Married in a Daze - Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Lu Ruyun walked down from the stage, her voice slightly hoarse. After several consecutive scenes, she looked somewhat weary.
He Shuangshuang supported her. After Duan Qiuhan said a few words softly to the others, he walked over to her side.
"Are you okay?"
Lu Ruyun nodded, her voice raspy. "I'm fine. A short rest will do."
Duan Qiuhan glanced at the time. "Would you like to have a meal together later? I'd also like to hear your thoughts."
Lu Ruyun hesitated for a few seconds when a voice came from behind her. "Lu, Teacher Lu."
Everyone turned simultaneously and saw Zhu Yao standing not far away. She had already changed out of her costume, removed her heavy makeup, and was wearing a pink dress. Fresh and elegant, she seemed like a completely different person.
Seeing them all looking at her, Zhu Yao walked gracefully up to Lu Ruyun and offered a thermos. "Teacher Lu, I made this tea. Would you like some?"
Lu Ruyun didn't take it. He Shuangshuang smiled and said, "Thank you, but Ruyun doesn't really like tea."
Zhu Yao bit her lip and looked up at Lu Ruyun. "I'm sorry, I didn't know. But this is especially effective for sore throats. You've been talking for so long; your throat must be hurting. Would you like to give it a try?"
Her tone carried a hint of pleading, her expression cautious, her eyes filled with admiration for her idol. Seeing this, He Shuangshuang exchanged a look with Lu Ruyun and took the thermos from her hands. "Alright, thank you. I'll make sure Ruyun drinks it."
Zhu Yao immediately smiled brightly. As He Shuangshuang took the thermos, she spoke up. "Then, could I have lunch with Teacher Lu later?"
She explained, "You know, I've always been your number one fan. I really admire you!"
Lu Ruyun's expression remained unchanged, but her attitude held a subtle, almost imperceptible distance. "Thank you for your admiration, Miss Zhu."
Zhu Yao clenched her hands, forcing herself to speak again. "So, is it okay? Can I have lunch with you?"
Lu Ruyun was slightly taken aback. She thought her previous refusal had been quite clear. In this circle, no one was foolish; conversations were always about hinting, not stating outright.
But clearly.
Zhu Yao didn't pick up on her hints.
Or perhaps, she didn't want to.
Lu Ruyun lowered her gaze. The abrupt ringing of her phone from her bag shattered the awkward atmosphere. She gave Zhu Yao an apologetic smile, took out her phone, and answered the call.
"Hello."
The other end of the line was quiet, so quiet you could clearly hear the sound of breathing.
Lu Ruyun glanced at Zhu Yao, who was still standing beside her, and her voice softened considerably. "Zhenzhen, what's the matter?"
Qin Zhenzhen moved the phone slightly away from her ear, staring blankly at the name 'Lu Ruyun' on the screen for a moment.
It was definitely Lu Ruyun.
But what was with this gentle tone?
Zhenzhen?
Since when were they that close?
Qin Zhenzhen hesitated for a few seconds before speaking. "Is that really you?"
Lu Ruyun's light laugh came through the line. "Mhm, what is it? Lunch? Alright, I understand."
Qin Zhenzhen was utterly confused until she heard Lu Ruyun seem to explain into the phone, "I'm sorry, Miss Zhu, I can't have lunch with you. I have another matter to attend to. I'll be leaving first."
Zhu Yao listened to her gentle whispers to the person on the phone, a stark contrast to the distant coolness she herself had received. She gritted her teeth, clenched her fists, then looked up with a smile in her eyes. "Then I won't disturb Teacher Lu any further."
"Teacher Lu, please remember to drink the tea."
Lu Ruyun gave her a slight nod. Zhu Yao turned and strode away.
Duan Qiuhan watched her retreating back and then looked at Lu Ruyun. "Tsk, Miss Lu's charm really hasn't diminished over the years."
Lu Ruyun gave him a calm glance, then placed the phone back to her ear, her attitude returning to normal. "Miss Qin, what can I do for you?"
Qin Zhenzhen choked on her own saliva.
"Zhenzhen, are you ready?"
