CHAPTER 255: Qin & Tang Extra 29
Tang Ruoyao's eyes resembled pools of autumn water, shimmering with a gentle light.
Qin Yinong couldn't bear to see even a hint of disappointment in those eyes and, as if possessed, responded, "Okay."
Tang Ruoyao suppressed the joy rising to her brow and murmured softly, "My room or yours?"
Qin Yinong replied, "Yours. It's bigger."
Tang Ruoyao rose slightly onto her tiptoes and said, "Then I'll wait for you inside." With that, she leaned forward and pressed a light kiss to Qin Yinong's cheek.
Qin Yinong stood frozen for three seconds before managing another, "Okay."
Tang Ruoyao stepped back, her voice lifting with cheer, "I'll head back first."
The door closed after their brief exchange, yet Qin Yinong remained rooted in place for several minutes before stiffly shuffling back to her own room.
What had she just agreed to?
Sleeping together?
Was it too late to feign dizziness now? Or maybe knock Tang Ruoyao out instead?
Meanwhile, Tang Ruoyao danced a solo tango in her room, followed by a barefoot tap dance—though she had never learned either. Any resemblance to actual dance moves was purely coincidental.
After burning off some excess energy, she finally headed to the bathroom for a shower.
She scrubbed meticulously, especially her hands, rubbing them with hand soap several times, not missing even the spaces between her fingers. Though she didn't plan for anything to happen, what if it did?
Better to have the "weapon" ready—just in case.
Afterward, she pampered herself like an imperial concubine preparing for the emperor's arrival—soft, fragrant, and tucked under the covers, lips curved in anticipation.
The "emperor," meanwhile, was drowning in regret.
Qin Yinong dawdled in her room, glancing at the clock repeatedly. The nightstand looked dusty—might as well wipe it down with a damp cloth, paying extra attention to the corners until it gleamed. Then she noticed the floor wasn't spotless either—had the cleaning lady slacked off? Might as well mop it.
She had never felt the second bedroom was so small before—except today. If she had taken Tang Ruoyao's room, she could've stalled longer.
In the end, she even changed the trash bag before reluctantly grabbing her pajamas and heading to the shower.
Standing outside Tang Ruoyao's door, she took a deep breath, exhaling slowly in pauses, then turned the handle and pushed the door open without a sound.
Through the crack, she saw a motionless figure lying on the bed.
'Asleep?'
Qin Yinong stepped inside, relieved to find Tang Ruoyao's eyes closed—just as she had hoped. But before her heart could settle, Tang Ruoyao frowned, as if struggling, and slowly blinked her eyes open. Rubbing them sleepily, she murmured, "You're here... I almost fell asleep."
Qin Yinong forced a smile. "You should've slept if you were tired. No need to wait for me."
"How could I?" Tang Ruoyao mumbled, her mind still foggy with drowsiness. She slapped her cheeks hard, reddening them, until she finally shook off some of the haze.
Propping herself up, she grinned. "There. All good."
Qin Yinong felt a pang of guilt for even considering refusing to share the bed—especially seeing Tang Ruoyao fighting sleep just to wait for her. She knew how deeply Tang Ruoyao could sleep, undisturbed even by thunder.
No more stalling. Qin Yinong lifted the edge of the blanket. A faint, sweet scent brushed Tang Ruoyao's nose as the covers settled, and Qin Yinong slid in beside her.
Tang Ruoyao smiled at her.
When the emperor truly arrived, Consort Tang found herself at a loss for what to do.
Qin Yinong opened one arm, and Tang Ruoyao, like a cat drawn to the scent of fish, instinctively nestled into her embrace. Her arms were so soft—even softer after a bath, and fragrant too. Tang Ruoyao's heart pounded wildly. What were they supposed to talk about again?
Having slept well in the afternoon, Qin Yinong wasn't tired. She asked, "Do you have any schedules tomorrow?"
"Yes, a promotional event at a mall."
"What time?"
"It'll be over by six in the evening."
"Then I'll pick you up for dinner?"
"Okay."
Qin Yinong savored this moment—the person in her arms belonged to her, body and soul. No matter who she was outside, at home, she was hers alone. She lifted a strand of Tang Ruoyao's long hair, twirling it around her fair fingers before bringing it to her nose for a delicate sniff, her expression captivated.
Tang Ruoyao watched, feeling an indescribable flutter in her chest.
It made her feel more cherished than even Qin Yinong's kisses.
