CHAPTER 268: Qin & Tang Extra 42

The crystal chandelier overhead bathed the corner in dazzling white light.

But even more radiant than the light was the sparkling diamond ring nestled inside the opened blue velvet box.

Tang Ruoyao knelt on one knee, holding the ring aloft with both hands, her chest rising and falling slightly. Her usually calm and composed eyes now betrayed unmistakable nervousness and apprehension.

Qin Yinong froze in surprise.

The reaction was nothing like any scenario Tang Ruoyao had imagined. A faint sense of unease crept into her heart. She raised the ring higher and asked again, earnest and solemn, "Will you marry me?"

Qin Yinong gazed at the ring in the box but didn't reach for it. Instead, she exhaled almost imperceptibly and said, "Please, get up first."

The girl who had just solemnly asked for her hand in marriage immediately reddened around the eyes. A misty sheen spread across her gaze. Her fair skin flushed further, her nose turning pink as tears welled up.

Qin Yinong took her by the arm and helped her up, pulling her down to sit beside her.

Tang Ruoyao stared at her with reddened eyes. Qin Yinong carefully gathered her thoughts before speaking softly, "I'd love for you to take care of me for the rest of my life, but I can't accept this ring right now."

The redness at the corners of Tang Ruoyao's eyes faded slightly as she asked, her voice thick with emotion, "Why?"

Qin Yinong hesitated before replying, "You're still young."

Tang Ruoyao pressed, "You think this is just an impulsive decision?"

Qin Yinong reached out to ruffle her hair but said nothing.

Tang Ruoyao slumped slightly. "So you really do think that."

Qin Yinong added, "And I'm not ready either."

Tang Ruoyao frowned. "What do you need to prepare for?"

Qin Yinong glanced at the blue velvet box now resting on the table. "Even if I agreed to your proposal today, should I wear this ring or not?"

"Of course you should."

"Even when I go out?"

"..."

"If I wear it, and people ask me, 'Are you married?' or 'Who's your fiancé?'—how should I answer? Can I proudly say your name?"

Tang Ruoyao pressed her lips together.

"You're still in school. I can't visit you openly, can't surprise you at your dorm like a normal couple. Even picking you up has to be done in secret, as if we're doing something shameful." These words had been buried in Qin Yinong's heart, but now that she voiced them, the weight of her frustration felt heavier than she'd realized.

Why should loving someone mean they had to hide like this?

Tang Ruoyao grabbed Qin Yinong's hand, protesting, "That's not true."

"Then what is?" Qin Yinong's expression was a little cold.

"Aren't there plenty of secret relationships in the industry? As long as the people around us know, that's enough."

"Do you really want to keep it hidden forever?"

Tang Ruoyao thought seriously before answering, "If it's with you, then yes, I'm willing."

"But I'm not." Qin Yinong countered. "Besides, you say that so easily now. We're both in this industry. In the years to come, we'll have to pretend to be just friends on stage. You'll have to treat me with the courtesy of a senior. The media will pair us with all sorts of fabricated romantic partners. Would you really be okay with that?"

Tang Ruoyao felt like she had been led astray by her and struggled to regain her train of thought. She argued, "We can find the right time to go public later. We don't have to hide it forever."

"That's why I'll only accept your ring on that day."

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

It sounded reasonable, yet also like a stubborn justification.

In the end, Tang Ruoyao gave up trying to reason and simply took the ring box, saying, "But the one I bought is this year's new design. In a few years, it won't be as fashionable anymore. So... maybe you could just keep it as an ordinary piece of jewelry?" She scratched the back of her head and added, "This doesn't count as accepting the proposal. I'll propose again properly in the future."

Qin Yinong: "..."

Is this really okay?

......

Sunday morning.

After taking care of Qin Yinong, Tang Ruoyao went to the kitchen to make breakfast while her dorm group chat exploded with messages. They knew Tang Ruoyao had planned to propose last night but hadn't dared to disturb her until now.

[Did you succeed, Yaoyao?]

[Is the emperor skipping court today?]

