After A Secret Marriage With The Trending Queen - Chapter 27

Chapter 27

“Alright, the rest of the time is for you two siblings.” Wang Lin gave a slight smile, gave Shen Lu an encouraging pat on the shoulder, and then took the elevator upstairs with Ye Qin.

Shen Lu guiltily sneaked a peek at Shen Jing. To her surprise, Shen Jing childishly glared at her, and with a huff, walked into the room. Shen Lu quickly followed him in with a thick skin and closed the door, calling out affectionately, “Xiao Jingjing, it was my fault for misunderstanding you. Can you forgive me?”

Shen Jing sat on the sofa, arms crossed, looking utterly displeased. “You didn’t do anything wrong, so why do you need someone else’s forgiveness?”

“Oh, why are you still mad at me? We’ve argued countless times since we were kids, and we still love each other just the same,” Shen Lu said, wrapping her arm around Shen Jing’s.

Shen Jing feigned disgust and pushed her hand away. “I can’t handle that from you. In your heart, I’m always that good-for-nothing who achieves nothing.”

Shen Lu silently withdrew her hand, pursed her lips, and thought for a moment. “Fine, I know I wronged you this time. I was wrong, and I apologize. But using force to solve a problem is also wrong. What if the other person was stronger than you? What if you got seriously hurt?”

Shen Jing raised an eyebrow and glanced at her. “Are you worried about me?”

“You’re my only little brother. If I don’t worry about you, who should I worry about?”

“Okay, fine. Then I’ll be the bigger person and forgive you,” Shen Jing said, putting on airs.

Shen Lu poked his head. “Give you an inch and you’ll take a mile. Alright, you rest well. I’m leaving.”

“Do you think the siblings will make up?” Ye Qin asked curiously.

Sister Wang smiled, answering with certainty, “Eight out of ten, they will.”

…

This matter was considered resolved. The staff member who deliberately caused trouble had been fired, as the director personally checked the surveillance footage and was genuinely surprised that such scum had managed to infiltrate the crew.

As for Shen Jing, he received the punishment he deserved and a verbal warning: if he caused trouble again, he wouldn’t be allowed to stay on the crew.

Tomorrow was the Mid-Autumn Festival. Shen Lu was lying on her bed organizing Ye Qin’s schedule for the next day when she received a message on her phone. It was from Sister Xueying, which surprised her.

Sister Xueying: Do you want to go to the lantern festival tomorrow night?

Yes, yes! That was Shen Lu’s first thought. But Ye Qin wasn’t going, could she go alone? And the person inviting her was Tan Xueying. If Ye Qin found out about this, she would definitely blow up, right? But she really wanted to go.

After some hesitation, Shen Lu sent a refusal: Sister Qin isn’t going, so I probably can’t go either.

Sister Xueying: Oh, is that so? Just because she’s not going doesn’t mean you can’t. Plus, it’s an annual lantern festival. If you miss it, you’ll have to wait until next year. And there’s no guarantee you’ll have this opportunity and time next year.

She had to admit, this swayed Shen Lu. Shen Lu was already on the fence about going, and this encouragement made her more resolute.

Shen Lu: Alright then, I’ve decided, I’m going. Anyway, Sister Qin never said I couldn’t go have fun.

In a moment, Tan Xueying sent a smiling emoji: See you tomorrow night then.

…

The fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month is a nationally celebrated holiday, a day for family reunion. Every place has its own customs and various celebration rituals.

On this day, although the crew had the day off, Tan Xueying and Ye Qin still had to work, as an advertisement shoot was scheduled. Naturally, as Ye Qin’s assistant, Shen Lu also had no holiday break. Shen Lu felt a little guilty and sent a red envelope in the family chat group to comfort her parents. Although the quick-handed Shen Jing accidentally claimed the red envelope the moment he saw it, the good thing was that the boy had a conscience. After his sister nagged him relentlessly and morally condemned him, he coughed up the money and instead used his own money to send a red envelope to their parents.

On the way to the advertisement shoot, Shen Jing, who was driving, complained to Shen Lu in the passenger seat. “I haven’t even gotten my salary yet, and you’re making me send a red envelope. That’s too much.”

Shen Lu just smiled to herself and ignored him. The red envelope you gave to Mom and Dad wasn’t for a stranger; you have to have a conscience. How much effort did Mom and Dad put in for you your whole life? Of course, Shen Lu no longer wanted to repeat these old chestnuts, or Shen Jing would once again label her as a nagging woman entering early menopause.

…

Upon reaching the destination, before entering the studio, the artists first meet and greet the collaborators, followed by hair and makeup, and then the filming process begins.

Shen Lu waited outside, silently praying that the shoot would finish smoothly before tonight so she could attend the grand Mid-Autumn Festival lantern festival in H City. Shen Jing leaned against the wall behind her, fiddling with his phone. Shen Lu couldn’t help but ask, “Hey, it’s the Mid-Autumn Festival today. Do you have any plans for tonight?”

Shen Jing shrugged, his eyes glued to his phone. “What plans could I have? Go back to the hotel and play games, I guess.”

“No ambition,” Shen Lu muttered.

“You call that no ambition? Everyone has their own pursuits, okay? You’re so focused on me, what about you? Do you have plans for tonight? A single dog, tsk tsk…”

“Of course, I have plans! I’m going to see the lantern festival. Don’t you know that H City is the most bustling place every Mid-Autumn Festival?”

“Pssh~” Shen Jing scoffed dismissively. “No matter how bustling it is, there’s nothing fun about going as a single dog.”

The siblings started their daily bickering. Tan Xueying emerged after her makeup was done, her assistant Li Li trotting behind her. She stopped in front of Shen Lu and, with a hint of mystery in her tone, said, “Don’t forget our promise, okay?”

