CHAPTER 229: Qin & Tang Extra 03

Qin Yinong didn't actually want to sleep with her, at least not for now.

Since she had taken someone else's money, she had to abide by the spirit of the agreement. Nineteen-year-old Tang Ruoyao, no matter how panicked she was, never had the thought of taking the money and running away.

Thanks to her experiences from childhood to adulthood, she was skilled at maintaining a calm facade. When she answered the phone, there was no trace of fear in her voice. She calmly said, "Assistant Guan."

Guan Han politely replied, "Miss Tang."

Tang Ruoyao thought to herself, 'Is the next sentence going to be informing me to come over and let Qin Yinong sleep with me?'

Guan Han said, "Have you spent all the money I gave you last time for emergencies?"

Tang Ruoyao's expression froze for a moment.

A dark thought flashed through her mind. She thought about asking Qin Yinong for more money since she had plenty of it and wouldn't mind giving her a little extra. She had already sold everything she could, so it didn't matter how high or low the price was. Selling at a higher price would at least provide her with a better life and some security for the future. But as the words reached her lips, Tang Ruoyao couldn't bring herself to speak calmly. She hesitated for a moment and truthfully said, "There's still some left."

Guan Han said, "Alright, I understand. I won't disturb you."

Beep, beep, beep...

Tang Ruoyao listened to the busy tone on the other end of the phone, feeling a sense of confusion.

Did they really just call to ask if she used up all the money?

"Tang Tang." Someone called from nearby.

Tang Ruoyao looked up and responded, "I'm coming."

.......

"She said there's still money left." Guan Han reported truthfully.

Qin Yinong slowly nodded and said, "This girl has decent character, not greedy."

If Tang Ruoyao really needed the money, Qin Yinong would give it to her, but her impression of her would definitely be greatly diminished. Since she didn't ask for money, it meant she hadn't reached the point of desperation. Although Qin Yinong was wealthy, she wasn't as generous as Guan Han imagined, giving money everywhere. Spending lavishly would not be enough for her, even if it meant giving away mountains of gold and silver.

Qin Yinong tapped her finger on the table, squinting her eyes, and said with an indeterminate meaning, "Jiang Shikun..."

Tang Ruoyao had no power or influence, but if Jiang Shikun was determined to take her back, he might not resort to openly snatching her, but he would certainly create a lot of obstacles in her life. With her father lying in the hospital and a young girl working part-time jobs everywhere to make money, it would be difficult for her to continue under Jiang Shikun's interference.

The face of the girl appeared in Qin Yinong's mind, and her heart seemed to be touched.

Qin Yinong closed her eyes.

Forget it, she had already gone this far. She couldn't really help her own impulsiveness.

Qin Yinong stopped tapping her finger, opened her eyes, and said, "When am I free?"

Guan Han knew her schedule by heart and said, "This Saturday."

Qin Yinong said, "Have her come see me." She thought for a moment and added, "Take her to the house on Wangyue Mountain."

A subtle expression flashed in Guan Han's eyes.

Could it be that she really intends to sleep with her? No, Qin Yinong isn't at that age yet, but she's still just a child.

Even if she really sleeps with her, it has nothing to do with her.

Guan Han kept her eyes on her nose and her nose on her heart.

Qin Yinong tapped her fingertips on each joint and said calmly, "I'm going home today."

Guan Han suddenly looked up, then quickly lowered her gaze.

"Yes, I'll prepare the car." she said.

At the Qin Residence.

The flowers and plants in the garden were neatly trimmed, forming a colorful and thriving scene. They didn't hire professional gardeners, it was all done by Ji Shulan and Aunt Fang themselves. The two elderly people had nothing to do and were idle at home.

On the shady path in the courtyard, a pregnant woman with a round belly was walking slowly, accompanied by a worried Ji Shulan.

The woman was around 28 or 29 years old. She should have been in her prime, but her skin was pale yellow, and her figure was thinner and weaker than the average woman. Under the loose maternity clothes specially designed for pregnant women, her body seemed extra fragile, as if it could be blown away by the wind at any moment.

After taking a walk outside, the woman's forehead showed a hint of sweat.

