Troublesome – Chapter 6

Break Up

Let’s break up.

Lu Zhenqiu’s mind went blank for a few seconds. She didn’t move, just stood quietly outside the window, looking in. The night wind blew, and Hua Luo rubbed her arms, saying, “It’s a bit cold, let’s hurry in…”

Before she could finish, she saw Lu Zhenqiu frozen in place. Following Lu Zhenqiu’s gaze, her eyes widened. “F#ck!”

Isn’t that Tang Yingxia? And who’s that in Tang Yingxia’s arms? She looks a bit like Yu Wen.

Hua Luo had seen photos of Yu Wen, but they were all highly P’d¹, with eighteen layers of filters, so it was very blurry. She turned her head. “Qiuqiu, is that Yu Wen?”

Jin Shuilan stood behind them and spoke, “You know Tang Yingxia too?”

“Know her? It’s more than that!” Hua Luo blurted out, “She and…”

Lu Zhenqiu pulled her back, saying, “Yes, we know her.”

Her voice was surprisingly cold, her gaze as calm as water, yet her eyes never left the table over there. Jin Shuilan said, “Then should we go over and say hello?”

Lu Zhenqiu pressed her lips together, her face slightly pale, her voice stiff. “No need.”

Hua Luo was fuming as she watched Tang Yingxia and Yu Wen interact. If Lu Zhenqiu hadn’t been holding her back, she probably would have rushed forward to confront them. Lu Zhenqiu said, “Let’s go inside.”

Jin Shuilan glanced at Tang Yingxia sitting by the window but said nothing, walking in with Lu Zhenqiu and Hua Luo. As luck would have it, their table was two booths behind Tang Yingxia’s.

There were three of them, so they didn’t ask for a larger table and sat in a booth. This way, once seated, Tang Yingxia wouldn’t be able to see Lu Zhenqiu.

There were several people at Tang Yingxia’s table. Besides Yu Wen and Lu Yan, there were a few others Lu Zhenqiu recognized as voice actors in the circle. Tang Yingxia had a radio drama in production, so she had taken the opportunity of meeting Lu Yan to invite everyone out for a meal. Two bottles of red wine on the table were nearly empty, and everyone’s face was flushed, especially Yu Wen’s. She had just leaned into Tang Yingxia’s arms and, upon sitting up, smiled, “Sorry, God Xia, I drank too much.”

“It’s alright,” Tang Yingxia said. “I’ll take you home later.”

Lu Yan’s eyes flickered, and she smiled. “God Xia is so considerate.”

Another person chimed in, “Well, that depends on who it is. Is God Xia considerate to us? Oh—no.”

The others at the table looked at the two of them with suggestive eyes. Everyone knew Tang Yingxia and Yu Wen had been close recently. Although they hadn’t officially confirmed their relationship, in everyone’s eyes, it was pretty much a done deal, so they all loved to tease them.

Tang Yingxia didn’t explain, just smiled. Yu Wen glanced at her expression and, emboldened by the alcohol, snuggled closer to her.

The girl opposite Lu Yan coughed, suppressing a laugh, and changed the subject. “Xiao Lu, aren’t you streaming today?”

“Not today,” Lu Yan said. “Taking a break.”

The girl next to her asked, “Xiao Lu, I heard Teacher Jin’s new work has approached you?”

Lu Yan’s face turned noticeably redder, looking very embarrassed. She said, “It’s not set yet. Teacher Ji just mentioned a little something to me.”

Teacher Ji was Ji Zibo², who had a professional radio drama team. All of Jin Shuilan’s radio dramas were produced by her, and she had launched many new voice actors. Back when Bai Nuannuan was still a newcomer, she had boldly cast her, and against everyone’s expectations, brought Bai Nuannuan into the voice acting circle. Less than three years later, Bai Nuannuan was now one of the top three figures in the voice acting world.

Countless people dreamed of collaborating with her, even if it was just for a supporting role; they would fight tooth and nail for it. This time, Jin Shuilan’s new work had various rights secured before it was even written. The radio drama, needless to say, would still be supervised by Ji Zibo, who would also participate in casting the voice actors. Actually, Lu Yan had proactively auditioned. Someone had seen her chatting with Ji Zibo that day, which led to this rumor. Later, it spread and evolved into her being cast in the new drama.

