CHAPTER 259: Qin & Tang Extra 33

Guan Han released Yang Wei's wrist and stepped back to stand behind Qin Yinong.

"Qin Jie."

Qin Yinong didn't look at her, her eyes fixed on Yang Wei, her expression unreadable.

Yang Wei's face flickered slightly before he composed himself and said, "Teacher Qin, this is all a misunderstanding."

Qin Yinong replied indifferently, "What misunderstanding?"

"This..." Yang Wei glanced at Guan Han, "I was just trying to pour a drink for a colleague. This assistant must have misjudged the situation and rushed over to stop me. My uncle, Liu Jiahe, the CEO of Heng'an Entertainment, always reminds me that a person must act with integrity..."

He deliberately enunciated his uncle's name clearly, all the while stealing glances at Qin Yinong's expression.

The entertainment industry was a tangled web of relationships—no one would push things to the extreme. He had only spiked the drink, and Tang Ruoyao hadn't even taken a sip. No actual harm had been done. No one would stir up trouble over a stranger they barely knew.

The best solution was to let bygones be bygones—everyone could walk away unscathed.

As for Tang Ruoyao, if he couldn't have her this time, so be it. There were plenty of other actresses in the industry. He'd just chalk it up to bad luck.

Yang Wei straightened his back slightly and smiled at Qin Yinong. "My uncle and I deeply admire you, Teacher Qin. If you'd honor us, my uncle would love to host a dinner in your name?"

Qin Yinong looked at him—or perhaps right through him—and remained silent for a long moment. The awkwardness spread even to the onlookers from the crew. Yang Wei's smug one-man show received no reaction, and his smile gradually stiffened.

"Teacher Qin," he finally forced himself to speak up.

Qin Yinong let out an indifferent, "Oh."

"Pfft." Someone in the crowd let out an ill-timed laugh before quickly stifling it and ducking back into the crowd.

Qin Yinong turned to Guan Han. "You saw him spike the drink with your own eyes?"

Guan Han replied coldly, "Yes."

Qin Yinong turned back to Yang Wei. "You say it's a misunderstanding?"

Yang Wei declared righteously, "Yes."

Qin Yinong's expression remained as indifferent as ever. Those who knew her well would recognize that she usually wore a smile, no matter her true emotions. The fact that she hadn't smiled once throughout this entire ordeal made Mo Changgan uneasy, and he hadn't dared to speak up.

Qin Yinong said calmly, "In that case, drinking from this bottle shouldn't cause any issues, right?"

Yang Wei's face paled.

Before he could respond, Qin Yinong raised her voice. "Someone fetch a glass for this young master."

The room fell deathly silent.

Those with half a brain knew this wouldn't end well, while those who didn't sense the oppressive atmosphere hesitated to step forward. But there were also those who had long despised Yang Wei's behavior—or saw this as an opportunity to curry favor with Qin Yinong.

The difference in status between Yang Wei and Qin Yinong was obvious.

Soon, a young woman stepped forward with a clean glass.

"Thank you." Qin Yinong accepted it and gave her a faint smile. "What's your name?"

Envious glances shot through the crowd—why hadn't they acted sooner?

But the woman simply replied, "My name isn't worth mentioning."

Qin Yinong nodded and smiled again. "You have a lovely voice."

Standing beside Mo Changgan, Tang Ruoyao pursed her lips.

After all this time, Qin Yinong had never once praised her voice.

The girl returned to the crowd. Qin Yinong reached back with her hand, and Guan Han took the wine glass, filling it with the spiked red wine intercepted from Yang Wei. Then she carried the glass step by step toward Yang Wei.

Yang Wei broke out in a cold sweat, his eyes darting around wildly. Suddenly, he shouted loudly, "I'm allergic to alcohol!"

What a joke—the drug he had slipped in was a potent aphr0disiac with immediate effects. Just one sip would be enough to cloud one's mind. If he drank it and made a disgraceful scene in front of everyone, he might as well be dead.

What did Qin Yinong want? To drive him to the brink?

The assistant walking toward him wore a face as stiff as a coffin, showing no sign of stopping. Yang Wei had no doubt that if he refused to drink, she would pry open his mouth and force it down. D@mn woman—she was stronger than most men.

