Troublesome – Chapter 5

Bumping Into Them

Want to grab a meal together?

The contract was prepared quickly. Besides, Lu Zhenqiu had been hoping to rent the place out as soon as possible. The environment here was good, and the price was so favorable. Hua Luo said, “Only a fool wouldn’t rent it! With such great conditions, aren’t you tempted?”

It would be a lie to say she wasn’t tempted, but the price was ridiculously low. The part of Lu Zhenqiu that didn’t want Jin Shuilan to lose too much money cried out, “Teacher Jin.”

Jin Shuilan was organizing the rental contract. Hearing Lu Zhenqiu call out to her, she subconsciously furrowed her brows and turned her head, using a serious expression to hide the fluster and nervousness she felt from being suddenly called out right before signing. However, Lu Zhenqiu misunderstood, thinking Jin Shuilan found her troublesome. She opened her mouth, but before she could speak, she choked on her breath and coughed twice.

Seeing her fair cheek flush crimson from coughing, Jin Shuilan finally asked, “What’s wrong?”

Lu Zhenqiu chose her words carefully, “Teacher Jin, I think the conditions of your place are exceptionally good…”

Jin Shuilan gripped the edge of the contract tightly, her knuckles turning white. Lu Zhenqiu continued, “So I was thinking, I can pay a bit more for the rent. That way, you won’t be at too much of a loss.”

Although Jin Shuilan had said she was giving them a discount because they were acquaintances, this was practically a giveaway¹!

After hearing her out, Jin Shuilan’s expression relaxed slightly. She nodded lightly. “There’s actually a reason why the rent is so cheap.”

Lu Zhenqiu and Hua Luo exchanged a look, surprise in their eyes. Lu Zhenqiu asked, “What reason?”

Jin Shuilan finished preparing the contract and pointed to the sofa at the side. “Sit down, let’s talk.”

The two who had been standing sat down on the chaise lounge. Jin Shuilan sat opposite them, handed over the rental contract, and began, “Actually, the other tenant…” She paused, looked at Lu Zhenqiu, and confessed, “is me.”

Hua Luo’s eyes widened, her mouth agape enough to fit an egg. She exclaimed in astonishment, “Teacher Jin, you!”

Jin Shuilan looked at Hua Luo and asked, “Hua Luo, don’t you ever feel immense pressure when you’re writing?”

Hua Luo was taken aback by the question, then nodded. “Yes, I do.”

There was a period when she was under so much pressure that she had to go to the hospital and see a doctor to help her cope. She hadn’t expected someone as amazing as Jin Shuilan to have the same problem. Hua Luo empathized deeply. “Then, Teacher Jin, did you go to the hospital?”

Jin Shuilan nodded. “I did. The doctor suggested that if I have time, I could get a cat or a dog to help distract me from the pressure and stress of writing. But I’ve never raised one before, so I don’t really know how. When I heard Miss Lu was looking to rent with a dog, I wanted to see how Miss Lu takes care of her dog, so I could learn.”

Hua Luo had a sudden realization!

She immediately said to Jin Shuilan, “No wonder Teacher Jin didn’t reply to my messages at first, and then only said we could come take a look after I mentioned Qiuqiu has a dog!”

So that was it!

Lu Zhenqiu was still in a daze. Hua Luo had to explain it to her: Teacher Jin probably didn’t want to rent it out initially, but changed her mind after hearing she had a dog. This also explained why the rent was so low. Teacher Jin wasn’t short on money at all. If it weren’t for Lu Zhenqiu having a dog, they might not have been able to rent it at all!

People are strange and contradictory. One moment, Lu Zhenqiu was feeling apologetic and uneasy because the rent was too low; the next, knowing the reason, she was afraid Jin Shuilan would change her mind and quickly took the contract. Jin Shuilan timely handed her a fountain pen, saying, “If there are no problems, you can sign it.”

Lu Zhenqiu read it carefully. The contract was perfectly fine. Of course, she had no problems. It was rare to find a landlord willing to accept her dog, and with such good conditions too—it was something she wouldn’t even dare to dream of. Lu Zhenqiu didn’t hesitate and signed her name directly.

The contract was in duplicate. Lu Zhenqiu and Jin Shuilan each kept a copy. After signing, Lu Zhenqiu paid the rent. Jin Shuilan asked, “When will you move in?”

She was looking down, typing on her phone. No one noticed her hand pause for two seconds when she asked this question. Lu Zhenqiu said, “Today, if that’s okay?”

Jin Shuilan said, “Of course, it’s okay.”

She put down her phone. “I’m off today. If you need help, you can call me.”

