Daybreak broke through the sky, and the biting wind cut through the air.
“Chong-ge, you’re sleeping right in this drafty spot? The wind’s making you cry… Chong-ge! Chong-ge! Wake up!”
Zhou Chong was groggy, his head splitting with pain. He struggled to open his eyes and froze when he saw You Liang right in front of him.
“Chong-ge, what’s wrong?”
You Liang couldn’t read the look in Zhou Chong’s eyes.
It was filled with shock and utter disbelief.
Zhou Chong: “Didn’t you die from exhaustion? Are you here to pick me up?”
You Liang was startled.
“Chong-ge, I’m still a virgin!”
Something was wrong.
Zhou Chong looked around, then grabbed his phone and checked it—he realized he was back in December, eight years ago.
He had been reborn!
Qingshan, my darling!
Zhou Chong scrambled to his feet and bolted out the door, only stopping at the front gate when he remembered that he and Shan Qingshan hadn’t even met yet.
In his past life, after falling in love with Shan Qingshan at first sight, Zhou Chong had done a simple background check on him.
That year, nineteen-year-old Shan Qingshan had just missed out on his dream university and was in a remote mountain village taking care of his ailing grandmother.
A lifestyle reality show had gone there to film, and Shan Qingshan appeared on screen—so devastatingly handsome that he was scouted and launched into the entertainment industry.
But he’d landed with a shady company that wanted him to entertain wealthy women.
Shan Qingshan refused and was shelved for five years. Only when his contract expired did he regain his freedom, but by then he’d missed his prime window and never quite made it big.
According to this timeline, they still had four years before they’d meet.
[When you meet me, it will be the fifth year of my love for you.]
Zhou Chong recalled those words and a smile tugged at his lips.
This was also around the time Qingshan, his darling, had a secret crush on him.
That kid.
When did that start?
He hid it well.
Zhou Chong racked his brain but couldn’t figure out what connection he and Shan Qingshan could possibly have had that year.
Then Zhou Chong’s thoughts turned.
When did the depression start?
Was Qingshan’s personality the way it was because of depression?
And those large transfers to his father—what was that all about?
Too many questions.
Qingshan, his darling, had hidden too many things from him.
There were so many things Qingshan wouldn’t let him ask about.
Zhou Chong slapped himself across the face.
He’d been a failure as a partner!
If Qingshan didn’t want him to ask, he just didn’t ask?!
The depression might have been connected to that shady company.
Shelved for five years.
Before Zhou Chong had appeared in his life, those days must have been incredibly hard.
He needed to protect Qingshan, his darling, and win him over.
Zhou Chong immediately contacted the director of that reality show and learned they were already fully prepared and on their way into the mountains.
Zhou Chong said at once, “Make a spot for me. I’ll invest thirty million.”
“But… there’s no place to stay.”
“I’ll figure it out.”
When you’re going to find your wife, of course you stay at your wife’s house.
You Liang, who had followed him out, was shocked. “Ge, what are you planning to do?”
“Film a reality show.”
“Breaking into the entertainment industry?” His brother’s temper was hardly suited for that.
“No. I’m finding you a sister-in-law.”
You Liang nodded. “Ge, that thing you said earlier—dying from exhaustion—what was that about?”
Zhou Chong remembered and patted his shoulder. “You’re still young, so it’s fine—it can still grow. But don’t mess around with medicine; it can kill you.”
You Liang was horrified, horrified, horrified, and clutched himself.
“Ge! You were spying on me! When did that happen?! You’re a pervert!”
Zhou Chong rolled his eyes at him and went upstairs to pack.
Sitting on the plane, he looked out at the blue sky and white clouds, a smile curling at his lips.
Qingshan, my darling, I’m coming.
Before the plane landed, Zhou Chong submitted Shan Qingshan’s name to the production team, asking them to sign a contract with him as well—appearing on the variety show—and to keep it confidential.
One extra person was no big deal; the production team wouldn’t turn down thirty million. At worst, they’d hand him a phone and let him make do with streaming on his own.
But when they saw Shan Qingshan in person, the director didn’t hesitate to set him up with an entire professional livestream rig.
After landing, Zhou Chong boarded the production team’s shuttle and bounced along for four or five hours before reaching the village entrance.
