Chapter 73: Sooner or Later, He Would Marry Her

Chapter Seventy-Three: He Will Eventually Marry Her

When one is waiting for a particular program, every performance before it becomes a test of patience. This was true not only for Zhang Le’s family and friends, but also for the fans of Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er. Zhang Le’s relatives simply wanted to see him perform at the Spring Festival Gala and were equally curious to see what his girlfriend looked like. As for the fans, besides longing to witness their idols shine on the gala stage, their greatest interest lay in the duet the two would sing together.

In a sense, this was the first song Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er would perform as a duet. Although they had already sung together at the New Year’s Eve show on Yanjing TV, the song chosen for the Spring Festival Gala was decided even earlier.

“Dimples” is undeniably a lovely, even classic song. Now, on a grander stage, what would Zhang Le present?

At 8:50, after a dance ended, cheerful music began to play, and Zhang Le led Yang Xin’er onto the stage, hand in hand.

“My goodness! On New Year’s Eve, can’t you spare a thought for us single folks? Matching couple outfits—don’t you have any other clothes? Flaunting your love even on the Spring Festival Gala stage—this is just too much.”

Whenever Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er appeared at events or joined shows, they almost always wore matching couple outfits. Even at the Golden Song Awards, they walked the red carpet in coordinated attire. Now, those same matching clothes had made their way onto the Spring Festival Gala stage. No force on earth could stop them from wearing couple outfits into space.

For single people, this was infuriating—though the anger was born of envy and jealousy.

Everyone knew Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er would appear at the gala, but no one expected them to perform in couple outfits on such a stage.

They were displaying their affection without restraint!

“Xiao Le is on! Xiao Le is on!”

“The girl he’s holding hands with—she’s his girlfriend, right? She’s so beautiful!”

“They’re such a perfect match! Talented man, beautiful woman!”

“Sister-in-law, Xiao Le has found such a lovely daughter-in-law for you—no wonder my son doesn’t dare bring his girlfriend home,” Aunt Zhou Qin remarked.

Zhang Huan looked at his girlfriend Li Yun, smiled, squeezed her hand, and whispered into her ear, “You’re the most beautiful in my heart.”

Lin Yun blushed, glanced around, and seeing everyone’s attention was fixed on the TV, felt much more at ease. She was a bit shy—life in the countryside couldn’t compare to the city.

“I never thought your brother was really Zhang Le. I still feel like I’m dreaming,” Lin Yun said with a smile.

“I’ve told you so many times, but you wouldn’t believe me. Wait until he and Yang Xin’er come home in a couple of days, then you’ll know it’s not a dream,” Zhang Huan replied, shaking his head.

Both turned their gaze to the television, and the surrounding family and friends fell silent.

The blossoming of spring takes away the sorrow of winter,
A gentle breeze brings the scent of romance...
The fragrance of spring flowers dispels the chill of winter,
A gentle breeze brings unexpected love...
Yesterday is too late, tomorrow may be a pity,
Will you marry me today?
...
Yesterday has passed, tomorrow brings more memories,
Today, you must marry me!

Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er, dressed in red couple outfits, looked festive and perfectly suited to the gala stage. Twelve pairs of brides and grooms, clad in suits and wedding dresses, danced behind them as their background, making their own attire stand out even more.

“Today You Must Marry Me,” owing to time constraints, was not performed in its entirety by Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er. As in the version from the past, the rap section was omitted, though this rendition was nearly a minute longer.

The song cleverly used the imagery of changing seasons to portray the sweet journey from love to marriage. Its catchy folk melody, graceful harmonica, and overall romantic sweetness made it impossible not to feel a touch of joy in one’s heart.

After tonight, “Today You Must Marry Me” would inevitably become the duet of choice for lovers celebrating their romantic moments.

“This song is wonderful!”

Regardless of whether the relatives truly thought so, praise followed Zhang Le’s performance. Perhaps they simply believed that any song performed at the Spring Festival Gala must be good.

To appear on the gala is to be excellent.

Maybe their words were mere courtesy, but for Zhang Le’s parents and family, such remarks filled them with pride.

Once Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er finished their performance, they did not linger. The next day, they had to fly home and could not wait for the gala to end.

They no longer had time to pay attention to their outfits or the impact of their song.

In the past, when this song was performed at the gala, the duo also wore matching outfits, almost identical to Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er’s. Yet, their attire had not drawn much attention because they were not a couple.

But Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er had flaunted their love in matching outfits countless times before—a record of offenses. So, for everyone, their costumes were not for the sake of the performance, but another deliberate or inadvertent display of affection.

To show love so openly on the Spring Festival Gala stage—they were truly unprecedented, and perhaps would remain unmatched.

There were plenty of love duets at the gala, but since the performers were not couples, it was considered mere performance—no real affection, no real display of love.

A performance and a genuine display of affection are fundamentally different.

There are many celebrity couples or married stars, but to perform together on the gala stage is exceedingly rare. So far, only Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er have done so.

In truth, Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er were somewhat unfairly treated. The gala outfits were not their own choice—the costumes were provided by the program team.

Before the gala had even ended, the internet was abuzz with discussions about the two. Criticism flowed, though most was tinged with envy and jealousy. Praise and blessings also abounded.

On the first day of the new year, Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er took an early flight home.

Meanwhile, a post about them went viral online:

He Will Eventually Marry Her!

From the title alone, much could be inferred—he first, she second. Who marries whom is reversed from tradition. The headline dripped with irony and endless envy.

With rumors of a whirlwind marriage and their relationship deepening, Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er had just performed “Today You Must Marry Me” for the entire nation on the gala stage.

Was this not a clear sign that they were ready to talk about marriage?

No one was surprised by their talk of marriage—it seemed only natural, merely a matter of time.

Their affection was so pronounced that you could not mention one without the other.

For those who saw Yang Xin’er as a goddess, your chances are gone.

For those who saw Zhang Le as the ideal man, your hopes are dashed.

He will eventually marry her! He will eventually wed her!