Chapter 69

The Blue Maple Leaf Film Festival was bustling with media. The news of Yan Zhao’s marriage instantly went viral on the internet. Weibo barely held on for a few minutes before crashing completely. Spaces like social media groups and chat circles where fangirls gathered were all abuzz with discussions about this event.

—— When did he get married?!

—— Who is he married to?!

Salt Soda fans were almost losing their minds. The messages in the fan groups were skyrocketing, as soon as they cleared one notification, another 99+ appeared. Someone later joked that her phone, set to vibrate mode, buzzed with the frequency of “Flight of the Bumblebee.”

This news came without any warning, and the fans’ reactions were filled with screams.

【OMG aaah!!! I noticed that ring when I was watching the live broadcast, but isn’t it normal for celebrities to wear rings? I didn’t think much of it, how did this happen!!!】

【This can’t be true, I don’t believe it, who took my idol away!!!】

【Yan Zhao’s partner must have saved the galaxy in their past life???】

【Can you imagine this scene? One moment I was eating fried chicken and celebrating Yan Zhao’s award with my friend, the next moment I was stunned with a chicken wing in my mouth, and my dog took the opportunity to snatch it away…】

【Yan Zhao, you are still so young, why did you get married so early?!!!】

【Stop screaming, who is Yan Zhao’s lover? I’m dying of curiosity!!!】

After half an hour of wailing and crying, Weibo finally recovered, thanks to the sacrifice of 99 programmers (and their livers and hair).

Following the plea from marketing accounts 【Please, celebrities, don’t drop such bombshell news after work hours, spare us overworked souls】, Yan Zhao posted two photos.

In one, the sky was filled with burning clouds, the crimson glow covering everything in a gorgeous red-gold hue. The two were backlit, their faces indistinct, but their silhouettes were undeniably handsome. One stood tall, while the other knelt on one knee, holding his hand and reverently kissing the back of it.

The second photo also featured a brilliant red sunset. The previously standing person was now kneeling, gently holding his lover’s face and kissing his forehead.

From their figures, it was clear that both were men. The one who had been standing was Yan Zhao, and the other person was —

【Yuanting, happy marriage.】

Netizens: ………………

Ah???

Ah!!!!!!!!!!

I t%d2^ivyiy*0anoa… it’s actually Shen Yuanting!!!!

The relationship between Yan Zhao and Shen Yuanting was known to be very good – this was common knowledge among netizens.

After the incident where they flew to X city overnight, no one doubted that they were truly like brothers – but most people didn’t expect that their relationship was so close that they could literally “help each other”!

Netizens were stunned. Even though some people had mentioned or secretly photographed Yan Zhao and Shen Yuanting walking together several times, who the hell would think they were actually dating? Isn’t it normal for friends to shop, eat, and watch movies together?! Even the CP fans had to add, “I’m dreaming, someone please turn off the light for me,” after screaming.

But it turned out to be true!!!

Shen Yan CP fans, it’s real!!!

【Ah ah ah ah, someone pinch me, if you don’t wake me up, I’m going to believe this is true!!!】

【I’m… so shocked I don’t even know what to say…】

【My CP is real, they are locked together, and the key is swallowed by the Civil Affairs Bureau!!!】

【…Does anyone remember there was once a “Zhao Zhao chooses a consort” post, was the empress President Shen, hahaha】

【I made that post, I didn’t expect… I’ll go dig it out, I’m a prophet!】

【Damn, how did I wake up to find out my Zhao married (or married into?) a wealthy family, the world changes too fast, I can’t keep up with the rhythm???】

【Am I the only one so calm, I thought they were together long ago, it was just a matter of time before they went public (.】

It seemed like all the groundhog girls on the internet were sharpening their voices tonight, and the messages on Shen Yuanting’s phone kept coming in. Subordinates and business partners’ “congratulations” almost made his phone explode.

Shen Yuanting rubbed his temples and assigned Secretary Li the task of replying “congratulations.” He then used another private phone to call Yan Zhao.

“I’m at the airport.” At night, Yan Zhao’s voice still sounded very energetic, “You will see me tomorrow morning!”

Shen Yuanting asked, “Weren’t you scheduled for tomorrow morning’s flight?”

Yan Zhao laughed, “Director Xie was afraid I’d get blocked by the media, so he told me to hurry home, and I changed my ticket.”

Shen Yuanting stood up from his seat and looked at the moon outside the window. The moon on the other side of the ocean should be shining the same gentle light as the one on his side.

“Yan Zhao…” he called softly.

“Yes.” Yan Zhao replied, “I’m here.”

Shen Yuanting said, “I never thought… you would announce it while receiving the award.”

