CHAPTER 253: Qin & Tang Extra 27

Tang Ruoyao had lost her mind.

Lately, she had been the most unhinged among them. Wen Shuxian could have used this to clear her own name, but after their last exam two days ago, most of their classmates had already left the hallway, leaving her stuck with the undeserved reputation.

At 11:30 a.m., Tang Ruoyao tidied up her messy "dog's nest" of a bed—stripping the sheets, folding the mattress neatly under a cover, organizing what needed to be kept, and stuffing the trash into bags. Half an hour later, the four roommates rushed to the cafeteria.

The third floor had a private dining area. Once they ordered, they began grilling Tang Ruoyao about how her relationship with Qin Yinong had started. Tang Ruoyao stuck to the same story she'd told Qin Lunong—they'd met while she was working part-time at a club.

Wen Shuxian chewed on her chopsticks. "So the great actress Qin is actually a really good person?"

Tang Ruoyao nodded proudly.

Noticing the telltale blush on Tang Ruoyao's face—the shyness of someone smitten—and contrasting it with her over-the-top behavior in the dorm, Wen Shuxian felt a pang of concern.

Tang Ruoyao was only twenty, still a student. Qin Yinong was far more experienced—what if she was taking advantage of her? If Qin Yinong ever abandoned her, Tang Ruoyao would have no recourse.

But Wen Shuxian wasn't good at serious conversations, so she glanced at Fu Yujun for help.

Understanding the cue, Fu Yujun poured Tang Ruoyao a cup of tea and asked casually, "Are you living together now?"

Tang Ruoyao accepted the cup, cradling it in both hands, and softly murmured, "Mhm."

Wen Shuxian: "..."

'They're already living together?!'

She blurted out, "That 'friend's place' you kept sneaking off to—it was hers?"

Tang Ruoyao nodded again.

Wen Shuxian scratched the back of her head and said, "But that started last year, didn't it? Didn't you say you two just got together?"

"It's a long story," Tang Ruoyao replied, opting to keep it brief. "We fell in love over time."

Wen Shuxian's expression turned odd. "Over... time?"

Tang Ruoyao looked puzzled.

Fu Yujun shot Wen Shuxian a glance and said flatly, "Not that kind of 'time.' Actual time." If it had been the other meaning, Tang Ruoyao wouldn't have looked so composed." The ever-righteous Fu Yujun would never admit that her mind had briefly gone there too.

Wen Shuxian burst into laughter. "Hahaha! How did you know what I was thinking?" She pointed at Fu Yujun, grinning knowingly. "I knew you'd get it, you filthy-minded queen!"

Fu Yujun stared at her with unwavering dignity.

Under that stern gaze, Wen Shuxian awkwardly shut her mouth.

Tang Ruoyao, having followed their exchange, lightly traced the rim of her cup with her thumb, lowering her eyes without a word. She wouldn't have minded the other meaning—if only Qin Yinong would finally make a move.

Fu Yujun asked, "So you two knew each other for a year before deciding to date?"

Tang Ruoyao nodded.

Fu Yujun set down the teapot and returned to her seat. "How much do you know about her?"

"Not much," Tang Ruoyao admitted. "You know her status—she can't just go out casually. We usually just chat, eat, and watch TV at home. Oh, her sister came to see me once—the one you met that afternoon."

Mentioning Qin Lunong only reminded Tang Ruoyao of that disastrous conversation. If she and Qin Yinong really got together, Qin Lunong would be a tough hurdle to clear.

Tang Ruoyao raised a hand to rub her face.

"What did her sister want?"

"To ask how far along we were and when we'd get together."

Fu Yujun frowned. "That's... quite involved." If it weren't for Qin Yinong's status, Fu Yujun might have suspected some elaborate scheme to trap Tang Ruoyao—lure her in, then control her later. But since it was Qin Yinong, that theory fell apart.

She couldn't fathom Qin Lunong's motives. Was she really trying to play matchmaker? If so, Qin Yinong's family must truly value Tang Ruoyao, sending her sister to intervene. Fu Yujun's brow furrowed. Was that even possible?

"Because her sister said..." Tang Ruoyao hesitated, a hint of shyness in her tone.

