The Ex's Tears Are So Hot - Chapter 16

Everyone finished choosing their houses and set off in their groups toward Zhounan Village.

Guan Jinnian and Xie Zhixin also got into the car prepared by the production team.

On the road, the follow-cam PD spoke from behind the camera:
“This ride will take about two hours. We’ve prepared some questions and hope you two can share your story with us.”

【Yay, I love this kind of segment!】
【I’m so curious how they met and got together!】
【They’ve been so low-key, there’s barely any trace of them online. Never showed off their love either.】
【Come to think of it, Guan Jinnian must really like Xie Zhixin. At least he never used their relationship to hype himself up. If Xie Zhixin hadn’t cried his way onto the trending list, no one would’ve even found out they were a thing.】

Guan Jinnian and Xie Zhixin didn’t object, so the PD took out a stack of cards and began reading the first question.

“First question: how did the two of you meet?”
“On set.”
“On set.”

They answered in unison.

PD: “Can you describe what the scene was like back then?”

Guan Jinnian glanced at Xie Zhixin. That guy was still grinning foolishly. Who knew what kind of exaggerated nonsense he’d say if left to answer, so Guan Jinnian decided to take this one himself.

He lowered his gaze and thought for a moment before answering,
“I had just graduated from college at the time…”

It was his first time joining a production. He’d landed a small supporting role in a short drama, and Xie Zhixin was the male lead.

He still remembered—it was one of those fast-paced, slap-the-face revenge stories. They had a crazy shooting schedule. Most of the actors would collapse after filming, but only Xie Zhixin still stood tall, watching the playback beside the director.

Guan Jinnian was impressed. He couldn’t take his eyes off him.

Back then, Xie Zhixin had a cool, aloof aura and rarely spoke off-camera—he gave off the vibe of someone detached from the crowd.

Guan Jinnian briefly described their first encounter from his point of view.

PD chuckled teasingly, “So you two were just unfamiliar coworkers at first? No love-at-first-sight moment?”

Guan Jinnian laughed. “No, nothing that dramatic.”

“It was love at first sight for me.”
Xie Zhixin suddenly added.

The PD jumped on it, excited:
“Oh? So from your point of view, it was love at first sight, Xie Laoshi?”

【OHHHHHHHHHH】
【You rascal! If they hadn’t asked this question, we never would’ve known!】
【LOL Guan Jinnian looks totally dumbfounded right now.】

And he was. He turned to look at Xie Zhixin, confused.

In his memory, they only got close during their second project together. On the first one, they barely spoke and even added each other on WeChat without chatting much.

But then it clicked—so that was why Xie Zhixin suddenly started approaching him and striking up conversation. He had already been interested?!

“You always looked at me with such admiration in your eyes,” Xie Zhixin said, “like there were stars in them. It was so cute… I’d been secretly watching you all along.”

“Then why didn’t you show it?” Guan Jinnian asked, confused. “I don’t remember you expressing any feelings.”

That opened the floodgates.

Xie Zhixin looked aggrieved, a little jealous even, and muttered:
“How could I not? I went out of my way to talk to you, but you didn’t seem interested.”

Guan Jinnian: “Well, you didn’t act like you were interested.”

“That’s because I thought you were straight! Don’t you remember that one actress who said you were so gentle and would make a great husband?”

Guan Jinnian paused, thinking… yeah, that did happen.

At the time, he was alone on set, trying to leave a good impression on everyone. So even as a total newbie, he tried to take care of his co-stars. Naturally, he was polite and friendly.

“And then?” he asked.

“You just smiled and didn’t deny it. You even looked a little shy! I thought you liked her!”
Xie Zhixin huffed, folding his arms in a pout.

“Pfft—haha…”

Guan Jinnian couldn’t help laughing. He hadn’t realized Xie Zhixin had gone through such an emotional rollercoaster.

He reached over to ruffle his hair and soothe him.
“Alright, don’t be mad at me. If I had known, I wouldn’t have let you feel insecure. There, there. Don’t be angry.”

Then he paused for a second, suddenly aware they were slipping into old habits—into the way they used to be together.

The vibe was just that good. Even he would sometimes forget… they had broken up.

The livestream chat exploded with squeals.