The voice of Ji Lu sounded from outside the door. Qin Zhenzhen snapped back to reality, quickly put away her phone, stood up, and flushed the toilet.
"Zhenzhen?"
Qin Zhenzhen stood in front of the mirror, tidied herself up a bit, and said, "Coming."
She pushed open the door. Ji Lu was standing there holding her bag. Seeing her come out, she said, "Let's go. It's almost your turn."
Qin Zhenzhen nodded. After walking a few steps, she asked, "Has Zhu Yao arrived?"
Ji Lu thought for a moment. "No. I heard she went to audition for Like a Dream. She even had a fight with her agent over it."
Like a Dream?
If Qin Zhenzhen remembered correctly, this was the series Duan Qiuhan was directing for the first time. Although it was his directorial debut, the script was adapted from a popular IP with its own built-in fanbase. Plus, with Duan Qiuhan's connections and a male lead known among newcomers for his acting skills...
So, if Zhu Yao was auditioning for the female lead, it wasn't completely impossible.
Her agent shouldn't have needed to fight with her over this.
Seeing her puzzled expression, Ji Lu explained, "Zhenzhen, do you know why they fought? It's because she's not auditioning for the female lead, but for a supporting female role."
Qin Zhenzhen looked up. "Supporting role?"
Ji Lu nodded. "I heard the female lead is..."
She paused here and looked at Qin Zhenzhen.
Qin Zhenzhen quickly connected this to the 'Miss Zhu' on the other end of Lu Ruyun's call. She chuckled and shook her head. The female lead was probably Lu Ruyun.
It seemed Duan Qiuhan really was a dedicated backup plan extraordinaire.
Even though Lu Ruyun was married to her, he could still offer resources with both hands. Impressive.
Truly impressive.
But this wasn't necessarily a bad thing for her. If Lu Ruyun took the female lead, enticing Zhu Yao to audition for a supporting role, then they wouldn't cross paths here today. She had originally thought she'd inevitably have to exchange cold barbs with her again today. She had even mentally prepared the entertainment gossip headlines, and Meng Xin had made public relations preparations.
Who would have thought.
The other party wasn't coming.
Willing to lower her status to play a supporting role in pursuit of her idol.
Even willing to clash with her agent.
Thinking back to the faint male voice on the phone saying 'Miss Lu's charm really hasn't diminished,' she felt that was spot on.
Lu Ruyun had, without even trying, removed a formidable rival and a lot of trouble for her.
It seemed this marriage was a very correct decision indeed.
Qin Zhenzhen let out a long sigh of relief as she heard a staff member call out, "Next, Qin Zhenzhen!"
Ji Lu whispered in her ear, "Go for it, Zhenzhen!"
Qin Zhenzhen pressed her lips together in a smile and strode onto the stage.
Cold Palace was a grand female-led palace intrigue drama, but not the traditional struggle between empresses and consorts. It was about a concubine in the Cold Palace seeking revenge by manipulating the conflicts between the imperial harem and the Emperor.
During a time of war, a general fought everywhere for the nation, rendering outstanding service. Upon returning to the capital, he fell in love at first sight with the daughter of a minister. He understood military strategy but was clueless about matters of the heart. Every time he tried to court the beauty, his clumsy methods ended up making her laugh.
Yet, through their repeated encounters, she gave him her heart.
Just as they confessed their feelings to each other and he prepared to request an imperial marriage decree, enemy troops suddenly attacked the border. The Emperor ordered him to go immediately to face the enemy, promising to grant the marriage upon his return.
But who could have guessed? As soon as he left, the Emperor brought the beauty into the palace, favored her for a night, and conferred upon her the title of Concubine.
Upon his triumphant return, the general learned the truth. In furious indignation, he pointed his longsword directly at the Emperor in the Golden Luan Hall. Branded a rebel, his entire family was executed, and she was demoted to the Cold Palace.
Time passed slowly. She spent her days weeping. Unable to bear it, her maidservant took out a handkerchief the general had sent to the beauty before his death.
