Married in a Daze - Chapter 42
Chapter 42
Zhang Yiyao's birthday party lasted until midnight. Zhu Yao did not return to the private room from the rooftop. She just had her assistant deliver her gift to Zhang Yiyao, convey birthday wishes, and then went downstairs.
Zhang Yiyao took a small sip of her wine, looking in the direction the assistant had left, then turned her gaze to Lu Ruyun and said softly, "Ruyun, did Miss Zhu have some matter?"
Hearing Zhu Yao's name, Lu Ruyun's expression cooled slightly. She shook her head. "Not clear."
Her brief three words seemed to amuse Zhang Yiyao, who smiled until her eyes curved like crescent moons. "Forget it then. I was originally thinking we could all go karaoke together later."
Lu Ruyun drank the wine in front of her, glanced sideways at Zhang Yiyao, and said, "Happy Birthday. I won't be going to karaoke later. Have fun."
Seeing her prepare to stand up after speaking, Zhang Yiyao grabbed her hand, frowning. "What's wrong? I noticed something was off as soon as you arrived, you don't seem happy at all."
"Was the program recording not going well?"
Lu Ruyun let her hold her hand and shook her head. "It's nothing. Just a bit tired."
Zhang Yiyao was worried. "Then I'll ask Qiuhan to..."
Lu Ruyun patted her hand. "Don't trouble Qiuhan. I'll be fine after going back to sleep."
Seeing her expression, Zhang Yiyao leaned in close to her ear. "Stop being so stubborn, okay? I asked Shuangshuang. You contacted Doctor Ding yesterday."
Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Lu Ruyun's eyes, her expression became indifferent, and her lips pressed into a tight line, clearly unwilling to discuss the topic further.
Inside the private room, everyone was laughing and making merry, no one paying much attention to Lu Ruyun's side. She and Zhang Yiyao had been friends for over a decade, so their closeness was nothing unusual to the others.
Duan Qiuhan came over with a glass and asked Zhang Yiyao to accompany him for a round of toasts. Zhang Yiyao rubbed her head. "Qiuhan, I have a bit of a headache. I'll leave with Ruyun later. I'll leave things here to you."
"A headache?"
Duan Qiuhan immediately looked concerned. "What's wrong? Did you drink too much just now?"
Zhang Yiyao smiled, pursing her lips. "No, it's an old problem. I know it's not good to leave like this, but I'm afraid if I don't go now, I might make a fool of myself later."
Duan Qiuhan's starry eyes narrowed with worry. He reached out and placed a hand on her forehead, finding it slightly warm. He tilted his head, looking at the side. "How about this: let's wrap things up now? I'll go back with you?"
Zhang Yiyao took his hand down. Noticing a certain gaze persistently fixed on them from not far away, she glanced over seemingly casually. The girl immediately lowered her head to drink.
A faint smile touched Zhang Yiyao's lips. "Really, there's no need. Ruyun and I are going the same way, we'll go back together."
"Today is my birthday after all, how can we all leave? You stay and keep them company."
As she spoke, her gaze fell on the girl who had been watching them earlier, a meaningful glint in her eyes. Duan Qiuhan didn't insist further. "Alright then. I'll call you when things wrap up here."
Zhang Yiyao nodded with a smile, then turned to Lu Ruyun. "Ruyun, Shuangshuang, let's go first."
Lu Ruyun gave Duan Qiuhan a nod in farewell. The three figures left the private room.
Zhang Yiyao's apartment wasn't far from hers; they were indeed on the way. Once in the car, He Shuangshuang remained silent, appearing deeply preoccupied. Lu Ruyun gave her a faint glance but didn't speak up, mindful of Zhang Yiyao's presence.
The three in the car were very quiet. About halfway through the journey, Zhang Yiyao said, "Xiao Zhang, take Shuangshuang back first."
He Shuangshuang looked up. "No need. Take Ruyun back first."
Zhang Yiyao patted her shoulder. "Ruyun and I are going the same way, we'll go back together. You're still living downtown, so we'll drop you off first."
She then looked at Lu Ruyun. "Ruyun, what do you think?"
Lu Ruyun's red lips parted slightly. "Mm."
The car turned around and headed for the city center.
After dropping He Shuangshuang off, Lu Ruyun glanced at her. Their eyes met for a few seconds before Zhang Yiyao said, "See you tomorrow, Shuangshuang."
He Shuangshuang nodded, watching their car drive away.
The black sedan sped swiftly along the highway. The streetlights outside the window cast a dim yellow glow, each one slipping past. Lu Ruyun leaned against the car window, her gaze profound, silent.
