Chapter 88 Heartbreak: She looked at the pack of cigarettes happily, stared at it for a long time, and then said with a lisp, "This is cigarettes."
The success of "The Age of Red" has prompted the entire production team to launch a full-platform promotional campaign, releasing promotional materials and behind-the-scenes footage as if they were free.
The two teachers, who had actually broken up, tacitly approved of the drama crew's CP marketing, forwarding and promoting the show as usual. As a result, the CP fans became even more convinced that the breakup rumors were false, just look at how sweet the behind-the-scenes footage was!
Teacher Qin actually made sure that Teacher Jiang finished eating all the nutritious carrots!
After Ms. Jiang injured her foot, Mr. Qin actually applied the medicine to her foot himself!
During their break, the two openly flirted and teased each other, and Teacher Qin even drank the lemon water that Teacher Jiang had drunk from!
When filming the scene of the Tanglong coup, Teacher Jiang was so heartbroken that she collapsed on set crying. Teacher Qin actually carried Teacher Jiang back to her trailer!
The fans are totally obsessed with this couple; it's so sweet, who would dare to say goodbye!
The next day, they were proven wrong. During a promotional tour for the TV series "The Era of Red Powder," the two main characters at the center of the controversy stood side by side, but two other people could still squeeze in between them.
Passersby flooded the screen with comments: 【It's over, it's over, it's over】
Solo fans' comments: 【What "b"? It never even started!】
CP fans chimed in: [Shut up, the two are talking.]
The audience started asking questions, and then realized that both of them were rather quiet.
The host almost never mentions topics involving two people, and only uses the characters from the drama when absolutely necessary.
The roadshow left everyone with a somber expression, especially during the game segment, where the game contributed by the fans was none other than the old "Sharing the Same Boat" game.
The host brought out newspapers, and the people on stage were paired up according to the popular couples in the drama.
Qin Lan and Jiang Yan were forced to stand on a newspaper.
The other groups faced each other, but the two of them faced the audience together, maintaining faint smiles.
A fan posted a screenshot: 【You call this a relationship?】
CP fans: [This is just to give you solo fans some face.]
No one was eliminated in the first round. In the second round, the newspaper was folded in half, and its area instantly decreased.
However, it was still big enough to stand, so the newspaper was folded in half again.
This time, physical contact was no longer an option, so Jiang Yan took a step back and said, "I give up."
Qin Lan followed closely behind.
Before the host could even speak, some audience members started jeering: "He can clearly still stand!"
"You can even stand next door!"
Jiang Yan smiled and said, "Maybe it's because the soles of my boots are a bit thick today, and they're a size bigger than usual, so I really can't stand up properly. I hope everyone will pay more attention to our work and help promote it."
Qin Lan subconsciously hummed twice and clapped her hands, and for a moment the room fell silent.
Startled, Yu Jintang quickly grabbed the microphone to change the subject: "Haha, the atmosphere on set is usually very good. I remember one time..."
The super topic is very quiet.
The die-hard fans arrogantly made two comparison videos of the game: "Let's see what else you cultists have to say!"
Many fans of the couple began to waver.
At this point, everyone was still trying to convince themselves that they might have just had a fight, but even after the show ended, the two of them still acted like they were divorced.
The official team held a closing ceremony, where the lead actors recreated the classic makeup and costumes from the drama and sang the theme song on stage.
The two singers stood on opposite sides, one on the east and the other on the west, clearly dividing the venue into two sections by different colored light boards. The left side was almost entirely covered by Qin Lan's red light boards, with only a few green ones displayed. The right side was dominated by Jiang Yan's green light boards, with a few scattered red flowers.
The president of Qinjiang's fan club cautiously inquired whether the two teams were planning to create a CP (couple pairing) image.
Bai Ai subtly hinted that everyone should separate themselves from the drama and not become obsessed.
