As the awards ceremony unfolded, Ni Jingxi sat in the audience watching one photo after another, along with news clips, slide across the big screen. Even though they had been stigmatized as 'journalists,' even though there were indeed bad apples in their group, and even though justice and responsibility in society were not so important these days.
But there is always a group of people who persist on the front lines, silently taking photos and reporting news stories.
Ni Jingxi saw a photo of firefighters going against the flow of traffic.
That photo is considered one of the most touching for the Chinese people. It was the reporter who captured these great yet ordinary moments, allowing everyone to see their dedication.
As the awards ceremony drew to a close, it was time for the organizing committee to announce its highest-level awards.
As the shortlisted photos appeared one by one on the big screen, the last one was Ni Jingxi's 'LIVE', the photo that had moved countless people. It showed a chaotic explosion site, a soldier crouching down with a gun in his arms, and a little boy with a face covered in dust raising his hand with all his might.
That was the hope of trying to live, that was the belief in survival.
Although this photo is still, everyone who sees it feels that it is alive; it is so vivid that everyone can feel the child's strong will to live.
Even as the photographer, Ni Jingxi's eyes still welled up with tears the moment she saw the live performance.
Because she knew the story behind the photo better than anyone else.
The man who wanted to give his son a chance to live.
When the white-haired presenter on stage, Mr. Xu Ming, the first Chinese recipient of the gold medal at the Dutch World News Awards, slowly opened the envelope, his eyes fell on the name on it, and then he looked up and swept his gaze across the audience.
The nominees for the special award were all sitting in the audience. His gaze swept over them one by one, finally landing on Ni Jingxi.
"Congratulations to reporter Ni Jingxi on her live broadcast."
LIVE, life is also survival.
The entire venue erupted in applause. Ni Jingxi was the youngest among the finalists and the only female reporter.
Amidst the thunderous applause, Ni Jingxi stood up.
As she walked out of the aisle, she shook hands with everyone who passed by, and then she walked step by step onto the stage.
Instead of a long dress, she wore a black suit today. The handsome and poised young woman shone brightly as soon as she stepped onto the stage, attracting everyone's attention.
The stage lights shone on her as she slowly turned and stood in front of the microphone after receiving the trophy from teacher Xu Ming. Looking down at the audience, she showed no nervousness; her already fair skin appeared even more porcelain-white under the lights.
But she never gave people the feeling of a porcelain doll.
When Ni Jingxi slowly raised her head, her eyes appeared directly in front of the camera, those persistent and dark eyes.
She chuckled softly and finally spoke her first words: "I think everyone who knows this photo knows the story behind the live performance."
She paused slightly, her eyes welling up with tears again, even though she was always moved whenever she recalled that scene.
Ni Jingxi stopped laughing. Her voice came through the microphone, and her clear voice attracted everyone: "I met the boy in the photo and his father before this photo was taken. They were a very ordinary family. They didn't have much money and could only buy necessities at secondhand markets like this."
"If there hadn't been a terrorist attack, they would still be an ordinary family, and they wouldn't have become known to the whole world because of a photo. If I could, I would wish that this live performance had never existed."
The once noisy venue gradually quieted down.
She forced a smile and said, "I never want to be a lucky journalist because I have a photo that can be passed down through the ages. But I also hope that more people can see these places, surrounded by war, terrorist attacks, and disease, but they have never stopped trying to live. Someone once asked me what my biggest wish was, and he smiled when I answered."
"But today I still want to say my wish again. I hope for world peace. I hope there will never be another photo like LIVE. I hope there will never be another father who dies with a bomber to give his child a chance to survive."
After speaking, Ni Jingxi bowed deeply to the audience below the podium.
At this moment, a huge and prolonged round of applause erupted from the audience.
Huo Shenyan was sitting in the car at this moment. He looked down at the girl on the computer screen and saw that her eyes were slightly sparkling. He couldn't help but look up.
No matter what, his girl never lost her childlike innocence.
Until Ni Jingxi's voice rang out again, she said softly, "Being a war correspondent is an experience I will never forget in my life, and I also want to say to my husband, thank you for bringing me home."
When Huo Shenyan looked down at the girl on the screen, she stared stubbornly at the camera, and suddenly her eyes blinked slightly.
"Thank you for your understanding. If I had to say what my greatest fortune in this life is, it would be to become Huo Shenyan's wife."
At this moment, the camera even captured an audience member wiping away tears.
Far away, Huo Shenyan slowly rolled down the car window beside him. He turned his head to look out the window, a slight smile playing on his lips. The night breeze in Shanghai had become so soft and gentle again, as if from some unknown moment.
He chuckled softly and reached out to press the computer button.
She said it was the greatest luck of her life, but little did she know that it was also his greatest happiness.
*
October 27th finally arrived.
The Huo family booked an entire resort, and the wedding was kept completely secret. However, this did not stop everyone from being curious about their wedding. After all, compared to the weddings in the entertainment industry that are often called "weddings of the century," this wedding was the real "wedding of the century."
The wedding ceremony was held outdoors, and the entire outdoor stage was set up with fresh flowers, mainly in white and light blue, creating a fresh and elegant atmosphere.
Compared to the Huo family's large number of guests, the Ni family had very few people.
However, Ni Pingsen also invited many of his old friends this time. Since regaining his memory, he had returned to his hometown of Nanxun. Originally, everyone had some complaints about him not coming back for so many years.
