A Love Letter Written to You - Chapter 44

Chapter 44

The question was asked by Ji Youqin.

Director Pan answered truthfully:
“Nothing will happen. It’s just for the teachers to have a look. After a week of filming and a week of rest, I believe everyone has gained deeper insight into their friendships. This is not only a way to reflect with your partner on previous answers but also a chance to search for new answers in your heart.”

Ji Yu softly said to Leng Ying, “The program team asked about how we met, and why I decided to return to China.”

Ji Yu was a non-celebrity. Unlike those in the industry, she didn’t have many controversial topics, so the questions the program asked were pretty standard.

Leng Ying replied, “We already responded to the first question during the live stream. As for the second one… maybe your answer is the same as what I guessed?”

“What do you think it is?” Ji Yu’s eyes lit up.

Leng Ying paused. “…Let’s wait and see what you say.”

She suspected Ji Yu came back to China because of her—but there were many reasons that could influence someone’s decisions. Li Group’s domestic branch was also an essential part of the company’s development. Maybe Ji Yu just returned conveniently… and happened to meet her.

Life is full of choices, crossroads at every turn. What made Leng Ying think Ji Yu would choose her unconditionally?

Even bl00d relatives can’t promise something like that.

She didn’t want to voice her speculation aloud. She didn’t want to be the one to open the box holding the metaphorical cat.

Ji Yu was dazed for a moment but then smiled gently. “Alright, we’ll know in a minute.”

The screen lit up. It first played the VCRs from Qiudaoyu and Luo Qing’s teams. Afterward, Qiudaoyu and Shengjianbao began writing their notes. Ji Youqin’s expression soured, and she moved a couple of seats away from Luo Qing—they were about to argue again.

Leng Ying withdrew her attention from them as the video of her group started playing. Her segment was shown first, and the first question wasn’t about friendship—it asked about her ideal partner.

The guests’ gazes instantly became nuanced, flitting between her and Ji Yu. Leng Ying sat calmly, letting them look. Ji Yu subconsciously held her breath.

The video showed Leng Ying being interviewed alone. Ji Yu heard her say, “I won’t consider dating someone in the entertainment industry.”

Hmm. I qualify.

Ji Yu started mentally checking off requirements.

I’m not in the industry! I only joined this show with Ying Ying—I’m not planning to stay in entertainment, so I don’t count.

The director followed up: “Why?”

Leng Ying replied simply, “Family reasons. I think it’s hard for two people with demanding careers to maintain a family.”

It was a sensitive but popular topic.

The director pressed further.

Leng Ying smiled slightly:
“My parents were good business partners, but they gave me very little emotionally. Yes, marriage can be seen as a kind of partnership—but that’s not what I want.”

She continued softly,
“I want someone whose soul resonates with mine.”

Director: “How do you define that?”

“It takes a long time spent together. You have to see each other at your worst and still be able to accept one another,” Leng Ying replied. “There are no perfect people, and real life has no perfect protagonists. So, I want someone who, even after seeing the ugly parts, still responds—whether it’s the surface-level bond or something deeper. We should support each other, not suppress or abandon.”

Ji Yu nodded internally. I really do qualify!

The director asked, “Any physical appearance preferences?”

Leng Ying said, “As long as I like it.”

She smiled. “Do I really need to give a specific standard? That’s hard to say.”

In truth, it wasn’t hard—but it would be too obvious. Leng Ying didn’t want to spell it out during the interview.

Ji Yu felt a little disappointed.

The topic switched. The director asked for her thoughts and suggestions on the show, and Leng Ying gave a neutral answer.

Her video ended, and Ji Yu’s began without pause.

Ji Yu turned her head—Leng Ying’s eyes were fixed on the big screen. As if sensing Ji Yu’s gaze, she looked over and met her eyes. Ji Yu smiled. Leng Ying smiled back.

The screen played Ji Yu’s response to the second question: “Why did you return to China?”

Leng Ying listened quietly. Ji Yu, on the screen, looked spirited and happy:
“Because my best friend is in China. I wanted to come back to be with her.”

Leng Ying smiled at that. Ji Yu, relieved, asked, “Was I right? My answer—it’s what you thought, right?”

“…Yes.”

On screen, Ji Yu continued:
“Besides, with how advanced transportation is now, it’s easy to visit family abroad. I don’t think coming back was the wrong choice.”

The director asked sharply, “Do you think friendship is more important than family?”

“Different stages of life bring different choices,” Ji Yu replied. “Like a bird growing up and leaving the nest to see the world. I want to stay with my friend for a long, long time. This isn’t a single-choice question. For me, it’s a both-and answer. So… the premise of your question doesn’t apply.”

