After Failing to Reverse the Plot, I Made My Escape - Chapter 44

“But Chang Tingzhi is different.”

“The situation has stabilized for now,” Chu Chu let out a long sigh. “But the previous storm was too great. Much of the work has been postponed indefinitely.”

Although Yu Fuqiu was a prestigious actor who had climbed his way up from being an extra, his extraordinary appearance had brought many negative impacts. However, since his marriage to Chang Tingzhi, those rumors had naturally vanished.

Ever since Chang Tingzhi was photographed entering a hotel, and following the Ferris wheel fall and his discharge from the hospital, he had not mentioned a single piece of information regarding Yu Fuqiu. Even his Weibo was strictly business, reposting affairs of the Changqiu Group.

Naturally, the outside world speculated wildly about their relationship. Many investors continued their partnerships only because of the Changqiu Group behind Yu Fuqiu. While he was a commercially valuable actor, the real value lay in the backing of the Changqiu Group. Furthermore, since he had not appeared in public to speak on his current condition, his life or death remained unknown. Consequently, many commercial activities had to be terminated.

“Do you want to rest for a while, Fuqiu?” Chu Chu asked while driving. She saw Yu Fuqiu’s lonely expression in the rearview mirror. Assuming he was despondent over the lost work and Chang Tingzhi’s amnesia, she comforted him. “I happen to own an island in Country M. We could go there for a vacation.”

“No.”

Yu Fuqiu turned his head. He remained silent for a moment, carefully recalling the differences between the original book’s plot and the events in his dreams. This was originally a tragic novel. The core of the book was the transition from tragedy to sweetness. In the original story, the protagonist, Ke Qian, had a one night stand with Chang Tingzhi at a hotel, leading to a relationship.

Ke Qian fell in love with Chang Tingzhi that night. Like all tragic novel tropes, he gave his heart and soul just to receive a sliver of affection. Chang Tingzhi, born with an emotional deficit disorder and a tragic childhood, had almost lost his sense of humanity. He did many things to hurt Ke Qian, only realizing he was in love after Ke Qian faked his own death, which then began the chasing the wife at the crematorium arc.

However, based on Chun Chun’s descriptions, the Chang Tingzhi in the novel who should have been cold toward Ke Qian had now undergone a significant change in attitude. This did not align with the core of the novel. Therefore, Yu Fuqiu’s intervention had caused a tangible change in the plot. It was possible for Chang Tingzhi to recover his original personality.

“Tell Qiuqiu that I will always love him.”

The intermittent recording, filled with static, echoed in Yu Fuqiu’s ears over and over. As long as that existed, he was filled with infinite strength.

“No, Chu Chu.” Yu Fuqiu looked up, his expression gentle yet firm. “Because of this, I must make myself even busier.”

He would not allow himself to sink into sadness. He had to keep busy to keep his mind sharp, to figure out how to approach Chang Tingzhi and bring him back to his side.

“Then, there is an outdoor travel program called Perfect Journey.” Chu Chu sent the itinerary to Yu Fuqiu. “I haven’t had the chance to decline it yet because the invited guests include,” Yu Fuqiu’s gaze moved down the list. Under the invited guests, he saw Ke Qian’s name.

“The director’s reputation in the industry is notoriously bad. He loves using gimmicks to increase his show’s popularity. But unfortunately, netizens love it, and his ratings are exceptionally high. He is a truly infuriating fellow.”

Chu Chu had managed several mild mannered artists who had lost their composure on his show after encountering their rivals. Notably, the previous Movie Queen, Hu Ziyi, a refined beauty, encountered a well known playboy on the show. They started as strangers, but through repeated team ups, the usually composed Hu Ziyi lost her temper. In front of the live cameras, she slapped the playboy, Zhou Yi, and coldly told him to get out.

That was the first time she had lost her poise on camera, leaving the show immediately after. Zhou Yi did not look angry; rather, he looked hopeful, smiling while holding his face. It was not until they announced they were back together that everyone realized Young Master Zhou was simply chasing his wife.

The director, Dong Zhi, claimed he knew nothing of their relationship and simply thought they were a good fit for the show. Since then, every one of Dong Zhi’s programs featured a massive scandal, such as a celebrity admitting to having a child.

This time, Perfect Journey was a brand new format. It featured full live streaming, outdoor travel, and zero scripts for a real experience.

“His show brings a lot of attention and traffic, but the cost is equally high,” Chu Chu said softly. “Therefore, many famous stars would not consider going unless they had a specific purpose.”

After seeing the guest list, Yu Fuqiu knew exactly what was happening. He was currently the most talked about person. If he and Ke Qian appeared on the same show, the drama would be inevitable.

“According to the producer, the Changqiu Group will be investing in this show.” Chu Chu leaned in slightly, closing the distance between them, her fingertips lightly touching the ends of Yu Fuqiu’s hair. “So, if you participate in this show, you will definitely have contact with Tingzhi.”

