Fan 1: @LittleMaruko, Sister Wanzi, what exactly is going on with the rumor?
Finally, a fan in the group could not hold back and tagged the group owner Zhang Xiaowan. The fans in the group all knew this was An Juexiao’s first official fan group, so they were fortunate to have staff members who worked closely with her inside the group.
Of course, they did not know that the person herself was also lurking there.
LittleMaruko: There will be an official statement later, please refer to the official news~
After hearing Zhang Xiaowan’s reply, everyone obediently said they understood and waited quietly for updates.
Soon, An Juexiao’s official fan club and Peng Chenglang’s official fan club jointly released a statement on Weibo, stating that the two were just friends. That night, An Juexiao had gone to Peng Chenglang’s room to eat self-heating hot pot, and both of their assistants were present.
An Juexiao quickly reposted the statement and attached two handwritten self-criticism letters.
One was written by An Juexiao, with bold and flowing handwriting that read, I was wrong. As a female artist, I should not have secretly eaten a late night snack during a dieting period, and on top of that, it was a high calorie self-heating hot pot! This is a crime!
The other was written by Zhang Xiaowan: I bow down in apology like a tiger falling to the ground! I should not have pretended to obey while secretly covering for Sister Juexiao eating late night snacks! I have already paid a fine to the company, sob sob!
An Juexiao’s post: What is wrong with you paparazzi! Is it easy for me to secretly eat a hot pot! You just had to expose it and publicly shame me! Now the whole world knows!
“Hahaha oh my god, this is such a hilarious pair of celebrities! Even the assistant is so cute.”
“It is not easy being an artist, even eating a late night snack has to be done secretly.”
“After looking at my bank balance, I feel like I have it worse than celebrities. Then I look at the takeaway I just ordered, and suddenly I feel like I am living better than them.”
This netizen attached a photo of crispy grilled milk tea and Korean fried chicken.
Soon, An Juexiao’s post was flooded with photos of snacks and late night food shared by netizens. There were juicy crab roe soup dumplings, crystal clear shrimp dumplings, and the most common night market barbecue. An Juexiao could not help posting angrily, shouting, “Are you all devils!”
Unfortunately, her anger only earned laughter from fans and passersby.
After the official statement was released, the CP craze in the fan group finally died down. Fans 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and others were chatting, but Fan 2 had not reappeared. Then Open-the-lid-and-win started stirring things up again.
Fan 1: Open-the-lid is so amazing, she actually guessed the truth.
Open-the-lid-and-win: @Fan 2
Not only did she tag Fan 2, she also attached a link.
Seeing that Open-the-lid-and-win specifically tagged Fan 2, An Juexiao could not help but laugh. This little Open-the-lid was quite interesting.
Before long, the tagged Fan 2 finally showed up, reluctantly sending a single “hmph.”
Because the rumor and its reversal had trended, the self-heating hot pot brand quickly seized the opportunity. They contacted An Juexiao’s manager, saying they wanted her as an endorser, and even offered her free self-heating hot pot for life.
An Juexiao felt that the last part was meaningless, unless she quit the entertainment industry in the future and no longer needed to maintain her figure.
“Huh? Why did they not invite Peng Chenglang?” An Juexiao asked in confusion. Clearly it was a story involving both of them, yet she ended up benefiting.
Zhang Xiaowan answered honestly, “Too expensive, they cannot afford him.”
An Juexiao: “……”
Although Zhang Xiaowan’s words stung, they were true. An Juexiao calculated carefully, and realized that her current appearance fee was not even comparable to the princess costume. She felt like crying.
This endorsement deal came like a storm, leaving her dazed but thriving. Still, An Juexiao posted about it on her social feed to celebrate, and Gu Zhanran quickly gave her a like again.
An Juexiao: It was you who canceled your like last time, right!
Gu Dengdeng: How has filming been lately?
An Juexiao had changed Gu Zhanran’s contact name to “Gu Dengdeng” because after several interactions, she felt that he was sometimes like a guiding light when she felt lost.
An Juexiao: So it really was you.
An Juexiao: One little probe and you exposed yourself. If you do not want to lie, you can only change the subject. President Gu, are you that innocent?
Gu Dengdeng: …
Gu Dengdeng: You eat very fast.
An Juexiao: Hey, let me tell you, filming lately has been so much fun!
Seeing how quickly she changed the topic, Gu Zhanran could not help but smile.
An Juexiao: Recently, Su Lanxue and Peng Chenglang’s fans came to visit the set and brought lots of food.
An Juexiao: They even specially gave me two boxes of self-heating hot pot. They must be trying to torture me. 【laugh-cry】【laugh-cry】【laugh-cry】
Gu Dengdeng: Fans visiting the set?
An Juexiao guessed that a busy CEO like Gu Zhanran probably did not know much fan terminology, so she explained what a fan visit was. She also explained how fan groups operate, fan site managers, and obsessive stalker fans.
Gu Dengdeng: So being a fan involves so many details.
An Juexiao: Haha, not really. I think the most important thing about liking a celebrity is to be happy, everything else is not that important.
An Juexiao: So among all types of fans, the happiest are probably multi-fans.
Gu Dengdeng: What is a multi-fan?
An Juexiao: Someone who likes one today, another tomorrow, always sitting on the fence and ready to follow someone new at any time.
Gu Dengdeng replied proudly: I am a solo fan.
An Juexiao could not help laughing: President Gu, your learning ability is strong.
Gu Dengdeng stated matter-of-factly: My teachers have always said that about me.