She rarely spoke so much in one go. Afterward, Ji Yu calmly drank some water.

Leng Ying smiled again and asked, “So you’re taking me home?”

“As long as you want to come, anytime~” Ji Yu said sweetly.

Shengjianbao whispered, “The teachers’ friendship is so beautiful.”

In the questionnaire test, she had been identified as an introvert. The results paired her with Qiudaoyu, who turned out to be a perfect match—outgoing, fun, someone who could speak up when she didn’t want to talk. An amazing friend.

Still, there were worries. Their friendship had formed quickly via the show’s match-up. Shengjianbao sometimes wondered whether they’d still talk once the show ended.

Watching Ji Yu’s unwavering devotion to Leng Ying in the video stirred a little envy.

Just a little.

Qiudaoyu looked at her oddly and whispered in her ear,
“You really think this is friendship?”

“!”
Shengjianbao panicked. “What do you mean?!”

Qiudaoyu hushed her, saying there were too many people around. But later, while walking in the forest at night, Shengjianbao found a chance to ask again.

“Fishy, what did you mean?”

Qiudaoyu gave her a glance and muted both their mics.
“You really didn’t notice? Those two are basically in love, sticky enough to spin sugar. That’s not pure friendship.”

“!”
It finally hit Shengjianbao.
“You’re saying they’re DATING?!”

Qiudaoyu covered her mouth in alarm.
“Keep your voice down! Someone might hear!”

“Oh…” Shengjianbao quickly shut up, then whispered,
“So they haven’t gone public?”

Qiudaoyu mused, “Maybe they’re not even together yet.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yeah. If they were already together, why would they join a friendship-themed variety show? They’re just… not-so-innocent friends.”

Shengjianbao understood.
“Should we help them along then?”

She remembered all the romance novels she’d read, clenched her fists, and said with excitement,
“I’ve got tons of theoretical knowledge!”

Qiudaoyu laughed, “Be careful—they might eat you up. Shengjianbao is pretty tasty.”

“You’re tasty too~”

Bantering back and forth, they followed the route laid out by the show. Soon they found fireflies and started catching them with the tools they were given.

“The results will affect how many supplies we get tomorrow—we have to try hard~”

Qiudaoyu and Shengjianbao worked diligently to catch fireflies.

Elsewhere, Leng Ying and Ji Yu were on a path that also had fireflies.

Ji Yu tried catching a few but stopped when she noticed Leng Ying wasn’t moving.

“Ying Ying?”

“Mm?” Leng Ying came back to herself and looked at Ji Yu’s empty container.
“You’re not catching any?”

“You’re not catching,” Ji Yu replied.

Leng Ying smiled slightly. “I just feel like… watching them is already beautiful enough.”

…So why try to capture them?

Ji Yu gazed at her. It seemed like she understood what Leng Ying really meant and stopped walking.

“They’ve already stayed in your eyes.”

Leng Ying’s amber eyes looked like sealed, shimmering wells.

Ji Yu said,
“I’ll always remember that we saw fireflies tonight. Not forgetting… isn’t that a kind of eternity in the heart and memory?”

Leng Ying was stunned for a moment. Then, wistfully,
“You’ve secretly been brushing up on Chinese literature.”

“You stopped talking to me these days~!” Ji Yu argued cutely. “I had to find a way~”

Leng Ying laughed. “Alright.”

Ji Yu asked, “And now? What are you thinking?”

Leng Ying didn’t answer. She looked up, letting the moonlight wash over her face. It was hard for Ji Yu to read her expression.

“How can you be sure it’ll last?”

Leng Ying said,
“There are too many uncertainties. No one can promise forever.”

“I’m not making you promise,” Ji Yu said, taking Leng Ying’s hand and placing it over her heart. “I just want you to know—my heart is right here.”

Ji Yu said, “Whenever you turn around, I’ll still be here.”

Leng Ying: “…”

She believed it.

And because she believed it… she was afraid to start.

But in truth—

In truth, she’d thought about it.

Thought about what it would be like to become lovers with Ji Yu.

Later, she tried to suppress those thoughts.

But after kissing Ji Yu, the dreams returned.

The low-light night walk made for poor live footage, so the stream wasn’t on. Leng Ying and Ji Yu walked quickly, outpacing the cameraman. Their moment wasn’t recorded.

When the camera crew finally caught up, what they saw was two inseparable figures walking together.

Backstage, Director Pan stomped his feet.
“Argh! We should’ve had them carry selfie cams! Great, we missed it! No footage, not even from the raw tapes! The netizens are gonna kill me!”

His assistant chuckled. “You’re afraid of them, Director?”

Director Pan sighed deeply. “You wouldn’t understand.”