Chapter 112
The video contains everything he experienced during the lockdown: volunteering in the community, how he recovered after being infected, and the joys and sorrows of everyone under lockdown. All of it was recorded on his mobile phone and can be considered a true documentary focusing on how ordinary people at the grassroots level fought the epidemic.
He also filmed his daily life with Lin Ting without any reservations, including candid shots of her working on the front line as a volunteer, getting soaked in the snow on a snowy night, her taking meticulous care of him during his infection, secretly recording her sleeping by his bedside, stealing a kiss from her while she was sleeping, making nutritious meals for her after he recovered, and the two of them just now cuddling together on the balcony to celebrate.
It is real, ordinary, heartwarming, and touching.
To have had such a life-and-death experience with the one I love, I have no regrets in this life.
The background text of the snowy night scene, "If we can share the snow one day, we can grow old together in this life," reveals all the feelings in the heart.
Though belated, the official announcement of their relationship finally came. This time, Chen Zhiyi had no more reservations and didn't want to listen to anyone's analysis; he wanted to declare to the world, "I love her." Once the video was released, all the public opinion and criticism would once again sweep through the nation, but Chen Zhiyi wasn't afraid. He was very confident that he could protect Lin Ting. He had the confidence, the resources, and the connections; he would no longer be subject to any constraints, nor would he accept any way out.
He only wanted to love and be loved openly and honestly, to make up for what he had missed in the past ten years, and to create more happiness for the future.
The video was co-created with "Teacher Yezi" and, although it has no video title, it officially announces the main creator.
With the gloom gone and good fortune arriving, Lin Ting slept until ten o'clock. Turning her head, she saw Chen Zhiyi still fast asleep. The morning light shone through the window, falling brightly on the hair on his forehead, adding a soft glow. She could smell the familiar scent of sunshine on him.
Men are boys until they die. Apart from gaining some experience, the man before her, nearing thirty, still seemed like the proud and innocent young boy she had first met. Lin Ting stretched out her index finger and slowly moved it down from the tip of his eyebrow, across the high bridge of his nose, finally stopping at his sensual thin lips.
Every inch, every detail is breathtaking; it leaves a lasting impression after just one glance.
Lin Ting couldn't help but kiss him lightly on the lips. It was a quick, fleeting kiss; she didn't want to wake him, wanting him to get a good night's sleep—he'd worked so hard lately.
They all share a common problem: they can't get out of bed until they've finished scrolling through their phones. Lin Ting is no exception. Plus, now that her main job is as a self-media creator, she has to keep an eye on video views and fan comments from time to time.
But today's data completely exploded, and flipping through the comments section shocked her so much that she sat up in bed.
Chen Zhiyi is awesome! The first video he posted after registering on Douyin was to officially announce his relationship.
So his official partner is Lin Ting, his rumored girlfriend from three years ago?
What I didn't expect was that the popular TikTok influencer Teacher Ye Zi was actually Lin Ting. The movie star and the owner of a clothing brand are quite a good match.
The two in the video must have been living together for a long time, volunteering together in the fight against the epidemic. One of them was infected and the other stayed by his side to take care of him. They witnessed life and death together and went through thick and thin together.
Perhaps it was after surviving a brush with death that Chen Zhiyi became even more certain of their relationship, leading him to choose to go public with their romance.
As expected, handsome men are all romantics; they've been secretly dating for three years?
What three years? Didn't you see what Chen Zhiyi posted on Weibo? It's been ten years. He fell in love with a girl when he was nineteen.
Yes, the Weibo post also mentioned that the two had experienced separation over the past ten years, but he continued to love her and wait for her as always. This man is amazing.
Weibo? Lin Ting quickly downloaded and registered. After logging in, the first trending topic was "the first day of lifting the lockdown," and the second was "Chen Zhiyi officially announced his relationship."
Lin Ting clicked on the second one and saw Chen Zhiyi's Weibo post.
That was the first photo they took together, taken after they attended a shopping mall event. There were two photos in total; she had lost the one long ago, while he kept the other one in his wallet, and now he posted it publicly on Weibo.
There's also a piece of text nearby.
My story with her began when I was nineteen, when fate brought her into my life.
There was no seduction or sycophancy as you claim; it was all my own desire from beginning to end.
