CHAPTER 264: Qin & Tang Extra 38

Fu Yujun and Guan Han exchanged contact information, and Fu personally escorted them to the elevator. After the doors closed, she turned back toward the hotel room.

Two people sat imposingly on the living room sofa, staring at her with solemn expressions.

Had she been too obvious and gotten caught?

Fu Yujun narrowed her eyes, and in the span of a fleeting thought, steeled herself for confession.

Being gay wasn't shameful—especially with Tang Ruoyao's relationship paving the way. It gave her a little more confidence.

Wen Shuxian spoke first: "You..."

Fu Yujun mentally answered for her: 'Yes, it's me. Just like Tangtang, I like women too.'

But years of composure kept her outwardly patient, waiting for Wen Shuxian to finish her sentence.

"Do you think Teacher Qin is someone reliable enough to entrust with Tangtang?"

That... wasn't what she'd expected. Fu Yujun blinked, momentarily taken aback. "That's all you wanted to ask?"

Wen Shuxian looked puzzled. "What else would there be?"

A flicker of disappointment crossed Fu Yujun's eyes before she smoothly replied, "Nothing." She sat down, cracking open a drink from the coffee table. "From what I've seen, Teacher Qin treats Tangtang well."

Wen Shuxian: "I can see that too. I'm asking about the long term."

Fu Yujun shrugged. "No one can predict the long term. Relationships are unpredictable—what if Tangtang changes her mind?"

Wen Shuxian scoffed. "How could she? Look at how lovesick she is."

Fu Yujun, who was more observant but didn't have the ability to foretell the future, simply said, "So we should work hard. If Tangtang ever gets dumped by Film Queen Qin in the future, at least we can help her vent. Right now, we can't even compare to a single one of her fingers."

Wen Shuxian sighed in agreement. "You're right. Look at Ren Xingyue—same age as us, already so famous with so many fans. She's never lost a Weibo battle."

Fu Yujun took a sip of her drink. "No need to compare ourselves to her. She was born with silver spoon parents—her starting line is already farther than most people's finish line."

Wen Shuxian groaned. "So unfair."

She was carefree by nature, letting worries pass without lingering.

Fu Yujun handed her another drink. "We rarely get to stay in such a luxurious room. The sound system in the living room seems decent—how about an all-night karaoke session?"

Wen Shuxian immediately brightened. "The bathtub in there even has a massage function! And the wallpaper is remote-controlled, you can change it—" She rambled on.

Fu Yujun played along, feigning interest.

Cui Jiaran occasionally chimed in, quieter than usual compared to her usual banter with Wen Shuxian.

Her gaze lingered on Fu Yujun, replaying the look in Fu Yujun's eyes when she'd exchanged contacts with Guan Han—careful, expectant, like shimmering stars. It sparked a bold suspicion in her mind.

Eventually, the three agreed to bathe first, then sing.

The bathtub was practically big enough to swim in, complete with a steam room. Coming from the north, public bathhouses were nothing new to them. Wen Shuxian and Cui Jiaran wrapped themselves in towels and headed to the bathroom, while Fu Yujun retreated to her own room to shower.

Wen Shuxian frowned. "Why isn't she joining us?"

Cui Jiaran said flatly, "You're too loud."

Wen Shuxian shot back, "You're the loud one!"

Cui Jiaran stepped into the bathtub, too lazy to argue about who was noisier. Wen Shuxian sat on the opposite side, turning on the massage function with the remote. The comfort made her toes curl as she closed her eyes in bliss.

Cui Jiaran nudged her with a foot. "Xiaowen."

Wen Shuxian, completely relaxed, replied lazily, "What?"

Cui Jiaran hesitated before speaking. "Don't you think..."

"Think what?"

"Lao Fu always avoids us when showering or changing clothes."

Wen Shuxian burst out laughing. "You want her to undress in front of you? How perv3rted can you get?"

Cui Jiaran kicked her. "You're the perv3rt! I'm being serious here."

