CHAPTER 248: Qin & Tang Extra 22

Qin Yinong opened her mouth.

She knew about advertisements, and she knew about being radiant, but when these words came out of Qin Lunong's mouth, they seemed to carry a deeper meaning.

"Have you seen her advertisement?" Qin Lunong asked again.

Qin Yinong nodded.

The little rabbit had filmed a decent advertisement for the first time, and she had already actively hinted, signaled, and outright shown it to her in various ways. After all, given her current fame, it was unlikely that Qin Yinong would discover it on her own.

She didn't know that Qin Yinong had also followed her on Weibo using the account Guan Han had provided.

Qin Lunong pulled out her phone from her pocket, searched for the advertisement, and said with a smile, "Let's watch it again."

Qin Yinong's hair stood on end, and a sense of shame seeped out from every pore.

"I just remembered I have something to do, so I'll be going now."

Qin Lunong grabbed Qin Yinong by the back of her neck and pulled her back.

Qin Yinong pouted and sat down reluctantly, looking as if she had been forced into something she didn't want to do, like a woman coerced into prostitution.

The music from the advertisement played from the phone.

On the straight, clean school path, a slender, graceful figure appeared, elegant and poised.

Qin Yinong felt extremely uncomfortable. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Qin Lunong's focused gaze, making her feel even more like she was sitting on pins and needles. Yet, she couldn't help but glance at Qin Lunong's expression. Satisfied? She did seem quite pleased.

"Her name is Tang Ruoyao?"

"Yes." The information was available online, so it wasn't strange that Qin Lunong knew.

"She's studying acting?"

"Yes."

"Then there must be a lot of good-looking people around her?"

Qin Yinong muttered, "No one could be better-looking than me, right?" It wasn't narcissism, her looks and acting skills were unmatched in the country.

"She must have a lot of suitors, right?"

Qin Yinong suddenly looked up.

Qin Lunong added another subtle jab: "There's a saying, 'Distant water can't quench a nearby thirst.' If someone is always by her side, following her around, caring for her, delivering medicine to her dorm when she's sick..."

She glanced at Qin Yinong, whose expression had darkened, and continued, "Besides..."

Besides, the two of you have no official relationship. Even if she were to shift her affections to someone else, it wouldn't be unreasonable.

"People of the same age have their own charm. Not everyone likes old cabbage."

Qin·Old Cabbage Herself·Yinong: "..."

Qin Lunong chuckled, patted Qin Yinong's shoulder, and then left to go see the baby.

Tang Ruoyao looked at the bag of snacks in her hand, then glanced up at the boy who had run off as fast as a rabbit in the distance, swallowing the word she had just started to say.

Wen Shuxian took the bag of snacks and rummaged through it, exclaiming, "Wow, they're all imported. He could've at least left his name. There's not even a small card."

Fu Yujun narrowed her eyes, looking at the boy's retreating figure, and said, "He seems to be from the opera department, surname Jiang."

Cui Jiaran was worried, saying, "What should we do with these snacks?"

She then looked at Tang Ruoyao.

Perhaps love had softened Tang Ruoyao. Her once aloof demeanor had mellowed considerably, and her style had become increasingly gentle and elegant. Those who had previously been too intimidated by her coldness to approach her now took action, sending love letters like snowflakes. Tang Ruoyao rejected each one without hesitation, leaving no room for opportunity.

And so, it had come to this: someone would deliver something and then run away without waiting for a response. He didn't need an answer, he just wanted to give.

Tang Ruoyao asked, "Lao Fu, do you know anyone in the opera department?"

Fu Yujun said, "I know their class's league secretary."

Tang Ruoyao replied, "We'll send him back later."

Wen Shuxian volunteered, "Let me and Jiaran take him back. You shouldn't go, or people might think you're interested in him by seeking him out."

Tang Ruoyao nodded.

"That's fine."

In the evening, Tang Ruoyao was watching a movie with her headphones on. The loud special effects perfectly blocked out all external noise.

The sound of a guitar accompanied by a deep, magnetic voice drifted up from downstairs, occasionally calling Tang Ruoyao's name.

Wen Shuxian took off her noise-canceling earplugs and flopped back on her bed.

"Are these guys serious? What era are they living in, still pulling this kind of stunt? Next thing you know, they'll be lighting candles on the sidewalk to declare their love."

Cui Jiaran ran her fingers through her hair, irritated. "So annoying. Can't they let people study?"

Even the usually calm Fu Yujun frowned.

Tang Ruoyao stood up and walked out without a word.

"!!!" Wen Shuxian scrambled out of bed, slipped into her slippers, and hurried after her. "Wait for me, I'm coming too."