She asked the question every lovestruck girl eventually asks: "Sister, what do you like about me?"
Qin Yinong opened her dreamy eyes and chuckled softly. "I think you're adorable."
Tang Ruoyao muttered something under her breath.
"What did you say?" Qin Yinong murmured, her nose shifting from Tang Ruoyao's hair to the crook of her neck, still sniffing lightly. The ticklish sensation made Tang Ruoyao squirm slightly as she replied, "I said, you make it sound like you're praising a kitten."
"No," Qin Yinong corrected. "A puppy."
"Why a puppy?"
"That time you got drunk at the KTV near campus and came back throwing a tipsy tantrum."
"I threw a tantrum?" Tang Ruoyao whipped her head around, eyes wide.
"You did. Let me show you." Qin Yinong said seriously, not lifting her head but staying in position as she let out two soft, puppy-like whimpers near Tang Ruoyao's ear.
Unlike Tang Ruoyao, Qin Yinong's voice was naturally gentle, and when softened, it carried a hint of allure.
Tang Ruoyao's bl0od rushed uncontrollably. She found Qin Yinong's hand, slipping her fingers between hers, interlacing them tightly.
The younger woman's breathing grew erratic, disordered—but too shy to take the initiative. Late at night, two women alone, passion simmering—Qin Yinong knew that if she indulged the girl's impulses, things wouldn't end easily.
So she held back, waiting for Tang Ruoyao's restless energy to settle.
Only when Tang Ruoyao loosened her grip slightly did Qin Yinong resume the earlier conversation, her tone casual. "See? Like a puppy, right?"
Tang Ruoyao answered distractedly, "Mm."
Even Qin Yinong's playful whimpers could send her thoughts spiraling. Why was her mind always filled with such indecent ideas? How was she supposed to be a proper successor of socialism like this?
Qin Yinong added, "You even acted spoiled towards me. If I ignored you, you'd whimper like a puppy and wag your tail."
"How does one wag a tail?" Tang Ruoyao laughed.
"Well—" Qin Yinong recalled how she had burrowed insistently into her arms and paused before amending, "However a puppy does it, that's how you did it."
Blushing, Tang Ruoyao said, "I'm usually quite proper."
"You don't need to be proper with me."
"Mhm." Tang Ruoyao yawned. Sitting beside Qin Yinong, her gaze inadvertently slid downward, landing on the soft, full curves of her chest. She froze for a second before hurriedly looking away—only to sneak another glance.
It should be fine to just look at my own girlfriend for a while...
Qin Yinong calmly adjusted the strap of her nightgown and said, "Go to sleep if you're tired."
Tang Ruoyao, feeling guilty like a thief, quickly slid under the covers, revealing only a pair of mischievous eyes. "Will you sleep with me?"
"Of course."
Qin Yinong turned off the last bedside lamp on her side and lay down beside Tang Ruoyao, who snuggled up against her, carefully wrapping an arm around the woman's waist.
Qin Yinong kissed her lips lightly, then closed her eyes first. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight." Tang Ruoyao inhaled the faint, soothing scent of the woman's body, unable to tell if she was intoxicated or simply sleepy, and soon drifted into deep slumber.
Listening to the breathing beside her gradually lengthen until it indicated deep sleep, Qin Yinong lay still in the darkness for a while longer before gently removing Tang Ruoyao's arm from her waist and quietly getting out of bed.
The living room light flickered on and off, followed by the second bedroom light, which also turned off after a few minutes.
Everything returned to the silence of night.
When Tang Ruoyao awoke, she found herself nestled in the crook of Qin Yinong's arm. Qin Yinong faced her, her sleeping expression peaceful, with a straight nose bridge and a delicate, pretty nose tip. Her faint pink lips were slightly parted, exuding an innocent charm that made her appear younger than her actual age.
She could easily pass for a fresh college graduate.
Tang Ruoyao leaned down and gently captured the woman's thin lips.
Not daring to deepen the kiss, she simply moistened them lightly.
Releasing the woman's lips, Tang Ruoyao felt her heart soften like never before. Remaining in that side-lying position, she gazed endlessly at the serene sleeping face.
A few minutes later, Qin Yinong "woke up."
Her cheeks were flushed from sleep, her eyes still hazy. Tang Ruoyao stroked her face tenderly. "Did I wake you?"
"No." Qin Yinong closed her eyes to shake off the drowsiness, then buried her face against Tang Ruoyao's neck as if avoiding light, murmuring, "What time is it?"
