DTBS – Chapter 87
Chapter 87: Would You Be Willing?
The sulking cat gnashed her teeth as she set up the tent, picking up the small hammer and pounding the stakes repeatedly, as if hitting some insensitive fellow.
"Ding—ding—ding—"
I'm so mad, I'm so mad!
How could you do something so outrageous! It's one thing to go camping with another woman and have two tents, but we're wives! How annoying, how annoying!
"Qingshang," Tao Qiuyun finished setting up the grill. She adjusted her rolled-up sleeves, walked over to Qin Qingshang, squatted down, and took the small hammer from her hand. "Don't hit so hard. There's an angle to it. Using brute force might hurt yourself. Let me do it."
The woman's forearms had smooth lines, and even the simplest hammering motion was pleasing to the eye. But Qin Qingshang was still fuming inside and muttered, "This tent looks quite big."
"Yes," Tao Qiuyun finished hammering the stakes. "I specifically chose a bigger one. I was afraid a smaller one would be too narrow and you wouldn't be used to it."
"Qiuqiu, you're so thoughtful." Qin Qingshang smiled without warmth.
Tao Qiuyun quickly set up the two tents, deliberately placing them very close together. Then she took out realgar powder and insect repellent powder and sprinkled them around the campsite. After taking protective measures, she began preparing for the barbecue.
"I heard many people used to barbecue out in the open here," Tao Qiuyun sat aside peeling an apple, watching Qin Qingshang grilling meat beside her. "But I guess because it's a holiday, not many people came."
"That works out perfectly for us," Qin Qingshang put the grilled meat on a plate and handed it to Tao Qiuyun. "Want to try a bite first?"
"We need a sense of ceremony," Tao Qiuyun took the plate, garnished it with apple peel carved into a decorative strip, and placed it on the small table they had set up. "Waiting for you."
"Okay." Qin Qingshang nodded and continued grilling. "Anyway, we ate quite a few oranges on the way, so it's not urgent to eat later."
While flipping the meat slices, she looked up at the sky ahead. The clouds were gathering, exceptionally beautiful. She couldn't help but exclaim, "The sun is setting soon. Every time I watch the sunset, I think, it's really beautiful!"
Thick clouds in the west covered the setting sun. The white clouds were dyed red, edged with gold. The twilight deepened, blurring the boundary with the sky, seeming to descend onto that tall building.
"That's the Chunjin Group building, isn't it?" Qin Qingshang looked into the distance.
"Yes," Tao Qiuyun carved the apple into a cat's head, smiled, and followed Qin Qingshang's gaze upwards. "Looking at it this way, it's quite beautiful."
"It is beautiful." Qin Qingshang smiled.
No one would think the Chunjin building wasn't beautiful, especially the platform in the middle, which was jokingly called an aerial restaurant that even the rich couldn't eat at.
Unless you were a Chunjin employee or a business partner, you had no right to enter.
She wondered if she would have a chance to eat there in the future.
Damn it! Thinking of this reminded her of how infuriating it was that Tao Qiuyun bought two tents!
The cat, fuming, picked up grilled meat, while Tao Qiuyun was responsible for arranging the plates and tidying up. The two worked together, and soon the outdoor barbecue looked quite presentable.
"I really didn't expect it could be set up so beautifully?" Qin Qingshang wiped her hands with a wet wipe, staring down at the plates on the table. "Qiuqiu, you put a lot of effort into this!"
"It's what I should do. After all, today is our date, it should be different from usual." Tao Qiuyun pulled out a chair for her, her smile gentle. "I just made these things look pretty, but the most amazing one is you."
"Then I'll sit down first," Qin Qingshang sat on the chair, propping her head up as she watched Tao Qiuyun. Seeing her pick up the champagne, just as she was about to place the champagne glass in front of her, Qin Qingshang suddenly said, "Qiuqiu, I heard that some restaurant staff who are specifically in charge of pouring wine know a few tricks. Can you do one too?"
Tao Qiuyun used to be a bartender in a bar, she should know a few tricks, right?
