Married in a Daze - Chapter 121

Chapter 121

Qin Zhenzhen finished her shoot around noon. She declined the advertiser's invitation to lunch and rushed back with Ji Lu. Throughout the journey, she kept glancing at the time. Lu Ruyun's reaction last night still left her feeling uneasy, so she wanted to see her immediately.

When she returned to the hotel, Lu Ruyun was sitting calmly on the sofa, showing no signs of anything being amiss. Qin Zhenzhen breathed a sigh of relief and stepped inside.

"Finished?" Lu Ruyun glanced at the time; Qin Zhenzhen had wrapped up earlier than she had estimated.

Qin Zhenzhen quickened her pace to the sofa and sat down, nodding. "Mhm. Are we heading back this afternoon?"

Lu Ruyun looked up at her, making a questioning "Hm?" sound. Qin Zhenzhen smiled. "Sister Meng told me to relax a bit after finishing the shoot. It's fine if we go back tomorrow morning."

Although she didn't think there was anything particularly relaxing about Lu Ruyun staying in Country J.

Thinking of this, she said, "Let's go back this afternoon. Don't you have things to handle at your studio?"

Lu Ruyun saw her standing up and reached out to grab her wrist, looking up at her. "Zhenzhen, I'm fine."

Qin Zhenzhen turned her head. "Huh?"

Lu Ruyun's expression was normal, the corners of her lips curling up. "This afternoon, I'll take you to tour my old university."

Qin Zhenzhen looked at her for a long while before replying, "Okay."

The two changed into sportswear. The sun in Country J was intense, so they wore baseball caps and sunglasses, tying their long hair into buns, which added a youthful vibe. After getting ready, Qin Zhenzhen leaned against the bathroom door frame, watching Lu Ruyun.

Lu Ruyun had just changed. Even though the sportswear wasn't particularly form-fitting, it still accentuated her graceful figure. She was tall and slender with long, straight legs. Ordinary clothes seemed to look like runway fashion on her.

Incredibly beautiful.

Qin Zhenzhen scrutinized her for quite a while before reluctantly averting her gaze, shifting her body away. She was worried that if she kept looking, they might not even leave the room that afternoon.

They had lunch at the hotel. After the meal, Qin Zhenzhen sent Ji Lu a message, telling her she was going out with Lu Ruyun and not to come looking for her in the room that afternoon. Only after receiving Ji Lu's reply did Qin Zhenzhen set off with Lu Ruyun.

Lu Ruyun had graduated from Saint Sakura University, which was quite famous in Country J. Its fame stemmed not only from the university itself being top-ranked domestically, but also because of its beautiful scenery, which attracted many visitors.

Even before coming to Country J, Qin Zhenzhen had heard from Ji Lu that the reason so many people loved Saint Sakura University was because it had a special area for appreciating cherry blossoms called the Sacred Cherry Garden. It boasted a wide variety of cherry blossoms with different blooming periods, resulting in cherry blossoms blooming year-round in the garden.

As they neared the university entrance, Qin Zhenzhen sought confirmation from Lu Ruyun, who nodded with a light smile. "Mhm. Want to go see it?"

Qin Zhenzhen's eyes behind her sunglasses smiled. "Sure."

As she spoke, she looped her arm through Lu Ruyun's, and the two walked in together. This was Country J; Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun's attire was no different from ordinary people's. Although both had striking presence, Saint Sakura University wasn't lacking in outstanding individuals, so they didn't attract too much attention.

Universities in Country J were quite different from those back home. Finding it novel, Qin Zhenzhen pulled Lu Ruyun along for a couple of laps. Finally, they stood at the entrance to the Sacred Cherry Garden. Lu Ruyun smiled at Qin Zhenzhen. "This is the place."

Qin Zhenzhen saw many people gathered at the entrance. They had hardly seen anyone along the way; she hadn't expected everyone to be gathered here.

Seeing so many people, she instinctively frowned. "Should we still go in?"

Lu Ruyun saw her expression and smiled, pulling her hand to walk to the side. Qin Zhenzhen watched her stop in front of a wall and widened her eyes in surprise. "Teacher Lu, are you planning to climb the wall?"