Tang Ruoyao rested her chin atop Qin Yinong's head, the feeling of being relied upon making her feel almost ecstatic. Reining in her soaring emotions, she glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand.
"Seven o'clock."
The fuzzy head nuzzled against her as Qin Yinong struggled to get up. "I'll make you breakfast."
"I'll do it," Tang Ruoyao held her still. "Sleep a little longer."
Qin Yinong, still drowsy, buried herself back into the pillow.
Tang Ruoyao bent down to kiss the woman's forehead, tucked the blankets securely around her, then tiptoed out and closed the door quietly.
Qin Yinong opened her eyes and gazed at the direction of the door for a long time, unmoving.
Tang Ruoyao had an afternoon schedule and needed to go to the hotel for makeup in the morning, so she wouldn't be home for lunch. Qin Yinong dropped her off at the hotel before heading back to the Qin residence.
As soon as she entered, a small figure on the living room floor captured all her attention. While changing her shoes, Qin Yinong couldn't help but smile. "She's already crawling so fast."
Six-month-old Ningning, wearing a drool bib, was on all fours. Qin Lunong stood at the other end of the carpet, arms outstretched in a beckoning gesture. Ningning crawled rapidly toward her, giggling with delight.
Qin Lunong looked up at the sound. "Just like you."
Qin Yinong chuckled.
This was indeed like her—she'd been quite the active child herself. Being sturdy was good. If Ningning had taken after Qin Lunong, who was frequently hospitalized, the whole family would have been constantly worried.
Aunt Fang brought Qin Yinong a glass of water and set it on the coffee table. Qin Yinong picked it up, swirled it slightly, and took a sip.
Qin Lunong scooped up her daughter who had reached the finish line and planted a loud kiss on her cheek, saying, "Done with your sweet time with your little girlfriend?"
Qin Yinong stretched her long legs and replied, "She has an appointment this afternoon." Her fingers itched to hold the child as she added, "Let me play with her for a while."
"Why don't you have one of your own instead of always wanting to play with mine?" Despite her words, Qin Lunong still placed Ningning in her arms.
The little one changed daily, her skin growing fairer and smoother, with big eyes and long lashes—perfectly inheriting her mother's genes. Qin Yinong teased the baby with her finger, laughing, "Yaoyao's still a child herself. It's too early to talk about that."
"Yaoyao." Qin Lunong clicked her tongue.
Qin Yinong stuck her tongue out at her.
Qin Lunong asked, "So what's your plan now?"
"What plan?"
"When are you meeting the parents?"
"Haven't you already met her?"
"Do you really count that last time as meeting the parents?" Qin Lunong emphasized the words "last time."
Qin Yinong's finger paused as Ningning successfully grabbed her pinky, clutching it tightly with both hands before trying to stuff it into her mouth.
Qin Yinong mused, "I was thinking... maybe we should make it more formal?"
"What do you mean by formal?" Qin Lunong sat cross-legged.
"Find out if she has any elders in her family, then have both sides meet properly over a meal."
"..." Qin Lunong looked at her with an expression as if she were mentally challenged. "Little sister, what you're describing is the process for marriage. There's no need to make dating so serious."
"We'll get married eventually anyway."
"..."
"Why are you making that face?"
"Nothing." Qin Lunong shook her head, chuckling. "I never realized you were this earnest." She muttered to herself, "I was planning to give her a hard time, but forget it since you're like this."
Missing the latter part, Qin Yinong countered, "Is that bad?"
"No, it's good." Qin Lunong didn't want to dampen her romanticism. Spending a lifetime with one's first love was rare but beautiful. Future matters could wait—the boat would straighten when reaching the bridge. As someone who'd been through it, she could guide her.
Qin Yinong tilted her head thoughtfully. "Also, I keep feeling I've seen her somewhere before—like it was fate. Do you think we knew each other in a past life?"
Qin Lunong: "I think she looks familiar too."
Qin Yinong glared. "Stop joking."
Qin Lunong glared back. "I'm not joking. She really does look familiar." 'As if I'd compete with you over some little cabbage.'
After a brief staring contest, Qin Yinong's ruffled feathers smoothed as she narrowed her eyes. "Really?"
"Why would I lie to you?"
"Then where have you seen her?"
"If I could remember, I'd have told you already."
