At the year's hottest girl-group survival show, Chi Liang barely made it through, debuting in last place.
The production team thought the show needed more buzz, so they invited Gu Yanyuan, who had just won a Best Actress award, to appear as a special guest.
On a livestream watched by tens of millions, the elegant actress in a long dress hugged the seven girls one by one.
When she was almost at Chi Liang, she somehow twisted her ankle.
The whole audience held its breath at the actress's cry of surprise.
Quick on her feet, Chi Liang wrapped an arm around Gu Yanyuan's waist and pulled her into her arms.
Only after Gu Yanyuan steadied herself with a hand on Chi Liang's shoulder did Chi Liang politely let go.
Later, fans edited and pieced together those few seconds in every possible way, forcing Gu Yanyuan and Chi Liang into the prettiest age-gap couple the yuri fandom had seen in three years.
Later still, someone released another video.
In a blind spot missed by every camera, the actress whose waist Chi Liang had held was secretly lowering her head and smiling with her lip between her teeth.
Ship fans: "We told you it was real! Now hurry up and get together!"
Chi Liang: "You staged a fake fall the first time we met."
Gu Yanyuan: "Physical contact achieved!"
Airheaded entertainment mogul VS eighteen-year-old newcomer
Gu Yanyuan and Chi Liang
Related story: "By the Old Road"
Theme: The older sister wants a sweet romance, too.
