Married in a Daze - Chapter 163

Chapter 163

Qin Zhenzhen hadn't heard news about Zheng Shaoyuan in a long time. Ever since the exposure of him spending the night in an unidentified man's room with Wei An, Zheng Shaoyuan had kept a much lower profile. Later, when his movie wrapped, there were no further waves, so Qin Zhenzhen hadn't really paid it much mind.

She never expected that now his movie was actually scheduled to premiere on the same day as Yu Changlin's.

The timing of this felt, more or less, a bit uncomfortable. After all, everyone knew his film was of a similar genre to Yu Changlin's—both were art-house films. Back when they first started filming, many online had already adopted a spectator's attitude, expecting them to clash. Now that the premiere schedule was out, they weren't just going to clash; they were going to collide.

It created a situation akin to "whoever looks worse gets embarrassed."

The online space quickly became lively again. No matter what, Zheng Shaoyuan was still considered a rising director. Although the previous incident had caused him significant losses, as long as his movie was good, netizens were still willing to show support.

Moreover, his previous awards spoke volumes about his capability. His fans even promoted it with buzzwords like "the nation's art film" and "the light of art cinema." Compared to his previous stain, netizens and fans paid more attention to the quality of the film itself. After seeing such fan promotions, many expressed they could go see the movie.

As for Yu Changlin's side, fans naturally clung to Zheng Shaoyuan and Wei An's black marks, refusing to let go, and vigorously promoted Mountain Girl. So both sides bickered back and forth, creating a feeling of being evenly matched.

Qin Zhenzhen, however, had no time to worry about online controversies. She was now fully focused on the movie The Real Culprit. Filming had been underway for two days, with everything progressing smoothly. She and Lu Ruyun had also moved into the guest rooms booked by the crew. When not shooting, she was rehearsing lines with Lu Ruyun.

The movie's opening tells the story of the female lead's boyfriend mysteriously dying. Initially deemed a suicide, the detective in charge of the case always felt something wasn't right. After investigation, it was finally confirmed not to be suicide but homicide.

This was followed by a series of renewed evidence collection and pursuit of the real culprit.

During the hunt for the killer, another case became entangled—one from many years ago, an incident from the female lead's childhood.

The entire script was like dominoes, one case connected to the next, from the bizarre death of the female lead's boyfriend at the beginning to the final revelation of the incident from her childhood, discovering they were all interconnected. The plot progressed layer by layer, each part interlocking, making one unable to resist wanting to explore what happens next.

On set, Duan Qiuhan stood in front of the camera. He glanced at Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun. "OK?"

Qin Zhenzhen turned to look at Lu Ruyun, her expression hesitant. "Ruyun, can you do it?"

Seeing her worried look, Lu Ruyun forced a smile. Her makeup was pale, and this smile carried a trace of desolation. Qin Zhenzhen's heart ached. She wanted to tell her not to continue, but looking into Lu Ruyun's bright eyes, she swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue.

"I'm fine, Zhenzhen."

Lu Ruyun's voice was slightly low.

This scene was after the police had come several times to collect evidence. The female lead had been asked many questions about the past, her expression growing increasingly off. Right after the police left, she had an episode.

Yes, she was ill.

In the script, she suffered from sequelae due to the incident in her childhood. It didn't flare up often, but this time the police asked some sharp questions, triggering bad memories, so she had an episode not long after they left.

On set, after Duan Qiuhan called "Action!" and the clapperboard snapped, Lu Ruyun stood at the door, facing two people in uniforms. "Alright."

"I've said all I need to say. Now I just want to know who exactly killed A-He."

The two uniformed individuals exchanged a glance. The slightly older middle-aged man said, "Miss Yu, don't worry. We are investigating this case. There will be results soon."

Lu Ruyun took a deep breath, clenched her hands, and gave a heavy nod. The grief on her face was so profound, as if she was truly mourning A-He's death, heartbroken. Her bright eyes also dimmed considerably, devoid of their usual luster.

Qin Zhenzhen held her breath as she looked towards the camera. She saw Lu Ruyun gently close the apartment door. Leaning against the doorframe, she listened as the footsteps outside grew fainter. Her slender body slowly slid down until she collapsed onto the floor.

The set fell almost silent. Everyone's gaze involuntarily shifted to Lu Ruyun.

It was as if she was the only person left in the world. That sorrow was overwhelming, crashing down in an instant. Lu Ruyun curled up behind the door, her whole body wrapped in a trembling embrace. She looked so scared, so helpless, making one unable to resist wanting to get closer, to give her a hug. But they could do nothing. They could only watch her grieve, watch her weep soundlessly, watch her crimson eyes, the bloodshot veins, her tightly clenched jaw.

"OK!"

Duan Qiuhan's "OK!" snapped everyone on set back to reality. Several people slowly exhaled, the burning sensation in their eyes not yet faded. After Duan Qiuhan called cut, they fanned their faces with their hands, as if feeling the same dry heat as the weather.

"Wasn't Teacher Lu just amazing? I almost cried," someone said, though it was unclear who.

The set immediately buzzed with chatter.

"Me too, that scene was simply incredible."

"Teacher Lu truly lives up to being a seasoned actor, her acting is masterful."

"To be honest—I felt like Teacher Lu was the female lead."

