CHAPTER 284: Qin & Tang Extra 58
Qin Lunong pondered for a moment before saying, "We can discuss that later. So, dear in-law, you agree to their marriage, then?"
Tang Hanzhang replied, "..."
'What a clever use of concession to gain ground!'
Even though Tang Hanzhang had decided to agree to the marriage, he still felt a pang in his heart.
He nodded and said, "Yes."
Qin Lunong smiled faintly and said, "Then let's now discuss the matter of who marries into whose family. If I remember correctly, you also have a son, don't you? Surely, your son will need to marry in the future, right?"
Tang Hanzhang realized that dealing with Qin Yinong's sister required throwing dignity out the window—otherwise, he'd be completely overpowered. So, he cast aside all restraint and didn't hesitate to throw Tang Fei under the bus: "That's not necessarily true."
Qin Lunong's smile stiffened slightly for a moment before quickly returning to normal. "What do you mean by that?" she asked.
Tang Hanzhang adopted a solemn expression and said earnestly, "Social norms are different now. Marriage and children aren't mandatory life paths. I won't force Xiaofei to follow the conventional route. He can stay single, choose to be child-free, or even—" He glanced at Tang Ruoyao with a gentle look, "—like his sister, choose a same-s3x partner. Who knows, maybe he'll be the one marrying out in the future."
Qin Lunong: "..."
This in-law of hers was no pushover.
Tang Ruoyao struggled hard to suppress her laughter.
Had her father been influenced by Qin Yinong and learned to be shameless, too?
Qin Lunong thought for a moment and said, "Dear in-law, saying that is a bit of a cop-out. Since Xiaofei is still young and his future is uncertain, according to the theory of probability, his chance of marrying and having children is far greater than remaining single and child-free."
Tang Hanzhang thought to himself: 'Bullsh!t. Do you think I don't understand probability theory?'
But on the surface, he remained refined. "Let's not dwell on hypotheticals. Doesn't your family have a daughter with the surname Qin?"
Qin Lunong remained unruffled and smiled. "Indeed, we do."
Tang Hanzhang: "The Qin family already has a bloodline secured. For the sake of fairness, it's only right that your sister marries into our Tang family."
If Tang Hanzhang could sacrifice Tang Fei, Qin Lunong could just as easily throw herself under the bus. "I'm currently a single mother. If I meet the right person in the future, I might remarry. If both my daughter and I leave the Qin family, my mother would have no one to care for her in her old age."
Ji Shulan silently sipped her soup.
Tang Hanzhang smiled. "The in-law's sister is speaking of uncertainties again."
Qin Lunong curved her lips. "Then let's discuss what each family can offer. Marriage should elevate the quality of life for both parties. Ruoyao is still a student. If my sister marries her, the only way to avoid lowering her standard of living would be to bring all her assets along."
A flash of insight crossed Tang Hanzhang's eyes.
Qin Lunong suddenly felt a sense of unease.
Tang Hanzhang smiled deeply. "In-law, you make an excellent point. I feel the same way."
Qin Lunong: "???"
Tang Hanzhang continued, "Ruoyao is still young, not mature enough, and hasn't even completed her studies. She's not yet ready to take on the responsibilities of a family."
Qin Lunong narrowed her eyes. "So your suggestion is...?"
Tang Hanzhang said solemnly, "Let them get engaged first. Wait until she completes her studies and her career is stable, then let them marry. As for who marries whom, the in-law can decide then. I will have no objection."
Both were his precious daughters, so Tang Hanzhang didn't care about who married whom. Qin Yinong had entered society early and spent so many years in the most complicated circle. Her experience and knowledge were miles ahead of Tang Ruoyao's. If she had mali!ious intentions, ten Tang Ruoyaos wouldn't be enough to match her. Matters of the heart were deeply personal, only those involved could truly understand. He wouldn't interfere with Tang Ruoyao's choices, but he hoped she would reach a more mature age before making such a significant decision about her future.
Not recklessly settling the course of her life at an age when she should be focusing on her studies.
Qin Lunong also felt Tang Hanzhang made a valid point, so she raised her glass and said, "Then we've..." reached a consensus.
