CHAPTER 124

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

These eight simple words are easier said than done. When surrounded by evil dragons, would you grow scales, wings, and a tail and transform into a dragon yourself? Tang Ruoyao admitted that she couldn't do it, but Qin Yinong was putting these seven words into action. So, she would strive to align her mindset with Qin Yinong's and work hard to achieve them.

In this world, no matter how crazy and corrupt it may be, there will always be people who remain clear-minded and gentle, upholding themselves, preserving sincerity, and pursuing goodness. We call them hope.

Qin Yinong held her as they sat on the couch, and Tang Ruoyao rested her head on her shoulder, gazing together at the night sky and the stars outside the window.

"Is this house yours?" Tang Ruoyao asked.

"No."

"Then whose is it?"

"It belongs to Lin Ruohan. She has properties all over the country." Qin Yinong suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. After all, she was supposed to be a... well, in the eyes of others, a wealthy person, yet she only had a few properties. In the future...

Tang Ruoyao didn't notice her uneasiness and casually asked, "Do you have properties all over the country too?"

"...No."

"Then let's buy them together in the future. I'll save up some money too." Tang Ruoyao said, testing the waters.

Every fiber of her being tensed up, and all her attention focused on Qin Yinong's response.

After a long while, she finally heard a barely audible, "Okay."

Tang Ruoyao was overjoyed, about to lean in for a kiss, but Qin Yinong stepped back, creating a safe distance between them. She raised her hand and tucked her hair behind her ear, her eyelids lowered as she spoke in a slightly hurried manner, "Let's talk about Huo Yuke's matter again. I haven't finished yet."

The living room lit up, and Tang Ruoyao noticed a faint pink hue on Qin Yinong's earlobe, causing her to smile inwardly. She agreed to her request and spoke seriously, "Go ahead."

The presence of the young woman was too strong, like a blazing fire beside her. Qin Yinong's heart was beating irregularly, and even after taking several deep breaths, it didn't calm down. She twisted her fingers at the hem of her clothes and stood up, saying, "I'll get a glass of water."

Tang Ruoyao stopped her retreating figure and asked, "Did you boil the water?"

Qin Yinong: "..."

Tang Ruoyao suggested, "How about checking the fridge?"

Qin Yinong moved with slightly stiff steps and changed course towards the refrigerator. She took out two bottles of mineral water from inside.

"Thank you." Tang Ruoyao took one of the bottles she handed over, and her mood became slightly complicated when she saw the opened bottle cap.

Qin Yinong took a few sips of cold water to relieve herself from the awkwardness. She recalled the notes she had taken a peek at when she opened the refrigerator, and spoke earnestly, "First of all, I'm glad that you can protect yourself in handling this matter. In this circle, you can't be too weak. If you're weak and seemingly without background, others will take advantage of you."

Tang Ruoyao nodded in agreement, her face filled with admiration for Qin Yinong's words.

Qin Yinong felt strange and continued as planned, raising her voice slightly before lowering it, "But do you really understand Huo Yuke as a person?"

Tang Ruoyao shook her head quickly, sincerely saying, "I don't understand her. It's all hearsay, but it's true that she's cunning and stole my role and opportunities. I was wrong, I shouldn't have used uncontrollable means to punish her."

Qin Yinong: "..."

She had said everything, what else could she say?

Regardless, Qin Yinong forced herself to continue with the prepared words, "I don't mean to stop you from fighting back, but you should use a controlled approach. Seek revenge directly and repay kindness with kindness."

Tang Ruoyao nodded vigorously, "Yes, next time I'll definitely discuss it with you."

Qin Yinong felt an unexpected sense of defeat, and her disappointment was evident on her face.

Tang Ruoyao asked, "What's wrong?"

Qin Yinong reluctantly composed herself and said, "It's nothing."

Tang Ruoyao was so understanding, which should have made her happy. But the fact that the other person was so independent made Qin Yinong feel like she wasn't needed anymore. The side of her that served as a teacher and an older sister was fading away, but she hadn't fully adapted to being needed as a lover.

Tang Ruoyao clearly sensed that something was off with her mood and naturally wanted to find out what was wrong. She couldn't help but ask, "What's really going on?"

"It's nothing," Qin Yinong insisted, refusing to speak.

Annoyed, Tang Ruoyao thought, "This is so frustrating."

When she got angry, she wanted to bite Qin Yinong's face, but at this moment, in such a beautiful setting, biting someone would ruin the mood. So instead, she leaned in, her thumb gently touching Qin Yinong's lips.

This time, Qin Yinong didn't dodge.