Guan Han had already reached him, looking like a demon from hell. Yang Wei's knees buckled, and he trembled, shrieking hoarsely, "Director Mo, save me!"

Mo Changgan wished he could turn invisible, but now he had no choice but to step forward and mediate. "The wrap party is such a lively occasion—why make a big fuss over such a small matter? Xiaoyang has already had a lot to drink today. Any more and he might get drunk."

Qin Yinong glanced at Yang Wei coolly. "Weren't you allergic to alcohol just now?"

Yang Wei abandoned all shame, clutching his forehead. "Yes! I'm drunk! So drunk I'm talking nonsense! My head is spinning..." He shot a meaningful look at one of his cronies in the crowd, who quickly stepped forward to support him.

Mo Changgan hurriedly said, "Since you're drunk, you should go home now."

"Director Mo, Teacher Qin, everyone—I'll take my leave." Yang Wei fled in panic, terrified that Guan Han might kick him if he lingered even a second longer.

Qin Yinong lowered her gaze to the floor, a hint of mockery flashing at the corner of her lips.

Mo Changgan waved his hand, and the onlookers dispersed. He then looked at her cautiously.

"Yinong..."

Qin Yinong replied tonelessly, "Director Mo, do you think there's something wrong with this wine?"

Mo Changgan stammered nervously.

Qin Yinong pressed on, "If he had succeeded, have you considered the consequences?"

Mo Changgan sighed. "But he didn't succeed, did he?" Seeing the icy glare in Qin Yinong's eyes, he quickly added, "That's not what I meant. I'm just saying—based on this wine alone, even if you wanted to pursue it, there's no way. Aside from your assistant, did anyone actually see him spike it? And it was just an attempt."

Qin Yinong said, "You make a fair point. But who will compensate your leading lady for the psychological trauma? She's still a student. Will this leave her with lasting scars? Will she think of you, Director Mo, and remember how someone brazenly tried to drug her at your wrap party?"

Mo Changgan was baffled. "Huh?"

Qin Yinong turned to the victim, Tang Ruoyao, and said, "Come here."

Tang Ruoyao's body moved faster than her mind, and she stood beside Qin Yinong, facing Mo Changgan.

Qin Yinong stared at Mo Changgan.

Mo Changgan: "..."

Qin Yinong: "..."

Mo Changgan: "..." After a brief standoff, realization suddenly struck him. He turned to Tang Ruoyao and said, "I apologize for frightening you, Teacher Tang."

Directors like Han Yuping, who stood among them, were well-educated, principled men of letters who knew right from wrong in their hearts.

Though she was the protagonist of this drama, Tang Ruoyao had retreated behind the scenes from the very beginning and hadn't suffered any fright. She hurriedly bowed in return, saying, "Director Mo, you're too kind."

Qin Yinong's lazy, unhurried voice chimed in, "This young lady is of humble status and wouldn't dare accept your apology even if you offered one. Let's just drop the matter, but remember—you owe her a favor."

Mo Changgan: "???"

It wasn't even him who had drugged her! How did he end up owing Tang Ruoyao a favor?

After a moment's thought, Mo Changgan recalled Qin Yinong's well-known reputation for mentoring younger actors, always helping when she could. Perhaps today the girl had caught her eye, or maybe she was just joking around.

So Mo Changgan laughed and agreed, "Alright, I'll remember this favor."

It was just a small favor to a minor actress, nothing difficult. At most, he'd keep her in mind for suitable opportunities in the future—if only to please Qin Yinong.

Qin Yinong's mood brightened instantly. She smiled and asked, "Where were we in our conversation earlier?"

Mo Changgan: "You were about to agree to star in my new film."

Qin Yinong feigned surprise, "Hmm, is it my memory failing or yours?"

The two returned to their table, chatting and laughing.

As the farce concluded, Tang Ruoyao snapped out of the rollercoaster of events only to realize Guan Han had disappeared at some point.

About half an hour later, Guan Han reentered the banquet hall and whispered something into Qin Yinong's ear. Qin Yinong's expression remained unchanged as she clinked glasses with Mo Changgan.

