After A Secret Marriage With The Trending Queen - Chapter 28

Chapter 28

They finished shooting the advertisement and headed back to the hotel.

Given that Ye Qin was stone-faced the entire way back, Shen Lu didn’t dare bring up the lantern festival that evening. Ye Qin hadn’t wanted to go in the first place, and now, after being unexpectedly forced to film a kissing scene, her mood was probably even worse.

Ye Qin had always been someone whose emotions were clearly displayed on her face, which was why she was often mocked in the industry for having low emotional intelligence.

Sometimes Shen Lu just couldn’t understand it. Did society truly demand that everyone wear a perpetual smile and hide all ugliness beneath the surface? That seemed too frightening.

“I’m tired. All of you leave,” Ye Qin said, returning to her room after they arrived at the hotel and dismissing everyone who had followed her. Wang Lin spread her hands helplessly. “I couldn’t have predicted this situation… But luckily, everything is finished. Alright, it’s the Mid-Autumn Festival tonight; I have my own plans. Go have fun!” she said, patting both Shen Lu and Shen Jing on the shoulder.

Shen Lu and Shen Jing instinctively exchanged a knowing glance, then gave each other a look of mutual disgust. “Who wants to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with you!”

“Hey, you can’t leave!” Shen Jing grabbed Shen Lu. “I won’t let you be unfaithful!”

“Shh!” Shen Lu put her index finger to her mouth in alarm. “Do you want the whole world to know about this?”

Shen Jing guiltily withdrew his hand. “I don’t care. I’ll sacrifice my Mid-Autumn Festival if I have to, but I’m sticking with you. I’m going to supervise you and keep a close eye on you.”

“Fine, suit yourself. See if you can stare at me until a flower blooms,” Shen Lu said, deciding to ignore him.

“You!” Shen Jing watched her retreating back, his teeth itching with anger. I don’t believe I can’t handle you! Shen Jing immediately turned around and knocked on Ye Qin’s door.

Ye Qin was exhausted and resting on the sofa with her eyes closed. She was annoyed by the persistent sound of the doorbell. It wasn’t until it had rung for a long time that she finally rose impatiently to open the door, showing absolutely no pleasant expression.

Shen Jing instantly lost his nerve, stammering and not knowing how to speak.

Seeing that it was Shen Jing, Ye Qin relaxed her expression somewhat, as she had to keep up the pretense. “It’s Shen Jing. Is something the matter?”

Shen Jing tilted his head and pointed to the security camera above. “Sister Qin, can I come in and talk?”

Ye Qin waved her hand, turned, and said, “Come in.”

Inside, Ye Qin motioned for Shen Jing to sit down and even asked if he wanted anything to drink. Shen Jing nervously waved his hand, not daring to be presumptuous with this “sister.” He respected her like a serious and authoritative parent.

“Go on, what is it?” Ye Qin sat down on the opposite sofa, crossing one leg and resting her hands in her lap.

“It… it’s like this…” Shen Jing’s voice was trembling. “My sister is going to the lantern festival tonight with another woman.”

“Oh, is that so? With whom?” Ye Qin asked indifferently.

“Tan Xueying. Yes, it’s her,” Shen Jing said.

“Alright, I know. Thank you, Shen Jing, for specially coming to tell me this,” Ye Qin smiled.

But Shen Jing was confused. Wouldn’t a normal person be angry or jealous upon hearing something like this?

“Sister Qin, aren’t you… not angry?”

“No, I’m not angry, because I trust her.” That single sentence shut Shen Jing up.

In reality, Ye Qin simply didn’t care. After all, it was a marriage without feelings; it was just going through the motions. As long as Shen Lu’s actions didn’t affect her, she could do whatever she liked. At least, that was what Ye Qin was thinking at that moment.

“Well… alright then. If there’s nothing else, I won’t disturb you, Sister Qin.” Shen Jing stood up nervously, intending to leave.

Ye Qin suddenly called out to him again. “I heard Shen Lu say you really liked the mooncakes she took home last time. I have two boxes left here. Take them with you today. And Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!”

Shen Jing broke into a smile. “Thank you, Sister Qin! Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!”

Shen Jing left Ye Qin’s room happily, clutching the boxes of mooncakes. Since Sister Qin said it was fine, it was probably really nothing, and he was just overthinking it. Never mind, back to the room to play games!

After Shen Jing left, Ye Qin fell into a daze. It was hard to imagine that Shen Lu would actually go to the lantern festival with Tan Xueying. Since when were their relations so good?

…

Shen Lu washed her hair, changed into clean, refreshing clothes, and put on simple makeup in preparation for the lantern festival. In the three years since graduating college and starting work, Shen Lu had barely had a chance to truly relax and have fun.

Just before leaving, she received a WeChat message from Tan Xueying.

Sister Xueying: I’m already at the festival square. Are you coming?

Shen Lu quickly grabbed her bag and replied as she headed out: I’ll be there right away!

It was strange, though. She hadn’t seen Shen Jing. Didn’t the kid say he was going to follow her to supervise her?

…

Wang Lin arrived at Yang Li’s rented apartment with large bags in hand. Her son Lin’er affectionately rushed into her arms. “Auntie Wang, you’re finally here! Lin’er missed you so much.”

