CHAPTER 123

Guan Han felt a wave of anxiety for Tang Ruoyao in her heart.

Since Qin Yinong began conversing with Principal Sun, her usual smile had faded slightly. Others may not have noticed, but could Guan Han, who had been with her for so long, not notice?

Qin Yinong carefully inquired about the details of the situation from Principal Sun, including the forum posts from Tang Ruoyao and other students at the Capital Drama Academy criticizing Huo Yuke. Principal Sun looked at her with a peculiar expression throughout the conversation, his face filled with words left unspoken.

But Qin Yinong couldn't concern herself with raising suspicion, she had to fully understand this matter.

The next morning, when Guan Han knocked on the hotel room door and entered, Qin Yinong was still sitting at the table. There was a laptop with a bright screen in front of her, and her fingertip was lightly tapping on the touchpad.

Qin Yinong turned her head, her eyes filled with bloodshot lines, and her complexion much duller than the previous night due to staying up late. "Are we leaving? I'll go take a shower first." She lowered her head and sniffed, "I smell like alcohol."

She stood up, supporting herself on the table with both hands. As she walked, her balance was unsteady, swaying slightly. She had consumed a lot of alcohol at the birthday banquet yesterday, didn't sleep all night, and was tired and drowsy. The effects of the alcohol hit her belatedly.

Guan Han hurriedly approached and supported her arm. Qin Yinong steadied herself, shook her groggy head, and said, "It's okay. Help me shut down the computer and pack it up."

Guan Han's tone was low as she replied, "Alright."

Qin Yinong, perceptive as ever, asked her, "Are you unhappy?"

Guan Han looked at her pale complexion and lips and said, "No, I just feel that you're too tired."

Qin Yinong smiled and said, "It's fine, I'm used to it."

Guan Han remained silent for two seconds before saying, "Then go take a shower quickly. I'll prepare your clothes for today."

Qin Yinong nodded, turned, and entered the bathroom.

Guan Han gazed at her retreating figure, lost in thought.

In this relationship, Tang Ruoyao was passionate and courageous, like a moth to a flame. But who said that ups and downs was only encountered in romantic love? Qin Yinong had shouldered all the pain and difficulties that the entertainment industry brought, allowing Tang Ruoyao to sail smoothly without encountering any setbacks. The losses she had suffered, the blood and tears shed, her experiences and status gained through struggling in the industry, even crawling on her knees to forge a path, had all become the red carpet leading Tang Ruoyao to the path of stardom.

How much had she done behind the scenes for Tang Ruoyao? She had even humbled herself, pleaded with soft words, but she had never uttered a work.

Her love was deep, profound, and patient, no longer measurable by the conventional standards of romantic love.

Guan Han has never been able to understand Qin Yinong's attitude towards certain things, not just in this matter, but also in her handling of the rumors and slander spread by Huo Yuke. She could have fought back, tit for tat, but instead, she only restricted her resources. Public opinion is a double-edged sword that others can use, so why doesn't she use it? She always chooses to take the long road instead of the short one. Despite spending a large sum of money on charity every year, she doesn't seek recognition or publicize it...

However, her lack of understanding doesn't hinder Guan Han's admiration for her. Qin Yinong is undoubtedly a powerful person. Her strength is not the honor and glory seen by the outside world, but the strength of character that can only be felt by those who are close to her. It's indescribable in words. Guan Han often feels a sense of disbelief, wondering if Qin Yinong is like the immortals depicted in television or novels, someone who has come to the mortal realm to overcome tribulations. That's why, even in the face of adversity and setbacks, she never complains or blames others, always upholds her principles, and maintains a kind and gentle heart.

Guan Han is an atheist, but at this moment, she genuinely hopes that there is a higher power in the world and that good and evil will be rewarded accordingly. She hopes that the suffering and pain Qin Yinong has endured in her lifetime will be repaid with a thousandfold sweetness in the future. 

Guan Han went to shut down the computer for her and noticed that the forum interface was still displayed on the screen. There was also an open notebook with Qin Yinong's distinct and unusual handwriting on the blank pages, which caught Guan Han's attention. Summoning up her courage, she glanced at it briefly, and her anxiety from the previous night was relieved by half.