Lu Yan didn’t explain, letting the rumor spread like wildfire through the circle.

She understood this circle too well. She believed that with her fanbase, influence, and these rumors, the production team would have no choice but to pick her in the end.

Lu Yan sipped her wine, hearing the girl beside her say, “I’m so envious of Xiao Lu, getting to be in Teacher Jin’s drama.”

Another also said, “That’s because our Xiao Lu is outstanding.”

After saying that, she clicked her tongue. “But seriously, Teacher Jin is truly amazing. It’s the first time I’ve seen a GL novel get its film and television rights bought before it’s even started.”

Indeed, although the market for GL film and television had opened up, most adaptations were still of older works or those with good reputations. This kind of blind purchase, where something was sold for film rights with just a name attached before anything was written…

In the GL circle, it was truly a first.

The others nodded, chatting excitedly about the gossip. Only Tang Yingxia sat in her seat, head down, clutching her glass tightly, her profile tense, her gaze somewhat cold. She poured herself a glass of wine, using the act of drinking to hide her inner displeasure and the jealousy that was driving her almost mad.

“Let’s not talk about Teacher Jin. Our God Xia is pretty good too,” one of the voice actors steered the conversation back. “God Xia’s new drama is about to be released. I see many people in the circle promoting it.”

Tang Yingxia forced a smile. “That’s everyone being too kind.”

“Not at all,” the girl who spoke earlier said. “It’s because God Xia is amazing. I heard God Xia is also in talks for film rights for two of her novels?”

Tang Yingxia glanced at Yu Wen out of the corner of her eye, tightened her grip on her glass, and smiled at the crowd. “Still in discussion.”

Yu Wen turned her head and gave Tang Yingxia a knowing smile.

The conversation at the table was intermittent, hard to hear clearly. Lu Zhenqiu sat in the innermost seat, occasionally catching snippets of laughter from that direction. Her face was pale, her hands clenched tightly, nails digging into her palms, the pain making her heart pound.

Hua Luo called out, “Qiuqiu?”

Lu Zhenqiu looked up, the redness at the corners of her eyes obvious. Her throat felt tight. “Hm?”

Her slightly low voice made Jin Shuilan look up at her. Hua Luo asked, “Do you need to go to the restroom?”

Lu Zhenqiu belatedly realized. She stood up and said to Jin Shuilan, “Teacher Jin, I’m going to the restroom.”

Hua Luo quickly said, “I’ll go with her.”

Jin Shuilan lowered her head and continued looking at the menu, murmuring a soft “Mm.”

Hua Luo pulled Lu Zhenqiu towards the restroom. On the way, she couldn’t hold it in anymore. “What’s with that Tang Yingxia? Being so ambiguous with Yu Wen? Was she planning to kiss her right in front of you?! I’m so disgusted I could puke up last night’s dinner! If you hadn’t stopped me just now, I would have gone up and torn her apart!”

She spoke with fiery anger. Lu Zhenqiu had also been suppressing her emotions. Although she had prepared herself, those two words had never actually been spoken between them. She closed her eyes, a sudden sourness welling up in her nose.

Lu Zhenqiu, holding back her emotions, rushed into the restroom. Her hands gripped the edge of the sink tightly, veins bulging on the back of her hands, her body tensed to the point of pain.

Seeing this, Hua Luo cried out, “Qiuqiu.”

Seeing her like this, Hua Luo’s heart ached so much she was about to cry. But Lu Zhenqiu bit her lip, forcing back the glistening tears in her eyes. She tilted her head up, blinked hard, and took shallow breaths, trying to fan away the burning sensation in her eyes and the precariously held-back tears. Her face was as pale as paper, the redness at the corners of her eyes even more pronounced.

After a long while, she turned on the faucet, cupped some water, and splashed it on her face. The water was icy cold, seeping through the skin of her fingertips, making her clench her teeth, her body trembling slightly.

Hua Luo patted her shoulder. “Qiuqiu.”

Lu Zhenqiu turned her head, a water droplet still clinging to her chin. She said in a hoarse voice, “I’m fine now.”

Hua Luo was still worried. “Really fine?”

Lu Zhenqiu nodded. She said, “Hua Luo, you go back and keep Teacher Jin company first.”

