CHAPTER 245: Qin & Tang Extra 19

Qin Yinong opened her arms without thinking, and Tang Ruoyao, without a second thought, flew into them like a swallow returning to its nest.

After the two people tightly embraced, their faces pressed against each other, their ears almost touching, only then did they both sense a hint of awkwardness.

Were they acting a bit too naturally?

Tang Ruoyao had seen Cui Jiaran's boyfriend come to visit her. Cui Jiaran had been overjoyed, forgetting about her roommate beside her, and ran over, throwing herself into her boyfriend's arms.

They were a couple, so what were she and Qin Yinong?

Tang Ruoyao bit her lip, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks.

Qin Yinong released her, savoring the lingering sensation of the girl's soft, fragrant body melting warmly into her embrace. She cleared her throat, trying to divert the conversation, "What time is your class again?"

Tang Ruoyao's eyes sparkled as she gazed at her unblinkingly, "Six-thirty."

Qin Yinong nodded.

Tang Ruoyao leaned forward slightly, one hand resting on the leather seat behind her, and asked, "Where are we going?"

Qin Yinong raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Nowhere."

Tang Ruoyao gave her a strange look, "Just here?"

Qin Yinong nodded again, "Just here."

Tang Ruoyao lowered her eyes, hiding a flicker of shock.

So, the long-awaited "car scene" was finally going to happen today? She glanced out the window. It was dinner time, and the streets were bustling with people. According to Tang Ruoyao's theoretical knowledge, the more people around, the more thrilling it would be.

Tang Ruoyao felt a bit embarrassed. She bit her lower lip and whispered, "Are you sure no one can see inside?"

Qin Yinong, who had been listening intently, caught her soft words and replied, "Of course." If people could see inside, would she dare to take this car out?

Tang Ruoyao murmured, "That's... that's good."

She glanced up at Qin Yinong, then quickly looked down, scooting closer to her and closing her eyes.

'Here we go.'

'Let her have her way.'

Tang Ruoyao's fair cheeks flushed crimson.

Whether from excitement or nervousness, she couldn't tell.

Suddenly, there was a tapping sound.

Tang Ruoyao's already elevated heartbeat nearly stopped.

Was someone checking? A traffic officer? City management? Security? No, no, no, that was getting too ridiculous.

Qin Yinong's phone screen lit up. She glanced at it, unlocked it, and put on her sunglasses. She turned to Tang Ruoyao and said, "Open your door a bit and take something. Don't open it too wide."

Tang Ruoyao quickly complied, pushing the back door open a crack.

A slender hand slipped through the gap, holding a bag with the character "food" printed on it. Tang Ruoyao took it, and the hand swiftly withdrew, closing the door from the outside.

Qin Yinong took off her sunglasses.

Tang Ruoyao asked, "What's this?"

Qin Yinong raised her beautiful eyebrows and smiled, "Open it and see."

Tang Ruoyao was speechless.

'Could it be... a little prop?'

She... she... she wasn't ready for such a high-level challenge on her first try.

Her class was at six-thirty, and it had already been over ten minutes since she ran over, so there wasn't much time left.

Tang Ruoyao quickly unwrapped the obviously high-end paper bag, muttering as she did, "Let's hurry up..." Before she could finish the word "time," she exclaimed in surprise, "It's warm!"

Qin Yinong smiled and said, "Could it be that you prefer cold dishes? Should I ask Guan Han to buy some more?"

"Food..." Tang Ruoyao felt a bit off. She reached inside and pulled out a beautifully crafted lunch box.

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

Food, huh. She repeated it in her heart, feeling somewhat disappointed.

Qin Yinong smiled gently and said softly, "There wasn't enough time to take you out to eat, so I had to make do with this. I hope you don't mind." She turned on the car's interior light, and the warm orange glow illuminated the abundant meal, making it look even more appetizing.

Tang Ruoyao didn't speak for a while. The lunch box rested on her lap, her face slightly pale. She pursed her lips and murmured, "You said last time that you'd treat me to a meal..."

'Is this what you meant?'

