Chapter 22: Who Is More Suitable As A Partner?
“Why didn’t you reply to the message?”
Yu Wei was naturally referring to the last sentence from before, “I’ve always been a failure, will you keep reading?” They were chatting happily, but after he sent that, there was no response for three whole days.
He wished failure upon himself and asked if he would keep reading—isn’t that just a normal joke?
Qi Luo An naturally knew it was a joke too…
But when she wanted to retort in a joking tone, she just couldn’t bring herself to do it, and she didn’t know why.
Through the playful tone, what she wished for Yu Wei with that sentence was actually for him to keep doing what he wanted to do.
By the same logic, Yu Wei’s reply became “If I do these things, are you willing to stay with me?”
This was very ambiguous…
This feeling was very subtle; even though she knew it was a joke, the moment she saw the message, her heart truly skipped a beat.
Qi Luo An didn’t reply to the message for three days.
But she actually opened the private chat interface many times.
……
“Not replying again.”
Yu Wei waited for a while without seeing a reply, then realized the other person had run off again.
Although he didn’t know the specific situation, this book friend was pretty good to him—not only did they think for him, but they also didn’t spread his identity around…
More importantly, they were still following his updates, and readers who follow updates are all good comrades.
Yu Wei glanced at “An Shi Le”‘s personal profile: twenty years old, male college student. Calculating the time, it was right around exam week, probably busy reviewing.
“Forget it, I’ll ask again in a few days.”
He still valued this loyal reader quite a bit; although somewhat mysterious, at least when communicating with him, the other was exceptionally frank.
If possible, Yu Wei wanted to finish writing the singing plot in one go, but unfortunately the program scheduled a tea party tonight.
Drinking tea and chatting was the most relaxed and serene segment of this program, and also the core highlight of interpersonal interactions.
For this conversation segment, it would be hard for Yu Wei not to participate, so he could only leave the remaining plot to write tomorrow…
Staring at the screen too long, drinking tea and feeling the breeze wasn’t bad either.
Twilight like ink, the verdant lawn already coated with a layer of silver frost by the moonlight, several log square tables arranged in a semicircle, quietly lying in the open space outside the small dwelling.
When Yu Wei came down, the others were still setting up; fruit and snacks covered half the table—it really had a bit of a gathering atmosphere.
Beyond the lamplight, the night was deep and serene; the distant trees like ink-splashed silhouettes made the small courtyard even more tranquil. Everyone took their seats one after another, and Yu Wei couldn’t help but relax, his mind at peace.
Except the evening breeze was still a bit muggy—this gathering was practically perfect…
“How’s the creation going, great musician?”
Tong Yulu took the lead sitting by his side and started some aimless chit-chat; although it had a joking tone, this was indeed the question everyone wanted to ask.
Yu Wei had been on the program for two days already; except for going out yesterday afternoon to walk the dog with Mu Mu, he basically hadn’t left the door much.
They’d seen original creators before, but someone as diligent with closed-door creation like him was still noteworthy.
“Not great.”
Yu Wei poured himself a cup of freshly brewed Pu’er. “I’ve scrapped it and started over.”
He was also planting a little foreshadowing in advance for Sound of Rain; after all, the lyrics he wrote last time weren’t used, so reminding them first would prevent too much surprise later.
“Scrapped it?”
Even though they guessed Yu Wei had many tricks, they didn’t expect this approach—others build a foundation for songs and refine step by step, but he just tears it down on a whim.
They’d seen the lyrics from last time; for lyrics of that standard, for him to just discard them—wasn’t that being too perfectionistic…
Yu Wei didn’t explain further; those lyrics weren’t completely useless. What if one day he wrote A Thousand Miles Away?
“Creative spirit is about scrapping and restarting; every teardown is a challenge to oneself and a reverence for creation.”
Chi Leying always knew how to say the most appropriate thing at the most opportune time, without anyone able to pick fault.
This kind of person was terrifying; even though Yu Wei was predisposed to know she was scheming, he had to admit she had something real.
Stars without some knowledge reserve couldn’t say words like that…
Su Jian, sitting to Yu Wei’s left, had no such twists and turns; he directly put fruit and snacks in front of him, soon piling up a full table.
This was genuine; pleasing someone without vagueness, just taking action.
“Thanks, thanks, sorry for the trouble.”
Yu Wei felt like if he didn’t respond, the guy would start massaging his shoulders—this was ruthless; with that mindset, he’d succeed at anything.
Su Jian’s behavior seemed both amusing and infuriating to the others; clearly, such vulgar flattery should be despised, yet he was the only one truly winning Yu Wei’s favor.
In the end, it was they who couldn’t let go of their airs—wanting to curry favor but too proud, wanting to fawn but unable to shed their pretensions.
In comparison, Su Jian might be the most perceptive among them.
“Yu Wei, you’ve been here two days; who do you think among us is the easiest to get along with?”
Tong Yulu’s question was a bit offensive, but the program team immediately gave him a close-up, clearly valuing it highly.
For a variety show focused on interpersonal relations, this mutual evaluation segment was an absolute must-watch; not only did the audience love it, but the guests present were surely curious too.
“Fei Hong, I guess.”
Fei Hong, who was pouring tea nearby, was actually a bit flattered upon hearing this; he hadn’t even talked much with Yu Wei, yet he thought he was the easiest to get along with?
But the others weren’t surprised at all; after being on the program so long, Big Brother Fei was indeed the most reliable, a point even Tong Yulu couldn’t refute.
Put it this way: others might be nice to you for something in return, but Fei Hong feels uncomfortable if he doesn’t casually help someone.
“Then, who do you think is best suited for cooperation?”
This question was straight-up asking for collaboration without pretense, but Yu Wei had no hesitation and named Zhou Mumu without thinking.
In his view, if looking for a collaborator, he’d pick Zhou Mumu; for a friend, Fei Hong; but for a little brother, yeah, Su Jian.
The reasons were simple: Zhou Mumu was honest and strong, Fei Hong was kind-hearted with high emotional intelligence, Su Jian wasn’t shrewd but he got things done.
This answer really pissed off Tong Yulu; so all those times she’d tried to build rapport with Yu Wei left no impression at all?
Even Chi Leying was subtly annoyed upon hearing it; this guy’s temperament was quirky—hard to get close with ordinary means.
Clearly, she and Tong Yulu had acted more intimate, but Yu Wei favored the others more; they themselves surely knew why…
“So, who do you think would make the best partner?”
Tong Yulu might’ve been too angry or unwilling, blurting out nonsense; even she regretted it after—stars talking about this was too easily misunderstood.
But the program team was thrilled about it; gossip woke them right up, and the audience would love it.
As for public opinion, this topic wasn’t arranged by them…
“Cough, after all, you can write something as emotionally nuanced as Heart Wall, so you must have your own unique understanding of love.”
Luckily, Tong Yulu wasn’t dumb and quickly followed up, salvaging the topic somewhat by shifting from gossip to emotional discussion.
This question actually stumped Yu Wei; he did have a few romantic histories, but none made it to the end.
Society was getting more impetuous, especially in the entertainment industry—pair up, break up; where were lifelong partners anymore?
“Feels like none are suitable…”
Yu Wei smiled subtly. “I haven’t really thought about it, but if I have any expectations for love, I hope for mutual honesty.”
This sentence seemed simple, but Yu Wei was subtly telling them that none of them were honest enough—especially the one asking.
Tong Yulu’s expression froze upon hearing it, clearly catching the pointed retort in his words.
But this was indeed Yu Wei’s true thought: in a relationship, honesty mattered more than anything.
Though, he seemed to have thought of this word somewhere else today too…
