Three years later.
Inside the National Grand Concert Hall, the performance concluded exactly on schedule.
After packing up his things, Tan Qiuyi and his group of assistants headed toward the exit of the concert hall, only to be intercepted by reporters.
“President Tan, how do you balance your work and your hobbies?”
The area was extremely crowded, making it difficult for the group to move forward. Tan Qiuyi had no choice but to stop. His assistant was about to push the crowd back, but their boss spoke first.
Tan Qiuyi moved his gaze away from a chat screen on his phone. A rare smile touched his features as he answered the reporter gently. “I set aside fixed time outside of work. The two do not conflict.”
The reporter, who had not expected a direct answer, became visibly excited.
“Now that the special guest performance is over, are you rushing off to someone’s awards ceremony?” a female reporter on the right asked quickly, eager for gossip.
Everyone present knew exactly who “someone” referred to. The scene fell silent as the focus shifted to the tall, cool man. Tan Qiuyi did not avoid the question as he had in the past. Instead, he nodded and answered calmly, “Yes.”
Though his tone was level, the corners of his eyes betrayed a hint of an uncontrollable smile.
The reporters were stunned! The cameraman’s hand shook slightly because this was the first time the “Yi Xing Yi Yi” couple had publicly acknowledged their relationship. Although fans and passersby knew they had been dating privately since the end of the variety show, and the media had leaked information, the two leads had never responded directly. It was a case of the whole world knowing they were in love while they refused to make an official announcement.
The assistant spoke up at the right time. “Thank you for your concern. We will share more updates on Weibo. Please let us through; we are in a hurry.”
The reporters, satisfied with the massive scoop, moved aside to create a wide path.
Emerging from the crowd, the assistants saw a familiar car parked at the roadside and took their leave. Tan Qiuyi opened the car door and saw the man on the phone. He did not speak, simply sitting quietly in the passenger seat. He looked out the window at the light snow falling. Another winter had arrived so quickly, he thought.
Suddenly, his left hand resting on his lap was held. Tan Qiuyi turned and realized the man had switched his phone to his left hand. He was still talking seriously to the person on the line, but his large palm provided warmth to Tan.
“Yes, I am not busy. I can make it back for New Year’s Eve dinner. You and Grandma must take care of your health.”
“Him? I will have to ask.” Perhaps the person on the other end mentioned someone, as Song Yanxing turned to look at the man staring dazed at their joined hands. He asked with a smile, “My parents and Grandma are asking if you want to come home with me for New Year’s Eve dinner?”
Tan Qiuyi looked up at him. Since their dispute years ago, his relationship with his parents had been strained until Song Yanxing took the initiative to meet them. Tan’s parents eventually changed their attitude and stopped interfering in his life. Their relationship had grown increasingly stable over the years. Tan Qiuyi had met Song’s parents and found them to be kind and approachable elders.
Tan Qiuyi nodded. “Yes.”
Song Yanxing smiled and tightened his grip on Tan’s hand. He spoke into the phone again, “Qiuyi agreed. We will go to the Tans’ place first and then return together later.”
After hanging up, Song Yanxing put the phone aside and asked softly, “Was the performance enjoyable today?”
“Mmh,” Tan Qiuyi said. “Was that piano the one I mentioned to you before? Why did you send that one?”
The piano used for the performance had been sent to the hall by Song’s assistant. Tan Qiuyi had recognized it at first glance. He had owned a piano of that brand as a child, but it had been destroyed by his father in a fit of rage. He had tried to find the same model later but was unsuccessful.
Song Yanxing rubbed his head and smiled. “It is a gift for your performance.”
He gave it because, today, the person he loved had not repeated the tragedy of the original story. This was a new life for Tan Qiuyi, one that did not lead toward death.
8:00 PM
The Huaguo Arts Awards ceremony was being held simultaneously online and offline.
“I am waiting for Teacher Song to win his third consecutive Golden Statue Award! And then for him to officially go public with President Tan!”
“Sitting in front of the computer! Even with all the commercials, I dare not look away. Song’s movie last year was another masterpiece after Breeze! I have watched it several times; he will definitely win Best Actor again!”
“Is President Tan at the scene? He admitted it during the interview after his performance today! As the head of the Yi Xing Yi Yi ship, I am celebrating!”
The screen was so crowded with comments that it began to lag, forcing the staff to urgently fix and add more live streaming channels. After the stars finished the red carpet, the host began the ceremony, first inviting special guest presenters to the stage.
Two hours later, the ceremony reached its climax. Amidst great anticipation, the host began the announcement.
“Now, please welcome our special guest presenter for the Golden Statue Award, Tan Qiuyi.”
Tan Qiuyi, who had stepped away briefly, heard the host and walked onto the stage with steady steps. He met Song Yanxing’s gaze in the audience.
“I am screaming! They made eye contact! The director knows exactly what we want to see! More, more, I cannot get enough!”
“Great! Teacher Song looks a bit surprised. You did not expect your dear wife to present the award to you, did you!”
“Qiuyi is so beautiful, and his voice is so pleasant. Please, do not hold back!”
After the nomination video finished, Tan Qiuyi opened the envelope. He saw the familiar, cherished name. His eyes curved slightly as he approached the microphone. Amidst the collective breath holding of the audience, he read slowly:
“The winner of the 28th Huaguo Arts Awards Golden Statue is Song Yanxing.”
