Married in a Daze - Chapter 78
Chapter 78
"What if... I don't want to?" Qin Zhenzhen lowered her head, a faint smile on her lips. Though she was somewhat tipsy, her mind was now exceptionally clear. It felt like a fire was smoldering inside her, growing hotter and more restless the more the wind blew.
Lu Ruyun was stunned for several seconds, as if she had never imagined Qin Zhenzhen would say 'no.'
For a moment, neither spoke. Qin Zhenzhen cleared her throat softly. "Teacher Lu, didn't you hear me?"
A deeper shade appeared in Lu Ruyun's eyes. "I thought..."
She had thought Qin Zhenzhen shared her feelings. That's why she had asked that question the other day, why she had made that phone call. Had she been mistaken?
"I'm sorry. Then I'll take my leave."
After saying this, Lu Ruyun turned to go. Qin Zhenzhen suddenly grabbed her wrist and threw herself into her arms. Her slender arms wrapped around Lu Ruyun's waist. The feeling of that slim waist, seemingly no wider than a handful, was simply too wonderful. She couldn't help but hug her tightly, taking a deep breath. "Are you an idiot?"
"I—"
Before Lu Ruyun could finish, Qin Zhenzhen cut her off. "Who told you to ignore me these past two days? Not a single phone call. Do you know how worried I've been?"
She had been afraid it was all a misunderstanding on her part, and equally afraid Lu Ruyun had changed her mind.
If either of those possibilities were true, then all her efforts over the past few months would have been for nothing. Their relationship might even become more awkward than before. Living with these thoughts for two whole days had been truly unpleasant.
Hearing this, Lu Ruyun felt a wave of guilt and hugged her back, one hand gently stroking her long hair. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to give you a surprise."
Her earnest, apologetic demeanor made Qin Zhenzhen laugh. "A surprise?"
Qin Zhenzhen looked up from within her embrace. Their eyes met, affection tangling between their gazes. Lu Ruyun could see the little stars shining clearly in the other woman's eyes. The lamplight fell upon them, stretching their shadows infinitely long.
They gazed at each other for a good while before Qin Zhenzhen slowly spoke again. "Teacher Lu... I'm willing."
The chest that had just felt ravaged by a cold wind was instantly greeted by a warm spring. Everything came back to life. A warm feeling gushed from the depths of her heart, coursing through her entire body with her blood.
She held Qin Zhenzhen contentedly, unable to resist tightening her embrace, then tightening it again.
Qin Zhenzhen was almost squeezed breathless. She tilted her head slightly to speak, but warmth instantly covered her lips. Lu Ruyun's face was close, her features clear, her eyes gently closed, her eyelashes trembling faintly, her complexion slightly pale from the biting wind.
Qin Zhenzhen's heart softened abruptly, her heartbeat pounding faster. She raised her head and closed her eyes.
This wasn't their first kiss.
They had shared a fleeting, dragonfly-skimming-water kiss during the show recording. But their state of mind then was completely different from now. Qin Zhenzhen's wine-addled head felt a moment of dizziness. Lu Ruyun simply pressed her lips against hers without moving. Instinctively, Qin Zhenzhen parted her lips slightly, her tongue tentatively licking Lu Ruyun's lips.
As if encouraged, Lu Ruyun placed one hand on the small of her back, the other supporting her head, and began a campaign of conquest through the slightly parted seam of her red lips.
Qin Zhenzhen was kissed until her legs felt weak. She practically hung onto Lu Ruyun, her arms moving from her waist to wrap around her neck. Her cheeks flushed crimson, feeling feverish against Lu Ruyun's face.
"S-slow down." Qin Zhenzhen gasped, pushing Lu Ruyun away slightly. Her lips were slightly swollen. "I'm going to suffocate."
Lu Ruyun pressed her lips together, saying nothing.
Qin Zhenzhen had been downstairs for quite a while. Her coat was still draped over the chair. Meng Xin, feeling uneasy, told Ji Lu to go check on her. Hearing their conversation, Jian Mu asked softly, "What's wrong?"
