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An author’s feelings are the key component in every book they write.
With every line of text printed on paper, different emotions gained the sympathetic response of the reader. Each successful book became a masterpiece to the public, and each recommendation was a step toward being a successful author.
To Dan Heng, it was no different. Ever since he started his career years ago, his success became apparent, with each book having high-grossing sales from the messages and his way with words. His books brought great lessons and advice, providing readers with another perspective on life — its realities and flaws, as well as its beauty through other points of view.
So when he published his next book, it was a bit of a surprise to think that, unlike his previous works, it was more of a love story than another book to help one’s outlook on life. Though a new approach, it gained positive feedback and readers of its genre.
But how could a pragmatic character like him come up with a fictional work that moved the hearts of many?
If an author wanted to be successful, they should draw experiences from their lives.
However, Dan Heng had no use for success, it just happened to be the byproduct of his words. Each word he had written, each text that had been printed — all were merely words he couldn’t express out loud.
And he hoped that they could reach her too.
“Congratulations on your first book’s success, Mr. Yinyue-Jun.”
He nodded politely, thanking them as he signed another book copy, mustering a smile as he handed the reader’s signed copy.
“These few months, you’ve already sold 750,000 copies… such an outstanding record for a young author starting, no?”
“Thank you for your kind words,” he simply replied, signing off another copy.
“Any plans for another book?”
He hummed.
“I will see the best I can do.”
An actress shines the most in the execution of the role they’re given.
To March, it was no different. Ever since she started her career years ago, her fame became widespread, with each movie she acted in having high-grossing records which earned her many awards and fans worldwide. Her movies and TV shows touched the hearts of many, her quirky personality charming the public as she donned her pretty smile.
When her next project was announced, the movie immediately became hyped by the fans. Each day until the premiere was filled with anticipation with presale tickets to theaters being in high demand, and the movie having more appeal to the female population due to its romance genre.
As always, people found her the perfect cast to play the female lead, and the readers commented on her matching characteristics with how the author described the character.
If a movie is to be successful, the casting should already cause anticipation for its audience.
However, March cared more about her passion than her success. Each role she had played, each movie and TV show she had starred in — all were to see herself in different personalities.
To think she’d find a role to fit perfectly was a rare coincidence.
“For an idol like you who started acting, you surely have a variety of talents, Ms. March.”
She smiled her usual — sweet and charming.
“Thank you! I will do my best!”
“With the positive reviews, I’m looking forward to your acting career, right Ms. Himeko?”
The redhead smiled, placing a gentle hand on March’s shoulder.
“March is a hard worker… always pushing herself to be the very best,” she remarked. “I’m quite concerned that she’s working too hard and neglecting her health.”
She chuckled, retaining her sweet smile as she placed a hand over hers.
“Ms. Himeko, I’m fine~” she reassured. “I always make sure to take breaks from time to time.”
“Besides, work is still work, after all.”
“Peach Blossoms From The Heart?”
Himeko hummed, taking a sip of her coffee.
“Well, what do you think, March?” She asked thoughtfully. “I do think you could play the role perfectly.”
She skimmed through the bit of script, nodding as she drank her coffee.
“Hm… it’s doable,” she replied.
Himeko smiled, putting her cup on the table, the ceramic clinking against the glass.
“I’ll call them then. Just sign the contract and it should be all good.”
March hummed, thanking Himeko as she left to make the call, leaving her to sign the document. She opened her phone, deciding to search for the novel to be adapted into a movie.
“Peach Blossoms From The Heart…” she mumbled, looking into the book and nodding with admiration at its positive reviews.
Hm, I should get one for myself~
The glass doors opened, and the sound of her redhead manager’s heels clicked against the wood as she entered with a smile.
“It’s settled.”
“You wanted to tell me something?”
She hummed, looking at him sheepishly.
“I…”
The girl glanced up at him before immediately averting her gaze, feeling her heart thumping as her breath hitched — her nerves evident before his presence.
“I…”
She could feel his stare on her, the arch of his brow as he looked curiously — an unspoken encouragement for her to say what she wanted. Her gaze landed everywhere but him, and she hoped she didn’t look as red as she thought.
