CHAPTER 172
"Listen to me, it's not your fault." Tang Ruoyao held Qin Yinong's face in her hands, gazing deeply into her eyes. "When I entered this industry, I knew I would have to go through these things. You've already done enough."
Tang Ruoyao's voice was gentle and soft, her eyes focused on Qin Yinong, carrying a unique power to calm her heart in this dim evening.
In reality, Qin Yinong didn't blame herself too much. She knew that she couldn't separate from Tang Ruoyao in this lifetime, so she would try to adjust her way of thinking about problems. During her time in the hospital, Tang Ruoyao had also told her that it wasn't her fault, but rather the fault of those people outside. Qin Yinong engraved those thoughts in her heart.
Any obstacles that hindered her relationship with Tang Ruoyao, including her own thoughts, she would kick away.
In that fleeting moment, she just suddenly felt tired and disgusted.
It was like being abruptly awakened from a sweet dream, hearing the noisy outside world rushing back into her tranquil ears, like maggots on bones, a nauseating feeling.
Apart from that, there was a slight self-blame that was insignificant.
She was extremely clear about what she wanted and what she needed to do, but it didn't prevent her from indulging in the gentle comfort of a young woman. When she reasoned with her and explained things to her, it was one of the sexiest and most fascinating moments of Tang Ruoyao in Qin Yinong's eyes.
Tang Ruoyao talked for a long time, and Qin Yinong remained silent, only raising her head to look into Tang Ruoyao's eyes, which were glistening with moisture.
Tang Ruoyao playfully raised an eyebrow, "Hmm?"
With a double strike of ten moments, their hearts beat like lightning.
Qin Yinong thought to herself: This is trouble.
She gently lowered Tang Ruoyao's hand that was caressing her face, placed one hand on the back of her head, and kissed her forcefully.
Tang Ruoyao's eyes widened, caught off guard, "Mmm."
Facing Qin Yinong's dominance, she was completely powerless to resist. Her lack of experience left her defenseless, allowing Qin Yinong to take control of everything.
After a long while, Qin Yinong let go of her, lightly pecking her swollen lips once, then again, and said, "I'm going to find Ji Yunyao later." Her voice slightly hoarse.
Tang Ruoyao nestled in her embrace, her hazy consciousness returning from afar, a faint blush appearing at the corners of her eyes, her gaze dazed. "What?"
Qin Yinong chuckled and ruffled her girlfriend's head, saying, "I'm going to find Ji Yunyao and ask her about Li Yichuan's situation."
Qin Yinong looked at her with a questioning expression, asking, "Are you sure?"
Tang Ruoyao changed her tone to a more consultative one and cautiously said, "I can't go with you?" seamlessly switching to a pitiful and adorable mode.
"Of course you can," Qin Yinong smiled and said, "You misunderstood. I thought you didn't like her, so I didn't want to force you."
Tang Ruoyao immediately asked, "Do you like her then?"
There's no reasoning with a jealous woman. Qin Yinong's girlfriend had a straightforward temperament and never hid anything from her. When she was jealous, she was jealous, and when she was angry, she was angry. It was all written plainly on her face.
Qin Yinong enjoyed her possessiveness and showed a hint of delight, saying, "I don't like her."
"Then who do you like?"
"Don't you know?" Qin Yinong asked in surprise.
"I don't know." Tang Ruoyao knowingly asked, her eyes filled with a smile.
Qin Yinong took hold of the young woman's hand, lowered her head, and kissed the back of her hand for a long time before finally letting go and gazing at her with gentle eyes.
Not hearing the woman confess her feelings verbally slightly disappointed Tang Ruoyao, but Qin Yinong's kiss made up for it. She was never one to easily express her emotions in words, as her actions spoke louder than anything else.
Tang Ruoyao stood up and tightened the loose bathrobe belt, saying, "I'll go change my clothes first. Give your mom a call and ask when she'll be back."
"Okay," Qin Yinong agreed.
She watched Tang Ruoyao enter the bathroom, then took out her phone, opened her contacts, and paused on Ji Yunyao's number. After a brief moment, she quickly hung up and squinted her eyes before dialing Ji Yunyao's number.
