Married in a Daze - Chapter 95
Chapter 95
Qin Zhenzhen was plunged into a new whirlwind of busyness. She had originally thought of visiting Zhang Yiyao after wrapping up for the day, but she was unexpectedly dragged off to record a show right after filming. Only after arriving did she learn that a previous episode's guest had been exposed in a scandal, requiring a re-shoot. The program team and Meng Xin had already settled on the timing, leaving Qin Zhenzhen with no choice but to re-record.
The show squeezed into the gaps between filming, taking three days.
Qin Zhenzhen went to the set before dawn every day, was pulled to the program team at night, and couldn't return until one or two in the morning. The dark circles under her eyes, which had finally begun to fade, crawled back with a vengeance. The planned visit to Zhang Yiyao was once again lost to the hectic schedule.
Lu Ruyun urged her to pay more attention to her health and rest. She assured her that she would keep watch over Yaoyao, so there wouldn't be any problems.
Since being discharged from the hospital, Zhang Yiyao had holed up in her apartment. Vice Dean Ding said her condition was fluctuating and there were signs she might be sinking deeper. Compounded by her breakup with Duan Qiuhan and their inability to meet, no issues could be resolved. It was best to keep an eye on her during this period to prevent her from doing anything irrational.
So, Lu Ruyun and He Shuangshang took turns—one keeping her company during the day, the other watching over her at night.
They worked in shifts.
Affairs at Lu Ruyun Studio were put on hold early due to the approaching Lunar New Year and the situation with Zhang Yiyao. Her studio had hired two girls and a boy. One girl had been recommended by Lu Ruyun to the Drunken Dreams of Jianghu crew for a minor female role, unremarkable but at least a chance to get her face seen. The other two had also found their own crew assignments, waiting for production to start.
Matters before the New Year seemed settled. Lu Ruyun shuttled daily between home and Zhang Yiyao's apartment. Zhang Yiyao spoke less and less, sometimes remaining silent for half a day, just staring blankly at her. Occasionally, she would utter without reason, "Ruyun, I regret it so much."
Asked what she regretted, she wouldn't say, only repeating the phrase. She seemed hollowed out, a sight that filled Lu Ruyun's heart with worry.
In early February, as the weather turned unexpectedly warm, Qin Zhenzhen went to the set. After tidying up at the apartment, Lu Ruyun received a call from Zhang Yiyao, saying she wanted to go out for a stroll and asked if she could accompany her.
Lu Ruyun readily agreed. It would be excellent for her to get some fresh air and change her mood.
They met near a school. The gilded characters of XX University shone brightly in the sunlight at the entrance. Zhang Yiyao stood at the gate, looking inside. Soon, Lu Ruyun walked up beside her. Going out, Lu Ruyun was still in full disguise. Fortunately, the students entering and leaving the university were also bundled up against the cold, so she didn't attract undue attention.
When Lu Ruyun arrived, Zhang Yiyao smiled, her lips pressed together. It was the first gentle smile she had shown in these past few days.
"Ruyun, let's go in and walk around."
"I've been missing our university days so much lately. It's a shame we can't go back, otherwise I'd definitely drag you along to see it."
"By the way, I went back to see the campus last time. That old pond has been turned into a soccer field. Ruyun, have you been back?"
Lu Ruyun stiffened for a few seconds, her expression darkening slightly. Hidden behind her mask and hat, it was impossible to see clearly. She shook her head. "No."
She had deliberately avoided that place, that city, and everything there for several years now.
Hearing this, Zhang Yiyao lowered her eyes and said softly, "Sorry, did I make you think of something again?"
Lu Ruyun shook her head again, the shadow in her eyes fading. When she looked up, her gaze was clear. "It's nothing. I haven't thought about those things for a long time."
"Let's go. We'll just wander around. It's cold, we should head back soon."
Zhang Yiyao nodded, smiling as she linked arms with Lu Ruyun. Seeing Lu Ruyun's glance, she explained with a laugh, "Remember? I used to love holding your hand when we walked. Once during a sports meet, I wanted to run the whole race holding hands with you. If the referee hadn't stopped us, I would have done it."
She chuckled to herself, sighing with infinite feeling. "Ruyun, why were the old days so wonderful?"
Lu Ruyun subtly withdrew her arm, walking slowly. "Yaoyao, it's not that the past was wonderful. It's that you can't see the wonderful things now."
