In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

February 14th, Valentine's Day.

The sky over Beijing was overcast, and the weather forecast predicted light snow. But Yang Guangming, standing on the red carpet at the premiere, was in a bright and cheerful mood.

The day has finally arrived for the simultaneous release of "Love Letter" across Asia.

This marks the first time in the history of Chinese-language cinema that a film has been released simultaneously across Asia—Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand… On the same day, the same story unfolds on screens in different countries and regions.

The premiere was held at Beijing's largest cinema, and the hall, which can hold 800 people, was packed to capacity. The red carpet stretched from the cinema entrance all the way to the edge of the street, with reporters and movie fans crowding both sides.

Today, Yang Guangming was wearing a dark gray suit, custom-made in Hong Kong, with a well-fitting cut that accentuated his tall and straight figure. Chen Hong and Zuo Xiaoqing stood on either side of him.

Chen Hong wore a red dress, looking radiant and beautiful; Zuo Xiaoqing wore a white dress, looking pure and innocent.

Fan Bingbing and Gao Yuanyuan stood a little further back. It was their first time attending such a large premiere, and they were both nervous and excited. Fan Bingbing wore a pink tulle dress, her eyes sparkling; Gao Yuanyuan chose a light blue dress, looking quiet and gentle.

"Are you ready?" Yang Guangming turned to ask the people around him.

Chen Hong smiled slightly and reached out to straighten his tie: "Ready?"

Zuo Xiaoqing took a deep breath and nodded.

Fan Bingbing and Gao Yuanyuan nodded vigorously.

The cheers from both sides of the red carpet grew louder, and flashes of light went off one after another. Yang Guangming took the lead and stepped onto the red carpet.

At that moment, all the cameras were pointed at him.

As the youngest director to win the Palme d'Or, the youngest actor to win the Venice Film Festival Best Actor award, and the creator and singer of a song for the Spring Festival Gala, Yang Guangming has too many accolades that attract attention.

Today marks the premiere of his first commercial romance film.

The reporters' questions came one after another:
"Director Yang, do you have expectations for the box office?"

"Director Yang, why did you choose to adapt Ri Dao's novel?"

"Chen Hong, how was your experience working with Director Yang this time?"

Yang Guangming smiled the whole way, waving occasionally, but never stopped walking. He knew the real answer was in the movie.

Chen Hong linked arms with him, walking with ease. This wasn't her first time walking the red carpet; in the year or so she'd spent in Hong Kong, she'd attended countless events, big and small. But today was different. Today, she was standing beside him, supporting their shared film.

Zuo Xiaoqing walked on the other side of the sunlight, trying her best to keep smiling. She wasn't quite used to this kind of occasion yet, but a voice inside her told her: she had to get used to it, she had to grow, she had to be worthy of standing beside him, and especially she couldn't lose to Chen Hong.

Fan Bingbing and Gao Yuanyuan walked behind, their arms linked, like two little deer who had wandered into the forest, both curious and nervous.

After walking the red carpet for nearly an hour, the guests and the creative team finally entered the cinema lobby.

The premiere was hosted by a presenter from CCTV's movie channel, and the atmosphere was lively. Yang Guangming, as both the director and lead actor, was invited on stage for an interview.

"Director Yang, please say hello to everyone first."

Yang Guangming took the microphone, and the audience fell silent.

"Hello everyone, I'm Yang Guangming." His voice was steady, with a touch of magnetism. "Standing here today, I feel very special. This film has been in preparation for exactly five months, from its initial planning to its release today. During these five months, many people have poured their hearts and souls into it. Thank you to all the main creators, thank you to all the staff, and thank you to every audience member who is here today."

applause.

The host then asked, "Why did you choose to adapt the Japanese novel 'Love Letter'?"

Yang Guangming thought about it. He had answered this question many times, but each time the answer was slightly different. Today, he decided to tell the truth.

