In Coraline, there’s a recurring theme with names and identity, and I personally don't think it's talked about enough.
(As a note, this is dealing largely with the book, not the movie, although there are some hints of this theme in the movie as well)
Coraline’s neighbors constantly get her name wrong, calling her “Caroline” and not “Coraline”, to which she persistently corrects them. Despite her attempts, they never get it right, until chapter 10, in which Mr Bobo (Mr Bobinsky) finally gets it right.
"It's Coraline, Mister Bobo," said Coraline. "Not Caroline. Coraline."
"Coraline," said Mr Bobo, repeating her name to himself with wonderment and respect. "Very good, Coraline."
It should be noted that, until this chapter, Coraline did not know Mr Bobo’s name either. In fact, it had never even occurred to her that he had a name. Up until then, she had just been thinking of him as “the crazy old man upstairs”, not as a person with a name. This moment, with her learning his name and him getting her name right, is a moment of genuine understanding and connection between the two, humanizing them both to each other.
Coraline’s other neighbors get her name wrong, which is representative of them not listening when she says anything, really, such as her telling Miss Spink and Forcible that her parents are missing and them literally not even acknowledging it at all??
"How are your dear mother and father?" asked Miss Spink.
"Missing," said Coraline. "I haven't seen either of them since yesterday. I'm on my own. I think I've probably become a single child family."
"Tell your mother that we found the Glasgow Empire press clippings we were telling her about. She seemed very interested when Miriam mentioned them to her."
"She's vanished under mysterious circumstances," said Coraline, "and I believe my father has as well."
"I'm afraid we'll be out all day tomorrow, Caroline lovely," said Miss Forcible. "We'll be staying with April's niece in Royal Tunbridge Wells."
Mr Bobo gets her name right after being corrected (only after being corrected alongside her using his name, mind you, showcasing her making an effort to listen to and understand him as well), which is representative of him actually making an attempt to listen and understand her. This point is further illustrated by a conversation Coraline had with the Other Mr Bobo in chapter 10.
As Coraline entered he began to talk. "Nothing's changed, little girl," he said, his voice sounding like the noise dry leaves make as they rustle across a pavement. "And what if you do everything you swore you would? What then? Nothing's changed. You'll go home. You'll be bored. You'll be ignored. No one will listen to you, not really listen to you. You're too clever and too quiet for them to understand. They don't even get your name right."
He equates those in the real world not getting Coraline’s name right with them not listening to her, and fundamentally not understanding who she is. So, somebody getting her name right, then, shows them actually listening to her, and being willing to understand who she is.
The mice in the real world know more than they should be able to know, and they also get Coraline’s name right.
"The message is this. Don't go through the door." He paused. "Does that mean anything to you?"
"No," said Coraline.
The old man shrugged. "They are funny, the mice. They get things wrong. They got your name wrong, you know. They kept saying Coraline. Not Caroline. Not Caroline at all."
They seem to know about the other world, somehow, on some level, and the dangers it presents. Them getting her name right represents them knowing more than they should know, more than they are told. Animals in general seem to have this type of quality in Coraline, actually.
The cat does not have a name. It says so in chapter 4, that cats do not need names. It says that this is because cats know who they are. But humans need names, because they do not.
"Please. What's your name?" Coraline asked the cat. "Look, I'm Coraline. OK?"
The cat yawned softly, carefully, revealing a mouth and tongue of astounding pinkness. "Cats don't have names," it said.
"No?" said Coraline.
"No," said the cat. "Now, you people have names. That's because you don't know who you are. We know who we are, so we don't need names."
The cat shook its head. "No," it said. "I'm not the other anything. I'm me." It tipped its head on one side; green eyes glinted. "You people are spread all over the place. Cats, on the other hand, keep ourselves together. If you see what I mean."
This shows that, in humans, names are connected to our identities and who we are. Names are used to individualize and distinguish ourselves from each other. But cats do not need names to recognize each other, or be recognized.
"Oh. It's you," she said to the black cat.
"See?" said the cat. "It wasn't so hard recognising me, was it? Even without names."
