Chapter Twenty-Three: Live Broadcast

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After returning home, Leng Zheng immediately resumed her busy livestream schedule.

"Hello everyone, I am Leng Zheng, also known as Voice Actor Xi Zheng. At the request of my devoted fans, I'm here to stream today. I'll be reading your submissions.
This first one is from 'Mo Xiang Is Mine,' sent in yesterday. By the way, let me just say—Mo Xiang is mine."

She is the light that illuminates my life:
I like someone. In the darkness of my life, she is the only ray of light.
I remember, the summer before I entered sixth grade, my parents divorced. For as long as I can remember, they argued constantly—even after my brother was born, the fighting never stopped. Finally, they divorced.

Both of them asked whom I wanted to stay with. I didn’t know, so I followed the court’s ruling—my brother and I stayed with our mother.

In our daily life, my mother, grandmother, brother, and I all lived together. My mother and grandmother kept urging me to make her proud, not to let my father and his mistress look down on me.

Because of this, I always felt inferior, convinced that everything I did was wrong, so nothing ever went well.

The summer after graduating from junior high, I became obsessed with novels, and never looked back. That summer, I made many like-minded friends; together, we wrote stories, and my first book was accepted by Crazy Reader.

Excited and nervous, I wanted to tell my mother, thinking she would agree. But reality hit me hard—

She refused, telling me to focus on my studies and not waste my academic potential. Again, she insisted I make her proud, not let my father and his mistress look down on me.

I was rebellious. When she disagreed, I argued fiercely with her, grabbed my things, and left the oppressive home I’d lived in for over ten years.

It was a rainy day. I walked, head down, through the alley. The flowers bloomed everywhere, but my heart was cold and empty...

I crouched by the wall, looking at all the houses, but none belonged to me...

Then, she walked past me, handed me an umbrella, and invited me to her home. Since we were classmates, I went along.

When she asked, I told her everything. She brought me home, explained the situation to her parents, and said she wanted me to stay with them.

Seeing my predicament, her parents agreed. So I began living at her house.

Every day, we went to and from school together, played together... Her smile was like a beam of light, shining on me, gradually... illuminating my whole world.

Maybe such things only happen in novels, but I assure you, this is real.

I fell in love with this radiant girl, but I knew I wasn’t worthy of her. I wanted to give up. Yet... when I was about to let go, I realized I couldn’t.

She is the light that illuminates my life.

In a world, there cannot be lightless days—otherwise, it’s not a complete world.

I worked hard, slowly catching up to her. I wanted to stand by her side and shout: She is mine!

Bit by bit, I drew closer, we got into the same high school, studied and worked hard together, planned our futures—unfortunately, not a shared one.

Gradually, I stopped feeling inferior, worked harder, climbed upward, step by step.

I think Goudan (author Wu Zhe) wrote it best in "Wild Youth": "No one’s life is always perfect, but no matter when, we must look forward; with hope, everything is possible."

During the college entrance exam, both of us got into the same university.

One university, one major, one dormitory. We went everywhere together, like conjoined twins, always together. People who didn’t know us thought we were a couple.

In the process, I kept trying to 'bend' her, but really, she bent me; she has to take responsibility.

In my heart, I believe only bathrooms need to be gendered—why should love be divided by gender? Whether it’s teacher-student, sibling, or same-sex love, society rarely accepts them, but all are about two people in love.

If both people like each other, why should they be separated by prejudice? Why be torn apart by society’s bias?

On her birthday, after getting her parents' consent and support, I secretly planned a confession and confessed my feelings.

I was incredibly nervous, afraid she’d reject me, but the result was obvious—she agreed.

I later learned she’d already liked me for a long time and was waiting to confess on my birthday, but I beat her to it.

Now, I’m a novelist, she’s a working professional; I can openly stand by her side and tell the world: She is mine!

A few days ago, she proposed to me; we’re preparing for the wedding now. No idea if you, my idol, have time—give me an address and I’ll send you an invitation, maybe get your autograph.

