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    Troublesome

    Troublesome – Chapter 62

    by Little Panda

    Not Afraid

    If we get separated, I can still find you.

    When Lu Zhenqiu was with Tang Yingxia, she never mentioned family. She would not bring her to meet friends, and even less would she let her meet her family. Once, Tang Yingxia’s parents sent a video call, and she was sitting beside her eating. Her parents curiously asked who she was, and Tang Yingxia hesitated for a moment before saying, “A friend who writes stories together.”

    In her parents’ eyes, she seemed to have been defined to the position of a friend.

    Tang Yingxia explained, “I’m not ready to let my family know yet, I’m sorry Qiuqiu.”

    Because of Hua Luo’s situation, she had always understood and given her respect. Tang Yingxia said she would slowly tell her parents, and wait for them to accept it, and she tacitly agreed.

    She had never thought that one day, another’s parents would also be this good to her.

    Lu Zhenqiu didn’t eat the pear, only feeling a lump in her throat. A wave of complex feelings coiled in her chest, making her so uncomfortable that she blinked. The bullet comments were still floating by: 【Has real mom come?】

    【Why real mom? It could be a roommate.】

    【Impossible, Qiuqiu said her roommate wouldn’t come in when she’s streaming.】

    Lu Zhenqiu had indeed said that, but it was a joke while chatting with fans about getting takeout. The fans then teased that only a real mom could come in, which was why the bullet comments were flooded with “real mom.”

    She didn’t speak, just stared at the pear for a few seconds, picked up a piece, and took a bite. Her whole cheeks were full of sweetness.

    【Qiuqiu, is it delicious?】

    【Qiuqiu likes pears? I’ll buy you pears!】

    Lu Zhenqiu lowered her head and chuckled, “Thank you for the kind thought. Next time, for the prize draw​1, how about I give away a box of pears?”

    【Okay, okay, whatever wife says is good!】

    【I like pears! And I like Qiuqiu too!】

    A large swath of copy-pasted messages appeared. Lu Zhenqiu lowered her head and smiled. After finishing the pear, she interacted with her fans, sang two songs, and chatted for another half hour. Taking the opportunity to get some water, she walked out the door. There was no one outside, not even Jin Shuilan was there.

    Lu Zhenqiu froze for a few seconds and walked quickly towards the study, but didn’t see anyone. Nor did she hear any sounds from the kitchen or bathroom. The quiet living room, for the first time, gave her a feeling of emptiness. She stood at the edge of the living room holding the fruit platter. As she lowered her head, preparing to go into the kitchen, she suddenly heard a sound at the door.

    “This pork rib​2 is good. Your dad doesn’t know anything, he doesn’t cook once a week, what does he know.”

    “This pork rib soup is nourishing. Qiuqiu just sprained her ankle, she needs to recuperate well.”

    “Later I’ll make the soup for you two and leave it in the pot. You can heat it up for her in the evening.”

    Jin Shuilan said, “I know, okay, I’ll remember…”

    Lifting her head, she saw Lu Zhenqiu.

    Lu Zhenqiu was also looking at her. Their eyes met. Jin Shuilan seemed to see a hint of glistening water in her eyes. He Jinmei walked in and asked, “Qiuqiu, why did you come out?”

    “Oh, I…” Lu Zhenqiu composed her emotions. The emptiness from just a moment ago was suddenly filled. She took a deep breath and said, “I came out to pour a glass of water.”

    “Your uncle and I just went downstairs to buy some pork ribs. We’ll make soup for you two in a bit.” After He Jinmei finished speaking, she looked at Jin Shuilan. Jin Shuilan walked over, took the glass from Lu Zhenqiu’s hand, and said, “I’ll pour it for you.”

    Lu Zhenqiu lowered her head, “Than…”

    She didn’t say the word. In front of her parents, saying “thank you” would be too distant.

    Jin Shuilan poured a glass of water and walked to her side. Lu Zhenqiu took it. He Jinmei said, “Then you go work. Your uncle and I will leave after we’ve made the soup.”

    “You’re leaving?” Lu Zhenqiu immediately pursed her lips after asking.

    Her parents just came to confirm if Teacher Jin was eating well and to talk about the relationship. Now that it was confirmed, it was normal for them to leave. Besides, Teacher Jin probably wished they would leave quickly. After all, the more one talks, the more mistakes one makes. It would be a disaster if they were found out.