[Calling Tang Ruoyao, calling Tang Ruoyao]

Tang Ruoyao turned on the oven and unlocked her phone amidst the humming sound, typing a reply: [I gave her the ring, but the proposal didn't work out.]

Wen Shuxian: [???]

Tang Ruoyao: [She thinks I'm not mature enough, that the proposal was impulsive. Then I figured the ring would just go to waste sitting around, and I wouldn't use the same one for a future proposal, so I told her to keep it. She took it.]

Wen Shuxian: [Damn, you're smooth. fist bump]

Tang Ruoyao: [I guess. Not many people stay this optimistic after a failed proposal, right?]

Wen Shuxian: [True, but I'm really curious—what's she gonna do with that ring? It's a diamond ring, not some everyday jewelry.]

Tang Ruoyao: [She can wear it at home for fun. Or not. Either way, my goal's already achieved.]

Wen Shuxian's brain short-circuited again: [What goal?]

Tang Ruoyao smirked and typed: [To make her believe she's the only one I love. Even if I'm childish, impulsive, or immature, my eyes are only on her. The proposal was just a means—marriage isn't the end goal. Without love and trust, a hundred diamond rings wouldn't matter.]

Wen Shuxian: [I don't get it, but it sounds impressive.]

Fu Yujun: [thumbs up]

A thought crossed Tang Ruoyao's mind, and she opened Fu Yujun's private chat: [How are you holding up?]

Fu Yujun replied with a [Smiling Through the Pain.jpg] sticker.

Tang Ruoyao sent her a "you got this" message.

The toast was ready, and the warm milk had been poured. Tang Ruoyao carried their breakfast to the dining table and headed toward the master bedroom.

Inside the room.

The blue velvet box lay open on the nightstand, but the ring inside was missing. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Qin Yinong's face as she held up her left hand, admiring the sparkling diamond ring now adorning her ring finger.

A faint smile curled at Qin Yinong's lips.

Tang Ruoyao really had good taste—this ring suited her perfectly.

Suddenly, footsteps approached. Qin Yinong's heart skipped a beat. There was no time to remove the ring, return it to the box, and stash it away. In a flash, she hid the box under the pillow and tucked her left hand under the covers, just as Tang Ruoyao pushed the door open.

"Baby, breakfast is ready." Tang Ruoyao walked over, about to pick her up from bed.

Qin Yinong clung to the mattress like the Dragon King of the East Sea's divine anchor, unmoving, and said calmly, "I can get up myself."

"No, you were exhausted all last night," Tang Ruoyao coaxed softly. "Let me carry you."

Qin Yinong shot her a reproachful look. "You still have the nerve to mention that? Did you wash the sheets?"

Tang Ruoyao's cheeks flushed slightly. "I'll do it later."

"Wash them now." Qin Yinong insisted.

Tang Ruoyao met her gaze for a few seconds before smiling in surrender. "Fine, I'll wash them now. But you'll have to get up by yourself."

She picked up the crumpled sheets from the floor and headed to the balcony. Qin Yinong watched her retreating figure intently, then slowly slid the ring off her finger under the covers. She pulled the box from beneath the pillow and, in the darkness, carefully placed the ring inside.

Finally, she got out of bed and, shielding the movement with her body, slipped the ring box back into the drawer from behind.

When Tang Ruoyao returned after starting the washing machine, Qin Yinong clapped her hands cheerfully. "I'm going to wash up."

"Go ahead." Tang Ruoyao replied.

She walked to where Qin Yinong had just been standing, paused thoughtfully for a moment, then opened the top drawer and smiled faintly.

Over breakfast, they chatted idly about their lives.

Qin Yinong asked about Tang Ruoyao's classes, while Tang Ruoyao inquired about her work. Their worlds were vastly different, yet they somehow always found common ground. Both were excellent listeners.

Though Tang Ruoyao was still a student, she already had one foot in the entertainment industry, so Qin Yinong made a point to share insider knowledge with her, knowing it would be beneficial.

Their conversation stretched on, time slipping away unnoticed. When they grew tired, they rested—watching TV in the living room or napping together on the daybed. By the time they woke, the sky was ablaze with sunset hues, and they kissed softly under the glow of twilight.