Seeing her action, a dark glint flashed in Zhang Yiyao's eyes. "Can you see them?"
Lu Ruyun nodded honestly. "I can."
She had already found the sole sunlight in her life, guiding her to see the beauty of this world. Thinking of Qin Zhenzhen, Lu Ruyun's eyes unconsciously softened, her voice gentling. "Let's go."
They continued walking further into the campus. The scene in Zhang Yiyao's eyes was bleak, while Lu Ruyun's world was vibrant with life.
They walked side by side, yet what they saw were two completely different worlds.
Near the year's end, only occasional students lingered on campus. Lu Ruyun and Zhang Yiyao strolled along the paths twice. Zhang Yiyao, unusually talkative, kept chattering away, though it was all about old times.
Finally, she said to Lu Ruyun, "Ruyun, I want milk tea."
Lu Ruyun glanced at a milk tea shop not far away and pressed her lips together. "Wait here for me. I'll go buy it."
Zhang Yiyao nodded, sitting on a bench to wait.
The milk tea shop was small. A young girl stood there choosing her drink. Lu Ruyun walked over and said softly, "Two milk teas, please."
Hearing her voice, the girl tilted her head to look. Seeing Lu Ruyun in full disguise, she lost interest and shook her head, pointing at the menu. "One strawberry milk tea."
The two stood waiting for their orders. Lu Ruyun rummaged in her bag, her delicate brows under the hat brim furrowing slightly.
Did she not bring her wallet?
She pursed her lips, pulling out her phone to pay with Alipay. Just as she opened it, a girl's voice sounded beside her. "Hey, do you like Qin Zhenzhen too?"
Lu Ruyun glanced at her, lips pressed together. The phone's lock screen was one Zhenzhen had set for her, saying something about not being able to see each other during the day, so looking at a photo would ease the longing.
Seeing the girl still waiting for an answer, Lu Ruyun gave a slight nod. "Yes."
The girl, seeing a fellow fan, immediately beamed. "Hey! Me too! I've liked her for two or three years. I watch all her works. Which of her TV dramas do you like best?"
Lu Ruyun opened her mouth. "I like all of them."
"A true fan!"
"Let me tell you, not long ago we saw Zhenzhen in person! So beautiful! Words can't even describe it. Do you want to add me on WeChat? Or join our fan group? The group has lots of high-def photos. And next time we might see her again, I'll send a notice."
Lu Ruyun shook her head in polite refusal, remaining silent.
The girl wasn't ready to end the topic. "By the way, have you seen her new drama, the one called Cold Palace? It's awesome!"
Just then, the shop owner handed the milk tea to the girl. Lu Ruyun was about to say goodbye when she heard the girl continue on her own. "Ah, Zhenzhen is perfect in every way. Her only flaw is that she got married."
"Don't you think?"
Lu Ruyun gave a light cough. "I think getting married isn't bad at all."
The girl clicked her tongue. "Well, it's not bad, per se. It's just too early. And it's with Cloud Fairy. You know, Cloud Fairy. It's not that I think Cloud Fairy is bad or anything."
"It's just that she has that whole old-cadre style. Doesn't match the bewitching Zhenzhen at all."
"It's like they don't have a night life, you know what I mean?"
Lu Ruyun, holding the milk tea, froze beneath her layers of concealment. She shook her head and took two steps away, then thought better of it and walked back to tell the girl, "Actually, I think they're very well-matched. And they definitely have a night life."
The girl, seeing the person who had just left now return, patted her own mouth. "Ah! Sorry! So you're a CP fan of Zhenzhen and Cloud Fairy!"
Lu Ruyun: ...
When Zhang Yiyao saw Lu Ruyun walking back, her expression seemed serious. Though heavily disguised, a hint of displeasure still leaked through. Taking the milk tea, she asked, "What's wrong?"
Lu Ruyun pressed her lips together, brushing the girl's words from her mind. "It's nothing."
The two sat on the bench, chatting idly. Lu Ruyun seemed somewhat distracted.
They returned to the apartment for lunch. Lu Ruyun was worried about being recognized if they ate out, so she bought some ingredients and went back to Zhang Yiyao's place. Before washing her hands to cook, she called He Shuangshuang, asking her to come over at noon.
He Shuangshuang agreed. "Okay. Do you have something on this afternoon?"
Lu Ruyun thought for a moment. "A little something."
