CHAPTER 187

After Qin Yinong finished speaking, she felt a bit embarrassed. Who knows how many times she had rehearsed this in her mind?

But relying on her strong acting skills, she perfectly concealed that slight discomfort in her gentle and affectionate eyes.

Tang Ruoyao's reaction was just as she expected. She immediately showed that loving and pitiful expression, moving and heartbreaking. The strength of her arms suddenly tightened, as if she wanted to merge her into her own flesh and blood.

Love requires reciprocation. She gave a signal, and Tang Ruoyao gave her feedback. That's how love can last.

Every day, she experienced the true meaning of love, just like many years ago when she acted for the first time, diligently studying the script day and night.

She had a lover, and her life had entered a new stage.

Tang Ruoyao carefully brushed aside the bangs on Qin Yinong's forehead and gently planted a kiss.

"Let's go inside," Tang Ruoyao said, not forgetting to softly remind her, "You shouldn't do this next time. If you catch a cold, I will cry."

Qin Yinong was curious. "Will you really cry?"

Tang Ruoyao held her shoulder and walked inside, saying, "Yes."

Qin Yinong pretended to think for a moment.

Tang Ruoyao said, "You don't actually want me to cry, do you?"

Qin Yinong turned her head and smiled at her, saying, "I'll make you cry tonight."

Tang Ruoyao grinned, "Okay." Anyway, she didn't have any filming tomorrow.

The two of them chatted about inappropriate topics, exchanging meaningful glances and smiling with deep meaning. As soon as they entered the house, they instinctively fell silent.

"I'm back." Tang Ruoyao said.

"Mommy," "Sister," "Xiaotang," three different forms of address rang out, with "Mommy" being the most resounding. Ningning ran over directly and threw herself into Tang Ruoyao's arms.

Tang Ruoyao bent down and kissed her cheek.

It's strange to say, ever since Tang Ruoyao became Qin Jianing's mommy, the little girl stuck to her even more than Qin Yinong. Qin Yinong... of course, she didn't feel jealous. She only got jealous when it came to Tang Ruoyao alone, but she truly didn't understand why.

Tang Ruoyao thought for a moment and answered her, "Maybe it's because you're stricter."

Qin Yinong frowned, "Am I?"

Tang Ruoyao nodded, "Yes."

In Qin Jianing's family, there was no father figure. Qin Yinong played the roles of both father and mother, so sometimes when the child made a mistake, she naturally had to educate and scold them a bit. That's why she put on a serious face, and Ningning was afraid of her. For example, last time when they were playing at Han Yuping's house and got too carried away, Qin Yinong carried her back to the room and gave her a good scolding.

Tang Ruoyao was different. She played more of a companion role, being both a mother and a friend. She told her stories, played games with her, and goofed around. The kids knew that sticking to her had less risk.

There is another reason that Tang Ruoyao didn't mention. She thought to herself that perhaps 'Ningning slightly resents Qin Yinong's lack of talent in gaming.'

God has bestowed Qin Yinong with so many skills, but in this particular area, she is surprisingly clumsy, which is quite endearing.

Qin Yinong doesn't mind. She is happy to see the two of them playing together. However, when both of them go wild without any restraint, she would discipline them together. Tang Ruoyao would receive a slightly harsher punishment, and in front of the child, she would enforce the "family rules" even after going back to the room. She wouldn't let it go without a second round.

......

Tang Ruoyao was immersed in the joy of reunion. It wasn't until she straightened up that she noticed the decorations in the house. She made a surprised expression, similar to Liu Hualao entering the Grand View Garden, and asked, "Who arranged all this?"

Ningning immediately raised her hand, as if afraid that Tang Ruoyao wouldn't see her. She almost jumped up and proudly said, "Me!"

Tang Ruoyao smiled and said, "Great job."

Ningning showed a shy smile and added, "And Grandma and Granny Fang helped too."

Tang Ruoyao responded, "They're great too."

Ningning was a very polite child. After racking her brain for a while, she complimented back, "Mommy is great too. Welcome home, Mommy."

