Married in a Daze - Chapter 159
Chapter 159
Yin Ye contacted Lu Ruyun again a week later. By then, the wrap-up party for Drunken Dreams of Jianghu had already trended twice, and Qin Zhenzhen's overseas promotional activities had been timely brought back to the domestic market, dominating forums and Weibo for a stretch. Her schedule for TV and movie auditions was nearly fully booked. Everyone was intensely curious about what style her next film or TV series would take.
Would it be the old cliché of a sweet, naive character? Or would she break new ground and take on roles with more depth?
Or perhaps another period drama like Cold Palace.
The greater the anticipation online, the louder the noise, the more debates there were, and the longer the heat lingered. Yin Ye's contact with Lu Ruyun at this time wasn't just about the script; it was also about the upcoming promotional campaign for the movie's commencement.
This period, with Qin Zhenzhen's traffic soaring off the charts, was the perfect time for promotion.
That's why Duan Qiuhan had been contacting her for two days straight, pressing for the script.
Left with no choice, she contacted Lu Ruyun again.
The script had long been revised and delivered, and it had been given to Ruyun as well. That previous phone call was meant to confirm with her, but unexpectedly, Lu Sheng had answered. The two of them had even had a rather unpleasant meeting.
She pushed aside other emotions and waited for the call to connect.
"Hello, Auntie Yin," Lu Ruyun's voice was as steady and unhurried as ever.
Yin Ye responded with a hum. "Have you finished reading the script? Qiuhan is pressing for it over there."
Lu Ruyun stood up from the sofa, walking to the TV console. She looked down at the script with its slight stain, her eyes lowered. "Auntie Yin, regarding the script, I was thinking..."
"You want to change it?" Yin Ye interrupted her. "Did your aunt talk to you?"
Lu Ruyun paused briefly, then quickly understood. "Did Auntie contact you too?"
Yin Ye didn't hide it, admitting frankly, "We met a week ago. She asked me to change the script."
"I didn't agree."
"Ruyun, you're no longer a child who needs others to make decisions for you. You should have your own thoughts."
Lu Ruyun fell silent. She did have her own thoughts. Back when she contacted Yin Ye to confirm the script changes, she had her own ideas and was quite firm about them. But after hearing Lu Sheng's words, she hesitated again.
Her hesitation wasn't for herself.
It was because of Lu Sheng, and because of Zhenzhen.
Lu Sheng was right. She couldn't guarantee that seeing similar scenes wouldn't trigger her own memories, couldn't guarantee that when the finished movie came out, she wouldn't be affected by the setting, causing her old illness to resurface.
Furthermore, if others knew those were her experiences, they might harbor even more unfathomable suspicions and use even more hurtful words. She was prepared to face it all, to accept it calmly, but she didn't know if Zhenzhen and Lu Sheng could.
She was worried they might not be able to handle it.
So she had thought about it for several days, for the first time feeling the urge to retreat.
She also began to doubt her own decision.
Seeing her hesitant attitude, Yin Ye softened her tone. "Ruyun, I can help you stall Qiuhan for a few more days. Whether to use the revised version or not, you can tell me a few days later."
Lu Ruyun held the phone silently for a long moment. "Okay."
She placed the phone on the coffee table. Someone knocked on the door. She walked to the entrance and saw He Shuangshuang standing outside.
"Are you ready?"
Seeing Lu Ruyun still in loungewear, He Shuangshuang couldn't help but click her tongue. "Why haven't you changed yet?"
Only then did Lu Ruyun remember there was a banquet that evening. She rubbed her aching temples. "What about Zhenzhen?"
He Shuangshuang checked the time. "Zhenzhen probably went directly there. No time to come back."
Lu Ruyun nodded. "Wait for me a moment."
Over half an hour later, Lu Ruyun finally came downstairs. He Shuangshuang had already watched half a movie on the sofa. After they got in the car, He Shuangshuang asked, "Ruyun, has your aunt been very busy lately?"
She hadn't seen her for a while.
Before Zhenzhen returned, she used to see her every day.
Lu Ruyun paused for a second upon hearing this. "Mm, she has meetings. Very busy."
He Shuangshuang understood and lowered her head to continue watching her tablet, not inquiring further.
While Shuangshuang was looking down, Lu Ruyun glanced at her own phone. Her last chat with Lu Sheng was still from a week ago. Lu Sheng had said she had matters to attend to and wouldn't be coming back. Later, her assistant came to pack her luggage, saying she would be having frequent meetings recently and wouldn't be returning to the apartment.
She actually knew. Lu Sheng was upset with her.
Upset about this script, upset that she wasn't being obedient.
As they neared the hotel, Lu Ruyun put away her phone. He Shuangshuang helped her out of the car, and they stood at the hotel entrance. "So many people," He Shuangshuang remarked softly, her gaze sweeping the surroundings.
Today was Yu Changlin's grand birthday celebration. Last year, he made a comeback and directed Mountain Girl. Although it hadn't been released yet, his past achievements were evident for all to see, so many came to offer congratulations.
After all, minor celebrities wanted to get their faces known, and those with slightly more fame wanted to collaborate with him.
Especially since it was rumored he had already started preparations for his next film, so the large crowd wasn't surprising.
When Lu Ruyun arrived, Qin Zhenzhen hadn't yet. She saw Director Yu and Tang Ya standing in the middle of the main hall, drinking and chatting, the atmosphere harmonious.
Many people glanced over there, whispering and exchanging remarks.
"What are Tang Ya and Director Yu talking about?"
"Seems like it's about his next film. She wants to join Director Yu's crew."
"What? They're collaborating again? Could it just be hype again?"
"What's there to hype? Do their reputations even need hyping?"
