The trending topic, with its hot search reaching over a hundred million views, brought the once familiar yet long-forgotten name of Jiang Ling back to the forefront of the entertainment industry's hottest lists.
They say time is a woman's greatest enemy; men bloom in their thirties, while women wither.
Yet, Jiang Ling could defy the age gap and use her genuine talent to show the world what it means for "time to never defeat beauty."
This very principle, she had already demonstrated eighteen years ago with her portrayal of Empress Wu in "The Double Saints of the Great Tang."
Beauty is merely an embellishment for women, not their weapon.
What is gained through beauty will eventually be lost with the fading of youth.
Only a rich inner world, extraordinary wisdom, and formidable strength can transcend time, endure, and shine.
Jiang Ling's sixteen-year retirement did not lead to her being forgotten, precisely for this reason.
At this moment, Jiang Ling and Jian Zhou were watching the fountain show at Jiulong Lake Park in their hometown, Hero City.
The colorful fountains, illuminated by a combination of lights, created a beautiful interplay of light and water, appearing dreamlike and breathtaking.
When she returned home previously, she used to watch fountains at the Qiushui Square in the old town. This time, coming to the new district was quite novel.
As Jiang Ling was eating a piece of white sugar cake, Jian Zhou suddenly said, "Lingzi, look, the hot search has exploded, your hot search has exploded!"
"No way? I've been retired for so many years, how can I still be trending?" Jiang Ling shook her head and chuckled.
"Really, look at the news!" Jian Zhou quickly handed his phone to her.
Jiang Ling lowered her head and was stunned.
Immediately, her eyes welled up, and she choked out, "I can't believe after so many years, they haven't forgotten me."
Jian Zhou smiled and patted her back, "The characters you played were all so classic; anyone would remember."
Jiang Ling fell silent for a long time, then sighed and said, "Since they miss me so much, then I shall return."
Jian Zhou, upon hearing this, was not surprised and instead teased, "Are you sure you've thought this through? After enjoying over a decade of peaceful days, returning to the entertainment industry might mean you'll be trending on hot searches every day."
"Do you still think I'm the Jiang Ling of the past? Everyone gets old."
"Not necessarily. Older women are also very popular. I remember a line from a certain TV drama that said something like, 'like a young melon vine, only with age does one gain charm'," Jian Zhou joked.
"Oh, go away, you're annoying!"
Jiang Ling gave him a playful glare, then took out her phone and drafted a Weibo post.
"Thank you all for your concern. I recently participated in a TV series that will be broadcast on satellite next month. I welcome both new and old fans to give it your support!"
After posting, Jiang Ling closed her phone and picked up another piece of white sugar cake.
There were many small shops making white sugar cakes in various places, but for authenticity, nothing beat the ones made in the back alleys of her hometown.
"Oh right, Sister Sa and Xiao Hei are having a coming-of-age banquet for their daughter. Are you going?" Jian Zhou asked.
Jiang Ling nodded without hesitation, "Of course, what kind of friendship do we have? How could I not go?"
Not long after Jiang Ling got married, Xiao Hei and Sister Sa got together.
Speaking of their marriage, it was quite a comical story.
Sister Sa harbored immense hatred for her biological father's family and a string of peculiar relatives due to her birth mother's suicide.
Every year when she returned home for the New Year, Sister Sa could not help but unleash her full arsenal, sarcastically putting those insufferable people in their place and enraging them to the point of spitting blood.