A Love Letter Written to You - Chapter 37 

Chapter 37 

At night, everyone returned to their dorms to rest. The production team mysteriously called each person out for a private chat before letting them go back.

Each person went out for about ten minutes and then returned. Ji Yu complained, “So mysterious.”

Leng Ying smiled. “I think they’re preparing tomorrow’s mission.”

Ji Yu jolted with excitement, lowering her voice on purpose. “Can you give me a hint?”

Based on her own chat with the crew, she figured it was probably a guessing game.

Leng Ying tapped her between the brows. “No cheating.”

Ji Yu pouted in disappointment. Leng Ying added, “You don’t think you can guess it? I don’t believe that.”

Ji Yu perked up again, full of fighting spirit. “That’s right! I can do it—”

Leng Ying laughed. “Exactly. Enjoy the fun of playing the game.”

Ji Yu nodded earnestly. “You’ll guess mine too, right? You will for sure!”

Leng Ying didn’t hesitate. “Mm-hmm.”

Stars appeared in the night sky, twinkling like a river of light. Moonlight poured gently over the mountains and forests like a flowing galaxy.

This village, untouched by modern transportation networks, felt like a hidden peach blossom paradise—almost completely cut off from the world.

Sometimes, Leng Ying was reminded of her childhood here. Other times, of the very beginning—when she first met Ji Yu.

…

As it turned out, the freeform livestream yesterday had been a big hit. Director Pan mulled it over late at night, then decisively scrapped most of the next day’s planned activities, keeping only the most engaging part: the emotional connection segment.

“The rest… let them improvise. Let them handle food too,” Pan said. “We’ll cover dinner.”

Nighttime, with its stillness and quiet, had a different texture than day—one that easily stirred up lingering emotions and set them drifting far away.

So, the crew scheduled the main game segment for the evening, during prime time.

Like Day 5, the guests roamed freely in the village all day. Ji Yu, brimming with energy, rode in a little village truck with Leng Ying, taking local goods and handmade bamboo crafts from the grandparents into the county marketplace. There, they joined the village uncles and aunties to set up a stall and sell goods.

By evening, they returned with bags full of purchases and hearts full of success.

Their good looks, plus the presence of the camera crew, made them stars at the market. Ji Yu was charming and sweet-talking, and the local goods sold extremely well.

Though they’d only intended to help out for free, the villagers insisted on giving them a few dozen yuan as a token of appreciation.

With the market still open, they bought some bonus snacks to bring back.

They were greeted by the enthusiastic cheers of the six “left-behind children.” Village food was healthy but limited in flavor, and the crew-provided meals required effort through games. So free food was, understandably, the most delicious.

Everyone agreed that Leng Ying and Ji Yu—who brought back extra food—were the MVPs of the day.

—This twist caught the crew off guard.

Director Pan felt lucky there were eight guests total. The bonus food wasn’t enough for everyone, so they’d still need to complete a task to earn dinner.

But this time, the crew had learned. They prepared hotpot.

Basic ingredients were provided—but not enough. To earn more, guests had to play a guessing game.

The location was indoors, styled with a clean, cozy living room aesthetic—perfect for the shared, comforting atmosphere of hotpot. It made it easier for people to let their guard down.

Leng Ying and Ji Yu sat together. A voiceover explained the rules. It was a guessing game tied to the guests themselves. The night before, each guest had privately submitted a piece of music or sound with personal significance. Now the show would play these sound clips in random order. Whoever guessed correctly could choose someone to do a Truth or Dare. If the challenge was completed successfully, more hotpot ingredients would be added. If not, ingredients already on the table would be taken away.

Each guest wore a small lie detector device to detect whether they were telling the truth.

A cue signaled the game start. The large screen at the dining table lit up—not with visuals, but with sound.

It was music.

The first was a purely instrumental intro. Leng Ying found it familiar, but definitely not something Ji Yu had submitted.

Whose could it be?

She scanned the others. Bo Xin’s expression looked… complicated.

…Ren Meng?

