Huayu: Starting from retirement, sweeping across the domestic entertainment industry

The next morning at 8:30, Li Ran stood at the door of Zhang Jingyi's house.

He knocked gently on the door, and it was opened shortly afterward.

Zhang Jingyi stood behind the door, wearing a light blue loungewear outfit, her hair loose, clearly still preparing.

When she saw Li Ran, her eyes widened slightly, a hint of embarrassment in them: "Brother Li Ran, so early?"

Li Ran smiled and said, "I got up and came over as soon as I got up, afraid that you would have been waiting too long."

Zhang Jingyi shook her head and stepped aside to let him in: "Actually, it's okay to come a little later... Have you had breakfast?"

"I've eaten. Take your time cleaning up, no rush."

Zhang Jingyi responded and turned to touch up her makeup.

Li Ran stood in the living room, his gaze sweeping over the small apartment. It was clean and cozy, with a bunch of fresh daisies on the coffee table.

Douzi looked at him with its big eyes and wagged its little tail.

Zhang Jingyi walked out of the bedroom, looked at Li Ran, and said, "Brother Li Ran, I'm all packed. Let's go!"

Li Ran asked, "Where are you planning to go today?"

Zhang Jingyi lowered her head to change her shoes, paused, and slowly said, "I want to... go to the temple to pray for peace."

Li Ran raised an eyebrow: "Temple? Which one?"

"...Hongluo Temple".

After Zhang Jingyi finished speaking, her ears turned slightly red.

Li Ran understood, smiled gently, and said, "Let's go then!"

Hongluo Temple is said to be a place to pray for peace, but it's clearly a place to pray for marriage.

But he didn't expose it.

The two drove to Huairou.

Throughout the journey, Zhang Jingyi was quieter than usual.

She leaned back in the passenger seat, occasionally glancing at Li Ran's profile before quickly looking away.

Li Ran focused on driving and didn't say anything.

The two arrived at Hongluo Temple at noon, and there weren't too many tourists.

The two first found a vegetarian restaurant nearby and ate something simple before buying tickets to go inside.

The temple is ancient and quiet, with towering ancient trees and swirling incense smoke. Passing through the mountain gate, across the release pond, and up the stone steps, you can see the temple grounds.

They first went to the main hall to offer incense. Zhang Jingyi knelt on the prayer mat, clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and looked focused and devout.

Li Ran stood beside her, watching her.

He didn't know what she was wishing for, but he could guess.

After offering incense, the two walked up the mountain along the path through the bamboo forest.

It was very quiet all around, with only the rustling of the wind through the bamboo leaves and the occasional birdsong.

Zhang Jingyi walked on the stone steps ahead, then suddenly slowed down, waiting for Li Ran to catch up.

"Brother Li Ran," she asked softly, "what did you wish for just now?"

Li Ran smiled and said, "It won't work if you say it out loud."

Zhang Jingyi smiled too, a hint of playfulness in her smile: "Then I won't say."

She suddenly quickened her pace, ran up a few steps, and looked back at him: "Brother Li Ran, hurry up, let's go to the top of the mountain!"

The view from the mountaintop suddenly opened up.

Standing by the railing, you can overlook the entire Huairou urban area, with layers of mountains in the distance and a clear blue sky.

Zhang Jingyi leaned against the railing, gazing quietly into the distance. The mountain breeze gently lifted her hair, and she remained silent for a long time.

Then she spoke, her voice soft and carried away by the wind: "Li Ran."

She didn't call him "Brother Li Ran".

Li Ran stood beside her and turned to look at her.

"Um?"

Zhang Jingyi didn't look at him; her gaze was fixed on the distant, rolling mountains, as if she were gathering her courage.

"Do you know why I asked you out today?"

Li Ran paused for a second. Of course he knew that today was July 10th, her birthday.

But he only asked softly, "Why?"

Zhang Jingyi took a deep breath.

She turned around and gazed into his eyes.

