CHAPTER 291: Qin & Tang Extra 65

On graduation day, Qin Yinong's proposal scene was captured by countless entertainment media, racing to upload it online in a bid to get ahead.

Soon, it hit the trending searches: [Qin Yinong Proposes to Tang Ruoyao at Graduation Ceremony]

Instantly, it exploded across the internet.

Entertainment Blog V:

[Breaking! At the Capital Drama Academy 2014 graduation ceremony, Qin Yinong publicly proposed to Tang Ruoyao! On-site video from the front [Video Link]]

In the live video, since a special guest was presenting awards to the student representatives, the stage was intentionally cleared in the center for the two of them. It was clear to see Qin Yinong handing a certificate to Tang Ruoyao and adjusting her tassel. Up to this point, everything seemed normal, just giving off a warm, pink bubble of sweetness on stage.

However, Qin Yinong's next move dropped a heavyweight bombshell in the hearts of those present and the viewers online.

The camera zoomed in for a close-up as Qin Yinong pulled something shiny from her suit pocket and gently placed it on Tang Ruoyao's left ring finger. Since the cameraman was a bit far from the stage and neither of them had a microphone, all that could be seen was Qin Yinong's lips forming the words: "Let's get married."

This was clearly a surprise prepared without Tang Ruoyao's knowledge. She stood there stunned for a few seconds, and then, amidst the audience's almost deafening screams, she leaped into Qin Yinong's arms.

[kswlkswl I'm dead, I'm alive, I'm gone, I'm incoherent, I'm so happy I could disappear from the world]

[Ahhhhhhhhhhh I screamed so loud the whole neighborhood needs hearing aids to live]

[Hardcore proposal]

[True graduation means getting married, Qin Yinong, you live up to your name]

[A coffin can no longer satisfy me, I step into the grave, I transform into a Terracotta Warrior, I bring my army to live and die together]

[So excited I can't speak, a fairy tale romance]

[I don't even know whether to envy Qin Yinong or Tang Ruoyao]

Wen Shuxian felt lightheaded, her brain lacking oxygen, and immediately fainted. Cui Jiaran pinched her philtrum, pulling her back to reality just in time.

Wen Shuxian laughed like the village fool: "Hehehe, hehehehe."

Guan Han, as a personal assistant, stood on the left side of the stage, the path Qin Yinong took to go on and off stage. Fu Yujun was also among the outstanding graduates; taking advantage of the commotion, she quietly moved a bit closer to better observe Guan Han's expression.

The graduation ceremony almost turned into a dog slaughtering event.

Fortunately, Qin Yinong was mindful. After hugging Tang Ruoyao for a while, she took her off the stage, allowing the annual school event to continue.

On graduation day, Tang Ruoyao stole the spotlight. Afterward, wherever she went with her roommates, she felt like a monkey being watched. She had to pretend that the gazes of others didn't exist and calmly took photos as if her heart were still as water.

She didn't take off her graduation gown until the evening, and Qin Yinong became even more... well.

In short, it made Tang Ruoyao very happy.

Then came the wedding.

Qin Yinong had been preparing for this wedding for at least six months. Insiders Lin Ruohan and Ji Yunyao, both of whom treated buying a house like drinking water, began to "argue" over who would provide the wedding venue. In the end, Ji Yunyao offered up her private island in the Pacific that she had purchased.

K.O

Lin Ruohan: "..."

'Fine, you win.'

If it weren't for the increasingly hot weather and the time needed to arrange guests after sending out the invitations, Qin Yinong would have almost wanted to take Tang Ruoyao straight from her graduation ceremony to their wedding ceremony without a single day's delay.

Not only did Qin Lunong roll her eyes at her, even Lin Ruohan found it unbelievable.

"Seriously, why are you in such a hurry to get married? It's not like she's going to run away."

Standing by the window in the study, Qin Yinong gazed at the sunset-stained clouds in the distance, her eyes carrying a hint of confusion she hadn't even noticed herself. She pressed her lips together and said, "I don't know either. It just feels like I've been waiting for this day for a very long time."

"How long? It's only been a year since the engagement, hasn't it?"

"Longer than that." Qin Yinong replied.

