CHAPTER 251: Qin & Tang Extra 25

Ten minutes had passed since Tang Ruoyao asked that question.

Qin Yinong sat on the sofa, two glasses of water on the coffee table before her. Tang Ruoyao occupied the single armchair diagonally across, hands properly resting on her knees, back straight, gaze locked onto Qin Yinong.

An improvement from before—no longer resembling a scolded elementary student, but more like a middle-schooler preparing for a serious talk with her teacher.

Qin Yinong picked up one water glass with one hand, supporting the bottom with the other, her thumb slowly stroking the cool surface of the cup.

Time ticked by, second by second.

Tang Ruoyao's initial confidence and anticipation gradually gave way to unease, her head lowering slightly, lips pressing together.

Qin Yinong rotated the glass in her palm once before finally speaking.

"What did my sister tell you?"

Tang Ruoyao instinctively looked up and saw the woman's slightly furrowed brows. "Nothing." she said.

"Then why did you suddenly..." Qin Yinong's fingers unconsciously tightened around the cup before she reached up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her voice dropping lower. "Why did you..." The word "confess" or "propose" stuck in her throat, impossible to voice.

Her mind had been a swirling mess for the past ten minutes, thoughts churning like dough in water—completely incoherent.

Tang Ruoyao had confessed to her.

Confessed.

What was she supposed to do?

If she couldn't say it, Tang Ruoyao had no such hesitation. She picked up the thread smoothly, "Confess, you mean?"

Qin Yinong nodded blankly.

"Why?"

"Because I like you." Tang Ruoyao said, meeting her gaze directly.

"..."

"Do you like me?"

"..."

Qin Yinong lifted her cup and took a sip of water, using the motion to hide her shock and fluster.

Did young people these days not know the meaning of subtlety?

"Qin Yinong, do you like me or not?"

Pressed again and again, Qin Yinong almost fled in disarray.

Steadying herself, she finally looked up, studying Tang Ruoyao for a long moment before saying, "That's not the issue right now."

"Then what is?"

"What exactly did my sister tell you?" To prevent Tang Ruoyao from deflecting again, Qin Yinong's expression darkened, her tone stern. "You know I don't have much patience."

Tang Ruoyao's mind wandered at the worst possible moment.

She actually thought Qin Yinong had plenty of patience.

Qin Yinong tapped the bottom of her cup against the coffee table.

Snapping back to attention, Tang Ruoyao said, "She told me you've never been in a relationship before."

Qin Yinong gritted her teeth.

Of course her sister would sell her out the moment she stepped out the door.

Tang Ruoyao carefully continued, "She also said you don't easily find someone you truly care about, and that if I missed this chance, there wouldn't be another. I felt the same way, so I didn't want to waste any more time. That's why I confessed."

"Then why were you crying?"

Tang Ruoyao stiffened slightly.

Qin Yinong repeated, "If that's all she told you, why did you cry?"

"It's because..." Tang Ruoyao lowered her head, her fingers twisting together where they rested on her knees.

"You always twist your fingers when you lie." Qin Yinong observed, watching her hands.

"No, I do this when I'm nervous."

"..." Caught in her own casual lie, Qin Yinong cleared her throat without a hint of embarrassment. "If you won't tell me, I'll ask my sister myself. And if your version doesn't match hers—"

The pressure around her intensified, making Tang Ruoyao shiver. Resigned, she said, "Fine, I'll tell you."

She was never good at hiding things anyway. These words had been sitting in her heart like a ticking time b0mb, making her uncomfortable. Better to just say it—whether Qin Yinong lashed out, distanced herself, or anything else, she'd accept it.

Once decided, Tang Ruoyao seemed like a different person. She lifted her head, gaze steady. "I used to think you had others outside."

"Others meaning...?"

"The kind the tabloids talk about—that you bought luxury properties to keep lovers hidden. I thought I was just one of many, that your feelings for me were just... the kind shared between a patron and their favorite. That there were countless others besides me."