The person you see is glamorous, surrounded by flowers, applause, and honors.
But what she saw of me was a self-destructive, useless person who had no interest in life, studies, or ideals.
She grabbed me and pulled me out of the darkness.
Tell me that the path of life is one that you walk yourself, and no one can stop or change it.
As long as you work hard enough and have enough passion, you can go wherever you want to go.
It was with her encouragement that I mustered the courage to ignore prejudice, overcome all difficulties, choose the art exam, and embark on the path of an actor, allowing you to see me.
Without her, I would be just an insignificant ordinary person, not even knowing what I want to do.
She has always been a shining star in my eyes—excellent and confident, meticulous in the things she likes, talented and serious enough, and unafraid of hardship. Despite suffering so much injustice and difficulty, she still faces challenges head-on with a pure heart.
So from beginning to end, it wasn't that she wasn't good enough for me, it was that I wasn't good enough for her.
Falling in love with her was not accidental, it was inevitable.
She saved me, illuminated my dark path to adulthood, helped me find my direction in life during the most beautiful years of my youth, and taught me what love is when I first fell in love. Every glance, every physical contact, and even every extra word I spoke to her made my heart flutter. It was my persistence and relentless pursuit that finally made her accept my love, and we agreed to go to Beijing together. She would pursue her dream of becoming a designer, and I would study acting.
However, we were separated, but unexpectedly we met again on a project to collaborate with the spokesperson of M Group. At that moment, my heart beat faster than I recognized her.
I could tell she wasn't excited about our reunion; in fact, she was trying to avoid me. I resorted to all sorts of despicable means to create opportunities to get close to her, and through my persistent efforts, she finally opened her tightly closed heart to me again.
I'm such a shameless person; once I like someone, I'll stick with her forever.
However, that uproar caused her to suffer endless online harassment for no reason. Many unexpected situations occurred that year, and I also encountered obstacles from others, which prevented me from clarifying the facts. That breakup statement was not my intention, nor was it written by me. How could I write such a thing when I love her so much? I wanted to go public with our relationship long ago, but she kept stopping me for fear of delaying my career development.
I am grateful to God for allowing us to meet again and for going through life and death together. I have found that my love for her has not diminished at all, but has grown stronger over the years.
Today is the first day since the lockdown was lifted, and everyone has been reborn. I also want to tell you that my love and I have also been reborn. From this point on, we will stand firmly by each other's side, and we will openly and honestly express our love.
She is to me like flesh and blood; how can I live without flesh and blood?
Speaking of which, I want to introduce her to you properly. Her name is Lin Ting.
As for the rest, you don't need to know more.
I apologize for taking up public resources. I've said everything I needed to say. All my wishes have come true. Now I just want to cherish this hard-won happiness. You may not understand or agree, but I don't care.
I'm just an actor, an ordinary person who does their job well and lives their own life well. —Chen Zhiyi
Rather than an official announcement, this is more like a poem describing the love between the two, or even a love letter, with every word carrying Chen Zhiyi's deep affection for Lin Ting.
With both edited videos and such a long text, this is arguably the most grand announcement of a relationship in the history of the entertainment industry. Why is someone who claims to be low-key being so sentimental this time? Lin Ting tried her best to hold back, turned to the side, pulled the blanket over the lower half of her face, and didn't want to cry out loud.
Weibo was originally Chen Zhiyi's only publicly available social media platform, and it had a huge number of followers, so the number of comments under this Weibo post was also crazy, much more than on Douyin.
Unexpectedly, a warrior of pure love has emerged from the colorful entertainment industry.
Love at first sight, being both a beloved figure and one's salvation, and also one's first love—it's like having all the buffs stacked up, no wonder the feelings are so deep.
The key is that he is devoted and loyal; despite breaking up and getting back together many times, he still only loves her, which is so touching it makes me cry.
It's true what they say, handsome guys are always the most devoted lovers, while ugly guys are the ones who cause trouble.
The post mentions that the breakup statement he posted earlier wasn't written by him, and also claims that someone else interfered. Who was it?
Three years ago, my brother was still with Jiali Media, so it's highly likely that the agency was behind this.
Moreover, the scandal broke shortly after the brother terminated his contract with the company, which was clearly revenge.
This industry only talks about fame and fortune, not true feelings. Leslie Cheung is truly a breath of fresh air.
