She Said She Has Feelings For Someone - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Gummies — Thank you, Teacher Xia. It’s very sweet.

The moment she saw Xia Leshuang’s friend request, Lu Shuyu didn’t know how to describe the feeling in her heart. One second, her heart was racing with excitement; the next, she felt a wave of heartache and irritation. The shift was so sudden it left her reeling.

Xia Leshuang’s verification message wasn’t brief: PD Lu likes listening to audio dramas? I like them too! Could we share some recommendations?

As expected, it was the same “common interest” excuse she had used with Chi Shan.

But Lu Shuyu didn’t buy it. If she had successfully used Er Yu as bait, the probability that Er Yu was actually Xia Leshuang herself was about eighty or ninety percent. The image of Xia Leshuang as a college student working to earn “meal money” gradually became clearer in her mind—so clear she almost didn’t want to believe it.

Passing the request, Lu Shuyu sent a message before Xia Leshuang could say anything: Sorry, Teacher Xia, I’ve only just started exploring them, so I don’t have much to share yet~

The “typing…” indicator at the top paused, then flickered again quickly.

Xia Leshuang: It’s okay! Then let me recommend some to you. This “Er Yu” has average skills and mostly plays supporting roles; she doesn’t have many lead works.

…Lu Shuyu couldn’t help but let out a laugh. She replied: Sure, thank you, Teacher Xia.

Xia Leshuang: You’re welcome, PD Lu [Cute]

After that message, there was a long silence from the other side. She was probably seriously looking for recommendations.

But Lu Shuyu didn’t actually want recommendations. She leaned back and realized she was covered in a light sweat—likely due to the emotional roller coaster. She decided to take another shower.

By the time she returned, several unread messages were waiting for her. The first few were long, detailed recommendations for audio dramas, written with great care and even including links. Finally, seeing that she hadn’t replied for a long time, Xia had sent two more.

— Are you asleep? — Goodnight, PD Lu.

Lu Shuyu felt a hitch in her chest, a strange itch like being gently pawed by a kitten’s soft pad.

— Just took a shower, about to sleep. — Goodnight, Teacher Xia. — See you tomorrow.

…

The next afternoon, the production team landed in F-City in batches. The pilot episode had been released that morning.

As soon as she landed, Lu Shuyu received a message from Min Wutong saying that the popularity was good, but the comments might be a bit negative, so she shouldn’t look at them out of curiosity.

In the past, she might have actually listened. But now, she was the backbone of the production team. There were things she had to see and understand to be prepared.

After a quick scan of social media, Lu Shuyu finally understood why Min Wutong told her not to look. Someone had leaked the news of Song Yi’s departure and bought marketing right after the pilot dropped. Multiple platforms were synchronized with “insider leaks” claiming the production team was in chaos, with keywords like “usurpation” and “pushing out veterans” flooding the screens.

Lu Shuyu felt a chill; her temples throbbed.

“The weather in F-City… feels like it’s going to rain,” a staff member’s voice drifted into her ears. Lu Shuyu instinctively turned her head to look out the bus window. They were heading to the hotel, and the sky was a heavy, suffocating gray.

“Hey, don’t jinx it!” “It’s raining!”

Fine droplets hit the glass. Lu Shuyu felt a tightening in her chest. Her finger slipped, opening a comment section where she saw controversy regarding the guests.

— As expected, what kind of good production team would hire these guests? — Want to hear the gossip? Tell us more. — We’ve got one who retired due to a sex scandal and came back, one who used a ‘Best Actress’ title as a dowry only to be dumped by a wealthy family, one who got pregnant before marriage right after getting famous and is now a divorced single mom, and a scheming host whose acting is a joke. Plus two nobodies, I don’t even remember who. Someone fill in the blanks. — I know! One was too ‘noble’ and offended a big shot, retired to get married but was kicked out by her in-laws for being infertile. Now that the big shot is gone, she’s back for money. And a stage actress who also offended someone and made a mess of a legal battle saying she’d retire, but here she is.

It was the same old stories. Even though many of these rumors had been clarified before, the “usurpation” narrative was being used to pour another round of filth over them.

Lu Shuyu dazed for a moment. The sky outside looked as if it had been soaked in ink.

“I knew the sky looked wrong when we came out.” “It’s fine, just light rain. No big deal.”

The staff were still discussing the rain, but they sounded calm. Lu Shuyu lowered her eyes and put her phone away. Chi Shan sat next to her, checking the weather forecast in silence. She turned her screen off quickly, but Lu Shuyu had already seen it: the probability of rain for the next week was very high.

“It’s okay,” Chi Shan whispered. “Chen Qian is here, and we’ve been through this. We aren’t afraid.”

They were all looking out for her. Lu Shuyu could feel it. From the moment they landed, a sense of tension had been growing uncontrollably. Although Song Yi hadn’t been there in T-City either, this recording was the first time Lu Shuyu was truly standing alone. And immediately, she faced rain and malicious rumors.

It wasn’t a good start. But she couldn’t show it.

“I’m not worried,” Lu Shuyu smiled. “Even in a rainstorm, we’ll finish the shoot smoothly!”

As the pillar of the team, as long as she stayed steady, the team wouldn’t crumble.

“Exactly. Let’s look at something happy. Didn’t the pilot come out today? How’s the response?”