The two of them nestled together on the soft couch, kissing quietly without any lingering grievances, feeling the intimate connection of each other's souls.

Their lips separated, and Tang Ruoyao kissed the woman's forehead. She held Qin Yinong's shoulders and embraced her in her arms, taking a long, deep breath. After carefully choosing her words, she asked, "Why did you enter the entertainment industry in the first place?"

Tang Ruoyao knew that Qin Yinong was discovered by a talent scout, but not everyone who receives an invitation from a talent scout chooses to step into this tumultuous and controversial world. Some do it for fame and fortune, while others pursue acting out of love and a desire to fulfill their dreams. Tang Ruoyao belonged to the latter category.

But Qin Yinong... It was strange. Tang Ruoyao felt that she didn't fit the mold at all. So why did she choose this path?

Qin Yinong remained silent for a long time. Just when Tang Ruoyao thought she wouldn't answer, she spoke softly, with a hint of melancholy in her voice.

"Do you remember when I told you about my cousin?"

"I remember, the one you grew up with." Tang Ruoyao replied. She wanted to add that her cousin was a genius, but she swallowed the words.

Qin Yinong spoke slowly, as if contemplating and organizing her thoughts.

"My cousin went abroad to study at a prestigious school. The workload was heavy, and she immersed herself in her studies, busy day and night. Moreover, our family wasn't wealthy, so it was already good enough that she could live on her own abroad. Naturally, she couldn't come back frequently. At that time, I was upset because she left without telling me... It was quite childish of me. We had made a promise to attend P University together, but she went abroad for studies just as I entered high school. I was angry and didn't talk to her when she called. But deep down, I missed her. When my mom talked to her on the phone, I would eavesdrop by sticking myself to the door, occasionally pretending to casually walk out and hearing my mom say, 'Your sister is here, do you want to talk to her?' Then I would turn around and leave, purposely stomping on the ground to vent my anger."

Tang Ruoyao's eyes curved slightly.

She seemed to have seen that young Qin Yinong, who was only in her teens and still retained her stubbornness, throwing tantrums at her closest person. So vivid, she was still an inexperienced little girl.

"What happened later? Did you keep ignoring her?"

"No, I persisted for about half a year. She was busy, and we rarely talked on the phone. International calls were expensive, and we would only have one every one or two months. I couldn't bear it after a couple of times of enduring it, so I reluctantly answered the phone with a cold voice. But secretly, I was happy to hear her voice."

Tang Ruoyao pursed her lips, feeling a little jealous. She couldn't help but ask, "Is your cousin really related to you by blood?"

Qin Yinong looked at her inexplicably and said, "Yes."

A "cousin" with the same biological parents.

"Oh," Tang Ruoyao said. She didn't want to interrupt Qin Yinong's rare moment of pouring her heart out. Without waiting for her response, she hurriedly urged, "Please continue."

Qin Yinong nodded continued, "She came back home after about a year and a half or maybe two years. She brought me a gift and took me out for a delicious meal. That made me let go of my anger."

Tang Ruoyao smiled and said, "You're so easy to please."

"Perhaps," Qin Yinong said.

"Qin Yinong has always been easy to please since childhood, never crying or causing trouble, so she didn't get any candy. As she grew up, no matter who gave her a piece of candy, she was grateful and kept it in her heart.

"After coming back for a week, she left again, and the blankets that were left out to sun-dry at home remained untouched." Qin Yinong sighed.

Tang Ruoyao could sense the sadness in her words. After more than ten years, she remembered it so clearly and it still affected her to this day. Tang Ruoyao couldn't help but think, "It seems that her bond with her cousin is exceptionally deep. Even sisters might not have such a connection."

Finally, Qin Yinong got to the point.

"During the summer vacation after my college entrance exam, while I was on the way to the market to buy groceries, I met a middle-aged man. He said he was from XX Company and that I had great potential. He asked if I wanted to become a star. My first reaction at that time was that he was a fraud, so I didn't want to pay attention. But that person was persistent. He gave me his business card and kept talking to me. He said being a star could bring fame, earn a lot of money, and travel around the world, basically having many benefits. I only heard the part about earning a lot of money and being able to go wherever I wanted."

A thought flashed through Tang Ruoyao's mind, and she found it both unbelievable and unsurprising at the same time.

So her initial intention for entering the entertainment industry was just to...

"I thought that with the money, I could buy a plane ticket and fly to M country to see her." Qin Yinong looked up, holding back the urge to sniffle.

Qin Luning was so far away from her, to the point that if she followed her original life path, she might not be able to save enough money for an international plane ticket in a year. That's why she had been tempted. She never thought about becoming famous, nor did she think of becoming a big star. She never imagined that what she stepped into was a half-step to hell.

