Zhou Yining stared at him, carefully replaying his words in her mind. She leaned into his embrace and said, “Because there’s a man like you in this world.”

Because you exist, a woman like me exists.

For a moment, Ji Dongyang’s eyes grew hot. A man in his thirties found himself nearly moved to tears by a single sentence from her. He laughed at himself, then lifted her chin to kiss her. His eyes were dark and heavy. His tongue slid inside, dominant as it reached deep, kissing her until the tip of her tongue went numb.

He held her face, deepening the kiss as if trying to leave his mark on her very heart. Every movement made her tremble.

Outside the door, Zhang Ran and A Ming looked distressed.

A Ming cleared his throat and knocked on the door. “Dong-ge, we should head out now.”

After a long while, Ji Dongyang pulled away from her lips. He stroked her cheek, his voice low and raspy. “Go home and wait for me, okay?”

Zhou Yining looked into his eyes and said, “I’m going with you.”

Ji Dongyang took her hand. “Alright.”

The crew didn’t know Zhou Yining had returned to the country. Even Wan Wei had only found out a couple of days prior. No schedule had been arranged for her. Coupled with the massive scandal that erupted the moment she returned, it felt as if the whole world was in chaos.

Their names were currently pinned to the top of the trending searches. Alongside them was the movie The Heart Knot.

The group was immediately surrounded by reporters the moment they stepped out of the office building. Assistants and security guards cleared a path in front while Ji Dongyang shielded Zhou Yining in the middle. Yang Xun shouted, “Everyone, please don’t rush the interview! We’re in a hurry to get to the theater. Please make way!”

“Dong-ge, when did you and Zhou Yining get together? Can you tell us?”

“Was Zhou Yining wearing a wig last night? Or was it someone else? Did you post that Weibo on purpose to save the situation?”

“Exactly! Is this a company PR strategy?”

Ji Dongyang held Zhou Yining close and suddenly stopped walking. He glanced at them from left to right, then picked the most decent-looking microphone out of the dozen or so held out.

The reporters suddenly fell silent. Cameras were aimed directly at Ji Dongyang and Zhou Yining. Ji Dongyang spoke in as calm a tone as possible. “I said it was her, so it was her. The solicitation incident was a misunderstanding.”

Zhou Yining blinked. She also took a microphone. “I was indeed wearing a wig last night.”

Returning the microphone, she looked up at him and smiled. Ji Dongyang handed his microphone to Yang Xun. Taking advantage of the two seconds the reporters were stunned, he led Zhou Yining away with long strides.

Soon, this video was uploaded to every major entertainment website.

Zhou Yining changed into her formal gown inside the nanny van while the makeup artist worked on her.

Zhang Ran and Wan Wei sat in the front. Zhang Ran’s voice was full of excitement. “Dong-ge was so cool just now. That Weibo post announcing the relationship was simple and crude. Now those anti-fans and the media have nothing left to say.”

Wan Wei smiled and looked back at Zhou Yining. “Have you seen Ji Dongyang’s Weibo?”

The makeup artist was currently drawing her eyeliner. Zhou Yining’s eyelashes fluttered. The artist let out a small cry. “Don’t blink.”

Zhou Yining steadied her mind and said, “I saw it.”

About half an hour ago, Ji Dongyang had posted a message.

Ji Dongyang V: It’s her. Only her.

This sentence was a response to the “solicitation” scandal, but it was also his answer to Zhou Yining. Unsurprisingly, this post caused another sensation, one even greater than the “drug addiction” or “solicitation” rumors.

This was the first time Ji Dongyang had made a relationship public in his eighteen years since his debut. The person he liked was beyond the fans’ expectations. It wasn’t any of the A-list actresses he had been rumored to be with in the past. Instead, it was Zhou Yining, who had recently been exposed for having mental health struggles. She was young and wild. She was completely different from the “Dong-sao” everyone had imagined. But Ji Dongyang loved her. His words were brief, yet deeply sincere.

“Ahhh! My Dong-ge really has a girlfriend! It feels like a dream! My heart hurts so much!”

“Does Dong-ge just like this kind of little demon? To be honest, I like her too. But is Zhou Yining’s illness really okay? I’m worried for some reason…”

“Dong-ge’s words are too short! But it’s so charming!”

“Some people don’t understand the meaning of those six characters. Let me explain. Dong-ge is saying: The person in my room last night was her. The only person in my life is also her.”

Upon arriving at the theater, Zhou Yining lifted her skirt and stepped out of the car. Ji Dongyang stood on the other side and walked toward her with large strides. Zhou Yining linked her arm with his and gave him a bright smile.

Zhou Yining’s appearance at the premiere was a surprise. Combined with the fact that they had just gone public an hour ago, it could be described as a high-profile return. The fans screamed incessantly. Cameras followed them until the movie ended, and the enthusiasm remained high.

At the same time, videos and photos were uploaded to Weibo. A prominent entertainment blogger said meaningfully, “So this is what it looks like when Ji Dongyang is in love…”

Her eyes held only him. His eyes were full of indulgence.

After the celebration party ended, Zhou Yining and Ji Dongyang got into the same car. They were followed by paparazzi all the way to their building.

The moment they entered the house, Ji Dongyang pressed her against the back of the door and leaned in to kiss her.

Zhou Yining kicked off her high heels and jumped onto him. She was taller than him now. She held his head and lowered hers to return the kiss. Their breathing was heavy. Ji Dongyang bit her upper lip, then turned and walked a few steps to press her into the sofa. He propped himself up to look at her.

The lights weren’t on. Pale moonlight spilled inside.

Ji Dongyang asked, “Did you see my response?”

Zhou Yining looked at him. “I saw it.”