Hua Luo’s eyes lit up. “Is that okay? Then, could we trouble Teacher Jin to drive us back to pack our things?”

Jin Shuilan smiled. “Alright. I’m going to the restroom. Wait for me for a moment.”

Hua Luo yelped “Aiai’ai” in delight. After Jin Shuilan left, Lu Zhenqiu pulled Hua Luo’s hand. “Are we troubling her too much?”

“I don’t think so. Teacher Jin probably wants to go out for a walk and change her mood too.”

Lu Zhenqiu then thought about the immense pressure Jin Shuilan mentioned and could understand a bit better. She didn’t say anything more. When Jin Shuilan came out of the restroom, the three of them went downstairs together.

Jin Shuilan drove again. Lu Zhenqiu sat in the front passenger seat. Jin Shuilan said, “I don’t really know the way. Tell me when to turn.”

Lu Zhenqiu nodded. “Oh, okay.”

Because of this, she ended up talking a bit more. After every direction she gave, Jin Shuilan would make appropriate conversation. Throughout the journey, Lu Zhenqiu gained a general understanding of Jin Shuilan’s basic situation. Her mother was a university professor, and her father owned a small company. At the beginning of the year, the elderly couple retired and went traveling. The company was currently managed by a professional manager, and Jin Shuilan occasionally needed to attend meetings.

Lu Zhenqiu seemed to understand why she was so stressed.

Jin Shuilan parked the car downstairs and followed Lu Zhenqiu and Hua Luo upstairs. This was an old residential complex, and the elevator wasn’t very large. After they entered, a family of three also came in. Jin Shuilan shifted a bit closer to Lu Zhenqiu. Looking down, the faint fragrance of Lu Zhenqiu’s hair wafted over. She had long, curly hair, the ends reaching below her waist. They were standing close, and when Jin Shuilan raised her hand, pretending to adjust her clothes, some strands of hair brushed against her arm, a light, ticklish sensation.

Soon, the elevator arrived. Lu Zhenqiu was the first to get off. Hua Luo turned her head. “Teacher Jin, we’re here.”

Jin Shuilan also followed them out of the elevator.

After the door opened, she didn’t go in directly but stood at the entrance and asked, “Do I need to change shoes?”

Lu Zhenqiu shook her head. “It’s okay. I’ll be cleaning up later anyway.”

Jin Shuilan’s elegant brows furrowed slightly, but she didn’t say anything. Lu Zhenqiu put down her bag, walked to one of the room doors, opened it, and called out, “Maomao!”

A Golden Retriever bounded out from inside, pawing at Lu Zhenqiu’s clothes and rubbing its head against her. Lu Zhenqiu rubbed Maomao’s head and said, “Teacher Jin, this is the dog. Don’t be fooled by his size; he’s very gentle and can even understand human speech.”

Hua Luo walked over and said, “Yes, Maomao is super smart!”

After saying that, she told Maomao, “Maomao, sit!”

The Golden Retriever looked left and right, then squatted on the ground, panting with its tongue out, looking at Hua Luo and Lu Zhenqiu. It didn’t bark or make a fuss; it was indeed extremely well-behaved. Hua Luo walked over, squatted down, and hugged him. Finally, she said to Jin Shuilan, “Teacher Jin, would you like to try?”

Jin Shuilan nodded and asked, “His name is Maomao?”

Lu Zhenqiu said, “Mm.” After speaking, she bent down and whispered a few words to Maomao. Jin Shuilan didn’t know what she said, only saw Lu Zhenqiu lead the dog over after speaking to him and say, “You can pet him.”

Standing up, he was as tall as a person, with long, thick fur, and his mouth open. At first glance, it was indeed a bit startling. Jin Shuilan remained silent for two seconds, then walked over to Maomao, called his name, and reached out her hand, just about to place it on the dog’s head. Maomao suddenly looked up. Jin Shuilan’s posture froze. Lu Zhenqiu pursed her lips, then took Jin Shuilan’s hand and placed it on Maomao’s head.

The fur was surprisingly soft, much softer than Jin Shuilan had expected. Not only soft but also very smooth. Maomao licked Jin Shuilan’s palm along the direction she was petting him. Her palm was damp, but the back of her hand, where Lu Zhenqiu had just touched it, felt very dry and hot.

She nodded, withdrew her hand, slowly curling her fingers, and said, “He’s indeed very obedient.”

Lu Zhenqiu felt relieved seeing she wasn’t averse to him. She said, “Then I’ll go in and pack. I’ll be quick.”