“Then you…”

Lu Zhenqiu said, “I’ll be back in a bit.”

Hua Luo could only say “Oh,” looking back every few steps. Only when she saw Lu Zhenqiu’s emotions gradually stabilize did she leave the restroom.

Lu Zhenqiu heard the sound of the door closing, turned to look at her bag, took out her makeup, and looked at the person in the mirror, face wet, looking pale and wretched. She parted her lips; they were bitten, and a deep red spread between her lips and tongue. Lu Zhenqiu lowered her head to rinse her mouth. A few minutes later, she looked up and started applying makeup.

It was heavier than her usual makeup.

After finishing her makeup, she walked out of the restroom. Instead of looking for Hua Luo and Jin Shuilan, she walked straight towards Tang Yingxia’s table. From a distance, Tang Yingxia saw someone approaching who looked very much like Lu Zhenqiu. She thought she had drunk too much and was hallucinating, until Lu Zhenqiu stood right in front of their table, and then she shot up from her seat!

Everyone here was a colleague from the radio drama circle, and some knew Lu Zhenqiu. Tang Yingxia’s previously flushed face suddenly turned pale. She looked at Lu Zhenqiu and heard someone beside her exclaim, “Qiuqiu? Long time no see! Where have you been developing your career lately!”

“It really is Qiuqiu! You’ve gotten prettier!”

With makeup on, Lu Zhenqiu’s pallor wasn’t visible. Her eyes were watery and bright, reflecting a beautiful luster. Not only did Tang Yingxia stand up, but Yu Wen also stood up, along with Lu Yan.

Lu Yan was the only one here who knew Yu Wen’s intentions, and besides Tang Yingxia and Yu Wen, the only one who knew Lu Zhenqiu was Tang Yingxia’s girlfriend.

Lu Zhenqiu stood before them. The others made small talk, asking this and that, but Lu Zhenqiu looked straight at Tang Yingxia. Tang Yingxia met her gaze for two seconds, then quickly looked away.

The girl sitting next to Lu Yan said, “Hey, Qiuqiu, are you here for dinner too?”

Lu Zhenqiu’s voice was slightly hoarse. She nodded. “Yes, what a coincidence.”

“It really is a coincidence!” another person chimed in. “By the way, Qiuqiu, are you still on that platform?”

When she first signed with them, some people were not optimistic. The new platform had too many problems and was unstable. Everyone advised her to think twice. But Tang Yingxia kept brainwashing her about its good points: although there were many problems, there was great potential for development; instability meant opportunities and risks coexisted. Most importantly, the person in charge was Tang Yingxia’s friend.

Lu Zhenqiu went without hesitation. As a result, the person in charge resigned even before she did.

She forced a smile. “Not anymore, I switched platforms.”

“Which one did you switch to?” The others became interested. “A big platform or a small one?”

Lu Zhenqiu said, “I haven’t signed a contract yet.”

Everyone understood. After answering them, Lu Zhenqiu looked at Tang Yingxia and said, “God Xia is here too.”

“Yes,” someone said with a smile. “Qiuqiu knows God Xia too!”

Tang Yingxia’s hand, hanging by her side, quickly clenched into a fist, her palm aching from her nails digging in. Her profile was tense. She looked up at Lu Zhenqiu, momentarily unsure what she would say next.

Would she reveal their relationship?

At a time like this?

What would the others think if they knew? If it spread to her readers, the image she had maintained for years would crumble, wouldn’t it? The thought of this possibility sent a chill down Tang Yingxia’s spine.

Lu Zhenqiu saw her expression clearly and said, “Yes, I’ve voiced for God Xia’s radio drama before.”

Tang Yingxia let out a breath, her extremely tense body gradually relaxing. Lu Yan glanced at Yu Wen and said to Lu Zhenqiu, “Qiuqiu has such a good memory. But God Xia might not remember, after all, it was just a small supporting role.”

The atmosphere at the dinner table instantly became tense with that remark. Everyone looked at Lu Yan, then at Lu Zhenqiu, wondering how they had developed a conflict.

From Lu Yan’s tone, it seemed she looked down on Lu Zhenqiu a bit.

It made sense. Lu Zhenqiu’s career in the circle had always been lukewarm, not quite up to par when compared to Lu Yan. But everyone was in the same circle, bound to run into each other. There was no need to make the relationship so stiff.

