Married in a Daze - Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Qin Zhenzhen found out about Lu Ruyun liking He Tian's Weibo post during the mid-shoot break. Ji Lu trotted over and handed her the phone: "Zhenzhen, it's Sister Meng."

After saying that, she added in a low voice, "Sister Meng sounds pretty angry."

Qin Zhenzhen looked at her quizzically, took the phone, and said, "Hello, Sister Meng."

Meng Xin took a few deep breaths upon hearing her voice before speaking: "Do you know about the Weibo situation?"

Qin Zhenzhen lowered her eyes. "I know."

Meng Xin began, "Zhenzhen, next time something like this happens, contact me first. Don't act impulsively. You should know your fans are currently in a state that needs reassurance because of your situation with Lu Ruyun. What you did will not only make them unfollow you but also give the antis ammunition to attack you."

Qin Zhenzhen listened silently. "Okay."

Seeing her cooperation, Meng Xin sighed in relief. "Zhenzhen, I know you're not happy, but these are critical times. You must avoid acting on impulse."

"And since both you and Lu Ruyun have already liked the post on Weibo, I..."

Qin Zhenzhen, hearing this, interrupted Meng Xin in surprise, "Liked?"

"What 'liked'?"

Meng Xin was confused by her question. "He Tian's Weibo post! The photo of you and Lu Ruyun! Don't you know?"

She knew.

Of course, she knew about the photo. But when did she like it?

Qin Zhenzhen quickly pulled out her own phone, entered Weibo, and saw the first post in her 'liked' list was the one He Tian posted at noon. Staring at the familiar ID, she dug her nails into the phone case, pressed her lips together, and said, "Sister Meng, I clicked on it by accident."

Meng Xin: "..."

Clicked on it by accident.

This 'accident' had set Weibo abuzz for half a day, causing the already cooling news about her and Lu Ruyun to surge again, making netizens—and even Meng Xin herself—speculate whether it was an act of pique.

Who would have thought the reason was this—an accidental click.

Meng Xin took another deep breath, slowly exhaled, and said, "Forget it. Whether it was accidental or not, since it's already happened, we can only think of ways to mitigate it."

"I've already contacted He Shuangshuang. The fact that both you and Lu Ruyun liked the post can serve as a warm-up for the show. Later, I'll send a draft to Ji Lu. You can edit it and post it tonight. Then Lu Ruyun's side will respond."

Qin Zhenzhen gave a short "Mm."

Meng Xin was silent for a few seconds. "Zhenzhen, I told you long ago, once the arrow is shot, there's no turning back. Your public marriage announcement with Lu Ruyun, handled well, could be another starting point in your life."

"Handled poorly..."

Handled poorly, it would be like a flash in the pan—brief glory followed by obscurity. There were countless such examples. Qin Zhenzhen gripped the phone until her fingertips ached slightly. "Sister Meng, thank you for your hard work."

Meng Xin grunted in acknowledgment and hung up.

Seeing her low spirits, Ji Lu took the phone back and asked, "It's okay, Zhenzhen. Netizens just tend to exaggerate. Popularity breeds jealousy, don't take it too much to heart."

Qin Zhenzhen nodded. "I know."

As she spoke, she clicked into Weibo. Because of her 'like,' netizens were chasing after her online. Although many of her fans were supporting her within the fray, a significant number of antis were mixed in, attacking her.

Of course, the attacks weren't just aimed at her, but also at Lu Ruyun.

Somehow, Lu Ruyun had also liked the post, and it happened not long after her, causing the fans who had just been gloating about Qin Zhenzhen being 'slapped in the face' to get slapped themselves in turn. Whether these were truly Lu Ruyun's fans or antis was debatable, but Lu Ruyun's involvement did have some effect.

Some of the netizens who had been relentlessly bashing them switched sides, saying things like, 'It's just a couple taking a photo and showing some affection, why make such a big fuss as if they can't live their lives.'

