CHAPTER 200

Tang Ruoyao opened the door and left, leaving the journalist alone in the room.

The journalist stood there in a daze, with Tang Ruoyao's words echoing in her mind.

She had been lost in thought for too long. Polite staff members from the crew asked if she had any remaining business. If not, they intended to ask the journalist to leave.

"Sorry," the journalist put away her interview tools and opened the door.

It was still early spring, but the true arrival of spring seemed distant, especially in W City, located in central China. There were no signs of warmth, only a chilling wind that pierced through the bones. The journalist tightly wrapped themselves in a black down jacket and followed the crew's lead as they crossed the set.

The set of "Xiao Hong" was quite large, and not every area had the conditions for a fire. A few crew members had created a small fire pit on the edge of the set, using dried branches and leaves to build a fire for warmth. A young girl walked over from a distance, her fair fingers turning red from the cold. She picked up a pile of dry branches and placed them near the fire pit, tossing them onto the fire. The flames, which were on the verge of extinguishing, ignited once again. The others made room for her, huddling together to warm their hands and laughing playfully.

The journalist paused for a moment, her expression becoming complex as she observed the scene.

It was only when a crew member urged her that they snapped back to reality.

The journalist quickened her pace, leaving the set and getting into the company's car.

Upon returning, she immediately organized the interview records, wrote the article, and submitted it to the chief editor for review.

The chief editor, wearing glasses, pointed to the interpretation of Tang Ruoyao's words in the final paragraph without mincing words, saying, "This section is inappropriate. How did you make such a basic mistake?"

Since returning, the journalist's fervor, which had inexplicably boiled up when writing the article, gradually cooled down.

Which journalist entering the field didn't carry a passion, a sense of responsibility and mission, believing they could expose injustices and, even if they couldn't, at least present the truth without distortion? But once they entered the profession, they felt like they were in a large dye vat, unable to control their own actions. What could a drop of water do in an ocean?

State media outlets were somewhat better, but for those without connections like them, it felt as if they were living in a jungle, constantly under the pressure of survival and competition. As a result, the journalist's bottom line kept lowering, until eventually they were unrecognizable.

Occasionally, they also wanted to truly make a voice for society as a journalist. So, they smuggled in their personal views and added an interpretation of the Qin Yinong incident in this article, describing her as someone who, although not perfect, was still helping others, and even criticized certain individuals in less subtle terms.

Upon hearing the chief editor's words, the journalist self-mockingly thought, 'Of course it won't work'

"I'll go back and revise it," the journalist lowered her gaze, reaching out to receive the article from the chief editor.

However, the chief editor kept the article in the hand and said, "This is Tang Ruoyao's interview transcript. You've dedicated too much space to Qin Yinong. Go back, come up with a new title, and rewrite it."

The journalist: "???"

The chief editor raised an eyebrow and said calmly, "Don't understand?"

The journalist almost burst into tears of joy and said, "I'll do that right away!" She bowed slightly, raised her head, and her eyes shimmered with a hint of moisture. "Thank you, Chief Editor!"

The chief editor teased her, saying, "If the page views decline, we'll deduct your bonus this month."

The journalist exclaimed, "Ah?" She bit her lip, struggled for a moment, and finally said, "Go ahead, deduct it then."

The chief editor waved his hand with a smile and said, "I was just kidding. Go ahead."

A gust of wind blew through the cubicle as the journalist rushed back to her seat, opened a blank document, and her fingers flew across the keyboard as her thoughts poured out.

In less than two hours, she confidently and effortlessly wrote a several-thousand-word article. She submitted it to the chief editor, who made some revisions and sent it out before the end of the workday.

Her heart was pounding as she sat on the subway, continuously refreshing the page, watching the click rate in the backend noticeably decline compared to before. While she expected it, she couldn't hide her disappointment.

Because of her sharp words, some people directly insulted her in the comments, accusing her of taking money to defend Qin Yinong.

She turned off her phone, put it back in her pocket, looked up at the glaring white lights in the subway car, feeling both pathetic and hopeless. Uncontrollable heat welled up in her eyes, so she quickly closed them and lowered her head.

