46.1. Pair of Bright Ladies’ Rings

Qin Zhaoyi couldn’t even dare to dream of hearing such a straightforward expression from Luo Yue one day.

It sounded like a confession.

When she returned home, Qin Zhaoyi was still sitting on the bed, savoring those words.

“Princess Qin, I like you.”

Ah, ah, ah.

Qin Zhaoyi rolled around on the bed, her usual aloofness completely gone.

The impact of that sentence was immense, so much so that Qin Zhaoyi immediately called Zhong Ling.

One minute later, Zhong Ling answered, sounding tired, “Hello?”

Qin Zhaoyi paused, “What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing.” Zhong Ling took a deep breath, “What’s up?”

“You sound like you’ve been drained of energy by a female ghost,” Qin Zhaoyi said, “You’re not secretly dating behind my back, are you?”

Zhong Ling: “…”

Zhong Ling chuckled, “Sister Yi, when you’re in love, you’re so radiant that you’d want the whole world to know, even calling friends in the middle of the night just to announce it. But me…”

Zhong Ling suddenly stopped, “Forget it, what do you need?”

Zhong Ling started the conversation herself, but then cut it off.

Qin Zhaoyi frowned, feeling that there was something strange about Zhong Ling.

But she couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

“Are you really okay?” Qin Zhaoyi confirmed again, even tentatively suggesting, “Is it possible you’ve encountered trouble with resourceful actors or weird acting skills?”

It’s well known that when filming, the most dreaded encounters are with these two types of people.

Resourceful actors ad-lib endlessly, form cliques and engage in workplace bullying on set, making it difficult for others to speak out.

Weird acting skills are famous for their popularity, but their acting skills are terrible, making people want to kick them, unable to find a usable scene even after filming a dozen times, yet they still need to find various reasons to praise them.

Although Zhong Ling was a somewhat famous director, she was still young and lacked experience.

Moreover, in the world of fame and fortune, encountering stupid investors was inevitable.

Zhong Ling, who was always devoted to her work, could only be troubled by such things.

Zhong Ling smiled, “No, that’s not it. The actors in my current project are all pretty good. The male lead is Wang Xinqi, and the female lead is Lu Xinyan, especially Lu Xinyan, I really admire her. She’s beautiful and approachable, and we get along well.”

“Then that’s good,” Qin Zhaoyi said.

Zhong Ling asked her, “What’s up?”

Qin Zhaoyi instantly withdrew her concern for Zhong Ling and tried to hold back her laughter, but it broke through as she spoke, “I’ve been confessed to.”

Zhong Ling: “…”

Silence lingered for a few minutes.

Qin Zhaoyi’s smile also abruptly disappeared.

She didn’t get the expected “blessings” or “congratulations,” not even a teasing remark.

This didn’t fit Zhong Ling’s usual style at all.

“Ah.” Qin Zhaoyi’s tone grew heavy, just as she started to speak, she heard Zhong Ling’s grumble, “You’re such a wimp.”

Qin Zhaoyi: “?”

With a smile on her lips, Zhong Ling teased, “What’s so special about being confessed to? You’re so beautiful and talented, naturally deserving of admiration and worship. She should be the one to submit to you.”

Unintentionally, Qin Zhaoyi sensed seriousness in this banter.

“You…” Qin Zhaoyi hesitated, “Is something wrong?”

Zhong Ling was taken aback for a moment, then laughed loudly, “What could be wrong with me? Hahaha.”

Zhong Ling admitted that she might have overthought it, but then questioned why Qin Zhaoyi kept asking such questions.

Qin Zhaoyi remained silent for a moment. “Because lately, when you talk, it feels like you’re pushing me away.”

Zhong Ling: “…?”

“Are you my mother?” Zhong Ling’s tone was mischievous.

Qin Zhaoyi: “Do you want to die?”

Zhong Ling laughed again, “You said it.”

When Zhong Ling wasn’t serious, Qin Zhaoyi’s attention was scattered.

Seeing Zhong Ling still capable of being so unserious, Qin Zhaoyi figured there couldn’t be anything major going on.

After confirming twice over the phone, Zhong Ling was afraid of being discovered if they continued talking. She was almost unable to keep up the pretense.

