CHAPTER 151

Ningning is dressed beautifully every day at home, wearing a little dress and white socks. She looks delicate and charming, with flawless and delicate skin that seems as fragile as a blown bubble, and as white as cream, seemingly glowing.

With her face proportionally reduced following Qin Yinong's features, she has delicate eyebrows, bright eyes, and rosy lips. Even Tang Ruoyao's heart skips a beat when she looks at her.

It's not the kind of heartbeat that comes from love for Qin Yinong, rather, it's the inability to control her emotions.

She thinks to herself, this is her and Qin Yinong's daughter, who will call her "Mommy" in the future. She can't help but smile, afraid that the child will think she's a strange aunt, leaving a bad first impression. So she had to restrain herself, put on the gentlest expression to establish a good relationship with Ningning.

Tang Ruoyao, who has been praised by several famous directors for her acting skills, becomes tongue-tied and awkward in front of the child. Apart from looking silly, she stutters. To be honest, even saying a simple "good morning." made her palms sweaty.

Qin Jianing is a bit shy. She walks past Tang Ruoyao at the entrance of the room, stealing a glance at her before heading towards Guan Han's direction. Guan Han skillfully leads her to the piano room—Guan Han has been taking care of Qin Yinong's health and rushes over early every day, staying just around here.

Tang Ruoyao watches the two of them walk away. Guan Han holds the soft little hand of the child and occasionally whispers something to her, and a hint of jealousy rises within Tang Ruoyao.

A voice on the phone: "Hello? Hello?"

Is it a problem with this couple? They start talking and then suddenly disappear.

Tang Ruoyao composes herself and says, "I'm here, please continue."

The online buzz about the incident usually only lasts for a day because netizens are easily drawn to the latest happenings. Therefore, the best time to dispel rumors is when the buzz is reaching its peak, before it fades away. Currently, we are still within that timeframe, and the effect of dispelling rumors would be most effective.

Regarding Ningning's photos and information, they have been mostly removed from the internet, and there's no need to discuss it with Qin Yinong. Of course, some people intentionally saved the photos and information to ride the wave of popularity, but An Ling has a way to handle it, utilizing public opinion.

Since the incident broke out, while suppressing search rankings, An Ling has been doing something else. Internet users are easily influenced by the rhythm, whether it's a bad rhythm or a good one. Public opinion is a double-edged sword, depending on how it's wielded. Ningning, being a child under four years old, her exposure had already challenged the moral bottom line for most people. However, amidst the radical comments, those with higher moral standards instinctively choose to remain silent, following the principle of "the spiral of silence." In reality, the majority remains silent. An Ling just needs to bring the rhythm into a positive direction, stirring up the anger of the majority, and the problem will naturally be resolved.

Self-media and individual influencers have been posting articles one after another, expressing their disgust at the exposure of the child, regardless of the artist's character. They claim that the media is immoral and unscrupulous, resorting to any means for popularity. Some of these vile netizens are nothing more than worms in a cesspool and are undeserving of being called human.

An Ling is pushing the waves behind the scenes.

Will anyone use these photos to stir up trouble again in the future? At least for now, those who dare to openly post Ningning's photos on major platforms either have their posts deleted by moderators or are cursed by the enraged public and have to delete their posts shamefully.

The search results currently trending no longer show the scandal about the illegitimate daughter but instead feature a "Qin Yinong's response" article. The hype has slightly subsided, but it's still at the top, still "exploding." The contract with the family has been renewed, and An Ling is not willing to spend more money on it. Besides, as long as the hype continues, it benefits her to clarify the situation.

An Ling has prepared a public relations plan specifically addressing Qin Yinong's tantrum and diva behavior.

There were surveillance cameras on the road Qin Yinong passed through, and Guan Han has managed to obtain the footage. Although it's not very clear, the general situation can be seen. Additionally, An Ling managed to get a video recording from the entertainment reporters who were present at the time, which captured the entire process, even capturing every word Qin Yinong said clearly.