Qin Yinong was silent for a long time. "We've known each other for a year. Why didn't you ever ask me?"

Tang Ruoyao could have lied. Sometimes white lies made things easier. But she chose honesty. "Because I was just as shallow as everyone else. I thought where there's smoke, there's fire. I believed the rumors."

Qin Yinong suddenly felt like having a drink.

She smiled and said, "So that's how it is."

"Where was the wine again?"

Qin Yinong's gaze fell on the half-empty bottle of red wine in the dining room cabinet as she said softly, "It's not your fault. I should have explained things clearly to you. After all, the rumors outside are quite convincing—it's easy for strangers to misunderstand."

Her voice was gentle, but Tang Ruoyao detected hidden anger—or perhaps silent resentment—in her emphasis on the word "strangers."

They had met last summer, and now another summer had begun. A whole year of living together, yet Qin Yinong still saw her as someone prone to the same misunderstandings as any stranger.

Tang Ruoyao felt a tightness in her chest.

"I'm sorry." she said, lowering her head.

"I should be the one apologizing. I was the one who deliberately made you sign that contract in the first place. If we're talking about the root of misunderstandings, it's me." Qin Yinong spoke with measured calm. She was always reasonable, but objectively analyzing things between "lovers" wasn't a good sign.

Tang Ruoyao couldn't explain why, but her instincts told her something was wrong. "It's my fault." she insisted.

Qin Yinong smiled, still unhurried. "You're young—it's understandable."

Tang Ruoyao choked on her words.

Before she could think of a response, Qin Yinong changed the subject: "It's getting late. You should go to bed. Any plans for this summer?"

Tang Ruoyao answered sullenly, "There's a movie to shoot—the one you told me to audition for."

Qin Yinong raised an eyebrow slightly, feigning sudden recollection. "Ah, I'd forgotten about that."

Tang Ruoyao's heart sank.

How could Qin Yinong forget something as important as her new movie? Meanwhile, she had memorized every detail of Qin Yinong's public schedule.

Qin Yinong's petty retaliation didn't make her feel any better. Seeing Tang Ruoyao's visibly deflated spirit only made the lump in her throat grow heavier.

She waved dismissively.

Tang Ruoyao turned and walked away, retreating to her room.

Qin Yinong uncorked the wine bottle, pouring the crimson liquid slowly into her glass. Her phone on the coffee table vibrated.

Tang Ruoyao: [I know I was wrong. Can you give me another chance?]

Qin Yinong scoffed. She held down the message until the delete option appeared, her finger hovering over it for a dozen seconds before tapping the blank space instead—leaving the message untouched.

Returning to the home screen, she locked her phone.

The remaining half-bottle of wine disappeared quickly. Slippers scuffing against the floor, Qin Yinong went to fetch another bottle from the cabinet. Just then, she heard a creak—the master bedroom door opening wider as Tang Ruoyao stood in the doorway, hesitantly saying, "Too much alcohol is bad for you."

Perhaps emboldened by the wine, Qin Yinong snapped back with unusual sharpness, "None of your business."

This emotionally charged version of Qin Yinong felt more familiar to Tang Ruoyao than the composed facade from earlier. She'd rather see her angry than constantly bottling things up.

Tang Ruoyao pushed the door open fully and stepped out.

"Stop right there." Qin Yinong said coldly.

Tang Ruoyao hesitated for just a second before continuing forward with determination.

"Didn't you hear me? Stay where you are!"

Four meters.

"Are you taking advantage of my feelings for you? Is that why you're so bold?"

Three meters.

"You're right, and so are the rumors. I have countless lovers—I'll pamper you today and someone else tomorrow."

Two meters.

Tang Ruoyao even found time to retort, "Then pamper me first."

Qin Yinong faltered, her expression shifting before she spat out, "Shameless."

Tang Ruoyao smiled.

One meter.

"Take another step and I'll call the police."

Half a meter.

Tang Ruoyao stepped forward in one stride, spreading her arms to embrace her tightly.

