CHAPTER 221

The production team of the Golden Laurel Awards watched the explosive growth of the live viewership numbers, which continued to rise. They felt as if they were having a heart attack. Taking a deep breath, they reached out and held onto the back of the chair next to them.

The live chat was filled with comments like "Ahhhhh! Ahhhhh!" "I died, I came back alive!" "I can't handle this!" "I'm doing sit-ups in my coffin." The screen was filled with these comments, leaving no corner untouched, followed by a moment of lag.

— "The server is so sh*tty, can't it even handle a few "ahhhs"?"

— "Don't ruin my beautiful love story!"

— "It's lagging! It's lagging! At such a crucial moment, it's lagging!"

There was no lag at the awards ceremony, so the audience in the venue watched everything smoothly. First, there was a buzz, then a chorus of exclamations, and then someone started applauding.

Thunderous applause.

Those who didn't know the situation thought they were at a wedding ceremony.

Except for a few who knew the inside story, most people had no idea what was happening, but they applauded along with the crowd.

While applauding, some people pondered and became anxious.

Wasn't it too ambiguous to kiss each other's eyes in public?

Has the sisterly bond in today's society reached this level?

Bolder individuals speculated on an unbelievable possibility.

Tang Ruoyao stood on the stage, her voice distant, everything felt distant. Only the soft lips of the woman pressed against her eyelashes and the faint scent of perfume lingering around her.

Tear after after was gradually kissed away, from her eyelashes to her cheeks.

Tang Ruoyao couldn't help but free one hand and wrapped it around Qin Yinong's waist.

Everyone in the audience: "!!!!"

Why does this development seem like a public kiss? Could it be?!

In the live chat: "Damn, why is the screen still lagging? Did they kiss or not?!"

Qin Yinong's lips landed below her eyelids, gently kissing away the remaining tears. They paused for a few seconds, then she released her hold on the young woman's arms and opened her eyes.

Tang Ruoyao still had her eyes closed.

Qin Yinong spoke in a voice only they could hear, "Okay."

Tang Ruoyao fluttered her eyelashes and slowly opened her eyes.

Qin Yinong's gaze was gentle.

Tang Ruoyao looked at her and slowly smiled, radiant and dazzling, making the whole world sparkle.

Qin Yinong understood the meaning behind that smile. Tang Ruoyao was telling her, "I did it."

The young woman's gaze towards her was particularly bright.

Qin Yinong suddenly had a strong desire to kiss her.

It wasn't that she was afraid of doing such a thing in public, but she didn't want others to see the side of Tang Ruoyao that she alone got to witness. She never considered herself a petty person, but when it came to Tang Ruoyao, she was incredibly possessive.

Wanting to kiss but unable to, Qin Yinong felt a bit restless.

Tang Ruoyao inexplicably noticed the sudden furrowing of Qin Yinong's brows and instinctively reached out her clean, white fingertips to press gently in the center of her forehead, slowly smoothing it out.

"Don't frown." she said.

Qin Yinong's expression softened, obediently responding, "Okay."

Since both of them avoided the microphone, the people in the audience couldn't hear their conversation, only the closest host and Han Yuping could hear.

The host looked at the other distinguished guest, Han Yuping, hoping he could maintain the overall situation and control the atmosphere. However, what he saw on Han Yuping's face was pure contentment?

Host: "???"

Helpless, the host had to interrupt the affectionate couple, "Miss Qin, please present the award to the winner." If you have anything else to say, you can say it at home.

She didn't say the second half of the sentence out loud.

After emergency maintenance, the live stream's visuals returned to smoothness. What the audience saw was Tang Ruoyao removing her hand from Qin Yinong's forehead.

— "Finally, it's back! Awesome!"

— "Ahhh, did anyone see it? Please tell me, did my OTP finally get together in bed?"

— "That's way too fast, hey!"

— "Post-s*x."

— "Damn, post s*x."

— "Does anyone know if the awards ceremony will be recorded? This crappy platform, how much sugar did I miss?"

— "There should be a recording. With the hype around this event, they can't not have it.

— That's good then. I'll be screenshotting every moment of it. I've already prepared to stay up for 24 hours without closing my eyes."

On-site.