"Said what?"

Tang Ruoyao bit her lip and shook her head. "Never mind." She didn't want to share that Qin Yinong was her first love—that was their secret.

Fu Yujun didn't press further.

But Qin Yinong's tabloid scandals still unsettled them. Seeing Fu Yujun hold back, Wen Shuxian couldn't resist and joked lightly, "Those gossip rags keep making up rumors about the famous actress."

Tang Ruoyao tightened her grip on the cup, frowning. "Yeah."

"Most celebrities have their agencies issue legal warnings. Why doesn't she ever clarify?"

"Maybe she's too busy."

"Does she even have time for you?"

Tang Ruoyao smiled. "When she's not working, she's either at her place or mine."

Especially lately—Qin Yinong spent weekends with her, occasionally taking her out.

Seeing Tang Ruoyao so smitten, Wen Shuxian didn't have the heart to dampen her enthusiasm.

Tang Ruoyao was a bit stubborn. Once she made up her mind about something or someone, she wouldn't doubt it again from that moment onward. She had heard some rumors about Qin Yinong's scandals when she was younger, but as she grew older, she didn't pay much attention—they were all hearsay. Since she hadn't seen or heard anything firsthand, and Qin Lunong had already criticized her for this, she couldn't take those rumors seriously.

If one day, the truth was laid bare before her eyes, and Qin Yinong really was the kind of person the entertainment media claimed, she would simply consider her sincerity as having been thrown to the dogs. For now, she would wholeheartedly savor the sweetness of love. Being suspicious and paranoid would only cause a relationship to wither prematurely.

She wasn't the type to treat life as a game. She took everything seriously, especially relationships. She wanted to spend her entire life with Qin Yinong. Though it seemed like a distant dream, wasn't life built from thin to thick, from the present to the future? As long as Qin Yinong didn't betray her, whether in prosperity or adversity, wealth or poverty, health or sickness, joy or sorrow, she would always cherish her, remain loyal to her, share in her fortunes and misfortunes, and stand by her through life and death.

Tang Ruoyao froze for a moment, silently reciting these words in her heart. A strange surge of emotion made her raise her hand to press against her chest.

Wen Shuxian's anxious voice reached her ears: "What's wrong? Does your heart hurt?"

Tang Ruoyao seemed dazed for a second before lowering her hand and saying, "No."

A server knocked and entered to serve the dishes.

Suppressing the odd sensation, Tang Ruoyao stood up, rolled up her sleeves, and asked gently, "Would anyone like some soup?"

Three bowls were immediately passed to her.

Using a long-handled ladle, she filled each bowl and handed them back one by one.

Sitting back down, a knowing smile curled at the corners of her lips as she said leisurely, "I know you're worried about me being young and afraid I'll fall into the big bad wolf's trap, losing both the battle and the war."

The others exchanged glances, slightly embarrassed at having their thoughts exposed, and chuckled sheepishly.

Tang Ruoyao continued, "But you can trust me—I can take responsibility for my own life." Crossing her arms on the table, she added with a smile, "I have nothing to lose. Looks, figure, power, money—I can't compare to her in any way. Dating her is a win for me, so what's there to worry about? Even if we break up, I could still squeeze a hefty settlement out of her. Then I'll take you all flying."

Wen Shuxian burst into laughter: "Hahahaha!"

Cui Jiaran gave a thumbs-up: "That's so you."

Fu Yujun picked up her chopsticks and said with a smile, "Let's eat. We'll take things one step at a time." She glanced at Tang Ruoyao and added, "And don't sell yourself short. There's a saying: 'Never despise the youth for their poverty.'"

Better to mock the old with white hair than the young in despair. One day, the dragon shall pierce the clouds—believe not in lifelong threadbare wear. [This is a famous Chinese proverb.]

Wen Shuxian's eyes suddenly sparkled. She hurriedly poured herself more tea, stood up, and raised her cup in a toast, declaring brightly, "A toast to ourselves!"

The other three stood as well, their spirits lifting with newfound boldness.

Wen Shuxian shouted at the top of her lungs, "I'm going to be famous and successful!"