Guan Han straightened up, her face once again returning to its usual impassive mask.

The capital had strict drunk driving laws. Yang Wei, having drunk heavily and been publicly humiliated by Qin Yinong, was in a foul mood. His friend had left earlier on business, so he called a designated driver and waited alone by the roadside, lighting a cigarette as he blew smoke rings into the night.

The street was quiet at this late hour. Spotting two office workers across the road, Yang Wei whistled at them, making them quicken their steps. This lifted his spirits slightly.

Two drunkards approached, staggering arm in arm. Yang Wei took a drag of his cigarette and paid them no mind, stepping aside to avoid them.

Unexpectedly, the two suddenly erupted into a fight right as they passed him—one throwing a punch that the other ducked, causing the fist to land squarely on Yang Wei's face.

Yang Wei's cigarette fell to the ground as his cheek burned with pain.

Yang Wei: "..."

After a few seconds, he cursed loudly. Targeting the one who'd accidentally hit him, he swung his fist. The man dodged nimbly while his companion's fist—the size of a sandbag—shot past his shoulder to meet Yang Wei's punch head-on.

There was a clear disparity in strength between men. Yang Wei, weakened by excessive indulgence, was all show—only capable of bullying the weak. The drunkard stood over 185cm with a burly frame. When their fists collided, Yang Wei felt his knuckles might shatter.

Realizing these drunks were tough customers and being outnumbered, Yang Wei wisely decided to flee. But the two brawlers somehow managed to knock him down precisely as they tussled.

Yang Wei exploded in rage: "You motherf—"

A rain of punches descended.

Yang Wei: "F*ck!" At first he tried fighting back, but the blows only grew fiercer. Eventually, he could only shield his face with both hands, howling, "Help! Someone help!"

He couldn't tell how much time passed, but to Yang Wei, it felt like an eternity.

His face had taken a hit, his eyes swollen shut, barely able to open even a narrow slit.

He heard a drunken man apologize, "Sorry, mate. We got into a fight and accidentally hurt you. Here's some money for the medical bills."

Then his fingers were pried open, and a wad of cash was shoved into his palm.

Through his blurred vision, he saw the two towering drunkards stagger away.

Yang Wei shed tears of humiliation and injustice.

Who the hell needed their d@mn money?!

Once the two drunkards were out of the surveillance range, their drunken demeanor gradually faded. One of them lowered his head, pulled out his phone, and sent a text message.

The wrap party lasted late into the night.

Qin Yinong was almost the last to leave. Mo Changgan escorted her downstairs, watching as she got into the black sedan before turning back inside.

The car door closed. In the back seat, Tang Ruoyao leaned against the window, eyes slightly closed, as if asleep.

Qin Yinong studied her for a moment and concluded: 'Her acting has improved. With a bit more effort, she could almost pass for the real thing.'

She didn't speak, only mouthed to Guan Han to start the car.

The vehicle glided smoothly forward, the night flowing past like water. Tang Ruoyao secretly cracked open an eye, watching Qin Yinong's reflection in the window. Qin Yinong reclined in her seat, chin slightly lowered, head tilted as if resting her eyes.

Tang Ruoyao began to reflect: 'Was I too harsh? She came to the wrap party just to surprise me. Sure, lying to me before was wrong, but she showed up early—we didn't have to wait until winter break to see each other.'

Besides, she had just saved her. If Qin Yinong hadn't stepped in when she did, the consequences would have been unthinkable. And she had drunk so much, looking utterly exhausted—all for her sake.

The more Tang Ruoyao thought about it, the more she felt she had no right to be angry. She was being unreasonable. But Qin Yinong's eyes were closed, and the car wasn't the place for a conversation. She swallowed her apology, fidgeting restlessly as she waited to arrive.

'How do I make it up to her?' Tang Ruoyao wasn't like Ah Xiao and the others, who could be cheered up with a designer bag or a bottle of perfume. She had strong self-control, always optimistic and positive. Qin Yinong had never made her this angry before—so angry she wouldn't even acknowledge her.