Her eyes met his once more, swallowing nervously as the words seemed to be stuck in her throat, the fluttering peach blossoms doing little to ease her nerves.
Before she could spiral further, his voice anchored her back to reality.
The voice full of patience and understanding she couldn’t help but like — no, maybe more than like — love.
“Take your time—”
“I like you!”
When the words left her mouth, it was as if all the air had been sucked out of her, and she could feel her heart drumming as if willing to get out of her chest and follow the words that left her lips.
She had never felt this flustered — this shy because of him.
Liking him was one thing, confessing that she liked him was another.
She caught a glimpse of his surprise, his lips parted as he processed every word as if they held a deeper meaning than what they meant.
“You…”
She nodded.
“I like you!”
She could feel her chest tighten at his dumbfounded stare, bowing her head solemnly as she took a deep breath to compose herself as she felt the sinking feeling in her stomach.
The silence felt torturous, each second filled an awkward air as she could hear her beating heart.
“I…”
She looked up, her eyes widening slightly as he spoke, his brows furrowed as he looked at her with something she couldn’t tell — nervousness? Her lips parted to speak but shut immediately as her mind ran blank. She could only gulp nervously, though her eyes were expectant of his answer.
“I… like you too.”
The girl looked at him wide-eyed, and it was her turn to be dumbfounded.
‘He… He likes me.’
She bit her lip, blinking at him in momentary disbelief, though she couldn’t help but smile — happy that he liked her back, relieved that her confession this time didn’t end on a bad note.
Who knew that she’d end up with her best friend?
After all these years, they finally realized it all in that single moment — the spark she started which led to the next level of their relationship from being known friends to being a couple.
It made her really, really happy.
The lights were off, and projected on the screen was the awaited scene… a flashback to how they got together.
Peach blossom trees were in full bloom as the two leads stood beneath them; the girl was all flustered and shy as the boy looked at her with surprise.
“You…”
Mitsuki nodded.
“I like you!”
Tanko kept staring and the girl bowed her head, a solemn look on her face. There was a momentary silence between them, the cool wind sending chills down her spine before he spoke — the beating of her heart racing with each second.
“I…”
She looked up, her eyes expectant of his answer.
“I… like you too.”
The people of the theater clapped, cheering before it immediately died down, the audience’s gaze keen on watching the scene unfold.
March smiled, clapping softly as she remembered something from long ago.
“I like you!”
Her smile faltered slightly as she watched how the peach blossoms fell, its effects making the scene more romantic to capture its audience.
“I… like you too.”
She shook her head, trying to get her mind off the thought and stop reminiscing about something from about a decade ago.
“Are you okay?”
March looked at her co-star, smiling as she hummed.
“I am, thank you,” she reassured.
He nodded, his attention falling back onto the movie playing its premiere.
The audience was fully captured by the next scene that had played, another iconic moment from the book recreated in its live movie.
“I love you.”
Tanko looked down, pressing a soft kiss on her forehead as he pulled her closer.
“I love you too.”
Mitsuki smiled as she snuggled against him.
“How sweet of you,” she teased.
He huffed in amusement, his lips tugging into a small smile.
“I mean it, Baobei.”
March smiled as she watched, proud of her work, though her glazed eyes held something deeper within.
“Hm, I wish we could stay like this forever… 10,000 years?”
Tanko nodded, chuckling softly as he pressed another soft kiss on her forehead.
“Of course, Baobei… 10,000 years if that’s what you want.”
Mitsuki hummed contentedly.
“I will stick with you for the rest of your life then, Baobei.”
“Then, I will cherish you forever, Baobei.”
The director cued the start of the scene, and the two actors shifted their positions, embracing each other on the bed as they got into character.
They lay on the bed, their arms practiced around each other comfortably as the camera hovered over them, getting close-up shots from different angles as they recited their lines.
“I love you.”
He looked down, pressing a soft kiss on her forehead, and for a moment she swore she saw him as he pulled her closer.
“I love you too.”
March tried not to stiffen, finding herself in the strange yet familiar embrace of the man from long ago. She smiled as she snuggled closer.
