Chapter 293: A Few Things After Marriage 2

After the spring season began, the days grew longer. By past six in the evening, the sky outside was still bright, with the setting sun showing half its face and casting a rosy glow over the entire city. The last member of the Qin residence had also returned home.

"Why are you back so late today?" Tang Ruoyao asked the teenage boy entering the doorway as she set the table.

Tang Fei, now fifteen years old and standing 178 centimeters tall, had his school jacket casually tied around his waist. He wore only a white short-sleeved shirt and carried a black backpack. With fair skin and lips as pale pink as cherry blossoms in spring, he looked like a handsome youth straight out of a manga.

Leaning against the entryway while bending to change his shoes, Tang Fei replied, "I was on cleaning duty at school. The student assigned to take out the trash had something come up, so I did it for her."

Tang Ruoyao tilted her chin upward. "Go wash your hands. Dinner's almost ready."

"I'm covered in dust," Tang Fei said. "I'll just take a quick shower. It'll only take a few minutes."

"Uncle!" The youngest girl in the house dashed over like a gust of wind. Tang Fei stopped her advance by pressing a finger to her forehead and said gently, "Uncle needs to shower first. I'll play with you later."

Ningning looked up at him. "Okay."

Tang Fei nodded toward Ji Yunyao, who was sitting on the sofa. "Sister Ji."

Ji Yunyao acknowledged him with a slight nod.

Shifting his backpack to one shoulder, Tang Fei strode into his room with a few long steps.

Qin Jianing watched Tang Fei's retreating figure, then settled beside Ji Yunyao, naturally snuggling into her embrace. She sighed, "Uncle is so tall." Tang Fei was now the tallest person in the family.

Ji Yunyao said, "You'll grow taller too."

Ningning gestured with her hands as she spoke, "When I was this tall, Uncle was this tall. Now I'm this tall, and Uncle is that tall..." Her hand nearly reached toward the sky.

Ji Yunyao couldn't help but smile, the corners of her eyes crinkling.

"Ah," Ningning sighed.

She already understood the physiological differences between boys and girls and knew she likely wouldn't have a chance to surpass Uncle Tang Fei in height. All she could do was sigh.

Ji Yunyao ruffled her hair.

Truthfully, Ji Yunyao wasn't accustomed to interacting with six-year-old Ningning. She liked children—whenever a branch of the Ji family had a newborn, she would send a gift and occasionally play with them. But the oldest among them never exceeded four years. Once children grew older, they learned to read expressions, understand social niceties, and obey their parents to curry favor with her.

Ningning was the first child she would watch grow up, and that made her different. Perhaps she would see her go from six to sixteen, then twenty-six—get married, start a family, have children—and then prepare a generous gift for her child.

Ningning was clever. Though she couldn't outgrow Tang Fei, she could ride on his shoulders.

As Tang Ruoyao brought out the soup, she saw Tang Fei, freshly showered with damp hair, carrying Ningning. Ningning clung to his head with both hands, her legs hooked tightly in front of him.

Tang Fei was happily playing "horse" and was even smiling.

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

Ningning being spoiled to this extent was definitely not solely her fault—Tang Fei bore at least a third of the blame.

Grinning, Ningning looked down at Tang Ruoyao from over two meters up. "Mommy."

Tang Ruoyao gave her a thumbs-up and said, "Your Mom is about to come out."

At those words, Ningning's expression changed instantly. She immediately tugged Tang Fei's ear to have him put her down. Once she was steady on her feet, Tang Fei resumed drying his hair with a large towel.

Qin Yinong emerged after taking off her apron, frowning as she asked, "What are you all doing? Sneaking around like that?"

The three exchanged a knowing glance and replied in unison, "Nothing."

Qin Yinong glanced at Ji Yunyao, half-believing and half-skeptical.

Ji Yunyao, siding with the trio, flatly denied, "We were just chatting outside."

Qin Yinong said, "Come help carry the dishes."

Tang Ruoyao responded, "I'll do it." She had only carried the soup earlier.

Qin Yinong pulled her aside and said, "You've worked hard, let them handle it."

Tang Ruoyao stayed silent. After Ji Yunyao and the two younger ones went to the kitchen to fetch the dishes, she turned to Qin Yinong with a bright smile and asked, "How have I worked hard?"