“Because I believe that some emotions transcend national borders.” He looked at the densely packed audience below the stage. “Unrequited love, regret, memories… these emotions are not limited by nationality or age. Everyone has experienced them and can empathize with them. I want to tell a story about these emotions in a Chinese way.”

The audience erupted in even louder applause.

Chen Hong and Zuo Xiaoqing were also invited to the stage. The two stood on either side of the bright sunlight, one mature and radiant, the other pure and lovely, each with her own unique beauty.

"Chen Hong, you play two roles in this movie. Are you under a lot of pressure?" the host asked.

Chen Hong took the microphone and smiled slightly: "The pressure is quite great. The adult Su Shu and Lin Wei are two characters with completely different personalities, but they are different facets of the same person. When filming, Director Guangming explained the scenes in great detail, helping me to refine every look and every movement."

She turned to look at Yang Guangming, her eyes full of trust: "Without him, I definitely wouldn't have been able to act well."

Some people in the audience started to cheer, and applause and laughter mingled together.

When asked about her experience acting in the film, Zuo Xiaoqing held the microphone, looking a little nervous but trying to appear composed.

"This isn't my first time acting, but it's the first time I've played such an important role. When I first joined the crew, I didn't know anything... Director Yang and all the other teachers taught me step by step." Her voice was still a little soft, but very sincere. "I hope my performance didn't disappoint everyone."

Fan Bingbing and Gao Yuanyuan were also invited to the stage. The two young girls stood on the stage, exuding youthful energy.

Fan Bingbing is lively and cheerful, her eyes curving into crescents as she speaks: "I play Zhou Xiaomeng, who is Su Shu's deskmate. This character is especially cute, and I really like her."

Gao Yuanyuan didn't say much, just a few simple words, but her quiet demeanor already attracted a lot of attention from the audience.

After the interview session, the film officially began screening.

The lights dimmed, and the theater fell silent.

The screen lights up, and the scene appears—a vast expanse of white snow, with a woman in a black coat walking through it, her footprints deep and shallow.

This is the opening sequence of the movie.

Yang Guangming sat in the middle of the first row, with Chen Hong to his left and Zuo Xiaoqing to his right. Both of them were focused on the screen, but Yang Guangming could feel Chen Hong's hand gently resting on the back of his hand, and Zuo Xiaoqing's arm quietly linking with his.

The movie slowly unfolds.

In a middle school library, sunlight streamed through the windows. Zuo Xiaoqing, playing the young Su Shu, stood before the bookshelves, her fingers lightly tracing the rows of books. Yang Guangming, playing the male Su Shu, walked past her without looking at her, but she glanced back.

That glance was light and brief, but everyone could sense that something had been quietly planted.

Fan Bingbing, who plays Zhou Xiaomeng, chatters away, while Gao Yuanyuan, who plays Lin Xiao, sits quietly by the window reading. The classroom scenes are lighthearted and fun, and the young actors' performances are natural and sincere, without any awkwardness.

In the scenes depicting the adult Su Shu, Chen Hong's performance was stunning. She portrayed the quiet and reserved adult Su Shu, who worked in a library, with a subtle sadness in her eyes. Her portrayal of the character's emotional shifts upon receiving Lin Wei's letter—from initial confusion and surprise to being gradually moved—was nuanced and exquisite.

Lin Wei's role is completely different. Chen Hong embodies a different character, gentle yet persistent, with a subtle vulnerability hidden beneath the surface. Two characters, the same face, yet the audience can clearly distinguish between them.

The most touching scene was the ending.

The female Su Shu finally received the belated letter. Inside was a portrait of her that the male Su Shu had drawn years ago. She stood in the snow, looking at the painting, tears slowly welling up, but she didn't cry out loud.

The camera zooms out, snowflakes flutter down, her figure grows smaller and smaller, and finally disappears into the vast white snow.

The screen went dark, and the credits slowly appeared.

