CHAPTER 277: Qin & Tang Extra 51
A trending post on the entertainment section of a certain forum.
Topic: [How did Qin Yinong perform in the first episode of "Traveling with My Sister"?]
1st floor: First comment dedicated to fans and haters. Trolls, don't reply.
2nd floor: This comment has been deleted.
3rd floor: I was skeptical when I heard Qin Yinong was in it, but now... well, the show's actually pretty good.
4th floor: Same here, it's unexpectedly good.
5th floor: Here she comes, marching in with her army of paid supporters!
6th floor: Can't you see the show is obviously promoting her? With her status, it's not like she needs the money. Clearly joining this reality show to whitewash her image, and it seems to be working [munching melon seeds emoji].
7th floor: Absolutely adorable! Off-screen, Queen Qin is independent and commanding, but in front of her sister, she's weak, pitiful, and helpless. Who wouldn't love her?
8th floor: As someone with sisters, this show feels like it's spying on my life. My younger sister and I bicker like this every day.
9th floor: I was grinning like an idiot watching them argue. My mom asked why I was laughing like a creep, and I said I've adopted two daughters online—both older than me.
10th floor: Did you install a camera in my house or something?
11th floor: Hope Qin Yinong can defeat her sister soon. Next time, try to last more than three sentences, hahaha!
......
Old tricks work if they're effective. Reality shows are a double-edged sword—some expose their flaws on camera, while others, like Qin Yinong, unknowingly reveal their fascinating personalities, not to mention her stunning looks that stand out even among celebrities.
But the speed at which she gained fans exceeded the expectations of An Ling and Qin Yinong's team.
Qin Yinong is methodical and has a natural talent for leadership. Most of the other female stars are laid-back, given their age (many in their thirties or forties, already established in their careers), with one even past fifty, serving as the group's mascot. Qin, however, is hardworking. Unlike those who fear saying the wrong thing and getting criticized, she doesn't hold back—after all, the combined criticism the others might face barely matches what she's endured over the years.
Gradually, she became the heart and soul of the group, stepping in to mediate conflicts and striving for harmony. She'd stay up past midnight planning trips, her notebook covered in colorful sticky notes—messy yet organized, a system she'd perfected despite surviving on just a few hours of sleep.
The cameras often captured her late at night, cross-legged on the floor, hunched over the coffee table with her iPad and travel guides, sipping coffee as she meticulously plotted their itinerary.
Comments flooded the screen:
[My heart aches for her.]
[Why is our baby working so hard? Mama's crying.]
[Go to bed early! Lack of sleep causes dark circles.]
[Off-topic, but how does her skin stay flawless despite all-nighters? That bare-faced morning look? Unreal. First time seeing a celeb whose natural look rivals her makeup—pure yet alluring.]
The camera slowly panned from her front to behind her, then zoomed in on her sticky notes. The editors suddenly added a caption: [Let's see what the award-winning actress has written.]
Viewers at home followed the shot to the densely scribbled notes. Many burst out laughing, some even slapping their desks in amusement.
[Gotta say, I've never seen handwriting this ugly before.]
[Am I seeing this through rose-tinted glasses? I think it's so adorable—those round, oversized, kindergarten-style characters. My heart is fluttering like spring right now.]
[Kindergarten-style is going too far! It's clearly at a first-grade level!]
Of course, there were also the inevitable haters:
[A proper celebrity, and you write like this? Embarrassing yourself in front of the entire nation, yet still bragging about it?]
Fans and casual supporters fired back:
[Is it a crime to have bad handwriting? Your fave can't even write properly and is a literal criminal. We love the kindergarten style—what's it to you?]
For most people, though, happiness was all that mattered. Beautiful calligraphy might earn admiration, but it couldn't bring the joy that Qin Yinong gave.
In the show, the sound effects suddenly shifted, turning eerie, as if from a horror movie.
