Married in a Daze - Chapter 17
Chapter 17
From the very beginning of their collaboration, Qin Zhenzhen had always regarded Lu Ruyun with the respect one gives an elder. Although Lu Ruyun was only three years older than her, Qin Zhenzhen was still a student when Lu Ruyun's role as 'Cloud Fairy' captivated the entire nation. So, deep down, Qin Zhenzhen revered her.
It was just that later, every time the two of them had any contact, something inexplicably unlucky seemed to happen. Gradually, their interactions became fewer, to the point where they were reluctant to even speak when they met, let alone form a deeper friendship. That's why rumors of their discord began to circulate within the production crew.
Once those rumors started, people in the crew began to take sides. Some said Qin Zhenzhen, having only been popular for a few years, was disrespecting her senior. Others said Lu Ruyun was putting on airs and using her status to pressure her junior, making her difficult to get close to. There were all sorts of opinions. Hearing them enough times, Qin Zhenzhen naturally took them to heart.
Although she never outwardly showed any displeasure, she inevitably became somewhat resentful.
Later, when their fans' online battles dredged up so much negative information, the rift between them grew even wider. It wasn't as dramatic as the online gossip about them glaring at each other with hostility, but their interactions were certainly not pleasant. Yet, ironically, it was under these circumstances that they were forced to get married. Qin Zhenzhen felt this was truly fate playing a joke on her.
Who would believe it if she told them? In this day and age, there were still people so superstitious as to use marriage to break a curse?
But that was the reality.
Their relationship had begun in an inexplicable way, and it would end in an inexplicable way too.
Qin Zhenzhen took a sip of tea, mentally sorting through her thoughts about Lu Ruyun. Before she could figure out why Lu Ruyun had asked to meet her today, she heard a sound behind her. She turned to look and saw Lu Ruyun standing at the door.
The reason Lu Ruyun could be called 'Cloud Fairy' for thirteen years wasn't just because she played the role. Another important reason was that she looked ethereal, or rather, her aura was transcendent. Although Qin Zhenzhen often belittled her personality as boring and labeled her a 'fuddy-duddy,' she had to admit that Lu Ruyun's looks and temperament were rare in the entertainment industry.
She was a classic Oriental beauty, with sloping shoulders and a slender waist, an excellent bone structure, dignified and elegant features, delicate eyebrows and watery eyes, radiating a pure spirit and exquisite bone structure.
Lu Ruyun seldom smiled, but her face was never stern. Her expression was gentle and smooth, very much like the ethereal goddesses from TV dramas. Looking at her like this, Qin Zhenzhen always felt that if you gave her a longsword, she could go slay demons at any moment.
Ji Lu, sitting beside her, was momentarily stunned to see Lu Ruyun enter. Then, with tact, she said to Qin Zhenzhen, "Zhenzhen, I'll step out for now."
Qin Zhenzhen saw Lu Ruyun whisper a few words to He Shuangshuang, who then turned and left. She nodded, "Okay."
Ji Lu picked up her bag and stood. As she passed Lu Ruyun, she gave a slight nod in greeting.
After the two left, Lu Ruyun walked to the table and sat down, asking the waiter to hand the menu to Qin Zhenzhen for her to order.
Unable to decipher her intentions for the moment, Qin Zhenzhen casually pointed to two dishes, then looked up and asked, "What about you?"
Lu Ruyun's expression was calm. "I'm fine with anything."
Qin Zhenzhen ordered two more dishes and waved her hand, dismissing the waiter.
The door closed, leaving the private room in silence. Lu Ruyun stood up to pour tea for Qin Zhenzhen. Qin Zhenzhen stared at her profile. "If you have something to say, just say it. Don't be like this, it gives me the creeps."
After all, she held a grudge against Lu Ruyun because of the 'hitting' incident, and she believed Lu Ruyun didn't like her either. So, there was no need for pretense. It was better to speak openly.
Hearing this, Lu Ruyun just glanced at her, paused, and said, "Last time, when I visited Miss Qin's home, do you remember what you said on the way back?"
Qin Zhenzhen was slightly taken aback. Last time's visit? On the way back? What she said?
She remembered saying quite a lot.
She really didn't know which sentence Lu Ruyun was referring to.
Qin Zhenzhen ventured tentatively, "Was it 'thank you'?"
Lu Ruyun, expression unchanged, picked up her cup, took a sip of tea, and said, "You said if I ever needed anything, I could come to you."
Comprehension dawned on Qin Zhenzhen's face. She nodded. "You need something now?"
Her direct, utterly unvarnished question made Lu Ruyun choke on her water. She coughed twice, a faint blush appearing on her fair face. "I do need something. I want to invite you to participate in a show with me."
Qin Zhenzhen: "Which one?"
Lu Ruyun's red lips parted slightly. "Star Showdown."
Qin Zhenzhen looked up at her, thought for a moment, and said, "I need to ask Sister Meng."
Lu Ruyun nodded. "Okay."
Their polite, proper conversation reached a pause. Qin Zhenzhen picked up her phone from the table and sent a message to Meng Xin. In truth, since her debut, she had participated in many shows, but mostly for drama promotions, appearing with the cast. She had very rarely appeared on shows individually.
Less than two minutes later, Meng Xin replied: Yes, I'll arrange the schedule.
Qin Zhenzhen looked up, her bright eyes meeting Lu Ruyun's, and said, "If we go on the show together, does that count as repaying the favor from last time?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Ruyun's hand holding the teacup paused slightly. An indescribable feeling rose in her heart. She looked into Qin Zhenzhen's clear eyes, full of straightforwardness.