Before she could finish, Qin Yinong, who had been quietly eating, suddenly straightened up and interrupted, "I disagree."
Tang Ruoyao's lips parted as if she wanted to speak, but Qin Yinong beat her to it, so she temporarily closed her mouth.
Qin Yinong pulled out a napkin, meticulously wiped her lips, folded it, and placed it on the table. Under the perplexed gazes of Tang Hanzhang and Qin Lunong, she said seriously, word for word, "I will marry into the family. We will get married as soon as she graduates."
Tang Ruoyao: "I also—"
Qin Yinong's other hand pressed down on hers under the table, silencing her before she could speak.
The private room fell completely silent.
......
After the gathering, everyone went their separate ways.
Qin Yinong saw Tang Hanzhang and Tang Ruoyao off into the car back to the hospital, then returned to the private room to fetch Qin Lunong and Ji Shulan.
As soon as she entered, she saw Qin Lunong sitting with her arms crossed, exhaling heavily. "Are you that eager to marry?" she said.
Here she was, singing Qin Yinong's praises, and what did her sister do? Casually declaring, 'I will marry in,' handing all the initiative to the other side. What would Tang Hanzhang think of her? What if he assumed their family was too casual about such matters?
Qin Yinong said, "Isn't it the same?"
Qin Lunong retorted, "Don't play dumb with me. What's the harm in waiting two more years after she graduates?"
Qin Yinong replied, "I'll d!e."
Qin Lunong: "..."
Qin Yinong fetched the coat hanging nearby for her and said, "To be honest, from the moment we got together—no, from the second I realized I loved her—I've wanted to marry her. If it weren't for her being in school all this time, why would I have waited until now? If I have to wait even after graduation, I might as well just k!dnap her from the Tang family."
Qin Lunong rolled her eyes. "Thank you for not saying that at the dinner table earlier."
Qin Yinong brought two fingers to her forehead in a salute. "You're welcome."
Qin Lunong stood up and put on her light jacket. "Forget it. The goal of today was achieved anyway—to discuss your marriage. I don't care when you get married."
Qin Yinong offered a flattering smile. "I'll still need my big sister to officiate the wedding."
Qin Lunong snorted. "Hmph." She turned to support Ji Shulan's arm. "Let's go. Time to go home and sleep."
Qin Yinong hurried ahead to open the door for them.
......
In the hospital room.
Tang Ruoyao had taken a shower in the restroom and was lying on the family's accompanying bed, her back to Tang Hanzhang, typing on her phone.
Qin Yinong: [How did your dad react?]
Tang Ruoyao: [No particular reaction. He hasn't spoken since we left the private room. He just went to bed.]
Qin Yinong: [Were you about to say you'd marry me earlier?]
Tang Ruoyao: [Yes, but you stopped me.]
Qin Yinong: [If you tell him, your dad will definitely think again: What kind of **potion did I give you to make you so devoted?]
Tang Ruoyao shamelessly replied, [Then when you said you wanted to marry me, was that you being devoted to me?]
Qin Yinong: [Can't you tell whether I am or not?]
In the hospital room, a spherical bedside lamp on Tang Ruoyao's side cast a warm yellow glow, filling the space with a delicate and tender light. Tang Ruoyao felt as if she were right there, hearing Qin Yinong's low, alluring confession whispered in her ear.
Her heart suddenly skipped a heavy beat, and even the tips of her ears grew hot.
Seeing no reply for a long time, Qin Yinong sent another message: [Fell asleep again?]
Tang Ruoyao's flushed face and racing heart turned into embarrassment.
[Not yet.]
[Good night.]
The two messages appeared simultaneously.
Qin Yinong retracted the "Good night" and typed, [Why aren't you replying?]
Tang Ruoyao was too embarrassed to admit that even after being together for so long, she could still be teased from afar. She avoided the question and said, [We won't be able to meet this week either.]
They usually met on weekends. If Qin Yinong had work, it would be postponed to the following weekend. In truth, their chances to meet weren't many. Especially for a couple in the honeym0on phase, where a day apart felt like years, they often went two or three weeks without seeing each other—rounded up, it felt like decades. Every time they reunited, they wished they could melt into each other's very bones.
Qin Yinong: [I'll visit you at school next week.]