The cameraman quietly panned toward the staircase, moving from the bottom up—revealing a pair of long, slender legs...
Comments exploded:
[Legs alone, and I know—it's Sister Lu!]
[Nope, the music gives it away—definitely the Devil Queen, Sister Lu!]
[Stop arguing, Sister Lu is in my bed right now.]
[If you had even a single peanut upstairs, you wouldn't be this drunk.]
[Is this my favorite sisterly bickering segment again?!]
The show revealed the answer.
It was Qin Lunong.
Dressed in a long sleepshirt with a jacket over it, she moved quietly through the living room and sat beside Qin Yinong, whispering, "Not done yet?"
Qin Yinong didn't look up, humming in response. "Almost. Why aren't you asleep?"
Qin Lunong said, "I woke up from my nap. I saw you weren't back yet, so I came down to check."
Qin Yinong reached for her coffee, only to find the cup empty. Setting it down, she continued scrolling through scenic spots and local info on her iPad. "Go back to sleep. I'll be done soon."
Qin Lunong tilted her head slightly, watching her with a gaze that was both focused and tender.
Comments went wild:
[Aww, I'm d3ad.]
[Sister Lu, look at me!]
[Sorry, but I'm lowkey shipping the forbidden route—sibling love is just too good.]
[Upstairs, please keep your ship to yourself. Don't bring it to public spaces.]
[Ugh, I hate how you shippers go crazy over everything. Can't there just be pure sisterly love in this world?]
Qin Lunong's eyes drifted to the empty coffee cup. She stood up.
The subtitles popped up: [Going back to sleep?]
But instead of heading upstairs, she walked to the open kitchen, rummaging through the cabinets.
Subtitles: [What is she looking for?]
The audience's curiosity was piqued.
Qin Lunong pulled out a can of coffee beans, took a small portion, and began grinding and brewing a fresh pot.
The show's audio softened, the scene turning warm. The editors added text in the blank spaces: [Even if we bicker every day, the warmth of family never fades.]
Rich, fragrant coffee dripped into the pot, steam curling upward.
Another subtitle appeared: [Just like this cup of hot coffee, made for you late at night.]
Comments turned emotional:
[I'm crying. What kind of heavenly sisters are these?]
[Maybe this is what real sisterhood looks like. Shedding jealous tears.]
[I don't just want a sister anymore—I want to have a pair of sisters! Watching them love each other, I'd be drowning in sweetness every day.]
[I miss my sister. Even though she always bullied me, she'd always share the best treats and fun with me first.]
[Missing my sister too +1, but she's married now. We'll never have those days again.]
Qin Lunong brought the coffee to Qin Yinong's side. Qin Yinong picked it up, took a whiff, and smiled. "Not bad at all."
Qin Lunong sat cross-legged, propping her chin with one hand as she raised an eyebrow and said, "Decades of craftsmanship, an authentic Chinese heritage brand—no joke here."
"Self-praise is no recommendation," Qin Yinong chuckled, her eyes glancing away while the corners of her lips remained curled.
Qin Lunong bared her teeth at her.
[D@mn, caught off guard! Qin Yinong's laugh just melted me!]
[Oh my god, how can someone's laughter sound so good? Screw "Qin the Kid," now it's "Qin the Top"! I wanna marry her!]
[Is Qin the Top trying to kill me with laughter so she can inherit my bank account?]
Qin Yinong glanced upstairs and said, "Hurry up and go to bed. Can your frail body even handle staying up late? Don't come crying to me if you're too sick to get up tomorrow—I won't carry you."
Qin Lunong shot back, "Why can you stay up but I can't?"
Qin Yinong frowned slightly. "Don't be difficult."
Qin Lunong didn't argue but refused to budge. "I'm much healthier than before. You do your thing, I'll browse some research papers online." She had requested a laptop from the production team and pulled up a webpage filled with English text.
Qin Yinong: "..."
The clock ticked on.
