Troublesome – Chapter 7

Explanation

Chen Shimei¹ really is a piece of work.

Tang Yingxia felt as if she’d been struck by lightning, standing frozen on the spot. Lu Zhenqiu had already walked into the main hall. She took two steps forward when her phone beeped. Lowering her head, she saw a message from Yu Wen: 【Are you okay? What happened?】

Her throat felt dry, a suffocating tightness constricting her chest. Just a second ago, she had almost impulsively gone after Lu Zhenqiu. Yu Wen’s message was like a splash of cold water, dousing her from head to toe and forcing her to calm down.

Their relationship couldn’t be known yet.

At least, not now.

Tang Yingxia replied to Yu Wen that she was fine, clutching her phone tightly. In her peripheral vision, she saw everyone at that table stand up. Soon after, they filed out one by one. Lu Yan said, “It’s getting late, let’s all head home.”

The others had also pretty much finished chatting and had no objections. Yu Wen stood beside Tang Yingxia. Lu Yan asked, “God Xia, are you taking Wenwen home?”

Tang Yingxia nodded. “Okay.”

Her face was a little pale, but it was dark, so no one noticed. The group walked out in a large procession. As soon as Yu Wen and Tang Yingxia settled into the taxi, Yu Wen asked, “What happened just now?”

Tang Yingxia’s lips trembled slightly. “Nothing.”

Yu Wen turned her head to look at her. Back when she had chosen Tang Yingxia from among many works, part of it was due to her own selfish reasons. Tang Yingxia had been in this circle for a long time, had extensive connections, a stable foundation, and many readers. In the baihe author circle, her status was second only to Jin Shuilan.

Jin Shuilan had already reached a height that Yu Wen couldn’t approach even if she wanted to throw money at promoting her. Tang Yingxia was different. Baihe film and television were just starting to develop, and many capitalists were still observing. Signing Tang Yingxia at this time was a wise choice for her.

Of course, there was another reason: she genuinely had good feelings for Tang Yingxia, which was why she had proactively created some minor ambiguous situations. When she first met Tang Yingxia, she truly didn’t know Tang Yingxia had a girlfriend. She only found out after seeing Tang Yingxia answer a call from Lu Zhenqiu after a meeting and asking about it. But Tang Yingxia never made it public, so gradually, she stopped taking Lu Zhenqiu seriously.

Anyway, whether they broke up or not, in her eyes, Lu Zhenqiu was someone who couldn’t be seen in public.

Yu Wen leaned close to Tang Yingxia, patted her shoulder, and asked with concern, “God Xia, is your girlfriend angry?”

“Did she see us eating together and misunderstand?”

As she spoke, her breath, carrying a faint scent of alcohol from being tipsy, brushed past Tang Yingxia’s ear. Tang Yingxia turned her head, suppressed her emotions, and said, “It’s nothing.”

Yu Wen said somewhat apologetically, “Let me help you explain…”

Tang Yingxia said, “No need. I’ll talk to her properly.”

In her view, Lu Zhenqiu was just momentarily angry. Then she remembered Lu Zhenqiu messaging her yesterday saying Maomao was missing. It was most likely because Maomao was missing, and she hadn’t personally gone back to help look, so Lu Zhenqiu was throwing a tantrum. It had to be that.

Having identified the point of conflict, Tang Yingxia wasn’t so agitated anymore. She said to Yu Wen, “You drank quite a bit tonight. Go back and get some good rest.”

Yu Wen gave her a sweet smile. “Mm, okay.”

After saying that, she added worriedly, “Then give me a call when you get home.”

Tang Yingxia nodded and waved goodbye to Yu Wen at the entrance of the residential complex. She didn’t go back to her apartment in the city center but instead had the driver take her directly to Lu Zhenqiu’s place. On the way, she even bought a bouquet of flowers.

When they first started dating, she had urged Lu Zhenqiu to move in with her, but Lu Zhenqiu felt things were progressing too quickly and didn’t agree. Two months later, Tang Yingxia began participating in script production, often needing to attend video conferences, making cohabitation inconvenient. The two became more like they were in an online relationship. In these past two years, Tang Yingxia’s career had developed rapidly, from being lukewarm to now being one of the top figures in her circle. Initially, she had thought about making their relationship public. Her original plan was to wait for Lu Zhenqiu’s birthday to give her a surprise. They had gotten together in the summer, and Lu Zhenqiu’s birthday was at the beginning of winter, November 1st, very easy to remember. Lu Zhenqiu often said her family had given her the wrong name; she should have been called Zhen Dong (Pillow Winter). At that time, Tang Yingxia only found Lu Zhenqiu adorable for saying such things.