She shouldn't worry, Guan Han reflected deeply.

Qin Yinong has always been someone who would endure ten thousand injuries for the sake of Tang Ruoyao. But today, she seemed so calm and focused, engrossed in taking notes, with no signs of self-destruction. Right before entering the bathroom, she even smiled at herself.

Guan Han closed the notebook and carefully put away the paper and pen, placing them in separate bags.

Qin Yinong had an early morning flight, so she left for the airport before dawn. On the car ride, she tried to catch up on sleep, went through security checks, waited at the boarding gate, boarded the plane, and slept from takeoff to landing, trying to rejuvenate herself for the afternoon film shoot.

Tang Ruoyao had asked about her flight arrival time early in the morning, and Qin Yinong asked her, "Are you coming to pick me up again?"

Tang Ruoyao replied with a laughing emoji and typed, "Just asking, I won't go to pick you up. I have a film shoot."

Qin Yinong responded, "I'll go straight to the set."

At the film set, Tang Ruoyao nearly jumped up with excitement when she saw the message. She pressed her heel down, restraining the impulse to take off, as people passed by her. Sitting next to her, Xin Qian was playing with her phone and suddenly met Tang Ruoyao's gaze, beaming with a smile.

Xin Qian asked, "What's wrong?"

Tang Ruoyao said, "You look good today. Your complexion is great."

Xin Qian touched her face and replied in confusion, "But I didn't wear any makeup today."

Tang Ruoyao: "it doesn't matter, I said you're wearing makeup, so you are."

Xin Qian: "..." Fine, then I am wearing makeup. She said, "I remembered wrong, I did put on makeup."

Tang Ruoyao smiled: "Good girl."

Xin Qian shivered, getting goosebumps on her arm.

Women in love are terrifying, releasing untamed female hormones everywhere. Luckily, she only releases them within a half-meter radius, otherwise, everyone's character settings would collapse.

Tang Ruoyao was overly excited, unable to display the expected sad emotions. She was scolded by Han Yuping, so she honestly suppressed her excitement and imagined Qin Yinong immediately abandoning her lines, passing this scene.

Qin Yinong arrived at the film set at 11:30. The morning scenes had already been filmed, and the crew was distributing box lunches. The aroma of food filled the air. Qin Yinong walked over from the road, without her bodyguards, with only Guan Han behind her, being very low-key. However, the set became relatively quiet for a few seconds, and then the air started flowing again.

Tang Ruoyao endured and waited until Qin Yinong walked to the center of the set before calmly stepping forward to greet her, "Senior Qin."

Her gaze was fixated on Qin Yinong's face.

"Miss Tang." Qin Yinong naturally walked with her side by side towards Han Yuping's direction. Recently, the two of them had taken advantage of Han Yuping's cover to create opportunities for them to be together. Qin Yinong casually started a conversation, "How was the morning shoot?"

"It was fine."

"Did you get scolded?"

"..." 

"Hmm?" Qin Yinong paused for a moment, turning her head to look at her.

Tang Ruoyao lowered her head, feeling particularly embarrassed. "Just a little bit."

Qin Yinong continued walking, with a smile in her voice, "When Han Yuping scolds, it's usually more than just a little bit."

"I knew you were coming back, and I was so happy, but my performance wasn't good, so that's why I got scolded." Tang Ruoyao muttered in a low voice, just loud enough for Qin Yinong to hear.

"Be professional." Qin Yinong simply said, lightly tapping her.

"I know, I'll pay attention in the future." Tang Ruoyao responded earnestly.

Han Yuping could see Qin Yinong's figure approaching from afar. He quickly took a deep breath, sucking on the cigarette in his fingers. In an instant, only the butt of the cigarette remained, and he hurriedly waved away the smoke in front of his eyes. He stomped on it with force, grinding it under his foot and kicking it under the table, completely obliterating any evidence.

"Director Han, I'm back."

"Welcome back." Han Yuping's face remained expressionless as he turned a page in the storyboard in his hand.

"How many did you smoke?"

"One."

"Is that so?" Qin Yinong's lips curved into a smile that seemed like a smirk.

"Yes."

"How many cigarettes did Director Han smoke?" Qin Yinong turned to ask Tang Ruoyao.