Wen Shuxian opened her eyes. "Alright, speak up. Stop touching me, or I might think you've fallen for me." She continued playfully, "Honestly, I'm not much worse than your boyfriend. Why not give me a chance?"

Cui Jiaran said coldly, "I like men."

Wen Shuxian's eyes sparkled mischievously as she declared dramatically, "I'd get a s3x change for you."

"Too short." Cui Jiaran shot back.

Wen Shuxian scooped up water and splashed it at her. Cui Jiaran retaliated, and soon the bathroom was filled with laughter that echoed beyond the door.

Such was the simple, unadorned friendship between straight women.

Fu Yujun passed by the bathroom and quietly walked further away.

The water fight ended in a draw.

After drying off, Wen Shuxian slipped into an ankle-length robe, feeling utterly content down to her hair strands. She pretended to take a drag from an imaginary cigarette, floating in satisfaction.

Cui Jiaran said, "I forgot my robe."

Wen Shuxian immediately offered, "It's in the bedroom closet. I'll get it for you."

"Let Lao Fu bring it." Cui Jiaran said.

Wen Shuxian pouted and muttered, "What's the difference?" before going to find Fu Yujun.

After a while, Wen Shuxian returned alone, tossing the robe to Cui Jiaran. "Lao Fu says she's busy."

"With what?"

"No idea," Wen Shuxian scratched her head. "Didn't see her doing anything special, just on her phone." She suddenly grinned. "Why so concerned about Lao Fu today? You've got a boyfriend. If anyone's next in line, it should be me."

Cui Jiaran wished she could crack open Wen Shuxian's skull to see if her brain had any folds at all.

Meanwhile, Fu Yujun entered the phone number she'd gotten from Guan Han into WeChat's search bar. Her heart skipped a beat as dizziness briefly overtook her, followed by a delighted smile.

A profile appeared—a white background with black letters. Fu Yujun chuckled upon recognizing the two initials: "gh."

It felt as cold and detached as the person herself.

Her finger hovered over the "Add" button, bringing up the verification message page. She hesitated, gripping her phone tightly, heart pounding.

Would this seem too eager?

The woman had seemed completely uninterested earlier. What if this annoyed her?

But given her personality, if Fu Yujun didn't make the first move, nothing would ever happen.

To add or not to add?

"You look flushed. Is it hot in here?" Lost in thought, Fu Yujun hadn't noticed Wen Shuxian approaching.

Fu Yujun tilted her head to avoid Wen Shuxian's outstretched hand, locked her phone screen, and placed it face down, saying, "Just took a shower, the steam made my face red."

Wen Shuxian: "Wanna sing?"

Fu Yujun: "Sure, I'll adjust the speakers."

They howled like wolves until late at night, with only Wen Shuxian still full of energy. Fu Yujun sat on the sofa hugging her phone, lost in thought, while Cui Jiaran sat beside her and abruptly remarked, "You seem quite attentive to Assistant Guan."

Fu Yujun turned to meet her gaze.

"I like her." Fu Yujun said frankly.

There was no need to hide her feelings.

Cui Jiaran sat cross-legged on the sofa, took a sip of her carbonated drink, and smiled. "Since when?"

"The day Tangtang got drunk—that was the first time I met her."

"Love at first sight?"

"Sort of."

"I used to think homos3xuality was rare, but now half our dorm is gay."

"Just a coincidence."

They chatted casually.

Wen Shuxian finally tired of singing and turned to see them laughing together. Curious, she asked, "What are you two talking about? Let me in on it."

Cui Jiaran raised her soda can in her direction and said nonchalantly, "Nothing much. Just that Lao Fu, like Tangtang, is into women."

Wen Shuxian's eyes widened. After freezing for a few seconds, she suddenly dropped the microphone, let out a whoop, and pounced on Fu Yujun, pinning her to the sofa. "No need to say more—I accept! Starting today, I'm your girlfriend!"