The music swelled, growing intense. Viewers were already commenting:

“Isn’t this from the variety show Ren Meng and Bo Xin were on together?”
“Yeah! The theme song. But it’s also been used in other shows… maybe a misdirection?”
“Ren Meng looks nervous, keeps glancing at Bo Xin.”
“Oof, was this Ren Meng’s submission?”
“Guys, let’s not argue. Only they know what really happened in their relationship.”
“Yeah but if you watched that show… it felt like she really wronged Bo Xin.”
“Take the argument to the garden thread. Let’s focus on the show.”

The vibe in the room grew tense.

It was clear to everyone this was Ren Meng’s submission—likely meant for Bo Xin to guess. But Bo Xin said nothing.

Then, Ji Youqin recognized the song.

She shot to her feet: “I know this! It’s the theme from Acting Beyond Limits! You removed the lyrics, but I still caught it. Ha!”

Luo Qing: “……”

The voiceover confirmed she was right and told her to choose someone for Truth or Dare.

There wasn’t much food on the table yet, but Ji Youqin didn’t care. “Ren Meng,” she said, “you submitted the track, so I’m picking you. Truth or Dare?”

Ren Meng calmly replied, “You ask the question first.”

“Fine, then here it is.” Ji Youqin wasn’t about to pretend to be polite. “Why did you and Bo Xin stop keeping in touch after Acting Beyond Limits ended?”

“Finally someone dared to ask!”
“We’ve wondered for years!”
“JYQ is the queen of the product ship fandom now.”

Ren Meng didn’t respond immediately.

Ji Youqin pushed, “Come on, answer or choose Dare!”

Ren Meng could feel everyone’s eyes on her… especially Bo Xin’s, or so it felt. But when she looked over, Bo Xin was just staring straight ahead at the screen.

What’s so fascinating about that?

Ren Meng was annoyed. When Ji Youqin pushed a third time, she finally said, “Because I signed with a management company.”

“…Seriously?”
“Her agency has been under fire a lot… fans are constantly filing complaints.”

Ji Youqin followed up: “And?”

“Our paths diverged.” Ren Meng spoke lightly. “Bo Xin didn’t want to stay in the industry. She left not long after.”

The lie detector didn’t react. Apparently, she was telling the truth.

“That’s it?” Ji Youqin was surprised by the simplicity. “You can still be friends even if you take different career paths. Luo Qing has friends who aren’t celebrities.”

“Yes,” Ren Meng paused, remembering the time she soaked her clothes on purpose so she could borrow Bo Xin’s and feel rebellious, just once.

That moment felt… freeing.

She decided to be honest. “But the company didn’t want that. Non-celebrities have no marketing value.”

Her tone was calm, but the meaning hit hard.

Ji Youqin raised an eyebrow. “So you were just the company’s obedient doll.”

Ren Meng smiled. “The contract was long.”

She held up her hands, spreading all ten fingers. “I still have ten years left.”

Ji Youqin was impressed. “And you dare say this on a livestream?”

Ren Meng found the camera and winked. “Well, my agent can’t control me right now.”

Ji Youqin laughed. “Now you sound like a real person.”

“Wasn’t I before?”

Ji Youqin didn’t answer, just rang the bell. “Director, we’re done! Lie detector passed—now bring me the mantis shrimp!”

“Don’t be in such a rush,” said Director Pan through the speaker. “Seven guests still haven’t answered.”

After the first truth-or-dare ended, the black screen shifted to footage—clips from when Acting Beyond Limits was at its peak, showing Ren Meng and Bo Xin together.

“Whoa, this is the iconic clip!”
“Still in my favorites folder to this day… I’m crying.”

The footage was grainy, full of youthful brilliance.

A staffer brought out the shrimp. Its sea-scented smell lingered faintly.

Ji Yu peeled an orange-flavored candy and gave it to Leng Ying—something they’d bought with their market earnings. With the extra cash, they’d bought food and a small can of candy.

Artificial orange flavor, but sweet.

Leng Ying touched the candy with her sharp canine tooth. The citrus burst in her mouth.

The video ended. The screen dimmed again. A new sound clip began.

Still not from Ji Yu or Leng Ying.

But since the winner could choose anyone…

Even if it wasn’t their clip, they could still be chosen for the next truth-or-dare round.

“I choose Leng Ying.”

The voice belonged to Luo Qing.

Ji Yu was stunned. Ji Youqin was in disbelief.

Everyone looked surprised.

Including Leng Ying herself.