"How do you want me to do it?" Tao Qiuyun paused her action of opening the champagne, put away the towel wrapped around the bottle neck, and asked her, "Or should I just improvise?"
"Just improvise, I want to see what Qiuqiu can do?" The cat looked expectant.
Tao Qiuyun pursed her lips in thought, then said, "The current scene and atmosphere aren't suitable for anything too flashy. I'll do the simplest one."
After saying that, the woman looked into Qin Qingshang's eyes, tossed the champagne bottle upwards, and caught the falling bottle with one hand behind her back without looking away.
Without any pause, her other hand had already picked up the bottle opener. The towel was pressed against the bottle neck, her body slightly turned, the bottle facing outwards. The moment it opened, bubbles gurgled out. The grand, sweeping motion, paired with Tao Qiuyun's gentle and refined appearance, had a unique kind of beauty.
The clear and refreshing autumn day, the warm and radiant beauty, the lively champagne, were unexpectedly harmonious.
"Miss," Tao Qiuyun put down the towel and bottle opener, raised her right arm, bending her elbow at a right angle in front of her. Holding the champagne in her left hand, she hooked Qin Qingshang's glass with her finger and placed it on her elbow. "Your champagne."
The liquid poured from the bottle neck, slowly filling the glass standing on the woman's elbow from high above...
The cat was dumbfounded.
【? No, how did she do that】
【Theoretically, as long as the wine lands exactly in the center of the glass, the glass won't wobble. But for a champagne glass this tall, she can still be so accurate. I can only say, she's really showing off】
【I know Qiu Yi's profession now, she's from the circus! (Dog head)】
【No, the point is Sister Qiu's hand! Her hand is so steady! Sister Qin is blessed】
【I just tried it, and before I even started pouring, the glass fell and shattered on the ground. I'm not saying anything else, my parents are chasing me】
After putting down the bottle, Tao Qiuyun picked up the champagne glass from her hand and placed it in front of Qin Qingshang. "Please enjoy."
When their eyes met across the table, Tao Qiuyun finally realized...
Oh no, I thought I was still bartending at the bar and habitually treated her as a customer. I didn't call her Qingshang just now, it should be okay, right?
Feeling deeply that her words just now were too cold, Tao Qiuyun decided to make up for it: "How is it, Qingshang, do you think this kind of trick is okay?"
It was easier to "do acrobatics" when mixing drinks, although she used to dislike flair bartending. After all, these unnecessary flashy moves wouldn't make the drink taste better, only waste the bartender's energy. But if Qin Qingshang liked watching...
Then she could be "flashy" too! She would start liking it from now on!
"Okay! Very okay!" The cat applauded.
Seeing her happy, Tao Qiuyun finally breathed a sigh of relief, sat down opposite her, and poured herself a glass of wine.
She looked at Qin Qingshang across from her, who was eating the meat in small bites, her eyes full of tenderness. The bubbles in the wine glass surged, like her rapidly beating heart.
After dinner, Tao Qiuyun brought out after-dinner fruit. After enjoying the sunset together, they began to pack up the tables and chairs, and finally walked side by side in the woods.
【Why do I feel like they've been married for a long time?】
【Hahahaha, but they're still so clingy, they have to do everything together】
【As long as you love the right person, every day is like being in love (confirmed)】
Night fell, the white clouds dispersed, and a chill floated in the air. The full moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival was clear and bright, hanging high in the sky, dotted with twinkling stars, filling the heavens.
Tao Qiuyun and Qin Qingshang sat on the grass, their shoulders leaning against each other, admiring the starry sky together.
"That one over there is the Big Dipper," Qin Qingshang pointed to a very bright star in the sky. "Then this one is Arcturus, and the one in the south is Orion."
"What about this one?" Tao Qiuyun pointed to a star directly in the north and asked.
"Silly, that one is the North Star, which I just mentioned, it's always directly in the north!" Qin Qingshang turned sideways and lightly punched her. "Were you just nodding to humor me?"
"No." Tao Qiuyun felt wronged and also turned her head to look at her.
Their foreheads were almost touching, and for a moment, they were both stunned as their breaths mingled.
