CHAPTER 227: Qin & Tang Extra 01

Year 2015, Summer.

Star Media Building.

Tang Ruoyao stood in front of Ruan Qin's office door. She clenched her fists, silently bowed her head and stood still for a moment, then gently knocked on the door twice.

A voice came from inside, "Come in."

Tang Ruoyao pushed open the door and calmly addressed the short-haired woman behind the desk, "Sister Qin."

Ruan Qin raised her head and sarcastically said in a mocking tone, "Isn't this our big star Tang Ruoyao? What wind blew you here today? My little temple can't accommodate a big Buddha like you."

Ruan Qin, a mediocre person who was fond of brokering deals. Some time ago, Ruan Qin took Tang Ruoyao to socialize, but they had a falling out, and parted on bad terms. Although Tang Ruoyao was signed to Star Media, her contract didn't require her to accept such deals, and Ruan Qin couldn't do anything about it. As a result, Tang Ruoyao couldn't even get low-quality commercial endorsements. Fortunately, she was still studying, excelling academically, and her scholarship was enough to support her tuition fees, so she wasn't in a hurry to make money.

Ruan Qin detested the fact that Tang Ruoyao always acted high and mighty. How could she expect to stay clean and pure in this entertainment industry, where everyone was compromising themselves? How much trouble could be avoided by spending a night with someone? It would be understandable if she were a wealthy heiress, but coming from an ordinary family in a small place, what right did she have to be so arrogant?

Tang Ruoyao ignored her mockery and simply asked with lowered eyes, "Are there any dinner parties I can attend later?"

Ruan Qin replied, "Why should I take you? You'd just look down on me, wouldn't you?"

Tang Ruoyao said, "I'm sorry."

Ruan Qin's pen almost fell to the ground. "What did you say?"

Tang Ruoyao repeated clearly, "I'm sorry." She lowered her head and said, "I was immature before."

Ruan Qin said, "Say it again, look into my eyes and say it."

Tang Ruoyao lifted her head, looked into Ruan Qin's eyes, and said, "I'm sorry, I was wrong."

Her tone was flat, as if she was offering her dignity on a platter, allowing others to trample on it. What did dignity matter compared to her father lying in the hospital, uncertain of life or death?

Ruan Qin walked over with a playful expression and patted her collagen-filled face.

As an 18 or 19-year-old girl who had just come of age, with smooth and delicate skin, Ruan Qin played with her like she was handling merchandise, holding her chin and examining her, saying, "It would be much better if you had realized this earlier. With your looks, as long as you're willing to work hard, you won't have to worry about not having a good path."

Tang Ruoyao lowered her eyes and said, "You're right."

Ruan Qin let go of her and waved her hand, saying, "You can go back for now. If there's a suitable dinner party, I'll call you."

Tang Ruoyao didn't move, and her voice was lower than before. "Can... it be as soon as possible?"

Ruan Qin looked at her suspiciously.

Tang Ruoyao said, "It's summer vacation now, and I want to take on some endorsements."

.......

After leaving Star Media, Tang Ruoyao stood by the roadside waiting for the bus to XX Central Hospital. This bus route was crowded with people, and it was very crowded inside. Tang Ruoyao lined up with the crowd and paid two yuan for the fare.

She took a seat until the second-to-last stop before the terminus. It would take an hour and ten minutes, and if she transferred to the subway, it would cost five yuan.

Present-day Tang Ruoyao is not the future superstar. She is on a crowded bus, unable to get rid of the smell of sweat from the air conditioning. She is wearing a white T-shirt and washed-out blue jeans, gripping the handle above her head tightly. Her shoulder is pressed against the person next to her, swaying unsteadily with the bus's movement. Her bangs cover her eyes, and her expression is numb.

The brakes screech, and the enormous vehicle stops at the bus stop in front of the hospital. The announcement of the arrival plays inside the bus, and people file out one by one.

The smell of sweat is replaced by the pervasive scent of disinfectant.

As soon as Tang Ruoyao enters the corridor of the intensive care unit, a woman rushes towards her, fiercely pounding her shoulders and pulling her long hair, crying and cursing, "You brought bad luck! How did our Tang family end up with a disaster like you?"