The whole family watched her being cute, and the house was filled with laughter and joy.

Ji Shulan supported Aunt Fang's arm and smiled for a while before saying, "Since everyone is here, let's have dinner."

Tang Ruoyao was taken aback and looked at Qin Yinong, whispering, "Didn't I ask you all to eat first?"

Qin Yinong said, "My mom said to wait for you, and besides, we don't have anything urgent."

Tang Ruoyao didn't say anything more and just held Qin Yinong's hand.

The steaming hot soup was served, and Aunt Fang put some completely cooled dishes back on the stove. The kitchen, which usually seemed spacious, was crowded with people, and Ji Shulan had to drive them out.

The first one to come out was Ningning.

She was the smallest in size and strength. When there were fewer people at home before, she could still use her ability as the youngest to justify carrying a dish. But now she couldn't handle it, so she had to be a good little kid.

Next were Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao, without any order.

The pillar of the family, Qin Yinong, and the hardworking child, Tang Ruoyao, should rest well.

Lastly, there were the two elderly and Tang Fei.

The three of them waited at the dining table. Ningning was bored and absentmindedly tapped the edge of the bowl with her chopsticks.

Ding, the sound was crisp.

She immediately looked up at Qin Yinong and saw that Qin Yinong didn't show any sign of scolding her, so she felt relieved and continued tapping. Her talent in music was particularly outstanding. It was probably similar to Qin Luning. As she tapped, Qin Yinong could faintly hear a melody.

She asked, "What are you tapping?"

Qin Jia Ning mentioned a name. Qin Yinong, who doesn't understand music, vaguely remembers it as a famous piano piece.

Qin Yinong felt excited for no reason and asked, "Do you... want to become a pianist in the future?"

Qin Jianing said, "I like playing the piano, but I haven't decided if I want to become a pianist." She put down her chopsticks, supported her cheeks with both hands, blinked her eyes, and looked at Qin Yinong in front of her. She sighed and said, "Mom, I'm still just a kid."

Qin Yinong smiled and said, "Okay, then enjoy your time as a kid."

Ningning called her, "Mom."

Qin Yinong said, "Hmm?"

Curiously, Ningning asked, "Is it happier to be a kid or to be an adult?"

Qin Yinong's hand under the table was holding Tang Ruoyao's hand, and she answered, "We are all happy when our family is together."

Tang Fei approached with a plate of hot braised pork, and Ningning asked, "Uncle Xiaofei, are you happy?"

"Huh?" Tang Fei was puzzled. He put down the plate, scratched his head, and said, "I... I'm alright."

After a pause, the teenager smiled and said, "I'm quite happy."

With an older sister, sister-in-law, two grandmothers, a good school, good teachers and classmates, a bright future, and the ability to visit his mother during holidays, he even went to Z City during this year's National Day. Perhaps distance makes the heart grow fonder. Jiang Xuezhen couldn't help but shed tears when she saw him, showing concern and getting closer to him than before. Her second husband, Zhou Yi, was always polite to him, regardless of whether it was because of Tang Ruoyao and Qin Yinong, but in any case, he treated him with courtesy.

Jiang Xuezhen was about to give birth, with the due date at the end of the lunar calendar. Tang Fei went online and bought a bunch of children's items for his little sibling in her belly and sent them home. When chatting with her, Jiang Xuezhen intentionally or unintentionally revealed her desire for him to come back home. Tang Fei pretended not to understand and talked about the happiness of living here, believing that Jiang Xuezhen would understand his intentions.

He had a new family, and he loved this new family.

He was very happy.

Ningning asked the same question to Ji Shulan and Aunt Fang, and they both received affirmative answers. She sat in her seat and clapped her hands in joy, saying, "That's great, everyone's happiness is my happiness too."

Both elderly women's eyes turned red.

Half of it was moved, and half was due to the cuteness of the child.

Tang Ruoyao was amazed once again by her level of mental development. Could a four-year-old child say such things?

She started to believe Qin Yinong's words. Qin Jianing's words were so sweet, how many innocent boys and girls would she charm in the future?

