A heartfelt confession
Making a decision is one thing, finding the right time is another.
For the next two days, Ding Xuefei was like a little hamster with a secret in her heart, wanting to get close to Yu Songlin, but always running away at the last minute.
The moment their eyes met, he would instinctively look away. As soon as Yu Songlin took two steps closer to him, he could find eight hundred excuses to slip away, never giving the two of them a chance to be alone.
He needed a solemn occasion, preferably a dark and windy night... no, it should be a time of gentle moonlight, a light sea breeze, and just the two of them. Then he would take a deep breath and tell Yu Songlin, "Let's make up."
The recording of the reality show was fast-paced, with one group activity after another, and cameras were everywhere, so Ding Xuefei just couldn't find the "perfect opportunity" he was looking for.
Anxiety, like tiny ants, gnawed at his heart. He was terrified that the courage he had just mustered would be worn away by repeated procrastination.
That afternoon, during a break in recording, Ding Xuefei nestled on the living room sofa, lost in thought, his fingers unconsciously fiddling with the tassels of a throw pillow. Ke Ran and Xu Yimeng were chattering away nearby, their voices drifting into his ears.
"Have you heard? It seems someone else is leaving the show early..." Stella lowered her voice.
"Really? Who is it? The show is almost finished recording!" Ke Ran's exclamation instantly rose.
Ding Xuefei's heart sank suddenly, as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand.
Although he kissed Yu Songlin that day, Yu Songlin seemed to be in a low mood afterwards and didn't continue to show affection towards him...
Was it because of his rejection? Was it because he felt there was no hope, so he didn't want to stay in this embarrassing place anymore?
Panic washed over him like ice water, chilling him to the bone. He hadn't even explained himself! He hadn't even had a chance to tell him how he felt! How could he just leave?
Ding Xuefei suddenly stood up, startling Ke Ran and Xu Yimeng who were standing next to her.
"Brother Xuefei, what's wrong?" Ke Ran asked, puzzled, looking at his face that had turned deathly pale.
Ding Xuefei didn't answer, nor did she have time to answer.
For some reason, he felt very anxious. He needed to find Yu Songlin and have a word with him.
【Master, Master! Don't panic!】
Even the system tried to dissuade Ding Xuefei, but Ding Xuefei's pace only quickened.
He ran upstairs and, as he passed Yu Songlin's room, he noticed that the door was ajar and that there were faint noises coming from inside.
He gently pushed the door open.
The sight in the room almost took his breath away—Yu Songlin was standing with his back to the door, bending over to pack his suitcase, with several pieces of clothing neatly placed inside.
He lowered his head slightly, and his profile looked... somewhat dejected.
He's really leaving!
"Yu Songlin!"
The words burst from his mouth, carrying a sob and panic that he himself was unaware of.
Yu Songlin paused, turning around in surprise. Seeing Ding Xuefei standing at the doorway, pale-faced and with red eyes, he was clearly stunned, his brows furrowing slightly: "Xuefei? What happened to you..."
"You're not allowed to leave!" Ding Xuefei interrupted him, rushing to his side in a few steps. Forgetting about words or timing, her pent-up emotions burst forth like a flood. "I...I was wrong to choose Fang Jinyu that day! I was afraid...afraid the fans would scold us, afraid it would affect you...It's not that I don't like you!"
He stammered, his voice trembling with urgency and grievance: "I've figured it out, Sister Shang Rou is right, I can't hide anymore! I like you! I've always liked you! Five years ago, and I still do! Please don't go... okay?"
Yu Songlin stood frozen in place, his expression shifting from astonishment to disbelief, and then to a slowly spreading, immense joy.
Looking at Ding Xuefei, whose nose was red from crying but who was stubbornly staring at him waiting for a response, he felt as if his heart had been hit hard by the softest thing, feeling both bitter and full.
He suddenly reached out and pulled Ding Xuefei into a tight embrace, so forcefully that he almost crushed her into his very bones.
“Fool…” Yu Songlin’s voice was low and hoarse, trembling with the joy of regaining what he had lost, as it rang in Ding Xuefei’s ears, “Who told you I was leaving?”
Ding Xuefei was struggling to breathe from his choking, her mind still reeling. She sobbed as she asked, "W-weren't you packing your luggage...?"
Yu Songlin chuckled softly, his chest heaving with immense pleasure and relief: "I'm just tidying up some clothes I don't wear often. The show isn't finished recording yet, and I haven't even won you over, how could I leave?"
Just then, a burst of suppressed laughter and applause came from the doorway.
Ding Xuefei suddenly lifted her head from Yu Songlin's arms, her eyes blurry with tears—she saw Stella, Ke Ran, Xu Yimeng, Ning Yusheng, and others crowding at the door, each with a bright smile of "successful scheme" on their face, and Stella was laughing so hard she was shaking.
"Hahaha! You did it! Xuefei, your nervousness just now was hilarious!" Stella clapped her hands and announced triumphantly, "I just wanted to tease you because you seemed so flustered, but it worked so well!"
Ding Xuefei's eyes widened instantly, his cheeks flushing crimson at a visible speed, even the tips of his ears turning bright red. He... he had actually been tricked by these people! And confessed his feelings so embarrassingly in front of so many people!