"Of course! Not sure if you’re watching the stream—I’ve sent you the address; I’ll definitely be there~

Wishing you both a harmonious union, though I can’t tell who’s the top or the bottom—I’m guessing you’re the top.

By the way, would you like to share your full story? I’m out of ideas for my new novel and could use you as inspiration."

Mo Xiang Is Mine was ecstatic, thrilled to have fulfilled her dream, and immediately agreed.

Her fanbase exploded, all eager for these two ladies.

"Okay, let’s see who the next lucky contributor is.

Hmm, the best friend in this story seems to be the same lady as earlier; let’s check her profile.

Looks like she really is that lady’s best friend—let’s read her story, it seems quite complete.

This is from the lady’s best friend, username 'Xi Zheng God Is Mine.' Wishing all hidden crushes in the world may come true.

Hey, did you ask your best friend what she thinks about your username? And your husband?"

Wishing all hidden crushes in the world may come true

I once had a crush on a boy—he was handsome, a top student, the idol of many.

I am his neighbor’s little sister; we grew up together. Our mothers are best friends, and our fathers are brothers. Since childhood, they teased that we were a perfect match—maybe arrange a child marriage.

I was close to him; we were in the same grade, same school from elementary to junior high, and then high school.

In my youth, I fell for this handsome, talented boy.

Hidden crushes are hard—you don’t know his thoughts, whether he likes you, or if he prefers another girl who’s better in every way. You feel anxious, torn.

So I worked hard to catch up to him, become outstanding, so I could stand by his side and announce to everyone: "He’s mine! He’s my man!"

He had many admirers, but I was the only girl close to him. I never understood whether he liked me as a girl or cared for me as a sister.

I always talked to my best friend about it; she urged me to confess before someone else snatched him away. But I was too timid.

My best friend also had someone she liked—a girl. Naturally, I couldn’t ask her how to chase a guy; she hadn’t succeeded herself.

After the college entrance exam, when scores came out, he suddenly asked me which university I was planning for. We both scored in the high 600s, nearly 700. After results came out, our phones were flooded.

In the end, we both chose Fudan University—maybe because it’s close to home, and my best friend got in there too.

For a while, I was bothered whenever a girl appeared near him. It reminded me of junior high, when a girl in our class liked a boy and got jealous seeing him with other girls, constantly complaining to me.

Now, I understand her feelings.

Even though I knew my crush might lead nowhere... I still wanted to try, to gamble, to see if he liked me, whether his care was sibling affection or romantic love...

In freshman year, I confessed. I thought he’d reject me, but to my surprise, he accepted.

That day, he took me to his apartment and told our parents I wouldn’t be coming home. That night, he held me as we slept.

The next morning, I thought it was a dream, but his actions proved it was real.

This isn’t a fairy tale or a novel, but reality.

It feels like a dream, but my Mr. Gu assures me it’s true.

In those youthful days, I loved him—and never imagined he loved me, too.

It’s almost absurd; in sophomore year, our parents arranged our engagement, and after graduation, we married.

He treats me so well now. My best friend and I both write web novels at home, and Mr. Gu goes out to earn money for me. My best friend has also succeeded in winning her love—a girl.

My best friend and I share the same view on love: only bathrooms need to be gendered—why should love be? If two people like each other, why should society’s prejudice separate them?

But I have one more belief: A hidden crush doesn’t always end in defeat—you’ll never know if he likes you unless you try. Liking is a match between equals; loving is about being willing to surrender. Someone who loves you will never let you lose; someone who doesn’t, always will.

May all hidden crushes in the world have a happy ending.

Oh, Xi Zheng God, can you come to my wedding? My best friend and I are holding our weddings together—bring your autograph!

"This is truly a fortunate girl; these two best friends are so blessed. Of course I’ll come~

I already promised your best friend; since she’s watching the stream, I bet you are too. Why don’t we add each other on QQ? And your best friend, too—let’s all connect.

This way, I won’t have to worry about ideas for my new book. It’s settled—I’m following you back, send me your QQ number, and I’ll send the address there.