Qin Yinong downed the coffee beside her in one go, while Qin Lunong covered a yawn with her hand. "Done?"
"Mm," Qin Yinong replied.
Qin Lunong closed the laptop. "I'll wash the coffee cups. You tidy up the table."
3 a.m.
The two headed upstairs together and returned to their bedroom. Qin Lunong rummaged through her suitcase and pulled out a steam eye mask. Qin Yinong lay flat, put on the mask, and clasped her hands neatly over her stomach.
Qin Lunong turned off the light.
The camera cut to the silver moon hanging high in the sky, casting a serene glow over the ground as the chirps of unseen insects filled the grass.
Countless viewers echoed the same sentiment in the barrage of comments: Goodnight, sweet dreams.
With others, she was sharp-witted and effortlessly composed; with her sister, she bickered one moment and softened the next. It was these contrasts that shaped Qin Yinong into a vivid, multifaceted person—not just the labels slapped onto her: domineering, alluring, goddess, fox spirit, Queen Qin, or any other reductive stereotype.
She remained distant from the public, yet also close—close enough to feel like an intriguing friend by our side.
Qin Yinong's popularity skyrocketed as the reality show aired, with overwhelmingly positive discussions growing by the day. By the second episode, a well-known barrage-comment platform was flooded with compilations of the sisters' playful squabbles, along with clips of Qin Yinong frequently left speechless—officially cementing her place in the meme and parody community.
Most of Qin Yinong's scandals stemmed from her early career, a decade ago when print media hadn't fully declined and online platforms weren't as developed as today. Looking back now, some of those exaggerated tabloid reports—like a woman blaming her husband's infidelity on Qin Yinong for playing Daji, or linking natural disasters to her being a "reincarnated fox spirit"—seem downright laughable.
Someone meticulously compiled these old articles, and while netizens munched on the drama, many commented with tears of laughter: What kind of nonsense is this? But they'd never know how, back then, public outrage had swelled. Ignorant mobs had rallied to report her, demanding her ban for "seducing their husbands" simply because she played Daji. Rumors spread like wildfire, countless buckets of dirty water were dumped on her, and opportunists piled on when she was down. Now, all that was brushed off with a casual "so ridiculous it's funny."
What leaves the deepest impression on young people today is Qin Yinong's notorious romantic entanglements and endless stream of scandalous partners. Those with better memories might recall the explosive "s3x photo scandal" that once sent her career plummeting to rock bottom—all stains on her personal life.
Had a male star achieved the same level of success, his romantic escapades would merely be occasional embellishments. But for a female star, they become the dominant narrative in media coverage. Such is the unfairness of the world.
With the rise of gender equality awareness in the country, some among the younger generation have come to admire Qin Yinong, believing that as long as she never interfered in others' marriages or relationships, it didn't matter how many partners she had—in fact, they found her incredibly cool. Conservatives and progressives have been endlessly clashing over this issue.
But the problem is, Qin Yinong isn't the person the public makes her out to be, and she no longer wants to let this misunderstanding persist.
Sharp-eyed observers quickly caught onto the real purpose behind Qin Yinong's appearance on this show. Countless eyes in the industry were watching closely, eager to see what angle her team would take to rehabilitate her image.
By the third episode of the program, the guests held a pajama party.
That night, the top trending hashtag was: #QinYinong'sFatherD0mesticV!olence#
Clicking into the topic led to a clip from the pajama party.
When the conversation turned to fathers, the Qin sisters grew unusually silent. Qin Lunong reached over and squeezed Qin Yinong's hand, which hung limply at her side.
The mood of the late-night chat quickly turned somber.
When it was Qin Yinong's turn to speak, she merely smiled and said nothing.
Later, in Qin Lunong's solo interview, she revealed a previously unknown chapter of their past.
