She Said She Has Feelings For Someone - Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Falling — Do Not Cross the Line.

The next morning, Lu Shuyu headed to the climbing gym. Taking advantage of the early hour and the small crowd, she focused on climbing in silence, as tireless as a spider weaving its web.

The coach couldn’t help but call out to her, “Are you planning to live up there?”

There was a wall clock in the gym. Lu Shuyu glanced back at the time—it was nearly 11:00 AM—so she pushed off the wall and landed.

“Something on your mind?” The coach handed her a towel. “It’s rare to see you like this.”

“I guess so. Plus, it’s been a busy few days.”

Lu Shuyu didn’t have the habit of venting her feelings to anyone who wasn’t a close friend, so she brushed it off with a few vague words. She checked her phone and found unread messages from the post-production team.

“I have things to do, I’m heading out.”

…

Cherry Film Building.

“The final effect is pretty good.”

In the editing suite, after watching the content for the first half of Episode 1, Lu Shuyu nodded, feeling more confident.

“However, it feels like it’s missing something.”

Hearing this, the editor asked, “Do we need to add some solo interviews with the guests?”

The opening title sequence of the variety show, after editing and special effects, felt very powerful. However, they needed to show the audience more rich content; relying solely on that one segment wasn’t solid enough.

“Yes,” Lu Shuyu agreed. “At the time, I didn’t expect the guests to take such risks, so I didn’t prepare for solo interviews.”

“Is the second half of Episode 1 almost ready?” she asked.

“Yes, it can be finished today.”

“Alright,” Lu Shuyu decided. “I’ll arrange the guests’ solo interviews and get them done as quickly as possible within the next two days. I need to organize an internal screening—” She checked the date. “Today is the 14th. The afternoon of the 17th. Is that enough time?”

“Yes, no problem.”

Having confirmed the post-production schedule, Lu Shuyu contacted the scriptwriting team, then Chi Shan, to confirm the filming times with the guests.

Fortunately, the team had returned early this morning and had already landed in B-City, so they could start working immediately. Everything was moving smoothly without obstacles. Lu Shuyu breathed a sigh of relief and went upstairs to find Min Wutong to arrange the screening.

Ding—

Walking out of the elevator, she intended to greet Xiao Li as usual, but she was met with a very complex gaze.

Lu Shuyu stopped in her tracks. My goodness, she thought. She could actually read a bit of pity, anger, and helplessness in the other person’s eyes.

…It was complicated.

Being stared at like that made her skin crawl. Lu Shuyu couldn’t help but smile and ask, “What’s going on?”

Xiao Li’s lips parted several times, but in the end, she said nothing. “Nothing. You can go in, PD Lu. President Min is inside.”

Her tone was aggrieved and resentful. Lu Shuyu took a sharp breath and stepped back. “Okay.”

Entering the office, Lu Shuyu asked before she even sat down, “What’s up with Xiao Li?”

But Min Wutong was even more confused. “What do you mean ‘what’s up’? What happened to her?”

Lu Shuyu: “…” “Never mind.”

As she spoke, she noticed a new object on the desk. Previously, there was only a photo of Min Wutong with her mother and sister. Now, there was a new display stand that was hard to miss.

She couldn’t help but feel curious. “Why the sudden purchase? Is this—”

It was a transparent acrylic display with a dynamic rain scene inside. Just looking at it, a certain phrase came to mind.

“Fine rain falling? (Xiyu Feifei)” She laughed. “Since when did President Min become so poetic?”

It really didn’t match Min Wutong’s usual preference for high-saturation, clashing colors.

“Ahem,” Min Wutong touched the display protectively. “I’ve had a change of heart. Is that not allowed?”

A knock at the door signaled Xiao Li entering with Green Apple Ice Orange Tea. But she was no longer her lively self; she served the drinks in silence and left immediately. But if Lu Shuyu wasn’t mistaken, Xiao Li seemed to glare at that rain display on her way out?

“You must have noticed something’s wrong now, right?” Lu Shuyu asked.

“Maybe a little,” Min Wutong rubbed her chin. “Did you offend her?”

Lu Shuyu: “…” “Forget it. Let’s talk business.”