When he heard those words, he was uncharacteristically at a loss for words.

Yan Zhao hadn’t discussed it with him, nor had he hinted at it. He was struck by the sudden passionate confession, as if he were seeing a sky full of stars.

Yan Zhao said, “Ah, did you have a PR plan? Sorry, I caught you off guard.”

Shen Yuanting said, “No, that’s not what I meant. I was just… really surprised.”

Yan Zhao laughed twice, “When I was walking the red carpet, I saw the moon in the night sky, it was so beautiful. I was thinking, if only I were with you at that moment. During the award ceremony, my mind was filled with thoughts of you. When it was my turn to speak, my head got hot, and I confessed to you in front of the camera… Were you over the moon?”

Shen Yuanting said, “It was the happiest moment of my day.”

Yan Zhao said, “Just today?”

Shen Yuanting said, “Just today. Without seeing you, my happiness is limited.”

They talked for a while. Before hanging up, Yan Zhao said, “The whole world knows I love you now. As for the wedding… what do you think?”

Shen Yuanting said, “Whatever you want.”

Yan Zhao laughed, “I don’t have high demands. As long as everyone’s there, it’s fine.”

He paused and added, “Just don’t let it be like when you proposed…”

Shen Yuanting looked behind him. Wang Zai and Snowball were playing with a ball of yarn, chasing it around with glee—just like when they found the jewelry box and kicked the ring around like a ball.

Wang Zai even brought the ring to Yan Zhao to curry favor with him, mastering the art of giving flowers that belonged to someone else.

——Yan Zhao had told Shen Yuanting all this after he got off work.

At that time, Yan Zhao was holding the freshly cleaned ring in his palm, laughing so hard that he cried.

Although Shen Yuanting personally put the wedding ring on Yan Zhao, he could never forget that impactful night…

Shen Yuanting thought, “…” Reflecting on it made him feel bad again.

Sensing the cold gaze of their “Dad,” the two cats quickly skittered out of the study.

Due to Yan Zhao winning the Maple Leaf Award and 《The Red Parrot》 also winning the Best Foreign Language Film, the domestic censorship authorities could no longer withstand the pressure and agreed to release the film without any cuts.

As a result, 《The Red Parrot》 made another round in the Chinese film awards circuit, returning with full honors.

One day before the wedding, Yan Zhao visited the film city to check on He Shengqi’s set and happened to see a familiar figure passing by. The person opened the door of a luxury car by the roadside and got in. The person next to Ning Yunfan had changed; it was now the boss of a small enterprise, no longer Han Yuxuan.

Yu Ye Group had been beaten to the ground by Yuan Zhao and was going through bankruptcy proceedings in court. The media were very interested in the fall of this once great business empire and crowded around the villa Han Yuxuan was about to sell, digging into his miseries.

A couple may face adversity together, but when disaster strikes, they often part ways. This was even more true for the superficial relationship between Ning Yunfan and Han Yuxuan. Han Yuxuan wanted to go through hardships with Ning Yunfan, but Ning Yunfan was not willing!

However, Ning Yunfan’s new benefactor, compared to Han Yuxuan, was inferior in every way: appearance, family background, and physique. After all, a handsome and wealthy CEO is a rare animal, one that can only be caught by luck.

With a new patron, Ning Yunfan reappeared in the public eye, but his fame was still less than that of internet celebrities. His hopes of climbing back up seemed slim.

In addition to Yu Ye facing bankruptcy, the recent troubles of the Shen Group were also a popular topic for financial media. As a giant in finance, the internet, and real estate in China, the Shen Group was surpassed by Yuan Zhao Group, revealing its decline. Moreover, the chairmen of the two groups were father and son, which made media personnel eager to delve deeper into their relationship. Of course, they didn’t uncover any clues and were promptly warned off, forcing them to keep a low profile.

Not long after, Shen Zhuo announced that he was transferring 30% of his shares to his eldest son, Shen Yuanting, who now held 51% of the shares, thus taking control of the Shen Group.

The former chairman, Shen Zhuo, after a belated melodrama with his ex-wife, divorced Tang Jingyan. However, he was intentionally locked in a basement for three days and nights by Yu Wei, experiencing the torment she had once endured. Afterwards, Yu Wei turned herself in, leading to a series of trips between the hospital, police station, and mental hospital. Shen Zhuo was sent to a sanatorium to recuperate, while Yu Wei, claiming her illness as an excuse, flew back overseas.

The farce concluded, and the date of the wedding was drawing near.

Author’s Note: 

Some readers asked why I didn’t write about the proposal. It’s because the ring Shen Yan locked was swallowed by Wang Zai (Wang Zai: Meow meow meow?)

The ending will be revealed tomorrow.