'Had she already resorted to using a simple lunch box to brush me off?'

'Last time...'

Qin Yinong recalled and chuckled, "How could that be? Do you think I'm that stingy?"

A glimmer of hope quickly lit up in Tang Ruoyao's eyes. She looked up at her and mustered the courage to ask, "So, does that mean you'll still treat me to a meal?"

Qin Yinong laughed, "Are you really that eager to eat?"

Tang Ruoyao: "Mhm." 'I want to eat with you.'

The affection in the girl's eyes was unmistakable, almost burning her. Qin Yinong had no choice but to temporarily avoid her gaze and softly urged, "Hurry up and eat, or the food will get cold."

Tang Ruoyao complied, lowering her head to open the lid of the box. Qin Yinong naturally reached out to take it and set it aside, saying gently, "Go ahead and eat."

Tang Ruoyao glanced at her.

The thought that she might do the same for others made Tang Ruoyao's throat tighten with jealousy.

Qin Yinong keenly sensed her momentary dip in mood, but Tang Ruoyao adjusted quickly, so Qin Yinong didn't bring it up.

Tang Ruoyao picked up a piece of braised eggplant with her chopsticks and held it out to Qin Yinong's lips. Qin Yinong waved her hand, "I won't eat. You go ahead."

Tang Ruoyao looked at her.

Qin Yinong: "..." She inexplicably sensed a hint of grievance in her gaze.

Qin Yinong's heart softened completely, and she relented, "Just this one piece."

Tang Ruoyao nodded obediently.

Qin Yinong opened her mouth and took a bite.

Tang Ruoyao held the chopsticks, feeling the woman's tongue brush against the tip as she deftly took the eggplant.

Tang Ruoyao withdrew the chopsticks but didn't pick up any rice. Instead, she put them into her own mouth. A few seconds later, she looked into the woman's eyes and made a swallowing motion.

Qin Yinong's eyes widened slightly, and her fingers, resting at her side, involuntarily curled.

'D@mn it.'

She'd actually been flirted with by a kid.

Qin Yinong urged her for the third time, "If you don't eat soon, you'll be late."

She pulled out a magazine from the back of the front seat and fanned herself with it.

Why was it so stuffy in the car? It was making her face burn.

Tang Ruoyao ate quietly, her gaze fixed on Qin Yinong's profile in the rearview mirror. Slowly, her brows relaxed.

When Tang Ruoyao arrived at the classroom at 6:25, Wen Shuxian, sitting in the front row, waved at her, "Over here."

Tang Ruoyao walked over and sat down. Wen Shuxian moved her water cup aside and asked, "Where did you go?"

Tang Ruoyao evaded the question, "A friend wanted to see me."

Wen Shuxian chuckled but didn't press further. Tang Ruoyao's evasiveness made it clear she didn't want to talk about it, and Wen Shuxian understood that people needed boundaries. As long as she was happy, that was all that mattered.

Tang Ruoyao's cheeks warmed as she focused on the empty podium.

Wen Shuxian took out her notebook from her bag, sat up straight, and prepared to listen attentively.

Huo Yuke swaggered in with a girl friend, and as they passed the first row, Huo Yuke shot Tang Ruoyao a malicious smile. After she walked away, Wen Shuxian rolled up her sleeve to show Tang Ruoyao the goosebumps on her arm, saying, "How can someone smile so creepily? What a waste of her pretty face."

Tang Ruoyao replied indifferently, "Just ignore her."

Wen Shuxian rolled her sleeve back down and grumbled, "I wasn't planning to pay her any attention, but she keeps hovering around us."

Tang Ruoyao said, "The teacher's here." She placed her fountain pen next to her notebook.

Wen Shuxian fell silent.

The evening elective was a large lecture, with students from other classes attending as well. Huo Yuke sat in the middle, her phone hidden in the drawer as she typed away, her lips curling into a smug smile.

'Let's see how you act this time.'