“How sweet of you,” she said teasingly.
He huffed in amusement, and for a moment, March could find herself lost in the immersion her mind created.
“I mean it, Baobei."
She waited for a bit before reciting her next line.
“Hm, I wish we could stay like this forever… 10,000 years?”
He nodded, chuckling softly as he pressed another soft kiss on her forehead.
“Of course, Baobei… 10,000 years if that’s what you want.”
She hummed contentedly.
“I will stick with you for the rest of your life then, Baobei.”
“And cut!”
And on cue, March blinked the immersion away, and a pang of disappointment shot through, seeing that it was not him .
She took a deep breath, smiling as they got out of bed.
“Beautiful take, let’s keep it,” the director remarked, clapping his hands as the two went to watch the said take.
March smiled, thanking the director as he proposed to have another take of the scene. The both of them nodded in agreement as they got back into character.
She looked at him with eyes full of stars at his words before smiling cheekily as she teased him.
“What did you say? 10,000 years, what?”
He shook his head, his lips twitching as he suppressed a smile before sighing and pressing a chaste kiss on her lips, causing her to blink at him dumbfounded.
“10,000 years, even hundreds of tens of thousands of years,” he declared. “I will cherish you forever, Baobei.”
Her heart fluttered at his words, her cheeks red as her heart felt like running a long marathon at his declaration. She huffed, playfully swatting him to which he winced before chuckling.
“Smooth-tongued. Hmph. You have your way with words… you’re lucky I’m your devoted reader and recipient for every one of them.”
He nuzzled his face in the crook of her neck as he sighed again.
“I do believe written words convey more than saying them out loud,” he replied. “After all, if it’s written or printed… it would last longer than word of mouth.”
She hummed, breathing in his scent — a touch of maple and lotuses in a distinct scent.
“And, it’s easier to express emotion through a medium,” he added.
March looked at him, smiling softly.
“But you can always talk to me. After all, I’m a good girlfriend, listening to my boyfriend’s feelings,” she said playfully. “As long as you have your very cute girlfriend around, no problem of my boyfriend’s will be unsolved.”
He chuckled softly, a sound so rare she cherished it the most.
“Alright… whatever you say, Baobei.”
The audience was teary-eyed as the most awaited scene played, each line and word said just how it was described in the book.
Even March couldn’t help but remember the emotions she felt, how she gave her all to portray the character’s emotions as best as she could, each line a heart-wrenching quote the readers always commented about.
Her co-star noticing her bleary eyes, handed her tissues with a soft chuckle. She smiled, thanking him as she dabbed around her eye, trying to avoid ruining her makeup as she took a deep breath to compose herself.
“Why?”
Tanko sighed, his gaze downcast as he explained quietly.
“I don’t… love you anymore.”
Her eyes widened as a tear ran down her face, her voice shaky as she asked, “W-What?”
He looked at her with a hardened gaze, his emotions unreadable.
“You heard me well.”
Mitsuki shook her head in disbelief, swallowing the formed lump in her throat.
“Y-You’re joking again…” she retorted. “Why are you joking like this?”
He raised a brow.
“Joking?”
He took a deep breath.
“When did I ever joke about something serious, Mitsuki?”
“Tanko!”
“Tell me… what’s wrong,” she said, choking on a sob. “I will change what you don’t like about me! Please!”
He swallowed the forming lump in his throat, trying to suppress the emotional turmoil within.
“Why? Why are you breaking up with me like this? I thought—”
“I’m leaving, Mitsuki.”
Her eyes widened as her lips quivered, trying to keep herself together despite the tears that had already escaped.
Tanko sighed as he closed the distance between them, carefully embracing her with slight reluctance should she push him away.
But she didn’t.
It was a relieving thought as he finally found the words he wanted to say.
“Mitsuki…”
He gently ran his fingers through her hair, hoping it would soothe her.
“I… did all that because I didn’t want you to feel lonely and regret being with someone miles away.”
Mitsuki’s lips parted to speak, but no words came out. He took another deep breath, pulling away as he cupped her cheeks, his thumbs wiping the flowing tears off of her face.
“I didn’t want you to wait for something uncertain — something changeable.”