The children's section of the mall.
Ji Yunyao's secretary was sweating profusely, her hands full of shopping bags filled with new clothes and toys for children. Ji Yunyao had her hands stuffed in her coat pockets as she walked leisurely through the mall, her gaze soft as she looked at the back of a child in front of her.
Ningning was excited to be in the new city, and it had also stirred up her desire for shopping.
Ten minutes later, Ji Yunyao patted her secretary's shoulder and took two shopping bags from her hands, causing her shoulders to sink. The secretary was about to say something but was stopped by Ji Yunyao's gaze. It wasn't fierce, but rather a bit absent-minded, yet it made the secretary hold her breath and obediently step back.
Ji Yunyao swung her shopping bag with one hand, and her phone in her pocket vibrated. She glanced at the incoming call display, and a trace of unnoticed joy flashed in her eyes. Deliberately pausing for a few seconds, she answered casually, "Sister, what's up?"
Qin Yinong's voice sounded as usual, plain and calm: "Just asking when you'll be back. It's getting dark."
"Why did you call my phone then?" Ji Yunyao glanced at her daughter, Ji Shulan, who was holding her hand, seemingly lost in thought.
"My mom didn't answer my call, she probably didn't hear it."
Ji Yunyao responded with an ambiguous "Oh," and said, "We'll have dinner outside before going back. What do you want to eat? I can pack it for you. Or you can ask the housekeeper yourself. The housekeeper's phone is on the coffee table in the living room on the first floor, and there's also one on the bedside table in each bedroom."
"Just pack it for us, thank you."
"You're welcome."
Ji Yunyao hung up the phone and caught up with Ji Shulan in a few steps. She politely said, "Grandma Lan, did Sister call you just now? Did you miss the call?"
Ji Shulan took out her phone, and indeed, it showed a missed call.
"Maybe it was too noisy inside, and I didn't notice," Ji Shulan asked, "What else did she say?"
Ji Yunyao's lips curved slightly, and she smiled faintly, saying, "Nothing much, just asked when we'll be going back. I said we'll go back after dinner and asked if they wanted some food packed."
"Oh, I see."
......
"Did they say when they'll be back?" Tang Ruoyao changed her clothes and walked out of the bathroom, opening the door.
Qin Yinong replied, "After dinner, I estimate around seven or eight."
She looked Tang Ruoyao up and down, her hoodie and jeans accentuating her long and straight legs, with curves on full display. Qin Yinong glanced at the time on her phone and suddenly lamented, "You shouldn't have changed clothes so early."
Tang Ruoyao asked, "Why?"
Qin Yinong opened her mouth, smiled, and changed her words, "Nothing."
Forget it, she won't tease her anymore. The little one will get annoyed and bite someone soon.
Qin Yinong changed the topic, saying, "Didn't Mu Qingwu ask for your reply on the script as soon as possible? Can you show me the script now?"
Tang Ruoyao no longer dwelled on the obvious hidden meaning in her words. She brought her laptop over and placed it on her lap, logging into her work email. Qin Yinong didn't miss the glimpse of several papers on the desktop: "The Dilemma and Solution of Complex Parent-Child Relationship Development," "Psychological Analysis of Gifted Preschool Children," "Practical Application of Establishing a Good Mother Image," and so on.
Qin Yinong's face darkened.
Tang Ruoyao was unaware of the situation and clicked on the script in her email, pushing the computer towards Qin Yinong.
Qin Yinong first looked at the screenwriter, a well-known genius in the industry, and half-relieved, she asked, "Who's the director?"
Tang Ruoyao mentioned the name of a female director, a renowned figure in the Hong Kong film industry who had gained numerous awards and had a good reputation. Qin Yinong had worked with her before and knew that she was a director with a very delicate expression. She then asked about the production company and the producer, but Tang Ruoyao said that it hadn't been confirmed yet.
Qin Yinong nodded and briefly glanced over the outline of the script on her computer. She rhythmically tapped her index finger on the table, paused for a moment, and raised her gaze to ask, "What do you think?"
Putting on her teacher's demeanor from her years of teaching, Tang Ruoyao's conditioned reflex took over, and she felt a bit timid in front of Qin Yinong. She said, "I..."
