Bangkok, Four-Faced Buddha. (NT: or Phra Phrom, deity of good fortune and protection)

Xiao Yi and Lu Zhou bowed and prayed repeatedly. As they left, Xiao Yi remarked, "Can't believe it actually worked. We've been through so many hardships."

"Yeah," Lu Zhou replied. "Without experiencing storms, how could we see rainbows? I have no regrets."

Interlocking their fingers, Xiao Yi and Lu Zhou walked along the streets of Bangkok, sharing a smile. As a tourist group approached, someone seemed to recognize Lu Zhou. Xiao Yi quickly let go of Lu Zhou's hand and hid behind him, gazing out mysteriously.

*

A year later, major entertainment headlines released extensive reports.

Lu Zhou and his assistant Xiao Yi returned to the country and were spotted with twins, raising suspicions of having children out of wedlock.

In the photo, Lu Zhou was exiting the airport while Xiao Yi, wearing a baseball cap to cover his face, pushed a double stroller with two babies wrapped in blankets.

"Your parents are here to pick us up," Lu Zhou whispered. "Don't be nervous, just stick to what we discussed."

Xiao Yi's parents approached, consoling their "dumped" son incessantly. Xiao Yi could only nod repeatedly, indicating that he had been heartbroken for a lifetime and had decided to live with Lu Zhou. Coincidentally, Lu Zhou had also had a child, so they decided to take care of each other.

Xiao Yi's parents expressed gratitude to Lu Zhou for taking care of their son, while Xiao Qiang seemed to notice that the two children looked very much alike. However, for the sake of his BMW and new house in Wuhan, he didn't dare to say anything.

Lu Zhou generously allowed Xiao Yi's family to name the two children, as the names on their birth certificates had already been decided by him.

"No need to bring the kids," Xiao Yi said. "Just come to Beijing when you have free time."

"Two dads," Xiao Yi's father laughed. "We can leave them to Xiao Lu to raise and enter the entertainment industry!"

"The entertainment industry is too complicated," Lu Zhou hurriedly said. "It's too hard. Just being an ordinary person and growing up healthy is fine."

*

One year later, Du Ma paid a visit to Beijing, amusing himself with the two children.

Du Ma remarked, "Is this technology still in use? Can you fertilize twins directly with one sperm? Which one belongs to you, and which one belongs to Lu Zhou?"

Xiao Yi couldn't help but chuckle, responding, "I'm not sure. They're fraternal twins, born from the same mother. Even we can't tell them apart."

Du Ma mused, "Mixed-race children are so beautiful. I might find a foreign wife one day. I hope I didn't hug the wrong one."

Considering Lu Zhou's temperament, Xiao Yi whispered, "If he did, we'll never hear the end of it. He'd probably make a scene at the hospital."

Du Ma pondered this, realizing that such matters would necessitate comprehensive paternity tests, and Lu Zhou couldn't take it lightly.

"Let's go ahead and sign the contract," Du Ma suggested. "I'll head back on duty."

Xiao Yi responded, "Firstly, I'll only have my name on the contract and occasionally write songs. I won't be actively working, as I'll be busy taking care of the kids. Additionally, Lu Zhou can only commit to one role per year until the children turn five."

Du Ma nodded in understanding. "That sounds reasonable. Li Changzheng mentioned he'd come to see you in a few days. Did he accept being the godfather?"

Xiao Yi confirmed, "Yes, I've recognized Zheng Xiaocong as the godfather."

Lu Zhou, sitting on the sofa, grumbled, "We're still missing a godmother. Why don't you go back and ask Xiao Li for help?"

Du Ma and Xiao Yi exchanged glances in response to Lu Zhou's comment.

*

Two years later, Europe, Italy.

A huge advertisement featuring Lu Zhou in his underwear was posted on the exterior wall of a building, showcasing his bronze skin and Calvin Klein boxer briefs.

"Look at the hair! Look!" Lu Zhou turned around, angrily addressing Xiao Yi. "Can't you come home and look at the real thing at night?"

Xiao Yi drooled over Lu Zhou's advertisement, saying, "Why do I feel like this doesn't match the real person?"

"It's an advertisement!" Lu Zhou was frustrated. "Do you understand anything about advertising? They photoshop everything!"

