qin Yinong nodded, "Mhm."

Tang Ruoyao pursed her lips and after two seconds, whispered, "Don't go to bed too early."

Qin Yinong nodded again, "Mhm." She had a flight at eight o'clock.

Tang Ruoyao asked, "Can I leave now?"

Qin Yinong replied, "Mhm."

Three consecutive "Mhm" without any extra words. Tang Ruoyao felt slightly dissatisfied. She encouraged herself and leaned forward to give Qin Yinong a light peck on the lips, saying, "See you tonight."

This time, Qin Yinong didn't answer her.

Tang Ruoyao walked to the stairs.

Qin Yinong suddenly spoke up, "Wait."

She immediately turned around and ran over, her eyes shining.

Qin Yinong's throat felt bitter, rendering her speechless. She lifted her finger to tuck a strand of hair behind Tang Ruoyao's ear and gently tugged on her collar. Her voice lowered and hoarse, she said, "Stay safe."

"You too!" Tang Ruoyao instinctively replied, only realizing how silly she sounded afterwards. She laughed at herself and continued, "Remember to eat at home." After a pause, she added, "It's better not to drink."

Qin Yinong's gaze shifted unintentionally towards the room, and Tang Ruoyao followed her curiosity and looked inside. Qin Yinong leaned sideways, blocking her line of sight in time.

Tang Ruoyao could even guess that she had been drinking again.

She was infuriated, heartbroken, but she couldn't say it. The grievances and anger were suppressed in her heart, and her eyes suddenly turned red.

Qin Yinong felt a pang in her heart and couldn't bear it. "I only took a sip."

"Even a sip is not allowed!"

"I'll put it away later."

Tang Ruoyao laughed through her tears.

Originally, she hadn't shed any tears, but with this laugh, a tear slid down her cheek. Just as she raised her hand, Qin Yinong's slightly cool fingertips wiped away the moisture on her face. She gently urged her, "Go quickly, or Mu Qingwu will scold you."

"Mhm."

This time, Tang Ruoyao truly left. If she was any later, she would definitely be scolded.

Xin Qian arranged a car for her, and Tang Ruoyao got in. From the lowered car window, she looked at Qin Yinong's room. There was a figure by the window, and she felt joy on her face. She was about to wave and greet her when the woman on the balcony disappeared.

Tang Ruoyao's recently blossomed smile slowly faded away.

Qin Yinong returned from the balcony, looking slightly disheveled.

"Qin Jie?" Guan Han, who was packing her luggage, noticed her unusual behavior and asked.

"It's nothing." Qin Yinong's face turned pale by two shades. "You can continue."

She walked to the side, picked up a glass, shook the amber-colored liquid inside, and just as her lips touched the rim of the glass, her expression froze, and she set it back down.

Forget it.

Tang Ruoyao suppressed her inner disappointment, closed the car window, and made a call to Han Yuping.

Han Yuping: "Speak."

Tang Ruoyao gently said, "Director Han, I want to ask if it's possible to send me the complete uncut version of the scene you filmed this afternoon."

Han Yuping replied indifferently, "Doesn't your wife have it? Why are you asking me for it?"

"Huh?"

"I'll send it to her tonight, and you can ask her to forward it to you."

"No, Director Han." It took Tang Ruoyao two seconds to process his words, afraid that he would get impatient and hang up directly. She hastily explained at a rapid pace, "She didn't tell me she asked you for it, and I didn't want to tell her that I have it."

"Oh." Han Yuping's tone remained unchanged. "Playing a surprise game, huh?"

"...Yes."

"Okay, I'll send you a copy tonight too. Don't spread it around."

"Understood." She wished she could just cut this scene from the movie, never release it, s how could it be leaked then?

"Is that all?"

"Yeah, that's it."

Han Yuping hung up the phone.

Tang Ruoyao was alone, holding her phone, and her lips curled up as she smiled to herself.

So Qin Yinong also asked Han Yuping for the original footage. What does she want with it? Is she also savoring it all the time like me?

Tang Ruoyao immediately became restless. She hadn't even seen Mu Qingwu at the designated meeting place yet, but her heart was already racing, wanting to go back and be with Qin Yinong, not wanting to be apart for a single moment.

.....

"Um... could you please tone down that smile of yours a little?" Mu Qingwu looked at Tang Ruoyao with a complicated expression. Since she took her seat, she had been constantly smiling, even to the point of laughter lines appearing at such a young age.

Tang Ruoyao rubbed her stiff facial muscles from smiling and said, "Sister Mu, what do you want to talk about?"