Qin Yinong had never spoken about her family since her debut, and almost all traceable information online had been scrubbed clean. The public only knew she was born in City A, Province Z, attended elementary, middle, and high school there, and entered the entertainment industry after being scouted following her college entrance exams.
Seated on the interview room's sofa, Qin Lunong said, "She was the youngest in our family, yet she bore the most. The year she was born, my father's business went bankrupt. He never recovered and stopped working altogether, spending his days drowning in alcohol. When drunk, he would take his anger out on the family.
"I was sickly as a child, constantly needing hospital visits for medication, so my father's rage fell mostly on my mother and younger sister—yelling, and in his worst fits, beating them. It was like he had some kind of manic disorder. When he hit my mother, I would hide with Qin Yinong, putting headphones on her so no matter how loud the chaos outside was, as long as we were together, it didn't feel as terrifying. I left for university at fifteen, leaving her alone to face it all. She was only twelve then.
"My studies kept me busy, and I rarely returned home, especially after going abroad—sometimes a year or more would pass without a visit. Had I known what she would endure, I would never have stayed away for so long just to save on a plane ticket."
"Qin Hongjian, also known as our father, never treated Qin Yinong as his daughter. In his eyes, she was nothing more than a cash cow. After my sister became famous, he constantly demanded money from her—wanting to buy villas and luxury cars. Later, he even developed a gambling addiction, bragging everywhere that he had a celebrity daughter. My sister had no money to spare. Her agency, Huiyue Entertainment—which I believe was later shut down for money laundering—was exploitative. She could barely cover household expenses, let alone satisfy Qin Hongjian's insatiable greed. He called her incessantly for money, and when she couldn't deliver, he sold her out to the media."
At this point, Qin Lunong's temple twitched with anger. "He shamelessly lied to reporters, claiming she had always been popular with boys since childhood, that different boys would walk her home every time, and that she was dating someone in the entertainment industry and planned to bring him home to meet the family."
"No one knows her better than I do. She barely had any friends in class, let alone male ones. She studied diligently every day just to catch up to me—her homeroom teacher even mentioned this in interviews. But because of Qin Hongjian's words, all her efforts to clarify the truth became a joke. She was condemned by everyone, too afraid to even lift her head in public. That year, she wasn't even eighteen yet."
Qin Lunong exhaled softly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Just because of a bl0od tie, Qin Hongjian's words became absolute truth? I refuse to believe no media outlet ever investigated the real nature of their father-daughter relationship. But why did none of them report it? Because they knew a story about a famous actress having a leech for a father was far less sensational than fabricated sc@ndals about her private life." She sneered coldly. "Otherwise, why would they still be digging up baseless rumors today, recycling the same old stories for clicks? Chasing headlines without caring about the truth—is this the conscience of the media?"
Qin Lunong clasped her hands together in front of the camera, steadying herself. "I'm sorry, I got a little carried away."
...
The few-minute interview video caused an uproar online.
First, it revealed Qin Yinong's upbringing. Second, it exposed the truth behind the rumors that had plagued her years ago.
Countless gossip accounts posted: What do you think about Qin Lunong's statements in the interview?
Netizen 1: [No wonder a scientist like Qin Lunong would appear on a reality show—she's just here to whitewash her sister's image. [Vomit]]
Netizen 2: [Neutral observer here. Why was Qin Hongjian's word taken as undeniable truth years ago, but Qin Lunong's account is now dismissed as lies? Just because one came earlier than the other? Haven't we seen enough reversals in scandals?]
Netizen 3: [What a scumbag of a father. Get lost!]
Netizen 4: [What happened to that man in the end? Abus3rs deserve the worst!]
Netizen 5: [I believe Qin Lunong. My wife is always right.]
Netizen 6: [Because of your comment, Sister Lunong had to comfort me in bed for an hour. [Blushing]]
Amid the chaos of fans and haters clashing online—truth and lies muddled together—An Ling released the long-buried interview with Qin Yinong's high school homeroom teacher.