"Why wasn't it you who got hit by the car? How do you still have the face to live in this world?"

"What sins did I commit in my past life to end up with such a debt-collecting enemy like you?"

A nurse who heard the commotion intervened, "Stop making a scene. Take it outside if you have something to say."

Tang Ruoyao dragged Jiang Xuezhen out.

Jiang Xuezhen resisted reluctantly, but Tang Ruoyao was too strong. When they reached the staircase, Tang Ruoyao loosened her grip, granting Jiang Xuezhen her freedom. She raised her hand and slapped the girl.

Tang Ruoyao turned her head, and the slap only grazed her neck. Her skin was fair, and even after working a part-time job outside in the summer, she didn't get tanned. The slap caused a large area of redness, making it particularly conspicuous against her fair skin.

She lifted her gaze and looked at Jiang Xuezhen with her calm and emotionless eyes.

Jiang Xuezhen felt inexplicably intimidated but quickly regained her composure. She questioned with righteousness, "Where's the money? Weren't you supposed to get money? The surgery costs are being covered, but if we don't raise the money soon, he'll be left to die."

Tang Ruoyao was hoarse as she replied, "I'm trying to figure something out."

Jiang Xuezhen said, "Keep trying then! I guess you want to see your father die."

Tang Ruoyao's eyes reddened for a moment, but it quickly passed, as if it were just a fleeting illusion.

Jiang Xuezhen continued, "If it wasn't for him coming to see you, this wouldn't have happened. Don't you have any conscience?"

Tang Ruoyao's voice became hoarse, and the sound that came out was like sandpaper. She slowly said, "The house... at home."

Jiang Xuezhen immediately said, "No! We can't sell the house! Where will your younger brother live? Where will your father live after he recovers? Will our family end up homeless?" Her voice grew stronger, her eyes glanced to the side, and she sarcastically said, "You're a university student. You have a place to live, so you don't care if we end up homeless, do you?"

Tang Ruoyao pleaded, "Auntie, I really can't come up with that much money at the moment. Just consider it as borrowing from you."

Jiang Xuezhen raised her voice, "Borrowing? You mean steal, don't you? What do you have to pay it back with?"

Tang Ruoyao lowered her eyes for a moment, then self-mockingly curled her lips. She raised her gaze again and handed the lunchbox she had been holding to Jiang Xuezhen, saying, "Take care of my father and don't starve yourself. I have to go now."

She slightly bowed, turned around, and left.

Ruan Qin's call came quickly. The next day, she told Tang Ruoyao that there was a social event in the evening and asked if she wanted to go. Tang Ruoyao took out a new dress she bought for Chinese New Year from her closet. As a genuine student, the snow-white dress made her look even more youthful.

Ruan Qin said those old men like to play with college girls who are innocent and pure.

At the banquet table, the glasses clinked, and there was laughter and lively conversation.

Ruan Qin gestured to Tang Ruoyao, who suppressed the disgust in her heart and poured herself a full glass of wine. Adjusting her smile, she imitated the way other girls spoke, lowered her voice, and said, "Mr. Liu, I propose a toast to you."

The fat and big-eared man had a lecherous gaze as he looked the girl up and down, saying, "Alright. But I'm a bit tired of just drinking. How about we try something new?"

Ruan Qin asked, "What kind of game does Mr. Liu have in mind?"

Mr. Liu said, "How about an exchange of wine cups?"

Ruan Qin immediately joined in, saying, "Exchanging wine cups sounds good."

Tang Ruoyao's face turned slightly pale.

Ruan Qin said, "Xiaotang."

Tang Ruoyao forced a smile and said, "I'll do as Mr. Liu says"

Tang Ruoyao picked up her wine glass and approached, and the others started cheering.

"Mr. Liu, you're getting old and shameless. How can you have the nerve to play a toast game with a young girl?" another investor joked.

Mr. Liu scoffed, "You don't understand. drinking from a wine cup is only fun with a young girl. Do you expect me to play it with my old wife at home?"