Fu Yujun struggled to adjust her robe collar.

Wen Shuxian teared up emotionally. "Heaven has finally answered my prayers! From now on, our whole dorm is officially off the market! Buddha be praised—I'll go burn incense at the temple tomorrow!"

Fu Yujun looked like a helpless damsel in distress. Cui Jiaran pulled Wen Shuxian off and said, "She already likes someone else."

Wen Shuxian: "Not me?"

Cui Jiaran: "No."

Wen Shuxian: "Don't say more, or I'll cry." She sniffled and asked, "Who is it?"

"Someone you've met—Qin's assistant, Guan Han." Cui Jiaran answered.

Wen Shuxian blurted out, "You dare to like her?"

Fu Yujun: "..."

Cui Jiaran smoothed things over. "Everyone needs dreams. What if they come true, right?"

Fu Yujun: "...I'll take that as encouragement."

Wen Shuxian suddenly clapped her hands. "No wonder you left your contact info! You should've said so earlier—I almost ruined your plans."

Fu Yujun waved wearily. "Let's drop this for now. I'm tired and want to sleep."

Wen Shuxian turned off the speakers and escorted the lovestruck Fu Yujun to her room, giving her a "fighting" gesture.

......

At the house on Wangyue Mountain.

Qin Yinong took the warm water handed to her by Tang Ruoyao and suddenly chuckled while drinking.

Tang Ruoyao smiled. "What are you thinking about?"

Qin Yinong set the glass down, pulled Tang Ruoyao into her arms, and nuzzled her smooth cheek affectionately. With a playful voice, she asked, "What do you think of Guan Han?"

Tang Ruoyao turned to kiss her lips before replying, "Assistant Guan is great—attentive and thorough. Why?"

"I'm not asking about her work. I mean romantically."

"Is she dating someone?"

"No, someone has taken a liking to her."

"That takes guts," Tang Ruoyao said, then immediately coughed. "I said nothing."

"Don't worry, I won't tell her. Let me share a little secret with you," Qin Yinong leaned close to her ear, whispering each word deliberately, "I, also, think, the same."

Tang Ruoyao burst into laughter.

Qin Yinong tapped her nose playfully. "You little troublemaker."

Goosebumps rose on Tang Ruoyao's skin as she squirmed uncomfortably in Qin's embrace. "That's a bit too cheesy."

After some thought, Qin Yinong agreed, "You're right. I won't say it next time."

Tang Ruoyao asked curiously, "Who has a crush on her?"

Qin Yinong pointed to her own lips.

Tang Ruoyao tilted her head to kiss her, only to have Qin Yinong cup the back of her head with one hand while the other arm tightened around her waist, pulling their bodies flush together. The kiss deepened until Tang Ruoyao was left breathless.

The quiet space allowed hormones to run wild.

Qin Yinong gradually forgot her original intention as Tang Ruoyao arched backward against the couch, her slender neck forming an elegant curve. Fingers clutching at a nearby pillow—its cartoon character design now distorted from her grip.

Tang Ruoyao's fingers threaded through the woman's soft hair, gently combing through it. When Qin Yinong kissed her lips again, she straightened their rumpled collars, quietly calming their restless energy.

Once both had settled, Tang Ruoyao fixed her with a direct gaze. "Why?"

Qin Yinong used her earlier excuse: "You're still too young."

Tang Ruoyao immediately grabbed Qin Yinong's hand and pulled it toward herself. Caught off guard, Qin Yinong felt the distinct sensation through her fingertips and palm, her fair fingers involuntarily curling.

Tang Ruoyao's sharp gaze held a challenge. "Still young?"

Qin Yinong: "..."

Returning to the original question, Tang Ruoyao pressed, "Why won't you do that with me?"

Qin Yinong's thoughts were in turmoil—one moment yielding to temptation, the next pulling back with restraint. She swallowed hard and blurted out, "We haven't met each other's parents yet."

Tang Ruoyao frowned. "Haven't we?"

