DTBS – Chapter 28
Chapter 28: Kitty Pounce
"I originally thought CEO Tao would choose the more convenient facial recognition," Qin Qingshang said, staring at the clean WeChat interface on the phone. "I didn't expect you'd still use fingerprints."
"I don't like facial recognition." Tao Qiuyun drove out of the neighborhood, chatting casually with the woman beside her. "What about you, Miss Qin? Do you use facial recognition?"
"What a coincidence," Qin Qingshang chuckled. "I don't use facial recognition either."
"Afraid of accidental operations?"
"No, it's because sometimes the lock screen is quite useful as a mirror." After saying that, Qin Qingshang turned her head to look at her. "By the way, CEO Tao, how are you going to reply?"
"What did she say?"
"She asked if you like small animals?" Qin Qingshang stared at the two profile pictures on the phone. "CEO Tao, your WeChat profile picture is really simple."
Just a simple glass cup, like it was put there casually as an afterthought.
"My WeChat name is also very simple," Tao Qiuyun glanced at her. "Tell her 'It's okay'."
"Just reply 'It's okay'?" Qin Qingshang typed on the screen. "Isn't that too perfunctory?"
"There was no point to begin with, I'm already being very polite."
"She sent another message," Qin Qingshang looked at the instant reply from the other side. "This time she's asking if CEO Tao has any pets. Looks like she's a girl who loves small animals."
"No." Tao Qiuyun drove past the intersection, increasing speed. "Just reply 'No'."
"Okay," Qin Qingshang had just sent it when the other side replied instantly. Seeing the text on the screen, she couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Sorry, CEO Tao, I shouldn't laugh, but it seems the other side isn't interested in you either."
"What did she say?"
"She said, 'After interacting, we have no common topics, we can delete each other.' I feel," Qin Qingshang turned to stare at her, "she was also forced into this blind date with you."
"We haven't even met, so it can't be considered a blind date, right?" Tao Qiuyun frowned slightly. "Reply 'Okay' to her."
"Then delete her as a friend?" Qin Qingshang typed 'Okay', and her finger moved to the other person's profile picture, ready to tap and delete.
"Let her delete it," Tao Qiuyun put on the turn signal. "Otherwise, she'll take a screenshot and complain to Auntie Feng that I deleted her first, and those aunties will introduce me to new chat partners again."
Qin Qingshang was startled. "I thought, with CEO Tao's status, you wouldn't be rushed into blind dates."
"No one can really force me," Tao Qiuyun adjusted the hair falling by her ear, looking a little embarrassed. "It's just that the aunties mean well, and I don't want to refuse too harshly, so I'll chat with them appropriately."
"Chatting like you just did?" Qin Qingshang's lips curved up.
"Yes."
"Then, can you actually make anything happen by chatting like that?"
"As long as I don't want it to happen, it won't." Tao Qiuyun didn't want to continue the topic and simply turned on the music. "Miss Qin, since my phone is in your hands, can I exchange WeChat contacts with you? That way, if we need to contact each other in the future, it will be more convenient."
Speaking of contact, Qin Qingshang suddenly remembered the phone task from a month ago. Her expression was slightly annoyed. "CEO Tao, when you said 'get rich' on the phone before, were you hinting at me?"
"Does Miss Qin not like getting rich?" Tao Qiuyun looked puzzled. "I think there are very few people in this world who don't like money. I am a practical businesswoman and Miss Qin's partner. This is my most sincere blessing to Miss Qin."
Back then, she didn't know which drunk little cat hugged her and said that if she respected her, she would give her lots of money and alcohol.
"I…" Qin Qingshang didn't know how to respond for a moment, so she simply turned her head to look out the window, feeling frustrated. "It's been a while, and CEO Tao is still so eloquent."
The interlude of the light music had just started when it suddenly skipped to the next song, which was the theme song of 《White Robed Minister》—《Cloud Movement》.
Unlike typical TV drama theme songs, 《Cloud Movement》 is a chorus song, performed by four people (Ding Yuyan, Qiao Donglai, Qin Qingshang, Ai Yi). At this moment, it was Qin Qingshang's part at the beginning.
The woman who was looking at the scenery sideways suddenly turned her head sharply, like a little cat whose tail had been suddenly pulled.