Tang Ruoyao recalled her own experiences later on, and her mood became heavy. She deliberately broke the solemn atmosphere and gently asked, "Did you see her?"

"Yes, I did." Qin Yinong smiled, calm and content.Although Huiyue Entertainment exploited her, it did provide her with the means to buy plane tickets to go abroad at any time. It's just that she never had the time. During the period when public opinion attacked her the most, the company probably wanted her to lay low and avoid the spotlight. Maybe she wasn't suitable to be seen for a while, unable to create value for the company, so they generously gave her a few days off. Qin Yinong disguised herself and went to an unfamiliar country alone.

Qin Luning had been away from home for a long time, deeply immersed in her studies. 

Qin Hongjian rarely talked to her on the phone. Ji Shulan felt that the entertainment industry was full of unsavory characters. Qin Yinong gave up going to the university she was accepted into and went to act in movies, which led to a big argument between her and Ji Shulan. Qin Hongjian became annoyed by the situation and picked up the ashtray made of glass, throwing it at them. Qin Yinong got hit on the arm by the glass ashtray, and in anger, she stormed out of the house without looking back.

She was determined to make her debut, and it was not unrelated to her family's attitude. She wanted to prove herself and show her parents, who didn't have her in their eyes, that she was not inferior to anyone, including Qin Luning. She didn't want to be an ordinary person leading an ordinary life. She also wanted to become a "genius" like her sister, in a different field.

Later, when Qin Yinong gained a bad reputation in the industry, Ji Shulan became even more silent. She didn't mention the things Qin Yinong had experienced, fearing that Qin Luning might suddenly return to the country and be distracted from her studies. She only said that everything was fine at home and told her not to worry.

Qin Yinong hid with her sister for several days. She didn't dare to go out, even though the chances of being recognized overseas were very low. Fortunately, Qin Luning was also busy, going out early in the morning and coming back late at night. She would prepare breakfast in the morning and cook dinner for them to eat together in the evening. One time, Qin Yinong couldn't control herself and threw herself into Qin Luning's arms, crying uncontrollably. Qin Luning nervously asked her what was wrong, and Qin Yinong cried until she had enough before saying that it was because she missed her so much. She didn't want to tell Qin Luning about all the messy things she had experienced. She didn't want to let any bit of dirt taint her sister's pure world.

She hoped that Qin Luning would never find out, always being her pristine harbor. Even if she was covered in filth, as long as she thought of the pure and untainted Qin Luning, she could find redemption in her soul and would never admit defeat.

However, Qin Luning eventually found out. She didn't know if Qin Yinong called home and asked Ji Shulan or found out from somewhere else, but she was furious at the time and wanted to return to the country immediately. After finding out about the fabricated stories Qin Hongjian had spread, she wanted to find the media to clarify things again, but Qin Yinong firmly refused with a strong attitude.

How much value was there in outdated news? Rumors spread like wildfire, and debunking them was not as simple as breaking a leg. Her company wouldn't handle public relations for her, and if such a thing happened once, it would happen again. Qin Luning's appearance only brought endless joy to those shameless media and those who fed on her misery. It had no other benefits and would only drag her down. Qin Yinong would never allow such a thing to happen.

Not only that, she repeatedly emphasized that Qin Luning should never tell anyone that they were sisters. After all, they both used English names abroad, and although they looked somewhat similar, their temperaments were completely different. No one would think of that connection.

She wanted to hide well, never show her face publicly. So the vast majority of media in the country didn't know that she had a sister. Even if someone found out, Qin Luning had studied abroad many years ago and lived overseas for a long time. News couldn't trace back to her.

That was the first time Qin Luning cried uncontrollably in front of her since she could remember, blaming herself for her negligence and helplessness.

Qin Yinong tightened the coat that Tang Ruoyao had put on her at some point and said, "She is living well, safe and sound, happy. That is the greatest comfort to me."

But then she died. Tang Ruoyao hesitated to speak.

Qin Yinong had already skipped the topic of her "cousin" and said, "During that time, I suffered a lot. In my dreams, everyone was cursing at me. There were a thousand people, ten thousand people, a million people standing on the mountaintop, while I was trapped in the valley, surrounded by people who looked down on me with cold and disgusted eyes. Each person's words were hurtful, and some even told me to die, to die quickly. They asked why I wasn't dead yet?"

Her voice was calm, and Tang Ruoyao glanced at her. Qin Yinong didn't even have red circles around her eyes, as if she was just narrating someone else's story.

This made Tang Ruoyao feel a subtle unease.

