What does it feel like to date yourself?
Lin Qiwo: Pretty great.
What about your younger self?
Three-hundred-year-old Lin Qiwo: Even better, but it feels complicated.
The younger Lin Qiwo was called Lin Chao, a name that meant sunrise and dawn, full of hope.
Lin Chao was gullible and got fooled by Lin Qiwo. He could only say, his voice choked with tears, "Other me, you're not a bad person. You're just too lonely. I'll keep you company from now on."
He was also rather dim. Even though Lin Qiwo had gotten him into trouble, he praised him instead: "Other me, you're amazing! Like a hero, swinging your big blade and cutting down monsters. I really like you!"
He was also a shameless flirt and a bit of a player.
In all sorts of instances, whenever he ran into Lin Qiwo at a different point in his life, he would go over to touch him and rub against him, looking completely lovestruck.
One moment he would say, "This version of me is so handsome!"
The next, "This version of me is so cool!"
And in the end, he never forgot to turn back to three-hundred-year-old Lin Qiwo and say, "I still like the current me best! Only this me is my boyfriend. Give me a kiss, mwah~!"
Lin Qiwo: "..."
At last, Lin Chao, soft and dazzling as a little sun, took root in his heart.
Lin Chao pouted. "Boyfriend, why are you called Lin Qiwo? It sounds like you're going to abandon me. Can't you call yourself Lin Aiwo instead? You have to love me a whole, whole lot!"
Lin Qiwo changed his name.
"Those I leave behind cannot be kept, and the past is gone. Those who trouble my heart make today all the more vexing." [1]
He changed his name to Lin Zige.
The young Lin Chao happily threw himself into his arms and laughed. "Okay, then I'll change my name too. From now on, I'll be Lin Wushu!"
"Sing and dance freely, rejoice without restraint; be unbound, unhindered, and at ease." [2]
He was his past, his other half, and someone who understood him without a word.
Dating your younger self was troublesome, but sweet.
Lin Zige was healed. He grew younger and freer with every passing day, until one day, three hundred years of darkness could no longer compare to one lovestruck, silly grin from Lin Wushu.
He became his younger self's captive, and was captured willingly.
Lin Wushu said:
"Lin Zige, I love you."
"I love you more than you love yourself."
"Because I am you."
"Because... you're the silly, clueless one."
"Between the two of us... you're the one who was my boyfriend when I was younger."
Note [1]: From Farewell to Secretary Shu Yun at Xie Tiao Tower in Xuanzhou by the Tang dynasty poet Li Bai.
[2]: From West River Moon: Every Day, the Cups Overflow with Wine by the Song dynasty poet Zhu Dunru.
Theme: Self-respect and self-love are no match for being in love with yourself.