    Jin Shuilan glanced at her and said, “We’ll come over when we have time.” After she spoke, she took Lu Zhenqiu’s hand and walked towards the kitchen. Lu Zhenqiu looked down at the hand she was holding. With He Jinmei and Jin Wei watching from the side, she couldn’t possibly pull her hand away, so she was led into the kitchen by Jin Shuilan just like that.

    Jin Shuilan said, “Try the dish my mom made.”

    It was braised meat​3, a mix of fat and lean, with a very nice color. Jin Shuilan picked up a piece, placed it on a plate, and handed it to her. Lu Zhenqiu glanced at the plate and then at her. Jin Shuilan had a smile on her face, her gaze gentle. Lu Zhenqiu bit her lip, and after a few seconds, took it. Just as she picked it up to eat, Jin Shuilan said, “Careful, it’s hot.”

    Lu Zhenqiu said in a muffled voice, “Mm.”

    Outside the door, He Jinmei and Jin Wei saw the two interacting and exchanged a look.

    “Is it good?” Jin Shuilan leaned in to ask. She was too close. Lu Zhenqiu could see her distinct eyelashes, and her own reflection in her eyes. She choked. She wanted to grab her glass, but Jin Shuilan had already handed it to her one step ahead. Lu Zhenqiu took a sip of water. Jin Shuilan said close to her ear, “Thank you.”

    A clear, cold fragrance wafted over. Jin Shuilan’s breath was warm, right next to her ear. Lu Zhenqiu’s breathing became a little chaotic. She said, “I should be the one thanking you.”

    “My parents are very convinced,” Jin Shuilan said. “So I thank you.”

    Lu Zhenqiu looked past her shoulder at He Jinmei and Jin Wei behind her. The old couple smiled at her. Lu Zhenqiu squeezed the glass and smiled back.

    He Jinmei and her husband left after making the soup for them. Before leaving, she said she would come over often, but would give a heads-up in advance and wouldn’t be so rash again. Lu Zhenqiu listened to her reminders, about paying attention to meals and to rest. She took it all in, nodding with a serious expression.

    Jin Shuilan found her little-chicken-pecking-at-rice​4 movements amusing.

    Someone actually listens to nagging so seriously.

    Not only did Lu Zhenqiu listen seriously, she also put it into practice very seriously. She heated up and ate all the food He Jinmei had made on time, more conscientious than her own daughter. Jin Shuilan could roughly guess the reason, so even though she could have slept until she woke up naturally, she set an alarm to accompany Lu Zhenqiu for all three meals without fail, and would even walk Maomao outside in the evening.

    It didn’t snow for two days in a row, and the concert was held as scheduled. Online, a single ticket was fried to a high price​5. Because this was Zhang Xin’s first concert after her comeback, old fans naturally didn’t want to miss it, and new fans were also afraid they wouldn’t get to hear her in the future, so the tickets started a fight.

    Of course, there was another reason: the concert was set for the weekend, so more people were free.

    Lu Zhenqiu happened to be scheduled for a day off. Xiao Yu complained in the group chat: 【Why are so many people going to the concert? I heard people were squatting​6 at the east gate since this morning.】

    They asked for Hua Luo’s opinion. Hua Luo replied: 【I don’t want to be in a crowd.】

    It wasn’t that she didn’t want to be in a crowd; word was that Hua Luo and Bai Mao were going to see a movie that day. Xiao Yu was curious: 【Is there something going on with Teacher Bai?】

    Hua Luo: 【What could be going on? What are you imagining? Teacher Bai and I are comrades on a united front​7! We are pure​8!】

    Because of the Yu Wen bundling relationship, Bai Mao had Hua Luo’s new book link up with her own new book in the text. Since they were the same genre and same setting, the link-up was very simple. It was Hua Luo’s first time linking her new book with her goddess, and she excitedly squealed in the group chat, saying that from now on they were on a united front!

    She had always looked down on Yu Wen, but she never expected that she herself would be carried to fly​9 by Bai Mao.

    After Bai Mao linked them in her text, the search terms for Bai Mao had already changed to Hua Luo. Because Yu Wen had previously created a huge buzz with promotions and marketing, Bai Mao’s book became popular without the slightest effort. And Hua Luo, who linked up with her, also boarded this convenient vehicle​10.