"You, are there any others you don't recognize?" Qin Qingshang's face was slightly red, and her voice softened considerably. "I'll explain them to you slowly."
Tao Qiuyun turned her head away, calming her heartbeat. "It seems you really like studying constellations? You know so much."
"It's not that I love studying them," Qin Qingshang looked up at the starry sky. "It's because the character in 《White Robed Minister》 loved studying them, so I learned some along the way."
She paused, then continued, "Experiencing different lives and professions allows you to learn many things. I think that's why I love acting."
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Qin Qingshang noticed her gaze. "You don't think I act just for the money, do you?"
"No," Tao Qiuyun shook her head, saying seriously, "I watched 《White Robed Minister》, and you acted very well. You're a very dedicated actress. Also... before you became popular, you probably didn't earn much, right? You still persevered and continued acting. It shows you genuinely love it."
"Actually, it's not as noble as you think." Qin Qingshang lowered her head. "For a while, I really thought about making a lot of money through acting in the future..."
"During college?" Tao Qiuyun remembered what the cat had said when she was drunk.
"Yes. Actually, I became an actress because I've had many strange and whimsical ideas since I was a child, so my grandma always said I was a born actress, always loved to perform since I was little." Qin Qingshang knew very well that they were live streaming now, but her beloved was by her side, and this was a rare moment for just the two of them. She wanted to tell her about her past, even if netizens called her sentimental or trying to gain sympathy, she didn't care. She just wanted Tao Qiuyun to understand her past.
"Later, when I grew up, I looked okay, and the students around me all thought I would become a star in the future," the woman looked up at the sky. "Grandma wasn't in good health. When I was in my third year of high school, she was bedridden. Her biggest interest every day was wearing her reading glasses and watching TV dramas."
"So you became an actress?" Tao Qiuyun looked at her.
"Yes, I applied to a drama university," her breath trembled slightly. "In my first year of college, Grandma's illness worsened. A very rich classmate in my class invited everyone to travel abroad during the holiday. I initially refused. I had part-time jobs and had to take care of Grandma, I wasn't in the mood for fun."
"Grandma found out about this and persuaded me to go, saying I should build good relationships with my classmates and not fall behind. Then she called my dad over and said he could take care of her."
Tao Qiuyun noticed her state wasn't good and didn't interrupt.
"My mother died in a car accident when I was very young, and my dad remarried..."
Seeing that Qin Qingshang was having difficulty continuing, Tao Qiuyun reached out and held her hand, gently changing the subject: "Grandma was the person closest to you, wasn't she?"
"Yes, she was the person closest to me, and she was also the one who loved me the most. I listened to her the most," Qin Qingshang looked at Tao Qiuyun. "So I was obedient and went abroad with my classmates."
And then I met you.
Tao Qiuyun understood the words she didn't say.
"After returning to the country, I found out she was lying to me when we talked on the phone. She hadn't gotten better at all. Not long after, her condition worsened... and she didn't make it, she passed away." Qin Qingshang pointed to the stars in the sky. "She said she would turn into a star and accompany me to win all sorts of awards."
"But I'm not a child, I know people don't turn into stars after they die," Qin Qingshang closed her eyes. "But I want to pluck that star in my career."
"Is it a certain award in the entertainment industry?" Tao Qiuyun guessed.
"Yes," the woman opened her eyes, her gaze burning. "The Brilliant Award. I want to win it so I can tell Grandma at her grave that the path we discussed back then, I'm walking it very well and steadily. I'm very grateful to her. I couldn't have achieved this without her."
"You will," Tao Qiuyun nodded. "You are a good actress. Heaven will not let down those who put in the effort."
"Better be!" The cat didn't want to dwell in sadness and immediately livened up the atmosphere, her tone slightly cheerful: "Qiuqiu, what about your dream?"
"My dream?" Tao Qiuyun fell silent.
"I told you mine, you have to tell me yours too!" Qin Qingshang looked at her, suddenly realizing she was still under the fake identity of Qiu Yi, and quickly said, "It's okay if you don't want to say, but..."
"This," Tao Qiuyun took out the casually woven grass ring. "Can this work?"