A dull throb pulsed at Qin Yinong's temples.

Guan Han parked the car and escorted them upstairs.

In the elevator, Tang Ruoyao bit her lip, stealing glances at Qin Yinong through the mirrored walls. Qin Yinong kept her eyes down, mentally sifting through strategies to win back her girlfriend.

At the door, Tang Ruoyao entered the passcode and stepped inside first. Qin Yinong followed, while Guan Han remained outside. "I'll head off now, Qin Jie." she said.

Qin Yinong waved her off.

Guan Han closed the door behind her.

The lock clicked softly—a signal igniting the quiet space.

One turned, the other lifted her gaze. Their eyes met, and in unison, they said:

"I was wrong."

Both froze.

Again, simultaneously: "What did you say?"

Qin Yinong burst into laughter. "You go first."

Tang Ruoyao looked at her earnestly. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lashed out at you."

Qin Yinong replied, "I was wrong too. I didn't consider your feelings, only focused on giving you a surprise. It was selfish."

Tang Ruoyao pressed her lips together. "So... are we good now?"

Qin Yinong took both her hands, voice softening. "Did we even fight?"

Tang Ruoyao lowered her gaze in silence, clearly still blaming herself.

Qin Yinong had prepared various ways to comfort her girlfriend, but none were needed—and she didn't feel happy about it. She'd sought advice from Lin Ruohan, who said that in most romantic relationships, partners would inevitably take advantage of affection to act spoiled. While major tantrums were rare, minor ones were practically guaranteed—it was part of the lovers' dynamic.

Yet Tang Ruoyao never acted spoiled, not even getting properly angry. Was her lack of willfulness because Qin Yinong hadn't pampered her enough? The lovestruck rookie Qin Yinong began doubting herself.

Reviewing their relationship, she'd teased Tang Ruoyao in various ways, gifted her a bag, perfume, and a bouquet, picked her up twice... and that was it?

That really was it.

What did Tang Ruoyao even see in her?

"What do you like about me?" On their first night after being apart, Tang Ruoyao received this soul-searching question.

Qin Yinong nodded seriously.

"Let me think." Tang Ruoyao replied with equal gravity.

Seeing this might take a while, Qin Yinong said, "Never mind, let's do something important first."

Tang Ruoyao looked up. "What impor—"

Her lips were already sealed by Qin Yinong's.

Kneeling on the sofa, Qin Yinong half-embraced Tang Ruoyao, blocking the overhead light. Her lips moved over Tang Ruoyao's with varying pressure—technique and rhythm became irrelevant as volcanic emotions overwhelmed everything.

Tang Ruoyao felt herself being laid back on the sofa.

For the first time, Qin Yinong crossed boundaries in their int!macy.

Her long hair cascaded down, brushing Tang Ruoyao's ears with faint tingles—nothing compared to the burning itch her lips left behind, growing hotter like heated iron.

So this was how it felt.

Tang Ruoyao wrapped her arms around Qin Yinong, slender fingers curling against the woman's slender back.

But Qin Yinong suddenly pulled away, sitting up and bringing Tang Ruoyao with her.

The two sat side by side on the sofa, the restlessness in the air still lingering.

The floor-to-ceiling curtains remained open, revealing the city's countless lights.

Tang Ruoyao masked her disappointment with a smile before Qin Yinong could notice.

As Qin Yinong adjusted her collar, Tang Ruoyao grasped her wrist, refusing to let go. Qin Yinong read the blatant desire in her eyes, though no words were spoken.

Is this how young people are nowadays?

"I'm twenty." Tang Ruoyao stated more expl!citly.

"You're still a student." Qin Yinong replied stiffly.

"A university student, not a high schooler."

"Still a student." Qin Yinong withdrew her hand awkwardly. "Studies come first."

Tang Ruoyao stared directly at her. "I ranked first last semester."

"I... know."

"Are you worried it'll affect my studies?"

"That's... not... exactly it."

"Then what is it?"

"..."

"You don't like me?"

"Of course not."

"You can't perform?"

Qin Yinong's head shot up at this. "What did you just—"

"I've seen your hands—they're fine," Tang Ruoyao said clinically. "If there's any issue, it's psychological. Tell me, and we'll cure it together."