His friends jokingly laughed.

Mr. Liu scrutinized Tang Ruoyao back and forth and thought that this young girl was quite good-looking. He had been immersed in this circle for many years and had seen many talents, but Tang Ruoyao still gave him a refreshing feeling.

"Drink! Drink! Drink!"

Both men and women were shouting, and the atmosphere was lively.

Tang Ruoyao's other hand's fingertips almost dug into her flesh. In the midst of the increasing cheers, she emptied the wine in her glass in one gulp, holding the cup upside down, not leaving a drop, and smiled slightly as she pursed her lips.

Mr. Liu shouted, "Good!"

He grabbed Tang Ruoyao's hand and patted it, seemingly casually touching the smooth back of her hand, chuckling.

Tang Ruoyao's expression remained unchanged.

Ruan Qin's eyes shifted, and a hint of understanding flashed in her gaze.

......

Ruan Qin stood in the restroom, lit a cigarette, and asked with interest, "You want to hook a patron? How did you suddenly have this realization?"

Tang Ruoyao remained expressionless but silently agreed.

"That's a wise choice. It's difficult to make it in this circle without power and influence. I'm doing this for your own good," Ruan Qin took a puff of smoke and slowly blew the white smoke ring onto Tang Ruoyao's face, "I can introduce someone to you."

"Is he generous?" Tang Ruoyao stared at her, her usually clear eyes becoming particularly gloomy in the smoke.

"Of course."

Ruan Qin saw the emotional fluctuations on her face as she desired, and her smile deepened.

After thinking for a moment, Ruan Qin said, "Mr. Jiang, the CEO of Xiaojun Film and Television, has some connections with me."

Tang Ruoyao said, "I want cash, the kind that can be deposited immediately."

Ruan Qin smiled, "No problem, as long as he takes a liking to you." A thought came to her mind, and she blurted out, "Is it all for money?"

Tang Ruoyao didn't answer.

Here it comes again, that perpetually superior attitude. She had just been happily playing with those old men, so what was she so proud of?

Ruan Qin said coldly, "Is this your attitude when asking for help?"

Tang Ruoyao lowered her head.

Ruan Qin lightly slapped her face with the back of her hand and said with a leisurely tone, "That's more like it."

Tang Ruoyao didn't know why, but she felt numb to the point of wanting to laugh, so she genuinely smiled at her.

Once was bearable, twice was tolerable. As long as she could get money, she didn't care how she trampled on herself.

Ruan Qin said, "We've had some friendship after all. You're in a hurry for money, and I'll arrange it for you as soon as possible. I'll let you know."

Tang Ruoyao said, "Thank you, Sister Qin."

A slight smile appeared at the corner of Ruan Qin's mouth as she said, "Let's go. As long as you behave and listen to me, I won't harm you." She took the lead and walked away, with Tang Ruoyao following behind.

Ruan Qin took Tang Ruoyao to meet Jiang Shikun, the CEO of Xiaojun Film and Television. Jiang Shikun was very satisfied, and that same evening, he took Tang Ruoyao to a dinner party, with a hint of showing off.

The private room was filled with overweight men, some accompanied by female partners, each one younger and more beautiful than the other. When Tang Ruoyao arrived, she outshone the other women present. Faced with the playful complaints from friends at the table, Jiang Shikun's vanity was greatly satisfied.

Tang Ruoyao excused herself to go to the restroom and took a breath of fresh air outside.

On the way back, she was blocked in the corridor by someone.

It was Mr. Huang, the CEO who sat at the same table as Jiang Shikun. Jiang Shikun had introduced him to her when he asked her to toast.

The arrival didn't seem friendly, but Tang Ruoyao pretended to remain calm and forced a smile, saying, "Mr. Huang."

Mr. Huang smiled and reached out, his hand moving toward her chin.

......

In another private room not far from there, the atmosphere was lively, with glasses clinking and the party in full swing.

Qin Yinong lifted her hand and brushed her long curled hair, emanating a charming and elegant aura. She pushed away the drink offered in front of her and smiled lightly, saying, "I'll drink later. I'll go to the restroom first."