This video had been broadcasted on television, complete with a prominent station logo. It was an interview captured by the media right after she first rose to fame, so there was no possibility of it being fabricated.
In the decade-old footage, Qin Yinong's high school homeroom teacher faced the camera and said, "Qin Yinong? She was an exceptionally diligent student, always the first to arrive at school every morning. She was incredibly hardworking—so much so that she was entrusted with the keys to open the school gates."
"She was a bit introverted and didn't talk much with other classmates."
Netizens compared this interview with what Qin Hongjian had said shortly afterward and found glaring discrepancies.
There were also old interviews with neighbors. According to them, Qin Yinong had been a hardworking, sensible, and helpful child, well-liked by everyone. In contrast, they described her father, Qin Hongjian, as a lazy, irresponsible drunkard who often came home completely wasted—statements that aligned perfectly with Qin Lunong's account.
New interviews had surfaced as well. An Ling had long since arranged for the media to interview elderly residents of Hengjia Garden. Over a decade had passed, but because a major celebrity had emerged from their midst, many still remembered the Qin family's affairs vividly.
A white-haired elderly woman faced the interview camera and said, "Qin Hongjian? I remember him."
The reporter asked, "What kind of person was he?"
The old woman frowned, curled her lips in distaste, and replied, "Him? Always drinking. When he got drunk, he'd beat his wife and children. A real piece of work."
An elderly man spat on the ground at the mention of Qin Hongjian, his expression full of contempt.
"Useless himself, yet he went around spreading baseless rumors. His younger daughter—Qin Yinong—was such a sweet girl, and he ruined her life."
......
Right and wrong, truth and lies, were becoming clearer by the minute.
[Qin Yinong is so pitiful—not only was she exploited by her own father, but he also stabbed her in the back. It took ten years for the truth to finally come out.]
[How is a scumbag like Qin Hongjian still alive???]
[If the past was all lies, then what about everything that came after? Were those all rumors too? I'm so confused—why has Qin Yinong never spoken up about this?]
[Lately, watching the show, I've found Qin Yinong so adorable and sharp-witted. But knowing that behind all that cuteness lies such a painful past—this mom is crying like a tiger.]
Wen Shuxian was also crying like a tiger.
She had been binge-watching the variety show and had completely fallen for Qin Yinong. Following this massive online scandal from start to finish, she ended up reading a lengthy summary post and burst into tears in her dorm.
Sniffling, Wen Shuxian pressed a tissue to one eye and turned to Tang Ruoyao, who was sitting at her desk browsing the same webpage. "Is everything online true?"
Tang Ruoyao replied, "Yes."
Wen Shuxian burst into loud sobs, hugging a random book she had grabbed as she wailed, "My poor baby has suffered so much."
Tang Ruoyao, who had recently been demoted from daughter-in-law to grandchild in Wen Shuxian's bizarre family hierarchy, stepped out of the dorm and called Qin Yinong.
The moment Qin Yinong picked up, she teased lazily, "Miss me?"
Tang Ruoyao murmured a soft "Mm."
Qin Yinong huffed playfully, "That's so half-hearted. I'm unhappy now." But her tone made it clear she was anything but.
Tang Ruoyao cut straight to the point. "Did you join the reality show for this?"
"For what?"
"The stuff online. I saw it."
"Oh, that." Qin Yinong wasn't quite sure how to explain. "It's the fastest and most effective method." The line was so quiet from Tang Ruoyao's end that she could barely hear her breathing. An inexplicable unease crept into Qin Yinong's heart, and her voice softened. "Do... you not like it when I do this?"
She couldn't understand why Tang Ruoyao might dislike it. Whenever Tang Ruoyao seemed off, Qin Yinong would reflexively examine herself, wondering if she had done something wrong, ready to accept the consequences. For instance, Tang Ruoyao had been particularly jealous lately, which meant Qin Yinong's waist had borne a much heavier burden.