The theater was completely silent.

Then applause broke out, growing louder and louder until it finally turned into thunderous applause.

When the lights came on, Yang Guangming saw that many people around him had red eyes. Chen Hong was wiping away tears, and Zuo Xiaoqing's eyes were also red. Fan Bingbing and Gao Yuanyuan hugged each other, and both girls cried.

After the premiere, the creative team gave a group interview to the media.

The reporters' questions were more specific and in-depth than on the red carpet. Some asked Yang Guangming about his box office expectations, some asked Chen Hong about the difficulty of playing two roles, some asked Zuo Xiaoqing about her experience acting this time, and others asked Fan Bingbing and Gao Yuanyuan about their future plans.

Yang Guangming answered each question calmly and methodically.

A reporter asked, "Director Yang, are you confident that this film will be released simultaneously throughout Asia?"

Yang Guangming thought for a moment and said seriously, "I am confident, but the final evaluation should be left to the audience. Once the movie is finished, my task will be completed. The rest is between the audience and the movie."

Someone else asked, "I heard you're going to be on the Spring Festival Gala and sing a song you wrote yourself, is that true?"

Yang Guangming smiled and said, "If nothing unexpected happens, it should be true." The scene erupted in an uproar. This news hadn't been officially announced yet, and Yang Guangming was essentially confirming it for the first time.

Reporters immediately pressed for more details, but Yang Guangming waved his hand dismissively: "We're only talking about the movie today; we'll discuss the Spring Festival Gala later."

The group interview lasted for nearly an hour, ending close to 9 p.m.

Stepping out of the movie theater, fine snowflakes began to fall. On Valentine's Day night in Beijing, the neon lights shone through the snow, creating a beautiful scene.

Chen Hong stood beside Yang Guangming, watching the snowflakes fall on his shoulders, and said softly, "The night view is really beautiful tonight."

Zuo Xiaoqing was on the other side, reaching out to catch a few snowflakes and watching them melt in her palm.

Fan Bingbing and Gao Yuanyuan stood behind, chattering away. You could vaguely hear things like "It's so beautiful" and "I cried three times."

"Let's go home for dinner." Yang Guangming put his arm around Chen Hong and Zuo Xiaoqing's waist and walked towards the car parked by the roadside.

Fan Bingbing and Gao Yuanyuan were arranged to take another car back to their accommodation. Before they got in, Fan Bingbing ran over and whispered to Yang Guangming, "Director Yang, the movie was really great! I want to act in movies like this again!"

Gao Yuanyuan also came over and said softly, "Thank you, Director Yang."

Yang Guangming nodded: "Work hard, and there will definitely be opportunities to cooperate again in the future."

The two girls nodded vigorously, then got into the car.

The car drove away from the film studio and disappeared into the snowy night.

Back in the courtyard house, the kitchen had already prepared a late-night snack: steaming dumplings, several side dishes, and a bottle of red wine.

The three people sat around the dining table in a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

Chen Hong raised her glass: "Guangming, congratulations. The movie was a great success."

Zuo Xiaoqing also raised her glass: "Brother Guangming, congratulations."

Yang Guangming clinked glasses with them and drank it all in one gulp.

"Thank you for your hard work." He looked at the two women, his eyes full of tenderness. "The promotional work will continue. Are you ready?"

Chen Hong nodded: "I'm ready. Tomorrow I'll go to Hong Kong Island first, Xiaoqing will come with me, and then we'll go to Taiwan and Singapore."

This was the previously planned publicity campaign. Because of the Spring Festival Gala rehearsals, Yang Guangming couldn't participate in the entire Asian promotion, so Chen Hong, along with Zuo Xiaoqing, Fan Bingbing, and Gao Yuanyuan, would travel to most of the cities.

Zuo Xiaoqing was a little nervous: "Sister Chen Hong, please teach me a lot then, I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it."

Chen Hong smiled: "Don't worry, I'm here."

