Chapter 142 - 134: Celebrities Are Human Too
The two of them rushed over, and by the time they reached the arrivals gate, a huge crowd had already gathered.
Lu Yao squeezed her way through the crowd on her own, while Ni Bingyan watched from a distance. As long as there was no danger of a stampede, she had no intention of going closer.
A short while later, Han Feifan emerged with his manager and a group of assistants. The fans immediately raised their signs and merchandise, screaming as they swarmed forward. They ignored the security guards’ shouts, blindly pushing their way to the front.
The scene was so noisy it was headache-inducing. Ni Bingyan gritted her teeth and endured it until Han Feifan’s entourage finally left and the crowd began to disperse.
Lu Yao, her face flushed with excitement, ran over holding an autograph book. "Ah! Sis! Sis! I got Brother Fei Fan’s thirteenth autograph! I can’t believe I’ve run into him at the airport thirteen times!"
’A true die-hard fan, to be able to "run into" him at the airport thirteen times despite her busy school schedule.’
Ni Bingyan didn’t follow celebrities and couldn’t relate to her excitement. Seeing that it was over, she just wanted to leave quickly.
"Alright, alright, you’ve seen him and gotten your autograph, let’s go! If we don’t go buy you some clothes soon, you won’t even have a change of clothes. What will you do then?"
"I’ll just make do and wear yours~ When we were little, before you hit your growth spurt, didn’t I wear your clothes all the time?"
Her aunt was a very frugal person. Since Ni Bingyan was five years older than her cousin, her aunt would wash and save her old clothes for Lu Yao to wear when she got older.
Her cousin was very good-natured and never cared about such things, remaining just as close to her older cousin.
Ni Bingyan remembered her aunt’s family’s kindness, which was why she wanted to find a way to help her cousin, who had clearly gone astray—even if the task was visibly daunting.
Having seen her idol, Lu Yao was satisfied and didn’t cause any more trouble, following Ni Bingyan back to the parking garage.
Unexpectedly, while they were still a long way from the car, they heard someone up ahead cursing.
"Fuck, what a bunch of fucking idiots! Always making a fuss! It’s autographs all day, every day! Or group photos! Don’t they ever get sick of getting so many autographs? I’m so sick and tired of these brain-dead morons! Did they feed their brains to the pigs? Motherfucker! Such a jinx!"
Ni Bingyan didn’t recognize the voice, but Lu Yao, as a die-hard fan, was all too familiar with her beloved idol’s voice. Her face paled instantly, and she froze in place.
"Hey, Bro, don’t be angry, don’t be angry. I know you’re tired, but we rely on the fans to make a living. We have to keep up appearances!"
That was the voice of his executive agent, Xiaoou.
He was always the best at placating people. Since Han Feifan wasn’t very patient, Sister Amy had specifically assigned Xiaoou to be by his side.
As these thoughts ran through her mind, a woman’s voice cut in harshly, "If you had the ability to make a living without relying on fans, then you wouldn’t have to bother with them. Get in the car! Let’s go!"
It was his manager, Sister Amy.
’I can’t believe she’s so cold in private. Just a moment ago, she was speaking so gently to me.’
’So Brother Fei Fan doesn’t actually like his fans’ enthusiasm in private.’
’He doesn’t like people crowding around him, asking for autographs, or wanting photos. He only placates his fans to make money, and his staff all treat the fans like cash cows...’
These thoughts flashed through her mind, but she refused to accept them.
Han Feifan’s car drove off a moment later. The two sisters stood behind a pillar. Ni Bingyan was secretly delighted but kept her expression neutral.
"This is just how the entertainment industry is. Everyone is two-faced. You get used to it."
This was Ni Bingyan’s first time witnessing a truly crazy fan, and she didn’t realize they had their own special brand of logic.
She had been hoping her cousin’s bubble would burst and she’d instantly regret everything, finally curing her of this celebrity-chasing habit. But then she heard her muttering as if chanting a sutra:
"Sigh, Brother Fei Fan’s agency is such a pit. They’re always exploiting him, scheduling so much work. How could he not be annoyed?"
Ni Bingyan pretended not to hear and just kept walking. Lu Yao followed behind in a daze, her heart aching for her "gege" as she walked.
"He rushed through two cities for his schedule today. He must be so exhausted. I shouldn’t have gone to the airport, and I definitely shouldn’t have asked for an autograph. I wonder if his hand hurts. He must be so tired after signing so many names..."