I’ve added you both; my QQ name is 'Mo Xiang Is Mine,' with a picture of a beautiful lady.

Alright, let’s read one more submission before ending the stream.

This one is from 'My Eyes Are Full of You,' titled 'Wishing You a Glorious Future.'

A story that seems like a fairy tale, yet isn’t

He and I were childhood friends, always playing together. He was two years older, and we once promised to attend the same university, grow up together, and never part.

But when he turned fifteen, he broke that promise...

Afterward, my parents divorced, which hit me hard. I was torn, didn’t know what to do.

In the end, I didn’t choose either side—I lived independently.

Because of my stubbornness as a child, I worked hard in my senior year and finally got into Fudan University.

Fudan was full of outstanding seniors. By chance, I met one during a run—a basketball flew out of nowhere and hit me. The senior ran over, smiled, apologized, and hurried away.

Afterwards, I realized his smile was incredibly healing—it soothed my heart, but I didn’t fall for him right away.

After that meeting, he began pursuing me, showering me with love and exceptions. His sincerity moved me, so I accepted. I then discovered he was my online male best friend.

Because of our online chats, we understood each other deeply. He cared about me, remembered all my important dates.

I thought he was a typical straight guy, but he turned out to be a warm-hearted man. He made brown sugar water when I had my period, chose date locations, took photos...

He spoiled me endlessly. Wherever I wanted to go, he’d take me. When my grades faltered, he tutored me. If anyone tried to pursue him, he’d refuse, to keep me from feeling jealous.

Within a few meters around him, I was the only girl—no one else could approach.

In junior year’s winter break, we met each other’s parents. Both families approved and started discussing marriage.

He agreed to go to Beijing with me in the summer, visit the place where my parents met, and pick tea together.

One day, I was singing in the dorm, feeling proud, when my roommate burst in to tell me he was going abroad for further studies—the only slot in the finance department was his. I was stunned, and rushed to ask him if it was true...

His answer struck me hard:

“It’s true. Sorry, Xingchen, I don’t want my building to have any regret... You know, if a skyscraper has even a centimeter of flaw, it will collapse.”

“So... am I the flaw in your building?” I felt a twinge of bitterness. Why? Why is the future so important?

“Sorry, Xingchen. Your online name and your true self are both so lovely... Goodbye!”

It was then I realized any relationship can end with a single 'sorry.' I cried and told him, "Then I wish you a glorious future, no regrets!"

“Thank you.”

So we missed each other...

Two years after graduation, a friend invited me to Beijing. When classmates mentioned it, I suddenly remembered he’d promised to take me there...

I set out for Beijing, stood atop the Great Wall, looking down.

At some point, tears streamed down my face. I thought I’d forgotten him...

When it was time to descend, I spotted my childhood friend and the senior in the crowd, and suddenly understood something, lowered my head and smiled.

Actually, I don’t know if I was smiling or crying. Only then did I realize this dream wasn’t just mine, but belonged to several people...

Writing about my experience, I’m not sure what’s real and what’s not—it’s half true, half fiction! For a while, I couldn’t make sense of it—am I really so bad that both left me?

What struck me most was: “To live brilliantly, it seems, one must pay with loneliness.”

My childhood friend once asked about my dream for marriage, and I replied: “Admire you like the stars, wish to keep my heart for one, from the breaking dawn until we grow old in snowy white hair.”

It seems like a fairy tale, but their choices are more realistic...

"Ah, this lady’s story really has some regrets. I don’t know how you’re doing now, but I wish you well—may you find someone right for you.

Alright, it’s late—everyone sleep~ Good night~"

PS: Ah, my writer’s block is terrible. Tomorrow, I’ll revise the last two chapters from yesterday, and try not to slack off—hopefully update more.

The stories above are my own creations; they may have prototypes, but I changed a lot, and obtained permission.

So, today’s stories are not filler—they’re written bit by bit, not copied from the internet.

Alright, see you all tomorrow~