Married in a Daze - Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Qin Zhenzhen's parents owned a flower shop that had been around for some years. Business had always been lukewarm, neither booming nor failing. Later, after Qin Zhenzhen skyrocketed to fame, the shop was practically flattened by fans.
Her parents had good temperaments and were easygoing. Every time fans came to buy flowers, they would take extra care of them, either giving small gifts or throwing in two or three extra blooms. Consequently, they received particularly good reviews, attracting more and more fans who came specifically to see them.
More people meant more business, and naturally, Qin's dad and mom got busier. Qin Zhenzhen had urged them more than once to hire someone to help, but the two of them simply felt uncomfortable if they weren't busy and firmly refused to hire anyone. Qin Zhenzhen was at her wit's end. Just as she was about to act first and ask for forgiveness later by hiring someone for them, she received a call from the hospital. Her mom had a heart problem and needed to rest and recuperate. Qin's dad had to take care of her mom, so they finally hired someone to watch the shop. With the extra help, the two of them became much more relaxed and had more free time. They started pondering Qin Zhenzhen's lifelong marriage prospects, but before they could even figure out who might be suitable, they were blown away by the news of her marriage.
Of course they were angry!
"So, I have to cooperate with you in putting on an act?"
Lu Ruyun's expression was indifferent, showing neither joy nor anger. But after spending four months with her in the 'sealed set,' Qin Zhenzhen could somewhat sense her displeasure.
She'd be unhappy too if she were in her shoes.
They were currently nothing more than contractual partners, and she was already making such an unreasonable demand. Forget Lu Ruyun—if she herself were asked to act out this kind of play right now, she might just get up and walk away. That Lu Ruyun had come for dinner tonight was already giving her a lot of face.
Besides, one of the clauses in their original contract was non-interference in each other's private lives.
But now, they were indeed interfering in each other's lives.
While this request was born of desperation, it was also very unreasonable.
Qin Zhenzhen's cheeks felt slightly warm. She glanced sideways at Lu Ruyun, seeing her sitting ramrod straight. The streetlights outside the car window occasionally shone in, creating dappled patterns of light and shadow.
The van drove on at a steady pace. Qin Zhenzhen lowered her gaze, thinking of her parents.
Initially, when she and Lu Ruyun got their marriage license, she had treated it merely as a business deal. She had signed countless contracts in her three years since debut, so she hadn't thought to explain it to her family. But it was precisely because she hadn't explained in advance that things were now difficult.
Her parents were typical staunch believers in marriage, treating it with solemnity and reverence. If they knew she was in a fake marriage, who knows how angry they would be.
And her mom—she absolutely could not get agitated right now.
Qin Zhenzhen rubbed her slightly aching head. The warmth on her face subsided a little. If Lu Ruyun was unwilling, she would just come clean. After all, it concerned her mother's life. She didn't believe her mom would truly disregard her own health and force her to get a divorce.
Besides, they still had to divorce in two years. They would have to come up with an explanation then anyway. Might as well just be honest this time.
It was just the consequences...
The car soon arrived at the residential complex. Xiao Wu turned his head. "Miss Qin, we're here."
Ji Lu had already gotten out to open the car doors for them. After Lu Ruyun got out, she turned to look at Qin Zhenzhen, only to see she hadn't gotten out yet and was just patting her own thigh with her palm.
Lu Ruyun frowned. "What are you doing?"
Qin Zhenzhen looked up, her phoenix eyes bright and sparkling. She sighed. "Nothing. Just getting a feel in advance for what it's like to have your legs broken."
Lu Ruyun: ...
Yin Lanfang sat on the sofa, her face stern, getting angrier the more she thought about it. The fire of anger in her eyes had already spread to Qin Ye, who was sitting ten feet away. As time ticked by, her glances toward the door became more and more frequent.
After looking at her several times, Qin Ye finally couldn't take it anymore and walked over to the sofa. "Have you taken your medicine?"
Yin Lanfang shot him an impatient look. "It's you! Always spoiling the child! Well done, you've spoiled her rotten! Getting married without even saying a word to us!"
Hearing her complaint, Qin Ye's face couldn't quite hold its composure. "Me spoiling her? When have I ever spoiled her? Wasn't it you who always gave in to Zhenzhen about everything? And now you blame me."
Yin Lanfang glared at him resentfully. "Me giving in to her? How did I give in? Wasn't it you who always protected her since she was little? If she made a mistake, you couldn't hit or scold her, or else it was 'disrespectful.' I'm truly impressed with you, Qin Ye!"
Her face flushed red with anger, and icy daggers shot from her eyes toward Qin Ye. Having spoken with force, she was now breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling noticeably.
Qin Ye remembered the doctor's warning about not letting her get agitated. He swallowed his words, softened his tone, and said, "Alright, fine, let's say it's my fault. I spoiled her. It's not like Zhenzhen committed some major crime anyway. Calm down first and take your medicine."
He handed the medicine bottle to Yin Lanfang. She turned her head to glare at him and threw the bottle onto the sofa. "Medicine, medicine! What medicine! Let her just anger me to death! It's not like she ever considered me her mother anyway! Not telling us about something as big as marriage? I think she's trying to turn the world upside down!"