Tang Ruoyao promptly sold out Han Yuping, "Three, just finished the fourth one and extinguished it before you arrived."

Han Yuping gritted his teeth and glared at Tang Ruoyao. The deep wrinkles on either side of his nose tightened, revealing deep grooves. His already imposing face suddenly turned ferocious.

Tang Ruoyao skillfully hid behind Qin Yinong.

Qin Yinong patted her arm from behind, indicating that she didn't need to be afraid.

Tang Ruoyao watched the spectacle unfold like a battle between deities. In the end, Han Yuping promised not to smoke more than two cigarettes a day, or else Qin Yinong would report him to his wife.

The three of them had their meals served. Han Yuping ate while watching the morning playback, fully engrossed and uninterested in the young couple. Tang Ruoyao and Qin Yinong chatted quietly as if nobody else was around, with Tang Ruoyao mostly asking questions and Qin Yinong providing answers.

"Was the birthday banquet lively last night?"

"It was fine."

Tang Ruoyao glanced at Qin Yinong slightly dissatisfied. Qin Yinong paused with her chopsticks and added a few more words, "It was more of a business gathering."

"Did you drink alcohol?"

"It was fine." Qin Yinong habitually added another sentence, but before Tang Ruoyao could give her a certain look, she pursed her lips and spontaneously added, "Just a little bit. I was sober when I left."

"Are you acquainted with Qiao Yan, the Movie Emperor?"

"We have some acquaintance." Qin Yinong's answers became more fluent. "We have worked together on a film and invested in projects together, earning dividends. He has a good eye, and I have learned a lot from him."

Tang Ruoyao lowered her head and poked at the rice in her bowl with her chopsticks.

"But we don't see each other often in normal times. Everyone is busy." Qin Yinong added.

Tang Ruoyao continued poking at her rice and asked in a low voice, "There are rumors in the industry that Qiao Yan, the movie emperor, has a long-term girlfriend. Is it true or fake?"

Qin Yinong replied softly, "Fake."

Tang Ruoyao pouted.

A trace of amusement flashed in Qin Yinong's eyes. Seizing the opportunity while picking up a dish, she lightly scraped Tang Ruoyao's hand back with her fingertip, getting closer and answering in a more serious tone, "He actually got married to his girlfriend just last month."

Tang Ruoyao bit her lip as she looked at her, but the smile in her eyes betrayed her true feelings.

Qin Yinong said, "Let's eat first. The food is getting cold. If you have any questions, ask them slowly later. There's no rush at this moment."

Tang Ruoyao was startled.

Did she just say "later"? In the future?

Tang Ruoyao snapped back to reality, feeling ecstatic, and reached out to grab Qin Yinong's hand. But Qin Yinong quickly withdrew her hand, reminding her in a low voice, "We're on set."

Tang Ruoyao asked eagerly, "Can we go to the rest area?"

Qin Yinong firmly refused, "No."

Tang Ruoyao looked at her with pleading eyes, "Oh."

Han Yuping suddenly turned his head, "Hmm? Whose lost dog ran onto the set?"

Qin Yinong burst into laughter.

Tang Ruoyao blushed and felt incredibly embarrassed.

Not only did Qin Yinong not let her go to the rest area, but she also finished her meal and left on her own, without staying for long. Before leaving, she left a remark, "Adjust your state of mind properly. If you don't perform well in the afternoon, Director Han and I will scold you together."

Tang Ruoyao blurted out, "You wouldn't bear to do that."

Qin Yinong snorted, "You think I wouldn't bear to do that?" Her eyebrows and eyes clearly showed excessive tenderness.

Tang Ruoyao laughed so much that her teeth were showing her teeth but her eyes disappeared, watching Qin Yinong as she left.

......

In the afternoon shooting of the film "True Colors," Shen Muqing felt immense pressure from the admonitions of her elders, the gossip of her neighbors, and the discussions in school. Xu Shiming sincerely repented and apologized to her day and night, even enlisting the help of his son Xu Di to persuade his mother not to divorce.

Their young son fidgeted with his clothes, swaying up and down, and looked up with a soft voice, saying, "Mom, can you not get a divorce?"

Shen Muqing's eyes suddenly turned red.