She spoke softly, "Li Ran, you went to the Beijing Film Academy the year you graduated, and I applied the following year too. Do you know why?"

She didn't wait for his reply.

"Because I want to be closer to you."

"But you..." she paused, her voice tinged with bitterness, "you went to play professionally."

Li Ran listened quietly.

"When I saw you on the show 'Longing,' I was so happy. I thought that reunion would be the beginning of our relationship."

Her voice was soft, as if she were telling a story from long ago, "But so many things happened afterward... and I feel like I'm even further away from you now."

She paused, lowered her gaze, then raised it again, staring into his eyes.

"The people around you are all so outstanding. Wang Churan, Liu Haocun... and perhaps others as well."

Her voice carried a hint of helplessness, "I'm afraid if I don't speak up now, I'll never have another chance."

Li Ran's Adam's apple bobbed.

"Li Ran".

Zhang Jingyi called his name, her voice suddenly becoming very soft, yet incredibly clear.

Today is my birthday.

Li Ran looked at her, then he reached out and gently patted her head.

"I know."

Zhang Jingyi's eyes suddenly reddened.

She blinked, suppressing the tears welling up in her eyes, and continued, "Li Ran, let me finish speaking first."

Li Ran's hand slid down from above her head and hung at her side as she nodded.

Zhang Jingyi took a deep breath.

"I like you."

"It started in high school."

"You said I hosted the New Year's Eve party quite well, but actually I was nervous because I was hosting with you. I practiced so many times, but when I saw you on stage, my mind went completely blank."

As she spoke, a faint smile appeared on her lips, as if she were laughing at her past self.

"After you graduated, I thought about you every day. I wondered how you were doing at the Beijing Film Academy, whether you made new friends, and whether... you forgot about me."

"Later, when you went to play professionally, I watched your matches every day. Even if I didn't understand them, I still watched. I was happy when you won and sad when you lost. When you lost at the Bird's Nest and looked back at the trophy, I cried all night in my dorm."

Her voice was choked with emotion, but she tried hard to suppress it.

"I know I'm being foolish. But I just... can't let go."

"I thought it would get better with time, but it didn't. Every time I see your messages, my heart still flutters."

She looked up at Li Ran, her eyes glistening with tears, but they didn't fall.

"Li Ran, I don't want you to do anything. I just want to tell you something."

I've liked you for a long time.

After she finished speaking, she lowered her eyes, as if she had used up all her strength.

A gentle breeze blew from the mountaintop, stirring her skirt and hair.

Li Ran looked at her and remained silent for a few seconds.

Then he spoke, his voice soft but clear: "Zhang Jingyi."

She looked up.

"Are you done talking?"

Zhang Jingyi paused for a moment, then nodded: "...I'm done."

"Then it's my turn to speak."

Li Ran took half a step forward, getting a little closer to her, and he could see the tiny glistening tears on her eyelashes.

"I know about the time you brought me milk and bread in high school."

Zhang Jingyi's eyes widened slightly.

"I put it in my desk every morning."

Li Ran smiled and said, "You thought no one saw it, but I did. Once I arrived early on purpose and saw you secretly putting things in my desk."

Zhang Jingyi's face flushed red.

"I……"

"I knew it was you," Li Ran interrupted her. "I've always known."

Zhang Jingyi looked at him, her lips moving slightly, but she couldn't say a word.

"So," Li Ran said, "I've always known you like me."

He paused for a moment, then said, "I like you too."

Zhang Jingyi was stunned.

She stood there, frozen in place, her eyes wide open, reflecting his image.

The tears that had been welling up finally slipped down from the corner of her eye.

"Li Ran..." she called him softly, her voice trembling.

Li Ran didn't speak; he simply opened his arms.

Zhang Jingyi threw herself into his arms.

She buried her face in his chest, her shoulders trembling slightly. She didn't cry out loud, but tears streamed down her face, soaking his clothes.

Li Ran held her, gently patting her back with one hand and stroking her hair with the other.

Her six-year-long unrequited love has finally received a satisfactory answer today.