But…

“Qin Zhaoyi.” Zhong Ling rarely called her by her full name seriously, and Qin Zhaoyi quickly refocused her wandering thoughts, “Yeah?”

“Don’t get too attached, don’t take it too seriously,” Zhong Ling advised, “If one day you break up, don’t be too upset.”

Qin Zhaoyi froze, then frowned, “Can’t you just wish me well?”

“No one in this world wants the best for you more than I do,” Zhong Ling said.

“Then why do you always say these things to dampen the mood?” Qin Zhaoyi sensed her low mood and softened her tone, “If you keep this up, I won’t talk to you anymore.”

“Don’t.” Zhong Ling chuckled lightly, “You only have me as a friend. Who else can you talk to?”

“I made a new friend over here,” Qin Zhaoyi said. “The owner of a coffee shop, she’s especially good at listening to people’s troubles.”

Zhong Ling paused, then smiled. “That’s great. Our baby Qin is making progress.”

Qin Zhaoyi: “…You’re ridiculous.”

Suddenly using such a cheesy nickname.

Zhong Ling laughed heartily. “What’s wrong? When you’re in love, aren’t you like a little kid in kindergarten?”

Qin Zhaoyi: “…”

“Laugh again and I’ll block you,” Qin Zhaoyi threatened.

Zhong Ling’s laughter abruptly stopped, and after a moment, she said, “Zhaoyi, when you make friends with others in the future, don’t treat them like you treat me, blocking them at the slightest disagreement.”

“I know you do it because we’re close, knowing that we won’t leave each other’s lives,” Zhong Ling advised. “But others don’t know that. For many people, blocking means the end of a relationship.”

Zhong Ling gently persuaded, as if teaching her own child what to pay attention to when making friends outside.

These were things her parents had never taught her.

Qin Zhaoyi’s unease grew stronger, and she asked again, “What’s really going on with you?”

“Nothing,” Zhong Ling said. “Just happy to see you out, that’s all.”

Once Qin Zhaoyi started working on a new book, she almost isolated herself from the outside world, spending all day in her workspace.

Zhong Ling jokingly referred to her writing as being “in prison.”

And when Zhong Ling came to hang out with her, it was like she was being let out for parole.

Qin Zhaoyi’s tone also cooled down. “If there’s nothing wrong, why do you keep saying these ominous things? It’s creepy.”

As she spoke, Qin Zhaoyi sounded somewhat uncertain, and her tone softened. “Are you trying to keep me from sleeping in the middle of the night?”

“Even if I don’t say anything, you wouldn’t be able to sleep, right?” Zhong Ling saw through her at a glance. “Just got confessed to and you think you can sleep? You’ll be dancing in your room all night.”

Qin Zhaoyi: “…”

Zhong Ling had guessed most of it.

The two were too familiar with each other, understanding each other’s habits inside and out.

Just as Qin Zhaoyi could sense Zhong Ling’s mood from the moment she spoke.

Qin Zhaoyi denied her sneaky thoughts, “I won’t be like you. I’ll definitely sleep well tonight.”

Zhong Ling: “…”

“Okay,” Zhong Ling dismissed, “Wishing you success.”

Although she received a blessing, Qin Zhaoyi couldn’t shake off the feeling of being stuck in limbo.

“Not sincere at all,” Qin Zhaoyi said.

Zhong Ling chuckled, “Qin Zhaoyi, why are you so difficult to please?”

Qin Zhaoyi was puzzled, “Why would you say that?”

Zhong Ling asked, “Who else says that?”

Qin Zhaoyi remained silent.

Zhong Ling quickly caught on and laughed, “Our Zhaoyi has always been the center of attention, naturally the one being served.”

Although Zhong Ling’s words sounded sarcastic, there was no hint of mockery, but rather a serious tone.
Zhong Ling’s tone softened, exceptionally sincere: “If one day she stops treating you well, if you’re unhappy, come back to Jiayi. To us.”

Qin Zhaoyi heard the tremble in her voice, frowning, about to ask.

But Zhong Ling continued, her voice choked up, “We won’t endure the hardships of love, nor will we suffer this injustice.”

Zhong Ling said, “Don’t tiptoe around her, don’t let her words keep you awake at night, and don’t toss and turn because of her every night. You should be yourself and let her love you well.”

Qin Zhaoyi suddenly felt her heart twist.