The mandarin ducks embroidered on the handkerchief were stitched by the beauty herself. She had once thought she and the general could fly together as a pair, never imagining their wings would be broken one by one.
Only then did she realize the Emperor had long been dissatisfied with the general's illustrious military achievements, wanting to act but lacking a pretext. And she—had just happened to provide that pretext.
After learning the truth, she wept in the Cold Palace for an entire night. As dawn's light appeared on the horizon, she looked up. The glaring light made her swollen eyes close tightly, but the corners of her lips lifted in a cold smile. The transformation began then.
This beauty was the drama's female lead, Yuan Yu.
And today's audition.
Was precisely this transformation from delicate fragility to ruthless determination.
Qin Zhenzhen had been in the industry for three years, always playing roles in idol dramas—the innocent, pure 'white rabbit' type. In her last project with Lu Ruyun, Time in Full Bloom, she had attempted to play a career elite, but was criticized mercilessly. Both critics and audiences mocked her, saying she might as well go back to playing the 'white rabbit' persona; at least her face was pleasant to look at.
So, when she came to audition for this drama, few were optimistic. If it weren't for Meng Xin's connections and networking, she likely wouldn't have even gotten this audition opportunity.
Ji Lu stared unblinkingly at the stage, hands clenched, palms sweating.
A woman sat at a square table, wearing a white inner garment, her long hair not yet styled, her face pale as paper, her eyes vacant. She sat motionless like a porcelain doll, only occasionally did a crystalline tear trace a path down her cheek, her expression one of profound sorrow.
A maidservant stood beside her, whispering softly, "Your Highness? Your Highness?"
Yuan Yu paid no heed, lost in her own world. The maidservant looked at her, sighed helplessly and turned away, then gritted her teeth and turned back. She lowered her head and said, "Your Highness, shall this servant do your makeup?"
Still no response. Yuan Yu's expression remained unchanged, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, an aura of sadness emanating from her. The oppressive atmosphere in the air was suffocating. Finally, the maidservant clenched her teeth and said, "Can you please not be like this? Even if you're like this, the General won't come back! The General's death isn't your fault! It's the Emperor! It's the Emperor who—!"
Upon hearing the word 'General,' the seated Yuan Yu's eyes were no longer unfocused. She stood up swiftly, grasping the maidservant's wrist. "Is what?"
"Say it. What exactly is it?"
Not having spoken for a long time, her voice was hoarse. The sudden movement made her dizzy; she took a step back and fell onto the long bench she had just left. The maidservant hurriedly reached out to support her, saying with heartache, "Your Highness, please don't be anxious."
Yuan Yu grabbed the maidservant's hand, panting. "What exactly is it?"
Though she seemed to have little strength, the veins on the back of her hand stood out. The exertion caused fine sweat to appear at her temples, making her face even paler, a stark contrast to the jet-black hair cascading down her back. Seeing her like this, the maidservant took a blood-stained handkerchief from her bosom and handed it to Yuan Yu.
Yuan Yu stared at the handkerchief in her hand. Her fingers trembled as she reached out, curling them back the moment they touched the fabric. Her eyes held boundless pain, every word seeming to weep blood. "How could..."
"How could it be with you?"
The maidservant's expression was grave. "The General asked me to give this to you. He also said..."
Yuan Yu closed her eyes, tears bursting forth. "What did he say."
Affected by her, the maidservant's voice lowered. "He said it wasn't your fault."
"It was the Emperor. The Emperor could no longer tolerate the General."
Yuan Yu stared at the blood-soaked handkerchief, thinking of that man's handsome face. Her curled fingers slowly unfurled. She took the handkerchief from the maidservant's hand and placed it over her heart.
The maidservant watched her with concern. Yuan Yu held the handkerchief to her chest as if protecting a treasure, her fingertips turning white from the pressure. The maidservant was about to offer comfort when she heard a muffled grunt!
A streak of crimson blood overflowed from the corner of Yuan Yu's lips. The maidservant's eyes widened in panic. "Your Highness!"
"Your Highness, what's wrong?"
"Physician! Someone! Fetch the physician!"