Qin Yinong glanced at the host, and the faint resentment in her eyes seemed like an illusion to the host.

How could the queen of the film industry Qin Yinong have such an expression? The host thought, hahaha, impossible.

Regardless, the intimate atmosphere between the two was interrupted.

Host: "Please welcome the guest presenter to award, Miss Qin Yinong!"

To the sound of beautiful music, an etiquette lady came forward with a tray lined with red satin. In the center of the tray was a sparkling golden trophy. Han Yuping, being tactful, stepped aside and made way for Qin Yinong.

Although the host didn't know what the two of them were up to, as a father, he didn't interfere in his children's affairs.

Qin Yinong held the somewhat heavy trophy in both hands and solemnly handed it over to Tang Ruoyao in front of everyone. "May you stay true to your original aspiration and continue to shine in the film industry that you love. You're still young, and you have a broader future ahead of you."

Tang Ruoyao slightly bowed, respectfully accepting it. "Thank you, senior."

Qin Yinong looked at her with determination and finally stepped aside.

Tang Ruoyao and Qin Yinong were of similar height, so the microphone didn't need to be adjusted. She stood in front of the standing microphone, paused for a moment in silence, then lowered her head to kiss the weighty trophy.

She raised her head and said, "This is the most meaningful award I have received, and it is an experience that will never erased from my life. I will always remember this day."

Suddenly, applause erupted, abrupt and monotonous.

Everyone looked and saw Qin Yinong clapping by the side of the stage. According to protocol, she should have returned to her seat after presenting the award, but she was standing just a few steps away from Tang Ruoyao.

Since Qin Yinong started clapping, everyone followed suit, applauding enthusiastically.

As the applause subsided, Tang Ruoyao began her acceptance speech.

"I want to thank Director Fan Hong. It was Director Fan Hong who gave me this opportunity and insisted on casting me as the female lead. Without Director Fan Hong, there would be no Tang Ruoyao as Xiao Hong."

The camera cut to Fan Hong, who had a smile on her face and a contented look in her eyes.

"I also want to thank XXX, the actor who played Xiao Jun. He is a senior actor who gave me a lot of inspiration and insights during our scenes together..."

The camera cut to the actor playing Xiao Jun, who raised both hands and gave Tang Ruoyao two thumbs up.

Tang Ruoyao thanked everyone involved, one by one. The main cast members cooperated by cutting their shots, and each person was genuinely happy for her win. After expressing her gratitude to the main cast and crew, Tang Ruoyao bowed deeply to the audience.

The applause erupted once again.

Some people thought that was the end, but when Tang Ruoyao straightened up again and stood still on the stage, they realized there was more to come.

This time, Tang Ruoyao remained silent for a longer period, then said, "There is one more person I must give my deepest thanks to."

Qin Yinong's heartbeat inexplicably quickened, and her expression unconsciously turned solemn as she lightly bit her red lips.

Looking directly at the camera, Tang Ruoyao spoke calmly, "Thank you, my love."

Every word was clear and audible.

The audience, consisting of people from the entertainment industry, was disrupted for a few seconds before regaining its composure, with everyone staring straight ahead, keeping their inner turmoil hidden beneath a calm surface.

The atmosphere in the live broadcast room was different.

— "Love?! She really got married!"

— "I can't believe it. Why would someone in their mid-twenties get married? It's frustrating to see modern female stars settle down!"

— "That's right! Her beloved is me! Just a few days ago, she told me she would go public after winning the award."

— "I just shipped Qin and Tang. Does that mean my OTP is now broken? No, please don't!"

— "It's impossible for it to be broken. Tang Ruoyao's love is Qin Yinong, hehehe."

— "Did you notice Qin Yinong's expression? She didn't have a smile on her face and her hands were clenched into fists."

— "My Qin's little fists are so cute, awsl."

— "I believed the rumors about Tang Ruoyao keeping a young lover. Qin Yinong has been foolishly in love, she just presented her with the award, and now Tang Ruoyao was thanking her little puppy who took advantage of her. What a shame."

— "Wait a minute, why did Tang Ruoyao suddenly look at Qin Yinong at this moment? Wasn't she supposed to thank her lover?"

