Married in a Daze - Chapter 160

Chapter 160

It was already past nine by the time Lu Sheng finished her meeting. For the past few days, she had deliberately avoided contacting Lu Ruyun. She hadn't even gone back home, knowing full well when Qin Zhenzhen would return. Apart from genuinely being upset, another reason was that she was genuinely busy.

After all, she wasn't here on vacation either.

Just as she stepped out of the unfamiliar office, her business partners in City A invited her out for dinner. She politely declined and, along with her assistant, returned to the hotel.

The assistant asked softly, "Ms. Lu, why didn't you go to dinner? Have you been unhappy these past few days?"

Lu Sheng turned to look at the assistant, offering a faint smile. "No, I'm just tired from the meetings."

The assistant nodded. "Should I have dinner sent to your room later, then?"

Standing at the hotel entrance, Lu Sheng thought for a few seconds. "Let's go. We'll eat first, then go up."

The assistant quickly agreed. "Alright."

The two figures entered the hotel. The first and second floors housed the restaurants. At this hour, nearing midnight, the dining area was quite empty. Lu Sheng chose a seat by the window. After sitting down, she turned her head to look outside. The assistant was whispering, "Ms. Lu, which set meal would you like?"

Lu Sheng didn't respond. The assistant asked again, a little softer, "Ms. Lu?"

"Hmm?" Lu Sheng finally snapped back to attention, meeting her assistant's eyes. Her red lips parted. "The usual set meal is fine."

Seeing her distracted state, the assistant frowned slightly but didn't ask further. She simply told the waiter, "Two of this set meal, please. Thank you."

The waiter took the menu and left with a "Please wait a moment."

Seeing Lu Sheng still staring out the window after ordering, the assistant couldn't help but smile. "Ms. Lu, what are you looking at? Is there a beauty out there?"

Lu Sheng was amused by the question, her lips curving slightly. "No."

She was just looking at herself.

Through the pristine glass, at her own reflection.

Lu Sheng looked for a few seconds, then lowered her gaze and called out, "Ruohong."

The assistant looked up, confusion on her face.

Lu Sheng gazed steadily at her and asked, "Do you think I'm being unreasonable?"

The assistant was baffled by the question for a moment before immediately replying, "Of course not."

Everyone in the company knew Lu Sheng was decisive, sharp, and handled things with efficiency. Even the most difficult clients were managed with grace and thoroughness under her care. If she were unreasonable, then there really wouldn't be any reasonable people left.

Ruohong didn't understand what had suddenly come over Lu Sheng. There was a hint of melancholy about her. Unable to grasp the situation, she whispered, "Ms. Lu, did you argue with the Vice President?"

Lu Sheng gave her a brief, indifferent glance and shook her head. "No."

Her tone was cool.

Ruohong quietly shut her mouth.

After dinner, Lu Sheng went upstairs ahead of her assistant. As she stepped out of the elevator, she bumped into a familiar figure. This acquaintance was standing right outside her room door, pacing back and forth. Her long hair was down today, her head lowered, most of her expression hidden behind the strands, her features unclear.

Seeing this scene, Lu Sheng was instantly transported back to many times in the past. She would forget her apartment keys, or if Lu Sheng came home late, she would linger by the doorstep just like this, waiting for her.

Back then, Lu Sheng had just started working. She was very busy and tired, constantly dealing with difficult clients while bearing her supervisor's scolding. Every time she was utterly exhausted, returning home to see this figure would make that weariness vanish from the depths of her heart, leaving only a faint sense of contentment and a softness overflowing from her chest.

Back then, the breeze was light, the clouds gentle, time was quiet. Back then, she too had thought they would always be together.

But reality always had countless ways to make them part.

Lu Sheng stood by the elevator, concealing the emotions in her eyes. She walked slowly to stand before Yin Ye, her red lips parting. "Is there something you need, Miss Yin?"