"Do you have other secrets?"

"I don't know," Qin Yinong murmured, frowning. Outside the window, a white mist began to rise, enveloping the flower-filled garden in its haze.

It was five in the evening—normally, there shouldn't be any fog at this hour.

"What fog?" Lin Ruohan seemed to have heard her muttering, but her voice coming through the phone sounded distant, as if separated by mist.

Qin Yinong closed her eyes, her pupils shifting beneath her lids. When she opened them again, the garden was as usual, bathed in the glow of the setting sun.

She lowered her gaze to the hand holding her phone.

With her other hand, she pinched the soft flesh on the inside of her forearm. Her eyes flickered, and she slowly withdrew her hand.

......

Three months later.

White waves crashed against the shore's rocks, the breeze was gentle, and the sky was a clear blue. Rows of playful footprints dotted the golden sand as helicopters continuously took off and landed on the island's grassy lawn.

A few days before the wedding, the couple, their families, and closest friends had already arrived on the island.

Amid the chirping of birds, Wen Shuxian changed into her swimsuit and dashed joyfully toward the beach. Cui JiarAn chased after her, scolding her for being improper, yet her body betrayed her words as she joined in the fun.

Fu Yujun strolled leisurely at her own pace, while Tang Ruoyao walked hesitantly at the back, covering the opening of her swimsuit with her hands.

Qin Yinong smiled and urged her, "Go play with them."

Tang Ruoyao asked, "What about you?"

Qin Yinong replied, "I'll go chat with the others."

Tang Ruoyao said, "Why not ask them to come swimming too?"

Qin Yinong raised an eyebrow. "If they join, you'll be teased to death." As the saying goes, a three-year age gap creates a generation divide. Qin Yinong's friends were mostly older than her, some even a dozen years older than Tang Ruoyao and her friends. If they really let loose, the youngsters wouldn't be able to handle it.

Tang Ruoyao hesitated. "Then..."

Qin Yinong cut her off. "No 'then.' You go have fun first. I'll come get you later."

"...Alright." Tang Ruoyao could only nod.

Qin Yinong took her hand away and pressed a kiss to the valley between the soft peaks of her swimsuit.

Caught off guard, Tang Ruoyao blushed furiously, her toes curling in embarrassment, turning as red as a lobster.

Her cheeks burning, she whispered, "There are people..."

Qin Yinong glanced at the three roommates already far ahead and said, "Who?"

Tang Ruoyao peeked at Guan Han, the silent statue beside her.

Qin Yinong said, "Oh, she doesn't count."

Guan Han kept her eyes down, feigning indifference.

Tang Ruoyao stood on her tiptoes and brushed a fleeting kiss against Qin Yinong's lips before turning and running off. The tied strings of her swimsuit fluttered in the wind, tempting someone to pull them loose with a teasing finger.

Qin Yinong chuckled, reining in her beastly thoughts as she turned to walk back.

Just then, Qin Lunong came out looking for her and called from a distance, "Fresh flowers have been delivered again. Come take a look."

Qin Yinong jogged over. "Coming."

Qin Yinong had prepared everything meticulously, personally overseeing every detail—the flowers, the cake, the wine and champagne for the day. To preserve the novelty of walking the red carpet with Tang Ruoyao, she even had Lin Ruohan and Ji Yunyao act as stand-ins for a rehearsal to iron out any issues.

Lin Ruohan: "???"

Ji Yunyao shrugged. "I don't mind."

Little Ningning stood beside them, clapping her hands happily.

Ji Yunyao strode over and scooped Ningning into her arms.

"Payment." she said.

Lin Ruohan: "Are we a family of three now?"

Qin Lunong: "???"

The rehearsal site erupted in waves of laughter.

Under the high sky, a flock of white seagulls took flight from the sea, soaring into the heavens.

The wedding day dawned with the brightest sunshine. October 10th—auspicious for marriage.

The azure sky was dotted with colorful balloons, the cake on the table exuded the sweet aroma of cream, and glasses of champagne were stacked on the drink tables like exquisite works of art.

All the guests arrived in formal attire.

