Chapter 292: A Few Things After Marriage 1

"The drizzling rain falls like tears on the Mourning Day, The mourner's heart is breaking on the way.I ask, 'Where can I find a tavern fair?'The shepherd boy points to the Apricot Flower Village there." 

Qin Jianing, who would be starting elementary school in the second half of the year, stepped out of the car dressed in a pure white dress, white socks, and little leather shoes. She slipped her hand into Tang Ruoyao's warm palm.

Qingming Festival is a time for honoring departed loved ones. The flow of visitors at Ning'an Cemetery was much heavier than usual. Families clad in somber colors like black and gray stood quietly and solemnly before the tombstones, expressing their profound grief.

Qin Yinong, also dressed in black trousers and a top, held a bouquet of bird-of-paradise flowers in her arms. Taking Ningning's other hand, she led the way up the tall flight of steps.

The day was bright and clear, with not a cloud in the sky. In the distance, colorful kites dotted the horizon—a sight that seemed both out of place and strangely harmonious on this day of mourning.

Mourning and farewells are not truly for those who have passed on, but for the living left behind. They allow the living to move forward, preserving the departed in memory and remembrance. Forgetting is the true death.

The steps were long, but Ningning had grown much taller and no longer struggled as she once did. With both mothers by her side, she climbed without panting or flushing. A few steps before Qin Lunong's gravesite, she let go of their hands and dashed ahead to the tombstone.

"Big Mama, I've come to see you!"

Her clear, childish voice drew glances from the quietly standing families nearby.

Noticing their looks, Qin Jianing earnestly pointed to the black-and-white photo on the tombstone and introduced, "This is my Big Mama."

A nearby mourner replied, "...The one resting here is my birth mother."

Qin Jianing's expression turned solemn, and she bowed deeply to the stranger.

Somehow moved by the atmosphere, the stranger bowed back. When he straightened up, his eyes were brimming with tears.

Looking up at him sincerely, Qin Jianing said, "Your mother must have loved you very much."

The man, a middle-aged fellow in his forties, couldn't hold back upon hearing this—his eyes reddened instantly. No matter how old one grows, they will always be their mother's child. With a mother gone, one loses their origin.

As Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao approached side by side, they saw Qin Jianing standing before a man weeping freely, patting his arm and speaking to him like a little adult.

"Ningning?" Qin Yinong called out with a frown.

Qin Jianing turned around. "Mom!" She hurried over in quick steps and confessed frankly, "Do you have any tissues? I'm sorry, I made the uncle cry."

Qin Yinong: "???"

Qin Jianing took the packet of tissues Tang Ruoyao always carried, opened it, and handed one to the weeping stranger. He wiped his eyes and offered a gentle, refined smile. "Sorry for making a scene in front of the little one."

He then nodded to the two parents behind Qin Jianing.

Qin Jianing replied, "No, you haven't. My Mom often cries when she looks at Big Mama's photo too."

Qin Yinong: "..."

The stranger smiled again, picked up his briefcase from the ground, and bid the three farewell.

Qin Jianing stole a glance at Qin Yinong and slowly shuffled her feet, trying to hide unnoticed behind Tang Ruoyao. Compared to Qin Yinong, who often played the "strict father" role at home, Tang Ruoyao spent every day playing with her—part mother, part friend, and always her reliable shield.

The child was becoming more clever and sensible, occasionally mischievous, but Qin Yinong would never suppress her nature.

Qin Yinong placed the bird of paradise flowers before Qin Lunong's tombstone and remained crouched there.

In the photograph, Qin Lunong was forever twenty-nine, while the thirty-three-year-old Qin Yinong already had a faint wrinkle at the corner of her eye. Her sister would remain eternally young, her face unchanged.

Qin Yinong knelt silently before the grave for a while before speaking softly, "I'm four years older than you now. In the blink of an eye, you've been gone for six years. Time passes so quickly."

Tang Ruoyao's eyes reddened slightly, and she turned her face away, looking up at the kites printed against the blue sky.

Qin Jianing tightened her grip on her mother's hand.

A gentle breeze rustled by, and the woman's voice before the grave was soft and fragmented, as if she were chatting face to face with the person she missed.

She spoke for a long time, her emotions gradually shifting from sorrow to calm.