— "Could it be that her lover is really her?!"

— "F*ck!"

The situation changed in an instant, and the comments can't keep up with the pace.

After Tang Ruoyao said the words "thank you, my love," she placed one hand on the microphone and looked at Qin Yinong a few steps away. She seemed like she wanted to smile, but she was too nervous to do so. "Although I know you don't need this gratitude, I still want to say thank you."

Qin Yinong also wanted to respond with a smile, but her eyes gradually turned red.

Tang Ruoyao kept looking into the woman's eyes, ignoring the rising discussions from the audience, and told her what she had wanted to say on this stage for a long time.

"Five years ago, I won the Best Newcomer Award for the first time at the Golden Rose Awards. You were the presenter for the Best Actress award. At that time, I was sitting there, inconspicuous." Tang Ruoyao pointed to the seats in the back rows of the audience and said, "I wonder if you still remember?"

Qin Yinong nodded.

Of course, she remembered. At that time, she deliberately maintained a distance from Tang Ruoyao. Not to mention giving her a coat like today, they didn't even know each other, and Qin Yinong didn't spare her a single glance. She was in the center of attention, while Tang Ruoyao was just a newcomer who hadn't made a name for herself yet. They had no position or reason to meet.

Tang Ruoyao continued, "I watched you go on stage and present the award to her. I sat in the corner, only feeling envious." She smiled and said, "But I wasn't envious of her winning the award. I was envious that she could stand side by side with you on the same stage. She said she was your fan, she said she liked you, and you hugged her and encouraged her."

A hint of confusion appeared in Qin Yinong's eyes.

If someone were to ask who she presented the award to that year, what the other person said, and how she reacted, she couldn't remember. She attended so many award ceremonies every year, both domestically and internationally, as a nominee and a presenter. They were all similar, and she had long lost any impression of them.

Seeing her expression, Tang Ruoyao guessed that she didn't remember.

Remembering only herself and forgetting others, Tang Ruoyao's lips curved up slightly.

It turned out that long before she knew it, she gained much more than she had imagined.

Qin Yinong's eyebrows furrowed, not quite understanding why she brought up this memory. She looked at Tang Ruoyao with a puzzled expression.

Tang Ruoyao continued, "At that time, I thought to myself, I must win an award and have you present it to me. I wanted you to look at me with focused eyes, congratulate me, hug me, and cheer me on, just like you did to her..." Her voice trailed off, almost like a whisper, as she said, "And I wanted to say to you, just like she did: I like you."

Qin Yinong's heart was suddenly struck by a bolt of lightning. Her eyes widened, and her clenched fists involuntarily relaxed.

So, Tang Ruoyao wanted her to present an award to her for this reason. She hadn't expected it, truly hadn't expected it.

Tang Ruoyao smiled gently. She looked at Qin Yinong with eyes like a deep sea, filled with tender and affectionate gazes, and said, "I like you."

In that moment, it was as if she had returned to five years ago, hearing the voice of her past self sitting in the corner, and the words she spoke now coincided, echoing in her chest. She earnestly repeated, "I like you, Qin Yinong. I really, really like you."

Tears suddenly streamed down Qin Yinong's face.

Choked with emotion, she said, "I'm sorry."

But even though she now stood here with her, what meaning did it hold? The Tang Ruoyao from five years ago no longer had the chance to say these words.

Tang Ruoyao's eyes also reddened, but she wasn't sad. She smiled and asked, "Why apologize?"

Qin Yinong couldn't find the words to reply.

She always had this tendency to shoulder the blame for everything. Tang Ruoyao didn't think the previous stalemate was her fault, nor did she think it was her own fault. Neither of them were prepared for a relationship. If there was any regret before tonight, it was fulfilled the moment she stepped onto the stage to receive her award.

She gave her past self an explanation and gave her present self a future.

Tang Ruoyao beckoned to her and spoke with warmth in her eyes, "Come."

Qin Yinong walked toward her.

Tang Ruoyao wasn't as bold as Qin Yinong. She simply used her fingertips to gently wipe away the tears on her cheeks, gazing at her tenderly, and said, "How lucky we are that we're already together, aren't we?"

We're already together, aren't we?