Since both the Qin and Tang families had daughters, they decided to forgo the traditional bride-and-groom roles after discussion. There was no father giving away his daughter to another; instead, the two walked the red carpet together, passed through the wisteria arch hand in hand, and entrusted their lives to each other under the witness of family and friends.

After getting ready separately, each was escorted by their bridesmaids to the open-air ceremony venue.

At the starting point of the red carpet, Qin Yinong saw her young bride.

Tang Ruoyao held a bridal bouquet, her head slightly bowed. The white veil draped down, obscuring her face, leaving only a soft, dreamy outline and the elegant curve of her slender neck.

Qin Yinong also held a bouquet and stepped forward to meet her.

"Is it you?" Qin Yinong asked.

"..."

"Ahem." One of the bridesmaids couldn't suppress a laugh and quickly disguised it with a cough.

"Is it you?" Qin Yinong insisted stubbornly.

"It's me." Tang Ruoyao replied softly, her cheeks burning. Fortunately, the veil hid her face from view.

Hearing her lover's familiar voice, Qin Yinong broke into an uncharacteristically goofy grin, though it lasted less than a second before she expertly schooled her expression.

With a slightly sweaty palm, Qin Yinong took Tang Ruoyao's hand, clad in lace gloves.

She whispered into Tang Ruoyao's ear, "This doesn't feel as nice as your bare hand."

Lao Jiang, the guest officiant, cleared his throat lightly—more teasing than reprimanding—and said, "No private whispering during the ceremony."

The crowd burst into laughter.

Hand in hand, Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao stepped onto the red carpet as the orchestra began playing the "Wedding March." A pair of exquisitely dressed flower children—a boy and a girl—followed behind, scattering petals along the way.

Amid the fluttering blossoms, the two walked side by side through the arch, bouquet in hand, under the admiring gazes of their guests, until they reached the end of the red carpet.

There stood their eagerly waiting families.

On Tang Ruoyao's side were Tang Hanzhang in his wheelchair and Tang Fei.

For Qin Yinong, it was Qin Lunong, Ji Shulan, and the couple Han Yuping and Liang Shu.

Tang Hanzhang, like every father giving his daughter away, turned his face aside with reddened eyes, holding back his tears. Tang Fei, less restrained than the adults, had been wiping away tears incessantly since Tang Ruoyao began walking down the aisle.

Tang Ruoyao, moved by the atmosphere, also felt her eyes grow slightly moist.

On the other side, the mood was entirely different.

Qin Lunong nudged her younger sister's shoulder in exasperation, sighing deeply. "Can you tone down the grinning a little?"

Qin Yinong's lips curled even wider, utterly unable to suppress her joy, her smile radiant.

Qin Lunong said, "You're getting married now. You'll have your own family, and you and Tang Ruoyao will be each other's closest companions for life."

Beaming, Qin Yinong nodded eagerly. "Mhm, mhm, I'll take good care of her."

Qin Lunong silently reminded herself: 'No hitting people at weddings.'

With a huff, she spared Qin Yinong's life.

Ji Shulan patted Qin Yinong's hand gently. "Live well together."

Han Yuping's laughter creased his face like pleated dumpling skin. Not one for sentimental words, he left that to his wife. Liang Shu took Qin Yinong's hand, studying her for a long moment before finally letting out a soft sigh, her eyes filled with reluctant pride. "You've grown up."

Qin Yinong's ever-present grin faded as she nodded solemnly.

She embraced Liang Shu first, then Han Yuping and Ji Shulan, and finally Qin Lunong.

Qin Lunong held her tightly for a long time, whispering in her ear, "You... must take care of yourself."

Startled by the sudden tremor in her sister's voice, Qin Yinong straightened, wanting to see if she was crying, only to be shoved back toward the center of the aisle. Qin Lunong, red-eyed, barked at her, "Hurry up and get married!"

Tears glistening, Qin Yinong laughed.

Tang Ruoyao had also finished her farewells, careful not to let her tears fall and ruin her makeup.

The two exchanged a smile, hand in hand as they stepped onto the stage.

They made their solemn promises in front of Old Mr. Jiang and all their friends and family.

"Miss Qin Yinong (Tang Ruoyao), do you take Miss Tang Ruoyao (Qin Yinong) to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"Yes, I do."