"Be sure to come back quickly."

"I'll wait for you."

"Definitely." Qin Yinong nodded with a gentle smile.

She left the private room with Guan Han and walked towards an area with better air circulation. Unconsciously, they walked closer to the end of the corridor and stumbled upon a scene.

A fat man was pressing a young girl against the wall.

The girl's chin was set in a straight line, defiant yet restrained. She tried hard to turn her head away, avoiding the man's reaching hand. But she didn't dare to struggle too much, only dodging within a limited range, inevitably gaining some advantages for the man. From time to time, she would put on a submissive smile, hoping the man would let her go sooner.

Qin Yinong hadn't seen this scene a thousand times, but she had seen it over a hundred times. She was once part of it as well.

Qin Yinong should have turned around and left, but whether it was the influence of alcohol or an inexplicable impulse, she stood still, silently observing the scene with emotions indistinguishable in her eyes.

She watched the girl struggle, watched her helplessness, watched her endurance, watched her submission, watched her sinking deeper into the mire.

Her assistant, Guan Han, followed her gaze and softly called out, "Qin Jie?"

Qin Yinong responded lightly, withdrawing her gaze.

Guan Han said, "Shall we go back?"

Qin Yinong made a sound of agreement.

She turned around to leave, took a few steps, but inexplicably turned her head to take one last look.

The light in the corridor reflected in the girl's eyes, revealing faint glimmer of tears.

But that tear light disappeared in an instant, replaced by an unwavering fighting spirit, fierce and enduring, like a low-flying eagle on the grassland, temporarily bowing its head only to strike accurately and capture its prey.

Those familiar eyes.

Those eyes she knew so well.

No matter what, Qin Yinong couldn't bring herself to take another step forward.

She abruptly stopped and lifted her eyelids. In the assistant's puzzled gaze, she calmly said, "Go and find out which private room they're in."

Guan Han's eyes flickered with surprise, but her biggest virtue was that she did not ask more than she should. Not long after Qin Yinong returned to the private room, Guan Han entered and whispered the number of the private room she had inquired about.

In the end, Tang Ruoyao managed to escape from Mr. Huang's grasp. Jiang Shikun had sent someone to find her. She sat beside Jiang Shikun, listening to the lively conversations around her, mechanically lifting her glass and toasting everyone who mentioned her name. However, her mental state grew worse with each passing moment. Her face turned pale, with only a hint of blood on her bitten lips.

At some point, the door to the private room suddenly opened, revealing a person standing at the entrance.

Everyone welcomed the person and called out, "President Qin."

With her head lowered, Tang Ruoyao obediently followed suit and called out, "President Qin."

She didn't know if President Qin was a man or a woman, old or young, and she didn't care. She was just enduring. Starting from today, she would continue to live a torturous and dark life, just like today.

Qin Yinong immediately noticed the young girl sitting in a corner.

Calling her a young girl was accurate. She was truly young, with long black hair and a fair, snow-white face. She had a pointed chin. Seventeen? Eighteen? Or nineteen? Was she of legal age?

She was trembling.

Qin Yinong calmly averted her gaze.

The others made way for her to take the main seat, and Qin Yinong sat down without hesitation. In this group, no one had more power than her.

Qin Yinong used the excuse of seeing a friend who had approached their table. There were indeed two people at the table who had some acquaintance with her, and she naturally integrated herself into the conversation, steering it towards drinking and gambling.

Qin Yinong had consumed a lot of alcohol in the previous private room. At this moment, her eyes sparkled with spring-like charm, displaying her coquettishness. She asked, "Hmm? What if I win?"

Everyone at the table stared at her.

Someone readily replied, "President Qin, you can have whatever you want. Even if you lose, it doesn't matter. It would be our honor to make you smile."

Qin Yinong tilted her chin and said, "Anything?"

"Of course."

"What about a person?"

Laughter erupted in the room. One person laughed heartily and said, "If President Qin takes a liking to us, it would be our good fortune."