The voice from the microphone echoed throughout the venue, and the camera captured the stunned expressions on everyone's faces.

The live broadcast exploded.

— "Wow, it's mind-blowing!"

— "Ahhhhh wow hehe hehe booo hoo hooo hehe hehe."

— "Take him away, another crazy fan!"

— "F*ck F*ck F*ck F*ck F*ck F*ck F*ck."

— "They actually... really... came out."

— "BOOM!"

— "I'm so happy that I'm a bit dizzy. Did that really happen to me?"

— "The first time it's actually real. Oh, I'm so excited that I don't know what to do."

— "Hahaha, hahaha, hahaha, hahaha, hahaha, hahaha, hahaha."

Qin and Tang's fans laughed until the end.

This live stream really crashed.

It not that the on-site director cut it off, they just came out. Although with the popularity and influence of Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao, as well as the recent buzz around them, their coming out was explosive. But the Laurel Awards have always been at the forefront. Several decades ago, there were already openly out celebrities, although they didn't have partners back then, let alone an actor/actress partner.

In addition to the progress in the legalization of same-s*x marriage, the topic of same-sex relationships is no longer a taboo in the country. The interface of the live stream only crashed because of the excessive number of viewers.

Internet users cursed at their loading computer screens.

At the venue.

Tang Ruoyao held Qin Yinong's hand, watching her smile softly, and spoke in a tone that was unusually gentle, saying, "Thank you, Miss Qin, for never leaving me. It's your love that brought me to where I am today."

Qin Yinong, who had been unconventional throughout this awards ceremony, suddenly felt a bit shy.

Wen Shuxian sat in the audience, her hands clasped together in front of her, with an excited expression. She whispered something under her breath.

Fu Yujun leaned closer and heard her say, "Kiss, kiss, kiss."

Fu Yujun: "..."

Acting like this is a wedding ceremony.

Fu Yujun gently patted Wen Shuxian's hand.

On the stage, Tang Ruoyao bowed deeply once again and led Qin Yinong down from the side of the stage.

The two of them walked down together, and the venue fell into silence.

Qin Yinong's seat was in the front row, and Tang Ruoyao had planned to escort her to her seat first and then return to her own seat. However, when they reached the empty seat in the front row, Qin Yinong held onto her hand and didn't let go.

Tang Ruoyao said, "I'll come find you later."

Qin Yinong replied, "No, let's sit together. I see an empty seat over there where you are."

The seats weren't all filled in an orderly manner, especially towards the end of the event. Some people had already left their seats due to other reasons. It wasn't difficult for Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao to sit in the same row. But being able to sit there was one thing, and whether they should sit there was another.

As a prominent figure, should she go and squeeze into the fourth row? Since Qin Yinong entered the film industry, except for the time she was nominated and won an award for her first film, she had never sat in the fourth row. That was over a decade ago.

Qin Yinong insisted, and Tang Ruoyao couldn't persuade her otherwise. They couldn't continue causing a scene here, so Tang Ruoyao went along with it and took her to the fourth row.

If you marry a dragon, you follow the dragon, If you marry a phoenix. you follow the phoenix. Qin Yinong happily followed her.

[It expresses the idea that when a woman marries a person of high status or power (represented by the dragon and phoenix), she will naturally assume a high status and position herself, rising up along with her partner.

The phrase implies that one's own status and opportunities in life will be elevated by marrying someone of high standing or prestige. It reflects the traditional Chinese view that a woman's social standing and prospects were closely tied to who she married.]

Hao Meihua looked at their figures and let out a light snort.

She's really becoming more brainless as time goes on.

Everyone in the entire fourth row had voluntarily left their seats in advance and crowded into the aisle. They waited for Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao to enter before sitting down one by one.

From all directions, people's gazes fell on the two of them, full of curiosity and scrutiny. If it weren't for them sitting side by side here, everything that had just happened would have seemed like a dream they imagined.

Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao...lovers? How could that be possible?

When did they get together? Why hadn't there been any rumors before? Were they all part of the same circle?

Apart from the nominees and their close ones, no one paid attention to the winner of the Best Actor award anymore. They clapped along absentmindedly as the announcement was made, then once again turned their gaze to the couple in the fourth row.