Fu Yujun, infected by her enthusiasm, raised her voice slightly: "I'll become the best actress!"

Though Tang Ruoyao hadn't drunk any alcohol, a faint redness rimmed her eyes as she declared, "I want to be an award-winning actress, to achieve fame and soar high—so I can stand openly by Qin Yinong's side one day!" Her voice grew louder as she spoke, as if she were truly drunk.

Cui Jiaran thought for a few seconds before saying, "Then I'll just watch you all rise to fame."

Wen Shuxian laughed uproariously: "Where's your ambition?!"

Cui Jiaran scratched her chin and smiled, saying, "I don't really want to be a celebrity. Besides, with my looks, it'd be hard to stand out. I'd rather focus on theater after graduation."

"All dreams are equal—there's no hierarchy. Besides, theater companies have very high standards, ordinary people can't get in." Fu Yujun raised her teacup high and declared, "Here's to ourselves, here's to youth!"

"To ourselves, to our youth!" Wen Shuxian declared firmly, raising her voice, "We must succeed!"

"Not 'must,' but 'will,'" Fu Yujun corrected her.

Amidst bright laughter, four teacups clinked together with unbridled enthusiasm, splashing tea that no one bothered to wipe away.

That afternoon, the four parted ways at the school gate, each heading toward their own distant horizons, to reunite next semester. Youth is always on the move—they would have brilliant prospects and a bright future ahead.

Tang Ruoyao returned to her company to discuss her next phase of work with Ruan Qin.

With a few days left before joining the new film set, she could use this free time to fulfill some prior commitments Ruan Qin had arranged. Sitting behind her desk, Ruan Qin tapped the documents with the back of her pen, pondering, "Tomorrow evening—"

Before she could finish, Tang Ruoyao interrupted, "I have plans tomorrow."

Ruan Qin frowned. "What plans?"

"Important ones."

Suppressing her impatience, Ruan Qin spoke earnestly, "Don't think just because you've gained a bit of fame and starred in one movie, you can sit back and wait for success. Whether you make it big depends on fate. If you don't seize opportunities to climb higher, you'll regret it later. Look, tomorrow's event is a proper one—not like before. Wear a nice evening gown, network with people, alright?"

Tang Ruoyao remained unmoved. "I have plans tomorrow night."

Ruan Qin's temper flared. She slammed the desk. "What's wrong with you? I'm being reasonable, and you won't listen—do I have to yell? You'd better give me a good reason today!"

"Personal matters."

A sudden realization flashed in Ruan Qin's mind. "Are you... dating someone?"

Tang Ruoyao didn't want to lie, so she stayed silent—an implicit confirmation.

"Have you lost your mind?!" Ruan Qin stormed out from behind her desk, pacing the room. She turned and pointed at Tang Ruoyao. "Break up. You have to break up!"

Tang Ruoyao stayed calm. "Qin Jie, my contract doesn't forbid me from dating."

Ruan Qin bristled. "The contract doesn't say it, but don't you know your own situation? An artist on the rise, turning down work for love—do you know how many actresses have faded away like this? And you're not even famous yet!"

Tang Ruoyao sighed. "You just said I'm not famous. What kind of banquet can I even attend now? You know the answer." In her view, these events were a waste of time—networking wasn't the way forward for her yet.

Ruan Qin snapped, "I don't care! You have to break up with that guy!"

Tang Ruoyao thought to herself, 'she's not a guy.'

Ruan Qin ranted on, "What if you end up with an unplanned pregnancy?"

It took Tang Ruoyao a moment to grasp her meaning. Her lips twitched. Then, unbidden, her mind wandered, 'Would Qin Yinong like children? Should I have a child with her?'

A faint smile escaped her lips.

Ruan Qin looked ready to explode.

What kind of artist was she managing? The moment there was a glimmer of success, she turned into a lovesick fool, wasting all her efforts.

Tang Ruoyao let Ruan Qin's tirade go in one ear and out the other. After downing a glass of water, Ruan Qin demanded, "Did you hear anything I just said?"

Tang Ruoyao nodded dismissively. "I heard. But I won't be attending tomorrow's banquet."