She didn't believe that the wounds of the heart could heal without leaving a trace. Qin Yinong's indifference was either a result of extreme resilience or because what she was currently telling was far from the whole truth. A chilling thought floated up in Tang Ruoyao's mind, perhaps this was only a small part of it.

"At that time, I wished most for a drug that could induce amnesia. Not for a long period, just for a day. Take it, and the events of yesterday would be forgotten. I could start fresh every day."

Qin Yinong lifted her feet and rested them on the sofa, her hands clasping her knees. She sighed.

Her dark, long hair hung down as she lowered her head, softly covering half of her face, giving it a slightly fuzzy sensation. The "sigh" suddenly sounded solemn and cute.

Tang Ruoyao asked, "Don't you hate those people?"

"I do hate them. I found those responsible and sought revenge. For example, Huiyue Entertainment, Du Ankai, my former manager."

"What did you do to Du Ankai?"

"He went to prison. He probably hasn't been released yet."

"Oh." Tang Ruoyao smiled. So there was no need for her to ask Mu Qingwu to do anything or send a threatening letter. It seemed Qin Yinong was even more ruthless than she thought.

"Why are you smiling?"

"Nothing." Tang Ruoyao narrowed her eyes and said, "Senior Qin I have a sudden question. You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"Ask."

"You... have always refused to clarify those baseless rumors outside, letting others spread them. Is it because..."

She bit her lower lip and firmly uttered one word, "Fear?"

Qin Yinong turned her face to look at her, her gaze deep and serene.

Tang Ruoyao gritted her teeth, suppressing her panic and fear, and met her gaze.

Qin Yinong squinted her eyes, coldly opening her lips, "Even An Ling had to ask me with caution, afraid of provoking me. Yet, you have quite the audacity."

Tang Ruoyao gave her a live performance of a courageous person with a trembling hand hidden behind her back, feeling so nervous that she couldn't even catch her breath. But she maintained a calm facade and said, "You're a good teacher."

Qin Yinong stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed. The smile, however, was icy and didn't reach her eyes.

Tang Ruoyao was startled, her whole body covered in goosebumps, and she almost blurted out an apology. But unexpectedly, she heard a faint voice from Qin Yinong's mouth, as light as a mosquito: "Yes."

Tang Ruoyao was taken aback.

"Yes," Qin Yinong repeated, and her eyes finally showed a faint redness. She curled up and her voice was muffled within her knees. "I'm scared. Is there anything wrong with that?"

No one could truly remain indifferent. She deliberately avoided the part that could stir her emotions the most, sinking herself beneath a calm surface and pretending not to care. Why did Tang Ruoyao have to expose her pain?

Tang Ruoyao's heart felt like it was being torn apart, and she softly said, "I'm sorry."

Qin Yinong instinctively replied, "It's okay."

Tang Ruoyao released the grip on her bitten lower lip, held her wrist, and looked into Qin Yinong's eyes, which were holding back tears. She said each word, "You're not at fault. They are."

Since that night, she understood why Qin Yinong didn't want to clarify things in front of the entertainment media. After experiencing such a humiliating and painful past, who wouldn't be afraid? Life isn't a novel, and the human heart is not made of steel. It's natural to be afraid.

Qin Yinong tugged at the corner of her lips and said, "I know." She wasn't going to blame herself for the mistakes of others.

Within a few breaths, Qin Yinong's expression had calmed down. She sat up straight again and said, "Even if I clarify, what's the meaning behind it? Besides giving the dogs who feed on others' misery another chance to feast, and providing people with another topic of gossip after their tea, is there any other significance?"

Tang Ruoyao was speechless.

Qin Yinong continued, "Now the value of the rumors surrounding me is decreasing. Eventually, people will get tired of it. There will always be new talents emerging, and people's attention will be drawn to fresher things, while my films will be passed down forever."

After saying that, she immediately looked at Tang Ruoyao with a hint of inexplicable eagerness in her eyes, as if she desperately wanted her to agree.

Tang Ruoyao remained silent.

If Qin Yinong really didn't care as much as she claimed, she wouldn't use such words to deceive herself and others.

Tang Ruoyao felt a deep sense of heartache. with one hand, she gently caressed Qin Yinong's cheek, using her thumb to softly stroke it, gazing tenderly into the woman's restless eyes. "Listen to me..."

"I don't want to listen." Qin Yinong suddenly interrupted. Her voice was not loud, her speech not fast, but her attitude was resolute like never before. She moved away, and the cool tips of her hair brushed against Tang Ruoyao's fingertips.