Actually, it's good to announce a relationship openly like this. Celebrities are human too, with emotions and desires, which we fans can understand. What we hate is when someone has a partner but pretends to be single and creates a CP (couple pairing) to deceive fans.
My sister-in-law is Teacher Yezi, a popular figure on Douyin (TikTok). I've watched her live streams and videos. She speaks gently and is very skillful. She also helps to pass on some intangible cultural heritage. She's a very good person.
I've also watched her videos. She also teaches people how to reuse old clothes. Last time, I followed her live stream and turned a damaged leather jacket into a handbag. I was so proud of myself.
With over 8 million followers, she's a top-tier internet celebrity, but she doesn't accept advertisements, sell goods via live stream, or spend money to boost her traffic. She just does her own thing, which is truly remarkable.
I just watched my sister-in-law's videos, and now I know why my brother likes her so much. She has a cool and aloof demeanor, speaks gently, and has a pair of exquisite and skillful hands. I love her!
I also saw a custom-made cheongsam in her shop window that I really liked, so I placed an order without hesitation as a gift for my brother and sister-in-law.
I went to see it too. My sister-in-law is a custom clothing maker. In a commercial assembly line production environment, it's rare to find someone who insists on handmade production. Every piece of clothing hanging there is like a work of art, exquisite and luxurious.
I'll go take a look and see if there's anything I like.
This is the longest official announcement in the entertainment industry. You can tell that the brother is sincere. A relationship that is truly in love deserves respect and blessings. May the brother and sister always be together!
Yes, brother, we wish you all the best, we'll always be here for you!
...
It turns out that being truly honest can earn everyone's understanding and blessings; it was my own narrow-mindedness and lack of self-confidence that caused the problem.
Lin Ting gripped her phone tightly beside her pillow, burying her head completely in the blanket. Soon, the blanket began to tremble slightly, accompanied by suppressed sobs.
Chen Zhiyi hugged her from behind, took her phone away, and gently stroked her back.
Lin Ting turned around and buried her face in his chest, repeatedly saying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Chen Zhiyi comforted her, "I don't like you saying those three words to me. I would accept it if you said something else."
Lin Ting raised her head, tears welling in her eyes, and without hesitation, said, "I love you."
Chen Zhiyi smiled, his smile as warm and bright as the sunlight streaming in.
"I'm sorry. If I had trusted you more and been more steadfast in our love, would the ending have been different?"
Chen Zhiyi firmly believes: "The ending will be the same as now, only the process will be different."
"Have you ever blamed me? The ten years we were separated were largely because of me. My inferiority complex, but also my damn strong will, and the shadow of my parents' failed relationship made me always easily back down and distrust you."
"How could I blame you? Love that is too smooth and perfect makes people not cherish it. It is the ups and downs that make us feel that it is precious and that makes us cherish the time we spend together. There are gains and losses. Cherish the present and look forward, okay?"
"good."
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With the lockdown just lifted and various industries slowly recovering, Chen Zhiyi didn't rush to leave. He spent another five days with Lin Ting, helping her organize the shop and printing out and categorizing the order information received during this period.
Originally, they received many orders every day during the lockdown. Unexpectedly, after the relationship was officially announced, they received support from Chen Zhiyi's fans, and the number of followers on their account increased, as did the number of orders.
Looking at the long white shipping label that had been printed out, Lin Ting didn't know whether to cry or laugh.
One can imagine the scene of the master craftsmen working late into the night.
On the third day after the lockdown was lifted, Lin Ting started a live stream. She thought that the content and format of the live stream, including her appearance, should be the same as before, so that people would not think that she was trying to gain popularity by associating with her relationship.
Even if she didn't want to participate, she couldn't escape it. Throughout the entire process, everyone was calling for Chen Zhiyi to appear in the live chat. Although Chen Zhiyi didn't appear in the end, he still made a grand entrance by sending so many gifts that he topped the gift list.
On the afternoon of the fifth day after the lockdown was lifted, Han Ming appeared at the shop entrance.
Those who have just arrived will come again.
But Lin Tingmeng sensed a hint of relief on Han Ming's face.
After all, their relationship was officially announced and everyone knew about it.
But Chen Zhiyi remained wary. "Are you quite free? Looks like you can't find any work right after the pandemic ended?"