She rose from her chair, picked up the notice on the table, folded it, and stuffed it into her jeans pocket before pulling the door open and leaving. Behind her, Ruan Qin's furious shouts still echoed. Tang Ruoyao quickened her pace, not noticing someone approaching head-on—a person holding documents, head bowed as they flipped through pages rapidly. By the time Tang Ruoyao looked up, it was too late. She sidestepped hastily but still collided with them, sending papers scattering across the floor.

"Sorry," Tang Ruoyao said, crouching down to help gather the fallen documents.

The other person stood waiting until she straightened up and handed the stack back, watching as they meticulously rearranged each page.

When Tang Ruoyao finally got a clear look at their face, she paused slightly. "Miss Mu."

Mu Qingwu gave a faint hum. "You know me?"

"I'm Tang Ruoyao."

Recognition flickered in Mu Qingwu's eyes. She lifted her head, gaze lingering on Tang Ruoyao's face for a few seconds before her lips curved into an inscrutable smile. "Ah, it's you. Ruan Qin mentions you often."

Tang Ruoyao could easily guess what Ruan Qin had said. A manager's reputation relied on their artists, and since Tang Ruoyao had brought her so much prestige, she'd undoubtedly bragged about her nonstop.

"I just had a fight with her." Tang Ruoyao admitted.

Mu Qingwu cradled the documents against her chest but didn't walk away. "Why?"

Tang Ruoyao chose her words carefully. "We had... a disagreement over certain matters."

Mu Qingwu smirked. "She shouldn't be able to force you, should she?"

Over a decade older, Mu Qingwu saw through the girl's transparent tactics effortlessly. Under that piercing gaze, Tang Ruoyao abandoned any pretense and lowered her voice, cutting straight to the point: "I want to change manager."

She wasn't afraid of Mu Qingwu leaking this—firstly, Mu Qingwu didn't seem the type, and secondly, even if Ruan Qin retaliated, Tang Ruoyao had Qin Yinong as her girlfriend. Though she'd only resort to that as a last resort.

Mu Qingwu arched a brow. "You've got your eye on me?"

Tang Ruoyao nodded.

Mu Qingwu's eyes crinkled slightly as she smiled. "Sorry, I'm already taken."

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

Mu Qingwu strode off, chuckling.

A rejection so blunt it was almost brutal.

Tang Ruoyao watched her retreating figure in the navy-blue suit, rubbing her ears, now flushed with embarrassment.

Not the best start. But it didn't matter—once she made it big, she'd have plenty of options.

The next morning, Tang Ruoyao headed out for a magazine cover shoot. The company still hadn't assigned her a car, and her newly appointed assistant, Xin Qian, seemed dazed and not particularly sharp—more like a decorative mascot than actual help.

Tang Ruoyao took the subway to the location. Standing at the foot of the skyscraper, she snapped a photo and sent it to Qin Yinong.

Phone in hand, she gave her name at the front desk and took the elevator to the 37th floor. The moment she stepped out, her phone buzzed.

Qin Yinong replied: [What are you doing there?]

Tang Ruoyao pressed her lips together and typed: [Didn't I tell you last night about the magazine shoot today?] She'd wanted to call Qin Yinong after returning home yesterday, but Qin Yinong had said she was at dinner. Tang Ruoyao had stayed up until 11:30 PM, but the dinner still hadn't ended, so she'd gone to bed.

'Confirmation?' More like neglect. Tang Ruoyao thought bitterly. The first day of confirming their girlfriend-girlfriend relationship, and she hadn't even heard her voice.

Half a minute later, Qin Yinong replied: [Oh.]

'Oh?'

Tang Ruoyao's temper flared. [You forgot again?]

Qin Yinong's lips curled. [Getting old. Memory's not what it used to be.]

From the rearview mirror, Guan Han noticed the corners of Qin Yinong's lips curling up involuntarily, along with the starlight shimmering in her eyes as she gazed at her phone screen. She knew immediately that Qin Yinong was teasing her little girlfriend again.

That signature expression was unmistakable—Guan Han didn't even need to think about it.

Tang Ruoyao was fuming.