After reporting on the progress of the episode and the temporary filming schedule, she brought up the internal screening.

“Sure,” Min Wutong nodded. “Song Yi’s sudden exit will have some impact. If the screening goes well, it’s a good chance to mitigate that.”

But…

“Is PD Lu that confident?” she smiled.

If the screening went well, it would be the best result. But if there were any negative feedback, the impact would balloon, and the loss would outweigh the gain.

Lu Shuyu smiled. With the broadcast date approaching, the impact of Song Yi’s departure couldn’t be ignored. Action had to be taken at this juncture. Whether the effect was good or bad, it was better than doing nothing. Even if she wasn’t confident, she had to pull herself together.

“Of course,” she said. “I believe in myself, and I believe in Gold.”

She looked radiant and composed. Just looking at her made people want to trust her.

“Excellent.” Min Wutong laughed. “As expected of PD Lu.”

Lu Shuyu waved her hand with a flattering smile. “It’s all thanks to President Min’s good teaching~”

“Cough…” Min Wutong nearly choked. “Fine, so you were waiting for that?”

“Of course!” Lu Shuyu gave a thumbs up, looking very serious. “President Min is our pillar of support! The Stabilizing Pearl of the Sea!”

“The kind that Sun Wukong couldn’t pull away even if he tried!”

At this, Min Wutong couldn’t help but burst into laughter. She had never heard that one before.

“The Stabilizing Pearl that even Sun Wukong couldn’t pull away,” she repeated, nodding with satisfaction. “I like it.”

Before Lu Shuyu left, Min Wutong’s phone vibrated. A single glance made her expression turn cold—a precursor to a flare-up of temper.

Lu Shuyu felt a stir in her heart. “Is it Teacher?”

“Yeah,” Min Wutong nodded, sounding annoyed. “Her husband.”

“I had already arranged to meet Song Yi tonight, but her husband says it has to be changed to tomorrow afternoon.”

“It’s okay,” Lu Shuyu felt a spark of hope. “As long as I can see her.”

…

The next afternoon at 3:00 PM, the two arrived at Song Yi’s apartment as agreed. This time, there were no obstacles; Lu Shuyu saw her successfully.

Compared to the day she fainted, Song Yi looked much better. She had likely just woken from a nap and seemed a bit drowsy. But for some reason, Lu Shuyu felt a great sense of distance.

Her heart sank. After only a few days, the way Song Yi looked at her had become estranged. It seemed her heart was set on leaving the program.

“Teacher,” she smiled. “How is your health?”

“Don’t worry,” Song Yi leaned back in bed, her hands instinctively shielding her lower abdomen. “Everything is fine.”

Lu Shuyu’s eyelashes flickered, and she couldn’t help but look away.

“Wutong, Mingsheng,” Song Yi said suddenly. “I want to speak with Xiaoyu alone.”

Cao Mingsheng was a bit reluctant, but Min Wutong forced him out of the room and closed the door.

Lu Shuyu understood Song Yi’s intent, so she didn’t delay. She spoke directly: “Teacher, are you really planning to quit?”

The woman before her smiled. She looked somewhat melancholy, yet full of tenderness and maternal love. It was so unfamiliar that Lu Shuyu felt a chill. At that moment, she fully felt the reality of Song Yi becoming a mother.

“Xiaoyu,” Song Yi began.

When working, Song Yi always called her “PD Lu” or “Shuyu” so that others would hear and remember her name. Only in private, when no one else was around, would she call her “Xiaoyu.”

Lu Shuyu was momentarily dazed. she couldn’t remember the last time she had heard Song Yi call her that.

“I had a dream last night.” Song Yi’s gaze was gentle, as if reminiscing or even indulging in a beautiful dream. “I dreamed of a little girl with big, round, bright eyes.”

“She was smiling so brilliantly, looking at me with such expectation, calling me ‘Mama’ with a voice full of energy.”

“And then she told me, ‘We finally meet again’.”

As she spoke, Song Yi actually began to cry. She didn’t wipe the tears away, letting them fall freely, her smile full of contentment and happiness. Lu Shuyu didn’t take it upon herself to wipe them away either. Her heart simply sank. She discovered with shock and helplessness that the distance between two people could instantly span thousands of miles.

