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Psst! We're moving!
Zhu Xingyao sat on the bed, staring at the ring. Jiang Tu had clearly planned to propose. She gazed at it thoughtfully and called Ding Xiang. “Ding Xiang, I want to ask you something—when did Tu Ge first ask you to help him with the proposal?”
Ding Xiang thought for a moment. “December 8th. Why?”
“Nothing, just curious.”
On December 9th, Zhu Xingyao had just left for Dubai. She pressed further: “Then when did he tell you to wait a little longer before proposing?”
Ding Xiang found this line of questioning odd. Unsure why Zhu Xingyao was asking and afraid of saying the wrong thing that might ruin Jiang Tu’s plans, he hesitated. “Why are you asking about this? Tu Ge…”
“You have to tell me—it’s really important to me,” Zhu Xingyao urged.
Ding Xiang finally relented. “December 16th.”
After hanging up, Zhu Xingyao replayed the events of that time in her mind. Had Jiang Tu decided she wasn’t ready for children yet, so perhaps marriage still felt daunting to her? She lowered her eyes and slipped the ring onto her ring finger.
It fit perfectly—not too big, not too small.
Her eyes suddenly welled with tears, and she whispered softly, “Tu Ge… you fool…”
In the past, he’d done so much for her without ever saying a word. Now, he was accommodating her every need, still keeping things from her.
It seemed like he had always been the one putting in the effort, always striving to get closer to her.
She couldn’t imagine what their lives would be like if Jiang Tu hadn’t come back to pursue her. She didn’t dare to think about who else she might have ended up with or what kind of life she’d lead without him.
Zhu Xingyao felt incredibly lucky to be loved by him.
________________________________________
In the afternoon, Zhu Xingyao slung her cello over her shoulder and headed to rehearse with Li Xixi. They had three collaborative songs for Li Xixi’s concert, with Zhu Xingyao handling the string parts. One of the songs was from Li Xixi’s new album, and they needed to work out the details.
In the practice room, Zhu Xingyao played a few bars of the intro on her cello. But as Li Xixi began singing, she suddenly stopped.
Li Xixi turned to look at her. “What’s wrong?”
Zhu Xingyao looked up, her eyes shining brightly. “Xixi, I want to propose to Jiang Tu.”
Li Xixi was stunned. “Huh?”
Zhu Xingyao tried to contain her excitement, rushing over to Li Xixi. “But I need your help. Do you think it’s possible? We’ll have to ask Cheng Jie first.”
Cheng Jie was Li Xixi’s manager.
Li Xixi had never seen Zhu Xingyao this excited. Curious, she urged her on. “What is it?”
Zhu Xingyao leaned close and quickly whispered her plan into Li Xixi’s ear.
Li Xixi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you sure? I definitely don’t mind, and Cheng Jie won’t either. After all, we’re not competing for the same resources—you doing this at my concert will only bring more attention and buzz. She’ll be thrilled!”
“I’m sure,” Zhu Xingyao said earnestly.
Writing a song sounded simple, but Zhu Xingyao knew it wouldn’t be easy.
There were only 21 days left until Li Xixi’s concert. In that time, Li Xixi had other commitments, and Zhu Xingyao had an overseas performance to attend. Time was tight. While Zhu Xingyao occasionally wrote original compositions and Li Xixi had been learning songwriting over the past two years, crafting something truly good under such pressure was a challenge.
That evening, Jiang Tu came to pick her up. He observed her closely. “Did something happy happen?”
Zhu Xingyao marveled at how perceptive he was. She feigned innocence. “I’ve been happy lately.”
That was true.
Jiang Tu chuckled softly.
From that day onward, Zhu Xingyao became incredibly busy. She spent several nights in the recording studio until the early hours. Whenever Jiang Tu offered to pick her up, she found excuses to decline. Worried he might misinterpret her actions, she sometimes avoided returning to his apartment altogether, opting instead to stay at her family’s villa. Jiang Tu wondered how preparing for Li Xixi’s concert could keep Zhu Xingyao so occupied that she barely had time to come home.
________________________________________
By February, Zhu Xingyao was half-asleep when she heard Aunt Zhang talking to someone. The man’s voice was deep and slightly magnetic. “No need to bother with me—I’ll just wait here until she wakes up.”
Startled, Zhu Xingyao bolted upright, smoothing her tousled hair.