Qin Lunong took the child back. Qin Yinong pulled a tissue to wipe the baby drool from her hands, thinking: Qin Lunong went abroad in her teens and was now thirty. Over a decade ago, Tang Ruoyao would've been just a kid—no way they could've met.
Whatever. Whether they'd met before or not, she was her girlfriend now.
Qin Lunong jerked her chin toward the balcony, lowering her voice. "You should think about how to tell Mom."
Qin Yinong said, "Her opposition won't change anything."
"I know, but won't your girlfriend feel awkward visiting if Mom disapproves?"
Qin Yinong looked at her. "Mom listens to you most. I don't care—you have to help me."
Qin Lunong raised an eyebrow. "Act cute for your sister."
Qin Yinong got down on all fours on the sofa and let out a puppy-like whimper, "Woof woof~"
Qin Lunong looked horrified, covering the baby's eyes. "What are you doing?"
Qin Yinong giggled uncontrollably. "Acting cute, duh."
Qin Lunong deadpanned, "Are you out of your mind?"
Qin Yinong burst into laughter.
That same day, Qin Lunong dealt with Ji Shulan—no need to elaborate further. When Qin Yinong came downstairs from her nap, Ji Shulan immediately asked when she could bring her girlfriend home for dinner.
Qin Yinong subtly flashed a thumbs-up behind her back to Qin Lunong.
"She's about to start filming a new movie soon," Qin Yinong said. "I don't want to distract her, so maybe after she wraps up?" Besides, meeting the family right after getting together might scare her off.
"How long until filming wraps?"
"Three months."
"Three months..." Ji Shulan mused, then declared, "I'll start drafting a menu." She grabbed a notebook from the TV cabinet.
Qin Yinong couldn't help but laugh. "Isn't that a bit too early?"
"I've got nothing better to do anyway," Ji Shulan replied, already scribbling away at the dining table.
Coming out had been absurdly easy for Qin Yinong—it felt like a dream.
That evening, she picked up Tang Ruoyao for dinner. Tang Ruoyao was dressed in an event gown, light makeup accentuating her delicate, cool features, with long gold-thread earrings swaying gently. As Qin Yinong sat across from her, chin propped on her hand while watching her, it suddenly struck her that Tang Ruoyao didn't seem that young after all.
Especially when she leaned down to sip her soup, one hand tucking her long hair behind her ear to keep it out of the way—every movement poised and graceful.
Qin Yinong's blatant, unguarded stare made Tang Ruoyao's ears burn. She lifted her gaze, voice soft and slightly coy, "Why are you staring at me like that?"
Without missing a beat, Qin Yinong teased, "Because you're a feast for the eyes, Teacher Tang."
A familiar yet unfamiliar flutter pulsed in Tang Ruoyao's chest. She corrected quietly, "I'm not a teacher yet."
Qin Yinong grinned. "Then... Little Teacher Tang?"
Tang Ruoyao mumbled under her breath, "Might as well call me Donald Duck."
Qin Yinong laughed heartily.
She picked up her knife to cut into her steak.
"Oh, by the way," Qin Yinong said casually, "My mom wants you to come over for dinner."
Tang Ruoyao nearly choked on her soup. Qin Yinong handed her a pre-prepared tissue, and Tang Ruoyao covered her mouth, shooting her a half-annoyed, half-flustered look.
"Well?" Qin Yinong drawled in a playful, roguish tone. "Gonna give me an answer or what?"
Tang Ruoyao stayed silent, her eyes a mix of shyness and delight.
Who even asked like that? If she agreed too quickly, wouldn't it seem like she wasn't being reserved enough?
Qin Yinong swapped her own neatly sliced steak with Tang Ruoyao's untouched one and wheedled, "Come on, I even cut your steak for you. Say yes, okay?"
Seizing the out, Tang Ruoyao nodded slowly. "Okay." Then she asked, "When? I'm free tomorrow night."
Qin Yinong's jaw dropped.
Tang Ruoyao blinked. "What's wrong?"
Snapping her mouth shut, Qin Yinong stifled a laugh. "Nothing. Tomorrow's fine. I'll let my Mom know to prepare."
It wasn't until a few bites into her steak that Tang Ruoyao realized why Qin Yinong had been grinning.
She nearly buried her face in her plate, flushing crimson.
Back at the house on Wangyue Mountain, Qin Yinong called Ji Shulan right in front of her.
"Mom, my girlfriend and I are coming for dinner tomorrow night. Pick out some good dishes, and grab a bottle of red from the wine cabinet—let it breathe ahead of time. If you don't know how, ask Sister to help."
