She Said She Has Feelings For Someone - Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Staying Out All Night — Making It Up to You Now

A few days later at 8:00 PM, by popular demand, the “Jin-Jin Sisters” found time to hold a coordinated livestream to watch the series finale of Silence of Gold with their fans.

Xia Leshuang was livestreaming in the living room, chatting and laughing with the other guests. Lu Shuyu stayed in her room working, though she kept a bit of her attention on their conversation. Occasionally, she’d hear them mention her name, and she’d prick up her ears to listen to what they were saying.

Listening to them made her feel a bit strange—like she was eavesdropping on people gossiping about her. Deciding it was a bit rude, she put on her headphones and focused on her work.

An hour later, there was movement in the living room. Thinking the livestream was over, Lu Shuyu grabbed her empty water glass and headed out to the kitchen. Her headphones were playing a favorite song, and she was unconsciously humming along. She turned around, only to find Xia Leshuang staring at her from the living room with a mischievous smile.

“!”

Startled, she let out a loud hiccup. She quickly pulled off her headphones and waved her hands to signal Leshuang to continue the livestream, then began tiptoeing toward the water dispenser.

The only problem was that once the hiccups started, they wouldn’t stop.

“Shuang-shuang, is someone hiccuping over there?”

It was Zhong Wen’s voice. Lu Shuyu pressed her lips together in frustration. Is her hearing a bit too good?

“Yes,” Xia Leshuang suddenly replied. “It’s Director Lu.”

!

“Huh?!” “Why is Director Lu at your house?!” “What are you two doing behind our backs!”

Before Lu Shuyu could react, the stream erupted with exclamations of surprise. Xia Leshuang, however, didn’t panic at all. She explained quite naturally, “Director Lu is my roommate now~”

Oh~

What was with that tone?

“Oh my god—” “When did this happen?” “Exactly! You didn’t tell us anything!”

By the time she finished pouring her water, Lu Shuyu’s hiccups had been scared away. She didn’t want to hear another second of the livestream and scurried back to her room with her glass. Before entering, she couldn’t resist shooting a glare at Xia Leshuang. The latter just pursed her lips and blinked twice, looking utterly innocent.

But it was obvious—she did it on purpose.

Lu Shuyu wanted to laugh, so she simply turned and closed the door. Whether it was her imagination or not, the recent Xia Leshuang seemed to be actively sending her signals.

“I’m not sure,” Lu Shuyu shook her head. “Let’s wait and see.”

Her phone buzzed several times. Most of it was the guest group chat. After skimming through, she replied: It hasn’t been that long. Come over and visit in a few days when you’re all back in City B.

After hitting send, she started worrying about how to explain her relationship with Min Wutong to Xia Leshuang. The next second, a message from Min Wutong popped up.

— Call me when you have a moment. Make sure Teacher Xia isn’t around.

The message looked serious, and Lu Shuyu’s playful mood vanished instantly.

As soon as the call connected, the first words from the other side were: “Is Teacher Xia near you?”

“No,” Lu Shuyu sat back at her desk. “Go ahead.”

Min Wutong didn’t beat around the bush and went straight to the point: “I’ve sent a few scripts to Teacher Xia over the past few days, and her attitude is a bit off.”

“I know it’s normal for actors to be picky, especially since she’s already won awards. A comeback project shouldn’t be chosen lightly.” Min Wutong paused, then added, “But I feel like… it’s not that she’s being picky. It’s that she doesn’t want to act at all.”

Doesn’t want to act?

Lu Shuyu was shocked and instinctively disagreed. “How is that possible?”

If nothing else, Xia Leshuang’s passion for acting was obvious to everyone.

“Like you said, that was back in high school,” Min Wutong reminded her. “It’s been ten years.”

Lu Shuyu fell silent.

“Anyway,” Min Wutong said, “Help me ask around indirectly. If she really doesn’t want to act, we can try to convince her. If we can’t, we won’t force it.”

“Okay, I understand.”

After hanging up, she heard Xia Leshuang saying her goodbyes in the living room, followed by the sound of her packing up the livestream gear. Lu Shuyu sat quietly, listening to the familiar sounds. Xia Leshuang moved quickly and efficiently without bumping into anything. She was very practiced.

The complex emotions in Shuyu’s heart gradually settled down. She let out a soft breath and opened the door.

She bumped right into Xia Leshuang, who was just about to knock. Both were startled, staring at each other wide-eyed.

