Married in a Daze - Chapter 89

Chapter 89

The dinner was quite enjoyable. During the meal, Qin Zhenzhen learned a lot about their past, mostly from He Shuangshuang. She hadn't expected Lu Ruyun to have moments of embarrassment too. By the end, the table was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.

"It's true, I'm telling you, Zhenzhen, that time on set even made the director laugh."

He Shuangshuang clutched her stomach, laughing heartily. "And there was another time playing a pregnant woman..."

Lu Ruyun cleared her throat lightly. "I'm going to the restroom."

Qin Zhenzhen tilted her head to look at her, noticing a faint blush on her face. She grasped the back of Lu Ruyun's hand. Lu Ruyun looked down at their clasped hands and smiled. "You sit for a while. I'll be right back."

He Shuangshuang clicked her tongue. "Look at that gentle tone. I really can't stand it. I can't be like this when I fall in love in the future!"

Seeing Lu Ruyun leave the private room, Qin Zhenzhen replied nonchalantly, "Well, you have to find someone to fall in love with first."

He Shuangshuang was choked by her retort. "That's too much!"

After saying this, she tugged at Zhang Yiyao's sleeve beside her. "Yaoyao, she's bullying me!"

Zhang Yiyao glanced at her, speaking without pulling any punches. "That's because you're useless."

Suffering a double blow, He Shuangshuang retreated into herself.

Less than two minutes after Lu Ruyun went out, Zhang Yiyao also stood up. "I'm going to the restroom too."

Duan Qiuhan looked up at her. "Take my jacket. It's windy in the hallway."

Zhang Yiyao smiled. "No need."

After saying this, she swayed her waist and walked out of the private room.

After watching her leave, Qin Zhenzhen took a sip of soup and asked, "Director Duan, I heard you and Miss Zhang have been together for many years?"

Duan Qiuhan laughed upon hearing this. Before he could speak, He Shuangshuang chimed in, "Several years, right? I remember when you and Ruyun were filming, Yaoyao visited often. Later, you two got together?"

"Right, several years."

"Why do you ask?"

Qin Zhenzhen quickly shook her head. "It's nothing. I just really admire that you've weathered so many storms together for so many years."

Duan Qiuhan said straightforwardly, "You and Ruyun are the ones people envy. Back when I was with Yaoyao..."

He didn't finish his sentence, just shook his head with a faint smile.

Qin Zhenzhen blinked twice and lowered her head to drink her soup, her gaze occasionally drifting toward the door.

Even though she knew Zhang Yiyao had been with Duan Qiuhan for many years, even though she knew those two were just good friends, she always had a faint suspicion about Zhang Yiyao. This made it difficult for her to place Zhang Yiyao in the same position as He Shuangshuang, to treat her with complete honesty.

Qin Zhenzhen sighed and withdrew her gaze.

Inside the restroom.

Lu Ruyun was washing her hands when she heard movement at the door. She turned to look and saw Zhang Yiyao standing there.

The two smiled at each other. Lu Ruyun called out, "Yaoyao."

"Your mood didn't seem great tonight. What's wrong?"

Zhang Yiyao was startled, afraid Lu Ruyun had noticed her abnormality. She hurriedly lowered her head. "It's nothing. I'm a bit tired."

Lu Ruyun lowered her gaze to look at her. After waiting for her to enter a stall, she asked, "Is it because of Qiuhan?"

Relieved from Lu Ruyun's clear gaze, Zhang Yiyao relaxed considerably. Hearing her mention Duan Qiuhan's name, she pressed her lips together, her eyes dimming slightly. "Don't talk about me. How have you been lately? Your relationship seems really good?"

Hearing this, Lu Ruyun thought of Qin Zhenzhen, the corners of her lips lifting, her voice carrying a hint of joy. "Yes. Zhenzhen and I are planning to hold a wedding ceremony."

A thud came from the stall, as if something had fallen to the floor. Lu Ruyun turned her head, puzzled. "Yaoyao?"

Zhang Yiyao pressed her lips together. "A wedding ceremony?" Her fingers dug into her palm. "But you two signed a..."

"Yaoyao." Lu Ruyun interrupted her. "That's all in the past."

"Don't bring it up again."

Hearing these words, Zhang Yiyao felt an inexplicable panic.

All in the past.

Don't bring it up again.

Did that mean she also belonged to the past?

Unlimited panic surged in Zhang Yiyao's heart. Her hand fumbled incessantly in her bag, pausing briefly when it touched a medicine bottle, her fingers brushing against a cold object.