Chang Tingzhi’s changes were too vast. He remembered no one and held great hostility toward everyone. Currently, only Ke Qian could get close to him or touch him.

“In that case, I must go.” Yu Fuqiu’s gaze lingered on Ke Qian’s name.

Aside from the small budget art film Light and Shadow of Hedong during university casting, he and Ke Qian had no further interactions. If this was a necessary step to win back Chang Tingzhi, he was willing to take it, even if it cost him his acting career.

“Chu Chu, let’s go back to Hualan Garden.” Yu Fuqiu leaned back against the soft seat, watching the scenery recede outside the window.

“Hualan Garden? But Chang Tingzhi,” Chu Chu hesitated, fearing the place would trigger bad memories. “Why not come to my place instead?”

Yu Fuqiu shook his head tiredly. He had been in the hospital for so long and had not seen sunlight in ages. The branches outside seemed to be budding; was winter finally ending? He felt dazed, his fingertips touching the window. The cold sensation climbed up his veins. Outside was still a desolate scene of cold winds, with only faint hints of dark green.

“Chu Chu, let me be alone for a while,” Yu Fuqiu said.

Stepping onto the bluestone path, Yu Fuqiu felt a sense of trance. How long had it been since he was last here?

“Fuqiu! We don’t have to be on this show to survive! Without him, our lives can still go on!” She looked at his lonely silhouette in the cold wind, fearing he would vanish with the breeze. A surge of panic rose in her heart, and she reached out as if to catch him. “Love, love was never a necessity! The earth will not stop spinning without a certain person! So,” Chu Chu was interrupted as Yu Fuqiu slowly turned his head.

His long hair fluttered like struggling raven feathers, revealing his beautiful but pale face. He slowly shook his head, his figure looking frail, yet his eyes remained gentle. He said, “Perhaps you are right. But Chang Tingzhi is different.”

To me, he is a different kind of existence. The earth might keep spinning, and the excitement might belong to others. He might forever remain in the eternal silence and wandering brought by this difference. But he was more than willing.

Yu Fuqiu took out the key hidden under the flowerpot at the entrance. As he inserted the key into the lock, his fingertips paused. Holding a sliver of cautious hope, he entered the password he knew by heart.

The electronic lock chimed, “Incorrect Password.”

The cold electronic voice echoed in his ears. Yu Fuqiu tried to pull the corners of his mouth into a smile. He should not have expected more. How could a Chang Tingzhi who had lost all his memories remember his birthday?

The door was opened. The interior decor remained unchanged. Perhaps Chang Tingzhi had not returned yet, or perhaps, Yu Fuqiu dared not guess further. He took off his shoes and found his slippers at the back of the shoe cabinet. Seeing a withered plant on the cabinet that had died from lack of water, he paused for a long time before turning on the living room light.

A cloud of dust hit him, making him cough violently until tears came to his eyes, yet he continued forward. The dim light in the center of the living room outlined his thin figure. He pulled off the dust cover and sat on the soft, old sofa. This sofa was bought with the money he saved from countless extra roles; he had chosen the most beautiful one in the furniture store.

Back then, they were very poor. After using all their savings to buy the old house, they had no money for furniture. He and Chang Tingzhi squeezed together on a floor covered by a blanket. Because the house was old, heavy rain would leak through the eaves into the room. Whenever that happened, Chang Tingzhi would hold him in his arms. Being young and full of vigor, he would tuck Yu Fuqiu’s cold hands into his chest and place his feet on his stomach for warmth.

The blanket was not large, and the two of them huddling together felt crowded, yet it was a comfortable position. Yu Fuqiu felt at peace, sensing Chang Tingzhi’s hot breath and steady heartbeat. Every time Chang Tingzhi fell asleep, he would look up and secretly watch him by the moonlight for a long time before burying his head in his chest to take in his scent.

Yu Fuqiu slowly came back to reality. The clothes Chang Tingzhi had left before their fifth anniversary were still sitting in the corner of the sofa. Yu Fuqiu hugged the white shirt tightly, burying his face in it. It seemed to smell of the sun.

He remembered a rare sunny winter day, a sharp contrast to tonight’s cold. Tiny dust particles danced in the air as the warm afternoon sun shone through the floor to ceiling window. On this old, soft sofa, Yu Fuqiu was drowsy, lying on his side under a thick, soft blanket, revealing only a pale face. That was shortly after he learned he was pregnant. Exhaustion and sleepiness had overwhelmed him.

Chang Tingzhi sat at the other end of the sofa, looking down through his glasses, his laptop aside and heavy documents on his lap. But he was not working. His gaze rested on Yu Fuqiu for a long time without blinking. His fingertips gripped the edge of the sofa as he looked at the flat belly beneath the blanket. It was hard to imagine that his child was in there, the child of him and Yu Fuqiu.