“I might not be moral,” Zhong Ling chuckled lightly, “but you’re my friend. How others feel is their business; I don’t want to see you hurt.”

Qin Zhaoyi: “Zhong Ling.”

“What?” Zhong Ling snapped back, suddenly alert. “It’s nothing, just had a bit too much to drink tonight.”

“What game? How much did you drink?” Qin Zhaoyi pressed.

Zhong Ling scoffed lightly, “Why do you care? I can drink alone even when I’m fine.”

Qin Zhaoyi: “…”

Qin Zhaoyi knew that since their breakup, Zhong Ling had started drinking.

Slowly developing a habit of alcohol abuse.

Qin Zhaoyi had advised her, but Zhong Ling said that she got inspiration after drinking too much.

Crazier than her, who was into creation.

Zhong Ling rarely talked about her ex-girlfriend, but occasionally, after drinking too much, she would cry hysterically and curse, then after cursing, she would say, “I miss you so much.”

At that time, Qin Zhaoyi never understood.

Didn’t understand why someone would keep such longing and love for someone for so long.

But because she had taken care of Zhong Ling when she was drunk one night, witnessing her craziness all night long, she wrote the only emotional storyline in all her books based on it.

Love deeply, love passionately, but break up tragically.

There was a long-awaited reunion, but no reconciliation.

That storyline made all the readers scream, even crossing the main CP at one point.

Qin Zhaoyi also relied on that book to create expectations for her readers regarding her emotional storylines.

So she loved and hated her at the same time.

Now, Moon Island fell into the silence of the night, waves rolling up sand, pushed forward by the sea breeze, the light from the distant lighthouse reflected on the sea surface, undulating waves.

The night unique to the island made Qin Zhaoyi’s heart sink.

For a while, neither of them spoke, sinking into silence over the phone.

Yet, in unspoken agreement, neither hung up.

After some banter, Qin Zhaoyi’s intuition about “something going on with Zhong Ling” grew stronger.

But Zhong Ling brushed off the topic as if nothing was wrong, as stubborn as a mule.

Qin Zhaoyi couldn’t force the issue; she knew Zhong Ling’s personality too well.

When it came to trivial matters, she’d chatter endlessly with the world, but when it came to big issues, she’d always remain silent.

She wouldn’t say anything no matter who asked, especially when Qin Zhaoyi was far away.

But she couldn’t just sit idly by.

After a while, Qin Zhaoyi softly invited, “Do you want to come to Moon Island to relax?”

Zhong Ling was taken aback, “Didn’t you say you didn’t want me to come find you?”

Qin Zhaoyi said, “I want you to meet my girlfriend.”

Zhong Ling clicked her tongue, diverting the topic, “It’s still strange to hear that term from your mouth.”

Qin Zhaoyi urged her, “Are you coming or not?”

Zhong Ling replied, “We’ll see.”

“My new movie hasn’t finished shooting yet,” Zhong Ling laughed. “Why? Do you want me to ditch a whole crew to meet your girlfriend? Is she a goddess or something?”

Qin Zhaoyi: “…Cut it out.”

After laughing for a while, Zhong Ling only said she’d discuss it after her new movie wrapped.

At this point, she spoke normally again.

After hanging up, Qin Zhaoyi searched Zhong Ling’s name online.

The latest news was about her new movie 《Treading the Wind》. The photos only showed the main actors, no one else.

There were no related hot searches, but Qin Zhaoyi still felt uneasy.

She opened the chat with Zhong Yu, wanting to ask: Do you know what’s going on with your sister lately?

She typed it out but then deleted it, not sending it.

Qin Zhaoyi didn’t want to spoil Zhong Yu’s mood, but she also feared that Zhong Ling’s unusual behavior was because of Zhong Yu running away from home.

After much hesitation, Qin Zhaoyi messaged Zhong Yu: [Do you want to contact your sister?]

Zhong Yu: [What’s wrong?]

Qin Zhaoyi: [She might worry about you.]

Zhong Yu: [Give me some time, Jie.]

With the conversation at this point, Qin Zhaoyi couldn’t persuade further, only asking: [How many days?]

Zhong Yu’s name changed to “Typing…” several times, even through the screen, Qin Zhaoyi could feel her dilemma.