She took it out and looked at it, her heart slowly settling back down.

It was the key to Lu Ruyun's apartment.

So what if they were married? So what if they held a wedding? Ruyun's side couldn't accommodate anyone else. They wouldn't even have a wedding night.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yiyao's expression gradually returned to calm. Lu Ruyun, still somewhat worried, knocked lightly on the stall door. Zhang Yiyao said gently, "A wedding ceremony is great. I want to be a bridesmaid."

Lu Ruyun smiled faintly. "Okay. You and Shuangshuang both can."

Zhang Yiyao fumbled in the stall for a moment, lowering her eyes. "Ruyun, I want to ask you something."

Lu Ruyun made a questioning sound. "What is it?"

A shadow passed through Zhang Yiyao's eyes. Her gentle tone changed, becoming somewhat sharp. "During this time, do you still think about that period?"

Upon hearing her words, Lu Ruyun's face darkened for a few seconds. She took a step back, her body pressing against the cool tiles. Her hands slowly clenched, and she didn't make a sound.

Not hearing an answer, Zhang Yiyao seemed somewhat satisfied. She pressed the toilet flush and walked out of the stall. Seeing Lu Ruyun standing nearby, the panic in her eyes not yet fully concealed, Zhang Yiyao said with concern, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring that up. I went back last month and saw your mother."

"She said—she misses you very much."

Lu Ruyun closed her eyes, her body stiffening, her jaw tightening, her lips pressed into a straight line. "Let's go. They've been waiting for us."

Zhang Yiyao grabbed her arm worriedly. "Ruyun."

"You can't keep running away like this. Do you remember the last time you were hospitalized? Vice Dean Ding said that to get better, you have to face it actively. Ruyun, you've been running away for so many years now. It's time to face it."

"Besides, you're about to have a wedding ceremony with Zhenzhen, to really get married. Don't you want to get better?"

Lu Ruyun shook off her hand. Zhang Yiyao stumbled and fell backward. Lu Ruyun froze for a moment, then quickly grabbed her wrist. Both of them fell to the floor.

When there was movement at the private room door, Qin Zhenzhen turned to look and saw Lu Ruyun supporting Zhang Yiyao by the waist as they came in.

Their heads were very close. Lu Ruyun whispered, "Slow down."

Zhang Yiyao grasped her wrist, also replying in a low voice, "I'm sorry, Ruyun. I didn't mean to bring that up on purpose. I just want you to move past it."

Lu Ruyun's wrist, supporting Zhang Yiyao's body, stiffened. Her face paled for a few seconds. "I know."

"It's okay."

The three people sitting at the table were stunned at first, then all stood up. Duan Qiuhan hurried to the two of them, taking over supporting Zhang Yiyao. "What happened?"

Lu Ruyun wanted to speak, but Zhang Yiyao spoke before her. "It's nothing. The restroom floor was too slippery. I fell."

Upon hearing this, Duan Qiuhan frowned. "Are you hurt anywhere? Let's go to the hospital."

Zhang Yiyao quickly shook her head. "No need. It was just a fall. I'll be fine after resting for a couple of days."

Duan Qiuhan helped Zhang Yiyao sit on the chair. Qin Zhenzhen kept looking at Lu Ruyun, noticing her expression was very unnatural and her body was also very tense. She reached out and touched Lu Ruyun's hand. Lu Ruyun reflexively shook it off. Qin Zhenzhen was stunned. Lu Ruyun was also slightly taken aback.

Duan Qiuhan and He Shuangshuang, busy with their concern, didn't see their exchange. Zhang Yiyao took in this scene, the corners of her lips lifting slightly.

Because of Zhang Yiyao's injury, they ended the evening early. Zhang Yiyao was helped into the car. He Shuangshuang asked with great concern, "Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital? It's not far, just ahead. Shouldn't we get an X-ray?"

Zhang Yiyao shook her head in refusal. "Really, no need. Nothing's broken or sprained. What's the point of an X-ray?"

Hearing her firm tone, He Shuangshuang didn't know what else to say and could only stand there awkwardly. Zhang Yiyao looked up at Lu Ruyun behind her. "Ruyun."

Lu Ruyun walked forward a few steps and crouched beside her. She heard Zhang Yiyao say, "About the things I mentioned earlier... I hope you'll think about them carefully. If you can't get through it alone, I can come accompany you anytime."