Jiang Tu was here?
She quickly hopped off the bed and ran to the desk, stuffing the crumpled drafts of lyrics she’d written the night before into the trash can. Her eyes were slightly swollen from crying while writing the lyrics. She rushed to wash her face, hastily taming her hair before heading to the door.
Jiang Tu leaned against the railing, turning to look at her.
He straightened and walked over. “Awake?”
“How did you get here?” Zhu Xingyao murmured, wrapping her arms around his neck in a playful hug.
Jiang Tu looked down at her. “You haven’t been home for two days. Shouldn’t I check on you?”
Zhu Xingyao felt a pang of guilt but was secretly pleased. Pretending nonchalance, she teased, “We’re not married, and we’re not even living together—just semi-together. It’s only natural for me to spend a couple of days at my parents’ house. Otherwise, they’d feel neglected.”
Jiang Tu knew all this, but he had grown accustomed to holding her while sleeping. Without her by his side, he struggled with insomnia.
Marriage…
Jiang Tu thought about it. He still wanted to marry her very much.
“Coming home tonight?”
He pulled her close, pinning her gently against the doorframe.
Zhu Xingyao quickly ducked her head, realizing she hadn’t brushed her teeth yet. “Okay…”
Jiang Tu ruffled her hair and whispered, “On February 5th, our company is having its annual dinner. Will you come with me?” Everyone at the company already knew his girlfriend was Zhu Xingyao, and many had asked if he’d bring her along.
“Ah, I can’t…” Zhu Xingyao frowned apologetically. “Tomorrow, I have to go to Beijing for a performance recording. I’ve been so busy lately that I forgot to tell you.” With year-end deadlines looming, both Jiang Tu and Zhu Xingyao had been overwhelmed—she with writing the song, and him with work. They hadn’t had much time to talk.
“It’s fine,” Jiang Tu said.
Zhu Xingyao remembered what Lao Yuan had mentioned earlier—that Jiang Tu was now quite popular among the women at his company. Before, people thought he was too aloof and unapproachable, but now everyone knew he was a devoted romantic. Who wouldn’t adore such a passionate man?
“During the annual dinner, everyone dresses up nicely. Don’t get too close to other women,” she said, wrinkling her nose.
Jiang Tu chuckled and looked down at her. “Alright.”
That night, as Jiang Tu held Zhu Xingyao, he whispered into her ear, “Xingxing, my mom wants to see you. Come home with me for dinner during the New Year.”
Exhausted, Zhu Xingyao nestled into his embrace without opening her eyes. “Okay…”
________________________________________
At 5 PM on February 12th, crowds of fans filled the area outside Hexi Stadium, eagerly awaiting Li Xixi’s concert. Most were young couples, groups of friends, or colleagues attending together. Many held light sticks and banners, while others carried cameras, their faces glowing with excitement.
Li Xixi had invited several guest performers, including Zhu Xingyao and members of X Band. Tickets had sold out a month and a half ago, and scalpers mingled among the crowd, selling tickets at inflated prices. Fans haggled with them, and soon the tickets were gone.
Someone sighed anxiously, “When do we get to go in?”
“Soon. They’ll start checking tickets around 6 PM. Just wait a bit longer.”
“My seat isn’t great. I’m worried I won’t get good photos.”
“It’s fine. Later, you can check Weibo or Bilibili—there’ll definitely be front-row fan footage.”
________________________________________
Backstage, Li Xixi was finalizing details with the staff. Zhu Xingyao had already changed into a matching gown. Jiang Tu, Lin Jiayu, and others were escorted by the staff to their seats backstage.
Zhu Xingyao glanced at Jiang Tu, feeling a sudden wave of nervousness. She called out softly, “Tu Ge.”
Jiang Tu looked up. “Hmm? Are you cold?”
Zhu Xingyao shook her head and smiled nervously, excitement bubbling within her.
At 6 PM, the audience began entering the venue.
At 8 PM, the concert officially started.
This was Li Xixi’s first concert in Jiangcheng. Xu Xiangyang, as her boyfriend and the class monitor of Class 1, had purchased hundreds of tickets and distributed them to classmates and friends, inviting them to attend. Their seats were relatively close to the stage, and everyone was thrilled.