As for how she obtained it? Money can make the devil turn the millstone. When the right amount of money is given, not only videos but even people and machines can be obtained. The person indeed wanted to switch sides, but An Ling didn't think highly of them.

An Ling has all the video materials and debunking statements ready, including the water army, waiting for the peak daytime hours when the hype is high to strike.

Tang Ruoyao frowned and asked, "Is that it? Is it over?"

"Hmm?" An Ling was puzzled. "Are you talking about Ningning's clarification? We need to ask Qin Yinong about that. Does she have any ideas?"

"I'm not talking about that." Tang Ruoyao lowered her gaze and softly said, "Shouldn't those who exposed, spread rumors, and maliciously insulted face consequences?"

Why should good people be defamed while these individuals roam free, without any burden, and easily search for their next victim? Since justice doesn't descend from the heavens, she'll take up the sword herself.

"Are you suggesting..."

"To kill a chicken to warn the monkeys. [It refers to making an example out of someone in order to threaten others.] " Tang Ruoyao raised her eyelids, her eyes icy.

An Ling was stunned for a few seconds.

She said, "Okay, let's do it your way. Let me prepare, it might take some time."

An Ling hung up the phone and twirled the ballpoint pen in her hand, suddenly smiling.

After spending so much time with Qin Yinong, she unconsciously picked up some of her habits—being indecisive and not thinking of fighting back. Allowing others to trample over her face has never been An Ling's style. Otherwise, she wouldn't have left her previous company in anger.

To her surprise, Tang Ruoyao, who was clearly taught by Qin Yinong, had a completely different style from her. She was decisive and had the demeanor of a great leader. At this moment, An Ling truly accepted Tang Ruoyao as Qin Yinong's future partner. Qin Yinong was too kind, too silent and tolerant. She needed someone who could clear obstacles and protect her.

An Ling pressed the intercom and said, "Call the legal department to the conference room. What time? Right now."

She finished her coffee, stood up, and walked out in high heels, the sound of her heels tapping the ground urgently.

......

Ningning was led by the hand and taken to the piano room. Sitting on the piano stool, she looked at Guan Han, who bent down to flip open the staff paper for her, and softly said, "Auntie Guan Han."

Guan Han replied gently, "What's the matter?"

Ningning glanced at the closed door and whispered, "What happened to Auntie Tang's face?"

Guan Han said, "She got a minor injury. The doctor will come later."

Ningning said, "It looks really serious." After recalling for a moment, she confirmed, "Is she really okay?"

"She's fine." Guan Han reassured her.

Ningning nodded and sat properly on the piano stool, placing her hands on the black and white keys, ready to practice.

Guan Han suddenly had a thought and asked, "Do you like Auntie Tang?"

Ningning turned her head, pursed her lips, neither saying she liked her nor saying she didn't.

Guan Han's heart skipped a beat. Was she going to face another obstacle in her ship?

Ningning made a thumbs-up gesture and said, "Just a little bit." Ningning still thought that although Auntie Tang was pretty, she wasn't very smart and always seemed slow. However, she never talked bad about anyone behind their back, only speaking the truth in front of Qin Yinong.

Guan Han looked at the tiny gap Ningning made with her fingers and couldn't help but worry for Tang Ruoyao. It really was just a little bit, almost nothing.

Ningning was always well-behaved, and perhaps this "little bit" was just out of politeness.

Ningning was disciplined and looked at Guan Han. Her snow-white face took on a serious expression as she said, "I'm going to practice the piano now, Auntie Guan Han. Please don't disturb me."

Guan Han obediently left the room.

After Tang Ruoyao finished her call, she saw Guan Han and asked, "Ning... " She felt awkward even calling her "Ningning" and quickly changed her words, "Where did she go?"

Guan Han replied, "She's practicing the piano in the piano room. She practices twice a day, morning and evening."