Surrounded by onlookers, all foreigners, Lu Zhou pulled Xiao Yi away.

"I actually prefer French brands..." Xiao Yi said. "And they're much cheaper."

"Discounted goods are poor quality," Lu Zhou retorted, annoyed. "Don't you understand that?"

"Look, daddy," one of the twins in the stroller pointed at the advertisement.

"Yeah," Xiao Yi said. "Daddy's not embarrassed, running around in his underwear."

Lu Zhou sighed in exasperation.

*

Three years later, Cannes International Film Festival.

"The best actor."

"Zhou Lu!"

"Best Actor: Lu Zhou," the translator announced. "Representative works include '’Turning Head Arrow’' Qin'Mountains,' 'River Cut,' and 'Paper Plane Diary.'"

The entire audience rose to their feet, applauding wildly as Lu Zhou walked onto the stage to accept the award, taking a deep breath.

"Thank you, Xiao Yi," Lu Zhou said. "Thank you for being with me through thick and thin, always accepting me. Thanks to my babies, Daddy loves you..."

The applause grew even more enthusiastic. Xiao Yi smiled, turned to the side, and flicked the faces of the two sons sitting beside him. The two children looked bewildered, almost on the verge of tears.

"Applaud," Xiao Yi signaled, saying, "Daddy has become an actor again. Hurry, cheer for him."

The camera turned towards them. Xiao Yi smiled and made a victory sign towards the camera.

*

One year later, Canada.

Lu Zhou was driven crazy by the two children, and Xiao Yi was almost at his wit's end.

"Lu Fa Cai!" Xiao Yi said. "You can't give them so many marshmallows!"

Lu Zhou was in a frenzy, gesturing to his twin sons to stay quiet. The family of four roamed around casually in the supermarket run by Lu Zhou's mother, keeping an eye on the elder son while the younger one ran off. Veins bulging on Lu Zhou's forehead, he cried out miserably, "Can't you two spare your dad?"

"I think you better decline the invitation to 'What's Dad Up To'," Xiao Yi was almost driven crazy by this father-and-sons trio. "The three of you would turn that variety show into a horror show!"

"Your son is yours too!" Lu Zhou resisted unwillingly, "One of them... is yours."

"Which one?" Xiao Yi asked, "You recognize one, I recognize the other."

Lu Zhou couldn't tell which of the twin mixed-race boys belonged to him and which belonged to Xiao Yi. He was at a loss. Nearby, a foreigner recognized Lu Zhou and exclaimed, "Hey, aren't you the Lu Zhou who did the underwear ad? Your physique is amazing..."

Lu Zhou could only smile and nod, agreeing to take photos with them. Meanwhile, Xiao Yi had already put the two boys in the shopping cart and pushed them away, disappearing into the crowd.

*

Another year passed, and winter turned to spring.

"Dad," one of the twins asked, "Why are you and dad both men?"

Xiao Yi was scrolling through Lu Zhou's Weibo and glanced at the twins.

"Because I'm your dad's assistant," Xiao Yi said, "Without me, he wouldn't be able to take care of himself."

"Assistant?" the other twin asked.

"Yeah."

"What's an assistant?"

Lu Zhou, coming down the stairs from the upper floor in a suit and wearing a watch, explained, "An assistant is someone who helps with things when there's something to do, and when there's nothing to do, the assistant... doesn't do anything."

The twins looked puzzled.

"Don't tell the boys such things!" Xiao Yi warned.

"I'm off to the company," Lu Zhou said, "Give me a kiss, darling."

Xiao Yi turned his head and Lu Zhou stretched out his lips.

"Mwah—" Lu Zhou murmured.

As flowers bloomed and spring breeze swept through the villa garden, Lu Zhou and Xiao Yi kissed.

Time seemed to freeze endlessly in this moment. The light and shadow on the big screen, the images of the resolute, honest, earnest, rogue, sad, and lonely Lu Zhou, like a revolving lantern, fleeting in the river of time.

The closing door echoed, accompanied by Xiao Yi's singing.

"My love transcends the sky—"

"My love flows endlessly—"

"Even as the years fly by, and youth fades—"

"I will always love you, as I did in the past—"

The camera zoomed out, leaving their villa, toward the vast clear sky and bustling earth.

Fade out.

END

Translator : DarNan