CHAPTER 193

Qin Yinong wiped the cold sweat off her body and emerged from the bathroom, slumping on the high stool next to the bar counter with one leg lazily dangling.

She loosely draped a robe over herself. Tang Ruoyao had just left for the day, leaving scattered traces on her smooth, white skin that hadn't completely faded away.

The bedroom faced the sunlight, and as the curtains were fully drawn, the sunlight poured in.

Facing the faint golden dawn, Qin Yinong picked up a glass with one hand, gently swaying it with a slight movement of her wrist. The liquid in the glass shimmered and sparkled in the refracted light. With her other hand, she picked up her phone, her voice cold.

"Guan Han, arrange an appointment with Wang Lin for me."

Wang Lin was Qin Yinong's psychologist, and since her last hospitalization, Qin Yinong hadn't seen a psychologist again. The most effective medicine in the world was right beside her, so why would she need psychological therapy?

Guan Han's expression changed dramatically, thinking that she had misheard. She cautiously confirmed, "Dr. Wang?"

Qin Yinong finished her drink and replied impatiently.

"Do I know another person named Wang Lin?"

"No," Guan Han didn't say much anymore, "I'll take care of it right away."

At three o'clock that afternoon, Qin Yinong went to Wang Lin's counseling room.

Wang Lin said, "Long time no see."

Qin Yinong nodded and smiled lightly, "Long time no see."

Wang Lin joked, "To be honest, I'm not very happy to see you."

Qin Yinong joked back, "Did you think I wanted to see you?" Every time she came, it was either because something was wrong or because something was wrong.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wang Lin waved away the soothing aroma incense burning in the room.

"Can't sleep again?"

"Hmm."

"Nightmare?"

"Hmm."

Wang Lin waited for a moment, but seeing that Qin Yinong didn't intend to lie down, she raised her eyebrows in surprise. Was Qin Yinong planning to stay awake and chat with her like this? This was the first time it had ever happened.

"I have a lover." After a moment of silence, Qin Yinong took the initiative to speak, "I love her very much."

Unlike the past, when she had hidden many heavy burdens, teetering on the edge, constantly tense like a taut string. She didn't have anyone she could trust back then, not even a psychologist who could completely break through her defenses. Wang Lin could only provide relief outside the boundaries she had set, helping her hold on for a while longer until the next time she couldn't bear it and came back, treating the symptoms but not the root cause.

But then Tang Ruoyao opened up all her defenses, letting sunlight in and clearing all obstacles, so everything became brighter. She removed the tumors that had festered in her heart, and now the shadows that grew were not as difficult to talk about.

More importantly, in the past, she only lived for the sake of duty, and she didn't care whether she lived well or not. The current Qin Yinong has a strong sense of self-will and hopes to overcome it as soon as possible.

Qin Yinong calmly recounted her dreams to Wang Lin.

The two of them talked for a long time.

Finally, Wang Lin asked, "Have you told your lover? That you have such a strong desire for control over her."

Qin Yinong shook her head with a bitter smile.

She was afraid of scaring Tang Ruoyao away.

Besides, this issue was on her, and she could adjust herself. It would be best if Tang Ruoyao never noticed from beginning to end.

Wang Lin said, "But according to your description, it's unlikely that you can overcome this problem in a short period of time. You lack a sense of security. She has been with you for so long, and if she suddenly leaves, this feeling of insecurity will continue and magnify exponentially, and the symptoms will only get worse."

Wang Lin asked, "Have you started drinking again?"

Qin Yinong had started receiving psychological therapy from her not long after her debut. They had known each other for more than ten years, and through their long-term contact, Wang Lin was familiar with her habits.

Qin Yinong said, "I only had a little." She only drank to help her sleep, she wouldn't indulge in alcohol again unless she didn't want Tang Ruoyao anymore.

Wang Lin said, "But this is a signal." She looked at Qin Yinong and said, "You've lost control."

Qin Yinong's face darkened.

Wang Lin's tone remained gentle throughout, "I suggest you let your lover share the burden with you. Since you can let her share your past, why can't you let her share your present and future?"

She got up and placed a cup of warm water in Qin Yinong's hand.

"Perhaps things are simpler than you expected."

Qin Yinong lowered her gaze and looked at the cup of water, reflecting her confused expression.

Wang Lin sat beside her, "You have a misconception, do you know that?"

Qin Yinong raised her eyebrows, "What?"

The sudden closeness made Wang Lin seem more like a slightly older friend than a psychologist. "People are inherently different. Some are naturally carefree, while others are sensitive. It's very normal to have such thoughts. Don't hastily think that you're sick, that there's something wrong with you, and that she must not want you anymore. If that's the case, then most people in the world must be sick. Should we all stop dating and remain single?"