Qin Yinong nearly lost it.

What did she mean by "seen your hands"? When had that happened? And how could she be so certain?

However, one thing she accidentally got right—she did have a psychological issue. Pah! What psychological issue? It was just concern. She almost got led astray by her words. What "cure"? She was perfectly fine!

Qin Yinong took deep breaths, trying hard to calm herself down.

If this little brat weren't her girlfriend, she'd have strangled her by now.

Tang Ruoyao held one of her hands and explained softly, "I didn't mean to look down on you."

Qin Yinong gritted her teeth. "I'm not sick."

Qin Yinong rarely lost her composure, which only reinforced Tang Ruoyao's suspicions. Only someone with an issue would react so defensively and angrily. She immediately softened her tone and coaxed, "Alright, you're not sick."

Qin Yinong: "..."

'Do you really think I can't tell you're becoming more convinced I have a problem?'

The boundaries Qin Yinong had painstakingly maintained were shattered by Tang Ruoyao's words. Ever since meeting Tang Ruoyao, nothing in her life had followed the usual script. Every day brought new surprises.

You never knew what Tang Ruoyao would say next.

Filled with compassion, Tang Ruoyao decided to start treating her condition step by step from today onward, taking it slow. If it couldn't be cured, she was even willing to settle for a platonic relationship.

Tang Ruoyao had taken a long-term leave for filming and only needed to report back to her teacher when she returned to school—there was no strict deadline. After their brief separation, she and Qin Yinong were like newlyweds again, so they had to spend at least one day together at home before she went back.

"Oh, by the way," Tang Ruoyao said, "thank Assistant Guan for tonight's matter."

Qin Yinong pouted. "Not thanking me?"

Tang Ruoyao replied, "Didn't you say I shouldn't thank you? If you want to hear it, then thank you—"

Qin Yinong cut her off. "Don't want to hear it."

Tang Ruoyao obediently dropped the subject.

After a pause, she asked, "If Director Mo hadn't intervened tonight, would you really have made Yang Wei drink that glass of wine on the spot?"

Qin Yinong said, "I don't know."

Tang Ruoyao was stunned. "You don't know? How could you not know?"

Qin Yinong frowned. "I was really angry at the time."

Tang Ruoyao wasn't usually one for excessive curiosity. If it were anyone else, she would have dropped the subject when they clearly didn't want to talk about it. But Qin Yinong was different—she wanted to know everything about her.

As her girlfriend, she also had the right to press for answers.

"Why were you angry?" Tang Ruoyao didn't believe this was the first time Qin Yinong had encountered such a situation. "Was it because I was the one he drugged?"

Qin Yinong pressed her lips tightly together, her expression darkening.

Thinking she was afraid of the consequences, Tang Ruoyao hugged her and gently patted her back, soothing her softly. "It's okay now."

Qin Yinong nestled obediently in her arms, flashes of memories running through her mind—an ashtray rolling across the floor, bl0od seeping from the back of a head onto the hardwood, the tightly shut closet door, shadows moving through the crack, curses, kicks, a metal clothes hanger twisted violently in her grip.

Tang Ruoyao didn't know what she was thinking, but her gentle voice kept flowing into her ears.

"It's okay now."

"It's okay now."

"I'm here."

Across time and space, those words offered a faint comfort to the young woman curled up in the closet. Her body relaxed unconsciously, her ear pressed against Tang Ruoyao's warm cheek.

How did she grow up to be so warm all the time?

What trapped Qin Yinong wasn't the past—it was herself.

A long time passed.

Qin Yinong suddenly said out of the blue, "More than that."

"What?" Tang Ruoyao had already lost track of the conversation.

Qin Yinong pinched her young lover's cheek with her fingertips and teased, "Are you a goldfish?"

Tang Ruoyao replied, "You smell so good—I was just busy breathing you in."

"I'll give you a bottle of this perfume later." Qin Yinong pinched her again and said, "To be clear, I'm angry not just because he drugged you, but because of the act of drugging itself."

Tang Ruoyao: "So you really despise drugging?"