"Piano?" As soon as Tang Ruoyao finished speaking, the melodious sound of a piano came from the direction of the piano room.

Tang Ruoyao exclaimed in delight, "Is she playing?"

Guan Han didn't know what surprised her, so she answered her nonsense question, "Yes."

Tang Ruoyao sighed and said, "She plays so well."

Guan Han said, "Yes," but she was just mumbling.

Tang Ruoyao suppressed her excitement and said, "She's so smart, playing the piano at such a young age."

Guan Han replied, "Indeed."

She was like an emotionless question-and-answer machine.

Tang Ruoyao walked quietly towards the piano room, pressed her ear against the door, and had an expression of enjoyment and intoxication.

Guan Han said, "..."

There was no need, really no need, Miss Yao.

Tang Ruoyao couldn't help but smile, she waved to Guan Han, who approached her. Using a voice that only the two of them could hear, Tang Ruoyao asked her, "Can I take a look at her?"

Guan Han said, "..."

She said, "Try not to make any noise, it will disturb her."

Tang Ruoyao quickly nodded and pushed the door open, leaving a small gap. Her eyes slowly widened.

Sunlight filled the piano room, and the black and white piano keys danced to produce a melodious and pleasant sound.

The girl sitting in front of the piano, wearing a white princess dress, had a straight and upright posture. Her eyelashes were long and black, and her profile had delicate lines like a doll, resembling a little angel fallen to the mortal world.

Tang Ruoyao felt a little dizzy.

Then she realized, this was her daughter, and she was completely captivated.

"Miss Tang." Guan Han grabbed her arm and whispered, calling back her sanity.

Tang Ruoyao regained her senses, shook her head, and said, "I'm fine."

The music abruptly paused.

Qin Jianing turned her head to look, and Tang Ruoyao's gaze met hers.

Tang Ruoyao: "!!!"

There was no expression on Ningning's fair little face.

She said, "You disturbed my piano practice."

Tang Ruoyao immediately apologized, "I'm sorry."

Ningning looked at her, her eyes were big and watery.

Tang Ruoyao absentmindedly thought, she's beautiful, she looks so much like Qin Yinong, too much resemblance.

Ningning furrowed her brows slightly.

Guan Han pulled Tang Ruoyao's arm and quickly closed the door.

Tang Ruoyao was obviously still in a daze from the beauty of the little girl, with a mesmerized look on her face and a mysterious smile on her lips. Guan Han had to remind her, "Ningning doesn't like to be disturbed."

Tang Ruoyao looked at Guan Han and took about ten seconds to realize the meaning behind her words.

She softly exclaimed, "Ah," and suddenly panicked, asking, "What should we do then?"

Guan Han patted her shoulder sympathetically and said, "Learn from this experience." After a pause, she gently added, "Try not to overreact so much."

Tang Ruoyao looked like someone who had never experienced such things before.

Although it was true that she had just become a mother.

Tang Ruoyao took note and sincerely said, "I will be more careful."

She glanced towards the direction of the piano room, anxiously biting her lip.

She hoped Ningning wouldn't dislike her.

Seeing her feeling a bit discouraged, Guan Han said, "When I took her to the piano room earlier, she asked about the injury on your face."

"She asked about me?" Tang Ruoyao immediately resurrected with full vitality, excitedly asking.

Guan Han: "...". She wore an indescribable expression on her face.

Tang Ruoyao adjusted her overly exaggerated eyebrows and eyes, asking, "Is it okay like this?"

Guan Han said, "It's passable."

Tang Ruoyao rubbed her face and asked, "Did she say anything else?"

"No," Guan Han considerately swallowed the words "just a little bit," assuming that Ningning didn't even have that little bit left. She couldn't understand why Tang Ruoyao could be so resourceful in front of Qin Yinong but act like a fool in front of a three-year-old child.

Tang Ruoyao calmed her excited brain down and felt like she was forgetting something. Her gaze swept across the entire room, squinting her eyes, and suddenly asked, "Where's Auntie?"