Wang Lin rolled her eyes, and Qin Yinong tugged at the corners of her lips, gripping the water cup tightly.

Wang Lin said, "I know you didn't take it in."

Qin Yinong raised an eyebrow.

Wang Lin said, "This is the part you took in."

Qin Yinong chuckled lightly.

Wang Lin said, "You're laughing? Then let me tell you the story of me and my husband."

There are countless couples in the world, and hardly any couple is without problems, whether they are major or trivial. Wang Lin has been practicing psychology for many years and has excellent eloquence, analyzing an ordinary love story with meticulous detail.

Qin Yinong waited until it was dark before coming out.

Wang Lin personally saw her off.

After seeing Qin Yinong off, Wang Lin also breathed a sigh of relief. For over a decade, it was the first time she could openly chat with Qin Yinong, utilizing all the knowledge she had acquired throughout her life. Only by understanding Qin Yinong's core issues could she prescribe the right treatment and help her fully recover.

In the past, Wang Lin was always cautious and fearful, while Qin Yinong was like an impenetrable fortress. Even if someone tried to get close to her, they had to be careful not to trigger any sensitive areas and cause her to respond defensively.

She owed everything to her enigmatic lover, called "Yaoyao" (phonetically), who seemed to have a feminine name.

Whether her lover was male or female, Wang Lin rushed into her office and swiftly wrote down her thoughts, starting to summarize her notes. After so many years, she finally saw a glimmer of hope in Qin Yinong.

......

Tang Ruoyao arrived at the set before 9 a.m.

The north wind howled, and the first person to welcome her was a female staff member. She wore a thick black down jacket, had an average height, and had a hood on, making her face unclear. As Tang Ruoyao approached, her expression immediately showed a hint of respect. She quickly stepped forward and exclaimed in surprise, "Director Fan."

It turned out that this person was the director of the production crew, Fan Hong.

Fan Hong took her warm hands out of her pocket, warmly shook Tang Ruoyao's hand, and stared at her intently without blinking. She expressed her satisfaction repeatedly, saying, "Good, very good."

Tang Ruoyao had never seen such an enthusiastic director before and didn't know how to respond. She could only smile in return.

Fan Hong was from the city, and Tang Ruoyao rarely made public appearances. They had never met before. Initially, Fan Hong insisted on casting her as the female lead, rejecting other actors to accommodate her availability. Tang Ruoyao found it quite strange, but both Mu Qingwu and Qin Yinong gave their approval, so she agreed.

The assistant director coughed discreetly, reminding them, "Please let Miss Tang in first."

Fan Hong smiled apologetically, released Tang Ruoyao's hand, and led her inside while explaining and pointing out the sets, which scenes they were for. Tang Ruoyao was already very familiar with the script, so she occasionally exchanged a few words with Fan Hong.

The sparkle in Fan Hong's eyes grew brighter and brighter as she looked at her, as if she was looking at a precious gem. Tang Ruoyao couldn't help but feel puzzled.

After meeting with the main actors of the production crew, the script discussion officially began.

The script revolved around the life of Xiao Hong, with three men playing significant roles in her life. Therefore, a large part of the discussion focused on Xiao Hong's romantic life, which revolved around Tang Ruoyao as the sole protagonist.

Movies also had scenes that stole the spotlight. In the female lead's scenes, whether she loved a particular character or not indirectly affected the subjective feelings of the other characters regarding the amount of screen time they received. The supporting actors were all well-known male actors, and Tang Ruoyao was worried that there might be significant differences in their interpretation of the story. She didn't mind the trouble, but she was bothered by the potential conflicts.

However, the script discussion went smoother than she had imagined. The director guided her through the plot and the protagonist's state of mind step by step. The male supporting actors deferred to her, attentively listening to everything she said before gently giving their opinions.

This was a production crew that any actor would dream of being a part of. 

Tang Ruoyao called Qin Yinong in the evening when she returned, unable to hide her excitement. She was not usually such an unstable person, but in front of someone close to her, she couldn't help but let loose a bit.

Qin Yinong asked, "What's so good about it?"

Tang Ruoyao first mentioned Fan Hong and wondered, "Why does Director Fan appreciate me so much? We haven't even met."

Qin Yinong remained silent and said, "Maybe it's because you haven't met, and she has been looking forward to it."

Tang Ruoyao smiled and said, "You're annoying."