"Your Highness, I'll go find—"
Yuan Yu's throat was filled with the metallic taste of blood. She spoke with unsteady breath. "No need. You may leave."
The maidservant stamped her foot in anxiety. "Your Highness!"
Yuan Yu used the blood-stained handkerchief to wipe the red from her lips, speaking with difficulty. "Leave."
The maidservant still stood frozen. Yuan Yu's voice rose sharply. "Leave!"
"Alright, alright. Your Highness, please don't get upset. This servant is leaving now, leaving right away."
The maidservant shot one last worried look at Yuan Yu before turning and rushing away, her heart burning with anxiety.
After she left, Yuan Yu clutched the handkerchief tightly with both hands, her head bowed low. Just as everyone thought she would break down in tears like the previous auditionees, she fell silent.
Her head was lowered deeply, her long hair hiding her profile. Sorrow crashed down upon her, completely enveloping her.
All was silent. The silent Yuan Yu's fingertips tightened around the handkerchief. Her slender frame trembled slightly, her shoulders shaking. She was crying. She was crying silently. Such heart-wrenching pain, yet she could only emit choked sobs, as if someone were strangling her throat, allowing only fragmented moans to escape.
Silence spoke louder than sound.
Yuan Yu had lived in the inner chambers since childhood, well-educated, gentle, and virtuous. Her nature was soft. No matter how much she liked, how much she detested, how desperate she was, she would not lose her composure. Her upbringing since childhood did not permit her to lose her composure.
The previous auditionees, in an attempt to express the female lead's pain, had cried out hoarsely, almost roaring, not only losing all grace but also completely contradicting the character's personality.
Qin Zhenzhen, on the contrary, had performed this scene in a way opposite to the others.
She had studied this Yuan Yu character and chosen the method of expressing pain that best fit her personality.
The director, who had been twirling his pen, stopped. His starry eyes brightened slightly, revealing a satisfied smile. He looked down at the information in his hand and put a checkmark next to Qin Zhenzhen's name.
Ji Lu had been staring fixedly at the stage. Initially, she had been very worried Zhenzhen would mess up, as she had never played such a role before. This first attempt—she was truly afraid Zhenzhen wouldn't handle it well.
And so many people had said Zhenzhen wasn't capable, wasn't suitable, making even her feel a bit doubtful.
But she never expected.
Zhenzhen's acting was so superb!
She was almost instantly drawn into the scene. Only when, in the final moment, Zhenzhen remained seated on the long bench, raised her phoenix eyes, her expression seemingly unchanged from the beginning but her gaze undergoing a startling transformation, did she believe it was truly possible for someone to portray two different people with the same makeup.
Because the look in her eyes now was completely different from before.
"Zhenzhen, Zhenzhen."
From the moment Qin Zhenzhen stepped off the stage, Ji Lu had been following beside her, chattering. "Zhenzhen, you were amazing! I almost cried watching just now."
After saying this, she followed Qin Zhenzhen into the dressing room and whispered, "And I just found out—the director is super satisfied with you."
Ji Lu stood beside Qin Zhenzhen, winking and making faces, her expression one of shared pride, her starry eyes sparkling brightly.
Qin Zhenzhen turned to look at her. "Alright, go call Sister Meng with the update."
Ji Lu, clutching her phone, happily bounced away. Qin Zhenzhen sat at the dressing table to remove her makeup. The screen of her phone beside her lit up. She leaned over to look and saw a message from Lu Ruyun.
—Where shall we meet.
She thought for a moment before replying: Where are you?
—At home.
Qin Zhenzhen paused upon seeing this message. At home?
Where was her home?
As if reading her mind, Lu Ruyun quickly sent another message.
—No. 13, xx Street.
Qin Zhenzhen tapped the screen: Okay. I'll pick you up.
When Ji Lu returned to the dressing room, she saw Qin Zhenzhen had already changed out of her costume and into light makeup. She stepped forward happily. "Sister Meng just said she got word that, barring any surprises, this drama is set to confirm you."
Qin Zhenzhen's busy hands paused slightly. She nodded. "Good."