Jiang Tu, Lin Jiayu, Lu Ji, Xu Xiangyang, Zhou Yuan, Ding Xiang, and a few other close friends sat in the VIP section near the front, in prime viewing positions. Lin Jiayu held up a fan sign and waved it enthusiastically before handing one to Jiang Tu. “Here, take one!”
Jiang Tu glanced at it—it read “Xixi is the best.” He didn’t take it.
Lin Jiayu realized her mistake. “Oh, sorry!” She rummaged through the pile and found another sign that read “Xingxing shines brightest” and handed it to him. “How about this one?”
Jiang Tu paused before accepting it.
Lin Jiayu pouted and turned to Lu Ji, offering him the “Xixi is the best” sign. “Do you want this one?”
Lu Ji glanced at her and took it.
Hexi Stadium was packed, and everywhere you turned, you saw fan-made signs. The Class 1 students were ecstatic—this unconventional reunion was unforgettable. On stage, Li Xixi sang, gazing at the familiar faces in the audience. She felt a lump in her throat, thinking about Zhu Xingyao’s upcoming performance. Seeing Jiang Tu and so many classmates, Zhu Xingyao might not be able to hold back her tears.
About three hours into the concert, Zhu Xingyao made her appearance as a featured guest, taking the stage an hour later.
After performing three songs, she descended from the lift alongside Li Xixi.
In the final ten minutes, the stadium erupted with noise. Tens of thousands of fans waved their glow sticks as Zhu Xingyao, dressed in a strapless white gown, ascended the stage holding her cello. A microphone stood before her, but Li Xixi was nowhere to be seen.
Lin Jiayu exclaimed, “Is Xingxing going to sing solo?”
Xu Xiangyang was puzzled. “I don’t remember this part from rehearsals.”
Jiang Tu’s gaze fixed intently on the stage, sensing something significant was about to happen.
The audience murmured in confusion. “What happened to Xixi?”
Zhu Xingyao typically only played the cello or sang briefly during her performances. This was her first time singing solo on stage—and the most nerve-wracking performance of her career.
Even more nerve-wracking than her very first stage appearance as a child.
A single spotlight illuminated her, making her glow like a star. She looked toward Jiang Tu’s seat, seeing the familiar faces around him, and her eyes grew misty.
Suddenly, an image appeared on the large screen—a man with sharp features, wearing gold-rimmed glasses. His demeanor was aloof yet focused, captivating the audience’s attention.
The previously restless and murmuring audience suddenly fell silent.
The next second, the atmosphere erupted!
“Wow! So handsome! Who is this man? He’s so good-looking!”
“I know! That’s Jiang Tu! The one... Zhu Xingyao’s boyfriend!”
“The male lead from Waiting for Stars ! Didn’t you see Xixi retweet it on Weibo? The author is Lin Jiayu. If you haven’t read it yet, go check it out! It’s based on Jiang Tu, Zhu Xingyao, and of course, Xixi and her boyfriend too.”
“So… what’s happening now? It feels like something important is about to happen.”
...
This was a special arrangement Li Xixi had made with the camera crew—to give Jiang Tu his moment in the spotlight.
These few minutes belonged solely to Zhu Xingyao and Jiang Tu.
Jiang Tu was momentarily stunned but quickly regained his composure, his gaze growing deeper.
Zhu Xingyao took a deep breath, plucked the strings of her cello, and after a few seconds, the piano accompaniment began. She closed her eyes, raised her bow, and played the prelude. After 20 seconds, she lowered the bow, looked up at the VIP seats, and began singing “Waiting for Stars” :
________________________________________
I received a love letter,
Blessed with the most beautiful wishes in the world.
But I never heard you say you liked me.
You shattered the darkness, bringing starlight to my doorstep.
But I, young and naive, couldn’t understand your silence.
You held my hand; I felt your heartbeat.
But I didn’t understand love, didn’t know you’d ache.
Only after parting did I realize.
I started to remember, but no one leaves as deep an impression as you.
Looking up, stars pierce the night sky and fall.
Is life destined to lose something
In order to become whole?
Reality and dreams, good and bad—it’s all you.
Yet I still feel this is my fortune.
You taught me
That if I hadn’t fallen in love with someone,
I’d regret it when I grow up.
If I feel incomplete,
It must mean I haven’t met the right person.
We’ve already walked through confusion and time.
Don’t worry, don’t hesitate anymore.