He Shuangshuang arrived just as lunch was ready. Seeing her, a flicker of displeasure crossed Zhang Yiyao's eyes. She lowered her eyelids, hiding her emotions. He Shuangshuang bounded in, saying, "I could smell the food before I even got in! I'm starving."
Lu Ruyun smiled and turned to fetch the soup from the kitchen. He Shuangshuang, seeing two bowls of rice already served, asked in confusion, "Didn't you make one for me?"
"You didn't make one for me."
Lu Ruyun untied her apron and said to He Shuangshuang, "I have something to do later. I'll trouble you to keep Yaoyao company."
He Shuangshuang gave an OK sign. "Don't worry. Yaoyao's in good hands with me."
Besides, she was also on an extended break before the New Year with not much to do. Rather than going home and arguing, it was better to stay here with Yaoyao. It was fine.
After a brief exchange, Lu Ruyun left the kitchen to say goodbye to Zhang Yiyao. Zhang Yiyao looked at her with clear reluctance. "You're leaving?"
Lu Ruyun nodded. "I have a little something this afternoon. I'll head off first. Shuangshuang is here to keep you company."
Zhang Yiyao lowered her gaze. "I don't need anyone to keep me company."
Lu Ruyun glanced at He Shuangshuang. He Shuangshuang hurriedly said, "Yaoyao, think of it as you keeping me company, okay? I'm a lonely single dog."
She deflected with a joke. After Lu Ruyun left, Zhang Yiyao looked at the closed door and asked, "Has Ruyun been busy with something lately?"
Seeing He Shuangshuang's surprised look, she amended, "I feel like she's been very busy recently."
He Shuangshuang smiled. "It's nothing. Just crew stuff. She starts filming after the New Year. You know how strict she is with herself. Any spare moment she has, she's thinking about how to improve her acting. This afternoon, she's definitely busy with crew matters."
Zhang Yiyao nodded and said to He Shuangshuang, "Let's eat."
Lu Ruyun, having already left, got in her car and drove toward the film and television city.
Qin Zhenzhen's movie wrapped tomorrow. This afternoon, there were just two more scenes left. Thinking of the wrap party tomorrow, she suddenly remembered the wrap party for Cold Palace. The director had poured his heart out at the banquet, saying it was his most satisfying work to date.
I wonder if he'd still think that now, looking at the ratings.
Qin Zhenzhen took a couple bites of her food. Amidst the surrounding noise, someone stood before her, their shadow blocking the sunlight. Frowning, she looked up and saw Lu Ruyun.
"What are you doing here?" Qin Zhenzhen's face instantly blossomed into a smile, bright and radiant as a flower, her eyes lighting up immediately.
Lu Ruyun sat beside her, smiling as she glanced at the staff passing by. "Just passing by. Visiting the set."
Qin Zhenzhen eyed her still slightly breathless state and couldn't help but laugh. "Teacher Lu, that's quite the detour you 'passed by'."
Meeting her knowing gaze, Lu Ruyun's lips curved up.
It had been several days since they'd had a proper meal together. Qin Zhenzhen was too busy, not home at night and leaving early in the morning, making it difficult to share a proper meal.
Now, the two ate the boxed lunches provided by the crew, hearing occasional teasing remarks from the surroundings.
"Zhenzhen, make Teacher Lu pay!"
"Yeah, Zhenzhen! If she doesn't pay, at least get an autograph!"
Everyone laughed. Qin Zhenzhen pulled Lu Ruyun's hand into the restroom. The two ate their boxed lunches, hearts feeling sweet. Seeing no one around, Qin Zhenzhen couldn't resist kissing Lu Ruyun's cheek, whispering, "Tell the truth. Did you miss me?"
A warm sensation lingered on Lu Ruyun's cheek. She looked up, lips pressed together, as if struggling to speak.
Qin Zhenzhen, seeing her like this, thought she wanted to say something shy. Her own face flushed, redness creeping up her neck. She looked at Lu Ruyun with glistening eyes, a hint of expectation in her gaze.
Lu Ruyun lowered her head. The words of that girl at the milk tea shop replayed in her mind. Putting down her chopsticks, she looked at Qin Zhenzhen and said, "Zhenzhen, actually, I came to ask you a question."
Qin Zhenzhen wore a bashful expression. "Ask, ask."
Lu Ruyun's red lips parted. "Do you like old cadres?"
Qin Zhenzhen's bashful expression cracked. She blinked at Lu Ruyun. What the heck???
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