Married in a Daze - Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Lu Ruyun had debuted a full ten years earlier than Qin Zhenzhen, yet her popularity couldn't hold a candle to Zhenzhen's. At its core, this was because the entertainment industry in recent years had devolved into a sickening fan-culture ecosystem—fans were getting younger, their pursuits more blind, and bandwagon mentality was rampant. Often, a single hit TV drama was enough to amass tens of millions of fans overnight. Qin Zhenzhen had starred in two or three explosively popular dramas in the past three years, coupled with strategic CP marketing. Even before her collaboration with Lu Ruyun, she had already secured the top spot on the popularity charts.
A genuine, red-hot starlet, a walking topic generator—even stepping out in casual clothes could land her on the trending searches.
While Lu Ruyun's traffic couldn't compare, she had achieved fame early, enjoyed a stellar reputation, and was held in high esteem. Her iconic role as the "Hundred Blossom Immortal," which she played at fifteen, still aired during summer reruns—a classic that later generations couldn't surpass.
The moniker "Cloud Fairy" had stuck for thirteen years, a cherished memory in the hearts of countless fans.
This was also why Meng Xin hadn't dared to release promotional materials recklessly back then.
Although Zhenzhen was explosively popular, her foundation was shaky. She had many fans, but even more haters. Countless people were just waiting with popcorn to watch her downfall. So Meng Xin didn't dare act rashly, let alone force a head-on collision. The slightest misstep could see all the hard work of the past three years go down the drain.
Nostalgic icon versus top-tier traffic—it went without saying which side the public would take.
But now, the nostalgic icon, Lu Ruyun, had spoken. She said she was going to marry Qin Zhenzhen!
It was a bolt from the blue!
Weibo instantly crashed.
Netizens who had been eagerly awaiting a major catfight between the two were left utterly bewildered. Even Lu Ruyun's own fans replied in disbelief:—What?
—Was Cloud Fairy's account hacked?
—What the hell? Cloud Fairy, are you sure you tagged the right person?
—Get married???
—Did I open Weibo wrong today? Who is Cloud Fairy marrying?
—Hey, um, someone tag Brother-in-law Yun! Is Cloud Fairy publicly cheating????
Qin Zhenzhen's fans were equally astonished.
Just two hours after her scandal broke, most of her fans had just gone silent after watching the video when this news exploded onto the scene.
—Zhenzhen, the weather might be nice today, but it's not suitable for getting married!
—Zhenzhen, calm down!
—Is it April Fool's Day?
—Goddess, don't do this, you're scaring me!
—Am I... getting dumped?
Of course, even more netizens were asking questions like [When did these two ever date?] and [Weren't they at each other's throats?] Such comments were drowned out by the voices of both fanbases, not making a single ripple.
Even celebrities and directors within the industry who had previously worked with the two were left seeing stars, completely baffled.
Meanwhile, one of the parties who had sent the message was currently sitting on the sofa in her apartment. She looked up to meet Meng Xin's furious face. Qin Zhenzhen scooted closer and said softly, "Sister Meng."
Her tone carried a hint of coquettishness, her pretty face full of appeasement.
Meng Xin was so angry that flames seemed to dance in her eyes. "Didn't I tell you we'd consider this matter carefully? You want to get married, fine, I won't stop you. But why did you have to announce it yourself? Couldn't you have kept it secret?"
Qin Zhenzhen leaned against Meng Xin. "Sister Meng, haven't you considered the risks of a secret marriage?"
What if she kept engaging in CP marketing with others from time to time? Previously, that wouldn't have been a big deal. But if it got exposed after a secret marriage, it would be labeled as 'cheating' during the marriage. Those in the know would understand it's just for popularity, but the majority wouldn't, and those prone to bandwagon hate would be the majority. She'd be unable to defend herself then.
Furthermore, if the marriage was secret, the company wouldn't know either, leading to countless inconveniences when signing contracts and filming.
So after careful consideration, she still chose to go public.