Ji Lu held her phone, beaming. "So? Thinking of any big dinner you want tonight? Sister Meng said we need to treat you properly."
Qin Zhenzhen brushed past her, her voice gentle. "Let's go."
Ji Lu hurried after her. "Go where?"
Qin Zhenzhen turned to look at her. "To pick up Lu Ruyun."
Ji Lu was dumbfounded for a second. "Huh?"
Qin Zhenzhen continued, "Pick her up to go home for dinner."
Ji Lu was even more confused.
When she wasn't working, Lu Ruyun liked nothing more than staying at home, often for long stretches. Unless He Shuangshuang or Zhang Yiyao invited her out, she wouldn't leave her apartment.
Going to Qin Zhenzhen's home tonight was an exception.
Lu Ruyun felt this thought was oddly familiar, as if not long ago she had also made an exception by browsing Weibo extensively for Qin Zhenzhen.
It seemed since meeting that person.
Exceptions had become more frequent.
A little past six, the sky darkening at the edges, the apartment was filled with soothing music. Lu Ruyun changed clothes and went downstairs, noticing her phone screen was lit up. She picked it up from the coffee table and saw a message from Zhang Yiyao.
—Beauty Lu, heard you got intercepted for a lunch date again today?
Lu Ruyun shook her head helplessly at the screen. No need to guess; Duan Qiuhan must have reported it.
—Mhm.
Zhang Yiyao could almost imagine the other person's helpless expression through the screen. The soft light in her own eyes was unmistakable, delight evident on her brows. She lowered her head to type: So? Interested?
Lu Ruyun replied: What do you think.
Zhang Yiyao pressed her lips together in a smile, thought for a moment, and sent: Want to have dinner together tonight?
She soon received a reply: Can't. Have something on tonight.
Seeing these words, Zhang Yiyao's delight faded, her brows knitting slightly: What is it?
Lu Ruyun replied without hesitation: Going to Qin Zhenzhen's home for dinner.
When Qin Zhenzhen arrived at Lu Ruyun's apartment, she was still on the phone. After opening the door, she gave Qin Zhenzhen a slight nod, indicating she should come in. Qin Zhenzhen followed her inside.
The decor was elegant. Soothing music played in the apartment, and the air carried a palpable floral scent. Qin Zhenzhen looked around, finding it completely different from what she had imagined. She thought someone as rigid and proper as Lu Ruyun would have a strictly black-and-white, conventional interior. She never expected it to have such a cozy, bourgeois feel.
It was quite comfortable.
Lu Ruyun hadn't hung up yet. Qin Zhenzhen heard her speak in a low voice, "Okay, I know. I won't. I'll call you when I get back."
After saying this, she hung up, turned to Qin Zhenzhen, and said, "Have a seat."
Qin Zhenzhen sat on the sofa. Thinking of the phone call, she asked with some awkwardness, "I hope I'm not disturbing you?"
Lu Ruyun shook her head. "No. Tea or coffee?"
Qin Zhenzhen: "Tea, please."
Lu Ruyun placed her phone on the coffee table and stood up to go to the kitchen. What He Shuangshuang said was true; she didn't like tea. She rarely had guests, so while her fridge was stocked with all sorts of things, it distinctly lacked tea leaves.
Lu Ruyun stood in front of the open fridge, feeling the cool air. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the thermos Zhu Yao had given her sitting on the coffee table.
Qin Zhenzhen took the tea Lu Ruyun handed her. The color was lovely, and it carried a faint, refreshing aroma. She asked curiously, "What kind of tea is this?"
Lu Ruyun was momentarily taken aback. Instead of answering, she asked, "You said you wanted to discuss something?"
Qin Zhenzhen took a sip of tea and said, "We're having dinner at my place tonight."
Lu Ruyun nodded. "I know."
Qin Zhenzhen took another sip of tea, this time out of nervousness. Her eyes darted to the side, her voice faint. "Also... I haven't told my mom about the... Marriage of Convenience."
Lu Ruyun's expression remained placid. "What are you trying to say?"
Qin Zhenzhen put down her cup, took a deep breath, and said, "So I need you to—play along with the act."
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