Chapter 128: Love

Story Setting: February 2007
Recommended Song: Sung Si-kyung — "You Once Moved Me"
Disclaimer: This story is entirely fictional. Please do not project it onto real individuals. Any resemblance is purely coincidental.

Amidst a busy schedule, the film finally premiered. "Love," starring Jiang Yihan and Lee Hyori, hit the screens.

The film maintained director Park Young-ho’s signature fresh and delicate style, with the plot permeated by a subtle sense of melancholy. Whether it could replicate the brilliance of last year's "Can I Love You" remained to be seen.

Min Xiaoli felt incredibly fortunate to have secured a ticket to the premiere. Tickets for the first screening sold out almost instantly; it was a case of high demand and low supply. Everyone wanted to be among the first to see the movie. Although few had heard of its production and promotion had barely begun, any news involving Jiang Yihan now garnered widespread attention. Moreover, as this was his second film following the previous year's success, expectations were naturally high, and the ticket frenzy was to be expected. Min Xiaoli’s ticket was a stroke of luck; the official fan forum had reserved 60 tickets, distributed to members through draws and trivia contests. Min Xiaoli had won hers through the draw.

Sitting in the theater, the screen dimmed, and the film began. When the names "Jiang Yihan" and "Lee Hyori" appeared on screen, the audience could not help but gasp in anticipation.

The film opens with Xiao Yu, played by Jiang Yihan. Xiao Yu is a mute whose parents have passed away, leaving him to care for a young brother. Despite the grueling work, the harshness of life, and the cold stares of others, Xiao Yu always faces the world with a smile. He protects his brother with all his might. When others throw stones at his brother, Xiao Yu uses his own back to shield him; when his brother gazes longingly at a loaf of bread they cannot afford, Xiao Yu kneels and begs the owner to sell it for half price; when his brother helps him with chores, the smile on Xiao Yu’s face could melt the world.

The two brothers rely solely on each other. Though he cannot speak, Xiao Yu’s smiles, the sweat on his brow, his calloused palms, and his kind eyes are deeply moving.

Life begins to change when Xiao Yu finds a mobile phone at a bus stop. After waiting a day without finding the owner, he keeps it. Soon, he begins receiving text messages from a girl. Xiao Yu replies, explaining that he found the phone and cannot locate the owner. Thinking the interaction would end there, he is surprised when the girl continues to message him. Through their exchange, Xiao Yu learns that the girl had broken up with the phone’s owner for a specific reason and, despite wanting to remain friends, was rejected. Two dejected souls begin to find solace in their text conversations.

The girl is Xiao Zhen, played by Lee Hyori. A 23-year-old leukemia patient, she was abandoned by her boyfriend due to her illness. She understood his departure and only wanted to remain friends, but her messages went unanswered. When she finally received a reply, it was from a stranger who had found the phone. Desperate for someone to confide in, she began chatting with him. Two hearts gradually drew closer, one text at a time.

Director Park Young-ho uses warm visuals to bring the plot to life. While Xiao Yu’s inherent disability and impoverished life are sympathetic, and Xiao Zhen’s terminal illness and the pain of chemotherapy are heartbreaking, the faint smiles on their faces whenever they receive a message act like a ray of sunlight, moving everyone.

Finally, they decide to meet. On an autumn afternoon, in a small park outside the hospital, they stand only 50 meters apart.

Xiao Zhen sits quietly, waiting for Xiao Yu. He appears in the distance, walking toward her. From afar, he knows instantly that she is the one he has been waiting for, as if by telepathy. The late autumn breeze is chilly, gently blowing her white coat and tousling her hair. Her side profile, looking lost in thought, occasionally breaks into a smile; everything seems beautiful. Xiao Yu cannot help but reveal a shy smile—the taste of first love, heart-fluttering, sweet, and happy. He bites his lip, leans forward, then suddenly stops. As if remembering something, his smile fades, replaced by endless hesitation. He tries to make a sound to speak, but finds it futile. His disability renders him unable to express his feelings. The dejection on his face grows, and his head bows. Though he stares at Xiao Zhen in the distance, the spark in his eyes vanishes, leaving only the disappointment of something unattainable.

Xiao Zhen has been sitting there for a while, her heart warming at the thought of the person she is waiting for, a smile naturally forming on her lips. Suddenly sensing a gaze, she looks up and spots him in the distance. After a moment of observation, she tilts her head, as if a telepathic connection sparks, and her expression softens. The emotion in her eyes is unmistakable, her cheeks flushing pink. Her first instinct is to stand up, certain this is the person she came to meet. But after two steps, she stops. Seeing her hospital gown, she is reminded of her illness and the limited time she has left. The radiance on her face dims, her smile disappears, and she stands frozen, pulling her coat tight as if feeling an endless chill.

Neither of them takes another step, simply looking at each other—helpless and sorrowful. After a long while, both turn and leave in silence.

Whether it is helplessness, sorrow, or resentment, the wall between them is too difficult to break. Neither dares to try.

Living similar lives, sharing similar messages, and feeling the same love, they are both held back by their own flaws, lacking the courage to take that step in love.

Yet, in the end, their loving hearts bring them together, just two meters apart. Because Xiao Zhen is running out of time.