Looking at Qin Yinong again, she indeed had a worried expression on her face, which made Tang Ruoyao couldn't help but laugh.

After finishing the meal, Ningning ran over with a tablet, bumped into Tang Ruoyao's leg, and looked up, saying, "Mommy, I want to make a phone call."

Tang Ruoyao held her hand and led her back to the couch, asking, "Who do you want to call?"

Ningning sleepily said, "To call Grandpa and Grandma. I want to wish them a happy holiday."

Tang Ruoyao was taken aback and felt embarrassed. She didn't expect this, as adults have too many things to deal with, and only children can maintain purity.

Qin Yinong walked over and asked, "What are you two doing?"

Tang Ruoyao lowered her head and opened her WeChat on the tablet. She searched for the name Han Yuping in her contacts and replied, "Ningning wants to video call Director Han and the others. Today is Christmas Eve, isn't it?"

Qin Yinong: "..."

Both Tang Ruoyao and Qin Yinong felt the same embarrassment.

Han Yuping and his wife had just finished their dinner and were soaking their feet in the room. Han Yuping had a dry towel on his knee and gently wiped away the water droplets from his wife's feet. He helped her put on her socks one by one.

Liang Shu took her feet back and stepped into a pair of thick cotton shoes. Every wrinkle was filled with tenderness.

Han Yuping dried his own feet and went out with a wooden basin to pour water.

When he came back, his phone rang. Liang Shu was nearby and saw the caller ID.

Han Yuping asked, "Who is it?"

Liang Shu smiled and said, "Our daughter-in-law."

The two elderly people had nicknames for each other, which they didn't use in front of the younger generation.

Han Yuping immediately smiled and, just as he was about to answer the call, he quickly covered his face, with Liang Shu poking his shoulder and scolding, "Behave."

Han Yuping cheekily replied, "Don't you like my behavior?"

Despite Liang Shu's gentle and dignified appearance, she had a strong possessiveness when she was younger. When Han Yuping was popular outside and attracted not only women but also men, she didn't say much on the surface but would be extremely jealous when they got home. In Han Yuping's words, her jealousy could be felt even hundreds of miles away.

Han Yuping had a habit of wearing a stern expression when he was outside, not smiling or speaking much. Those who were timid wouldn't dare to approach him.

Han Yuping accepted the video call.

He couldn't hold back his laughter for even a second and burst into laughter again.

Liang Shu was wondering what had made him change so suddenly when she heard a sweet voice from the phone, "Grandpa, Grandma, Merry Christmas."

"!!!" Liang Shu rushed over, squeezing Han Yuping until only half of his face was visible.

Han Yuping: "..." He silently moved the phone a bit further away, so he could be seen fully.

Liang Shu: "Merry Christmas! Did you have something delicious to eat today?"

Ningning nodded her little head and said, "Yes." She turned the camera around, showing them the decorations in the room, and finally focused on the Christmas tree. "This was decorated by me, Grandma, and Granny Fang. Does it look good?"

Liang Shu couldn't say anything else but praised, "It looks good," "Ningning is clever," "She has good hands-on skills."

Ningning asked, "What are Grandpa and Grandma doing at home?"

Liang Shu mentioned some daily activities like watering plants, reading books, feeding pigeons, and taking walks.

Ningning pursed her lips and didn't seem very happy.

She handed the tablet to Tang Ruoyao and quickly ran towards Qin Yinong. She knew who was in charge of the household matters.

"Do you want to bring Grandpa and Grandma to live with us?" Qin Yinong widened her eyes and asked the little girl in front of her, "Why?"

Ningning pouted and said, "There are so many people celebrating today, but Grandpa and Grandma are just two people, it feels empty."

Qin Yinong understood but said, "You can't bring everyone to live with us, right? Do you want to bring every person you like to our home?"

Ningning didn't understand and asked, "Why not?"

Qin Yinong patiently explained the concept of a family and gave examples, saying, "Your mom and I are a small family, and Grandpa and Grandma are also a small family."

Ningning deduced, "Then you can live with me, so why can't Grandpa and Grandma?"