Fan Hong sat on Tang Ruoyao's left side. Although she had her suspicions, when those suspicions were confirmed, she couldn't help but be greatly surprised.

Another actress from the crew recalled something. During the filming of "Xiao Hong," Tang Ruoyao's "mysterious boyfriend" had once given her a valuable hand warmer as a gift. At the time, she thought her boyfriend was a little sugar baby she was supporting and couldn't possibly be so wealthy. So she gossiped and asked if he was a second-generation rich kid. Tang Ruoyao replied coldly, "No, he's not."

Now thinking about it, she almost slapped her thigh. Sigh, she doesn't even have a boyfriend, only a girlfriend.

What's the deal with the boyfriend? And what's the deal with the marriage rumors?

The more they thought about it, the more questions arose.

Many people who shared the same doubts speculated in their hearts about the authenticity of this relationship and how they would be treated in the future, mainly concerning Tang Ruoyao's attitude.

Same-s*x marriage has not been legalized in the country yet, so what is the true value of Tang Ruoyao's current status?

Wen Shuxian had a newcomer sitting next to her who was similar to herself. With Wen Shuxian's warm and cheerful personality, she had already made friends with the person sitting next to her for the evening. The person pulled Wen Shuxian's sleeve and whispered, "Do you know what's going on between them?"

Wen Shuxian was Tang Ruoyao's roommate, and they were recognized as having a good relationship.

Wen Shuxian asked, "What do you mean?"

The person said, "Are they really in that kind of relationship?"

Wen Shuxian replied, "What kind of relationship? A legitimate romantic relationship, of course."

"Really?" The person exclaimed, covering her mouth with her hand, looking very surprised, resembling an exaggerated supporting female character from a TV drama.

Wen Shuxian rolled her eyes in her heart, thinking, 'Didn't you just see them come out?'

Fu Yujun was about to remind Wen Shuxian not to speak recklessly, but Wen Shuxian had already straightened up and was attentively watching the ceremony, ignoring the person.

After the awards ceremony ended, the crowd began to leave in an orderly manner.

The journalists who were lying in wait rushed over, all crowding around Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao. Previously, the two of them would be interviewed separately, but now if they dared to separate, the journalists would be anxious.

Qin Yinong protected Tang Ruoyao with one hand, and there were bodyguards maintaining order in front of her.

Before they could approach, the camera flashes started intensively, and the entertainment reporters went even crazier than before, several times more frenzied.

They occupied the largest space, and the reporters surrounded them tightly. With the efforts of the bodyguards, they temporarily stabilized the situation.

Accompanied by the sound of camera flashes, the reporters handed them microphones and asked in a clamor:

"Ms. Tang Ruoyao, what did you mean by your words on stage?"

"Ms. Qin, are you and Ms. Tang Ruoyao in a romantic relationship?"

"Miss Tang, don't you have a boyfriend? And there were even rumors of your engagement. Were you intentionally deceiving your fans?"

"How long have you two been together?"

Qin Yinong remained silent with a smile.

She didn't move, and Tang Ruoyao didn't move either, hiding obediently behind her wife.

Qin Yinong turned her head to look at her, and the two of them exchanged smiles.

Reporters: "..."

After the reporters learned to ask one question at a time, Tang Ruoyao answered the first question: "It's exactly as you're thinking."

Just as the reporters were inwardly criticizing her smoothness, Qin Yinong answered the second question: "Yes, we are a couple."

There was a thunderous roar in the reporters' minds.

The camera flashes went crazy.

They were too close, the frequency was so fast that it was almost suffocating, and even Qin Yinong felt like she couldn't open her eyes. She reflexively reached out and covered Tang Ruoyao's eyes.

Tang Ruoyao's vision darkened, the dizzying lights disappeared, and there was only Qin Yinong's warm palm pressed against her thin eyelids.

She had seen the world before and knew when to shield her eyes from the flash, but with Qin Yinong shielding her, she obediently accepted it, silently curling up the corners of her lips.

If it weren't for the fear of being photographed in a clingy manner, Qin Yinong wanted to just pull her into her arms.

Her expression darkened as she glanced at Guan Han.

Guan Han spoke up, reminding the reporters to use flash cautiously.