Tang Ruoyao turned her face back, quietly staying by her side.

Qin Yinong gazed at the black-and-white photo of Qin Lunong's gentle smile, then carefully retrieved a neatly folded piece of paper from the innermost compartment of her wallet. Slowly, she unfolded it. Tang Ruoyao glanced down and saw the faint, scrawled handwriting on the yellowed paper: "Su!cide Note."

Only those two words, nothing more.

Qin Yinong said, "I found this in your room's trash can after you left, crumpled into a ball. You must have been in so much pain back then that you couldn't even finish writing. Your handwriting was always so beautiful—if it weren't for the agony, how could it have turned out so messy?"

She lowered her head, fiddling with the note that had been tucked in her wallet for seven years, and continued, "Because of Tang Ruoyao, I've slowly come to accept your departure. But there's one thing I've never been able to let go of. You said you loved me the most, so why didn't you leave me even a single word?" Qin Yinong let out a self-mocking laugh. "You liar, full of deceit."

Tang Ruoyao crouched down and wrapped an arm around the woman's shoulder.

Ningning knelt on the other side, clinging tightly to one of Qin Yinong's arms.

Qin Yinong glanced at her wife and daughter, both wearing worried expressions, and reassured them, "I'm fine."

She lifted her head, her gaze settling once more on the unchanging face on the tombstone, her eyes filled with acceptance. "Last night, you visited me in a dream. I wonder if you, a devout materialist in life, ever imagined you'd send me a message after death. Whether you admit it or not, I finally understand what you wanted to tell me."

Peace and happiness.

A mountain breeze swept by. Qin Yinong stood up and declared, "I've achieved it. You can rest assured."

The woman in the black-and-white photo seemed to curve her lips into a faint smile.

Qin Yinong stepped aside.

Tang Ruoyao, as always, spoke briefly and earnestly, "Sister, I will take good care of her. Please rest assured. In five years, ten years, even a hundred years from now, I will be buried beside her, so she will never be alone."

Ningning, unaffected by the heavy atmosphere of the adults, plucked at the small weeds growing from the cracks in the stone before the tombstone and chattered quietly to Qin Lunong, "I recently finished memorizing all three hundred Tang poems. Mom says I'm very smart, but I'm still not quite as good as you were. Auntie, if you were still alive, I'd want to compete with you."

"I'm starting first grade this coming semester. Did you go to first grade, Auntie? Is studying very easy? Mom said you visited her in a dream—can you visit me in one too? In the dream, you're alive and well, and our whole family is together forever."

"I secretly overheard Mom and Mommy talking today. Mommy said Mom was crying again. I've discovered Mom is such a crybaby! Last time when I woke up from a dream and couldn't sleep, I went upstairs to find her and heard her crying in her room. The next day when I mentioned it to her, her face turned all red - how embarrassing! Poor Mommy though. When Mom cries from embarrassment, she even hits Mommy and blames her, but Mommy just keeps laughing."

Ningning sighed and said, "Adult world is so strange. As a kid, I really don't understand it."

...

Ningning pushed herself up from her squatting position, her knees sore and numb, saying, "That's all for today. If I pass my primary school entrance exam, I'll come visit you again."

The little grown-up Ningning turned around and stretched her arms toward Tang Ruoyao: "Mommy, carry me."

Qin Yinong teased, "How old are you? You're already taller than Mommy's waist - aren't you ashamed?"

"Not ashamed." Ningning made a pained face. "My legs hurt."

Qin Yinong pretended to squat down: "Let me rub them for you, we'll rest a bit before walking."

Ningning's bitter melon face grew even longer.

Tang Ruoyao stepped forward and picked her up. Ningning immediately wrapped her arms around Tang Ruoyao's neck, afraid that the cold-hearted Qin Yinong would peel her off.

Qin Yinong frowned, "Don't always spoil her like this."

Tang Ruoyao steadied her daughter in her arms and laughed, "It's not always! The last time I carried her was ages ago."

Qin Yinong reminded her expressionlessly, "Three days ago, after swimming in the pool, she made you carry her back to the house too." Couldn't do anything properly, but ranked first in being spoiled - this child had been utterly spoiled by Tang Ruoyao.

