It was 1:30 AM. While most of the city slept, the airport was bustling with people, a hive of activity.
“Are those people your fans?” Kong Yinmeng asked. “Maybe you should just go back. I can board the plane by myself. I travel all the time, I won’t get lost. But you… you’ll probably lose your way again.”
She knew all too well how terrible his sense of direction was. After spending the last few days with him, she’d confirmed that he was truly directionally challenged. He could remember landmarks, but anything else was a gamble.
Especially in a crowded place like an airport. He would need to walk the route multiple times alone before he could memorize it. She glanced at Xiao Huang, who was trailing behind them. He had been shaken awake by her, and was still half-asleep, stumbling like a zombie.
“They’re holding signs for Tu Ye,” Xiao Huang said. “I didn’t expect him to be here. It looks like he’s at the same boarding gate as you. I won’t go over there then. Be careful.”
He wanted to watch Kong Yinmeng until she was out of sight, but the crowd was too thick. He and Tu Ye—one a singer, the other an actor—shouldn’t have much to do with each other.
The problem was that Tu Ye didn’t see it that way. He had once participated in the R.S talent show. At the time, only one spot remained for the four-member group, and both he and Zheng Yi had a chance to advance.
Tu Ye’s vote count was very high, and if he had performed normally, he would have definitely debuted. Unfortunately, he had gone out drinking with someone the night before, which left him in terrible condition the next day.
The judges pointedly criticized his poor attitude, stating that if he joined R.S, he would corrupt the entire group’s atmosphere. Coupled with Zheng Yi’s exceptionally strong performance that day, Zheng Yi and the other three officially formed the group.
Many companies wanted to sign Tu Ye. He chose one of them. As newcomers to the entertainment industry, how could they distinguish between good and bad agencies? He happened to sign with one that loved to bleed its artists dry.
The contract spanned a staggering twenty years, burying Tu Ye’s entire youth. He had tried to rebel, but the consequence was being blacklisted for two years.
It wasn’t until five years ago that he re-emerged in the public eye as an actor, inexplicably becoming Zheng Yi’s rival.
Whenever the two appeared at the same event, Tu Ye would always come looking for trouble. Zheng Yi’s fans were naturally displeased, and Tu Ye’s fans, who always followed their idol’s lead, began digging up old grudges upon seeing him snub Zheng Yi.
Their opinions aligned with Tu Ye’s. They all believed Zheng Yi was the reason Tu Ye had signed with that blood-sucking agency and been blacklisted for two years. Some even spun conspiracy theories, claiming he had orchestrated a drinking session to get Tu Ye wasted, causing him to miss his chance for advancement.
Kong Yinmeng waved Xiao Huang over, and he scurried over quickly. “Are you two done chatting? Zheng-ge, let’s go, I think I saw Tu Ye!”
To Zheng Yi and his staff, Tu Ye was like a rabid dog—he’d bite anyone who crossed his path if given the chance.
A commotion broke out at the boarding gate. They looked over to see Tu Ye approaching from the opposite direction. Zheng Yi pulled his hat brim lower.
“Xiao Huang and I will head back first. Remember to send me a message after you land. I’ll reply first thing tomorrow morning.” Reason told him he should leave, but his body refused to obey.
Xiao Huang had already turned to leave when he realized Zheng Yi wasn’t following. He looked back… and saw the two of them embracing again. The sheer reluctance to part made him, a lonely single dog, want to cry.
“I don’t know when I’ll see you again. You absolutely cannot give other men the chance to get close to you. Wait for me. I will definitely give you a formal status.”
Kong Yinmeng chuckled. “What are you talking about? If anything, I’m the one who should be giving you a title. You’re the one who pursued me first, and I haven’t even officially accepted you yet! We can discuss this the next time we see each other.”
No distance could truly separate two people in love. If they did, she would simply conclude that it wasn’t meant to be. She wouldn’t feel any regret—at least she’d had a man in her life whom so many people called “husband.”
Kong Yinmeng lined up at the boarding gate like any other passenger. The security guards held back Tu Ye’s fans, leaving only a single person between her and the idol.
As he turned to wave goodbye to his fans, he glanced at her several times. Kong Yinmeng thought of his past cheating scandals and felt little sympathy for him.
But as luck would have it, they were seated in the same row. Kong Yinmeng had the window seat, and since Tu Ye had boarded first, she had to ask him to move so she could get in.
“Excuse me…”
“Heh,” Tu Ye chuckled. “I guess he and I have a lot in common. You’re Miss Kong, right? How long have you two been dating? He’s not exactly the romantic type. Why don’t you consider throwing yourself into my arms instead?”
Tu Ye would never mistake his own enemy. He recognized Zheng Yi instantly, and he’d seen them embrace.
How amusing, he thought. A top-tier idol, secretly dating. If he’d caught it on camera, it would have been a massive scandal. But he hadn’t.
The timing wasn’t right. A simple airport hug was something Zheng Yi’s manager could easily spin. It would be better to wait for the perfect moment—to catch the bastard in bed with her, leaving him no room for excuses.
“Excuse me, miss,” Kong Yinmeng said with a smile, addressing the flight attendant. “This *middle-aged man* won’t let me sit in my own seat. Oh, by the way, isn’t he that celebrity who was recently caught cheating?” She had called the attendant over to resolve the dispute and, in the process, outed him.