"Whether in sickness or in health, in joy or in sorrow, in prosperity or in poverty, until d3ath do you part, will you love her, honor her, and cherish her?"

"I do."

Under the blessing of Old Mr. Jiang and the witness of all present, they exchanged rings.

As Qin Yinong's hand touched the veil, a huge clamor erupted from the crowd: "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"

The two loudest were Lin Ruohan and Wen Shuxian.

Lin Ruohan yelled at the top of her lungs, "French kiss!!! Three minutes!!! You promised me!!!"

Qin Yinong internally chuckled slightly. She skillfully lifted Tang Ruoyao's veil. After a moment of deep eye contact, she slightly tilted her head and gently kissed her young lover's lips.

After a shallow kiss, she tried to pull back, but Tang Ruoyao raised her hand, wrapped it around the back of Qin Yinong's neck, and kissed her hard again.

Her lips were moist.

Qin Yinong's breath hitched, and her pupils contracted slightly.

The newlyweds passionately embraced and kissed on stage.

Lin Ruohan: "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

The audience: "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" Like a meeting in a chicken farm.

Everyone stood up and applauded.

Han Yuping's hands trembled. He didn't know whether to applaud or cover his eyes.

Even Old Mr. Jiang, who was in his seventies, was smiling widely.

The two separated, panting heavily, Qin Yinong's face flushed red, still dazed. Tang Ruoyao, who usually remained quiet, had stunned everyone by taking such bold initiative with Qin Yinong at the wedding, leaving their friends with an irreversible misunderstanding.

'So, the younger one was actually the dominant one.'

Lin Ruohan laughed hysterically, giving Tang Ruoyao enthusiastic thumbs-ups.

Tang Ruoyao smiled modestly and shyly, while Qin Yinong seemed intoxicated by the kiss, resting her chin on Tang Ruoyao's shoulder and clinging to her. Tang Ruoyao gently stroked the woman's head.

Their friends: "Ohhh~ Got it, got it."

The newlyweds descended from the stage, surrounded by well-wishers as countless photos were taken, each capturing their radiant smiles and gleaming white teeth.

Qin Yinong's face was stiff from smiling, yet she couldn't stop grinning. The resulting photos made her look utterly foolish, to the point where she wished she could destroy the evidence.

When they finally managed to find a moment alone, Qin Yinong whined, cupping her face in front of Tang Ruoyao, pouting like a child. "Rub it."

Tang Ruoyao covered her face with her palm, gently massaging her facial muscles.

The lace of the wedding gown became uncomfortable after prolonged wear, so they needed to change for the banquet toast. Tang Ruoyao guided Qin Yinong, who had been clinging to her like a koala since the kiss, to change inside.

After changing into a soft-fabric dress, Qin Yinong suddenly remembered something. "Have you seen my sister?"

Tang Ruoyao replied, "Isn't she outside?"

Qin Yinong walked over to button her dress and adjust the collar, tilting her head in thought. "I don't think I saw her."

Tang Ruoyao took her hand and kissed it. "We'll go look for her later."

Qin Yinong hummed in agreement, but an inexplicable, deep unease suddenly washed over her.

Abruptly, she reached out and gripped Tang Ruoyao's wrist tightly, as if clinging to something.

Tang Ruoyao looked at her with smiling eyes. "What's wrong?"

Qin Yinong shook her head. "Nothing." She lowered her gaze to the pale wrist in her grasp. "Your hand... why is it so cold?"

Tang Ruoyao followed her gaze and chuckled. "Maybe it's from the wind outside. It'll warm up soon."

"Really?" Qin Yinong stared at her—or perhaps through her—murmuring to herself.

Once both had changed, Tang Ruoyao gently caressed Qin Yinong's face with her thumb and said softly, "Let's go find your sister."

"Lunong? Haven't seen her."

"Nope."

"Wasn't she with you guys?"

Everyone shook their heads. Qin Yinong's expression grew visibly anxious until someone finally pointed in a direction. "I think I saw her heading toward the beach."

Qin Yinong sprinted toward the shore.

The cold wind whipped past her ears like knives, stinging her cheeks.

Autumn winds shouldn't feel like this.