Ningning buried her face in Tang Ruoyao's neck, not daring to speak.

Tang Ruoyao said "Ah," feigning surprise, "Wow, it's been three whole days already?"

Qin Yinong's stern expression broke as she burst out laughing, then immediately tried to regain her composure, pretending to be angry, "Tang Ruoyao!"

Tang Ruoyao smiled sweetly, "Yes, dear wife?"

Qin Yinong, "You're really annoying." She shook off her hand and walked away first, but out of Tang Ruoyao's sight, her eyes curved into happy crescents.

Tang Ruoyao looked at the culprit Qin Jianing, "Mom is angry, what should we do?"

Qin Jianing grew anxious and started to raise her hand to bite her nails.

Tang Ruoyao coughed to stop her, "Don't copy your Aunt Wen's bad habits." Aunt Wen was Wen Shuxian. Since Tang Ruoyao had her precious daughter, all the aunties from room 405 adored her. They either visited the Qin residence bringing novel and delicate gifts, or when going out, would have Tang Ruoyao bring the girl along.

Truly the center of everyone's affection.

Qin Jianing, "I won't copy Aunt Wen." She cupped her hands around her mouth like a megaphone, "Mom, I was wrong! Please forgive me—"

The cemetery was empty, her voice echoing through the air.

I was wrong...

wrong...

ong...

Please forgive me...

forgive me...

me...

Nearby visitors, whether moving or still, all frowned and looked over. Seeing it was just a child, they gradually relaxed their expressions and looked away.

Qin Yinong stopped walking and turned back, "Tang Ruoyao!"

Tang Ruoyao looked confused, "How is this my fault again?"

Qin Yinong marched back, "Did you teach her that?" This time she seemed genuinely angry.

Tang Ruoyao, "..."

Ningning, "..."

Mommy is so pitiful, living under Mom's tyranny every day.

Qin Yinong turned to educate the little one in her arms, "Didn't Mom tell you? No making noise in public places."

Ningning drooped her head listlessly. "I'm sorry, I was wrong."

Qin Yinong's tone softened slightly. "Are you saying sorry to me?"

The little girl patted Tang Ruoyao's shoulder, signaling to be put down, then went to apologize one by one to the family members she had disturbed earlier.

Qin Yinong shot Tang Ruoyao a glance, her eyes clearly conveying blame. Tang Ruoyao did indeed spoil the child somewhat, having failed to educate her immediately. Knowing she was in the wrong, she also hung her head dejectedly.

Qin Yinong pinched her smooth cheek and snorted, "Don't let it happen again."

Tang Ruoyao looked up, surprised. "Huh?"

Qin Yinong pinched her again. "What do you mean, 'huh'? Have you forgotten how to speak?"

Tang Ruoyao muttered to herself, "If I say anything, I'll just get scolded again."

If her indulgence toward Qin Jianing was one part, then Qin Yinong's indulgence toward her was ten parts—spoiling her without any principles.

Qin Yinong asked, "What did you say?"

Tang Ruoyao flashed an utterly innocent smile. "I said I love you."

Qin Yinong: "...You're so annoying." Sweet talk came so easily to her now—the Tang Ruoyao who used to blush at the slightest romantic remark felt like a thing of the past.

Tang Ruoyao reached out and wrapped her arms around the woman's slender waist. Qin Yinong placed her hands over Tang Ruoyao's and nestled into her embrace.

Happiness was like a sprouting seed, watered bit by bit every day, growing strong and sturdy.

When Ningning returned, her soft little palm held three pieces of chocolate.

She pointed at a woman in black not far away and said, "That sister gave them to me. She said it was a reward."

Qin Yinong squinted to get a better look. The "sister" appeared to be in her fifties, with quite a bit of gray hair.

Qin Yinong confirmed with Ningning, "Sister?"

Ningning grinned mischievously. "Yeah, all girls are sisters." Earlier, she had called that woman "sister," and the woman had laughed so hard she couldn't close her mouth.

Qin Yinong: "..."

'Forget it.' Qin Yinong couldn't be bothered to correct her on such a trivial matter. As long as she didn't play with people's feelings in the future, it was fine. If she really grew up to be a flirtatious young lady... well, there was nothing she could do. At worst, she would kick her out to live independently, and then out of sight, out of mind.

