Troublesome – Chapter 80

Qiuqiu

…pulled her inside with one grab!

Lu Zhenqiu raised her eyes. Jin Shuilan was standing in front of her. She had just taken off her overcoat and was wearing a light yellow knit shirt inside. Her fair face was red. Both of them lowered their heads to look at the photo album. Jin Shuilan asked: “You saw them all?”

“En.” Lu Zhenqiu’s tone was serious: “I saw them all.”

Jin Shuilan took a breath, trying hard to recall her own childhood photos. However, too much time had passed, and she couldn’t even remember a blurry shadow of them. He Jinmei gave her a push from behind: “What are you doing.”

She turned her head to look at He Jinmei and called out helplessly: “Mom!”

He Jinmei came back to her senses and started to explain: “Actually, you were quite cute when you were little. Qiuqiu was just praising you. Besides, which family’s child didn’t wear diapers when they were little? If you cover the face, they all look the same. Ai ai ai…”

Before she could finish speaking, she saw Jin Shuilan pull Lu Zhenqiu away.

The two of them entered the room.

Lu Zhenqiu suppressed a laugh. Jin Shuilan shot her a sidelong glance. Lu Zhenqiu cleared her throat and stood up straight: “I only saw a little.”

Jin Shuilan didn’t believe her: “Really?”

Lu Zhenqiu quickly nodded: “Really, you were really cute when you were little.”

Jin Shuilan’s bellyful of emotions was dispelled by these words. The roots of her ears turned red. She gave a light cough and said: “You too.”

Lu Zhenqiu craned her head: “Ah?”

Jin Shuilan said: “You are also cute now.”

It was Lu Zhenqiu’s turn to blush.

She said awkwardly: “Let’s go out. Auntie is still outside.”

Jin Shuilan made an “en” sound but did not open the door. Instead, she stood in front of Lu Zhenqiu, blocking the way. She asked: “Where is Maomao?”

Lu Zhenqiu’s nose was filled with her clear and cold fragrance, which condensed with the chilly wind into a cold scent that rushed to her face. The distance between the two was no more than an arm’s length. Lu Zhenqiu’s face felt slightly hot. She replied: “In the room next to yours.”

Jin Shuilan extended a hand. Lu Zhenqiu wondered what she was going to do, her gaze following that hand. Seeing her straighten the hem of her clothes, she felt an inexplicable sense of disappointment in her heart. Jin Shuilan said: “I’ll go see it.”

Lu Zhenqiu nodded: “En.”

She turned, intending to make some distance, but Jin Shuilan suddenly grabbed her wrist. Slender fingers imprisoned her wrist, warm and forceful. Jin Shuilan said: “You accompany me.”

Lu Zhenqiu lowered her head to look at the right hand gripping her own wrist. Its knuckles were distinct. The little bit of disappointment from just now was easily filled, and her heart felt sweet. She nodded: “Oh.”

She peeked at Jin Shuilan from the corner of her eye. Just then, Jin Shuilan turned her head to glance at her. Lu Zhenqiu quickly retracted her gaze and looked left and right. Jin Shuilan pulled open the door and led her into the room next door.

Maomao heard the sound and got up. Seeing her and Jin Shuilan come in together, it happily wagged its bottom, forgetting that it was in a strange place. It jumped and bounced happily. Jin Shuilan rubbed its head and said: “Stay here peacefully. Wait for me to come back and give you good things to eat.”

“Woof!” Maomao, not knowing if it understood, barked once in agreement. Jin Shuilan said: “Let’s go, we’re going to eat.”

Lu Zhenqiu followed her out the door. Jin Shuilan went back to her room to change her clothes. When putting on an overcoat, she chose the white one. After the two went out, Jin Shuilan said: “So cold.”

The cold wind blew chillingly against their faces. Lu Zhenqiu had both hands in her pockets to keep them warm. She turned her head. Jin Shuilan was complaining about the cold. She saw that Jin Shuilan’s overcoat didn’t even have pockets and said: “It’ll be just a moment…”

Before she finished speaking, Jin Shuilan put her hand into her pocket.

Lu Zhenqiu turned her head. Jin Shuilan’s expression was as usual, looking as if the clouds were light and the wind was gentle. It was just that the hand she had placed in her pocket slowly pushed its way between her own fingers, then inserted itself, their ten fingers tightly interlaced.

It seemed it wasn’t so cold anymore.

Lu Zhenqiu lowered her head. The hand held by Jin Shuilan quickly started to sweat. The two of them, with a tacit understanding, did not say anything to break the silence. Jin Shuilan asked: “What time is the flight tomorrow morning?”

“Eight thirty.” Lu Zhenqiu said: “I’m going with Xiao Yu together.”

Jin Shuilan nodded: “Then you don’t need me to see you off?”

Lu Zhenqiu said: “No need. I’m going to Xiao Yu’s place tonight. Her house is close to the airport. I’ve already sent my luggage over.”

Jin Shuilan had been busy these two days, and Lu Zhenqiu didn’t want to disturb her, so she packed everything herself. Jin Shuilan leaned a little closer to her and said: “I’ll see you off next time.”

