Chapter 77 – Even Picking Up at the Airport Makes Headlines

Chapter 77 - Even Picking Up at the Airport Makes Headlines

Ning Xiaodou secretly glanced back at Tang Fei. Surrounded by the crowd, she stood confidently in the center, fearlessly answering questions without dodging any, her smile radiant.

Despite this spontaneous and unprepared interview, she actually dared to respond to the reporters.

Was she not afraid of saying something wrong?

"Is Teacher Tang here in Xiangnan for some event?"

"Yes, but I can't reveal it just yet. You'll know in due time."

"Teacher Tang, what's your impression of Xiangnan?"

"Spicy!"

"Ha-ha, Teacher Tang, are you prepared to eat spicy food then?"

"Since I'm already here, I have to give it a try." Tang Fei's enthusiastic demeanor exuded a unique charm.

The atmosphere of the interview was highly congenial, gradually revealing smiles on the journalists' faces.

No one had prescribed Tang Fei's persona, nor restricted how she expressed herself. Ning Xiaodou found himself oddly envious; since he began acting at ten and became an actor, he had never experienced such freedom when facing the media.

The constraints of rules and regulations weighed on him privately, increasing his irritability and restlessness.

Before witnessing Tang Fei's genuine popularity today, he had always believed that she was a product of marketing, a viral sensation on the internet fueled by purchased hype and fan metrics - all empty bubbles that would dissipate with a single breath.

Much like himself, everything about him was a facade; the persona he presented to the world was not his true self.

Bearing the labels of youth, aloofness, and coolness, everything he did had to conform to these traits. Once, when he smiled too much in front of the media, his parents reprimanded him for an entire day.

When he was acting, even engaging in casual conversation with extras would draw lengthy criticism.

The songs he shared were neither trendy nor fresh; both his parents and the company scolded him for it.

How wonderful it was to be able to truly be oneself. As for him, he no longer knew who he really was.

Ning Xiaodou watched as her fan base split apart, observed journalists vying for interviews, and noticed the indifferent passersby at the scene taking out their phones to film Tang Fei.

It turned out that Tang Fei had such a massive fan base, and apparently, there were people in the entertainment industry who didn't have to be burdened by their character personas.

He could no longer do it. Advertisers, production units, his management team, fans, and even his parents were all pushing him forward.

He was Tang Fei's rival, and his persona as a winter vacation box office killer required him to emerge from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. Whoever it was, they would just be stepping stones beneath his feet.

Ning Xiaodou exhaled. The pain from his toe touching the ground was enough to make him lose control over his facial expressions.

Stepping stones...

Could it possibly bend the footrest?

"Senior Miki, streamline the fan base of the support group. Only accept those who are exclusively my fans. Let's avoid such rough handling in the future."

"It's a shame we won't be using the press release we prepared," Ning Xiaodou's agent, Meiji, remarked.

" Aren't you ashamed? Still thinking about those generic press releases, those nonsense articles!" Ning Xiaodou grumbled, frustration evident in his steps as he hurried along with hands tucked into his pockets.

"Why are you losing your temper again, child? Control yourself, so many people are watching. You can let it out when we're alone."

...

The moment news of Tang Fei's appearance in Xiangnan Star City surfaced, more media outlets rushed over from every corner of the city. Her popularity instantly dominated headlines on major forums and portals!

"Breaking News! Tang Fei Spotted at Xiangnan Star City Airport!" accompanied by a photo of Tang Fei in a sleek, minimalist coat, striding confidently with her long legs, exuding an aura that screamed confidence.

"Tang Fei's Airport Appearance Sets the Scene Ablaze, Ning Xiaodou Fans 'Defect' On-Spot!" paired with a picture of Wang Keyi, dressed in Ning Xiaodou's fan club uniform, blushing with excitement and laughing gleefully.

"Ning Xiaodou Departs Coolly, while Tang Fei Signs Autographs Warmly!" featuring Ning Xiaodou's hurried departure and Tang Fei, surrounded by a throng of people, barely able to move as she busily signed autographs.