Tang Ruoyao carried Ningning down the steps.

Ningning was, after all, six years old and weighed about forty pounds. Even though Tang Ruoyao lifted weights regularly, holding her for too long was still exhausting. The moment her breathing grew slightly unsteady, Qin Yinong said, "Let me take her."

Tang Ruoyao exhaled softly. "It's fine, I'm not that tired yet."

"By the time you're really tired, it'll be too late." Qin Yinong took their daughter from her arms and said seriously, "Your hands have other uses."

Tang Ruoyao stifled a laugh.

The little girl asked curiously, "What uses?"

Seizing the opportunity while the child was still too young to understand their teasing, the couple answered in perfect unison, "To scratch your back at night."

Ningning cheered, "Okay!"

Lately, the little one had developed a new habit—perhaps another thing Tang Ruoyao had indulged. She needed someone to scratch her back before bed to sleep more soundly. Now, with Qin Yinong telling her stories and Tang Ruoyao scratching her back at night, she was quite possibly the happiest child in the world.

Switching from carrying to piggybacking, the little girl enjoyed her ride on the "number 11 bus" all the way. When she was set down, she seemed reluctant for it to end and bowed politely. "Thank you, Mom and Mommy."

Qin Yinong & Tang Ruoyao: "You're welcome."

The family of three had lunch out. Both wearing baseball caps, Tang Ruoyao, with her sleeves rolled up and features gentle as a painting, served dishes for her wife and daughter. They were recognized by fans at the restaurant, who secretly took photos and posted them online.

Chisu Su:

[#QinTang Reign Supreme##TangQin Role Reversal# Ran into the Qin-Tang family of three [spinning.gif] Protecting the little one**, so the baby's face is blurred [image]]

Netizen comments:

[Even though they've been spotted together by netizens many times this year, I'm still so emotional. My CP is the sweetest in the world!]

[Has anyone noticed that every time they're spotted, they're almost always together? Occasionally with their daughter. Their relationship is truly amazing—I'm envious and shedding tears for this beautiful love.]

[Every time, I have to shout: What a goddess girlfriend Tang Ruoyao is! Always icy to others, but overflowing with tenderness for Qin Yinong.]

[I suspect the comment above is getting steamy [alert]]

[It's strange—when I look at them, I don't scream wildly like with other CPs. Instead, I feel a sense of peaceful, fulfilling happiness, even a bit teary-eyed.]

[+1]

[+10086 I love them, I love the family of three! I'm a family fan—may the trio be long-lasting, safe, and joyful!]

[Little brother: Today, I still don't deserve a name either [The fish cries and the water knows, but who knows I'm crying.jpg]]

[I'm a fan of the little brother's girlfriend [smirking.jpg]]

[By the way, after all this time, has anyone figured out how Qin Yinong's daughter came to be?]

This reply was attacked by many.

After Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao went public, Qin Yinong's four-year-old daughter became an unsolved mystery. Some said Qin Yinong actually had a husband; others claimed she became pregnant accidentally due to shady dealings and had to give birth, with the father unknown. Since being with Tang Ruoyao, Qin Yinong has been most wary of such baseless, slanderous rumors, directly issuing lawyer's letters and court summons as warnings. Gradually, no one dared to spread nonsense.

Another theory was that Qin Yinong went to a foreign sperm bank, leading to Ningning's birth. After all, with current technology, same-s3x female reproduction isn't yet mature. If the two wanted a child of their own, this method made sense and was understandable.

A reporter once publicly asked the Qin-Tang pair, but they stated no comment and that Ningning was their daughter, whom they would always love.

Netizens speculated wildly with creative theories, but as the two never responded, the topic gradually lost heat.

For those who genuinely liked them, where Ningning came from didn't matter—what mattered was their happiness. As for the gossip-loving netizens, if they weren't afraid of Qin Yinong's studio suing them, they could spread rumors all they wanted; court summons would arrive sooner or later.

So, under the netizen's post sharing the family photo, any inappropriate comments were deleted by fans who adored the trio.

Ji Yunyao liked this Weibo post.

