Can't Hide My Love for You - Chapter 45

@OrangeDaily: Last night, a netizen posted about a chance encounter with Cheng Yixin and Chi Yi at a quiet bar. They generously took photos with fans, and their natural interaction seems to debunk the lesbian scandal; they even shared their views on fans shipping the ‘Yixin-Yiyi’ CP. [View Image] [View Image]

The comments below were unexpectedly peaceful, considering the recent chaos.

@LittleEggplant: Wait a minute… They clarify the scandal in the afternoon and go out to play that same night, just “happening” to be spotted by a netizen? I reasonably suspect they’re using the lesbian gimmick for hype!

@NewYearBreakfast: Why is she on the trending list again? Whatever, we’re just here for the gossip. If the star herself gives permission to ship the CP, nine times out of ten it’s just to farm engagement. In the end, we’re the only ones being played…

@YixinYiyiIsReal: Aaaaaah! Do you see this, sisters? Official sugar is the best sugar! Who’s with me? I’m grinding out 30,000 words of fanfic today! Yixin-Yiyi is the GOAT!

@DiaochanMain: Damn it, I won’t let you out-work me! Raising the Yixin-Yiyi flag high! I’m going to buy some middle school essay books right now and grind out 50,000 words!

“So…” Li Wenjing looked at Weibo with a look of helplessness, “You two really ran out for late-night snacks last night?”

“Yeah,” Cheng Yixin nodded.

“My dear, please settle down. The storm hasn’t even passed yet.” As her manager, Li Wenjing suddenly felt exhausted.

“But look at the internet—everyone is starting to wonder if I have a new drama coming out and if this is all just a marketing ploy,” Cheng Yixin argued. “Isn’t there a law in the entertainment industry? The more obvious something is, the more people think it’s impossible.”

“But you two…” Li Wenjing wanted to say something, but the words died in her throat. “Anyway, just try not to be seen together in public for a while. Let things stabilize first.”

“Alright,” Cheng Yixin paused. “Anyway, Chi Yi is going to be very busy with the auction soon.”

“Speaking of the auction, have you decided what gift to donate?”

“I’m still thinking.” After a moment, Cheng Yixin asked, “Chi Yi’s invitations to artists don’t seem to be going very smoothly. I asked you to talk to some of the managers you know—did you do that?”

Cheng Yixin had specifically drawn up a list of actors she had collaborated with and was on good terms with. Knowing their schedules were restricted by their managers, she had Li Wenjing step in to see if they could use their personal connections to give Chi Yi a boost.

“I did,” Li Wenjing said with a strange expression. “When I contacted them, they all said they had already confirmed their attendance. It seems Huang Xinxi sent out the invitations herself. Combined with the host covering travel and lodging, and the rare chance to attend an event with such a legendary senior, those artists are actually quite excited.”

“Besides current popular stars, there are also many veteran actors. Judging by the exaggerated press releases, it looks like half the entertainment industry is coming. It’s a star-studded lineup; scalpers are already selling tickets for thousands of yuan each.”

“Oh~” Cheng Yixin nodded, her heart finally settling. She had been worried that Chi Yi’s first charity auction would be sparsely attended, which would have been embarrassing. “This is Chi Yi’s first time dealing with so many artists and organizing such a large event. She might miss some details. Sister Wenjing, why don’t you contact her and offer some advice?”

Li Wenjing glanced at her, noting how she was practically throwing herself into helping for free. “Don’t worry, it’ll definitely go well this time.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Don’t you know?” Li Wenjing looked slightly surprised. “The rumor is that Huang Xinxi and Chi Yi are co-founders of this event. Even if Chi Yi doesn’t know the specifics of the event layout, Huang Xinxi’s team are all ‘old foxes’ in the industry; they’ll have everything perfectly arranged.”

Cheng Yixin thought for a moment, vaguely remembering Chi Yi mentioning something about it before bed one night, but she couldn’t recall clearly.

“I thought I could be of help,” Cheng Yixin said with a hint of dejection. “Turns out I’m not needed after all.”

“It’s not a matter of being ‘needed’ or not,” Li Wenjing comforted her. “It just so happens she’s collaborating with Huang Xinxi, who is a veteran in the industry. It’s best to let professionals handle professional matters. This is a great chance for President Chi to gain experience so she can hold even bigger events in the future.”

“That way, you won’t have to worry later; you can attend whenever your schedule allows. As they say, one generation plants the trees, and the next enjoys the shade.”