After class, Wen Shuxian hooked her arm around Tang Ruoyao's as they walked toward the dormitory. Once inside, they ran into a classmate coming down to fetch hot water. Wen Shuxian greeted her cheerfully with a "Hi," and the classmate returned the greeting, her gaze lingering on Tang Ruoyao with a hint of something unspoken.

Their dorm was on the fourth floor. As they climbed the stairs, Wen Shuxian joked, "How is it that we're both people, but the difference is so stark? I was the one who said hi, but she only noticed you."

Tang Ruoyao chuckled.

When they reached the fourth floor, the atmosphere became even more noticeable.

Everyone passing by glanced at Tang Ruoyao, their eyes clearly hiding something they didn't voice. One classmate, carrying a basin of clothes, turned back upon seeing Tang Ruoyao. Wen Shuxian, though carefree, wasn't stup!d—this wasn't the look of admiration.

As they approached Room 432, Huo Yuke's dorm door was wide open, and several female voices were chatting inside.

"Luck? Who's she trying to fool? You think she landed the lead role in Director Leng's movie just by luck? Always acting like some untouchable goddess, but now she's been exposed. Who knows which old man's backing her?"

"I always knew Tang Ruoyao was a green tea b!tch. She's just good at pretending, fooling both men and women."

"Exactly! Thank goodness Yuke saw through her act, or we'd all still be in the dark."

"Yuke's amazing."

Huo Yuke basked in her friends' flattery, her eyes half-closed in satisfaction. She knew some of it was insincere, but who didn't enjoy hearing compliments? Especially when they were based on facts.

A loud thud echoed through the room.

Everyone inside turned to the door.

Wen Shuxian retracted her foot from the door, her gaze icy as she scanned the room, her expression dark. "Did you all just crawl out of a cesspool? Your mouths reek of filth."

One of Huo Yuke's friends stepped forward and snapped, "Wen Shuxian, are you insane?"

Wen Shuxian shot back, "You're the insane ones, with your jealousy and rabies, barking like mad dogs. All you do is gossip. If you put that energy into studying, maybe you'd actually land a role."

In the past, Wen Shuxian might not have been so bold, but she had recently signed with Huanyu Studios and secured a lead role in a new project, making her one of the top students in the class.

The friend stiffened, ready to retort, but Huo Yuke placed a hand on her shoulder, signaling her to step back.

Huo Yuke sneered, "Wen Shuxian, I suggest you figure out who you're defending before you stick your neck out. Don't waste your sincerity on a dog."

Wen Shuxian barked, "None of your damn business!"

Huo Yuke, unusually, didn't get angry. She shrugged and said, "Suit yourself. Don't blame me if you regret it later."

"Who do you think you are? I don't need your reminders. If you've got guts, let's settle this face-to-face." Wen Shuxian spat on the ground. "Pah!"

She pulled Tang Ruoyao away.

Huo Yuke chuckled, turning back. "Come on, let's continue our chat."

Wen Shuxian and Tang Ruoyao walked to the door of Room 405, which opened on its own.

Cui Jiaran took a deep breath, grabbed Tang Ruoyao's arm, and pulled both of them inside. Wen Shuxian, impatient as ever, immediately asked, "What's going on? Did that Huo girl stir up trouble again?"

Fu Yujun sat in her chair, spinning a pen in one hand. In front of her was a lit computer screen, the page paused on the school forum. She said, "Come take a look."

Wen Shuxian rushed over first, scanning the main post in seconds. "D@mn," she cursed. "What kind of nonsense is this? Such a low-level rumor."

Fu Yujun added, "There's more."

She scrolled down the post, where the original poster had uploaded a photo. The image was clear, showing Tang Ruoyao getting into a luxury car.

Wen Shuxian scratched her head. "So what?"

Fu Yujun shrugged. "They're saying Tangtang is being kept."

Wen Shuxian scoffed. "These people are just jealous." She turned to Fu Yujun. "What should we do? We can't just let them spread lies, can we?"

Fu Yujun, encountering this kind of situation for the first time, twirled the pen in her fingers and pondered. "Let me think."

Wen Shuxian suggested, "It's definitely Huo Yuke's doing. Should we expose her too?"