Finally, she spotted Qin Lunong—dressed in a pure white gown, her figure frail, walking barefoot across the sand, step by step toward the sea. The waves crashed onto the shallows, receding quickly but leaving damp traces behind.

The water had already reached Qin Lunong's calves.

"Sister!" Qin Yinong screamed, her soul nearly leaving her body.

Tears suddenly streamed down her face.

"Don't..."

Qin Lunong turned back and gave her a gentle smile.

"Sister..." Qin Yinong wiped away her tears and walked over. Her first few steps were unsteady, but she soon steadied herself, slowly standing before her.

The two sisters faced each other.

The sea breeze lifted their long hair, and the world fell so silent it seemed only the two of them remained.

Qin Lunong looked at her, speaking slowly, word by word: "Be safe and happy."

The sky was vast and calm, like an eternal oil painting. Sunlight scattered over the two figures, and then Qin Lunong, like the Little Mermaid in a fairy tale, smiled and turned into a series of bubbles, drifting toward the sea, toward the distant, clear sky.

Qin Yinong looked up, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't hear the bustling wedding reception in the distance anymore. She saw the white mist again, spreading from beneath her feet, growing thicker and denser.

When she looked back at the path she had come, she could no longer find Tang Yaoyao's figure.

"Yaoyao," she called out, her voice echoing in the white mist.

"I'm here." The response came in a familiar voice—but not the youthful one she was used to. Instead, it was soft and clear, the voice of a mature woman.

"Yaoyao." Tears slid down the corners of her eyes, and the woman in her sleep called out again, her voice choked and hoarse.

The twenty-six-year-old Tang Yaoyao kissed away her tears, replying even more tenderly, "I'm here."

The white mist dispersed, the sunlight and bubbles vanished. The island shattered like a spiderweb-covered pane of glass, breaking into pieces with a crisp sound, never to be pieced back together.

Morning sunlight filtered through the white gauze curtains, illuminating the spacious master bedroom on the second floor of the Qin residence.

Qin Yinong slowly opened her eyes, tears still falling.

"Did you have a dream?" Tang Yaoyao sat by the bedside, her thumb gently stroking the corner of the woman's eye. At thirty-three, she smiled often these days, leaving faint lines at the corners of her eyes.

This morning, Qin Yinong had woken unusually late, a smile lingering on her lips as if lost in a beautiful dream. Tang Yaoyao hadn't had the heart to wake her, going downstairs to exercise in the gym and supervise Ningning's piano practice. When she returned, she found Qin Yinong crying—or rather, crying in her sleep.

Her sobs were restrained, then she softly called Tang Yaoyao's name.

Qin Yinong gazed at her beloved for a few seconds before her eyes shifted to the wedding ring on Tang Yaoyao's left ring finger, which had been there for two years. She gave a quiet hum, wrapping her arms around Tang Yaoyao's waist and burying her face in her embrace.

"A very, very long dream." All the regrets in the dream no longer existed—they had never wasted their years, always staying together, walking peacefully toward a happy ending.

Qin Yinong pressed her face deeper into Tang Yaoyao's chest, her voice muffled. "It should be counted as a beautiful dream."

Tang Yaoyao combed through her long hair, a smile playing on her lips. "I had a dream too."

"Hmm?" Qin Yinong lifted her head from her embrace, the rims of her eyes still red from crying.

"I dreamed we got together very early, and then at your university graduation ceremony, you proposed to me—putting the ring on my finger in front of everyone." Even after all these years together, Tang Yaoyao still felt a little embarrassed recalling it, rubbing the tip of her nose with her thumb. "Does that sound a little shameless?"

She saw Qin Yinong's mouth fall open slightly, her eyes filled with surprise.

Tang Yaoyao: "What's wrong?"

Qin Yinong wore a complicated expression and said, "I had the same dream. The exact same thing. We held our wedding on an island, a Western-style ceremony, with so many people in attendance."

Tang Ruoyao's eyes gradually widened, slightly excited: "And then at the start of the red carpet, you asked me, 'Is it you?'"

Qin Yinong: "..."

Why did she remember such silly details so vividly?

Qin Yinong asked her, "What happened next?"

