Have Seen
Qiuqiu, have you seen the boss?
Lu Zhenqiu and Jin Shuilan strolled around the vicinity again after eating dinner, only returning at ten-thirty. The next day was for familiarizing with the streamers from each section, to make it convenient for introductions during the award ceremony. Although Lu Zhenqiu was not familiar with them before, she had more or less gotten to know them all during this period. When she got to Xiao Yu, Xiao Yu winked and gestured with her eyes, “Doing pretty well for yourself, huh.”
She received a roll of the eyes.
Xiao Yu chuckled, “I won’t say it, I won’t say it.”
Lu Zhenqiu pinched her hand and left with her head lowered and a smile. Her relationship with Jin Shuilan was becoming more and more stable, which also gave her a sense of security she had never had before.
She had only had one ex, Tang Yingxia. At that time, wanting to give Tang Yingxia the best, she would consider whether she would disturb Tang Yingxia before doing anything. She would even make phone calls during the time slot when Tang Yingxia was resting. There was a period when Tang Yingxia was in a bad mood, unhappy every day, saying it was because of being stuck on writing. At that time, she wanted to go find Tang Yingxia, to coax her, but when she actually went to her residence, she didn’t even see the person. Only later did she find out that Tang Yingxia had gone to an out-of-town film crew.
At that time, she faintly felt that Tang Yingxia was different from before, but she was just unwilling to believe it, until the matter of Yu Wen erupted, and she truly decided to break up.
When she was together with Tang Yingxia, she was cautious and timid. Cautious and timid when facing her, and even more cautious and timid when facing her readers.
But being with Jin Shuilan, she seemed to have never had the feeling of being cautious and timid.
She could hold hands with Jin Shuilan outside, embrace, and get close without restraint. If she wanted to kiss her, she only needed to turn her head. She liked this kind of security, liked this kind of lack of restraint.
A person encountering happy events has a refreshed spirit1. Lu Zhenqiu’s mood became better and better, and her complexion was also good. When putting on makeup, the makeup artist even praised, “Qiuqiu, your foundation is quite good, you could go act in movies.”
Lu Zhenqiu laughed in spite of herself, “Please don’t make fun of me.”
“Who said I’m making fun.” The makeup artist asked the person next to her, “Is Qiuqiu’s foundation good or not?”
“Does that even need to be said?” The person next to her gave a thumbs up, “She looks good even without makeup.”
Lu Zhenqiu did not wear heavy makeup, just a base and light makeup. Her skin appeared fair and pinkish under the lights, so delicate it looked like it could be broken by a puff of air. A streamer passing by couldn’t help but praise her, “Qiuqiu looks so beautiful today.”
She was wearing an evening gown, a black one, with a hollowed-out back that revealed the butterfly bones2 on both sides, as well as the faintly visible line of her waist bones. A black silk ribbon was tied at her neck, the edges of the ribbon pulling at the outer side of the gown, making the fabric on her chest fit perfectly against her body. Her curves were exquisite, her waist slender and slim. When Xiao Yu brought Jin Shuilan into the dressing room, she saw Lu Zhenqiu with her back to them. Xiao Yu clicked her tongue in her heart: Goodness, this is too alluring!
She turned her head to look at Jin Shuilan, and saw her pair of eyes looking at Lu Zhenqiu, without even blinking.
Xiao Yu tilted her head, “Teacher Jin, our Qiuqiu is beautiful, right?”
Jin Shuilan was wearing a beige trench coat that covered her chin, revealing only a pair of eyes. She wore glasses, and her bangs were scattered on her forehead. There were many streamers coming and going, and no one noticed her.
She nodded, “Beautiful.”
Xiao Yu giggled and said, “I’ll go call Qiuqiu.”
Saying that, she walked to Lu Zhenqiu’s side and patted her on the shoulder. The annual meeting livestream started at two in the afternoon, and everyone was currently changing clothes and doing makeup. It was noisy inside. Lu Zhenqiu only saw Xiao Yu after turning her head. She asked, “Where did you go?”
“To pick someone up.” Xiao Yu said, “I called a friend to come watch the livestream, I just went to pick her up.”
Lu Zhenqiu turned her head, “You went…”
Her eyes met Jin Shuilan’s gaze, that pair of smiling eyes. Lu Zhenqiu was stunned, her mind instantly crashing for a few seconds, then she looked at Xiao Yu, “Why didn’t you tell me.”