Ji Shulan asked with concern, "Are you tired?"

The woman, Qin Lunong, shook her head.

She turned her head and glanced in the direction of the intricately carved iron gate, sighing.

Ji Shulan quickly said, "She's busy with work and often not at home. It has nothing to do with you."

Qin Lunong smiled at her mother and didn't say anything.

Suddenly, the sound of a car came from outside the gate, and then the iron gate slowly opened, revealing a black sedan driving in.

Qin Lunong was pleasantly surprised and hurriedly walked over, almost stumbling. Ji Shulan was frightened, and Qin Yinong in the car also felt her heart skip a beat. Before the car came to a stop, she pushed the door open and got out.

"Sister..." The word got stuck in her throat, and Qin Yinong's voice sounded dry. She closed her mouth, walked over in silence.

Qin Lunong looked at her and said, "Would you like to take a walk with me?"

Qin Yinong nodded.

Qin Lunong smiled, her features radiant under the sunlight, her demeanor elegant, and even her illness couldn't hide her beauty.

Ji Shulan tactfully left, knowing that the two sisters had a good relationship, and Qin Yinong would share anything with her older sister. She was unnecessary in this situation.

The two sisters continued walking along the path.

"Have you been busy lately?" Qin Lunong asked casually as they walked.

"Mhm," Qin Yinong lowered her head, looking at the path beneath her feet.

"Take care of yourself." Qin Lunong said.

Qin Yinong bitterly curled her lips.

When did their conversations only revolve around this topic?

"The baby just kicked me." Qin Lunong suddenly stopped walking.

Qin Yinong turned to look at her, then glanced at her belly.

Qin Lunong smiled and asked, "Would you like to feel it?"

Qin Yinong didn't say anything.

Qin Lunong held her wrist and slowly placed her hand on her protruding belly through her clothes.

The belly of a pregnant woman is different from that of an ordinary person. It is not as soft but round and firm. It felt unfamiliar, and Qin Yinong's palm remained motionless.

The two stood there for a long time.

A gust of wind blew.

Qin Yinong involuntarily twitched her fingertips, lifted her slightly reddened eyelids, and said in a hoarse voice, "No movement."

Qin Lunong patiently said, "Wait a little longer."

Qin Yinong continued to wait.

The wind blew her long hair.

Qin Lunong used her white fingertips to pick up a strand of hair that was blocking her vision and tucked it behind her ear.

Qin Yinong's whole body tensed, and she only remembered to breathe when Qin Yinong's hand moved away.

The next second, her attention was completely drawn to the movement she felt in her palm.

"It moved!" She exclaimed like an excited child, raising her head to meet Qin Lunong smiling gaze, hurriedly turning her head away, lowering her eyes, and whispering, "It moved."

Qin Lunong burst into laughter.

Qin Yinong withdrew her hand.

But her wrist was still held firmly in Qin Lunong's hand.

Before, it was Qin Yinong who clung to her, but now it had reversed.

Qin Lunong gazed at her lowered eyelashes and said seriously and gently, "Lil sis, I have disappointed you, I'm sorry."

Qin Yinong bit her lower lip tightly.

She held back her tears, raised her reddened eyes, and asked, "Who is it?" She gritted her teeth in hatred, 'Who has done this to you?"

Qin Lunong remained gentle and said, "No one, it's me."

"I don't believe it." Qin Yinong raised her hand to wipe her eyes and choked.

"You don't believe what? You don't believe that I'm not a god, just an ordinary person?" Qin Lunong smiled faintly and said, "But I am just an ordinary person." If you're a human, you'll get hurt, feel pain, misunderstand people, and pay a price.

"I don't believe it." Qin Yinong repeated with a determined gaze.

Because she didn't believe, she couldn't face reality.

But reality doesn't cease to exist just because you refuse to face it. Qin Lunong changed the topic and said, "Will you stay for lunch?"

Qin Yinong nodded.

Otherwise, why would she come back?

"Mom will be happy." Qin Lunong said.

Qin Yinong scoffed, "She won't be happy. Her eyes only have you."

This remark instantly brought them back to their past interactions, where Ji Shulan favored Qin Lunong, which was evident to all.

