She Said She Has Feelings For Someone - Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Shura Field — More than Ambiguity

At the end of August, Xia Leshuang finished filming her drama, and the second season of Silence of Gold—titled Gold of Adventure—entered its official pre-production phase. As a result, their planned trip to City S had to be postponed.

In the evening, the editor sent over a rough cut package containing the solo interviews recorded by the guests a few days prior for the second season.

At the start of the first season, they had set up a “labels” segment. To capture the audience’s interest immediately, the guests had burned their bridges, fighting hard for both themselves and the show. For the launch of the second season, Lu Shuyu brought this segment back to let the guests reflect. It served as a space for them to explain and clarify, while also acting as a bridge to conclude the first season and officially begin the second.

There were six rough-cut videos in the folder, arranged by recording order—which, by fate, was the same order they appeared in the first episode.

“Hello everyone, I’m Luo Han, the eldest sister of the Gold Sisters.” “I know my labels caused a lot of controversy in the first season. I want to apologize for that, and also deeply thank the viewers who spoke up for me and supported me.” “Ten years have passed since that incident, and nearly nine years since the court ruling was made public.” “At first, I was terrified and lost. I stayed on Zhang Island for six months, and when I returned, I went to construction sites to do the simplest, most exhausting manual labor.” “Those were the stablest days after the incident. Everyone was bare-faced and covered in dust; no one knew me, and no one looked at me with judgment.” “They were all too busy making a living, tiredly and carefully hoping for a stable future.” “That’s how I repaired myself and regained my strength before meeting the Gold Sisters and luckily becoming one of them.” “I hope this experience brings a bit of hope to those of you who are lost. I sincerely wish that everyone forced into a predicament finds themselves soon, stays firm, and gathers the strength to break through.”

Snap— “Jiang Fei’s solo interview is starting!” “Hi, I’m Jiang Fei, the youngest of the Gold group and a comedy actress.” “On the first day of recording, I chose two labels: ‘Comedy Actress’ and ‘Nobody.’ Because those were my dream and my greatest achievement on the road to that dream.” “Being replaced and kicked out of the theater due to youthful arrogance and ignorance of the world was a huge blow. The subsequent controversy and negative public opinion from defending my rights became the final straw.” “But I never expected to find a way out of the dead end. I was lucky enough to become a member of the Gold Sisters. I met great people and experienced wonderful things. Looking back now, I was indeed a bit naive.” “But I don’t regret it—even if I hadn’t met the Gold Sisters and had retired as planned.” “I hope everyone can find the courage to defend their rights and encounter their own ‘Gold Sisters’!”

“Is it this camera? Got it.” “Hello everyone, I’m Zhong Wen, the ‘squishiest’ (fragile) of the Gold Sisters—” “Parentheses: First Season version, parentheses.” “I started working out after the first season ended, so for the second season, I’ll work hard to strip away that label! I won’t drag anyone down on our path of adventure!” “In the first season, I chose the ‘Divorced’ label, but it wasn’t just the literal meaning.” “In the past, for various reasons, I retired after three years in the industry and hurriedly chose to marry. Marriage is a decision that requires caution. I jumped into one pit to avoid another; that was irresponsible to everyone involved.” “So, after six months of marriage, I chose to end it, correct the mistake, and get back on track.” “Although I received a lot of criticism for it, I don’t regret it and I accept it all. I can take responsibility for my choices.” “Finally, thank you to the audience who supports me and to the great Gold Sisters for helping me become a better version of myself.”

“Hello everyone, I’m He Wenyin.” “Like Xiao Wen, I chose the ‘Divorced’ label.” “Compared to the other sisters, my situation is clear and simple, much like what everyone already knows.” “So I won’t dwell on it. Melodramatic, clichéd scripts are always ugly in reality.” “Becoming a member of the Gold Sisters is probably the luckiest thing in my life. It gave immense strength to me at a time when I was failing multiple auditions after my comeback.” “I’m doing well now. The past is finished. People who have a future never look back.” “I also wish that you, in a similar predicament behind the screen, can find your turning point soon.”