Hearing her explanation, Meng Xin's anger subsided slightly, but she still grumbled indignantly, "You're just willful!"
Qin Zhenzhen blinked. "Sister Meng..."
Meng Xin raised a hand at her wheedling tone. "Alright, alright, alright. Let's set aside the marriage issue for now. What about the hitting incident?"
She didn't believe netizens would simply drop the assault news just because the two were getting married. Moreover, she had already received word that many media outlets planned to reserve a section for Zhenzhen in their marriage coverage.
Qin Zhenzhen composed herself, leaning back on the sofa. "Lu Ruyun already gave me the video."
Meng Xin frowned. "Then why haven't you clarified things?"
Qin Zhenzhen interlaced her fingers, a complicated emotion flickering in her bright eyes.
Meng Xin was puzzled. "Was it her who leaked the previous video?"
Qin Zhenzhen shook her head quickly. "It wasn't her."
If the video had surfaced before they got their marriage certificate, there might have been some possibility.
But at that time, they were already legally married—grasshoppers tied to the same rope. Using such a video to smear her would bring Lu Ruyun no benefit and would only drag her into the mud as well. So it couldn't have been her.
Meng Xin patted Qin Zhenzhen's shoulder. "Are you sure?"
Qin Zhenzhen fell silent for a moment, then tilted her head to look out the window at the lush, blooming flowers swaying gracefully in the breeze.
It seemed one could almost smell their fragrance through the glass.
The scene was just like the night she met Lu Ruyun.
It was Director Hu's fiftieth birthday banquet. Many people from the industry attended. Rumors of discord between her and Lu Ruyun were already circulating. Meng Xin told her to go and take a few photos with Lu Ruyun later to dispel the rumors.
Unexpectedly, she was in a bad mood that day and had a couple too many drinks at the banquet, getting a bit tipsy. So, when she went to the restroom, she mistakenly thought Lu Ruyun was a good friend and threw herself at her in a rush.
As for why she later tripped, ended up sprawled on Lu Ruyun's chest, and vomited... she always felt like she'd been possessed by some evil spirit.
Afterwards, Meng Xin, worried the video leak would affect her, went to the hotel to request the footage, only to find Lu Ruyun had already beaten her to it and taken it.
Not long after, the hitting incident was exposed.
Who exposed it went without saying.
Seeing her silence, Meng Xin continued, "Zhenzhen, people in this circle are complicated. I don't know why you suddenly decided to marry Lu Ruyun, but I must warn you: judging by today's leak alone, even if it wasn't Lu Ruyun, she's definitely connected somehow."
Qin Zhenzhen looked up. "I know."
Seeing Meng Xin still staring at her, she raised the corners of her lips. "Don't worry, Sister Meng. I know my limits."
Meng Xin thought of her blown-up phone and countless text messages, the corner of her mouth twitching.
Hah!
Limits!
The online developments unfolded exactly as Meng Xin predicted. Although both Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun had dropped the marriage bombshell, it still couldn't deter people from probing the hitting incident. They even began conspiracy theorizing, wondering if Lu Ruyun was being threatened.
Or if Lu Ruyun and Qin Zhenzhen had reached some unspeakable agreement.
Forum threads on Tianya grew taller and taller, Weibo's heat remained high, and more and more netizens tuned in, even crashing Weibo several times. Comments evolved from initial shock to more measured analyses.
But no matter how netizens and fans analyzed it, they couldn't figure out why Lu Ruyun would marry Qin Zhenzhen.
—Do you think they have some kind of P-Y transaction going on?
—Bullshit! Cloud Fairy must be threatened! Didn't they say Qin Zhenzhen has some sugar daddy behind her?
—Hold on, hold on. If you ask me, even if threatened, Qin Zhenzhen wouldn't risk herself like this. Marriage, man! Would any sugar daddy really let her get married?
—Ahhhhhh I wanna crawl into their heads and see what they're thinking! Has my Zhenzhen gone crazy, marrying Lu Ruyun? A washed-up actress!