Qin Lunong smiled and said, "But my eyes only have you."

Qin Yinong knew she was joking but couldn't help but soften her gaze, then she put on a serious face and said, "You're just coaxing me."

Qin Lunong replied, "Alright, though I'm not just coaxing you. I'll tell you the truth. One and a half eyes are for you, and the remaining half is for our mom."

How could it be divided like that? Qin Yinong resisted laughter and asked, "What about the child in your belly?"

Qin Lunong waved her hand and said, "They're still small, they don't need eyes to see."

Qin Yinong was about to say something when Qin Lunong opened her arms and hugged her. Qin Yinong stiffened for a moment but gradually relaxed in the woman's embrace. Qin Lunong pinched her cheeks and ears, saying regretfully, "There's no fleshiness anymore, just dry and not as good to touch as before."

Qin Yinong said: "..."

Qin Lunong continued to playfully pinch her, then leaned close to her ear and softly coaxed, "Don't be angry, sister loves you the most."

Qin Yinong wasn't angry at all. She wasn't the girl who loved to argue and intentionally didn't answer her sister's calls when she went abroad. But when she heard those words, tears welled up in her eyes.

Among siblings who grew up together, who accompanied each other, and were close in age, there was no lack of arguments and quarrels. Qin Lunong was no exception. Outside, she was an outstanding student, someone else's child, but at home, she teased Qin Yinong. Qin Yinong had poor health, completely the opposite of Qin Lunong. When they were young, Qin Lunong couldn't overpower her in the normal course of events as she was strong like a young calf, never plagued by illness. But she was clever, good at feigning weakness. Every time she teased Qin Yinong, she would hug her and say, "Sister loves you the most."

Little Qin Yinong immediately forgot about everything and didn't hold any grudges.

Qin Lunong has grown up. She went to study abroad and became much more mature upon her return. She secretly gave Qin Yinong pocket money and took her out to eat delicious food. She no longer "bullied" her younger sister. Perhaps it was because of the significant difference in mental development between Qin Yinong and herself, with a three-year age gap. Qin Lunong, who had already entered university, still treated Qin Yinong as if she were a child, frequently hugging and comforting her.

No matter how big the outside world is, they only rely on each other.

Qin Yinong suddenly burst into tears, and her tears fell on Qin Lunong's neck. Qin Lunong was taken aback and asked, "Why are you crying?"

Qin Yinong cried and said, "Has no one ever told you that you're annoying?"

Qin Lu closed her mouth and thought to herself, 'You are right about everything you say.'

Qin Yinong continued, crying, "Don't you know how old I am? You don't need to use these childish tricks on me."

Qin Lunong thought to herself, 'But don't you still enjoy this kind of coddling.'

Qin Yinong wanted to raise her hand and hit her, but she was afraid of hurting her fragile sister. So she held back her anger and shouted, "You're so annoying!"

Qin Lunong lowered her head and obediently accepted the scolding.

Qin Yinong wiped her face with her hands and glared at Qin Lunong angrily.

Qin Lunong raised her eyebrows and eyes, smiling.

Qin Yinong: "..."

What's this? Does a dead pig not fear boiling water?

[The phrase "Does a dead pig not fear boiling water?" is an idiomatic expression that suggests someone is completely unafraid or unaffected by something that would normally be very threatening or harmful.]

Qin Yinong laughed at this metaphor.

Qin Lunong was truly annoying.

The two made up and sat on a stone bench under the shade of a tree. Qin Yinong held Qin Lu's wrist with one hand and used her thumb and index finger to measure her wrist size. She frowned and said, "You're too thin."

Qin Lunong supported her chin with one hand and looked at her with sparkling eyes, saying, "Mom is helping me gain weight. I've gained a few pounds since I came back."

Qin Yinong's gaze shifted downward, and she looked at Qin Lu's belly. After a few seconds, she said, "Are you really going to keep this child?"

Even though Qin Lunong didn't explicitly say it, she knew that she was emotionally hurt.

Qin Lunong put away her playful smile and said seriously, "Yes. The child is innocent."

Qin Yinong never opposed her decisions.

"Then you really need to take care of your health, or it won't be good for childbirth."