Tang Ruoyao thought for a moment and said, "Later, you said you wanted to go find your sister, so I went with you. You held my hand and ran toward the beach, but suddenly you disappeared while we were running. I was so worried that I kept repeating in my dream, 'Wake up, wake up, wake up!' And then I woke up and found you still lying beside me."

Tang Ruoyao made a relieved expression, patting her chest as she said, "That scared me to death."

Qin Yinong was silent for a while before saying, "I miss my sister."

Tang Ruoyao bent down to kiss her forehead and said gently, "Today is the Qingming Festival. I'll go with you to visit her."

Qin Yinong burrowed into her warm embrace like a small animal, softly humming in agreement, her mood low.

Tang Ruoyao simply lay down and held her without moving, waiting for her to slowly recover from the dream. Only then did Tang Ruoyao get up to fetch the clothes she would wear that day.

Qin Yinong sat at the head of the bed, scrolling through the photo album on her phone. Among the recent records were photos from their second-anniversary trip, and from last year's birthday party for her thirty-second birthday, taken by Tang Ruoyao with her phone. In the photo, a bit of cream smeared on her cheeks and the tip of her nose by Lin Ruohan made her look somewhat comical, yet still gentle and lovely—it was the taste of happiness.

Qin Yinong slowly returned to the real world, gazing at those photos with a soft smile.

She got up to brush her teeth and wash her face, while Tang Ruoyao leaned against the doorframe watching her, her focused gaze no different from when they were passionately in love—still infatuated and fervent. When Qin Yinong finished washing her face, Tang Ruoyao handed her a towel and then leaned in for a kiss.

Tang Ruoyao wrapped her arms around Qin Yinong's waist, trapping her against the sink, their cheeks pressed close as they kissed endlessly.

Qin Yinong could no longer taste the mint of the toothpaste—only Tang Ruoyao's scent remained.

She couldn't help but laugh, lightly pushing Tang Ruoyao's shoulder as she said, "I want to eat breakfast."

"It's being kept warm," Tang Ruoyao replied quickly between kisses, once again capturing the woman's lips and silencing any further words.

She didn't do anything else, keeping it proper—just kissing her incessantly, as if it would never be enough. Perhaps it was the lingering effect of the dream, or perhaps... she was gradually approaching the age Qin Yinong had been back then.

Unable to hold out any longer, Qin Yinong raised the white flag in surrender: "I'm really hungry."

Tang Ruoyao reluctantly pecked the corner of her lips and led her out by the hand.

Qin Jianing had finished practicing the piano and was sitting on the sofa reading a book. Hearing footsteps on the stairs, she turned to look.

"Good morning, Mom, Mommy." the six-and-a-half-year-old girl said sweetly. She grew more beautiful with each passing year, her features clear and delicate, already taking on the appearance of a little beauty.

"Good morning, sweetheart." Qin Yinong replied with a smile.

Qin Yinong was led by Tang Ruoyao to the dining table, where she sat down and ate a bowl of porridge along with crystal dumplings, which Tang Ruoyao had perfected in her cooking.

Their daughter on the sofa stood up after finishing her book and walked over to them.

Only then did Qin Yinong notice that Qin Jianing was wearing a pure white dress, her black hair cascading loosely with only a matching hair clip, looking exceptionally simple and elegant. Tilting her head, the girl asked, "Are we going to visit Auntie today?"

Qin Yinong held back the surge of emotion in her eyes, reached out to ruffle her daughter's hair, and said gently, "Yes, we'll go see her together."

Author's Note: 

I remember mentioning in the chapter 242 notes when I decided to start Side Story 2 that this is not a parallel world. I didn't reveal the second half of the sentence back then because it contained spoilers: Time cannot turn back—this is merely a beautiful dream I've woven for Qin Yinong, where all unattainable wishes come true and all irreparable regrets are resolved.

But I never expected that the day I finally wrote this chapter would coincide with the real-world Qingming Festival. Perhaps it was fate.

For those who have the time to reread Side Story 2, you might notice the foreshadowing. The dream has ended, and it's time to return to a reality where regrets also hold their own beauty. See you tomorrow for the post-marriage extra chapter. Mwah~

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