She said, "Of course it does."
Qin Zhenzhen let out a sigh of relief. "Good. Then the previous unpleasantness is settled. From now on, we're even."
After saying this, she felt much better, her joy showing on her face, a smile lifting the corners of her lips. After the waiter finished serving the dishes, she even gestured respectfully and said, "Let's eat."
Lu Ruyun watched her, taking in her expression, her own face calm, her bright eyes deep. "Okay."
The meal lasted over half an hour, with only the occasional two or three sentences of polite conversation. Qin Zhenzhen thought that perhaps, now that things were cleared up, eating with Lu Ruyun didn't feel as awkward anymore.
After finishing her dessert and wiping the corners of her mouth with a napkin, she said to Lu Ruyun, "I'm going to the restroom."
Lu Ruyun gave a light, "Mm."
Qin Zhenzhen picked up her bag and walked out of the private room. Ji Lu and He Shuangshuang were no longer outside the door, presumably having gone for lunch themselves. The restroom was at the very end, requiring her to pass by several other private rooms. Qin Zhenzhen could hear voices from inside. She lowered her head and hurried past the doorways.
But before she reached the restroom, someone called out to her.
"Zhenzhen!"
Song He had just come out of the restroom when he saw Qin Zhenzhen walking hurriedly with her head down. Surprised, he called out. Qin Zhenzhen looked up at him and smiled. "What a coincidence."
Song He nodded. "Indeed it is. What are you doing here?"
Qin Zhenzhen pointed towards a nearby private room. "Having a meal over there."
A smile lit up Song He's star-like eyes. "With Teacher Lu?"
Qin Zhenzhen didn't speak, her smile serving as tacit confirmation.
The two stood in the corridor. Song He raised his hand. "Alright then, I won't disturb you. See you later."
"See you later."
Qin Zhenzhen never imagined that 'later' would be so soon. When she came out of the restroom, Sun Qin was standing in the corridor. Seeing her, Sun Qin smiled and said, "Zhenzhen."
Qin Zhenzhen quickly hurried over. "Is there something, Teacher Sun?"
Sun Qin waved her hand. "Nothing urgent. Song He just saw you outside and mentioned you and Ruyun were eating nearby. They're playing games inside and wanted to ask if you and Ruyun would like to join."
"We..."
"Zhenzhen?"
Before Qin Zhenzhen could finish her sentence, she heard a voice from further down the corridor. Looking past Sun Qin's shoulder, she saw Lu Ruyun walking towards them in her high heels. Sun Qin also heard the voice and turned, smiling. "Ruyun."
Lu Ruyun bowed her head slightly. "Teacher Sun."
Her attitude was respectful and courteous. Sun Qin patted her shoulder with a laugh. "Haven't seen you in years. You're getting more and more beautiful."
Lu Ruyun gave a faint smile. "Teacher Sun, you're teasing me again."
Sun Qin shook her head. "Alright, no more teasing. Would you like to come in and sit for a bit?"
Qin Zhenzhen glanced at Lu Ruyun's expression, thinking she probably wouldn't enjoy a noisy, crowded atmosphere. She was just about to refuse when she heard Lu Ruyun say, "Sure. Zhenzhen just mentioned you were also on the crew. I was actually thinking of finding a moment to visit you."
Sun Qin's face broke into a wide smile. "Come on, come on, let's go in and talk."
With that, she led the way. Qin Zhenzhen followed behind her, whispering, "What are you doing? I could have just explained to Teacher Sun. There was no need to come."
Lu Ruyun glanced at her sideways, pressed her lips together, and said, "Miss Qin, in this situation, do you think you owe me a favor, or do I owe you one?"
Qin Zhenzhen: "......"
Regardless of who owed whom, they were already inside. This private room was clearly much larger than theirs, consisting of two small rooms separated by a carved wooden screen. As Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun entered, they heard Sun Qin say happily to everyone, "Look who's here!"
The people busy playing games at the table turned to look casually. Then came a series of clattering sounds. Two people's chopsticks hit their porcelain bowls with a clang. The entire room erupted with cries of "Zhenzhen!" and "Teacher Lu!"
Two young men even said to Sun Qin, "Teacher Sun is amazing! She actually managed to invite Teacher Lu over!"
Flattered by the praise, Sun Qin beamed and said to Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun, "Sit anywhere. Zhenzhen, take care of Ruyun."
Qin Zhenzhen smiled politely, her eyes scanning the table. Seeing a few empty seats, Song He also stood up and said, "Zhenzhen, over here!"
After speaking, he patted the person next to him, signaling them to scoot over, his expression natural and easy as if the two were very familiar.
A faint smile on her face, Qin Zhenzhen turned with graceful ease to look at Lu Ruyun. "Let's go."
Lu Ruyun looked at her, noting how her interaction with Song He was completely unlike the formal, distant way she acted with herself. She pressed her lips into a straight line, lowering her eyelids. Before she could react, Qin Zhenzhen reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her towards the inner part of the dining table.
Caught off guard by the sudden grasp, Lu Ruyun was momentarily stunned. She looked down at their joined hands. Their skin tones were nearly identical. Qin Zhenzhen's fingers were slender and soft, with distinct knuckles. Unlike the last time they held hands, when her palm was sweaty and sticky, this time it was dry. The sensation of skin against skin was even more pronounced.
The gazes of everyone present shifted from the two of them to their clasped hands. They exchanged looks, understanding smiles spreading across their faces.
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