“Hello, I’m the host and actress, Tang Jiahe.” “During the first recording, I didn’t choose a label I wanted to tear off; I only chose ‘Host’ and ‘Actress’ as the labels I wanted to wear.” “Of course, I know that for the past two years, the public has attached a very firm prefix to me: ‘Bad Acting’.” “So I stayed quiet for two years, took classes seriously, and improved my acting in every aspect.” “I don’t want to accept ‘Bad Acting’ as a label. I think it’s just an objective evaluation—criticism that urges me to improve.” “I’m very grateful to the Gold Sisters for choosing me and giving me this chance to explain.” “I will work with everyone in the Gold Sisters to become a better version of myself.”

…

As Tang Jiahe’s video ended, Lu Shuyu let out a long sigh, feeling both sentimental and relieved. She was lucky she had met Song Yi back then, grown along the way, and planned Silence of Gold.

Then, her gaze fell on the last video file. She couldn’t help but smile. Yes, her greatest luck was meeting Xia Leshuang.

“Hello everyone, I’m Xia Leshuang.” She picked up the “Best Actress” label from the table. “During the first recording, I chose this label as the one I most wanted to tear off.” “First, because I didn’t want to act anymore; second, because this label brought controversy I never imagined.” “So I instinctively wanted to avoid it and act as if it never existed.” She paused, then put the label back on and gently stroked it. “But someone encouraged me. Instead of running away, I should strike out, because I have the strength to support my ambition.” “It was an epiphany.” On the screen, Xia Leshuang smiled. “Hello everyone, I am Xia Leshuang, a member of the Gold Sisters.” “And I am also Xia Leshuang, the actress.”

The video ended on Xia Leshuang’s confident, brilliant smile. Lu Shuyu was overwhelmed with emotion, her eyes feeling hot. She let out a long breath, closed her laptop, and went to the kitchen to get some water.

Coincidentally, she ran into Xia Leshuang, who had just finished work and returned home. The woman at the door closed it behind her, the entryway light illuminating her surprised expression. “Not asleep yet?”

Lu Shuyu leaned against the wall and smiled brightly. “I was waiting for Teacher Xia~”

Xia Leshuang’s lips curled up as she looked down to change her shoes. “Teasing me again.”

Ever since their talk and the subsequent month of “long-distance” communication, their relationship had entered a phase that was more than ambiguity—just half a step away from being lovers. The bright, confident woman in the video was still fresh in Shuyu’s mind, and now she was looking at the real, shy, and adorable version.

Lu Shuyu sighed inwardly. If they had gone to City S as planned, she probably could have just hugged Xia Leshuang right now… and then…

As she thought about it, her ears began to warm up.

“What are you thinking about?” Xia Leshuang had already walked up to her.

At such close range, Lu Shuyu looked down and noticed how thin Xia Leshuang’s waist looked in the backlight. She had lost a lot of weight. Shuyu suppressed her impulses and looked up into those eyes—eyes as gentle as water. Since their reunion, the shadow of disappointment and distance that used to linger there had completely vanished.

The past and the present were finally merging.

But it wasn’t time yet. If the regrets weren’t filled, the beginning would be flawed—becoming just another type of regret. Ten years was too long; she still wanted to pick up the past with Xia Leshuang before officially starting.

“Nothing,” she took a step back. “Teacher Xia, have you lost a lot of weight?”

Xia Leshuang laughed, leaned in slightly, and said mysteriously, “Nearly ten pounds.”

Lu Shuyu was genuinely shocked. “That much?!” Xia Leshuang exercised and boxed year-round; she was tall and usually looked perfectly fit on camera. However, there was a difference between variety shows and dramas. Silence of Gold had a competitive element, so it wasn’t as strictly demanding on physique as a film role.

As she was thinking, her glass was taken—Xia Leshuang brought it to the kitchen. Soon, the kitchen light flickered on. The thinner silhouette became even clearer.

“Sigh,” Shuyu lamented, “This is too much… I have to feed you back to health.”

Xia Leshuang poured water and joked, “Does Director Lu mean she wants to ‘keep’ me?”

Lu Shuyu, who was halfway through her water, choked on a laugh. “Sure, I can do that. Leave it to me.”

