Chapter 69: Guessing Lu Wenchuan's Thoughts

The director of the group recalled that match, when all of Wild’s teammates had fallen, leaving only her to face the enemy’s five players. Yet, on her own, she wiped them out and, with the minions, pushed the tower in one decisive move.

The more the director thought about it, the more excited he became. “And that match lasted a full thirty-nine minutes. If it kept going, the players wouldn’t have been able to defeat the super minions.”

Sang Yijia nodded as she listened. “I see.”

“She’s truly formidable now,” the director continued, “not at all like the timid girl she was in high school.” Sang Yijia felt genuinely happy at the change.

On camera, Sang Yijia’s faint smile bloomed like a rose, captivating anyone who glanced her way and making it impossible to look away.

Qi Bin coughed twice, quietly shifting his gaze. His eyes landed on Wei Heng and he couldn’t help but click his tongue. “What did you just say?”

“Hm?” Wei Heng, finally seeing Qi Bin’s patience, curled his lips into an attractive arc, his slender fingertip resting on the corner of the tablet.

The livestream happened to show Lu Wenchuan’s figure.

Qi Bin, confused, waited for Wei Heng to continue.

“I said your Brother Lu is utterly useless. After spending days together, he’s still just a background prop.”

Qi Bin: “...”

“So it’s my fault?” Qi Bin had just finished his call, yet for some reason, Lu Wenchuan was still lingering in the corner.

“But,” Qi Bin had seen Wei Heng tuning in to the livestream daily, so curiosity got the better of him, “why are you so sure Brother Lu likes Sang Yijia?”

“Sang Yijia was only ten years old at the time. What could she have been like?” Not to mention Lu Wenchuan was fourteen back then—prime adolescence—shouldn’t he have liked girls his own age?

Qi Bin couldn’t figure it out; when he was fourteen, he preferred the female leads in movies, not his peers.

Wei Heng clicked his tongue. “That’s where you’re mistaken.”

“At that time, Lu Wenchuan didn’t have those feelings toward Sang Yijia, but all these years, he’s been watching over her.”

“Otherwise, how do you think Sang Yijia managed in the entertainment industry after losing the Sang family’s support?” In fact, Lu Wenchuan only started acting after Sang Yijia nearly fell victim to foul play.

Wei Heng understood this well; after all, there weren’t many people in this circle.

Qi Bin half-understood, half-didn’t. “So it’s affection born of time?”

“Hmm…” Qi Bin paused again. “Is it one-sided?”

“Not exactly.” Wei Heng raised his index finger and shook it. “Didn’t Sang Yijia say she liked Shen Jin?”

“In that situation, do you think Lu Wenchuan would force himself on her?” Wei Heng squinted and smiled, leaning back into the sofa. “He joined the romance show, first because he knew Sang Yijia was there, second because Shen Jin was there, and third, to help Sang Yijia pursue Shen Jin.”

In the end, it was all for Sang Yijia. Qi Bin thought to himself, “What about now?”

“Sang Yijia publicly said she would no longer like Shen Jin.”

“Brother Lu’s feelings must have changed, right?”

Wei Heng glanced at him. “How should I know?”

“Everything I just said was speculation; Lu Wenchuan would never tell me these things.”

“...” Qi Bin fell silent again. He knew there was no useful information to be gleaned from Wei Heng.

“Forget it. I’d better figure out how to contact Wild and get her to join our team.” Qi Bin stopped watching the livestream, stood up, and returned to his desk. He looked at the huge screen, his desktop overflowing with files—a never-ending stream of tasks.

—

Lu Wenchuan returned. Sang Yijia glanced sideways at him, not asking about the phone call. But Lu Wenchuan spoke first.

“Jiajia...” He glanced at the still-recording camera, pressed his lips together, and decided to wait for a moment without others present to speak.

Sang Yijia, seeing his hesitant expression, responded with a soft “Mm”—“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, just wanted to ask if you’re heading back.” Lu Wenchuan changed the subject, checking the time. “It’s almost lunch.”

Sang Yijia looked at her watch as well—it was nearly noon. “Let’s go back.”

“We can explore more next time.”

They walked side by side again, but the distance between them remained a steady sixty centimeters.

Lu Wenchuan lowered his gaze to the space between them, pressing his lips slightly. If he’d heard Wei Heng’s interpretation, there was only one point he disagreed with: he had always kept Sang Yijia in his thoughts.

If that weren’t the case, he wouldn’t have shown hostility toward Shen Jin the moment he appeared on the show.

But now, looking at Sang Yijia, Lu Wenchuan didn’t know how to begin pursuing her. She said she wouldn’t like Shen Jin anymore, and he believed her.

Yet, at the same time, Lu Wenchuan sensed Sang Yijia wasn’t interested in romance for now.

—

The director trailed behind, at a distance.

Sang Yijia didn’t look back, only slightly turned her head to glance, then lifted her gaze to Lu Wenchuan and asked softly, “You seem to have something on your mind.”

“Mm.” Lu Wenchuan looked down, noticing her small gesture to shield the microphone, his lips unconsciously curving upward. “There is something.”

“Wait, I’ll talk to you about it on my phone.”

“???” Sang Yijia grew more curious about what it could be. She blinked, then smiled, “Alright.”

They returned to the hotel restaurant, where Yan Ningsi and Bian He had already arrived.

The production team had prepared a buffet—no rules, just a cheerful lunch.

Lan Qing and Shen Jin sat at another table, far from Yan Ningsi and her partner.

Sang Yijia glanced over curiously. Lu Wenchuan thought she was looking at Shen Jin and called out to her, “What would you like to eat?”

“The buffet here is excellent.” Lu Wenchuan cast a discreet glance in that direction.

Yan Ningsi ran over and looped her arm through Sang Yijia’s. “Where did you two go?”

“Was it a date?” Yan Ningsi smiled, her eyes narrowing mischievously like a little fox.

“No, we just took a walk outside.” Sang Yijia didn’t want Yan Ningsi to misunderstand her relationship with Lu Wenchuan. “What about you?”

“What did you do?”

Yan Ningsi scratched her cheek and smiled shyly. “Went to find Zhuang Fei.”

“And I got his contact info.” Yan Ningsi made a victory gesture. “I’ll chat with him later.”

“Once the show ends, I’ll start my pursuit plan.” Yan Ningsi clasped her hands, cheering herself on.

“Mm.” Sang Yijia thought the story line wouldn’t change, but seeing Yan Ningsi’s enthusiasm for Zhuang Fei, she stole a glance at Bian He.

Bian He noticed and shrugged helplessly, like a parent indulging a child’s antics.