Meng Xin smiled. "Nothing."
She couldn't very well say that Zhenzhen had left the table for so long, making it seem disrespectful to their guest.
Jian Mu, seeing she was willing to talk, asked, "Where's Zhenzhen?"
Meng Xin paused. "She went to the restroom."
Jian Mu nodded slightly. Meng Xin quickly nudged Ji Lu, signaling her to take the coat and find her. Ji Lu grabbed the coat and scurried off. Jian Mu sat for another moment before getting up and leaving the private room.
The corridor was somewhat chilly. Jian Mu noticed a window was open. He took a cigarette from his pocket. Just as he reached the window, before lighting it, he looked down and saw two figures standing under the lamp.
One of them he recognized very well. It was Qin Zhenzhen.
Qin Zhenzhen's face was even redder than when she was drunk. But she hadn't forgotten her duties for the evening. She said to Lu Ruyun, "I still need to go back upstairs. Which hotel are you staying at? Should I come find you tonight?"
She didn't see anything amiss with her own words at all, her eyes clear and shimmering.
Lu Ruyun froze for a few seconds. "Come find me tonight?"
Qin Zhenzhen smiled lightly. "What's wrong?"
Lu Ruyun lowered her head. "Zhenzhen, we just confirmed our relationship. Isn't this... a bit too fast?"
Qin Zhenzhen blinked, then immediately understood Lu Ruyun's implication. Her already flushed cheeks felt another wave of heat rising.
"What are you thinking!"
"I was just afraid you might have another episode."
As soon as the words left her mouth, she covered it with her hand. The redness on her face faded slightly, replaced by a cautious look in her bright eyes. "I'm sorry."
Lu Ruyun, on the other hand, appeared perfectly calm. "It's fine."
"Zhenzhen!" Ji Lu's voice came from not far away. Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun turned to see Ji Lu walking over, holding the trench coat. Her mouth fell open in surprise. "T-Teacher Lu?"
Lu Ruyun nodded at her with a slight smile. Ji Lu continued to blink in confusion. Qin Zhenzhen took the coat from her and draped it over Lu Ruyun's shoulders. Their heights weren't too different, so it fit Lu Ruyun quite well.
Sensing the strange atmosphere between the two, Ji Lu didn't dare ask questions. She just said to Qin Zhenzhen, "Zhenzhen, Sister Meng wants you to come back up."
Qin Zhenzhen nodded. Today's dinner was hosted by her and Meng Xin. It was indeed inappropriate for the host to be absent for so long. She turned to Lu Ruyun. "Do you want to go to the hotel and wait for me first?"
Lu Ruyun shook her head. "I'll go up with you."
Qin Zhenzhen was taken aback for a moment, then a brilliant smile bloomed on her face. "Okay."
As she spoke, she naturally took Lu Ruyun's hand, their fingers intertwining. Ji Lu stared at their clasped hands, standing rooted for a few seconds. Had she missed something??
Qin Zhenzhen led Lu Ruyun upstairs and into the private room. Several people immediately started joking. "Oh? Zhenzhen's wife is here!"
"Teacher Lu!"
"Teacher Lu, I absolutely loved your role as the Hundred Blossom Immortal! Could I get your autograph?"
"Cloud Fairy! I'm your fan!"
The atmosphere in the private room instantly heated up. Qin Zhenzhen had already gotten along well with the crew over the past few days, so bringing Lu Ruyun along didn't feel awkward. Besides, she was the birthday girl today. It was only natural for her wife to come celebrate.
A few girls who had earlier commented on how well Qin Zhenzhen and Jian Mu matched were now whispering amongst themselves. "Looking at them now, Lu Ruyun and Qin Zhenzhen seem even more compatible."
"Before seeing them in person, I didn't think much of it, but now their auras really complement each other."
"They have that wife-wife look!"
Laughter intermittently filled the air. After Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun took their seats, there was still an empty chair beside them. Qin Zhenzhen asked curiously, "Where's Mr. Jian?"
Jian Mu's assistant quickly smiled. "Brother Jian said he drank a bit earlier and has a slight headache. He went back first."
