Married in a Daze - Chapter 128
Chapter 128
The matter with Zhang Yiyao was finally settled. To be honest, Qin Zhenzhen had been worried when she saw the exclusive interview, fearing she might make a desperate, mutually destructive move and directly expose her and Lu Ruyun's initial marriage of convenience. But for some reason, even after hearing Lu Ruyun say she'd been sent abroad, no such news surfaced. She let out a sigh of relief. Thinking about it more carefully, perhaps even Zhang Yiyao herself knew that after this incident, netizens wouldn't fully believe her words anymore.
Furthermore, the whole marriage of convenience affair between her and Ruyun had caused quite a stir back then, only to end with everyone proven wrong. So even if she really exposed it this time, it would probably just be treated as a joke.
Qin Zhenzhen collected her thoughts. Hearing the staff member say they were ready, she stood up to change clothes. The promotional tour was nearing its end. The drama had already aired more than half, and the ratings for the last two nights had stably broken three percent. Netizens were betting on whether Cold Palace would break Five United Cities's record. Seeing the situation, Qin Zhenzhen estimated it was highly unlikely. Because the initial ratings had indeed been low, surpassing them in the later stages wouldn't be easy. But she was already very satisfied with the current results.
This drama had already exceeded her projected ratings, even by quite a margin. Moreover, Director Hu had told her he was in talks with four countries, including Country X, regarding cooperation deals. If it got introduced there, it might even cause a minor sensation. In recent years, not many foreign TV dramas have been imported, so everyone was very much looking forward to this collaboration.
Qin Zhenzhen was also looking forward to it. After finishing the promotion, she talked to Lu Ruyun about it. They hadn't seen each other for a week. Qin Zhenzhen left early and returned late, managing a half-hour call with Lu Ruyun during meal breaks, and surviving the nights by video calls. Now that the promotion ended early, she excitedly contacted Lu Ruyun.
Only to be met with a bucket of cold water—Lu Ruyun's phone was off.
She didn't turn her phone off often; usually only when filming. Qin Zhenzhen glanced at the time. It was just past three in the afternoon. Lu Ruyun should still be on set. After sending Lu Ruyun a text, she returned to the hotel with Ji Lu.
She still couldn't reach Lu Ruyun by seven o'clock that evening. She browsed Weibo, watched a movie, and even boredly started digging through old gossip news. Finally, her shoulders slumped, and she went on Weibo.
@TrulyZhen: The difficult 'long-distance relationship' is finally coming to an end. Can go home tomorrow, missing home, missing my wife [big cry] [big cry].
This post immediately triggered responses from fans: Cloud Fairy, Cloud Fairy, Zhenzhen misses you @Lu Ruyun.
—Wuwuwuwu, my goddess has changed. She used to post selfies. Now not only are selfies gone, but she's also showing off affection.
—Oh my god, you guys still call this long-distance? What about someone like me who's truly in a long-distance relationship? I miss my wife too @FallingFlowerHasHeart.
—Do you think only you have wives! I have one too! Front row tagging wife @InYourDreams @DreamNotOverYet @StopDreaming!
Qin Zhenzhen watched as her originally heartfelt post turned into a "who-has-a-wife" competition. One fan even tagged two whole rows of accounts, getting liked all the way to the top comment. Qin Zhenzhen was stunned. She twitched the corner of her mouth, her previously unhappy mood gradually dissipating.
During dinner, Ji Lu came to call her out. They had been eating with the crew these past few days. Tonight was the last night, so Qin Zhenzhen had no reason to skip it.
Director Hu didn't book an external restaurant; they dined right in the hotel. Qin Zhenzhen followed Ji Lu down to the first floor, where a waiter led them to a private room. Several people were already seated inside. Sun Qin saw her walk in and waved, "Zhenzhen, come over here."
Qin Zhenzhen walked over and saw Sun Qin had saved two seats for her. To the left was Hu Jing, to the right was Song He, with an empty seat between each. She smiled and walked over, addressing Song He first, "Were you just talking bad about me in the group chat, huh?"
Song He was dumbfounded, "I did no such thing."
Qin Zhenzhen naturally sat down next to him, "Still saying you didn't? I saw it."
Song He extended his hand, "Evidence?"