Shen Lu froze for a moment, then nodded awkwardly. “I remember, I remember.”

Only after getting a satisfactory answer did Tan Xueying walk away. But Shen Jing, who witnessed the whole thing, wouldn’t let it go. He grabbed his sister and pressed her, “What’s going on, Sis? What promise do you have with her…” Shen Jing seemed to realize something, and his pupils instantly dilated. “Oh~ I know! You’re going on a date with her tonight to see the lantern festival?”

Shen Lu slapped him. “Why are you yelling so loud? Are you afraid people won’t hear you?”

Shen Jing shook his head in horror. “No! You can’t do this! You’re a married woman! You have to obey the women’s virtues!”

Shen Lu really wanted to say M-M-P in her heart (a curse word), Screw your women’s virtues! I’m only in a contract marriage, but this kid Shen Jing thinks it’s real! This was a bit of trouble now.

“Shh, shh, shh… Keep your voice down!” Shen Lu didn’t want this kid shouting it out for everyone to hear.

But Shen Jing was different; he thought his sister was trying to cover up. “You’re afraid Sister Qin will find out, aren’t you? I have to tell her!”

“No, no… It’s not what you think…” Shen Lu felt helpless. How was she going to explain it to him? How could she make him believe her? She was truly on the verge of tears.

“What are you two talking about?” Ye Qin, who had come out, inadvertently ran into them during their oblivious argument.

“Nothing, nothing!” Shen Lu waved her hands, feeling guilty.

“Yes, yes!” Shen Jing’s answer was the exact opposite of hers.

Ye Qin paused, then simply glanced at Shen Lu. “Hurry up, let’s go to the studio.”

Shen Lu was slow for half a beat before quickly following her. It was a good thing Ye Qin wasn’t interested in their sibling drama, or the situation would have been hard to handle. For some reason, she felt a strange, thrilling sensation, like having an affair, even though she was just going with Sister Xueying to the lantern festival as a simple companion, and things were perfectly innocent between her and Ye Qin.

Looking at the backs of the two women walking ahead, Shen Jing silently gritted his teeth. Sister, I won’t let you do anything unfaithful! I may not have any other great abilities as your little brother, but I will defend your marriage with my life!

…

The two artists were filming on stage. The lights were very bright, and the photographer was seeking various angles.

The assistants sat below, holding bags and waiting. If any need or instruction arose, they would have something to do.

Li Li was only an aisle’s width away from Shen Lu. She looked at Shen Lu with disdain, and her sarcastic tone floated out. “Don’t think that just because Sister Xueying invited you to the lantern festival it means anything.”

Shen Lu responded with a fake smile. “I didn’t think it meant anything. But I do find it strange, why didn’t Sister Xueying ask you? Logically speaking, your relationship with her should be closer, shouldn’t it?”

“You!” Li Li was provoked and almost started arguing with her in the studio. “I’m warning you, don’t get cocky.”

Shen Lu spread her hands helplessly. When had she ever been cocky? It was this Li Li who challenged her and mocked her every time she saw her. Sometimes Shen Lu wondered if she had done something terrible to her in a past life.

…

Midway through the shoot, someone suddenly approached the photographer and whispered a few words in his ear. The photographer nodded repeatedly. That person was said to be the brand’s regional manager, a very authoritative figure, whom even A-listers like Ye Qin had to treat with respect.

“Stop, stop, hold on. Let’s change our approach. When you two film this part, give each other a kiss. This might make the effect even better,” the photographer told the two women.

A kiss? What did he mean? The straightforward Ye Qin immediately expressed her displeasure. “There was no kissing scene in the advertisement contract!”

Tan Xueying, however, remained unmoved, observing calmly.

The photographer could only lower his voice helplessly. “The collaborators asked for it to be added at the last minute. I can’t help it. I heard Peerless also has a kissing scene. I don’t think you’d mind, would you, Ye Qin?”

Ye Qin pursed her lips, very upset, but what could she do in this situation? Although she knew this was common in the industry, she was now in a difficult position. She certainly had the right to refuse, but doing so would not only cost her a major resource but also offend the collaborators.

How cunning.

Just then, Tan Xueying spoke up, “If you really can’t accept it, we can try to film a fake-out kiss.”

Ye Qin’s personality could not tolerate Tan Xueying’s words. It was practically a veiled insult, implying that she couldn’t adapt or dedicate herself to her work or art. Driven by a moment of rash anger, she agreed. “No need. What’s the point of a fake-out? If we’re going to film it, let’s do it for real.”

What was going on? Shen Lu peered from below. It was then that she heard the conversation of the staff behind her. “I heard they added a kissing scene at the last minute.”

“Isn’t that a bit too much?”

“What’s too much? They’re getting paid so much; they have to follow the client’s demands.”

“…”

A kissing scene? Shen Lu widened her eyes, looking at the two people on stage.

Ye Qin had been a professional for many years and had filmed kissing scenes before. The moment the camera focused on her, she could easily get into character. This was child’s play for her. She knew there would be a kissing scene later in the script for Peerless, so she could just treat this as an early rehearsal.

There was even less to say about Tan Xueying. This was not a difficult task for her. The collaborators standing below looked very pleased. With the CP hype of these two, the new product could achieve another wave of huge sales.

Under the camera, Ye Qin’s flawless and perfect face gradually drew closer. Tan Xueying lifted a hand to cradle her face, and their lips touched. During this process, Shen Lu practically held her breath, feeling even more nervous than if she were filming it herself. But why, when she saw this scene, did she feel a strange, uneasy sensation in her heart…?

She seemed to dislike seeing this sight. The next second, Shen Lu lowered her head, turned on her phone, and distractedly scrolled through the screen to pass the time.