Afterwards, in her meeting with Han Zifei, she hesitated for the first time under his unwavering gaze.

"Scene 40 of 'True Colors,' one long take, action!"

The recent rumors had Han Zifei on edge. Last night, she had a big fight with her parents because of Shen Muqing's intention to divorce. She had thought her reasonable parents would be different from those idle talkers, but they turned out to be just the same. "Whose life doesn't have its ups and downs? Why does she want a divorce?" "The child is already grown up, and she's still causing trouble with divorce." "Marrying such a woman brings nothing but misfortune to the family." Furious, she stormed out and slammed the door behind her.

She had wanted to come and comfort Shen Muqing last night, but Xu Shiming had been keeping a close eye on her recently, maybe afraid that Shen Muqing would run away directly. He had locked the courtyard gate early, preventing her from entering. Today, she purposely skipped school and rushed back to see her.

Han Zifei had always been composed in front of Shen Muqing. She held the woman in her arms and gently patted her back, comforting her, "Don't be afraid."

The embrace of the young woman was warm and comforting. Shen Muqing gripped the fabric on her shoulder, as if trying to draw courage from it again. However, Xu Di's words kept ringing in her ears.

"Mom, can you not get a divorce?"

In the angle that Han Zifei couldn't see, there was struggle and pain in her eyes.

Han Zifei noticed that the woman in her arms was trembling. She quickly let go and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Shen Muqing tugged at the corner of her lips and forced a smile, "No, it's just... the wind picked up."

"I'll get you a jacket."

"Okay," Shen Muqing said softly.

Han Zifei was very familiar with her room. She opened the closet, forcing herself to ignore the men's clothes, and grabbed a jacket. She turned back with a faint smile, "Do you like this green one? Or do you prefer this red one?"

Before she could finish speaking, her cheeks grew warm.

Shen Muqing leaned in and lightly kissed her on the face.

Han Zifei's heart surged, her gaze deepening. She hung the red one back on the hanger, wrapped her arm around the woman's waist, and leaned down to kiss her lips.

Shen Muqing closed her eyes, her fingertips tightening. Her long eyelashes trembled, and the tips gradually became moist with transparent wetness.

I'm sorry, Zifei, I might... not be able to hold on anymore.

......

Han Yuping: "Cut."

He carefully reviewed the playback and said, "It's good."

They had filmed this scene four times in the afternoon, and it was almost evening when they finished. Qin Yinong removed her makeup, changed her clothes, and got into her own car. However, the vehicle didn't head towards the hotel where she was staying.

Tang Ruoyao, who left a step later, received a message from Qin Yinong while sitting in the crew's car. It was an address that seemed to be in a high-end residential area.

Tang Ruoyao: [???]

Qin Yinong: [Come to this place after returning to the hotel, I'll wait for you.]

Tang Ruoyao quickly imagined something inappropriate to write and typed, [Okay! I'll be there soon!]

Qin Yinong: [Be careful on the way, don't get caught.]

Tang Ruoyao replied with a gesture indicating understanding.

Tang Ruoyao took a taxi to the outskirts of the residential area, where the security was tight, and strangers were not allowed in. She messaged Qin Yinong, and Guan Han came out to pick her up. As Tang Ruoyao walked and observed the greenery in the residential area, she thought to herself, "Could this be Qin Yinong's private residence?"

What does it mean for her to call her out alone? Is it because she couldn't hold back anymore? Or does she want to confess to me? And then naturally progress from there? Should she shyly welcome her advances or actively respond boldly?

Reason told Tang Ruoyao it was impossible, but her emotions made her exude a spring-like atmosphere.

Guan Han saw through it but didn't expose it. She maintained her expressionless icy face throughout the journey and brought Tang Ruoyao to the entrance, unlocked the code lock, made a gesture to enter, and silently stepped back.

Tang Ruoyao stood at the entrance and looked inside.

The living room was not lit, and the lighting was dim. A woman sat with her long legs crossed on the sofa, and her expression was unclear. There was a laptop with a lit screen on the coffee table in front of her.

Tang Ruoyao inexplicably felt a trace of uneasiness.

Qin Yinong turned her head around, her voice gentle and no different from before, "You're here."

Tang Ruoyao's panic instantly dissipated, and she asked, "Can I turn on the lights?"