But after learning about his ordeal, they all felt heartbroken.
When Ni Pingsen was about to return, his car was filled with local specialties that his family had given him.
Ni Jingxi's bridesmaid lineup was too luxurious, with Yan Han, Chen Chen, Ai Yaya, Tang Mi, Hua Zheng and Shen Qiqi, making a total of six girls.
The best men on Huo Shenyan's side were vying for the best man position even more fiercely.
Tang Mi laughed hysterically when she heard about this, thinking how stupid these people were, who would go out of their way to be humiliated like that.
Sure enough, when it came time for the wedding procession, everyone went completely crazy.
Despite her sweet and cute appearance, Yan Han has one bad habit after another. She only stopped because she was afraid that she would make things too difficult for the best men and they would quit.
When it came time for the wedding ceremony, the emcee came over and checked everything with them again just before they went on stage.
In particular, he instructed Ni Pingsen to walk slowly when going on stage, because Ni Jingxi's wedding dress had a train that was several meters long, and her veil was even longer, trailing several meters on the ground.
Ni Pingsen nodded.
When it was time for their official entrance, Ni Jingxi took Ni Pingsen's arm and walked forward, while Ni Pingsen slowly stepped out, one step at a time.
Everyone was watching them. Ni Jingxi asked in a low voice, somewhat puzzled, "Dad, is it too slow?"
Ni Pingsen didn't turn his head, but said softly, "Dad really hopes this road will never end."
But not far away stood Huo Shenyan, dressed in a black tuxedo. His suit was custom-made, which accentuated his straight shoulders and narrow waist, making him look almost too handsome.
When Ni Jingxi finally walked up to him, her emotions weren't initially that turbulent.
When Ni Jingxi's hand was handed to Huo Shenyan by Ni Pingsen, and he gently held her hand with both of his, her eyes suddenly reddened.
She lost her mother at a young age and was raised by her father.
Now her father has handed her hand to another man, the man she deeply loves, looks up to, cherishes, and believes in for the rest of her life.
Huo Shenyan also looked at his bride, who was dressed in pure white today, looking both innocent and beautiful.
When he held her hand.
At that moment, the star in his heart seemed to gradually become hot.
He had never understood what love was like, and he restrained himself in every aspect of his life. Even when he had everything, his world was never vibrant, and his heart was always barren, with not a single blade of grass growing.
Until that star shone in his life.
This star gave his world day and night, joy and sorrow, happiness and separation. He once embraced her passionately amidst the flames of war, and they were also briefly separated.
But that star still shines in his world, never extinguished.
Until the moment his heart stops beating, his stars will never fall.
—End of text—
Author's Note:
After finishing writing yesterday, I initially didn't understand why everyone reacted so strongly. Then I thought about it, and realized that the final 10,000-word chapter mostly focused on the father—I was definitely being stupid. I had the extra chapters in mind, thinking they could be placed there, but I forgot everyone's strong desire to see the best possible ending.
So I added a new final chapter. The reason I rushed it yesterday was because I kept talking about the ending but never managed to finish it, and I felt really bad for everyone, so I rushed it.
Now I realize that this was irresponsible towards me, as well as towards Jingxi and Shenyan.
Thank you for your understanding. I hope you like this final ending.
*
I'm really starting to write the side stories tomorrow, and this is definitely the real, real, real finale!
Chapter 81
Get married and have children.
Having children after marriage seems to be a natural next step. It's worth mentioning that there were several years between Ni Jingxi's marriage and the wedding ceremony. After the wedding, Zhong Lan couldn't help but subtly hint at it.
Of course, Zhong Lan's personality has always been like this; she never puts pressure on Ni Jingxi.
However, Huo Shenyan wasn't so lucky. Zhong Lan glanced at him sadly and said with a hint of heartache, "Son, if you don't work harder, you'll really have a child in middle age. Think about your father, he had you when he was twenty-five. You're falling behind too much."
Huo Shenyan looked up and saw that Zhong Lan probably felt she had been too harsh on him, so she actually raised her arm and made a gesture of encouragement: "Son, keep trying."
Ni Jingxi, standing next to her, tried her best to suppress her excitement.
But on their drive back, Ni Jingxi was looking down at her email when they stopped at a red light. The man next to her suddenly asked in a low voice, "Do you think what Mom said is right?"
Ni Jingxi paused slightly upon hearing this, then asked softly, "What?"
"If I don't work harder, I'll be at the age of having a child late in life." The man's tone was slow and his voice was even more steady and gentle, but for some reason, it sounded a bit dangerous to Ni Jingxi.
Ni Jingxi immediately shook her head: "No."
“But you laughed too just now.” Huo Shenyan turned to look at her, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Ni Jingxi paused for a few seconds, then suddenly whispered, "Are you planning to settle scores later?"
Huo Shenyan smiled softly, but he didn't say anything. Instead, the red light ahead turned green after the countdown ended, and Huo Shenyan restarted the car.
Huo Shenyan didn't say a word until he got home. After he parked the car, Ni Jingxi got out of the car and he came over and took her hand.
...
They went upstairs to the bedroom. When Huo Shenyan pushed open the door and pulled her inside, he pinned her against the door. The moment the door closed, the light in the hallway was blocked out.
The entire room was plunged into darkness.