Fu Yujun glanced at her and said calmly, "Doesn't everyone already know she's being kept? She's like a dead pig that's not afraid of boiling water. How can Tangtang be compared to such a creature?"

Wen Shuxian burst into laughter. "Hahahaha!" She patted Fu Yujun's shoulder, clearly appreciating her sharp tongue.

Wait a minute, they've been talking for a while now, but the person involved hasn't said a word.

Wen Shuxian turned to look at Tang Ruoyao, who was standing with her head down, her complexion pale. Wen quickly comforted her, "It's okay, we'll figure something out. If all else fails, I'll find someone to stuff Huo Yuke into a sack and beat her up to vent our anger."

Tang Ruoyao lifted her gaze, mustering the courage to look at her three roommates. "Aren't you going to ask me why I got into that car?"

Wen Shuxian scratched the back of her head. "Huh? Weren't you just meeting a friend?"

Cui Jiaran chimed in, "Can't she have a wealthy friend?"

Fu Yujun tapped her pen. "There's no need. You'll tell us if you want to."

"Then let's just let this matter pass," Tang Ruoyao said. "I don't want to get caught up in this pointless argument. They'll forget about it eventually."

Wen Shuxian nodded. "We're upright and unafraid of shadows, right? Isn't that how the saying goes?"

Tang Ruoyao forced a faint smile.

Cui Jiaran said, "But we can't just do nothing. I'll go clarify a few things in the post."

Fu Yujun observed Tang Ruoyao for a few seconds, then subtly looked away and smiled lightly. "Actually, every female artist in the industry faces this kind of thing. Let's treat it as a rehearsal. After all, our Tangtang is destined to be a big star."

The group laughed and joked about "not forgetting each other when we're rich," and then they stayed up late into the night, battling it out on the forum.

The students of the prestigious Capital Drama Academy were not naive enough to believe the "sugar daddy" rumors just because of a luxury car photo. However, gossip about beauties, especially scandals involving them, has always been a popular topic of conversation since ancient times. People don't care about the truth, they only care about how sensational the topic is.

Qin Yinong had no idea that her impulsive action had caused trouble for Tang Ruoyao, and Tang Ruoyao would never tell her about it.

It's the truth, isn't it?

[My Daily Life with Miss Q]

[If we hadn't started this way... but there are no "ifs" in the world.]

[We met again the following weekend at the house on Wangyue Mountain.]

Tang Ruoyao opened the door and entered. Qin Yinong wasn't lying on the couch but was instead by the window, talking on the phone. She glanced back at Tang Ruoyao and continued speaking to the person on the other end, "Don't stay up late tonight, go to bed properly, understand?"

Her tone wasn't as gentle as usual, but Tang Ruoyao could see genuine joy and happiness in the corners of her eyes and brows, which was even more touching than her usual thoughtfulness.

Qin Lunong sighed on the other end of the line, "Are you my mom? How many times are you going to remind me in a day?"

Qin Yinong hummed, "What, are you tired of my nagging?"

Qin Lunong didn't dare to admit it and quickly said, "No, I love it."

Qin Yinong graciously replied, "Then I'll reluctantly like you too."

Qin Lunong burst into laughter on the other end.

Tang Ruoyao stood at the doorway, her eyes dim.

"Reluctantly like you too."

"Like you too."

"Like you."

"Oh."

Tang Ruoyao silently walked past the living room and went straight into the study.

The sound of the study door closing reached the other side of the phone. Qin Lunong exclaimed in surprise, "You have someone with you?"

Qin Yinong coughed awkwardly.

Qin Lunong, being her sister, knew her well and immediately guessed, "Could it be—"

Qin Yinong, flustered and annoyed, interrupted her, "Go to sleep, you're so annoying."

Qin Lunong chuckled, "I didn't even say anything yet."

"Don't say it, I know what you're thinking."

"Really? Don't come crying to me when the time comes."

"You think I'm like you? Go away, go away." Qin Yinong hung up the phone, her ears burning.