The long-tail effect of the initial promotion continues to feed CP (couple) fans into the supertopic, especially since it's hard not to ship them after watching "Telephone in the Fog," making the supertopic still incredibly popular. However, there's an inexplicable sadness in the earliest fan groups, with many people starting to edit melancholic videos, and one old video has even gone viral.
It was a punishment from a game called "Electronic Phone Call in the Fog." Qin Lan and Jiang Yan filmed a couple video together, and at the end, Jiang Yan asked, "We'll always be together, right?"
Longtime fans collectively broke down.
＊
In late September, Qin Lan became the spokesperson for the sanitary napkin brand EQ, while Jiang Yan visited several Hope Project primary schools to do charity work.
Song Man filmed an advertisement designed by Yu Jintang, showcasing female power through Latin dance.
Yu Jintang reads 800 times a day on eNet, exchanging information with various administrators about their daily work. A new message pops up; it's from administrator 09, whom she's been in contact with, asking if she'd like to go to the Southwest soon, as their new law firm is having its ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Yu Jintang calculated the time and agreed: "Thank you for your trouble. I'll be there on time if nothing unexpected happens."
Then she marked it on her calendar and moved other appointments aside. The reason she attached such importance to this matter was that all the law firms in that area were invested and built by the administrator 09, who had donated more money than she had. She needed to personally investigate this bigwig's character.
"The Age of Red Powder" became an instant hit, sparking enduring discussions on women's issues. Yu Jintang, riding this wave of success, launched numerous projects with great fanfare. Qin Lan, unable to find her for a long time, could only wait for her at the bar.
When they arrived, they found that Jiang Yan and Xiahou Cheng were both there, while Yu Jintang was projecting his explanation on a screen in the middle of a brightly lit bar.
Qin Lan observed that Xiahou Cheng was sitting at the bar, Jiang Yan was sitting on the sofa, and Yu Jintang was standing.
So Qin Lan sat down on a single sofa not too far from Jiang Yan, thinking that she was very much in line with the image of an ex-wife.
The bartender quickly came over and asked her what she wanted to drink.
Qin Lan: "Milk, thank you."
The bartender left, and Yu Jintang pointed to the big screen:
"Let's take a quick look at the four main sections. The first section, [Culture and Media], is under my supervision. My main responsibility is to expand the influence of new media. The second section, [Law], is managed by Administrator 02."
"The third section is [Education], managed by Administrator 03. We are currently carrying out Project Hope construction across the country, especially in impoverished areas, and offer courses on child sexual abuse prevention and domestic violence prevention every semester. The fourth section is [Economic Life], currently managed by Administrator 04. There are only two projects: one is a sanitary napkin brand from an all-female factory, and the other is our brand of intimate apparel."
"Currently, our first two segments are developing very well, but the last two segments are developing less rapidly. We need brand awareness, we need to let more women see our brand, in other words, I need a spokesperson."
"Our sanitary napkins are safe and affordable. I invested in the factory, and we only hire female workers. There are strict inspections at every stage, so our prices and profits are not high. The first batch of products has passed the tests, and the trademark has been registered. All that's left is to launch and promote them."
Qin Lan raised her hand: "I'll do it."
"Sign a pledge, okay?" Yu Jintang tossed her a piece of tissue paper as a command: "Your fans are known for their strong purchasing power, so we don't look at sales performance, we only look at the extent of promotion."
"It's nothing."
Qin Lan shook the toilet paper, crumpled it up, and tossed it to Xiahou Cheng: "The toilet paper your wife touched."
Xiahou Cheng chuckled.
Qin Lan thought for a moment and said, "After we gain fame, we can also distribute sanitary napkins in the restrooms of major shopping malls."
Yu Jintang snapped his fingers: "Your idea is excellent. I'll print your poster on it."
Qin Lan: "...You really took advantage of me thoroughly."
Yu Jintang: "What about the education sector? Who will take over?"
Jiang Yan looked up: "What exactly do I need to do?"
This was the first time Qin Lan had heard her speak in all these days.