However, before Lu Zhenqiu’s birthday arrived, Tang Yingxia’s opportunity came first. The negotiations for the film and television rights went very smoothly. Afterward, she cooperated with promotions. At that time, Jin Shuilan’s baihe drama had become a massive hit, and fans were eagerly awaiting² more baihe dramas. With the right time, the right place, and the right people, Tang Yingxia’s success was expected.

She enjoyed the sudden halos of various kinds and the countless gazes focused on her. Her “single” persona also became a running gag that readers played along with. Gradually, she no longer wanted to bring up the matter of making their relationship public and would sometimes even join in on the gag with her readers.

Lu Zhenqiu never voiced any objections, and Tang Yingxia took it for granted, completely forgetting that being in a relationship was a perfectly normal thing. If Lu Zhenqiu hadn’t suddenly brought up breaking up today, Tang Yingxia might never have realized Lu Zhenqiu’s grievances.

Standing in the elevator, Tang Yingxia thought about what she would say to Lu Zhenqiu later: that she and Yu Wen really had no special relationship, and that once her two film/TV projects were confirmed, she would make their relationship public.

Soon, the elevator arrived. Tang Yingxia stood at the door holding the flowers. She hadn’t called Lu Zhenqiu, wanting to give her a surprise. Tang Yingxia rang the doorbell, but the expected response didn’t come. She frowned. Hadn’t Lu Zhenqiu returned yet?

Then Tang Yingxia glanced at her watch. It was almost nine o’clock. Could she still be eating there?

An inexplicable feeling lingered in Tang Yingxia’s heart. She took out the key from her bag and opened the door. It was pitch black inside. She turned on the lights and looked into the two rooms, feeling that something was off. Then, she immediately realized—Lu Zhenqiu was gone!

Because Maomao wasn’t here anymore!

Tang Yingxia’s heart lurched with panic. As she put down the flowers, she saw a key on the coffee table—the very key she had given to Lu Zhenqiu. Besides the key, there was also an envelope. Tang Yingxia’s face paled slightly. She opened the envelope and saw several red banknotes³ stuffed inside, along with a sticky note: 【Rent. Thanks.】

It was Lu Zhenqiu’s handwriting!

Tang Yingxia hurriedly took out her phone from her bag and called Lu Zhenqiu. No matter how many times she called, no one answered. Only then did she realize that Lu Zhenqiu probably didn’t want to answer her calls. Helpless, she found her on WeChat and sent a message—a huge red exclamation mark appeared!

Lu Zhenqiu had actually blocked her?

Tang Yingxia found it incredible, and the panic in her heart intensified. When Lu Zhenqiu had mentioned breaking up outside the restaurant, she hadn’t felt this way. Now, with delayed realization, she understood that Lu Zhenqiu hadn’t said it on a whim—she was serious.

She really wanted to break up!

How could this be!

Tang Yingxia immediately contacted their mutual friends, but none of them knew where Lu Zhenqiu had gone. Tang Yingxia gritted her teeth and finally called Hua Luo.

Hua Luo had just finished her shower and was enviously chatting with Lu Zhenqiu about the automatic massage bathtub when Tang Yingxia’s call came in. Her hand trembled, and she almost dropped her phone into the tub.

Tang Yingxia got straight to the point⁴: “Hua Luo, where’s Qiuqiu?”

Hua Luo, wrapped in a bath towel and drying her wet hair, picked her ear upon hearing the question and asked, “Who? Who’s Qiuqiu? Isn’t your new wife Yu Wen?”

Tang Yingxia said, “Yu Wen and I are just friends…”

“Oh, just friends? What kind of friends? The hugging and cuddling kind of friends?” Hua Luo laughed angrily. She said, “Tang Yingxia, although my achievements in writing novels aren’t as good as yours, when it comes to being a decent human being, you need to have a basic conscience. How Qiuqiu has treated you these past two years, I don’t need to elaborate, do I? And what about you to her? When you were being ambiguous with Yu Wen, you didn’t consider her at all. Why bother coming to me now, all hypocritical? Or is it because Qiuqiu has run off now? Now you’re worried?”

