PSMD – Chapter 76

The word “like,” even when referring to things rather than people, was something Shen Ningruo rarely said. Saying it to a person was truly a first in her life.

She had experienced too many firsts with Qiu Yang, so saying it now didn’t feel difficult. However, ripples gradually formed in her heart, as if she was only belatedly realizing what she had said.

This was a confession.

Shen Ningruo pursed her lips after speaking. For a moment, she felt a little flustered, but the thought that she was facing Qiu Yang calmed her down.

What did it matter?

What did it matter that she was facing Qiu Yang?

Qiu Yang hadn’t expected Shen Ningruo to say that at the end, transitioning directly from the previous topic. It caught her off guard, yet it also felt so natural. She slowly raised her hand and stroked Shen Ningruo’s hand, unsure how to respond at the moment.

She believed Shen Ningruo must have received many confessions over the years, because Shen Ningruo was so excellent, so outstanding, with top-notch qualities in every aspect. It was impossible for such a Shen Ningruo not to make people’s hearts flutter or have people interested in her.

But was this Shen Ningruo’s first time confessing to someone? She wasn’t sure about that.

Actually, that wasn’t important. It was something they both knew now that Shen Ningruo liked her. Of course, she also liked Shen Ningruo.

From being strangers to now understanding each other’s feelings, it hadn’t taken long. But who could deny that a short time couldn’t lead to a fluttering heart or finding love?

It was just that everything Shen Ningruo had said earlier hadn’t hit the mark.

The reason she was upset was because Shen Ningruo still hadn’t explained why she lied about working overtime, not because Shen Ningruo had called her her partner in front of Gu Lan.

Ultimately, it was a matter of attitude.

Shen Ningruo still hadn’t given her a complete explanation.

Being soft-hearted was one thing, but she would still wait for the answer.

So Qiu Yang pursed her lips and only replied with one word: “Okay.”

As long as Shen Ningruo hadn’t clearly explained it to her, she wouldn’t give the same response to Shen Ningruo’s confession, because the rift between them still existed. If they got together under such circumstances, conflicts would only increase later.

Qiu Yang didn’t want that.

Her ideal relationship was one without deceit or concealment, where both people were completely honest. If Shen Ningruo didn’t explain this matter properly this time, then it was fine if they didn’t get together.

Qiu Yang was unprecedentedly clear-headed at this moment.

Shen Ningruo herself wasn’t surprised to hear Qiu Yang’s “Okay.” She actually knew where her problem lay, but she still wanted to wait until Qiu Yang was in a better state before talking about the “overtime” matter.

She herself wasn’t ready either, unsure where to start or if Qiu Yang could forgive her “presumptuousness.”

They just held each other like that. Shen Ningruo closed her eyes. She could smell Qiu Yang’s hair, which still smelled so good.

She took two deep breaths, calmed her emotions, and then opened her mouth to ask, “Want to sleep for a bit?”

“Okay.” Qiu Yang still used the same word. Hearing Shen Ningruo’s question, she knew what Shen Ningruo was thinking.

They had such good chemistry; they could always guess each other’s thoughts.

But even though she guessed, now wasn’t the time to expose it. She was willing to continue this stalemate with Shen Ningruo, especially since Shen Ningruo had just said “like” to her.

Qiu Yang felt even more empowered, because she hadn’t said it, so she wouldn’t be the one suffering more torment.

In a relationship, the one at a disadvantage is always the one who takes the initiative but receives no response, isn’t that right?

Even if she knew the other person liked her, if it wasn’t said out loud, none of it meant much.

They slept until five in the afternoon. Qiu Yang woke up. Shen Ningruo had already been awake for a while, playing with Pingzi outside.

Qiu Yang propped herself up against the headboard. She turned her head and saw that a photo frame containing a family portrait had appeared on the bedside table at some point. In the photo, she and Shen Ningruo were smiling, and Pingzi was also looking seriously at the camera.

Harmonious and beautiful, like a dream.

Qiu Yang listened to the sound of Shen Ningruo playing with the cat wand outside the door. The words “really like you” immediately came back to her mind, exceptionally clear and distinct. She picked up her phone and opened WeChat.

Gu Lan had sent her a message while she was sleeping, still asking her to confirm if the person today was Shen Ningruo.

Gu Lan still found it hard to believe.

Qiu Yang looked at her extremely surprised tone, chuckled softly, and typed a definite reply: 【Yes.】

Gu Lan: 【OMG.】

Gu Lan: 【Is Director Shen an actress?】

Qiu Yang carefully recalled the Shen Ningruo she encountered at work and gave another definite reply: 【Yes.】

Who wouldn’t say she was a hidden gem in the entertainment industry after seeing Shen Ningruo’s contrast?