Qin Lunong looked at her with a gaze filled with relief.

"Dudu, you've really grown up."

"..." Qin Yinong silently thought, 'Is the next sentence going to be 'Mom is very happy'?'

Seeing Qin Yinong's strange and indescribable expression, Qin Lunong burst into laughter.

Qin Yinong angrily said, "I should let others see what you're like." Outside, Qin Lunong appeared dignified and elegant, but at home, she played all kinds of pranks on Qin Yinong.

Qin Lu sighed and said, "Sorry, others can't see this side of me."

Although she was physically weak, she seemed mentally fine, which secretly relieved Qin Yinong.

In any case, as long as they were together, everything would be fine.

"Time for dinner." Aunt Fang came out to find them.

"We're coming." Qin Yinong replied loudly. She stood up first, turned back to help Qin Lunong, and the two walked side by side towards the house.

The sunlight outside was radiant.

Star Media.

Ruan Qin closed the office door and looked at the bewildered Tang Ruoyao standing in front of her, lowering her voice to ask, "What's going on with you? Stood up the boss?"

Tao Ruoyao was perplexed: "What?"

Ruan Qin said, "The boss wanted to meet you tonight."

Tao Ruoyao immediately said, "I'm not going."

She is now Qin Yinong's person, how could she go to meet Jiang Shikun's appointment?

Ruan Qin tapped her forehead and said, "I knew you had ulterior motives!" Her pupils slightly contracted, thinking she had seen through her, and angrily asked, "Did you do it on purpose?"

Tang Ruoyao's forehead turned red from Ruan Qin's poking. She turned her head away and said coldly, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You don't know? You intentionally used my name to flirt with Mr. Jiang. Now that you've disappeared, and he can't find you, so he'll take it out on me!" Ruan Qin stared at her with a sinister look and said, "I didn't expect you to scheme like this. Don't worry, if I have bad luck, you won't have it any better!"

"..." Tang Ruoyao felt that Ruan Qin's stupidity had exceeded her imagination.

She summoned her patience and calmly asked, "What did Mr. Jiang say to you?"

Ruan Qin replied angrily, "He said you ran away that night and haven't been seen since."

Tang Ruoyao calmly said, "He lied to you."

Tang Ruoyao's brain quickly turned, why did Jiang Shikun agree to Qin Yinong but now want to back out? Did he dare to steal someone from Qin Yinong's hands? Or... did Qin Yinong give herself back to him?

Thinking about the recent cold treatment - Tang Ruoyao, who had not been kept, would not receive favor or protection from anyone. Does that mean Qin Yinong gave up on her?

Although it was the same no matter who she sold herself to, Tang Ruoyao felt a trace of bitterness in her heart.

So-called "my fate is not up to me," is it like this? Like a commodity, passed from one person to another.

Ruan Qin asked, "How did he lie to me?"

Tang Ruoyao opened her mouth, wanting to reveal what happened that night, but the words stuck in her throat. Qin Yinong picked her up that night. Wasn't that something to be proud of?

"Give me Mr. Jiang's phone number, I'll explain it to him personally." Tang Ruoyao said after thinking for a moment.

Ruan Qin warned her, "You better be honest."

Tang Ruoyao thought playfully, 'What can you do if I'm not honest? Do you think you can control me?'

She had more important things to deal with and didn't want to engage in meaningless arguments with Ruan Qin.

Tang Ruoyao obtained Jiang Shikun's contact information.

After leaving the company, instead of calling Jiang Shikun, she called Guan Han. According to the principle of business, she needed to make sure she had no connection with Qin Yinong before she could go to Jiang Shikun.

If Qin Yinong knew her thoughts, she would probably laugh out loud again.

Guan Han planned to talk to her about Saturday's matter in the evening, but unexpectedly, she proactively called.

"Miss Tang," her tone was still polite but cold, "Is there something you need?"

Tang Ruoyao found it difficult to speak and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before asking, "Did Mr. Jiang come to look for me? Was it Qin Yinong's idea?"

Guan Han thought for a moment before understanding and denied, "No."

Tang Ruoyao said, "Huh?"

Guan Han said, "Are you available on Saturday?"