"Tang Fei's Unexpected Appearance Leads to Chaos, Trapping Her at the Airport for Three Hours!" came with an image of CEO Zhou Weichuan squeezed into an unrecognizable shape by the crowd, struggling to create a small space for Tang Fei and Shu Xiaoan.

Tang Fei's airport photos soared to the top of Weibo trends in less than an hour, solidifying her reign as the queen of the trending topics.

Her fans were thrilled!

Tang Fei's whereabouts had always been a closely guarded secret. Time Culture's staff maintained strict confidentiality, making it impossible for anyone to dig up information. Fans were desperate to learn more about her but could only watch helplessly.

Any news about Tang Fei would immediately send her fans into a frenzy!

"Feifei looks stunning even in a burlap sack. Just from the pictures, I'm smitten. How could those present not be mesmerized?"

"Inside scoop! Feifei's visit to Xiangnan might be related to a drama airing on Xiangnan TV."

"Is this for real? Do I not have to wait a year or so to see Feifei on television?"

"I've already started dusting off my TV. It's been a while since I turned it on, but I'll definitely tune in when Feifei is on."

"Is it the winter vacation slot?! My empty soul finally has something to feed on."

"This security guard is truly dedicated. Feifei should hire more like him; that poor guy squeezed in the crowd looks exhausted." A fan praised the unrecognizable Zhou Weichuan.

The 'handsome' security guard was so distorted that no one could tell who he was anymore.

"Kudos to the security guard brother for holding his ground against so many people."

"Why are there so many in green among the pushers? Did a senior tour group take the same flight as Feifei?"

"Hahaha, sister, are you trying to make me laugh to inherit my Huabei debt? Those are Ning Xiaodou's fan club uniforms. Someone took videos on the spot, and they're even funnier than the reports. Let's add each other on QQ, and I'll send them to you."

Many stars, envious of Tang Fei's popularity, could hardly contain their saliva. Yet, she was still going to release a drama, perfectly seizing the right time and place.

Guan Yun, who also had a drama to promote, had heard such comments. Song Li often sighed to her, lamenting how fortunate Tang Fei was. Once her ratings soared, who knew how triumphant she would become.

Nonetheless, Guan Yun focused. She tirelessly promoted her work, shot short videos, interacted with fans on Weibo and Douyin, and appeared on TV shows. Whenever she had spare time, she hired private tutors to improve her acting skills.

The usually lazy Guan Yun now worked as hard as a diligent bee.

Tang Fei's improved acting and songwriting abilities were a stark reminder to Guan Yun. The person she once looked down upon had left her far behind in an instant.

Perhaps Tang Fei had always been that talented. In her eyes, Guan Yun might have just been a clown trying to catch up.

Worried about Guan Yun, Guan Mo went to Guan Yin's office, begging him to use his connections to change Tang Fei's drama schedule. Enraged, Guan Yin lashed out in his office, "You're just too full of yourself, doing nothing all day but following your sister around. Guan Yun has more ambition than you."

"I give you two options. One, go to Time Culture, apologize to Tang Fei, and work as her assistant for a year for free. Two, work as a cement worker at our company's construction site on Qiong Island for a year with pay."

Guan Mo shook his head. Just as he was about to come up with a plan, Guan Yin opened a drawer, revealing a ruler. Reaching in, it seemed he was ready to grab it. Terrified, Guan Mo turned and ran, "Brother, I choose the construction site."

...

By the time Tang Fei managed to break free from the entanglement, the sky had already turned dusky. As she checked into the hotel, street lamps flickered on, and the neon lights of the city gradually illuminated the nightfall.

Arriving in her hotel room, she shut the door and threw herself onto the sofa, letting out a deep sigh. "So tiring."

"Today is a special occasion, Ning Xiaodou informed the media and fans, which is why there's so much going on. Next time, let's quietly leave through the VIP channel." Zhou Weichuan, with his hair styled in a haphazard manner, was massaging his sore shoulders.

Just as Tang Fei was about to tease him about his bird's nest hairdo, two quest prompts popped up before her eyes from the system.

Among them, there is a main quest!

A main quest only appears now? Could it be that we've been going through the prologue all along?