Married in a Daze - Chapter 50

Chapter 50

—EXPLOSIVE! Lu Ruyun and Qin Zhenzhen's Marriage of Convenience CONFIRMED! [HOT]

—Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun's fake marriage?

—Is the inside scoop on the marriage of convenience real or fake?

Within half a day, the names Lu Ruyun and Qin Zhenzhen had spread to every corner of the internet. The news of Lu Ruyun's hospitalization hadn't even faded yet; many people were still focused on that. Then, a post declaring definitive proof of a marriage of convenience suddenly appeared on Tianya, instantly capturing countless people's attention.

The blogger claimed not to be a fan of either party, just a passerby, but someone who enjoyed observing people in the entertainment industry in their spare time. Ever since hearing the news of Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun's marriage in July, they had found it strange and thus deliberately investigated.

Not investigating, you wouldn't know; once you investigate, it's shocking. It turns out their marriage is fake!

The blogger claimed the two had never lived together since getting married. They also learned from informed sources that their marriage was a complete scam. The reason was that their recent collaborative film had performed poorly at the box office, and Qin Zhenzhen was being trashed online. Allegedly, she reached some agreement with Lu Ruyun to have Lu create a persona with her to manipulate fans.

Qin Zhenzhen's fans and the CP fans immediately lashed out, calling the blogger's claims baseless fabrication. The blogger promptly tossed out several photos, showing the two returning to their respective apartments. Besides these, there were a few more taken on set, where their interactions didn't resemble those of newlyweds either; their distant relationship was apparent even from the photos.

Once these photos were posted, someone immediately pushed them onto Weibo. Whoever bought the trending topic boosted its position straight to the top, where it remained firmly at number one.

By the time Qin Zhenzhen and the others saw this Weibo post, it had already spread to an irreparable extent.

Numerous netizens joined the fray, and even fans from both sides began voicing doubts.

—True or false? Are there any experts who can check if the photos are photoshopped?

—Well, the photos aren't doctored, but I don't believe they're in a marriage of convenience. They were so intimate on Star Showdown!

—It's an act, anyone can do it. I just can't believe Teacher Lu would actually collude with Qin Zhenzhen in this performance. It's so disappointing!

—Speaking of which, I have a friend who was previously on Teacher Lu's crew. I heard Qin Zhenzhen never visited the set once. Don't you find that strange? They just got married, and yet no visits!

—And this time when Teacher Lu fainted, Qin Zhenzhen was also slow to arrive. Tsk, I suspect this leak is 99.9% true.

—So, their performance of affection on Star Showdown was just to attract fans and whitewash their images? Qin Zhenzhen is really something. With acting skills like that, she'd be a shoo-in for Best Actress at the Shengshi Festival!

Aside from this, many fans also defended the two, claiming this was slander. Since neither party had come forward to clarify, they urged people not to trust one-sided claims.

Many bystanders were also waiting for Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun to appear.

Their Weibo comments were flooded by 'righteous passersby' clamoring for them to come out and give an explanation. If it really was a marriage of convenience, they vowed to boycott them thoroughly, never watching their TV shows or movies again, denying them any traffic, and letting their careers flop completely!

Lying, manipulating fans—such behavior was utterly disgusting. Once these kinds of comments appeared, they immediately caught the attention of anti-fans from both sides, who began muddying the waters with many seemingly-truthful revelations.

The fire of the marriage of convenience scandal burned hotter and hotter, completely unstoppable.

Insiders watched the spectacle, outsiders enjoyed the drama. They were all waiting for the two's statement now. Regardless of the truth, there was already plenty of post-meal gossip material.

However, this time not many media outlets jumped in, perhaps still wary of a potential reversal like the last incident with Qin Zhenzhen hitting someone. So they maintained a wait-and-see attitude.

Even so, Weibo was a bloody battlefield.

Qin Zhenzhen was sitting on the sofa in Lu Ruyun's apartment when she received Meng Xin's call. She quickly glanced at Lu Ruyun, her expression grim as she answered: "Sister Meng."

Meng Xin's tone was noticeably more agitated than it had been that morning: "What's going on online?! What exactly are you and Lu Ruyun doing?!"

Qin Zhenzhen looked at Lu Ruyun and said, "Sister Meng, we are not in a marriage of convenience."

Meng Xin took a deep breath: "Then what about these leaks? And you two not living together? What's going on? I thought it was odd when you got married, but you always said there was a reason. Is this the reason?"

Qin Zhenzhen bit her lip: "Sister Meng..."

Meng Xin cut straight to the point: "Then have you actually lived together or not? Don't lie to me now of all times. You know, Director Yu just finalized the contract; it could be cancelled at any moment."

"Zhenzhen! You're gambling with your own future!"

Qin Zhenzhen paused for a few seconds upon hearing this, her eyelids lowering. Her calm face showed a hint of irritation, her delicate brows furrowed. He Shuangshuang was pacing back and forth in the living room. She turned her head and saw Qin Zhenzhen's troubled expression. "Is it Meng Xin?" she asked.

Qin Zhenzhen looked up and nodded: "Yes."

He Shuangshuang extended her hand: "Give me the phone, I'll talk to her."

Qin Zhenzhen handed over the phone: "Sister Meng is very angry."

He Shuangshuang nodded: "I know how to handle it."

As she said this, she took the phone and went outside. Qin Zhenzhen cast worried glances outside frequently. Lu Ruyun remained seated on the sofa like a wax figure, head bowed in deep thought.

The living room fell silent for a moment. Seeing that He Shuangshuang hadn't returned after a long while, Qin Zhenzhen finally spoke up: "How do you plan to handle this?"

