Shrine - Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Ruan Ruan's life began to get on the right track from that day on.

It sounded absurd to say, but Shi Ran's appearance was like a lesson that overturned Ruan Ruan's entire understanding of "life." Only then did she realize that for the past twenty-something years, she had been in a derailed state—or rather, like driftwood, unable to sink, yet unable to stop.

Some might say it's good not to sink, but day after day, Ruan Ruan felt the dampness in her heart.

It was increasingly corroded, never having had a chance to dry.

Being with Shi Ran was like a process of reverse calculation. It used the correct formula to deduce the previous result: Ruan Ruan had never been properly loved, not even a little. Familial love and romantic love couldn't be lumped together, but caring could, and concern could.

Only after receiving 80 points worth of respect and love could she finally admit that those few 8-point test papers truly belonged to a failing student.

During a break from the production, Ruan Ruan rented a place in Chunfeng Bay. It was a three-bedroom, two-living-room apartment with a spacious kitchen, a large island, and a small bar counter. The bedrooms, however, were quite small. Ruan Ruan set aside one room as a study for them both and another as a walk-in closet for Shi Ran.

She ordered a wine cabinet online, placed it next to the bar, and squatted down, opening the doors to wipe it clean from the inside out.

Xiao Hei circled around her, a little supervisor inspecting her work.

Just as the sun was shining brightly, her mother called again, saying her heart had been bothering her recently and she wanted to come to Jiangcheng for a check-up. Ruan Ruan thought about it. Sixty percent of her pay for Shrine had already been settled. After deducting the advance for her contract termination fee, she now had a small nest egg. Her mother's previous heart bypass surgery had been done back in their hometown. Although they had tried to get the best specialist, it still couldn't compare to a major city. She also wanted to take her to a more professional hospital for a follow-up.

"Okay, once I'm done filming my part," Ruan Ruan said. "Mom, find some time to come over."

After hanging up, she did some more housework. Seeing that the place was mostly in order, she called Wu Mei and headed to the production set for a meeting.

The agenda was to adjust the filming schedule, confirm dates, and go over the seasonal outline again. Xin Chen, Zhong Yi, the person in charge from Green Bud, and a staff member for sponsorships were also there. Everyone was quite familiar with each other, so they chatted as the meeting went on.

A little after three in the afternoon, Shi Ran arrived with Xiao Lin, still in her makeup and styling from the Non-Desire set.

Ruan Ruan stared, stunned. She hadn't looked like this when she left in the morning.

She was wearing a low-key, long black down jacket, but her light smoky eye makeup made her pair of cold eyes seem even more aloof. With just a slight glance, the languid whites of her eyes became more prominent.

"Wow," Xin Chen, who was sitting diagonally from the door, held up her script and let out a small gasp.

Shi Ran was exhausted. After a simple greeting, she sniffled and sat down to the side.

Right next to Ruan Ruan, bringing with her a gossamer-like scent of frost-touched cosmetics.

Ruan Ruan's heart fluttered. Shi Ran didn't really need to attend this meeting. She must have wanted to see her, probably.

Xin Chen handed two copies of the meeting materials to Shi Ran. She crossed her legs and flipped through them briefly. The others unconsciously sat up a little straighter, and the tone of the meeting became less casual.

After discussing the approximate wrap date for the first season, everyone was a bit tired and took a break. The person from Green Bud went out to the restroom. Ruan Ruan glanced at Shi Ran, who was looking down at her phone, replying to messages. Ruan Ruan chatted with Zhong Yi for a bit, then picked up her pen and doodled on her documents. Suddenly, she heard a soft voice beside her, light as lifting mist.

"Have you thought about it?"

"Huh?" Ruan Ruan froze, instinctively looking at Shi Ran. Here? Talking about this?

Shi Ran put down her phone and looked at her. "Have you thought about what to have for afternoon tea?"

Ha! Little Bread wanted to wrinkle her nose again. So mean.

She said nothing, silently burying her head in her documents. "Anything is fine."

"Wife cakes," Shi Ran looked up at the conference table, her expression distant. "Do you guys want some?"

The sponsorship staffer felt a little intimidated. Did Shi Ran's team have the artist order afternoon tea herself, and even ask everyone one by one if they wanted some?