Zhang Yiyao, who had been sitting upright, swayed a couple of times and leaned against Lu Ruyun, whining in a coquettish tone, "Ruyun, I'm so dizzy..."
Lu Ruyun turned her head. Zhang Yiyao's hair brushed against her chin. She sighed helplessly. "You drank too much just now."
Zhang Yiyao sounded muddled. "Did I? I only had... a tiny bit."
Hearing her clearly drunken words, Lu Ruyun shook her head. "I'll take you back first."
"No."
Zhang Yiyao refused petulantly. "I don't want to go home. I want to go to your apartment."
Lu Ruyun's expression instantly cooled by several degrees, and even her gaze toward Zhang Yiyao carried a hint of chill. Zhang Yiyao lowered her head. She knew this was her taboo. No matter who mentioned it, this was the reaction she'd get.
Even she was no exception.
But why? Why could Qin Zhenzhen live with her!
Hidden beneath her lowered eyelids was a resentful, burning hatred. She had inquired; during the few days of recording the program, she had been sleeping in the same apartment as Qin Zhenzhen.
No matter how much she wanted to disbelieve it, she had to believe it. It seemed Ruyun really was somewhat different toward Qin Zhenzhen.
How could she not be afraid?
Zhang Yiyao kept her head lowered, resting on Lu Ruyun's shoulder. Xiao Zhang, the driver, momentarily didn't know where to go and asked softly, "Miss Zhang?"
Lu Ruyun composed her expression, pressed her lips together, and said, "To Yaoyao's apartment."
Zhang Yiyao shook her head, unwilling. "No no no, I don't want to go back! I just want to go to your apartment! I still want to drink with you! We won't stop until we're drunk!"
She vented her discontent in a seemingly drunken manner, not daring to let Lu Ruyun detect even a hint of sobriety.
Lu Ruyun sighed wearily. "Yaoyao, you've had too much."
"I haven't! I can still drink lots and lots, I..."
Lu Ruyun gently interrupted her. "Alright. I'm taking you back."
Infinite bitterness welled up in Zhang Yiyao's heart. Afraid Lu Ruyun would sense something amiss, she continued muttering incoherently, but her eyes grew hot, and her voice grew softer and softer.
Finally, she fell asleep leaning against Lu Ruyun.
When Lu Ruyun delivered her to her apartment, she could already hear her light, steady breathing. She nudged Zhang Yiyao. "We're here."
Zhang Yiyao opened her eyes, looking utterly confused. "We're here?"
Seeing her thoroughly intoxicated, Lu Ruyun simply got out of the car and had Xiao Zhang lend a hand to carry her into the apartment. After instructing the housekeeper to keep an eye on her, Lu Ruyun turned and returned to the car.
Xiao Zhang was already in the driver's seat waiting. Seeing her get in, he asked, "Miss Lu, shall I take you back?"
Lu Ruyun tilted her head, glanced elsewhere, then nodded.
The black sedan quickly drove away. Standing on the second floor, Zhang Yiyao watched it leave from the window, her eyes clear and sharp, without the slightest hint of drunkenness.
After getting in the car, Lu Ruyun leaned back against the seat. All around was quiet, only the sound of wind wailing past the window. She looked sideways at the trees outside, each one brushing past her vision.
Soon, they arrived at her apartment.
As soon as Xiao Zhang opened the car door for her, she heard a voice.
"Zhenzhen, keep your voice down, shh... don't make a fuss, I'll call her, don't get worked up."
Lu Ruyun quickened her pace and saw Qin Zhenzhen sitting at the doorstep of her apartment, with Ji Lu flustered beside her.
Ji Lu was about to make a call when a shadow fell over her phone screen. She looked up and heaved a huge sigh of relief. "Teacher Lu, you're finally back!"
Her slightly tearful tone made Lu Ruyun frown. She turned her gaze to Qin Zhenzhen. "What happened?"
Ji Lu was supporting Qin Zhenzhen's body to prevent her from toppling over, sweat beading on her forehead as she explained, "It's just... Zhenzhen is drunk. She said she needed to see you. We've been sitting here for ages, Teacher Lu, your phone was off..."
She explained haltingly, fine sweat on her forehead and the tip of her nose.
Qin Zhenzhen truly hadn't gotten drunk since her debut. This was the first time Ji Lu had seen her acting up while intoxicated, and it was really hard to handle. Several times, Ji Lu had wanted to forcibly drag her away, but Qin Zhenzhen would make a huge fuss at the slightest movement, even asking where Lu Ruyun was.
She really felt like crying.