Tang Ruoyao clearly felt that her defense mechanism had been triggered. Barriers were being erected layer by layer around her, and the warmth in her eyes was slowly fading, becoming colder.

Tang Ruoyao immediately said, "Okay, let's not talk about this anymore."

She was too anxious, trying to persuade her when she had just discovered a hint of it. She shouldn't have been so impulsive. Tang Ruoyao regretfully thought to herself.

Qin Yinong stared at her with unfamiliar eyes.

Tang Ruoyao raised both hands and pressed them down, signaling the woman to calm down. Then she slowly approached, holding Qin Yinong in her arms again, and gently stroking her long hair behind her with her fingers. "It's okay now."

Qin Yinong clenched her teeth, trembling slightly. She murmured in a barely audible voice, "Don't force me..."

Tang Ruoyao couldn't hear what she said clearly, but she instinctively held her tighter, lowered her head, and lightly kissed the top of her head, repeatedly saying the same words, "It's okay... It's okay..."

Instead of calming down as she had hoped, Qin Yinong tightened her grip on her arms, exerting so much force that her knuckles turned white. She trembled lightly in her embrace.

Tears welled up in the woman's eyes as she whispered softly.

"Why..."

This time, Tang Ruoyao deliberately brought her lips closer, listening to each word clearly. Amber-colored eyes slowly filled with mist, and tears unexpectedly overflowed.

Qin Yinong said, "Why did you only appear now?"

Tang Ruoyao tightened her arms, using all her strength to bridge a long river of time, embracing the present Qin Yinong and the girl who cried silently in the dark corner twelve years ago.

"I'm sorry."

......

Qin Yinong fell asleep in her arms, her long legs curled up awkwardly. In her sleep, her brows furrowed with unease, but there were no traces of tears on her face. Except for the time she pushed herself towards Lin Ruohan, Tang Ruoyao had never seen Qin Yinong cry in front of her. Even that time, she had secretly hidden herself to cry.

Tang Ruoyao remembered how violently she had trembled just now, her eyes bloodshot. Clearly, she was heartbroken and in extreme pain, yet she still endured it to the utmost, refusing to shed a single tear.

Tang Ruoyao lightly touched her slender fingertips to the space between Qin Yinong's eyebrows, wanting to smooth out the furrow, but afraid of waking her. She hesitated and didn't move, staring at the restless sleeping face in a daze.

Just how many things had she hidden from herself? What could it be?

Qin Yinong seemed determined to keep sleeping, and Tang Ruoyao had no choice but to look up towards the bedroom and consider carrying Qin Yinong over. As soon as she moved, Qin Yinong woke up, her sleepy eyes opening as she sat up and tightly held onto her coat. She asked, "What's wrong?"

Feeling a slight weight shift, Tang Ruoyao lifted Qin Yinong without permission and carried her in her arms, walking towards the bedroom. Qin Yinong reflexively reached out and wrapped her arms around her.

Tang Ruoyao focused on the path ahead, saying, "It's late, you should go to sleep."

Lin Ruohan's house was particularly spacious, and the living room was even more empty. Tang Ruoyao's voice came from her chest, spreading through the air, exceptionally gentle and quiet, bringing a sense of comfort that couldn't be put into words.

Qin Yinong was placed on the snow-white, soft bed, her gaze closely following Tang Ruoyao's busy figure, never leaving for a moment.

Tang Ruoyao occasionally glanced back at her, a smile in her eyes.

Finally, Tang Ruoyao tucked her in and propped herself up on the side, gently asking in the hesitant gaze of Qin Yinong who wanted to speak but held back, "Do you want me to accompany you?"

Qin Yinong remained silent for a moment, then two fingers quietly emerged from under the blanket and tugged at the corner of Tang Ruoyao's clothes.

Author's note:

In this chapter, there are 66 red envelopes to be given out~

PS: I don't like to explain too much outside the story, but I've noticed some misunderstandings. Just to clarify, when Qin Yinong mentioned "public opinion methods," she was referring to the entertainment industry's mutual attacks through rumors and spreading false information, the commonplace use of defaming others to gain an advantage. This doesn't mean that all public opinion is malicious, please don't confuse the two. Qin Yinong's Maple Red Anti-Domestic Violence Foundation, for instance, has grown through positive online public opinion. I guess many people have forgotten about this.

PPS: I won't say much about the rest, just enjoy reading it slowly. All the foreshadowing will be uncovered, all the plot holes will be filled, and sister's innocence will be proven. Otherwise, how could Ningning appear on the show?

I'm exhausted, Pomegranate is in her daily autistic mode (1/1).

Ningning: I'm also in my autistic mode. My mommy hasn't seen me yet.

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