Qin Yinong made a disdainful sound and said, "Who would take a liking to all of you? I'm talking about these delicate young girls." Thanks to her infamous reputation of not caring about the gender or age of her partners, she wasn't hesitant to express interest in a young girl.

The person remained straightforward and said, "President Qin, whoever you want, you can have them."

In their eyes, these young girls were mere playthings. If they could be given to Qin Yinong, it would be an opportunity to establish a connection with her., even it meant sacrificing them.

Qin Yinong said, "You said it. Do you all agree?"

Qin Yinong was a woman, a beautiful woman at that. These older men were masters at boasting and showing off in front of women. Even if it was for the sake of face, they couldn't refuse. Moreover, they didn't believe that Qin Yinong alone could outdrink their entire table. Just by not mentioning what would happen if she won, they could tell.

In their eyes, even if Qin Yinong had more power than them, she was still a higher-class plaything for them to admire.

"We agree."

"We agree."

Jiang Shikun also said, "We agree."

The person who spoke earlier said, "President Qin, you can choose whoever you want right now, and we'll gladly offer them to you."

Qin Yinong giggled playfully and said, "That wouldn't be good. We agreed that I can choose if I win."

The other person said, "Alright then, let's begin."

...

The room was filled with the scent of alcohol. Qin Yinong put down her glass and smiled, and the last person let out a belch and looked like he was about to vomit, waving his hand repeatedly saying, "Excuse me."

Apart from her slightly flushed face, she appeared even more enchanting than before, and there was no sign of discomfort.

The men's faces didn't look good, but since they had witnessed her drinking, they had to lose gracefully. It wasn't manly to argue with a woman. The leading man spoke up again and said with a smile, "President Qin, you have a great tolerance for alcohol."

Qin Yinong replied, "You're not bad either. If I drink any more, I'll get drunk." She half-closed her eyes wearily, and her jade-like fingertips pressed against her temples, giving the appearance of someone who was quite intoxicated. Her beautiful face became even more alluring.

The men were captivated by her beauty and had lost all their vigor.

Qin Yinong opened her eyes and smiled, saying, "Isn't it time to fulfill my request?"

She sighed inwardly.

Amidst the lively atmosphere at the table, the young girl showed no reaction at all. Her face was unnaturally pale, and it seemed like she was on the verge of collapsing.

Someone responded, "Of course."

Qin Yinong leisurely looked around with a teasing expression. The other young girls she had set her eyes on were nervous and excited, afraid to look at her yet stealing glances. Who wouldn't want to accompany someone rich and beautiful? So what, she's a woman? Even if they were all in this line of work, why would they care about the gender of their benefactors?

They had heard that female benefactors were more generous to their lovers.

Qin Yinong's gaze stopped on Tang Ruoyao, and her eyebrows slightly raised. She asked in a flirtatious tone, "What's her name?"

Someone replied, "Tang Ruoyao."

Qin Yinong noticed how the young girl trembled like a startled bird, raising her head to meet Qin Yinong's gaze. Her amber eyes were filled with anxiety as she looked back at her.

The young girl was stunned.

Qin Yinong thought amusedly, 'So you finally look up at me?'

Propping her chin lazily with one hand, Qin Yinong casually pointed in Tang Ruoyao's direction with the other, nonchalantly saying, "I want her."

Jiang Shikun blurted out, "No!"

He had just obtained Tang Ruoyao not long ago and hadn't even had a taste of her yet. Ruan Qin had told him that she was a university student from the Capital Theater Academy, and such good catches doesn't come around often.

Qin Yinong remained unhurried and smiled mischievously, asking, "Why not?"

Jiang Shikun replied, "She's off-limits."

Qin Yinong continued in her leisurely manner, "So you mean the others are fair game?"

Jiang Shikun hesitated, and his friend beside him said displeasedly, "Brother Jiang, that's not fair. Why is it that all of ours are fair game, but yours isn't?"

Another person chimed in, "Exactly, we all agreed at the beginning. She's just a little thing, isn't she? President Qin has taken a liking to her, which means your tastes align. In the future..."