Lu Zhenqiu smiled: “Okay.”

However, the number of times she went on business trips was probably not as many as Jin Shuilan. Being both a screenwriter and an author who holds book signings, Jin Shuilan was much busier than her.

The two quickly got into the car. Lu Zhenqiu said: “Let me drive.”

Jin Shuilan had been dead tired these past few days. When there was a chance, it was better to let her rest well. Jin Shuilan did not insist and handed over the keys. When Lu Zhenqiu took the keys, Jin Shuilan even tickled her palm. Lu Zhenqiu remained silent, merely clenching the keys tightly.

After the two got in the car, Lu Zhenqiu turned on the air conditioner and said: “You sleep for a while first. I’ll call you when we arrive.”

Jin Shuilan was lying in the passenger seat. She didn’t sleep either, but leaned against the seat and turned her head to watch Lu Zhenqiu drive. Lu Zhenqiu held the steering wheel with both hands, her expression earnest and serious, her gaze burning. On her exposed wrist, she wore a red string. The red string had no decorations on it. Against her fair skin, it was simple and delicate, exceptionally fitting.

Inside, Lu Zhenqiu was wearing a light gray base shirt, a plush type, very form-fitting. Her overcoat was a short style, orange-red, which complemented her skin, making it appear white and her waist slender.

Jin Shuilan couldn’t help but take a couple more glances. Lu Zhenqiu sensed the gaze from her side, and her hands gripping the steering wheel tightened, showing obvious nervousness. She asked with a taut face: “Aren’t you going to sleep?”

“I am.” Jin Shuilan said: “I’ll sleep right away.”

How was it like coaxing someone? Her tone was low and gentle. Lu Zhenqiu felt that the car’s air conditioner temperature was set too high; the blowing air was making one feel flustered and hot.

They finally arrived at the hot pot restaurant. Today was Xiao Yu’s treat. She was already sitting inside early on, with Hua Luo opposite her. When Lu Zhenqiu arrived, Hua Luo waved: “Over here!”

Hua Luo grinned: “You came with Teacher Jin.”

Lu Zhenqiu nodded and walked to her side. Xiao Yu poured her a cup of tea and said: “We’re waiting for Teacher Ji. Has Teacher Ji been very busy lately?”

“It seems to be about the radio drama promotion, and post-production, I think. She is quite busy.”

Hua Luo nodded: “I listened to the trailer for your radio drama. It was truly amazing.”

Jin Shuilan sat beside Lu Zhenqiu. Hua Luo was still praising on her own: “The emotion was so on point. In the future, for my radio dramas, you should come voice a character for me too.”

Lu Zhenqiu smiled: “If it’s suitable, I’ll come.”

“Suitable!” Hua Luo said: “It must be suitable! We two are a match made in heaven. Who would dare say it’s not suitable!”

Hearing this, Jin Shuilan gave a muffled cough. Hua Luo looked over. Jin Shuilan explained: “The wind outside is strong. I just choked on it.”

Hua Luo nodded: “It is. When I came just now, I almost froze to death.”

Xiao Yu picked up the conversation: “Qiuqiu, have you not been notified who your roommate is yet?”

Lu Zhenqiu was taken aback: “I’ll ask the person in charge.”

After she finished speaking, she sent a message to the person in charge. Not long after, she received a reply. Lu Zhenqiu said: “Her name is Xiao Ping¹.”

“Xiao Ping, ah. I know her. She has a very good temper and is easy to get along with.” Xiao Yu said: “If the roommate is her, then there won’t be any problems. I was just afraid it would be Lu Yan!”

Lu Yan was now, openly and secretly, trying to push Lu Zhenqiu out. Every day in her live streaming room, she would secretly compete. If the fan voting didn’t keep up or the popularity wasn’t enough, she would dance or start a PK². A few times, she even ran into Lu Zhenqiu. Lu Zhenqiu didn’t really care; in a PK, you win some, you lose some. But Lu Yan seemed unable to accept losing. Every time she lost, her face would become very long.

Now everyone on Sanshui knew that the two of them in the entertainment section had a feeling of one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers³. Some people were even placing bets on whether one of them would leave next year. Most people bet that Lu Zhenqiu would leave. After all, Lu Zhenqiu was a newcomer who had risen quickly, but her foundation wasn’t that stable, whereas Lu Yan was an old streamer of several years with many fans, so the website would definitely protect Lu Yan.

Xiao Yu sneered: “How interesting. It was clearly her who came to PK with you, and after losing, she posts on Weibo to secretly throw shade⁴. Who is she trying to disgust.”

“Truly the same kind of person.” Hua Luo muttered: “Exactly the same as Yu Wen.”

Xiao Yu was puzzled: “What’s up with Yu Wen?”

Hua Luo said: “A while ago, Yu Wen started a new novel. Wasn’t she bundled with Teacher Bai? Then Teacher Bai sought me out…” They all knew about this matter. Hua Luo curled her lip: “Now Yu Wen posts on Weibo every day, insinuating that I’m hugging a thigh⁵.”

When she saw the Weibo post at the time, she was so angry she rolled her eyes.