Lu Zhenqiu, however, didn’t mind and followed Lu Yan’s words, “Yes, God Xia might not remember.”

Yu Wen tried to smooth things over. “God Xia has been so busy lately, it’s normal not to remember. But if it were me, I definitely wouldn’t forget. Qiuqiu is so beautiful, unforgettable at first sight.”

For a moment, everyone didn’t know whether to follow Lu Yan’s lead or continue with Yu Wen’s line of conversation. Fortunately, Tang Yingxia spoke up. “I haven’t forgotten. I actually have something I wanted to talk to you about. Let’s go talk over there.”

Lu Zhenqiu nodded. “Alright.”

After they left, the others began to mutter, “What does God Xia want with Lu Zhenqiu?”

“Could it be that God Xia wants Lu Zhenqiu to voice in her new drama?”

“Don’t talk nonsense, isn’t Lu Yan already cast for the new drama?”

The two people being discussed had already walked out of the main hall and were standing under a tree outside the restaurant. Tang Yingxia frowned. “Why did you come here?”

Lu Zhenqiu glanced at her expression. “Eating with a friend. And you?”

Tang Yingxia’s gaze flickered towards her own table; two people were looking their way. She stood in front of Lu Zhenqiu, blocking the others’ view. “Me too. Crew dinner tonight.”

Lu Zhenqiu nodded and asked, “Then what about Yu Wen? Is she also voicing for your radio drama?”

Tang Yingxia frowned and said, “She’s one of the investors.”

Lu Zhenqiu looked sideways. “Investor? What kind of investment? A physical investment?”

Tang Yingxia was stunned for two seconds, her attitude displeased, as if her fur had been ruffled. “What nonsense are you talking?”

Lu Zhenqiu’s expression was calm, her voice laced with the wind, cold. “Where did I speak nonsense?”

In her memory, Lu Zhenqiu had always been gentle, never hysterical even when arguing. Tang Yingxia was used to her gentle attitude and was momentarily unaccustomed to her thorny words.

Tang Yingxia suppressed her emotions and said, “Qiuqiu, there’s nothing going on between me and Yu Wen. Haven’t I explained it all to you? She and I…”

“Let’s break up.” The sudden sentence exploded, leaving Tang Yingxia stunned. “What?”

Lu Zhenqiu: “I said, let’s break up.”

Tang Yingxia took a step closer to her. “Why?”

Lu Zhenqiu took a deep breath. “I don’t want to be in a relationship that can’t see the light of day anymore.”

“Our relationship isn’t one that can’t see the light of day!”

“Then do you dare to hold my hand right now?!” Lu Zhenqiu looked up, a fire burning in her eyes, scorching and intense. Although they were standing under a tree, Tang Yingxia’s table was by the window, and several people were watching them. Tang Yingxia’s palms were sweating. She said in a low voice, “Qiuqiu, stop fooling around.”

Lu Zhenqiu said, “You don’t dare, do you?”

But she could let Yu Wen lean on her shoulder, lie in her arms.

Lu Zhenqiu’s voice was icy. “Let’s break up.”

She turned and walked away without looking back. Tang Yingxia, disregarding the many eyes watching, grabbed Lu Zhenqiu’s wrist from behind and said in a deep voice, “No! I don’t agree!”

Lu Zhenqiu turned to look at her. The dappled tree shadows enveloped Tang Yingxia in darkness. She suddenly remembered a time she went to the recording studio, and Tang Yingxia waited for her outside late at night, also standing under a tree. Back then, seeing Tang Yingxia filled her heart with warmth, and she couldn’t wait to hug her. Now, all that remained was a heart-wrenching ache and a bone-chilling pain, along with a resistance to getting close.

A sourness spread through her chest, her eyes burning. Lu Zhenqiu stood firmly in front of Tang Yingxia and said, “I’m not asking for your agreement. I’m informing you.”

Her voice was slightly choked but firm and clear. Lu Zhenqiu shook off Tang Yingxia’s hand and said softly, “We’re broken up.”

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The author has something to say:

Thirty red envelopes, muah muah.

Tang Yingxia: My wife wants to break up with me.

Jin Shuilan: Thank you, she’ll be my wife in the future.

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LP: Fumbled the bag fr

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