Qin Yinong had done all the cooking; Tang Ruoyao had merely assisted.

Qin Yinong replied without batting an eye, "If I say you've worked hard, then you have."

Taking advantage of the three being crowded in the kitchen with their backs turned, Tang Ruoyao quickly leaned in and kissed Qin Yinong's cheek. Qin Yinong wanted to kiss her back, but just then, Ji Yunyao picked up a plate and was about to turn around.

She grabbed Tang Ruoyao's hand and swiftly pulled her into a guest room, closing the door behind them.

Ningning, who used to need to be carried, now climbed lightly onto her chair, looked around, and asked, "Where are Mom and Mommy?"

Ji Yunyao handed her chopsticks and said, "They probably went to wash their hands. Don't worry about them."

Ningning took the chopsticks and said, "Thank you." She sat quietly with her hands in her lap. "Let's wait for them to eat together."

Tang Ruoyao was pressed against the guest room door by Qin Yinong, her long lashes fluttering as she was kissed breathless, all while carefully ensuring no sound escaped to be heard outside—both sweet and torturous.

Her lipstick was completely smudged, and fixing it would take time, so she simply wiped it off.

When Ningning saw the Qin-Tang couple emerge from the guest room, she tilted her head and asked, "Did you go to the guest room to wash your hands?"

Qin Yinong, thick-skinned as ever, replied, "Yes."

Ji Yunyao noticed the faint blush on Tang Ruoyao's fair cheeks—a clear sign of their int!macy—and thought to herself, 'Tsk, tsk, they couldn't even wait until after the meal. They're truly inseparable.'

Qin Yinong had signed up Ji Shulan and Aunt Fang for a senior travel group, so they were away on a trip.

Now, only five people remained at the table. The half-grown teen, oblivious to the world, stood up to serve everyone soup.

Only innocent Ningning swung her dangling feet and asked, "Can we eat now? I'm hungry!"

Qin Yinong led Tang Ruoyao to their seats and picked up her chopsticks. "Yes."

Qin Yinong had noticed Ji Yunyao's teasing look earlier, so she decided to get back at her by bringing it up at the table: "Little CEO Ji, aren't you a year older than Tang Ruoyao? You must be twenty-seven now, right?"

Since both Tang Ruoyao and Ji Yunyao had "Yao" in their names, Qin Yinong referred to Ji Yunyao as "Little CEO Ji" when mentioning them together.

Ji Yunyao sensed trouble and buried herself in her meal, ignoring the remark.

Qin Yinong continued on her own, "Do you have someone you like?"

Ji Yunyao kept eating.

Qin Yinong pressed, "Any plans to find a partner? I have quite a few quality candidates to recommend."

Ji Yunyao lifted her head, leisurely wiping a stray smear of sauce from the corner of her mouth with a napkin. "No. I'm an anti-marriage person."

Qin Yinong said, "Being anti-marriage doesn't conflict with dating, does it?"

"It doesn't," Ji Yunyao replied. "But I don't want to. Given my personality, do you think I could unconditionally trust someone?" She spoke calmly, merely stating a fact.

She was already busy enough and didn't want to create unnecessary trouble by fighting wits and wills with another person just for something she might not be able to hold onto.

Qin Yinong regretted bringing up the topic to tease her.

Ji Yunyao smiled. "But a little casual fun is fine." With money, one could do as they pleased—live @dult shows were readily available, and she could even watch people broadcast their relationships if she wanted.

Qin Yinong coughed lightly.

Ji Yunyao, remembering there was a child present, immediately composed herself and said, "For example, the advanced Rubik's Cube. I haven't touched it in a while, and I'm starting to forget how to solve it."

Ningning finally understood something. "I can teach you!"

The daring topic was finally steered back, and they finished dinner in a harmonious and cheerful atmosphere.

Ji Yunyao, who had freeloaded the meal, took charge of clearing the table. In the evening, she joined the family of four for a walk by the newly built Swan Lake in the neighborhood. The evening breeze was gentle. Qin Yinong greeted Mrs. Lin, who was walking her little poodle, and stopped to chat with Mrs. Zhao, who was walking her golden retriever, asking if her cat had given birth to kittens. Ningning ran into the pretty older sister from the neighboring villa and happily went off to play with her, while Tang Fei followed closely behind, keeping an eye on her.