Qiu Yang smiled at the thought.

Qu Yan had also sent her a message, asking about her health. Qiu Yang replied with her current status, saying she could go to work normally tomorrow.

As a working person, it was impossible not to go to the company unless absolutely necessary. Qiu Yang had worked hard for so many years; she didn’t want to slack off at all, especially since the company valued her recently. She wanted to perform even better.

Who didn’t want a promotion or a raise?

She wanted a better life, so she had to push forward. This was a truth Qiu Yang had understood long ago.

In the four years she had been at Wanming, she had only taken leave about once a month, and that was only when it was absolutely necessary, because she was distracted by everything, looked unwell, and was in poor spirits. It was Qu Yan who had advised her to rest well and go out for a trip.

Thinking about these things now, Qiu Yang’s heart was calm. This experience had made Qiu Yang realize a very important point—

She liked Shen Ningruo more than she had imagined.

She hadn’t been sure how deeply she liked Shen Ningruo before, but this time she was completely certain. Facing Shen Ningruo’s fierce and intense intrusion, she was completely defenseless.

She hadn’t expected paying off a debt could take this long. Qiu Yang was a bit bewildered herself but accepted the fact.

Shen Ningruo played with Pingzi outside for a while before hearing the sound of the door opening behind her. She sat on the sofa and looked up, watching Qiu Yang slowly walk out.

“I’m hungry.”

Shen Ningruo immediately asked, “What do you want to eat?”

“Nothing much.” Qiu Yang walked to the refrigerator and took out a box of strawberries.

Shen Ningruo stood up, incredibly diligent, and took the box of strawberries from Qiu Yang’s hand: “I’ll wash them.”

“…Okay.”

Qiu Yang hadn’t expected Shen Ningruo to be so proactive. She was stunned for a moment but then accepted it calmly. However, because Shen Ningruo still hadn’t explained the fake overtime incident, her attitude was a little distant.

Shen Ningruo washed the strawberries very carefully. She took a fruit knife and cut the strawberries in half, then put toothpicks in them. When she came out and saw Qiu Yang sitting on the sofa, she picked up a piece and fed it to her.

She was a novice at taking care of people; she was also exploring as she went.

Qiu Yang held Pingzi and opened her mouth to accept the feeding, but she didn’t look at Shen Ningruo much. Instead, she opened her iPad and went into her photography account.

There were still people persistently sending Qiu Yang private messages wanting to collaborate and promote, but some fans were also urging her to update with landscape photos, wanting new wallpapers.

Since Tao Sixian had noticed the video of Pingzi being filmed before, she would definitely find her way to this account and discover her “secret.”

Thinking of this made Qiu Yang feel a bit disgusted, but if she were to give up this account, she couldn’t bear to. She had painstakingly built it up. If she were to abandon it just because of Tao Sixian…

Tao Sixian wasn’t worth it at all.

Shen Ningruo saw Qiu Yang frown and asked worriedly, “What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”

Qiu Yang glanced at her: “No.”

“I was just disgusted.”

Shen Ningruo’s eyes were moist, filled with worry: “Were you disgusted by the strawberries?”

“No.”

“It’s my ex.”

Shen Ningruo: “…I was disgusted too.”

Shen Ningruo also furrowed her brows: “I ran into her at the elevator entrance last night and had an argument with her.”

“You ran into her?” Qiu Yang was a little surprised.

Shen Ningruo fed another strawberry to Qiu Yang and nodded: “Yes.”

“And Xiao Yang, I think something is very strange.”

Qiu Yang listened quietly.

“That day you came to the company to give me photos, did you encounter someone delivering flowers?”

“Those flowers were sent under your name, with your initials QY written on them.”

“But I knew it definitely wasn’t you. If you wanted to send me flowers, you wouldn’t have someone else do it.”

Qiu Yang would personally deliver photos to her, let alone flowers meant to express affection. This wasn’t hard to guess.

“QY…?” Qiu Yang’s brows furrowed even tighter. Hearing Shen Ningruo say this, she also felt it was very strange. “Running into me was an accident, but using these initials was definitely not an accident. Not many people know that I know you, and among those people, even fewer know your phone number. For example, Peng Kaimiao definitely wouldn’t know.”

“Yes.”

Shen Ningruo opened her mouth, about to state her deduction and also confess that meeting Qiu Yang wasn’t an accident, but Qiu Yang looked over at her first.

“Ruoruo.” Qiu Yang’s expression froze slightly.

“What is it?”

“Among the people in our circle, I’m not the only one with the initials QY.”

“There’s also…”

“Qu Yan.”

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