Hearing this, Yin Ye stiffened for a few seconds, quickly composing herself. When she looked up again, a gentle, faint smile was already in place.

Lu Sheng hadn't rested well these past few days. There were faint dark circles under her eyes, and she looked slightly weary. No matter how much she denied it, she couldn't deny the marks time had left on her.

She was no longer young.

Yin Ye looked at this face so close to hers and slowly spoke. "Nothing much. If it's convenient, I'd like to have a chat with you."

"Come in and talk," Lu Sheng said, opening the room door and walking in first. Yin Ye watched her slender back for a few moments, hesitated for a few seconds, then followed her in.

Over a week had passed since their last less-than-pleasant meeting. Yin Ye had come to find her with the intention of properly discussing matters. Once inside, Lu Sheng brewed two cups of coffee. Yin Ye sat on the sofa, glancing around.

It was a typical hotel suite. The living room was tidy. From here, she could look out the window. At this hour, the city was ablaze with lights, a sea of neon flashing outside.

Lu Sheng placed the coffee on the tea table and sat on the opposite sofa, speaking softly, "What did you want to talk about?"

"If it's about the script, you don't need to convince me."

She mentioned the script in a very calm tone, completely unlike her previous agitated self. Presumably, she had done a lot of mental work on herself these past few days.

Yin Ye withdrew her gaze, looking at the coffee cup on the table. The rich aroma of coffee filled the living room. A faint wisp of steam rose, partially obscuring the expression of the person opposite. She picked up the cup, stirred the coffee with a spoon, and said, "Not about the script."

Lu Sheng looked up, meeting Yin Ye's eyes. The two gazed at each other, countless fragments of memory brushing past in their minds. Lu Sheng pursed her lips, softening her tone. "Go ahead."

Yin Ye thought for a moment. "I just want to talk about you."

Lu Sheng was taken aback, clearly not expecting Yin Ye to suddenly turn the conversation to her. She instinctively glanced at herself, then gave a slight, wry smile. "Talk about me?"

Yin Ye nodded. "Talk about you. Talk about that matter with Ruyun before. Who is it that truly can't let go? Is it Ruyun, or is it you?"

Lu Sheng's expression froze, the faint smile vanishing from her face as her eyes gradually turned cold. "What are you trying to say?"

Yin Ye no longer beat around the bush, speaking directly. "Lu Sheng, I called Ruyun. She said she wants to change the script..."

"Isn't that good?" Lu Sheng stared at Yin Ye. "It means she herself knows how to choose."

Yin Ye's expression also cooled, her voice losing its warmth, turning chilly. "But because of what?"

"Lu Sheng, what kind of person Ruyun is, you should know better than I do. Yet at this moment, she tells me she wants to change the script. Why do you think that is?"

"Because of you, Lu Sheng. It's because of you."

"She's afraid you'll be unhappy, afraid you'll worry, afraid you won't be able to accept it."

"She is the one who was hurt. She is the one willing to move forward. It's something she can face with equanimity herself. Yet, because of you, she has to tread carefully, full of consideration. She has to pretend to stay in a cage, in the place you think is safe, simply because you think she might get hurt again. You have so little confidence in her that you don't even have the courage to let her try and open up that wound."

"Lu Sheng, this is your love for her."

Lu Sheng opened her mouth slightly.

What kind of person Lu Ruyun was—no one understood better than she did. The moment she saw the script, she had indeed been furious. She was angry that Yin Ye had written about Ruyun's experiences without permission, but even more angry that Ruyun had taken on this script—and hadn't told her about it.

Yin Ye was right. She truly couldn't bear it.

When she saw the script, her mind was filled with that afternoon. She and Yin Ye had rushed over upon hearing the news, only to see a small figure fall gracefully from the second floor. So resolute. Her frail body was like a dying butterfly, devoid of life.

The heavy sound of impact echoed in her ears. Lu Ruyun's petite body had almost brushed past the tip of her nose as it fell. She stood rooted to the spot, her body rigid for a long moment before slowly looking down.