Days and nights passed in a blur.

Soon, Tang Ruoyao entered exam week of her junior year.

Everyone was buried in study sessions, and even classmates who were rarely on campus had returned, living a monotonous routine between dorms and the library.

Then, an unexpected piece of news exploded in the usually quiet Room 405.

Wen Shuxian, the internet-addicted girl, spun around abruptly, her chair legs screeching against the tiled floor. The other three instinctively covered their ears. Wen Shuxian stared at Tang Ruoyao, too stunned to speak coherently. "Y-y-you—your girlfriend is going on a reality show?"

Tang Ruoyao frowned. "Where did you hear that?"

"Online." Wen Shuxian said.

Tang Ruoyao dismissed it outright. "Fake news."

Given Qin Yinong's status, she had no reason to participate in something so trivial. It was likely just another baseless rumor from gossip accounts—though this time, they'd really overreached by dragging the queen into it.

Wen Shuxian shook her head vigorously.

"No," she said, pointing at her phone, swallowing hard. "It's official."

The pen in Tang Ruoyao's hand clattered onto the desk.

She snatched Wen Shuxian's phone and stared fixedly at the screen.

A post from the gossip forum read:

[XX TV's new reality show Traveling with My Sister announces lineup—Qin Yinong confirmed to join! Can't wait for the show! [excited.gif]]

Comments below:

[Holy sh!t!!!]

[Who would have thought I'd read this line over and over ten times before daring to confirm that what my eyes saw were truly the words "Qin Yinong"?]

[Ahhhhhhhhhhh I can do this! I'll worship the unparalleled beauty of Empress Qin from every angle, 360 degrees!]

[Qin Yinong is actually joining this kind of show? Has she run out of roles and is now cashing in on reality TV?]

[Hey, upstairs, all your faves could flop before Empress Qin ever does, thank you very much.]

[Shook! My! Entire! Family!]

[Traveling with My Sister? Can I look forward to seeing Sister Lunong?]]

[Damn! Sister Lunong—I'm here for it! I'm so hyped!]

As for Qin Yinong's Weibo, her latest post was an endorsement ad for some product, with a flood of fans and casual admirers pouring into the comments.

[Is this for real? Empress Qin is doing a reality show? I don't believe it.]

[Don't lower your standards, sis, I'm begging you!]

[XX TV is notorious for malicious editing—they'll fabricate scandals just for hype. If you go, you'll be a lamb to the slaughter. Don't do it! Empress Qin, please see this comment!]

......

Tang Ruoyao took a deep breath and handed the phone back to Wen Shuxian before dialing Qin Yinong's number.

Her fingers dug into her palms as she asked, "I saw some news online saying you're joining a reality show. Is it true?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"The show's director approached me, and the offer was good, so I agreed."

"But you don't need the money."

"Who would say no to more?" Qin Yinong replied with a laugh.

She sounded so natural, and Tang Ruoyao had never heard her express any aversion to reality shows before. Suppressing her doubts for now, she said, "I've heard this network is infamous for mal!cious editing. Be careful."

Qin Yinong scoffed. "Do you know the production team practically begged me to join? They were on their knees. I'm not like other celebrities—they wouldn't dare mess with me."

Tang Ruoyao thought about it and conceded the point.

In the world of Chinese actresses, Qin Yinong was second to none—literally. The only one who could rival her had already retired. The show wouldn't dare stir up drama around her. Inviting her was likely just for the initial hype. Qin Yinong's first reality show? That alone was enough to make the program explode in popularity.

Qin Yinong added, "Oh, and my sister's coming too."

Tang Ruoyao gasped. "What—"

This would be a nuclear-level explosion! Tang Ruoyao could already imagine how many people would tune in just for the Qin sisters. But... why?

Qin Yinong chuckled, clearly pleased with her reaction, and repeated, "I said, my sister's coming too. 'Traveling with My Sister,' right? So I'm bringing my sister. She's on winter break from school, so she's free."

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

Was this really about being free? The point was that the two of them were going on a reality show together!

Tang Ruoyao felt dizzy.

Qin Yinong continued, laughing carelessly, "If it were 'Traveling with my Wife,' I'd bring you. Too bad."