Qin Yinong tilted her head and smiled, "Are you afraid of me?" In a moment, she raised an eyebrow and said, "Didn't you used to argue with me logically? What happened now?"
Tang Ruoyao snuggled into her arms and coquettishly said, "Sister~"
Lately, she had perfected this move.
Qin Yinong's heart softened, and she hugged her girlfriend, restraining herself reluctantly, "Alright, I won't scold you or get angry at you. Just speak freely with me."
Tang Ruoyao acted spoiled for a while, then sat up straight and whispered, "It's an art film."
Qin Yinong asked, "So?"
After considering it for a moment, Tang Ruoyao said, "So it can only be aimed at awards."
Qin Yinong asked, "And then?"
Tang Ruoyao replied bit by bit, "It won't generate much box office revenue."
Qin Yinong held her breath.Tang Ruoyao asked, "What's wrong with you?"
Qin Yinong sighed softly, "If this were in the past..."
Tang Ruoyao realized and smirked triumphantly, "What about in the past? Are you criticizing me?"
Qin Yinong grabbed her hand and kissed her on the red lips, lightly biting her fingertip.
Tang Ruoyao shivered unexpectedly and, to divert her attention, she expressed the entanglement that had been lingering in her heart for several days, "My film output has never been high. Last year's 'Under the Southern Mountain' was also released, but this year's 'True Colors' is not allowed to be screened in mainland China, which means I have no stock left."
"Mm."
"Even if I accept a film right now and start shooting immediately, it won't be released until next year at the earliest, which is the best-case scenario. In fact, I can't start working within this year, so this film will be released the year after next." Tang Ruoyao held up two fingers and said, "There's a two-year gap in between."
"Mm."
"What if it doesn't receive any awards? Wouldn't I be wasting my time?" After saying this, Tang Ruoyao knew she was in trouble. She quickly looked at Qin Yinong and, as expected, her expression turned worse. Holding back, Qin Yinong calmly asked her, "Is it a waste of time if you don't win awards?"
"No, that's not what I meant!" Tang Ruoyao hurriedly explained.
"Then what do you mean?" Qin Yinong said calmly.
Ignoring all consequences, Tang Ruoyao said, "I want to make commercial films, invest like you do, have a share of the box office, and earn more money."
Qin Yinong was speechless.
After a while, she asked in a bewildered tone, "Are you in need of money?"
Tang Ruoyao nodded.
Qin Yinong lowered her head to check her bank account on her phone, and Tang Ruoyao held her hand, saying, "I don't want you to give me money, I want to earn it myself."
"Why do you need so much money?"
"To buy toys for Ningning." Tang Ruoyao remained composed.
"..."
Qin Yinong pinched her brow.
An unpredictable child.
She thought for a moment and asked, "Do you know how to invest?"
Tang Ruoyao had heard a little about it. "Isn't it about joining the production team and becoming a co-producer with the investor? Isn't that what those credits at the beginning of the movie are for?"
Qin Yinong couldn't help but laugh.
Tang Ruoyao looked embarrassed.
In fact, she rarely felt so unprepared. It was just that the topic came up suddenly, and she could only face it head-on.
Qin Yinong asked her a question, "Do you know Joe, Emperor of Films?"
Tang Ruoyao nodded.
Joe was a middle-aged actor with strong acting skills. In recent years, he transitioned to directing and became a successful director-actor, especially in commercial films. Qin Yinong had even attended his birthday banquet before.
Qin Yinong said, "Everyone knows that his films are guaranteed to make money when invested in. So why can't everyone invest in his films?"
Tang Ruoyao shyly buried her face in the woman's neck.
Qin Yinong gently stroked the long hair behind her back and said, "You need connections, resources. It's not as simple as saying you want to invest, and those big shots will pay attention to you. If no one takes you into their circle, who will play with you?"
"I understand now," Tang Ruoyao's voice sounded dejected.
She had been too ambitious.
As a young person who had just come out of an ivory tower, in her early twenties, she wanted to compare herself to Qin Yinong, who had been working in the industry for over ten years.