【AHHHH he said “There, there. Don’t be mad.” WHO CAN RESIST THAT?!】
【SO SWEET I’M GETTING DIABETES】
【This level of effortless intimacy can’t be faked… they’re really that sweet】
【Who even remembers they’re broken up?!】
【Hey don’t kill the mood!! I was smiling ear to ear and now I feel like I just got dunked in cold water 😭】

The PD watched them with a huge “auntie smile.” That was just the first question and already the drama and sweetness were off the charts. Perfect TV.

She checked the data in the group chat—Guan Jinnian and Xie Zhixin’s stream had the highest viewership of all four pairs, even double that of movie queen Lu Yue’s. Their popularity was through the roof.

There was still plenty of time in the ride to dig deeper. She pulled out the next card.

“Alright, next question! This one was submitted by our online audience.”

“When was your first time? Where? Who made the first move?”

The moment the question was read, Guan Jinnian covered his face, ears instantly turning bright red. Even Xie Zhixin looked a little embarrassed.

The livestream erupted.

【WHOEVER ASKED THIS QUESTION—GET THEM A MEDAL AND A SEAT AT THE DINNER TABLE】
【I’ve been half-asleep at work, now I’m WIDE AWAKE】
【This is the grown-up content I signed up for 👀】
【Please don’t skip it! Please please please!】

The PD, sensing the heat, added politely,
“If it’s too personal, you can skip this one.”

But…

【NO SKIPPING I’M BEGGING YOU】
【My friend is on her deathbed and her final wish is to hear this answer. Please… do it for her…】

Guan Jinnian clearly couldn’t say it himself.

He had expected personal questions going in, but still, when it came to actually answering… it was hard.

“Should we answer?” Xie Zhixin asked, leaning close. “Want to skip it?”

Guan Jinnian gave him a weak push and mumbled,
“…No need. You answer.”

Xie Zhixin straightened up, ready. He remembered it all clearly.

“It was around six months after we started dating. At home.”
He glanced at Guan Jinnian, saw no objection, and continued:
“Jinnian made the first move.”

【YOOOOOOOO】
【Did NOT expect that! Guan Jinnian is the type to make the first move??】
【OMG knowing he initiated it makes everything spicier somehow】

The PD was shocked:
“Really? Guan Laoshi made the first move?”

Guan Jinnian’s whole neck flushed red, but he nodded and gave a small “mm.”

“I didn’t expect it either,” Xie Zhixin said with a grin.
“What were you thinking at the time?”

“You’re seriously asking me that?”
Guan Jinnian, still red with embarrassment, nearly laughed in disbelief.
“Who was the one pretending to be all noble and gentlemanly even though they clearly wanted it? I just didn’t want to see you struggle anymore.”

Xie Zhixin beamed, inching closer and rubbing against him affectionately.

【“Clearly wanted it.”】
【“Still tried to act noble.”】
【I’M SCREAMING. THIS IS GOLD.】
【Xie Zhixin’s smug face says it all. He’s LIVING for this.】
【With a wife this doting, of course he’s smug. I’m actually getting emotional.】

“What are you grinning at? Sit back down.” Guan Jinnian barked, half shy and half annoyed.

He glanced at the teasing PD in front and cleared his throat, still blushing furiously.

“We answered. Next question, please.”

“Alright, Guan Laoshi,” the PD chuckled.

“Next question—what do you love most about each other?”

Xie Zhixin answered first:
“Everything. But if I had to pick one, I’d say his tolerance. He makes me feel loved. I feel very lucky.”

When it was Guan Jinnian’s turn, he fell silent.

Just days ago, he’d been asking himself this exact question.

Back then, what had he thought?

That he was too exhausted. That he couldn’t even remember why he liked this person. Couldn’t recall what it was that drew him in…

But now, faced with the same question again, he finally had an answer.

The sweet, flirty air between them began to cool. Xie Zhixin grew anxious at his silence, fear creeping into his heart—but he forced it down.

The audience could feel the shift too.

【Why’s he quiet now…? Is it that hard a question?】
【Don’t forget—they’re broken up. Guan Jinnian was the one who ended it. It makes sense he’s hesitating.】
【Damn. This just turned from sweet to sad REAL quick. I was grinning a second ago, now I’m lighting a cigarette in emotional damage.】

Just as everyone thought he might skip the question, Guan Jinnian finally spoke:

“I think what I loved most was how safe he made me feel. When I was with him, I didn’t have to overthink everything.”

He turned to look out the window at the drifting clouds, eyes filled with a quiet sense of longing.

“He’s so reliable. When he was by my side, I felt like I didn’t have to be afraid of anything.”