Twenty-Four Hours

Dashing, one-of-a-kind pilot vs. a scheming air traffic controller who plays the pig to eat the tiger

A (fake) marriage-to-love story between two childish show-offs who act like mortal enemies on the surface

1.

Xu Jinhuan and Qin Anye's first real confrontation took place in the post-flight briefing room.

She had routed him through three extra turns, so he leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed and raised an eyebrow at her. "Controller Xu, is this personal revenge?"

But Xu Jinhuan calmly flipped through the flight data sheet without even looking up. "Captain Qin, there was a thunderstorm warning ahead. You couldn't fly straight through it. Regulations forbid it. If you keep making a scene, I'll be happy to report your resignation for you right now."

"..."

At that, the safety officer beside them silently edged half a step toward the door.

The second time they met was at the civil affairs bureau.

He had just gotten off a flight and hadn't changed out of his uniform. He twirled a pen between his fingers and suggested with a crooked smile, "One year. We each live our own lives?"

Xu Jinhuan lowered her head to sign. At his words, the pen paused.

"Fine."

2.

After they married, she did exactly as promised.

On duty, she addressed him formally as "Captain Qin." Off duty, she didn't just pretend they weren't close, she went out to bars with a carefree air, determined to keep up the image of a secretly married single woman.

Qin Anye, regretting his careless words, sat alone at home staring at the long string of messages he'd sent without getting a reply. He abruptly placed his phone face down on the corner of the table.

He thought the woman had been born without a heart, and his frustration grew by the day.

Until one time, during a delay at two in the afternoon, he idly scrolled through her social media feed.

It was empty. The only thing in the background was a photo of them together

At the flight academy's open day three years earlier, he had won the first flight competition and was surrounded by people taking pictures. He looked young and full of himself.

In the corner of the photo was a girl with a ponytail, turning to look at him.

Qin Anye froze on the spot.

The next second, his phone buzzed.

A message popped up in his pinned chat and through his headset at the same time: "Captain Qin, the weather has cleared. You're cleared for takeoff."

After a crackle of static, Qin Anye stared at the message, motionless for a long time.

At last, he raised a finger to press the microphone button and let out a very quiet laugh.

"Xu Jinhuan, you've been hiding this pretty well."

"Were you playing me?"

Love Letter Scene

Dear Qin Anye,

Perhaps you'll never know.

You were the joy of my youth.

Of course,

The reverse is true of you, too.

Unfortunately, it seems there has always been some irresistible time difference between us.

But I still eagerly hope we can fall in love during this time out of sync.

Even if it sounds more like a fantasy than reality.

Still, I'll do everything I can to wish you well.

Day and night, sleep well.

I love you.

I truly love you.

Through countless days separated by twenty-four hours,

I have loved only you, and no one else.

I hope you land safely.

And I hope that one day,

my midnight may be lucky enough to kiss your dawn.

Written at home by Xu Jinhuan on the eve of her first wedding anniversary with Anye.

/May Jinhuan find her Anye, and may Anye remain at peace./

Theme: Cherish each other in love.