Together
Can I go with you?
That afternoon, neither Ji Zibo nor He Jinmei came, seemingly intending to give them some space. Lu Zhenqiu turned her head to look at the soundly sleeping Jin Shuilan; plenty of time had been given, but it had all been spent sleeping.
Perhaps because she had been too tired the past few days, Jin Shuilan slept very deeply, only waking up in the middle of the night. She turned her head and saw Lu Zhenqiu’s lightly sleeping face. The hospital room was lit only by a warm, yellow bedside lamp. Jin Shuilan was surprised she had slept for so long. She glanced at her phone; it was already past two in the morning.
Jin Shuilan didn’t disturb Lu Zhenqiu. She got up and saw a takeout box on the table from a place she often ate at. She hadn’t expected Lu Zhenqiu to even prepare this for her. A warmth spread through Jin Shuilan’s heart. She leaned over the pillow and quietly gazed at Lu Zhenqiu’s sleeping face.
The year she had first fallen for her, she found out Lu Zhenqiu was live-streaming online and registered a side account to watch. Afraid of arousing suspicion, she deliberately spread her donations over several weeks until she finally hit rank one1. Then, as a matter of course, she got Lu Zhenqiu’s WeChat ID. That night, she had a dream that Lu Zhenqiu was sleeping beside her, just like now.
But back then, she wouldn’t have dared to do anything to Lu Zhenqiu even in her dreams, only watching quietly until she opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling in frustration.
Now, there’s no need for frustration.
She was right here, within arm’s reach. She could watch her sleep without restraint, listen to her act cute, and watch her do anything at all.
Jin Shuilan lowered her head and kissed Lu Zhenqiu’s cheek, tucking her fine hair behind her ear to reveal her fair profile. Lu Zhenqiu was on an IV drip in the evening, and it contained a sedative, so she was sleeping very soundly. Jin Shuilan tucked the corner of the blanket for her, got up, washed up, and then heated up the dinner to eat.
In her private messages, the director asked what time she would be back tomorrow. Jin Shuilan glanced at Lu Zhenqiu’s bed and typed her reply: 【Coming back in the afternoon.】
The director was probably asleep. After replying, Jin Shuilan saw a message from the magazine company telling her the manuscript had undergone preliminary revisions with annotations and was sent for her to verify. Jin Shuilan saved the file, scanned it briefly, and planned to look at it in detail after she got back tomorrow.
With nothing else to do, she browsed Weibo for a while. As soon as she opened her homepage, it was filled with news about Tang Yingxia’s new book. It was a promotional video made by the magazine company for a second printing, which meant the first run must have sold well.
Jin Shuilan followed the @mention to Tang Yingxia’s Weibo and saw that her posts were now only visible for the last six months and many had been deleted. Her interaction with Yu Wen was still pinned at the top, with a crowd of readers shipping their CP below.
Yu Wen had replied: 【We will notify everyone when there is good news.】
This “good news” was definitely not about writing.
Tang Yingxia replied to Yu Wen: 【Mhm, I also hope everyone will support Wenwen’s new book.】
How considerate, promoting someone else under her own new book’s post. Such deep affection like the sea2, Jin Shuilan narrowed her eyes, scanned for a few seconds, then exited Weibo. After eating, she washed up again briefly before getting into bed. Lu Zhenqiu had been on a drip for the past two days and had a faint medicinal smell on her. Jin Shuilan hugged her and lay down, hearing Lu Zhenqiu ask with her eyes closed, “You’re awake.”
Jin Shuilan kissed the corner of her lips, which tasted of mint. Lu Zhenqiu opened her eyes, and before she could speak, she felt a yawn coming on. She turned her head away so Jin Shuilan wouldn’t see. Seeing this small gesture, Jin Shuilan’s heart melted. She pulled her into her arms and replied, “Mhm, are you very sleepy?”