Lu Ruyun was amused, shaking her head. "No. I'm just checking if the old secret passage is still there."

"There used to be an opening here. When I was in school, I came here a few times with my dormmates."

Qin Zhenzhen let out a playful tsk. "I didn't expect Teacher Lu had moments of not using the main gate either."

Lu Ruyun smiled at this, turning to look at the secret passage that had been sealed up at some unknown time. Qin Zhenzhen took her hand. "Let's go."

The two returned to the main entrance. There were slightly fewer people than before. Qin Zhenzhen didn't like walking crowded, so she deliberately moved back, but new people were already lining up behind them, so she got stuck in the middle.

Just as her brows furrowed, Lu Ruyun placed an arm around her waist, moving her slightly in front of herself. Lu Ruyun wasn't tall or burly, even a bit slender, but she still managed to encircle Qin Zhenzhen in her embrace.

Qin Zhenzhen's nose was filled with a familiar scent. She was stunned for a moment, then, upon realizing, nuzzled into Lu Ruyun's chest like a cat. Seizing the moment when no one was paying attention, she quickly kissed Lu Ruyun's cheek. The front was still noisy, the back pushing and shoving, but only these two were immersed in their own world. Lu Ruyun's ears quietly turned red.

Fortunately, the queue didn't last long. After entering through the main gate, the crowd dispersed.

Inside was vast. Qin Zhenzhen took a rough glance; she couldn't see the end. Her vision was filled with red, along with off-white and soft pink hues. It was peak blooming season, hence the earlier crowd. Lu Ruyun held Qin Zhenzhen's hand the entire time, never letting go for even a moment.

The two strolled leisurely at a slow pace. Qin Zhenzhen listened as Lu Ruyun shared some fun anecdotes from her school days. When Lu Ruyun mentioned that classmates often confessed their feelings in the cherry blossom garden, Qin Zhenzhen laughed. "What about you?"

"How many times were you confessed to?"

Lu Ruyun thought deeply for a few seconds, honestly shaking her head. "Can't remember."

Qin Zhenzhen tilted her head, looking at her. "Poor memory?"

Lu Ruyun smiled, pursing her lips. "No. Because there were too many."

Qin Zhenzhen: "..."

The two walked hand in hand further in, their intermittent chatting continuing. A child came running towards them head-on, charging straight at them. Qin Zhenzhen wanted to dodge, but her body couldn't react fast enough and she was solidly bumped into.

Qin Zhenzhen fell onto the small path. Lu Ruyun helped her up. The child opposite them had also fallen and was now wailing loudly. Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun exchanged a look and approached the child.

The child's small face was scrunched up. Her skin was fair, and her features delicate. Before Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun could speak, a voice came from behind the child. "Tutu?"

Hearing this call, the child in front of Qin Zhenzhen immediately cried even louder, letting out full-throated screams that quickly drew people over.

Qin Zhenzhen watched the approaching figure—a woman around fifty years old with many wrinkles on her face. Hearing the cries, she rushed over in quick strides, hurriedly helping the child up, and looked at Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun with wary eyes.

Lu Ruyun was momentarily stunned upon seeing her, then took off her sunglasses and smiled. "Hello, Professor Ai."

Professor Ai looked up at her upon hearing this, studying her for several moments before nodding with sudden recognition. "Lu... Lu..."

Lu Ruyun smiled. "Lu Ruyun."

"Right, right, Ruyun."

Qin Zhenzhen could tell the two were old acquaintances. She also removed her sunglasses. Lu Ruyun introduced to Qin Zhenzhen, "Zhenzhen, this is Professor Ai."

Professor Ai smiled. "What professor? I retired long ago."

She then looked at Qin Zhenzhen. "And this is?"

Lu Ruyun smiled gently at Qin Zhenzhen. "This is my wife."

Professor Ai nodded. "Good, good. You two make a lovely match."

Qin Zhenzhen lowered her head with a smile upon hearing this. Lu Ruyun and Professor Ai chatted for a few more moments about the past.

The little girl named Tutu, held by Professor Ai, kept fidgeting. Qin Zhenzhen, listening to the two reminisce, crouched down and said to Tutu, "Hi, shall big sister take you over there to have a look?"