She walked to the study door, her hand lifting and falling several times. Suddenly, the door swung open, and Tang Ruoyao stood face-to-face with her. In a sudden burst of anger, Tang Ruoyao slammed the door shut again.

Qin Yinong's straight nose almost suffered a blow.

She stood at the door, wide-eyed and dumbfounded. Tang Ruoyao had actually dared to slam the door in her face. She actually dared to!

Inside the study, Tang Ruoyao also looked down at her hands in disbelief.

Not only had she shut Qin Yinong out, but she had also slammed the door in her face.

Had she grown a pair of lion's courage?

Tonight's cafeteria didn't even serve that dish, not even chicken hearts or duck hearts.

Tang Ruoyao adjusted her emotions and opened the door again.

As expected, Qin Yinong was gone.

She wasn't even in the living room.

Tang Ruoyao went to knock on her door. Qin Yinong opened it and looked at her coldly, "What do you want?"

'She's angry,' Tang Ruoyao thought.

She said sincerely, "I came to apologize. I was in a bad mood earlier."

Qin Yinong prided herself on being reasonable, so her expression softened slightly. She asked gently, "Why were you in a bad mood?"

Tang Ruoyao thought to herself, 'It's because of you.'

"Nothing," she said.

Qin Yinong's face darkened, "Then it's nothing."

A gust of wind blew towards Tang Ruoyao, who instinctively closed her eyes. The door slammed shut in front of her.

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

"Stingy ghost, drink cold water, the teacher hits you and your mouth goes crooked. Stingy ghost, drink cold water, turn into a devil after drinking it."

Tang Ruoyao muttered under her breath as she turned to leave. Behind her, the sound of a door opening made her quickly shut her mouth and look back at the other person.

"I'm angry." Qin Yinong said with a stern face.

Tang Ruoyao tentatively offered, "Then let me cheer you up."

The corner of Qin Yinong's eye twitched upward for a fleeting moment, so fast that it seemed like an illusion to Tang Ruoyao. The next second, her face was still slightly annoyed.

"How?" Qin Yinong asked in a flat, emotionless tone reminiscent of Guan Han.

Tang Ruoyao opened her arms, took a step forward, and hugged her.

From an angle Tang Ruoyao couldn't see, Qin Yinong's lips curved into a blooming smile.

"How about this?" Tang Ruoyao asked.

Qin Yinong suppressed her smile and replied indifferently, "Not great."

"Then..." Tang Ruoyao lifted her head, gazing at the woman's delicate, almost poreless, radiant cheek. She tilted her head slightly and pressed her soft lips against it.

Qin Yinong's heart skipped a beat, her scalp tingling, and her fingers involuntarily tightened around Tang Ruoyao's slender back.

Tang Ruoyao's warm breath lingered on Qin Yinong's face even after she pulled away.

Her lips, which had just kissed the woman's cheek, felt numb. She whispered softly, "Is this okay?"

Qin Yinong's grip tightened even more.

'This person, this person. Where did she learn this?'

Tang Ruoyao didn't feel any pain, she only wished the other would hold her tighter. She also embraced Qin Yinong tightly, her closed eyelashes slightly damp. She had surrendered. Even if it was just one of them, she couldn't escape anymore.

She liked her, more than she had ever imagined.

"Sister," Tang Ruoyao suddenly called out in a hoarse voice.

"Hmm?" Qin Yinong didn't realize her own voice had deepened in the night, matching Tang Ruoyao's.

Tang Ruoyao tilted her head again and kissed her, this time at the corner of Qin Yinong's lips.

Her movements were clumsy and inexperienced, lingering only at the corner of her lips, but the faint, cool fragrance of the woman made her dizzy. Qin Yinong's fingers, which had been gripping her back, loosened and curled into fists, tightly clenched. Her chest rose and fell, her breathing gradually deepening.

Unconsciously, Tang Ruoyao pressed Qin Yinong against the doorframe. She was no longer satisfied with just the taste of her lips, she wanted more. She swallowed hard, about to gather her courage, but Qin Yinong turned her face away.