Qin Yinong replied, "I'm serious. You're still young, and you don't know directors like Fan Hong in the industry. She is very selective in choosing actors and pays attention to chemistry. This time, she chose you, and it's your opportunity."

"I know. I asked the assistant director about it on set today," Tang Ruoyao said, lowering her head and touching her nose, feeling a bit embarrassed. She continued in a soft voice, "Honestly, when she greeted me earlier, she held my hand and wouldn't let go. I thought she had a fetish for that."

Qin Yinong's voice lowered a few degrees as she asked, "She touched your hand?"

Tang Ruoyao laughed and corrected her, "She held it, not touched." Then a spark of insight flashed in her mind, and she said, "Are you jealous?"

Jealous over this?

After waiting for two seconds, Qin Yinong said, "Mmm."

Tang Ruoyao was stunned.

Qin Yinong asked, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

Tang Ruoyao replied, "No, I just didn't expect..."

Qin Yinong closed her eyes, pressing her fingertips tightly against the edge of the window. 

She thought indifferently, 'Didn't expect myself to be so unreasonable?'

Tang Ruoyao looked down at her own toes, blushing and shyly said, "I didn't expect you to like me so much. I'm so happy."

Qin Yinong: "..."

Tang Ruoyao thought for a moment and said, "Then tomorrow, I'll wear a pair of gloves. Maybe those half-finger ones, or thin woolen gloves with full fingers. That way, she won't be able to touch my hand."

Qin Yinong remained silent for a while.

Tang Ruoyao asked, "Baby? Are you still there?"

Qin Yinong responded in a low voice, "Yes."

Tang Ruoyao enthusiastically discussed with her, "What color gloves do you like? Should we buy matching ones?"

Qin Yinong once again replied with: "..."

Why did Tang Ruoyao's train of thought always differ from what she expected?

In the end, they inexplicably bought two pairs of gloves.

Since it was an online purchase, Tang Ruoyao asked Xin Qian to buy a pair as a temporary solution until the new ones arrived, and then they immediately switched to the new ones.

In W City, the cold air had been raging recently. After the Lantern Festival, it even snowed. There was a snow scene in the movie, so Fan Hong took advantage of the snow and rearranged the shooting order, filming the later scenes first.

The temperature dropped sharply again, and the actors were shivering on set. Tang Ruoyao's gloves came in handy, and Fan Hong and the others followed suit and bought gloves to wear.

Tang Ruoyao messaged Qin Yinong that day: [Hahaha, everyone on the set now has to wear gloves. How did you foresee this? You're so smart!]

Qin Yinong, who had just been praised: "..."

She was still at the company, walking from the conference room back to her office, standing in the corridor and laughing at her phone screen.

The employees passing by were all amazed.

Gun Han had to speak up and remind her, "Qin Jie."

Qin Yinong put away her phone, reluctantly suppressing the smile on her lips, and said, "Take the documents back to the office. I'll go see An Ling."

......

An Ling had a solemn expression. "Have you made up your mind?"

Qin Yinong's eyes were determined. "I don't want to wait any longer."

An Ling said, "Alright, but be prepared mentally."

An Ling had told Qin Yinong that her clarification couldn't be done overnight, and releasing too much information at once would backfire. An Ling allowed her to act on her own whims, but she also knew that Qin Yinong, with her personality, couldn't be bothered with this matter anymore. She let An Ling slowly pave the way for her.

So when Qin Yinong came and said she wanted to reveal everything now, An Ling was very surprised, but upon reflection, she could understand. All Qin Yinong sought in her life was Tang Ruoyao; she wanted to openly acknowledge their relationship as soon as possible, which was only natural.

However, An Ling didn't expect that Qin Yinong's mental state was no longer strong enough to endure for such a long time. She didn't have the time to take it slowly.

After the Lantern Festival, the office workers shook off their laziness and adapted to the rhythm of being a working class. Students rushed to school to start a new semester. Just when the entertainment circle seemed calm, major news broke out again.

It initially had nothing to do with the entertainment industry, but it involved a sensitive social issue, instantly capturing everyone's attention. The well-known social welfare organization, the "Maple Red" Anti-Domestic Violence Foundation, also faced a scandal. 

After "Okra," there was "Maple Red." Netizens were filled with righteous indignation, especially those kind-hearted netizens who had previously donated to "Maple Red." They were furious and accused the organization of "exploiting kindness," pushing "Maple Red" to the center of controversy.

But the scandal surrounding "Maple Red" was different. It originated from the organization's founder and current leader, Shi Xiao.