When she reached her destination, she followed the crowded stream of people, submerging herself in the sea of faces.

Before going to sleep that night, the journalist logged into the backend once again and looked at the new comments. Out of ten, seven praised her, including fans and strangers, with comments like "Thank you" and "Well said." Three comments insulted her, one calling her a paid internet troll, one accusing her of groveling, and the last one containing vulgar language directed at her entire family.

She stared at those three negative comments, her eyes slowly turning red. She long-pressed the comment that insulted her family, and the option to delete appeared. After a long moment, she clicked on cancel.

She decided to completely put this matter aside and no longer pay attention to the aftermath of the article. She didn't write articles just to make money by capitalizing on trends or seeking attention. She had been criticized by fans for seeking profit, but this time it felt particularly difficult. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to expel the negativity from her mind, and fell asleep very late.

The next day, she left work as usual, wearing headphones and listening to music on the subway. However, she heard a notification sound from WeChat and received a message from the chief editor: [Xiao Xiao, the article you wrote is trending.]

Journalist Xiao Xiao: "!!!"

She immediately logged into Weibo.

The article was trending in real-time at the top: [Tang Ruoyao Talks about Qin Yinong]

Both of these names were enough to make something trend, let alone when they appeared together.

She clicked into the comprehensive section. The first thing that appeared was the article she wrote on Weibo, with the title quoting Tang Ruoyao's words: "Those who hold the firewood for the masses should not let themselves freeze to death in the wind and snow." As of now, it had already surpassed ten thousand reposts and was increasing at a considerable speed, generating a remarkable amount of discussion.

[Tang Ruoyao goes into seclusion for filming, please don't cue]

[The fans' criticism is annoying, can't we have some peace and quiet? It's not like we're bashing your main idol, get lost]

[I went online and looked it up, inviting everyone to appreciate it. The complete quote is: 'For those who hold the firewood for the masses should not let themselves freeze to death in the wind and snow; for those who seek welfare for the masses should not fight alone; for those who pave the way for freedom should not be trapped in thorns.' Tang Ruoyao is so cultured, truly a top student. I look at these keyboard warriors and all they can say is 'It infuriates me!']

[If the sky is dark, then survive in the dark; if making noise is dangerous, then remain silent; if you feel powerless to shine, then cower in the corner. But don't defend darkness just because it is dark, and don't be proud of your mediocrity. Don't mock those who are braver than yourself. We can be as humble as dust, but not as twisted as worms.]

[I've never understood the psychology of those who are stingy and still typing away online. It's all a show, a f*cking show. They couldn't predict it thirteen years ago, but today they're clarifying for themselves, so they've been donating billions???? These people are simply either stupid or malicious.]

[I don't care if it's marketing hype or not, just because she donated those billions, I'm happy to see her trending every day!! It infuriates me MDZZ.]

[It's not that I'm saying this, but she has long been a superstar. Some netizens think too highly of themselves. Weibo is the whole world? Let's be honest, she doesn't need your attention at all. If you want to watch a movie, go watch it. Acting skills are more important than anything else.]

[Tang Ruoyao and Qin Yinong may not have a good relationship, but they have collaborated before. She definitely knows more than those internet strangers. If she can say such words, doesn't it prove something?]

[I've become a fan of Tang Ruoyao! She distinguishes between public and private matters, doesn't carry personal grudges, and is especially cultured. I love top students! As a literary illiterate, this is the first time I've heard that quote. I even had to search it on Baidu [facepalm].]

[Literary illiterate +1]

[Going off-topic, doesn't anyone think... Qin and Tang make a great pair? They are pillars of the Chinese film industry, one representing the past and the other the future. Look at their surnames, one is Qin and the other is Tang, just like the continuity of history. Qin unified the Six Kingdoms and established hegemony, while Tang created a prosperous era with nations paying tribute.]

[Holy cr*ap, holy cr*ap, they make such a perfect match!!! Ahhhhh, it's so exciting!!! Qin and Tang are the best!]