Tang Ruoyao: [That's not the kind of meeting I meant [facepalm].]
Qin Yinong, seeing the first part of the message, wondered what other kind of meeting there could be. Then she noticed the emoji and understood.
A slight smirk curled Qin Yinong's lips as she typed, [The kind of meeting where we see each other below?]
Tang Ruoyao buried her face in the pillow, silently screaming twice before lifting her head to type, [Hehehe.]
[System message: Tang Ruoyao has retracted a message.]
Qin Yinong: [Huh?]
Tang Ruoyao grumbled, [It's all Wen Shuxian's fault. She's always going 'hehehe' in the dorm, and now it's rubbed off on me.]
Qin Yinong: [Hahahahaha.]
Qin Yinong: [It's fine, it's kinda cute.]
Tang Ruoyao: [Is she cute or am I cute?]
Qin Yinong: [You're cute. You're the cutest in the whole world.]
Tang Ruoyao: [I'm sleepy.]
Her hand relaxed, her eyes closed, and she was instantly asleep.
Qin Yinong: [Good night.]
The next day was Sunday.
Spring flew by, blending into early summer.
Qin Yinong was invited to attend a fashion week in Europe. Before her flight took off, she sent Tang Ruoyao a photo of the airport sky. Tang Ruoyao replied with a picture of green trees outside her window, a red-necked bird perched among the branches, chirping away.
Qin Yinong: [Envious.]
Tang Ruoyao: [I'll be waiting for you at home.]
Qin Yinong: [Okay.]
Tang Ruoyao went out to pick up Tang Fei, and the family of three had breakfast together in the hospital room, peaceful and warm.
After the meal, when Tang Ruoyao was about to check Tang Fei's homework, Tang Hanzhang said, "Let me do it."
The education system in City Z differed quite a bit from the capital, especially in English. Tang Fei needed time to adjust, but he was making rapid progress. From being at the bottom of his class when he first arrived, he had already climbed to the middle, and by the end of the semester, he'd likely return to the top.
Being new and from out of town, coupled with the recent upheaval in his family, Tang Fei had grown somewhat withdrawn, usually quiet and reserved. Only around Tang Hanzhang and Tang Ruoyao did he show a bit more liveliness.
While Tang Hanzhang checked his homework, Tang Ruoyao asked him about school life—how his teachers were, whether anyone bull!ed him.
Qin Yinong had arranged for Tang Fei to attend a school where she had connections. Through these connections, she asked the homeroom teacher to keep an eye on him, ensuring everything was taken care of meticulously. Tang Fei was doing well at school, but whenever Tang Ruoyao looked at him, he seemed to have something on his mind that he hesitated to say.
Tang Ruoyao ruffled his short hair and asked, "What's wrong?"
Tang Fei lowered his head and mumbled, "My midterm results came out."
Tang Ruoyao: "Mm, so?"
Tang Fei glanced up at her quickly before looking down again, silent.
Tang Ruoyao frowned, then suddenly realized. "Is there a parent-teacher conference?"
Tang Fei nodded.
Tang Ruoyao cupped his face in both hands and lifted it. "Is there something you can't tell me about the parent-teacher conference? Why are you so scared?"
"Nothing." Tang Fei instinctively tried to lower his head again, but Tang Ruoyao held him firmly, forcing him to meet her gaze. "I can just tell the teacher that it's okay if a parent doesn't come."
Tang Hanzhang couldn't move easily, and Tang Ruoyao was so busy and a celebrity. He didn't want to bother them.
Tang Ruoyao pinched his cheek, her eyes threatening. "What did you just say? Say it again."
Survival instincts made Tang Fei quickly backtrack. "I didn't say anything."
Tang Ruoyao pinched his other cheek. "Good. Remember that. When's the conference?"
Tang Fei's cheeks were flushed, but he grinned. "Next Saturday."
"Alright," Tang Ruoyao clapped her hands. "I'll go."
Tang Hanzhang added, "Let your sister go this time. By the next one, I should be better and can attend."
Tang Fei excused himself to the bathroom and didn't come out for a long time. When he did, his eyes were faintly red—traces of tears.
Neither Tang Hanzhang nor Tang Ruoyao mentioned it, instead discussing plans to visit the park that afternoon.