Qin Zhenzhen nodded. "Please take good care of him tonight."
The assistant hummed in agreement. "Of course."
He then continued, "Oh, Brother Jian asked me to toast on his behalf. He wishes you two a hundred years of marital bliss."
Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun shared a look and a smile, accepting the toast. "Thank you."
Qin Zhenzhen had only just learned about Lu Ruyun coming to City M. There was no way Jian Mu could have known in advance. That could only mean he had seen them earlier. Combined with his current excuse of returning to rest, Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun both understood without needing to say a word.
After that toast, people came one after another to offer drinks. Qin Zhenzhen had already consumed quite a bit earlier and was starting to feel dizzy from the continued rounds. Lu Ruyun, seeing this, intercepted quite a few glasses for her.
After the dinner concluded, everyone followed custom and took a group photo. The director, assistant director, and several other core team members all posted on Weibo.
@Jian Mu's Back Garden: The MV shoot has wrapped up successfully. Also, happy birthday to Zhenzhen! @TrulyZhen
Since Jian Mu wasn't there, the collaborating team posted two group photos along with several behind-the-scenes shots from the set, all featuring Qin Zhenzhen and Jian Mu interacting. A handsome man and a beautiful woman, an eye-catching pair indeed.
As expected, once the Weibo post went live, numerous fans chimed in: Wow wow wow, Brother Jian and Qin Zhenzhen are such a perfect match!
—Can't wait for the MV! Feel like I'm about to ship a new CP!
—Keep it in our own circle, keep it in our own circle, no involving real people. But this CP, I'm shipping it!
Seeing this, Qin Zhenzhen also reposted it, but she included a photo of herself with Lu Ruyun.
@TrulyZhen: Thank you everyone for celebrating my birthday. It was truly a rewarding experience collaborating with Mr. Jian. Looking forward to working together again. Also, birthday benefit photo—my wife came to celebrate my birthday! Spinning happily! Repost @Jian Mu's Back Garden: The MV shoot has wrapped up successfully. Also, happy birthday to Zhenzhen! @TrulyZhen
Not long after Qin Zhenzhen reposted, Lu Ruyun also shared it.
@Lu Ruyun: Then you'll have to spin happily every year from now on. Repost @TrulyZhen: Thank you everyone for celebrating my birthday. It was truly a rewarding experience collaborating with Mr. Jian. Looking forward to working together again. Also, birthday benefit photo—my wife came to celebrate my birthday! Spinning happily! Repost @Jian Mu's Back Garden: The MV shoot has wrapped up successfully. Also, happy birthday to Zhenzhen! @TrulyZhen
The fans of both women excitedly pounded their keyboards:
—Let me translate what Cloud Fairy means: I will celebrate your birthday with you every year from now on. Oh my gosh, Cloud Fairy, how can you be so romantic!
—Full marks for this translation! Also, Zhenzhen is killing me with cuteness, I'm crying!
—No problem there. Cloud Fairy and Zhenzhen, translator gets a drumstick!
While Weibo was cheering, Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun had already left the hotel. The dinner party was over. Qin Zhenzhen originally wanted to go to Lu Ruyun's hotel, but Lu Ruyun stopped her. Both had drunk quite a bit and were feeling dizzy. It really wasn't suitable to travel back and forth.
In the end, Lu Ruyun asked He Shuangshuang to bring her luggage to the hotel where Qin Zhenzhen was staying.
Qin Zhenzhen had been sharing a suite with Ji Lu these past two days. Now that Lu Ruyun and He Shuangshuang were here, that arrangement clearly wouldn't work. She thought for a moment. "There's another suite on the top floor."
It had been arranged by Jian Mu's team. Originally, to avoid any misunderstanding, she hadn't taken it. But now that Lu Ruyun was here, there was no need to avoid it anymore. She had Ji Lu retrieve the key card, grabbed the luggage, and prepared to leave with Lu Ruyun. Behind them, Ji Lu looked up blankly at He Shuangshuang. "What about her?"
