#yizhan

I think many of us are feeling especially sentimental about this anniversary because it's 2026, and this year every anniversary and every significant moment seems to hold more meaning and consequence than usual.

When I think about The Untamed, I think about the very rare and precious opportunity for GG and DD to work together as romantic leads, on a story that is so beautifully written and with a cast and crew that gave them space to be themselves.

They could have gone through their entire careers and never had an opportunity like that, with all of these factors coming together so perfectly.

And it launched their careers - that's completely undeniable. The Magnolia Awards program featured a bio about each nominee (reportedly provided by the staff for each nominee), and GG's opened with an acknowledgment of that:

Xiao Zhan is a mainland Chinese actor and singer. In 2019, he gained widespread attention for starring in the costume xianxia drama The Untamed.

Not only did The Untamed give them a precious opportunity to work together, with a supportive cast and crew, on a hit drama that launched their careers, but it also gave them all of us. Make no mistake about it, they value us and the special kind of support we bring them.

Today of all days, GG made a personal post with the kadian 13:00 (yizhan). DD recently clowned us about his racing tires. They know. They're watching, and they share a special connection with all of us.

In a world where they can't be open about their relationship or show support for each other in a shared way, we can do it for them. I know this brings them strength and joy at times (even at as it undoubtedly brings them moments of anxiety 😅).

This fandom has long been about so much more than a drama from 7 years ago, but it was the spark that brought all of this together. It will forever be loved by everyone it has touched. Including GG and DD. After all, no one has been as impacted as they have been.

More than anything, fandom is about people, and about coming together to share all of our excitement, clowning, worries, joys and pains. This fandom and GG and DD have gotten me through some of the most difficult times of my life. I know from talking to so many of you over the years, that it has done the same for you.

And I see this expressed on Weibo as well so often from C-turtles. We've all come through so much together, and no matter how near or how far, we are a little family.

Maybe not so little, given that there are so many millions of us! 😅

I have been overwhelmed by real life lately - in some good ways, and in some not so good ways. Life goes on and pulls us away from fandom for various reasons, but GG and DD, and this beautiful family, always pull us back.

No matter how much time or energy I have to bore you with my long-winded posts lately, you are always in my heart next to GG and DD 💚💛❤️.

Happy 627 everyone! I hope you are all thriving in your own ways and on your own terms. May these experiences as a turtle continue to enrich your life, make you smile, give you strength, connect you with your people and teach you things you never thought to study.

THE FIRST PART, starting it off with the mention of the heat and summer, which of course fits the weather that is, but for us and for them it means so much more.

Although the August heat can be difficult to endure, everyone is filled with anticipation, having long regarded today as the most passionate beginning of the year.

I just think that for XZ, when he thinks of summer, it’s so tied to WYB and that summer together when they filmed CQL. Something that is difficult to endure, but was a good memory. and now, a start of something, like for his bday, it’s the start of the new year.

The writer then goes on to define what 29 means in the next paragraphs, “缓冲, 冲刺 and 平衡” first is Recalibration.

Recalibration is not stagnation, it’s about readjusting your course. To be surrounded by everything in this world without losing sight of yourself.

i love this because it is so true. it is what we all admire about WYB, how he stays true to himself even if it makes other people uncomfortable. he has fought so hard to live a life that will give him some sense of peace. i like how the writer validates this, likening it to champagne ( he drinks this in the podium when they win ) that leaves a lingering taste. that’s what he needs. something that will last. i think this year is important, the last year of his 20s, so there is nothing wrong to recalibrate in this new stage.

the next is ACCELERATION. or Sprint.

Acceleration is not about conquering, but it’s about the choices you make while riding the momentum. The scenery changes, but your heart remains unchanged.

The scenery, you are the most beautiful scenery 🥹🥹🥹 that’s all I can think about it. no matter what, his heart is the same. and i feel like this is a clue for his personality, as well as how he loves people. whether a friend or a significant other. he remains unchanged, if he loves you, it will be forever.

and last is BALANCE.

Balance is not about having everything all at once, but about calmly opening your hands and steadily catching yourself amid all that remains uncertain.

The way this is written, it’s so XZ. if you have read enough essays and posts from him, he loves to say something and describe to you how that’s gonna be like in real life. To explain it you in a more realistic, even dramatic/poetic way.

No matter how 29 is defined, it is a year that belongs entirely to you. Every attempt is worthwhile, and even choosing to let go is all right. Just remember to always rest well and sleep peacefully. May you have peace, may you have passion, and may you always have endless possibilities.

the message that it is okay to let go sometimes or to slow down. cpfs are reminded of that LRLG conversation where XZ said: “you can try, but don’t take it too seriously or overexert yourself.” ; it is a similar message. XZ is always there to remind him that it’s okay to pause.

and in true XZ fashion, he equates sleep with peace. like in the lyrics of Us, ( in a world without lies, will we sleep more soundly? 🎶🎵) he connects sleeping well to an almost perfect world where there is no deception. so in this way, no matter what happens, what is important is sleep/rest because that is where he can find peace. the theme of sleep, and in this sense, “goodnight” has always been romantic. it’s so obvious too, for those who pay attention that xz posts almost always start with talking about the weather ends with goodnight/rest.

At 29, the wind will still come from all directions, and mountains will still need to be climbed one step at a time. So there is no need to wait for calm seas, nor fear the peaks and valleys ahead. Set off, whether slowly or quickly, whether you go straight ahead or take a turn, right now is already the best moment.

just recalling XZ’s 29th bday post, it has the same feeling/message. he knows what it’s like to be that age, that final year before crossing over to your 30s.

i’m like so 👁️👄👁️ so right now!

happy birthday WYB! 🎂🎂🎂 till the next birthday letter!!!

2020: May you grow freely like the wind.

2021: Everything is cool, grow up slowly.

2023: Yibo, the sunset is beautiful, just like every evening you didn't have time to appreciate before, because you were so focused on moving forward.

2024: Accept imperfections, allow for regrets, the mountains are high and the seas are vast, please boldly move forward.

2025: Your world is infinitely large.

2026: Trying is worthwhile, giving up is also acceptable, remember to sleep soundly.

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