The Qin-Tang CP (couple pairing) has been cooling down for a while, but this time, it injected a shot of adrenaline and attracted a large number of fans. The already crazy CP fans celebrated together, with the homepage full of reposts and prize draws, and the ranking of their CP topic skyrocketing.

It has to be said that both individuals have immense charisma. Apart from their halo, one is ethereal and transcendent like a celestial being, while the other is naturally enchanting like a character in a painting. Whether it's the attributes of the CP or their impeccable looks, they perfectly fulfill all the fantasies of CP fans.

With this bit of sweetness as an introduction, CP fans can now go crazy and produce sugar based on their imagination. After all, shipping CP is their own business, so what does it have to do with the main characters?

Qin Yinong has been in the industry for thirteen years, with numerous film and television works. Tang Ruoyao has fewer works, but each one is a masterpiece, with substantial roles. Moreover, there are also advertisements and live event videos, which are like the main content.

The materials are vast like the sea, and the editors naturally sharpen their scissors.

I regret not getting into this fandom earlier!

The enthusiasm for fan creations is soaring, including comics and fanfiction, and a large number of video works are emerging on barrage websites.

Guan Han spends her days immersed in dog food, as happy as a mouse that fell into a rice jar. Finally, she couldn't help but burst into laughter in front of Qin Yinong.

Qin Yinong lifts her eyelids and gives her a faint glance.

Guan Han quickly composes herself, deleting a Qin-Tang CP video she watched in her mind, and asks seriously, "Qin Jie?"

Qin Yinong hums in response, lowers her head, and flips through photos of the wedding gown she shoot.

Guan Han looks out the window, avoiding Qin Yinong's gaze, and a smile once again appears at the corner of her eyes.

The editing is so well done, and it makes her blush and her heart race.

Qin Yinong curls her index finger rhythmically, tapping her knee, squints slightly, and says again, "Guan Han?"

Guan Han turns her head back and resumes her serious expression, "Here."

Qin Yinong's gaze becomes subtle: Does she know that the car window captured her rippling expression?

The previous Guan Han wasn't like this. As her boss, Qin Yinong feels it's necessary to show some concern. After considering for a moment, she asks, "Do you have any good news recently?"

Guan Han unconsciously reveals a slight smile and says, "Yes."

Other people can only shout about their CP getting married, but she's about to attend a CP wedding in person! This isn't just ordinary good news, it's a huge deal!

Not to mention the endless production by content creators, the constant stream of Qin-Tang content has driven her to lose her sanity.

Qin Yinong misunderstands her meaning, thinking she's talking about being in a romantic relationship, and asks, "Did you start dating someone? Do I know them?"

Guan Han: "Huh?"

Qin Yinong immediately expresses her apologies, "Did I offend you by asking that?"

Guan Han: "No." She's a bit confused. How did they start talking about boyfriends and girlfriends? What's even stranger is that an unexpected face suddenly appeared in her mind.

Guan Han shakes her head and says, "Qin Jie, you misunderstood. I'm not in a romantic relationship."

Qin Yinong doesn't seem embarrassed either and naturally asks, "Then why are you smiling so..." She pauses and says, "sweetly?"

Guan Han: "It's because of something else."

Falling in love is nothing compared to falling in love with CP.

Qin Yinong is somewhat curious, "Can you tell me? Is it convenient?"

Guan Han looks uneasy and says, "It's not very convenient."

If Qin Yinong were to know that she is a fan of her and Tang Ruoyao's CP, her assistant's hard-earned reputation would be shattered. She absolutely cannot reveal this devastating fact.

"Okay." Qin Yinong didn't pursue further and lowered her head to check the time on her phone screen.

It was 1:42 PM, and Tang Ruoyao's plane would land in eight minutes.

Tang Ruoyao had been filming in City W for a month. Why was she coming back now? Of course, for... marriage!

Qin Yinong's fingertips trembled slightly as she took a deep breath. Just thinking about those that word made her unable to focus on anything. She locked her phone screen and stared intently in the direction of the exit.

At 2:30 PM, Tang Ruoyao's figure appeared before Qin Yinong's eyes.