“Pretty sleepy,” Lu Zhenqiu’s words were mumbled. Jin Shuilan didn’t press her, just held her as they went back to sleep. The next day, they didn’t wake up until the morning rounds. The nurse knocked and entered, seeing them embracing. She looked a little puzzled but didn’t ask much, simply performing the routine check. After the nurse left, Lu Zhenqiu said, “I want to eat xiaolongbao3 for breakfast.”
It was rare for her to make a request. Jin Shuilan nodded, “Okay, I’ll go buy them.”
After Jin Shuilan left, Lu Zhenqiu lay in bed. They could be discharged that morning, so after lying for a while, she got up to pack. Having only stayed one night, there wasn’t much to pack. The toiletries were all disposable ones provided by the hospital. After she finished packing, she stood by the window and looked down. The snow hadn’t completely melted yet. When the wind blew, it scattered about, a world of white. Lu Zhenqiu stood there for a few minutes before taking out her phone and searching for a name.
The one who had pulled her into a game yesterday.
She found a few related results online, but they were only two or three sentences long. Lu Zhenqiu bit her lip. Hearing a sound at the door behind her, she turned around. Ji Zibo knocked and called out, “Qiuqiu?”
Lu Zhenqiu quickly walked over and opened the door. Ji Zibo was carrying a basket of fruit. “Feeling better?”
“Much better,” she smiled. “Thank you, Teacher Ji.”
Ji Zibo put down the fruit. “You’ve got good color in your cheeks, and your voice isn’t as hoarse.”
A voice director indeed, the focus is always on the voice. Lu Zhenqiu lowered her head and smiled, “It’ll be fine in a few more days.”
“You still need to rest it,” Ji Zibo said. “Bai Nuannuan’s throat is also inflamed these two days. I’m planning to start work again after the New Year. We can all have a good holiday together.”
Lu Zhenqiu nodded, “That works.”
After the New Year, Jin Shuilan should be almost done, right?
Thinking of Jin Shuilan, she asked Ji Zibo, “Teacher Ji, do you know Ye Wei?”
“Ye Wei?” Ji Zibo nodded. “You mean the Ye Wei from her film crew? The one in charge of props? What’s up?”
Lu Zhenqiu shook her head, “Nothing, I was just asking. They’re on the same crew?”
Ji Zibo glanced at her, suddenly understanding something, and asked in a low voice, “What, did someone confess to her again?”
Lu Zhenqiu’s expression changed slightly, and she immediately said, “No.”
But it wouldn’t be surprising if someone really did confess.
A stuffy feeling settled in her heart at the thought.
Ji Zibo said, “Ai, don’t be fooled by Shuilan’s usual stern face, her peach blossoms4 are flourishing out there. You have to keep a close watch. And another thing, when she first joined a film crew, an actor even wanted to use the ‘unspoken rules’5 on her.”
But that actor didn’t know Jin Shuilan’s temper. Not only did the attempt fail, but he ended up getting his own role cut.
Hearing this, Lu Zhenqiu nodded. She wanted to ask more, but Jin Shuilan returned, carrying rice porridge and xiaolongbao. Seeing Ji Zibo, she frowned, “Why are you here?”
“I came to see how she’s doing,” Ji Zibo said. “Is there anything I can help with?”
Lu Zhenqiu said, “No, I’ve already packed everything.”
“Aiya, you should let her do it,” Ji Zibo said. “You’re the patient, you need to rest more.”
She made it sound so serious. Lu Zhenqiu lowered her head and smiled. Jin Shuilan had been about to retort, but seeing her smile, she didn’t say anything. The three of them sat together and ate breakfast. Ji Zibo said, “The first season of your radio drama is almost finished. When are you going to do a live stream?”
Jin Shuilan thought for a moment. “The magazine company also said to do a live stream after the new book’s pre-sale starts. Let’s do them together.”
“So soon?” Ji Zibo was surprised. “Your new book is already starting pre-sales?”
At this, she turned her head. “But the response on the website has been great. Readers are all saying this book of yours will probably set a new record.”