His lips tugged into a sad smile, a rare sight she had always cherished.
“But…”
“Tanko…” she muttered, her voice cracking as she suppressed another sob. “Do you…”
He shook his head profusely.
“No… no.”
He embraced her again, as tight as he could as if she would disappear if he didn’t hold onto her.
“I don’t want to leave you, Mitsuki,” he whispered. “But…”
Mitsuki hummed, finally finding it in herself to hug him back.
“But you have to.”
“I’m sorry…”
She pulled away, shaking her head as she placed a hand on his cheek.
“Tanko…”
She smiled bitterly before she finally broke into sobs, her emotions overwhelming any control she had moments ago.
“I will wait for you! I will always… wait for you!”
He took a deep breath, though a small smile formed on his lips as he hugged her tighter.
“Alright… whatever you say, Baobei.”
March sniffled, dabbing more tissues around her eye as she tried to keep her tears from falling. The audience around them tried to keep their sobs down, the scene all too heart-wrenching and moving for them which was the highlight they anticipated the most.
“Why?”
He sighed, his gaze downcast as he explained quietly.
“I don’t love you anymore.”
Her eyes widened as a tear ran down her face, her voice shaky as she asked, “W-What?”
He looked at her with a hardened gaze, his emotions unreadable.
“You heard me well.”
She shook her head in disbelief, swallowing the formed lump in her throat.
“You’re joking again!” she retorted. “Why are you joking like this? You’re so cruel!”
He raised a brow.
“Joking? When did I ever joke about something serious?”
“Shut up!”
He looked at her, trying to hold himself from feeling anything no matter how much his heart ached at the sight.
“Tell me… what’s wrong,” she said, choking on a sob. “I will change what you don’t like about me! Please!”
He swallowed the forming lump in his throat, trying to suppress the emotional turmoil within.
“Why? Why are you breaking up with me like this? I thought—”
“I’m leaving.”
Her eyes widened as her lips quivered, trying to keep herself together despite the tears that had already escaped.
He sighed as he remained in his spot.
“I don’t have a reason to stay around… now that I don’t love you anymore.”
“You…”
She huffed, another sob escaping her.
“You’re such a cruel man… I—”
“—It’s best that we end it all here.”
She scoffed bitterly before nodding.
“Go ahead,” she said quietly. “Leave. I don’t want to see you ever again.”
He nodded, averting his gaze from her and turning on his heel, walking away with each heavy step a reminder of their fallout.
She watched, frozen in place as she felt the harsh feeling of her heartbreaking before trying to mask it off with a laugh.
“It’s not you either…”
She wiped her tears away, but she only dropped to the ground, pouring all her emotions out through her sobs.
The movie ended on a good note — the two leads living happily after a few years since they resolved their situation — exceeding the audience’s expectations as they clapped when the credits rolled.
The room was filled with cheers and a few sobs from the minority due to the impact of the emotional lines in the iconic scenes taken from the book. The cheers died down as many stood up, taking their leave while a few stayed.
“Ms. March, I have to go now as well,” he said, handing a flower bouquet to her which she received.
She nodded, smiling.
“Ah, stay safe.”
Her co-star nodded, taking his leave as she stayed in the theater, watching the credit roll slowly come to an end.
A few lines of seemingly handwritten text came up, pausing for a while despite being challenging to understand due to the different language.
我的心里沉重的是我的遗憾。其中之一就是让你走。
在这个我想象的世界里，我表达我的愿望，让你看到我和你在一起的决心，告诉你我是如何真正地爱你。
唉，这个现实很久以前就离我遥不可及了。
March tried to read thoroughly, her breath hitching at the familiarity of its strokes and appearance but decided not to think much of it further.
She looked around, seeing how the last of the people walked out, her eyes noticing a figure covered from almost head-to-toe. She followed after watching him walk last to the line of people heading to the exit.
March walked out of the theater, taking a deep breath as she started to recall each anticipated scene, each line bringing a sense of familiarity she couldn’t quite place.
As if those scenes were inspired by experience.
From the moment she read the script, searched for the title, and bought and skimmed through a few pages of the book, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of deja vu the more she read the dialogues and lines.