With or without names, it is still the same cat.
During the Other Miss Spink and Forcible’s performance, in chapter 4, they begin quoting Shakespeare. The specific quotes that they use are interesting to me when looked at under this lens of the importance of names, especially Miss Forcible’s.
"What's in a name?" asked Miss Forcible. "That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
"I know not how to tell thee who I am," said Miss Spink to Miss Forcible.
Now, of course, this is just them quoting Shakespeare. But. Why these quotes specifically? They’re at the very least notable when discussing Coraline’s recurring theme of names. Especially the quote about the rose. It makes me think of what the cat said earlier, about how cats are sure of who they are so they don’t need names, about how Coraline didn’t need the cat’s name to be able to recognize it for who/what it was.
But, of course, this does not apply for humans. We need our names to be able to know ourselves, to be able to tell others who they are.
In chapter 6, Coraline wakes up and is disoriented. This disorientation is compared to the feeling one might experience upon being suddenly pulled out of a daydream. In this comparison, forgetting one’s name is equated with forgetting who one is and where one is.
Sometimes Coraline would forget who she was while she was daydreaming that she was exploring the Arctic, or the Amazon rainforest, or darkest Africa, and it was not until someone tapped her on the shoulder or said her name that Coraline would come back from a million miles away with a start, and all in the fraction of a second have to remember who she was, and what her name was, and that she was even there at all.
Now there was the sun on her face, and she was Coraline Jones. Yes.
The ghost children have also forgotten their names, and with it most of who they were. In chapter 7, when Coraline is locked behind the mirror in the Other World, one of the ghost children says that names are the first things that one forgets after death.
"Who are you?" whispered Coraline.
"Names, names, names," said another voice, all faraway and lost. "The names are the first thing to go, after the breath has gone, and the beating of the heart. We keep our memories longer than our names. I still keep pictures in my mind of my governess on some May morning, carrying my hoop and stick, and the morning sun behind her, and all the tulips bobbing in the breeze. But I have forgotten the name of my governess, and of the tulips too."
"I don't think tulips have names," said Coraline. "They're just tulips."
"Perhaps," said the voice sadly. "But I have always thought that these tulips must have had names. They were red, and orange-and-red, and red-and-orange-and-yellow, like the embers in the nursery fire of a winter's evening. I remember them."
The ghost children may have their memories, but they have largely forgotten who they were. They may remember their tulips, and certain strong memories, but there is very, very little left of them, and they have forgotten who they once were, they have forgotten their names.
"That is why we could not leave here, when we died. She kept us, and she fed on us, until now we're nothing left of ourselves, only snakeskins and spider-husks. Find our secret hearts, young mistress."
"She will take your life and all you are and all you care'st for, and she will leave you with nothing but mist and fog. She'll take your joy. And one day you'll awake and your heart and soul will have gone. A husk you'll be, a wisp you'll be, and a thing no more than a dream on waking, or a memory of something forgotten."
The Other Mother stole their hearts and their souls and their selves. She stole who they were away from them, their identities and names and the names of those they loved, leaving nothing in her wake.
The same ghost that talked about the tulips and the names of the tulips struggles to answer when Coraline asks their gender, as well, and when they do eventually give an answer they seem somewhat unsure of it, as shown by the word choice of “perhaps” and “I believe”
"A boy, perhaps, then," continued the one whose hand she was holding. "I believe I was once a boy." And it glowed a little more brightly in the darkness of the room behind the mirror.
(I personally take this quote, specifically it "glow[ing] a little more brightly" after coming to this conclusion, to mean either that the ghost is happy at realizing that he was once a boy, or even to mean that he has become somewhat more tangible upon this realization; upon remembering something about his self, and his identity.)
As an aside, it's noteworthy to me that we never learn the Other Mother’s true name. She is simply “The Other Mother” and “The Beldam.” Never is an actual name applied to her, only titles. We do not truly know who, or what, she is. Beings without names are shrouded in mystery (or should i say mist-ery). The ghost children are benevolent mysterious beings, the cat is an ambivalent-leaning-helpful mysterious being, and the other mother is a distinctly malevolent mysterious being.