"Do you really need money?" Qin Yinong asked.
"Mm." Her voice lacked confidence.
"I have a solution. Do you want to hear it?"
Tang Ruoyao blinked her eyes, sat up straight, and looked at her.
Qin Yinong said, "Give me your savings, and I'll find a few secure projects to invest in on your behalf. Whatever you earn will be yours, and I'll cover any losses."
Tang Ruoyao felt a slight sweetness in her heart and whispered, "But that still relies on you, doesn't it?"
Qin Yinong sensed her ambivalence and smiled at the corner of her mouth. "So, do you agree or not?"
Tang Ruoyao nodded and added, "If there are losses, you don't have to compensate for me."
"Sure." Qin Yinong played the role of a domineering CEO for a moment.
Tang Ruoyao trusted her judgment and didn't dwell on this issue any further.
"Should I accept that script then?"
"Go ahead." Qin Yinong made the decision.
Tang Ruoyao called Mu Qingwu back, and Mu Qingwu called the producer of the film. The producer immediately asked when Tang Ruoyao could sign the contract, afraid that she might change her mind.
Mu Qingwu couldn't help but feel proud. It was great to have a determined artist.
The producer showed sincerity from beginning to end. It was said that the director insisted on casting Tang Ruoyao, recognizing her artistic temperament and aura. So Mu Qingwu also wanted to facilitate the collaboration between the two parties.
Mu Qingwu's third call of the evening.
Qin Yinong glanced at the caller ID and released the warm and fragrant person in her arms. She furrowed her brows slightly and said, "Doesn't she ever stop?"
Tang Ruoyao laughed and quickly leaned over to kiss the woman's cheek.
Qin Yinong smiled.
Tang Ruoyao ended the call quickly and reported, "Sister Mu asked me when I have time to go to the company to sign the contract. I told her I'm out having fun and will go back in three days."
"When will the movie start filming?"
"Not yet. Probably after the Spring Festival. It's early this year."
Qin Yinong made a sound of agreement and didn't inquire further.
The two of them continued cuddling for a while when someone returned home.
"Mom! Auntie Tang!" Ningning ran towards the stairs, her short legs flailing rapidly. Ji Yunyao dropped the shopping bag in her hand, chased after her, and said, "Slow down."
Qin Yinong's ears perked up as she heard the voices and went out. The little child pounced on her, hugging her legs tightly.
"Mom, mom, mom, look at all the things I bought!" The little one pulled Qin Yinong downstairs, eagerly showing her the contents of the shopping bag. Apart from little dresses and shoes, which were basic items, there were also advanced Rubik's cubes, LEGO sets, inline skates, baseball bats, baseball caps, and even a children's mountain bike with gears.
"..." Qin Yinong stared at the bicycle, lost in thought.
Ji Yunyao shrugged and said, "I had it air-shipped for her."
Ji Shulan unwrapped the packed thermal lunch boxes and placed them on the dining table, beckoning the two who stayed at home. "Stop chatting and come eat."
Qin Yinong sat down and said, "Thank you, Mom."
Tang Ruoyao, without thinking, followed and blurted out, "Thank you, Aunt...Auntie Lan."
Qin Yinong chuckled, then cleared her throat and held back.
Ji Shulan smiled and said, "Dig in, everyone."
Tang Ruoyao's cheeks turned slightly red as she glanced at the woman, seemingly embarrassed.
Qin Yinong picked up some food for her with chopsticks and said, "Eat." She kept her head down throughout, with a noticeable upward curl of her lips.
Ji Yunyao squatted down to put on inline skates for Ningning. She turned her head and glanced over at the laughter coming from the dining area, her expression indiscernible.
Ningning had learned rollerblading before but hadn't practiced in a long time. However, she quickly picked up any activity she tried. Before long, she was gliding around the living room, circling the dining table. Qin Yinong watched her go round and round, unable to hold back a smile as she said, "Mom's getting dizzy."
Ningning asked, "Is Auntie Tang getting dizzy?"
Tang Ruoyao touched her forehead and acted dizzy, saying, "Auntie Tang is also dizzy."