Seizing this lifeline, Qin Yinong continued smoothly, "You've met mine, but I haven't met yours."

"My mother passed away, my father's in a vegetative state. Do you want to meet my stepmother?"

Qin Yinong pretended to consider this. "...That could work?" Thinking quickly, she added, "I'd like to see where you grew up. And regardless of your father's condition, it's only proper that I meet him."

Tang Ruoyao stared at her.

Cold sweat trickled down Qin Yinong's back.

The clock ticked loudly as a full minute passed before Tang Ruoyao relented. "Fine. I'm going home during winter break. Will you come with me?"

"Of course."

Tang Ruoyao laid down her terms: "After meeting them, you can't refuse me anymore."

A flicker of resignation crossed Qin Yinong's eyes as she nodded. When did young people forget all about modesty?

Tang Ruoyao had once been modest too, but Qin Yinong's conversation with Lin Ruohan had lowered her threshold of shame. Adults should speak plainly, without pretense.

That night, Qin Yinong made a startling discovery—Tang Ruoyao could actually do dirty talk. Though awkward at first, wasn't that very awkwardness its own kind of thrilling stimulation?

They had to change the sheets midway, and then again before bedtime. Qin Yinong drifted off to sleep, thoroughly satisfied. The next morning, the youthful vigor of her partner roused her from slumber. Though she couldn't see Tang Ruoyao, Qin Yinong tenderly brushed her fingers over the girl's sweat-dampened temples, tucking stray locks behind her ear.

Tang Ruoyao returned from brushing her teeth to find Qin Yinong still lying motionless. She moved the hand covering Qin Yinong's eyes, a faint amused smile playing at her lips as she whispered, "Baby?"

Qin Yinong kept her eyes closed, but her chest rose and fell.

Vivid memories came flooding back.

Tang Ruoyao bent down to kiss her. "I'll make breakfast. Sleep a little longer."

Qin Yinong remained silent, her poor attempt at pretending to sleep obvious.

Tang Ruoyao tucked the blankets around her and shuffled out in slippers.

Qin Yinong covered her eyes again, but the curve of her lips kept rising higher.

......

Tang Ruoyao placed a cup of warm milk in front of Qin Yinong and sat across from her, spreading jam on toast. "That person you mentioned last night—the one interested in Guan Han—do I know them?"

Qin Yinong adjusted her posture, pressing a pillow against her lower back to ease the soreness. "You do. She's from your dorm."

"Fu Yujun?"

"You don't seem surprised."

"I don't know why I'm not that surprised." Tang Ruoyao chuckled, handing her the jam-covered toast. "Maybe I've already seen too much in life."

Qin Yinong scoffed. "At your age, claiming you've seen it all?"

Tang Ruoyao grinned. "After meeting you, what bigger waves could there possibly be?"

Qin Yinong's expression immediately turned subtle.

She thought to herself that Tang Ruoyao was getting bolder with her suggestive remarks, daring to imply she was wet.

Tang Ruoyao laughed for a while before noticing Qin Yinong's silence. "What's wrong?"

Qin Yinong gave her a meaningful look, vowing inwardly: 'Your turn will come.'

Tang Ruoyao: "???"

Sometimes she found Qin Yinong's expressions too layered to decipher. With a subtle sigh, she reminded herself to keep learning and expanding her knowledge.

......

Early that morning, Guan Han received a text from Fu Yujun.

[Assistant Guan, eaten yet?]

Guan Han dipped a dumpling in vinegar, replying coolly and mercilessly: : [When are you going back to school? I'll come pick you up.]

Fu Yujun rolled across the hotel bed, burying her face in the pillow.

'Don't lose heart. Keep trying.'

[Anytime is fine with us. Just let us know after you've eaten.]

Guan Han frowned.

[As Ms. Qin's assistant, it's my duty to assist you.]

Fu Yujun typed: [But you're not our assistant. We should accommodate each other.] Maybe this would keep the conversation going?