Tutu immediately nodded happily, looking pleadingly at Professor Ai. Professor Ai didn't release her hand, saying to Qin Zhenzhen, "This child is very naughty and doesn't listen."

Tutu tugged at Professor Ai's hand. "Grandma, let me go play for a bit."

Her voice was clear and crisp, still carrying a child's innocence. Tears still stained her little face, making her look quite pitiful. Qin Zhenzhen knew this tactic worked especially well on elders. Sure enough, Professor Ai softened upon seeing her like this. "Okay, but no running around, don't trouble big sister, understand?"

Tutu immediately nodded, appearing very obedient. Professor Ai said, "Go on."

The previously crying Tutu immediately beamed, actively grabbing Qin Zhenzhen's hand. Her hand was very small, just a little bundle in Qin Zhenzhen's palm. Qin Zhenzhen couldn't bear to hold it tightly, afraid of hurting her.

Lu Ruyun watched Qin Zhenzhen lead Tutu by the hand not far away. She and Professor Ai followed behind, walking slowly.

"Do you have children yet?" Professor Ai's question caught Lu Ruyun off guard, making her choke slightly. She coughed a few times before her face flushed slightly. "Not yet."

Professor Ai looked at Qin Zhenzhen playing with Tutu in the distance and smiled. "Your wife seems to quite like children."

Lu Ruyun also followed her gaze. Qin Zhenzhen was crouching down, talking to Tutu. Although her pretty face looked serious, her posture was indulgent, and her eyes were full of warmth. At this moment, Qin Zhenzhen was more dazzling than the blazing sun.

Professor Ai glanced at Qin Zhenzhen, then at Lu Ruyun's expression, and smiled. The two continued walking forward.

Tutu wasn't a well-behaved child, running east and causing a ruckus west. Qin Zhenzhen just followed her around in circles. The older and younger pair finally stopped in front of an ice cream truck.

Two minutes later, Tutu was finally settled.

Qin Zhenzhen had pacified her with an ice cream. They sat on a bench. Tutu was nibbling on her ice cream. Qin Zhenzhen instinctively searched for Lu Ruyun's figure and saw her chatting with Professor Ai not far away. She was smiling. Just as Qin Zhenzhen lowered her head, someone asked, "Miss, is this seat taken?"

Qin Zhenzhen looked up to see an elderly man pointing to the spot next to Tutu. She shook her head. "No, please sit."

The old man smiled and sat down. His hair was gray, and he walked with a cane, but his eyes were sharp and clear, without any cloudiness. After sitting, he occasionally glanced at Qin Zhenzhen.

Qin Zhenzhen's attention was focused on Tutu. She took a tissue from her bag and wiped Tutu's mouth and hands, her expression gentle.

"How old is your child?" Qin Zhenzhen paused her wiping motion upon hearing the question. Before she could speak, Tutu spoke first. "I'm five."

The old man nodded, a hint of a smile on his stern face. "Do you like eating these things?"

Tutu, not understanding the deeper meaning, nodded. "Yes."

The old man's smile deepened. "Don't eat too much. Be careful of cavities."

Qin Zhenzhen watched the old and young chatting happily, her lips quirking slightly. Not far away, Lu Ruyun and Professor Ai slowly walked over. Lu Ruyun froze for a few seconds upon seeing the person sitting on the other side of the bench, her face quickly darkening.

"Grandma!" Seeing Professor Ai approach, Tutu ran over and hugged her. Qin Zhenzhen also stood up. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the old man stand up as well. Lu Ruyun didn't walk forward anymore. She just smiled at Qin Zhenzhen. "Zhenzhen, come here."

Qin Zhenzhen blinked, then walked over with a light smile. Behind them, the old man's voice, weathered and hoarse, called out. "Ruyun."

Lu Ruyun's body instantly stiffened. Qin Zhenzhen held her hand, as if sensing something, and didn't turn around. The old man lowered his gaze. "You've raised the child well."

Qin Zhenzhen turned to look at Lu Ruyun. It was the first time she saw a mocking expression on her face. Coldly, Lu Ruyun said, "That's not my child."

After saying this, she directly pulled Qin Zhenzhen and left the Sacred Cherry Garden, her steps firm and steady.

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