Finally, Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao, fingers interlaced, turned to look at Ji Yunyao.

Ji Yunyao leaned against the wooden railing by the lake, the water shimmering with starlight under the glow of the lights. Her long hair fluttered in the wind as she waved a hand and said, "You two go on your date. I'll just enjoy the breeze here."

So Qin Yinong took Tang Ruoyao's hand and strolled leisurely around the lake. The man-made lake wasn't very large, and they walked lap after lap.

Ningning, sweating profusely from playing, came running over to find them. Tang Fei, tall and long-legged, ambled along behind her, pulling an opened pack of tissues from his pocket and handing one to her to wipe the sweat from her forehead. The moonlight cast silhouettes over the four of them, and from a distance, it looked like a scene of serene contentment.

Qin Yinong's phone vibrated.

Ji Yunyao: [I have something to take care of, so I'm heading back first.]

Tang Ruoyao leaned over to look at her phone screen. "What's wrong?"

"Not sure." Qin Yinong typed a reply: [Okay.]

"Maybe it really is something urgent." Qin Yinong said, putting away her phone, which received no further messages.

"What about the clothes she brought?"

"Leave them in the guest room. She'll be back sooner or later."

After returning home, Qin Jianing took a shower first, then, as always, went to the piano room to practice. Tang Fei went back to his room to study for his high school entrance exams.

Qin Yinong took a large bundle of keys out of the TV cabinet drawer in the living room. Seeing the keys, Tang Ruoyao's eyes filled with nostalgia. Qin Yinong, too, seemed to recall that night when she sat on the windowsill, and Tang Ruoyao, disregarding everything, used a key to open her door, locking herself firmly into Qin Yinong's heart as well.

Qin Yinong sorted through the large bundle of keys, trying to find the one that was their token of love, but the keys were too similar, and she ended up failing.

Qin Yinong chuckled.

Tang Ruoyao, crouching beside her, asked curiously, "What are you laughing at?"

Qin Yinong handed her the bundle of keys, still smiling. "Can you pick out which one is for my room?"

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

Qin Yinong rubbed her eyes and pretended to cry. "You don't love me anymore, boo hoo hoo."

Tang Ruoyao raised a hand to protect the back of her head and pressed her down onto the floor, her narrowed eyes glinting dangerously.

A love that left Qin Yinong speechless.

The door to one of the rooms on the first floor creaked open. The two, lost in their kiss, froze, then sat up as if nothing had happened. They began discussing the keys in low voices, their expressions so focused they resembled scientists who had just discovered a new element.

Tang Fei went to the kitchen to get some water and returned to her room. Before closing the door, she said, "I won't come out again, so don't worry."

Both of them pretended not to hear.

As soon as Tang Fei entered her room, Qin Yinong smoothly shifted the blame: "It's all your fault."

Tang Ruoyao smiled good-naturedly. "Yes, it's all my fault."

Qin Yinong lowered her voice. "Tonight, I want..." She whispered something in detail.

Tang Ruoyao's cheeks flushed automatically. After hesitating for a moment, she nodded.

Qin Yinong picked up the keys and stood up, heading toward one of the doors on the first floor. Tang Ruoyao had moved in three years ago, but one room had always been locked, and she had never entered it.

Qin Yinong tried a few keys and smoothly opened the door. She reached for the switch by the door and turned on the light with a click.

Tang Ruoyao stood one step behind her and saw the room draped in black cloth—covering the bed, desk, chair, and vanity. A thin layer of dust had settled on the floor, and as the door opened, dust particles swirled in the air.

A musty, decaying odor wafted from the room.

The answer in Tang Ruoyao's heart was on the tip of her tongue. "This is..."

"My sister's room before she passed away. She took her own life in the bathroom inside." Qin Yinong stood at the doorway without entering and said, "It's gotten so dirty. I thought I'd show it to you. Let's have the housekeeper clean it tomorrow."

Qin Yinong closed the door again, this time without locking it.

The piano in the music room had stopped playing at some point.

