"By the way, Xiaojing, regarding this actor matter, don't ask anyone else about it. If you want to see what's on this hard drive, it has to be when you're alone."

Tong Yaqi was afraid the joke might go too far, so she added a sentence, just in case Qin Ruojing asked others about the topic again, or looked at the contents in public, it would cause quite a scene.

Because Tong Yaqi was vague on the topic, Qin Ruojing already felt something was off. Hearing her emphasize it again made it even more suspicious.

Although Tong Yaqi didn't explicitly say anything, Qin Ruojing started to make some connections, feeling somewhat uneasy internally but didn't show it. She casually took the portable hard drive and nodded.

"Okay, I get it. I'll look at it when I'm alone."

After paying the bill and leaving the restaurant, Tong Yaqi returned to Tianjiao Film and Television to continue her handover tasks, while Qin Ruojing sat in her office. She wanted to connect the portable hard drive to her computer several times, but feeling guilty like a thief, she picked it up and put it down again, with her eyes darting to the door.

On the other side, after eating with three girls, Chu Ge called He Junming to arrange a meeting at his uncle's house later; one to check on the little brother, and two, to report some work to He Junming, the real big boss.

Listening to car music, Chu Ge drove his Maserati leisurely on the road. As he passed a tea house, he suddenly saw two somewhat familiar men walking out the door.

One of them, in his forties, wore an expensive suit, his hair shiny and slick, slightly overweight — it was Li Youcheng's uncle, a director of Tianjiao Group who came to seek justice from Qin Ruojing a few days ago, Liu Dong.

The other one, about the same age as Liu Dong, also dressed in a suit but much thinner. Though Chu Ge couldn't recall the name, he remembered this person was also a director in Tianjiao Group.

In Chu Ge's view, the two men's faces were adorned with the trademark smart smiles of businessmen, talking about something while formally shaking hands.

Even after witnessing this scene, Chu Ge didn't think much of it and drove straight to the State Security Bureau family compound, arriving at He Junming's uncle's house.

After knocking the door twice, it opened, but it wasn't the maid who answered — it was He Junming, who was clearly lingering near the door.

"Brother, you're here! Come in!"

Chu Ge smiled, "Yeah, here to report some work to you."

"Hehe, brother, saying it like that mocks me, doesn't it? Between us, there's no need for such formal words."

With that, He Junming invited Chu Ge in, asked the maid to bring some drinks and fruits, and entered his room.

Inside, upon seeing the computer game screen, Chu Ge flicked He Junming on the forehead.

"You brat, still think I'm mocking you? Clearly, it's your company while I'm running around outside every day, and you're here relaxing, playing games at home?"

He Junming rubbed his forehead, chuckling sheepishly, "Uh... brother, didn't I told you? Reading tired me out, just balancing work and rest."

Chu Ge shook his head amusedly, disdainfully saying, "Keep pretending, huh? Don't I already know you?"

Amidst their laughter, Chu Ge informed He Junming of the recent happenings at Tianqing Company, and they also talked about He Qing, a more devoted manager.

But He Junming didn't know what He Qing was busy with, only knowing she seemed to have encountered some minor trouble, likely unable to come to Lidu again anytime soon.

Staying at He Junming's uncle's house until past three in the afternoon, they went out to play some skateboarding. Even though He Junming's leg had completely healed, Chu Ge still didn't let him attempt any dangerous stunts.

If He Junming's leg, having just recovered, got injured again, he really wouldn't be able to explain it to He Qing.

Around five, Chu Ge initially wanted to return to Qin Ruojing, but He Junming persistently urged him to stay. He called Qin Ruojing, telling her he'd be back a bit later and to handle dinner herself, and thus had another meal with He Junming.

When Qin Ruojing returned home, she found Qin Ruoying, who was bored, playing on the computer. Upon hearing the door, she ran out of the bedroom, peeking out to see only Qin Ruojing and couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed and asked, "Sis, where's my brother-in-law?"

Originally, Qin Ruojing was a bit worried her sister might have feelings for Chu Ge. Hearing her ask about him immediately added to her suspicions.

"Xiaoying, why do I feel like you're closer to your brother-in-law than to me? Are you so disappointed not seeing him back?"

Anyway, it was just the two sisters at home, so Qin Ruojing spoke without reservations, half-jokingly probing.

Qin Ruoying nodded matter-of-factly, "Of course!"