“Maybe we could adjust the work schedule for that day…” Cheng Yixin said tentatively.

“…” Li Wenjing’s face immediately hardened as she began to lecture. “Yixin, don’t let love go to your head. Don’t forget you have a real job to do. If you cancel existing work to attend an event, do you think Chi Yi would be happy? Businesspeople weigh their interests, too.”

“Oh…” Cheng Yixin pouted. “How annoying.”

“What show was I scheduled for that day again?”

Li Wenjing replied, “It’s a web-broadcasted talent show variety. You’re a guest, and the theme for that episode is a debate. After the debaters finish, you have to cast a vote.”

“Don’t vote blindly. Even if you think a side is wrong, consider how the audience will judge your values based on your vote. Last time, a guest on a sensitive topic voted for the opposing side; even though his explanation was unique and made sense, the internet tore him apart.”

“…I really miss the internet environment of ten years ago,” Cheng Yixin sighed deeply.

“Tell me about it,” Li Wenjing sighed as well. “Back then, people only scammed you for your feelings. Now they want your money, your body, and your kidneys. The first thing I think when I see a friend request from a stranger is that they’re trying to rob me.”

The two shared a look and sighed in unison.

Over the weekend, Cheng Yixin and Chi Yi met up to release the little bird at the park. Cheng Yixin had negotiated to move her afternoon work two hours earlier so she could finish by 3:00 PM.

In October, Jingning had entered early autumn. The leaves on the lush trees were beginning to turn slightly yellow. Cheng Yixin wore a cream-colored tweed jacket, a black leather A-line skirt, and light khaki high-top boots, topped off with a black beret for a touch of autumn playfulness.

Chi Yi had styled this outfit for her; it emphasized her slender waist and long legs. Teacher Cheng was very satisfied.

The bird in the cage seemed to sense it was returning to nature today, as it hopped around and chirped incessantly. Cheng Yixin scanned the park. They had entered through the back gate. Usually, there were many electric scooters parked there, but today there were only a few. More strangely, the massive park was empty aside from them.

“Isn’t it the weekend? Why is no one here?”

“I talked to the park management. Some of the exercise equipment is getting old, and they were worried about accidents involving the elderly. I offered to replace the equipment for them on the condition that the park close for the afternoon.”

“…” Cheng Yixin was stunned. “Is this the power of money…?”

Chi Yi smiled. “It’s mutually beneficial. The park is free to the public anyway, so saving on expenses is good for them. Besides, with fewer people, we don’t have to wear masks or worry about being recognized.”

Ever since the scandal broke, they had to consider the risks of going out. Cheng Yixin felt a bit melancholy. Just to go for a walk, they had to go to such lengths to buy their freedom.

“Dating a celebrity is so much trouble,” Cheng Yixin remarked.

“But thinking about how my girlfriend is loved by so many people makes me feel very proud.”

“President Chi really knows how to comfort herself!” she laughed.

“What choice do I have?” Chi Yi laughed too. They found a wide, open lawn where they could see the clear blue sky. The sun had already hidden behind the clouds, nearing the end of its shift. A gentle breeze blew—unlike the stifling heat of summer, the wind was much softer now.

Chi Yi opened the cage and carefully took the bird out. The bird, which had been flapping its wings, grew calm in Chi Yi’s palm. It turned its head, staring at the two of them.

“Do you want to touch it?” Chi Yi asked. Previously, this invitation was met with rejection and a hint of disgusted fear.

“I…” This time, Cheng Yixin didn’t refuse immediately. “Let me prepare myself…”

They sat on the ground; the grass pricked at their skin slightly.

“I asked the vet; he said it’s an Oriental Turtle Dove. They have a gentle temperament and shouldn’t peck you.”

“Really?” Cheng Yixin hesitated. After getting Chi Yi’s reassurance, she tentatively extended her index finger, moving it slowly toward the bird.

The bird stretched its neck to get closer to her finger, tilted its head to look at her, and after a moment, lowered its head and gently rubbed against her finger.

“This is incredible,” Cheng Yixin smiled involuntarily.

Even knowing the bird couldn’t understand them, they bid it a solemn farewell before releasing it into the blue sky. The bird flew up a distance, circled above their heads a few times, and finally flew away into the vast sky where it belonged.

“The more I looked at it, the cuter it got. It was so friendly. Did you ever consider keeping it during its recovery?” Cheng Yixin asked.

“No,” Chi Yi replied. “Birds love freedom. It was only passing through my life briefly; I couldn’t be so selfish as to keep it in a cage just because I liked it. It belongs to the wide open sky.”