Ningning stood behind her two mothers. "Mommy?"

Qin Yinong turned around and raised an eyebrow. "Why only call Mommy and not me?"

"Mom," Ningning said obediently, stepping forward to wrap her arms around Qin Yinong's waist.

Qin Yinong gently patted her head.

Ningning said, "Mom, I'm sleepy."

Influenced by the family's good habits, Ningning wasn't fond of electronic devices or addicted to TV. After practicing the piano, she would return to her room to wash up and sleep.

"Mom will take you to bed."

"Okay."

Ningning placed her hand in Qin Yinong's palm and glanced back at the tightly closed door.

'Did Auntie die by su!cide? Why would she take her own life?'

Qin Yinong sat on a stool by the bedside, holding a book and reading Robinson Crusoe aloud. Tang Ruoyao scratched the child's back. The little one blinked her big eyes, the blinks growing slower and slower until her head tilted onto the pillow, and she fell asleep.

Tang Ruoyao laid her flat, brushed aside the soft strands of hair on her forehead, and bent down to place a light kiss there.

She tiptoed out of the room with Qin Yinong. Once they returned to their second-floor bedroom, Qin Yinong pouted, "You treat her better than you treat me."

This kind of scene happened at least three times a day. It might not be genuine jealousy, but it was certainly genuine coquettishness. Tang Ruoyao pulled Qin Yinong into her arms, kissing her forehead first, then the space between her eyebrows, the tip of her nose, and finally her lips.

Qin Yinong pretended to resist for a moment before taking the initiative, picking up where they had left off at noon.

Tang Ruoyao was completely dazed. At the critical moment, she grabbed Qin Yinong's wrist, breathless and flushed. "Let's... take a shower first."

Qin Yinong half-carried, half-guided Tang Ruoyao into the bathroom, where they had their first round. While the glass shower was running, the bathtub outside was also being filled. By the time they stepped out, the tub was only half-full.

Qin Yinong shot Tang Ruoyao a teasing glance, making her flush with embarrassment and frustration.

A few years have passed, and Miss Tang still hasn't made any progress.

Qin Yinong settled into the bathtub, facing Tang Ruoyao. Tang Ruoyao was pulled firmly into the woman's embrace by a strong arm, and she clung back tightly, her cheeks burning, eyes shut, expression restrained and controlled.

Ripples spread across the water's surface, taking a long time to settle.

Qin Yinong kissed her lover's lips with adoration. Tang Ruoyao leaned weakly against her shoulder, her damp hair spreading across the water's surface. The corners of her eyes were tinged with a faint red, and when she lifted her gaze, she resembled a fox—innocent yet bewitching.

Qin Yinong embraced her once more.

Tang Ruoyao's soft gasp was swallowed before it could escape.

It was utterly absurd. The bathroom was in disarray, water splashed everywhere. Without bothering to clean up, Qin Yinong led her back to the bedroom's large bed.

Still, there were changes. Unlike their younger days, when they would go at it all night and ruin an entire drawer of bedsheets, Qin Yinong now left Tang Ruoyao completely drained of energy, falling asleep as soon as her eyes closed. Qin Yinong swiftly tidied up and then held her lover as they drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Qin Yinong's new assistant, Guan He, arrived with the hired housekeeper.

Guan Han had fully transitioned to a career as a professional agent last year and no longer served as an assistant. She recommended her younger sister, Guan He. Fresh out of college, Guan He was quite different from her sister—bubbly in personality but extremely reliable, meticulous, and especially skilled in self-defense, on par with Guan Han.

Guan Han had two reasons for recommending her sister: First, to keep the benefits within the family. Second, hiring both an assistant and a personal bodyguard meant one salary covered two roles. She was saving Qin Yinong money, a testament to their bond.

"Good morning, President Qin, President Tang," Guan He greeted energetically.

She was a sunny young woman—the studio now had its share of lively energy.

Qin Yinong, seated at the dining table having breakfast, asked, "Have you eaten?"

Guan He stood at attention like a soldier. "Yes, thank you, President Qin!"

Qin Yinong let her be.

