Troublesome – Chapter 10

Feelings

Emotions long suppressed by reason surged forth once more.

Lu Zhenqiu’s platform contract negotiations went very smoothly. This platform was currently the most popular one in live streaming, with over ten million daily active users. It primarily promoted its gaming section, divided into a tournament area and a live streaming area. Lu Zhenqiu signed with the entertainment section. The entertainment section was also very detailed, covering singing, dancing, outdoor live streams, and of course, gaming was also an option. Upon signing, there would be a three-month trial period, which was the newcomer showcase phase. The platform would categorize, publicize, and promote based on the daily live stream content.

The contract terms were much better than her previous platform. The base salary alone had tripled, not to mention various dazzling recommendations. Lu Zhenqiu didn’t blindly sign immediately; instead, she first contacted Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu was ecstatic when she received the news about the contract. She sent a long string of “Ahhhhhhh”s and said that because of Lu Yan, she hadn’t opened the entertainment section for eight hundred years. Once Lu Zhenqiu signed, she wanted Lu Zhenqiu to surpass Lu Yan!

That was a bit too ambitious.

Lu Zhenqiu knew about the conflict between Xiao Yu and Lu Yan. Back when Xiao Yu was still in the voice acting circle, she didn’t get along well with Lu Yan. Once, she was about to sign a contract with a production crew, but Lu Yan snatched it away. This angered Xiao Yu so much that she quit the voice acting circle and started gaming.

Xiao Yu only told them about this later. Hua Luo couldn’t stand it and wanted to go curse Lu Yan out, but Xiao Yu stopped her, saying that a long time had passed and cursing her wouldn’t achieve anything. Besides, she was having a blast gaming now; it was something she loved doing, and she didn’t have to engage in office politics. It was incredibly comfortable. However, even though she said that, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes every time she saw Lu Yan.

Xiao Yu quickly replied after looking at the contract: 【No problems, the terms are even a bit better than when I signed. But the platform is bigger now, so the conditions are indeed getting better and better.】

Lu Zhenqiu sent: 【If there are no problems, I’ll sign it.】

Xiao Yu: 【Wait, ask them how they promote newcomers.】

Lu Zhenqiu copied this question and sent it to the platform manager. The manager was typing on his computer. He wasn’t the platform owner; he was usually responsible for the daily operations and maintenance of each section, as well as recruitment. The HR department would screen potential collaborators for him and draft the relevant contract matters. He was responsible for the final review and contacting the streamers to be signed.

Actually, Lu Zhenqiu’s qualifications weren’t that great. Two years ago, she was decent, and signing her then could have led to some promotion. Now, the top three rankings in the entertainment section had been fixed for a long time and were hard to shake. Moreover, she had been on small platforms for the past two years, had almost no fans, and couldn’t bring any over. When he saw Lu Zhenqiu’s personal profile, he was very hesitant. It was the HR manager who gave him a look, signaling: “Take good care of her.”

Such interpersonal relationships were unavoidable in the workplace. If it were a somewhat famous streamer, he would have had to ask the boss. Lu Zhenqiu clearly didn’t require that; he could decide on his own, so he signed her.

As for newcomer promotion.

The manager tilted his head to look at the documents at hand. This time, the entertainment section was signing two streamers in total. There was also one named Lou Yifeng¹, recommended by Lu Yan. He typed: 【First, Weibo promotion, then platform recommendation. Find a photo you’re satisfied with and send it to me.】

Lu Zhenqiu asked Xiao Yu. Xiao Yu said it was pretty good, sign it.

She had no more questions, completed the signing online, downloaded the contract, found a photo of herself, and sent it over. Then, she casually clicked open the Sanshui Live Streaming Platform.

There weren’t as many people on the platform during the day as at night. She clicked on the entertainment section and found that Lu Yan had the highest popularity, with over two million heat. This was considered very high for daytime. Lu Zhenqiu pursed her lips and heard Lu Yan say: “Thank you, Mo-jiejie², for the gift! Blowing a kiss!”

The bullet comments³ scrolled by quickly, filling half the phone screen. Lu Yan said with a smile: “I didn’t stream last night, ah. I had a dinner engagement last night. What dinner engagement? It’s a secret, you’ll know in a few days. Related to God Xia? Hmm? You guys are really…”

Hearing those two words, Lu Zhenqiu frowned and was about to close the stream when Lu Yan added: “Alright, I’ve spoiled enough for you all. No more, no more. Let’s talk about something happy. In a couple of days, I’ll introduce a little sister to you all; she’s super cute.”

