CHAPTER 239: Qin & Tang Extra 13

Qin Yinong was not nineteen years old. Having spent so many years in a mixed circle and acted in numerous films, her life experience was far richer than her twenty-six years. She was a person walking on the edge of a knife. She had to know who was kind to her, who harbored malice, who she could befriend, who she must keep at a distance, and who she needed to maintain a superficial relationship with. If she couldn't do this, she would wake up the next day facing a dead end.

Including admiration, or rather, mere admiration.

But Tang Ruoyao was only nineteen. Her admiration was already written in her eyes, even when her mouth was closed, her eyes would speak.

She came out of the study while pouring water, just to steal a glance at her. When caught, she would withdraw her gaze nonchalantly or nod at her, retreating back to the study with light steps. Her clumsy excuses, the unconscious curling of her fingers when being directly looked at, and the shyness that leaked out involuntarily, every glance that seemed accidental yet had been planned for a long time.

Qin Yinong refused to think about it, but youthful feelings were always poetic. Tang Ruoyao was a romantic and naive poet, splashing her passionate and expressive brushstrokes across the world and the air, making it impossible for Qin Yinong to avoid her.

She decided to test her one last time, and she succeeded.

'So you really do like me.'

Qin Yinong's heart sank.

"If you like it, go ahead and spray a bit." Qin Yinong said with a slight smile, showing no signs of unusualness.

"Okay." Tang Ruoyao picked up the perfume, including the packaging box, took a few steps, turned back to smile at Qin Yinong, slowed her pace, and walked back.

Qin Yinong couldn't help but smile.

The door to the master bedroom closed lightly.

Qin Yinong's smile suddenly disappeared.

Tang Ruoyao placed the perfume on the bedside table, threw herself onto the bed, buried her face, and silently screamed.

'Ahhhhh!'

Qin Yinong gave her a gift.

Tang Ruoyao tossed and turned, rolled around several times, messing up the sheets.

She sprayed a little on her wrist and the back of her neck, waved her hand to disperse it, and took a sniff. The top notes seemed to be a cool scent like pine and cypress. Did Qin Yinong like this kind of perfume, or did she think it suited her?

"I'm good now."

Qin Yinong was resting with her eyes closed on the couch, pretending not to hear the girl's footsteps until she reached her side, where a crisp and sweet voice fell from above.

Qin Yinong smiled and opened her eyes. "As long as you like it."

Tang Ruoyao pursed her lips.

Shouldn't she smell it herself? she thought, feeling a bit disappointed.

"You're about to join the crew, aren't you?" Qin Yinong asked, looking at the wall behind Tang Ruoyao.

Tang Ruoyao suppressed her thoughts and replied, "The day after tomorrow."

"Mm." Qin Yinong lightly tapped the edge of the couch with her fingers, wanting to say something but ultimately said nothing. She closed her eyes, lazily saying, "I'm a bit tired."

Tang Ruoyao instinctively began to massage her legs.

A smile crept onto Qin Yinong's lips. "Not my legs, it's my head that hurts."

Tang Ruoyao nodded, moved a chair and sat down, lightly placing two fingers on her temples.

"Is this pressure okay?"

"A bit harder."

"Like this?"

"Mm."

Tang Ruoyao gently pressed, the woman's breathing becoming calmer and calmer, eventually falling asleep without her noticing. Tang Ruoyao took a blanket from the sofa, gently covering the woman.

Qin Yinong remained asleep, her expression peaceful and serene.

Tang Ruoyao propped her chin with one hand, her elbow resting on the edge of the couch, and unknowingly became entranced. After a long while, she glanced down at Qin Yinong's hand resting on the blanket and slowly placed her own palm over the woman's fair hand.

Skin touched skin.

It was as cool as she had imagined, even smoother.

Tang Ruoyao almost stopped breathing.

Like being shocked, she quickly withdrew her hand, her heart pounding wildly, and hastily retreated to her room.

Qin Yinong opened her eyes, her gaze clear, showing no signs of having been asleep.

She tucked the hand that had been touched back under the blanket, pressing the back of it down.

Fortunately, she was about to start filming, otherwise, who knew what trouble might arise. Three months would be enough time for her to calm down.

Qin Yinong pinched her brow with her other hand.

As for herself, it would be best not to come here again in the future. She didn't want to get into a relationship like her mother and sister, there was no need to incur emotional debts.

Having made that decision, Qin Yinong pondered another question: 'How could she possibly like me?' We are both women, is it really that easy to cross sexual orientations? Could she be a lesbian too?'