"You can."

The sudden brightness made Qin Yinong squint her eyes. She raised her hand to shield her eyes, but before she could lower it, another hand replaced it and covered her eyes.

The warm breath brushed against her lips, and then they kissed.

With no need to worry about prying eyes or the upcoming shoot, Tang Ruoyao held Qin Yinong's face with one hand and kissed deeply, occasionally lightly nibbling her lips.

Qin Yinong's scalp trembled, her consciousness hanging by a thread. When Tang Ruoyao seemed to want to go further, she pushed her away, a damp mist appearing in her peach blossom eyes, and her breath unsteady as she said, "I have something to tell you."

Tang Ruoyao sat beside her, casually glancing at the laptop screen on the coffee table. It looked somewhat familiar, like a forum interface, but she didn't pay much attention and turned her gaze to Qin Yinong's eyes. "What is it?"

Qin Yinong tugged at her tousled hair and said, "I met Principal Sun at Qiao's birthday banquet yesterday, and he told me about how you had the outstanding graduate representative spot stolen by Huo Yuke last year."

Pausing for a moment, she sincerely said, "It was my fault. I didn't notice that such a thing had happened to you, so you had to retaliate in that way to reclaim what you deserved."

That way?

Tang Ruoyao carefully recalled it and suddenly paled.

Qin Yinong didn't notice her expression for the moment. She brought the laptop over, placing it on her knee, and calmly said, "I've seen the posts you made, as well as the ones from the students following you. Initially, it was a discussion about the representative spot, but it eventually deviated completely from that topic and turned into slander and insults against her personally. I heard the offline community was excited, and someone even intentionally placed a harmless snake on her path, although it was non-venomous. She did something wrong, but the consequences have far exceeded what she should bear. Perhaps your intentions were just, but what about the others? Do they have public grievances or personal grudges, or are they purely driven by envy and disgust, relentlessly attacking her? The power of words is immeasurable. If something happens to her because of this, you..."

Qin Yinong hesitated briefly, wanting to say something like "you're the instigator," but felt it was too heavy, so she changed her words, "Aren't you troubled by your conscience?"

Qin Yinong rarely lectured Tang Ruoyao at length. Usually, they would talk about acting experiences, but now she wanted to reason with her seriously. Unfortunately, this kind of reasoning was difficult to get through to ordinary people, especially those in the entertainment industry.

Everyone is like this. Today I criticize you, tomorrow you criticize me. Spreading rumors and gossip is commonplace.

She looked down at the cheat sheet in her palm and took a deep breath, saying gently, "If you encounter something you can't resolve next time, tell me, discuss it with me. Don't take matters into your own hands, and certainly not in this way, alright?"

Tang Ruoyao lowered her head and didn't respond.

Qin Yinong sighed internally. It seems like I failed. It's alright, I'll talk to her a few more times, and she'll understand eventually.

Qin Yinong thought for a moment and said, "Let me give you an analogy..."

But Tang Ruoyao suddenly interrupted her softly, "And what about you?"

Qin Yinong was taken aback, "What?"

Tang Ruoyao lifted her eyelids, her eyes visibly red, and she said, "And what about you?"

You were insulted and humiliated by everyone, branded as a shameless woman. Reporters forced you to kneel and apologize. Your biological father stabbed you in the back. Did anyone consider your feelings?

Her attitude was really unusual, and Qin Yinong almost immediately realized it, blurting out, "You investigated me?"

Tang Ruoyao admitted straightforwardly, "Yes."

Qin Yinong frowned.

Tang Ruoyao felt a resentment building up inside her. It had been bottled up since that night when she watched the video. With a heavy tone filled with bitterness and indignation, she said, "Why should others belittle and humiliate you, spread rumors about things you never did, tarnishing your reputation and leaving you unable to clear your name? Why should you consider their feelings?!"

"That's a different matter."

"It's the same thing!" Tang Ruoyao lost control of her emotions, her eyes turning red, "Can't you be a little selfish? If others b*lly you, why can't you retaliate? In the past, you didn't have the confidence, but now there are people in the industry who are your opponents. Take Hao Meihua, for example. She stuffed another woman into your bed last time. I don't believe she's clean behind the scenes. Expose her, regardless of what she did or didn't do, put all the blame on her, let her be criticized by others, let her taste the feeling of being condemned by the public! If I could, I would want her to suffer a thousand cuts—"

"Tang Ruoyao!" Qin Yinong interrupted her escalating voice, her expression unusually dark.

