Married in a Daze - Chapter 69
Chapter 69
Qin Zhenzhen managed to catch a short nap in the car, feeling much more refreshed. After returning to the apartment, she busied herself changing clothes and applying makeup. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Lu Ruyun drift into the bathroom like a ghost. Not long after, she heard the sound of running water from inside; she was probably taking a shower.
After changing, she sat on the sofa. Her nap had been fairly satisfying, leaving her feeling clear-headed and energized. She waited for Lu Ruyun on the couch, her gaze falling on a few sheets of paper on the coffee table. She picked them up for a look and realized it was Lu Ruyun's schedule, along with several audition invitations.
One of the productions was all too familiar to her—it was for Drunken Dreams of Jianghu.
She had interacted with the director of Drunken Dreams of Jianghu before. A female director with a straightforward temper, she had wanted to confirm Qin Zhenzhen right after the audition. But at the time, Qin Zhenzhen, considering her relationship with Yu Changlin, had only said she needed to think it over.
The director hadn't been angry. After all, collaboration required mutual agreement, so she said she'd wait for Qin Zhenzhen's response.
And that wait lasted until the news broke that Qin Zhenzhen had successfully auditioned for and would be starring in Mountain Girl.
Normally, such schedule adjustments were handled directly by Meng Xin, but Qin Zhenzhen felt a bit guilty toward that director. She proactively called to 'apologize' and received a stream of congratulations. The director's straightforward nature made Qin Zhenzhen like her even more. When she hung up, she was thinking she absolutely must work with this director in the future if the opportunity arose.
She never expected Lu Ruyun would also receive an audition invitation now.
When Lu Ruyun came out of the bathroom, she saw Qin Zhenzhen holding the papers. She walked over while drying her damp hair. "Looking at what?"
Qin Zhenzhen looked up. "Are you going for Drunken Dreams of Jianghu?"
Lu Ruyun paused in her drying. She looked down and saw her own schedule in Qin Zhenzhen's hand. She shook her head. "I want to rest for a while."
Qin Zhenzhen's eyes dimmed, remembering what He Shuangshuang had said: after each series or film, Lu Ruyun would rest for six months to a year. It was real rest—the kind where she declined all work engagements. That's why she only produced one TV show or movie every one or two years. Often, after a minor hit, there was no follow-up momentum, so she could never really break through.
She had seen Lu Ruyun's Like a Dream. Although her acting was superb, capable of carrying the entire production single-handedly, it was, after all, a small-scale project. The plot wasn't thrilling enough, and coupled with the supporting cast being newcomers who were too reserved in their performances, hoping for this series to become a hit was simply too unlikely.
Under such circumstances, if Lu Ruyun still rested for half a year or a year before accepting new roles, her resources would only get worse.
Seeing Lu Ruyun still standing there, Qin Zhenzhen patted the spot on the sofa beside her. "Sit."
Lu Ruyun sat down next to her. Fresh from the shower, she was still wearing a bathrobe. Drops of water from the ends of her damp hair rolled into the robe. Qin Zhenzhen's throat tightened at the sight, and the words she'd been about to say vanished completely. Her palms grew slightly sweaty.
"What's wrong?" Lu Ruyun glanced over and saw the flush on Qin Zhenzhen's cheeks. Hesitantly, she reached out and placed her hand on Qin Zhenzhen's forehead. Fresh from the bath, her fingertips carried a damp coolness that felt inexplicably pleasant against the skin.
"No fever," Lu Ruyun stated definitively. "Why is your face so red?"
Qin Zhenzhen pinched the edge of the white paper. "Probably the heater is turned up too high."
Lu Ruyun nodded. "I'll go upstairs to change."
With that, she made to stand up. Qin Zhenzhen looked down, saw the paper in her hand, and remembered she had something to discuss with Lu Ruyun. She reached out and grabbed Lu Ruyun's wrist. Lu Ruyun's forward movement halted, and she looked down at the slender fingers encircling her wrist.
Qin Zhenzhen's hands were very beautiful—straight and slender, with neatly trimmed, rounded nails. A small crescent-shaped white mark was visible on each nail bed. She wasn't holding on with much force, but suddenly, Lu Ruyun didn't feel like moving. She turned to look at Qin Zhenzhen. "What is it?"
Qin Zhenzhen looked up, meeting Lu Ruyun's searching gaze. Her heartbeat quickened. Lu Ruyun's eyes were like deep pools, tightly drawing in all her attention. Her grip on Lu Ruyun's wrist unconsciously tightened. Lu Ruyun's brow furrowed slightly.