Lu Shuyu looked up at the hand that had almost knocked on her forehead and couldn’t help but laugh. “Is Teacher Xia trying to get revenge for me patting your head by launching a sneak attack?”

“I was wondering why this felt familiar.” Xia Leshuang realized too and withdrew her hand with a smile. “Of course not.”

“I’m just a bit hungry. I wanted to ask how Director Lu’s work was going.” At this, she arched an eyebrow. “Want to go get something to eat? My treat!”

Director Lu this, Director Lu that…

Lu Shuyu crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe. “Speaking of which, I haven’t even held you accountable for exposing the fact that we’re roommates yet!”

“It’s because Director Lu gives off such a sense of security,” Xia Leshuang smiled brilliantly. “I just really wanted everyone to know.”

Nearly blinded by that smile, Lu Shuyu shook her head, turned back two steps to grab her phone, and said, “Let’s go.”

The two of them hit it off and decided on the 24-hour convenience store outside the neighborhood. After buying oden and a bunch of “carb bombs,” they sat outside the store. Lu Shuyu realized something. “You don’t have work tomorrow, do you?”

Being seen through, Xia Leshuang laughed and held up two fingers. “Two days off in a row!”

“Whoa,” Lu Shuyu laughed as well. “That’s great. A real vacation.”

Xia Leshuang had indeed been busy lately, with almost no days off. She had been strictly dieting to look good on camera, so it was fine to indulge a bit during a rare break. Seeing her eating happily, Lu Shuyu felt a stir in her heart and sighed casually. “Being a female star is hard.”

“But fortunately, Teacher Xia doesn’t do idol dramas. If you do slice-of-life or crime dramas like you used to, the standards aren’t so harsh.”

The chewing motion in front of her stopped. Xia Leshuang then smiled and shook her head. “Actually, it’s the same—even for movies.”

“As long as you’re a female star, it’s all the same.”

She was smiling, but there was no mirth in her eyes. Lu Shuyu stared blankly, seeing a trace of bitterness and even a hint of disgust.

“Eat up,” Xia Leshuang handed her a chicken skewer. “What are you dazed for?”

The bitterness and disgust were gone. Lu Shuyu took it. “I am eating.”

In her mind, she replayed those words—it’s all the same. Perhaps something had happened back then.

After quickly finishing the chicken skewer, she smiled. “That was delicious.”

“To thank Teacher Xia for this amazing chicken skewer—”

Xia Leshuang looked up, waiting with surprise and anticipation.

Lu Shuyu couldn’t help but grin. “Let’s stay out all night tonight!”

She made the bold claim, and Xia Leshuang nearly choked. After coughing twice, she looked up, her eyes sparkling. “Sure. Where to?”

…

After finishing their food, Lu Shuyu led her in the opposite direction. “I’m so full,” she said. “Let’s go for a walk first.”

It wasn’t too late, and the streets were lively. The summer night temperature was perfect. Waves of people were coming out for late-night snacks, and the air was thick with the scent of street food.

After walking for a few minutes, Xia Leshuang realized the route looked familiar. “Is this toward your old rental place?”

Lu Shuyu was surprised. “Teacher Xia, you have a great memory.”

Once they passed the old neighborhood, they turned a corner into a place Xia Leshuang didn’t recognize. However—

“We’re here.” Lu Shuyu stopped and looked at her companion. “Does it look familiar?”

It was an old street with ancient stone-brick walls and tall, lush plane trees. It was about 80% similar to the street outside her grandmother’s house.

“It does…” Xia Leshuang stared, transfixed, her heart warming up. “It really does.”

“Shuyu,” she couldn’t help but ask, “do you remember the first time I took you to my grandmother’s house?”

“Of course,” Lu Shuyu looked up. “The New Year’s Eve fireworks. They were beautiful.”

Xia Leshuang also looked up and smiled. “Yeah, they were.”

“Shuyu,” she whispered, “Thank you. And thank you for always remembering.”

Their eyes met under the streetlights, both filled with nostalgia.

She really hasn’t changed a bit, Lu Shuyu thought.

Of course she remembered. She remembered holding hands with Xia Leshuang, running under the fireworks on a winter night, and the excitement and heat in her hand and heart. Winter nights should be cold, but she hadn’t felt it at all then because Xia Leshuang was her source of warmth.