Tao Qiuyun smiled, her brows relaxed and eyes bright. "Not as good as Miss Qin, whose voice can shake the rafters."
Qin Qingshang gritted her teeth, listening to her own singing from the car stereo, feeling inexplicably embarrassed. "CEO Tao, can you change the song?"
"I think it's very pleasant to listen to." Tao Qiuyun's gaze was sincere, and she even set it to loop playback to express her fondness.
"You said you would prioritize my wishes, CEO Tao. You wouldn't want to breach the contract and then divorce me, would you?"
"…Okay, I'll change the song."
The threatened CEO Tao silently changed the song. Seeing the red light ahead, she stepped on the brake. When the countdown reached ten seconds, she reached out to Qin Qingshang beside her with a dazed expression. "Miss Qin, can you let me unlock my phone so we can add each other as friends?"
Qin Qingshang thought for a moment and handed the woman's phone over.
As soon as Tao Qiuyun unlocked it with her fingerprint, the green light turned on. She controlled the car to move forward and casually handed the phone back to Qin Qingshang beside her. "Could I trouble Miss Qin to add it yourself, please?"
Qin Qingshang took the phone, her clear eyes carrying a hint of scrutiny, staring straight at her. "CEO Tao, I asked you before if you liked me, and you haven't answered me directly."
The woman driving showed no surprise. "Miss Qin, do you think I would like a wife who is destined to divorce? Please rest assured, I don't like you, and you don't need to be nervous, much less… imagine things. You understand your position, and I understand our relationship. I have principles and won't overstep."
After saying that, she added, "I just hope our interactions can be more comfortable. I want Qinqin to think our relationship is good. You know she's afraid I'll treat you badly and always calls me a bad guy."
"That's good." Qin Qingshang quietly breathed a sigh of relief and began operating WeChat to add the friend.
Seeing her shift her gaze, Tao Qiuyun's eyelashes trembled slightly, and her fingers tightened around the steering wheel.
Was she acting too eager, too relaxed in front of her? But she just simply wanted to be closer to her.
Qin Qingshang had said she didn't want to be friends with her, which left her feeling a bit lost, not knowing how to bridge the gap between them or what stance to take.
Being looked at with that distant gaze just now made Tao Qiuyun feel uncomfortable, like a thorn, causing her distress.
This showed that although Qin Qingshang wasn't as resistant to her as before, she still wasn't willing to be too intimate with her.
"Okay," Qin Qingshang finished adding the friend and looked at Tao Qiuyun. "CEO Tao, you don't mind if I give you a different nickname, right?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Qin Qingshang felt a bit of regret, wishing she could slap herself. She really brought up something she shouldn't have. What if she made CEO Tao remember "Gan Gan"?
"Is it Gan Gan?" Tao Qiuyun tilted her head slightly, smiling. "I don't mind, I really like the word Gan Gan."
"Huh?" Qin Qingshang was startled. "Really? You like it a lot?"
"Yes," Tao Qiuyun nodded. "Qinqin said you were praising me for being brave, and it's such a cute nickname, why would I mind?"
"…Oh, I see. It's good that you don't mind." Qin Qingshang turned her head away guiltily, not daring to say that she had actually already changed the nickname.
Now both the phone contact and WeChat name were changed to the unified "Tao Qiuyi" (套秋衣 – Tào Qiūyī, meaning 'put on autumn clothes'). After all, the abbreviation for "Tao Qiuyun" (陶秋韻 – Táo Qiūyùn) and "Tao Qiuyi" (套秋衣) were both TQY, pretty much the same.
The woman was already feeling guilty. At this moment, her phone vibrated, and she subconsciously lowered her head to look, finding that the niece had sent another message.
"CEO Tao, the niece sent you a period," Qin Qingshang had just finished speaking when the next message from the other side came through. She couldn't help but laugh, reading aloud, "Exclamation mark exclamation mark, why haven't you deleted me yet, question mark."
Tao Qiuyun was amused by her straightforward reading of the punctuation marks and said, "Don't bother with her."
"Not replying?"
"No reply," Tao Qiuyun relaxed her body and changed the subject. "Let's not talk about her. Miss Qin, are there any requirements for playing the female lead?"
"I need to lose weight." Qin Qingshang turned off Tao Qiuyun's phone screen and put it back on the holder in front.