She didn’t have many things. Knowing she wouldn’t be living here for long, she had only taken a few changes of clothes out of her suitcase, so packing was very convenient. In just an hour, she had packed all her suitcases. Hua Luo said, “Let me help you take Maomao’s things downstairs first.”

Lu Zhenqiu didn’t have many things, but Maomao had quite a lot. Just as Jin Shuilan was about to pick up the dog food, Lu Zhenqiu said, “I’ll get it, I’ll get it! Teacher Jin, please sit…”

Before she could finish, Jin Shuilan lifted the bag of dog food from her hands. Ten kilograms. Lu Zhenqiu struggled to lift it with both hands, yet Jin Shuilan lifted it with one hand without even swaying. Hua Luo stared in amazement. She asked, “Teacher Jin, isn’t it heavy?”

Jin Shuilan said, “It’s alright. I used to train a bit with my cousin.”

Hua Luo was puzzled. “What does your cousin do?”

Jin Shuilan tilted her head. “Weightlifting.”

Hua Luo: …

You have my respect. That wrist strength made Hua Luo incredibly envious. With Jin Shuilan’s help, everything seemed to progress much faster. Before leaving, Lu Zhenqiu and Hua Luo cleaned the place. This time, Jin Shuilan didn’t help. She merely glanced at the study, which was ajar. The books on the bookshelf were conspicuous—they were by Tang Yingxia.

She paused for a moment and said, “I’ll go wait for you in the car.”

After Lu Zhenqiu thanked her, she watched Jin Shuilan enter the elevator. She asked Hua Luo, “Should we let Teacher Jin go back first?”

“There’s no need, right?” Hua Luo said. “It’s been the whole afternoon. We should treat Teacher Jin to dinner later.”

Lu Zhenqiu nodded. “That’s what we should do.”

Jin Shuilan reached downstairs first but didn’t get into the car. Instead, she stood at the bottom of the building, looking up. The rich fragrance of osmanthus occasionally drifted by. After standing for a few minutes, she got into the car, fiddling with her phone. She saw that Tang Yingxia had just posted on Weibo half an hour ago. The Weibo content was a picture: a photo of her and Lu Yan, along with a small “cheers” emoji.

She casually clicked open the comments. Everyone was asking if she was going to collaborate with Lu Yan. The readers’ excitement was palpable. Only Jin Shuilan coolly glanced at the photo a couple of times before turning off her phone.

When Lu Zhenqiu and Hua Luo came downstairs after cleaning, they proposed treating Jin Shuilan to dinner. Jin Shuilan nodded. “Okay.”

After spending the afternoon together, Hua Luo wasn’t as afraid of her anymore. She said, “Then what kind of cuisine does Teacher Jin like? It’s a pity it’s so late. If it were earlier, we could have bought groceries and cooked at home. Qiuqiu’s cooking is exceptionally good!”

Jin Shuilan looked at Lu Zhenqiu and said, “It’s alright. There will be opportunities to taste Miss Lu’s cooking in the future.”

Lu Zhenqiu smiled. “Teacher Jin, you don’t have to call me Miss Lu. Just call me by my name. If Teacher Jin doesn’t mind, I can cook a little extra when I make meals in the future.”

Jin Shuilan said, “Of course, I don’t mind.”

Seeing the two of them communicating amicably, Hua Luo felt even better. She patted her stomach and said, “So, where are we going to eat?”

Jin Shuilan lowered her eyes and said, “I know a Huaiyang cuisine² restaurant that’s quite good. Are you two okay with that?”

Hua Luo nodded. “I have no problem.”

Lu Zhenqiu also said, “I’m okay with it.”

Jin Shuilan agreed and took them to the new apartment first to drop off all their luggage. Maomao was still a bit unaccustomed to the new environment, so Lu Zhenqiu kept him in a room. Afterward, the three of them got back into the car and drove to the Huaiyang cuisine restaurant Jin Shuilan had mentioned.

The Huaiyang cuisine restaurant was in the city center. From the outside, it looked quite spacious. After Lu Zhenqiu got out of the car, she casually glanced around and then froze. At a table by the window, near the parking lot, sat Tang Yingxia.

Next to Tang Yingxia sat Yu Wen. Yu Wen was turned sideways, her head resting on Tang Yingxia’s shoulder, her whole body leaning into Tang Yingxia’s embrace.

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The author has something to say:

Fifty red envelopes, muah! Thank you, Teacher, and everyone, for the deepwater torpedoes³ and landmines⁴, and also the nutrient solution⁵! There will be an extra update tomorrow, everyone remember to leave comments!

Jin Shuilan: Running into my ex-girlfriend while just trying to get a meal, what a coincidence.

Hua Luo: …

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