Xiao Yu pushed her shoulder, “Go on.”
Lu Zhenqiu got up and walked to Jin Shuilan’s side. She was wearing high heels, at eye level with Jin Shuilan, her face full of happiness and joy, “Why did you come?”
Jin Shuilan lifted her chin to point at Xiao Yu, “She invited me.”
After speaking, she said in a low voice, “You wouldn’t even let me come.”
“I didn’t know…” Lu Zhenqiu bit her lip. Her lipstick was a dark color, making her teeth appear even whiter, truly lips red, teeth white3. Lu Zhenqiu really didn’t know if she could bring people in. It was her first time participating in the evening gala, and as a host at that, so she didn’t dare to casually bring someone in. But Xiao Yu had already participated for two years, so she knew the rules a little better than Lu Zhenqiu. She said to Lu Zhenqiu, “You should take Teacher Jin to the lounge.”
Lu Zhenqiu nodded and led Jin Shuilan to the innermost lounge. The rooms at the front were all crowded with people, with many streamers gathered together chatting and cracking melon seeds. Lu Zhenqiu was originally nervous because of going on stage, and now seeing Jin Shuilan, she became even more nervous, her palms sweating. She wanted to pour a cup of warm water for Jin Shuilan but couldn’t even hold the cup steady.
Jin Shuilan laughed in spite of herself, took the cup from her hand, poured a cup of warm water, and handed it to Lu Zhenqiu.
Lu Zhenqiu looked at her for a couple of seconds, meeting that pair of calm and steady eyes, and her heart suddenly settled down. All her previous nervousness slowly subsided under her gaze.
She took a sip of the warm water. Jin Shuilan asked, “Is it hot?”
Lu Zhenqiu shook her head, “It’s not hot anymore.”
Jin Shuilan smiled, and took a sip from the edge of the cup where Lu Zhenqiu had just drunk. A faint lipstick mark was left on the edge of the paper cup, like an indirect kiss. Although they had kissed many times, Lu Zhenqiu’s face still turned red.
She lowered her head, her fingers fiddling with the edge of the paper cup. Jin Shuilan asked, “Are you nervous?”
Lu Zhenqiu raised her eyes, nodded quickly, and said, “A little nervous.”
After all, it was her first time on stage, and it was a live broadcast. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t nervous. Jin Shuilan watched her deep breathing motion with a faint smile, suddenly leaned over and kissed the corner of Lu Zhenqiu’s lips, asking, “Still nervous?”
Lu Zhenqiu’s hand tightened on the edge of the paper cup. She stared at her fixedly, only coming back to her senses after a few seconds, “Still…”
Jin Shuilan leaned over and kissed her again, “What about now?”
Lu Zhenqiu was made to laugh, “That’s enough from you.”
Seeing her smile, Jin Shuilan finally stood up straight, took a step back, and straightened Lu Zhenqiu’s bangs for her. Her gaze was calm. Influenced by her, Lu Zhenqiu’s heart also became surprisingly quiet, no longer beating wildly. Jin Shuilan called out, “Qiuqiu.”
Her voice was slightly low, carrying a bewitching quality. Hearing her voice, Lu Zhenqiu couldn’t help but look at her. The two of them looked at each other, the distance between them getting closer and closer. Lu Zhenqiu suddenly spoke, “I’ll recite my lines first.”
Jin Shuilan was at a loss whether to cry or laugh when she heard her words.
Lu Zhenqiu really started reciting her lines. The opening remarks were a very long segment, and there were also the sponsors. Lu Zhenqiu recited it all in one breath and asked Jin Shuilan, “How was it?”
Jin Shuilan clapped, “Very great.”
Very great, very charming. A serious Lu Zhenqiu was hard to resist, possessing a kind of attractive magic. Jin Shuilan’s eyes never left Lu Zhenqiu, right up until someone came looking for Lu Zhenqiu. Jin Shuilan raised her collar again. Lu Zhenqiu said, “There are a few seats in the back row that are unoccupied, have Xiao Yu take you there.”
Jin Shuilan nodded, “Okay, I know.”
The duration of this evening gala was quite long, and it was a live broadcast. Starting from the afternoon, there were program performances after the award ceremony. Lu Zhenqiu and her partner’s main job was to interview the streamers and introduce the event segments. Her partner had already hosted the evening gala for two years and was more experienced than her. Before going on stage, he comforted her, “Don’t be nervous, I’ve memorized all the lines for your part. If you get stuck on a word, I’ll help you.”