'Wait, why did I say "too"?'

Qin Yinong glanced at the half-empty bottle of red wine beside her, silently thinking she probably drank too much.

Qin Yinong wasn't good at considering her own needs. It could be said that in her dictionary, self-care didn't exist. Perhaps it did in the past, but in the daily grind of her life, it had long been extinguished.

She decided it would be best not to come to this house again, best not to see Tang Ruoyao, to dispel any thoughts. The sudden surge of reluctance and bitterness in her heart was easily ignored by her.

Her emotions weren't important.

She couldn't hold others back, that's all she thought.

Tang Ruoyao smoothly joined the crew of "Yanzhi" and on the day of shooting, she sent out red envelopes. Excitedly, Tang Ruoyao called Guan Han, "Sister Guan, is Sister Qin there?"

'Look at that, even the way she addressed her has changed', Guan Han thought, clicking her tongue internally. She relayed the message truthfully, "Qin Jie, Miss Tang wants to speak with you." With that, she handed the phone over.

Qin Yinong didn't reach out, her gaze towards Guan Han was calm and still like an ancient well.

Guan Han was momentarily taken aback but quickly understood. She replied, "Qin Jie isn't here."

Tang Ruoyao responded, "Oh, I see. Then please pass on to her that I have started shooting today, and the crew gave out big red envelopes."

Guan Han said, "I will. Anything else?"

"Nothing else," Tang Ruoyao bit her lip and said, "That's all." She couldn't convey what she really wanted to say.

"Goodbye, Miss Tang." Guan Han said.

"Goodbye."

Guan Han relayed the message verbatim.

Qin Yinong waved her hand dismissively and said, "Got it."

Guan Han couldn't help but think that she had fallen out of favor so quickly.

After a while, Qin Yinong stared at Guan Han as if trying to burn a hole through her with her eyes.

Guan Han's hair stood on end, "Qin Jie."

Qin Yinong expressed her resentment slightly, saying, "Can't you speak with a bit of emotion?" She didn't believe that Tang Ruoyao had said those words in such a flat tone. Guan Han's relaying was utterly unappealing.

"Ah?" Guan Han replied.

Qin Yinong felt a surge of irritation and said, "It's nothing."

Guan Han remained silent.

Women's hearts are like needles at the bottom of the ocean. A woman in love is irritable, and Qin Yinong was no exception.

Tang Ruoyao called Guan Han three times in a row, but Qin Yinong was never available. Tang Ruoyao wasn't a fool, she could guess that Qin Yinong didn't want to talk to her. As for the reason why, she couldn't figure it out, nor did she have the leisure to dwell on it.

It turned out that the difference between rehearsing at school and shooting on set was enormous.

Just talking about finding the right camera angles took her a week to adapt to, not to mention precise positioning—it was all a learning curve. Leng Jie was a serious and responsible director, with a gentle temper in private, he could chat with anyone, but once he got angry, he wouldn't recognize anyone.

"Scene two of 'Yanzhi,' 1 shot, take 5, action!"

"Cut!"

Leng Jie took a deep breath, fanning himself with the script as he approached.

Tang Ruoyao stood straight, taking the criticism silently, aiming to do better in the next take.

Less talk, more action, and listen to the director.

The newcomer on set progressed rapidly and gradually became more adept.

"Yanzhi, Scene ten, take 2, action!"

"Good, let's keep this one, continue."

"Yanzhi, Scene ten, take 3, action!"

"Passed."

Several days after joining the crew.

"Yanzhi, Scene twenty, take 1, action."

"Passed."

Leng Jie stood up, holding a megaphone. "That's a wrap, we'll continue in the afternoon."

Tang Ruoyao clasped her hands together, bowing sincerely to all the crew members, "Thank you for your hard work, everyone."

The sound technician shook his sore arms and smiled, his bright white teeth shining. "You've worked hard too, Teacher Tang."

Tang Ruoyao replied, "I've ordered extra food for everyone at noon."

The crew members, while saying that Teacher Tang was too polite, happily went to collect their lunch boxes, which included chicken legs.

Leng Jie glanced at Tang Ruoyao, who was squatting on the ground eating her lunch like the rest of the crew, and a faint smile appeared on his lips as he walked to his lounge.

He made a call to Qin Yinong.

Qin Yinong's voice was lazy, sounding as if she hadn't fully woken up. "Why are you calling me in the middle of the day?"

Leng Jie knew she was definitely awake. He got straight to the point. "The person you recommended, she's quite talented."