Middle-aged man? Both Tu Ye and the flight attendant screamed internally. He was only a year older than Zheng Yi. How did he suddenly become a middle-aged man?
Tu Ye hadn’t expected her to call the attendant directly. He’d already lost a significant number of fans after the cheating scandal, and this was a critical moment for his career. He certainly couldn’t afford another public mess.
So he treated Kong Yinmeng to a good show. In the end, the flight attendant left with a smile, leaving Kong Yinmeng speechless. A person as difficult and vicious as him, pretending to be a sunny, handsome guy—he’s really making a fool of himself.
“How do you know him? How far have you two gone?”
“What’s it to you? If I recall correctly, you’re rivals. I’m surprised you care so much about him. As for you, it’s only been a few days since your cheating scandal, and you’re already out in public, putting on a show for a bunch of fans who don’t even like you. Aren’t you tired? By the way, are they real fans, or just paid extras from your company?”
Tu Ye was left speechless by the retort. A few seconds later, he recovered and laughed in disbelief. “He actually found a woman with your personality. I’ll be waiting for the day you tear him apart. You can contact me then—I’ll help you.”
“You overestimate yourself. Even if that day comes, you’ll probably be washed up and useless.” Kong Yinmeng plugged in her earplugs right in front of him, refusing to continue the conversation.
Lu Fangcao had asked her out, but instead of saying anything, she just stared at her, making her feel completely creeped out.
“Who did you learn this trick from? Just tell me straight—are you going to kill me or skin me alive?”
Lu Fangcao chuckled and pulled up a photo of Zheng Yi from her album, holding it in front of her. “Mengmeng, tell me the truth. Are you having an affair with my husband?”
A pair of young girls passing by slowed their pace, clearly eager to witness a scene of a wife tearing into her husband’s mistress.
“Ahem… Watch your wording. Don’t let outsiders misunderstand.” Kong Yinmeng glanced at the two girls. Being shy, they immediately hurried away after realizing they’d been spotted.
“Alright, no one’s around now. Hurry up and tell me—how far have you two gone? Did you… you know… this time?” Lu Fangcao’s excitement made Kong Yinmeng doubt that Zheng Yi was even her idol.
Before Kong Yinmeng could figure out how to respond, Zheng Yi sent a message. It was currently the lunch break, and no videographer was with him.
Li: What are you doing? Did you miss me?
Mengmeng: Dealing with your girlfriend fan. She’s asking how far we’ve gone.
The other person kept typing, but no message ever came through. He was probably still considering how to reply.
So many idols had their chat logs exposed after breaking up with their girlfriends; he really should think carefully about what he sent.
Li: We’re in the probation period. I’m working hard to get a permanent position…
Mengmeng: Your girlfriend fans are going to eat me alive.
Li: You guys have fun first. We’ll talk tonight.
Kong Yinmeng showed Lu Fangcao what he had sent and received an envious look in return.
“Mengmeng, you have to treat me to this lunch. You stole my husband, so how could you not show some sincerity?” Lu Fangcao thought secretly, wondering if she could get to know other celebrities through Zheng Yi.
“Isn’t that right? Who was it that promised to treat me to three hot pot meals and five buffets before?”
Kong Yinmeng smiled as she handed over the menu. Just as Lu Fangcao was about to take it, her phone rang. She impatiently pressed the hang-up button. While she was ordering, her phone rang countless times. In the end, she chose to mute it.
“Broke up with Xiao Xi?”
Lu Fangcao’s usual routine was to not answer the other person’s calls after breaking up. A few times, the men even went to her house, hoping she would call Lu Fangcao to ask for the reason for the breakup.
What reason could there be? It was simply that Lu Fangcao felt bored and didn’t want to continue the relationship.
“I really regret not listening to you. Younger guys are just the worst. Not only are they clingy as hell, but he even had to crash my dinner with someone else just to keep other men away from me. I couldn’t even breathe! I broke up with him yesterday, and he’s already calling me today right after class.”
Lu Fangcao’s regret was only temporary. The next time she saw a handsome younger guy, she’d fall for him all over again.
“I still think you should explain things clearly to him,” Kong Yinmeng said. “Younger guys aren’t like adults; they haven’t been toughened up by life yet. What if he does something desperate?”
Lu Fangcao actually thought Xi Pingzhi was pretty good, aside from his age. But after all, they’d only had one meal together; she couldn’t really say much more.
Reluctantly, Lu Fangcao turned on her phone and saw a message from Xi Pingzhi. *Mengmeng, you really are a jinx! Enjoy your meal; I’m going to check on the brat.*
Xi Pingzhi said no more, only sending her a photo taken from the edge of a rooftop. Lu Fangcao’s heart hammered in her chest as she immediately called him back.
She swore she would never date a younger guy again! Never!
The waiter began serving the dishes. Kong Yinmeng stared at the table full of food, feeling overwhelmed. She had a good appetite, but she couldn’t possibly eat all of this!
“Mengmeng, what a coincidence! We’ve run into each other again.” Just as she was worrying about the food, a voice sounded from behind her.