She Said She Has Feelings For Someone - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Seduction — This is something only friends can do…

Despite her initial surge of resolve, most of it dissipated by the time Xia Leshuang actually reached Lu Shuyu’s door.

The door was tightly shut. Xia Leshuang took a deep breath and knocked anyway.

“PD Lu, it’s me.”

It took a while before the door opened—only halfway. Lu Shuyu stood in that gap, effectively blocking the entrance.

“Is there something you need, Teacher Xia?”

It was obvious: she had no intention of inviting her in.

A sense of loss she couldn’t control flared in her heart. Xia Leshuang pursed her lips slightly and stated her purpose directly: “You haven’t eaten properly these past two days. I wanted to ask if you’d like to go out and grab a bite with me.”

Lu Shuyu gave a faint smile. “Don’t worry, Teacher Xia, I’ve already had something to eat.”

She held up her phone at an angle where they both could see the screen.

“Besides, there isn’t enough time to head out anyway.”

Lu Shuyu declined her again: “So, is there anything else, Teacher Xia?”

Xia Leshuang’s heart tightened. She shook her head mutely. “No.”

“Then get some rest, Teacher Xia. I have work to do.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the door clicked shut.

Bitterness and frustration flooded Xia Leshuang’s mind. She gave a wry smile and walked back to her own room across the hall. After closing the door, she leaned against it as if all her strength had left her, letting out a long sigh.

Lu Shuyu’s invitation to be friends under the magnolia tree echoed in her ears again, and a belated sense of regret finally welled up from the depths of her soul.

The Lu Shuyu she met after their reunion was composed in everything—cheerful, bright, and so strong and determined that it seemed nothing could affect her. But no matter how strong a person is, they aren’t machines. They get vulnerable and sick; they get anxious and tense; they experience emotions and physical reactions they can’t control.

She had arrogantly and self-righteously assumed that as long as she could watch Lu Shuyu be happy from a distance, that would be enough. She had forgotten that if the other person was sick or hurting, she would have no legitimate reason to stay by her side.

The surging regret felt like it was about to explode in her chest. Xia Leshuang let out a heavy breath and slowly slid down the door until she was sitting on the floor.

But it was a little late for that.

Moreover, with filming imminent, she couldn’t afford to be selfish or cause unnecessary trouble. Lu Shuyu was already exhausted enough.

…

The temporary meeting went smoothly and didn’t last long. The scriptwriting team took over to refine the details.

Lu Shuyu’s proposed modification was simple: the individual competition format for the water filming remained unchanged, but a hidden team element was added, along with a special mission: “Protect the Humans.”

Humans could not touch the water and needed protection; they had to identify the “marine teammate” guarding them for the team to win. After winning and successfully pairing up, it would lead perfectly into the next segment at the aquarium, where the roles of humans and marine teammates would swap. This reduced the running segments and focused on puzzle-solving and promoting ocean conservation.

As one of the designated “humans,” Zhong Wen wouldn’t have to enter the water for the outdoor part, and for the indoor part, she would be a “marine creature” who didn’t need to walk quickly. It was perfect for her condition.

Chi Shan couldn’t help but sigh in admiration. “How did you come up with that on the fly?”

Lu Shuyu smiled. “Stop talking. I’m busy.” She sat back down and focused on the script, not noticing Xia Leshuang, who stayed for a moment and was the last to leave.

…

Outside the room, staff members were chatting in the hallway, praising Lu Shuyu’s adaptability. Xia Leshuang let out a sigh of relief. By solving the emergency and stabilizing the team’s morale, Lu Shuyu had proven herself through sheer capability.

Around 1:00 AM, a message arrived saying Zhong Wen had returned after finishing her IV. The script was also finalized. Not wanting to disturb the writers further, Lu Shuyu went to wait outside Zhong Wen’s door.

Ten minutes later, Zhong Wen returned. The staff accompanying her were surprised to see Lu Shuyu. She raised her hand: “I just need a quick word with Zhong Wen. You guys go get some rest.”

Zhong Wen pulled out her room card. “Do you want to come in and talk, PD Lu?”

“No need.” Lu Shuyu waved her off and briefly explained the temporary changes. “So, don’t worry about tomorrow’s shoot. It will go smoothly.”