Tang Ruoyao's mind was a whirlwind, a fleeting thought slipping through her fingers before she could grasp it.

Pinching the bridge of her nose, she muttered, "Even then, I'd have to be able to go."

Unbeknownst to her, on the other end of the line, Qin Yinong's gaze sharpened as she looked out the window, thinking to herself: That day will come soon enough.

Wen Shuxian, who had gotten firsthand news from Tang Ruoyao, was brimming with excitement. She eagerly followed the show's official Weibo account, tracking the latest updates and looking forward to the program's broadcast in the coming spring.

After her exam week ended, Tang Ruoyao spent two days at home with Qin Yinong before Qin Yinong had to leave to film the reality show. Their previously agreed-upon plan to return to Z City together fell through.

Tang Ruoyao flew back to Z City alone.

It had been a year and a half since Tang Hanzhang's accident. Tang Ruoyao first visited her father in the hospital before taking a car home.

Jiang Xuezhen wasn't there—only Tang Fei was home. The ten-year-old boy was sitting at the dining table doing his winter break homework. Hearing the door open, he turned his head, jumped off the chair, and rushed toward Tang Ruoyao, calling out brightly, "Sis!"

Tang Ruoyao ruffled his soft short hair and bent down to ask, "Where's Auntie?"

Tang Fei replied, "She went out."

"What for?"

"To play mahjong."

"..."

Tang Fei asked, "Are you hungry, Sis?"

Tang Ruoyao was amused by his question. "Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?"

Tang Fei shook his head. "You came back from so far away, you must be tired and hungry."

Tang Ruoyao hummed and said. "I am hungry. What should we do?"

Tang Fei dashed into the bedroom. Tang Ruoyao stood by the door, watching as he pulled two ten-yuan bills from the bedside drawer before running back, panting. "Wait here. I'll go buy you something to eat."

Tang Ruoyao quickly grabbed the back of his collar. "No need."

If she really let a kid buy food for her, what kind of person would that make her?

Tang Fei tilted his head. "But you said you were hungry?"

Tang Ruoyao replied, "I can go out to eat myself."

Tang Fei thought for a moment, then packed away his homework, neatly placing his pens back into the pencil case. He straightened the hem of his padded jacket and said, "Alright, let's go."

"Go where?"

"I'm taking you out to eat," Tang Fei said, sounding like a little adult. "You haven't been back in so long, so you probably don't know where the good food is. I do."

Tang Ruoyao smiled, rewrapping the scarf she had draped over the sofa earlier. "Alright, let's go."

It was the d3ad of winter now, with a biting north wind howling outside. As the siblings walked along the road, Tang Fei suddenly reached out and grasped Tang Ruoyao's hand, checking if it was warm. Satisfied, he tucked his own back into his pocket, his eyes darting around.

Tang Ruoyao pretended not to notice, strolling along while admiring the scenery.

The house they lived in now was one Tang Hanzhang had bought when he first moved to Z City. The neighborhood was old, with peeling walls revealing mottled patches beneath. Messy cables crisscrossed overhead, and most of the neighbors were elderly. The entire area exuded a sense of decay.

Rumors said the place would soon be demolished, so everyone was holding onto their homes, waiting for the compensation payout—no one moving in or out.

The siblings walked through a narrow alley, where a chilly gust of wind made them both hunch their shoulders, burying their chins in their collars. Tang Fei, small and slight, was nearly blown backward by a strong gust, his eyes squeezed shut. Tang Ruoyao grabbed his arm to steady him, and Tang Fei sniffled from the cold.

Once out of the alley, they passed vendors selling hot snacks from carts. The sweet aroma of roasted sweet potatoes wafted through the air. Tang Ruoyao glanced down at Tang Fei. "Want some?"

Tang Fei shook his head and pulled her into a small clay-pot noodle shop by the street.

The shop was small but relatively clean. Tang Ruoyao pulled a long strip of paper from the tissue dispenser on the table and wiped down the surface and the stool. Since it wasn't mealtime yet, the landlady came over with a thick local accent and asked, "What'll you have?"