"So nice!"

The sporadic chatter reached Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun. Qin Zhenzhen's expression faltered slightly as she looked towards the girls who were speaking, seeing their admiring gazes fixed on Lu Ruyun. After a few seconds of silence, she said to Lu Ruyun, "Are you okay? Do you need to rest for a bit?"

Lu Ruyun lifted her lips and shook her head. Before filming this scene, she had been somewhat nervous—not afraid she couldn't act well, but afraid that thinking about those terrible past events would trap her, unable to emerge.

Yet, that didn't happen.

For a moment, she truly recalled those past events, remembered her mother's terrifying, distorted face, gritting her teeth at her, filled with hatred. For a moment, she was genuinely afraid.

But only for that moment.

She didn't immerse herself completely. Even before Duan Qiuhan called "OK!", she had already withdrawn.

Seeing Lu Ruyun's face was still pale, but her bright eyes were firm and resolute, Qin Zhenzhen felt her heart settle back in place, her expression relaxing considerably.

On set, the two looked at each other, and suddenly smiled. Some words didn't need to be spoken; they knew the other understood.

The subsequent filming went smoothly. When Lu Sheng came to visit the set, she heard the crew members discussing that earlier scene.

"Wasn't that amazing? I told you, there aren't many in the industry who can match Teacher Lu's acting."

"Don't even mention it. If I weren't afraid of embarrassment, I would have cried. Is Teacher Lu a celestial actor? She acted so well!"

"Talking about the episode scene? Tsk, it was simply divine. I felt like the female lead possessed her."

"Who wouldn't? A few girls nearby were already crying earlier."

Lu Sheng stood behind the staff, listening to their whispers. Her body stiffened, her mind conjuring images of Lu Ruyun having an episode. She quickly looked towards Lu Ruyun, seeing her tilting her head back for a makeup touch-up. Speckles of sunlight filtered through gaps, shining on her, illuminating her features brightly.

The memory of that blood-streaked, blurred face gradually faded, replaced by the clear scene before her.

She stood under the blazing sun, a halo of light edging her figure, dazzling and captivating.

Lu Sheng took a slow breath, her gaze steady.

"Aunt." Qin Zhenzhen spotted her first, trotting over with a smile. "What brings you here, Aunt?"

Lu Sheng smiled at her. "Just finished a meeting, so I dropped by to see you. Am I interrupting the filming?"

Qin Zhenzhen shook her head. "Of course not."

As she spoke, she called towards the figure not far away. "Ruyun!"

Lu Ruyun turned. Seeing Lu Sheng, her lips lifted slightly into a faint smile. Her dignified, elegant features suddenly softened, warmth added to her bright eyes.

Lu Sheng couldn't help but return a faint smile.

Late May, the weather was turning warm, the breeze gentle. The rest of the crew bustled about, busy. No one noticed the touch of peace that had entered the smiles of Lu Ruyun and Lu Sheng.

After visiting, Lu Sheng didn't leave. She stayed to watch them film. For dinner, Lu Ruyun originally wanted to take her out, but seeing that Qin Zhenzhen and Lu Ruyun still had a night scene, she didn't want them running back and forth, so they simply ate dinner with the crew.

After dinner, everyone took a short break. Lu Ruyun was pulled aside by He Shuangshuang to discuss some studio matters. While eating, Lu Sheng asked Qin Zhenzhen, "How are the wedding preparations? Do you need any help?"

"No need, Aunt." Qin Zhenzhen took a bite of rice. "It's pretty much all arranged."

Lu Sheng nodded. "Alright. If you need anything, you can tell me."

Qin Zhenzhen obediently hummed in agreement.

Just as they finished talking, they saw several people gathering not far away. Lu Sheng narrowed her eyes to look. "What's going on over there?"

Qin Zhenzhen stood up at her words, looked over, and then smiled. "Auntie Yin is here."

Yin Ye didn't normally stay on set. She preferred a quiet atmosphere, so she often stayed alone in the guest rooms. But sometimes, when Duan Qiuhan needed to discuss the script or the crew needed her, she would come over.

Her arrival at this hour was likely related to the script.

Sure enough, Qin Zhenzhen saw Duan Qiuhan going up to greet her.

Lu Sheng's gaze subconsciously flickered towards them. She restrained herself and asked, "What's she here for? Dinner?"

Qin Zhenzhen shook her head, puzzled. "I'm not too sure either. How about it, Aunt, shall we go take a look too?"

"What's there to see?" Lu Sheng lowered her head to eat, her expression normal.

Qin Zhenzhen thought for a few seconds. "True, nothing to see. Must be those people seeing Auntie Yin out and making a fuss again. You know, Aunt, there's a girl on the crew who says she's really into Auntie Yin's type. Hearing that Auntie Yin is still single, she's been pestering and trying to get close these past few days."

Upon hearing this, Lu Sheng's hand holding the chopsticks paused. She slightly parted her lips. "Who says she's still single?"

Qin Zhenzhen showed slight surprise. "Auntie Yin said so herself. Didn't you know, Aunt?"

Lu Sheng looked up, gripping the chopsticks so tightly her fingertips ached. "I didn't know."

Qin Zhenzhen suddenly smiled. "It's fine. You know now."

Lu Sheng: ...

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