"You, you guys..." He was both ashamed and angry, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into, and subconsciously wanted to bury his face back in Yu Songlin's arms.
Yu Songlin tightened his grip on her arm, a deep laugh coming from above, filled with undisguised doting and indulgence. He looked up at his friends at the door, who were eagerly watching the drama unfold, his tone gentle yet firm: "Thank you all for your help. But now, could we have a little time alone?"
"Oh~" The crowd cheered in good-naturedly.
"Understood, understood!"
"I won't bother you anymore!"
Congratulations!!!
Their friends jokingly closed the door for them, leaving the couple alone to finally reunite after overcoming numerous obstacles.
The room fell silent, with only their slightly disordered breathing and heartbeats remaining.
Ding Xuefei buried her burning cheeks in Yu Songlin's shoulder, too embarrassed to look up, and muttered, "So embarrassing..."
Yu Songlin gently stroked the back of his head, his fingertips running through his soft hair, his voice filled with a tenderness that could drown a person: "It's not shameful. I'm very happy, Xuefei."
He paused, then said with utmost solemnity, word by word, "I love you too. I always have."
Ding Xuefei's body trembled slightly, and she tightened her grip on Yu Songlin's waist.
Sunlight streamed through the window, warmly bathing the two embracing figures. Nico, having slipped in unnoticed, circled their feet happily, barking as if offering its blessings to its two owners.
The misunderstanding was cleared up, and their hearts were in sync. This time, they held each other tightly, never wanting to let go again.
*
After everyone else left, the room became quiet again.
Ding Xuefei hadn't realized it when she confessed, but now she belatedly felt a little shy.
He tried to wriggle out of Yu Songlin's arms, but Yu Songlin held him tightly.
Ding Xuefei twisted her body and said, "Stop hugging me, or someone will see us again."
Yu Songlin smiled. He didn't seem to care, but he listened to Ding Xuefei's words. He asked, "Don't you want others to know?"
These words carried a hint of probing, and surprisingly, they also sounded somewhat pitiful.
Ding Xuefei felt a pang of unease, like being scratched by a cat's claw, and awkwardly replied, "No, it's just that I'm not used to it yet..."
"All right."
Ding Xuefei was surprised that Yu Songlin agreed so easily, and looked up at Yu Songlin with some astonishment.
But Yu Songlin's eyes were full of smiles. He lowered his head and leaned closer to Ding Xuefei, their foreheads rubbing together.
"I'm already very happy that you're willing to say you like me. If you don't want others to know, then we won't tell anyone."
Ding Xuefei hadn't reacted for a moment, but was suddenly jolted awake by the touch on her cheek.
Although he also craved the warmth of skin against skin, he had already made up his mind!
Ding Xuefei isn't an adventurous person. With so many people making malicious speculations about them online before, if they really make an official announcement, who knows what the consequences will be... In short, it won't be a good outcome.
Before he could figure things out, he decided to say nothing, just like most couples in the industry.
I thought it would take some effort to persuade Yu Songlin, but I didn't expect him to agree so easily...
Ding Xuefei's heart softened again. He grabbed Yu Songlin's hand and shook it, saying in a clingy voice, "Then you'll be following me without any official status from now on."
Yu Songlin had no reason to refuse, and Ding Xuefei managed to soothe his last bit of displeasure.
However, seeing Ding Xuefei's somewhat apologetic expression, he knew that Ding Xuefei was particularly easy to talk to now, and he couldn't help but tease him.
"Xuefei, don't you owe me some compensation?"
*
However, at the same time, an audio clip was quietly released online:
[Top Gossip] Yu Songlin & Ding Xuefei had a heated argument during aquarium recording! Is this a sign of a potential tragic ending for Yu Songlin?
Although the audio was blurry, the voices of Yu Songlin and Ding Xuefei could be vaguely discerned, mixed with keywords such as "breakup," "why," and "disappointment," and Ding Xuefei's last sentence, "I am really disappointed in you," was clearly audible.
Following this, more so-called "eyewitnesses" emerged, describing how the two looked terrible at the aquarium that day, how Ding Xuefei left early, and how Yu Songlin looked distraught.
One stone stirs up a thousand waves.
Yu Songlin's fans and Ding Xuefei's fans immediately erupted in anger.
Yu Songlin's fans: "What kind of trouble is Ding Xuefei causing now? Why should our brother suffer? Can't he just behave himself?"
Ding Xuefei's fans: "Hehe, that certain movie star is so aloof and arrogant, he must have said something hurtful! Our Feifei is beautiful on her own!"
CP fans were in anguish: "No way! The sweet moments I just had turned into heartbreak? They're arguing in an aquarium? What kind of heart-wrenching plot is this?!"
Is "The Bloodstained Snowstorm" really going to end in a bad ending?
"I knew variety shows were all scripted!!"
Public opinion quickly escalated, with hashtags such as #YuSonglinDingXuefeiArguing# and #XingfengxueYuBE# rapidly climbing to the top of the trending searches. The comment section was flooded with comments, and fans of both sides were tearing each other apart, while bystanders also joined in the gossip.
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