In the hallway, the girls all turned their attention to the protagonist. Some curious onlookers followed Tang Ruoyao downstairs.

Not long after, the guitar and singing stopped, and so did the cheering.

The world was quiet again.

Tang Ruoyao came back in and sat down in front of her computer.

Wen Shuxian gave a lively play-by-play: "Tang Tang went down, said three sentences: 'It's too noisy,' 'I don't like you,' 'Please stop disturbing my studies.' Then she turned around and left. The guy didn't even get a word in. I think he was about to cry. So tragic, hahaha!"

Cui Jiaran spat, "Serves him right!"

Fu Yujun sighed in relief and picked up her pen again.

The progress bar on Tang Ruoyao's movie kept moving forward, but her attention wasn't as focused as before. If she announced she was taken, would things like this happen less often? But Qin Yinong still hadn't given her any official status. What exactly did she mean?

As soon as Qin Yinong walked through the door, she was met with Tang Ruoyao's piercing gaze from the couch.

Qin Yinong: "..."

She waved her hand behind her.

Assistant Guan didn't even close the door properly before retreating.

Qin Yinong took a tangerine from the woven fruit basket on the coffee table, peeled it, split it in half, and fed one half to Tang Ruoyao, who opened her mouth to accept it.

Qin Yinong ate the other half and sighed inwardly.

Is it the distortion of human nature or the degradation of morality that has brought her, a once-respected "patron," to such a state? Tang Ruoyao, that little brat, has become increasingly temperamental, willful, and arrogant, often giving her cold looks. Yet, Qin Yinong not only doesn't get angry but instead adapts to her rhythm, finding joy in it.

Is she a masochist?

Tang Ruoyao said, "This month, excluding love letters, I've received..." She counted on her fingers, solemnly stating, "at least fourteen direct confessions."

Qin Yinong was baffled, "Don't the students at your school have classes to attend?"

Tang Ruoyao glared, "Stop changing the subject. Don't you have anything to say?"

"..." Qin Yinong paused for a few seconds, then smiled, "You're very popular."

"And?"

"Study hard, don't fall in love too early."

"..." Tang Ruoyao's accumulated frustration deflated. She said, "Is twenty still considered too young for love? If not now, when? Wait until I'm old and withered?"

"At least wait until you graduate."

Tang Ruoyao looked at her with a strange expression.

Qin Yinong touched her face, "What's wrong?"

Tang Ruoyao sat cross-legged and said, "You sound like a mom from a TV show."

Qin Yinong claimed the title calmly, "I'm just looking out for you."

Tang Ruoyao couldn't help but laugh, "That makes it even more like it." She deliberately glanced around, as if casually mentioning, "Do you treat others the same way?"

"Others?"

"The one from last time." Tang Ruoyao was vague.

"Which one?"

"The one you told to go to bed obediently." Tang Ruoyao specified the time.

Qin Yinong nodded, realizing she was talking about Qin Lunong.

Qin Yinong said, "Pretty much. She was being disobedient recently, so I had to be stricter with her."

So there really were others.

Tang Ruoyao's heart sank to the bottom. She forced a smile and asked, "Am I obedient then?"

"You've been a bit rebellious lately." Qin Yinong told the truth.

"Are you going to discipline me?"

Qin Yinong was taken aback.

Tang Ruoyao took a light breath, suppressing the bitterness in her eyes, and looked up, "It's inconvenient for you to manage me through your assistant. Why don't we exchange contact info? You can keep an eye on me anytime, anywhere. How about that?"

She picked up Qin Yinong's phone from the coffee table.

The two scanned each other's QR codes and added WeChat.

Although the goal was achieved, the process was unexpected for both.

Tang Ruoyao added, "People at school keep confessing to me, and it's annoying. Can I just say I'm already in a relationship? I won't actually date anyone, it's just a cover."

Qin Yinong, "If you think it's okay, then go ahead."

Tang Ruoyao uncrossed her legs, stood up, and said, "I'm going back to the study."

"Go ahead."

Tang Ruoyao took a few steps, then suddenly turned around, pouncing on Qin Yinong like a hungry tiger, pinning her to the couch.

Qin Yinong, "!!!"

The girl's hair, longer than before, fell softly and blackly from her ears, cascading down and blocking Qin Yinong's peripheral vision, forcing her to look up directly at the girl above her.

Tang Ruoyao was angry.

Qin Yinong could clearly feel it. She had been getting angry a lot lately. Just as Qin Yinong was about to speak, Tang Ruoyao's expression changed. The murderous aura gradually faded, replaced by focus and seriousness, with a hint of affection lingering in her eyes.