Qin Yinong gently touched her little head and said, "But we won't always be together. Sooner or later, you'll have someone you love, maybe you'll get married, maybe you'll have children, and you'll live with your..." loved one and children, and you'll have a new happiness.

Before Qin Yinong could finish her words, Ningning burst into tears.

Qin Yinong wasn't as panicked as before. Since Qin Jianing became more cheerful, she laughed more and cried more, expressing her inner emotions more. So she calmly explained things to the little girl.

Tang Ruoyao also heard everything and felt that her method of education was a bit too straightforward and cruel for a child. She told Han Yuping and his wife, who were anxious upon hearing the crying, to wait and walked over.

She hugged Ningning and gently patted her back, softly soothing her, "If you want to, you can always be with us."

Ningning immediately hugged her tightly and cried, "I don't want to be separated from you."

She mustered up the courage and glared at Qin Yinong.

Qin Yinong: "..."

Ningning sobbed and said, "I don't want a loved one or children. I only want Mommy and Mom." After a pause, she added in a low voice, "And Grandma, Granny Fang, Uncle Xiaofei, Sister Yao Yao, Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt Guan Han."

After thinking for a moment, she added her private tutor as well. After saying it all, she felt embarrassed and buried her face in Tang Ruoyao's embrace, refusing to lift her head.

Qin Yinong thought to herself, 'Hey, you're quite greedy.'

Tang Ruoyao softly said, "Okay."

Qin Yinong didn't agree with Tang Ruoyao's "acquiescent education" approach, but she didn't refute her in front of the child.

Ningning revived with full energy and continued chatting with Han Yuping and his wife.

A hint of dissatisfaction finally appeared in Qin Yinong's eyes as she said, "You're deceiving her."

Tang Ruoyao smiled and said, "No, every word I said came from the bottom of my heart." Which child hasn't said when they were young and ignorant that they wanted to be with their mom and dad forever, only to grow up and find their parents nagging, wishing they could grow wings and fly away? Or once they have their own world, they can no longer stay in one place.

The dependency at that time was real, and the independence in the future is also real.

People always grow up. What's sad is that most of the time, we don't know in which moment we suddenly grow up. Looking back, we realize that we have emotionally left our parents, left our home.

Qin Yinong remained silent for a long time and said, "Ningning is four years old."

Tang Ruoyao sighed, "She'll be an adult in fourteen years."

Qin Yinong leaned on her chin, pondering, and said, "By that time, we won't be able to do as we please anymore, right? She won't bother us anymore." 

After saying this, she nodded and agreed with herself, "Hmm, I'm great."

Tang Ruoyao: "???"

What kind of words are these!

Qin Yinong burst into laughter.

Tang Ruoyao couldn't help but laugh too. She reached out and gently pinched the woman's ear, then gave it a careful stroke.

The two of them whispered to each other, their heads close together. Ningning ran over while hugging the tablet, her face full of excitement. She said, "Can we invite Grandpa and Grandma to celebrate New Year together?"

Qin Yinong was taken aback and said, "If they agree, then sure."

Han Yuping and his wife had no reason to refuse.

Han Yuping had already cut off contact with his hometown, and Liang Shu's parents had passed away. In recent years, it had been only the old couple having reunion dinners. Qin Yinong would only visit on the first day of the Lunar New Year, and it was a bit lonely.

In addition to Han Yuping and his wife, Qin Yinong counted and realized that this year they would have eight people for New Year, which was unbelievable.

Today was Christmas Eve, and the streets were definitely lively.

Qin Yinong intended to let Ningning go out and experience it, but who would take her out became a big problem. Ji Shulan and Aunt Fang could be ruled out. One was elderly, and the other had difficulty walking and was also getting old. Tang Fei was too young, and she was worried.

Should she go out with Tang Ruoyao? It would attract too much attention, and the consequences would be unimaginable if they were discovered.

Should she go out alone? Qin Yinong didn't want to be separated from Tang Ruoyao.

After thinking it over, she called Guan Han.

"What are you doing?" She intentionally didn't use an assistant's tone to give orders.

"Eating chicken."