Qin Yinong's hands hung limply at her sides, her expression frosty. "Let go."

"I won't."

"Do you believe I'll—"

"I do," Tang Ruoyao said. "You can do whatever you want to me, just don't hurt yourself."

"What right do you have to say such things? Who are you to me?"

"I like you."

"Plenty of people like me." Qin Yinong scoffed.

"But only I can hold you like this."

"How do you know no one else has held me?"

When a woman becomes unreasonable, reasoning with her is futile. Tang Ruoyao played the rogue: "I don't care. Right now, it's me holding you."

Qin Yinong let out a derisive snort.

But just before that snort, there had been the faintest hint of a laugh—a soft exhalation.

Misunderstood too many times, Qin Yinong had long mastered the art of indifference. Tang Ruoyao's misunderstanding was expected, her rational mind wasn't surprised at all. It was just that emotionally, she couldn't accept it immediately—and even that resistance had dissipated amidst Tang Ruoyao's playful banter.

She couldn't demand unconditional trust from others. No one owed her that.

Disappointment, sadness—none of these justified throwing a tantrum.

She exhaled slowly, releasing her breath in increments, then raised a hand to pat Tang Ruoyao's back. "I promise I won't drink anymore. Let me go."

Tang Ruoyao released her and put the red wine back in the cabinet, carefully watching her expression.

Qin Yinong didn't give her much of a chance to read her, turning and heading back to her room.

Tang Ruoyao's brows furrowed in distress. "Are you still willing to give me another chance?" she called out.

Qin Yinong didn't turn around. "I'll think about it."

Tang Ruoyao took a step forward, but the door had already closed.

She returned to the master bedroom, sitting with her back against the door, absentmindedly plucking imaginary petals in her mind.

'Forgive me.'

'Don't forgive me.'

'Forgive me, don't forgive...'

A faint noise from outside snapped her attention back. Instinctively, she dropped to the floor, peering through the gap beneath the door. Realizing what she was doing, she lightly smacked her own cheek, then stood and silently cracked the door open a sliver.

A figure moved through her line of sight.

From the dining area to the foyer.

Abandoning stealth, Tang Ruoyao flung the door open anxiously. "Where are you going?"

Qin Yinong leaned against the shoe cabinet, changing her shoes. For a moment, she wanted to retort that she was going to another "golden house," but after a few seconds of silence, she answered truthfully, "I'm going home."

"It's so late—it's not safe. Wait for Assistant Guan to come and take you."

"She's downstairs."

Qin Yinong had already changed her shoes and pushed the front door open.

"Sleep early. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Qin Yinong took the rose with her.

Tang Ruoyao sat alone in the empty living room, feeling no joy at all.

The gray sedan pulled into the Qin residence.

Qin Yinong remained seated in the car for a while longer, eyes closed, before finally stepping out and entering the house.

The baby was already asleep. Qin Lunong was watching TV in the living room.

Summoning her energy, Qin Yinong smiled. "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Qin Lunong lifted her gaze, giving her a bland look. "Waiting for you to come home and settle accounts with me."

Qin Yinong forced a dry laugh, sidling up to her like an eager puppy, massaging her shoulders and legs with an ingratiating expression. "My mouth spews no ivory—you're magnanimous, forgive me this once."

Qin Lunong snorted coldly.

"Finally remembered to come home? Why aren't you lovebirds flying off together?"

Qin Yinong pressed her lips together, silent.

"Had a fight?" Qin Lunong pushed her hands away. "Did you even wash your hands?"

Qin Yinong trudged dejectedly to wash her hands, then slumped down beside her sister upon returning.

"Watch TV with me." Qin Lunong said.

Qin Yinong looked up and complied for about a minute before getting distracted by the absurdly melodramatic plot. She gaped. "What kind of garbage is this? Has your taste really sunk this low?"

Qin Lunong replied lazily, "Life is more ridiculous than TV dramas, yet you still keep living, don't you?"

Having just been drenched by life's absurdity herself, Qin Yinong had no retort.