    Yu Wen had basically made a wedding dress for them​11. Hua Luo felt a sense of satisfaction whenever she thought about it, so every time it was brought up, she would say Bai Mao was a comrade!

    Xiao Yu scoffed: 【Pure? You’re going to the movies together and you’re still pure?】

    Hua Luo: 【What’s wrong with going to the movies together? Qiuqiu is even going to the concert with Teacher Jin!】

    Lu Zhenqiu: …

    Suddenly a pot was dropped on her head​12. She didn’t reply. She saw Jin Shuilan had changed into a casual outfit. It was cold outside, so she had also put on a down jacket, milky white, a slim-fit style that made her waist look even more slender.

    Jin Shuilan walked to her side and asked, “Ready?”

    Lu Zhenqiu stopped talking nonsense with the two in the group chat, put down her phone, and followed behind Jin Shuilan. Her leg had healed in the past two days, and even a light jog was no problem. Jin Shuilan drove her directly to the stadium. There were too many people, and just parking took a good half hour. When Jin Shuilan and Lu Zhenqiu got out of the car, there were people everywhere.

    They hadn’t started checking tickets yet, so everyone was standing outside. The stadium was surrounded three layers inside and three layers outside​13, completely filled. The east and west gates had the most people. The south gate was farther, so there were slightly fewer people. After getting out of the car, Lu Zhenqiu asked Jin Shuilan, “Have Teacher Ji and the others arrived?”

    Ji Zibo and the others were also coming. Jin Shuilan replied to her, “They’re entering through the south gate.”

    Lu Zhenqiu nodded, “Then aren’t we going over?”

    Jin Shuilan said, “It’s a bit far, let’s not go over.”

    Lu Zhenqiu stood by her side. People were packed together. It was her first time seeing a live event with this kind of scene, a little different from what she had imagined. Jin Shuilan moved closer to her and said, “It’ll be better once we get inside.”

    “Mm,” Lu Zhenqiu said. “They’re lining up over there, should we go line up too?”

    Jin Shuilan nodded, and the two of them walked that way. A few young girls came walking towards them, rushing about. As they passed by Lu Zhenqiu, they said, “Excuse me, make way, make way.”

    Lu Zhenqiu took two steps back. She saw Jin Shuilan try to come over but was pushed away by the crowd. She gave Jin Shuilan a helpless smile. After these young girls passed, the crowd surged again. Lu Zhenqiu was pushed forward by people. Suddenly, her wrist was grabbed. She turned around, and her nose caught a clear, cold fragrance.

    It was Jin Shuilan.

    The sudden sense of security was inexplicable, but Lu Zhenqiu still felt very secure. She looked up and saw Jin Shuilan standing beside her. Because of the crowd, their bodies were pressed together. Jin Shuilan said, “There are too many people, it will still be crowded when we line up later.”

    Lu Zhenqiu nodded, “We almost got separated just now.”

    Jin Shuilan looked at her for a few seconds, let go of her wrist, and lowered her head to look for something in her bag. Lu Zhenqiu was puzzled, “Teacher Jin, what are you looking for?”

    Jin Shuilan took out two identical hats from her bag. They were deep red and very eye-catching. She said, “Hold my bag for me.”

    Lu Zhenqiu held the bag for her. Jin Shuilan put on one hat. She was tall, and the red hat was conspicuous; she could be spotted in the crowd at a glance. After putting it on, she fiddled with the brim of the other hat, opened it up, straightened it, and placed it directly on top of Lu Zhenqiu’s hair. Lu Zhenqiu looked up. Jin Shuilan tucked her bangs behind her ear. Her cool fingertips accidentally brushed against her earlobe, which immediately grew hot. Jin Shuilan pressed the hat down a bit, and after putting it on properly for her, she smiled, “This way, we won’t be afraid of getting separated.”

    Lu Zhenqiu didn’t speak, just stared at her fixedly.

    Jin Shuilan lowered her head and met her gaze, her tone gentle, “If we get separated, I can still find you.”

    The author has something to say:

    Thirty red envelopes, memeda. The second update is here, praise Guigui! Also, Happy Winter Solstice​14.

    Lu Zhenqiu: Happy Winter Solstice everyone, please leave more comments.

    Jin Shuilan: Happy Winter Solstice everyone, please give more nutrition liquid​15.