He Shuangshuang also looked at Lu Ruyun.
Qin Zhenzhen said with a perfectly normal expression, "If you don't want to bother moving, you can squeeze in with Lulu."
He Shuangshuang: "..."
Before she could even refuse this arrangement, she saw Qin Zhenzhen leading Lu Ruyun out of the suite. The two stood in the elevator. Qin Zhenzhen's pretty face was flushed, her eyes sparkling, utterly captivating.
Lu Ruyun glanced at her and quickly averted her gaze, taking the luggage from her hand. Qin Zhenzhen didn't object. After getting off the elevator, they walked towards the room.
There were faint sounds coming from the neighboring room. Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun entered the suite and simply sat down on the sofa. Qin Zhenzhen had previously made bold declarations about staying together, claiming it was just in case Lu Ruyun had an episode.
Now, with the two of them alone in the room, even the spacious suite suddenly felt narrow. The air seemed to grow thin. Qin Zhenzhen's heart pounded rapidly. A light sweat broke out on her skin. Just as she was about to speak, the doorbell rang.
Qin Zhenzhen subconsciously frowned.
Aside from her and Jian Mu, the only other people staying on the top floor were the director, assistant director, and their group. They had gone elsewhere to continue the party, so apart from Jian Mu, this floor should be empty.
She stood up to answer the door, but Lu Ruyun caught her wrist. "You go take a shower and rest. I'll get it."
Qin Zhenzhen paused. "Alright."
Lu Ruyun put the trench coat she had just taken off back on, tidied her appearance a little, and walked to the door. As soon as she opened it, she heard a man's voice say, "Zhenzhen."
Lu Ruyun looked up, offering a faint smile. "Mr. Jian."
Jian Mu didn't speak, just stared at the trench coat she was wearing. It was Qin Zhenzhen's.
Lu Ruyun didn't rush him, simply letting him look. After a few seconds, Jian Mu smiled. "Miss Lu."
"Can I help you with something?" Lu Ruyun's voice was cool, her expression composed. She faced Jian Mu with poise, her bearing not inferior in the slightest.
Jian Mu was holding a small box. "Nothing much. I just realized I left in a hurry earlier and forgot to give this gift."
Lu Ruyun accepted the gift. "Thank you."
Jian Mu parted his lips. "Would you mind having a chat?"
Lu Ruyun remained impassive. "Sorry, not convenient."
She lifted her chin, a smile playing on her lips. "Zhenzhen drank quite a bit earlier. If she soaks in the bath too long, she might get dizzy. I need to go check on her."
Jian Mu gave her a deep look, a smile on his handsome face. "You're interesting."
"Please tell Zhenzhen goodbye for me."
Lu Ruyun nodded. "Goodnight."
Jian Mu didn't reply, simply turned and entered his own room. As the door closed, Lu Ruyun felt someone lean against her back from behind. "How does Teacher Lu plan to call me?"
Lu Ruyun turned her head to see Qin Zhenzhen resting her chin on her shoulder. "You didn't go take a bath?"
Qin Zhenzhen shook her head. "Not yet."
She had been a bit worried about leaving Lu Ruyun alone, concerned there might be conflict, so she had come out. She hadn't expected eavesdropping to have its benefits. She was very satisfied with Lu Ruyun's responses.
Lu Ruyun walked into the living room and sat on the sofa. Seeing the clarity in Qin Zhenzhen's eyes, she patted the spot beside her. "Still not ready to rest?"
Qin Zhenzhen shook her head. Right now, her mind was buzzing with excitement, making sleep impossible. Seeing this, Lu Ruyun gave a slight nod. "Then let's rehearse some scenes."
"Huh?" Qin Zhenzhen was confused for a moment. "Rehearse?"
Lu Ruyun looked serious. "I think there are some scenes you're still not very familiar with. They need more practice."
Qin Zhenzhen sat down beside her, raising an eyebrow. "What kind of scenes?"
Lu Ruyun turned to look at her, suddenly leaning close, capturing her lips. "Intimate scenes."
Qin Zhenzhen: "..."
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