She knew that Tang Ruoyao might not be speaking from the heart, but even if it was impulsive words, they were too extreme.

Without warning, Tang Ruoyao threw herself into Qin Yinong's arms and burst into tears.

"I can't accept this—"

Tears flowed like rain from Tang Ruoyao's eyes as she murmured, "Why..."

Why didn't those who hurt her receive any consequences? Was justice truly present in this world?

Qin Yinong was at a loss with her crying, gently patting her back and comforting her, "It's all in the past, don't be so sad."

Tang Ruoyao looked up, her teary eyes gazing at her, "Is it really in the past?"

Qin Yinong fell silent.

"It's not in the past, is it?" Tang Ruoyao choked, "Otherwise, why have you been haunted by nightmares for over a decade and still can't sleep well?"

The incident of being forced to kneel was indeed the beginning of Qin Yinong's nightmares, but it was only a small part of the nightmares. Qin Yinong chose not to talk about the other things for now.

Tang Ruoyao's crying gradually subsided.

Qin Yinong rubbed Tang Ruoyao's head and said, "Let me tell you a story." She smiled and said, "It's a somewhat cliché story. If you've heard it before, listen to it seriously again."

Qin Yinong told the story of a warrior slaying a dragon, a story that most people have indeed heard.

Once upon a time, a village was plagued by an evil dragon that demanded a sacrifice of a young girl every year. The village sent its strongest warriors to fight the dragon, but none of them returned alive. Another warrior set out for the dragon's lair, and someone secretly followed him. This person witnessed the warrior stabbing the dragon with his sword, then lying on top of the dragon's hoard of treasures, slowly growing scales, a tail, and wings, ultimately transforming into a dragon.

Qin Yinong's voice was calm, carrying a comforting power as she narrated the story.

Tang Ruoyao understood.

After a long silence, she said, "I won't do that in the future."

Qin Yinong lowered her head and kissed her hair, gently saying, "Good girl."

There was one more thing she didn't say, if there had to be someone who turned into a dragon, that person could only be herself. Not to guard the jewels, but to protect her princess.

Tang Ruoyao said gloomily, "But I'm still angry."

"In that case, how about I tell you something that will make you happy?"

"What is it?"

"Hmm." Qin Yinong thought for a moment and said, "The agency I debuted with was... really not good to me."

"Not good? They were downright terrible!" Tang Ruoyao gritted her teeth. Qin Yinong always downplayed it, and if Tang Ruoyao hadn't looked into it herself, she would have thought it was just "not good."

"You investigated that too?"

"Yeah." Tang Ruoyao whispered and looked at her belatedly, anxiously asking, "Are you angry?"

"I am." Qin Yinong said with a smile.

"You're angry, yet you're still smiling?"

"I can't stay angry when I see your face."

She spoke sweet words effortlessly, catching Tang Ruoyao off guard after she had just finished crying. Tang Ruoyao blushed and scolded, "You're annoying! Weren't you going to tell me something that would make me happy? Why haven't you said it yet?"

"Then let me continue. That company went bankrupt, do you know why?"

"I know, they said it was involved in money laundering."

"Do you know who collected and submitted the evidence?"

"I don't know." Tang Ruoyao suddenly looked up. "Could it be..."

Qin Yinong sheepishly touched the tip of her nose.

"It was me and An Ling."

Tang Ruoyao couldn't help but smile with joy.

"Are you happy now?" Qin Yinong asked.

"Yes." Tang Ruoyao nodded.

What made her even happier was realizing that the person she loved wasn't just kind-hearted without any sharp edges but was also steadfast in upholding their own bottom line and principles. In this industry, few people managed to hold onto such admirable qualities.

Qin Yinong gazed into her eyes, speaking with utmost seriousness. "No matter how others may be, you and I must be able to face the heavens without shame, look down on no one, and have a clear conscience..." She tapped her own chest with her finger. "...without betraying ourselves."

"Be upright and righteous, living a pure life."

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