She recalled the untranslated text at the end of the credit roll, reaching for the book in her bag as she flipped to the end.
There it was, the same handwritten note at the end, although a little neater than what was projected on the huge screen.
我的心里沉重的是我的遗憾。其中之一就是让你走。
在这个我想象的世界里，我表达我的愿望，让你看到我和你在一起的决心，告诉你我是如何真正地爱你。
唉，这个现实很久以前就离我遥不可及了。
March squinted, trying to make out the strokes of the language’s handwritten characters, though it seemed that the author didn’t intend for many to understand what it meant.
She sighed, closing the book as she put it in her bag, heading off to look for someone who had acted odd moments ago. However, she stopped in her tracks, giving the book a once-over as she scrutinized the cover.
Peach Blossoms From The Heart
Author: 饮月君(Yinyue-Jun)
March took a deep breath, though decided that she must’ve been overthinking things, and chose not to dwell on it further.
The theater almost emptied quickly as soon as the credits rolled, with a few remaining, though left when the credit roll ended with the handwritten text. He sat up after, walking out of the theater with a few who stayed until the end.
Adjusting his coat and mask, he separated from the small crowd, taking a more discreet way out of the building, preferring to remain anonymous and blend in with the public.
Unbeknownst to him, someone had noticed and looked around, seeing the theater light up for the next batch of people to watch the movie enter soon after a clean-up.
They walked to the exit, heading to a different path from the others to avoid any encounters and getting bombarded by the public.
.
.
.
.
.
“Congrats on the movie’s success, Mr. Yinyue-Jun!”
He hummed over the phone.
“Thank you.”
“Why, who knew you could be a romantic at heart?” They remarked. “You captured the attention of many from your previous works, and now you captured many more.”
He put his hand in his pocket, a small smile tugging on his lips.
“I appreciate the compliments. I will do my best and work harder.”
They clicked their tongue over the phone.
“You should enjoy the success this project has brought you for a while. Celebrate it before moving to another project. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your muse to write more books about her, hm?”
He chuckled, though it sounded more restrained than he’d like.
“Ah, I will take your word on that. Thank you.”
He ended the call, putting his phone into his coat pocket.
“Wait!”
He stopped in his tracks, standing rigid at the familiar voice — one he hadn’t heard in a while. He heard her footsteps, each click of her heel making his heart race.
“Yinyue-Jun, correct?”
He turned around and nodded in response.
March walked closer, each step slow and careful, though they didn’t dare show her nervousness.
“Yinyue-Jun…”
He hummed, his heart beating faster with every word she said, and every step she took toward him.
“If I may…” she began. “I know someone who wrote his essays and a few short stories, marking them with the same characters as the one on the cover.
March took a deep breath, closing the remaining distance between them as she stood before him.
“Dan Heng?”
His eyes widened slightly as he stared at her expectant gaze. He thought momentarily before he sighed, taking his mask off.
Her lips curled into a small smile, her heart thumping against her chest as she finally saw him after all these years. She stared momentarily, her expression bordering shock and happiness before instinctively hugging him.
“I wasn’t wrong after all…”
Dan Heng hummed, hugging her back and instinctively running a hand through her pink hair.
They stayed like that for a while, feeling each other’s warmth to remind them that this wasn’t just a dream.
“I’m sorry I hurt you,” he said quietly, but she only sniffled, looking at him with tears of joy running down her face and shaking her head.
“It's not your fault,” she replied.
“I shouldn’t have driven you away… I just didn’t want you to be too lonely without me around.”
March huffed.
“You’re a lying fool…” she muttered.
Dan Heng hummed.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered again.
He pulled away, looking at her as he cupped her face. As always, he wiped her tears away, looking at her with the same look full of gentleness and understanding from years ago.
“March…” he began. “Throughout these years, I still love you… Baobei.”
She hummed, nodding as she chuckled.
“I know, Baobei.”
A small smile formed on his lips, and he pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead before finally leaning in.
March wrapped her arms around him, accepting his kiss willingly.
Alas, that reality had become closer within reach in this story.
It’s you. It’s always been you.