Yu Wen even said that she was clumsy with words, didn’t know how to talk, didn’t have many social connections, and didn’t know how to promote, so she thanked everyone for the promotion. Those readers, while comforting her, also insinuated that Hua Luo was hugging Bai Mao’s thigh.

Xiao Yu sneered coldly: “Shamelessness has entered one family. Back then, she was hugging…”

She didn’t want to mention that person.

Xiao Yu and Hua Luo tactfully stopped the discussion. Just then, Bai Mao and Ji Zibo arrived. The six of them sat down together. Ji Zibo said: “Parking took half a day.”

It was dinnertime, so there weren’t many parking spots. They had a hard time finding a spot, and after parking, they hurried over. Hua Luo said: “Order food, order food.”

Afterwards, the menu went around and ended up with Jin Shuilan. Jin Shuilan passed it to Lu Zhenqiu. Lu Zhenqiu lowered her head: “What do you want to eat? Do you want tofu?”

Jin Shuilan tilted her head slightly, close to her, and said in a low voice: “Let’s have one portion.” Her finger pointed at the vegetarian dishes: “Let’s have one portion of Yunsi⁶.”

Lu Zhenqiu ticked it off, then chose two more dishes before passing the menu to Hua Luo. While waiting for the dishes to arrive, the soup base came first, bubbling and steaming as it heated up. They all took off their overcoats, wearing base shirts and knit shirts. Jin Shuilan folded up her cuffs, revealing her beautiful arms. On her wrist, she wore a black watch that fit her wrist perfectly, making her wrist look firm and strong.

Jin Shuilan glanced at her wristwatch. It was eight o’clock before they officially started eating hot pot. They were all idly chatting about recent gossip, especially the rumors about the film and television industry tightening up. Ji Zibo said: “You guys actually haven’t been affected? I saw several production crews have stopped.”

“It’s not that exaggerated.” Jin Shuilan said: “At worst, it will just be pushed back a bit.”

Ji Zibo shook her head: “Not too optimistic. I heard there’s only one drama next year?”

Bai Mao said: “Is it confirmed?”

Everyone looked towards Jin Shuilan in unison, seeming to feel that her words were the most reliable. Jin Shuilan glanced at Lu Zhenqiu and said: “Not yet.”

After she finished speaking, she put down her chopsticks and asked Lu Zhenqiu: “Is it delicious?”

Lu Zhenqiu had just eaten a meatball and taken a sip of tea. Hearing Jin Shuilan’s question, she raised her eyes. Her eyelashes brushed past, slightly curled and dense. In the depths of her eyes was Jin Shuilan’s reflection. Her nose was elegant and straight, her thin lips slightly parted.

Seeing her like this, Jin Shuilan inexplicably thought of Xiao Yu’s words that had come to an abrupt stop just now, the name that was almost mentioned. She clearly knew that next year’s new drama would most likely be Tang Yingxia’s, but she didn’t want to mention it. At least, not in front of Lu Zhenqiu.

The emotions she was trying hard to suppress began to grow bit by bit.

Lu Zhenqiu nodded: “The taste is quite good. What do you think?”

Jin Shuilan said: “It’s alright. The hot pot restaurant you said you wanted to take me to last time, where is it?”

Lu Zhenqiu replied to her: “It’s over in Nanshi⁷.”

She spoke in a soft and sweet manner. Because she was keeping her voice down, it was on the lower side, as if speaking right next to one’s ear. Jin Shuilan looked at her several times, took out her phone, and said: “Qiuqiu, my car is blocking someone. Go move it for me.”

Lu Zhenqiu frowned: “That can’t be, right?”

How could she remember parking it in a parking space? How could it still be blocking someone? Jin Shuilan said: “Someone sent me a message.”

Lu Zhenqiu nodded: “Then I’ll go move it.”

After she finished speaking, she stood up. Jin Shuilan handed her the car keys and a piece of chewing gum. Lu Zhenqiu took it and broke open the wrapper. It was mint-flavored. The moment she held it on the tip of her tongue, a wave of coolness spread. Xiao Yu said: “Come back quickly.”

Hua Luo reached out her hand: “Teacher Jin, I want chewing gum too.”

Jin Shuilan placed the chewing gum on the table and chewed a piece herself.

Watching Lu Zhenqiu’s figure disappear from sight, Jin Shuilan then stood up and said: “She didn’t take her overcoat. I’ll go deliver it to her.”

Xiao Yu seemed to have noticed something was up and gave Hua Luo a look. Hua Luo leaned over: “What’s wrong with your eyes?”

Xiao Yu wished she could knock her out with a single slap!

Lu Zhenqiu walked to the elevator entrance. Only when the wind blew did she remember that she wasn’t wearing her overcoat. She turned back, turning around to walk quickly back towards the hot pot table. As she passed the safety door of the stairwell, a hand wearing a wristwatch reached out from inside and pulled her in with one grab!

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The author has something to say:

Thirty red envelopes, memeda.

Jin Shuilan: Qiuqiu, it’s dark.

Lu Zhenqiu: What for?

Jin Shuilan: It’s dark, time to sleep.

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