Other netizens criticized fans for being too meddlesome, saying that since they are fans, they should focus on fan activities and stay out of private matters—keep a distance from the real person, get closer to their work. After all, Lu Ruyun was different from Qin Zhenzhen; she was a sentimental favorite in the hearts of many netizens, so they unconsciously sided with her. The public opinion gradually shifted from fans of both sides fighting to netizens advising fans not to be too obsessed with their idols and to give them private space.

Qin Zhenzhen looked at her phone for a while, then turned her gaze to her own hand.

Ji Lu whispered, "Zhenzhen, what are you looking at?"

Qin Zhenzhen sighed. "I'm thinking about which hand to chop off as an apology."

Ji Lu: "..."

Director Hu's voice called out not far away, "Ready? Zhenzhen, have you had your makeup touched up?"

Qin Zhenzhen put away her phone and stood up. "Coming."

The makeup artist quickly approached and began touching up her makeup. The next scene was her farewell with Hu Jing. Their feelings for each other were at their peak. Hu Jing had requested an imperial marriage decree but received urgent news from the frontier. The Emperor promised to grant the marriage upon his return.

Hu Jing was naturally overjoyed. Although he was going to war the next day, his face showed no trace of worry, only happiness.

When he returned, the girl before him could enter his family home, could stay with him forever. How could he not be happy? Though he knew he should be more concerned about the frontier situation at this moment, he couldn't control his thoughts; he just wanted to see Yuan Yu one more time.

The place they met was the same teahouse where they first met. Yuan Yu sat in the upper chamber, a maid pouring tea for her. Her searching gaze looked down at the bustling crowd below, as if looking for someone.

The standing maid, seeing her actions, chuckled lightly. "Miss, don't look anymore. Young Master Wei still has a quarter of an hour to go."

Yuan Yu blushed slightly at the maid's teasing. She was already as beautiful as a flower; this shyness made her appear even more delicate and soft, her voice carrying an indescribable sweetness. "Nonsense again."

Scolded, the maid just smiled. "Are you saying you weren't looking for Young Master Wei?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, a knock was heard at the door. Yuan Yu was slightly startled, her lovely face flushed crimson. "Aren't you going to answer the door?"

The maid pressed her lips together, smiling. "Alright, alright, I'll go open it."

She walked to the door and opened it. Standing outside was indeed Young Master Wei. The maid, understanding the situation, glanced at her mistress and then at the young general. "Please come in, Young Master Wei. This servant will go warm some tea for the Miss and the Young Master."

Wei Yuan glanced inside and saw Yuan Yu's flower-like beauty. He was momentarily dazed. "Alright."

The maid stifled a laugh and quietly closed the door for the two of them.

Wei Yuan cleared his throat softly and walked to sit beside Yuan Yu. Yuan Yu slightly lowered her head, her lovely face blushing, her earlobes turning completely red. They weren't married yet; such a private meeting was improper. But considering Wei Yuan was going to war and her father wasn't a rigid man, he tacitly allowed them to meet like this.

The private room was surrounded by thin, white gauze curtains. An incense burner inside emitted wisps of white smoke, a faint fragrance enveloping the two seated figures. Wei Yuan was the first to break the quiet atmosphere.

"Yu'er..."

Yuan Yu lifted her head slightly, her face like peach blossoms, her bright eyes like water, her beautiful gaze sparkling with life. Her shy, maidenly demeanor was perfect, like a jade figure stepping out of a mural.

Even Hu Jing, who often acted opposite her, was stunned by this sight. His lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

"Cut!"

Director Hu's shout jolted him awake. Hu Jing's face was full of apology. "Sorry, Zhenzhen."

Qin Zhenzhen chuckled and shook her head, then was helped down by Ji Lu. Over on the other side, Director Hu was talking to Hu Jing with a stern expression.

"Staring dumbly again?"

"Right? Getting scolded by Director Hu again."

"That's totally normal."