Guan Han: [Decide on departure time. Notify me 30 minutes prior.]

Fu Yujun: "..."

At 9 AM.

Wen Shuxian yawned as she emerged from her room, spotting Fu Yujun sprawled on the sofa like a salted fish. Rubbing her eyes, she exclaimed, "Good lord, am I seeing things? Who is this?"

Fu Yujun lay with eyes open, weakly responding, "Your beloved Lao Fu."

Wen Shuxian burst into laughter.

She dragged Cui Jiaran from bed to witness the spectacle.

Cui Jiaran asked, "What happened? Did you contact Assistant Guan?"

Fu Yujun spread her palm and handed over her phone without hesitation. The two of them read the messages. Wen Shuxian clicked her tongue and said, "This sister really has zero interest in you. This is hell mode."

Cui Jiaran tactfully suggested, "Maybe you should find someone else?"

Fu Yujun waved her hand. "Enough about that. When do you want to head back? I'll notify her in advance."

Wen Shuxian said, "Notify her now. Have her come upstairs to pick us up, then Cui Jiaran and I will deliberately drag our feet to give you two some alone time. How's that?"

Fu Yujun hesitated. "Isn't that inappropriate?"

"What's inappropriate about it? It's settled then." Wen Shuxian used her phone to send a message without waiting for approval. Fu Yujun watched but didn't stop her.

Twenty-eight minutes later, the doorbell rang.

Wen Shuxian and Cui Jiaran performed a vanishing act, disappearing instantly. Fu Yujun took a deep breath and went to open the door.

Guan Han had changed into a black professional suit with a pristine white button-up shirt fastened meticulously to the second-to-last button. Her silver-framed glasses exuded an elite aura of refined sophistication from head to toe.

Every feature—from her facial structure to her figure to her demeanor—perfectly aligned with Fu Yujun's aesthetic preferences.

Guan Han lifted her eyes. "Hello, Miss Fu."

Fu Yujun responded half a beat late. "Hello, Assistant Guan." She glanced back, trying to appear natural as she said, "They're still busy. Would you like to wait inside?"

She stepped aside to let Guan Han enter and poured her a glass of water.

Guan Han nodded. "Thank you."

Fu Yujun began, "Guan—"

Guan Han's phone rang. "One moment." She walked to the window to take the call. Whoever was on the other end received no change in her expression as she spoke rapidly, sounding like she was reprimanding a subordinate.

Fu Yujun leaned on the sofa, watching her without blinking.

Guan Han snapped, "If you can't handle something this simple, what use are you? I'll deal with you tomorrow. Don't think you can sweet-talk your way out of this with Sister Qin—give me that person's number." After hanging up on one of Qin Yinong's assistants, she dialed another number.

Fu Yujun went to fetch Wen Shuxian and Cui Jiaran. "Let's go. The opportunity's gone."

The two cast sympathetic looks her way.

Fu Yujun laughed breezily. "Look on the bright side—if I don't have a chance, neither does anyone else. Nothing is impossible to a willing heart."

Guan Han ended her call and approached. "Apologies. Are we ready to leave?"

The three nodded.

Guan Han had brought a sedan. Fu Yujun naturally took the passenger seat. She watched as Guan Han fastened her seatbelt and donned snow-white gloves, gripping the steering wheel with steady hands. As the car moved, what swayed wasn't just the vehicle—but also Fu Yujun's pounding young heart.

Long after Guan Han had left, Fu Yujun remained staring into the distance, her soul seemingly elsewhere.

Wen Shuxian and Cui Jiaran exchanged glances before each taking one of her arms to steer her back toward the dorm.

Love truly was a terrifying thing—arriving without warning like poppy seeds quietly taking root.

Wen Shuxian decided she never wanted to fall in love. Being free and unfettered was infinitely more enjoyable.

Guan Han texted Qin Yinong: [Dropped them at campus]

Qin Yinong: [Not to the dorms?]