Qin Yinong asked, "Who?"

"Tang Ruoyao. Who else could it be?" Leng Jie replied.

Qin Yinong responded, "Why are you calling her my person when you were the one who auditioned and approved her? What's it got to do with me?"

Leng Jie was puzzled, "Didn't you recommend her to me?"

Qin Yinong said, "Yes, everyone has an eye for talent. I discovered her, you used her, so she's your person, not mine."

The more Leng Jie listened, the more confused he became. "What are you rambling on about?"

Qin Yinong clarified, "What I mean is, she has nothing to do with me. There was no connection before, none now, and there won't be in the future. Don't mention to anyone that I recommended her to you, that matter doesn't exist anymore. If you think she's good, help her out a bit and let her go further. Consider it a personal favor I owe you."

Leng Jie was somewhat baffled.

But he accepted the favor, a favor from Qin Yinong was a sure bet.

"Alright," Leng Jie said, "I'll hang up then."

Qin Yinong opened her mouth, almost saying, "Why don't you tell me more about her," but swallowed it back. She lowered her eyelids and said, "Go ahead."

Leng Jie didn't bother with pleasantries and simply pressed the hang-up button.

Beep beep beep.

Qin Yinong held her phone to her ear, lost in thought. Qin Lunong came out of the kitchen with a plate of fruit. Ji Shulan saw her, dragging her lame leg as if flying over and took the tray from her hand, helping her to sit on the sofa.

"If you need something, just call for someone. It's not like there's no one home, take care of yourself."

Ji Shulan's scolding brought Qin Yinong back to reality. She lowered her phone, pressed the lock screen, and placed it back on the coffee table.

"I want to take a walk myself." Qin Lunong pouted, but her gaze fell on the absent-minded Qin Yinong. She looked up and said, "Mom, you go ahead and be busy. I'll ask my sister to take me out for a walk."

Suddenly called out, Qin Yinong thought, 'Who am I? Where am I?'

In the end, they went out for a walk together.

Winter had arrived, and the cold wind cut to the bone.

Qin Lunong was bundled up in layers, yet her figure still looked frail. With her due date approaching, her movements had become quite inconvenient. Qin Yinong, worried about her, carefully held onto her arm with one hand.

Qin Lunong was sweating around her neck. She pushed her scarf aside a bit and continued walking. Suddenly, she turned her head to glance at Qin Yinong and asked with a smile, "What's wrong? You seem down lately."

Qin Yinong said, "Nothing."

Qin Lunong said, "Do you think I believe you?"

Qin Yinong replied, "I don't care if you believe me or not."

Qin Lunong chuckled.

"You have quite a temper now," Qin Lunong raised her hand and ruffled her hair, looking gently at her, saying, "I'm very happy."

Qin Yinong dodged her hand and said, "Mom is still alive."

Qin Lunong pretended to be angry, "Why are you talking like that?"

Qin Yinong turned her head and spat on the ground twice. Children say whatever comes to mind.

Qin Lunong looked at her, blinked her eyes, and asked, "Tell your sister, why are you feeling down?"

It had been nearly two months since Qin Yinong last saw Tang Ruoyao. The more she tried to forget, the more she couldn't, feeling agitated. Seeing her sister acting so silly made her even angrier. "I said it's nothing! Why do you keep asking? You're like a hundred thousand whys!"

"Why are you so angry?" Qin Lunong asked, unfazed, as she took her time. "Could it be that you're troubled by love?"

Qin Yinong exploded, "You're the one troubled by love! Your whole family is troubled by love!"

Qin Lunong smiled, kindly reminding her, "My whole family includes you." If Qin Yinong was also troubled by love, then their family would indeed be entirely consumed by it. Qin Lunong furrowed her brows.

Her words were like adding fuel to the fire. Qin Yinong, in a fit of anger, blurted out, "I'm not like you, dying over some worthless man!"

Qin Lunong sighed with a bitter smile, looking up at the gray sky.

Silence spread between them.

After a long time, Qin Yinong whispered, "I'm sorry." She mentally slapped herself and cursed her big mouth.

"It's okay." Qin Lunong stepped ahead of Qin Yinong, taking the lead, and said, "You're right. I was so desperate that I abandoned everything, and in the end, it didn't turn out well."

"What do you mean it didn't turn out well? Did your language and PE teacher teach you that? You're doing fine now, and you'll continue to do well in the future. Let that worthless man regret it."

"You're right." Qin Lunong turned back, gave her a slight smile, but there was a hint of desolation in her smile.

