She Said She Has Feelings For Someone - Chapter 66

Chapter 66

Side Story 1: Housewarming Wine

Chapter Summary: Finishing today’s kisses today.

By the time the final episode of Gold of Adventure finished recording, it was already late autumn. Under the starlit sky of the plateau, the guest group brought up their promise of a drinking session once again.

Lu Shuyu and Xia Leshuang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, so they simply calculated their schedules on the spot and decided to hold this “Housewarming/Celebratory Wine” gathering a week later.

On the first Sunday evening after returning to City B, Luo Han and the others arrived as promised.

Although Shuyu had said beforehand that they didn’t need to bring gifts, the group had a tacit understanding and bought appropriately priced housewarming gifts. It seemed they had coordinated—everyone brought a different category. From small items like scented candles and decorative sets to larger items like tableware and cookware sets—there were even two sets of rather festive-looking bedding…

Lu Shuyu’s head spun looking at it all, and Xia Leshuang chuckled helplessly: “Why does this look a bit like wedding gifts?”

Hearing this, Luo Han and He Wenyin smiled but said nothing. Zhong Wen chimed in: “Exactly! Isn’t today a ‘celebratory wine’ party after all?”

This sparked a wave of laughter, and the initial awkwardness of being first-time guests (and hosts) dissipated.

The food and wine were ready. The group sat in a circle on the living room floor. Lu Shuyu opened the wine, and she and Xia Leshuang poured a small glass for everyone.

“Thanks, Shuangshuang~” “Thanks, Lu PD.”

Shuyu raised her glass: “Let’s have a drink first, so you all won’t be so stiff.”

Jiang Fei exclaimed: “Lu PD is so considerate!”

As two glasses went down, the alcohol began to take effect. The conversation opened up. After chatting briefly about the house, they moved on to their recent lives. Most of them were actors, so their next job was usually filming. Only Tang Jiahe glanced at Jiang Fei, who smiled and said: “I’m returning to the stage!”

Jiang Fei had originally started in theater. If she hadn’t offended someone years ago and been replaced, then kicked out of the theater for defending her rights, she might still be an anonymous small-time actress in some troupe.

“For real?” Zhong Wen was surprised, her joy tinged with regret: “Does that mean you won’t come back to TV?”

Jiang Fei nudged her: “How is that possible? The stage is my aspiration, but acting is my soul.”

Zhong Wen breathed a sigh of relief and raised her glass: “A toast to comedy actress Jiang Fei’s return to the stage!” She then smiled mischievously and lowered her voice dramatically: “This time! She will definitely take back everything that belongs to her!”

Pfft. The group burst into laughter.

“Wait,” Jiang Fei downed her drink and added, “don’t just congratulate me. There’s also Sister Jiahe!”

Everyone’s eyes snapped to Tang Jiahe.

Tang Jiahe explained: “It was just decided a couple of days ago. I’m going to host a comedy program, and it just so happens that Fei-fei’s troupe has been specially invited to perform.”

This was truly a double blessing.

He Wenyin thought for a moment: “Then the two of you are officially starting to branch out into different fields.” Luo Han added: “The future is limitless.” Zhong Wen followed up with: “Don’t forget us when you’re rich and famous, comrades!”

With everyone bantering back and forth, only Xia Leshuang remained. She blinked, then raised her glass: “Never forget each other. Cheers!”

Lu Shuyu was laughing so hard she couldn’t stop.

…

The night deepened outside the window. The sharpness and desolation of late autumn were slowly creeping in, but inside the house, with lovers and friends by their side, the atmosphere of talking and laughing was incredibly warm.

A while later, the full moon rose into the sky, its light shining right on Lu Shuyu and Xia Leshuang, who were leaning against each other.

Seeing this, He Wenyin couldn’t help but sigh softly: “It’s so nice…”

Hearing this, everyone looked over. Realizing she had spoken aloud, she gasped: “Did I say that out loud?”

Luo Han laughed: “Yes, quite loudly.”

He Wenyin’s face was prone to flushing from alcohol, and now it turned burning red. She covered her face in embarrassment: “I might be a bit too relaxed.”

They had met during the lowest points of their careers. After nearly a year of being together, they had become close friends who could share their inner thoughts. Combined with the wine and the warmth of the room, it was inevitable to let her guard down.