She took Cheng Yixin’s hand, her gaze burning as she looked at her. “As an actress, you also belong to the radiant stage. But if it’s you… I want to be a little selfish.”

Cheng Yixin froze, her heart feeling a gentle, itchy flutter. She reached out and ruffled Chi Yi’s hair. “In front of you, I’m not a high-profile actress. So, there’s no need to be ‘selfish’.”

The two sat side-by-side on the grass. Cheng Yixin rested her head on Chi Yi’s shoulder, suddenly remembering the young couples she used to see on the school playground. They were just like this—sweet and enviable.

“The auction at the end of the month is all set. I wanted to tell you beforehand so you wouldn’t misunderstand.”

“What is it?”

“I mentioned before that Huang Xinxi is the co-founder, so we will be appearing together that day.”

“Oh~ that’s perfectly normal.”

“It is. Our outfits were also arranged by the styling team. I’m wearing white, and she’s wearing black.”

Cheng Yixin imagined it for a moment. It was just a classic “couple’s color scheme” for the sake of the event’s presentation; it wasn’t unacceptable.

“Anything else?”

“That’s all.”

Cheng Yixin nodded. “Then it’s fine. I haven’t decided on my donation yet. A host gave me a tea set a while back; would that work?”

Chi Yi thought for a moment and said, “Those ten Starry Sky Bears… are still in my office.”

“…” At the mention of the bears she had spent a fortune on, Cheng Yixin felt her face heat up. She had been so impulsive then, and Xiao Yu hadn’t been able to stop her. If Chi Yi kept them at home, it would make her look like a jealous lover, but leaving them was such a waste.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll donate them in your name.” Chi Yi rubbed her nose. Having those ten bears in her office felt like a constant reminder of a “crime”—it felt weird.

“Deal.” Cheng Yixin agreed immediately. “Better to turn them into cash for charity than let them sit there. Besides, the auction’s maximum price limit is lower than the retail price of the bears, so it won’t look like an advertisement.”

With the donation issue solved—effectively costing her nothing—Teacher Cheng was very happy. Now she just had to wait for the auction. It was said it would be livestreamed, but since she’d be filming that day, she’d have to watch the replay later.

After releasing the bird, they spent some more time in the park. Chi Yi had some urgent work to handle, so she had to drop Cheng Yixin home before heading to the office.

On the way back, Cheng Yixin glanced at the dashboard and noticed something different. She saw the car key in the ignition; beside the little deer charm she had given her, there was now something else. It was the safety amulet she had seen before—the one Chi Yi used to keep so carefully in her wallet. Now, she had actually hung it out.

Cheng Yixin looked at it for a few moments. Chi Yi had mentioned it before; judging by how old it was, Cheng Yixin assumed it was a memento from her parents, so she didn’t think much of it.

Returning home, Cheng Yixin flopped onto the sofa and let out a long sigh. Once comfortable, she sat up and opened Weibo. Every so often, she would check her private messages. There were far too many.

People sent all kinds of strange things: some used her chat as a checklist, a memo for anniversaries, or a place to archive study materials. Others sent voice messages of themselves crying after a breakup.

This time, she intended to just skim them, but one message caught her eye.

【Why is the world doing this to me? I’m truly breaking down…】

Seeing the preview, Cheng Yixin thought it might be someone about to do something reckless, so she hurried to open the thread. Looking back through the history, the person had started messaging her over a month ago. It began with typical fan praise, but then they started sharing their daily troubles.

There had been a week-long gap, and the messages had resumed a few days ago, but the tone had become extremely pessimistic.

The fan said her father ran an orange grove. It was currently the peak season for oranges, but the market was terrible this year. Wholesalers were driving prices extremely low. Years ago, her father had borrowed money from neighbors to start the business, and now their first major harvest was facing this disaster.

And fate always targets the unfortunate; her elderly father had recently been diagnosed with a serious illness, and her mother had underlying health issues. Their once-hopeful family had plummeted into despair. The father was ready to give in and sell the fruit at a low price, but the buyers were taking advantage of the situation to drive prices even lower, leading to a massive surplus of unsold oranges.

The fan had quit her job to come home, care for her father, and try to sell the oranges via livestreaming to raise money for the medical bills. She ended by saying that though life was hard, she would grit her teeth and keep going for her family.

Every word felt sincere and hit home; it was enough to make one tear up.

Cheng Yixin wrote back a comforting message, telling the fan that hardships eventually pass.