Ningning circled a few more times, making Ji Shulan and Fang Auntie dizzy, and finally, it was Ji Yunyao's turn. Ji Yunyao sat on the sofa, typing rapidly with her ten fingers, replying to work emails. When she saw the little one approaching, she stopped working.
Ningning spun around and asked, "Is sister getting dizzy?"
Ji Yunyao smiled and said, "Sister is not getting dizzy."
Ningning challenged everyone in the house to see who would get dizzy, and she immediately developed a competitive spirit. She was determined to make Ji Yunyao dizzy.
"Is sister getting dizzy?"
"Not dizzy." Jiyunyao watched her spinning around herself, her eyes fixed on her, a smile on her face, very supportive.
In the end, Ningning herself got dizzy.
The little child lay on the sofa, resting her head on Ji Yunyao's leg, and said, "Oh no, I can't anymore."
Everyone laughed.
In Qin Yinong's laughter, there was a faint hint of deeper meaning, but Tang Ruoyao was worried and uneasy.
She still couldn't rest assured, afraid that Ji Yunyao had ulterior motives. Her wife and daughter were being eyed by a wolf, how could she be at ease?
The people who finished eating were responsible for clearing the table. Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao stood side by side, lowering their voices and said, "You play with Ningning later."
"Okay."
"Remember to do it in front of Ji Yunyao." Qin Yinong added.
"Why?"
"To improve your favorability in front of her." Qin Yinong joked.
Tang Ruoyao couldn't force a smile, her mouth pursed high.
Qin Yinong lowered her voice and coaxed her, "I'll explain later. I'll test a hypothesis and you do as I say."
Reluctantly, Tang Ruoyao replied with an "Mm."
When no one was paying attention, Qin Yinong's cheek touched hers.
Only then did Tang Ruoyao manage to force a smile on her tightly pressed lips.
Ji Yunyao was probably busy with work as her phone kept ringing one after another. She didn't go back to her room but stayed in the bay window area, wearing Bluetooth headphones and working on her laptop. Every now and then, she would look up at the center of the living room with a subtle, unnoticed warmth in her eyes.
Every now and then, she would look up and see Tang Ruoyao sitting cross-legged on the sofa, facing Ningning, both of them holding advanced Rubik's cubes and competing.
Qin Yinong stood behind the sofa, acting as the referee, keeping time.
Both of them held their breath and focused their gaze, their eyes only on the Rubik's cube in front of them.
Tang Ruoyao's fingers were slender and agile, turning it around, and she was the first to solve it in her hands. Qin Jianing's fingers were short, but she was very focused, her little face flushed with tension, and her bangs were damp with sweat. In less than two seconds, she also solved one side.
Aunt Fang whispered, "Come on," from the sidelines.
Ji Shulan pulled her sleeve and made a "shh" gesture.
Qin Yinong took out a tissue and carefully avoided blocking Ningning's view as she lifted her bangs to wipe the sweat off her forehead. Ningning didn't look up and said, "Thank you, Mom."
"You're welcome."
Ji Yunyao had one hand paused on the laptop keyboard, completely engrossed and mesmerized. The secretary in her Bluetooth earphones, who was stationed in the capital, hadn't heard her speak for a while, and her heart tightened as she cautiously said, "President Ji? President Ji?"
Ji Yunyao was absent-minded. "What is it?"
The secretary said, "There's a problem with the negotiations between the subsidiary and the client. It escalated and might involve the media. The person in charge is asking if you have any solutions."
Ji Yunyao responded coldly, "If Wang Feng can't handle such a trivial matter, he should leave immediately. If anyone bothers me with such trivial matters again, I'll fire them."
The secretary wiped the sweat off her forehead and said, "Yes, I'll relay the message."
Jiyunyao asked, "Is there anything else?"
The secretary's tone became more cautious. "The head of the Times Group..."
Ji Yunyao interrupted her, "No time, reschedule it for three days later."
She shifted her attention back, discussing cooperation for the next quarter with a major client from Overseas Ocean. She listened to the secretary's work report through her earphones, gradually immersing herself in her work, completely focused.
At some point, she was startled by a voice.
Ji Yunyao looked up.