Han Ming retorted, "And you? Did your company go bankrupt during the pandemic? Otherwise, why would you, as the person in charge of the company, stay here instead of going back to take charge?"
"The company is doing so well that it can do without me. It's all thanks to my good investment acumen. Several of the works I produced garnered a lot of views during the pandemic lockdown, and the platform is going to give me a share of the profits. This is what you call making money while lying down."
Han Ming replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Really? I hope you continue to have such good luck. After all, quite a few companies have started to decline after experiencing their glory days."
"..."
When men become rivals in love, they may not necessarily have a serious falling out, but they can be quite ruthless when they find other ways to attack each other.
Lin Ting interrupted their conversation, walked up to Han Ming, and said calmly, "Let's go somewhere else and talk."
Han Ming nodded. "Okay."
Chen Zhiyi followed, "Together."
Han Ming sneered, "That's quite a gesture."
Lin Ting stopped him, "I'll talk to him. This is between him and me."
Chen Zhiyi's eyes widened, thinking he had misheard. Just as he was about to explode, Lin Ting immediately stopped him, "Shut up."
After saying that, he watched helplessly as Lin Ting and Han Ming walked away side by side. No matter how outstanding a person was in the eyes of others, he still had to be a submissive lapdog in front of the woman he loved, obeying her every command.
Qin Wei came over to comfort him, "Brother Chen, don't be afraid. If my sister liked Brother Han, you would have missed your chance long ago."
Chen Zhiyi listened without expression; his words sounded more like a threat than a words of comfort.
The nearby shops where people could sit down and chat were all closed, so the two of them sat in the parking lot next to Han Ming's car and chatted for a while.
Han Ming cut to the chase, "You've forgiven him so easily? Have you forgotten the cyberbullying you suffered and the pain you endured?"
Lin Ting: "There was a misunderstanding about what happened back then. He has explained it to me. He didn't do many of the things."
"Misunderstanding? Have you forgotten all those days when you couldn't sleep and needed to numb yourself with alcohol and tranquilizers? Wasn't all of that because of him?" Han Ming still remembered very clearly how Lin Ting was in pain after drinking until her stomach perforated.
Lin Ting sighed, "It's because of him. I want to hate him, to forget him, but I find that I can't. I can only numb myself."
Han Ming froze, staring at her, his mouth slightly open, his brows furrowed, his eyes filled with confusion and unconcealed disappointment. "Why? We've spent more time together than you have with him. Haven't I treated you well? Can't you feel my affection for you?"
Lin Ting looked away and said, "I'm sorry, in terms of time, I've known him for much longer, and liking someone isn't something that can be formed over time. Up until now, only he has pried open the door to my heart and barged in, and he has never left since."
"I think you could guess my family situation three years ago when you helped me with the funeral arrangements. Under the shadow of my parents' failed marriage, I didn't believe in love or marriage. I thought they were all empty and unreal things, or even shackles that bound women. For example, my mother clearly cheated on her husband with someone else, but she was the one who bore the stigma for her whole life and didn't even have the right to pursue a new life. So I never talked about love and was incredibly stubborn. It was Chen Zhiyi's relentless pursuit and constant entanglement, his tireless and generous expression of love for me, that gradually softened me. I took off my armor of strength in front of him and found a shoulder to lean on."
"Our two breakups had reasons on his part and reasons on mine, but I think I was more to blame. I was too insecure but also proud and strong-willed, and I didn't trust him enough. But after ten years, it would have been so easy for him to find someone better, but he didn't. He still held me tightly and said he loved me. He's a very pure person when it comes to relationships. When he loves someone, he gives his all and nothing can sway him. They say that conflicted people need a lover they can't get rid of. Who would refuse someone who is completely devoted to them?"
“I always hold back in everything I do, including loving him. I’m afraid that if I get too involved, I won’t be able to get away. But this time, when he was infected and his life was hanging by a thread, I realized how much I need him and how I can’t live without him. Once you give your heart away, it’s hard to take it back. People who have just broken up need a long time to recover, so how can we not love each other?”
Han Ming remained silent for a long time. When he spoke again, his voice was grainy, as if he had just taken a deep drag on a cigarette, "If I had known you before he did, would you have fallen for me?"