She calmly picked up the milk on the table and took a big gulp.
It tastes a bit bitter.
"It's very simple. Go to the schools of Project Hope, show your face, talk about topics that are friendly to women, and if you have the capacity, you can also invest some funds in our project."
Jiang Yan did some mental calculations: "I'll donate four million."
"Good heavens!" Yu Jintang exclaimed, "You've returned all the money you just earned to me!"
Jiang Yan smiled and said, "I hope to do my part for our community."
Xiahou Cheng wagged her tail and came up: "Teacher Tangtang, what can I do?"
"You'll come with me on a trip to the southwest, and we'll take a look at the law firm development there."
The legal field is where Lin Yi has devoted her life's work, and Yu Jintang checks it every year.
Yu Jintang: "Alright, meeting adjourned. Those who want to stay, stay. Those who want to drink, drink. The one who wants milk... are you leaving or staying?"
Qin Lan: "...I have something to say to the one who's drinking."
Jiang Yan paused, her hand holding the bag still.
The four people, with eight eyes, stared at each other in bewilderment.
Yu Jintang's eyes darted around, and she tried to smooth things over by saying, "Um... Teacher Jiang, the one who was drinking milk said she wants to talk to you."
Jiang Yan didn't say anything, glanced at Qin Lan, put down her bag and walked inside.
Qin Lan stood up after a few seconds and followed.
The DJ in the lobby suddenly started vibrating, startling both of them. They could hear Yu Jintang's off-key howling and Xiahou Cheng's powerful dance moves.
"What do you think they're going to talk about?" Yu Jintang blinked.
Xiahou Cheng swung his legs: "Anyway, we're not talking about reconciliation."
Jiang Yan stopped, and the two looked at each other in silence.
Jiang Yan broke the silence first: "What is it?"
Qin Lan stared at her silhouette and licked her lips: "Yun Chui recommended Anna to me. She's a psychologist, so we can ask her for a consultation."
Jiang Yan was stunned for a moment.
Have you been feeling anxious lately?
Qin Lan quickly said, "That's not what I meant. I meant we could ask her to help us analyze our relationship problems. I... I don't quite understand them myself, and discussing them with you might lead to arguments."
Jiang Yan paused for a moment, then looked up at her with a complex expression: "Is that what you think?"
She hadn't expected Qin Lan to go to such lengths. Someone as proud as her was actually willing to open up to someone and admit her shortcomings. She also hadn't expected her to be seriously considering the problems in this relationship, especially since Qin Lan hadn't seemed particularly heartbroken during their previous arguments…
Are you going or not?
Qin Lan was a little anxious; her fluffy hair looked a bit frizzy under the shifting lights.
"when?"
"Next month, Anna will be free then, and she can also visit Yun Chui and Song Man."
"good."
Jiang Yan moved her lips, raised her right hand slightly, and then stopped.
"?"
Qin Lan glanced at her.
"Your little tuft of hair is sticking up." Jiang Yan withdrew her hand and pointed with her eyes: "I'm leaving now."
She walked slowly, her back looking exactly the same as when she left her house that day, her spine conveying a sense of resilience.
Qin Lan suddenly felt very sad. Perhaps she was really bad in love, so bad that Jiang Yan had to break up with her twice.
Last time, she hadn't experienced the pain of heartbreak, but this time, tears began to flow. The daytime bustle seemed to fill a void, but in the quiet of the night, she could always recall Jiang Yan's desperate eyes over the past few months.
She began to realize that Jiang Yan had invested more in the relationship and that her feelings were more intense. Those arguments might not have been a big deal to her, but they would make Jiang Yan very sad.
She watched Jiang Yan's figure disappear at the end of the corridor, and felt a sharp pain in her heart when she recalled Jiang Yan's gesture of raising her hand and then withdrawing it.
Does Jiang Yan not like her anymore?
Why does he look so indifferent?
She hadn't seen her smiling face in so long.