Tang Fei sat upright and said, "Two bowls of clay pot noodles—one beef, one pork. No ginger in the beef, no cilantro in the pork. The boss lady noted it down and went to the kitchen to relay the order to her husband.

Tang Fei propped his face in his hands, staring at Tang Ruoyao for a long time before grinning. "Sis, I think you've gotten prettier since you came back."

"..." Tang Ruoyao said, "How old are you, and you're already learning how to compliment girls?"

Tang Fei pouted. "I don't compliment anyone else."

Tang Ruoyao pinched his cheek.

Tang Fei instantly cheered up and asked her, "What's it like out there?"

"I'll take you to the capital someday."

"How's school? No one bullies you, right?"

"...Do you think I'm a primary schooler like you?"

"Hahahaha." The boy's laughter was bright and clear.

The boss lady brought out the noodles. Just as Tang Ruoyao reached out, Tang Fei had already unwrapped a pair of disposable chopsticks and handed them to her. Tang Ruoyao felt a strange twinge for a second before saying, "I'm the older sister here."

Tang Fei unwrapped another pair for himself, straightening his back. "I'm a boy. I should take care of girls."

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

Fine, let him have his way. It wasn't a big deal anyway.

Tang Ruoyao twirled a few strands of broth-soaked rice noodles and swallowed the steaming bite, warmth spreading through her body. As she lowered her head for a second mouthful, she heard Tang Fei ask mischievously, "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Tang Ruoyao stared at him, taking a deep breath.

Tang Fei sensed danger and buried his face in his bowl, not daring to say another word.

Tang Ruoyao had returned late to begin with, and by the time they finished eating, the city lights had already lit up. She called Jiang Xuezhen, saying she'd take Tang Fei out to buy clothes, then led her little brother to the bustling downtown area.

The city center was ablaze with lights.

Z City was one of the province's rapidly developing urban areas in recent years, with the new and old districts feeling like entirely different worlds. The fountain plaza was illuminated by rows of ground lights as Tang Ruoyao held Tang Fei's hand and walked into a large shopping mall.

Tang Fei had inherited Tang Hanzhang's genes—like Tang Ruoyao, he had long limbs and a natural model's frame. Not to mention his face, which earned him the nickname "little heartthrob" wherever he went. He looked good in anything.

Neither sibling enjoyed shopping, so they bought all the clothes they needed in one store. Tang Ruoyao then took him for dessert. She didn't eat any herself, instead pulling out her phone to snap a few photos of Tang Fei and sending them to Qin Yinong.

After that, she returned to the home screen.

Qin Yinong had mentioned that the production team would confiscate phones, so she'd be unreachable for a couple of days.

She placed her locked phone flat on the table, only to see Tang Fei's dark eyes darting mischievously at her. "Were you texting your boyfriend?"

Tang Ruoyao ignored him.

Tang Fei took a bite of pudding and said, "The girls in my class all have that same look when they text their boyfriends."

Tang Ruoyao finally spoke. "What exactly are you observing at school?"

Tang Fei shrugged. "Just stuff. But I study hard—I came in first on the final exams."

Tang Ruoyao asked, "What reward do you want?"

"Tell me if you have a boyfriend."

Unsure if he'd understand, Tang Ruoyao tested the waters. "Do you know what homos3xuality is?"

Tang Fei gave her a look that said, "Who do you think you're looking down on?" and replied, "A while ago, our school organized a trip to the art museum. While we were queuing at the entrance, we ran into a Pride parade. They even handed out rainbow badges—I still have mine in my pencil case. Want to see it? I thought it was super cool."

"..." Since that was the case, Tang Ruoyao saw no reason to hide anything and admitted frankly, "I have a girlfriend now."

"Is she pretty?"

"Very."

"If you're planning to get married, you must bring her to meet me first." Tang Fei said seriously.

Tang Ruoyao couldn't help but poke Tang Fei's forehead.

The two watched another movie, and Tang Ruoyao snapped a photo of the ticket stubs to send to Qin Yinong before taking a taxi home. The streetlight in the alley was broken, and with no stars or moon tonight, it was pitch black. The swaying tree shadows looked like eerie ghosts. Tang Ruoyao turned on her phone's flashlight to light the way, feeling Tang Fei grip her arm tightly.