Lu Zhenqiu said gratefully, “Thank you.”
“What’s there to be polite about.” Her partner had a small dimple when he smiled, looking very sunny. “We all started as newcomers. Just do it like we did in rehearsal, you’re already very great.”
Lu Zhenqiu took a deep breath. Her heart, which had just stabilized, started to race wildly again, this time faster than any time before, about to jump out of her throat. As the music sounded, her partner extended his hand to her. Lu Zhenqiu’s chest was heaving noticeably, her palm was moist, and she almost couldn’t hold the microphone. She had to keep telling herself not to be nervous, not to be nervous, before she could finally take her partner’s hand. The two of them walked towards the stage together. First was the routine signing. In front of them was a signing board, an entire wall. After the two signed their names, they walked in step onto the red stage.
“Good afternoon.” Lu Zhenqiu spoke first, her voice clear and clean, ike the ding-dong of spring waterefn_note]泉水叮咚 (quánshuǐ dīngdōng): Literally “spring water ding-dong.” An onomatopoeic phrase used to describe the pleasant, clear, and tinkling sound of flowing spring water, often used metaphorically to describe a beautiful and clear voice or music. [/efn_note], making the eardrums of those who heard it tremble. Jin Shuilan sat below the stage, looking up. The lights shone on Lu Zhenqiu. Her figure was thin yet firm. The black evening gown clung to her body, her beautiful hair had just been arranged by her, her makeup was exquisite; there was not a single part that did not exude two words——perfect.
She looked towards the stage, a smile on her face.
The camera cut from the stage to below the stage. When Lu Zhenqiu looked at the big screen, she saw Jin Shuilan, who was swept by the lights, in a single glance. Although she was wrapped up tightly, she still saw Jin Shuilan’s position. Looking up again, she met Jin Shuilan’s gaze right on, carrying a reassuring steadiness.
Lu Zhenqiu’s chaotic heartbeat gradually stabilized. After listening to her partner’s lines, she raised the microphone and continued, her attitude poised and generous, her enunciation clear, not showing the slightest stage fright.
Behind her were two large screens. One showed the audience below the stage, and the other showed the real-time bullet comments, which were filled with the names of Qiuqiu and her partner, accompanied by all sorts of confessions, praising her for her good performance. Lu Zhenqiu inadvertently glanced at it, and the heart that was in her throat was put back. She and her partner bowed, “Thank you, thank you everyone.”
Her partner timely said a couple of witty remarks. The bullet comments immediately burst into laughter, and the audience below the stage also responded cooperatively with applause. Standing in the spotlight, Lu Zhenqiu became more and more composed, more and more able to retract and release with ease4.
She quickly kept up with her partner’s pace and could even occasionally catch a couple of jokes. Laughter rang out from below the stage from time to time. Lu Zhenqiu’s muddled thoughts gradually cleared up. In the midst of laughter and conversation, she introduced the first streamer to receive an award. The one presenting the award this time was still the general manager, Mo Bai. Lu Zhenqiu had heard that the boss was originally supposed to come, but for some reason, the notice was changed at the last minute, saying he had no time to come over, so it was still Mo Bai who went on stage to present the award.
After the award was presented, there was a speech. Lu Zhenqiu’s partner beside her said, “What a pity, I thought the boss would come this year.”
Lu Zhenqiu turned her head to the side, “Has the boss never participated before?”
“Never.” Her partner said, “Ever since the Sanshui Evening Gala started, it has always been the person in charge who helps present the awards. I heard this is just one of the boss’s subsidiary companies, so the boss doesn’t care about it very much.”
Lu Zhenqiu nodded.
Her partner added, “Who knows, anyway, we’ve never seen the boss either.” After he finished speaking, he looked at Lu Zhenqiu, “Qiuqiu, have you seen the boss?”
“Me?” Lu Zhenqiu shook her head, “No.”
Sitting below the stage, Jin Shuilan suddenly sneezed. She rubbed the tip of her nose, couldn’t hold it back, and sneezed again.
The author has something to say:
Thirty red envelopes, memeda.
Partner: Qiuqiu, have you seen the boss?
Lu Zhenqiu: No.
Mo Bai: How strange, the boss’s wife says she hasn’t seen the boss.
Jin Shuilan: ……
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