Wang Lin squatted down, and Yang Li silently took the heavy items from her hands.

“Lin’er, I missed you too. Have you been a good boy? Did you make your mother angry?”

Lin’er shook his head. “I’m very good. Mom missed you too.”

Hearing this, Wang Lin looked up at Yang Li. Yang Li shyly looked away and quickly said, “Please come in. Lin’er, don’t keep Auntie Wang standing at the door.”

After Wang Lin entered, Yang Li began busy setting the dining table, preparing to eat soon. Wang Lin quietly approached her, pulling out a thick envelope from her bag. “Take this. When I’m not around, you and the child can’t go without.”

Yang Li pushed her hand away without hesitation. “I can’t take this. I can’t. Although I earn less money from my part-time jobs, feeding Lin’er is not a problem.”

“Just take it. Lin’er is growing now and needs to eat well. Do it for the child, alright?” Wang Lin forcefully pressed the envelope full of cash into her hand.

“But you’ve given me so much, what about you?” Yang Li held the envelope, feeling awkward.

Wang Lin smiled. “Are you silly? What is my job? Artist manager. Ye Qin has been hugely popular for years. I’ve made at least ten million following her. Don’t worry about me.”

Hearing this, Yang Li’s conscience felt a little better about taking the money.

“I… I’ll pay you back slowly in the future.”

Hearing this, Wang Lin became displeased. While Lin’er was engrossed in his small toys nearby, she reached out and hooked Yang Li’s chin. “Saying that genuinely makes me unhappy. You yourself are the best repayment.”

Yang Li felt her face inexplicably flush and quickly escaped from her grasp. “That, um, there’s chicken soup in the kitchen. I have to go check on it.”

Wang Lin watched her hurried retreat and couldn’t help but recall when the two of them were dating years ago. This must be happiness.

…

Shen Jing felt the hotel’s Wi-Fi was poor, so he simply went downstairs to a nearby cyber cafe. He figured he would be staying here for several months, and unable to resist the sales pitch from the counter girl, he boldly purchased a membership card. He found a comfortable private room, ordered some beer, sunflower seeds, and drinks, and logged into his usual game.

…

Stepping out of the hotel, Shen Lu felt a chill wind, causing her to instinctively hug herself and pull her collar tight. It was only early October, so why was H City cooling down so fast? Perhaps it was because it was a Northern city. A City, being a Southern city, usually turned cold later.

She hailed a taxi and headed for the most bustling square in H City tonight. Sister Xueying had already arrived, and Shen Lu didn’t want to keep her waiting too long.

Ten minutes later, she reached her destination.

Most of the people in the square were wearing strangely shaped masks. There were also many stalls selling masks and various small Mid-Autumn items. Children ran and played happily in groups. The most eye-catching sights were the brightly colored lanterns.

“Hey, do you want to buy a mask?” Just then, a masked person appeared in front of Shen Lu. She was holding a mask and trying to sell it to Shen Lu.

Shen Lu politely waved her hand. “Thank you, no need.” But just as she looked closer and found the person familiar, the other party asked again.

“Are you sure? This is a custom here!”

“Sister Xueying!” Shen Lu instantly recognized her. “Is that you?!”

Tan Xueying could only take off a little bit of her mask, looking resigned. “Not fun. You guessed it so quickly.”

“Sister Xueying is so beautiful, of course she’s easy to recognize.”

“You think I’m beautiful?” Tan Xueying asked meaningfully.

Shen Lu nodded. “Beautiful, yes. If Ye Qin has that kind of alluring, wild beauty, then Sister Xueying has a gentle beauty.”

It’s Ye Qin again… Tan Xueying fell silent.

Shen Lu reached out and waved her hand in front of her eyes. “Sister Xueying? Sister Xueying?”

Tan Xueying snapped out of her thoughts and smiled. “Let’s go have fun.”

Shen Lu nodded heavily.

Across the road from the square was the beach. On the sea, many boats, yachts, and cruise ships adorned with colorful lights could be seen—the lifestyle enjoyed only by the wealthy.

There was a small stall selling sugar figurines ahead. Shen Lu rushed forward excitedly, watching the vendor skillfully use a simple pair of tweezers to create vivid, lifelike sugar figures. Tan Xueying, still wearing her mask, appeared behind her. “Do you want one? I’ll buy it for you.”

“No, no, it’s fine. I’m just looking. Besides, if I really wanted one, I brought my own money,” Shen Lu said.

Unexpectedly, Tan Xueying spoke directly to the vendor. “Boss, I’ll take all of these. How much?”

Shen Lu was shocked. “Sister Xueying, you don’t need so many…”

Tan Xueying smiled at her, though Shen Lu couldn’t see her expression at that moment. “As long as you like it, that’s all that matters.”

Shen Lu stood there, fiddling with her fingers. She felt her face burn from what Sister Xueying had just said. It was truly strange.

After buying the sugar figurines, Shen Lu couldn’t hold them all, and Tan Xueying had to help her carry some. Shen Lu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It was too much to eat and a bit wasteful.

Just as she was thinking this, a masked person suddenly darted out from the crowd, grabbed Shen Lu’s wrist, and pulled her away from Tan Xueying without a word.

Shen Lu didn’t know where this person was taking her, but those hands… they seemed a little familiar?