Epilogue
When spring came the following year, Zhan Qianqian sent me a message.
She told me she was getting married to the male lead from the dating show.
The show had ended with two couples: Jiang Shuo and me, and Zhan Qianqian and Chu Yanxu.
After filming, Zhan Qianqian and I had become good friends.
She wanted our weddings on the same day for the memory.
I thought about it and agreed it was a good idea.
When I called Jiang Shuo to discuss, he had already been working overtime for three days straight.
Because of the deal he made with his parents, he needed to sign a major contract with Tianhong Group by the end of the month.
The CEO of Tianhong Group was Chen Tan.
I did not understand why it was difficult, since they seemed close.
Jiang Shuo snorted and said, "They are all jealous of me now."
I still did not get it.
He added, "Because I am getting married before them.
"And..."
He continued, "They may joke around, but when it comes to work, they are all serious. No one wants to be the one who drops the ball after years of effort."
I nodded, finally understanding.
Near the end of the month, Jiang Shuo finally came home early after days of overtime.
He looked happy and hugged me the moment he walked in.
"We are getting married soon, okay?"
I smiled and smoothed down his messy hair. "Okay."
Jiang Shuo suddenly frowned. "Do not invite your agent."
I laughed. "I have to. She helped me a lot."
"Then do not invite Chu Yanxu."
I reminded him, "We agreed the four of us would marry on the same day."
He agreed reluctantly. "Fine."
On the wedding day, Zhan Qianqian and I sent each other messages in the morning.
I checked the time and decided to make a call I had not made in a long time.
I did not expect an answer, especially after the last transfer of thirty thousand yuan.
When the call connected, I froze for a second.
A familiar yet distant voice came through, gentler than I remembered. "Hello, is this Lin Zhi?"
I answered quietly.
She continued, "I saw online that you are getting married. When is it?"
"Today," I said.
There was a pause, then she laughed. "Congratulations."
After a moment, I asked softly, "Mom, are you happy now?"
Someone in the background asked, "Who is it, dear?"
I already knew the answer.
She sounded different now, warmer, like a real mother.
I did not blame her; she had raised me and never asked for anything after I succeeded.
Her voice softened again.
"I am happy now. I have a husband who loves me, and we opened a breakfast shop.
"I have to go. He needs help."
Before hanging up, she said gently, "Lin Zhi, stay safe and healthy. Be happy every day."
Tears spilled down my face.
The door swung open, letting daylight spill across the floor.
Jiang Shuo walked toward me against the light and held out his hand.
I smiled and called his name.
I placed my hand in his.
His fingers closed around mine, steady and warm.