Guan Han: [You didn't specify]

She was meticulous only with Qin Yinong's affairs—now including the boss's wife Tang Ruoyao. For everyone else, she wouldn't lift a finger beyond her duties.

Qin Yinong: [I need to return home. Come pick us up]

Guan Han: [Forty minutes]

Qin Yinong waved her phone at Tang Ruoyao and said, "Your roommate's attempt ended in failure before it even began."

Tang Ruoyao, who was massaging Qin Yinong's calves, looked up and asked, "Is Guan Han straight or gay? Has she been in any relationships before?"

Qin Yinong: "Our studio hires people without asking about their romantic history."

Tang Ruoyao thought for a moment and said, "I think she has a certain charm that attracts women, don't you think?"

Qin Yinong replied expressionlessly, "Not at all."

Tang Ruoyao laughed, "Are you jealous?"

Qin Yinong averted her eyes, "No."

Tang Ruoyao leaned in to kiss her, whispering with a smile in her ear, "Baby."

For some reason, whenever she called her that, Qin Yinong would feel all sorts of strange sensations—itchy, tingly, her legs going weak, as if all her strength had drained away. Glancing at the wall clock, she suddenly said, "Thirty-seven minutes."

Tang Ruoyao: "Hmm?"

Qin Yinong pulled open the drawer of the coffee table and took out two long, pink-wrapped items.

Understanding, Tang Ruoyao accepted them.

"Shall we go to the bedroom?"

"No."

Tang Ruoyao smiled, "Alright."

Thirty minutes later, Guan Han received a message from Qin Yinong: [Wait for us in the garage. No need to come up.]

Sitting in the car, Guan Han checked her watch repeatedly before finally stepping out and leaning against the car door, gazing toward the elevator. An hour and a half later, the two finally arrived.

Their faces were flushed yet fresh, carrying the same scent of shower gel.

Guan Han kept her eyes downcast.

"Qin Jie, Miss Yao."

Qin Yinong's eyes sparkled with charm as she said, "Sorry for the delay. Something came up."

Guan Han lowered her head.

The trio headed to the Qin residence. Qin Yinong sat in the backseat, lightly biting her lower lip, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.

Tang Ruoyao leaned over worriedly, "Are you uncomfortable?"

Qin Yinong forced a smile, "I'm fine."

Tang Ruoyao looked remorseful, "I told you we shouldn't have—"

Qin Yinong cut her off, "Shh."

Tang Ruoyao fell silent, quietly massaging her back.

Guan Han hit the brakes as the car slowly stopped at a red light. She took a deep breath, trying to refresh her brain from the overwhelming secondhand embarrassment.

Qin Lunong was in the yard tending to flowers and sunbathing. When she saw Qin Yinong being helped out of the car, she immediately laughed.

She beckoned Qin Yinong over, "Take a few steps. Come on, walk a little."

Qin Yinong gritted her teeth and said to Tang Ruoyao, "Stop holding me. I'm not pregnant."

Tang Ruoyao hesitated, "But—"

Qin Yinong insisted, "If you don't let go, she'll tease me about this until tomorrow."

Tang Ruoyao thought to herself: 'Even if I do nothing, she'd find a way to tease you about something else.'

But she obediently released her arm.

Qin Lunong could tease her, but she couldn't. After all Qin Yinong had endured, she needed to pamper and indulge her—that was the self-cultivation of a proper top. Tang Ruoyao straightened her back with pride.

As Qin Yinong approached, Qin Lunong leaned in to whisper something in her ear. Tang Ruoyao watched as Qin Yinong's face turned crimson before she lifted her head and said something in a fit of rage.

Tang Ruoyao's mind reeled.

'What kind of weird adult conversation are you two having now?'

Author's Note:

Xiaotang still has so much to learn! Tang has been the top for so long, is it time for Qin to be the top?

Are there any readers who ship Qin as the top in Side Story 2? Doesn't our Qin Yinong deserve an overwhelming amount of comments and support?

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