"Zhenzhen?" Lu Ruyun's voice broke Qin Zhenzhen's train of thought. She gave a light cough and released her hand. "What's wrong?" Lu Ruyun asked.
Qin Zhenzhen seemed dazed for a few seconds. "It's nothing."
A flicker of confusion passed through Lu Ruyun's bright eyes, but she didn't press further. She simply nodded and went upstairs to change. Qin Zhenzhen listened to the door closing, then looked down at the paper in her hand.
She slumped back on the sofa and laid the paper over her face.
Nothing.
Ha!
Just as Qin Zhenzhen was sprawled on the sofa, her phone on the coffee table chimed with a message notification. It was from Ji Lu.
—Zhenzhen, when are you moving back?
Moving back?
Qin Zhenzhen stared at the message in silence for a few minutes.
This past week, due to her 'training' sessions with Lu Ruyun, the two of them had only gone out occasionally, either for walks or to have dinner together. Qin Zhenzhen had handed her Weibo account over to Meng Xin to manage, so whenever she felt unbearably restless, she would use Lu Ruyun's account to post one or two tweets, all full of sweet, couple-y content. By now, online rumors about their Marriage of Convenience had long since vanished. Even the media reported daily on their loving, everyday life.
So it was understandable that Ji Lu would ask when she was moving back. But Qin Zhenzhen hadn't considered moving back since she moved out. Besides, with Lu Ruyun's psychological issues showing no sign of improvement, it was even less likely she would move back now.
Qin Zhenzhen thought for a moment, then put her phone down without replying.
A few minutes later, there was movement upstairs—the sound of a door opening. Qin Zhenzhen turned to look. Lu Ruyun had changed into a blue dress with a knee-length trench coat over it. She was already tall, and this outfit made her figure appear even more slender and graceful.
A swaying, captivating grace.
Qin Zhenzhen had always felt these four words had nothing to do with Lu Ruyun. Yet now, they were the very words flashing through her mind. Even with Lu Ruyun's dignified and elegant demeanor, staring at her delicate figure, Qin Zhenzhen could somehow discern a hint of allure.
This was really bizarre.
As Lu Ruyun was about to walk over, Qin Zhenzhen gathered her thoughts and offered Lu Ruyun a light smile. "Let's go."
Lu Ruyun nodded in agreement and followed her out.
Outside, snowflakes were still drifting down, and a cold wind howled, making people unsteady on their feet. Qin Zhenzhen, wearing high heels, took a sharp breath of cold air and immediately coughed several times. Lu Ruyun stood beside her, blocking part of the chill. She opened the passenger door, let Qin Zhenzhen get in first, then placed the gifts they'd bought in the trunk.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Qin Zhenzhen watched the busy Lu Ruyun, her eyes curving into crescents.
They left the apartment just after five. The birthday party was scheduled for six, so they had plenty of time. Qin Zhenzhen looked out the car window at the bustling crowds and flowing traffic. Occasionally, young couples walked by, arm in arm. Subconsciously, Qin Zhenzhen glanced at Lu Ruyun out of the corner of her eye.
Lu Ruyun focused intently on driving, her gaze fixed ahead, not distracted in the slightest. Qin Zhenzhen pursed her lips, thinking of the schedule back at the apartment. "Are you going to rest for everything next?"
Lu Ruyun, caught off guard by the question, was momentarily stunned before replying, "Yes."
Qin Zhenzhen shrugged. "Any plans?"
"Plans?" Lu Ruyun glanced sideways at Qin Zhenzhen, seemingly not understanding why she was asking.
Qin Zhenzhen nodded affirmatively. "Yeah, plans. If you're resting, you must want to have fun properly. Any places you want to go? Or are you just staying in the apartment?"
Lu Ruyun opened her mouth, then suddenly understood Qin Zhenzhen's line of questioning. She chuckled softly. "What are you trying to say?"
"Nothing." Qin Zhenzhen replied, then immediately changed her tune. "I heard from Shuangshuang that you always rest for a long time after finishing a project. Why? Is it related to your..."
Lu Ruyun's soft voice interrupted her. "Your relationship with Shuangshuang seems to have improved quite a bit."
Qin Zhenzhen answered instinctively, "It's okay."
Okay her foot! The point wasn't her relationship with He Shuangshuang; the point was why Lu Ruyun rested for so long!