Qin Yinong rarely got angry, but when she did, it meant trouble for the reporters. The reporters saw the anger in her eyes and gradually restrained themselves.

Looking at Tang Ruoyao, who was tightly protected by her, a few headlines formed in their mind. For a long time, they could make a living by reporting on the relationship between Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao.

From this perspective, Qin and Tang were their cash cows.

"Didn't Miss Tang have a boyfriend? And there were even rumors of your engagement. Were you intentionally deceiving your fans?" a reporter asked with bad intentions.

Qin Yinong glanced at the questioning reporter, her gaze calm yet dangerous.

A chill ran down the reporter's spine.

Tang Ruoyao squeezed Qin Yinong's wrist, indicating for her to calm down.

After all, she had been in the industry for several years and won two Best Actress awards. She didn't need Qin Yinong to step in for such a trivial matter. Tang Ruoyao curved her lips and smiled lightly, saying, "When did I ever say I have a boyfriend?"

Reporter: "In a talk show."

Tang Ruoyao said, "Hmm? How come I remember saying that I have someone I like but didn't explicitly mention their gender?"

The reporter's gaze was sharp. "How do you explain the exposed photos?"

Tang Ruoyao pretended to be clueless, saying, "What photos?"

She and Tang Fei were unexpectedly photographed while shopping and were once exposed by paparazzi online. Mu Qingwu asked Tang Ruoyao if she wanted to handle it, and after discussing with Qin Yinong, they decided that until she and Qin Yinong went public, Tang Fei would be her "mysterious boyfriend." She neither confirmed nor denied it. Why should she care about what netizens thought?

The reporter was speechless.

After pausing for a moment, they asked, "What about the engagement rumors?"

Tang Ruoyao pursed her lips, hesitating whether to answer. The engagement rumors were indeed true. She distributed wedding candies on the set and personally announced her marriage. It wouldn't be good to dismiss it as a rumor, but it involved her and Qin Yinong's privacy, and she didn't want to talk about it.

Tang Ruoyao decided to brush it off.

Unexpectedly, before she could speak, Qin Yinong coldly interjected to the reporter, "Is it really necessary for us to explain it to you?"

Reporter: "..."

A slow smile blossomed on Tang Ruoyao's lips.

It seemed that she still had a lot to learn from Qin Yinong.

The reporter swallowed back the blood stuck in their throat and continued to ask, "Did the two of you have a private wedding?"

Tang Ruoyao and Qin Yinong's gazes turned icy, and they said in unison, "What's it to you?"

The reporter: "..."

Laughter erupted from some reporters in the audience.

Being collectively shut down by Qin and Tang was quite an honor. It must be quite rare.

The severely injured reporter retreated and another person took their place to ask.

"May I ask how long you two have been together?"

Qin Yinong's expression eased, and she pondered, saying, "It's been quite a while."

Tang Ruoyao chimed in, "We were neighbors when we were kids."

The reporter's eyes suddenly lit up, "Childhood sweethearts, no, childhood friends?"

Tang Ruoyao nodded with a faint smile.

The questioning reporter, a young girl, couldn't help but show her girlish side, saying, "Wow, I'm so envious."

Qin Yinong chuckled and replied, "Thank you."

This reporter was quite knowledgeable and said, "I wish you both a hundred years of happiness and eternal love."

Qin Yinong's mood became even more pleasant.

As she caught Qin Yinong's attention, she was able to ask several more questions than others. Some of the questions were ones that would have been rebutted by others, but Qin Yinong kindly answered in a gentle tone, saying, "No, we didn't grow up together. We were separated for many years due to an accident when we were young and only reunited when we grew up."

"Fate?" Qin Yinong smiled and continued, "I think so too. It's clear that the heavens wanted us to be together."

"She's wonderful, but I can't tell you specifically how she's wonderful." Qin Yinong's eyes curved as she smiled.

"I rely on her a lot."

.......

After the interview, the two of them left. The reporter who had stirred up the most animosity quickly rushed back and stayed up all night to write her article.

At midnight.

Qin Yinong posted an update on Weibo.

QinYinongV:

[Hello, Mrs. Qin @Tang Ruoyao]

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