Sihan (Four Cold Talent): [CP fan leader Little CEO Ji is here [dog head]]

Jiujiuyi (Nine to One): [Little CEO Ji caught red-handed browsing the family of three supertopic]

Jinzhaoleng (Cold Today): [Never thought a billionaire second-gen would fangirl over a CP just like us, losing her mind [doge]]

Mingyueji Shiyou (When is the Bright Moon): [Why didn't Little CEO jI eat with the family of three?]

Ji Yunyao coldly replied: [They didn't invite me.]

Yidadiaerdadia (One Tap Tap Two Tap Tap): [Little CEO Ji  is hurt]

830: [Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao, please treat Little CEO Ji to a meal. Look how pitiful the child is.]

Silly Veggie Seller: [830 Tang Ruoyao is a year younger than Little Ji hahahaha]

Ji Yunyao closed the Weibo account that had gained countless followers due to her top-tier rich second-generation halo ever since she revealed her identity to back up Qin Yinong. She dialed Qin Yinong's number: "Auntie."

Qin Yinong's voice was flat: "What's up?"

Ji Yunyao paused: "Can't I call you without a reason?"

Qin Yinong: "So, do you have something or not?"

Ji Yunyao: "...Yes."

Qin Yinong: "Then just say it. Get to the point."

Ji Yunyao's mischievous side emerged, and she started speaking in an exaggerated tone again: "Auntie, you're so cold to me."

Qin Yinong rubbed the goosebumps on her arm and said impatiently, "I'll give you three seconds. If you don't state your business, I'm hanging up."

"Three, two..."

"I'll talk!" Ji Yunyao immediately surrendered and obediently said, "Can I come over to your place for dinner?"

"Sure, why didn't you just say so earlier? So much nonsense." Qin Yinong said, "Hanging up. Leave work early. If you're late, I won't wait for you."

Ji Yunyao listened to the busy tone from the receiver: "..."

Ji Yunyao's current feeling was regret, deep regret. Originally, she had been secretly shipping the family of three, doing it so discreetly that even Qin Yinong only had a vague suspicion and couldn't be entirely sure. She never expected that one night after working overtime, perhaps due to exhaustion, her hands trembled and her vision blurred, accidentally sharing her super-topic check-in to her Weibo homepage.

It wasn't until the next day when she went to work and noticed the employees, who usually feared her like the plague, giving her strange and subtle looks. Ji Yunyao grabbed her secretary to ask and clicked open her own Weibo, which had already been shared widely.

Ji Yunyao: "..." 

Even the actual people involved had personally commented, probably after seeing the trending topics.

Qin Yinong: [Tch]

Tang Ruoyao: [...]

Ji Yunyao: Suffocating.

After that, Ji Yunyao just went with the flow—liking what she wanted, reposting what she wanted, almost turning into a battle fan to confront the haters.

She noticed that Qin Yinong's attitude toward her had changed again. If there had been some caution before, afterward it became more natural, and now it had reached the point where she would often be sarcastic, impatient, and hang up on her.

Qin Yinong appeared gentle and indeed was gentle, but with those she truly cared about, she would reveal a side unknown to others—like Lin Ruohan, who often found herself speechless after being roasted by her.

Ji Yunyao felt this int!macy of being included in her protective circle, painful yet joyful.

She experienced a precious happiness she had never known before.

Ji Yunyao left work on time and, under her secretary's astonished gaze, drove herself to the Qin residence.

The garden was blooming with vibrant colors. Ji Yunyao familiarly parked her car in the garage, turned off the engine, and got out carrying a briefcase with her laptop and a paper bag with a change of clothes, planning to also freeload a stay. Since she was already here, would they really kick her out?

'Plan successful.' Ji Yunyao couldn't help but smile.

She didn't head inside immediately but went into the garden first. Qin Jianing loved swinging on the garden's swing, especially during the sunset in the evening—nine times out of ten, she'd be there.

Qin Jianing was wearing a white dress, her jet-black long hair cascading over her shoulders, a white tiara hairband on her head, with her bangs swept back, revealing a smooth, full forehead and snow-white, translucent skin. Under the evening sunlight, she looked more like a princess than any fairy-tale princess.

"Ningning." Ji Yunyao's voice was exceptionally gentle.

"Sister Yaoyao!" Qin Jianing saw her and immediately planted her feet on the ground to stop the swing, then rushed over to her in a flying leap.