Qin Lunong tilted her chin toward the kitchen. "Go wash an apple, peel it, cut it into pieces, and bring it to me in a bowl."

Feeling guilty, Qin Yinong obediently complied.

Qin Lunong munched on the apple while finishing the drama. As the ending theme played, she turned off the TV and said,

"Alright, little victim. What's bothering you today?"

"Nothing."

"Then I'm going to sleep." Qin Lunong stood up to leave.

"Wait."

Qin Lunong paused halfway up the stairs and glanced back. "Aren't you coming?"

Though unsure why they had to talk upstairs, Qin Yinong instinctively followed her into her own bedroom.

Qin Lunong surveyed the room as if seeing it for the first time. "Nice bar setup." She perched on a stool by the counter, resting her hand on the cool surface. "Pour me a drink."

Qin Yinong hesitated. "Can you even drink?"

Qin Lunong arched a brow. "What, should we just sit here awkwardly?"

Qin Yinong sighed. "Right, right. Whatever you say."

She fetched a bottle of whiskey, diluted it heavily with ice, and handed it over. Qin Lunong's lips twitched imperceptibly, deciding against mentioning her own past struggles with alcohol abroad.

She took a sip of the watered-down drink and waited silently for Qin Yinong to speak.

"I don't want to date anymore."

"Then don't."

Qin Yinong gaped, her glass still in hand, her face frozen mid-melancholy—ready for a heartfelt talk—only for the conversation to die abruptly. The expression looked almost comical.

Qin Lunong swirled her glass, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "Be honest."

Qin Yinong shrugged. "Fine. I was just thinking... she misunderstood me. I already forgave her, so why am I still upset?"

"You forgave her?"

"Yeah."

"Are you an idiot?"

"Hey! No need for personal attacks!"

Qin Lunong stared at her, then suddenly uttered a crisp English word in flawless American accent.

Qin Yinong scowled. "I understood that! You called me an idiot!"

"Good." Qin Lunong smirked coldly and thumped her glass onto the counter. "Where's your backbone?"

"What do you mean? I have backbone!" Qin Yinong shot back indignantly. "It wasn't entirely her fault, and I'm so much older than her. Should I just throw a tantrum?"

"Yes. You should throw a tantrum."

"..."

"You're so understanding, yet here you are, whining to me. Whose sad little flower is that on the table?"

"It's not sad! She gave it to me."

"Just one? How generous."

Qin Yinong finally caught on. "Wait... do you dislike her?"

Qin Lunong smiled sweetly. "Took you long enough."

Qin Yinong rubbed her nose. "Well, I had a feeling when you got home tonight. Now it's obvious." She frowned. "Why?"

"She misunderstood you."

"I'm used to it." Qin Yinong said indifferently.

"Others might be okay, but not her. If she can't even manage basic trust and honesty, how dare she claim to like you?" The once pristine cabbage had turned rotten at the core, and Qin Yinong's easy forgiveness only made Qin Lunong despise her even more.

Qin Yinong let out an "Oh," resting her arm on the bar counter and laying her cheek against it.

Qin Lunong poked her forehead. "What's with the 'oh'?"

"I think you're right. I'll cut ties with her tomorrow."

"That's not what I meant." Qin Lunong said.

"Then what did you mean?"

"Your sister doesn't want you to be wronged." Qin Lunong reached out, gently stroking her hair.

As if struck by sudden clarity, Qin Yinong sat bolt upright.

"So... I'm not angry, just feeling wronged?"

Qin Lunong cursed under her breath again—idiot—before saying, "Don't tell anyone you're my sister once you step outside."

"Remember what I told you?" Qin Lunong asked.

'You've said so many things—how am I supposed to remember which one?' Qin Yinong grumbled internally, but Qin Lunong continued unprompted:

"I hope that no matter what, you always love yourself."

Qin Yinong nodded.

"Especially in relationships. You must love yourself more than you love her. Only when you're truly at peace can you love others well."

Qin Yinong seemed to understand, yet not quite.