Zhong Wen stared blankly for a moment before it registered. Her eyes suddenly turned red, looking pitiful against her pale skin. “I’m so sorry, PD Lu. I caused so much trouble because of my personal situation.” She felt truly guilty. “Is it a huge hassle? Actually, you didn’t have to change it. I can film…”

Her voice trailed off as she met Lu Shuyu’s gaze—it was indulgent and warm.

“Teacher Zhong,” Lu Shuyu’s voice was soft yet powerful. “Menstruation is a normal physiological trait unique to women. It’s not a sudden illness like a cold or a fever; it’s a regular, cyclical event just like eating or drinking. It was my oversight for not checking the guests’ conditions in advance and preparing backup plans.”

“So, you don’t need to blame yourself. You can choose to persevere, and we should provide care. These aren’t conflicting ideas, nor is it a difficult task. Besides—” Her expression turned serious. “If I can’t even accommodate a woman’s period, I have no business running an all-female team.”

Zhong Wen’s eyes widened, speechless. Lu Shuyu took the room card from her hand, swiped the door open, and gently pushed her inside. “Rest well, Teacher Zhong.”

…

The night was deep. A breeze blew through the corridor. Lu Shuyu walked back against the wind, rubbing her neck, taking a brief moment to relax during the walk. When she reached her door, she found something hanging from the handle.

A small thermos.

A familiar feeling rose from her heart. Lu Shuyu opened it; the sweet scent of hot fruit tea hit her—it smelled lovely.

On the side of the thermos was a label: Boiled apple and orange. No tea leaves, so you can drink it without worrying about sleep.

A smile involuntarily spread across her lips. That brief moment of relaxation was extended by this gesture. She couldn’t help but think back to the winter break of her second year in high school. Because she was always following Xia Leshuang to the boxing gym, the coach there jokingly called her a “little daughter-in-law.”

Back then, she didn’t understand why, nor did she see how she resembled one. Now, she suddenly understood.

“I’m not the one anymore.”

She murmured to herself, not glancing back at the door behind her, and swiped her card to enter the room.

Click.

Through the peephole, Xia Leshuang heard the door close. She breathed a sigh of relief and tiptoed back into her room. The act felt perverted, like a stalker, making her skin crawl. She felt guilty, even if she was just confirming the delivery.

But she was also a little happy. It looked like Lu Shuyu would drink it. Then she wouldn’t be as hungry.

…

The next two days of filming went relatively well. Despite intermittent showers, they finished the city segments before nightfall. Lu Shuyu had arranged for ginger tea with brown sugar beforehand so the staff could drink it on the way back.

“Sister Qian, thank you for your hard work these past two days.” The driver, Sister Qian, was a very warm person with steady driving skills who had been a great help.

“Oh, you’re too polite! You guys are the impressive ones; I’m just helping a bit!” Sister Qian accepted the ginger tea with a laugh. “Besides, I’ve been eating your treats; it’s the least I can do!”

“It’s what we should do,” Lu Shuyu smiled, then coughed twice.

Sister Qian looked at her face closely, concerned. “Miss Lu, you don’t look right. Are you feeling unwell?”

Lu Shuyu coughed again; her throat felt dry and itchy. “Don’t worry. At most, it’s just a small cold from the rain. I have a strong constitution.”

Back at the hotel, the crew prepared to get dinner. “Is PD Lu coming with us?” Chi Shan asked.

“No,” Lu Shuyu shook her head, looking exhausted. “You guys go ahead. I want to sleep for a bit.”

The others didn’t press her. “Rest well, PD Lu!”

The guest group didn’t go either, staying to keep Zhong Wen company. Xia Leshuang acted on her own: “I have something to do; you guys eat.”

Her “something to do” was, of course, preparing food for Lu Shuyu. The other woman had no appetite and looked unwell lately. Now that the city shoot was over and there was some time, she intended to make sure she ate something.

However, when she knocked on the door with the food, there was no response for a long time. Xia Leshuang tried a voice call; she could hear the faint ringing inside the room, but no one picked up.

“PD Lu!” “Lu Shuyu!”