Forgetting about a movie she'd filmed ages ago was somewhat understandable given the time lapse. But forgetting something discussed just last night? How did this professional actress even remember all her lines?

[What magazine did ya shoot for?] Adding that cutesy 'ya' at the end—was she trying to act adorable or what?"

Tang Ruoyao angrily sent the magazine name.

Leaning against the car window with one hand lazily supporting her forehead, Qin Yinong typed: [This magazine isn't worthy of you. Big sister will get you the best in the future.]

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

She stood frozen for a moment before a shy, delighted expression gradually crept into her eyebrows.

Not because of the latter half of the message, but the first part.

Spotting Ruan Qin approaching in her peripheral vision, Tang quickly composed her fluttering heart and greeted, "Sister Qin." Then lowering her voice to speak into the phone's microphone, she added, "I need to go shoot now."

She wanted to say something more int!mate—like "I miss you" or send a flying kiss—but after struggling for several seconds, couldn't bring herself to voice it. As Ruan Qin reached her, frowning disapprovingly, "What are you doing?"

Tang Ruoyao's fingers slipped, sending the message.

Her temples throbbed as she prepared to recall it, but Ruan Qin reached for her phone. Tang Ruoyao swiftly hid it behind her back, saying, "Let's go in."

Ruan Qin snorted coldly.

In the backseat of her car, Qin Yinong beamed upon seeing Tang's voice message and eagerly played it.

The girl's clear, melodious voice flowed like a mountain stream over smooth stones—pure auditory pleasure.

"I need to go shoot now."

That's it? Qin Yinong pouted, her high expectations unmet.

The message continued with an unfamiliar, shrill female voice: "What are you doing?"

If Tang Ruoyao's voice was celestial music to the ears, this subsequent one was grating noise. Qin Yinong initially wrinkled her nose in extreme distaste before considering the speaker's words.

The interrogative tone dripped with condescension.

How dare someone speak to Tang Ruoyao like that?

Qin Yinong put on headphones, replaying the ten-second message repeatedly—only the first half—double-tapping to restart each time, using it to soothe her longing.

"How much longer until we arrive?" After another replay, Qin Yinong asked her driver, Guan Han.

Checking navigation, Guan replied, "Forty minutes."

She thought privately: 'Magazine shoots take hours. Even arriving early means waiting.'

Qin Yinong acknowledged with a hum, forcing herself to shift focus by picking up a script nearby.

With Qin Lunong fully recovered and Tang Ruoyao filming during summer break, Qin Yinong had taken on a new project herself—to avoid uncontrollable urges to visit Tang Ruoyao's set or even move in there.

Before dating, she never understood what it meant to be lovesick. Now she knew—thinking of Tang Ruoyao when seeing beautiful things, tasting delicious food, or watching other young girls laugh together. Yearning to have Tang Ruoyao circling around her, speaking softly and coquettishly, craving to kiss her until she's flushed and breathless, melting pliantly into her embrace.

Qin Yinong let out a "pfft." She hurriedly covered her mouth and coughed, trying to conceal her amusement.

'Focus on the script, focus on the script,' she told herself, no more distractions.

Guan Han's expression remained unfazed, but a glimmer flashed in her narrow eyes behind her glasses.

'Mm, here we go again.'

The sun blazed outside, but it didn't matter, the scorching summer was perfect for restless couples.

Tang Ruoyao was prone to sweating, and even with the air conditioning, it was futile. After just one set of photos, she was drenched, looking as if she had just been pulled from the water. The makeup artist had to come up to touch up her makeup after a while.

Not to mention the next set, which required a change of clothes, making it even more exhausting. Fortunately, she had an excellent sense of the camera, and could quickly convey the emotions the photographer requested, so the shooting time didn't extend significantly.

After her last trip to the changing room, she changed back into her original outfit, came out to thank the photographer who was fiddling with the photos, and then went to thank the editor-in-chief. Ruan Qin shook hands with the editor-in-chief and invited her to dinner, but the editor-in-chief politely declined.

Ruan Qin's expression stiffened for a moment before returning to normal.

The editor-in-chief looked at Tang Ruoyao and felt a good impression of this humble, poised girl with strong camera presence. She smiled and said, "I'll treat you next time."