Ji Yunyao raised both hands holding her belongings, losing her balance as a child taller than her waist bumped into her, causing her to stagger back two or three steps before steadying herself.

Qin Jianing reached out to wrap an arm around her waist, looking up and asking, "Did that hurt you?"

Ji Yunyao smiled. "No."

Qin Jianing: "What are you holding?"

Ji Yunyao: "My laptop and clothes."

Qin Jianing nodded knowingly. "Mom said you'd definitely come over to crash here again today. She was right."

Ji Yunyao's smile slowly stiffened.

"I'm a kid, so I'll take the lighter one." She reached out to take the paper bag from Ji Yunyao's hand, then grabbed her now-free hand, saying, "Dinner's almost ready. Let's go inside and wait."

As soon as they reached the door, Qin Jianing called out loudly into the house, "Mom, Mommy, Sister Yaoyao is here! And she brought clothes to stay over at our place."

Ji Yunyao: "..."

That last part really didn't need to be said.

Qin Yinong was busy cooking in the kitchen, while Tang Ruoyao, hearing the commotion, had already stepped out and stood in the living room. She gave Ji Yunyao a polite but distant nod and said without warmth, "Have a seat. I'll go tidy up the guest room."

She had always been reserved and aloof, sticking to basic hospitality without unnecessary chatter. Ji Yunyao was used to it.

The colder Tang Ruoyao was toward her, the more Ji Yunyao felt the couple was worth shipping... Ahem, better stop that train of thought.

Ji Yunyao placed her briefcase by the side of the sofa and sat down, looking slightly uncomfortable.

Ningning said, "I'll get some water for Sister."

She was about 1.2 meters tall—not very tall, but her proportions were already excellent, with long legs perfectly inherited from her birth mother. When she ran, she was like a gust of wind.

That "gust of wind" swept into the kitchen. Qin Yinong turned to look at her daughter, who was clattering the water pitcher and cups, and felt a mix of emotions.

She used to be such a quiet child. What had happened over the past few years to turn her into this "wind-like girl"? If it was genetics, Qin Lunong wasn't nearly this lively. But then again, Qin Lunong's health had always been poor—maybe she wanted to be lively but couldn't muster the energy, except when she was hitting Qin Yinong, which seemed to bring out some hidden potential.

Qin Yinong managed to convince herself.

After pouring the water, Qin Jianing turned her head and said, "Mom."

Qin Yinong replied gently, "Hmm?"

Qin Jianing walked up to her and said, "Bend down."

Qin Yinong obediently leaned forward, resting her hands on her knees.

Qin Jianing pursed her lips and added, "Close your eyes."

Qin Yinong looked at her with a smile, her long lashes slowly lowering to veil her dark, jade-like eyes.

Then she heard her daughter whisper softly, word by word, into her ear: "I love you so much."

A warm, soft touch followed on her cheek. Qin Jianing picked up the water cup and left.

Qin Yinong straightened up, standing in place with a lingering smile.

This wasn't Ji Yunyao's first time crashing here. Besides, the Qin residence had frequently hosted friends over the past couple of years, with many staying overnight. The guest room was always kept clean and ready; all that was needed was a fresh set of bedding. Tang Ruoyao quickly finished tidying up and returned to the kitchen, where she found Qin Yinong smiling while stir-frying.

Not just a smile—it was an uncontrollable, wide grin.

Tang Ruoyao couldn't help but smile along. "Baby, what are you smiling at?"

Qin Yinong reached out a hand. Tang Ruoyao naturally passed her a plate from nearby. After plating the food, Qin Yinong came over and hugged her, burying her face in her lover's warm neck, still giggling.

"I don't know either. I just feel... happy."

Author's Note: 

May they always be happy.

The post-marriage extra chapters won't be very long or detailed—they'll likely jump around in time. But I'm terrible at naming chapters, so they'll still just be numbered 1, 2, 3... [kneels in self-disappointment]. Regarding this! specific! chapter! After leaving your comments [emphasis], if there's anything else you'd like to see, feel free to add it after your message.

There will be a separate side CP extra for Fu-Guan, which I'll write right after finishing this. No need to nominate Fu-Guan.

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