She didn’t know anything about writing books, but after so many years of producing radio dramas, her instincts were very sharp. Jin Shuilan’s book had been slaughtering the ranking boards6 not long after its release. Although it had happened before, it had never been this frenzied. To say it would be a new peak was not an exaggeration at all.
I wonder if her previous magazine company regrets it to death.
Just thinking about their regretful faces made Ji Zibo feel great.
Jin Shuilan said, “The topic was submitted a long time ago, right when the contract was signed. They just sent me the annotated manuscript. Once I confirm there are no issues, we can start the pre-sale.”
Ji Zibo smiled, “Go for it. I have a feeling this new book’s pre-sale is going to break your record again.”
It wouldn’t just break her record; it would probably break the pre-sale record for new Baihe books.
Ji Zibo beamed as she chatted with Jin Shuilan. Lu Zhenqiu listened to them talk while eating her breakfast. Occasionally, Jin Shuilan would ask, “Want some pickles?”
Lu Zhenqiu took the container and poured some into her bowl. Ji Zibo was still talking, “Alright then, but since you’re streaming on the magazine’s platform, just give us a mention. No need for a separate promotion. Our crew will do a wrap-up stream when it’s finished.”
Jin Shuilan nodded, “Okay.”
After the three finished breakfast, Lu Zhenqiu received a call from He Jinmei, who said she wouldn’t be coming to the hospital but would go buy groceries and start cooking at home. Lu Zhenqiu agreed. After hanging up, Ji Zibo also left. Lu Zhenqiu and Jin Shuilan went to handle the discharge procedures. After a flurry of activity, it was almost ten o’clock when they finally drove back. On the way, Lu Zhenqiu turned to look at Jin Shuilan several times. Jin Shuilan noticed, and when they stopped at a red light, she turned her head and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Lu Zhenqiu shook her head. The light turned green, and she urged Jin Shuilan to go. Jin Shuilan took the opportunity to grab her hand, holding it in her palm and rubbing her thumb over the tiger’s mouth7 of her hand. Lu Zhenqiu felt a jolt, her heart tingling and numb.
When they got home, He Jinmei had already started cooking. She was wearing an apron. Maomao jumped up and down happily upon seeing Lu Zhenqiu. Lu Zhenqiu bent down to hug it. He Jinmei said, “I took him home yesterday. This dog is quite smart. He went straight to his own house when we got there.”
It was the doghouse Jin Shuilan had made for Maomao before, and Maomao still remembered it.
Being so well-behaved made He Jinmei like him even more.
Lu Zhenqiu walked into the kitchen and said to He Jinmei, “Thank you, Auntie. Let me help you.”
“No need.” She looked at Lu Zhenqiu. “Are your eyes better?”
Lu Zhenqiu nodded, “They’re fine.”
The swelling had gone down after a night’s sleep; there was no problem. He Jinmei was relieved to see that. She said, “Go sit outside for a while.”
Lu Zhenqiu said “oh” and left the kitchen. She saw Jin Shuilan watching TV, her back slender, her fine hair tucked behind her ears, revealing her beautiful earlobes adorned with golden studs that reflected the light. Lu Zhenqiu suddenly remembered Ji Zibo’s words. She bit her lip and sat down next to Jin Shuilan. Jin Shuilan handed her a piece of fruit. Lu Zhenqiu took a bite, then felt around on her clothes. Jin Shuilan asked, “What are you looking for?”
“My phone,” Lu Zhenqiu put down the fruit. “I think I left it in the car.”
Jin Shuilan stood up, “I’ll go get it for you.”
“I’ll go,” Lu Zhenqiu took the car keys from the coffee table, took the elevator, and went downstairs. Just as she opened the car door, her phone started ringing. She glanced at the screen and answered. Jin Shuilan asked, “Did you find it?”