Tang Ruoyao's kiss missed its mark. She opened her amber eyes, now misted with beautiful tears.

Qin Yinong said, "That's enough."

Tang Ruoyao was lost in thought, wondering what was almost done.

Qin Yinong pushed her shoulder away with one hand and said, "I'm almost over my anger." She added, "Go back."

"But..." Tang Ruoyao lowered her gaze, staring at the woman's red lips.

There was a glistening sheen at the corner of her lips, reflecting under the light—a result of her earlier actions.

"No buts."

Tang Ruoyao took a step toward the door, eager and restless. Qin Yinong's expression darkened as she commanded, "Go back."

Tang Ruoyao quickly replied, "I'm going back. Don't be mad."

She retreated step by step, watching as Qin Yinong turned and entered the room, closing the door behind her.

Qin Yinong threw herself onto the bed, sprawling out in a starfish position, remaining motionless for a long time.

Even though she had been the one in control, why had she ended up being the one flustered and heart racing by a little brat?

Because she was young, she was fearless.

And because she was young, she was unpredictable, full of variables.

Qin Yinong didn't want to just have a casual relationship. Tang Ruoyao was too young, so young that she couldn't see a future for them.

Qin Yinong's heated mind gradually cooled down. She took a long shower in the bathroom. Thinking about Tang Ruoyao being right next door, she almost went back into the shower after coming out.

Was she really getting old?

Qin Yinong silently reflected on herself.

Meanwhile, Tang Ruoyao was savoring the memory of that kiss, giggling to herself as she rolled back and forth on the bed.

She rolled until she was tired and fell asleep without even covering herself with the blanket.

When Qin Yinong entered, she found the little brat sprawled out on the bed, the hem of her pajamas riding up, revealing a firm and flat waist that rose and fell with her breathing—vibrant and sensual.

Qin Yinong wanted to pull her clothes back into place, but her eyes were glued to that supple waist.

Forcing herself to look away, she picked up the blanket that had been kicked halfway off the bed and covered Tang Ruoyao with it.

Tang Ruoyao, still half-asleep, grabbed the corner of the blanket and mumbled something incoherent.

'So troublesome.'

Qin Yinong sat on the edge of the bed, smiling as she sighed.

"Big sister..." Tang Ruoyao suddenly called out, her voice loud in the quiet room.

Qin Yinong shuddered, nearly diving under the bed in fright.

She had already crouched halfway, gripping the edge of the bed as she stood back up. It wasn't like she hadn't been here before—why was she so scared now? She silently scolded herself and turned to look at Tang Ruoyao lying on the bed.

Tang Ruoyao's eyes were closed, clearly still deep in sleep.

Qin Yinong patted her chest.

'Little brat...'

"Big sister..." Tang Ruoyao continued her dream talk, pouting her lips.

Qin Yinong silently laughed.

'What is this? Asking for a kiss?'

"Big sister..." Sure enough, the girl said, "Kiss."

Qin Yinong watched with amusement as she acted out her dream.

"Kiss." Tang Ruoyao murmured, turning to plant a kiss on the back of her own hand resting on the pillow, a satisfied expression on her face.

Qin Yinong watched as she hugged her own hand, smacking it with kisses, leaving it covered in saliva.

Qin Yinong: "..."

She clicked her tongue in amazement.

'What kind of dream is this? So fierce!'

If she had let her kiss her earlier, would she have ended up with a face full of saliva too?

Qin Yinong's shoulders shook as she laughed uncontrollably. Afraid that her laughter might wake Tang Ruoyao, she stood up, covering her mouth with her fist.

Tang Ruoyao continued to kiss her hand, but her expression grew increasingly strange, a mix of pleasure and pain. Qin Yinong observed her closely, realizing that her expression mirrored one from a dream she herself had once had.

Tang Ruoyao released her grip, her slender fingers with distinct knuckles now clutching the bedsheet above. Her long neck arched backward, forming a graceful curve, as she bit her lower lip and let out a soft, low moan.

Qin Yinong was speechless.

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