There was a bit of water left in the glass. Xia Leshuang took it back and reflexively drank it before washing the glass. She only realized what she’d done afterward. Meeting Lu Shuyu’s stunned gaze, she froze in place.

Given their current relationship, sharing a glass and drinking the leftover water seemed to have crossed a line.

“Sorry,” she said, “I just did it instinctively—”

“Xia Leshuang,” Lu Shuyu interrupted softly, “After we finish recording in City Y, let’s find time to go back to City S.” She smiled and added, “Teacher Lu said she misses you too.”

Xia Leshuang’s eyes widened slowly, joy and anticipation erupting in her heart like a volcano. She suppressed the urge to jump, her body practically trembling with excitement as she replied, “Okay.”

…

The second season of Silence of Gold was named Gold of Adventure because the “Gold Adventures” segment had the best reception in the first season. This time, the filming locations weren’t as stable or peaceful; they included a certain level of the unknown and challenge. More competitive elements were arranged to showcase the guests’ brains and brawn.

Three days later, the guests landed in City Y one after another, preparing for filming in the rainforest.

“Great, thank you everyone. Wrap for today, let’s go eat!”

After recording the assembly portion, the production crew and the guests went out for dinner together.

“Hey, isn’t that the crew that just arrived today?” “Yeah, apparently the director knows Director Chi. I saw them greeting each other this afternoon.”

Lu Shuyu looked over, but before she could see clearly, someone hooked onto her arm. She turned her head and met an equally confused Xia Leshuang.

“Director Lu! Teacher Xia!” It was Chi Shan, who had hooked an arm around each of them, saying excitedly, “A huge surprise for you!” “Look! Your old classmate!”

“Whoa!” a staff member cried out. “Bian! Bian Xingyao!”

Having not seen her for a long time, Bian Xingyao was still strikingly and flamboyantly beautiful. She walked in high heels with perfect stability, moving like the wind, and was soon in front of them.

“Hi,” she smiled. “Shuyu, Leshuang. Long time no see.”

Lu Shuyu didn’t know how to describe her feelings. She managed a “Long time no see” before looking at the woman beside her. Xia Leshuang was clearly more shocked than she was, her expression even more grim—as if she held a grudge against Bian Xingyao.

…What was this? An ex-girlfriend meeting? “When rivals meet, their eyes blaze with fire”?

It should have been a humorous scene, but Lu Shuyu couldn’t laugh. Bian Xingyao’s phoenix-like eyes were fixed on Xia Leshuang, seemingly indifferent to the other’s resistance. It was obvious she was here specifically for Xia Leshuang.

Chi Shan sensed something was wrong and let go, wanting to retreat from the strange atmosphere. Just as Lu Shuyu was bracing herself to make an escape, she heard another familiar voice.

“Looks like I came at the right time. Hard work, everyone! Eat more tonight, it’s on me~” “Thank you, President Min!”

Lu Shuyu looked toward the voice. It was Min Wutong, who had promised to bring someone to visit the set. In the gap as they approached, Chi Shan had already scurried away like a rabbit.

“Teacher Bian?” Min Wutong was also surprised, her eyes scanning the three of them.

“President Min, what a coincidence,” Bian Xingyao replied with a smile. “I happen to be here filming.”

“Oh…” Min Wutong looked over while speaking.

Lu Shuyu’s lips curled into a stiff smile. “President Min.”

Min Wutong turned to introduce the person beside her. “This is Jiang Feifei, my—”

Before she could finish, Jiang Feifei spoke up: “Hello, Director Lu. I am President Min’s friend.” She looked over with a beaming, genuine smile. “I’m a fan of Silence of Gold, so I specifically asked President Min to bring me along.”

The word “friend” made Min Wutong’s smile fade slightly. Meanwhile, Xia Leshuang and Bian Xingyao’s gazes both shifted to fall on Lu Shuyu along with Jiang Feifei’s.

The sudden tension of facing a “love rival” was the least of her worries now. Lu Shuyu’s scalp was tingling.

What kind of Shura Field (chaotic love triangle/entanglement) was this? She really wanted to vanish into thin air…