“Twelve years is one cycle of the zodiac,” Song Yi continued. “I feel like I can’t lose her again.”

Hearing this, there was no longer any room for negotiation.

Lu Shuyu forced a smile and remained silent for a moment before speaking. “Okay, I understand.” She took a deep breath. “I was a bit impulsive. I’m sorry, Teacher.”

Everyone has their own pursuits and desires; she shouldn’t impose her ideas on others. “But Teacher,” Lu Shuyu smiled, “I will wait for you to come back. You are the most excellent producer and the best teacher I’ve ever met. That will never change.”

Song Yi didn’t respond. Just as Lu Shuyu reached the door, she said, “Xiaoyu, you are very capable. I look forward to the day you reach the peak.”

…

Leaving Song Yi’s home, Lu Shuyu declined Min Wutong’s offer for a ride. “President Min, you go ahead. I want to walk for a bit by myself.”

Min Wutong didn’t try to persuade her. She only said, “Be careful on the road. Send me a message when you get home.”

She walked slowly, then took the subway. By the time she left the station, the sun was setting in the west, and the sky was tinged with orange. The greenery along the street was lush, and several crabapple trees were in full bloom. Pedestrians walked briskly, and cars flowed like water, all heading toward their destinations.

After standing still for a long time, Lu Shuyu let out a long sigh, tucking away the confusion in her heart. Now was not the time to ponder the meaning of life. She began calculating her next work tasks, but she didn’t expect to see an unexpected person at the foot of her building.

“Teacher Xia?” Lu Shuyu cried out in surprise. “Why didn’t you contact me?”

She pulled out her phone; there were no unread messages. Suddenly, a similar scene flashed through her mind—

Lu Shuyu rushed forward and fixed her gaze on Xia Leshuang. “Are you going to run away again?”

Xia Leshuang was startled by her intensity, but she quickly recovered. This “uninvited arrival” scene was very similar to the last time they saw each other nine years ago.

“No,” she shook her head firmly.

Lu Shuyu took a half step back, reining in her exaggerated reaction, and smoothly changed the subject. “Then why are you here, Teacher Xia? Finished recording the interview?”

“Yes,” Xia Leshuang nodded. “Finished the interview, and since I was passing by, I wanted to come and see.”

She wasn’t lying. For convenience, Lu Shuyu’s apartment was rented near the Cherry Building, and there was also a subway entrance here for the line to L-City. But Lu Shuyu wasn’t stupid. She didn’t believe someone would just “happen to be passing by” a colleague’s house and decide to wait there without a word. Even if she knew Lu Shuyu was seeing Song Yi today and wanted to know the result, there was no need to stand downstairs like a punished student. A grown woman looking so pitiful.

So, Xia Leshuang was concerned about her. And because of that, the way she had avoided the friend request like the plague that night became even more irritating.

The smile on Lu Shuyu’s face deepened, becoming bright and brilliant. “Then Teacher Xia is probably curious about PD Song’s situation.”

“From now on, Gold really only has me as the PD. You mustn’t look down on me, Teacher Xia.” “Of course, it wouldn’t matter even if you did.”

Lu Shuyu shrugged, her tone passive-aggressive and a bit rebellious. “Since Teacher Xia already knows the result,” she smiled, “I won’t keep you.”

“Shuyu…” Xia Leshuang was a bit dazed by her outburst, even using her first name. “I was just worried about you…”

“Teacher Xia,” Lu Shuyu interrupted her with a beaming smile. “We aren’t friends.”

“Colleagues have boundaries. It’s better not to cross the line.”

She turned and left, disappearing into the stairwell within seconds.

Xia Leshuang stood dazed, unable to shake Lu Shuyu’s sharp, passive-aggressive tone from her mind… She pursed her lips, but she couldn’t stop the joy growing wildly in her heart. She let out a laugh.

She knew clearly that it was difficult to move forward, but the mere thought that Lu Shuyu cared about her and wanted to be friends with her made her lose all control. Bitter and sweet emotions clashed violently in her heart. Xia Leshuang felt her scalp tingle, and she immediately turned and ran toward the exit as if escaping.

If she stayed for one more second, she would fall completely.