On May 5th, Yang Zi (楊紫) celebrated Zhang Yishan‘s (張一山) birthday for the eighth consecutive year, saying, “All is well, and getting better! Happy birthday, A’shan!” Accompanying her message was a poster detailing the various roles Zhang Yishan has portrayed over the years. Zhang Yishan promptly replied in the comments, “As a Zimi (grain of purple rice: nickname for Yang Zi fans), thank you for your blessings, so happy.” Reflecting on their initial acquaintance through the sitcom “Home with Kids,” <家有兒女> it’s been a full 20 years since they first met, a testament to the fleeting nature of time and the enduring freshness of their friendship.
“Home with Kids,” a family sitcom filmed in 2004, narrates the amusing stories between Xia Donghai, Liu Mei, and their three children Liu Xing, Xia Xue, and Xia Yu. Zhang Yishan’s character, Liu Xing, with his mischievous antics, became a cherished childhood memory for countless viewers. Yang Zi’s character, Xia Xue, portrayed as a well-behaved and sensible girl, starkly contrasts with Zhang Yishan’s.
In the series, Liu Xing and Xia Xue are like frenemies, often found in playful contention, yet in real life, Yang Zi and Zhang Yishan are close friends. They have grown up together, facing many of life’s ups and downs, and their friendship has transcended the bounds of time and space.
Twenty years on, both Yang Zi and Zhang Yishan have become prominent figures in the entertainment industry, each achieving notable success in their acting careers. Nevertheless, they have maintained their pure friendship, becoming a strong support for each other on their respective paths of growth.