Before Qin Yinong could take a closer look, Qin Lunong had already looked ahead and continued walking into the wind. She said, "It's ironic that I'm a few years older than you, yet I can't let go as easily."

Qin Yinong awkwardly touched her nose and caught up in three quick steps, saying, "I've never been in a relationship, so it's easy for me to talk."

Qin Lunong looked at her in surprise, "You've never been in a relationship?"

Qin Yinong was about to nod but quickly realized and snapped back, "Didn't you already know? Why act so surprised?"

Qin Lunong laughed, her laughter ringing like wind chimes under the eaves.

"Yes, I know." Her eyes were curved with amusement.

"Then why—"

"I'm just teasing you." Qin Lunong playfully poked her delicate nose, pushing it up and giving her a pig-like appearance. "Piggy, your nose has two holes, it's so cute."

Qin Yinong: "..."

Forget it, she wouldn't argue with a pregnant woman.

Qin Lunong went back to freshen up for a nap, and Qin Yinong sat on the edge of her bed watching her. Qin Lunong's eyes were wide open, showing no signs of sleepiness. She asked, "Are you really troubled by love?"

Qin Yinong scoffed, "Why do you talk so much? Aren't you worried? Your baby will be annoyed by you."

Qin Lunong softened her voice, "Sister wants to talk to you for a while."

Qin Yinong shifted uncomfortably and said, "Let's talk, but make it quick so you can go to sleep." The last part came out more sternly.

Qin Lunong looked at her, "I hope that no matter when, you can love yourself."

Qin Yinong waited for a long time but didn't hear anything else. She frowned and said, "Is that it?"

"Yep." Qin Lunong replied.

"You're really just too bored, go take a nap." Qin Yinong said fiercely, but her actions of tucking in Qin Lunong were incredibly gentle.

"Mm I will." Qin Lunong closed her eyes and smiled. "Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon."

Qin Yinong watched her fall asleep, stood for a while, then quietly slipped out.

'I hope that no matter when, you can love yourself.'

Qin Yinong wrinkled her nose. How could she not love herself? Recently, she had been taking fewer roles and enjoying more rest, looking healthier and more vibrant. Life was getting better, and their family would continue to improve.

Tang Ruoyao would also get better.

Thinking of her felt like sipping a glass of lemon honey water—both sour and sweet.

In a little over a month, she would be wrapping up filming.

Time really flies.

Qin Yinong looked out of the living room floor-to-ceiling window at the snow fluttering down.

"Scene thirty-eight, take one, action!"

"Help! Is there anyone? Help!" Yanzhi stumbled through the snow, cradling her large belly. Snowflakes filled her long eyelashes, almost covering her eyes. Her hands and feet were numb from the cold, but her body refused to stop.

"Help!" Her eyes were filled with a desperate sense of isolation. She couldn't walk or shout anymore, but the child in her womb demanded that she keep moving and calling out.

"Cut." Leng Jie raised his hand and immediately added, "Prepare for the next take."

Tang Ruoyao refused the staff who came to support her and sat directly down in the snow to rest.

Leng squatted in front of her to discuss the scene, "The next scene is about giving birth. You must show the struggle between life and death. Nobody can help you, nobody can save you. You have to save yourself, and your child. You are seeking life in the face of death."

"Yanzhi, scene 38, take 1, action."

Tang Ruoyao took off her coat and laid it on the ground, creating a makeshift cradle. Her long skirt covered her bent knees, and she clenched a branch she had picked up tightly in her mouth, starting to painfully give birth.

She opened her eyes, gasping for air, her chest rising and falling sharply, her face pale, cold sweat soaking her entire body. Her long hair clung to her face and neck. She then began the second round of pushing, broken cries escaping from between her teeth.

The delivery room was filled with heart-wrenching screams.

Qin Lunong had already been inside for two hours.

Qin Yinong could no longer stand, she leaned against the wall and slowly sat down in a chair, drenched in sweat and feeling icy all over.

Giving birth was like passing through the gates of hell for a woman. With the advancement of medical technology, the safety of mothers during childbirth had greatly improved. However, it was not a hundred percent guaranteed, and the chances of accidents still existed.

The longer Qin Lunong labored inside, the more Qin Yinong suffered outside.

The lights went out.

Qin Lunong was wheeled out.

The doctor removed their mask, smiling, "Congratulations, the mother and daughter are safe."

Qin Yinong felt a wave of relief wash over her. As she stood up, her legs wobbled, and she almost fell to the ground. She stumbled over to the bedside.