Qin Yinong watched the approaching figure, holding her breath. Her fingers gripped the leather surface of the seat, sinking into it, suppressing the impulse to rush out without caring about anything else.

Tang Ruoyao suddenly stopped in place and looked around for a moment, as if she couldn't find her car.

Qin Yinong immediately instructed, "Turn on the hazard lights."

The driver complied.

In the large parking lot, a fully black Maybach flashed its lights. Tang Ruoyao surveyed her surroundings, pulled down her already low hoodie, and then lowered her head, quickly walking towards the car. Just as she approached, a "click" sound, like the sound of unlocking, was heard, and the nearest rear door opened slightly.

Tang Ruoyao opened the door, crouched down, got in, and closed the door smoothly. If anyone was nearby, they would definitely suspect their eyes were playing tricks on them as the person disappeared in an instant.

Once inside the car, Tang Ruoyao pounced into Qin Yinong's embrace, and Qin Yinong steadily held her.

Thump, thump.

The heartbeats of the two intertwined intensely.

Qin Yinong wrapped her arm around Tang Ruoyao's waist and gently caressed her face with the other hand. Her eyes took on a different shade, her throat moved slightly, and she stared at Tang Ruoyao's red lips, leaning in to kiss her.

Tang Ruoyao instinctively responded, about to deepen the kiss when her mind buzzed.

She looked over Qin Yinong's shoulder and saw a back of the head, a familiar back of the head—it was Guan Han's—just turning away.

Tang Ruoyao: "!!!"

Tang Ruoyao quickly stopped, pushed away from Qin Yinong, her face completely flushed.

Qin Yinong followed Tang Ruoyao's gaze and explained, "I had lunch outside and came directly here. I have something to attend to later, so I brought Guan Han along."

Guan Han stiffly turned her head and greeted, "Hello, Miss Tang."

Ahhhh! They kissed!

Tang Ruoyao: "...Hello." She buried her face in Qin Yinong's embrace, tilted her head up and gave her a playful glare.

Qin Yinong's fingertips brushed a strand of Tang Ruoyao's hair and tucked it behind her ear. She lowered her head and gently kissed her fair forehead, softly saying, "I'm sorry, I should have told you beforehand."

The woman's gaze was teasing, with a hint of a smile as she said, "How was I supposed to know you were in such a hurry?"

Tang Ruoyao tugged at the front of Qin Yinong's clothes, blushing, and whispered, "Who's the one in a hurry?"

Going straight for a kiss right off the bat.

"I'm the one in a hurry, alright?" Qin Yinong held her hand, enclosing it in her palm, and smiled good-naturedly.

Tang Ruoyao: "Hmph."

Openly flirting and teasing.

Guan Han heard it.

Guan Han died.

Guan Han died a thousand deaths.

Why were her eyes always filled with tears? Because her CP was showing affection in front of her.

After indulging in harmless flirting for a while, Tang Ruoyao asked seriously, "Are you going back to the company later?"

Qin Yinong nodded and said, "I'll take you home first."

Tang Ruoyao said, "You're so busy, you don't need to come in person."

Qin Yinong said, "That won't do. I want to be the first one to see you."

Tang Ruoyao's heart immediately filled with infinite tenderness. Unable to resist, she kissed Qin Yinong's smooth and tender cheek and softly called her "Baby" in an affectionate tone by her ear.

One sound, followed by another.

Qin Yinong's heart pounded heavily, wishing to hold her tightly and passionately kiss the person in front of her, wanting to do more with her. She could hardly restrain herself, and with a helpless smile, she said, "Let's not talk for now."

Tang Ruoyao: "???"

Qin Yinong also leaned towards Tang Ruoyao's ear and whispered in a voice only they could hear, "I can't help but want..."

The rest is not suitable for Jinjiang. [The phrase indicates that the content following that statement is not appropriate for publication on the platform due to its explicit or mature nature.]

Tang Ruoyao's face grew even redder after hearing it.

The two of them didn't speak for the moment, nor did they embrace each other. They simply held hands and watched the scenery outside the window recede.

