She Said She Has Feelings For Someone - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Liking: “Appreciation.”

Memories flooded back, and Xia Leshuang constantly reminded herself to stay grounded, yet her eyes remained fixed on Lu Shuyu, unable to pull away for even a second.

The latter, however, seemed entirely unaware, as if this were just a standard segment of a variety show.

“Congratulations, teachers, on successfully solving the first treasure riddle! Please complete the blessing ritual to obtain the treasure~”

By now it was nearing 11:00 AM. The area around the ancient temple grew livelier as locals arrived to offer incense at the designated hour. Some even whispered, wondering if they were filming a movie.

“Let’s get started then,” Tang Jiahe urged.

The group moved to the incense burner. Following the results of the morning’s quiz, they offered incense in order: Zhong Wen with three sticks, Tang Jiahe with six, and Xia Leshuang with nine.

“Three sticks represent yourself, six represent two generations, and nine represent three generations,” Lu Shuyu explained the traditional meaning behind the numbers.

Hearing this, Zhong Wen couldn’t help but laugh. “Leshuang, you carry such a heavy burden of responsibility!”

Xia Leshuang’s lips curved slightly into a faint smile. “Indeed.”

As they lit the incense, Lu Shuyu added a reminder: “I’ve heard this place is quite efficacious, so be sincere with your prayers, teachers~”

With the ritual finished, the “Can’t Stay Idle” team received their first treasure. It was a vintage wooden chest containing three smaller boxes. Zhong Wen opened hers first and let out a startled cry. Tang Jiahe and Xia Leshuang were equally stunned; the former asked, “Is this real?”

“It’s real,” Lu Shuyu smiled. “Honest as the day is long.”

Zhong Wen showed the camera the contents: “Look! A super sparkly Jin Jin Tuan!”

The merchandise design had been a core part of the pitch. Today’s first-round treasure was a solid gold version of the Jin Jin Tuan logo badge—both a reward and a promotion for the group’s official merch.

“This is a limited-edition solid gold version, restricted to 100 pieces,” Lu Shuyu announced, her voice clear and resonant as she delivered the professional copy. “30% of all merchandise proceeds will go toward the ‘Cherry Blossoms’ charity project—supporting education for underprivileged girls and the construction of the Golden Cherry Girls’ School.”

Tang Jiahe broke into applause. “Thank you, Cherry Blossom Media! You guys are the best!”

…

By 11:30 AM, they wrapped filming at the temple. Since the “Too Lazy To Move” team was still shooting elsewhere, the three guests went to join them for the lunch segment. Lu Shuyu and Chen Qian stayed behind to help clear the site so the staff could eat earlier.

“PD Lu,” Xia Leshuang asked before leaving, “are we going back to the hotel to standby after lunch?”

The question was somewhat redundant, given that Song PD was managing the other team. Lu Shuyu couldn’t help but laugh. “Teacher Xia, you’re like a newly hatched chick.”

Xia Leshuang froze. Tang Jiahe and Zhong Wen burst out laughing. Tang Jiahe teased, “Well then, can our ‘Mama Bird’ give us some instructions?”

“Fine, you three baby birds,” Lu Shuyu said, her smile radiant and tender. “You’re on free time now. We’ll assemble at the hotel at 3:00 PM. Got it?”

“Yes, Mama Bird!” Zhong Wen chirped, raising her hand.

After the joking subsided, the three left. Xia Leshuang walked at the back. Once they were a distance away, she turned her head. She saw Lu Shuyu with her back turned, busily packing up with Chen Qian and the others.

“Leshuang Birdie?” Tang Jiahe called from ahead. “Starving to death? I’ve called you twice.”

Xia Leshuang turned back and caught up, smiling. “What is it?”

“You have the car keys…” Tang Jiahe sighed. “Drive.”

“Oh,” Xia Leshuang fished out the keys. “Right.”

“So strange,” Tang Jiahe muttered.