The housekeeper cleaned Qin Lunong's room. Qin Yinong removed the black cloth covering, opened the windows and doors, letting the spring breeze sweep through the room once more. Tang Ruoyao went to the garden, picked a few fresh flowers, and arranged them in a vase filled with water, placing it on the desk.

The overturned photo frame in the drawer was taken out and set on the desk.

In it, a young woman in a science bachelor's gown stood by Weiming Lake, a magnificent rainbow arching behind her after the rain, her smile radiant and brilliant.

Ningning, standing nearby, exclaimed, "Wow, Big Mama is so beautiful! Why haven't I seen this photo before?"

Qin Yinong flicked her forehead gently with a finger.

"Is Big Mama prettier or Mom prettier?"

Ningning replied sweetly, "Mom is prettier."

But Qin Yinong said, "Big Mama is prettier. Remember that."

Puzzled, Ningning nodded. "Okay, I'll remember."

Qin Yinong patted her cheek. "Mom and Mommy are going to work. You study hard at home."

Ningning said, "I want to go too." By now, going to the company was as routine as eating for her—everyone knew her.

Qin Yinong replied, "Mom has a meeting today and won't have time to look after you. I'll take you tomorrow."

Ningning asked, "Aren't Auntie Guan Han and Auntie Fu there?"

Qin Yinong frowned.

She actually didn't know.

In the end, they brought the little one along to the company, her small backpack filled with a few books to read when she got bored.

Tang Ruoyao's studio was not on the same floor as Qin Yinong's. She got off the elevator first to handle her own matters, while Qin Yinong continued upward, holding Ningning's hand.

Ningning looked up and asked, "Is Aunt Guan Han at the company?"

Qin Yinong replied, "We'll go check her office in a moment."

Ding—

The elevator doors opened.

Speak of the devil—Guan Han was standing right at the elevator entrance, dressed in professional attire: a crisp white blouse, mid-length hair, metal-framed glasses, and her signature poker face. Since transitioning into a career as an agent, her demeanor had become even more decisive and efficient.

Spotting the occupants of the elevator, Guan Han paused briefly in surprise. "President Qin."

Qin Yinong teased politely, "President Guan."

Guan Han: "..." A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "You're joking, President Qin."

Ningning pointed at her and exclaimed, "Wow!"

Qin Yinong bent down and echoed, "Wow! What's the matter?"

Ningning said, "Aunt Guan Han actually knows how to smile?"

Qin Yinong couldn't hold back a laugh.

Guan Han pushed her glasses up expressionlessly, displaying a hint of dry humor as she remarked, "I don't smile for just anyone."

Ningning, being clever, asked, "So you only smile when you see us?"

Guan Han: "Of course."

With the blunt honesty of a child, Ningning mercilessly exposed her: "Liar, you smile when you see Aunt Fu too."

Guan Han: "..."

A faint trace of embarrassment flickered across her face. She glanced into the elevator cabin and said with utmost seriousness, "President Qin, I have some matters to attend to, so I'll just..."

Qin Yinong: "Go ahead."

She led Ningning out of the elevator.

Facing them, Guan Han pressed the elevator's close button. Her stern expression vanished as the doors slid shut, but no matter how Qin Yinong looked at it, she felt Guan Han's composure had completely crumbled inside.

Qin Yinong pinched the cheek of the little clever one and burst into hearty laughter.

Ningning giggled along.

Qintang Entertainment, originally named Ping'an Media, had developed over the years into a prominent film and television agency in the industry. The number of artists under its management had long surpassed what could be counted on two hands. Last year, the company made headlines by signing the newly crowned Best Actress Fu Yujun, who had won the Magnolia Award at just 26 years old.

Fu Yujun's previous agency was a mid-sized company. She began working on film sets during her freshman summer break, signed with an agency in her junior year, and gained recognition for her role as Consort Xi in "The Great Tang." She further solidified her reputation by portraying dignified, intellectual, gentle, and resilient characters in subsequent series like "Beauty" and "The New Heroines of the Yang Family," steadily building her career as a serious actress.

By the time her contract was nearing its end, Fu Yujun had unquestionably become the "top star" of her former agency. Numerous agencies in the industry, including the industry giant Huanyu Entertainment, extended olive branches, hoping to bring her into their fold.