After about ten minutes, Tang Ruoyao suddenly said, "Can I not go home first?"

Qin Yinong: "Hmm?"

Tang Ruoyao: "I'll go to the company with you."

Qin Yinong was slightly taken aback. She thought about the possibility of both of them appearing together, even if they wore masks and sunglasses, there was still a 100% chance of being recognized. Although the staff at the studio were all insiders, it's better to be safe than sorry. She didn't want to expose her relationship with Tang Ruoyao before it was completely safe.

She softened her voice and coaxed, "Not now. In a while, I'll take you there, alright?"

Tang Ruoyao said, "You go up, I'll wait for you in the car."

Qin Yinong immediately said, "No."

How could she let her stay alone in the car? She was worried.

Tang Ruoyao said something that made Qin Yinong change her mind.

She said, "I also want to be the first one to see you after you get off work."

Qin Yinong fell silent for a moment and said, "After the car is parked, I'll go up by myself first. Later, I'll let Guan Han bring you up. Okay?"

This way, the probability of being recognized would be greatly reduced.

Tang Ruoyao nodded.

Qin Yinong turned her head and instructed, "Guan Han."

Guan Han said, "Understood."

Qin Yinong had already turned around, but she turned her head again and glanced at her. Did she just see that sweet smile on her face again?

Qin Yinong furrowed her brows imperceptibly, feeling strange.

The all-black Maybach entered the parking lot. Guan Han got out of the car and stood by the door, watching Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao reluctantly say their goodbyes within those few minutes, their actions dizzying and captivating.

Finally, Qin Yinong lightly kissed Tang Ruoyao's lips like a dragonfly's touch, whispered something in a low voice, and got out of the car.

Guan Han sat back in the car.

Tang Ruoyao and Guan Han exchanged a glance, nodded lightly, and resumed their cold and aloof demeanor, as if they were unaffected by worldly matters.

Guan Han savored the dog food she had witnessed today in her heart.

Ten minutes later, she checked Tang Ruoyao's mask, adjusted her hood, and brushed away a few strands of her bangs to cover her highly recognizable amber eyes. She led her into the exclusive elevator that went directly to Qin Yinong's office floor.

It was working hours, so the company was relatively quiet, with few people moving around and some casual conversations in the pantry.

Guan Han's icy persona made many employees afraid of her. It couldn't have been better for Tang Ruoyao to be brought up by her. Tang Ruoyao witnessed a girl coming out of the pantry, saw Guan Han, first froze for a moment, then turned her steps back as if pretending nothing happened.

Tang Ruoyao couldn't help but find it amusing.

Guan Han led Tang Ruoyao smoothly, noticing her curious glances around. She slowed down her pace slightly, accompanying her, and whispered, "This is the artist management department... That's the conference room, Qin Jie usually has meetings there..."

Tang Ruoyao followed her gaze to the direction she pointed, where a glass room was fully transparent, allowing a clear view from the outside.

She suddenly had a question and asked, "When Qin Yinong has meetings here, do people specifically come outside to watch?"

Guan Han replied honestly, "Yes."

There were countless fans of Qin Yinong in the company. They would pretend to pass by but were actually watching Qin Yinong inside. It's said that serious women are the most beautiful, not to mention Qin Yinong, who was naturally beautiful. The dark suit, white shirt, slim and alluring figure, with distinct curves. The buttons were carefully fastened, revealing her fair and delicate collarbone. Who could resist her charm?

From employees to other artists, they all couldn't resist.

Tang Ruoyao lowered her head and made a face when Guan Han didn't notice her.

She knew it.

For the first ten minutes after Qin Yinong arrived, she didn't do anything. She sat in her office chair for five minutes, then stood at the door for the next five minutes, like a stone statue.

Guan Han led Tang Ruoyao to the front of the office door and gave it a light knock.

Before she could say a word, the door suddenly opened from the inside. A hand reached out and pulled Tang Ruoyao's arm, forcefully pulling her inside, and the person next to Guan Han disappeared.

Guan Han: "..."

Was she that thirsty?

Upon second thought, it's no wonder she's her CP!