Guan Han responded with a puzzled "Huh?" and it took her two seconds to react before saying, "Madam?"

Tang Ruoyao said, "I didn't see her when I woke up early."

Guan Han frowned, "I didn't see her either. I'll go ask Aunt Fang."

Aunt Fang said, "I haven't seen Madam since I got up."

Tang Ruoyao asked, "Where did she go?"

Aunt Fang shook her head.

"Do you have her phone number?" Tang Ruoyao asked immediately.

"Yes." Aunt Fang wiped her hands on her apron, took out her mobile phone, found the number for Ji Shulan in her contacts, and the three of them exchanged glances. Tang Ruoyao calmly took the phone, dialed the number labeled "Shulan" as a contact.

Fortunately, the other party answered the call.

Tang Ruoyao let out a sigh of relief and said gently, "Aunt, it's Tang Ruoyao. Where are you? Shall I come and pick you up?"

Tang Ruoyao didn't have any emotional attachment to Ji Shulan, but regardless of what she had done, Ji Shulan was still Qin Yinong's biological mother. Tang Ruoyao couldn't take over her responsibilities and handle her affairs. Ji Shulan was an old lady with a limp, and Tang Ruoyao didn't know when she had gone out. In case something happened to her, it was unimaginable.

Upon hearing Tang Ruoyao's voice, Ji Shulan's eyes turned slightly red. She said, "I caused trouble by myself, and I will make up for it. Tell Qin Yinong not to worry. Even if I have to sacrifice this old body, I won't let anything happen to the family."

"Aunt? What are you planning to do?" Tang Ruoyao's voice suddenly raised.

"You tell her this for me. It's just a moment of madness that was blinded by her own desires. I'm sorry to her, whether she believes me or not, I truly know my mistake this time." Ji Shulan choked up and hung up the phone.

There was a knock on the door of the room, and Ji Shulan used a tissue to wipe the corners of her eyes. Supporting her injured leg, she opened the door. The servant bent down, maintaining a respectful attitude, but there was a hint of disdain hidden deep in his eyes.

"Miss Shulan, the master is requesting your presence."

Ji Shulan hadn't heard such an address for a long time. It didn't make her feel honored, but rather embarrassed. This embarrassment made her feel as if there were ten thousand ants crawling all over her body, especially her limping leg that was visibly shorter after being broken and healed. It not only itched, but also hurt.

This was the Ji Family Mansion.

Ji Shulan hadn't set foot in this place since she brought Qin Yinong back as her acknowledged daughter.

She was someone who had betrayed the Ji family, eloped with someone, and ended up with an unfortunate fate. She didn't have the face to face the ancestors of the Ji family, let alone the courage to raise her head in front of the shining members of the Ji family and endure the respectful remarks and covert ridicule from the younger generation calling her "Madam Lan." Even her once beloved brother, after more than twenty years, had long given up on her, this stubborn and unyielding sister.

Everyone looked down on her, and she was fully aware of it.

The servant took a few steps forward and noticed that she wasn't following. He urged, "Miss Shulan, please come with me."

He took large strides, and Ji Shulan had to exert herself to barely keep up. She clenched her teeth and remained silent. While climbing the stairs, she encountered a younger generation, a teenager in his teens whose branch of the family she didn't know. The teenager was taken aback when he saw her, and Ji Shulan managed to force out a smile. The teenager opened his mouth but forgot what he was supposed to address her as and simply said, "Hello."

Ji Shulan wanted to reply, but the servant urged her again, so she hurriedly moved on.

They arrived in front of a closed door, and the servant knocked on it, respectfully saying from the bottom of his heart, "Master, she's here."

A hoary voice responded without any emotion, "Let her in."

Ji Shulan entered the room alone. She looked at the old patriarch of the Ji family sitting behind the desk, expressionless. She knelt down straight away, heavily knocking her head on the ground with a dull thud.