That’s truly despicable!

Tang Yingxia was tongue-tied. “I…”

Hua Luo interrupted her again. “You should actually be glad that you met Qiuqiu. If it were me, and you were messing around with other women outside, I would have torn you to shreds until not even your skin was left!”

After saying her piece, she hung up the phone, feeling refreshed.

The resentment from the whole evening had finally been vented. Hua Luo hugged her phone and sent a message to Lu Zhenqiu: 【Did you use that bathtub tonight?】

Lu Zhenqiu was drinking water. She swallowed before replying to Hua Luo: 【No.】

Hua Luo hugged her phone. She had originally wanted to tell Lu Zhenqiu about Tang Yingxia contacting her just now, but after thinking about it, she didn’t send it. She typed: 【Why didn’t you use it? You have no idea how envious I am! Next time Teacher Jin isn’t home, call me over!】

Lu Zhenqiu pursed her lips: 【The way you say it sounds like you’re planning a secret rendezvous.】

Hua Luo: 【Isn’t it just a secret rendezvous? But my little lover is the massage bathtub!】

Lu Zhenqiu gently shook her head. Hua Luo sent another message: 【Has Sanshui⁵ not replied to you yet?】

Sanshui was currently the largest live-streaming platform. They had sent her an invitation two years ago, but at that time, she had gone to Tang Yingxia’s friend’s place and politely declined Sanshui. This time, when looking for a platform, a friend she often played games with said they could help recommend her to Sanshui, so Lu Zhenqiu had sent over her resume and information.

It had been almost a week, and there was still no reply.

Lu Zhenqiu typed: 【No rush, let’s wait a bit longer.】

Hua Luo admired Lu Zhenqiu’s patience and forbearance. She hadn’t lied to Tang Yingxia; if it had been her today, whether Tang Yingxia could have safely walked out of the restaurant would have been questionable. But Lu Zhenqiu still considered Tang Yingxia’s last bit of face.

To preserve her ex-girlfriend’s face even after breaking up—Hua Luo truly felt that Lu Zhenqiu was gentle to the core.

Lu Zhenqiu was looking at Hua Luo’s message when there was a knock on her room door. She looked up, put down her phone, walked over, and opened the door. Jin Shuilan was holding a fruit platter and asked, “Want some fruit?”

“Okay, thank you.” Lu Zhenqiu smiled. As she walked out of the room, she intended to keep Maomao inside. Since she had just arrived, she was afraid Jin Shuilan might not be used to it, so Maomao hadn’t left the room yet. Jin Shuilan looked towards her room and said, “Let Maomao out.”

Lu Zhenqiu turned her head, opened the door, and Maomao walked out, wagging its tail. It rubbed against Lu Zhenqiu’s legs. Lu Zhenqiu patted its head and said, “It was Teacher Jin who let you out.”

It really could understand human speech. Hearing this, Maomao obediently walked over to Jin Shuilan and rubbed its head against her waist. Jin Shuilan chuckled. “Quite well-behaved.”

When talking about dogs, Lu Zhenqiu became more talkative. She said, “Mm, Maomao has always been very well-behaved. Ever since he was a puppy and I brought him home, he could understand what we said…”

Jin Shuilan looked up at Lu Zhenqiu, listening to her speak without saying anything.

The two walked from the doorway to the sofa and sat down. The TV was on. Lu Zhenqiu said, “Teacher Jin likes watching historical dramas too?”

“I do.” Jin Shuilan said, “This is a TV series I’ve been enjoying recently. Want to watch it together?”

Lu Zhenqiu asked, “What series is it?”

Jin Shuilan picked up a piece of apple from the fruit platter and said nonchalantly⁶, “The Biography of Chen Shimei.”

Hearing this name, Lu Zhenqiu’s chewing paused for two seconds. Jin Shuilan sighed, “This Chen Shimei, he’s really a piece of work.” After saying this, she tilted her head and asked, “Zhenqiu, don’t you agree?”

The piece of apple got stuck in her throat, and the juice choked Lu Zhenqiu. She forced it down, her voice tight, “Mm, yes, he is.”

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The author has something to say:

Thirty red envelopes, muah muah.

Tang Yingxia: Are you scolding me?

Jin Shuilan: You’re not worthy.

Tang Yingxia: …

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