Sensing something, Yu Fuqiu’s eyelashes fluttered, and he opened his eyes to meet that focused gaze. He instinctively reached out, his voice soft with sleep, “Tingzhi, I want a hug.”

Sunlight fell across Chang Tingzhi’s features, and the love in his eyes was almost overflowing. He set aside the documents, leaned over to embrace Yu Fuqiu, pulled him into his lap, and kissed him deeply. Yu Fuqiu was kissed until the corners of his eyes turned red and misty. When he was finally released, he buried his head in Chang Tingzhi’s neck, breathing softly.

Chang Tingzhi reached out, his palm warm with the sun, and carefully placed it on Yu Fuqiu’s abdomen over the soft blanket with near pious caution. “Does it feel uncomfortable?” he asked in a low voice, deeper than usual, blending with the sunlight.

Yu Fuqiu shook his head, his cheeks warming. “It is fine, just a little sleepy.”

Chang Tingzhi gave an affirmative sound, but his palm did not move. Instead, he rubbed it very lightly and soothingly. “I still cannot believe that there is a little life in here.” Chang Tingzhi’s voice grew soft and trembled. “Qiuqiu, thank you. Thank you for being willing to keep this child.”

Yu Fuqiu looked up, his gaze meeting Chang Tingzhi’s. He suddenly smiled, resting his forehead against the other’s, their hot breaths intertwining. He shook his head gently. “I should be the one to thank you.”

Thank you for giving me a complete home. Thank you for being here, staying by my side.

The specific ringtone sounded, and Yu Fuqiu froze. He picked up his phone. On the way back, he had been browsing Ke Qian’s fan community. There were many leaked photos, and in every one, there was a figure he was intimately familiar with.

There was a scene of Chang Tingzhi carrying Ke Qian in his arms, rushing to the hospital after Ke Qian sustained a minor injury. There were photos in Chang Tingzhi’s hospital room showing Ke Qian peeling an apple for him, leaning intimately against the bed, while Chang Tingzhi looked down with a gentle expression, opening his mouth to eat the apple.

Yu Fuqiu did not know what had happened, but from the photo Ke Qian posted of the paper cranes Chang Tingzhi folded for him, Yu Fuqiu knew it was Chang Tingzhi’s handiwork. Whenever they had a disagreement, Chang Tingzhi would fold a uniquely shaped paper crane for Yu Fuqiu to beg for forgiveness, and Yu Fuqiu had kept all of them. Chang Tingzhi once told him he would only fold them for Yu Fuqiu because it was their unique secret.

And that secret was no longer his alone.

Yu Fuqiu opened his social feed and clicked on Ke Qian’s post. There were live photos and videos. Ke Qian had posted a grid of nine photos, and Chang Tingzhi appeared in every one.

“I told him not to come if he was so busy, but he said he only feels at peace when he is by my side.”

In the images, Chang Tingzhi had his sleeves rolled up, revealing his defined wrists and fingers. He was kneeling to apply medicine to Ke Qian’s wound. The next scene showed Chang Tingzhi making the bed for him. The last photo in the set was of their fingers intertwined. That large hand held a small, delicate one, their fingers laced together. On the ring finger of the large hand, a clear indentation from a ring could be seen.

The person who posted the photos seemed to have done it intentionally, making sure the nearby trash can was in the shot, where a beautiful silver ring had been discarded.

In the live photo, the center image was of Ke Qian’s profile. He seemed to be acting spoiled, his voice soft and dragging out the words, “Chang Tingzhi.” He intentionally elongated the syllables, “Azhi.” Then, he reached out his hands, “Azhi, I want a hug.”

The voice was playful and full of intimate reliance. As the person entered the frame, the live photo seemed to stretch on. Chang Tingzhi laughed softly, his eyes full of doting affection. He reached out, his broad palms lifting Ke Qian into a tight embrace, his voice carrying a smile, “Alright, alright, a hug for you.”

His voice rose at the end, and his eyes were filled with nothing but Ke Qian’s reflection.

That was clearly the embrace that belonged only to Yu Fuqiu. That was clearly the look he only gave to him. The face engraved in his soul was right there, within touching distance. Yet Yu Fuqiu felt as if they were separated by an entire galaxy.

The dim moonlight outside filtered through the cracks into the room. He did not turn on the heater, allowing the cold to wrap around him like vines. Yu Fuqiu did not speak. He just curled his body tighter, clutching the now cold shirt. He did not cry either. He just swiped through the photos over and over, watching the live moving images.

He watched Chang Tingzhi’s eyes filled with someone else, and their intertwined hands. Only then did he realize how cold it was.

Today was the Winter Solstice. And he had not eaten any dumplings yet.