"Sister, sister," Qin Yinong tightly held Qin Lunong's hand, looking at her lifeless face, tears welling up in her eyes. She looked up, asking, "Doctor, Doctor, you said she was fine."

The hand she held moved slightly, and Qin Yinong immediately looked down at her.

Qin Lunong's face was pale, but she managed a faint smile.

"Finally, I've heard you call me sister again." Qin Lunong sighed and said, "I'm so tired, I never want to give birth again."

Qin Yinong first cried, then laughed, and finally buried her face in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably.

Qin Lunong looked at Ji Shulan, who was also in tears, and said, "I made you all worry."

Ji Shulan replied, "You should rest for a while, we're here with you."

Qin Lunong closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

When she woke up, it was already late at night.

Qin Yinong sat in a chair by the bed, her wide eyes fixed on her sister. Although Qin Lunong's health had never been strong, she still wore her usual smile. "Are you trying to scare me to death?" she joked.

Qin Yinong replied coldly, "Are you scared to death then?"

Qin Lunong shook her head, "Not really."

Qin Yinong said, "I was scared to death."

"I know that," Qin Lunong nodded, "You cried like a pig being slaughtered, even pigs don't cry as miserably as you."

Qin Yinong retorted, "I won't argue with you."

Qin Lunong looked at her, "Call me sister."

Qin Yinong complied, "Sister."

Qin Lunong smiled, "Good girl."

Suddenly, Qin Yinong drifted off for a moment and said, "You should go back to sleep, the doctor said you need more rest."

"What about the baby?"

"Mom took her away, saying she was afraid it would disturb you."

"Bring her to me so I can see her."

Qin Yinong went outside to bring the baby in. Qin Lunong looked at her and said solemnly, "She looks like you."

Qin Yinong retorted, "Pfft." This wrinkled monkey didn't resemble her at all — if it was ugly, it was like her, if it was pretty, it was like her.

Qin Lunong burst into laughter.

She laughed and then gasped in pain, breaking out in a cold sweat.

"The wound hasn't healed properly, take it easy," Qin Yinong said as she got up, "I'll go call the doctor."

"No need, I'll be fine after some rest."

Qin Yinong still went to call the doctor. The doctor's advice was completely in line with Qin Lunong's: just rest.

Qin Lunong fell asleep again, and Qin Yinong looked at the ugly little monkey in the swaddling blanket—red skin, puffy eyes, and a deformed head shape, looking as if an alien had dropped it off. The only noteworthy thing was its thick hair, it wasn't bald.

Qin Yinong picked up the baby, took a few steps away from the bed, and whispered, "Call me auntie."

She coaxed the baby softly, "Auntie."

Qin Yinong couldn't help but smile.

This was her sister's child, and also hers—a treasure for their whole family.

Qin Yinong leaned down and gently kissed the baby's rosy little face in the air.

'Grow up well, don't make mommy angry.'

Regardless of whether the child could understand or hear, Qin Yinong chattered to her for most of the night. Qin Lunong woke up groggily once, seeing her standing under the light muttering, "Why aren't you sleeping yet?"

"I'm giving prenatal education, hahaha." Qin Yinong replied.

Qin Lunong facepalmed, saying, "I think you've gone silly."

Qin Yinong quickly retorted, "Silly people have silly blessings."

Qin Lunong: "..." Well, if she was silly enough to praise her own silliness, so be it, she was very sleepy.

"Scene 41, take 4, action!"

"Cut, that's a wrap."

"Congratulations to Teacher Tang for successfully wrapping up!"

Tang Ruoyao lightly brushed off the ribbons that were draped all over her, accepted the wrap-up red envelope from the crew, and hugged everyone one by one. Her usually cool demeanor was now filled with genuine joy.

On the same day, the entire production wrapped up. The crew took a big group photo and headed to a hotel for the wrap-up banquet.

It was Tang Ruoyao's first time attending a wrap-up banquet, which brought her not only novelty but also excitement. As the female lead, she was inevitably honored with toasts. Being the younger one, she had to pay respects to all the main creators and senior colleagues.

Tang Ruoyao's call went to Guan Han's phone, and Guan Han answered, "Qin Jie isn't here."

Tang Ruoyao said, "I wrapped up filming today, very happy."

Her voice sounded a bit odd and slurred. Guan Han replied flatly, "Congratulations."

Tang Ruoyao slurred again, "I'm drunk, I don't know where I am, and I can't find the way."

Guan Han: "..."

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