Qin Lan returned to the front hall with a heavy heart. Jiang Yan had already left, leaving only Yu Jintang and Xiahou Cheng dancing in the empty ballroom.
The DJ's voice was deafening.
Qin Lan paused for a moment, then swayed unhappily as she walked to the bar, tapping her manicured nails twice: "Give me a drink!"
Bartender: "Cocktails, wine, beer, or would you like a special?"
Qin Lan tossed her curly hair with a charming air: "I'm feeling down today, so I'll just get them drunk."
When the two spinning tops in the middle of the ballroom returned to the sofa with a clattering sound, Qin Lan's face was flushed and her eyes were unfocused.
"My God, how much did she drink?" Yu Jintang said, with a sense of schadenfreude: "She seems pretty drunk."
"That's how it is when you haven't drunk in a long time." Xiahou Cheng suddenly exclaimed, "Whose cigarette is this? Old Qin, don't touch it..."
Qin Lan snatched the cigarette pack and slammed it in front of her aggressively: "What right do you have to take it?!"
Xiahou Cheng: "No, those aren't your cigarettes. Whose are they?"
Yu Jintang: "We're the only two people in this room with a lighter, so whose is it?"
Xiahou Cheng: "I don't smoke. I bought the lighter just so I could have one."
Yu Jintang tried to take it: "Hey, Lao Qin, we don't smoke. Smoking is bad for your health. We won't smoke, we won't smoke..."
As a result, Qin Lan snatched it away again and insisted on placing it in front of her.
She looked at the pack of cigarettes with delight, stared at it for a long time, and then said with a lisp, "This is cigarettes."
The two looked at each other in bewilderment.
Xiahou Cheng: "What did she say?"
Yu Jintang stammered, "She seemed to have said that it was Jiang Yan..."
Qin Lan shouted, "Yes! This is Yan Yan!!"
"Don't take it." She glared at the pack of cigarettes angrily, as if she wanted to bore a hole through it.
"She's so weird."
Yu Jintang felt a chill run down her spine, and Xiahou Cheng felt the same way.
"Maybe this is how everyone who's heartbroken feels."
＊
Ten days later, Yu Jintang went to the southwest.
Xiahou Cheng arrived on an electric suitcase: "Teacher Tangtang, I've arrived!"
Yu Jintang looked down at her phone. "Okay, I'll go see someone first, Administrator 09. She's in charge of the law firm here."
She messaged administrator 09: "I've arrived, wearing a sun-protective jacket and baseball cap. Where are you?"
Administrator 09: [On the electric suitcase]
Yu Jintang raised her head with a question mark on her face.
Xiahou Cheng smiled charmingly and waved: "Hi, Teacher Yu, let me introduce myself. I'm your wife, your colleague, and your sugar daddy's mom."
It took Yu Jintang more than twenty seconds to recover: "Teacher Chengcheng...you've been hiding this very well."
"Hey, I didn't, you just didn't ask." Xiahou Cheng grinned wildly, "Get the box, let's go cut the ribbon!"
Yu Jintang, half-believing and half-doubting, tried to sit on it: "Can this suitcase really withstand the two of us...?"
“A brand new upgraded version, weight limit of 300 jin.” Xiahou Cheng shrugged: “Come on, Teacher Tangtang, lie down here.”
"Then I won't stand on ceremony!" Yu Jintang suddenly lunged forward and slung himself onto her back: "Let's go!"
The law firm held its grand opening ceremony in the following days, welcoming its first batch of clients. The small county town's economy was underdeveloped, and the law firm's fees were also low.
This place is still quite far from the real deep mountains, so we often do online consultations.
The first step requires manpower to distribute the flyers.
They paired up to look after each other, with Yu Jintang and Xiahou Cheng each bringing a newcomer into the mountains.
They stopped in every village they passed through to promote their services, but as soon as the villagers heard that their main services were divorce and domestic violence lawsuits, they started smashing the cars.