"No need." Lu Ruyun's expression returned to normal, a faint dark light flickering in her eyes. "Go back and rest early. Don't run around these next couple of days."

Zhang Yiyao moved her leg slightly, fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead. She nodded. "Okay."

He Shuangshuang stood behind them, frowning as she saw Zhang Yiyao in such discomfort. "Yaoyao, can you manage alone in your apartment like this?"

"It's a pity I'm very busy these days. I can't go to your place."

As she spoke, she looked up at Duan Qiuhan. "Qiuhan, why don't you take a couple of days off and stay with Yaoyao."

Duan Qiuhan's expression faltered, and he shook his head apologetically. Zhang Yiyao explained, "He's going on location shoot tomorrow. He won't be in City A for the next few days."

"I'm really fine. If you don't believe me, I'll get out and walk for you."

As she spoke, she really prepared to get out of the car. Before the tip of her foot even touched the ground, she let out a sound of pain. Duan Qiuhan said heartbrokenly, "Little ancestor, don't move. How about this? I'll delay the location shoot for a couple of days."

"No need. You finally got your schedule arranged. Don't delay it."

Listening to their conversation, Lu Ruyun pressed her lips together. "I'll go."

After she said this, Qin Zhenzhen turned to look at her. Lu Ruyun said to Duan Qiuhan, "I don't have much going on before the new year. I'll go take care of Yaoyao."

Zhang Yiyao smiled. "Then I'll trouble you, Ruyun."

Seeing it was Lu Ruyun who would go, Duan Qiuhan also felt somewhat relieved. He turned to Lu Ruyun apologetically. "Thank you, Ruyun. I'll be back soon."

Lu Ruyun nodded slightly. "It's fine. I should take care of her anyway."

The five of them went their separate ways at the restaurant entrance. He Shuangshuang stood beside Lu Ruyun. She glanced at Qin Zhenzhen and said, "How about we put the studio matters on hold for a few days? I'll go take care of Yaoyao?"

Lu Ruyun pressed her lips together and shook her head. "No need. I've already promised Qiuhan. Besides, don't you have family matters to deal with at year-end?"

He Shuangshuang opened her mouth, wanting to argue back, but thinking of her family affairs, she could only nod helplessly. "Alright then."

Qin Zhenzhen stood behind them, feeling like an outsider. Her mind was still full of the scene where Lu Ruyun had shaken off her hand earlier, a faint unease stirring in her heart.

He Shuangshuang didn't linger either. After a brief goodbye to them, she left. Qin Zhenzhen followed Lu Ruyun and got into the car. Neither of them spoke. After several traffic lights, Qin Zhenzhen finally couldn't help but ask, "Ruyun, what happened to you earlier?"

Lu Ruyun sat in the passenger seat. Hearing her question, she turned her head to look at Qin Zhenzhen.

The intermittent light from street lamps streamed in, creating dappled shadows. Qin Zhenzhen was looking ahead at the road, her expression serious. Lu Ruyun stared at her profile for a long moment before finally speaking. "Earlier... I'm sorry."

Qin Zhenzhen was taken aback. After a moment's thought, she pulled the car over to the curb and turned to look at Lu Ruyun. "Sorry for what?"

Lu Ruyun leaned back against the seat, her fingers twisting together, her expression somewhat uneasy. She closed her eyes. "Earlier, I was thinking about the past. I..."

Qin Zhenzhen reached out and grasped the back of her hand, interrupting her. "Okay."

Actually, she should have realized it sooner. Lu Ruyun only became flustered when thinking about the past, completely unlike her usual self. Qin Zhenzhen held Lu Ruyun's hand and leaned close to her cheek, her breath fragrant as an orchid. "Ruyun, there is no past. We only have the present, and the future."

"Don't think about those things anymore, okay?"

Lu Ruyun turned to look at Qin Zhenzhen. The slanted light from the street lamp made Qin Zhenzhen's bright eyes even more luminous, sparkling. Her throat felt dry, her voice hoarse. "Don't you want to know what it was about?"

Qin Zhenzhen's grip on her hand tightened slightly. She blinked gently and nodded honestly. "I do. I really do."

"But if thinking about those things hurts you again, I'd rather not know anything."

Hearing her words, Lu Ruyun felt a stir in her heart. She reached out and embraced her. In the car, the two held each other tightly. Qin Zhenzhen's hand patted her back rhythmically. Lu Ruyun's voice, slightly lower, sounded even hoarser. "Zhenzhen, thank you."

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