There was a video of Shi Xiao's speech circulating online, showing that he was wearing a brand-new Rolex watch on his left hand. Sharp-eyed people noticed that the Rolex was worth at least six figures. How could the leader of a non-profit organization afford such an expensive watch? According to online rumors, Shi Xiao came from an ordinary background and was penniless before establishing "Maple Red."

As a result, the conclusion was drawn—corruption and embezzlement of charitable funds!

The public opinion exploded!

For a while, Shi Xiao became the target of public criticism. Countless netizens flocked to his Weibo and the official account of "Maple Red" to question and insult him, demanding an explanation.

Shi Xiao and the "Maple Red" official account didn't respond to the comments, allowing netizens to vent their anger.

The two words "Maple Red" topped the hot search.

Taking advantage of the recent popularity of the "Okra Project," the "Maple Red" scandal remained a hot topic, and many netizens who were unaware of "Maple Red" learned about the organization today, albeit with a negative impression.

Shi Xiao, despite being heavily criticized, was still laughing: "Saved a lot of advertising expenses. It was worth it."

However, the real drama was yet to come.

During the peak traffic period that night, Shi Xiao posted a lengthy article, and the entire internet fell silent.

Shi Xiao said, "Actually, I am not the true founder of this organization. The real founder is someone else. That person is Qin Yinong. As for the watch, she gave it to me as a New Year's gift as the organization's manager. In simpler terms, it's called a year-end bonus."

Netizens: "!!!"

Who is this Qin Yinong? Are we sure she isn't the infamous Qin Yinong with the same name? How did she become associated with an unrelated charity organization?

Yes, it must be a different Qin Yinong! Not the one they know!

Shi Xiao's article detailed the cause and effect."On November 18, 2014, Qin Yinong approached me and said she intended to establish an anti-domestic violence charity organization, and she asked if I was willing to join. I was surprised, and I think anyone would be shocked to see a famous celebrity suddenly appear in front of them, and they wouldn't believe it. I confirmed: You want to establish a charity organization? She didn't hesitate and said yes. We talked for a long time, but even in the end, I couldn't fully trust her. Later, I thought, what does an average-looking young man like me have to gain? Although I have always been dedicated to charity work, I was ultimately alone in my efforts. When such a good opportunity presented itself to me, I had no reason to refuse..."

The article mentioned several major events while also promoting "Maple Red" to increase its visibility. In the end, it mentioned last year, 2019, when he went to the company to report to Qin Yinong, and she gave him the watch as a gift.

It sounded absurd, and when netizens reached this point, they could only think: Is this a joke?

At the end of the article, the initial registration information of "Maple Red" was attached, along with Qin Yinong's proof of investment, with detailed dates, yellowed paper, and official and personal seals.

There is a saying that words alone are not enough to prove something. Even with the attached documents, it could be claimed that the information was fabricated, insufficient to gain the trust of the public. Qin Yinong's opponents would not simply sit back and let her "whitewash" herself.

So, another theory emerged.

Qin Yinong and Shi Xiao must have had a scandalous relationship! That year-end bonus might just be Shi Xiao being Qin Yinong's kept lover!

Netizen comments:

[Using charity to whitewash, so shameless]

[I didn't criticize before, and I won't this time either. I just feel tired. Can't they stay away from charity? Is our kindness not being exploited enough?]

[Qin Yinong is truly a b*tch. She even seduced Shi Xiao. Is there anyone she can't sleep with in this world?]

[Magic realism]

[Do they take netizens for fools?]

[Impressive! They even fabricated documents!]

After Shi Xiao, the official Weibo account of Maple Red also spoke up. Shi Xiao had already said what needed to be said, so the official account posted a series of transfer records. The data showed that from 2014 to 2019, Qin Yinong had transferred several million to tens of millions of yuan to Maple Red's account each year. It was stated that all the donations received by Maple Red were used to help those in need, and they welcomed auditing and accountability.

Bank transfer records cannot be faked, especially since many netizens who had donated to Maple Red compared the records and confirmed it was the same account.

But the nitpickers were not satisfied.

[This can only prove that she had planned this whitewashing six years ago. How scheming.]

However, the rhythm this time is not as easy to lead, and the netizens were not all fools without the ability to distinguish right from wrong.

[All the money added up is in the hundreds of millions. May I ask, keyboard warrior, how much did you donate?]

[First of all, I'm not a fan. I was also criticizing her just two hours ago. But let's be honest, spending six years to establish a charity organization and donating so much money just to whitewash herself today, isn't it a bit unnecessary?]

[Not just unnecessary, it's simply thankless task.]

[I suddenly believe that Maple Red (Feng Hong) was indeed established by her, but why did it take until today for it to be exposed?]