Both of them were used to it, but their apprentices were not used to it and complained repeatedly when they stayed in the hotel at night.
Xiahou Cheng calmly peeled an apple for himself: "This is nothing. There's something even more unbearable to come further in."
"Master, did you often experience this kind of thing before?"
Xiao Xie and Xiao Chen didn't know that the two were administrators; they only knew that the two were experienced and could handle anything, so they called out to their masters very quickly.
Yu Jintang shook her finger: "You all grew up in the city, so you can't understand the deep-rooted problems in the local area. What we are doing cannot be sustained by passion alone."
The sound of rats gnawing on things filled the hotel room all night, making it difficult for everyone to sleep. Xiao Xie and Xiao Chen, both sporting dark circles under their eyes, got up to find Yu Jintang looking energetic and Xiahou Cheng walking briskly, while they themselves looked completely dazed.
"Let's go, kids." Xiahou Cheng slung his backpack, which was stuffed with flyers, over his shoulder.
After observing for a period of time, they discovered that the male head of a household was always away from home. When he was away, he would appear at other homes where only the female head of the household was present, while his wife would stay at home looking depressed.
She has no children and no job, and barely makes a living by mending clothes for others.
Yu Jintang and others came to her door to express their purpose, subtly telling her that they could provide free legal aid.
The woman looked bewildered: "Consultation? What do you want me to do?"
Yu Jintang: "We don't need you to do anything. If you don't like your current life, we can help you change it. It's free, so don't worry."
After explaining it to the woman in simple terms for a long time, she finally understood that they could help her get a divorce and also train her in a skill so she could find a job.
But the woman still looked at them blankly: "Divorce? Why do you want a divorce?"
Xiao Xie couldn't hold back any longer: "Your husband is cheating on you, why don't you get a divorce?"
"Cheating?" The woman didn't understand: "You mean you had that kind of thing with that guy surnamed Liu at the edge of the village?"
“Yes!” Xiao Chen chimed in.
"So what?" The woman avoided eye contact, clearly feeling it wasn't something to be ashamed of.
Xiao Chen was bewildered: "Why are you asking why he did something like that?"
"This is our family matter, it's none of your business."
The two apprentices were stunned: "Auntie, can we really help you get a divorce? He cheated on you, don't you hate him?"
The woman's eyes flickered again, her face showing a complex expression. After a few seconds of silence, she said, "No matter what, he's still my man. A woman goes through so much to get married, how can she just get a divorce? He didn't do anything terribly wrong. A wife should be obedient..."
Xiao Xie gritted her teeth as she listened: "You're going to obey him even when he makes mistakes? You're going to tolerate him messing around outside?!"
The woman was now furious: "Why are you meddling in my business? The man is the head of the household... he's the boss... Get out! Get out of my house! This is someone else's family matter..."
She shooed him away and closed the door, then sat back down in the dimly lit room and began mending clothes.
The two apprentices were so angry they almost fainted.
"How can anyone still hold such views? What kind of head of the family is this? They're practically from the Qing Dynasty..."
Xiahou Cheng, who had been silent until now, spoke up meaningfully: "So now you know why the new administrator 01 places more emphasis on the influence of culture and media, right?"
Xiao Xie understood: "Because their mindset doesn't change, no amount of help will work!"
"Hmm." Yu Jintang smiled and glanced at Xiahou Cheng: "Patriarchy has been around for too long. Many people are still in a state of being domesticated, thinking that all of this is natural, since that's how everyone around them lives..."
Xiao Chen was very disappointed: "Then all our efforts these past few days have been for nothing. Everyone chases us away when they see us. It's one thing for the men to chase us away, but even the women are defending this dregs..."
Xiahou Cheng rubbed her head: "Cheer up, who said it was a wasted trip? What we left behind are immortal seeds. When someone wants to fight for something for themselves someday, they'll know who to ask for help."
Yu Jintang had already walked far ahead: "Come on, come on, we're going to buy food on our last night!"
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