Finally, Zhong Yu gave an answer: [Shortest three days, longest one week.]

Qin Zhaoyi: [Okay.]

Due to Zhong Ling’s abnormal behavior, Qin Zhaoyi had a night of unsettling dreams.

The surreal dreams diluted the joy she felt from receiving the confession yesterday.

She fell asleep very late but woke up very early. Upon waking up, she subconsciously opened Weibo, but still didn’t see any hot searches related to Zhong Ling.

For people in their line of work, not trending during filming was the best scenario. Trending could increase popularity, but too much of it could backfire.

No news was good news.

Qin Zhaoyi’s heart was unsettled, so she tried to distract herself with other things.

After much thought, she could only turn to reading books.

She had renovated the library extensively, but Qin Zhaoyi wasn’t satisfied with it.

She wanted to refurbish the library, buy more tables and chairs, and make the library truly functional.

Additionally, she wanted to improve the library’s borrowing system.

The current library was too informal; students rarely borrowed books, and apart from a few teachers occasionally looking for books, no one from the island visited.

Qin Zhaoyi felt that the islanders were the ones who needed to read the most.

Expanding one’s horizons led to an open mind.

However, despite having books, there were few readers, which was regrettable.

Qin Zhaoyi had many thoughts in her mind, but putting them into practice was complicated.

She treated this matter like a job, waking up early to go for a run, then returning home to shower. After a quick breakfast, she waited for Luo Yue at the door.

The big yellow dog lazily lay on the steps, basking in the early morning sun, half-closing its eyes as it observed Qin Zhaoyi.

Qin Zhaoyi and the dog stared at each other. After a while, perhaps feeling tired, the big yellow dog closed its eyes.

Qin Zhaoyi: “…”

She picked up a small stone and threw it in its direction, but it landed on the other side of the steps, right next to a pair of feet.

“Throwing stones into someone’s yard early in the morning,” Luo Yue’s voice rang out leisurely, tinged with a hint of teasing. “You’re quite free, aren’t you?”

Qin Zhaoyi’s hand paused slightly, then she looked up.

Luo Yue was wearing a light pink top, jeans, white canvas shoes—a youthful outfit. Her hair was casually tied up, but far from being tacky.

Even the canvas bag on her shoulder was ordinary, resembling that of a college student heading to an 8 a.m. class.

Perfectly embodies the phrase “Fashion is all about the face.”

“Okay,” Qin Zhaoyi awkwardly withdrew her hand, feeling embarrassed as if caught fighting with a dog.

When Luo Yue left, the big yellow dog was tied up in the yard.

This dog looked quite old, always lazy and lethargic. It could lie on the steps sunbathing all day without moving.

Qin Zhaoyi was afraid of dogs, but after spending a long time with this one, she felt a sense of camaraderie, a shared feeling of laziness.

Because she was lazy too.

If it weren’t for being on Moon Island, she could stay in her room for several days without going out. Her favorite thing to do was to sit lazily on the balcony, basking in the sun.

As they walked, Qin Zhaoyi occasionally glanced back at the dog.

Seeing this, Luo Yue teasingly remarked in a low voice, “You’re so reluctant to leave him? Do you want me to tie you up there with him for company?”

Qin Zhaoyi immediately averted her gaze and gave her a sidelong glance. “What are you talking about?”

“Nothing,” Luo Yue didn’t repeat herself, but the smile on her lips grew wider.

Qin Zhaoyi said with gritted teeth as she approached, “Luo Yue.”

Luo Yue, feeling her breath, pushed her away, “I know my name.”

Qin Zhaoyi: “?”

As usual, even after confessing her feelings openly yesterday, Luo Yue maintained the same attitude towards Qin Zhaoyi.

Not too close, not too distant. Occasionally affectionate, occasionally aloof.

Always maintaining the perfect distance.

Qin Zhaoyi couldn’t gauge her thoughts and didn’t know what her words from yesterday meant.

Moreover, this morning, Luo Yue’s speech was even more affectionate than usual.

Qin Zhaoyi mentioned her plans to rebuild the library, but Luo Yue asked, “Don’t you need to consult with the school for such a big matter?”

Qin Zhaoyi was puzzled, “Consult about what?”

Luo Yue sighed helplessly, “Did you forget that our school has administrators?”

Qin Zhaoyi: “?”