    TOC

    Footnotes

    1. 抽奖 | chōujiǎng | Literally “to draw a prize.” A lottery, raffle, or prize draw. Streamers and online personalities often hold these for their followers to increase engagement.
    2. 排骨 | páigǔ | Pork ribs. A very common and popular ingredient in Chinese cuisine. They are often used to make hearty, nourishing soups (排骨汤 | páigǔ tāng), which are considered in Traditional Chinese Medicine to be beneficial for health, strengthening bones, and aiding recovery from injury.
    3. 焖肉 | mèn ròu | A cooking method where meat is slow-cooked or braised in a covered pot with sauce (often soy sauce based) and spices until it is very tender. The result is a savory and flavorful dish.
    4. 小鸡啄米 | xiǎo jī zhuó mǐ | Literally “a little chicken pecking at rice.” This is a vivid idiom used to describe the motion of someone nodding their head repeatedly and rapidly, often in agreement or while dozing off. It paints a picture of quick, short, bobbing movements, perfectly capturing Lu Zhenqiu’s earnest nodding.
    5. 炒出高价 | chǎo chū gāojià | Literally “fried to a high price.” This is a common slang expression for scalping or reselling something (like tickets, limited edition goods, etc.) at a vastly inflated price. The word “炒” (chǎo), meaning “to stir-fry,” is used to describe the speculative hype that drives up the price.
    6. 蹲着 | dūnzhe | Literally “squatting.” In internet and fan slang, this word is used to mean waiting patiently for something for a long period of time, such as waiting for an update, a new release, or, in this case, waiting for a celebrity or an event to start. It implies a dedicated, long-term wait.
    7. 统一战线 | tǒngyī zhànxiàn | “United Front.” A political and strategic term referring to a strategy of forming alliances with various groups to work towards a common goal. Here, Hua Luo uses this formal, almost grandiose term hyperbolically to describe her strategic alliance with Bai Mao against their common rival author, Yu Wen.
    8. 纯洁的 | chúnjié de | Literally “pure” or “chaste.” Hua Luo uses this word to strongly assert that her relationship with Bai Mao is completely platonic and devoid of any romantic involvement.
    9. 带飞 | dài fēi | Literally “to carry and fly.” This is a popular slang term originating from gaming, where a highly skilled player (the one “flying”) carries their less-skilled teammates (the ones being “carried”) to victory. It has since expanded to mean being led to success or popularity by someone more experienced or famous.
    10. 搭上这个便车 | dā shàng zhège biànchē | Literally “boarded this convenient vehicle.” An idiom meaning to ride on someone else’s coattails or take advantage of an opportunity created by others to gain a personal benefit easily.
    11. 做了嫁衣 | zuò le jiàyī | From the classical poem “For the Poor Woman” (贫女), which contains the line “为他人作嫁衣裳” (wèi tārén zuò jià yīshang), meaning “making a wedding dress for others.” The idiom describes a situation where one works hard and puts in a great deal of effort, only for someone else to reap all the benefits without doing the work.
    12. 一个锅砸下来 | yīgè guō zá xiàlái | Literally “a pot was dropped/smashed down.” This is a vivid, literal depiction of the slang concept of “背锅” (bēiguō), which means “to carry a pot on one’s back.” “背锅” means to take the blame for something, to be made a scapegoat, or to be unfairly dragged into a situation. Here, Lu Zhenqiu is suddenly and unwillingly made the center of the argument.
    13. 里三层外三层 | lǐ sān céng wài sān céng | An idiom literally meaning “three layers inside and three layers outside.” It is used to describe a place that is completely surrounded by a very large and dense crowd of people.
    14. 冬至 | dōngzhì | The Winter Solstice. One of the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese calendar, it marks the shortest day of the year. It is an important festival for family gatherings, often celebrated by eating specific foods like tangyuan (汤圆, glutinous rice balls) in southern China or dumplings (饺子, jiǎozi) in northern China.
    15. 营养液 | yíngyǎng yè | “Nutrition liquid.” A virtual item on Chinese web novel platforms like JJWXC. Readers can purchase or earn this “liquid” through activities on the site and then “irrigate” their favorite novels with it. It functions as a form of non-monetary support and encouragement for the author, and the amount received is often displayed on the novel’s page as a measure of its popularity.

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