"Huh?" The cat was confused. "What does this mean?"
"This is a ring." Tao Qiuyun began to choose her words carefully.
"Of course I know it's a ring. You didn't just pull some grass while we were walking and weave this, did you? We've been together the whole time, how come I didn't see you?"
"My movements were discreet."
"Nonsense!" Qin Qingshang couldn't help it and exposed her directly, laughing, "You wove this at the flower shop, didn't you? Here..."
She pointed at the ring with her index finger. "I saw the little flowers."
"Yes, I can't hide anything from you. I wove it at the flower shop." Tao Qiuyun admitted.
"You can't lie to me!" The cat warned her. "What kind of flower is this? What's the flower language? Don't tell me you don't know. I just said, no lying to me. I don't believe you talked to the shop assistant for so long without asking what the flower language is."
She could make a name for herself in the entertainment industry based on her ability; she wasn't as naive as she appeared. She was smart!
"Casual grass, moving with the heart," Tao Qiuyun held up the ring, her expression sincere. "It means to cherish the person you love and not give up easily."
"So why are you giving me a ring?" The little deer in Qin Qingshang's heart was leaping around, clearly very excited.
"This is a proposal ring," Tao Qiuyun said solemnly, looking into the eyes of the woman in front of her, as if reciting vows. "I don't know if I can become the person you love the most in your heart, but I will do my best to be the second person you love and cherish the most in your heart, okay? Qingshang, can I have this chance?"
Her chest vibrated, the little deer ran faster and faster, as if about to fly. Qin Qingshang felt her heart was about to jump out...
Tao Qiuyun, could it be that Tao Qiuyun also... Wait! This might just be a task from the production team! Calm down! Qin Qingshang, you need to calm down!
Her frantic heartbeat continued. Qin Qingshang's voice was a little shaky, and her eyes unconsciously held a hint of anticipation. "You, you're proposing because of the production team's task?"
No, no, no! The cat silently prayed in her heart.
Tao Qiuyun opened her mouth...
No, it's not because of the production team, it's because I want to become real wives with you.
However, even if a ring made of grass represents sincerity, it still seems not serious enough. And, Qin Qingshang might not...
"Yes, my task today is to propose to you." Tao Qiuyun heard her own voice and also saw the fleeting look of disappointment on the woman's face.
"I knew it!" Qin Qingshang suppressed the tears that were about to well up, forced a smile, and extended her hand. "So they planned for you to propose to me in West Wind Courtyard, huh? They're really something!"
Wuwuwu, Tao Qiuyun, I'm so sad.
Her tone rose, and she continued, "These tasks are really..."
"Qingshang," Tao Qiuyun held her hand. "Stand up."
"Okay~" Qin Qingshang held back her tears and obediently stood up, then saw the woman facing her suddenly lower herself.
You don't have to make the task look so real, do you? Tao Qiuyun, do you believe I'll cry for you to see!
Like a reflection in a mirror or the moon in water, the more beautiful it appears when displayed, the more tragic it is when shattered.
Wuwuwu, she doesn't want to like Tao Qiuyun anymore! She's too much! She's stabbing her in the heart!
Her little deer has been poked to the brink of death!
"The task the production team gave me is to propose to you," Tao Qiuyun knelt on one knee. She looked up at the woman in front of her. She had seen her carefree and happy appearance, and with her keen eye, she instantly saw that Qin Qingshang was forcing a smile. She continued, "You're ready to accept me, right?"
"Yes." Wuwuwu, stop talking, the tears are about to burst out.
The cat was ready to take the ring and go back to the tent to cry off-stream.
"But," the woman's gentle voice continued, "if it weren't for this task, I would never have dared to say these words."
"Ah?" Sensing a possibility, Qin Qingshang's tears instantly went back. "Wh-what do you mean?"
The ring rolled between Tao Qiuyun's fingers. Her voice was firm: "What I really want to say is, those words are my true feelings. After the romance show ends, can we... talk privately? Go to St. Ya Restaurant and talk, just the two of us."
"If you are willing..."
The woman held up the ring in her hand: "Extend your left hand and let me put it on for you."
"Okay?"
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