Tang Ruoyao remained silent.
Qin Yinong: "Don't ignore me." She threatened lightly, "If you keep ignoring me, I'll come to your school to find you."
Tang Ruoyao: "Okay."
Qin Yinong was taken aback: "What did you say?"
Tang Ruoyao spoke more clearly this time, almost enunciating each word: "I want to see you."
Qin Yinong: "Now?"
Tang Ruoyao repeated, "I want to see you, Qin Yinong." This time, her voice carried a choked sob.
Qin Yinong's heart immediately twisted in distress. "Don't cry," she said. "I'll be right there."
Qin Lunong sat on the sofa, watching with practiced indifference as Qin Yinong rushed downstairs, the hem of her coat fluttering like a gust of wind as she swept out of the house. Moments later, the headlights of a car illuminated the courtyard before speeding out through the iron gate.
Ningning was still awake. Qin Lunong pinched her daughter's cheek and said, "Your aunt has no conscience. Don't you dare learn from her."
Ningning blinked her big eyes, only half understanding.
Qin Lunong pinched her other cheek and added, "What I mean is, don't forget about your mother once you get married, understand? You little thing."
Ningning didn't understand but giggled and threw herself into her mother's arms.
Tang Ruoyao changed her clothes behind the curtain and descended the stairs. "I'm going out." she announced.
Her devoted fan, Wen Shuxian, brightened. "To see my daughter?"
Tang Ruoyao paused. "...Yes."
Wen Shuxian waved her off. "Go ahead, go ahead. Do you want us to walk you to the school gate?"
Tang Ruoyao shook her head. "No need. It's still early." It wasn't even nine yet.
Qin Yinong parked the car in their usual spot. Just as she turned off the engine, Tang Ruoyao emerged from the shadows behind a tree and tapped on the window. Qin Yinong, who hadn't noticed her earlier, was startled as she had been texting her at that moment.
A message popped up on her phone: [It's me. Open the door.]
Qin Yinong unlocked the car, and Tang Ruoyao slipped inside, bringing a chill with her. Qin Yinong turned up the heat and reached for Tang Ruoyao's hands to warm them—only to find that Tang Ruoyao's hands were warmer than her own.
Qin Yinong: "..."
Embarrassed, Qin Yinong tried to pull her hands back.
But Tang Ruoyao held on tightly, wrapping her palms around Qin Yinong's cold fingers to warm them.
They sat apart, their gazes lingering in silent affection, and drove wordlessly to the house at Wangyue Mountain.
The moment they stepped inside, Tang Ruoyao wrapped her arms around Qin Yinong's waist, holding her fiercely, her chin resting on Qin Yinong's shoulder. Struggling to free one arm, Qin Yinong tossed the car keys onto the shoe cabinet by the entrance.
With her other hand, she gently patted Tang Ruoyao's back and asked softly, "What's wrong?"
Tang Ruoyao clenched her teeth, the sound audible.
Listening to it, Qin Yinong thought, 'Are you going to bite me?'
Sure enough, Tang Ruoyao bit down lightly on her shoulder before releasing her embrace. She then led Qin Yinong to the living room sofa and sat her down. Her voice slightly hoarse, she asked, "Did you take that reality show because of me?"
Qin Yinong's eyes darted away.
She had vaguely addressed this before—she had admitted it was for Tang Ruoyao, but Tang Ruoyao had seemed upset. How should she answer this time?
Tang Ruoyao said, "Tell me the truth. I won't be angry."
Qin Yinong nodded, watching her expression carefully. If things took a bad turn, she was prepared to deploy her charm as a distraction.
Tang Ruoyao took a deep breath, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Why?"
"Because..." Qin Yinong brushed her thumb against Tang Ruoyao's cheek, catching a stray tear with tender care. "I didn't want you to become just one of my countless rumored flings. I wanted you to be my one and only."
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