Just a Secret Crush

Unrequited love with a bad ending.

It's only a crush. It's not like I have to end up with you.

Jiang Tong had a crush on Ji Heng for seven years, slowly drawing closer to him.

They made countless plans: to go ice skating together, see a Mayday concert, and visit the cafe on the corner.

They shared words that blurred the line between friendship and something more. He said he'd bring her a souvenir. He told her, "Jiang Tong, you're so cute." He asked, "Can we go back to how things were?"

But in the end, Jiang Tong told him, "Let's look ahead, the two of us."

"Why are you being so polite? We're close, aren't we?" Ji Heng ruffled Jiang Tong's hair and smiled, his expression relaxed. "How are you so cute?"

Is he allowed to say that? Could it sound a little flirtatious?

Jiang Tong's mouth fell open. Her mind went blank, and she stood there frozen for a few seconds. She couldn't think of a thing to say.

"I... really?" After a long pause, Jiang Tong managed to get the words out. The ice cream in her hand was starting to melt.

Ji Heng raised his broad palm to shield Jiang Tong from the sun.

"Of course." Ji Heng smiled faintly.

"Then do you like cute girls?"

Maybe the moment was right. Jiang Tong didn't know where she found the courage, but she gathered her nerve and asked him.

Ji Heng stopped walking and openly admitted, "I do."

On her wedding day, the biggest cash gift Jiang Tong received was from him. She stared at the gold lettering on the envelope, lost in thought. Four bold characters read: "Happy Wedding."

Ji Heng's short film about unrequited love went up on Bilibili and gained some popularity. A renowned director saw potential in the subject and invited him to co-direct a feature film.

Making films for the domestic market wasn't easy, and it was especially hard for small-time directors to survive. Ji Heng had finally made it through.

When the film premiered, he was interviewed at the press conference.

"Did you go through something similar to the male lead in the film?"

Ji Heng: "Yes, more or less."

"Did you two end up together?"

Ji Heng replied, "No. But she's very happy. I got her wedding invitation a few days ago. I couldn't go because I was busy with the film."

"Did you ever tell her how you felt?"

Ji Heng smiled bitterly. "I did, but she turned me down."

"Oh, that's a shame. Is there anything you'd like to say to her on camera?"

Ji Heng lowered his eyes and thought for a few seconds. Then he looked at the camera and said, "I wish you happiness... And I hope we... can both be happy."

Theme: Speak up about your love. Don't be a coward.