Vase cannon fodder is pampered by the group again

Chapter 82.1

Many passersby at the airport also noticed the CP fanvideo playing on the advertising screens. They looked up in confusion, some pulling out phones to take photos and translate, barely managing to understand the text on the screens.

Slightly noisy discussions arose all around, languages from various countries mixing together, with occasional loud exclamations punctuated by “wow” sounds.

“Oh my god…”

Shen Ci was completely stunned. He hurriedly put on sunglasses and a mask, afraid someone might recognize him as the star of the fanvideo.

Brother Zhang suppressed his laughter, watching Shen Ci walk stiffly, constantly reaching up to pull his hat brim low over his face. After quickly checking in and passing security, he made a beeline for the VIP lounge.

Like a panicked rabbit fleeing.

Shen Ci grabbed Lu An’s wrist, finally escaping the advertising bombardment in the main hall, only to freeze again upon entering the lounge—screens large and small were scattered throughout the corners, all displaying his drama stills and photo shoots, extremely eye-catching. Passing passengers would all take extra glances.

On the largest LED wall display, the fanvideo of Shen Ci and Lu Xiao played on loop as usual. Shen Ci couldn’t bear to watch it a second time. He walked wordlessly toward the quietest compartment, finally getting some peace.

Shen Ci sat down and let out a breath. Taking off his small backpack to get some snacks, he suddenly caught something in his peripheral vision.

At the newspaper stand beside the seating area, unusually colorful magazine covers had been placed. Shen Ci picked one up—it was that issue of “Entertainment Pictorial” featuring him and Lu An on the cover.

Shen Ci was speechless, instantly withdrawing into himself.

The wealthy mama fans had gotten too audacious—it looked like they’d bought out the entire airport’s advertising space.

Thank goodness this was in H Country where not many people recognized him. If this were in China… Shen Ci figured he’d be surrounded by entertainment reporters all the way.

Shen Ci suddenly jolted awake, quickly patting Brother Zhang’s shoulder: “Brother Zhang! The domestic airports don’t have these ads, right?”

Brother Zhang nearly got slapped to death. Grimacing, he pushed Shen Ci’s hand away: “No… the fan sites discussed it with us—ads only at H Country airport.”

“Hm?” Shen Ci’s eyes narrowed, instantly looking fierce: “Brother Zhang, you knew about this? Why didn’t you tell me in advance!”

Brother Zhang pinched Shen Ci’s adorably fierce face, laughing cheerfully: “It’s a surprise.”

Shen Ci: “…This is called a shock.”

“Your fans truly love you.” Lu An commented in a flat tone. “First time I’ve seen a young entertainer being urged to date, with the target already picked out for him.”

Brother Zhang sprawled back on the massage chair, closing his eyes leisurely: “Exactly. Just calmly accept it. Besides, you’re an entertainer—being the center of attention is perfectly normal, isn’t it?”

“Plus it saved Yunxiao Entertainment advertising money, so you can buy even more snacks to eat.”

“Didn’t you want to open a hot pot restaurant? Perfect timing to gain recognition—you could expand internationally later.”

“…”

The two of them went back and forth, brainwashing Shen Ci until he looked dazed, finding their words increasingly reasonable.

It seemed… not really that embarrassing after all?

---

They arrived at their destination at 2 PM, with the sun blazing overhead.

In the corridor leading to the airport terminal, Bai Yan led three brothers ahead to collect Shen Ci and Lu An’s checked luggage, while the three of them lagged behind, walking at a leisurely pace.

“Hey, where’s Yu Yang?” Shen Ci looked around but couldn’t find Lu An’s assistant.

When they came to H Country, he was clearly by Lu An’s side.

Lu An explained casually: “He’s in economy class, fell behind.”

“Oh…” Shen Ci figured since he wasn’t qualified to stay by the artist’s side, he was probably going to be fired.

Lu An had already put on his hat and mask, bending down with Brother Zhang to help fix Shen Ci’s messy hair.

Brother Zhang hastily tied Shen Ci’s hair into a small topknot, revealing his fair, delicate features, and applied some lip balm.

“Many people are here to pick you up today. The fans haven’t seen you in ages, so don’t wear a mask.”

Brother Zhang patted Shen Ci’s shoulder, reminding him to pay attention to fan service.

Shen Ci grinned and made a heart shape at Brother Zhang: “No problem!”

Having just napped, Shen Ci’s fair face was tinged with a rosy flush, making him look adorably dazed.

After three months of filming, aside from his hair growing longer, Shen Ci’s appearance hadn’t changed much—he still looked like a white dumpling.

Brother Zhang contentedly pinched his tender little face: “Very good, very good! The visual fans will definitely go crazy!”

Walking down the corridor, Shen Ci could see the terminal packed with people from far away. Many light-up signs were held high, flashing with Shen Ci’s name, and there were even Lu-Shen CP fans calling for sugar…

Shen Ci’s mouth twitched. He struggled to maintain his perfect business smile, waving at the nearby fans—

“Ahh! Baby’s here! Mama missed you to death!”

“The little topknot is bouncing! Ah, I’m dead!”

“So handsome, oh my god! Baby, I love you!”

“…”

Shen Ci expertly went into overdrive with hearts, winks, and fan service. Wherever he directed his attention, cheers and camera shutters erupted.

Some fans even reached out their hands, extremely excited, trying to touch Shen Ci.

This was when the bodyguards Lu Xiao had called proved their worth. Bai Yan and three other black-suited men flanked Shen Ci and Lu An, silently but firmly keeping the fans at bay.

Shen Ci smiled and waved at everyone with peace of mind. His curved eyes sparkled like scattered stars as the site photographers shouldered their camera cannons for precise shots, not forgetting to scream along with the other mama fans around them.

“Baby’s finally back! Hurry up and take on endorsements for business! We want to spend money on you so badly!”

“Everyone else got tanned, but baby’s still so fair! That rosy little face is killing me!”

“Baby looks like he lost weight! Did they not let you eat when you weren’t on camera? Wuu wuu, baby suffered during filming…”

“Sisters, arrange the snack gift package airdrops! Send them to death!”

“…”

The fans formed a noisy circle around them. Shen Ci maintained his business state throughout, and the entire surrounding circle slowly moved with him toward the airport exit. Shen Ci’s sharp eyes spotted a familiar black elongated car.

“I’ve seen this license plate before! It’s Mr. Lu Xiao’s!”

“Aww, feeding us sugar! He came to pick up baby!”

“Why are you just standing there filming? Quick, swoon!”

Protected by the bodyguards, Shen Ci passed through the rising and falling clamor, his lively eyes sparkling brightly.

Bai Yan opened the car door. Shen Ci gave the fans one final heart gesture before eagerly diving into the car, and sure enough saw Lu Xiao.

Lu Xiao was wearing gold-rimmed glasses and looked up at the sound, setting down the tablet in his hands. His gaze was gentle yet profound as it met Shen Ci’s eyes.

Taking advantage of the moment before anyone else got in the car, with the door still blocked from view, Shen Ci quickly leaned over.

He gave his boyfriend a quick “mwah” on the lips, then hurried to sit in the seat beside him, acting as if nothing had happened.

Lu Xiao slowly traced his lower lip, savoring the gentle butterfly kiss from moments before, the curve of his mouth deepening.

Lu An and Brother Zhang quickly squeezed into the car. The door closed, shutting out all the prying eyes outside.

Lu Xiao extended his long arm, pinching Shen Ci’s earlobe, his eyes deep: “Baby, welcome home.”

Shen Ci’s lips curved into a gentle smile. Soft, warm light spilled down, pooling in his star-like eyes.

“Mm!”