She closed the live stream.

Maomao was lying at the doorway, wagging its tail. Lu Zhenqiu looked over and called: “Maomao.”

Aowu! Maomao dashed over. Usually, during live streams, Maomao was very well-behaved, squatting beside her without moving around much, only running over when she actively called it.

Jin Shuilan heard the commotion and tilted her head, seeing Lu Zhenqiu and Maomao walk out of the room. Lu Zhenqiu went to the balcony to put down dog food for Maomao. Looking at the time, she planned to take it for a walk downstairs later. Having just moved here, there were still many things to do, especially regarding Maomao’s toilet habits.

After putting down the dog food, she turned her head and saw Jin Shuilan staring at a tablet, unsure if she was working. Her footsteps lightened. Suddenly, she heard Jin Shuilan call her: “Zhenqiu.”

Hearing these two words, Lu Zhenqiu felt a bit dazed. She used to go by this name during her voice acting days. Later, after fading out of that circle, everyone called her Qiuqiu. So, suddenly hearing the familiar address, she felt a wave of emotion.

Jin Shuilan patted the spot beside her: “Come sit, I have something to ask you.”

Lu Zhenqiu walked over and sat down beside her. A clear, cool fragrance immediately wafted to her nose. She didn’t know what brand of perfume Jin Shuilan used, but it seemed that ever since they met, she had found this scent very special—crisp, subtly fragrant. The scent made Lu Zhenqiu think of two words: mature, elegant.

Jin Shuilan held the tablet with one hand, her gaze peripherally on Lu Zhenqiu. Lu Zhenqiu’s side profile was fair and clear, her skin delicate. She wasn’t wearing makeup at home. Her eyelashes were naturally long, curly, and upturned, casting a small shadow beneath her eyes. Lu Zhenqiu had typical Ruifengyan⁴. Jin Shuilan particularly liked the outer corners of her eyes—long, narrow, and upturned, exuding a lazy allure when she looked down.

Yet Lu Zhenqiu herself was unaware.

Jin Shuilan leaned a little closer to her and said: “Which color do you think is good?”

Lu Zhenqiu asked: “What’s this?”

Jin Shuilan said: “A robotic vacuum cleaner.”

Lu Zhenqiu then figured she was probably buying it because of Maomao. She said: “Then I’ll buy it.”

“It’s okay, I was going to buy one anyway. I just didn’t know which color to choose.”

So she also has trouble making decisions. Lu Zhenqiu lowered her head to look carefully and said: “I think this blue one is nice.”

However, there was no price on the picture, so she didn’t know how much it cost. Lu Zhenqiu hesitated for a few seconds and then said: “Then I’ll pay for half of it.”

Jin Shuilan nodded: “You like blue, huh?”

She selected the blue one and said to Lu Zhenqiu: “No need. If you feel bad, just make a little more for dinner.”

Lu Zhenqiu said: “I should.”

She had already thought it through. The rent was so low, she couldn’t take too much advantage of Jin Shuilan. She would definitely take care of things more wherever she could in daily life. Jin Shuilan glanced at her, a hint of a smile in her eyes.

She was very much looking forward to Lu Zhenqiu’s care.

After Lu Zhenqiu sat down and chose the robotic vacuum, Jin Shuilan beside her had already started browsing other pages. She felt too embarrassed to look, so she took out her phone and started choosing decorations. However, for each one she picked, she would ask Jin Shuilan: “Teacher Jin, is this okay? I want to hang it on the bay window.”

Jin Shuilan asked: “Hanging it horizontally?”

Lu Zhenqiu nodded, put down her phone, and made a rough gesture: “Like, three rows of lights here, then four, five, six in the middle, and another three rows hanging down at the edges.”

She mimicked it with such seriousness, her eyes bright. Jin Shuilan suppressed a laugh, placing a fist by the corner of her lips to hide her smile. She heard Lu Zhenqiu ask: “Is it okay?”

She nodded: “Not bad, it’s a good idea.”

Her voice was full of delight.