She shouted while pounding on the door, appearing quite conspicuous in the hallway. Just in case, Xia Leshuang entered a series of numbers she knew by heart into her dialer. The ringtone sounded through the door, but still, no one answered.

She didn’t hesitate any longer and called Chi Shan. “Director Chi, don’t be alarmed, but can you come back? I’m knocking on PD Lu’s door and there’s no answer. Her phone is in the room, but she’s not picking up.”

Chi Shan panicked but held it together. “Okay, I’m coming back.”

The two of them went to the front desk to get a spare key. As soon as the door opened, they saw Lu Shuyu collapsed on the floor.

“Shuyu!”

…

Lu Shuyu was jolted awake. Opening her eyes, she saw Xia Leshuang’s chin. Startled and dazed, she thought she was dreaming.

“Xia…”

The rest of her words got stuck in her throat. She realized it felt dry and painful, and her head was throbbing with a feverish heat. She had actually fallen ill.

“You’re awake, my ancestor?” It was Chi Shan’s voice.

Lu Shuyu had no strength to reply. She heard Xia Leshuang explain, “You fainted. We’re going to the hospital now.”

By the time they reached the hospital ten minutes later, Lu Shuyu was much more alert. She refused to be carried anymore. “I can walk!”

She was stubborn, making Chi Shan’s hands itch to smack her. Gritting her teeth, Chi Shan supported her from one side. “Fine, be a stubborn mule! I never realized you were this headstrong!”

“Hmph…” Lu Shuyu was too tired to argue, offering a light grunt as a response.

“Ha,” Chi Shan muttered. “You’re a little pig.”

The childish bickering made Xia Leshuang’s head ache. She took Lu Shuyu’s shoulder and pulled her over. “Director Chi, why don’t you go handle the registration?”

The emergency room was crowded. Xia Leshuang couldn’t find a seat, so she acted as a human crutch, letting Lu Shuyu lean firmly against her. The latter leaned reluctantly, trying to pull away several times, only to be pulled back.

“Seat! Seat!” Finally, a spot opened up. Lu Shuyu called out excitedly and dashed toward it like a firework, collapsing into the chair.

She moved so fast that Xia Leshuang couldn’t even catch her. Xia walked over helplessly. Lu Shuyu adjusted her position, clutching her forehead and panting slightly; that sudden burst of energy had been taxing in her current state.

Xia Leshuang felt a pang of distress, but she didn’t show it. Instead, she said, “As expected of PD Lu. Even sick, you still have that explosive power.”

In the chair, Lu Shuyu tilted her gaze, shooting her a proud look and another huff. But in her current fragile state, she just looked cute and pitiful. Xia Leshuang chuckled, and the distress in her heart dissipated.

The ER doctor ordered some tests. It wasn’t until midnight that she started her IV drip.

“Director Chi, you go back first,” Xia Leshuang said. “I can handle things here.”

Chi Shan didn’t decline. She glanced at the limp figure in Xia’s arms, sighed, and said, “Then take good care of her.”

…

After Chi Shan left, only the two of them remained.

Lu Shuyu huddled in the chair. The combination of a 39-degree fever, days of high tension, and a lack of appetite had left her in a state of complete exhaustion. Her eyes were half-closed, her brow slightly furrowed. Xia Leshuang couldn’t help but think back to high school; Lu Shuyu had been fragile like this then too.

Back then, that fragility triggered a protective instinct. But now, she didn’t want to see Lu Shuyu like this ever again. The bright, cheerful version of her suited her a thousand times better.

“Is the IV cold?”

Sitting next to Lu Shuyu, Xia Leshuang gently covered the back of Shuyu’s hand—the one with the needle—with her own palm.

Lu Shuyu grunted twice but didn’t pull away. She was clearly truly exhausted.

“Do you want to lean on me and sleep for a while?” Xia Leshuang asked softly.

The moment she spoke, she felt the person beside her stop breathing for a split second.

“Let go,” Lu Shuyu said.

Xia Leshuang was taken aback. Feeling a wave of bitterness, she obediently moved her hand away. After a long silence, Lu Shuyu spoke again.

“This is something only friends can do.”

She turned her head. Her eyes, bloodshot from the high fever, held a gaze of blatant provocation—perhaps even seduction.

“Are we friends?”