The adults were moving forward, and the child was learning to grow up.
The experience that time grants us is never to look back on the paths we've taken.
Qin Yinong attended a fashion week, and her fan community updated with many new photos. Tang Ruoyao saved them all, changing her wallpaper to a new one each day. She changed Qin Yinong's WeChat nickname to "Child Bride" and sent a screenshot to her. Qin Yinong, ever the quick learner, one-upped her by changing Tang Ruoyao's nickname to "Fiancée"—clearly desperate to get married.
Qin Yinong once again hinted—subtly or not—at wanting to join the 405 group chat. After consulting her three roommates, Tang Ruoyao added Qin Yinong to their dorm group.
Wen Shuxian: [Hehehe, hehehehe]
Cui Jiaran: [Welcome! 🎉]
Fu Yujun: [Welcome! ] 'Why didn't she add Assistant Guan as well?'
Qin Yinong: [🎉 Wishing you prosperity and great fortune]
Wen Shuxian clicked instantly: [🙏 Thank you, boss!]
Qin Yinong: [🎉 Wishing you prosperity and great fortune 🍊]
Qin Yinong: [🎉 Wishing you prosperity and great fortune 🍊]
She sent ten in a row.
Then Qin Yinong typed her first message in the group: [Treating you all to candy]
Wen Shuxian couldn't stop grinning.
[Teacher Qin, you're too kind! My luck's bad—can you send me a private red packet?]
Qin Yinong tapped Wen Shuxian's profile picture, smoothly navigating to add her as a friend.
[ilovetry requests to add you as a friend], note: "Qin."
Wen Shuxian clutched her phone and screamed so loudly she nearly triggered all the motion-sensor lights in Building 26.
Carefully, she resisted hitting "Accept" right away—first taking a screenshot, then finally pressing the button.
[System Notification: You and ilovetry are now friends. Say hello!]
Qin Yinong: [Wishing you prosperity and good fortune]
Wen Shuxian clicked to receive the red packet and sent a "Thank you, boss" sticker. Then, with a blissful smile, she peacefully slumped onto the table and slowly "passed away."
As the first person to witness the real deal firsthand, Wen Shuxian was determined to be the wildest shipper. She asked Qin Yinong if she could post the screenshot of adding her as a friend on Weibo, to which Qin Yinong happily agreed.
After all, you couldn't add someone as a friend just by knowing their WeChat nickname.
Wen Shuxian V:
[How did I, Xiaowen, ever deserve this? Qin Yinong actually added me first! [Screenshot attached]]
In Dorm 405, Tang Ruoyao had already gained fame, Fu Yujun was starting to make a name for herself, and although Wen Shuxian's idol drama hadn't aired yet, she had shot a ton of commercials. Thanks to Tang Ruoyao's popularity, she wasn't completely unknown either.
Her post went viral, attracting a flood of netizens in the comments.
["ilovetry" — I Love Tang Ruoyao? I'm kicking over this bowl of dog food!]
[Luring us in every day just to feed us dog food]
[Someone please nail my coffin shut, thanks [peaceful.jpg]]
[Xiaowen, got any more? Any more? Spill the tea!]
[Are you the legendary CP fandom leader?]
[Tell me, which shipper wouldn't envy Wen Shuxian? The CP I ship is my roommate, and my roommate's wife even added me as a friend. AHHHHHH]
[Hey big shot, do you write fanfics? I'll tip you]
Wen Shuxian replied to the above: [Nah, nah, fanfics can't compare to the real deal LOL]
Guan Han gave this post and reply a like using her alt account.
The Dorm 405 group chat was buzzing, easily hitting 99+ messages.
Qin Yinong sat in a Parisian café, one hand holding down her wind-tousled long hair while the other scrolled through the backlog of messages in the group.
Wen Shuxian: [OMG OMG OMG! My flight was delayed, just landed, sprinting to campus now! Am I late? Did the prof take attendance?]
Cui Jiaran: [Yep]
Wen Shuxian: [Did you cover for me?]