Seeing the two getting along so well, Yang Guangming felt gratified. Over this period, they had found their rhythm in each other's company. While they couldn't be as close as sisters, they at least respected and supported each other. That was enough.

It was almost 11 p.m. when we finished our late-night snack.

Chen Hong held Yang Guangming's hand: "Will you stay with me tonight? You're leaving again tomorrow."

Zuo Xiaoqing, who was standing nearby, lowered her head and remained silent upon hearing this.

Yang Guangming looked at her, then at Chen Hong, and said, "I'll stay with Honghong tonight. You two can travel together tomorrow. Take care of each other on the way."

Zuo Xiaoqing nodded, though there was some disappointment in her eyes, she still stood up: "Then I'll go to sleep first, I have to get up early tomorrow."

She walked over, gently kissed Yang Guangming's face, and said to Chen Hong, "Goodnight, Sister Chen Hong."

Chen Hong replied to her, "Goodnight, Xiaoqing."

After Zuo Xiaoqing left, Chen Hong leaned on Yang Guangming's shoulder and whispered, "She's becoming more and more sensible."

Yang Guangming hugged her: "You too."

Chen Hong smiled, but as she smiled, her eyes reddened: "Guangming, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you for being so honest and respectful." Her voice was soft. "I never thought I could accept this kind of relationship. But now, it doesn't seem so difficult."

Yang Guangming didn't say anything, but simply hugged her tighter.

Outside the window, the snow is still falling.

The night was quiet and warm.

The next morning, Yang Guangming saw Chen Hong and Zuo Xiaoqing off to the airport.

Fan Bingbing and Gao Yuanyuan were already waiting at the airport. The two girls were dressed casually today, wearing masks and sunglasses, but their youthful energy was undeniable.

Seeing Yang Guangming, Fan Bingbing jogged over: "Director Yang, our first stop is Hong Kong Island, then Taiwan Island, and then Singapore, right?"

Yang Guangming nodded: "Yes, President Shi will arrange everything. You all follow Sister Chen Hong and listen to her instructions."

"Okay!" Fan Bingbing nodded vigorously.

Gao Yuanyuan also came over and said softly, "Director Yang, we will try our best."

Looking at the two young girls, Yang Guangming felt a pang of emotion. Just a few months ago, they were students with no acting experience. Now, they were touring Asia with the film crew for promotional purposes.

“Go ahead,” he said. “Be careful on the road.”

Chen Hong walked over and hugged him. The hug was longer than usual.

"Call me when you arrive," Yang Guangming whispered in her ear.

"Ah."

Zuo Xiaoqing also came over and hugged him. She didn't say anything, she just hugged him very tightly.

Yang Guangming gently patted her back: "Do a good job of promoting it, don't be nervous."

Zuo Xiaoqing nodded and released him.

Fan Bingbing and Gao Yuanyuan also came over to say goodbye to Yang Guangming. Fan Bingbing chattered on and on, while Gao Yuanyuan just waved quietly.

The four people turned and walked towards the security checkpoint.

Yang Guangming stood there, watching them disappear into the crowd.

Then he turned around and walked out of the airport.

It was still snowing outside, and the snow was even heavier than yesterday. Duan Yunfeng was already waiting at the door in his car.

"Back to the city?" Duan Yunfeng asked.

Yang Guangming nodded: "Go to CCTV."

Over the next few days, Yang Guangming threw himself into the intense rehearsals for the Spring Festival Gala.

February 16th, Spring Festival Gala rehearsal.

February 17th, the final recording and rehearsal for the Spring Festival Gala.

Every rehearsal went smoothly, and Yang Guangming's performance improved with each rehearsal. Zhang Hai's praise for him grew: "Director Yang, you were born for the stage."

February 18th, Lunar New Year's Eve.

At 3 PM sharp, Yang Guangming appeared at CCTV. (End of Chapter)