[Yeah, I'm confused too. I can't figure it out.]

The netizens couldn't understand, but no one provided them with answers.

That night, countless people set Qin Yinong as a special focus, just to get a taste of the freshest gossip. However, despite their eagerness, the parties involved remained silent, not uttering a single word.

Many netizens were dreaming about this matter.

Why exactly?

Qin Yinong wasn't ignoring the situation; she was just waiting, letting it continue to ferment.In the meantime, she took the opportunity to promote Maple Red.

Riding on Qin Yinong's popularity, "Maple Red" climbed the trending search rankings and reached the second spot, with Qin Yinong being an insurmountable mountain at the top.

In recent years, Maple Red had been doing well in its work, helping many women and children escape domestic violence and live normal and stable lives. They contacted these individuals and asked them to share their true stories online, while Maple Red took responsibility for increasing the hype. As a result, many lengthy posts appeared.

[I am a 19-year-old from a certain city in a certain province. I'm currently a freshman. I used to live on XX Street (censored). My father was a compulsive gambler, and whenever he lost, he would drink and then physically abuse my mother and me. My mother wanted a divorce, but that man refused... I didn't want to study anymore. I just wanted to take a knife and end it all with that man. By chance, I called Maple Red for help. I didn't have much hope, but the next day, two older brothers and sisters found me at school... In my second year of high school, my mother finally divorced that man successfully, and with the help of the older brothers and sisters, I transferred to another school and successfully got into university. Thank you, unknown brothers and sisters. I only know that one of you has the surname Liu, and the other has the surname Fang. Thank you.]

Similar lengthy posts were abundant, and some netizens sincerely offered their blessings in the comments.

[I hope that in the days to come, you will be safe and sound, with smooth sailing.]

[Getting better and better.]

There were also those seeking help:

[Does Maple Red really work? I'm a third-year junior high school student, and my dad often hits me for no reason.]

The blogger replied: [It works. You can try calling them.]

Of course, there were also those who raised doubts:

[What is this? An advertisement? I now feel like it's just a marketing ploy, deceiving people for donations, and then embezzling the funds. No wonder Qin Yinong wanted to expose it. She wants to make money from this!]

As soon as the last sentence was uttered, anyone with a brain knew that Qin Yinong had earned far more from filming movies and endorsing advertisements than these charitable donations. There was no need for her to go through all this trouble.

Maple Red's helpline was flooded overnight with calls seeking help, questioning, and those who just wanted to join in the excitement. It was a whirlwind of activity. Shi Xiao sent a message to Qin Yinong: [President Qin, I think we need to hire more people.]

Qin Yinong, as always, replied: [Okay, if we don't have enough money, let me know.]

Shi Xiao responded: [Okay.]

Shi Xiao then posted the chat record on Weibo.

The netizens who were about to go to sleep suddenly sat up in shock.

Ah ah ah ah ah!

There's another scoop!

Shi Xiao V:【#The Most Generous Boss in the World# #Qin Yinong# #Maple Red Anti-Domestic Violence Foundation# [Spinning.gif][Screenshot of Chat Record]】

Netizens:

[I'm so envious. Why isn't my boss as nice as this?]

[This suddenly seems a bit funny. What's going on? I've seen Shi Xiao in person, such a tall and imposing man, but why does he seem like a mouse in front of Qin Yinong?]

Shi Xiao replied to this netizen: [She's the boss, after all.]

[I believe Maple Red is Qin Yinong's now! Let your boss come out and say something. I'm dying of curiosity. Please, @Shi Xiao.]

Shi Xiao responded: [No, I dare not.]

User: [Is it really true that you haven't embezzled the charitable funds? I hope for an accurate reply.]

Shi Xiao replied: "No! You can absolutely trust us! If anything happens, our President Qin will take full responsibility!"

Since Qin Yinong was brought into the picture and there was no other evidence, but instead people who had been helped came forward, the rumors of Maple Red embezzling charitable funds were debunked. Moreover, it expanded the influence and facilitated the development of future work.

The whole internet was buzzing with excitement, yet the parties involved remained steadfast and inevitably shrouded the matter in a fog: Do Qin Yinong and Maple Red have any connection or not?

Everyone was anxiously waiting, refreshing their phones eight hundred times in an hour. Finally, on the following day at noon, Qin Yinong made a statement.

Qin Yinong V:

[Well, the watch was a gift from me. You've worked hard. //@Shi Xiao V: [Long post]]

Author's Note:

Let's start the discussion in advance!!!

#The Best Qin Yinong in the World#

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