Cui Jiaran: [The prof knows you [eye roll]]
Wen Shuxian: [[bursts into tears]]
Fu Yujun: [I told the prof you weren't feeling well and were resting in the dorm. Doesn't seem like you were marked absent. Just act a little weak when you come in]
Wen Shuxian: [Fu, you're the best! You're my favorite dad! Mwah!]
Tang Ruoyao: [How much longer till you get here?]
Wen Shuxian's typing speed matched her age—fast and full of nonsense, quickly flooding the screen.
Qin Yinong chuckled.
In the group chat, Tang Ruoyao was as reserved as usual, chiming in only occasionally. But seeing them discuss professors, assignments, reserving library seats, and what to eat at the cafeteria made Qin Yinong feel like they were truly living together, not separated by an ocean.
It almost made her feel young again.
Qin Yinong had originally planned to return to China early, but some matters delayed her, forcing her to stay a couple more days.
In the blink of an eye, another weekend arrived—time for Tang Fei's parent-teacher conference.
Early in the morning, Tang Ruoyao got ready, took several full-body photos in front of the mirror, and sent the best one to Qin Yinong. With the time difference, it was 2 AM in Paris.
Qin Yinong clicked open the photo and saw Tang Ruoyao wearing delicate, understated makeup, dressed in a white shirt with wide-leg pants, her dark hair cascading down her back. Her outfit was casual yet formal, exuding the poised and gentle aura of a mature woman.
Qin Yinong stared at the photo for a long time, saved it with a long press, then typed a few words in the message box with a smile. Glancing at the time displayed in the notification bar, she deleted them one by one without sending.
If Tang Ruoyao found out she was still awake, she'd be in for a scolding.
Suddenly, the words "typing..." appeared at the top of the screen.
Qin Yinong's heart skipped a beat.
The next second, Tang Ruoyao's message popped up:
[I just saw you typing. It's 2 a.m. and you're still not asleep? Did you think deleting it would stop me from knowing?!]
Tang Ruoyao was getting bolder by the day, yet Qin Yinong inexplicably enjoyed being bossed around by her.
"Can't sleep," she sent in a voice message, her tone coquettish.
Tang Ruoyao was checking her bag to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything. She played the message on speaker, the woman's sweet, teasing voice sending a shiver down her spine. She put on her earbuds to listen again, then grabbed her bag and left the walk-in closet, deciding to call directly.
"Why can't you sleep?"
"Thinking of you." Qin Yinong murmured, sitting at the head of the bed, twirling a strand of light chestnut hair that had fallen over her shoulder.
"Hmm."
"That's all you have to say?" Qin Yinong pouted.
Tang Ruoyao glanced at Tang Fei, who had just walked up and was now standing in front of her. Her expression stiffened slightly as she lowered her voice. "No."
Qin Yinong: "Then what is it?"
Tang Fei stared at his sister with innocent, wide eyes.
Tang Ruoyao pressed a hand to her earbud and whispered into the phone, "I can't talk right now."
Qin Yinong could already guess from her reaction that someone was nearby. But instead of hanging up, she softened her voice further. "I want you."
Her room was spacious and empty, just her alone in the large space. The lingering, breathy rise of her voice echoed in the room before traveling through the phone, carrying an entirely different kind of suggestion.
Tang Ruoyao's legs nearly gave out. She braced a hand against the doorframe and hissed, "Stop messing around."
Qin Yinong laughed inwardly but let out a needy whimper. "I'll take care of it myself. Just say something dirty for me, okay?"
Tang Ruoyao: "..." Her breathing grew uneven. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to banish the ind3cent images flooding her mind, and replied in a husky voice, "When you get back, we'll..." She pushed the door shut in front of Tang Fei, leaning her back against it as she pleaded, "Baby, please spare me. I just changed and I'm in a hurry to leave."
Qin Yinong burst into laughter.
"Go ahead. I'll sleep soon and call you when I wake up."
"Okay," Tang Ruoyao said. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight. Kiss me."
"Mwah."
Tang Ruoyao hung up, tucked away her earbuds, took a deep breath, and reopened the door.
Tang Fei blinked. "Were you talking to Sister-in-law?"
Tang Ruoyao: "Sis...ter-in-law?"
Tang Fei nodded. "Dad told me to call her that."
Tang Ruoyao's lips twitched. "Dad's amazing."