"Third brother, I beg you to help my daughter..."

.......

Tang Ruoyao had been standing outside Qin Yinong's bedroom door for about two minutes, gripping and releasing the doorknob. Ji Shulan was nowhere to be found, and Tang Ruoyao was afraid that telling Qin Yinong would upset her. However, if she didn't tell Qin Yinong, she was afraid that something bad might happen.

Tang Ruoyao gritted her teeth and decided to tell her. Just as she was about to press down on the doorknob, the door suddenly opened from the inside. Tang Ruoyao and Qin Yinong locked eyes, and they instinctively embraced each other, with their chins resting on each other's shoulders.

"..." Qin Yinong raised her hand and circled it around Tang Ruoyao, asking, "You've been here for a while. Do you have something to tell me?"

"How did you know?"

"I just felt it."

Tang Ruoyao smiled. "Do you have X-ray vision or something?"

"Maybe." Qin Yinong took a step back and looked at her up and down, with a meaningful look in her eyes.

Tang Ruoyao's ears turned hot, and she quickly covered Qin Yinong's eyes.

Qin Yinong, with her eyes covered, silently curled up her lips.

"Alright." She smiled and removed Tang Ruoyao's hand, holding it as they walked downstairs. She asked, "Tell me."

Tang Ruoyao was about to say that she had entrusted the matter to her completely, but now she came to ask her. She felt a bit embarrassed on her face but had no choice but to ask, "Your mother is missing. I called her, and she asked me to tell you that she's sorry and she realizes her mistake. She also said she would make up for the trouble she caused and wouldn't let anything happen to this family."

Qin Yinong furrowed her eyebrows slightly.

She quickly walked downstairs, turned on the phone that Guan Han had bought for her, and made a call to the side. Tang Ruoyao could hear a few intermittent words, as if she was asking if Ji Shulan was in a certain place, and the other person answered. Qin Yinong's eyebrows relaxed, she looked up at the three people watching her, and said, "It's fine."

After finishing the call, Qin Yinong started to deal with the unread messages on her phone. Her fingers flew as she typed, and Tang Ruoyao covered the screen of her phone with her palm, unhappily asking, "What are you doing?"

"I'm taking care of something." Qin Yinong didn't even look up, and then she called Guan Han, "Make a call to An Ling."

Tang Ruoyao raised her hand to stop Guan Han from dialing, and asked the woman who was still bowing her head, "Is it urgent? Will there be a problem if it's not dealt with now?"

"No, there won't be."

Tang Ruoyao lightly pulled her hand, taking Qin Yinong's phone and placing it in her own palm.

Qin Yinong's hand was empty, and she looked up in confusion.

Tang Ruoyao smiled, showing her teeth, and asked, "Can I turn it off?"

Qin Yinong fell silent for a moment and said, "...Yes."

Tang Ruoyao looked satisfied, took Qin Yinong's phone from her hand, and smiled as she asked, "How long do Ningning practice the piano in the morning?"

"Half an hour."

Tang Ruoyao looked at her wristwatch and said, "We still have three minutes. Shall we prepare breakfast? It's almost ready to be served."

"Okay." Qin Yinong placed her hand into Tang Ruoyao's open palm.

Tang Ruoyao held her hand and led her towards the kitchen, gently saying, "Be careful on the way."

Qin Yinong cleared her throat and bit her lip to hold back her laughter.

Guan Hanxin stood by, dumbfounded.

What kind of fairy tale scene was this, with the wife following along obediently!

But why was Qin Yinong playing this role? Did she miss some crucial plot development?

The sound of the piano stopped.

Tang Ruoyao, always attentive to any movement from the music room, froze for a moment, and her heartbeat became irregular. Qin Yinong placed the two bowls of porridge she was holding on the table, deliberately giving Tang Ruoyao a chance to shine. She said, "Why don't you go and call Ningning?"

"Okay." Tang Ruoyao said.

She walked towards the music room.