—Hey, how are you talking up there? What's wrong with Cloud Fairy? Not good enough for your precious Qin? Have you forgotten how disgusting your certain Qin looks every time she latches onto someone for CP hype with a new drama?
—I think they're creating a diversion, trying to shift our focus away from the hitting incident. Otherwise, why would it be such a coincidence? The hitting video leaks one second, and they announce marriage the next?
A long string of replies lined up under this last comment, quickly pushing it to the top of the popular comments. He Shuangshuang rolled her eyes at her phone and snorted. "There are actually people calling you a washed-up actress?"
"Are Qin Zhenzhen's fans insane?"
"When you debuted and skyrocketed to fame years ago, that girl probably didn't even know which corner of the world she was in."
Lu Ruyun was making coffee. At these words, her hand paused slightly. Her expression unchanged, she carried two cups of coffee to the sofa.
She handed one to He Shuangshuang and sat down beside her. "Shuangshuang, I gave the video to Qin Zhenzhen."
He Shuangshuang, who had just taken a sip of coffee, almost spat it out. She covered her mouth, mumbling incoherently, "You what?"
"You gave the video to Qin Zhenzhen?"
"Don't you know that video of yours..."
Lu Ruyun nodded, interrupting her. "I know."
When Qin Zhenzhen had lunged and sprawled on her, she had tugged at Lu Ruyun's gown, causing a slight wardrobe malfunction. This was precisely why He Shuangshuang had rushed to get the video in the first place.
And now, she had actually given it to Qin Zhenzhen!
He Shuangshuang was getting agitated. "What if Qin Zhenzhen releases it?"
Lu Ruyun stared at her intently, her expression normal but her brows and eyes filled with seriousness. She took a sip of coffee and countered with a question instead. "Shuangshuang, was it you who leaked the previous video?"
He Shuangshuang was stunned. "Me?"
"How could it be me?"
"Ruyun, we've known each other for nearly ten years, right? Don't you know what kind of person I am?"
Lu Ruyun's fingers rubbed the rim of her coffee cup.
How could she not know?
She knew all too well. Shuangshuang always repaid grievances. That's why, when the news of Qin Zhenzhen hitting someone first broke, she hadn't planned to interfere at all, simply viewing it as giving Qin Zhenzhen a lesson.
But now, a video had surfaced. And Shuangshuang had always been the one keeping it safe.
So to say she had nothing to do with it...
Didn't add up.
She had sent the video to Qin Zhenzhen today precisely because she felt this 'lesson' had gone too far, beyond her original intent.
Even though the complete video contained that compromising clip of her, she couldn't bring herself to exploit edited video clips to mislead fans.
Seeing Lu Ruyun's piercing gaze fixed on her, the coffee in He Shuangshuang's mouth suddenly tasted unbearably bitter, as if laced with thousands of thorns. Her face paled as she swallowed the coffee and opened her mouth. "So you don't trust me?"
Lu Ruyun set down her coffee cup, lowering her eyes. "I do trust you."
He Shuangshuang sneered mockingly. "What kind of screwed-up trust is that! If you trusted me, you wouldn't be interrogating me! You think just because the video was with me, I must have tampered with it?"
Lu Ruyun's jaw tightened.
He Shuangshuang glanced at her expression and said coldly, "I dislike Qin Zhenzhen, but I still wouldn't stoop so low as to use video clips to frame an artist!" As she finished speaking, her face flushed red. She slammed the coffee cup onto the coffee table with a bang!
Seeing she was about to leave, Lu Ruyun reached out and grabbed her wrist, her voice softening. "I'm sorry, Shuangshuang."
He Shuangshuang shook off her hand. "You don't need to apologize." She picked up her purse, preparing to leave. Just then, the apartment door clicked open. A crisp, pleasant voice followed as the person entering said, "Ruyun, you really are here. Why aren't you answering my calls?"
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