Qin Zhenzhen flipped through her phone, glanced at it a few times, and chuckled, "Sorry, looked at the wrong group."
Song He: ...
Hearing their banter, Sun Qin didn't join in, just smiled while drinking tea. Hu Jing, on the other side, lowered his head, his gaze shifting away from Qin Zhenzhen, also silently drinking his tea.
Director Hu hadn't arrived yet. The private room was noisy and lively. Qin Zhenzhen sat on her stool. Two girls next to Song He were talking. Her sharp ears caught words like The Means to Survive, and she couldn't help but turn to look.
Song He also turned and asked, "Really?"
The two girls nodded, smiling, "Really, why would we lie?"
Song He shrugged, "But why hasn't any news come out?"
Seeing Song He didn't believe them, one girl directly pointed her phone at him, "I have a friend in The Means to Survive's props department. This photo is what she just sent me."
Qin Zhenzhen pretended to be curious, "What's going on?"
Song He smiled at her, "Nothing much. They were talking about the casting for The Means to Survive, saying Teacher Tang Ya went for an audition."
Qin Zhenzhen's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. She immediately looked at the girl's phone. The screen indeed showed Tang Ya. She was wearing a red dress, her profile cold and aloof. Even through the screen, one could sense her haughty demeanor.
So it really was Tang Ya?
Meng Xin had said she needed to confirm the news earlier but hadn't contacted her since. After discussing it with Lu Ruyun, seeing Meng Xin hadn't made any moves, she thought perhaps Lu Ruyun's analysis was wrong. She never expected to really encounter Tang Ya a second time.
Qin Zhenzhen's expression wasn't great. She silently lowered her head and took a sip of tea, still able to hear the whispers around her.
"If it's Tang Ya, it's pretty much a sure thing, right?"
"Shouldn't be a problem."
The murmurs only stopped when Director Hu entered. After Director Hu took his seat, dishes started being served. Sun Qin also finished her phone call and turned to Qin Zhenzhen, "Go ahead and eat, Zhenzhen."
Qin Zhenzhen nodded with a smile but had little appetite. The photo she saw earlier weighed heavily on her.
She also couldn't figure out why Tang Ya had gone ahead so early. The audition was the day after tomorrow, yet she was already there today.
But she didn't have much opportunity to dwell on it either. Everyone took turns toasting Director Hu, and she was no exception. After toasting him, others came up to her. With the final promotional event tonight over, everyone was in high spirits and drinking enthusiastically. Qin Zhenzhen was dragged into drinking quite a bit, finally using tomorrow's schedule as an excuse to fend off the remaining well-wishers.
The atmosphere in the private room was lively. Qin Zhenzhen wasn't drinking anymore and had even less appetite for food. She simply stood up, wanting to go out for a walk. She told Director Hu she was going to the restroom and left the room.
The air outside the hotel was fresh. Approaching the end of March, flowers along the roadside were budding, weeds grew thick, and greenery was lush. Under the streetlights, it looked particularly pleasing. Qin Zhenzhen didn't go far, just strolled around the garden below the hotel. Not long after, someone stood behind her.
Hu Jing stood behind Qin Zhenzhen and called out, "Zhenzhen."
Qin Zhenzhen turned. Seeing Hu Jing, she was momentarily taken aback, then smiled imperceptibly, "Why are you out here too?"
Hu Jing was holding a small box, "I figured there'd be drinking tonight, and your tolerance isn't great, so I brought something to sober you up."
As he spoke, he handed the box to Qin Zhenzhen, his handsome face wearing a faint smile. Qin Zhenzhen took it. It was a pack of hangover relief lozenges. She lowered her gaze and smiled, "Thank you."
Hu Jing scratched his head, "No problem. You just drank. It's not safe for you to be outside alone. I'll accompany you for a walk."
The weather was just warming up. Under the streetlights, the flowers bloomed brilliantly, one more vibrant than the next. In Hu Jing's eyes, none of these flowers could compare to a single smile or frown from Qin Zhenzhen. His gaze was intense. Qin Zhenzhen lowered her head slightly, pursed her lips, and said, "No need. I just felt stuffy inside and came out for some air. Didn't expect it to feel even more stifling out here."
Her light, clear voice brushed past Hu Jing's ear before he could fully process the implied meaning. He just smiled and said, "Then let's go back in."