"Who are you?" asked Coraline.
"I'm your other mother," said the woman.
"She?"
"The one who says she's your other mother," said the cat.
"What is she?" asked Coraline.
The cat did not answer, just padded through the pale mist beside Coraline.
But in conclusion, names in Coraline are extremely important. I’m sure there’s probably more that I'm missing, and feel free to add onto this, but basically—
People need names to know and remember who they are, and forgetting one’s name is the first step to losing the rest of who one is. Names humanize a person; with a name, they are less shrouded in mystery, more clear.
Knowing somebody's name helps one connect to and better understand that person; it is the first step in getting to know them and see them as a full person, the transition from “the crazy man upstairs” to “Mr Bobo”. Names, to people at least, are one of the fundamental building blocks of who we are.
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[CN] Li Zeyan’s Mundane Date (Eng Translation)
“I bet that you will still remember this day, this moment, even decades from now. Just like I will.”
⌚Warning⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 琐碎约会, that is yet to be released on the global server! ♡
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【Subbed Video】
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【Chapter 1】
Big Screen: “In order to welcome this festival dedicated to love, our channel is presenting a special program named 《The Vow at Fingertip》.”
Big Screen: “We’ve collected a plethora of stories about the ring, exploring its deeper meaning beyond the ceremonial contexts…”
It’s early morning on Valentine’s Day, and the streets are already bustling with noise and excitement. Li Zeyan and I stand quietly at the entrance of the supermarket, watching the program previews displayed on the shopping mall’s large screen.
LZY: [laughs like a proud s/o ✊] Well, this is quite impressive. The prime spot throughout the whole day is going to be occupied by your show.
MC: Granted, it’s thanks to the sponsorship from the brand, but I’m really satisfied with this show.
LZY: In that case, let’s get through the checklist quickly and head back early to enjoy your masterpiece.
Finishing his words, he then takes my hand and leads me into the supermarket.
Given Li Zeyan’s personality, he had actually prepared the ingredients at Souvenir well in advance. But due to a phone call this morning, we had no choice but to make last-minute changes in our plans…
–
───── [FLASHBACK STARTS] ─────
Mr. Mills: Manager, sorry to trouble you so early in the morning.
Mr. Mills: While I was out for a walk just now, I saw a notice posted on the door of Souvenir stating that there’s a circuit malfunction in this area and the power has been out for the whole night.
Mr. Mills: I checked the refrigerator, and it seems those ingredients of yours may have gone bad.
LZY: [his voice really tends to drop to a different softness when he talks to Mr. Mills 🥺] Thank you for taking the trouble. I’ll take care of it later.
Mr. Mills: But you prepared these for MC, right? Would you still be able to work out your plans for today?
Li Zeyan glances at me, who’s peering over from beside him, and a small smile tugs at the corners of his lips.
LZY: [while looking at you] You don’t have to worry. I have a compensation plan in mind.
Watching as Li Zeyan ends the call, his expression composed, I hurriedly lean in and ask him about the situation.
MC: Did something happen at Souvenir? Should we go to the restaurant first and check it out?
LZY: It’s alright, let’s celebrate the festival first.
LZY: The menu won’t change, but we need to grab a few things to make up. I’ll make a quick trip to the supermarket later.
MC: I’ll come along with you!
–
───── [FLASHBACK ENDS] ─────
As each item from the list is placed into the shopping cart, I steal glances at Li Zeyan and study his completely unruffled expression, inwardly sighing to myself.
His plan fell through, and it even resulted in some damage. Yet, he hasn’t uttered a single word of complaint, appearing to have a well-thought-out plan in advance as always.
MC: [muttering] He certainly deserves the title of being the number one in emotional stability.
Li Zeyan seems to have heard my mumbling, prompting him to turn around and meet my gaze.
LZY: What’s the matter? Why are you zoning out?
MC: I was thinking, you are really good at switching your mood. If I were in your shoes and found out [MC’s Company Name] had run into some problem, I’d spend half a day just feeling upset.