Tang Ruoyao slightly bowed, her smile gentle, "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Yao."

The editor-in-chief laughed heartily, "I'll send you off."

The two parted ways at the elevator, and the editor-in-chief's secretary continued to escort them downstairs. Tang Ruoyao took the phone that Xin Qian handed her, unlocked the screen, and her brows relaxed as she saw that Qin Yinong had indeed sent her a message.

[Let me know when you're done.]

Tang Ruoyao replied with a playful, [Why should I tell you?]

After sending that message, she could almost imagine Qin Yinong's pleasant laughter, looking at her with that indulgent, affectionate gaze, lazily asking, "What do you think?"

Just thinking about it made Tang Ruoyao's whole body tingle.

Qin Yinong: [What do you think?]

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

Sure enough.

Is this what they call a telepathic connection? They've only been dating for a day, and they're already this in sync? They look like the kind of couple that could grow old together.

Tang Ruoyao couldn't help but smile widely, typing happily, [I'm done!]

[Yeah, I know.]

Tang Ruoyao imagined her tone again, feeling a bit weak in the knees.

Her assistant, Xin Qian, poked her arm, signaling her to look at Ruan Qin's increasingly darkening expression.

Tang Ruoyao adjusted her appearance in the elevator mirror, barely managing to restore her usual demeanor, but the smile at the corner of her mouth was impossible to hide.

As they exited the elevator, Ruan Qin warned her in an unfriendly tone, "If you keep this up, you won't be coming out next time."

Tang Ruoyao let it go in one ear and out the other.

She was here for herself, not for Ruan Qin. If Ruan Qin really tried to take her resources, that would be one thing, but to suck her bl0od and then teach her a lesson? Dream on. Once she got her footing, she would have to replace Ruan Qin.

She squinted, planning for the future, when her phone vibrated again.

[Across the street, remember the license plate number?]

Xin Qian blinked in surprise as she saw Tang Ruoyao dash past her, running down the steps in leaps and bounds. In no time, she reached the roadside, and as she arrived at the crosswalk, the light was green, she didn't pause for a moment as she crossed to the other side.

Xin Qian looked nervously at Ruan Qin, "Qin Jie..."

Ruan Qin spat, "Is she rushing to reincarnate or something?"

She slowly walked down the steps, only to see Tang Ruoyao standing next to a sedan, pulling open the back door and quickly slipping inside.

Due to the angle, Ruan Qin couldn't see the emblem of the car, but she could make out its sleek, streamlined design—the entire body a deep black that exuded a reserved yet noble glow under the sunlight.

Ruan Qin's eyes widened.

Just whose car had she gotten into?

The cicadas' chirping outside instantly quieted the moment the car door closed. Qin Yinong wasn't wearing sunglasses, allowing Tang Ruoyao to clearly see the face she had been longing for day and night.

Though only three days had passed, it felt like an eternity.

Tang Ruoyao took a deep breath, her lashes slightly damp, and lunged toward Qin Yinong. Qin Yinong smiled and opened her arms, ready to embrace her.

But at the last second, Tang Ruoyao stopped short, her gaze burning as she asked, "Did you agree?"

The warm, fragrant embrace she had been eagerly anticipating never came, leaving Qin Yinong with a hollow feeling. A teasing smile played on her lips as she feigned ignorance. "Agree to what?"

"To be my girlfriend."

Qin Yinong clicked her tongue.

This kid was still so straightforward.

She said, "No, I didn't."

Tang Ruoyao protested urgently, "But you admitted it to my roommate!"

Qin Yinong chuckled. "Did I? Well, I changed my mind. Is that not allowed?"

Tang Ruoyao's eyes reddened instantly, welling up with tears as she stared at Qin Yinong, looking like she might burst into tears any second.

"I wasn't finished." Qin Yinong quickly added.

Tang Ruoyao sniffled.

Qin Yinong continued, "I didn't agree to you, but I do have a question for you."

"Ask."

Qin Yinong cleared her throat and smiled. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

Tang Ruoyao's tears turned to laughter.

"Yes!"

Qin Yinong opened her arms again, her smile tender. "Come here, girlfriend hug."

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