Mu Qingwu slammed the menu in front of her and sighed. "What did I say? It was you who was going to say something. Let's just order first."

"Oh, alright."

The restaurant was Western style, offering a variety of options such as steak and pasta. Tang Ruoyao stared at the character "意" (Yi) in the word "意面" (Yimian; pasta) and absentmindedly drew strokes next to it, writing and enjoying it: dot, horizontal line, dot, dot, horizontal line...

She wrote it neatly and orderly.

Mu Qingwu looked up, and there she was, smiling again.

Mu Qingwu: "..." She took a deep breath and asked Tang Ruoyao, "Are you a picky eater? Will you eat everything?"

Tang Ruoyao didn't understand and replied, "I'm not picky, anything is fine."

Mu Qingwu took the menu and said, "I'll order. Don't bother looking." If they continued to delay, they wouldn't even need to have dinner tonight. She would just watch Tang Ruoyao's solo performance of laughter.

"Both orders are ready."

Tang Ruoyao picked up the glass of lemon water next to her and took a sip before picking up her knife and fork.

They chatted while eating.

"How did Director Han misunderstand your relationship?" Mu Qingwu asked.

"It's not really a misunderstanding." Tang Ruoyao lowered her head and used her dining knife to cut the steak into neat pieces. She exchanged her untouched portion with Mu Qingwu's and said, "Senior Qin was very caring towards me on set. When I accidentally cut my finger, she got all worried and treated it like a big deal—sterilizing it, applying medication, and even personally putting a band-aid on it. That's what couples do, right?" However, Qin Yinong didn't seem to think they were in a romantic relationship.

Tang Ruoyao continued, "And when I was filming 'Under the Southern Mountain,' Qin Yinong went to discuss collaboration with Lin Guoan, and we met. I don't know what she told him, but she told Lin Guoan that I'm her girlfriend."

Mu Qingwu choked on her steak. "Cough, cough, what did you say?"

Tang Ruoyao shrugged. "Director Lin Guoan told me himself."

Han Yuping and Lin Guoan were classmates and had a well-known friendship in the industry. Tang Ruoyao speculated that they might have communicated privately, but she wasn't sure, so she didn't mention it to Mu Qingwu.

Mu Qingwu was surprised. "How did you become so close with Lin Guoan too?" Tang Ruoyao was amazing as an artist, starring in two movies and getting close to two famous directors. If she continued like this, she would conquer the entertainment industry.

Tang Ruoyao's eyes filled with sweetness as she said, "It's all because of... her."

Fu Yujun told her that she shouldn't just listen to what Qin Yinong said but also observe her actions. Tang Ruoyao always kept this in mind, and as she reflected on the past, everything had a trace. Qin Yinong had done so much for her—supporting her openly and protecting her secretly. Because of this, Tang Ruoyao became even more certain that Qin Yinong had feelings for her.

If she used to doubt herself in her dreams, Qin Yinong's slip of the tongue with the words "Yao Yao" completely reassured her.

Lost in her thoughts, Tang Ruoyao suddenly became absentminded. After Qin Yinong blurted out that sentence in the morning, she never called her that again. When will she hear Qin Yinong say it again, earnestly looking into her eyes and calling her Yao Yao?

Tang Ruoyao was brought back by Mu Qingwu, who tapped on the table in front of her.

"When did you two actually meet?" Mu Qingwu asked, finding their connection increasingly deep as Tang Ruoyao spoke about it from all angles.

Tang Ruoyao looked up, cleared her throat, and said, "Four years ago."

Mu Qingwu's jaw dropped onto the table.

Tang Ruoyao considerately reached out and closed it for her, calmly fabricating the truth, "At that time, I had just taken on a movie and had dinner with the director. She was a friend of the director and happened to be there that day."

"And then?" Mu Qingwu suddenly became genuinely curious.

Resting her chin on her hand, Tang Ruoyao smiled. "It was love at first sight for me."

It's not entirely a lie. A woman as stunning as Qin Yinong, who wouldn't be moved at first sight? It's just that Tang Ruoyao was in a dangerous situation at the time and didn't think too much about it.

"What about her feelings for you?" Mu Qingwu asked again.

"Well..." Tang Ruoyao hummed, squinting her eyes as she recalled, "I think she was also attracted to me at first sight?"

Otherwise, why would she save me?