Ji Shulan exclaimed in surprise from the other end, "Didn't you say you'd come after the movie wrapped?"
Qin Yinong glanced at Tang Ruoyao, who sat on the sofa looking utterly defeated, took two steps into the center of the living room, and raised her voice, "Yes, that was the original plan after filming wrapped, but I couldn't wait any longer."
Tang Ruoyao: "..."
Just let her d!e. This had to be one of life's top ten most embarrassing moments.
Qin Yinong continued, "That's right, I couldn't wait to bring her home to meet you all. Nothing else, just this. You should get some rest early. See you tomorrow."
After hanging up, Qin Yinong sat down beside Tang Ruoyao with a smile.
Tang Ruoyao tried to move away, retreating further as Qin Yinong advanced until she had nowhere left to go. Covering her face, she mumbled, "Don't talk to me." She had completely lost face.
Qin Yinong gently pulled her hands away, revealing Tang Ruoyao's face, now red as a monkey's bottom.
Qin Yinong wanted to laugh but held back, knowing Tang Ruoyao might d!e of embarrassment if she did. With great effort, she suppressed her amusement and said, "I actually wanted to take you home today."
Tang Ruoyao, mortified, retorted, "You're lying."
"I'm not. My mom said she needed time to prepare, so we postponed it. But since you're about to start filming, I suggested we wait until after the movie wrapped." Qin Yinong's eyes were sincere.
"Really?" Tang Ruoyao asked skeptically.
"Really." Qin Yinong nodded earnestly.
Her acting skills were more than enough to fool Tang Ruoyao, who quickly shifted from embarrassment to fretting about the next day's meeting with Qin Yinong's family. "What do your mom and sister like?"
Qin Yinong stroked her cheek and smiled. "Just buy a basket of fruit. Simple and affordable."
"That won't do! I'll go to the mall tomorrow to get your sister a necklace, your mom a bracelet, and some fruit and supplements. What do you think?"
"Whatever you want. Just your presence is enough. They're not picky."
"And your dad? What does he like? Does he smoke or drink?"
Qin Yinong's expression instantly darkened.
Tang Ruoyao was mentally listing high-end tobacco and alcohol brands when she noticed Qin Yinong's odd expression. "What's wrong?" she asked, puzzled.
Qin Yinong concealed the coldness in her eyes and replied flatly, "My mom divorced that man. Just consider him d3ad. He doesn't exist."
Tang Ruoyao: "I'm sorry."
Qin Yinong ruffled her fluffy hair gently. "It's fine. I should have told you earlier."
After a brief pause, Tang Ruoyao changed the subject. "Then I'll go to the boutique for the necklace and bracelet?"
Qin Yinong responded softly, "Okay."
Qin Yinong wasn't in the mood for further conversation, and Tang Ruoyao could tell. She escorted Qin Yinong to the second bedroom to shower before returning to the master bedroom. That night, they still shared the same bed as usual.
Though Tang Ruoyao had her fantasies, her desires in that regard remained unexplored. Compared to fleeting physical pleasure, she preferred quietly snuggling with Qin Yinong, especially when the latter was in low spirits.
Of course, whether she'd still feel the same after experiencing it was another matter.
"My mother passed away when I was less than a year old, and my father raised me alone. When I was in elementary school, he married my stepmother, Jiang Xuezhen. He had hoped Jiang Xuezhen would take care of me, but she was lazy and greedy. After she came into our home, my life became even harder than before—I had to cook for the whole family, the household chores multiplied, and sometimes I even had to wash her clothes. Later, when my younger brother was born, Jiang Xuezhen had a son of her own and grew even more resentful toward me."
"I want to attend art school, which costs more than regular universities. Even though I worked part-time during holidays and basically covered all my tuition fees, she still believed my father spent all his money on me, neglecting her and her son. She secretly targeted me in every way possible. When my father wasn't home, she'd take care of her son while cursing me, calling me a burden, complaining how unlucky she was to marry into this family. She even cried to my toddler brother, saying they couldn't even afford milk powder."
At first, Qin Yinong didn't understand why Tang Ruoyao was telling her all this. It seemed like venting, but her tone was calm and her words methodical, without a trace of resentment.
As she listened, Qin Yinong gradually understood her intention and felt warmth in her eyes.
Tang Ruoyao was comforting her.
Using her own unhappy childhood to console someone equally unfortunate.