Even through the screen, An Juexiao could imagine Gu Zhanran’s serious yet smug expression.
Only afterward did she realize: By the way, whose fan are you?
Gu Dengdeng: …
Since Su Lanxue and Peng Chenglang’s fans had sent gifts during their visit, An Juexiao’s side could not fall behind. As Zhang Xiaowan put it, this was a matter of formality. So she posted in the fan group about organizing an official visit, and quickly received enthusiastic responses.
Everyone felt that since this was the first official fan visit, it had to be grand and bring honor to their “Sister Xiao,” so they eagerly contributed ideas in the group.
Watching the lively discussions, An Juexiao felt warmth in her heart. Being liked probably felt just like this.
“The visit is fine, but maybe do not send gifts,” An Juexiao suggested, “Many fans are students and do not have much money.”
“Do not worry, sis. Support funds are usually pooled voluntarily by fan teams. I will guide everyone to contribute within their means.”
“Even if the funds are pooled, my fan base is small, unlike Lanxue and Peng Chenglang…” An Juexiao thought for a moment and added, “How about I cover part of it from my acting fee?”
Zhang Xiaowan considered it and felt it was a good idea, so she agreed. A few days later, she excitedly ran to An Juexiao, “Sis, this time the entire support fund for the visit has been covered by a big fan.”
“Covered entirely?!” An Juexiao thought for a while, then hesitantly asked, “This big fan would not be trying to take advantage of me, right?”
Zhang Xiaowan: “……”
The more An Juexiao thought about it, the more possible it seemed, “Could it involve things like accompanying them to dinner or drinks?”
“Stop, stop, stop, do not let your imagination run wild,” Zhang Xiaowan quickly interrupted, “This big fan is not attending the visit, so there will be none of that taking advantage or accompanying to dinner and drinks you are thinking about.”
An Juexiao asked in surprise, “Not coming?”
“Right, it is that user Open-the-lid-and-win. She said she does not have time to come and will just contribute money,” Zhang Xiaowan shrugged, “It is not unusual. Some wealthy fans are richer than minor celebrities. You know Jing Fei, right? Before he became famous, he went to Shanghai for an event. A wealthy fan bought a first class ticket to match his schedule, but he was actually flying business class, so the fan and idol perfectly missed each other.”
An Juexiao: “……”
Zhang Xiaowan added, “And he upgraded to business class using points from economy.”
An Juexiao coughed lightly, “What is wrong with using points? Your own points, your own choice, be proud!”
After Zhang Xiaowan’s explanation, An Juexiao felt much more at ease and decided to leave these details to her.
On the other side, the so-called “big fan” Gu Zhanran naturally would not handle things personally. He only needed to assign the task to his assistant.
The assistant, already used to his boss being a fan, still voiced a small doubt, “Do you not want to send it under your personal name?”
Gu Zhanran kept a straight face and said seriously, “Do you know what that would be called?”
The assistant bowed slightly, showing he was listening attentively.
“That would be a stalker fan.”
Assistant: “???”
The assistant pondered this for quite a while in private. He knew what an illegitimate child was, but did not quite understand what a “stalker fan” meant. After thinking it over, he could only ask his girlfriend. Once he understood the meaning, he could not help but sigh, his boss really pursued fandom with both genuine feeling and professionalism.
An Juexiao privately sent a message to Open-the-lid-and-win.
I am a Xiaoxiao bird: Little Open-the-lid, I am a staff member working with An Juexiao. Thank you for supporting the fan event.
Open-the-lid-and-win: Staff member?
Since they were chatting through text rather than face to face, it was hard to judge tone or expression. Open-the-lid-and-win’s message actually carried a hint of surprise mixed with confusion, and even a trace of speechlessness.
But An Juexiao misunderstood it perfectly, thinking that Open-the-lid-and-win was doubting her identity.
I am a Xiaoxiao bird: Yes, do not worry, I am not a scammer. If you are unsure, you can verify with Wanzi.
Open-the-lid-and-win, who was actually Gu Zhanran, of course did not doubt Xiaoxiao bird’s identity. He even knew that Xiaoxiao bird was not a staff member at all, but An Juexiao herself.
Because the profile picture used by “I am a Xiaoxiao bird” was a photo of snowy mountains. The angle was very unique, taken from an airplane window while flying over the Himalayas.
The Himalayas were majestic and steep, their rugged slopes covered in white snow, weaving through the valleys like winding white dragons.
This photo had been taken personally by Gu Zhanran during his last overseas business trip.
Open-the-lid-and-win: No need, I know you are not a scammer.
I am a Xiaoxiao bird: Okay, okay. I heard from Wanzi that you covered all the expenses for this fan event. Actually, I wanted to say, do not spend so much. Being a fan should bring motivation and joy to your life, not make you financially strained. Please do not spend so much next time.
Open-the-lid-and-win: …
Open-the-lid-and-win: It is fine, I have money.
I am a Xiaoxiao bird: Even your parents’ money should not be wasted like this.
Since the fans in the group often talked about things like failing exams, strict teachers, and handsome boys in the next class, An Juexiao had formed a fixed impression that her fans were all young girls.
I am a Xiaoxiao bird: By the way, Wanzi said you cannot come to the set visit, is it because of midterms?
Open-the-lid-and-win: Midterms?
I am a Xiaoxiao bird: Study more and go online less. This is the most important stage for your studies. Good luck on your exams.
Open-the-lid-and-win: I can still get full marks without studying.
Classmate Gu Zhanran was successfully led astray by An Juexiao and turned into a student preparing for midterms.