The topic changed too quickly, and it took Tang Ruoyao two seconds to react and said, "Yes."

Guan Han said, "Give me an address, I'll send a car to pick you up." She paused and said, "Don't listen to anything Mr. Jiang says."

Tang Ruoyao obediently said, "Okay."

She spontaneously added the second half of Guan Han's sentence in her mind: You should recognize who you belong to. Who do you belong to? Of course, Qin Yinong.

Guan Han gave her a final instruction, "If you have any issues, call me."

Tang Ruoyao didn't grasp her deeper meaning and responded as before, "Okay."

Just two days later, Tang Ruoyao understood why Guan Han said that.

On Friday, two guests arrived at the coffee shop where she worked part-time.

Naturally, it wasn't Mr. Jiang himself. The leader was a tall and thin man wearing glasses, well-mannered and dressed in formal attire. He frequently glanced at his watch. He was Jiang Shikun's secretary. The person behind him wore a black T-shirt and black pants, with well-defined muscles that stretched the T-shirt, resembling a bodyguard.

Tang Ruoyao was at the service counter, wearing a polite smile and looking up, she said, "May I help you...?"

Jiang Shikun's secretary smiled at her.

Tang Ruoyao's expression remained unchanged as she continued, "What would you like to order?"

She panicked in her heart and wondered, 'Why is he here?'

"A mocha and a latte, less sugar and no ice," Jiang Shikun's secretary leaned forward, maintaining a polite smile and lowered his voice, "Mr. Jiang asked me to come and pick you up."

Tang Ruoyao placed their orders on the machine and replied in the same volume, "I haven't finished work yet."

Jiang Shikun's secretary smiled faintly, raised his hand to check the time, and said, "That's alright, I'll wait here for you."

Tang Ruoyao's throat felt dry as she looked at the vigilant bodyguard and the patient secretary. She tried her best to control the trembling in her voice and said, "Please wait a moment."

The coffee shop operated on a shift system, and Tang Ruoyao finished work at 6 o'clock. It was already past 5 o'clock now.

Her hands slowly perspired as she prepared the coffee.

—If you have any issues, call me.

Tang Ruoyao asked her colleague to deliver the two cups of coffee and went to the dressing room at the back to make a phone call.

Guan Han, who was on standby 24/7 for Qin Yinong, immediately answered the call.

"Hello."

Tang Ruoyao covered her mouth with one hand, even though she was in an empty lounge, she didn't let her guard down. She said, "Jiang Shikun's secretary came to find me."

"Where are you?"

Qin Yinong glanced at her.

Tang Ruoyao said, "At the address I told you last time, the xx coffee shop on Ruian Road."

Guan Han also looked at Qin Yinong and said on the other end of the phone, "Okay, I got it."

Tang Ruoyao said, "He's waiting for me here, and he brought a bodyguard with him. I finish work at 6 o'clock, and there's less than fifty minutes left." She realized she was talking too much and overstepping her boundaries.

But since she had already said it, she couldn't take it back.

Would they come to save her?

Even if they didn't come, Tang Ruoyao was confident that she could escape. This was a bustling area, would they dare to kidnap someone? She made this call to let Qin Yinong handle it, so that she wouldn't be affected as a small fish.

Having made up her mind, she, as a weak woman, faced two men, one of whom was a muscular man. There was no reason not to be afraid.

There was silence for a long time on the other end.

"Don't be afraid." Suddenly, a soft and different voice came into her ears. It was a voice that was completely different from Guan Han's.

Tang Ruoyao remembered that voice, it was Qin Yinong's.

For some reason, Tang Ruoyao blurted out, "I'm not afraid."

Qin Yinong laughed.

That pleasing, gentle laughter, like ants biting into her heart, itchy and ticklish.

Tang Ruoyao had always thought that her feelings for Qin Yinong grew day by day, quietly hiding her presence in her eyes. But she didn't know that the moment of attraction came even earlier than she remembered.

Tang Ruoyao switched the phone to her other hand to get rid of that strange feeling.

Qin Yinong spoke in an indulgent tone, half coaxing and half joking, "Alright, you're not afraid."