Ningning held up a set of high-level Rubik's cubes, all sides uniformly solved, and exclaimed, "I won!"
"Mom, look!" She stood up from the sofa and excitedly held it up in front of Qin Yinong. Qin Yinong bent down and kissed the child's sweaty forehead.
"Auntie Tang, look!" She held it up high in front of Tang Ruoyao.
Tang Ruoyao smiled and kissed the child's cheek."Grandma, Granny Fang, look!"
The two elderly people applauded together. "Ningning, you're amazing!"
Ningning treated the two elderly people equally and kissed each of them, particularly loud.
Ji Yunyao watched this scene, tilted her head slightly, and looked at the vintage chandelier in the living room. The bright light dazzled her for a moment, and she even experienced a slight ringing in her ears.
In the deep courtyard.
A little girl, holding a high-level Rubik's cube similar to the one Ningning had, ran out excitedly from the room. She was too young and ran too fast, tripping at the doorway. She quickly got up and dusted herself off.
"Daddy, look at the Rubik's cube I solved! I didn't even read the instructions, I did it all by myself!"
Running from inside the house to outside, and from outside back in, the smile on the little girl's face gradually disappeared.
"Miss, Master has left."
"Then when will Daddy come back?"
"Um... this old servant doesn't know, but he will definitely come back."
"Will he come back when the sun sets?"
"...Yes, he will."
She held the Rubik's cube in her arms, protecting it from getting dirty with dust. She sat on the doorstep, waiting and waiting, waiting until the sun turned into a yolk-like color. She could faintly hear the sound of a car engine in the distance. The little girl's face lit up, and she quickly rushed over, her fluttering dress creating pale blue flowers in the air.
A graceful and beautiful woman got out of the car. She stood on the path that the woman must pass through to enter the house, and the woman walked past her without even glancing her way.
The little girl, almost at a loss, fidgeted with her fingers holding the Rubik's cube. Summoning her courage, a few steps behind the woman, she softly called out, "Mom."
The woman turned her head, expressionless.
The little girl forced herself to smile and held up the Rubik's cube in her hands, slowly and gently saying, "Mom, this is the Rubik's cube I solved..."
A trace of hatred flashed in the woman's eyes. She snatched it away and threw it far away, landing in the muddy soil of the recently turned garden, without making a sound.
It felt like something had shattered in the air, yet it was equally silent.
"Mom." The little girl seemed to catch up a beat behind, and then she respectfully bowed and softly said, "I'm sorry for disturbing you."
The woman left without even looking back.
The little girl stood there in a daze, not picking up the Rubik's cube. She never played with these "useless things" anymore and never did anything "useless."
She turned and walked into the deep courtyard, her small figure mercilessly swallowed by the beastly darkness.
......
Qin Yinong glanced at Ji Yunyao, whose eyes were slightly absent-minded, and pulled Ningning, who was showing off everywhere, over to remind her, "You haven't shown it to your big sister yet."
Ji Yunyao's clothes were tugged, and she lowered her head to see a small, fair hand. As her gaze moved up, she met Ningning's clear and innocent eyes.
The momentary ringing in her ears disappeared, and the bright light stung her eyes, causing them to ache. Ji Yunyao asked gently, "What's wrong?"
Ningning said, "I solved the Rubik's cube."
Ji Yunyao fell silent for a moment, then gently patted Ningning's head and said in a soft voice, "Ningning, you're amazing, so smart."
Ningning asked, "Can Sister solve the Rubik's cube?"
Ji Yunyao remained silent for an even longer time this time and said, "I can't."
Ningning beamed at her with a big smile.
"I'll teach you."
Author's Note:
Qin Jiejie (older sister Qin): I've seen through everything. Starting from today, Miss Ji is completely under my control. She'll follow my lead, and I'll deal with her wherever necessary. (Note: This is a playful statement from the author, not to be taken literally.)
For those who couldn't understand: Ji Yunyao is part of a family of three. Yes, they are a real family! It's so sweet!
Tang Fei: I still don't have a name.
ji yunyao. what's her story?🤔
ReplyDeleteI'm so confused if Ji Yunyao likes Qin Yong or if she just wants a family.
ReplyDelete