The chatter intermittently reached Lu Ruyun and He Shuangshuang. Lu Ruyun held her glass, not having moved yet, when someone called out, "Ruyun!"
Director Yu walked over to her side, beaming as he held his glass. "You're here. Where's Zhenzhen?"
Lu Ruyun looked up, raised her glass in a toast to Director Yu, then smiled and explained, "Her event hasn't ended yet. She might be a bit longer."
Tang Ya, who had been behind Director Yu, followed. Seeing Lu Ruyun, she also raised her glass in greeting. "Miss Lu, hello."
Lu Ruyun raised her glass in acknowledgment. "Miss Tang."
After they clinked glasses, someone else came over to toast Director Yu. He followed his assistant elsewhere. Tang Ya didn't leave, still standing beside Lu Ruyun. Only when the area around them cleared did Tang Ya raise her glass again. "About the incident last time, I must thank Miss Qin and Miss Lu again."
Lu Ruyun took a small sip of the fruit wine, the sweet aroma spreading in her throat. She gave a light smile. "You're too kind, Miss Tang. It was just a small effort."
Seeing her neither submissive nor arrogant, maintaining her composure, and not taking the opportunity to get closer despite Tang Ya's initiative to approach, Tang Ya slightly raised the corners of her lips. "By the way, I heard Miss Qin signed with Miss Lu's studio. Congratulations."
Lu Ruyun raised her glass. "Thank you."
Tang Ya smiled. "No need to be so polite. I didn't properly thank you both last time. If there's ever a need, you can contact my assistant anytime."
Lu Ruyun parried politely. "Thank you, Miss Tang. However, Zhenzhen is preparing for a new drama recently, so we won't trouble you."
Upon hearing this, Tang Ya's smile deepened. She nodded at Lu Ruyun and left.
Only after Tang Ya was gone did He Shuangshuang step closer, looking at Tang Ya's retreating figure. "What did you talk about?"
She then pursed her lips. Frankly, there were few people in the industry she disliked, but Tang Ya was one of them. Too good at selling a persona and putting on appearances. She simply couldn't stand it.
Lu Ruyun took another sip of her fruit wine. "Nothing much."
Tang Ya was just there to sound things out.
She wanted a role in Director Yu's new film but was afraid of clashing with Zhenzhen again, hence she came to probe. Presumably, the sentence Lu Ruyun had just uttered had already dispelled Tang Ya's suspicions about Zhenzhen.
The hotel buzzed with activity, glasses clinking and people mingling. Qin Zhenzhen arrived just as the banquet was getting lively. She wore a purple evening gown, her long hair pinned up, her fair and slender neck adorned with a silver necklace that sparkled brilliantly under the crystal chandeliers. With each subtle movement, she swayed gracefully.
Eyes in the hotel couldn't help but drift towards her. Qin Zhenzhen held her skirt, her gaze scanning the crowd before locking onto Lu Ruyun's location. A gentle, clear smile appeared on her face, instantly eliciting several soft gasps from the onlookers.
The shift in the hall's atmosphere made even Tang Ya glance over involuntarily. She saw Qin Zhenzhen standing in the center like a dazzling star, her face wearing a serene smile, her demeanor graceful and poised.
A strange feeling of blockage rose in Tang Ya's heart.
Today, she should have been the one most qualified to be called the protagonist here, yet the spotlight was completely stolen. Even earlier, when she was discussing the audition for Director Yu's next film with him, she had been met with evasiveness.
Her hand clenched her glass tightly, her fingertips turning white. Her new assistant glanced at her unpleasant expression and whispered, "Tangtang, are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
Hearing her voice, Tang Ya turned her head to look at her, her eyes sharp as daggers, piercing the assistant. The assistant's heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her head, saying no more.
A few minutes later, Tang Ya set down her glass. The assistant followed behind her, and the two swept out of the venue without even saying goodbye to Director Yu.
No one noticed.
The attention of the crowd remained firmly glued to Lu Ruyun and Qin Zhenzhen.
Qin Zhenzhen had a good temper, loved to laugh, and unlike Lu Ruyun's cool personality, her crisp voice seemed to carry musical notes, making people listen and smile involuntarily.
"So, Zhenzhen, is it true you signed with Teacher Lu's studio?"
The artist asking looked at the two of them, a hint of envy in her eyes.
Qin Zhenzhen nodded with a smile. "Yes."
As soon as the words fell, several people around them began to tease good-naturedly. Qin Zhenzhen had previously stayed in Director Yu's crew, so she was somewhat familiar with them, and the joking came naturally.
They chatted intermittently like this for quite a while. Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun went to toast Director Yu. Afterward, others wanted to move elsewhere to continue the fun, but Qin Zhenzhen politely declined the invitations and left first, hand in hand with Lu Ruyun.
Once in the car, the previous clamor disappeared, as if even the air had quieted down.
Lu Ruyun shed the polite smile she had maintained all evening, her expression now calm and gentle. Qin Zhenzhen leaned against her, lazily asking, "Going home?"
He Shuangshuang sat in the passenger seat. She had drunk two glasses of fruit wine earlier, so Ji Lu was driving.
Hearing Qin Zhenzhen's question, Lu Ruyun looked out the window for a few seconds, gazing at the faint streetlights. After a long pause, she spoke. "Let's go to the hotel."
The other three women were momentarily stunned. He Shuangshuang and Ji Lu exchanged a glance, then quickly turned their heads to open their respective windows. Cool wind blew in, carrying the scent of the approaching summer.
Qin Zhenzhen's pretty face also flushed slightly. She leaned closer to Lu Ruyun and whispered, "What are we going to the hotel for? Are the beds there more comfortable than at home?"
Lu Ruyun was taken aback, then shook her head with a light laugh, replying gently, "No. I want to go see Auntie."
Qin Zhenzhen: ...
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