"If you feel wronged, don't force yourself to forgive just to appear virtuous. Once trust runs out, she can get lost. There's no shortage of people in the world."

Qin Yinong squinted at her. "Are you speaking from experience? How many scumbags have you forgiven?"

Qin Lunong raised a finger threateningly. Qin Yinong instinctively covered her forehead, laughing. "I was wrong! I'll never do it again!"

Qin Lunong snorted.

After some playful banter, Qin Yinong grew serious. "But there's something I need to tell you."

"What?"

Qin Yinong confessed everything—how she had Tang Ruoyao sign a "sugar-baby" contract, including the initial interception at the dinner table. When she finished, Qin Lunong opened her mouth, but Qin Yinong beat her to it:

"Idiot!"

'I'll insult myself first.'

Qin Lunong smirked. "At least you're self-aware."

Qin Yinong grinned. "How about you share your own disastrous love stories to cheer me up?"

"Get lost."

"Come on!" Qin Yinong lunged, wrapping her arms around Qin Lunong's in a clingy embrace. Her grip was freakishly strong, and Qin Lunong—frail as a leaf—couldn't budge. She flailed helplessly, veins popping at her temples.

When Qin Lunong refused to spill, Qin Yinong settled for second best. "Then sleep with me tonight."

"How old are you?"

"I feel wronged."

"...Fine," Qin Lunong relented. "I'll shower downstairs first."

After seeing her off, Qin Yinong picked up the discarded rose from the coffee table, watered it, and placed it in a vase. Her phone buzzed—a message from Tang Ruoyao:

[Are you home?]

Qin Yinong replied: [Yes.]

The response came instantly: [Good.]

'Good my ass.'

Qin Yinong typed: [You misunderstood me. I feel wronged.]

Tang Ruoyao: [I know.]

Qin Yinong: [But I don't know how to stop feeling this way. Do you? If you do, tell me.]

Qin Lunong, glancing over her shoulder, nodded approvingly and instructed her to add:

[Don't bother apologizing. I don't want to hear it.]

Qin Yinong thought the tone was too harsh, but under her sister's domineering gaze, she didn't dare protest.

Tang Ruoyao spent another sleepless night.

The next day, she arrived at school with dark circles under her eyes.

She had left in such a hurry yesterday that she didn't pack her luggage or say goodbye to her roommates.

As soon as she entered, three pairs of eyes locked onto her from different bunks.

Tang Ruoyao listlessly greeted the three.

Wen Shuxian asked, "Where were you last night?"

Tang Ruoyao replied, "A friend's place."

"Which friend? Girlfriend?"

The question only made Tang Ruoyao's sorrow well up. It could have been a girlfriend, if she hadn't messed everything up.

Without another word, Tang Ruoyao raised her hand.

Fu Yujun swiftly caught her wrist and scolded, "Are you a gorilla?" 'Always hitting yourself.'

Wen Shuxian chose this inopportune moment to burst into laughter, slapping the bed rail. "HAHAHAHAHA—sorry, I couldn't help it."

Tang Ruoyao muttered, "Gorillas are smarter than me." At least they don't have all these ridiculous thoughts.

Leaning over the upper bunk railing, Wen Shuxian said, "So what if you hit a rough patch in love? No need to put yourself down like this."

Tang Ruoyao looked up. "How did you know?"

"Just look at your dazed expression." Wen Shuxian grinned. "It's obvious to anyone with eyes. Relax, there are plenty of fish in the sea. If all else fails, you could always consider me."

She waggled her eyebrows suggestively, but Tang Ruoyao remained expressionless.

Wen Shuxian: "HAHAHA come on, give me some face!"

Three of their four roommates had acting gigs lined up for summer, while one was interning. To celebrate their upcoming shoots, they booked a KTV room at noon. Tang Ruoyao ordered rows of alcohol that now covered the coffee table.

Wen Shuxian, the mic hog, and Cui Jiaran each grabbed a microphone and sang with enthusiasm.