Lu Zhenqiu felt relieved. She said: “Then I’ll go measure the dimensions and place the order.”

Jin Shuilan watched her get up and go back to her room, and followed her. Lu Zhenqiu had a measuring tape. Just as she took it out, Jin Shuilan walked in, took one end of the measuring tape, pulled it to the edge of the bay window, and said to Lu Zhenqiu: “Pull it across.”

Lu Zhenqiu hummed in agreement and jotted down the measurements in her notebook. Jin Shuilan looked around. Lu Zhenqiu’s room was very tidy, the quilt on the bed neatly folded. Having just moved in, there wasn’t much stuff yet, making the room seem spacious. Watching Lu Zhenqiu walk back and forth, she felt a sense of emptiness being filled.

A softness and warmth enveloped her heart. Jin Shuilan quietly watched Lu Zhenqiu’s busy figure. She leaned against the bay window, her gaze gentle.

Lu Zhenqiu had quite a few things to add. Her equipment was old, but many decorations needed to be repurchased. Fortunately, Jin Shuilan let her make the decisions, and Lu Zhenqiu was very grateful in her heart. That evening, she cooked a big meal for Jin Shuilan. Considering there were only two of them, she didn’t make large portions, just enough to eat. Jin Shuilan felt full from her stomach to her heart.

After dinner, the two of them went downstairs for a walk together. The landscaping in this residential complex was very good, with fragrant flowers blooming everywhere and lush greenery. Lu Zhenqiu walked Maomao on its leash, strolling nearby, with Jin Shuilan walking beside her. The night breeze blew gently, and the streetlights stretched their shadows long.

Three days ago, Lu Zhenqiu hadn’t even imagined she would move into Jin Shuilan’s house. After moving in, she hadn’t thought Jin Shuilan would be so approachable, and even less that the two of them could stroll downstairs like this.

Everything was developing unexpectedly, yet it also felt very natural.

Jin Shuilan tilted her head. Lu Zhenqiu walked quietly beside her, occasionally looking at Maomao ahead. Jin Shuilan said: “Let me hold the leash for a while?”

Lu Zhenqiu turned her head and met Jin Shuilan’s gaze, finding it exceptionally bright. She said: “Maomao will run off if it sees other dogs.” She was afraid Jin Shuilan wouldn’t be able to hold Maomao back. Jin Shuilan said: “It’s okay, I can hold on.”

True, she had seen Jin Shuilan’s wrist strength.

Lu Zhenqiu took off the hand leash. Her leash was a half-glove style; you inserted five fingers and pulled it towards the palm to secure it. But someone using it for the first time would surely not be familiar with it. Lu Zhenqiu saw Jin Shuilan staring at the leash and smiled: “Hold out your hand.”

Jin Shuilan extended her right hand. Lu Zhenqiu tilted her head, lowered her eyes, and slipped the leash onto Jin Shuilan’s fingers, pulling it down slightly. Jin Shuilan looked up and saw Lu Zhenqiu right before her eyes. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly. The streetlight shone down, changing the color of her lashes, making them look hazy. Those eyes were also focused on Jin Shuilan’s fingers as she diligently worked with her head down.

Her heartbeat began to race uncontrollably. A fire seemed to ignite within Jin Shuilan’s body, crackling and burning.

Lu Zhenqiu’s expression was calm and serene, her fingers cool. Yet, the skin Jin Shuilan’s touched quickly grew scorching hot, burning. It was a world of ice and fire. The base of Jin Shuilan’s ears, hidden behind her hair, turned completely red. She lowered her voice, slightly hoarse: “Is it done?”

Lu Zhenqiu released her hand and gave her a slight smile: “It’s done.”

Jin Shuilan’s heartbeat, which she had just managed to suppress, started pounding wildly again, even more intensely than before. She clutched the leash tightly and took two quick steps forward, afraid Lu Zhenqiu would hear her deafening heartbeat.

Emotions long suppressed by reason surged forth once more, growing recklessly and wantonly, quickly engulfing her!

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The author has something to say:

Thirty red envelopes, muah! Thank you, baomen⁵, for throwing mines⁶ and nutrient solution⁷.

Lu Zhenqiu: The scenery is really nice. What is Teacher Jin thinking about?

Jin Shuilan: Thinking about what to name our child.

Lu Zhenqiu: ????

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