Song He stood behind the two chatting. "When I acted opposite Zhenzhen before, it was like that too. I'd often stare dumbfounded and get scolded by the director."

His words made everyone laugh. He snorted. "Still laughing? You'll know if you ever have to act opposite her."

The closer you get to that face, those bright eyes, being gazed at by her with such deep affection... Forget your lines; you could even forget the entire script.

The others chimed in. "True, Zhenzhen is just unreasonably beautiful."

"Hey, hey! I was moving stuff before, and she came over to help. You have no idea, she stood right next to me, really close. My heart was about to jump out!"

"So jealous! So jealous!"

"Jealousy is useless. Maybe you can get a different face if you reincarnate!"

"Who wants a different face?! I'm jealous of Teacher Lu!!! Seeing Zhenzhen every day and even being able to hold her. Imagine the two of them sleeping in bed..."

"Stop! My nosebleed is about to start!"

When Qin Zhenzhen returned to the group after finishing the scene, she felt the atmosphere was a bit strange. She couldn't quite pinpoint what it was, but she felt everyone's gazes on her were more intense, and they were even more attentive.

Since she came down from the chamber, three girls had already come over to offer water and snacks, their smiles carrying a hint of flattery. In the middle of summer, Qin Zhenzhen felt goosebumps under their stares. She beckoned Ji Lu over and asked, "What's with them?"

Ji Lu looked troubled. "It's nothing."

Qin Zhenzhen glanced at her clearly lying expression. "Ji Lu."

Ji Lu cowered slightly. "They just... want to know about you and Teacher Lu... how you are at home..."

Before she could finish, her face flushed red. She must have heard quite a few spicy terms she couldn't bring herself to say. Qin Zhenzhen's mouth twitched. This group was even more imaginative than the netizens.

---

After 5:30, Director Hu announced the wrap. Qin Zhenzhen returned to the dressing room to remove her makeup. Hu Jing walked past her twice from behind. Seeing the makeup artist leave, he finally walked up to her. "Zhenzhen."

Qin Zhenzhen looked up slightly. She had already removed her makeup, her natural skin fair and translucent. Her eyelashes were very long, like butterfly wings, fluttering gently. The courage Hu Jing had mustered wavered instantly.

He opened his mouth. "I'm sorry, I've caused several NGs because of me."

And delayed the shooting. Though no one said it outright, he could still read the room.

Qin Zhenzhen smiled. "It's fine."

A shy expression appeared on Hu Jing's handsome face. "Don't worry, I've found a way to overcome it these past few days. It won't happen next time."

Qin Zhenzhen looked at him curiously. "A way to overcome it?"

Hu Jing nodded. "Mm. I hung your photo above my bed. I look at it a few times before sleeping, trying to build immunity to your face sooner. I..."

Before he could finish, Qin Zhenzhen choked on her own saliva. What the hell kind of miraculous method was this? She was genuinely stunned by Hu Jing's bizarre approach.

Seeing her cough, Hu Jing reached out to pat her back. Unbeknownst to them, someone was standing at the dressing room door. Lu Ruyun knocked on the open door and called out, "Zhenzhen."

Qin Zhenzhen jolted, her coughing stopping from the fright.

Seeing Lu Ruyun at the door, Hu Jing respectfully lowered his head, took two steps back, and greeted properly, "Teacher Lu."

Lu Ruyun gave a faint "Mm," walked into the dressing room, the slight smile she had when arriving now gone. Her gaze rested on Hu Jing's hands. She spoke, "Are you ready to go?"

Qin Zhenzhen then remembered the dinner plans. She stood up. "Yes, let's go."

Before leaving, she didn't forget to say goodbye to Hu Jing. Hu Jing nodded in acknowledgment, watching the two leave. As Lu Ruyun reached the door, she turned her head and glanced at Hu Jing. Hu Jing felt a sudden chill sweep over him. Unconsciously, he rubbed his arms, recalling Lu Ruyun's look just now.

Did Teacher Lu—misunderstand something?

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