"Yes, yes, thank you, Teacher Shi," she quickly said, following the others.

"And you?" Shi Ran turned her head slightly again, waiting for Ruan Ruan.

"Mm." The sound was squeezed from her tight throat.

Shi Ran nodded, swiped her finger across the screen, and composedly completed the order.

She left before the meeting ended. Ruan Ruan was much quieter for the rest of it. Regarding the issue of pet names, Shi Ran hadn't been relentless in her questioning, but she would occasionally bring it up out of the blue, just like she had now. It felt like the ice-breaking process of a first love, closing the distance between them even faster than doi.

Doing intimate things made them no longer feel like strangers physically; saying intimate things made them no longer feel like strangers psychologically.

They began to act like an ordinary couple. Whoever finished work earlier would go home and cook. The culinary skills Shi Ran had honed for the variety show finally had a real purpose: to feed their burgeoning love.

After moving in together, they both got to see the other's unknown side.

While pouring water, Shi Ran would meet the gaze of Xiao Hei, who was standing on a chair with her head upside down, looking at her. She would walk over, their eyes locked. Seeing Xiao Hei slip and almost fall, she would take another sip of water and let out a short laugh.

While building LEGOs with Shi Ran, Ruan Ruan would secretly touch Shi Ran's ankle.

Shi Ran would look up at her, and she would whisper, "I wanted to pet Xiao Bai, but I touched the wrong one."

Then she would touch it again, and again, before asking Shi Ran, "How come you're not reacting at all?"

"I see you still want to touch it, so to prevent you from making another mistake, I've transferred the sensation to Xiao Bai," Shi Ran said, her eyes fixed on the instruction manual as she blinked.

Ruan Ruan was delighted. She lightly tickled the sole of Shi Ran's foot. Shi Ran didn't laugh, just habitually rubbed her wrist and continued building the LEGO set.

Unfortunately, days like these didn't last long, because Shi Ran finished filming her scenes in Shucheng. Most of Non-Desire was shot on location, with very few studio scenes. Next, she had to move to Jiangcheng. The day before she left, Ruan Ruan's mood was very low. She moved slowly while cooking and eating, like a dying caterpillar.

Shi Ran watched her calmly, her expression somewhat analytical.

That night, Little Bread couldn't hold it in any longer and suggested she wanted to "do it properly" with Shi Ran one time.

Shi Ran was slightly puzzled by this phrasing. "Have we not been doing it properly before?" Was she doing it half-heartedly, or just carelessly?

Ruan Ruan climbed over from the other side of the bed. Her camisole nightgown was empty underneath, the soft mounds swaying with a suggestive hesitation.

Just by crawling over to Shi Ran's side, she was already aroused, her fingers tracing Ruan Ruan's ankle, her gaze a kiss.

Ruan Ruan threaded her index finger through the buttonhole of Shi Ran's pajamas, her voice soft. "I've always wanted to know what it feels like for you, when you're on top, looking at me."

"Is that okay?" Little Bread loved to ask "is that okay?" when she was making a request by way of concession.

She knew Shi Ran couldn't refuse.

Ruan Ruan hooked her finger in the buttonhole, tracing it up to the plump peak, grinding in circles. The tip hardened, as if vying with her finger for the right to use the buttonhole.

Neither won, because it was no longer needed. It was time for the pajamas to make their exit.

This time, Ruan Ruan didn't turn off the lights, nor did she lean down to hug her. Instead, she sat in front of her, watching with extreme earnestness and care.

Shi Ran didn't yield an inch, not closing her eyes, simply meeting her gaze with a faint look. As she finished, she still let out a sigh.

Ruan Ruan didn't pull out, nestling in her neck and holding her. "Shi Ran."

"Mm." Shi Ran caressed her shoulder.

Ruan Ruan turned her face and kissed the hollow of her neck. In a tiny voice, after a slight pause, she said, "My name is Ruan Ruan."

"Baby." Shi Ran knew what she meant and whispered in her ear.

Ruan Ruan smiled, and pressing her lips against her skin, she spoke in a voice as soft as winding silk: "Baby."

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