LZY: Not like it’s something that can’t be remedied. What’s there to feel upset about?
LZY: It’s a nice holiday, and I don’t wish to see a certain dummy shooting her mouth off to the sky.
He gently lays his hand on top of mine and, together with the shopping cart, leads me forward.
LZY: If you zone out again, we won’t go to the snack section.
MC: I absolutely won’t! Let’s go, let’s go~
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【Chapter 2】
The warm music of the show flows through the room, but it’s soon drowned out by the clinking and clattering sounds from the kitchen.
MC: Is there anything else you need me to do, Boss?
LZY: Help me with the sauce.
In order to increase efficiency, I volunteer to help Li Zeyan and find myself busy following his instructions, frantically running around in circles.
LZY: Pass me the thermometer.
LZY: Set the stopwatch to one minute for me.
MC: Roger!
Ding––
The oven’s timer sounds, and I consciously put on the heat-resistant gloves and pull out the baking tray.
MC: Isn’t it time to turn the sweet potato tart?
LZY: Right. If it’s tricky to turn, try lifting a corner first to test it out.
MC: Uh… it does seem a bit tricky to flip.
With gentleness and cautiousness, I proceed to operate, afraid of ruining the shape Li Zeyan has crafted so meticulously.
As I reach the last three, a reminder sounds from behind me.
LZY: Turn them faster; don’t let the oven temperature drop too much.
LZY: Don’t worry so much about the shape. For a dummy, it’s tasting delicious is what matters more.
His voice, carrying with it a smile, alleviates my nervousness a little. I turn them over and slide the baking tray back into the oven.
With the oven resuming its operation, I breathe a sigh of relief and walk back to Li Zeyan’s side, taking a sip of water.
LZY: [laughs softly] Tired?
MC: How could I be tired? I can handle this amount of work just fine.
MC: It actually feels like that cooking game we played before. Though, I wish we could have three heads and six arms… [1]
MC: Speaking of which, do things get this chaotic when you cook by yourself?
Li Zeyan puts the lid on the pot and turns down the heat, then rubs my head with his free hand.
LZY: It doesn’t seem as chaotic when I’m on my own without anyone “helping out.”
LZY: But my sous chef here has made quite a lot of progress; at least nothing got messed up.
MC: That’s because my boyfriend doesn’t only cook incredibly well, but he is also a generous mentor!
LZY: [chuckles teasingly] I was here simply trying to better the food I cook for a certain dummy. I did not realize she was secretly taking notes.
LZY: Since you’ve been learning well, tell me, what do we need to add when we take the lid off?
I freeze for a moment, not expecting that he’d really ask questions. Resorting to thinking on my feet, I quickly pounce on him and lock my arms around his neck.
MC: Well, naturally… adding a little extra love would make it even better!
I plant a kiss on his cheek, then swiftly dash away before he can react, turning up the volume of the show.
LZY: [laughs helplessly] Running away when you can’t answer, huh?
MC: [giggling gleefully] What did you say? The music is too loud, I can’t hear you clearly~
Shamelessly feigning ignorance, I stand in front of the TV, grinning while casually casting a glance at the progress of the show.
At this moment, the interview with a young couple begins. The girl raises her left hand towards the camera, showing off her wedding ring.
Girl (on the show): On the day my husband proposed, he hid the ring in a dessert, saying that the dessert that day was infused with a unique formula of love.
Girl (on the show): As a result, when I took a bite, I chomped directly into this “formula of love” and ended up breaking my tooth…
Girl (on the show): We had to rush to the emergency room in the middle of the night. The pain was so excruciating that I almost refused the marriage proposal right then and there.
MC: Pfft…
I can’t hold back my laughter and glance over at Li Zeyan, who’s just a short distance away.
MC: Did you hear that, restaurant manager? You should take this as a cautionary tale.
LZY: [chuckles helplessly] It’s clearly the gluttonous dummy who should take this as a cautionary tale.