"..." Qin Yinong asked, "Do you have time to come to my house?"

Guan Han exited the game without hesitation and sent a message to Fu Yujun: [Something came up].

With one hand holding her phone, she reached for the down jacket hanging on the coat rack by the entrance, swiftly put it on, and said crisply, "I'm on my way." As soon as she finished speaking, she had already stepped outside the door, slamming it shut.

Fu Yujun looked at the teammate's blacked-out avatar and also exited the game directly.

[See you next time], she replied.

Guan Han sat in the driver's seat, fastened her seatbelt, glanced at the message on her lit screen, and put the phone back.

She swiftly arrived at the Qin residence.

Guan Han checked the time and realized that it took several minutes less than usual. She felt a moment of daze for no reason, then unfastened her seatbelt and got out of the car.

The whole family welcomed her. Guan Han ate a plate of fresh strawberries and stuffed a bunch of candies given by Ningning into her pocket. Then she heard Qin Yinong calling her over with a purpose.

Qin Yinong had recently bought a new car, a large SUV for convenient family outings. The plans had changed last minute, and the whole family was going out. However, for safety reasons, Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao stayed in the car without getting out, while the others went outside to play.

Upon reaching their destination, Guan Han, temporarily acting as the driver, and the rest of the group rushed toward the lively square.

Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao held hands, looking at the bustling world through the car window. Tang Ruoyao spread apart the woman's fingers and intertwined their ten fingers, asking her, "Have you celebrated Christmas before?"

"I have celebrated it before I debuted. Back then, I was still in school, and the classroom would be decorated, making it colorful," Qin Yinong replied with a hint of a smile, looking at her and asking, "What about you?"

"Me?" Tang Ruoyao reminisced for a moment and said, "I think I celebrated it last year, but I can't remember clearly. But the year before that, I did. I went out for dinner with Wen Shuxian and the others, sang songs all night. She and Cui Jiaran got drunk, and I and Lao Fu helped them back to the dormitory."

She clicked her tongue, "They were so heavy, like dead pigs when they were drunk."

Qin Yinong gently stroked the back of her hand with her fingertip and whispered, "You've had a happy life, and I'm glad."

Tang Ruoyao's expression suddenly became subtle.

Qin Yinong was momentarily taken aback, then realized what she meant and laughed, "It does sound a bit strange, doesn't it?"

Tang Ruoyao softly said, "It's like the words spoken by a couple who once experienced a melodramatic separation when they meet again after many years and see that each has found their own happiness, comforting themselves."

"Hahaha." Qin Yinong smiled with laughter in her eyes and eyebrows and said, "I was wrong."

But Tang Ruoyao said, "Think about it carefully, weren't we just a step away from separation?"

Qin Yinong's gaze softened, and she leaned in to kiss her.

They shared a warm and lingering kiss.

Even though they hadn't drunk any alcohol, it felt like they were intoxicated, and not lightly intoxicated at that.

Tang Ruoyao was pushed down onto the back seat. She suddenly regained consciousness, bounced up, and was about to scold Qin Yinong for her audacity. But when she saw Qin Yinong sitting there perfectly fine, a mischievous smile curved on her lips, and her racing heart gradually calmed down.

"You..."

"I know my limits." Qin Yinong couldn't help but chuckle, appreciating her wonderful expression.Tang Ruoyao swallowed nervously, pressing her hand against her chest.

Qin Yinong gazed at her intently for a while and gently said, "Ruoyao."

Tang Ruoyao turned her gaze from the window, and her clear eyes reflected the lights of many homes. "Hmm?"

Qin Yinong pulled her arm and pulled her into her embrace. She didn't do anything else, just kept kissing her incessantly, taking breaks when tired, and then continuing.

Tang Ruoyao was kissed into a daze and faintly heard a soft and deadly sentence: "I love you."

She tightened her grip on the fabric of Qin Yinong's clothes.

She couldn't tell if it was an illusion caused by her intense longing, but her heart was pounding heavily, and she forcefully pushed Qin Yinong against the backrest, taking control.

In this lifetime, she would only go crazy for Qin Yinong, for her alone.