Lin Ting also asked him, "If we were separated for ten years, would you, like Chen Zhiyi, wait for me steadfastly and choose me? Would you not be swayed by anything?"
Han Ming hesitated. The two hadn't seen each other for a long time. Who could guarantee that they would still miss each other? Even the deepest love would be worn away by time. Not only would he find it difficult to do so, but most people couldn't.
"Have you ever had any regrets?" Lin Ting asked.
Han Ming looked up and met her gaze. He hadn't expected her to ask that. It seemed she knew something, but he didn't want to delve into it. Nothing is truly secret; if one person knows, there will be a second, and a third.
People are afraid of having their past hurts touched upon. Seeing Han Ming's heavy expression, Lin Ting knew she shouldn't bring up this topic. "I'm sorry."
Han Ming snapped out of his daze, his eyes dimming. "It's alright, it's all in the past."
"But right now your eyes are full of regret."
Is it regrettable? People are nostalgic, especially for things they had for the first time. If you don't think about it, you feel that time has passed and everything is over. But if you mention it, emotions surge up.
"I think she must be a very, very good girl. She gave you a lot of unforgettable warmth and love, which is why you thought of her when I helped you with some small things. I think I am similar to her in some ways, but I am not her. To continue a relationship that has no ending with another person is guilt, not love, because you are fixated on the unpleasant ending and feel that you are the one at fault."
Han Ming spoke, his face serious, "Indeed, at the beginning, when Chen Zhiyi told me your story, I was envious and jealous. Sometimes I wondered if I had been more persistent, braver, and more confident, would I have achieved the same success in both my career and love life as him? But we've been together for two years. After two years, don't I understand my own feelings?"
Lin Ting: "We are both people who crave love and have relatively barren inner emotions. We were hoping to find someone similar to comfort us. Chen Zhiyi, on the other hand, is a person with a rich and sincere emotional world. He is willing to give without expecting anything in return, which allows me to accept his feelings without pressure or anxiety. He is generous in expressing himself, making me feel that his choice to like me was based on genuine attraction, not a decision made after weighing the pros and cons. It is his steadfastness that has brought us to where we are today. If he had even considered giving up, we would never be like this. Therefore, I must trust him more and choose him more firmly."
Han Ming understood that some people who lack love choose to keep giving in order to gain attention from others, while others would rather close themselves off than not get it.
Lin Ting is the second type. This kind of person wants a lover who can't be driven away and an affection that can't be shaken off. Han Ming can't do that. He lost to Chen Zhiyi from the very beginning and didn't even have the right to start.
Han Ming: "My appreciation and liking for you over the past two years is genuine, and I believe you can feel it."
Lin Ting smiled: "I know, but there are many kinds of liking someone. There are romantic relationships, and there are friendships. We can't be the first kind, but I really hope we can be the second. I don't want to lose you as a friend. I'm truly grateful for your companionship these past two years; it has made me feel much less helpless."
Han Ming sighed, seemingly relieved, and opened his arms. "A return gift, a hug between friends, is that alright?"
Lin Ting didn't hesitate and hugged him, saying, "Thank you!"
"I'm very happy to have you as a friend these past two years," Han Ming said.
They only hugged for a moment before letting go, because not far away, through the glass window, a pair of eyes were watching like an eagle, ready to rush over and settle scores if they stayed even a second longer.
"Alright, I already knew the answer before I came, but I was unwilling to accept it and wanted to hear your reply in person."
Are you leaving?
"Yes, but I think we should meet in Haishi soon."
Lin Ting smiled but remained silent.
Han Ming opened the car door, then remembered something. "Sorry, the project we agreed on has been put on hold."
"It's okay, I understand. The pandemic has just ended, and everything is slowly recovering."
"Uh-huh."
Although Chen Zhiyi couldn't hear what they were saying, he could tell from their demeanor that they had reached an agreement. He trusted Lin Ting's words, but he didn't trust the words of another man.
Qin Wei watched Han Ming's car leave, and his sister walked back with a relaxed expression. He felt a little sad. Even a fool like him could feel how good Han Ming had been to them over the past two years. He lowered his head and muttered dejectedly, "Actually, Brother Han is really a good person."
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhiyi turned his head to the side, squinted his eyes, and stared at him with his back teeth clenched, feeling as if all those Lego sets had been wasted on an ingrate.
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