Amidst the wailing singing, Tang Ruoyao popped open several dark beers with a bottle opener and downed them one after another. Beer overflowed from her lips, tracing her smooth jawline before disappearing into her collar.

Fu Yujun took a few tissues, folded them, and carefully avoided touching her skin with her fingertips, thoughtfully placing them inside Tang Ruoyao's collar.

"Thank you." Tang Ruoyao said.

Fu Yujun smiled.

Her usual composed demeanor made Tang Ruoyao feel like venting. After a drunken hiccup, she set down her bottle, slung an arm around Fu Yujun's shoulders, and whispered in her ear, "I... have a secret to tell you."

"Go ahead."

"I lost my girlfriend." Tang Ruoyao wailed, bursting into tears.

"...That's quite a secret."

Fu Yujun held the back of Tang Ruoyao's neck, pulled her away from her shoulder, and handed her tissues to wipe her tears. Aside from that initial wail, Tang Ruoyao cried quite quietly, sitting alone on the sofa, continuously wiping away tears.

Cui Jiaran nudged Wen Shuxian. "Stop singing—Tangtang's crying!"

"Where, where? I need to film this!" Wen Shuxian decisively dropped the microphone, set her phone to video mode, and aimed it at Tang Ruoyao's face.

True to her professional instincts, Tang Ruoyao wiped her face and flashed a practiced smile at the camera—only to immediately crumple into tears again. Wen Shuxian nearly rolled on the floor laughing.

"Do you have any humanity?" Cui Jiaran mocked before adding, "Move over so I can film too."

The "only humane one," Fu Yujun, asked, "Who's your girlfriend?"

Between delicate sobs, Tang Ruoyao answered, "Sister."

"And who's Sister?"

"Qin Yinong." Even through tears, Tang Ruoyao retained some rationality, sniffling. "Don't tell anyone."

Wen Shuxian's knees buckled, and Cui Jiaran quickly grabbed her to prevent her from collapsing to the floor.

"Who did you say?"

"Qin Yinong," Tang Ruoyao sniffled. "I'll show you our photo together."

Three heads huddled together.

Tang Ruoyao opened the newly imported photo album on her phone—the fourth from the last was a picture of her and Qin Yinong. It was taken later, after she had begged Qin Yinong for it. Qin Yinong doted on her, indulging her every whim—whatever pose or angle she wanted, Qin Yinong complied.

The more Tang Ruoyao thought about it, the more heartbroken she became. A teardrop splashed onto the screen.

Fu Yujun gently pressed down on Tang Ruoyao's free hand, exchanging a meaningful glance with Wen Shuxian—silent communication passing between them.

'Is this a doppelgänger?'

'Looks like the real deal.'

'Then who was the one who came yesterday?'

'The disapproving elder trying to split them up?'

'Makes sense.'

Their silent exchange ended.

Before they could spiral further into wild theories, Tang Ruoyao spilled everything herself. She admitted she had misunderstood Qin Yinong, believing the rumors that Qin Yinong wasn't truly sincere about her—only to lose the girlfriend she had just gotten.

Wen Shuxian frowned, her expression sharpening as she halted the recording and deleted the footage they had already shot. Cui Jiaran followed suit.

Such videos were better off not existing—better safe than sorry. If they were accidentally leaked, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Exhausted from crying, Tang Ruoyao slumped on the sofa, staring blankly into space.

Fu Yujun waved a hand in front of her face. "Are you drunk?"

Tang Ruoyao didn't react.

Fu Yujun plucked the phone from her grasp, scrolled through the contacts, and dialed a number saved under "Miss Q."

She waited quietly for the call to connect.

"Hello." Qin Yinong's unmistakable voice resonated in her ear.

Fu Yujun's vision swam for a moment. She steadied herself against the sofa and replied calmly, "I'm Tang Ruoyao's roommate. May I ask if this is Tangtang's girlfriend?"

Qin Yinong paused briefly.

"I am."

Fu Yujun's lips curved slightly. "She's drunk. Would it be convenient for you to come pick her up?"

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