She wrapped an arm around him, silently adding buying a house to her plans. She could ignore Jiang Xuezhen, but not Tang Fei. Winters in the south were damp and bitterly cold. The air conditioner in the old house was only in the master bedroom, and they were used to saving electricity, so they only turned it on in the summer. The only heating device was a small electric heater. The house was damp and colder than outside. When she got home today, she noticed Tang Fei had developed red, swollen frostbite on his ears and fingers.

Jiang Xuezhen was watching TV in the living room, the volume blaring. Seeing Tang Ruoyao walk in with bags in hand, she paused mid-bite of a sunflower seed and said, "You're back."

"Auntie, I bought you a scarf while I was out." Tang Ruoyao said, placing one of the bags on the coffee table.

Jiang Xuezhen immediately set the seeds aside and hurried to the mirror in her room to try it on.

The scarf was made of high-quality cashmere, soft and luxurious—something Jiang Xuezhen had never owned before, especially after Tang Hanzhang's accident. Even her mahjong games had become smaller, with her old partners unwilling to play with her. She couldn't put it down.

After admiring herself in the mirror for a while, she carefully folded it and noticed the receipt inside. Her eyes lit up, and she rushed back to the living room to ask, "Did you strike it rich?"

Tang Ruoyao figured she couldn't hide the house purchase from Jiang Xuezhen, so she replied, "I filmed two dramas and earned some money."

"Filmed dramas?" Jiang Xuezhen suddenly remembered a neighbor asking her one day, "Is your daughter a celebrity now?" At the time, she had thought, What daughter? Let alone a celebrity! So that was it...

Her heart burned with excitement as she pressed, "Are you a big star now?"

Tang Ruoyao removed Jiang Xuezhen's hand from her shoulder and said flatly, "No."

Jiang Xuezhen wanted to keep questioning her, but Tang Ruoyao claimed she was tired and wanted to shower and sleep. Jiang Xuezhen followed her to the bedroom door. "If you become a big star, you can't just abandon us!"

Tang Ruoyao didn't respond.

Jiang Xuezhen returned to the living room with a beaming smile, already calculating her future gains.

Tang Ruoyao sent Qin Yinong a "good night" message but tossed and turned in bed, unusually unable to sleep. She got up, turned on the light, and browsed Qin Yinong's fan page to see if there were any candid photos.

Unexpectedly, a notification popped up at the top of her screen.

Qin Yinong, who was supposed to have surrendered her phone, sent a message: [Good night]

Tang Ruoyao immediately typed back: [!]

Qin Yinong replied, surprised: [You're still awake?]

Tang Ruoyao: [I couldn't sleep because I missed you.]

Qin Yinong: [Oh, I see. You're just lu$ting after my body. [See-through-everything eyes.jpg]]

Tang Ruoyao had to admire her ability to tease her anytime, anywhere. She typed back provocatively: [Yes, I'm lu$ting after your body. Aren't you lu$ting after my hands? Or maybe my tongue?]

Qin Yinong was caught off guard by the counterattack. Sitting on the cold staircase steps, her heart raced as she clutched her phone, unsure how to respond.

Tang Ruoyao didn't engage in flirtatious banter with her—after all, she couldn't see or have her anyway. [Didn't you say your phone was confiscated?]

Qin Yinong replied: [I begged and pleaded with the production team to let me online for an hour. It was so hard.]

Tang Ruoyao imagined Qin Yinong running around begging people and felt a pang in her heart. She typed: [Really?]

[Just kidding. Do I need to beg anyone?] Qin Yinong chuckled silently as she typed. [Actually, it's not that strict. A lot of people got their phones back. It's fine since we're not filming right now.]

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a flicker of movement. Qin Yinong looked up and saw the red light of a camera blinking straight ahead.

Author's Note: 

Maybe someone can guess why Sister Qin suddenly joined a reality show?

Who wouldn't want to see Sister Qin in a reality show? If you do, leave any comment or just scream in the comments section—Aaaaaaah!

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