Clearing her throat, Lu Shuyu turned her head. “Of course. That was the first time I snuck out of the house. Director Lu almost broke my legs!”

“Is Director Lu really that scary?” Xia Leshuang didn’t believe it.

“Heh,” Lu Shuyu muttered. “You’ll see sooner or later.”

“What?” Xia Leshuang didn’t hear her clearly.

“I said,” Lu Shuyu turned around, “to the next stop!”

…

When they arrived, Xia Leshuang was momentarily startled. “A private cinema? We’re watching a movie?”

Lu Shuyu nodded. “The one I want to see isn’t in regular theaters.”

As soon as the movie started, Xia Leshuang felt the urge to run. “Do we have to watch this?”

Ten years later, she hadn’t expected to have the chance to watch this movie again.

“Teacher Xia,” Lu Shuyu feigned anger, “This is the award-winning work of China’s youngest Best Actress. Please show it some respect.”

“Okay.” Xia Leshuang sat down obediently.

The movie told the story of a bullied girl who wanted to become strong, only to fall in love with Muay Thai and become a top fighter. Back then, many viewers flocked to see it. Although the content wasn’t mainstream, many people remembered the tenacious, resolute, and brave protagonist.

“Xia Leshuang.”

As the credits rolled, Lu Shuyu spoke up. Xia Leshuang was startled. “Hmm?”

“You acted so well. I really love it.” “Also.” “Congratulations on winning Best Actress.”

After saying this, Lu Shuyu’s lips curved into a smile, her eyes slightly moist. “What I couldn’t say back then, I’m making up to you now.”

“Shuyu…”

Xia Leshuang hadn’t expected this. Heartache and regret instantly filled her chest, and tears fell without warning.

“This movie,” Lu Shuyu reached out to wipe away a tear, “I’ve watched it many times.”

“Because I witnessed your hard work and sacrifice back then, I deeply felt your passion.” She was gentle and sincere. “And your passion influenced me. It made me fall in love with exercise, turning me from the thin and frail girl I was into someone strong today.”

“Xia Leshuang, please believe in yourself.”

Xia Leshuang took a deep breath before swallowing her surging emotions. “Shuyu, thank you.”

She lowered her eyes slightly, guessing the reason why Lu Shuyu had proposed this “staying out all night” trip. But none of that mattered anymore because Lu Shuyu was too radiant; she had no defense against her.

“Actually, while filming this movie,” she said softly, “I thought about giving up.”

That was Xia Leshuang’s first movie. Even though Xu Ruyue and Xia Ye were by her side the whole time, she couldn’t ease the tension in her heart.

“This role was one Xia Ye fought for because the director has many excellent works, and just as many Best Actors and Actresses have come from him.”

“I heard them discussing the reasons for the casting.” Xia Leshuang gave a bitter smile. “It was because I was prettier than the other actresses.”

“A boxer doesn’t need beauty, but in front of the camera, the rule is ‘you can look ugly, but you can’t actually be ugly.'”

“I thought it was unfair, but I was powerless to resist. The set was like a small world with strict rules. The male presence was high, and they were naturally considered superior to women.”

“Women weren’t allowed to sit on equipment boxes. Women went through the same hardships but were seen as inferior because of their periods. There were small actresses with no background being harassed…”

Xia Leshuang shook her head, not wanting to mention it further. She added, “I wanted to gain weight for the role, make my skin darker, and wear less makeup, but the director wouldn’t allow it.”

“He said artistic creation isn’t a copy of reality; it needs aesthetic beauty.”

“But I felt that the beauty of a movie comes from the director, the story, and the tension between the acting and the character—it shouldn’t come from the actor’s appearance.”

She sighed softly. “But maybe the director was right. I just didn’t want to agree with him.”

After speaking, Xia Leshuang looked over. “This is also why I don’t want to act anymore.”

Lu Shuyu’s mood was complex, and she found it hard to speak for a moment. After a long while, she smiled and pursed her lips. “Teacher Xia, escaping and giving up is indeed one way.”

“But… I still think it’s such a pity.”

Xia Leshuang looked at her, and she looked back.

“You are a person with so much energy. You’re the type of person who, as long as you set out to do it, can succeed, win, and earn things for yourself.”

“So, let’s change our thinking.”

“Use our power to break out, fight for territory we can control ourselves, and create new rules—”

“Wouldn’t that be more interesting?”