"You're amazing too," Tang Fei suddenly said, puckering his lips at her. "Mwah."
Before Tang Ruoyao could react, the little rascal bolted out the door.
By the time she snapped out of her daze, she realized—he'd been mocking her.
"You little brat, get back here!"
The door slammed shut behind them. Tang Ruoyao cornered Tang Fei by the elevator. He darted left and right, but couldn't escape his sister's clutches, his tender cheeks suffering ruthless pinching.
Tang Fei clutched his reddened face, shrinking into the corner of the elevator.
Tang Ruoyao commanded, "Come here."
Tang Fei inched along the wall, sliding a little closer.
He asked, "Are you this fierce to my sister-in-law, too?"
Tang Ruoyao replied, "Of course not."
Tang Fei said pitifully, "Can't you be as gentle as spring to your brother?"
Tang Ruoyao smiled brightly. "Yeah, but you'll soon find out why the flowers are so red."
Tang Fei: "..."
So this was the legendary "forgetting your brother once you get a wife"? He was no longer his sister's favorite child.
Tang Ruoyao was now somewhat famous. She wore a black mask on campus, covering the lower half of her face below the bridge of her nose. But her tall, upright posture and striking demeanor still drew plenty of attention.
Tang Fei quickly pulled her along to his classroom—Grade Five (1).
Several class leaders, dressed in school uniforms and wearing bright red scarves, were serving drinks and fruit to the parents who had already arrived.
Tang Ruoyao went to the podium to sign in and said to a girl who appeared to be the class monitor, "I'm Tang Fei's sister."
The little monitor replied, "Hello, I'm Fang Jinse, the class monitor."
Following the little monitor's lead, Tang Ruoyao took her seat and gave Tang Fei, who was standing outside the door, a playful wink.
Tang Fei had made significant progress since starting school, and the homeroom teacher singled him out for praise. Sitting among the parents, Tang Ruoyao felt the weight of their gazes but kept her back straight, swelling with pride.
Inside the classroom, Tang Ruoyao removed her mask. The elementary school students recognized her and began chattering excitedly in the hallway.
"Isn't that Tang Ruoyao?"
"Who's Tang Ruoyao?"
"Qin Yinong's girlfriend! How do you not know this?"
"Whose parent is she?"
A class leader who had been in the classroom earlier answered, "She's Tang Fei's sister."
"Huh? Where's Tang Fei?"
Tang Fei, who had been standing apart from the crowd, was called over by his classmates and quickly surrounded.
"Is Tang Ruoyao really your sister?"
Tang Fei gave a slight nod.
"Can you get me her autograph? I'll bring a poster tomorrow!"
"I want one too!"
"And me, don't forget me!"
The parent-teacher meeting concluded successfully. Tang Ruoyao rescued a flushed Tang Fei from the swarm of elementary schoolers. It wasn't until they were far away that the redness in his face finally began to fade.
Tang Ruoyao glanced at him sideways. "Your face is so red—do you have a crush on someone in your class?"
Tang Fei, who had just regained his normal complexion, instantly turned red again—this time out of anger.
Tang Ruoyao patted his head. "At least wait until middle school to start dating. And be safe."
Tang Fei jumped up and shouted at her, "I was just hot! They all crowded around me! For so long!"
They were still on campus, and his loud voice drew curious looks from passersby. His good looks and the presence of his sister, who was always the center of attention wherever she went, ensured that the stares lingered.
The siblings hurriedly lowered their heads and left the school, climbing into the car their driver had parked by the roadside. Once inside, they burst into laughter.
Everything was falling into place, and fate was turning its gears in the direction they had hoped for.
When Tang Ruoyao returned to school on Monday, she received news that Qin Yinong would be giving a lecture there in three days. Qin Yinong was returning to the country in two days, meaning she would come to the Capital Drama Academy to see Tang Ruoyao as soon as she landed.
Wen Shuxian dramatically collapsed onto her bed, giving a live performance of what it meant to "pass out from the sweetness" and "d!e on the spot."
Author's Note:
Wen Shuxian isn't just Wen Shuxian—she's the official spokesperson for all of you. Let's all learn from Wen Shuxian and chant together: Hehehe, hehehehe~
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