A sky full of blood, brilliant and crimson. That girl who always called her "Auntie" in a timid voice was now lying on the ground, her face nearly unrecognizable, pierced by shards of glass.

The image was too shocking. So much so that years later, just a script could effortlessly bring it all back.

Seeing Lu Sheng's expression shift slightly, Yin Ye also fell silent, saying nothing more.

"You're right."

After a long pause, Lu Sheng spoke. "I can't bear it."

"I almost lost her."

"Several times."

For the first time, Lu Sheng did not avoid the issue, admitting frankly, "Yin Ye, do you remember why we broke up?"

Yin Ye pressed her lips together. How could she forget? That argument was the reason she suffered from insomnia for years after the breakup, the very factor that propelled her towards becoming a screenwriter.

Seeing Lu Sheng still staring at her, she pretended indifference. "I don't remem—"

Before she could finish, Lu Sheng interrupted her, speaking softly, "Because Ruyun attempted suicide."

Yin Ye's words seemed swallowed by an abyss, vanishing instantly. Her voice caught in her throat, causing a slight ache.

Back when Ruyun's incident erupted, it attracted considerable attention from reporters. Lu Sheng was worried Ruyun would suffer secondary harm. Coupled with the Lu family's unwillingness to let outsiders know about the matter, they suppressed it with all their might. But Yin Ye believed they should face it head-on. A wound that never sees the light of day does not heal; it festers instead. And most importantly, Ruyun's mother had not received the punishment she deserved. She had committed such a grave wrong, inflicted such deep pain on Ruyun, yet she could escape scot-free because of the Lu family's reputation. Yin Ye found that unfair.

So an argument was inevitable.

It started as a small disagreement, then gradually escalated, becoming uncontrollable.

Yin Ye would forever remember Lu Sheng pointing at her nose, calling her selfish. That look of resentment, as if knowing her was the greatest regret of her life.

So she retreated. When Lu Sheng suggested breaking up, she agreed without a second thought.

Even now, she had always thought their breakup back then was due to the argument, because their viewpoints clashed. She hadn't known that Ruyun had done something foolish back then.

No wonder Lu Sheng had looked at her back then as if seeing a monster. No wonder she had called her selfish, said she hadn't considered Ruyun's feelings, said Ruyun couldn't bear secondary harm.

Looking back now, her insistence on arguing her point then was just like a fool's. How was she back then any different from just now?

No wonder she was so adamantly opposed to Ruyun revisiting past events.

Yin Ye let out a bitter laugh, shook her head, and stood up, her voice slightly hoarse. "I should go."

"I'll revise the script."

Lu Sheng also stood up, glancing at her expression, her hands tightening into fists.

Yin Ye walked to the door in her high heels, pulled it open, and walked straight out. Lu Sheng followed behind her. The distance between them was close, so close that Yin Ye could easily hear Lu Sheng's very soft voice. "I'm sorry."

"Yin Ye, I know you care about Ruyun. But I'm sorry."

Yin Ye's steps halted. She didn't know if Lu Sheng's apology was for the reason behind their breakup, revealed so many years too late, or for the current Yin Ye who cared about Ruyun.

She didn't make a sound, standing by the elevator, her finger resting on the call button.

The elevator ascended floor by floor. Yin Ye stared at the numbers in front of her, speaking to the person still standing behind her. "Lu Sheng."

Lu Sheng looked up at the back of her head. "Hmm?"

Yin Ye's clear voice came through. "If Ruyun's incident hadn't happened back then, would we still have broken up?"

Lu Sheng's red lips parted slightly. With a ding, the elevator arrived. Yin Ye stepped into the elevator without looking back, saying to Lu Sheng, who hadn't yet spoken, "Goodbye."

The elevator doors slowly closed, the gap growing smaller and smaller. The words hidden under Lu Sheng's tongue slowly escaped as she pressed her lips into a thin line. "Goodbye."

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