In the entertainment industry, there are countless people who sell themselves for personal gain, both men and women. Tang Ruoyao didn't believe that Qin Yinong, being in this industry, hadn't seen it before. At that time, she hadn't fully blossomed yet, didn't have the aura of a star, and her looks weren't considered top-tier either. Even if she had top-tier looks, she would still be an ordinary person in front of Qin Yinong's stunning beauty.

Why did she save me? Tang Ruoyao later thought that maybe love at first sight was the only explanation.

Mu Qingwu wore a sour expression.

Tang Ruoyao smiled and said, "Don't doubt it, it's true."

Mu Qingwu couldn't take it anymore and quickly took a sip of red wine. "Please skip this part, I can't listen to this anymore."

Tang Ruoyao laughed for a while and continued to weave the true and false love story between her and Qin Yinong. "We met at a dinner table, and there was a period of time when we didn't have much contact. But at the wrap party of my debut film, she showed up."

It was true that Qin Yinong attended Tang Ruoyao's film wrap party. At that time, their "cohabitation" relationship had continued for several months, and Tang Ruoyao had developed feelings for her. When she saw Qin Yinong suddenly appear at the wrap party, she was overjoyed. Although Qin Yinong explained that she was one of the film investors and attending was normal, Tang Ruoyao was still so happy that she drank several glasses of wine.

Her alcohol tolerance was not as good as it is now, and she got a little drunk, but she still had some consciousness. Alcohol emboldens people, and she took the opportunity to act a little crazily. She lightly kissed Qin Yinong's face, and Qin Yinong smiled gently and indulgently. Helpless, she got up and made a sobering tea for Tang Ruoyao.

Tang Ruoyao later got really drunk, fell asleep on the sofa, and when she woke up, she was in bed, wearing pajamas, and there was no one at home.

Did Qin Yinong make her a sobering tea? Tang Ruoyao suddenly couldn't remember.

In her clear memory afterwards, Qin Yinong never cooked for her personally.

Qin Yinong's attitude towards her had two turning points. One was three years ago when she was drugged, and they had a blurry intimate encounter. Qin Yinong's behavior towards her suddenly became distinct—she was the financial backer, and Tang Ruoyao was the lover. There couldn't be any crossing of boundaries. The other turning point was in their first year of living together. Qin Yinong was strange for a period of time, often absent-minded and would sometimes suddenly shed tears, but she quickly wiped them away, saying she was getting into character and told Tang Ruoyao not to worry. After that, Qin Yinong began to distance herself from her, sometimes staring at her in a daze with a sad expression. The incident with the drugs was the fuse that brought their relationship to an icy point.

Tang Ruoyao tightened her fingers around the handle of the dining knife, something flashed quickly through her mind.

She closed her eyes and tried hard to remember, to grasp it.

Mu Qingwu: "Hey."

Her train of thought was interrupted, and Tang Ruoyao angrily twisted the tablecloth under her hand.

Mu Qingwu: "What's wrong with you?"

Tang Ruoyao said, "Nothing." She no longer had the mood to fabricate details and briefly told the story, using the excuse of having something important to attend to and ended the conversation.

Sitting in the car on the way back, she looked at the time on her phone. It was just 8 o'clock, one hour earlier than she had anticipated.

The gloomy mood troubled by the past gradually lifted as she neared her home.

As soon as the car stopped at the entrance of the compound, Tang Ruoyao rushed out.

The entire villa was dark, without any lights, and the bodyguards who usually stood guard at the entrance were nowhere to be found. With a single-minded focus, Tang Ruoyao didn't notice anything unusual. After opening the door, she kicked off her shoes, even skipped changing into slippers, and ran barefoot directly upstairs.

"Qin Yinong!" Tang Ruoyao's feet were swift, and within a few breaths, she went from the first floor to the second floor. The corners of her eyes and eyebrows couldn't contain her joy. "I'm back!"

Her voice echoed in the empty corridor.

The final syllable of "back" lingered.

From excitement to calmness.

The second-floor corridor had motion-activated lights, and the movements Tang Ruoyao created were enough to illuminate the entire hallway, allowing her to easily see the wide-open door to Qin Yinong's room.

Tang Ruoyao walked in and turned on the lights.

The liquor in the wine cabinet was gone.

The clothes in the wardrobe were also gone.

The bedding on the bed was neatly arranged, as if no one had touched it.

The room was desolate.

She went to switch on Han's room, but it was the same, empty, with nothing.

Relentlessly, she searched every corner of the first and second floors, not even sparing the refrigerator. Xin Qian followed her silently, helping in the search.

She stopped and walked back to the balcony of Qin Yinong's room, facing the boundless darkness alone.

She raised her hand and wiped her eyes.

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