To prevent discomfort from sitting on the floor, Lu Shuyu had specially prepared floor cushions with backrests. They were soft and very comfortable. He Wenyin leaned back, her cheek brushing against the soft plush fabric. She nuzzled it, relaxing even more: “This chair is way too comfortable. Leshuang, remember to send me the link.”

Everyone laughed and expressed that they wanted one too. Xia Leshuang picked up Lu Shuyu’s phone: “Sure, I’ll post it in the group chat.”

Tang Jiahe followed her gaze and asked knowingly: “Sister Wenyin is feeling homesick?”

The word “home” might not be ambiguous for others, but for He Wenyin, it felt a bit strange. As one of the two people present with similar past experiences, Zhong Wen made a face: “No way?”

He Wenyin sighed and spoke slowly: “A little bit, I guess.”

As the group’s gaze fell on her, she looked at Luo Han and added: “I just miss that feeling. The traditional feeling of family joy, happiness, and perfection.”

She waved her hand dismissively: “I’m not missing a specific person.”

Their experiences, with the exception of Luo Han, were not taboos that couldn’t be mentioned.

Zhong Wen understood: “I get it. When I was young and naive, I had similar thoughts.” Having debuted at eighteen, become famous at twenty-one, and then been pursued so relentlessly by a dangerous figure that she fled the industry into marriage, Zhong Wen thought she was just returning to the “right track” of life. But reality taught her otherwise.

Luckily, that man had a short life. Otherwise, she might not have been so resolute in starting over.

“It turns out,” Zhong Wen said, “even if you are alone, as long as you live well, you can be happy and fulfilled.”

“Exactly!” He Wenyin agreed and raised her glass: “To my cheating ex-husband, and to my decisive self!” After drinking, she poured another and looked at the hosts: “I wish Lu PD and Leshuang a long and happy life together!”

After two consecutive glasses, He Wenyin was becoming incoherent from the alcohol. She leaned against the backrest and fell asleep.

Lu Shuyu asked curiously: “What’s wrong with Teacher He?”

Luo Han grabbed a blanket from the sofa to cover her and said: “Wenyin’s mother is arranging blind dates for her.”

“Huh?” Jiang Fei was shocked. “That’s unnecessary, isn’t it?”

Luo Han shook her head: “The mindset of the older generation is always hard to change.”

“It’s fine,” Tang Jiahe said. “Take it slow. Wenyin’s career is booming. As long as she isn’t forced, she can just keep stalling.”

The atmosphere became a bit quiet. Xia Leshuang suggested: “How about we take Sister Wenyin to the room to sleep? It’s uncomfortable here.”

Knowing they would be drinking today, the two had tidied up the rooms and planned to give them up to their guests.

Luo Han and Tang Jiahe stood up to help her: “Which room?” Xia Leshuang smiled: “Whichever. Both bedrooms are yours tonight.”

Both beds were 1.8 meters wide, enough to squeeze three people if needed.

Zhong Wen almost spat out her wine: “Then what about you two?” Lu Shuyu raised an eyebrow: “The sofa bed. We’ll sleep there.” “Aww…” Zhong Wen clutched her heart. “So happy~”

Seeing this, Jiang Fei leaned in clingily: “It’s okay. I’ll sleep with you tonight and give you a taste of that ‘happiness’ too~” Zhong Wen was full of resistance: “Our ‘ship of friendship’ is made of solid steel! Don’t talk nonsense!”

Having successfully teased her, Jiang Fei laughed until she fell over. Between the movement and the alcohol, her head was spinning, and she became bolder. “What?” She patted Zhong Wen’s shoulder. “Am I that much worse than Lu PD?”

Lu Shuyu was stunned by this and couldn’t help but look at Xia Leshuang: “Why am I involved in this?”

It wasn’t a secret that couldn’t be told; hiding it would be weirder. Zhong Wen held up a finger: “It was only for one day.” “My heart skipped a beat for a brief moment, but then I was immediately talked out of it by President Min.”

Hearing this, Lu Shuyu understood the gist of it. After all, the scandal with Min Wutong was created for that very effect. Recalling that time, Xia Leshuang smiled and whispered in Shuyu’s ear: “And then she became a fan of our CP.”