Qin Yinong instinctively sensed danger and instinctively tilted her head to the side.

A kiss landed on her cheek.

Qin Yinong's heart pounded wildly.

If she hadn't dodged, that kiss would have landed right on her lips.

She was both angry and embarrassed, clenching her fists.

'This little brat!'

Before she could scold her, Tang Ruoyao buried her head lower, and Qin Yinong's fists suddenly loosened, letting out a short breath as her fingers gripped the fabric of the sofa.

'How dare she!'

Tang Ruoyao really dared. As their relationship deepened, and with the influence of her new script role, her fear of Qin Yinong had almost vanished. Being favored gave her a sense of boldness. Reckoning could wait for later, for now, she would act on impulse and live in the moment.

A soft moan escaped Qin Yinong's lips, and Tang Ruoyao, encouraged, pressed on.

But here was the problem—she didn't know how.

It was like a lavish feast laid out before her, dazzling and overwhelming, leaving her unsure where to start. As the food cooled, Qin Yinong's mind cleared, and she coldly snapped, "Aren't you getting up?"

Tang Ruoyao scrambled to her feet, her face flushed red.

Qin Yinong pointed toward the bedroom and said curtly, "Go back."

Tang Ruoyao didn't move, her eyes gleaming with renewed determination.

Qin Yinong's expression darkened, a storm brewing.

Not daring to provoke her further, Tang Ruoyao left, glancing back every few steps.

Qin Yinong pulled a few tissues from the box, wiping the dampness behind her ears and neck before tossing them into the trash. She sat in a daze for a while, her ears and neck gradually tinged with a faint blush, her cheeks growing pinker and hotter. She buried her face in a pillow and collapsed onto the sofa.

This time, she was really going to die.

The culprit, Tang Ruoyao, took a shower and emerged, sticking out her rosy, soft tongue in front of the bathroom mirror, examining it from all angles.

The scene from earlier flashed before her eyes—Qin Yinong with her eyes closed, long lashes trembling, gentle and submissive, as if yielding completely. Tang Ruoyao walked back to the bedroom, lost in thought, and suddenly punched her palm.

She got it!

She finally understood!

Tang Ruoyao barely suppressed the urge to shout, pacing around the room in excitement.

She finally understood why Qin Yinong had never made a move on her! It wasn't that she couldn't—no, it wasn't that at all. It was that Qin Yinong hadn't been planning to take her, she wanted to be taken instead!

Having done her homework, Tang Ruoyao knew that in relationships between women, there were distinctions. Some preferred to be on the receiving end, and it had little to do with status. Being the receiver was also less demanding. The more Tang Ruoyao thought about it, the more she believed this was the truth.

Qin Yinong, who lived a life of luxury, would never stoop to pleasing others. She was the one to be pleased. No wonder, no wonder—she had been thinking about it all wrong.

Realizing her mistake, Tang Ruoyao, ever the efficient scholar, immediately adjusted her mindset, shifting her focus to studying how to please the other party.

Qin Yinong lay in the bathtub, only her head above the water. The hot water soothed the fatigue in every cell of her body, but the heat in her ears lingered, as if those thin lips were still half-parted, exhaling warm breaths.

Qin Yinong sank deeper into the water, the floating petals closing in to cover her face.

With a splash.

Qin Yinong emerged, patting her face, which was covered in droplets of water. She dried herself off and casually slipped into a Japanese-style robe with a subtle pattern of hibiscus flowers. She walked barefoot on the floor, her movements fluid and graceful, like a nimble cat.

The screen of her phone on the bedside table lit up.

Tang Ruoyao, who had just obtained her contact information, sent a message: [Sister, are you asleep?]

Qin Yinong: [Not yet, what's up?]

Tang Ruoyao: [Are you still mad at me?]

Qin Yinong didn't want to reply.

Not long after, footsteps approached the door. Tang Ruoyao knocked gently, but Qin Yinong didn't open it. Instead, she said coldly from inside, "I'm asleep."

"You weren't asleep just now."

"I am now."

"You haven't come to check on me tonight." the voice outside said anxiously.

Qin Yinong couldn't help but laugh in frustration.

"I'll go if I feel like it, and I won't if I don't. Is that any of your business?"

"You're still mad." Tang Ruoyao said. Since the house was regularly cleaned by the housekeeper and both of them were tidy, the floor wasn't dirty. Tang Ruoyao simply swept her sleeve aside and sat down on the floor.

"So what if I am?"

"I'll try to cheer you up."

Qin Yinong's eyebrows twitched upward, but she forced them back down. Feeling that standing was too much effort, she also sat down by the door. "How are you going to cheer me up?"