Qin Yinong: "..."

Tang Ruoyao realized she had repeated herself and mentally scolded herself, which made Qin Yinong laugh.

Reorganizing her words, Tang Ruoyao said, "What I mean is, your reaction to this seems unusually strong." Qin Yinong wasn't someone who easily lost control, yet Yang Wei had nearly driven her to that point.

"Hmm." Qin Yinong replied casually, "Because I've been drugged before too. I know exactly how it feels."

"You were also—" She caught herself mid-sentence.

The living room fell into terrifying silence.

Tang Ruoyao wanted to bang her head against the wall. She thought: 'Damn it, why did I have to ask that? What now? What should I do?'

Qin Yinong exhaled subtly and said, "It's getting late. You should go shower."

Tang Ruoyao held onto her hand tightly: "Come with me."

Qin Yinong tilted her head.

Tang Ruoyao added, "Back to the room together."

Qin Yinong nodded.

Holding one of her hands, Tang Ruoyao grabbed her pajamas and instructed at the bathroom door, "I'll be quick. Don't overthink things."

The corners of Qin Yinong's lips curved up.

"Okay." she said.

Why was Tang Ruoyao always so adorable?

Anyone could see from her clever little brain who was really the one overthinking here.

Tang Ruoyao's mind was in complete turmoil, filled with regret. This was clearly something Qin Yinong would never want to bring up in her lifetime, yet she'd forced her to say it. Would Qin Yinong think she'd look down on her after learning the truth?

Tang Ruoyao cut her shower time down to two minutes, hastily dried herself with a towel, and rushed out still dripping.

Qin Yinong sat on the sofa flipping a book page, looked up, and frowned: "Were there zombies in there?"

Water dripped from Tang Ruoyao's smooth, fair chin as she looked somewhat flustered. "No," she said.

Qin Yinong: "Come here."

Tang Ruoyao approached and knelt before her like an obedient puppy.

Qin Yinong removed the large towel draped over Tang Ruoyao's head to dry her hair, but Tang Ruoyao stopped her hand. Under Qin Yinong's puzzled gaze, she took two deep breaths, lifted her face, and declared solemnly: "I don't care about your past. I only want your present and future."

Qin Yinong responded lightly, "I know."

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

'That's it?'

Qin Yinong replaced the large towel over Tang Ruoyao's face, blocking her view—and thus hiding Qin Yinong's crescent eyes and the irrepressible smile blooming on her lips.

After drying her "puppy," Qin Yinong took her clothes and entered the bathroom. In good spirits, she only realized upon entering the bathroom's transparent glass design made everything visible from outside.

A thought flashed through Qin Yinong's mind about returning to the bedroom to shower, but she dismissed it—they'd have to face this eventually anyway. Tsk, what a shame she'd missed watching Tang Ruoyao shower earlier.

Meanwhile, Tang Ruoyao outside: "!!!"

When Qin Yinong emerged, her cheeks were flushed pink from the steam. Tang Ruoyao sat by the bed, her face even redder, and turned away noticeably when Qin Yinong approached.

A faint smile played at Qin Yinong's lips as she casually lifted the covers and slipped into bed. Tang Ruoyao shot her a quick glance before immediately looking away, her voice slightly strained. "You're done washing."

"Didn't you see everything already?" Qin Yinong teased.

Tang Ruoyao's ears burned crimson, her entire body practically steaming.

She practically crawled off the bed to fetch the hairdryer for Qin Yinong. Qin Yinong always slept in a skimpy spaghetti-strap nightgown, her milky-white skin glowing under the light.

Tang Ruoyao swallowed imperceptibly before quickly averting her gaze, focusing intently on drying her hair.

After coiling the hairdryer's cord and returning it to the drawer, Tang Ruoyao was about to circle to the other side of the bed when Qin Yinong, as if she had eyes in the back of her head, caught her wrist.

Qin Yinong slowly brought her hand to her lips, planting feather-light kisses along her fingertips.

Tang Ruoyao didn't dare move a muscle.

Qin Yinong lifted her gaze and asked bluntly, "Can you?"

Author's Note:

Can you?

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