Tang Ruoyao kept turning the phone over in her hands, feeling like she was going crazy.

Everyone said that Qin Yinong was a fox spirit, did she put some kind of aphrodisiac in her voice?

Qin Yinong said, "I'll send someone to pick you up, don't waste any time."

Qin Yinong handed the phone back to Guan Han.

Guan Han hung up the call.

Qin Yinong looked at her and said, "Can you go?" She didn't have anyone available by her side. Her newly hired assistant, A'Xiao, was impulsive and couldn't handle tasks properly. She couldn't rely on her yet.

Guan Han asked, "What about you?"

Qin Yinong had bodyguards, but they were all men. It wasn't possible for them to be with her all the time.

Qin Yinong thought for a moment and said, "I'll wait here for you. When you pick her up, bring her over, and we'll leave together."

Guan Han left, taking a bodyguard with her.

With her skills, it wouldn't be a problem for her to deal with Jiang Shikun's secretary and a bodyguard. But she appeared weak, and without a strong bodyguard to intimidate them, it would save her some effort.

Time passed by second by second.

The setting sun cast a hazy yellow glow over the coffee shop on Ruian Road.

Tang Ruoyao looked at her wristwatch, and the minute hand had already reached fifty-five.

Jiang Shikun's secretary also glanced at his watch. He looked at Tang Ruoyao and smiled slightly again.

Tang Ruoyao's colleague nudged her arm gently and whispered, "Tang Tang."

Tang Ruoyao managed to force a smile and asked, "What's wrong?"

Her colleague nodded in the secretary's direction and insinuated, "Is he your boyfriend?"

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

How could someone so young be so blind?

"No." she replied.

"He's quite handsome." her colleague said with a hint of regret.

Another colleague who was changing shifts arrived. Tang Ruoyao held onto her apron, avoiding looking directly at the entrance, afraid of being noticed. She only glanced at it from the corner of her eye, her heart pounding with nervousness.

Why hasn't he come yet?

Which way should she run? Should she simply scream for help?

Jiang Shikun's secretary stood up and said, "Miss Tang."

Tang Ruoyao said, "I'll go change my clothes."

The secretary smiled and said, "Please, Miss Tang."

The secretary never considered that Tang Ruoyao might not want to go, so he remained polite and never doubted that she might try to escape.

Tang Ruoyao changed her clothes and tightly gripped her phone, intending to call Guan Han again. But before she could, her phone rang.

Guan Han: "I'm here. Where are you?"

Tang Ruoyao had never thought that Guan Han's cold voice could sound so pleasant.

"I'm in the dressing room." she quickly replied.

"No need to hide anymore, come out."

Tang Ruoyao came out and saw Jiang Shikun's secretary on the phone, while Guan Han walked towards her. Guan Han said, "Miss Tang," and she looked similar to their last meeting, dressed in a dark professional attire, with a perpetually cold expression.

Tang Ruoyao glanced in the secretary's direction.

Guan Han said, "He's on the phone with his boss, you don't need to pay attention to him."

Tang Ruoyao asked, "Can we leave now?"

Guan Han nodded.

A Bentley parked at the entrance. Guan Han opened the rear door, and once Tang Ruoyao got in, she closed the door and sat in the passenger seat.

The vehicle started smoothly and merged into the flow of traffic on the street. Tang Ruoyao looked out of the well-shaded window and found the familiar scenery to be extremely unfamiliar.

Guan Han was the type of person who wouldn't speak unless spoken to, and even if you spoke to her, she might not respond. Tang Ruoyao didn't have much to say, so the car was filled with silence.

Eventually, they arrived at an underground parking lot of a building. Guan Han left, and the driver left as well.

Tang Ruoyao was left alone in the car.

The sky had already darkened, and the parking lot was dimly lit.

After some time, the door lock made a slight sound, and the car door opened from the outside.

Qin Yinong bent down and got in.

It was only her.

Tang Ruoyao immediately gripped the seat cushion beneath her, feeling a wave of darkness before her eyes.

Is she going to be taken advantage of in the car on her first time?

Author's Note: 

Tang Ruoyao at the age of 25: What was I thinking when I was 19 years old?

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