Ni Bingyan: "..."
’Your sister finishes a long day of work, comes to the airport to pick you up, carries your suitcase, and accompanies you to chase after your idol, but have I heard you ask if I’m tired? The guy has a dozen assistants! He doesn’t have to do a thing himself. How tired could he possibly be?’
’And yet you’re the one feeling sorry for him.’
’So frustrating...’
Ni Bingyan continued to pretend she hadn’t heard, opening the car door and getting into the driver’s seat.
This time, she didn’t even call out to her cousin, simply fastening her seatbelt and starting the car.
Hearing the engine start, Lu Yao hastily scrambled into the passenger seat.
Seeing her cousin’s cold gaze and that she wouldn’t even take off her mask in the car, Lu Yao could tell she was angry. She realized her cousin had probably known about her celebrity-chasing for a while, and her expression turned sheepish.
"Celebrities are people too. Of course they get tired and have grievances. He’s not usually like this. He’s a really good person..."
She didn’t know why she was trying to make excuses. Her cousin was a celebrity herself and definitely understood these things, but Lu Yao just couldn’t bring herself to believe that her beloved idol was a two-faced, foul-mouthed person with no class.
"That’s right! Celebrities are people too! I’ve been working hard all day, and you, you heartless girl, only have eyes for someone else!"
Ni Bingyan took off her mask and made a passive-aggressive jab before turning to Lu Yao.
"You didn’t get much rest on the way here, did you? Just sit back and rest for a bit. I’ll call you when we get there."
She was clearly unwilling to mention Han Feifan again.
Lu Yao obediently fell silent. Ni Bingyan focused on driving and ignored her.
With something weighing on her mind, Lu Yao was distracted the whole way. She unconsciously fiddled with the cute, long ears on her phone case, her eyes staring blankly ahead.
In the end, Ni Bingyan couldn’t bring herself to be harsh. She sighed and tried to reason with her.
"You’re going to follow me for this winter break. You won’t believe what I say, so you can see it with your own eyes. See how this industry operates, see what the fan economy is really all about. You’re grown up now, so I’ll treat you like an adult and won’t try to fool or lie to you. You have to believe that I love you just as much as your mom and dad do. We’re not worried about the money; we’re worried about *you*. My work is actually quite busy. I’m going through the trouble of bringing you along just so you can see the gap between your imagination and reality."
Lu Yao’s eyes stung, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I know there’s no such thing as a perfect person in this world, but... can’t a person have some fantasies? Projecting those fantasies onto someone, being his fan, supporting him... it just feels so happy!"
’But the person who was so gentle to her face, who praised her for being cute and good-natured, who patiently signed her autograph... the moment he turned around, he was cursing her out as a dumbass, a brain-dead moron. The stream of filth was enough to make her ears hurt!’
’It was just too hard to accept.’
"Alright, I’ve made a reservation at a newly opened French restaurant for tonight. I remember you like cute desserts, and theirs are very unique. We’re at the mall, so let’s hurry and buy you some clothes! Your big sis is feeling generous today. As long as you can carry it, you can pick whatever you want!"
Lu Yao knew her cousin was trying to cheer her up and couldn’t help but smile through her tears.
"By the way, Sis, do you think I’m an idiot? Fanning over some guy I don’t even know, can’t even tell if he’s a decent person or a monster... Why don’t I just be a fan of yours? You’re so beautiful, so talented at your job, and you’re so good to me. The key thing is, you wouldn’t curse me out behind my back..."
Ni Bingyan rolled her eyes. "Hurry up and get out of the car. What are you dawdling for? If you became my fan, we’d be sharing a blanket, and one fart from me would shatter all your beautiful fantasies!"
Lu Yao giggled at her joke, grabbing her small bag and getting out of the car.
"Then later, you can pay for me, and I’ll pay for you. My brother secretly transferred some money to me a few days ago, hehe~"
"Forget it, just keep it for yourself! When you’re earning your own money, then you can buy things for me. What’s so great about spending your brother’s money?"
"Hmph!"
Lu Yao huffed but didn’t say anything. ’If the money I’d spent chasing my idol before had been my own,’ she thought, ’they definitely wouldn’t have anything to say about it.’
And so she began to wonder—how could she get rich quick?