A Different Life aired in livestream format.
Broadcasting from six in the morning to nine at night.
The production team’s preparations were already complete.
Joining the show were: Best Actor Fang Rong, last year’s Red Rose Most Popular Actress Dong Hailan, rising star Qian Wei, popular idol Pan Yingzhe, and Zhuozhuo, a newcomer who’d debuted not long ago with solid backing.
Before Zhou Chong even arrived, they’d already heard that someone had dropped thirty million to buy a permanent spot.
The moment Zhou Chong stepped into the courtyard, they swarmed over with enthusiastic greetings.
The director moved first. “Young Master Zhou.”
Zhou Chong’s mind and heart were entirely on Shan Qingshan.
“Where’s Qingshan Baobao?”
The director said, “Shan Qingshan isn’t part of the opening shoot.”
“Then I’ll go see him first.”
Zhou Chong asked the director for the address and rushed over without a moment’s hesitation.
The closer he got, the more nervous he became.
Back then, Qingshan Baobao had personally certified and stamped it—his face was handsome.
Before leaving, Zhou Chong had specially had someone touch him up again.
Striving for maximum handsomeness, maximum cool.
[When you meet me, it’s the fifth year of my love for you.]
Thinking of that, Zhou Chong’s heart felt sweet.
His secret crush suddenly appearing before his eyes, looking this handsome—wouldn’t that bewitch Qingshan Baobao into a lovesick fool?
Then hit Qingshan Baobao with a little gentlemanly shock, tenderness like water, warming the door to his heart.
Change him, save him, fall in love with him,
Get the certificate, completely become “us.”
Walk hand in hand toward the gates of happiness.
Love forever!
Zhou Chong gloated inwardly.
The current Qingshan Baobao must be so young and naive.
No match for him.
Zhou Chong snapped out of his fantasy and quickly reviewed the gentlemanly etiquette he’d learned in his mind.
Striving for a flawless first impression!
He rehearsed alone.
“Hello, I’m Zhou Chong. I came with the production team to film the show. I was walking around the village and saw you—what a coincidence…”
“What coincidence? You ran straight here the second you entered the village. Not even a dog would believe that’s a coincidence.”
“Just say I saw a photo and he looks like a friend of mine…”
“Tch, if Qingshan Baobao thinks I have some kind of first love or something, I’d be digging my own grave. Just say we’re around the same age, I feel we’d have common ground, and I’m scared being alone on this shoot… That should work.”
Zhou Chong rehearsed for ages, but the moment that long-yearned figure suddenly crashed into his sight, everything went blank.
He sprinted over.
Shan Qingshan heard the footsteps, turned around, and before he could even see who it was, he was caught in a tight embrace.
Zhou Chong held Shan Qingshan tightly, burying his face in his shoulder, eyes reddening.
Alive.
He’s alive.
Thank god.
But so thin.
Even through the clothes, the embrace felt bony.
“Qingshan Baobao…” I missed you so much.
Shan Qingshan struggled, his voice cold and fierce. “Let go!”
Zhou Chong snapped back to reality.
Damn it!
His good impression!
Zhou Chong quickly released Shan Qingshan.
Stay calm.
Say hello.
Can’t add obstacles to the ultimate marriage goal.
Zhou Chong took a deep breath and blurted out.
“Hello, marry me.”
The air froze solid.
Shan Qingshan regarded him with cold eyes.
Zhou Chong: “I can explain.”
Shan Qingshan: “From the city?”
Zhou Chong: “Mm.”
Shan Qingshan: “From a TV station?”
Zhou Chong sensed something was off, pointing at his own nose. “You don’t recognize me?”
“I don’t.”
Zhou Chong: “Don’t pretend.”
Shan Qingshan: “Why would I recognize you?”
Zhou Chong was dressed head to toe in designer brands—even with mud splattered on him, it was clear the clothes cost a fortune.
Shan Qingshan wore cheap street-market clothes, drab and gray.
A world of difference between them.
Zhou Chong’s brain short-circuited.
Wasn’t it supposed to be—when I met you, it was the fifth year you’d loved me?
He’d written his confession into his suicide note.
And the suicide note was a lie?
…
Was this even something a person did?
Zhou Chong laughed in disbelief.
Was there no one out there to speak up for him?!