Just as I’m about to retaliate, the doorbell suddenly rings. I pull a face at Li Zeyan and hurry off to answer the door.
Delivery Guy: Excuse me, is this Mr. Li’s residence? I’ve got a Flash Delivery package for him.
I accept the rather sizable cardboard box, then curiously glance towards the kitchen.
MC: What did you order?
LZY: Why don’t you open it and find out?
I carefully open the box and find an unexpected item inside––
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[Tidbits]:
[1] It’s a reference to Li Zeyan’s “Home Visit Date!”
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【Chapter 3】
MC: “Chocolate fountain machine for home use”?
As I look at the name on the instruction manual, I read it out loud in surprise.
The supermarket’s holiday chocolates are already vying for attention with their romantic beauty, but I didn’t expect Li Zeyan to have an even more surprising design up his sleeves.
MC: Wow… isn’t this something you’d usually find only at hotels or fancy gatherings?
LZY: Mm-hmm. Given the unusual circumstances today, I’d have to slack off for now.
MC: “Slack off”?
Li Zeyan meets my puzzled gaze and places the machine on the table, then proceeds to gesticulate the patterns of the fountain.
LZY: Since it’s liquid, it simplifies the project by skipping several steps and can’t be stored. Once prepared, it’s only enough for a single serving.
LZY: If a certain someone has any objections, I’ll make a better one for you another day.
MC: Not only do I have no objections, but I also want to “redress injustices” on behalf of the chocolate fountain.
I wedge myself between him and the bar counter, pretending to be angry as I place my hands on my hips.
MC: How could you ever consider something as amusing and creative as this chocolate fountain as “slacking off”?!
MC: Moreover, regardless of how simple the procedure may be, Restaurant Manager Li’s creations are always one-of-a-kind.
Li Zeyan gives me a look and curls his lips into a smile.
LZY: Seems like this choice has turned out to be exactly something a certain someone would’ve liked. Since you’re so interested, why don’t you join me in making it later?
–
The “home version” of the Valentine’s Day feast still lives up to Li Zeyan’s high standards. After having our fill of eating and drinking, we finally bring the chocolate fountain to the table.
I skewer a strawberry, coat it with chocolate sauce, and take a bite. The rich aroma of chocolate blends harmoniously with the strawberry’s fresh sweetness, causing me to squint my eyes as if I were in paradise.
MC: So, so yummy!
LZY: Easy there; be careful not to let the chocolate sauce drip onto you.
Li Zeyan fetches a sheet of paper and places it on my lap, then takes a toothpick to help me skewer the strawberries.
A warmth blooms in my heart. I lean in and hug his arm.
MC: Every dish today has been a hit, plus there’s also a certain handsome guy winning over with his attentive service. I think I ought to give it at least a four-star Michelin rating.
LZY: Is that extra star a reward for yourself?
MC: Hehe, didn’t you just say earlier that your little sous chef did a good job today?
LZY: Indeed, and the dining experience was neater than usual, too.
MC: Those who are capable do the most work, and those who work most deserve extra serving at the table! [2]
Li Zeyan smiles as he listens to my nonsense and pushes a plate of chocolate-coated strawberries in front of me.
LZY: [the indulgence hhh] Alright, “capable one,” today you’re allowed to have a little extra.
MC: Why are you giving them all to me? Aren’t you going to have a taste?
LZY: There’s a certain dummy who’s been looking forward to this for so long, so let’s let her have her fill first.
As I take another bite of a strawberry, I keep pondering which words to persuade him to taste it. When I look up, I find that Li Zeyan has had his eyes fixed on me the whole time.
MC: What’s wrong?
LZY: It’s nothing.
LZY: I was just thinking, with the sudden change of plans today, are you genuinely okay with it?
MC: It wasn’t something within our control. Besides, just the location got changed, that’s all.
LZY: But it did eat into our time, and we missed the beginning of your show.
MC: I didn’t realize CEO Li was looking forward to my show this much, huh?
LZY: [laughs helplessly] I wonder who kept promoting it non-stop next to my ear every day.