"Lose weight?" Tao Qiuyun frowned. "But you're not fat at all."
She remembered the scene of holding her at the old house before…
With plump flesh and delicate bones, describing her as Chang'e from the Moon Palace wouldn't be an exaggeration.
"You look heavier on camera, and my character is very thin in the early stages, so I need to lose a bit more." The woman propped her cheek with one hand and sighed. "Sister Lan told me to eat well for the next couple of days, and then she'll help me customize a diet plan and supervise me daily."
Actually, she wanted to join the crew sooner. Once she joined, she wouldn't have to hide from that idiot Jiang Lihe every day.
The two chatted about the film crew, asking and answering questions. The atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious, and they soon arrived downstairs at Tao Qiuyun's building.
The woman unbuckled her seatbelt and looked at Qin Qingshang in the passenger seat, making a tentative invitation. "Miss Qin, would you like to come up with me to pick up Qinqin?"
"Okay." Qin Qingshang nodded.
Seeing her agree, Tao Qiuyun's eyes lit up. She got out of the car and said, "We can also register your fingerprint. If you miss Qinqin in the future, you can come over anytime. You probably haven't tasted the dishes that little girl makes, right? Honestly, they're quite good. She told me you taught her."
"What dish? Tomato scrambled eggs?" Qin Qingshang followed her out of the car, her eyes showing a smile. "I'm very good at that. Could it be that the me in a parallel universe is also skilled at this dish?"
"Indeed," Tao Qiuyun nodded. "It's tomato scrambled eggs. Is there a special story behind it that makes you skilled at this dish in both timelines?"
"No, it's just because it's simple. It was the first dish I learned, taught by my grandmother." Qin Qingshang's expression turned sad for a moment, perhaps thinking of something.
Tao Qiuyun, who had been paying attention to her, naturally didn't miss this scene. She didn't press further and changed the subject. "Miss Qin, if Qinqin misses you while you're filming, what should we do? Can we make video calls?"
"The film crew isn't doing closed-set filming," Qin Qingshang walked beside Tao Qiuyun. "We can arrange to meet up."
"That means," Tao Qiuyun was a little surprised, "you agree to what I said before about meeting regularly?"
"Mm, as long as I have time."
Hearing this, Tao Qiuyun turned her head, suppressing the upward curve of her lips, and picked up her phone to message Su Qingxiang:
【What is Qinqin doing?】
Su Qingxiang: 【Rare indeed, you heartless little thing actually took the initiative to ask about your daughter. She's watching TV.】
Tao Qiuyun: 【Not eating with you tonight.】
Su Qingxiang: 【Huh? It's one thing to ditch me, but you're ditching your daughter too?】
Tao Qiuyun: 【You misunderstood, I'm taking Qinqin out to eat tonight.】
Su Qingxiang: 【Eating alone? Why aren't you taking me?】
Tao Qiuyun: 【Qin Qingshang is also here, it's inconvenient to bring you.】
Tao Qiuyun: 【Where are you? Why aren't you replying?】
This message couldn't be sent. Su Qingxiang had deleted her as a friend.
Feeling helpless, Tao Qiuyun sent a friend request, put her phone back in her pocket, pressed the elevator button, and said to the woman beside her, "My friend is at home helping me look after Qinqin. Her personality is quite… enthusiastic. I hope she doesn't scare you."
"It's fine," Qin Qingshang smiled. "I'm quite curious about what kind of person can be friends with CEO Tao."
To be friends with someone like CEO Tao, being a bit enthusiastic is probably normal, right? Otherwise, it would likely be awkward silence.
Soon they arrived at the entrance of Tao Qiuyun's home. Just as she opened the door with her fingerprint, Su Qingxiang's voice came from the living room. "Come on, Qinqin baby, let's see who's home! Qiu~"
Su Qingxiang led Tao Aiqin to the entrance. Just as she was about to open her mouth and act spoiled towards Tao Qiuyun, she saw Qin Qingshang behind her, which scared her into immediately swallowing the words she was about to say.
"Mama!" The little one saw the unexpected person, her eyes sparkling. She almost flew over in her little slippers and hugged Qin Qingshang tightly. "Mama, Qinqin missed you so much! Qinqin has been very obedient here with the bad guy."