Wen Shuxian personally promoted her company in their dorm group chat: "Best Actress, come to Huanyu (Universe)! We have the best resources, the most amazing agents, and the most adorable me [heart hands]."

Wen Shuxian: "We'll be the Huanyu sisters—you'll be number one, and I'll gladly take second place. Come on, come on!"

When artists reach a certain stage in their careers, they often establish their own studios. Wen Shuxian had her own "Wen Shuxian Studio" under the umbrella of her former agency, Huanyu Entertainment, with a team entirely loyal to her. Fu Yujun did not respond to any of the companies courting her. Her original agency thought they had a chance and offered an even more lucrative contract to retain her—even if it was just in name as a studio. Yet, Fu Yujun still did not agree.

Until the day Fu Yujun's contract expired, Qintang Entertainment quietly dropped a bombshell with an announcement.

Hot Search: [Fu Yujun Signs with Qintang Entertainment]

FuFuFu: [Baby??? If you've been kidnapped, blink twice???]

99ThirteenOrphans: [I know you two are as close as sisters, but signing with her company is really unnecessary! Even brothers keep clear accounts. Ah, don't end up losing your friendship over this.]

NeverLostNeverForgotten: [You there? Reflect on this—why did Lao Fu personally go to Qin Tang Entertainment instead of your Huanyu, Wen Shuxian?]

EternalProsperity: [Wait, am I seeing this right? Why sign directly? Baby Fu, you should at least set up your own studio. Isn't this starting from scratch? 😭]

UnparalleledTalent00: [I just want to know who the new agent is? No matter which company you go to, the agent is the most important. Don't drag our Commander Fu down.

Someone dug it up: The agent is... Guan Han.

Fu Yujun's fans, the 'Jade Ruyi's Brigade': Who is this person???

Wen Shuxian hadn't known about Fu Yujun's decision beforehand either and was frantically tagging her in the group chat, firing off messages.

Fu Yujun made a token appearance: [1]

Wen Shuxian: [Am I not impressive enough? Why go to Tangtang's place instead of mine? 😭]

Fu Yujun: [Tangtang has four Best Actress awards. Do you have any?]

Fu Yujun: [Tangtang is the boss. Are you?]

Fu Yujun: [Tangtang is... Are you?]

Wen Shuxian: [Is what??? Now you're even using ellipses to brush me off. You don't love me anymore. Ever since you won Best Actress, you've been looking down on us for not being your social equals. You're climbing the social ladder now, T.T]

She went on a dramatic rant, comparing herself to someone waiting faithfully for eighteen years in a cold kiln, denouncing Fu Yujun as a heartless scoundrel.

Fu Yujun: [Good fortune and prosperity, congratulations on making a fortune]

Wen Shuxian: [Thank you, boss]

The group chat quieted down.

As Tang Ruoyao's roommate—practically family—Qin Yinong naturally wouldn't treat her poorly. The contract had been revised repeatedly, but Fu Yujun felt uncomfortable taking advantage and negotiated terms that both sides found acceptable.

One condition was essential and most important, though it wasn't written in the contract. Fu Yujun brought it up privately with Qin Yinong: she wanted Guan Han as her agent.

Qin Yinong hesitated. "This..."

Isn't this setting someone up? It's fine to mess with Lin Ruohan, but this is Tang Ruoyao's sister!

Qin Yinong said, "It's not that I won't agree, but Guan Han has only been an executive agent for a year. She's still inexperienced. She's excellent as an assistant, but as an agent, she's a complete novice. You don't have to..."

Fu Yujun interrupted her, "No, I do."

Qin Yinong: "..."

Only Fu Yujun and Guan Han knew how far their relationship had developed. After Guan Han gradually stepped back from her assistant duties, she spent even less time with Qin Yinong. No matter how sharp-eyed Qin Yinong was, there were no clues for her to uncover.

Until now.

Qin Yinong picked up her coffee, took a sip, and set it down gently. She interlaced her fingers and rested her chin on them, her gaze deepening with meaning. "Why?"

Fu Yujun looked straight into Qin Yinong's dark eyes and said bluntly, "I like her,  I've liked her for a long time."

Author's Note: 

The post-marriage extras follow an all-around adorable route ╰(°▽°)╯

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