"Hello," Xiao Zhen greets him, her voice slightly awkward. Despite loving him, the distance feels immense.

Xiao Yu, nervous and shy, raises his hand to greet her, his smile radiating warmth.

Though only Xiao Zhen speaks, their expressions gradually brighten. Their meetings offer hope; in their clouded lives, the other is like a beam of sunlight breaking through the mist.

But even with love, reluctance, and sorrow, the moment eventually arrives. As Xiao Yu pushes Xiao Zhen’s wheelchair through the hospital garden, her life nears its end.

"Xiao Yu, you know?" Xiao Zhen says, her smile beautiful yet tragic. "Since I got sick, I stopped expecting anything. But then I met you. After meeting you, I became greedy, wanting to live more and more. I just hoped for more time so I could stay with you longer. But I know it's a luxury."

Watching her, Xiao Yu’s expression is filled with sorrow, his dark eyes brimming with tears as he listens.

"Sometimes I wonder if you were an angel forgotten in this world, sent to take care of me and give me hope," she continues. "It's a pity my time here is short, and I can't let you guard me any longer. They say when someone dies, they become an angel to guard the ones they love. When I’m gone, will it be my turn to guard you?"

Xiao Zhen turns to look at him. Though she smiles, it is profoundly sad. Xiao Yu nods, looking at her beautiful face—her cheeks flushed red from the wind, her hair fluttering—her eyes revealing emotions that make one tremble. Her lips are turning pale. Xiao Yu leans in and presses his lips against hers. As two lonely, scarred hearts touch, tears fall uncontrollably.

After a long time, they pull apart, tear tracks still visible. Xiao Zhen seems to have spent her last ounce of strength; she leans back, her eyelids heavy. Xiao Yu kneels by the wheelchair, his anxiety mixed with unspeakable sorrow moving everyone. He shakes her gently. She mumbles a few words, opens her eyes, and regains a bit of spirit. She smiles at him—a brilliant smile. Though her face and lips are pale, to Xiao Yu, she is the most beautiful woman in the world.

Xiao Yu opens his mouth, trying to speak, but finds his throat unable to produce a sound. He grows anxious, using all his strength to force his voice out, but only "ah" and "oh" sounds emerge. He cries, mouth open, sounds pouring from his throat. After a long while, a string of garbled words reaches Xiao Zhen’s ears.

"I... love... you..."

The sound is so muffled that one might doubt the meaning. But Xiao Zhen’s expression tells everyone that she heard, she understood, and she was satisfied. With a final smile, she closes her eyes and drifts into an eternal sleep.

Xiao Yu panics, trying to call out, but his voice fails him. Even when he wants to cry, he can only let the tears fall silently. He screams loudly, even if only with garbled "ah" sounds, until his throat bleeds, yet he does not give up.

Holding her in his arms, Xiao Yu calms down, gently patting her back as if lulling a child to sleep. Xiao Zhen sleeps soundly, just like a child, but she will never wake again.

The film ends with this incomplete conclusion.

Min Xiaoli does not stand to applaud; she wipes her damp face, tears still swirling in her eyes. The story is not particularly original, yet Park Young-ho’s unique visual style creates a distinct sense of moving emotion. Jiang Yihan and Lee Hyori’s superb performances infuse this ordinary story with immense warmth. Min Xiaoli has to admit she was moved once again—not just by Jiang Yihan, but because such love is hard to find in real life.

The chemistry and non-verbal exchanges between Jiang Yihan and Lee Hyori are the talk of the town; the energy between them is more than just acting. Few believe there isn't something more between them, and even if asked directly, neither could say for certain that there wasn't.

A boy who cannot speak and a girl with no time left—their meeting was destined for this ending. Why does such an ordinary, cliché story touch the audience’s hearts?

Just like the film’s title, "Love." Xiao Yu’s love for his brother and the love between Xiao Yu and Xiao Zhen are so pure and clean. In today’s fast-paced urban life, how much of this clean love remains? I remember saying, when watching "Can I Love You," that the story was beloved because the love in it was pure. We cannot find such things in reality, so the film provides them, and we offer our support. This film is the same. Director Park’s theme remains unchanged: the simple loves we need—familial, friendly, romantic. Reality simply has too many complications. Park Young-ho merely uses these stories to simplify the complex.

Jiang Yihan and Lee Hyori performed brilliantly, fleshing out a slightly thin plot. Jiang Yihan’s performance, in particular, was exceptional; without language or action, he conveyed deep emotion through his eyes alone, proving the solid acting skills that earned him the Blue Dragon Best New Actor award last year.

However, the film’s flaws are obvious. The script, written by a newcomer, lacks tension, relying entirely on the director’s technique and the actors' performances. It falls short of last year's masterpiece, "Can I Love You." Nevertheless, the film’s quality is high, and the lead performances are impressive. While not as strong as his previous work, it still holds an advantage over other films. Jiang Yihan has once again demonstrated his charm and strength.

Zhang Dongxian followed the film closely, and his review echoed the public sentiment: the film is indeed not as good as "Can I Love You," and the plot is somewhat cliché, but it is still worth watching. The market response confirms this: despite its flaws, "Love" remains a standout, having held the box office crown for three consecutive weeks.