Ji Dongyang gave a low hum and leaned down to kiss her again.

Zhou Yining suddenly turned her face away, then looked back to meet his gaze properly. “The same goes for me.”

In this life, there is only you.

The following day, Shiguang Media’s official account posted a long message. It confirmed that Ji Dongyang and Zhou Yining were indeed in a relationship and had been dating for half a year. The solicitation rumor was a misunderstanding. They hoped everyone would give them some private space.

The box office for The Heart Knot was not ideal on the first day. It remained the same on the second day. On the third day, it exploded.

Film reviews increased. Fans gave praise, netizens commented, and the media reported on it repeatedly. Added to this was the fact that the leads were dating in reality. The female lead, Zhou Yining, had played herself while Ji Dongyang delivered a powerful performance. The movie itself dealt with social themes: suicide from depression and children with autism. More and more people were suffering from psychological struggles. The film was dark, suspenseful, and gripping. Wei Zhong had directed a masterpiece.

Even the netizens who had originally claimed they would boycott the movie couldn’t resist the temptation of high ratings and rushed to the theaters.

Ji Dongyang’s acting was impeccable, and Zhou Yining’s performance was unexpected.

In short, The Heart Knot was a beautiful turnaround for both of them.

“Zhou Yining’s acting is actually quite good. Is it because she’s playing herself, or is her acting just naturally good?”

“It’s a surprise. Her portrayal of Pei Yuan has such a strong sense of immersion. It’s as if I’m seeing the real Pei Yuan. I wonder if she was like that in the past. Pei Yuan is a poisonous woman. You know she’s sick, yet you can’t help but fall in love. Just like the real-life Dong-ge and Zhou Yining. I’m becoming a fan.”

“Those people talking about Dong-ge’s parents and waiting for pirated copies really have their morals twisted. Dong-ge is such a hardworking and upright person. Haven’t you seen that clearly after all these years?”

“Dong-ge is low-profile and has great acting skills. You can’t choose your parents. Please let him go and let him be happy with Zhou Yining!”

For the next half month, Ji Dongyang and Zhou Yining occupied the headlines almost every day. The fact that they had lived across from each other while filming the Taiping Dynasty was dug up. That alone was enough for netizens to discuss for days. No one expected their “affair” to have started so early!

Zhou Yining deeply felt how troublesome it was to date a Best Actor. For a while, even if she wanted to be low-profile, it was impossible.

Ji Dongyang saw her curled up on the sofa scrolling through Weibo. He walked over and sat beside her. “Are you bored?”

Zhou Yining replied, “I’m alright.”

She turned to look at him. “By the way, Wan Wei found a script for me. It’s a lead role. The director is Feng Zheng.”

Feng Zheng was also a famous director, a few years younger than Director Wei. He specialized in suspense films. The new script was also a suspenseful movie.

Ji Dongyang frowned. “Didn’t we say you wouldn’t work for the next three months?”

He had called Mike on the first night Zhou Yining returned. Mike’s opinion was that he hoped Zhou Yining would recover for a bit longer. Coincidentally, he wasn’t filming for the next few months and had time to accompany her.

Zhou Yining bit her lip. “It won’t start immediately. It will probably begin in August. There are still more than two months.”

A good script was rare. Ji Dongyang understood that well. “If you like it, then take it.”

Zhou Yining asked, “Then during the time I’m filming, will you be in the US?”

Ji Dongyang’s plan to go to the US for further studies in the second half of the year had been set since last year. The plan remained unchanged.

“Yes.”

“Will you come back to visit the set?”

“I will.”

“Then there’s no problem. I’ll call Sister Wei.”

Wan Wei said over the phone, “I’ve already read the script. Feng Zheng is very satisfied with you. The audition is just a formality. This role will definitely be yours.”

Zhou Yining replied, “Alright, I’ll prepare well.”

Wan Wei continued, “I’ll send the script to you in a bit. Take a look. The audition is scheduled for after the film festival. There’s only one week left until the festival. Get ready.”

Zhou Yining laughed. “Get ready for what? Do you think I can win an award?”

Wan Wei also laughed. “I have a feeling you can.”

The Heart Knot ended its run with a perfect box office of 1.08 billion. For a Chinese film, this was quite a good result. Zhou Yining’s Weibo followers had grown to eight million. Perhaps more than half of that was due to Ji Dongyang.

As investors, Lu Xiao and Shen Yanjun also made a fortune. Two days before the film festival, Lu Xiao and Shen Yanjun came to B City to hold another celebration party for the crew.

Lu Xiao stood in the corner with Ji Dongyang. Lu Xiao asked, “That matter was resolved, right?”

He was referring to the drug addiction of Ji Dongyang’s parents.

Ji Dongyang replied, “No. The discussions are still there. That can’t be stopped.”

If Zhou Yining hadn’t used that method to expose their relationship, this matter wouldn’t have passed so easily.

Lu Xiao thought of the “solicitation” scandal and laughed out loud. “Zhou Yining really is… quite rare and precious.”

Ji Dongyang glanced at him. Lu Xiao threw up his hands. “I’m admiring her now. Don’t look at me with those warning eyes. Your foundation is so stable. I’m not an idiot who would keep running into it.”

Lu Xiao tilted his chin toward the other side. “You should be careful of Shen Yanjun instead.”

Ji Dongyang looked over, narrowing his eyes. Shen Yanjun was standing in front of Zhou Yining, smiling as he said something. Zhou Yining smiled and pointed to the side.

As if sensing his gaze, she turned to look at him. She said something to Shen Yanjun and then walked toward him.

NOTES

Dong-sao (东嫂): Literally “Sister-in-law Dong.” A term fans use for the wife or girlfriend of a male celebrity they respect like an older brother.

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