Qin Yinong called her back, "Yaoyao."

Tang Ruoyao turned around, "Hmm?"

Qin Yinong looked down and said, "You're still holding the plate."

"Oh, oh, oh." Tang Ruoyao snapped out of her daze, walked back, and put down the plate. She took a few steps forward but then turned back, looking at Qin Yinong with a nervous expression, and said, "Can you check if my hair is messy?"

"..." Qin Yinong tidied her long hair and said, "It's not messy."

"Then I..." Tang Ruoyao took a deep breath.

"No need to go." Qin Yinong interrupted her, looked at the person behind her, and said softly, "Ningning."

Tang Ruoyao turned into stone on the spot.

"Mom!" Ningning passed by the frozen Tang Ruoyao and threw herself into Qin Yinong's arms as she crouched down. Her little face pressed against Qin Yinong's face as she asked, half-pouting and half-worried, "Mom, you didn't talk to me last night. Are you feeling unwell?"

"No, Mom just went to bed early," Qin Yinong turned the child around, signaling her to look at Tang Ruoyao, and asked, "Did you call her?"

Ningning said crisply, "I called her this morning."

"You called her this morning, so you don't need to call her now, right?" Qin Yinong raised an eyebrow, matching her soft tone.

Ningning pursed her lips and obediently said, "Auntie Tang."

Tang Ruoyao couldn't express her bitterness and said, "Ningning, such a good girl."

Ningning turned her head and threw herself into Qin Yinong's arms again, her voice as sweet as cotton candy, "Mom, I want to wash my hands."

"Alright." Qin Yinong kissed the child's soft face.

"I'll take her to wash her hands." Qin Yinong said to Tang Ruoyao, not missing the trace of disappointment in her eyes. Her eyebrows furrowed lightly, wondering what had happened.

Qin Yinong had missed the first, second, and third encounters between Tang Ruoyao and Ningning. She had never seen Tang Ruoyao so flustered in front of someone else. No matter how hard she racked her brains, she couldn't figure out why they had such an interaction.

She thought that with Tang Ruoyao's intelligence and beauty, even if Ningning was shy and not familiar with her yet, it shouldn't be so cold.

Qin Yinong closed the bathroom door, squeezed hand sanitizer for the child, watched her rub it into white foam, and asked in a low voice, "Do you dislike Aunt Tang?"

"No." Ningning said seriously, "She disturbed me practicing the piano this morning, so I was still angry."

"I see." Qin Yinong nodded thoughtfully.

Ningning rinsed off the foam under the tap, and Qin Yinong helped her dry her hands. She was about to take her out when Ningning tugged on her hand, a mysterious expression on her face. Qin Yinong bent down, and Ningning whispered in her ear, word by word, "Auntie Tang is really not smart. She's the dumbest adult I've ever seen."

Qin Yinong almost burst out laughing.

What did Tang Ruoyao do to create such a big misunderstanding?

She held Ningning's hands and earnestly educated her, saying, "But should you dislike her just because she's not smart?"

Ningning shook her head, "No, the teacher said we shouldn't discriminate against anyone."

Qin Yinong thought for a moment and said, "You see, since Auntie Tang is so not smart, she must have very few people who like her. And if very few people only like her, she will feel sad. And when she's sad, she will hide and cry all by herself. Do you think she's pitiful?"

Ningning sympathetically said, "Pitiful."

Qin Yinong blinked, "So what should Ningning do?"

Ningning immediately said, "Like her, give her warmth, and make her feel that the world is beautiful."

Qin Yinong gently kissed her forehead, "You're such a good girl."

Ningning showed a shy smile.

Qin Yinong raised her palm, and Ningning pressed hers against it. The mother and daughter high-fived, reaching a consensus.

Author's Note:

Tang Ruoyao: ??? What agreement is this???

Question: When will Tang Ruoyao be able to change Qin Jianing's impression of her being not smart? The first person to answer correctly will receive a big reward.

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