Beside her, Zhong Wen frowned thoughtfully. Her eyes widened slightly as she looked back toward the production crew, then turned forward again with a look of pure disbelief. Tang Jiahe didn’t notice; she simply opened the car door. “Xiao-wen, let’s go.”

…

After finishing the work and letting everyone go to lunch, Lu Shuyu caught a taxi to meet Song Yi. By the time she arrived, the six guests were finishing their meal.

“Coming all this way?” Song Yi asked, surprised.

Lu Shuyu hooked her arm around Song Yi’s. “I came to see the Big Mama Bird~”

Tang Jiahe and Zhong Wen laughed and explained the joke to the others. Xia Leshuang, meanwhile, kept her head down, busily eating as if she were in a race.

“I can’t deal with you lot,” Song Yi laughed. “Just eat.”

The afternoon shoot was scheduled for an ancient water town—a team puzzle-solving race. After lunch, the guests asked to accompany the PDs to the site early to familiarize themselves with the flow. Song Yi agreed.

As soon as they arrived at the town, Lu Shuyu contacted Chen Qian: “The guests are arriving early to prep. Set up a simple rest tent.”

Since the six guests were practically “indie” (having no assistants or managers present), they did everything themselves. Lu Shuyu also decided to treat everyone to drinks, quickly searching for a nearby shop on her phone.

“Thanks for the treat, PD Lu,” Chi Shan grinned.

A delivery soon arrived with twenty iced drinks and ten hot ones to accommodate everyone. Lu Shuyu personally took six cups to the guest tent.

“Teachers!” she called out, raising her hands. “Hard work today. Have some sugar to recharge.”

The milk tea was a timely relief. He Wenyin took the bag with four cups. “You could have just called us, we could’ve picked it up.”

“No trouble at all,” Lu Shuyu replied with a warm, gentle smile. She reached into her bag to hand out the last two. She realized Xia Leshuang was already standing right in front of her.

Lu Shuyu blinked, then smiled. “Teacher Xia, here.”

“Cheezo Strawberry?” Xia Leshuang took it, then glanced at Lu’s own cup. “PD Lu is drinking it too?”

“Of course,” Lu Shuyu explained calmly as she poked her straw into her own cup. “Strawberries are in season.”

She took a long sip, trying to keep the secret in her heart from escaping through her eyes. She ordered Cheezo Strawberry specifically because it was Xia Leshuang’s old favorite; back then, Lu could only steal a sip because she had to avoid cold drinks.

“It’s delicious! Thanks, PD Lu!” Jiang Fei said happily.

Seeing them enjoy it, Lu Shuyu felt relieved. “Rest up, teachers. I’ve got to get back to work.” She walked away with a light step, her yellow uniform glowing in the sun.

“Don’t you think,” Zhong Wen said suddenly, “that PD Lu’s fresh, clean vibe is because she loves fruit so much?”

Jiang Fei shivered and lowered her voice. “Xiao-wen, you haven’t given up, have you?”

Zhong Wen rolled her eyes. “Don’t be silly. My feelings for PD Lu are purely—” she paused, hooking her arm around Xia Leshuang’s shoulder. “Leshuang understands me, right?”

Xia Leshuang, chewing her straw, looked up with a blank, innocent stare. “What?”

Zhong Wen laughed. “We both like PD Lu!”

The group jumped. Xia Leshuang’s hand tightened around her plastic cup, nearly crushing it.

“—the ‘appreciation’ kind of liking!” Zhong Wen added quickly, grabbing Xia’s hand to save the cup. “Pure admiration for an impressive woman~”

“You scared the life out of me…” Jiang Fei exhaled.

Luo Han recalled their conversation in the car. “Well, Leshuang did say PD Lu was very popular back in high school.”

Xia Leshuang smiled and let out a soft sigh. “Yes. A lot of people admired her.”

…

Filming was set to start in thirty minutes. They were at the starting point, about to determine the departure order through a puzzle.

Suddenly, Lu Shuyu’s phone vibrated. It was a message from Min Wutong.

— Leaked photos of the recording are online. The feedback isn’t great. Stay safe.