Creamy Gestures Ignite Romance Rumors and Promotion Buzz for Chinese Stars Song Yi and Cheng Lei

The episode unfolded after the cast of the popular variety show “Hello Saturday” finished a recording session. Song and Cheng, both members of the cast, lingered for a group dinner that appears to have been off‑camera. According to the footage, the pair lifted a bowl of sweetened cream—likely meant for a dessert—and, in an impromptu moment of merriment, dabbed the mixture onto each other’s faces, with Cheng even licking his finger as he did so. The flirtatious gesture, captured in a handful of noticeably candid frames, instantly became a viral meme.

Chinese netizens responded with a mixture of surprise, amusement and curiosity. A significant portion of the commentary focused on the intimacy of the act, prompting some users to wonder whether a romance might be blossoming behind the scenes. The term “夫妻相” (the “spouse look”) was invoked, with many noting that Song and Cheng seemed to exude a chemistry that could belong to a married couple. A playful moniker, “浴巾夫妇” (bath‑towel couple), also emerged, alluding to the close‑knit image often associated with co‑stars who share living quarters or off‑screen moments together.

The speculation was not limited to a possible new couple. The online chatter also revisited Song Yi’s past relationship with actor Bai Jingting (白敬亭), whose name resurfaced in threads wondering whether the cream‑smearing incident signaled a definitive break between Song and Bai. Some users advocated that Song and Cheng might be “a good match,” while others cautioned against reading too much into a single, spontaneous gesture.

At the same time, a sizable contingent of commenters questioned whether the moment was truly private or a calculated publicity stunt. The timing—immediately following a “Hello Saturday” taping and just days before the launch of the historical drama “与晋长安” (Yu Jin Chang An)—gave rise to theories that the cream‑smearing could be part of a promotional campaign. The official WeChat account for “与晋长安” later weighed in, acknowledging the photos and suggesting that the light‑hearted behavior might have been orchestrated to generate buzz for the series. The drama’s official Weibo handle, “晋长安官博,” reposted the images and added a tongue‑in‑cheek caption that hinted at a deliberate marketing move, further fueling the debate.

The split in public opinion mirrors a broader pattern in Chinese celebrity culture, where fans and netizens alike scrutinize even the most mundane interactions for clues about off‑screen relationships. The rapid spread of the hashtag—becoming a hot search term within hours—demonstrates how quickly a single, seemingly trivial act can capture national attention, especially when it involves high‑profile figures like Song Yi, a well‑known actress celebrated for her roles in dramas such as “The Story of Minglan,” and Cheng Lei, a popular variety‑show host and actor.

While the exact motive behind the cream‑smearing remains unconfirmed, the incident has undeniably amplified interest in both the actors and the upcoming drama. For Song Yi, it adds another layer to her public persona, already colored by her past collaboration and rumored romance with Bai Jingting. For Cheng Lei, it reinforces his image as a lively, easy‑going personality who often blurs the line between professional performance and genuine camaraderie.

In the days that followed, the discussion evolved from pure speculation to a broader conversation about celebrity privacy, the limits of promotional theatrics, and the ways fan culture amplifies small gestures into headline‑making stories. Whether the cream‑covered smiles were a sincere moment of friendship, a pre‑planned marketing ploy, or something in between, they have succeeded in keeping both Song Yi and Cheng Lei firmly in the public eye—an outcome that, regardless of intent, serves the entertainment industry’s perpetual quest for attention.

As the “Hello Saturday” episode airs and “与晋长安” premieres, observers will be watching closely to see if the chemistry hinted at in a bowl of whipped cream translates into on‑screen partnership, promotional choreography, or simply remains a fleeting, amused footnote in the lives of two of China’s most watched stars.