According to He Shuangshuang, she rarely went out during her rest periods. Only when she or Yaoyao invited her would she occasionally come out. She was like a primitive person living in a civilized society, leading a solitary life.
Qin Zhenzhen could roughly guess that Lu Ruyun's behavior was definitely related to her psychological issues. But if Lu Ruyun refused to open up, she couldn't just force her way in.
Take it slow.
Qin Zhenzhen withdrew her probing gaze and turned to look out the window. While waiting at a red light, Lu Ruyun glanced at Qin Zhenzhen. Her lips moved slightly as if she had something to say. A car horn sounded from behind. Lu Ruyun looked; the light had turned green again.
The birthday party was held in Shen Haitang's suite—four bedrooms and a living room. Besides Shen Haitang, there were quite a few people. Qin Zhenzhen recognized several; they were staff from the Star Showdown crew. They had probably come to congratulate Doudou, knowing it was her birthday.
Qin Zhenzhen stood beside Lu Ruyun, linking arms with her. Carrying gifts, they walked over to the little birthday girl. Qin Zhenzhen crouched down and handed her the present. Doudou smiled so hard her eyes narrowed into slits, then hugged Qin Zhenzhen and gave her a kiss. Qin Zhenzhen, feeling the child's soft, sweet presence, couldn't help but hug her back.
Shen Haitang appeared behind her, quickly saying, "Doudou, don't be rude."
Qin Zhenzhen looked up, seeing the slight tension on Shen Haitang's face, and smiled reassuringly. "It's fine. She's adorable."
Seeing she wasn't angry, Shen Haitang secretly relaxed. Many female celebrities in the industry didn't much like interacting with children, let alone having a child hug and kiss them directly. It was understandable she'd worry Qin Zhenzhen might be upset.
After a mild scolding from Shen Haitang, Doudou was taken away by an elderly woman. Qin Zhenzhen heard Lu Ruyun call her 'Auntie,' so she also obediently called out, "Auntie."
Shen Haitang's mother smiled and nodded. "Good, good. You girls enjoy yourselves."
After saying that, she took Doudou to a back room to play games. The living room grew noisy for a while, with people sitting on the sofas and around the dining table. Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun were cornered by the former crew members and couldn't get away.
Lu Ruyun, at first glance, seemed easy to get along with—gentle, polite, knowing how to handle social situations appropriately. But these people truly didn't dare act too casually in front of her, speaking to her with respect. In contrast, Qin Zhenzhen, who seemed aloof and proud, was more popular.
"Zhenzhen, have some tea."
"Zhenzhen, are you hungry? Have some snacks first."
"Zhenzhen, I heard you joined Director Yu's crew. Any handsome guys?"
"Zhenzhen—"
Surrounded by the crowd, Qin Zhenzhen smiled and dealt with them one by one. Seeing this, Lu Ruyun simply pursed her lips, picked up her bag, and walked elsewhere. Suddenly, the phone in her bag vibrated. She opened it and saw it was Qin Zhenzhen's phone ringing. When they left, Qin Zhenzhen, too lazy to carry a bag, had just tossed her phone into Lu Ruyun's.
Lu Ruyun handed the phone to Qin Zhenzhen. Qin Zhenzhen smiled apologetically at the crowd. "Sorry, I need to take this call."
It was Meng Xin calling. Having heard that she left early in the afternoon due to illness, she was checking in. Qin Zhenzhen told her not to worry. Whether it was because Lu Ruyun's cold medicine was particularly effective or because her afternoon nap was comfortable, she felt fine after waking up. Meng Xin was relieved and told her to take good care of herself. They'd be heading for location shooting in a few days, and she couldn't afford to be sick.
It was very noisy around Qin Zhenzhen, and the signal on the other end wasn't great, cutting in and out. Qin Zhenzhen only chatted briefly with Meng Xin before hanging up. Worried Meng Xin might still be concerned, she thought for a moment and sent her a WeChat message.
Lu Ruyun sat alone on the sofa, watching Qin Zhenzhen hang up and walk toward her.
"So many people," Qin Zhenzhen said as she handed the phone back to Lu Ruyun. Lu Ruyun lowered her eyes to take it. The phone screen was still lit, and her sharp eyes caught the words "move back."
Lu Ruyun's hand stilled. She looked down and saw the message from Ji Lu on WeChat.
—Zhenzhen, when are you moving back?
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