“Although the former principal has retired,” Luo Yue said, “we still need to consult her opinion on these matters.”

Qin Zhaoyi hadn’t thought about this.

Mainly because she hadn’t even considered that this rundown school still had a principal.

The principal was still Luo Yue and Cheng Shijing’s teacher.

Seeing Qin Zhaoyi all fired up but unprepared, Luo Yue asked her to write a plan.

Qin Zhaoyi was stunned. She hadn’t even attended a single class, and now she was supposed to write a plan?

Luo Yue asked, “Can’t you?”

Qin Zhaoyi forced a response, “I… can.”

What a lie.

She also felt aggrieved, “I’m investing money and effort. It doesn’t make sense for me to have to write a plan too.”

“So, I’ll do it,” Luo Yue said. “I’ll go to the principal to get the funding approved.”

Qin Zhaoyi: “?”

“No problem,” Qin Zhaoyi said. “I can handle it.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Yue laughed and crossed her arms. “Princess Qin, you’re acting like a philanthropist, doling out money as if you were the god of wealth.”

“Revitalizing education,” Qin Zhaoyi justified herself, “I’m cultivating talent for the future of our country.”

Luo Yue sighed, “But you haven’t gained anything. You’ve spent so much money and haven’t heard anything in return. Don’t you think it’s a loss?”

“Doing charity work is like this,” Qin Zhaoyi said. “Who does charity work and then loudly announces to the whole world, ‘I’m doing charity work’? That’s too fake.”

Luo Yue: “…”

“Many people,” Luo Yue said, “When they donate money, they make a big show of it because charity work itself carries commercial elements.”

Qin Zhaoyi was suddenly speechless.

She also remembered the donation events in the entertainment industry.

Entrepreneurs, celebrities, anyone famous who donated money did it for greater fame.

Qin Zhaoyi murmured, “But I’m not like that.”

She genuinely wanted to do something.

“So that’s why I said you’re silly,” Luo Yue said.

Qin Zhaoyi didn’t understand, “Does everything have to be done with a purpose to be considered smart?”

“No,” Luo Yue saw the sincerity in her eyes, clear and untainted by worldly corruption, bright under the sunlight, making people’s hearts flutter. She couldn’t help but reach out and touch her eyes. “You’re fine just the way you are.”

Qin Zhaoyi was prepared to argue with her on this issue, but she didn’t expect Luo Yue to so easily admit her viewpoint.

Occasionally, she would discuss this issue with Zhou Xi, who would say that in this era, there weren’t many people as naive as her.

They would always debate for a while.

In the end, Zhou Xi would always yield and do everything according to her requirements.

She also understood Zhou Xi’s point. Donating under the pseudonym of Sicily could increase the commercial value of the pseudonym “Sicily.”

But Qin Zhaoyi always felt that the commercial value of a pseudonym was determined by its content output, not by writing a pile of garbage and boosting it through marketing of this era, selling emotions rather than content.

Perhaps some people have succeeded in doing so, but Qin Zhaoyi hadn’t.

What Qin Zhaoyi inherently loved was literature, was writing.

Luo Yue’s turn caught her off guard.

But she heard Luo Yue continue, “I really like it.”

Qin Zhaoyi felt like her earlobes were being pinched, the warm sensation making her body shiver for a moment.

As the two fingers released, her ears seemed as if they were blushing under the setting sun.

She looked at Luo Yue in surprise.

With a coy smile, gentle and serene, so beautiful it seemed detached from the mundane world, “What? Are you dumbfounded?”

Blood rushing, Qin Zhaoyi disregarded everything else and impulsively leaned in to peck her lips.

A fleeting touch.

It felt like a stolen moment.

Fear, nervousness, her heart was pounding, but she maintained a heightened sense of joy.

Luo Yue’s eyes widened, glancing around.

Thankfully, no one was there.

Luo Yue hurriedly walked ahead, putting some distance between them.

Qin Zhaoyi stood there, laughing foolishly.

After a while, she came back to her senses, but Luo Yue’s figure had already become a small dot.

She stood there and called out, “Teacher Luo, wait for me.”

The polite yet distant address, in her clear and cold voice, became intimate.

The subtle tone, indescribably ambiguous.

After hearing it, Luo Yue involuntarily slowed her pace.