After saying that, she extended her little paw and tugged at Tao Qiuyun's sleeve. "Right? Little cat is super obedient~"
"Yes." Tao Qiuyun stroked her little head. "Very obedient, and she can even cook. She's better than me."
"Hmph~ It's all because your cooking is too bad." The little cat turned her head, hugged Qin Qingshang with both hands again, rubbed against her, and said pitifully, "I miss Mama, I want to live with Mama. Mama hasn't talked to Qinqin for a long time, do you not want me anymore?"
"How could that be?" Qin Qingshang felt a wave of tenderness in her heart. She stroked her hair and coaxed her, "It's just that Mama is very busy. Didn't… didn't your Qiuqiu Mama take good care of you too?"
Tao Aiqin blinked, chatting with the System in her head. "Sys, my villain mom is making progress! She actually managed to trick the female lead into coming home by herself!"
"Allow me to remind you, according to the novel's plot, the male lead has already started contacting the female lead at this point."
"But I think the female lead mom is doing pretty well. She not only has the big shot Tao Qiuyun backing her now, but she also knows the novel's plot. There's no way she'll let the male lead succeed, right?"
"As long as the main mission doesn't show as completed, we can't relax," the System reminded her.
"Don't worry, Sys. Since the female lead is here today, I'll figure out a way to make her stay! To cultivate feelings."
"Uh, you mean keeping her here properly, right?" The System wasn't entirely at ease.
"You still don't know my character? Trust me, there'll be no problem."
"You'd better really have no problem!"
Seeing Tao Aiqin not respond, Tao Qiuyun pursed her lips and admitted her mistake. "My cooking skills weren't very good before, maybe Qinqin feels I didn't take good care of her."
Hearing this, the little cat secretly rolled her eyes…
Your skills weren't very good before? Your skills are clearly still very bad now!
Qin Qingshang hadn't tasted Tao Qiuyun's cooking, so she could calmly comfort her. "After all, CEO Tao, you probably don't cook much normally. This kind of thing, practice makes perfect."
"Mama, Qinqin is very obedient at kindergarten~" The little cat dragged Qin Qingshang into the house. "Lots of people want to be friends with Qinqin, and they drew lots and lots of pictures. Qinqin drew Mama and fishies!"
Children talk without much logic, saying whatever comes to mind. Qin Qingshang, however, chatted with her very patiently, her gentle and doting manner making Tao Qiuyun a little lost in thought.
"Hey!" Su Qingxiang bumped her shoulder and whispered, "Why didn't you tell me your wife was coming back with you? I could have left earlier."
"What do you mean?" Tao Qiuyun turned to look at her.
"Aren't you afraid your wife will misunderstand our relationship?"
"Is there something improper about our relationship? Don't be so cautious. I'm not having an affair with you, there's nothing to be afraid of."
"It's my first time meeting her. Your wife sees a strange woman at home, and a beautiful one at that," Su Qingxiang tossed her hair. "Isn't she jealous?"
"I told you you're my friend." Tao Qiuyun felt speechless. Even if Qin Qingshang were truly her wife, she wouldn't be jealous over a friend. They were both mature adults; how could they be possessive like children?
"You blockhead, you don't understand anything." Su Qingxiang picked up her leather bag, which was already by the entrance. "I'm leaving. You family of three can have your reunion. Oh, right!"
She held up a finger. "To add me back as a friend, you have to go shopping with me at least once."
"Okay." Tao Qiuyun nodded. Just as the woman was about to continue stating conditions, she took over the conversation. "And I'll pay for all your expenses that day."
"Alright, I'll consider you sincere," Su Qingxiang took out her phone and accepted Tao Qiuyun's friend request. She glanced inside the house and lowered her voice a bit. "Qiuqiu, Qinqin wanted to go into your room today. I didn't agree."
Tao Qiuyun's eyes flickered slightly. "Thank you."
"What about Qin Qingshang? Does she know about your situation?"
"She forgot." Tao Qiuyun found it amusing. "Alright, you should go quickly."
"You guy with a wife but no friends!" Su Qingxiang cursed at her, slung her bag, and left. As she walked out the door, she didn't forget to add a final instruction: "Qiuqiu, a broken mirror reunited already has cracks. Be more honest with your wife."
After closing the door, Tao Qiuyun shook her head and chuckled softly…
Broken mirror reunited? She and Qin Qingshang weren't some broken mirror reunited.
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