After the announcement, Tan Qiuyi watched as Song walked toward him step by step under the starlight, accompanied by the congratulations of others. Song Yanxing took the trophy from Tan’s hand, met his eyes, and gave him a gentle hug.
Amidst the cheers, Song Yanxing stood before the microphone to give his acceptance speech.
“Please remember that we may not be perfect, but we all emit a unique light. Finally, I am grateful for the support of my fans and the encouragement of my friends over the years.” Song Yanxing turned his head to look at the person beside him. “And the lover who has always been by my side.”
The scene and the internet exploded instantly.
“I knew they were finally going to make it official! I have waited three years!”
“Three consecutive Best Actor awards. Song Yanxing, you deserve it.”
“The bitterness has finally turned to sweetness. Years ago, many people were not optimistic. Although actors are free to love, there are still many restrictions. It is hard to go public without reaching a certain height. Now that height has been reached. You both deserve this!”
“Yi Xing Yi Yi is a perfect match! Go check Weibo; billionaire international companies are sending blessings to their Young Master Song. It turns out my idol is a big shot! I love this even more!”
After the ceremony and the banquet, the two were driven home by an assistant. Since confirming their relationship, they had bought a small villa in the suburbs.
After showering, Tan Qiuyi went to the study to handle some business. As he rubbed his forehead, he noticed a photograph in the corner of the desk. It was a photo of him and another person.
Looking closely, Tan Qiuyi recognized the person beside him as the high school version of Ye Hui. Memories flooded back; he had been pulled into a photo by a junior while taking graduation pictures. It seemed that junior was Ye Hui.
But why was this photo here? A thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.
A substitute.
He remembered his assistant constantly complaining about substitute literature on her phone. “Sigh, the male lead who cannot have the one he loves and settles for another is a jerk!” and “Just because they look alike, he treats him as the other person? I am so angry!”
The more Tan Qiuyi thought about it, the more he felt the two young people in the photo looked alike. Their noses were a bit similar, though his was more defined. Their hairstyles were similar, though his looked better.
“What are you looking at?” Song Yanxing entered, drying his hair with a towel.
Tan Qiuyi quickly covered the photo and met the man’s teasing gaze. He realized he was being irrationally jealous. He trusted Song completely, but the thought had still crossed his mind. He flipped the photo back over and pointed at the person in it. “Am I a substitute?”
“What do you think?” Song Yanxing approached the desk and asked.
[Ding. Values have changed. Task completion: 100%. Congratulations to the host for completing the task!]
System: [Will the host stay?]
Song Yanxing did not hesitate. “Yes.”
Seeing that Tan was becoming annoyed, Song Yanxing ignored the system and simply rubbed the soft hair of the person who was having a small tantrum. “No.”
Since they started dating, Tan Qiuyi had opened up more, gradually showing sides of himself he had never noticed before.
“Are you angry?” Song Yanxing asked, amused.
Tan Qiuyi rubbed his ears. The deep, magnetic voice was right next to him.
“No, it is just” He turned his head and realized they were very close, their noses almost touching. The man had just showered and was still warm. His bathrobe was loosely tied, and he was looking down at him.
Song Yanxing pinched his earlobe and teased, “Are you dazed?”
Tan Qiuyi glared at him and turned away. Song Yanxing was not bothered. He leaned in and whispered, “Qiuyi, I followed your lead and waited until now to go public. Where is the reward you promised me?”
Seeing Tan’s eyes widen, Song Yanxing continued. “I also listened to you tonight and did not drink much. I was so well behaved; should I not be rewarded?”
Tan Qiuyi was stunned by the man’s boldness. He looked at him for a few seconds and then planted two kisses on the man’s face. “There is your reward. You are welcome,” he said shamelessly.
He stood up to make a quick escape, but he was caught by the waist and placed on the desk. Song Yanxing pinched his face with a half smile. “Where are you running?”
“I am not running. I am going to get the gift I bought for you,” Tan Qiuyi insisted.
Song Yanxing arched an eyebrow and looked at him. “No need. I have already received it.”
“What?” Tan Qiuyi was confused. The next moment, he was pulled close, his chin was held, and he was kissed.
The air grew thin as the man’s scent enveloped him. His heart rate spun out of control. Tan Qiuyi pressed against Song’s chest and spoke unclearly. “Mmh… cannot… breathe.”
Song Yanxing pulled away slightly, wiped a stray drop from the corner of Tan’s mouth, and then held his face, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. It was a gesture of deep, cherished love.
Tan Qiuyi’s ears burned even more. He reached out with trembling hands to pull the man’s bathrobe belt toward him and kissed his Adam’s apple. “I love you.”
If Tan Qiuyi had known that he would spend the night being coaxed into saying “I love you” countless times, that his voice would grow hoarse, and his waist would ache for the entire next day, he certainly would not have provoked him.
The photo on the desk fell to the floor during their movements, revealing old, blurred handwriting on the back. The character for “Yi” had been written carefully, stroke by stroke, as if invested with restrained love. But at this moment, who was a substitute did not matter.
Midnight
Song Yanxing looked at the sleeping person and touched his face. The person in their sleep felt the touch but did not wake up, instead leaning closer to the source of heat. The task was finished, but Song Yanxing decided to live out his life in this world.
Song Yanxing traced Tan Qiuyi’s features and asked, “Will I meet you in the next world?”
The person in his arms gave a soft “Mmh.” Song Yanxing heard it.