Grinning, I lean sideways onto his shoulder and reach out to poke his cheek.
MC: You somehow pulled off such a complicated feast to make up for it. What could I have to be dissatisfied with?
MC: Besides, the most important thing today is to be glued to the person you like; it doesn’t matter even if the time hasn’t been used efficiently.
Picking up the dessert tray, I skewer a strawberry and feed it to him.
MC: In order to make you truly understand how I feel, I warmly invite you to taste the flavor of bliss for yourself. [3]
LZY: Dummy, you’ve already mentioned the “taste of bliss” at least five times today.
LZY: Why do I get the feeling that you always seem to find “bliss” in everything you eat?
MC: That conclusion seems to be a bit of a sweeping generalization.
MC: There may be an abundance of delicious food in the world, but there are only two kinds that can truly bring me a sense of bliss.
MC: Home-cooked meals made by family members and the food you prepare with love.
Li Zeyan takes the plate and gently holds my now-empty hand.
LZY: Was your father very skilled in the kitchen?
MC: He…
MC: He was too busy with work, so there weren’t many opportunities for him to showcase his skills… but the flavors in my memory are very warm; it was the taste of home.
LZY: No wonder a certain someone has a good palette; apparently, she was nurtured well since childhood.
MC: Hehe, but I believe happiness doesn’t just stem from the flavors; the particulars are crucial, too.
LZY: What do you mean?
MC: For example, when Dad came home late from work and would accidentally add too much salt to the quick dishes he prepared, we’d end up laughing it off together during the meal.
MC: For instance, when a certain someone’s own plans went awry, he still prioritized taking care of my feelings.
MC: Like when that certain person could have simply settled for making regular chocolate, but instead, he went out of his way to design a chocolate fountain.
MC: I’m not someone who eats anything at any place without preference. Restaurant Manager Li, please don’t get the wrong idea.
I wink at Li Zeyan. He stares at me for a while, then suddenly breaks the silence.
LZY: Do you know why Souvenir always gives you special privileges?
MC: Why?
LZY: Because while a certain person isn’t very skilled in cooking, she sure is an excellent eater, and she equally excels at “paying the debt for the free meals with her words.” [4]
MC: Nonsense! That’s called showing gratitude, alright!
Unwilling to back down, I stuff another strawberry into his mouth, blocking any potential retort.
MC: Some people’s sweet words don’t last more than three seconds. As punishment, I’ll make you eat more chocolate to make amends.
LZY: [laughs helplessly] …Dummy.
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[Tidbits]:
[2] The original sentence said by MC here was “能者多劳, 劳者多吃!” The first part of it is actually an idiom: lit. meaning, “it’s the most capable people who do the most work.” The idiom is intended as consolation for the overworked, or flattery when making a request etc. The second part is a word-play on the idiom, so I tweaked the translation to fit the play here!
[3] The term MC uses here is “幸福,” and I had to sit on this one for a while to use a term that is not too wordy but still carries a closer meaning to the CN term. While it essentially does refer to “happiness,” the term carries a deeper connotation than 开心 (happy) / 快乐 (joyful), which refer to short bursts of bright emotions. Whereas “幸福” refers to lasting, fulfilling happiness and holistic contentment~
[4] The term Li Zeyan uses here is “吃人嘴短,” which he’s cleverly re-generated from the proverb “吃人嘴软, 拿人手短” to get his message across efficiently. I’m just too tired to explain the inside joke here LOL, so I opted for a wordy translation to try to get the message across nonetheless.
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【Chapter 4】
Host: Auntie, how do you usually store your ring?
Granny: Store it? I’ve never taken it off. I keep it on even when I’m working.
Granny: In our generation, we didn’t fuss over all those things. Besides, life inevitably keeps throwing urgent matters at you, so there’s little to no time to ponder over such matters.
While listening to the conversation on TV, I hand the last plate on the table to Li Zeyan.
After a quick rinse, he loads the plates into the dishwasher. Just as he straightens up, I hug him from behind.
MC: We just finished eating; why not rest for a while?