Qin Ruojing was taken aback, "Of course? Xiaoying, what do you mean by that?"

Qin Ruoying rubbed her growling stomach, "I'm starving. If brother-in-law were home, we'd already have a delicious meal ready."

Qin Ruojing breathed a sigh of relief. Her sister's excuse was something she could accept.

However, just as she started to relax, Qin Ruoying continued speaking.

"And brother-in-law not only cooks well, he's funny, quick-witted, skilled in martial arts, um... and..."

Seeing that her sister seemed to continue, Qin Ruojing rubbed her forehead, "Stop, stop, Xiaoying, from what you're saying, it sounds like you're praising your brother-in-law to the skies. Is he really that amazing in your eyes?"

Qin Ruoying shook her head with a smile, "What do you mean praising to the skies? I'm just telling the truth. Brother-in-law is indeed outstanding."

Seeing her sister's face full of admiration, Qin Ruojing couldn't help but frown slightly, asking the question that really worried her.

"I say, Xiaoying, I've never heard you praise a guy like this before. I have a feeling that... you might have a crush on your brother-in-law?"

Qin Ruoying was surprised, then came over to Qin Ruojing's side with an amused look, reaching out to touch her forehead.

Qin Ruojing widened her eyes and swatted her sister's hand away, annoyed, "What are you doing?"

"Just checking if you have a fever. What nonsense are you talking about? He's my brother-in-law, why would I compete with you over him?"

Even after what just happened, Qin Ruojing remained cautious, asking along her sister's line, "But what if he wasn't your brother-in-law?"

"Sis, what's gotten into you today? What's there to ask?"

"Nothing's wrong, I'm fine. If he weren't your brother-in-law, what would you do?"

Under her sister's slightly anxious gaze, Qin Ruoying deliberately paused for a moment, then giggled and said, "Why don't you guess? If you guess right, I'll tell you."

Seeing her sister's teasing look and unwillingness to reveal anything, Qin Ruojing felt her heart skip a beat. Could her worst fear have come true?

After waiting a few seconds and noticing Qin Ruoying staying silent, she suspiciously asked, "Huh? Something's not right! Sis, why did you suddenly bring this up? Could it be you're..."

"Oh, it's nothing. I'm just considering marriage and feeling a bit unsure if Chu Ge is the man I want to spend my life with. I just randomly asked to hear your opinion on him. By the way, do you want to eat out tonight or order in?"

Qin Ruojing brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, masking her inner unease, and forced a smile. Seeing Qin Ruoying was about to pursue the topic further, she switched to discussing dinner, changing the subject.

After having the delivery dinner together, Qin Ruoying got bored at home and went downstairs to the community square to play shuttlecock with the residents. Since the area's security was good, Qin Ruojing wasn't worried and didn't stop her.

Left alone at home, Qin Ruojing turned over the issue in her mind for a long time and figured she was just worrying unnecessarily. How long had her sister and Chu Ge known each other anyway? It was simply impossible.

Consoling herself with these thoughts, Qin Ruojing felt much more relaxed. Then she remembered the portable hard drive Tong Yaqi had given her. Since both Chu Ge and her sister weren't home, she might as well take a look at what it contained and find out who this Maria was.

With this thought, Qin Ruojing could no longer hold back. She returned to her bedroom, closed the door, and took out the portable hard drive, connecting it to her laptop.

The contents of the hard drive were well-organized into folders labeled work, movies, and music. She casually opened the movies folder, and a few subfolders appeared. One of them was the Maria she was looking for.

Clicking further in, a row of video files appeared.

Although she hadn't played any of the video files yet, the peculiar smile on Tong Yaqi's face at noon made Qin Ruojing inexplicably anxious, even though she herself didn't know what she was anxious about.

After looking around and peeking out from the door, Qin Ruojing returned to her bedroom, closed the door, and sat on the bed facing the door. She directed the mouse to one of the video files.

Choosing this spot was a sort of double insurance. If anyone came through the front door, she would hear it and could immediately close the file. And even if she was a bit slow, when the door swung open, the content on her laptop screen would still be hidden.

Before clicking on the file, Qin Ruojing felt like she was sneakily engaging in something mischievous. She felt a mix of anticipation, nervousness, and a hint of novelty and excitement.

Taking a deep breath, Qin Ruojing gently bit her lower lip with her pristine teeth, and finally double-clicked the mouse to open the video file.

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