There's an old saying that the most effective way to comfort someone is to share something even worse. Qin Yinong couldn't compare whose suffering was greater—after all, she still had her sister—but she was genuinely comforted by this clumsy method.
Even the longest story comes to an end, and Tang Ruoyao's memories of the past were somewhat hazy. When she reached her university years, she couldn't continue. As she racked her brain for more memories, a soft chuckle reached her ears, followed by a cool hand gently ruffling her hair.
Qin Yinong said, "My father was an alcoholic and abusive."
Tang Ruoyao gasped playfully, clasping her hands in mock defeat. "I concede defeat."
She had a magical ability to lighten even the heaviest atmosphere in an instant.
Qin Yinong couldn't help but laugh and said casually, "My father was named Qin Hongjian—same characters as Fang Hongjian from Fortress Besieged. When he was young, he used his pretty-boy looks to convince my mother to elope with him. He started a company with her money, but it went bankrupt due to poor management. After that, he never worked again, just drank at home every day and beat people when drunk."
"What a scumb@g. I despise people like that."
"Me too."
"Did he hit you?"
"Sometimes, but mostly my mother."
"So she divorced him?"
"No, she didn't leave him until I was in my twenties."
"Why?"
Qin Yinong shrugged. "She kept thinking Qin Hongjian would change his ways."
"Your mom was really... if she'd divorced earlier, you could've suffered less. It's because of women like her who can't see clearly that families keep suffering." Tang Ruoyao spoke without thinking, then realized she was criticizing the mother-in-law she was about to meet tomorrow. Sheepishly, she added, "Sorry."
"It's fine. I've cursed her in my heart plenty of times too."
"Hahaha."
Qin Yinong's lips curled into a smile as she teased, "Do you know how she finally divorced Qin Hongjian?"
Tang Ruoyao's eyes sparkled as she played along. "How?"
Qin Yinong pointed at herself, looking rather pleased.
Tang Ruoyao clapped. "You're amazing!"
Qin Yinong: "I haven't even said anything yet."
Tang Ruoyao: "Then tell me."
Qin Yinong explained how she orchestrated the divorce between Qin Hongjian and Ji Shulan. Tang Ruoyao applauded again, her palms turning red. Qin Yinong pressed her lips together, feigning modesty. "Do you think I'm too calculating?"
Tang Ruoyao shook her head vigorously. "No! I think you're brilliant. I'm one of those love... what's it called?"
"Homos3xual?"
"Not just that," Tang Ruoyao remembered and added, "I'm also sapios3xual—I'm attracted to highly intelligent people."
'Highly intelligent...'
Qin Yinong suddenly felt a surge of insecurity. 'Should I find a way to keep Qin Lunong away tomorrow?'
But Tang Ruoyao's next words eased her worries.
"I only like you—the intelligent one. Even if someone else had an IQ of 300, I wouldn't care."
"My IQ isn't that high—I've taken tests before, just average." Qin Yinong clarified with a serious attitude.
"I don't care. You're brilliant to me."
Qin Yinong couldn't help but laugh at Tang Ruoyao's stubborn, nonsensical flattery.
That night, she realized the difference between a lover and family. The heavy burdens she had never shared with Qin Lunong—she poured them out to her young lover, in a way she had never imagined could feel so effortless.
Tang Ruoyao and she spent the evening venting about Qin Hongjian, occasionally tossing in complaints about Ji Shulan. The terrifying, twisted face that once appeared in the crack of a moonlit doorway now seemed like nothing more than a paper silhouette—easily torn apart.
Trash. Scum. Worthless.
"You know what?" Tang Ruoyao said, "People like him are just bull!es—they prey on the weak. You don't have to be afraid of him anymore. If he dares to come near you, I'll handle it. Just lend me two bodyguards—just in case things get physical."
Qin Yinong burst into laughter, shaking the entire bed.
"Is it that funny?" Tang Ruoyao chuckled too, poking Qin Yinong's shoulder as if they were sharing jokes. "Don't you believe me?"
Wiping tears from her eyes, Qin Yinong said, "I believe you."
She extended her hand, palm down, gesturing for Tang Ruoyao to place hers beneath it, palm up. Then she pressed her own hand firmly into Tang Ruoyao's grasp and said solemnly, "I'm entrusting myself to you."
Tang Ruoyao clasped her hand in return, her expression as solemn as if they were exchanging wedding vows.
"I'll keep you safe."
Comments
Post a Comment