"Open the door and you'll see."

"No."

Tang Ruoyao began singing at the door: "Little bunny, be good, open the door..."

This was the first time Qin Yinong had heard her sing. Although it was a children's song, she could tell Tang Ruoyao had a pleasant voice. She said, "Sing something else."

Tang Ruoyao replied energetically, "What would you like to hear? The Chinese Song Library is at your service."

"How about 'Loyalty to the Motherland'?"

"...Can I sing something else?"

"No."

There was silence outside for a few seconds, and then Tang Ruoyao began singing in a rough voice: "The smoke of war rises, the land to the north is in view, the dragon rises, the horses neigh, the sword's aura is like frost..." Her voice was low, and her vocal cords were narrow. By the time she reached the lines, "The horses gallop south, people gaze north, the grass is green, the dust flies," she was struggling more and more. The final word, "hail," came out hoarse.

Qin Yinong covered her mouth with her fist, unable to stop laughing.

Suddenly, the singing stopped, and the footsteps retreated.

Qin Yinong's eyes narrowed.

'Did she leave?'

Qin Yinong pushed herself up from the floor and walked further inside. But then the footsteps returned, and Tang Ruoyao's voice, now slightly hoarse, said, "I went to get some water. What else would you like to hear?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the door in front of her opened.

Qin Yinong stood calmly at the doorway.

Tang Ruoyao was still holding a glass of water, her dimples showing as she smiled. Her bright eyes gave her an almost innocent, harmless appearance. "You're not mad anymore?"

Qin Yinong thought to herself: 'I wasn't mad at you in the first place, I was mad at myself.'

She said, "Get some rest early." her facial features softening noticeably.

Tang Ruoyao, emboldened, asked brazenly, "Can I sleep with you?"

Qin Yinong looked at her, taking a deep, deep breath.

Tang Ruoyao turned and ran.

"I'm going to bed, good night, sister!" The door to the master bedroom slammed shut.

Qin Yinong leaned against the doorway, staring at the closed door. She shook her head, smiling, then straightened up and turned back inside.

The next day.

"Good morning." Tang Ruoyao woke up slightly later than Qin Yinong. By the time she came out, Qin Yinong was already sitting on the sofa.

"Mm."

Tang Ruoyao sat down beside her, joining her to watch a documentary.

Qin Yinong noticed Tang Ruoyao rubbing her right wrist out of the corner of her eye and casually asked, "Does your hand hurt?"

"No," Tang Ruoyao denied quickly. "I'm just stretching a bit. Don't worry, my hand is perfectly fine."

A strange feeling flickered in Qin Yinong's heart, too fleeting to grasp. She turned down the volume of the TV a little and looked straight ahead. "Are you free today?"

"Yes."

"Do you know how to play badminton?"

"A little."

"Want to go?"

The woman's invitation sounded anything but formal, even somewhat casual. Only she knew that her heart was pounding so loudly she could barely hear her own voice.

Tang Ruoyao was overjoyed. "Yes!"

She wrapped her arms around Qin Yinong's shoulders and planted a loud kiss on her cheek.

'...Getting bolder by the day.'

Qin Yinong let out a soft "tsk" but didn't scold her. Instead, the corners of her eyes curved upward in a smile.

Qin Yinong booked the badminton court and left the house discreetly. To be cautious, she and Tang Ruoyao arrived separately in two different cars. Qin Lunong's words had made her realize something: if Tang Ruoyao were to be with her, she would inevitably be dragged into the spotlight as well. From now on, she had to be careful, especially about things like visiting Tang Ruoyao at school, which required even more caution.

Tang Ruoyao, her long hair tied into a ponytail, stood on the other side of the net, swinging her racket to get a feel for it.

A woman wearing a baseball cap entered with her head down. Tang Ruoyao rushed toward her, and Qin Yinong stumbled back two steps before steadying herself, her hands catching the girl by the waist.

"Stop fooling around." she murmured softly.

Tang Ruoyao tilted her head up and kissed her cheek again, her soft lips brushing against Qin Yinong's smooth skin, a moment of bliss for both of them.

Guan Han kept her eyes down, pretending not to notice.

Qin Yinong patted the clingy girl's arm, signaling her to let go. She handed her hat and mask to Guan Han, took the racket, and stepped onto the court. The last time Qin Yinong had played badminton was during a film shoot, she rarely had the chance to play otherwise.

She tested the weight of the racket and raised her chin challengingly at Tang Ruoyao, who was about to serve.