I want to say, I’m waiting too—
For a complete ending.
________________________________________
If the most unforgettable scene in Zhu Xingyao’s life was the sea of starlights on her 17th birthday, then for Jiang Tu, it was February 12th of his 28th year.
From the first line of the lyrics, Jiang Tu knew this song was written for him.
It was their story—his and Zhu Xingyao’s.
All those feelings and loves she hadn’t understood in her youth were now crystal clear to her.
She had condensed twelve long years into a single song.
And given it to him.
Jiang Tu’s eyes grew warm, his chest burning. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he fought to suppress the surging emotions.
Zhu Xingyao was born to take his heart and soul.
He would give her everything—what he had, and even what he didn’t.
The arena of ten thousand people fell silent.
Only the music and Zhu Xingyao’s voice remained, moving listeners to tears.
Two minutes in, Lin Jiayu was sobbing uncontrollably. She was the one who wrote Waiting for Stars , and she understood the meaning of every word. Her tears came in waves, and Lu Ji, who had been expressionless, felt a mix of emotions. It was the first time he’d seen Lin Jiayu cry during their two years as desk-mates, and his own complex feelings turned into quiet resignation.
Xu Xiangyang handed Lu Ji a pack of tissues and nodded toward Lin Jiayu.
Lu Ji frowned, irritated, and reluctantly pulled out a tissue, handing it to her.
Lin Jiayu choked on her sobs, her tear-filled eyes turning to look at him. She took the tissue and quietly wiped her tears and nose.
“Ah! Xixi’s singing backup!”
A fan shouted, and Li Xixi emerged from behind the stage, joining in the final chorus to harmonize with Zhu Xingyao.
4 minutes and 23 seconds later, the music stopped.
By the end of the song, Zhu Xingyao’s voice trembled. Her eyes red, she stood up, took a deep breath, and looked out at the audience. Her voice carried a hint of nasal emotion: “This song is dedicated to my boyfriend. And to everyone here today, may you all find a love that makes you whole.”
The audience erupted again: “Wow!!!!!!”
The screen displayed Jiang Tu’s face once more. The man lowered his gaze, his slender fingers pushing his glasses up.
His expression was unreadable.
Zhu Xingyao stood on stage, gazing at him.
Li Xixi stepped forward to stand beside her, sniffing as she spoke: “This marks the end of tonight’s concert. This song is called Waiting for Stars . It’s not just a gift from Xingxing to her boyfriend, but also a piece of our youth.” She smiled. “Hexi Stadium was built on the site of the old Hexi Lane. Xingxing’ boyfriend and my friend Lin Jiayu both lived there. We have a book, a song, and soon, a movie. Everything is beautiful, and I hope this beauty reaches all of you. May your lives be as vibrant as ours, and may you find a love that’s whole.”
Lin Jiayu turned to look at Lu Ji, who remained calm. She whispered, “Lu Ji, does seeing this scene and hearing this song make you feel anything?”
Lu Ji glanced at her, his voice steady: “Not really.”
There was nothing left to feel.
Everything had been let go.
Zhu Xingyao was never the complete answer for him.
Her complete answer was Jiang Tu.
________________________________________
Late at night, past 11 PM, Hexi Stadium slowly emptied. Time passed, but the memories lingered.
No one who attended this concert would ever forget it.
Zhu Xingyao was still wearing her gown, her makeup intact, though she had swapped her heels for flats and thrown on an oversized down jacket. Jiang Tu’s face betrayed no emotion as he tightly held her and walked toward the parking lot. Along the way, fans snapped photos of them with their phones, shouting, “Stay together forever! Be happy always!”
Security worked hard to maintain order, and they managed to leave relatively smoothly.
After getting in the car, they were stuck in traffic on Hexi Road for half an hour before finally moving freely.
On the drive home, neither of them spoke, as if breaking the silence would unleash a flood of emotions they couldn’t contain.
Back at the apartment complex, the car stopped in the underground garage.
Jiang Tu opened the door and stepped out, circling around to the passenger side. He lifted Zhu Xingyao out of the car, and she clung tightly to his neck, staring at him intently. In the past, to help her overcome her fear of staircases, they always used the emergency exit whenever they went up or down.
But now, it seemed he couldn’t wait.
The parking lot was quiet late at night. He pressed the elevator button, carrying her inside.