Seeing the situation, Lu Ruyun glanced at Qin Zhenzhen, then stepped around her, preparing to go inside. Qin Zhenzhen suddenly shouted as if suddenly sobering up, "Lu Ruyun!"
Her voice was very loud. Ji Lu hurriedly covered her mouth, fearing the noise would disturb the neighbors.
Lu Ruyun shot her a sharp look, opened the door, and said, "Come in."
Ji Lu felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted. She had genuinely been afraid Lu Ruyun would just leave them outside the door, with Qin Zhenzhen causing a scene all night.
She helped Qin Zhenzhen into the apartment and laid her on the sofa. Qin Zhenzhen's long hair was disheveled and dirty, her dress stained with quite a bit of dust. Originally white, the dust was particularly conspicuous. Lying on the sofa, she shouted discontentedly, "Lu Ruyun, get over here!"
Ji Lu cautiously glanced at Lu Ruyun's expression, swallowing hard, afraid she would kick them out right then and there.
Lu Ruyun handed her a glass of water. Ji Lu lowered her head to take it. She was already mentally and physically exhausted from dealing with Qin Zhenzhen, her throat parched. She took the glass and drank several gulps in succession, only to suddenly hear Qin Zhenzhen's indignant voice: "Lu Ruyun, are you crazy!?"
"Pfft—"
Ji Lu covered her mouth, water seeping through her fingers. She frantically wiped it with a tissue.
What an unlucky year!
Utterly humiliated!
Sitting on the edge of the sofa, Ji Lu could feel Lu Ruyun's expression growing colder and colder, her face darkening, her gaze icy. She didn't even need to look up; the low pressure around her was palpable. Ji Lu quickly spoke up before Lu Ruyun could erupt, "Zhenzhen?"
"Zhenzhen, wake up. We see Teacher Lu now."
"Didn't you have something to tell her?"
Pushed a couple of times, Qin Zhenzhen waved her hand as if annoyed. Ji Lu gave Lu Ruyun an awkward smile. "Teacher Lu, I swear it's true. Before coming, Zhenzhen really did have something she wanted to tell you."
Lu Ruyun composed her stern expression, frowned at Qin Zhenzhen's utterly intoxicated state, and said, "You go back first."
"Huh?"
Ji Lu was momentarily stunned, then quickly reacted. "Oh, okay. I'll take Zhenzhen back right away."
As she spoke, she prepared to help Qin Zhenzhen up, sensing Lu Ruyun's piercing gaze still fixed on her. She swallowed. Why didn't Zhenzhen feel this heavy on the way here?
Lu Ruyun repeated impatiently, "You go back first."
Ji Lu nodded. "Right away, right away! We're leaving now!"
Seeing that she seemed not to understand, Lu Ruyun simply took Qin Zhenzhen's body from her arms, looked at Ji Lu, and said word by word, "You go back first."
Only then did Ji Lu realize she was saying "you."
Not "you all."
She paused. "But..."
Lu Ruyun placed Qin Zhenzhen back on the sofa, pointing at her. "I don't mind you taking her back. Just don't come knocking on the door in the middle of the night."
Ji Lu opened her mouth, then closed it. "Then I'll trouble you, Teacher Lu."
With that, she picked up her bag, glanced back twice, and left.
Lu Ruyun had actually drunk quite a bit tonight as well. Dealing with two drunkards in succession had worn her out.
Qin Zhenzhen lay on the sofa, sleeping soundly, only occasionally muttering a word or two in her sleep. Lu Ruyun sat on the sofa opposite her. Though somewhat affected by alcohol, her mind was exceptionally clear.
Her gaze was fixed intently on Qin Zhenzhen's sleeping face.
Their conversation in the garage echoed in her mind like a mantra, relentless. Lu Ruyun shook her head slightly, stood up, and went into the bedroom.
An hour later, she emerged from the bedroom, having showered. The unpleasant smell of alcohol was gone from her person, and she looked much more clear-headed. She walked to the sofa where Qin Zhenzhen lay and called softly, "Zhenzhen?"
Qin Zhenzhen waved her hand irritably, ignoring her.
Lu Ruyun walked to the other side of the sofa, half-kneeling by the edge, and whispered, "Zhenzhen, wash up before sleeping."
Pushed by her, Qin Zhenzhen murmured, "I'm sorry."
Lu Ruyun's hand paused. Qin Zhenzhen muttered again, even softer, "Lu Ruyun, I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry..."
She frowned, her face pale as she apologized, seeming uneasy and full of remorse even in her sleep. Lu Ruyun looked at her for a long moment, then lowered her eyelids, veiling the light in her eyes.
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