Heartbeats Without Loss

On her birthday, Shen Caiwei started watching a historical drama. Three and a half days later, she had finished all thirty-six episodes. Then she wrote a rather blunt review.

She had no idea that half a world away, Cheng Jibai, the drama's male lead, shared her birthday. He was fourteen years younger than her, and had read her review many times.

On a flight in March, they sat next to each other, separated only by an armrest.

For three hours, she didn't ask him for an autograph, say a single word to him, or even look his way. But he remembered her profile.

She had a marriage everyone envied. They were the best partners, but had never been lovers.

He was a top-tier star with a limitless future. In his twelve years in the industry, people had always been the ones coming to him. This was the first time he wanted to seek someone out.

She had always known when to cut her losses. He hadn't, and had no intention of drawing a line.

He wouldn't cut his losses over falling in love. They would walk a stretch of the road hand in hand, then make a promise to walk the next one together.

Theme: How many conditions must a relationship satisfy, and how much scrutiny must it withstand, before you dare admit it without reservation? This is the story of two adults learning to be honest. Honest with themselves, admitting they have fallen for each other; honest with others, hiding nothing and running from nothing; honest about the past, saying goodbye with dignity and wronging no one; honest about the future, making no assumptions about the ending and asking only what their hearts desire. Love is neither possession nor avoidance. It is two independent, free people walking side by side for a stretch, then promising to walk the next one together.