Yin Lanfang stood up angrily and paced back and forth in the room. Qin Ye watched her with concern, trying to soothe her. "Don't be so angry. Wait until Zhenzhen comes back and talk to her properly."
"I went to the flower shop and heard from Zhenzhen's little fans that this Lu Ruyun seems alright, with decent character. Didn't you quite like that TV series she acted in before?"
Yin Lanfang yelled at him, "Is that the same thing? How can you be so clueless!"
Qin Ye retorted, "How am I..."
Before he could finish, there was a click from the doorway. Yin Lanfang and Qin Ye immediately fell silent, both looking toward the entrance. They saw Qin Zhenzhen peeking her head in.
She wore an ingratiating smile. Meeting Yin Lanfang and Qin Ye's gazes, she fawned, "Dad. Mom."
Yin Lanfang charged over furiously! Qin Zhenzhen quickly opened the door wider. Standing beside her was Lu Ruyun.
Lu Ruyun wore seven or eight-centimeter high heels and a beige, half-sleeved maxi dress. A few strands of her long hair were pulled back from her temples and fastened behind her head. Her makeup was exquisite, her demeanor as elegant as an orchid.
Qin Ye grabbed hold of Yin Lanfang!
Four people sat on the living room sofa. Qin Zhenzhen kept glancing at Yin Lanfang, using her eyes to signal her dad: Has she taken her medicine?
Qin Ye received her look and shook his head slightly, then signaled with his eyes for her to look beside her.
Qin Zhenzhen looked down, lowering her eyelids.
Damn. Mom hasn't taken her medicine. Will something happen when she hears my explanation later?
Should I tell Ji Lu to have a car ready first?
Yin Lanfang didn't notice the silent exchange between father and daughter. Suppressing her rage, she looked at the Lu Ruyun Qin Zhenzhen had brought back and asked sternly, "When did you two start dating?"
Qin Zhenzhen was lost in wild thoughts. Hearing the question, a cold sweat broke out on her back. She straightened her posture, her fingers twisting together. Under her mom's piercing gaze, she lowered her head and called out, "Mom."
Yin Lanfang snapped at her, "You shut up!"
"I don't want to hear your voice right now."
Hearing this, Qin Zhenzhen's shoulders slumped. She had known her mom would be angry, but she hadn't expected her to be so furious she didn't want to speak to her. How was she supposed to explain then? Rely on Lu Ruyun? She'd be chanting Amitabha if that woman didn't add fuel to the fire.
Seeing Qin Zhenzhen's expression, Qin Ye said sympathetically, "Lanfang, don't be so aggressive."
Yin Lanfang looked at Qin Ye incredulously. "Me, aggressive? How am I being aggressive? Isn't her current lawless personality what you spoiled her into? What? She gets married without a word, and I'm supposed to set off firecrackers in celebration when she comes back?"
With every word she said, Qin Zhenzhen's neck retracted a bit further, like an ostrich.
Lu Ruyun had known Qin Zhenzhen for almost half a year, had lived in close quarters with her for four months, and this was the first time she had seen her looking so miserable and keeping silent. In her memory, this person had always been unrestrained and flamboyant. Even that night when she accidentally tore her dress and went to apologize, she had carried a certain air of pride.
That was why she had tacitly allowed He Shuangshuang to spread the rumor about beating someone up—to teach her a lesson.
But who would have thought she could be so timid too.
Qin Zhenzhen's chin was practically touching her chest. Qin Ye tugged at Yin Lanfang's sleeve. "Alright, alright, say a bit less. Um, Zhenzhen, when did you two start dating?"
Yin Lanfang's fiery, furious eyes shot toward Qin Ye, her face stern, wearing an expression that said You're protecting her again.
Qin Ye pretended to cough lightly, acting as if nothing was wrong. Qin Zhenzhen's restless, twisting fingers stilled. She looked up and steeled herself to speak. "Mom, actually, I..."
"Actually, we started dating while filming. I'm very sorry. I had wanted to come with Zhenzhen to visit you both earlier, but before going public, I was worried it might affect Zhenzhen's career, so it kept getting delayed."
"Not long ago, Zhenzhen was misunderstood by netizens. In a moment of anger, I took her to get our marriage license. I'm truly sorry. This matter was poorly considered on my part."
Lu Ruyun's voice was light, her expression serious, her attitude composed and unruffled, her tone steady and unhurried. In just a few sentences, one could see her good upbringing and refined, intelligent nature.
Yin Lanfang's raging anger was strangely soothed a little. She wasn't the type to press an advantage relentlessly. Now, hearing Lu Ruyun's explanation, although she was still very angry, her expression softened considerably compared to before, and even the looks she gave Qin Zhenzhen weren't as sharp.
Lu Ruyun tilted her head to look at Qin Zhenzhen, saw her stunned expression, and took her hand. Lowering her head, she said, "Zhenzhen told me on the way here that Mom isn't in good health. So, you can hit or scold us as much as you like, just please don't anger yourself."
Qin Zhenzhen's hand, held by Lu Ruyun, trembled. Her stunned look turned into one of utter astonishment.
What had Lu Ruyun just called her?
Mom??
Mom!!
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