Jiang Shikun understood his friend's implication, but firstly, he was in the wrong, secondly, he couldn't offend Qin Yinong, and thirdly, he could gain personal favor with Qin Yinong. There would be plenty of opportunities for future cooperation, and he wouldn't lose out. But he couldn't just watch as the duck reached his mouth and flew away.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "President Qin, how about I personally bring her to you tomorrow?"

Qin Yinong smiled ambiguously.

Do you take her for a fool? This young and naive child, if you keep her for the night, will it end well? 

Jiang Shikun saw that she was unresponsive and cursed inwardly in his heart.

Qin Yinong asked Guan Han to bring a chair and place it next to her. She originally wanted to wave at the dazed young girl and call her over, but she changed her mind and signaled to Guan Han with her eyes instead. Guan Han walked over, reached out, and grabbed Tang Ruoyao's wrist. Tang Ruoyao, like a puppet on strings, was easily led over and seated next to Qin Yinong. The other unsuccessful girls looked on with envy.

Tang Ruoyao seemed to recognize the person, and yet she didn't. She wasn't even clear about where she was. The world had turned into a vast void, terrifyingly unreal. A cup was placed in her hand, and Tang Ruoyao forced a smile, mechanically preparing to toast, but a hand reached out and held her slender wrist. Her sluggish nerves finally reacted, and she realized that the cup in her hand wasn't filled with alcohol but warm water.

She turned her head and met a pair of smiling peach blossom eyes. Tang Ruoyao was startled. The hand that was pressing on her wrist let go, and as she tried to follow its movement, she caught a glimpse of delicate and fair fingertips, like fine jade.

She held the cup of warm water and slowly took a few sips. Tang Ruoyao's numbed brain began to function again as she listened to the conversations at the table, capturing fragments of relevant information, and forming a preliminary understanding of her current situation.

Had she been... intercepted?

And the one who intercepted her was... wait, her head was even dizzier than before. It was actually Qin Yinong, the famous superstar?

Had she really run into the real thing?

Tang Ruoyao discreetly glanced over. Qin Yinong, in order not to make her intentions too obvious, continued to smile and chat with the old men. Suddenly, she felt a gaze on her, coming from beside her. Qin Yinong paused in her speech without making it obvious and didn't return the gaze. Soon, that gaze disappeared.

Tang Ruoyao lowered her head and looked at the half-filled cup of warm water.

What should she do?

If Qin Yinong took her away, the contract she had previously negotiated with Jiang Shikun would be null and void. Where would she get the money from? Was Qin Yinong a generous person? Would she agree to her conditions? If she didn't agree, should she go back to Jiang Shikun? Or should she let Ruan Qin introduce her to someone else? Could her father wait any longer?

Regardless, she was at the mercy of others. She couldn't speak up in her current situation.

For now, she could only take things step by step.

She fell into silence, like a stagnant pool of water.

Qin Yinong was sensitive to people's emotional changes and couldn't help but glance at the person beside her. "No need to send me off." Qin Yinong said as she walked out of the private room. Tang Ruoyao followed silently behind her, while Guan Han stood on her other side.

Jiang Shikun stared intently at Tang Ruoyao and didn't let go. His friend beside him tugged at his sleeve, and Jiang Shikun reluctantly forced a smile and instructed Tang Ruoyao, "Take good care of President Qin, do you understand?"

Tang Ruoyao replied, "I undestand."

Her voice was obedient and submissive. If one didn't witness Tang Ruoyao speaking, they would think it came from another person entirely.

Even Tang Ruoyao herself couldn't believe it. She had quickly divided herself into two, adeptly and effortlessly taking on the role she was about to play. She chuckled self-deprecatingly in her heart.

It was Qin Yinong's first time seeing her, and she didn't know what her original personality was like. It was just an intuitive feeling, nothing more, and she didn't bother to think about it.

Guan Han had booked a suite in a nearby five-star hotel.

Qin Yinong sat in the dining chair, with a cup of sobering tea by her side, scrutinizing the young girl standing before her with her hands hanging down.

Author's Note: 

Let's write about the events during the time she was just taken under her wing, as well as the process of how the two characters became emotionally involved. Feel free to continue, ahhh!

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