Qin Zhenzhen followed behind him, "Mhm."
The two walked back inside, the atmosphere somewhat silent. Hu Jing glanced at her profile, thought for a moment, and asked, "By the way, Zhenzhen, did you try the local specialty I gave you last time?"
Qin Zhenzhen was momentarily stunned. After handing it to Lu Ruyun last time, she had forgotten to take it back. But she had already tasted it. Thinking of this, she smiled, "Actually, I'm not really fond of sweets."
Surprise flickered in Hu Jing's eyes, then his expression turned serious, "I'm sorry, I didn't know. I thought you'd like it."
His apologetic look was fully captured by Qin Zhenzhen. She thought for a moment and called out, "Hu Jing..."
Hu Jing looked sideways. Under the light, Qin Zhenzhen's profile appeared cool and somewhat aloof. Her red lips parted slightly, but before any sound could escape, they heard someone call from not far away, "Zhenzhen."
Qin Zhenzhen turned and saw Lu Ruyun standing in the hotel lobby not far away. Hu Jing's gaze remained fixed on her, witnessing how her eyes suddenly lit up, her lips curling into a smile, an irrepressible joy. It even made him unconsciously smile as well.
Lu Ruyun stood still, a small cake box in her hand. She smiled at Qin Zhenzhen, "Where did you go?"
Qin Zhenzhen completely hadn't expected the person she couldn't reach that afternoon to appear before her now. She blinked rapidly, even wondering if she'd drunk too much and was hallucinating. Only when Lu Ruyun approached, the familiar scent wafting past her nose, did she break into a radiant smile, "Ruyun, how come you're here?"
A smile reached Lu Ruyun's eyes, "I knew you were finished, so I came to celebrate with you. I even brought your favorite cake."
Qin Zhenzhen immediately stood by her side, linking arms with her, and said coquettishly, "Then why didn't you reply to my text this afternoon?"
Lu Ruyun paused, "I was on a plane then."
Qin Zhenzhen's voice carried laughter, "I'll reluctantly forgive you."
Hu Jing stood right beside them. He saw how Qin Zhenzhen instantly seemed to transform into a different person, smiling and acting spoiled towards Lu Ruyun, her movements natural. He didn't say anything. Lu Ruyun took the initiative to greet him, "Mr. Hu."
Hu Jing hurriedly reached out to shake her hand, "Teacher Lu, just call me Hu Jing."
Lu Ruyun smiled, "Thank you for taking care of Zhenzhen during this time."
Hu Jing lowered his head, his gaze falling on the small cake she was holding, "No trouble at all."
The three stood in the lobby for a moment before heading towards the private room together. Qin Zhenzhen, arm-in-arm with Lu Ruyun, bid farewell to Director Hu and Teacher Sun before returning to her room.
Lu Ruyun had originally arranged to meet Qin Zhenzhen tomorrow morning at SP. But she finished filming early today and flew directly over to find Qin Zhenzhen, so she hadn't booked a hotel.
She had planned from the start to 'make do' with Qin Zhenzhen for the night, but forgot to ask He Shuangshuang to book a room in advance.
So when He Shuangshuang brought the suitcase to Qin Zhenzhen's room, Lu Ruyun looked at her and said, her lips pressed together, "Go book another room."
Qin Zhenzhen followed behind the two, hearing their conversation, looked up and asked, "Shuangshuang didn't book a room?"
He Shuangshuang shook her head, "I'll go downstairs and book one."
Qin Zhenzhen frowned slightly, "There might not be any rooms left."
This hotel was near a tourist area, so rooms definitely needed to be booked in advance. He Shuangshuang hadn't booked one earlier; going down now, there might truly be no vacancies. He Shuangshuang shrugged, "It's fine. If there's no room, I'll check other hotels."
Standing behind Qin Zhenzhen, Ji Lu watched He Shuangshuang's nonchalant attitude and wanted to say something, her face flushed red with the effort. She coughed lightly twice, trying to draw attention to her presence, but her presence was too low, and she was directly ignored.
Watching He Shuangshuang about to leave with the luggage, Ji Lu spoke up, "He Shuangshuang."
All three pairs of eyes instantly turned to her. Ji Lu nervously swallowed, the words on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back. She smiled and said, "I'll see you out."
He Shuangshuang: ...
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