LayarHijau – The China TV Drama Quality Ceremony held by Dragon TV on March 9 gathered many stars from popular Chinese dramas. A number of well-known actors attended the event, including Xiao Zhan from the drama Legend of Zang Hai, Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan from The First Frost, as well as Bai Lu, who attended with her co-star from Northward, Oho Ou.
Among all the guests, Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan attracted the most attention. The on-screen couple previously faced dating rumors during the filming of The First Frost, so their appearance at the same event once again sparked public curiosity.
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What drew even more discussion, however, was their behavior during the ceremony. Although their seats were only one row apart—Bai Jingting could have easily seen Zhang Ruonan simply by turning around—the two showed absolutely no interaction throughout the event. They appeared almost like strangers who did not know each other.
This situation quickly sparked speculation among netizens. Many believe the lack of interaction might actually be an attempt to avoid suspicion due to the dating rumors surrounding them. Some even think the distance between them looked deliberately maintained in front of the public.
The contrast became more obvious when viewers noticed other actors interacting naturally at the venue. Bai Lu and Oho Ou, who worked together in Northward, were seen chatting and laughing comfortably during the ceremony. Their interaction felt like two friends happily catching up, which made Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan’s complete lack of interaction stand out even more.
The First Frost was one of the most talked-about dramas last year. The series exists in the same story universe as Hidden Love starring Zhao Lusi, which helped attract major attention from audiences. Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan’s strong on-screen chemistry in the drama was widely praised, and many viewers even described them as the “ceiling of pure romance dramas.”
Their popularity also led to a large number of CP fans who hope to see them collaborate again in another project. Recently, rumors have circulated that Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan may reunite in a new drama titled Take My Boss Away, further raising fans’ expectations.
This was not the first time the two appeared at the same event recently. In early February, Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan also both attended Weibo Night. Now that they have appeared again at the China TV Drama Quality Ceremony, the public has become even more attentive to their interactions.
Zhang Ruonan’s appearance at the event also attracted attention. She wore an outfit from the Zuhair Murad 2026 resort collection, featuring a sleeveless crystal-embellished top paired with a flowing skirt in a matching color palette. The elegant look gave her a graceful and ethereal presence.
Despite sitting very close to each other, the two still did not interact throughout the ceremony. Netizens also noticed that Bai Jingting chatted with several celebrities seated nearby. When Zhang Ruonan temporarily left her seat, he was even seen turning around to talk with Wang Anyu, who was sitting next to Zhang Ruonan’s seat.
This observation made many people even more convinced that the distance between them might not be a coincidence. Some netizens believe the two may be deliberately keeping their distance in public to avoid fueling further rumors about their personal relationship.
Another moment that sparked discussion occurred when Bai Jingting went on stage to receive an award. During his speech, he mentioned three projects he had starred in: Always on the Move, Mobius, and The First Frost. He also gave short descriptions for the characters he played in each project: “can’t escape,” “can’t sleep,” and “can’t be comforted.”
The last description—referring to The First Frost—quickly caught fans’ attention. Many joked that the phrase “can’t be comforted” sounded like a playful message directed at Zhang Ruonan.
Meanwhile, Zhang Ruonan attended the event to promote her new drama with Wang Anyu titled I Live in Your Time. When the two appeared on stage to promote the drama, they even recreated a sweet pose from one of the show’s scenes.
However, Zhang Ruonan’s attitude on stage appeared quite different compared to when she promoted The First Frost in the past. As she prepared to walk onto the stage, Wang Anyu politely extended his hand to assist her. At first, Zhang Ruonan seemed hesitant to accept the help, but she eventually took his hand at the last moment because her long dress made it difficult for her to walk.
This small moment also sparked discussions online. Many viewers felt Zhang Ruonan appeared to maintain a clear sense of distance with her co-star. The contrast with the affectionate interactions she previously showed with Bai Jingting while promoting The First Frost quickly became another topic of discussion.
Because of these differences, rumors about Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan’s relationship have once again become a hot topic online. For some fans, the complete lack of interaction between the two at a major event like the China TV Drama Quality Ceremony only makes speculation about a possible secret relationship even stronger.