LZY: [chuckles indulgently] What? Are you saying eating can tire you out, dummy?
MC: …don’t you feel a bit sluggish after eating too much?
LZY: [that indulgent tone intensifies x10] No wonder I feel like I’m carrying extra weight on my back.
Hearing the obvious laughter in his voice, I let out a couple of “hmphs” and continue to lean against his back without a care in the world.
LZY: A certain someone here has eaten her plate clean so thoroughly, lightening the load quite a lot, so this shouldn’t take too much time.
MC: That’s an essential skill for a Souvenir diner! But every time I see you being so diligent, I feel a tad embarrassed.
MC: It’s one thing not to procrastinate at work, but how can you not be lazy in your everyday life as well?
LZY: Wouldn’t it be more of a hassle if everything piled up at once?
LZY: Taking care of things immediately when they happen also helps avoid any unexpected complications.
Thinking back to how he methodically rearranged everything this morning, I can’t help but sigh with a twinge of envy.
MC: I’m so lucky to have you around; it’s what could make today so delightful.
LZY: Even after having to do so much work, you still consider it delightful?
MC: Yep! Cooking with you is like playing a game, but without the need to worry about failing any levels!
LZY: Dummy has a knack for turning any place into an amusement park.
MC: Then you’re the amusement park manager!
Li Zeyan finishes washing his hands, turns around, and boops the tip of my nose.
LZY: [in the softest of tones] It seems that with you around, I’ll never have to worry about being unemployed.
LZY: Let’s go. Let’s focus on watching your show.
—
Li Zeyan pulls me to nestle into the couch. The show has now reached the interview segment, and the host is asking the elderly woman about the happiest moment of her life in the decades that have gone by.
Granny: If I had to choose one, it would be one night before going to sleep, when my husband touched the ring on my hand and said, “It’s all scratched up.”
Granny: When we calculated, we realized we’ve been wearing our rings for several decades.
Host: Those rings must be bearing many traces of life, wouldn’t you say?
Granny: Yes, that’s right. At first, I wanted to reprimand him, to show him how much work I’ve done. But then I touched his ring, and it was just the same.
Granny: At that moment, I suddenly felt, this person next to me has been by my side for a very long time.
I snuggle into Li Zeyan’s embrace, intertwining my fingers with his and stroking them.
MC: If it were the two of us, your ring would definitely be the one to wear out first.
LZY: Not necessarily; we also have to take into account a certain someone stirring up trouble and acting silly.
MC: Perhaps in a few decades, I’ll have grown smarter already!
LZY: Then let’s make a bet. We’ll see if you still remember this statement in a few decades.
MC: Alright, you’re on. But we’re both in this, so it wouldn’t be fair to put only me to the test.
LZY: Go on, what plan are you hatching now?
I roll my eyes and wriggle out of his arms.
MC: You watch the show; I’ll be back in a jiffy.
I trot over to the pantry and open one of the low cabinets. Owing to the Valentine’s Day themed program, I have received quite a few chocolates from our collaborators.
I take out the heart-shaped box placed at the top and return to Li Zeyan’s side.
–
MC: Li Zeyan, I have a small gift for you.
LZY: What, haven’t had enough chocolate yet?
Li Zeyan glances at the box in my hand, then raises an eyebrow at me. I smile but don’t say anything, opening the box and putting it into his hand.
MC: Hold on~ Let me do a magic trick for you first.
MC: Close your eyes, and then just pick any chocolate from inside.
LZY: [gentle, helpless chuckle] What kind of stunt are you pulling this time?
Despite saying this, Li Zeyan still closes his eyes and follows suit. I take the chocolate he hands me and gently tear open the wrapper.
The golden foil paper is extremely delicate and prone to tearing if handled with even the slightest bit of carelessness. But by now, I’ve already become skilled enough to roll it up smoothly.
During the filming of this show, chocolate almost became our only snack. Every time I was on the phone with Li Zeyan, I would chat with him while casually rolling the candy wrappers.
I didn’t expect the “practice makes perfect” proverb to come to fruition like this, but inadvertently, I managed to craft this paper “ring.”