“Tu Ge...” she called softly.
Jiang Tu looked down at her, his eyes hidden behind his glasses, dark and deep. She touched his chest through his clothes and said, “Your heartbeat is racing, just like when you pulled me onto that wall and I leaned close to you.”
Ding—
The elevator doors opened.
Jiang Tu swallowed several times, carrying her out.
“Open the door,” he said, his voice hoarse.
Zhu Xingyao’s hand trembled as she bit her lip and entered the code.
As soon as they stepped inside, she turned on a light, only to be pressed against the entryway by Jiang Tu. It was as if he feared overwhelming her with his emotions—or perhaps he was giving himself one last moment to hold back, to avoid losing control and hurting her. Slowly, he leaned down and kissed her lips, his breathing growing heavy.
Zhu Xingyao’s eyelashes fluttered as she tightened her arms around his neck, tilting her face upward.
Jiang Tu kissed her lips, his voice trembling slightly: “What’s the complete answer?”
“Tu Ge...” She cupped his face, her gaze brimming with emotion. “Let’s get married. I want to marry you.”
Jiang Tu closed his eyes briefly, burying his face in the crook of her neck. Zhu Xingyao felt warmth trickle down her neck as he swallowed, his voice husky: “Alright.”
Zhu Xingyao felt as though she controlled every ounce of Jiang Tu’s emotions. Sometimes, a single action or word from her could send him spiraling into a frenzy, his raw intensity both overwhelming and terrifying.
Tonight promised sleeplessness. Outside, the cold wind howled, but the temperature inside rose steadily. The gown lay discarded in the entryway, and Zhu Xingyao’s pale skin contrasted vividly with the dark, rumpled sheets. Jiang Tu firmly pressed her knees apart, his gaze intense as he leaned down to kiss her deeply, leaving no room for refusal. Though she had experienced his fervor before, her legs trembled, and she whimpered helplessly. Soon, her mind went blank, her gaze unfocused.
Jiang Tu sat up, holding her close, his breath uneven as he kissed her lips. He slipped the ring onto her finger, his voice low: “Do you like it?”
“Mm...” Zhu Xingyao weakly embraced him, feeling the sweat on the back of his neck. She opened her eyes to look at his face, so close to hers. His hair was damp and clumped together, and their gazes locked. Shyly, she closed her eyes.
The last image imprinted in her mind that night was the blurred shadow of Jiang Tu bending down to embrace her under the scattered lamplight.
________________________________________
The next afternoon, Zhu Xingyao opened her eyes, her mind momentarily blank. The curtains were still drawn, the room dim. She had no idea what time it was. The room was empty, and she turned her head to see her phone on the bedside table, a sticky note attached to the screen.
She reached over to grab it. Written in Jiang Tu’s left hand was:
I’ve gone to the office.
I’ll be back at 12:30 PM and bring lunch.
—Jiang Tu
February 13, 2018.
It was already 12:30, and Zhu Xingyao was too exhausted to get up, so she collapsed back onto the bed. She opened WeChat to find countless messages waiting. She replied to each one.
The class group chat had exploded with thousands of messages, and her Moments feed was flooded with photos and videos from last night’s concert. Not just her Moments—last night’s performance had trended on social media. When she opened Weibo, people were still discussing it.
Perhaps… it had been a little too high-profile.
But this was a once-in-a-lifetime event. A little showiness didn’t matter.
A sound came from the entrance.
After a while, the bedroom door opened, and Jiang Tu walked in.
Zhu Xingyao sat up, wrapped in the blanket. Her delicate neck bore the marks he had left the night before. She tilted her head up and furrowed her brows slightly.
Jiang Tu stood by the bed, looking down at her. “Hungry?” he asked softly.
She pouted, accusing him: “Tu Ge, last night you…”
The air conditioning was still on, and Jiang Tu paused as he removed his coat, raising an eyebrow lightly. “Too much again?”
Zhu Xingyao: “...”
So you admit you went overboard!
Zhu Xingyao huffed and turned her face away. Jiang Tu leaned down, supporting himself on the bed, and kissed her pouting cheek. “Then let’s rest at home today. We’ll go out tomorrow.”
Zhu Xingyao turned back, making a soft sound of acknowledgment. “Where are we going?”
Jiang Tu said, “To register our marriage.”
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