Inside the room separated by a door, the atmosphere was enticing.

Qin Yinong pushed Tang Ruoyao against the door, with one hand gently supporting the back of her head, the back of her hand against the cold and hard door panel, considerately avoiding any impact on Tang Ruoyao's head.

Usually, the two of them were about the same height, but today, Qin Yinong wore low-heeled shoes while Tang Ruoyao wore flats, making her half a head shorter. Tang Ruoyao looked up at the woman who was so close, her empty hand rolled up the straight ink-black hair in front of her and twirled it around her fingertips. She smiled softly and asked, "What do you want to do?"

Being alone together, Qin Yinong was no longer in a hurry. She had the leisure to play riddles with Tang Ruoyao and said, "Guess."

Tang Ruoyao raised an eyebrow and said, "Me?"

Qin Yinong: "..."

This script wasn't right.

Well, since it's not right, there's no way to continue acting after Tang Ruoyao said that.

In Qin Yinong's office, there was a resting room for her to take a nap. The bed wasn't big, but it wasn't small either. There was enough space for the two of them to lie down comfortably.

A long time passed.

Tang Ruoyao nestled in Qin Yinong's embrace, her cheeks flushed with a peculiar color, her chest gently rising and falling, and a faint exhaustion visible in her eyes. Qin Yinong still seemed immersed in the moment, continuously placing delicate kisses on her cheeks and the corners of her lips.

Tang Ruoyao gently stroked the long hair scattered behind her, her eyes filled with tenderness.

Finally, Qin Yinong exchanged a deep kiss with her before withdrawing slightly, but her arms remained firmly wrapped around Tang Ruoyao, holding her tightly and maintaining a peaceful silence.

Afterwards, Qin Yinong got up and dressed, stopping Tang Ruoyao, who wanted to get up with her. She spoke in a gentle tone, "I still have some work to handle. You can sleep a little longer."

Tang Ruoyao shook her head. "I'm not sleepy. I want to be with you." She went to pick up the clothes that were scattered at the end of the bed.

Qin Yinong said, "No."

Tang Ruoyao's eyes immediately showed a hint of hurt.

Qin Yinong honestly explained, "If you're here, I can't focus on my work."

Tang Ruoyao blinked, then obediently laid back down under the covers.

Qin Yinong smiled at her and softly said, "Good girl."

Tang Ruoyao closed her eyes, tilting her chin up.

Qin Yinong leaned in to kiss her, and Tang Ruoyao willingly seduced her, showcasing her remarkable kissing skills. Qin Yinong unknowingly reached out, grabbed her hand, and held onto her wrist, clasping it against the pillow.

Later on.

Qin Yinong looked at Tang Ruoyao, who had once again snuggled into her embrace. "..."

Qin Yinong carefully got dressed, only kissing Tang Ruoyao's forehead, learning from her lesson this time and said, "I have to go now." 

"Okay." Tang Ruoyao appeared exceptionally obedient, perhaps because she couldn't resort to her usual tricks anymore.

Qin Yinong took a few steps outside but returned shortly after. She opened the drawer by the bedside and took out a handheld gaming console, saying, "If you're bored, you can play some games. I'll be quick."

Tang Ruoyao lowered her head to look at the brand new red and blue console in her hands, wondering if she looked like someone who enjoyed playing games.

But since Qin Yinong gave it to her, she decided to give it a try.

Qin Yinong then pulled out a bag of hawthorn slices from the drawer, followed by a bag of dried plums, and another bag of beef jerky... Snacks piled up on the table, and the last item she put out was a pack of spicy chicken feet.

Tang Ruoyao: "???"

Qin Yinong's cheeks turned slightly warm, and she explained, "Ningning has come to the company to play a few times, and these are things she left behind. I didn't buy them... Well, feel free to eat."

Tang Ruoyao's eyes and eyebrows curved playfully. "Got it, Mom."

Author's note:

Hahahahahaha

Let's dedicate the song "Tomorrow I'm Getting Married to You" to Qin and Tang.

BACK | TABLE OF CONTENTS | NEXT