As Chi Shan spoke, Lu Shuyu suddenly grabbed her wrist—hard. Chi Shan flinched in surprise.

“It’s pretty good. Don’t look at it anymore.”

Lu Shuyu stood up and faced everyone in the bus, her voice clear and smiling. “President Min already contacted me. The pilot is being well-received.”

A cheer went up. Then, her tone shifted. “But we must stay humble and focused. During this shoot, no one is allowed to check online comments, okay?”

Though her expression was the same as usual, everyone heard the underlying notes of sternness and authority. The cheering stopped. The bus fell into a brief, cautious silence. Some guessed the reason for her “toughness” and looked worried.

“Yes, Boss!”

Suddenly, a voice rang out from the back. Everyone looked back to see a single arm raised high. Lu Shuyu, standing up, locked eyes with Xia Leshuang.

Those eyes—the ones she had privately described as “two pools of rippling spring water”—were bright and gentle, dispersing the gloom. Xia Leshuang looked at her, the smile in her eyes deepening. She called out again: “I definitely won’t look!”

The silence broke. The guest group turned into a “hype squad,” and the staff relaxed, promising not to peek. Lu Shuyu sighed inwardly and smiled. “Thank you all for cooperating.”

…

The first two days were in the city, not Zhang Island. They arrived at the city hotel and distributed room cards.

“Teacher Xia is across from PD Lu again?” Chi Shan asked in surprise.

Xia Leshuang was even more surprised, wondering if this was someone’s deliberate arrangement. The two looked at Lu Shuyu, wanting to say something, but neither spoke.

“Just a coincidence,” Lu Shuyu said with a straight face, shrugging. “Hurry up, put your things away and get ready.”

Her phone vibrated, and she immediately entered her room. It was Min Wutong.

“I’m looking into the rumors,” Min said. “But I’m certain it’s not from within Cherry.”

Only investors and internal staff knew about Song Yi’s resignation. These people were veterans with confidentiality clauses; they wouldn’t talk. Lu Shuyu knew this too—even when eating with Zheng Yu, she hadn’t mentioned it.

“Focus on the shoot,” Min added. “I have a few suspects.”

The F-City shoot was four days long—two in the city for competitions, and two on the island for scenery. The rain continued intermittently into the second day. The staff simply kept their rain ponchos on to save trouble.

By evening, the wind and rain picked up, and everyone took cover in the vehicles. Lu Shuyu noticed Zhong Wen’s face was deathly pale. She felt a bad omen.

“Guests, please head back to the hotel first,” Lu Shuyu said firmly.

Luo Han and the others looked at each other, then at Zhong Wen. They understood she was afraid they’d get sick and stall the shoot.

“Where are Teacher Xia and Teacher Jiang?” Lu Shuyu realized two guests were missing. Before anyone could explain, there was a knock on the door. It was Xia Leshuang and Jiang Fei.

They were carrying a dozen cups of hot lemon tea. “The delivery just arrived. Everyone, drink some hot tea so you don’t catch a cold.”

Lu Shuyu felt helpless. She declined the tea Xia handed her. “I can’t drink it now. Just put it down.”

Xia Leshuang froze, then reached into another plastic bag and handed something else over.

“Then have some candy to boost your energy,” she said softly. “You don’t look very well.” Her brows were slightly knit in concern.

In her hand were several familiar fruit gummies—green and orange stacked together. Lu Shuyu’s heart softened. She wanted to laugh. After all these years, she still likes this specific candy.

“You can actually buy these here?” she asked.

Xia Leshuang smiled. “There’s a school nearby. I bought them from the little shop outside.”

No wonder. Back in high school, they used to visit those little shops after class to buy “childhood memories” only found in such places. Back then, Lu Shuyu would be secretly happy just to see a glimpse of the younger Xia Leshuang.

“Thank you, Teacher Xia.” She took one and put it in her mouth. “It’s very sweet.”

…

The guests left early. Lu Shuyu led the crew to finish work just before dark. Upon returning to the hotel, she received bad news.

Zhong Wen had fainted briefly due to severe menstrual pain and was sent to the hospital. Xia Leshuang and Jiang Fei stayed behind at the hotel to explain the situation.

“She’s on an IV now. She’s fine and will be back once it’s finished.”

Chi Shan was worried. “As long as she’s okay… but what about tomorrow’s shoot?”

Lu Shuyu made an immediate decision. “Modify the filming plan. Directors and writers, let’s have a quick meeting.”

Chi Shan pulled her aside. “It’s still early. Why don’t you eat something before continuing?”

Lu Shuyu blinked. “Oh, I forgot. Okay, we’ll meet in half an hour. You guys go eat first.”

As she headed toward her room, Xia Leshuang called out, “Aren’t you going to eat, PD Lu?”

“I need to think about how to change the plan,” Lu Shuyu smiled. “I’m not hungry. You worked hard today too, Teacher Xia. Get some rest.”

She left in a hurry. Only then did Jiang Fei dare to speak: “Shuangshuang, PD Lu looks really haggard, doesn’t she?”

Xia Leshuang shook her head, signaling her not to worry. But in her heart, she was terrified. Lu Shuyu had barely eaten or even drunk water for the past two days. Though she looked stable, she was clearly anxious and tense.

Her body moved faster than her thoughts.

“Shuangshuang, where are you going?” “To find PD Lu.”