Chapter 22: Who Is Better Suited as a Partner?

“Why didn’t you reply?”

Yu Wei was naturally referring to the last sentence from their previous conversation: “I’m always failing, would you always watch?” They had been chatting quite cheerfully, but after sending that line, he hadn’t heard a word for three days.

Wishing himself endless failure and then asking if she would always watch—wasn’t that just a normal joke?

Qi Luoan, of course, understood it was a joke too...

Yet when she wanted to retort playfully, she found herself unable to do so, without even knowing why.

Beneath the teasing tone, her wish for Yu Wei was really a hope that he could always do what he wanted.

By the same reasoning, his reply became, “If I do this, will you stay with me?”

That was quite ambiguous...

Such feelings were subtle; even though she knew it was a joke, the moment she saw the message, her heart did flutter.

Qi Luoan didn’t respond for three days.

But in truth, she opened the private chat many times to look.

...

“Not replying again.”

Yu Wei waited a while without a response, then realized the other person had gone silent again.

Though he didn’t know the exact situation, this reader was fairly kind to him—not only considerate but also discreet about his identity...

More importantly, she was still following the updates of his book, and readers who kept up to date were good comrades.

Yu Wei glanced at “This is An Shi”’s profile: a twenty-year-old male college student. Judging by the timing, it was exam week recently; perhaps she was busy studying.

“Forget it, I’ll ask again in a few days.”

He valued this loyal reader quite a bit; though somewhat mysterious, she was unusually sincere when communicating with him.

If possible, Yu Wei wanted to finish writing the singing scenes in one go, but unfortunately, there was a tea gathering scheduled for the show tonight.

Drinking tea and chatting—a relaxed, peaceful segment and the core of social interaction in the program.

Yu Wei felt it would be awkward not to attend this conversation segment, so he left the rest of the plot for tomorrow...

Staring at the screen too long, having some tea and fresh air wouldn’t be bad.

Dusk was like ink; the verdant lawn was bathed in a layer of silvery moonlight. A few raw wood square tables formed a semicircle, quietly resting in the open space outside the cabin.

When Yu Wei came down, the others were still tidying up. Fruits and snacks covered half a table, creating a genuine gathering atmosphere.

Beyond the shadows of the lamps, the night was deep; distant trees stood as ink-black silhouettes, accentuating the quiet courtyard. Everyone took their seats one after another, and Yu Wei couldn’t help but relax, his mind at peace.

Except for the slightly sultry evening breeze, the gathering was near perfect...

---

“How’s the creation going, great musician?”

Tong Yulu eagerly sat beside him and began some aimless small talk. Though somewhat teasing, it was a question everyone wanted to ask.

Yu Wei had been on the show for two days. Except for an afternoon dog walk with Zhou Mumu yesterday, he’d barely stepped outside.

They had met others who created original works, but someone so dedicated and secluded in his process naturally sparked curiosity.

“Not great.”

Yu Wei poured himself a fresh cup of Pu’er tea. “I’ve scrapped it all and started over.”

He was also planting a hint for “Hearing the Sound of Rain,” since the lyrics he wrote last time weren’t used; a little heads-up so they wouldn’t be too surprised later.

“Scrapped it?”

Though they expected Yu Wei to be creative, no one thought he’d work this way. Most people build their songs step by step; he just tore everything down at once.

They’d seen the previous lyrics—at that level, and he just discarded them? Wasn’t that being too perfectionist...

Yu Wei didn’t explain further. Those lines weren’t entirely useless; perhaps someday he’d write a song called “A Thousand Miles Away” again.

“The creative spirit is about tearing down and rebuilding. Every scrapping is a challenge to oneself and a reverence to creation.”

Chi Leying always knew how to say the right thing at the right time, making it impossible to find fault.

Such a person was formidable—even though Yu Wei initially thought she was cunning, he had to admit she knew her stuff.

A star without a solid knowledge base couldn’t say such things...

Sitting to Yu Wei’s left, Su Jian was less roundabout; he grabbed some fruit and snacks and put them in front of him until the table was piled high.

That was genuine—no empty flattery, just straightforward action.

“Thanks, thanks, sorry to trouble you.”

Yu Wei felt that if he didn’t respond, Su Jian might start massaging his shoulders. Such earnestness would surely lead to success in anything.

Others found Su Jian’s behavior amusing and annoying; such tacky flattery was usually despised, yet he was the only one Yu Wei truly favored.

In the end, it was because others couldn’t let go of their pride—wanting to flatter but unable to humble themselves, trying to be servile but unwilling to shed their airs.

By comparison, Su Jian might be the most straightforward among them.

“Yu Wei, you’ve been here two days. Who do you think is the easiest to get along with?”

Tong Yulu’s question was a bit provocative, but the producers immediately zoomed in on him, clearly taking it seriously.

In a reality show focusing on interpersonal relationships, such mutual evaluations were essential—not just for audience enjoyment, but the guests themselves were curious.

“Fei Hong.”

Fei Hong, pouring tea nearby, was somewhat flattered. He hadn’t interacted much with Yu Wei, yet was considered the easiest to get along with?

Others weren’t surprised. After all this time on the show, Fei Hong was indeed the most reliable—something even Tong Yulu couldn’t dispute.

Simply put, others might have ulterior motives for kindness, but Fei Hong felt uneasy if he didn’t help when he could.

“Then who do you think is best suited to collaborate with?”

This question was almost begging for cooperation, but Yu Wei had no hesitation and immediately named Zhou Mumu.

In his view, if he needed a partner, he’d choose Zhou Mumu; for friends, Fei Hong; and if he were to recruit an assistant, Su Jian.

The reasons were simple: Zhou Mumu was earnest and capable; Fei Hong kind-hearted and emotionally intelligent; Su Jian not so clever but really gets things done.

Tong Yulu was quite annoyed by this answer—after all the times she’d tried to win Yu Wei’s favor, she hadn’t made an impression at all.

Even Chi Leying showed a subtle hint of frustration. Yu Wei’s temperament was strange; it wouldn’t be easy to get close by ordinary means.

Though they acted closer, Yu Wei preferred the others more, a fact they surely understood themselves...

“Well, who do you think is the most suitable partner?”

Tong Yulu, likely flustered and a bit dissatisfied, blurted out nonsense, then regretted it—talking about this among celebrities was easily misunderstood.

But the producers were unusually excited. Gossip always drew them in, and viewers surely loved it.

As for public opinion—that wasn’t their concern; the topic wasn’t their idea...

“Ahem, after all, you wrote ‘Heart Wall,’ such a delicate love song. You must have your own unique understanding of love.”

Tong Yulu wasn’t foolish and quickly added this to steer the conversation back, shifting from gossip back to emotional discussion.

This question genuinely stumped Yu Wei. He had a few past relationships, but none lasted.

Society was growing more restless, especially in the entertainment industry—couples formed and broke up constantly. Where were the lifelong companions anymore?

“Feels like none of them are suitable…”

Yu Wei smiled faintly. “I’ve never really thought about it, but if I had any expectations for love, it’d be mutual honesty.”

Though seeming simple, Yu Wei was subtly telling them all they weren’t honest enough, especially the one who asked this question.

Tong Yulu’s expression faltered; she clearly sensed the retort hidden in Yu Wei’s words.

But this was Yu Wei’s true feeling—between two people, honesty was more important than anything.

Interestingly, it was a word he seemed to have recalled elsewhere today too...