“Found it,” Lu Zhenqiu said, then closed the car door and went upstairs. She handed the keys back to Jin Shuilan. After lunch, Jin Shuilan received a call from the film crew asking what time she could arrive. He Jinmei said, “Why don’t you leave a bit earlier? The roads will get icy and hard to drive on by evening.”
Jin Shuilan was reluctant to leave. She looked at Lu Zhenqiu, and the two of them dawdled into the bedroom. He Jinmei smiled knowingly and turned on the TV.
Lu Zhenqiu was pulled into the room and was immediately hugged by Jin Shuilan before she could speak. She patted Jin Shuilan’s shoulder, “Loosen up a bit, it’s too tight…”
Her bones were starting to ache from the squeeze.
Jin Shuilan loosened her grip slightly and said, “Then wait for me to come back.”
Lu Zhenqiu smiled, “Mhm, I know.”
Jin Shuilan was still worried. “I’ll call you when I get there.”
Lu Zhenqiu nodded.
Jin Shuilan added, “Don’t catch a cold, if you…”
Before she could finish, Lu Zhenqiu kissed her, swallowing the rest of her words. They had both chewed a few pieces of gum after lunch; it seemed to be a kind of tacit agreement, where their hearts reflected without speaking. Lu Zhenqiu hugged Jin Shuilan, tilting her head up to kiss her. Jin Shuilan took a few steps forward, and the back of Lu Zhenqiu’s legs hit the edge of the bed. She fell backward, still holding onto Jin Shuilan’s collar.
They tumbled onto the bed together, their breaths tangling. An invisible flame ignited in the air. Jin Shuilan grabbed Lu Zhenqiu’s hand, her grip a little too tight. Lu Zhenqiu let out a muffled humph, her voice low and suppressed. Jin Shuilan paused for a few seconds, her movements losing their rhythm.
They drew even closer.
Lu Zhenqiu’s fingertips were slightly cool against warm skin, like an electric current shooting through. Jin Shuilan’s arms around her tightened, imprisoning Lu Zhenqiu in her embrace. The clean, crisp scent of Jin Shuilan surrounded her, lingering for a long time.
Lu Zhenqiu lost all her strength, her hand falling limply onto Jin Shuilan’s back.
Jin Shuilan wrapped one arm around her waist. Just as she was about to make her next move, her phone rang. Both of them froze. Lu Zhenqiu pushed her away, biting her lip. “It’s about time. You should go.”
“Mhm,” Jin Shuilan nodded. She got up and straightened her clothes. The shirt that had been messed up was buttoned up bit by bit, returning to its proper appearance. Lu Zhenqiu truly felt the impulse to mess it up again.
She clenched her fists and heard Jin Shuilan ask, “Are you going to see me off?”
“No,” Lu Zhenqiu looked down at herself. Her clothes were a bit messy, and her earlobe throbbed where it had been bitten. Her skin was especially sensitive; every place that had been touched was red. Her face was also flushed, and her eyes shimmered with a watery light, looking exceptionally alluring.
Jin Shuilan clenched her own hands. “Then take a nap.”
Lu Zhenqiu nodded.
Jin Shuilan took a deep breath, using all her willpower not to turn back. After getting her things in order, she went out. He Jinmei pulled her aside and said something, nagging her continuously. Jin Shuilan responded while going to her own room to grab a few things. Before leaving, she glanced at Lu Zhenqiu’s closed door, then lowered her head and left.
After getting in the car, she called Lu Zhenqiu. The phone rang several times but no one answered. She thought Lu Zhenqiu was just shy because of what had just happened, and she lowered her head, smiling with pursed lips.
Just as she was about to start the car, a voice suddenly came from the back seat, “Jin Shuilan.”
Jin Shuilan froze and turned around. Lu Zhenqiu poked her head out from the back seat, her eyes exceptionally bright as she asked, “Can I go with you?”
The author has something to say:
Thirty red envelopes, memeda.
Answering the questions from my lovely readers, the upcoming plot will all be sweet, and then after a little bit of abusing the scum8, we’ll be preparing to wrap things up.
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