Lu Ruyun leaned back on the sofa, her expression calm: "Find the person who posted it, stop the incident from spreading further, then..."

Qin Zhenzhen closed her eyes: "I'm asking how you plan to handle our current relationship. The outside world is definitely focused on us now. If they photograph something else, or if there are more leaks... Teacher Lu, you should know what the consequences would be."

Lu Ruyun's palms were sweating; she subtly clenched them: "What do you want to do?"

Qin Zhenzhen looked up, her bright eyes clear. She said seriously: "We move in together."

"That's currently the most effective way to debunk the marriage of convenience claim."

Lu Ruyun shook her head: "There are other..."

Qin Zhenzhen looked at her: "I won't hide it from you anymore. I'm entering Director Yu Changlin's crew in two days. You know what that means for me. I don't want any complications at this time."

"The other methods you mentioned are too slow. I don't want to wait."

"What I need now is the fastest, most effective method."

"Don't worry. Once I join Director Yu's crew, I'll come back as little as possible, minimizing our meetings to avoid disturbing you."

Lu Ruyun pursed her lips upon hearing this and looked at Qin Zhenzhen, meeting her clear, dark eyes. The living room returned to silence. The two were at a stalemate when the door opened. He Shuangshuang was saying into the phone: "Yes, I know. Thank you."

She hung up and returned the phone to Qin Zhenzhen, sitting down on the sofa with a grave expression.

Both Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun's gazes were fixed on her. Her voice was slightly low: "Meng Xin has been temporarily placated. She'll issue a statement soon."

Lu Ruyun lowered her gaze: "What statement?"

He Shuangshuang looked straight at her: "A statement that you are not in a marriage of convenience."

Lu Ruyun opened her mouth, but He Shuangshuang continued: "She just received a message from Director Yu. If this matter isn't resolved within the next couple of days, Miss Qin's contract to join the crew will be voided."

Qin Zhenzhen quickly glanced at Lu Ruyun, as if seeking her opinion on the earlier proposal. Lu Ruyun met her hopeful gaze and thought about what Director Yu's film meant to her. She was caught in a dilemma. After a long moment, she spoke with a troubled expression: "Fine."

"You can move in, but we need to set some ground rules."

Qin Zhenzhen stood up: "No need for rules. Don't worry, I might not even come back once a week."

As soon as she finished speaking and turned to leave, He Shuangshuang quickly said: "No, that won't do."

Qin Zhenzhen's steps halted. She and Lu Ruyun both looked at He Shuangshuang. He Shuangshuang opened her tablet: "During this period, you need to come back as often as possible. Even if you don't have time, make time to come back."

"Not only do you need to come back, you need to bring the paparazzi following you back with you."

Qin Zhenzhen thought for a few seconds, a look of understanding dawning on her face.

Lu Ruyun had just fainted. If during this period she only came back once a week, more people would likely think their cohabitation was just another act. Even if they clarified later, few would believe it.

But with the help of paparazzi, it would be different.

They were experts at catching glimpses and weaving stories. Letting them join in to add bricks and tiles to their 'love story' would soon eliminate outside doubts.

Qin Zhenzhen nodded: "I have no problem with that."

She then looked at Lu Ruyun: "What about Teacher Lu?"

Lu Ruyun glanced at her. Qin Zhenzhen's expression was normal, but her eyes held a hint of expectation. She wanted her to agree, right? Definitely hoping she would agree. Director Yu Changlin's olive branch to her was a rare opportunity not to be missed. After thinking for a moment, she nodded: "I'll have Shuangshuang help you move."

Qin Zhenzhen refused: "No need. I'll just bring a few pieces of clothing. The paparazzi are waiting for us to make a move right now. If I bring luggage, wouldn't that just confirm we haven't been living together before?"

Having said that, she left without a trace of reluctance. In the living room, Lu Ruyun and He Shuangshuang sat on the sofa. He Shuangshuang opened her laptop and saw the demands for truth under the Weibo post were already turning into vicious abuse. Many netizens were clamoring for them to give an explanation, their words harsh.

Lu Ruyun glanced sideways, her already displeased beautiful face darkening further. She asked: "Have you looked into the person who posted it?"

He Shuangshuang nodded: "I did. No leads yet. These photos were all taken some time ago. It seems someone has been planning to set you up for a while."

Lu Ruyun looked at the photos. Several showed her returning alone to her apartment late at night. A few others, taken almost at the same time, had photos of her and Qin Zhenzhen returning to their respective apartments.

It seemed the person plotting against them wasn't alone.

The living room was quiet except for the clatter of He Shuangshuang typing on the keyboard. Lu Ruyun's phone rang abruptly. She looked—it was Zhang Yiyao calling. Feeling a headache coming on, she handed the phone to He Shuangshuang, letting her explain.

He Shuangshuang took the phone and walked out. Lu Ruyun looked at her Weibo interface.

Countless netizens were wildly speculating.

—So Lu Ruyun and Qin Zhenzhen really have a fake marriage? No wonder something felt off at the time. Turns out it was fake.

—Come to think of it, the marriage was just something they said verbally, no solid proof. If they hadn't been exposed this time, there'd probably be rumors of an amicable divorce due to incompatibility in a year or two. Tsk tsk.

—Wait, what's in it for them?!

—Upstairs, are you stupid? What's in it? Lu Ruyun has been on the fringes of the A-list for over a decade. Qin Zhenzhen is barely a streamer. If they don't create hype, how will they get resources?

Lu Ruyun snapped the laptop shut with a sharp sound, her expression inscrutable.

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