The car door made a "click" sound as someone opened it from the outside.

Tang Ruoyao let go of Qin Yinong, gently brushed her thumb over her lips, sat up straight, lowered her gaze, and was completely different from the young woman who had just lost control of her emotions. Qin Yinong chuckled softly.

In the light that illuminated the car, Qin Yinong noticed that her ears were noticeably red.

Ningning crawled in, holding a bunch of things in her arms, wearing a red and white Christmas hat on her head, which made her cute little face even more adorable.

"I bought a lot of things, there's Mount Fuji..." Ningning said excitedly, then looked at the two parents, blinked her eyes, and asked curiously, "Mom, why are your faces so red? Is it too hot in the car?"

Qin Yinong fanned herself with her hand and casually replied, "It's a little hot."

Guan Han, sitting in the driver's seat, had fireworks exploding in her mind. Her brain went blank for a moment, and she failed to start the car for the first time.

Ningning reached out to touch Qin Yinong's cheek, worriedly asking, "Mom, your face is also very hot. Are you sick and have a fever?"

Qin Yinong smiled and said, "No, I'm not."

Guan Han failed to start the car for the second time.

Ningning described in detail and objectively the changes she had observed, saying, "Your mouth is swollen too."

Qin Yinong: "...It'll be fine in a moment."

The car remained stationary.

Qin Yinong frowned and looked towards the driver's seat, raising her voice, "Guan Han?"

Guan Han, who had experienced countless deaths and rebirths, finally managed to start the car after the ten thousandth attempt. The car steadily moved forward, disappearing into the bustling streets.

The scenery outside the window kept receding, the light flickering, and the smoke-like clouds passing by.

Ningning got tired from playing and fell asleep shortly after getting in the car. One of her hands was softly holding Qin Yinong's little finger.

In Western mythology, Santa Claus would give gifts to children on Christmas Eve, but there was no Santa Claus in China.

However, the next day, before dawn, in the quiet Qin residence, a slender figure descended the stairs from the second floor and quietly pushed open the child's door. Stealthily, the figure entered and gently placed a gift box by the child's bedside.

Continuing in the same manner, more Christmas gifts were left in front of the doors of the three rooms before Qin Yinong returned to her own room.

Tang Ruoyao had just fallen asleep, unaware of Qin Yinong's actions. When the woman, filled with a chill, slipped into the bed, Tang Ruoyao instinctively reached out and hugged her, murmuring incoherently.

Snowflakes began to fall outside the window, accumulating as frost on the glass, forming beautiful crystalline patterns.

The heating in the room was sufficient, making the bed even cozier. Tang Ruoyao, after waking up, felt reluctant to get up, especially with Qin Yinong sleeping soundly in her arms.

Tang Ruoyao placed a hand on her forehead and lazily closed her eyes, dozing off. Suddenly, she felt something poking her.

Furrowing her brows, Tang Ruoyao slowly lifted her hand and, in the dim lighting of the room, discovered that an unknown diamond ring was now adorning her ring finger, shimmering with delicate light.

Her eyes widened abruptly, and her heart skipped a beat uncontrollably.

A faint rustling sound came from beside her. Tang Ruoyao lowered her head and saw the woman who should have been sound asleep, looking at her with calm and gentle eyes.

In a daze, Tang Ruoyao showed her the ring on her finger. She wanted to say something, but her throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and her eyes grew warm.

Qin Yinong smiled and opened her arms, and Tang Ruoyao threw herself into them.

Author's Note:

Suddenly, I feel like there's no need for an overly complicated marriage proposal. A pleasant surprise, hahaha.

The mysterious fanfiction writer has made an appearance, bringing you a fishtail skirt for Yao Yao. Please collect your love lottery ticket.

PS: Do you all follow my Weibo? You can find the username in the synopsis. If you haven't followed, you can give it a try and check for the latest updates.

If you don't understand, you can ignore it. Just leave a normal comment like usual. Tomorrow, I'll randomly select a longer comment and send a big red envelope~

BACK | TABLE OF CONTENTS | NEXT