Lu Shuyu chuckled. Before she could ask, Zhong Wen confessed: “Originally, I saw through Shuangshuang’s feelings and wanted to protect her.” “But then I felt that Shuangshuang and Lu PD’s reunion after so long was fate. Plus, Shuangshuang is the youngest Best Actress in China!” Zhong Wen’s eyes sparkled. “Shipping you two is the easiest thing in the world~”

She opened her arms and made a big heart shape toward the two of them, smiling sweetly: “In the end, it proved my taste is superb!”

Jiang Fei agreed: “Totally!”

Lu Shuyu and Xia Leshuang looked at each other, both amused and helpless.

Tang Jiahe returned from the bedroom, and Luo Han went to the kitchen to get some water before heading back in.

“Asleep?” Xia Leshuang asked. Tang Jiahe nodded: “Sister Han was helping her undress, and she was as obedient as a lamb.” “Sigh,” Zhong Wen couldn’t help but sigh, “Sister Han and Sister Wenyin actually have quite a connection, but I don’t see any sparks.” Tang Jiahe slapped her arm and lowered her voice: “Stop talking nonsense. One has an ex-boyfriend, and the other has an ex-husband.” Zhong Wen didn’t agree, whispering: “I’m not forcing them together. Who can say for sure when it comes to fate?”

Though she loved shipping, she had boundaries. Unless the parties involved asked, she wouldn’t overstep by trying to “assist” or matchmake. “Besides, it doesn’t have to be an intimate relationship. Being best friends who can bare your souls to each other is also a beautiful thing.”

“Talking behind my back?” Luo Han asked as she came out and saw them huddled together.

“No way.” Zhong Wen was the first to shake her head, though the alcohol made her reaction a bit slow. Lu Shuyu stepped in to help: “We were talking about how they helped Teacher Xia back then~” “Yeah, yeah!” Jiang Fei, eyes blurry from drink, remembered to help out: “Talking about Fan-fan!”

Fan-fan was Fan Yisi, the singer at Xia Hua Music Bar. Only Lu Shuyu was a bit confused; Xia Leshuang covered her face slightly, embarrassed by her past being exposed.

Thump. “Ow.” Jiang Fei fell asleep right then and there, bringing the drinking session to a temporary close.

…

Xia Leshuang and Luo Han cleaned up the food waste and took it downstairs. When they returned, Lu Shuyu had already laid out the sofa bed in the living room.

“Sister Han, go wash up first.” Luo Han smiled and didn’t disturb the young couple.

Lu Shuyu had already washed up. The others were all asleep. Aside from the sound of Luo Han in the bathroom, the house was quiet. The two hadn’t drunk too much and were still relatively sober.

Xia Leshuang leaned in for a kiss, but she stopped halfway and changed it to a tight hug: “I’ll kiss you after I wash up~” “No kissing even after you wash up,” Lu Shuyu patted her waist gently. “There are so many people here.” Xia Leshuang froze, then let out a long sigh: “Fine. I’ll save the kiss for tomorrow.”

Lu Shuyu shook with laughter.

When Leshuang came out from the shower, Lu Shuyu was already asleep on the sofa bed. Xia Leshuang climbed in quietly and pulled her into her arms by the light of the night lamp.

Just as she was about to sleep, the person in her arms suddenly spoke: “What’s the story with Fan Yisi?”

As expected, she couldn’t escape it. Xia Leshuang felt helpless and shy. “Actually, it’s nothing. Xiao Wen and Fei-fei wanted to meet Miss Fan, so they did a little investigating on the side.” It was an unremarkable story of unrequited love that led nowhere. “But she’s moved on now,” Xia Leshuang said. “Maybe you don’t have to avoid her anymore.”

Feeling the warmth of Shuyu’s hand scratching her back, Lu Shuyu corrected her: “It’s not avoiding, it’s respect.” When it comes to feelings, the cleaner the break, the faster the recovery.

Xia Leshuang hugged her tighter: “Okay, go to sleep.” A hand patted her back again: “Loosen up a bit~”

Just as she lightened her grip, the person in her arms moved, and then her lips felt a sudden warmth. It was a silent kiss, brief and to the point.

Lu Shuyu curled back into her arms. “Tomorrow has tomorrow’s kisses. But today’s kisses must be finished today~”