MC: Done! Now, extend your hand again.
He doesn’t seem to quite understand what my intention is, so he reaches into the box for another chocolate and hands it to me.
Seeing him so cooperative, I can’t help but laugh out loud, giving his fingertips a squeeze as I hold up the “ring” I have just created.
MC: You can open your eyes now!
–
LZY: …?
Li Zeyan looks at the small ring in my hand and blinks slowly.
LZY: [YOU CAN LITERALLY HEAR IN HIS TONE THAT HE’S CAUGHT OFF GUARD 🥹] This is…?
MC: As you can see, an exclusively customized ring from 24-karat pure gold!
MC: Handcrafted from start to finish, Mr. Li Zeyan is the only one in the world who has the opportunity to own it.
Li Zeyan is momentarily taken aback, then glances at the torn-open chocolates on the table, before suddenly breaking into a smile.
LZY: Even such a brief moment as this is ample for your creativity to soar.
MC: I’ve been planning this for a long time. You can’t just whip up such a rare ring on the spot.
MC: Since you’ve made that bet with me, I must also reciprocate.
I straighten up and slowly slide the small ring onto his ring finger.
Li Zeyan’s gaze also remains fixated on my fingertips until the ring moves past his second joint, then he lifts his eyes to stare at me again.
Under the sunlight, those deep, enigmatic eyes of his shine even brighter, an expectation as clear as crystals surging within them.
I gaze fixedly at him, his cheeks now tinged with a gentle blush, and find myself unable to suppress the smile that steals across my lips.
MC: I bet that you will still remember this day, this moment, even decades from now.
MC: Just like I will.
After a few seconds of silence, Li Zeyan tosses the chocolate in his hand aside and tightly clasps my hand with his broad palm.
Seeing that he still hasn’t said anything, I press on and ask once more.
MC: How about it? Do you want to make this bet with me?
LZY: Sure, but…
Even before the words have fully left his mouth, a sudden force on my wrist yanks me towards him. I can’t help but cry out in surprise, only to find myself falling into his arms.
A warm breath immediately envelopes me as he locks me firmly in his arms, and I find myself slowly consumed by an intense yearning.
LZY: [nearly breathless] If you want me to remember, you’ll have to up the ante.
Without waiting for me to respond, he continues kissing me, effortlessly subduing any possible protest I could have.
Even after all this time, he still kisses me with the same uninhibited passion as he did the first time. The distant time and unspoken words all melt away in the gentle caress. [5]
The sound from the television gradually fades away, and the stories of others drift beyond my consciousness.
Even without this bet, I would find it impossible to forget this moment.
After who knows how long has passed, Li Zeyan gently releases me, lowering his head to rest his forehead against mine.
I look into his eyes, so close and within reach, and feel a surge of emotion in my heart.
MC: Li Zeyan.
LZY: Hm?
MC: Will you–– [6]
Before I can say anything further, he promptly raises his hand to cover my mouth.
LZY: [HIS PANICKED TONE HHHH] Wait.
LZY: I’ve accepted the world’s most creative ring, but please don’t say anything more.
LZY: This is something that I should be the one to take care of.
I pause for a moment, then quickly understand what he meant, unable to suppress a laugh as I hold onto his hand.
LZY: Why are you laughing?
MC: Hahaha, although I really don’t want to spoil the atmosphere, but actually, I wanted to ask––
MC: Li Zeyan, will you wear this ring to work?~ ^^
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[Tidbits]
[5] Unnecessary, really, but still a refresher– it’s the callback to his first kiss aka “Dazzling Date.”
[6] Although obvious from Li Zeyan’s reaction, I still wanna clarify– he cut MC off when she had only gotten to “你愿不愿意—” (will you/ would you be willing to)-- and the rest of that sentence typically is “(will you) marry me” (你愿不愿意嫁给我吗), which is why LZY doesn’t even take any chances and goes, “nope not happening, I wanna do it” 😂❤️
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【Personal Ramblings】
Remainder of One’s Life Date: here!
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