The shuttlecock made a soft "thwack" as it hit the racket's strings and flew into the air. Qin Yinong swung her racket with one hand, effortlessly returning it. She used her wrist skillfully, making the shuttlecock soar high and far with what seemed like a light flick.

Tang Ruoyao looked up as the shuttlecock descended and managed to hit it back just in time.

Back and forth they went, the shuttlecock flying through the air without ever touching the ground.

The sole spectator, Guan Han, opened a bottle of water and turned her head from left to right, then right to left, until the match ended with Tang Ruoyao stepping out of bounds. Qin Yinong walked to the boundary line to retrieve the shuttlecock and served again.

The badminton court was filled with the sound of exertion. Tang Ruoyao was an amateur at best, usually managing to win when playing with her classmates. But against Qin Yinong, who had received professional training for her film roles, she was completely outmatched.

Qin Yinong noticed her struggling and began to go easy on her.

Tang Ruoyao didn't realize it and burst into laughter when Qin Yinong missed the shuttlecock again.

Qin Yinong laughed too and said, "The younger generation surpasses the older. Go easy on me, okay?" Her tone at the end was soft and gentle, like the delicate touch of an insect's antenna, tickling the deepest part of one's skin.

Tang Ruoyao's face, already flushed from the exercise, turned even redder. Her voice was so low it was almost inaudible as she replied, "Okay."

The two of them began to take turns going easy on each other.

Guan Han, who had witnessed the entire scene, thought to herself, 'What did I do to deserve this?'

Being in a relationship is truly something special.

During the halftime break, Qin Yinong grabbed a bottle of mineral water, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to Tang Ruoyao. Tang Ruoyao, in turn, handed her a freshly opened bottle. Qin Yinong's expression stiffened for a fleeting moment before she brought the bottle to her lips, sniffed it, and took a small sip.

"Are you tired?" Qin Yinong asked gently, looking at Tang Ruoyao's sweat-drenched face.

"Not too bad." Tang Ruoyao replied. Being young and full of energy, she was almost overheating. She took off her unzipped jacket, revealing a fitted tank top that perfectly outlined her curvaceous figure. Sweat dripped down her neck and arms, every inch of her skin breathing freely, exuding both beauty and sensuality.

Qin Yinong averted her gaze, looking elsewhere as she took another sip of water. "What else do you like to do?"

"Like what?"

"Like today."

"I'm up for anything, as long as you're with me." Tang Ruoyao said with a smile, tilting her head to look at the woman's profile.

The gaze from the side was so intense it felt like it could devour her. Qin Yinong unconsciously bit the mouth of the water bottle and said, "Let me treat you to lunch. I still owe you a meal."

Tang Ruoyao's smile faltered slightly. "Did you call me out just to repay the meal?"

"No."

As soon as the words left her mouth, the heat closed in. Tang Ruoyao hugged her again, resting her chin on the woman's shoulder. Her lips were less than three centimeters from Qin Yinong's ear, her warm breath brushing against it with each exhale.

It was an extremely dangerous position.

Qin Yinong froze completely.

Once you've tasted the sweetness, it's hard to resist.

Guan Han's eyes widened slightly, unblinking.

Tang Ruoyao gently kissed Qin Yinong's small, jade-like earlobe, a fleeting touch before she gracefully stepped back two paces. Before letting go, she whispered something in Qin Yinong's ear, her voice low, "Let's continue at home..."

Qin Yinong didn't dare to look her in the eye the entire time, forcing herself not to walk awkwardly as she headed to the rest area.

As soon as Guan Han met Qin Yinong's gaze, she immediately lowered her head.

Qin Yinong sighed, clutching the water bottle.

She was afraid that Tang Ruoyao had too many suitors and might uncontrollably shift her affections elsewhere. So, she tried to invite her out to create some beautiful memories and deepen her feelings. But the reality was that Tang Ruoyao had teased her to the point of complete helplessness.

Why did her plans always end up going in the opposite direction of reality?

Qin Yinong covered her face with both hands.

The Western restaurant they went to for lunch was the same one Tang Ruoyao had previously booked. Tang Ruoyao sat in the private room and, after the waiter left, said softly, "You remembered."

After calming down during the journey, Qin Yinong had mostly returned to normal. "I rarely break promises."

"Did something important come up last time?"

"Yes."

"Can you tell me about it?" Tang Ruoyao ventured.

Qin Yinong glanced at her. "If there's a chance in the future."

"Okay."

Qin Yinong ordered red wine, originally intended to set the mood. But Tang Ruoyao kept drinking one glass after another, and Qin Yinong suddenly had a bad feeling.

That feeling became reality once they got home.

Tang Ruoyao cornered her in the entryway and leaned in for a kiss.

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